Returning to the old and familiar...

I couldn't tell you exactly when I started to use a Bible App on my phone, but I know it has been a couple of years.  I recently discovered something quite interesting.  I have really missed my old, well-used, heavy Bible!  In years past, I was known for always bringing my Bible (in its leather case that could also hold my journal) almost everywhere with me.  When I was introduced to the Bible on my phone, I really didn't think I would use it very much.  After a few months, I grew to love the ease at searching for a passage and navigating through the books quickly.  Slowly, I stopped using my "paper" Bible, until I actually had to stop and figure out where it had been stashed!  Occasionally, I  used my "old friend" when doing a devotional or to look something up.  But 99% of the time, I was using my phone Bible.  Until this...........

One of the best things about the last "school" year is that Gwen switched her women's Bible Study to Monday afternoons, when I am already at her house.  This has allowed me to participate with her group, getting to know some really awesome gals, and doing great Bible studies.  We just started a new short study, to take us to the end of the school year.  Gwen had given all of us a couple of choices of topics, and we all picked this one.  None of us knew the author, but there was something about the topic that appealed to us.  Last week we listened to the introduction video.  It was a wake up call for me, for sure!

Annie Downs, the author, talked about her own well-worn Bible and all the notes and underlines that it contains.  She even related a time when she got a new Bible and spent the time transferring all of her notes from the old book into the new one.  This was something that I had done, more than one time.  My current Bible is dated 8/11/04.  But it contains notes and underlines going back to 1988.  As I was watching Annie talk about her Bible, I suddenly had an overwhelming desire to old my own Bible and look at those notes.  I couldn't wait to get home and find my old treasured Bible.  It was one of those "moments that matter" for me.   Yes, that is my Bible under the Bible Study Book.  I have been using it since that day.  

I really didn't know how much I needed this particular study, not just to return to my Bible, but also for the content of the study!  The core message of the study is that we need to collect the moments that matter SO THAT we can persevere through hardships and when we just want to give up.  I am anxious to work through this Bible Study to gain insights and direction to just keep on, keeping on.

As Christians we are not promised that life will be easy.  What we are promised is the constant presence of Jesus with us.  The help of the Holy Spirit for what ever we face.  And the promise of eternal life with God.  I am so thankful for all of the ways that Jesus uses people - to write Bible Study guides, to make videos, to gather people together, to share their own stories, to just love one another.  

This is another prompting for you all to find a group of people to surround and support you.  There is nothing more powerful than hearing the "God stories" from friends you can count on.  And this is an encouragement for you to pick up an actual BOOK! Something that has weight and pages that you have to turn.  Hopefully it will be a Bible.  But purpose this week to find a real book to read.  Take a moment and feel the pages and even smell the book.  It will bless you!

Jesus, thank you for finding a way to draw me back to my old Bible.  Thank you for the ways you have preserved the Word through the ages.  Holy Spirit, encourage us to find those moments that matter and help us to collect them in our thoughts and in our journals!  Jesus, be with anyone that feels alone and without friends.  Give them courage and boldness to look for the lovely!  Amen

Busy days with a two year old and a new song....

For some retired people (or others that just stay at home with no children), it is often hard to figure out how to fill up their time during the day.  Let me tell you, it is not a problem when you have children around!  This winter has really seemed long and dark here in Chicagoland.  All of us were getting a bit of "cabin fever" over the last few weeks.  So this week was a wonderful break with a couple of days of almost 60 degree weather!  And we even had a couple of hours when the sun was actually out!  Amazing!  

So Grace and I actually went outside on Tuesday.  It was not the warmest day this week - but it was close to 50 which felt warm!  

Grace picked out her hat and insisted on wearing it.  You can tell that it has been really cold here!  She also insisted on wearing mittens.  She was still able to find some really interesting sticks and made a "display" of them on the door mat.  We walked up and down the street several times and she ran around the yard.  The highlight of our time outside, was a police car driving by their house.  He actually stopped and waved at Grace and she was so excited.  They live on a street that has almost no traffic so seeing any car go by is quite the cause for celebration.  It was a much needed breathe of fresh air,  hour and a half for both of us.  

Thursday's weather was not wonderful.  As a matter of fact, it was awful! While it was in the high 50's, the wind brought a weather system blowing through that came with thunder, lightening and downpour rain.  Unfortunately, the worst of the storm hit during Grace's nap time.  And the noise woke her up.  So she had a much shorter nap than usual.  It was an indoor playtime for sure.  

We played with play-dough (always a favorite).  She was delighted to figure out that she had two sizes of rolling pins.  She spent a lot of time going from one to the other, trying out different thickness of dough.  

Doug and Susie got her an easel for her birthday (one side is magnetic and one side has a chalk board) and there is paper to color or paint on also.  Right now she loves the magnet side.  Gwen and Tim and the kids gave her the Leap Frog "Fridge Phonics" and she loves to play with all the letters. This grandma does NOT however appreciate the song that goes along with each letter.  I am really tired of it.  

After the worst of the rainstorm was over, we did go outside.  It was a very short trip, to say the least.  The wind had actually blown the patio screen door right off of the house!  So I needed to go out to retrieve it before it was ruined.  The wind was nearly blowing Grace away.  She could hardly stand up.  Even the dogs didn't want to be outside.  

It is on these kind of days that I realize just how hard this winter has been for me, spiritually.  I feel really shaken and dry.  But then I hear a new song on the radio that speaks directly to me.  It touches my heart and makes me feel like things are going to be okay.  The song is Prize Worth Fighting For by Jamie Kimmett.  I love the chorus...

When every day is just another struggle

And every choice is an act of war

Gotta pray, gotta press on

to the prize worth fighting for

When it feels like I'll never make it

When my heart's crying out for more

Gotta pray, gotta press on

To the prize worth fighting for.  

The entire song made me stop and realize that no matter what 2019 has been like for me, it is so true.  The love of Jesus is my reward.  And because of His promises, I can stay strong and keep fighting on.  And I will win the race because of the unfailing grace of Jesus.    Praying this song blesses many of you who might be in the place of struggle as me.  I am so thankful for new Christian artists who faithfully create new music to bless us all.  

Jesus, thank you for music that speaks to us on so many levels. Holy Spirit, keep our ears open to hear you through the music around us.  Thank you Jesus, for inspiring musicians to create new songs that convey your heart to the world.  Thank you for the joy and wonder of two year olds as they explore their world.  Holy Spirit, keep our hearts open to experience that same joy and wonder of your creation.  Amen

Having a "sleep over" with the grand kids!

I am extremely thankful that Gwen and Tim are volunteer youth leaders at their church!  Not just because it warms my heart to see them serving Jesus in this capacity, but also because their times away at retreat give me a chance to stay with the grand kids.  Except now that Lia is actually IN the youth program, I only have three of the kids to enjoy.  Anna was just delighted that I was having a sleep over at their house.  There is something fun about being there without the parents.  It really gives you a glimpse  at what their life is like, on a day to day basis.  

I was especially excited to have the chance to get to see Zeke play "No Ice Hockey". He only has one more game left in the season after this one.  This is his first year playing floor hockey, and after watching him play, I see a lot more hockey in his future.   This is no surprise since Tim plays ICE hockey and has even played on adult leagues!  These kids are only six to eight years old and it was amazing to see them play.   During the game that I watched, the coaches did a great job of letting the kids all play different positions.  Zeke played offense, defense, and center and actually scored a goal!  This was especially memorable since the team they were playing against is the number one team in the league (mostly older boys who have all played for a long time) and they have not had a goal scored against them ALL SEASON!  You can be sure that this grandma was cheering from the sidelines!

Besides Zeke's game, all three of the kids worked together on this 500 piece puzzle.  It was especially fun since it is a camper puzzle and these guys just love camping.  They talked about keeping this puzzle by coating it and framing it to hang in their camper.  Here is all three kids helping put in the last piece of the puzzle.

And with the finished puzzle!  It was so much fun to watch the kids helping each other out and working together on this project.  Such a fun way to spend a couple of rainy, cold and windy days!

(Not complaining about the weather - at least it was not snowing!)

As part of the fun "sleep over" time, Anna and Ellie wanted to "do my nails!"  So, as any good grandma would do, I allowed them to paint my nails.  Anna, at five years old, is just getting used to using nail polish.  She told me that it would be okay since "I don't paint on your skin anymore!"  And she did a really good job on my left foot!

Ellie is an old hand at doing nails, and she painted my right toes.  She also insisted on putting on a top coat and making sure that my nails were totally dry before I could leave the "Salon" (the bathroom). 

Besides these fun activities, there were games played and forts built and of course the extra long bath (that apparently only happens when grandma is there for a sleep over).  There were books read and prayers, prayed.  Zeke brought me "The book without pictures" to read to the kids.  Of course we were all laughing by the end.  The best part about that book was that Ellie wanted to read it to us all again!  So we all listened to it again and laughed some more.  Ellie has dyslexia and had a difficult time learning to read.  So her willingness to read a book, out loud, to more than one person, with no pictures, is really amazing.  Thanks to Gwen's perseverance, Ellie's hard work, and a good reading program, Ellie is reading at grade level now!   Anna asked for a "Little Blue Truck" book.  And then Ellie offered to read a story to Anna in bed.  Again, so amazing.  

Ellie and Anna helped set the table for our last dinner together, before Gwen, Tim and Lia got home.  She reminded me that we should pray before our meal.  Anna immediately said that she wanted to pray.  Her simple prayer was for all the people on the  "treat" (retreat) to get home safe, and then we prayed our family meal prayer "Come Lord Jesus".  

Come Lord Jesus, and be our guest.

And let these gifts to us be blessed. Amen

I couldn't help but reflect on that simple prayer.  My mom had always said that prayer with her family before eating, and she carried it on with my family.  I taught it to my children and now they have taught it to their kids.  Such a simple little prayer, yet so meaningful.  Inviting Jesus to be with us at our table.  And then asking for God's blessing over our food and the time together.  

I had one of those sudden moments, remembering my own childhood, saying that prayer with my parents and siblings.  And then remembering my own kids as small children, sitting in our kitchen together, praying that prayer.  Such a warm and wonderful feeling of Spiritual connections across multiple generations.  All through a simple table prayer.  

We ended our special time together, all cuddled on the coach watching a movie.  It was such a wonderful end to a special couple of days.  

Jesus, thank you for simple prayers that speak through the years.  Holy Spirit, thank you for reminders of our Spiritual heritage.  Help us remember that even simple prayers can last for generations and impact into the future.  Jesus, thank you for children, for fun and for laughter.  Amen

Weekend away with the kids.....

We spent the last couple of days with all the kids (and grandkids also) at one of our favorite places - Timber Ridge Lodge.  This fun time is for me one of the best times of the year.... we get so much fun crammed into just a couple of days.  This place is a business gold mine, since they have really thought out family get-aways.   The rooms are all 1 or 2 bedroom suite rooms that also have a pull out couch.  There is a large dining table and an (almost) full size kitchen.  We discovered that they don't have an oven - only a stove top.  So no frozen pizza  for the kids.  But they do have a microwave also.  The highlight is the indoor water park that is really perfect for kids preteen and younger.  The toddler area is perfect for really young ones and there is also a lazy river.  Ken especially liked the "adults only" hot tub!  There is also an indoor/outdoor hot tub that kids are allowed to use.

I snapped this picture of Lia, Ellie, Anna and I and you can tell by our squints that the sun was very bright!  You can also see the snow in the background!  It is interesting to be outside yet still warm in the water, even when it is snowing!  

We got to spend lots of time together, eating, playing games and laughing! I confess that I participated in a game with the kids that had something to do with sushi (?) but I sure didn't understand the rules or even how the game was played. I just kept saving any random cards and discarding whatever was left.  The kids had a great time and I think Tim won.  It was still a fun filled time - even if Grandma was very confused.  I love this photo of the five kids together, watching a quick video before heading off to bed.

After the kids were in bed, the adults spent time playing a rousing game of Trivial Pursuit.  The guys managed to eek out a win, even though the girls were close behind. I was happy to actually answer one question correctly.

Hours pass quickly during water park fun, with hardly a break to grab something to eat or drink.  Lia took Anna on the tube slide over and over again.  As fast as they came zooming down, they were headed back up the stairs for another run.  

  

What a wonderful time we all had!  We were especially thankful that Ken was feeling great and able to enjoy the time.  Just a few weeks ago, it seemed unlikely that this event would even happen.  It is really a miracle that we were blessed to have this chance to be together. 

By the end of the day, we all felt a bit like Grace, who fell asleep on Susie's lap.  She insisted she  wanted to go back into the water, but could hardly keep her eyes open.  In spite of all the noise and commotion going on around her, she managed to catch a short nap.

This trip to the water park has become a yearly event for our family.  It is one of those "traditions" that the kids just beg to continue.  Just for fun, here is a picture from our first ever trip to Timber Ridge in 2011.  Lia was 4 and Ellie was a month shy of 2.  You can't quite see Grace's swim suit in the very first picture of this blog (because of her floaty) - but she is wearing the same suit that Ellie has on in this photo!  Gotta love those hand me down clothes!  Not only the clothes get recycled, so do the events!

Bonus picture of Grace with her suit more visible! Almost exactly the same age as Ellie was above!

I am just so thankful today, sitting here looking back on this years trip, but also thinking of all of the years of fun we have had.  I am thankful for digital photos and ways to easily find pictures when you want to.  I am so thankful for the medicine and doctors to help us stay healthy and active, so that we can enjoy our grandchildren.  

We have had our share of worries and concerns in 2019.   This weekend has reminded me that spending time doing what you love is the most important thing.  Being with the people that matter to you, sharing love - yep that is the best.  Just writing this blog as brought me so much joy.  Joy and love can sure cancel out worry and concern.  This trip was just what Ken and I needed.  We are going into March feeling much less worried and far less concerned and much more joyful and so, so loved!  I'd say that was a really good couple of days!

Jesus, thank you so much for times of fun and laughter.  Holy Spirit, help us remember when we are worried and concerned that you are always with us.  Give us grace and courage to let our families know when we need more hugs and more time together.  Keep us watchful of others so that we can share your love and bring joy to others.  Amen 

Thank goodness for indoor playgrounds!

Yesterday our family had a short get together at an indoor playground. The Treehouse,Lake Zurich is truly just a video game free- playground, with climbing, running, sliding and more!  And, considering the weather (rain, rain and more rain), we were very thankful for this place!  Because of every ones very busy schedules, we planned to get there as soon as they opened, let the kids play for a couple of hours and then go to lunch together.  It is difficult to find activities that are good for a 2 year old as well as not so bad for an almost 13 year old.  Thankfully, Lia is happy to just be with our family, no matter what the activity is!  There was plenty for her to do at this place and all of the kids had a great time.  Grace ran for the entire time.  Doug and Susie had a difficult time getting her to stop to drink some water. This was a new place for all of us, and the kids all wanted to know when they could come back.

I managed to snap this photo of Doug and Gwen together!  We don't often think to take pictures like this, and I was grateful to catch a "sister/brother" shot.

After all the running, sliding and playing all of the kids were hungry.  Gwen, Susie and I were very thankful for a close by eating place that we always order from during our scrapbook weekends.
We took our "crew" (that's what it feels like when there are 11 of us) to Meat and Potato Eatery!

 When I snapped this picture, I missed Susie and me, so here is a bonus selfie of the two of us!

 Everyone chowed down on really delicious food and we all had a great time sharing stories and large amounts of various fries. Everyone went out the door with multiple carry out boxes.  So if you ever have a chance to visit this place, know that the portions are really big!

Gwen and Tim and the kids had to scoot out quickly since Zeke had a floor hockey game in the early afternoon.  Tim and Anna also had a late afternoon "Daddy and Me" event at her preschool (so Gwen also had the same event in her classroom).  Susie and Doug and Gracie were off to look for a new vehicle to tow their camper.  Ken and I were grateful to just be heading home!

I was thinking about the fact that this was just a couple of hours that we were together.  Yet, it was such a good time.  Sometimes we think that we must have big, long events to make memories.  The truth is just being together, even when it is just a short time, is so life giving.  Nothing makes this mom and grandma happier than seeing everyone having fun together.  The kids were certainly glad to see Ken feeling so much better.  After finally getting free from his PIC line and IV, and mostly able to stand and walk normally, all of the kids were glad to give Grandpa lots of hugs!

My advice today is to make those memories - even when you only have a couple of hours to spare.  Don't wait around for those big events.  Call up your friends or family and spend a couple of hours doing something fun.  Cap off the time together by sharing some snacks or a meal.  It doesn't have to be fancy or expensive.  Just be together.  Give those hugs, and share that love!

Jesus, thank you for the reminder that love is what matters.  Holy Spirit, nudge us to connect with the people around us who matter the most.  Help us to find time to share fun, laughter and love with others.   Give us hearts that are willing to find time in our schedules to make memories.  Thank you for wonderful indoor (year around) playgrounds.  Amen

When pictures on the walls makes you feel at home....

It has only been a few weeks since our painting project was completed, but it feels like it has been a long time since the house has felt like my home.  Isn't it funny how pictures on the walls make your home feel "right"?  I wanted to make good decisions about the placement of pictures and weed out things that really didn't need to be up any longer.  But, boy was this a difficult task.   I had piled everything off the walls from almost the entire house (except my scrap room and Ken's camera room) into my scrap room.  What a mess!  I couldn't really use my room at all for the totes and bags and boxes of wall stuff.  Once Ken was home from the hospital and I had a bit of time to just breathe, I started to sort and figure out what I wanted to put up right away. 

First up - the grandchildren frames. 

Susie actually created each of these frames for me and there is one for each of the grandchildren.  They are "Grandma and...." frames and I cherish each one.  It felt so good to hang those up! Nothing makes me smile more than seeing those frames every time I walk in that hallway.  

We got some new shelves that fit my scrapbook collection and allow for display of some other family photos!

I have wanted a way to have easy access to my scrapbooks and it was such a wonderful thing to find these shelf units that are big enough to hold the 12X12 albums.  I actually have lots of space left for all of the books that I still need to fill with pictures.  

Slowly, the home improvement work is getting done.  We still have a couple more big projects to complete (interior doors, carpet upstairs, and railings on our stairs) but it is actually starting to feel almost done.  It is interesting that I am blogging about these updates during this week.   It is actually the 41st anniversary of our moving into this house.  Ken and I closed on the house on February 17,  1978 and moved in on the 25th.  This was just before we closed on the house...

There had been a large snowstorm just a week before our closing and we had to wait for the builder to install some kind of driveway for access to the house.  The front yard was just a mud pit and there were piles of snow and dirt everywhere.  But we moved in!  

One thing is certain.  This has been a wonderful home for Ken and I and our children.  We brought both kids home from the hospital to this house.  The room that is now my scrapbook room (which is where I am currently sitting) was our nursery.  There were countless birthday parties, Christmas celebrations and everything in between.  So many memories, so much love.  While we have gotten rid of much of the interior that was here in 1978, the foundation is the same.  And it is a good, sturdy foundation.

I love the old children's Bible song The Wise Man Built His House On The Rock.  There have been many prayers going up from this house, and so many blessing have come down..  Yes, it was a good decision for us when we purchased our home so many years ago never thinking that we would still be in this house 41 years later.  Every time I open the front door, I am thankful for this house, for my family and for every one of those years.  

Pictures on the walls have helped me feel more at home in my house, but it is really the love and the memories that fill me inside these walls.  Yes I am thankful for the house and all of the stuff inside of it.  But mostly I am thankful for the blessing of my family.  And so thankful for the foundation of Jesus in my life, that has given me my own firm foundation.  

Jesus, thank you for pouring out your blessings on my family.  Help each one of us to see the importance of building our life on your strong foundation.  Holy Spirit remind us of every time we have been secure in times of trouble so that we will not fear the approach of any flood.  Give us courage and boldness to share your love Jesus.  Amen

Longing for a return to my "normal" life....

You just never know how much you will miss your "normal" routine, until you suddenly are so far out of the routine, you wonder where you are!  These past four weeks have been a whirlwind of events that included our return from Florida to a "polar Vortex", Anna's 5th birthday, Grace's 2nd birthday, Ken tearing three major muscles trying to clean up our house, getting our upstairs totally painted, Ken spending 8 days in the hospital, followed by home IV therapy that requires frequent trips to the hospital, plus multiple snow events, freezing rain, ice storms, and all around really lousy weather.  Yeah, this is a four week time period I would not want to relive!

This was my view from Ken's hospital room.  I spent quite a bit of time looking out that window.  Several times there were giant snowflakes that were floating UP due to the strong winds.  That's right!  I forgot to mention that we also had 60 mile an hour winds after an ice storm!  The very painful tear of three major muscles left Ken pretty much not able to move around and wondering when his next pain medicine was due.  Because of the serious muscle damage in his hip/buttock region, his leg swelled to a really alarming size, which compounded his walking ability.  A urinary tract infection (caused by one of his medications) had the doctors searching for the site of a blood infection (which turned into a real wild goose chase).  Needless to say, we now know that his heart is in pretty good shape, he doesn't have an infection in the area of the muscle tear, he doesn't have any lung problems and most likely the whole thing is a urinary issue!  It was a stressful, long 8 days dealing with way to many doctors.  This was the view from the waiting area on his floor, when I could manage to take a walk for a quick breather....

This was quite a learning experience for me and Ken.  We learned it is true that the medical world doesn't really care if you can afford treatment or not, and they don't take that into account when ordering tests and scans and more tests!  We found out that often times, when there are multiple doctors treating the same patient, they will not agree on

 A. what is actually wrong with the patient or 

B. how to treat the patient!  

Several times we had heard one specialty doctor say "don't do that" only to have a different specialty doctor order that exact test!   At this point we are just extremely thankful that Ken is home from the hospital, the end of the IV medication is in sight (in two days he will be done), and he is walking fine and getting around well.  The orthopedic doctor who saw Ken on the first day said "In three weeks, you will be amazed with how well you are doing and in three months you will be totally healed".  That doctor really knew what he was talking about.

For me personally, there were many lessons learned.  I learned that I really miss seeing the grandkids every week.  With our two week vacation just prior to all of this, it has been a LONG time since I got to spend the day with the kids.  

We did make it to Anna's 5th birthday and Grace's 2nd birthday, but it is not the same as being with the kids while watching them.  

Anna and Grace are almost exactly three years apart- Anna's birthday is January 30 and Grace is February 1.  Seeing them play together at Anna's party just reminded me of the special cousin connection that they will have in the coming years. 

Additionally I was reminded, again, how thankful I am for Gwen and Tim and Doug and Susie.  Because we live close by, there were many hospital visits, lots of phone calls and text messages, and so much care and concern for both Ken and I.  It was such a blessing to have them around to be a sounding board as decisions needed to be made. 

My praying small group kept me held up in prayer, when I was just exhausted and unable to even know what to pray.  They were checking in with me, sending me encouraging words, and letting me know that I was not alone during this stressful time.  They kept Ken covered in prayer when I didn't even know what he needed!  I truly learned that this group of ladies are not just my friends, they are also my support and helpmates. If you don't have a close, small group I encourage you to find one soon.   Like right now!  Because you never know what tomorrow will bring. 

Which is, in fact, the biggest and most important lesson that Ken and I learned from this last month.  While it is good to make plans and look ahead into the future, it is also important to stay in the present day and appreciate all that it has for you.  Things can change on a dime and you just don't know when a sickness or injury or job loss or some other event might just change your normal routine. 

Last week, very near to our home, a senseless tragedy happened.  A lone gunman walked into his long time place of employment and opened fire on his coworkers and on the law enforcement  who responded to the event.  There were deaths and many were injured.  For so many families in this community, their normal was shattered that day.  The nation has rallied to this community and prayers and support have come from all over the country.  It was a wake up call for many who live their lives feeling as if nothing can touch them.  It is a false sense of security. 

I am so thankful that my security comes from Jesus and knowing who I am in Him.  No matter what happens to shake my normal, to rattle those in the community around me, I know that Jesus is on the throne and He is in control.  Whatever the storm, whatever the event, God has got this. Jesus warned us in Matthew 6:34, to not look ahead at tomorrow, but to stay focused on today.  And I can assure you, in the last four weeks, every day has had enough to worry about!  And knowing that God is in control, has given us great comfort.

Today I actually returned to my old "normal", meeting with my small group. It was a wonderful thing to actually get hugs from my dear friends.  My heart and spirit were filled to overflowing with thanksgiving.  Not only for these warrior women and their prayers, but mostly for the God that can not be shaken, who helps us walk through whatever comes our way.    Thankful for today.

Jesus, thank you for being so near to us when we most need you.  Holy Spirit, remind us to stand with those who have experienced a day that has changed their normal forever.  Keep us mindful of those closest to us and give us sensitive hearts to bring your comfort and peace in times of trouble.  Thank you Jesus for loving us.  Amen