RUBBER DUCKIE

Last night I traveled to Salina to hear three amazing songs , RUBBER DUCKIE, THE SHOEMAKER,and I 'VE GOT PEACE LIKE A RIVER. These were the three songs that my 6 year old grandson, Aidan,sang at the school musical! We drove 75 miles to hear these precious babies belt out their very best! I loved it! And I will spend my last dime to travel to a concert that any of our little ones are involved in.
I have been teaching the kids to sign "I love you" and I was blessed with a quick little flick of the hand during the concert! My dream is to have a stocky football player give a signal from the field someday as he runs for a touch down and Nana is screaming like a fool from the stands! Or better yet, a cute big mug looking straight into the camera, saying I love you Nana! Yea !

Coming Home

In Jeremiah 31:16-17 it says "But, I the Lord ,say to dry your tears. Someday your children will come home from the enemy's land. Then all you have done for them will be greatly rewarded. So don't lose hope . I, the Lord, have spoken."

When I read this passage , I was comforted by the words. I know that I can take these words and plant them in my heart and live for the promise to be fufilled. I know that Jesus will someday return all of my children to me. I know that someday He will hear their praises ! Thank you Lord Jesus for your comfort and peace.

MOM

This is a picture of my mom on one of our horses. It was taken a few months ago on a nice warm day when our family was altogether for the weekend. My mom has always loved horses and always wanted one. She now comes to our house and will spend time sitting on the porch just watching them graze. This particular day the kids were wanting to ride so we saddled up Danny. Each one had taken their turn when Mom announced that she wanted to ride also.

Ed and Sean helped her up into the saddle and off they went. I do believe that she made more noise than any of the kids! Her excitement was contagious! She begged for more just as loudly as the others and she had her share of rides. It was a great day and I will always cherish the moments that she giggled as a little girl would do.

My mom is aging and with that she is showing signs of dementia. The day will come she will not remember the horse ride, but I will. I love you, Mom. It breaks my heart to see you lost and alone in your own little world. Thank you for your love and for the memories you have shared.

Mouse In The House

I should keep this little story to myself since it reveals my aging mental status, but it was to funny to not share.
The other day I had washed a pair of my tennis shoes,this morning I put them on for the first time. It was still dark outside and I had gone to the front door to let our cats in. As I stepped on the tile and opened the door, I was confronted with a squeaking noise.Quickly I slammed the door shut thinking there was a mouse or a rat at the door. Becoming a little agitated I was moving my feet around which kept producing this squeaking noise. It took me just a little bit of bouncing around to realize that the noise was coming from my shoes and not from a mouse in the house waiting to run up my pant leg.
I was happy that my husband had already gone to bed for the day and had not watched my new dance step.I shared this with my girls at work and of course they wanted to see the new dance, but I refused to share!
I wonder what the cats thought? I probably don't wish to know since they seem to be the ones that sees all of my goofy antics.

DETANGLER

This morning I was blessed with a passage that promises me , my children will be ok. In my tangled mess, I cry out and worry that my children will not understand and further more won't wish to understand.But as I said I was blessed with Jeremiah 31:16-17. " Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work shall be rewarded says the Lord and your children shall return from the enemy's land. And there is hope for your future says the Lord your children shall come back to their own country."
Our relationship with Alex will mend, and all of our children and grandchildren will someday praise and honor our Heavenly Father! I can give it all to my Father and he will graciously detangle the mess that I have made. He will deliver me and my children! Amen, amen!

IT IS FUN TO PLAY HOOKY!

Yesterday, I took a vacation day from work to be at home for the arrival of Ed's Dad from Ks. City. He is in his 80's , he is only 5ft tall seriously, but he drives like a mad man.They left Ks.City at 7:oo am and called us from Marion at 8:00 am.Whoo! Thank goodness the highway patrol was still sleeping, I am thinking!Any how they arrived safely and our day began.
Ed and his Dad are so much alike it scares me. Well into our second pot of coffee there was a knock at our door and to my surprise there stood Alex!!! She had come to see Grandpa and to see our new home. This is the first time for years that she has entered our home!
The whole day was wonderful and a true blessing from God. We talked and laughed , we had lunch together and made final plans for her surgery on Wednesday.I can't even begin to express my feelings as I watched her with her Dad and Grandpa. God is Good and He lives in my house!
Thank you for your prayers and I ask for them to continue through her recovery.

PRAY FOR ALEX

Ed and I just found out that our youngest daughter Alex, she is 25 , will be having surgery next week to have her thyroid removed. It is very large and has multiple irregular nodules. Needless to say we are all unnerved at the moment. I am asking for prayer for Alex. I know in my heart that she and Ed are not trusting in God right now.
I want to give a little back ground on Alex. She is my stepdaughter, and when she was a junior we parted ways with much anger. She has not been in our home since that horrible day.I will confess that I was all to much the problem and my pride got in the way. I didn't behave like a parent but as a selfish child. It was during that time that I found myself broken and lost.
I knew that things had to change in my walk with Jesus in order for things too ever change in my relationship with Alex. I have prayed face down on the floor, tears streaming and my heart broken. Lord , please bring her home to us. Over the years I have tried to reach out to her and she has reluctantly reached back, not often but she did reach. And now this has been handed to us.
I am placing her completely in God's hands and will let Him gently soothe my heart. I know that He will open doors when all seems impossible.I fear for Ed and for Alex, they don't trust and they will let fear rule their hearts. I am praying that through this all, that our Heavenly Father will soften her heart to my words of love for her.I want so much to hold her in my arms again and to stroke her hair as I tell her I love you, Alex.
So to each of you that read this, please pray for Alex and pray for our relationship to be renewed.Now I know how our shepherd feels as He patiently waits for us to come home. He will run to us and scoop us up into His loving arms with love and grace to comfort us.
He promises us healing, He promises us comfort, He promises us life and living water! I accept those promises and will stand at every chance to praise His Holy Name! Thank you Father for loving me and for never giving up on this sorry soul.

Easter Fun!

I had a wonderful Easter weekend. It looked like all would be dreary and raining, but instead God gave us many blessings. Ed had to work, and I had planned a cook out on Sunday evening with the kids. But Mother Nature changed my plans. Crockpots were filled with chili and chicken noodles in place of the hamburgers and hotdogs.
Just like the weather man had said the rain came and our road turned to slush. I was beginning to wonder if a canoe would be needed. After calling the kids and warning them of the mud, they all laughed at my worrying and informed me , all would be well! And it was.
A cousin from Oklahoma called and said they were passing by and wanted to stop. So we had an unexpected but exciting reunion! Why do we always wait until tragedy strikes before we get together as families? It is so much more fun to visit just for the heck of it! I sure hope that we can get together again soon. There is never enough time to say everything.
My mom and a friend arrived to enjoy the confusion going on in the house. Kids were playing and adults were laughing and sharing. It was great! Ed arrived home to be greeted by four little squirts ready to wrestle with Grandpa. He slept well last night!
As I said we a beautiful day in spite of the rain. Things just can't get any better when you are surrounded by your family and friends! I have learned one thing for certain," When I am with my family , I have everything!"

UPDATE ON JOSIE

Just letting all of you know that little Josie returned to school yesterday. She had her surgery and all is well for right now. My little Aidan explained to me that Josie was popular like the president, she had body guards and people everywhere touching her! I believe he was miffed about her popularity!
But once again, our Heavenly Father has granted us peace and joy in the return of Josie to her family and classmates. He is an awesome God!

HANDY MANNY!

Well, I jumped out of the boat and into the water this weekend. And by golly, I had a great time with my adventure. We have been needing a new deck out the back door into the garage. Safety issues were getting out of hand. My honey, has not had a day off in months and therefore hasn't gotten the project started. So I decided to pray about the issue and then I set out to do it myself. God is an excellent carpenter and he was by my side all weekend. I built a 4ft by 8ft deck by myself.My son Zachary came by as I was starting the flooring and he helped with the finishing.
I was so excited and extremely tired but I am proud of the effort and the new knowledge I now have about tools. I don't know that I would like doing this for a living, I seem to be a sissy of sorts. My body is now screaming at me and I realize again, that my exercise routine is lacking.
Anyway, the deck is still attached to the house , my honey says that I did an awesome job, "that is all the payment that I need", and Zac and I had a great time working together.
Thank you Jesus for your blessings and for the knowledge that helped me through the building. I hope to start our deck out the back whenever the snow stops flying! Think I can do it ?