So many celebrations...

 It is really amazing how many celebrations our family can cram into just a couple of weeks!  It used to be that January and February were not big months for us, but things changed with two birthday's just a couple of days apart.  Eight years ago Anna was born on January 30.  And then five years ago, Grace decided February 1 was a great day for a birthday.  We all know that the last couple of years have been anything but normal.  Grace, sadly, doesn't  remember ever having a real birthday party.  Anna has been waiting for a party at a family favorite gymnastic facility, since she has been to many sibling parties there.  To add to the celebrations this year, Lia's Confirmation was on Anna's birthday.  

There is something so amazing about seeing your grandchildren publicly proclaim their faith in Jesus. Lia has grown into a wonderful "Disciple that Makes Disciples" (the motto of their church).  She is a leader in her youth program, friend to so many, teacher to young children, and servant to her church.  On any given Sunday she might be found leading games for the kids in the Rock (Sunday School) during the Discipleship hour, having conversation in the coffee house during fellowship time and then sitting in the "booth" doing slides for the Sunday Morning worship. Lia has a heart for missions and I will not be surprised to see her continuing to serve others in the future.  

I am so proud of Gwen and Tim as I have watched them parent their kids.  Seeing Lia declare her own faith in Jesus, to confirm her Baptism, makes this grandma reflect on the generations of our family who have made this step of faith.  Yes, Lia is the continuation of a long spiritual legacy that goes back generations.  She is the descendent of many who faithfully served Jesus.  

I got to celebrate Anna as she turned eight years old.  While we didn't actually celebrate on her birthday, it was the day after.

While I got to be with Anna on that day,  her big (long awaited) gymnastics party was two weeks later due to scheduling issues.  I love getting to be with the kids one-on-one, especially on these special days.  Although it wasn't a "big party" that day, it was special sharing with Anna, my memories of the day she was born.  The next day, I got to do the same thing with five year old Grace.

I happened to be watching Grace and James on the actual day of Grace's birthday.  Her "cousin sleepover and BIG party" (as Grace called them) were the next weekend.  I brought her five small gifts and we celebrated her birthday all day!  It as especially memorable for me.  Again, this time alone with the kids is just the best.  Thankfully, the days past quickly till the sleepover and BIG party! 

Yes, Susie and Doug actually braved a cousin sleepover with Ellie, Zeke and Anna spending the night with Grace.  They had a great time and there was actually sleeping that night!  The next day was the BIG party!

She was so excited to have an Encanto party and the cake was just unbelievably decorated and tasted wonderful as well.  Susie's family came, including her brother Scott (who we have not seen since Covid) so it was really nice for our families to be together, 

I love that we always take these photos when the kids are together.  I have a great collection of photo's showing the kids growing up together.  And then I casually snapped this photo of Gwen and Doug with Doug's kids.

Grace was so excited for the candy from her Pinata!  The Pinata was one of the things that she was most looking forward to.  I love seeing my adult children together enjoying each others kids.   There is really nothing better!

FINALLY, it was time for Anna's gymnastics party.  She was so excited to FINALLY be the birthday kid for this party.  Honestly, they do such a good job at this location and the kids jump, swing, run, and have a blast on all the equipment for an hour and a half and then have cake.  It is so much better than having the wildness at your house and so much more fun for the kids.  

As I was writing this blog and looking through my photos, I realized that the celebrations actually started one day before Anna's birthday.  Susie, Grace and I were able to help celebrate a coming new baby, with my great niece Angela and her husband David.  Angela is my sister Julie's granddaughter.  

This shower was an outdoor, drive by kind of event, thanks to Covid.  This is totally understandable since the Covid numbers in our area have been really high.  Even so, we loved being able to help celebrate this new expected little girl.  We had a chance to talk about Angela's grandma Julie (my sister).  Sadly, Julie died the next day.   It really felt like this was another way that Jesus helped me represent Julie and be there for Angela. Family ties are just so important.  

I am preparing to travel to Minnesota for the funeral for my sister Julie.  Each of these events has my mind going with memories and thoughts.  Being together to celebrate Julie's life will be a time for me to connect with her children and grandchildren after many years.  I remember my mom saying that so often families only saw each other at weddings and funerals.  Sadly, this is still true today.   But I welcome this time to visit and support Julie's family.  I am going to also be able to visit with my brother Jerry and his wife Thoralee.  Again, we just don't see each other often. The ties that keep us bound together as family don't depend on physical closeness or even times that we can see each other.  I have been remembering that my family - my extended family - included immigrants in both my mom and dad's family.  They left all of their family in countries across oceans and begun new lives.  

Covid has taught us all that being together and celebrating are extremely important. All of these events- birthdays, confirmations, baby showers, funerals - help us to keep our eyes outside of ourselves.  Being isolated so much the last couple of years has certainly turned us inward.  Since Ken died I have had to be intentional about going out and looking outward.  Doing these blogs has helped me to remember that I have been successful!  I have been connecting and making memories IN SPITE of Covid.  

After Lia's Confirmation, Gwen and I were talking about our own Confirmation days. Pastor Dave did something at Lia's Confirmation that was so amazing.  Before the Confirmations, there was a Baptism and the Baptismal Font was at the front.  As Pastor Dave prayed for each of the youth being Confirmed, he took water from the Font and "Blessed" them.  What a powerful reminder of the purpose of Confirmation - a "Reaffirmation of Baptism".  Here is Lia at her Baptism.

And I will leave this blog with Lia's Confirmation verses, given to her by Pastor Dave.

        And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel 

of your salvation.  When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised

Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those 

who are God's possession - to the praise of His glory.       Ephesians 1:13-14

Jesus, thank you for celebrations with family and friends.  Holy Spirit, help us to keep our eyes off of ourselves.  Remind us of the Spiritual legacy that fills our families.  Most of all, let us see things from your perspective, Jesus.  Thank you for your love and care.  Amen

When God knows exactly what you need.....

I had one of those hind-sight experiences in the last couple of weeks that has me knowing that God knew exactly what I needed.  Two weeks ago, I got a call from my sister Julie.  I could tell that she was not doing well.  That day, she had gotten on a bus to start a four week tour in Florida.  By lunch time on the first day after leaving the Minneapolis/St.Paul area, midway through Wisconsin, Julie realized that she was not well.  The tour stopped the first night in the Chicago area.  So she was asking if I could pick her up and work with her kids to help her get home.  It was an easy thing for me to do.  By the next morning, arrangements had been made for her to get home. I got to spend several hours with Julie, helping her pack up her things and then drove her into Wisconsin to meet her daughter Staci and her husband Aaron.  I am so thankful for those hours that I got to spend with Julie.  It was clear that she wasn't well.  She was a bit confused and complained of blurry vision, a headache and just not feeling well.  In spite of that, we had a wonderful time talking our kids and grandchildren.  She was excited to be welcoming her 5th Great Grandchild in March.  Julie was so excited to have found a dress that her daughter Chrissy had worn and she gifted it to this new baby, who will be Chrissy's first grandchild.  She even talked about finding a picture of Chrissy wearing that dress.  Julie talked about all of her 19 grandchildren and her (soon to be) 5 great grandkids and about her 4 daughters.  It was so good to talk, face to face.  We had frequent phone conversations, but actually being in the same room, was so good.  Staci and Aaron brought Julie directly to the hospital, upon getting back to the Twin Cities.  Because of Covid, her kids couldn't be with her.  It was discovered that she had indeed had a serious stroke.  And the recently diagnosed liver cancer was progressing much quicker than expected.  Her girls made arrangement to bring her home.  Sadly, she was only home a few days before her death.  

I have been talking about going to Minnesota to visit her since Ken died.  However Covid was still very much around and our family was still being cautious about exposure.  By the fall of 2021, I was actually trying to plan a visit with Julie, but her schedule was full.  Also, she had not been feeling very well and I thought I would wait until we could really enjoy the visit.  I knew that she had several trips planned so thought we would just delay until this spring, when the weather was better.  But God knew that I really needed to have this last time with Julie.  

I searched my photos for the last time we got together (just the two of us) and it was May of 2019. She made a trip to Chicago to see her granddaughter Angela.  We had a couple hours to visit and I snapped this picture.  We did see each other in September of 2019 at a small family reunion that was held in Iowa.  There were many people there and we didn't get much time to visit.  

 

Pictures are so important to me, especially family photos.  If you could see around my home, you would know this!  I treasure each and every photo and I know the kids are pretty sick of me always taking pictures.  The next picture of Julie and I was taken in September off 1954.  Newborn photos were not taken at all.  Because I am the 5th child in the family, there were not many pictures taken at all.  So I am so thankful that my dad decided to take a series of pictures of me as a newborn on the front steps of our home.  There is one of my mom holding me, one of my sister Karen holding me and this precious picture of (soon to be) 8 year old Julie, holding me.

In the car on the way to Wisconsin, Julie was dozing and clearly just working at getting through the time until she could get home.  We were talking about how much we loved being with our grandchildren and then she dozed off to sleep.  She suddenly woke and announced "you know, I was really close to her".  I was startled and asked who she was talking about.  I wondered if she was talking about our mom.  She was always very close to her.  Julie seemed surprised that I didn't know what she was talking about, and answered, "Well, Aunt Anna, of course".    We had a brief conversation about Aunt Anna and Julie seemed surprised that I wasn't close to her.   Aunt Ann was my mom's aunt who raised her and her sisters after their mother died. She was certainly a "grandmother" to all of the children of those girls, that included me.  However, Aunt Anna died in 1956 when I was 2 years old.  Other than the stories of others, I really don't have many memories of her.    I am sure that Julie was thinking of all the loved ones that she was longing to see again.  And that moment, it was Aunt Anna.

Grandpa and Aunt Anna were taken care of by my Mom and Dad.  Julie grew up with them and it makes perfect sense that she would have been close to Aunt Anna.  I just had never thought about that!

This photo from 1956 is (left to right), my mom (Nona Johnson), Eunice Ries, Aunt Anna Toensing, Arnold Toensing (their father), Phyllis Turnquist, Beatrice Nelson.  

I just love how personal and real Jesus is when you have an experience like this.  It would have been much harder for me to lose Julie, without this unexpected visit.  I almost feel as if she got on that bus specifically to see me.  Those conversations, the things we talked about, will stay with me.  I didn't know just how much I needed to make this connection.  But Jesus did.  So now, I am at peace, knowing that Julie is not sick any more.  She was at home, surrounded by all those she held so close and loved so much,  when she died.  I am thankful for the peace that Jesus brings me, knowing that He holds the number of our days in His hands.  And for the hope and joy and comfort for all who grieve.   

Jesus, thank you for knowing exactly what I needed.  Holy Spirit, please bring your comfort and peace to Elise, Chrissy, Sara and Staci and all who grieve the lose of Julie.  Bring your assurance, hope and joy to help us remember your promises.  Give us all courage and boldness to reach out and support others who have lost loved ones.  Amen

(Watching) Dancing my way into the New Year.

Well, here we are in 2022.  And we are STILL in the midst of the Covid pandemic.  As a matter of fact, so many of the "normal" things that had finally come back in late 2021, are now on pause, once again.  Lia and Ellie have been practicing for months with their Dance Connection special performing group, Spotlight.  These girls (and boys) work long hours, doing extra classes and learn extra dances, just to perform.  The purpose of this group is USUALLY to entertain at nursing homes and care facilities for the surrounding communities.  Then Covid, again.  So the very creative and wonderful owner and teachers of this studio, decided to do a series of shows for the community - aimed at children under 10.  The dancers whirled and twirled to the familiar music of Frozen.  There was limited attendance, social distanced and everyone wore masks.  The air purifiers were humming and the windows were cracked to help keep everyone safe.  The dancers wore 2 masks! The studio even zoomed for anyone who was unable to attend.   Was it worth the effort?  You bet!  

During the last two years, so many of us have become depressed and lost hope.  It has felt like we would never again be truly happy and at ease.  Even going to the grocery store causes anxiety, and it's not just the prices that make us feel queasy. We have become fearful and nervous around others - even sometimes our families.   Not only do we not want to get sick ourselves, but we certainly don't want to get others sick. So many have "taken sides" against each other.  Logic and common sense seem to have fallen by the wayside.   Yes, these are tough times.  But just take a look at those sweet, young faces.  They probably have many of the same feelings that you and I do.  In fact, I think it is much harder for the children and youth to process growing up in a world wide pandemic.  But I see HOPE and JOY and LIFE when I look at these photos.  There is determination and perseverance and hours of hard work.  And behind every one of these dancers are their families.  The moms and dads (and sometimes grandmas) that drive them to and from dance classes, over and over.  Who most likely make monetary sacrifices to pay for these classes.  Is it worth it?  You bet.  I don't think these dancers were giving Covid a second thought as they performed the day I watched the production.  They were listening to the giggles and claps of the children in attendance.  They were feeling the joy of the accomplishment of a job well done.  They were part of something bigger than themselves.  A common goal.  

I wish that all of you could watch this performance.  More than that, I hope that all of you take away a bit of the lesson I learned that day.  We can not stop living.  We have to find a goal to shoot for.  Make plans for the months ahead.  We need to figure out how we might bring a spot of joy and hope and life to those around us.  Even knowing that it takes hard work and perseverance.  A life lived for Jesus is a life that walks confidently - no matter what is happening around us.  We need to begin each day, covered in the armor of God so that the fear and isolation and anger about the pandemic don't overwhelm our hearts. Over the past week since this dance show, I have had more than one aggravation pop into my life.  It certainly helped to close my eyes and remember the freedom and joy I saw on the faces of the dancers that day.  And then I began to sing... "Let it go!"

Jesus, thank you for using ordinary things in my life to remind me of your plans and purposes that don't stop for Covid.  Holy Spirit, keep this message fresh and close in my mind and heart as I walk through the next days.  Jesus, keep us mindful of your presence as we face conflicts and disagreements, no matter what the topic.  Guide us to the people and places that you have purposed for us. Thank you for loving us all.  Amen
 

My heart, as a grandma, for James...

 I can't believe that James will soon be 8 months old.  The time has just gone by so quickly.  I love that I have gotten to watch him grown and change each week.  His personality is just exploding as he begins to move around and explore everything.  He is curious, strong and very determined!  Now that he can sit up from his tummy, he is a much happier little boy.  More than once, he has pulled up to his knees and even one time to his feet!  So it won't be long till he is running after Grace.  

With each of my grandchildren, I have asked Jesus to show me how to pray for them - specifically - even before they were born.  From those prayers and pages of my journal, I have created a "Name Frame" that reflects the things that I have been and will be praying for them.  Recently, I blogged about Lia's frame.  Many times the words on each of the kids frames, come into my mind as a reminder for me to pray specific things.  I spent most of early January working on the frame for James.  In looking at my journals, the first things I wrote about Jimmy before he was born, were about food!  I saw him as a chef with lots of food items.  This didn't surprise me since Doug has been in the kitchen (or backyard) cooking since he was really small.  But then I remembered the Johnny Appleseed story.  I understood that Jesus was saying that James would spread the truth of God's word, which would be real food.  Just like Johnny Appleseed, I believe that James will make new paths and go in new directions, as he shares his life.  He will be blazing new trails that many others will follow.  He will make these new paths, walking in the footprints of so many of our ancestors.  The word "innovator" was in my journals, over and over.  Someone who introduces new ideas or new methods.  I truly believe that Jimmy is a world changer!  It seems like an enormous amount for a small baby.  But God's plans and purposes for each of us are just as big and far reaching.  It seems to me that we just don't ask for the big picture for ourselves, or our children or grandchildren.  So I am thankful that I have a big vision for each of my children and grandchildren.   It gives this grandma much to pray over, much to think about and much to be thankful for.  

Over the years many have asked me how I have decided what goes into these frames.  Simply, pray and ask.  I know that sounds almost to easy.  But that is how these frames came to be.  Its not to late to think about this for yourself, or your family.  Take sometime and listen (with a pen and journal) and you might be surprised at just how clearly you begin to see God's plans.  And because I suspect that some might wonder about my other grandchildren's frames.... here they are!

Jesus, thank you for loving us so much that you have a distinct plan and purpose for each of us.  Holy Spirit, remind us as we pray, of the exact things we need to pray.  Children are such a joy and blessing.  Help us to grasp the depth of your big picture.  Keep us out of the what ifs and whys.  Amen

Year end wrap up.... goodbye 2021

 What a year.  I think all of us are kind of glad to see 2021 go.  There were certainly some very good things in this year, but the constant ever present Covid just kind of put a damper on everything.  Right now things are not looking good on the Covid front.  The numbers are skyrocketing and things are shutting down - again.  But in spite of that, I am ending the year in a hopeful and happy place.  

As usual December was a busy, busy month.  In spite of some minor sickness (just common colds) and the rising Covid numbers, my family was able to gather and celebrate Christmas together.  

I am especially thankful for remembering to get photos of me with the adults and not just the kids this year.  I don't remember the last time I had a photo of me with Gwen and Doug.  As usual, we had a wonderful day together.  Even James cooperated and took a good nap, in spite of all the noise and commotion.  It was a day of fun, laughter and many memories made.  

I had several other wonderful surprises during this month.  While volunteering at the Operation Christmas Child processing center (which is only about 2 miles from my house) I actually got to meet Franklin Graham.  

He just happened to visit this center on the day that I volunteered.  I have been filling shoeboxes since 2014. I started doing these boxes in honor of my grandson Lucas,  shortly after his death.  Every year I fill each box for a little boy who might be close in age to Lucas.  I love praying that each box finds a boy that needs to hear that Jesus loves them.  This year (March of 2021) I actually heard back from a family that received one of the boxes I packed in 2019. 

This sweet little boy lives in Chili with his mother.  She wrote me a wonderful email thanking me for blessing her little boy.  They went to help center to get some necessary items and he was invited to attend a shoebox event.  You can see him holding the picture I included in all of our 2019 boxes.  It was so amazing to actually see what impact such a small gift can bring.   So meeting Franklin Graham and actually getting to once again touch hundreds of boxes, and pray for each of the children was an incredible start to my Christmas season.  

Then, one day in the flood of packages that arrived at my door, I received an "unknown" package.  You know, the one where you hold it in your hand and wonder, "Now what did I order?"  Well, this package remains a mystery since STILL no one has claimed to be the sender

This lovely scarf has all seven of my grandchildren's names listed over and over.  I love that this includes Lucas (who can so easily be forgotten by others - but is never forgotten by family).  It was sent by someone who knew that blue is my favorite color.  I just love this mystery gift so much!  I don't remember the last time I received a truly mystery present that has brought me so much joy.  I actually got to wear this scarf the other day when the weather changed (finally) to cold and snow.  It was such a comfort to find this scarf wrapped around my neck - just like being hugged by those special people.  

I finished off the month by going with Gwen and Lia to purchase new Pointe shoes for Lia.  The first pair of Pointe shoes that Lia has were now "dead".  Apparently that is what happens to well worn pointe shoes?  Lia actually pointed out how worn they were and showed me the marks made by running through the grass to get quickly on stage during their outdoor "Recital" (thanks to covid).  I learned so much about the fitting and wearing of pointe shoes that day.  It was most amazing to watch the mature, confident, young lady that Lia has become, interacting with the gal fitting her. 

 Sometimes I look at Lia and think, "Where was I when she grew up? How can she be this old?  I can't help but reflect on the powerful words and visions I had for her when she was just born.  She is a "little bird with a big voice".  A leader who will show her peers the right way to go.  

I made these name frames for each of my grandchildren, from the words that I was given to pray for them, even before they were born.  I love watching each of them grow into the things that Jesus showed me for them.  As I watch Lia, I can see this just come to life.  I can't wait to see what is ahead for her.  

Over the last few weeks I have been working on the frame for James.  Because I have not yet given it to Doug and Susie, I won't share it - yet.  But It has been part of my December this year and remembering Lia's frame has just made the construction of Jimmy's frame that much more special.  So...look for a future blog about James!

The Lord has been so good to me!  That phrase just rolls around and around in my head.  This has been a year of firsts in missing Ken.  This was the second Christmas without him.  Our family has been lamenting that we have not been able to plan our trip to Florida to fulfill Ken's wishes to have his ashes scattered at Casey Key.  It has been a frustrating time,  deciding when we could all travel and then trying to find a place that could actually fit all of us!  I have spent literally HOURS searching VRBO and  AirBnB trying to find something that would work.  I have messaged and called countless hosts trying to find something.  Around Thanksgiving one particular host called me and told me to wait until after Christmas.  She said that often people cancel reservations that week, before the year ends and often weeks open up.  So, I waited.  And then a miracle happened.  This place emailed me that they had three weeks open up... One in early May, 2022.  

It was almost to good to be true.  It is on Casey Key.  It has enough beds for all of us.  It has a pool and is steps from the beach.  It even has a pier for fishing.  Really more than we hoped for.  So, at last, our trip is set.  I think that we all breathed a sigh of relief.  I know that we have all needed this last piece of closure.  This trip would make Ken very happy.  We will all be together at his very best happy place, Casey Key.  It will be a wonderful way to remember Ken.  

This was really a great way to end 2021.  This trip seemed impossible for so long and now it is on the horizon.  I am so thankful for the many answers to prayer and the joy and hope that are filling my life.  It's been such a wonderful December.  I can't wait to see what is ahead in 2022.  I don't usually do "New Years Resolutions" but this year I am.  I have decided to 

*Pray more and worry less

*Sing more and sigh less

*Praise more and complain less

I can't think of a better way to start a new year.  Yes, Covid is still here and most likely will be all through 2022.  There are many things that could make this year hard.  But with these resolutions in the front of my mind, it is going to be a great year.  This world wide pandemic has gotten to all of us.  I hear so much fear from even those who know Jesus. This is a time to remember that 

You dear children are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 1John 4:4

Also, I have been continually reminded to start each day, putting on the full armor of God.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Therefore put on the full armor of God so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.   Ephesians 6:11-17

*Belt of truth.... we all need truth!  Not what we hear/see on the internet.  TRUTH

Jesus said "I am the way, the truth and the life"

*The breastplate of righteousness - covers our heart to keep our emotions in check.  

*We can walk in the good news of the Gospel that Jesus has won the battle!

*We have the shield of faith that protects us from whatever the enemy throws our way.

*Most importantly, we have our heads - our minds- covered in the helmet of salvation.  Because of this, we can think clearly

*Finally, we have the offensive weapon of the sword of the Spirit.  We have the word of God available to us.  

It is my hope that you will be blessed by the reminders I have just shared.  In these uncertain times, it is good to be firmly planted in the truth.  So, dear friends, follow with me in hope and joy as we walk confidently into 2022!  

Jesus, thank you for all the reminders you have given to help me stand during the last years of change and transition.  Holy Spirit, bring these words to life for those who are seeing this post.  Give us all courage to acknowledge your help and your presence in our daily life.  Thank you Jesus for all the wonderful good times I had in December.  Amen

Waiting and preparing.....Advent

 It's been a busy time getting ready for Christmas.  I started assembling all of the gifts I have purchased and made a list of the missing items.  This year I also have a list of yet-to-arrive things that may be "lost" in shipment!  I am right there with everyone else, I guess.  It has been a a contemplative time for me.  Each ornament I put on my tree seemed to bring back a memory.  And I wouldn't want it any other way.  This year I especially focused on this ornament.  In 2013, I actually wrote a blog about that included this ornament.  But this year, my thoughts are a bit different. I've been thinking about legacy.  

This ornament has a unknown age.  I know that it came from Germany.  I know that it was brought to the United States by my Great Grandparents, Ernst and Clara Toensing around 1871.  They already had four  children when they began their journey.  Sadly, their youngest child died during the journey.  When they arrived in the United States, they settled in St. Paul, Minnesota.  Their family grew to include five more children, including my grandfather.

Clara was never in very good health after the trip here (as you can see by the picture above).  She died when her last child was only 9 years old.   As far as I know, the story behind this ornament has been lost.  I don't know if it was already old when Clara and Ernst received it.  Could it have been on their parent's tree for years?  Possibly.  Was it a wedding gift?  Maybe.  I can imagine that deciding what to carry with them during their journey across the world, was very difficult.  So this was a precious item for them.   By the time my memories of Christmas begin, my mom always hung this ornament on our tree.   She had cared for her father and her aunt (who had helped raise her) in their old age.  So she had inherited this ornament after their deaths.  For mom, this ornament held memories of her own Christmas celebrations and my usually stoic mom, was very sentimental about it.  I remember the year that she brought this ornament to me to hang on my own tree.  She was dividing up her Christmas stuff among my siblings and knew that I especially loved this ornament.   When Gwen and Doug got married, I passed a couple of special ornaments on for their families.  I  have some pink bells that were made by Ken's grandma Baker.  Each of my kids have one of those on their tree.  And I  have some china "Choir Boy ornaments that my mom got for our family tree, long before I was born.  So, for me, those have always been on my Christmas Tree.   My mom gave me three, so Gwen and Doug each got one.  I love looking at their trees and seeing these pieces of history living on into another generation.  

Christmas is full of traditions and customs for every family.  I love that Jesus is the focus of the holiday for our family.  We have always celebrated Advent and use the time to retell the Bible stories that reveal God's plan to bring Jesus into the world.  The Advent wreath helps us to focus on one theme or story and remember just how amazing God's rescue plan was to bring a savior into the world.  Yesterday I had the privilege of helping in the Rock (the children's Sunday School at Gwen's church).  The message was that Jesus came to bring Good News to the world.  The reminder was that we all have good news to share with others.  

The Second through Fifth graders got sticky notes and they wrote Good News things they could share with "My World", "My family", "My school", "My Friends", "My Neighbors".  I especially loved this poster to the world.  If you look closely you can see "Jesus is coming" "Jesus has come"  "Jesus saves us" "God loves us" and more.  What a great lesson for these kids to know that it is wonderful  to share this good news with the world.  

I am so thankful that my ancestors knew and honored the story of God's rescue plan. They brought their faith and traditions to the United States when they came here.  They built a church so that their children and their new neighbors would hear the Good News.  

Ernst Toensing built this church with the help of his brother (who also came to the United States at the same time).  Zion Lutheran Church was the sight of the baptisms of Ernst and Clara's five children born here.  And it was also the location of the funerals of many of them and their descendants.  The cemetery across the street from this church, has the "Toensing family plot, the final resting spot of my grandfather and grandmother along with many other relatives.  That church is still holding weekly services for recent immigrants to the United States, the Hmong community.  I am so thankful that the legacy of my great grandparents is sharing the Good News of the birth of Jesus, the great rescuer who came to save us all.   

Jesus, thank you for coming to our rescue through your birth, life and death.  Holy Spirit, give us all boldness to share this incredible good news with those around us.  Thank you for songs and carols that continue to tell the story.  Thank you for candles and lights that remind us that the light of the world was born in Bethlehem.  Jesus help us keep you in all of our celebrations during this season.  Amen

November is almost over.... singing a new song of praise!

I can not believe that next week is Thanksgiving.  This month has just flown by.  I was at the doctor this week for my yearly exam and she asked me if I was getting enough physical activity.  I told her she just needed to take a look at my calendar to understand why this is not a problem!  It is a very rare day that I am sitting at home, doing nothing.  Most days are packed with activities and I am quite happy with that.  After a year of pretty much doing nothing but staying at home, it feels good to have purpose in each day.  And the doctor declared me remarkably healthy "for my age".  Sigh.  Can't I just be healthy?

Seriously, I am very thankful for good health and the physical ability I have to be with my grand kids on a regular basis.  Many are not so fortunate.  

We began this month, remembering Lucas on his seventh birthday.  

It is always good to gather and remember Lucas.  it was a really nice fall day and the leaves were crunchy underfoot.  Unfortunately, Scott, Susie's brother, was not able to be with us.  He is still in recovery from the random gunshot wounds he suffered in June.  It is sobering to see how difficult his recovery has been, since he is an innocent victim just walking down the street when he was shot.  I don't think we appreciate just how devastating these injuries can be and the length of the recovery after something like this.   Thankfully, Scott is getting wonderful care at a suburban hospital.  I am hopeful that he will be able to start 2022 closer to a full recovery.  These visits to the cemetery are always a time to stop and reflect and remember.   It is always a good time to talk with the kids about death, and this year there was a very new grave near to Lucas.   There were lots of questions from the kids, and I am thankful that there was time to talk openly and truthfully.  Not easy, but very good.

The "cousins" (as Grace calls them) are always so glad to be together.  Grace loves being with them so much.  

I just loved this picture of the girls together.  Zeke is so thankful to have a boy cousin now.  And always talks about missing Lucas so much.  

I love this picture of Doug holding James talking to Gwen!  It's so good to see your adult kids together and enjoying each others children.  

Spending time each week at both Gwen's and Doug's is so nice.  I really get to see the kids and be a part of the things they are interested in.  Lately, I have been helping Gwen out with some of the (constant) driving that comes along with having four kids involved in various activities.  I take Lia to her Co-op class in the morning and then at the end of the day, drive Lia and Ellie to dance before heading home.  I just love this car time with the kids.  I get to watch the kids homeschool and this was my view the other day....

It looked like Chandler was doing his own bit of "homeschool" while he sat on a folder!  He is most definitely Gwen's dog and likes to be where she is!  That same day, I saw this...

Their resident Cooper's Hawk, who lives in their yard, was actually sitting right on the railing outside of their sunroom.  It was shocking to see just how big he was when he took off!  The kids think this is the same hawk that I saw sitting on the trampoline a few weeks ago.  They do have a park-like setting for sure.  

Every week James grows and changes.  And, for that matter, so does Grace.  She is nearing five years old and her imagination is incredible.  Sometimes I get flashbacks to Doug when he was her age.  He was always telling me some random fact that he had read in some book.  She is an expert game player and always seems to win at Checkers.  And she loves art - all art.  Paint, glue, color, stickers.  Really anything.  And she loves books.  

She loves James so much and can't wait for him to actually be old enough to play with her.  James loves her and breaks into a huge smile anytime he sees her.  Now that he is bigger, she loves to hold him.  

She is a big help and will fetch burp clothes and diapers for me anytime I ask.  Soon enough James will be able to play.  I snapped this picture in James' room and didn't realize that the blanket behind them is the one I made for James!  You can just about make out his name behind Grace.  This week he actually cut his first tooth.  I can't believe he is almost six months old already!  

Thankful for so much this year.  Thankful for good health.  Thankful for family and the ongoing support that we have among us.  Thankful for children and all the activities they have - thankful for the activities they have today and all the places they will go someday.  Thankful for the beauty of the earth and all of God's creation.  Yes, those last few sentences sound a lot like some Thanksgiving songs.  But I am truly feeling them this year.  I have been doing a wonderful Bible Study on Psalm 40 - my favorite Psalm.  I call it my "Slimy Pit" Psalm. If you are curious, just google Psalm 40 and you will understand!  We are getting near the end of our study and have been talking about these lines  Psalm 40:3...

He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.  Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord.  

I have never felt, more than this year, the "new song" that Jesus has given me.  I am in a new season of life, as a widow.  Last year was all about getting used to how different my life was.  This year has really been about the hymn of praise.  Being so thankful for my life, each day.  Waking up busy, but so happy.  Ending each day, tired and thankful. So hopeful that my life will have impact and meaning.  My prayer is that I will see the "many" who are watching me, put their trust in Jesus.  

Lately, Grace has been asking me to sing her the "whole world" song.  A few month ago, I randomly sang the old children's song "He's got the whole world in his hands" to her and she remembered it.  The repetitive lyrics are basically...

He's got the whole world in his hands

He's got the wind and the rain

He's got the sun and the moon

He's got the little bitty baby

He's got you and me (insert name) in his hands

He's got the whole world in his hands.  

I don't think there is a better song of praise than that.  Knowing that God has got it ALL!  No matter what!  Yep, my thankful song of praise is rooted and grounded in knowing that He's got the whole world in His hands!  Be encouraged.  No matter where you are today.  If you are mired down in that slimy pit, know that Jesus is the solid rock that you can stand on. If you are feeling your world shaking, know that He's got this!  If you are walking into a new situation, stuck in a bad situation or just don't know where you are..... don't worry "He's got it!"   Jesus has the whole world in his hands!  

Jesus, thank you so much for this season's reminder to be thankful.  Holy Spirit, show us all how God has got us in his hands.  Keep our spirits open to hear your voice and help us to feel your loving hands holding us, even when things are hard.  Thank you for the new song of praise that you give to us.  Amen