Spring Dance Recital - 2024 - a Teary Good-bye!

One of the yearly events that has marked my calendars for the last 15 years has been the Dance Connection Dance recital.  This years recital was a milestone for sure - it was Lia's last dance recital!  After 15 years it is impossible to imagine that she will not be on that stage next year. 

All of the dances were amazing and Lia, Ellie and Anna all danced so well.  But it was the closing of the show that brought the tears.  The tradition is that the seniors who are graduating receive flowers.  This year, Ellie and Anna presented the flowers to Lia.  I don't who was crying the hardest - the three on stage or those of us watching in the audience!

Anna begged to be in the special dance company, Spotlight, so that she could actually dance with Lia.  It was something to watch all three girls perform at one time.  And while we have many more years of recitals (think eight more if Anna dances all the way through) there was a strong feeling of this being a "graduation" for Lia.  

I went to two recitals this year.  The first day, Susie and Grace game to watch the girls dance.  The second day you really felt the "ending" as this was the last time Lia would dance with Dance Connection.  For Gwen and Tim, this really did feel like a "Graduation".  Lia was home schooled and had actually been doing college classes for the last two years at their local community college.  Never the less, they are treating this year as her "Graduation" so it was fitting to call this last recital a graduation.  We will be having a proper celebration for her soon (watch for that blog to come.)

I looked back through my photos from 2010 - the year of Lia's first dance recital.  I think I got more chocked up at those photos than I did at the recital!  Ken insisted that Lia must have the Penguin Pillow Pet since she loved Penguins!  This was one tired little girl after two very long dance recitals and a long day.  But she loved this so much!  

Watching Lia on stage dancing is watching someone float across the stage.  Even when she is tapping (which is far from floating) she makes it all seem effortless.  The hours and hours of practice both at the studio and at home are pretty obvious when you realize that she has memorized tons of dances with elaborate choreography.  I can't say enough good things about Dance Connection.  In addition to her own dances, she has been a student teacher for years as a volunteer.  This mentoring brings so much, not only to the little ones but to these older students. There are so many life lessons that Lia has learned through this experience.  She has worked hard and persevered to move up to each new level.  She has practiced and stretched and worked her muscles.  There is team work and cooperation necessary to make these dances audience ready.  She has been a friend, a teammate, a mentor (Miss Lia) and more.  

So this final dance recital had me looking back and remembering all those past recitals.  I can't wait to see where Lia will go and what she will accomplish.  One thing is certain, she is a great role model.  When she is invested in something, she also is willing to share that with others. While this might be the end of her time at Dance Connection, she is going to have a dance minor at college and will be dancing there. While this is an ending here, it is just the beginning!

Whenever I get the opportunity to watch Lia teaching on Sunday Mornings at Rock (the children's ministry at our church) I find myself looking ahead!  Lia has been a part of the mentoring program at Boulder (the student ministry) as well as serving in other ways at church.  I am sure that this will not end during her time at college.  

I have been thinking about endings and beginnings.  Isn't it interesting that the Bible starts with the words..."In the beginning".   Life is all about this very thing.  Beginnings and endings.  Birth and death.  These are the bookends that make up life for all of us.  While I was pondering this, I realized why Jesus talked about being "born again".  We need this new beginning for the totally new life that we have in Him.  I have never seen this in quite this way before.  And the very good news about this new beginning is that the "ending" of this isn't really an ending at all!  We just get to transition into a different phase of  everlasting life.  Jesus has defeated death!  Yep, this is truly the "Good News".

Jesus, thank you for your death on the cross that bring us into eternal life with you.  Holy Spirit, help us all to understand and grasp this simple, yet mind-boggling truth.  Continue to give us courage and boldness to share this with world.  Remind us that your message is for ALL!   Thank you for opportunities for fellowship and learning.  Thank you for family.  Amen

A birthday for a new teenager and time with a "three-nager"

Yes, here I am with yet another birthday post...and there are still more to come in May!  It has always been a busy month for me since both Ken and my mom also had May birthdays.  May 14th would have been Ken's birthday number 72.  It is really hard to believe that this is the fourth birthday since he died.  Lately I have been realizing just how young Ken was when he died.  Part of this is my looming 70th birthday.  And I still feel pretty young.  And yet, here I am with another teenager grandchild!

Zeke turned 13 on what would have been my mom's 109th birthday.  Zeke was born just a few weeks after my mom died and it was special that he shares her birthday.  What an incredible guy Zeke is!  In typical teen fashion, all he wanted for this birthday was a particular video game that includes a full driving function.  So, along with Gwen and Tim (who purchased all the accessories), I gifted the actual game! 

He was one very happy 13 year old.  Of course I also got him some running gear since he is planning to run a half marathon in July.  He is following after his mom and dad for sure!

I also got to deliver his gift from Uncle Doug and Aunt Susie, which was just about as exciting for him as the video game stuff - a whole lot of fishing gear..  

Since Gwen and Tim live on a lake, there are lots of opportunities for fishing and Zeke and his friend spend many hours fishing.  I love that Chandler managed to get in this picture!  Whether it is gaming, running, fishing, volleyball, basketball or any other of the various favorite things, Zeke is a busy young man.  He just finished up seventh grade as a homeschooler.  He is marking time until he is a high schooler and can go on Boulder mission trips.  He loves roller coasters and will spend as much time as he can at Great America (they have memberships since they live so close). I love that this now teenager still wants to give his grandma hugs when I leave.  He is almost as tall as me now! Sigh.  

Once a week I get to spend the day with Jimmy while Grace is in school.  He is a busy almost three year old!  One of my days with Jimmy, I left the room for a minute and forgot my phone sitting on the table.  Later I discovered these gems in my photo library...

This kid managed to open my phone, enter my password (which all the kids know), find the camera and take these selfies!  This is certainly thee work of a "three-nager".  He is full of life and spends hours running!  Lately he is Buzz Lightyear on a mission.  He holds his arms out and screams "To infinity and beyond!" while "flying" around the room!  Last week he wanted me to "fly" around with him and after several turns around the yard, grandma sat down and declared her "plane" in the hanger for repairs!  

Both of these special boys have really soft hearts.  I see the same spirit in each of them.  They care deeply about others and really want to do the right thing. Right now Zeke is faced with many older kids who might not be the best influence.  And Jimmy is having a hard time listening and obeying.  Not easy issues to work through at three and thirteen.  I am confident that Jesus has plans and purposes for both of these boys and will help them through these "growing pains" as they mature.  I have heard recently that spending time with your grandchildren actually extends your life!  I am so thankful that I have been able to spend time with all of my grandchildren.  I love watching the girls talk about clothes, hairstyles, jewelry and nails and I love hearing all about video games, crazy roller coasters, Buzz Lightyear and Spidey.  All of it is so rewarding.  I admit that I often see flashes of Gwen and Doug when I am with the kids.  Zeke's excitement about the fishing stuff reminded me of the time Doug and I were visiting my mom in Minnesota and he proclaimed, "Land of 10,000 lakes and no where to fish!"   It is my constant prayer that the kids will benefit from the time I spend with them, as much as it will benefit me. Especially around Ken's birthday, I reflect on just how much he is missing out on.  One thing is certain, being with all the grandchildren brings me joy and laughter and love.  And I wouldn't miss this for the world.  

Don't miss out on the chance to be a blessing and be blessed! If you don't have children or grandchildren of your own, find some in your neighborhood or your church.  These kids love to share their worlds with others.  It's time for Vacation Bible School.  Volunteer to help out.  You will be blessed (tired but blessed)!

Jesus, thank you for reminding me that blessings are all around.  Holy Spirit, give us all courage to step out of our comfort zones and take steps to meet new people.  Thank you Jesus for the plans and purposes and destiny you have for all of us.  Help us all to slow down and find joy in the little things.  Bless all the children, Jesus, as they grow.  Give patience and peace to all the adults in their world.  Amen

Another show and Mother's Day...

Ellie had another show "Honk" in late April.   Every time I see Ellie perform, it amazes me!  She has come so far and I expect to see so many shows in the future.  This was a real cute show based on the story "The Ugly Duckling".  Anna and Lia missed the show I was at because it is "dance recital season" and there were extra practices.  Ellie missed those practices, but will still be in the upcoming dance recital!  

Suddenly it was May.... I just don't know where the time goes!  Somehow Gwen turned 45 on May 4th.  Even typing that seems unreal.  I am sure many other "older mothers" will agree that it seems like just yesterday that you were having your babies.  

This is how I actually met Gwen.  I had a C Section under general anesthesia after a very prolonged labor (think Tuesday - Friday).  There were so many babies being born that there were no cribs left so her first bed was a cardboard box setting on a windowsill.  That required that a nurse had to bring her to my room.  She had a cute dress on and a bow in her hair!  I must have asked Ken over a hundred times if he was sure this was actually my baby.  He insisted that he had waited outside the doors of the OR and walked with her to the nursery.  Really, where have 45 years gone? Pictures now, confirm that there is no doubt that Gwen is mine.  I am very aware that my relationship with Gwen is "extraordinary".  I am so thankful for the time I get to spend with her and for her insight and advice.  Still, it is really hard to process that she is 45!  

We have never really "celebrated" Mother's Day.  Over the years it just seemed like a "Hallmark Holiday".  The gifts that I really loved were those handmade things from the kids.  That is still true today.  Doug and Susie stopped over so that Grace and Jimmy could give me the sweet flowers that they had painted.  They also brought a real plant (Gerber Daisy) and a balloon.  They brought some sweet treats and we had a nice visit sitting in my screen house.  

Any day that the kids come to my house is a good day, and this was a really good day!  This update is a whole lot later than it should be, but wow - we have a lot of stuff going on in May.  Gwen's birthday is just the beginning of a very busy month.  It will be a month filled with birthday celebrations, dance recital, remembering a 50th Wedding anniversary and graduation! Wow!  It is truly a banner month!

Jesus, thank you so much for family and the chance to be a part of my grandkids experiences.  Holy Spirit, remind us all to slow down and appreciate each day.  Help us to let go of the rush and enjoy the calm.  Give us moments to find your presence with us.  Thank you Jesus for loving us.   Amen 
  

Savoring the present day while remembering the past....

 The past couple of days, I got to spend some one on one time with Anna.  It was the Spring Retreat at church so Gwen, Tim and Lia, Ellie and Zeke were gone.  This gave Anna and I some special time together.  It was actually the last Spring Retreat we will have since next year Anna will be going also!  One of the "must do" items on the list of our time together is always breakfast out at a cafe.  This year we picked The Brunch Cafe.  Anna was especially glad to be able to get Chicken and Fries for breakfast since she prefers this over typical breakfast food.  It was the weekend for dance pictures, so I got to see her in most of her costumes for the upcoming dance recital.  

She practiced her dances for me and I am always amazed at how these kids can memorize so many dances with complicated routines for years and years!  I can't even begin to count how many Lia has memorized with 15 years of dance recitals!  I can't wait for the actual recital day, when Anna will be in 4 dances, Ellie will be in 6 dances and Lia will be in 7 dances.  For the first time ever, all three girls will be in one of those dances together!  Such a fun way to end Lia's dance time at Dance Connection before she leaves for college in the fall.  

April is always a somewhat melancholy month for me, since it has been a month of loss for me.  My mom, dad, grandmother, and sister all died during April.  In fact, yesterday marked 107 years since my grandmother died.  For the last several years, I have been writing a book in which my grandmother, Nora is a central character.  

This is my Grandmother, Nora Larson Toensing in 1912.  The interesting thing about my book is that has to be labeled as "Fiction based on Fact" since most of the details of Nora's life are not know to me.  She was my mother's mother and she died in 1917 when my mom was not yet two years old.  Things were very different in the early 1900's.  When someone died, life went on and you didn't really talk much about them.  This was especially true for my mom's very stoic German father.  So my mom spent her life wondering about her own mother and wishing to have known her and more about her life.  In my mom's later years she would often say, "I can't wait to get to heaven to finally meet my mother."  I can't explain the deep connection I feel to Nora, but it is very real.  The very limited facts we have about her early life come from a letter my mom received when I was in high school.  I had begged my mom to write to her one surviving aunt and ask her about her mother.  So my mom listened to me and we received a handwritten letter from one of that aunt's daughters.  Aunt Effie was bedridden so she told her daughter everything she could remember about Nora.  That letter is the "Facts" that I have about Nora. Since beginning to write, I have discovered that deep spiritual ties can exist that cross the generations.  I am convinced that, with the help of the Holy Spirit, I have learned who my grandmother was.  

This is Arnold and Nora Toensing on their wedding day in 1908.  My grandfather died when I was two years old and I don't really have memories of him!   Yet, after putting words on a pages of a document, I feel as if I know these two people.  Genetics and DNA are very unusual things.  After my recent DNA discovery I know this in a very real way.  Watching my own grandchildren, I can "see" just how connected they are to this long ago couple. I'm not sure if it is just my eyes playing tricks on me, but I can sure see the resemblance of Anna to Nora.  It makes sense, Anna looks like Gwen.  Gwen looks like me and I look like my mom. My mom was told often that she looked like her mother, Nora.  So it follows that this might be true.   Lia is actually named after Nora.  Her middle name is Nora.  And Lia has so many characteristics of my mom.  So that connection is obvious.   I am praying that the words I have written in my book will further the connection all of my grandchildren have to Arnold and Nora and their story.  It is an amazing love story and a story of sowing a spiritual heritage into future generations.  Writing about their story here, gives me a push to finish writing this book!  It is a push that I needed to continue writing, even when it has become difficult.  Thank you Jesus for prompting me to even write this today.  It seems that this blog is for ME more than those of you who may read it!  Isn't it amazing how Jesus works?  

Thank you Jesus for those times that you use dates and memories and even our journals or blogs to show us exactly how you are working in our life.  Holy Spirit, thank you for guiding us every day and reminding us that you have plans and purposes for each of us.  Thank you for helping us to stay present each day, while giving us wisdom about our pasts and boldness to walk into the future with you.  Thank you for fun times together with family.  Amen

Family Eclipse Adventure....

 Over a year ago, my family started planning to all go to the total eclipse.  Doug and Susie and Gwen and Tim both have campers and planned to camp.  Initially, I said I would book a hotel room close by and still be able to be with all them for the eclipse.  A campground was chosen in Southern Indiana that was in the center of the band of totality.  Both families made sure to book their camp site exactly when the date opened.  They had picked two campsites next to each other at the end of a cul-de-sac on the camp road.  It looked like there was an open center area which might work for viewing the eclipse.  I booked my hotel a year in advance.  Less than a month from the date, the hotel notified me that the "rate" had changed on my reservation.  I tried to get them to honor the rate, but it simply wasn't worth the fight (or the $900 they were charging).  So I opted to camp, sleeping with Doug and Susie's family in their camper, since they have more room with only two kids.  I was riding to the campsite with Gwen and Tim since Doug and Susie had extended their camping a couple of days before the eclipse.  I was attending a conference that I really didn't want to miss and Gwen and Tim were not leaving until the Sunday before the eclipse.  

The best laid plans often do not go off without a couple of hiccups and this was true of this trip.  First of all, it was raining on Sunday as we were preparing to leave.  Not just a little rain, but sheets of rain and it had been raining the week before.  Gwen and Tim park their camper on their property, which sadly had become a wet, slippery, muddy mess as they tried to pull it out with their "big" twelve passenger van.  Through a lot of effort on both Gwen and Tim's part, some large pieces of wood, big metal poles, and a tow strap, we were finally on our way about 3 hours late.  That delay, along with traffic and more rain got us to the campground at 1:00am.  But we got there!  Doug and Susie had set up earlier on Sunday and were waiting for us.  The good news was that the forecast was for clear skies and 70 degrees for the eclipse.  

We watched the entire eclipse from the very beginning at around 1:49.  Totality was at 3:05 for about 4 minutes and then the eclipse ended at 4:22.  We had a perfect spot with no clouds.  It was amazing.  We saw all of the various effects on the ground.  The temperature dropped considerably and it was very dark during totality.  I loved the 360 degree sunset that we saw....

I am so very thankful that the kids encouraged me to go to see this.  It was something I will never see again!  

I have to include some camping pictures.  It was so much fun.  I know that if I had camped with a camper, I might have enjoyed it much more then tent camping.  

It was Sunny's first time camping and she was really good.  Chandler has been camping a lot and he does really well.  They had lots of stuff to sniff and investigate and mostly just laid in the leaves.  

After the eclipse we drove through the park to a playground and a scenic overlook.  It is a huge park and we were very glad that we had chosen the campsites that we did.  They were perfect and some of the sites had very big drop offs into a ravine or steep, uneven ground.  It was really beautiful.

I was certainly ready for bed early that night.  Coming off of a 4 day conference when I didn't sleep very much made for a tired grandma!  But it was an unforgettable experience.  We packed up really early on Tuesday  morning to head home. 

 There was so much on the internet about the eclipse and all the "theories" of possible events that might happen during or after the eclipse.  All that happened was the eclipse.  These signs in the sky are all a part of God's plan.  He created the universe and established the paths of the moon and the stars.  I love that we can anticipate and plan for these events as our knowledge has grown.  We were all talking about how scary it must have been when people did not understand what was happening.  When it got very dark, Jimmy thought it was time for bed!  It must have felt very unsettling to see the sun darken.  I am sure that there are still places around the world that might be startled by these natural events.  What an amazing time we live in that we can know the timing and path of these wonders in the sky.  

Jesus, thank you for advancing human knowledge and understanding.  Holy Spirit, help us all to know that you - Father, Son and Spirit are the creator of the universe and that you still hold the world in your hands.  Jesus, thank you for your plan for families that includes time for relaxation and fun. Amen 

Family Easter - there is nothing better!

Even though Easter was early this year, we had pretty good weather.  It wasn't exactly "spring" but at least there wasn't any snow!  I had a great start to my Easter season with a powerful Palm Sunday Pilgrimage at my church.  Anyone who is able, walks to church from their home or a designated meeting spot.  I walked to church with all the Rock kids and their families with some Boulder youth.  It was about a 2.5 mile walk which helps us remember that Jesus and his disciples walked toward Jerusalem before his Palm Sunday entrance on the donkey.  Maundy Thursday service was a special service with families gathered around tables, sharing communion together.  For the last three years, one of my grandchildren has been taking "First Communion" on this night.  Even though we didn't have a "first" this year, it was wonderful to all commune together.   Our Easter church service was extra special this year.  In order to have just one service, my church rented out a large concert venue in our town and 700 people came to that service!  It was a wonderful service for sure!  He is Risen!  He is risen indeed!

We all gathered at Gwen and Tim's and always take our pictures BEFORE the egg hunt!  This way the kids cooperate!  

The Cousins! (All my grandchildren)

Casual group shot!

 Gwen's family

Doug's family

Then the kids got ready for the egg hunt.  It is certainly a lot of fun at Gwen and Tim's since there are so many spots to hide eggs!  They have a really big yard with really difficult hiding spots! 

After all the eggs were found, and some candy eaten, we went inside for a wonderful dinner.  It is pretty amazing to see us all cram around the table.  We are certainly getting to the point that we will have to add another table soon!  Tim prepared a ham and a family favorite - "Cheesy Potatoes".  He also made homemade rolls, which were delicious.  

These family times are so important to me.   Seeing the family together like this brings me back to when my kids were little.   Even though we live pretty close to each other, with everyone's busy schedules it is really difficult to make these gatherings work.  I am so thankful that my kids understand how important this is to me and continue to make it work.   I was thinking about a couple of Easter pictures I have from when Gwen and Doug were little....

This was Easter of 1982 -  Doug was just home from the hospital and Gwen was not yet three years old.  He was actually five weeks old, but had spent some time in the NICU.  Gwen had made that little Easter Basket in preschool for Doug and we put a couple of toys in it for him.  She was so excited to give it to him.  That sleeper he has on was actually a preemie size.  He was pretty little!  

This picture is from Easter of 1985 when Doug was three and Gwen was soon to be six.  I am struck by how much Jimmy looks like his Dad!  There is seriously nothing better than looking through old holiday photos and seeing how much your grandkids look like their parents!  

I am thinking about my own Easter experiences and sadly, I have no photo's from them!  For some reason my family did not take any Easter photos during my growing up years.  I do have a couple of Ken when he was little that are worth sharing.....

This was Easter of 1954 when Ken was not quite two with his sister Susan.  I am very glad that I have a few pictures of these early years! 

Well, there you have it!  Easter from 1954 to 2024!  Seventy years of Easters.  It looks quite a bit similar!  Pictures taken outside.  You can almost see the wind in that picture of Ken.  It's springtime but doesn't always look very warm.  There are baskets and candy.   I am extremely thankful for that empty tomb that is the reason we celebrate Easter.  Everything that takes place, leading up to the actual day, just brings the message home.  Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, the Last Supper meal with his friends, his trial, conviction and death on a cross, his three days in the tomb and his resurrection - are events that have shaped history for 2000 years.  Easter is a time to shout, "He is risen, He is risen Indeed!" 

Jesus thank you for your sacrifice on the cross and the forgiveness of our sins.  Holy Spirit, remind us all that these are not just stories we read, but actual events in history.  Give us courage and boldness to tell others about this good news that is for ALL people.  Jesus, strength families and draw them together in your love.  Give us wisdom and grace as we share with others your love!  Amen