Reflections from the last couple of weeks...

I am working on my 2020 scrapbook right now.  It has been somewhat challenging for more than one reason.  I mean, we all know what 2020 was like - in general.  Covid, isolation, masks, and so much more.  But in our family, 2020 was also a year filled with hospital stays, illness, cancer diagnosis, and so much more.  This week marked three years since Ken's death. I came across this photo while printing for scrapbooking.  This day - July 17, 2020 - was the last time that Ken wanted to take photos.  As you can see, he was not able to stand so we had a chair with us.  I remember that day  actually happened because I knew just how depressed Ken was about not being able to take photos.  I drove to a not- to- distant park that had a (somewhat) clear horizon view so that Ken could snap some pictures of the sunset.  

The irony of this being a sunset photo is not lost on me.  It was certainly the sunset time of Ken's life.  He wasn't very happy that day.  He couldn't get the shot that he wanted.  Nothing was right about it and I could not do anything to help the situation.  But, I am so thankful that we made the trip that evening.  

It is true that none of us know when we might have that "sunset" moment.  For me the last month has been much harder this year than last year.  I don't know the reason for this, but I have come to think it might have something to do with my recent DNA discovery.  There has been some grief associated with that, for sure, and it seems to have increased my feelings around losing Ken.  Time is a strange thing.  Sometimes it feels very "new" that Ken is gone, but then other times it feels like a very long time ago.  Each new day holds new memories and new experiences and they do continue to build up.  Last week, I watched Jimmy zooming up and down the sidewalk on his "balance" bike.  Ken would have loved this so much!

Also, Jimmy has been asking to watch videos of motorcycle racing and I know that Ken would just be very happy sitting with Jimmy watching all things motorcycle.  These things bring a new kind of sadness and missing Ken that I wasn't expecting.  

This reflection has begun a sort of "new" season for me, which is very good timing with the onset of Autumn.   In this season I want to spend time looking ahead and planning for new things.  I am a list maker and so there will be lists involved in this.  There are many "undone" projects and plans that will find a home on this new list.  It is my prayer that there will also be many that are crossed off as they are completed!

In church, we are hearing a new sermon series titled "Different Life".  The overarching theme, as a follower of Jesus, our life is different!  The opening Bible Plan (on the Bible App) devotion said this..

If you are born from above you're different.  There's just no getting around it.  When the Spirit of God takes hold of someone, he changes them.  From top to bottom, inside and out.  Hear, soul and mind, you're just going to be different than you were before.  The Bible uses all kinds of language to describe this; Holy, remnant, chosen, sanctified, children of God, and more.  If you are born of God, there is something different about you.  And that's a good thing!

If you are interested in seeing more about this Different Life series, you can watch it on YouTube at Fellowship of Faith McHenry Il and find the Bible plan on the Bible App.  

The timing of this series certainly fits this "new" season for me.  I am so grateful to be shifting my focus while looking ahead, grounded in just how different my life is and most importantly WHY my life is different.  

 Jesus, thank you so much for knowing exactly what I need to hear!  Holy Spirit, thank you for being comfort during those times of grief and sadness.  Give us courage and boldness to reach out to our friends and family when we are feeling overwhelmed.  Thank you for leading and guiding us into new seasons and giving us help along the way.  Thank you for the change of seasons that remind us that life is ever changing.  Thank you for loving us.  Amen

Another birthday.... how is possible that I am 69 years old?

On Labor Day, my entire family came over to help me celebrate my 69th birthday.  It was actually the following Wednesday, but I was actually born on Labor Day so it appropriate!  Even though Micah (Lia's boyfriend) and Samuel (Ellie's boyfriend) couldn't join us, we are still a large group these days!  Doug and Susie brought Doug's "smoked" meat - pulled pork and chicken - two of my favorites.  Lia made a 7up cake, again one of my favorites.  The kids colored/wrote me such sweet cards.  I actually get teary seeing them sitting on the mantle.  One thing is sure, there is always fun when we are together.  I love that we always take a picture of me with the grandkids.  It is such an amazing way to watch them all grow.

It was a HOT day for September 4th, but the kids played in the park behind my back yard.  Lia was the resident bubble blower and all the kids chased bubbles.  Zeke and Jimmy played a bit of Frisbee. 

It wasn't long before the heat drove us all inside.  I might not have room at a table for all of us to sit down together, but we all manage to eat in the same room!  Some might be at the coffee table, sitting on chairs, or eating on the couch.  It still feels like a family dinner to me! You do what you have to do when you live in a small house.    I love to see the kids find their favorite ways to entertain themselves here at Grandma's house.  I have a couple of storage cubes with a few toys and art things.  Anna had brought her new favorite game card game (I think it is called Taco, Goat, Cheese, Pizza) which was enjoyed by several groups of people!

Jimmy did really well in spite of the many, many things around my house that are not totally "child proof".  He was fascinated by my stairs and wanted to go up and down. (The stairs are gated at their house).  He has also just had a growth spurt that allows him to reach the light switches, and there are plenty of new switches to discover at my house.  Either Gwen or Susie snapped this photo of Jimmy and I and you can tell he is saying "cheese"!

It actually got a bit cloudy and somewhat cooler in the afternoon, so we all took a walk to the local playground in my subdivision.  This playground was not here when Gwen and Doug were little, but all of the grandkids remember coming to this park.  

All of the kids had a great time.  Grace managed the monkey bars with ease.  Jimmy climbed and climbed and went on the slides over and over.  Anna, Grace and Zeke played "Wood Chips" which is a grade school game that this grandma just doesn't understand.  Lia tried to explain it to me and what I heard is sort of a version of Marco Polo except not in the swimming pool and also involves sort of a tag thing.  Anyway, the kids get it!  On the way home we walked to the "bridge" over the small creek that runs behind our subdivision.  On the way, I snapped this photo of Zeke and Jimmy.  I just love these special cousin memories!

On my actual birthday, I was at Doug and Susie's with Jimmy and Grace.  Doug was actually out of town for work, so Susie got dinner delivered!  She came home with cupcakes and we had a nice dinner and desert.  Grace always wants me to stay for dinner, so this was special treat!  It was a wonderful conclusion of my birthday celebrations. I didn't get any pictures that day, but it will still be a special memory for me.  

For the last year, I have been part of a newly formed ministry, Sunbeams Uganda.  If you click on the link, you can see all that has happening in a small, very rural village, Kijjude in Central Uganda.  When you are focusing on a people group that has so little resources, so little opportunities, so many needs it can be overwhelming.  The Sunbeams team in the USA is small, but dedicated to bringing the light of Jesus into this village.  Kelly, the founder of the ministry, along with Mark (who is Ugandan) had a dream to encourage, equip, and empower the people of this village and it all started with bringing fresh, clean water through the digging of a community bore hole.  In the last year Sunbeams has purchased a plot of land and is in the process of building a Christian primary school.  The children who are able to go to school (who have families that can afford the school fees) it is a four kilometer (about 2.5 miles) walk, through jungle to school! There is now a sewing school in operation and over 70 women have been given a chance to provide for their families through sewing.  Sunbeams has provided bibles and chairs for the local church, as well as provided Bible studies and seminars.  Doctors and dentists have come to the village and provided much needed services to families that would not have been able to travel to receive care.  This is all pretty miraculous, considering this has all happened in just over a year.  The Sunbeams Christian Primary School is still a work in progress.  There is much to be accomplished but the prayer is to be completed and open for classes to begin in January, 2024. (which is the normal beginning of the school year in Uganda).  There is a newly built  playground on the grounds of the school, something these kids did not have before.

  

The United States is truly the land of opportunity.  We take so much for granted here.  My grandkids have nice houses, clothes and shoes, available dentist and doctors, and the ability to make their dreams come to life.  I know that Jesus has a plan and destiny for each one of these precious people.  The hope and encouragement that this village needs is Jesus. Sunbeams can't succeed in this mission without the support of people like you.  Please take a moment and click on the website link above and see more about the very needed outreach for the hundreds of people who call Kijjude home. Please pray with us that the many (big) hopes and dreams we have, will be successful!  

 Jesus, thank you for children and playgrounds.  Holy Spirit, remind us that age doesn't matter at all in the Kingdom of heaven.  We are all children of God.  Give us courage and boldness to step out and share our faith.  Keep us mindful of the great needs of those near to us, in our own neighborhoods and cities and also those half way around the world.  Give us hearts and hands that are willing to share from the bounty you have given to us.  Thank you for health and family.  Amen

 

When a movie is more than you think......and sometimes it is okay when your internet goes out!

It is a real treat to get to do things with just one of the Grandkids.  This past week I got to have lunch with Anna and then take her to a movie.  All of the other kids have already seen the Barbie movie and most of Anna's closest friends had also seen it.  So Anna was feeling a bit left out.  Gwen gave the go ahead (even though Anna is a bit young for this movie) since Gwen has seen it.  Even after telling Anna that she would most likely not understand all that was going on in the movie, she still wanted to see it. There was nothing "bad" about it, it was just a more adult themed movie.  We went at a very slow time (middle of the afternoon) and we were literally the only people in the theater.  It was a private showing! As expected, Anna was more excited about actually being at the theater, having the snacks she had stashed in her purse and the bucket of popcorn I purchased, than the actual movie.  She admitted that she really "didn't get it" and I tried to help her understand some parts of the movie.  What I don't understand is why a movie about a kids toy is made!  Clearly they knew their market and this movie is very popular with the 20-45 year olds.  As is always the case, Jesus can sure bring some interesting spiritual things to the surface through these ordinary movies.  Anna and I had some great conversations about going along with the crowd (peer pressure), knowing God's plans and purposes for each of us (letting other people try to sway your plans), understanding your unique gifts (trying to be like everyone else).  I am glad that I saw this movie.  Sometimes you just can't believe what sources tell you about a movie until you see for yourself what it is all about.  This time with Anna was special and memorable!

This week, while at Doug and Susie's, their internet went out.  Jimmy and I had already spent several hours outside while Grace was at school.  I knew that Grace would be tired when we picked her up at the bus stop after school, and she would enjoy time to relax and unwind.  The standard afterschool routine is a bit of TV.  But the sudden message..... "Check your internet connection - no internet" flashed on the screen, that routine was out window.  So Grace and Jimmy happily played in the back yard until Susie got home.  It was good to talk with Grace about her day and school and actually get her to share a few things.   As we were talking about the day, Grace excitedly screamed, "THE ICE CREAM TRUCK!"  Sure enough, off in the distance, was the faint music of that "kid's best friend" colorful, noisy vehicle. Susie sent Grace flying out the front door to stop the truck and I corralled Jimmy.  Money in hand, with the truck stopped in front of their house, the magical treats were obtained! 

Let's face it, Ice cream is good for the soul.  It is especially good when you are facing a day with no internet (which means no TV in some households).  What Grace was much more upset about, was no internet meant that she could not show off her new Chromebook from school.  She was so excited to show me all the programs she used.   But alas, that will have to wait for another week, after the internet is fixed.  So a special treat of an (overpriced) ice cream bar, that just tastes so much better when it comes off of the music playing truck, covers up the loss of the internet!  If we had been inside, watching television, we would never have heard the music of the ice cream truck and the kids would have missed out on the special treat.  It was only the second time Grace had ever gotten a treat off the truck, and she was thrilled!  It was totally new to Jimmy.  So, yes, sometimes it is okay when the internet goes out!  

I cherish these small, special times with each of the grandchildren.  I am so blessed!  I do not take these times for granted.  There are so many of my friends who are separated from their children and grandchildren by long distances or sadly, conflicts or other circumstances.  I try to remember each day, to find the message from Jesus I need for that day.  This is especially true in these everyday times with the kids. I know that the Barbie Movie was not supposed to carry any spiritual message, yet in the days after seeing it, there were clear messages to me in my daily devotions.  I loved how the Lord spoke to me, about the importance of an occasional special treat when things are not going well.  Since that day, I have been  remembering all the times that something as small and/or trivial as that ice cream bar has happened when I most needed it (and least expected it).  Isn't God just amazing?  

The best advise I ever received about parenting came from my sister Karen.  When Gwen was just a baby, she told me "Don't sweat the small stuff - and most things are small!"  This was great advice that carried me through all my years raising my kids.  I think good grandparenting advice would be "Don't miss out on those small things - they are really big memories in the making."  Maybe that advice is not just for parents and grandparents, but everyone!  Go to that movie that you have heard about.  Take time to go to lunch with that special person.  Play outside, even when you have already spent time outside.  When facing a challenge and/or a problem, look for the small joys.  Listen for the music and most importantly, share that ice cream treat!  

Jesus, thank you for a very special week of small but wonderful memories.  Holy Spirit, remind us all that most stuff is just small stuff. When things are hard, give us courage to stop and wait for answers.  Thank you for speaking to us through movies, through the birds and the trees and the sunshine.  Help us to slow down and see all of the small things that are becoming big memories.  Thank you for loving us so much!  Amen

Such a "thankful" week...

This has really been a great week.  Starting off the week with a wonderful dinner at one of my favorite places, that also was Ken's favorite.  Doug and Susie and I had tried to plan this dinner out for a long time, but it's tough to arrange schedules these days!  So, in honor of Ken's birthday (which was in May) we finally got to celebrate at Uncle Bubs.  

It is not exactly close for us, but it is surely worth the drive!  If you live in the Chicago area, or ever visit, a stop at Uncle Bubs is sure to please the Barbeque lovers.  Doug and I were discussing how we found this place, and I am pretty sure it was DOUG that had eaten here and recommended it to us.  Ken and I had eaten there just before the Covid shut down and we never made it back before Ken died.  I came home with enough food for the next few days as well as a bottle of Barbeque Sauce!  

Then, this week marked the first day of school for all the grands!  

I was actually at Gwen and Tim's and experienced their start of homeschool.  Anna is in fourth grade, Zeke is in 7th grade, Ellie is a High School freshman (gasp) and Lia went to her first "in person" class at college on this day (double gasp- although she took college classes on line all last year) Lia is "technically" a Senior this year, most of her time will be spent doing college classes.  Its so amazing to watch the learning and growth happen, often outside of "books".  I love how I have gotten to walk along side of these kids and see them each move into their giftings.  

Grace's first day of First Grade was on Thursday.  I can hardly believe that she is a first grader!  She is pretty sure that she wants to be a teacher when she grows up, which is no surprise to me.  She loves learning, loves reading and loves school!  

So, here it is, actually late summer, but it FEELS like fall.  Even when the temps last week actually hit 100 degrees, fall still seems right around the corner.  That's what happens with back to school.  This weekend was one of those glorious times when the air was cool (70's) and there was a pleasant breeze.  I spent a great deal of time just sitting outside, enjoying the coolness.  When I came back inside to make myself a rather late "brunch" (it was after 10:30am) this happened....

I actually had a "double yoked" egg!  I don't remember the last time that this has happened!  While I have recently been purchasing "free range" eggs, I was still surprised.  My mom always said that a double yoke egg was a sign of goodness and a reminder to be doubly thankful whenever you had the surprise of a double yoke egg.  As I ate my eggs, there was quite a bit of reflection on all my blessings.  My family, my grandchildren, great weather, good food, a comfortable home, ability to go whenever and wherever I choose. great friends, and so much more.  II reflected on the recent blessing of adding family through my DNA discovery. I am so thankful that I am just at the beginning of a new adventure as I learn more about my paternal relatives.  Also, this week, I had the opportunity to gather with several different groups of friends and spend time in fellowship and prayer.  For sure, a week full of "double blessings".  

Today in church there was a challenge to actively be using your gifts in service to the church, your community, and the world.   There were three stirring testimonies that certainly made you consider how the Holy Spirit might be nudging you to step out of your comfort zone into a place of service.  This message, coming after a very thankful week, hit the mark.  I will be considering with much more diligence, in what ways I can be serving and I won't be nearly as likely to use that "comfort zone" as an excuse to say no!   One of the best parts of watching the grandkids begin a new school year is seeing them grow into the destiny that Jesus planned for them before they were born.  While they may think that are preparing for supply chain management, fashion design, builder or engineer, leaders, teachers or truck drivers, there is so much more ahead for them as they walk with Jesus.  Yes, they may end up doing some of those jobs, but they also may not. Whatever their professions end up to be, that master plan of Jesus will find fulfilment.  So, with a challenge excepted, I will be seeking to fulfill my own destiny through serving!   This season is a good time to consider for yourself, ways that you could move our of your comfort zone and follow that gentle nudge of the Spirit into something new.  Let me know what you decide to do!  And I will keep you up to date in future blogs.

Jesus, it is easy to think that we are not needed or we have already done enough.  Help us to understand that we all have things to share and ways that we can serve.  Holy Spirit, remind us to pray and support all the children and parents and teachers as the new school year begins.  Give us gentle reminders of ways that we can show your love to those around us.  Thank you for double blessings and weeks of thanksgiving.  Amen

It was kind of a "dance" weekend for me!

 Friday was one of those extra special days for me.  I got to accompany Lia and Gwen to a Ballet Specialty store for a fitting for new Pointe Shoes! 

This is actually Lia's third pair of Pointe Shoes, but it is still amazing to see!  The first pair were purchased in 2020 and I remember how nervous Lia was that she would never get "off the barre".  Here she is with much more confidence, three years later!  

After making the final decision about the exact feel and fit, the purchase was completed.  I was a bit sad when Lia said, "Take a picture of my last time getting Pointe Shoes."  I know that she is 17 and doesn't think (at this time) that she will continue to dance.  But considering all the hours and hours she has spent in practice since 2009, it is hard to believe.

 One of my first, very favorite books (when I was in second grade) was called "On Your Toes, Susie" and I had almost memorized that book.  I was surprised to see that it is still available!

I always dreamed about dancing and especially dancing on pointe.  I never had any ballet training and Gwen was much more interested in gymnastics than ballet.  When Lia first started dance, I never imagined I would see her on Pointe!  I am sure that Lia might not be happy with me sharing the following pictures, but for this grandma, these are things that I will never forget....

These pictures are from 2009 when Lia started Ballet at Dance Connection in Grayslake, Illinois.  The teacher in the blue shirt in the last picture, is the owner of the studio, Ms Bridget Blake!  And she is still one of Lia's teacher today!  I wonder if she imagined that the little girl in the pink leotard who she led across the floor, would still be dancing 14 years later!  

Yes, Dance Connection is certainly a big part of the life at the Johnson household.  Not only Lia, but also Ellie and Anna dance every week.  This year was another first for us.  Lia, Ellie and Anna all danced in the annual Grayslake Parade as a part of the Spotlight group from Dance Connection.  

This was Anna's first year, dancing in the parade and she was very nervous!  I was so glad that I got to the parade this year.  I'm not sure why, but I have missed the pervious parades.  This is also the first time that all three girls have been in the same dance production.  Anna is so happy to have a chance to dance with Lia and Ellie!  

This is Ellie!

Here is Anna!

And this is Lia!

Given my past few months, I have been thinking a lot about my childhood and various memories.  I was always reading and I know that it was an escape for me.  I could imagine myself in different circumstances and in amazing places, having adventures.  I don't think I realized just how much the books that I read and loved, have influenced my life.  This is just one example!  I loved the Little House on the Prairie books and here I am, writing a book that starts on the Prairie in the late 1800's.  

What an excellent reminder for us all that our dreams may not be realized in exactly the way that we thought!  I never became a pointe dancer.  Gwen didn't do ballet.  Yet here is Lia, dancing on toe!  My dream has become a reality in my life, just not how I expected.  When I was little, I imagined living on a lake, having a house right on the water.  This was birthed out of many happy days spent at our vacation lake cabin on Lake Maud.  While I don't live on a lake, Gwen and Tim do! I have spent many happy days at their home, enjoying their lake front property.  Again, not exactly how I thought my dream would be realized, but I am sure enjoying what it is!  

I love how Jesus knows the desires of our hearts and brings those to us, sometimes in unexpected ways and much differently than we thought we wanted.  After a weekend like this, I am more convinced that Jesus knew my heart as a little girl of seven.  And this weekend, I realized just how special it is that my dream about dancing has come to pass.  I bet that if you actually looked at some of those dreams and desires from your childhood, you also would find ways that Jesus has brought them into your life, that were not exactly like you thought.  What a joy it is to know that, no matter how long it might take, Jesus will bring us exactly what we need and desire!  Even when those things include that very unexpected plot twist!  

Jesus, thank you for children and grandchildren.  What a joy it is to see children learning and growing.  Holy Spirit, help us to see with new eyes, the ways that long forgotten dreams and desires have been met for us.  Jesus, thank you for knowing our hearts and giving us exactly what we need, when we need it.  Thank you for pictures that help us preserve our memories.  Amen

 

Where do I go from here?

As promised, I am going to be sharing a couple of photos of my biological paternal line.  It has been so good to have photos - faces with names.  I would not have this except for the kindness and welcoming of Mike Hedlund, my first cousin.  Getting to know a bit about Mike and his family (now my family) has been such a joy.  I am fully aware that Jesus has opened this door for me.  So many others, who have unexpected DNA results, spend years (and often thousands of dollars) to get information on their ancestors.  My experience of having closure on this subject after only a couple of months, is unique.  I am so thankful for the open doors and the available internet that allowed me to connect and then receive so much information without waiting weeks for mail to arrive.

This picture is my biological dad Don Hedlund - seated in the chair.  Behind him is my half brother Tom on the left and then my half brother's son Scott on the right.  Both my father and half brother are now dead, and I don't have any contact information for my half nephew.  But, it is so good to actually have this three generation picture.  

These are my paternal grandparents David and Gladys Hedlund.  They lived in the Duluth, Minnesota area all of their lives.  I don't have many details about them, but again, so thankful for this picture.

This picture is my great grandparents, Anders and Lydia Hedlund.  They emigrated from Sweden and settled in the Duluth, Minnesota region.  

Without my contact with my cousin Mike, I would not have these photos.  I am so thankful.  The most interesting thing about this "unexpected plot twist" is that my genetic ethnicity is very close to what I had expected to find.   The fact that my biological dad was also Swedish and his mother was German made my genetic ethnicity so similar to my EXPECTED results.   Without the advancement of DNA science and the ability to sort maternal/paternal DNA, I might never have made this discovery.  

It has been a bit of a whirl since finding out this information.  But the great measure of peace that has flooded my soul and spirit has made this experience much less frightening and more exciting.  There are still so many unanswered questions, but I am okay with that.  The hardest part for me, right now, is that I have really not had much contact with my extended family.  I have so many cousins (now not my cousins) on my "dads" side, and I have not really had contact with them. My closest family (siblings) have said that this doesn't change anything for them.  But I wonder exactly what the extended family think.  I am the youngest of all the cousins on my "dad's side.  And most of the cousins really didn't know me at all, given the wide age spacing. But I am interested in their thoughts on this!  

So now, where do I go from here?  I firmly believe that Jesus has brought revelation of this information for a reason.  I have been writing a book about the Spiritual Heritage of my family, and this is really a key piece of the story.  I do not know (and never will) the actual events that resulted in my birth, but I know that Jesus has a plan and purpose for me, that includes the people shown above.  My book will now have a couple of extra chapters.  When I began my book, I was writing about my mother's parents.  So much of their story is unknown.  Based on that, the story that unfolded is "fiction based on fact".  I had thought that as I continued writing about my own parents, I would be telling a totally factual story.  However, with this discovery, even that portion will be "fiction based on fact."  I am confident that the words that I put on the page will be exactly what Jesus wants me to share.  And so, I continue to write.  

Jesus, thank you that what is revealed, can be healed.  Thank you for the gift of connection to Mike and his family.  Holy Spirit, help us to be sensitive to those around us who might be dealing with very big issues.  Give us courage to reach out and help others who are walking thought difficult revelations.  Thank you for your great love for us that brings peace even during hard times.  Amen   
 

So much to write about - so little time to write!

This last month has been something else.  Something else, indeed!  Although I had made the discovery of my paternal DNA, and on paper, knew my ancestors/relatives, I had not had any luck connecting with a living person on my biological father's side of the family.  That is, until last week.  Previously, I had contacted a "potential" cousin via messenger, who said that "possibly" she might have relatives that had lived in South Dakota.  And then, nothing - no further contact.  And then later, I had actually discovered my half brother's daughter on Facebook.  However, my attempts to connect with her were not good.  She refuses to believe that her grandfather would have ever done "something like that".  After a brief message interchange, she also blocked me.  So, with a "last ditch" effort, I once again, messaged all of my cousins, hoping and praying one would hear my desperate plea to just have some information.  I don't even remember including a link to my blogpost about my DNA discovery.  But I had included the link.  

That day, I actually connected with my first cousin via email and then telephone.  He was completely accepting since the fact was our shared DNA made us undeniably first cousins.  As he said, "DNA doesn't lie"!  Not only did he provide me with family details, information I could not find anywhere else and also a 5 generation family tree, but 45 pictures of my paternal family.  He actually only met my biological father twice, but he remembers him being 6'5" and having a size 16 shoe.  Needless to say, this is a lot to process.  I haven't even had time to share the pictures with Gwen and Doug yet.  Between their busy schedules and mine, there has not been time!  But watch for future blogs with pictures of my new-to-me family and ancestors!  So, what have I been up to?

We took a family visit to the local Lego Discovery Center.  When I tell you this was a "pre-planned" visit, I mean it!  This is actually the fulfillment of a 2019 Christmas present!  Than there was Covid and the lock-down and then there was Jimmy (born in 2021) and not ready for Lego's until this year.  We had so much fun as a family and all of us (well, except Ellie) loved the 4D movie!  Jimmy even left the glasses on for the entire thing!  

We concluded the day with our family favorite - Portillos.  It is really something to do an order for 11 people!   But everyone always eats all their food when we go there.  It was interesting for me to sit next to Doug and watch him eat his Maxwell Polish.  It was Ken's favorite at Portillos.  Whenever our family is together, it is these little things that pop up and remind me of all Ken is missing out on.  

After a "normal" week and time to catch my breath, this past week was Bible Boot Camp Week at Fellowship of Faith!  

This year I helped out mostly with snacks and also helped out setting up some stations.  In my last blog I talked about taking Grace to a VBS program.  Now, it was Lia, Ellie, Zeke and Anna's turn!  Bible Boot Camp is not like a traditional VBS program in some ways.  However it is EXACTLY like any VBS because the kids hear Bible stories, they sing songs that help them remember the stories, they memorize Bible verses and have a wonderful time doing it!  Bible Boot Camp is an OUTSIDE program with obstacle courses, water balloons and slip and slide, plus capture the flag.  I think this might have been the first year that severe thunderstorms brought the fun inside for most of one morning.  The leaders did an amazing job setting up an indoor obstacle course, and the kids claimed it just might have been the best ever.  Thankfully, by capture the flag time, the severe weather had passed and outside play was able to happen.  Nothing beats seeing a church full of kids and youth and young adults singing and dancing and just having a celebration.  Each day had a "service project" that was completed at home. My favorite project this year, was a "Birthday Cake in a Pan" for the local food pantry.  Each family filled a foil cake pan with a box cake mix, a can of frosting and a can of soda.  You don't need any other ingredients so anyone receiving this from the food pantry can make a cake for a special occasion.  I don't know the exact number but a guess is around 40 will be delivered to the food pantry.  This project touched every child there. What a great way to extend the love of Jesus through a celebration! 

There is something about seeing families serving and learning together that is so good.  I was not the only grandma helping out!  My friend Colleen (another grandma) and I served snacks this year.  It was also wonderful to see several grandpas come to help with Firm Base  (Gwen and Tim's ministry - click the link to learn more) current mission while their grandkids were in Bible Boot Camp.  This "Container Home" project is in support of Good Samaritan Ministries in the East St. Louis area.  

These old shipping containers are given a second chance by recycling them into homes for the many homeless people in the East St. Louis area.  Firm Base acquired these two containers which have been cleaned, painted and converted into usable space.  There is interior wiring and plumbing pre-set as well as drywall.  When this pre-finish is completed, these will be transported to Good Samaritan, where they will be set on foundations and connected to water/sewer and power.  This project has several completed homes, already occupied by people who had no where to live.  I can't think of any better way for kids to see service in action than through their friends and family.   This week, all the kids at Bible Boot Camp played, ran and shouted right by these container homes as the grandpa's worked!  And most of the youth and young adults who were helping with Bible Boot Camp had already cleaned and painted and pulled weeds around the existing container homes in East St. Louis.  This photo is from the Boulder Mission Trip in early June, 2023.

Having these Container Homes right on the property of Fellowship of Faith brings the Mission Trip back home and helps shares the mission.  Seeing moms and dads and grandmas and grandpas making time to help others, will help change the world of tomorrow. 

I have seen Jesus working in so many ways during these past few months.  In just a matter of weeks, I found out more about my parentage, connected the dots to find my family, got connected with the right person, have photo's and information to fill a family tree and even more.  I have also celebrated being together with my family, enjoyed spending time with my grandkids, had time with friends, and even had some time just enjoying the outdoors (when it wasn't a heat advisory or an air quality alert).  In it all has been a great measure of peace.  I can't recall a time when I have felt more joy and more peace in just the normal day-to-day.  Every day has brought something new to me. A new understanding, a new discovery, a new thought.  New is especially good when you are approaching your 69th birthday and so many things seem old.  Someone recently asked me how I was "handling" finding out all my growing up years contained hidden untruths.  I am so thankful that Jesus is taking care of it all.  The evidence of this is that peace and joy.  I wake up each day, thankful for all the new that is ahead.  That is good advice for everyone, not just us old folks!  

Jesus, thank you for always being with me.  For your presence in my life, your peace and your joy.  Holy Spirit, remind us each day to walk forward into the new that you are bringing to us.  Keep our eyes set on you, Jesus as we share you with the world around us.  Amen