Remembering...

There have been some friends and loved ones going through some trials and earthly goodbyes over the last few days.  I've listened to some sweet memories and thoughts shared.  My heart seems stuck in my throat and tears at the verge of falling often.  The phrase keeps echoing...Give it to God!

Today in Kindergarten, we started working on a new set of verses that God put on my heart to teach my class over the summer.  I almost switched them...Give it to God...but I had already posted the passage on our calendar...too late and too hard to communicate a change.

We are working on a song, Think About the Good Things (Phil. 4:8), for our graduation program and as we started our week, God brought all my thoughts together.  You see, some families lost power again on Friday night.  Some of the same families who had lost it a week ago.  So frustrating and discouraging.  "My brethren,  (Girls, this means you too...that is how they wrote these special letters...you can think of it as My friends...) Count it all joy (no grumbling, whining, and complaining) when (not if) you fall into (go through or experience) divers (different) temptations (trials...things that you might not handle easily or correctly...like when the power goes out! or when you were hoping for spring and riding your bike...oops, more snow!); Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worth patience." James 1:2-6  When I am trying to explain a verse to my little friends, my toes get stepped on by the simple truth that God has for us to learn.  Children use plain words..."you got problems?"  Yes...do you?  Did you have trouble finding your shoes this morning so you could put them on to be ready to leave for school?  Yep, I did...that was a problem!  Did you fuss and cry? Did you complain because you had eggs for breakfast?  Nope...I had pancakes.  How quickly we get derailed as five year olds!  But they were getting the thought.  We then sang...'I've got JOY down in my heart, deep, deep, down in heart...JESUS gave it to me...and NOTHING CAN DESTROY IT!"  Snow, lost shoes, eggs, ice, sickness, death...JOY when things are good or when you are discouraged and things are bad.  I'm thinking God wanted me to be reminded again of this truth...not just teach it to my class.  God doesn't do or allow these things TO us...He does them FOR us...  FOR OUR GOOD AND FOR HIS GLORY!  We are still working our way through verses 4-6, and I have a feeling it is going to be good for my remembering.  I want the story of my life to have an ending such as the one I watched this past week on Facebook (it can be a useful and wonderful tool).  Over the last few years, I have followed the life story of Ron and Shelly Hamilton.  The testimony of joy in trials has been encouraging.  Even these last three weeks of sickness which led to the sharing of the recent circumstances and the home going of Frank Garlock.  I had the privilege of meeting them on a couple different occasions and sitting under their ministry.  Mari and I sang several of the songs they have written.  Our family owns and listened to the music and stories for years.  I am thankful for Biblical truth that was set to music to help us rear our children!  I've used the same recordings in my classroom.  So many wonderful memories.  I am thankful for the sweet moment that was shared last week on Facebook when Dr. Garlock answered the question from his daughters, "What would be your last bit of advice...if people ask you...from your life...what is the most important thing..."  His heartfelt and tearful pleading..."Give it to God...no matter what it is!  Your life, your talent, your mind, your heart."

Not all people are blessed to be able to share their final thoughts, but God gave him clarity of mind and speech to share that encouragement one last time.  I needed to be reminded of that simple truth...and God has quieted my spirit in the sleepless moments...and He gives rest.

"But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."

God is always at work.  I need to count it all joy and be patient.

 

Winter keeps us on our toes

Favorite cereal day fun...reading and counting and eating cereal!  Yum!

Quick trip to a rental for an inspection...and we passed!

Carbon monoxide detector could have been a game changer...glad we had it...and nothing was said.  Ted got to entertain two co-workers from Belgium.  A busy week for him and he needed my help.  We make a great team!

A treat from my sweet Alisa...lemon cranberry tea.

My creative little friends...

Dr. Seuss birthday...we wore stripes and read stories and had ice cream!

A fun little treat for March...gold coins at the end of the rainbow for good behavior.

A fun new 100 board that I found on Facebook marketplace.  They really had fun with it.

I love video messages from our TN boy!  

He did it!!!  He finished his training and scored well!

He is now trained and certified after spending this past month in Nashville for this program!  "A desire accomplished is sweet to the soul."

The sand hill cranes were in the neighborhood on Friday...just as the snow was beginning for "the big storm"!

We had thunder and lightning and snow!  It really was amazing how fast it fell.

Ted had to go rescue Alisa from her job...a mile away!  4 wheel drive truck to the rescue.

We woke up Saturday morning to a winter wonderland!  It was beautiful!  The sun was shining and the temps moved to 40 degrees.

It was heavy and wet!   We are thankful for a snowblower that works very well.  I was the designated vehicle cleaner off-er and  mover.

So pretty out!  I think we were so excited about the sun, we didn't care about the work to clear off the snow.

Only in Michigan!  Our neighbor out shoveling in shorts and a sweatshirt.

I needed the hood to protect me as I tried to take the snow off the top of the van.  I'm too short!!!

We are thankful that we did not lose power...several people did again...and they are not happy!  

Date day for lease signings and house checking...took us to Tim Horton's for a meeting.

Yummy sandwich with my working man!

Back home to do a last clean up and make a path for the pups...10.2 inches of snow is rough for little puppies.

Cereal for my supper...

Leftovers for Sunday dinner...Mongolian beef.

Resting up for the new week...and winter is put away...finally...in hopes that spring will arrive soon!

 

Just Enough...

grace for today...that is all I need!  Well...sometimes...another coffee.  Today was another wintery mix of weather.  We had school!  Most people finally have power again after last week's icy weather.  

My little friends wanted to learn how to jump rope today!  I taught them how to do it and got them going.  We used the lines as a reference point.  It will take some consistent practice but they are learning the concept.  Maybe I can get another teacher to help twirl...that seems to be our wild card move that could prove to be harmful.  Oof.

I got home from school to let the dogs out and do a possible jaunt to the Big D...but then Ted called on an unfamiliar phone line asking me to come as soon as I could as he had locked himself out of the building at work...phone and keys inside!  Poor guy...had to walk to the plant next door in the pouring rain and call me...multiple times because my phone settings screen unfamiliar callers.  Lesson today...turn that setting off...there are too many things that we are juggling and people need to get a-hold of me.  I rescued my love and helped him meet his co-worker and get a key...which turned out to be a comical circle back because he gave us the wrong key.  We just laughed at the crazy...what else could we do?  Life has mellowed us out and I asked, "What is God trying to teach us with all this back and forth today in the yuckiest weather?"  Ted answered, "To just roll with it!"  Which made us laugh as we were slowly rolling to get on I-696...again.

I dropped him off and we made sure he could get in, and he gave me a key for us to keep at home!  Ted drove to the Big D to take care of the landlord thing and I headed home by way of Dunkin Donut...I needed a Charlie Cold Foam to chase away the yawns.  Then...I made a batch of cookies for my love.  

I tried a new recipe too.  Not sure how it will go over tonight...fresh roasted tomatoes and garlic, caramelized onions and chicken stock for homemade tomato soup.

Since my taste testers are not here, I have no idea if it is good or not.  But I have grilled cheese sandwiches to go with it.  It seemed like a good icy day to try a warm up meal like this.  If it is a bust...there are other leftovers just in case!

As I have puttered around home this afternoon listening to music, I found myself in tears as I listened to a song from Psalm 23...Surely Goodness, Surely Mercy.  I had finally slowed down enough for my brain to catch up with my heart needs.  Four years ago, I had to make a call to Mexico to tell Ted that his father, his friend and confidant was with his Heavenly Father.  So the last few days, music has been on most of the time reminding us of the joys of Heaven and to keep going on the path of what is true and right...when things are hard or when tears blind our eyes.  God meets us where we are each day and gives us what we need for that day!  Today...God gave me extra and unplanned time with Ted.  I'm thankful that God gives us those moments.  We never know when the last one on earth will be.  We are thankful...and we will continue to bless His holy name!  For He is Sovereign over us...compassionate and kind.

 

Thankful things for a Friday

Thankful for the gorgeous sunrise and I caught a glimpse in the rearview mirror on my way to school.  Since no-one was behind me, I slowed and took a picture.  Every day on the way to school God reminds me that He is at work in my life.  I talk with my Lord and He gives me Scripture to meditate on through the day. His music speaks to my heart.  My commute is all of a mile, but God meets as I drive and ask for His help for the day.  I shouldn't be amazed, but sometimes I am when someone comes for help or encouragement and it is the exact thing God gave me that morning.  Those "Be still and Know that I am God" moments with Him are so very important to right thinking and responding.

Thankful to see my little friend finally finding a resolve to make friends and play with others at recess!  It has taken a lot of reaching out by my little friends and encouragement from her parents and her teacher.  It is an important lesson to learn for life...you cannot do life alone!  You need people...to help and encourage and have fun with...and it goes both ways.  Satan has attacked that valuable part of life with covid and masks and mandates.  He has caused a lot of hurt and pain that is still affecting so many.  

God told Adam at the start it is not good for man to be alone...so He created a help-meet.  It is so interesting to me that that is where we are all being attacked with all harshness!  Life is now not precious.  Families are torn apart.  Relationships are limited.  Everything that God has created to bring glory to Himself, Satan is still going strong to destroy.  It seems that many have shrugged their shoulders and dropped their hands in defeat.

We are still fighting those attempts by the enemy as we spend time discipling our big chair-fillers.  

We fight at home to follow God's ways...it starts at home!  And we protect our relationship as husband and wife.  

We use the God-given differences to challenge each other and grow through the life lessons that He has brought to us.  

Thankful for thoughtful gifts from friends...stuck in the cupboard.  Ted asked me last night if I had made "something sweet".  In truth, I had not...not even thought about it for our Friday night at home.  What is wrong with me?!  Yes...sometimes I slip!  I then remembered a gift I was given for Christmas.  Cake in a mug...two different flavors!  Vanilla for me...I added fruit.  Chocolate for Ted.  And to make life sweeter...ReddiWhip.  I snapped a picture as a reminder. 

Little things matter. 

Different is good.

Don't stop making things special.

Because satan does his best to destroy all that is good and true in our lives.  

You fight every day...we know who wins!

 

Forecasted yet unexpected

A day off due to an impending ice storm!  Ted and Alisa still had to go to work...real world facts.  Since I was awake and we needed groceries and the weather was still calm, I got going early and got the errands done.  I came home and made a yummy lunch to take over to Ted

Quick Italian beef sandwiches and a salad with a treat of Sprecher's root beer and cream soda.

He was the only one at the plant today.

The building is huge and they are getting ready to add a big machine this summer/fall.  It is fascinating to see what they do.  It all starts with these little plastic pellets!

By the time I headed home, the rain/sleet/freezing rain had started.  It was time to cuddle with the pups.

They are sweet companions on a snow...ice day!

Chica was watching for Alisa and Ted to get home.

Ok...maybe it will turn into something to be concerned about!?! 

It was so pretty though!  Our power flickered twice as we headed to bed.  We slept through it all.

We woke up to another ice day for me and a good coating of ice all over everything!

It is so pretty...from inside the warmth of our home.

I think we lost the top off the middle tree!  I will have to go back and look at other pictures to be sure.

More fun with Mom...

I got to brave the melty ice and take lunch to my love again.  I am so thankful for the chance to do this for and with him!  It takes about 10 minutes to get to him from our house.  Through the last eleven years, I have not been able to do lunch with him with work and mom schedules.  It was worth the wait...and it is abundantly above all that we could ask or think.  I think back to the hard parts of last year, but God helped us and sustained us.  He provided then and He has been faithful to provide yet again.

Instead of fighting or grumbling, we have learned to embrace the circumstances that we are in and move forward because we have NO IDEA what God is doing.  We still do not know the why of the what and when, but we know we CAN TRUST God.  "He works all things out for our good...so He gets the glory!"

A little salt, a little chopping, and a little scraping...