Xanga

 

Alisha Rose and Her Parents

 

Cerwin’s mom called this afternoon to let us know that our nephew, Jon, his wife Jen, and their daughter Alisha were going to be at her place for supper.

 

They are in Pennsylvania for her brother’s wedding this weekend.

We had the privilege of arriving in Minnesota last May 2 – the day Alisha was born. 

 

Eleven-and-a-half months later she is taking her first steps.

 

Jon enjoyed watching her take her longest walk yet.

  

Helping her mom read a letter.

 

Relaxing with Great Grandma

 

 

 

 

That Which Is Not Of Eternal Value

Should Not Be Dividing Christians

 

I wrote this in my Bible many years ago, and came upon it on Sunday when turning to that page during morning worship. 

 

 

 

I may…

speak in languages of men or even angels

have the gift of prophecy

understand all the secret things of God

have faith so great that I can move mountains

give everything I have to feed the poor

give my body as an offering to be burned

 

 

 

But if I do not have love I am nothing.

I repeat – NOTHING!

 

 

Love

is patient and kind

is not jealous

does not brag

is not proud

is not rude

is not selfish

does not become angry easily

does not remember wrongs done against him

is not happy with evil

is happy with truth

patiently accepts all things

always trusts

always hopes

always continues strong.

Love never ends.

 

Excerpts from 1 Corinthians 13 ICB

 

~~~

 

Wow! 

Read that again

…as though this is your last day on earth and you are preparing to see the face of God.

 

  

I wonder how the world would change if every Christian practiced those principles?

How would my world change?

There are certainly days when I don’t hit the mark

sometimes I’m not even close to the target.

 

~~~

 

These three things continue FOREVER

faith, hope, love

but the GREATEST of these

is LOVE.

 

 

 

 

Two Handsome Visitors

I had a quiet – no interruptions – no surprises – ordinary day in the office – until the middle of the afternoon when two of my favorite young men stopped in for a drink.

 

Grandsons Josh and Nate stopped in during their bike ride around the block.

 

Since there was no school today, Nate stayed at Josh’s house overnight.  The ride around the block is about two miles, and our house is the perfect stop for a snack/drink, as we are right in the middle.  Josh lives just beyond the farm buildings on the left.

 

After a short break, they were on their way again.

 

Grandmas never tire of surprise visits from grandchildren!

 

 

 

 

Abundant Life was Given to Me on Resurrection Day!

 

My heart has been broken by several events during the past few months.

However, the Lord reminds me daily

that He came, died, and rose again to give me abundant life

…when life feels good – and when it doesn’t.

 

Thank you, Lord, for daily under-girding me with reinforcements of this truth.

 

“The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.

Exodus 34:6 NIV

 

The grace of our Lord was poured out on [Doris] abundantly.

1 Timothy 1:14 NIV.

 

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

who according to His abundant mercy

has begotten [Doris] again to a living hope

through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

1 Peter 1:3 NKJV

 

But the meek shall inherit the earth;

and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

Psalm 37:11 KJV

 

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:

I am come that [Doris] might have life,

and that [she] might have it more abundantly.

John 10:10 KJV

 ~~~

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly

above all that [Doris can] ask or think,

according to the power that worketh in [her].

Ephesians 3:20 KJV

 

According to his mercy he saved [Doris],

by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

which he shed on [her] abundantly

through Jesus Christ our Saviour.

Titus 3:5,6 KJV

 ~~~

An entrance will be supplied to [Doris] abundantly

 into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 1:11 NKJV

~~~ 

My Heart is Filled With Praise for His Abundance

On This Awesome Resurrection Day!

 

 

 

 

A Busy Good Friday

We decided to be at a local library when they opened on Friday – to apply for passports.  We will need them when taking a chapel to a Canadian truck show this summer.  We called on Thursday, and they expected 100-200 applicants on Friday!

We filled our forms out at home, and were the first to arrive – with several others right behind us when the door opened at 9 AM.  Twenty minutes later we were finished and the line had grown considerably.

From the library, we went to Home Depot to get some light fixtures and a few other things for the painting and recarpeting we are doing in several rooms.

 

Cerwin spent the day painting, while I worked in the office.  I have four newsletters waiting to be mailed – and must add 300-400 names to my database for a few of them as I am doing their layout and mailing for the first time.

We are enjoying revival meeting this week, and made plans to bring four granddaughters home from church on Friday night to celebrate Jenna and Jana’s birthdays.

 

Saturday

The girls were excited to be going to Chuck E. Cheese this morning.

 

 Gloria and Jana

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Cinnamon sticks are always an early morning favorite.  I like to get there when the doors open at 9 AM, then we have the place to ourselves for thirty to sixty minutes.

 

 Double cheese pizza is another must before we leave.

 

 Gloria

 

 

 

 Jana choosing a hot cinnamon stick.

 

 

I did the layout and design on a newsletter while they played.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Watching for Chuck – from the ceiling tunnel

 

 He brought Jana and Jenna a birthday ice cream sandwich.

 

 Singing “Happy Birthday”

 

 Gloria gave Chuck a hug

 

 

 

 Walking backwards to the mall – don’t ask why!

 

 Jana had some birthday money she wanted to use at Build-a-Bear.

 

 

 This time she chose a monkey.

 

 

 Finishing stitches

 

 Getting an air bath

 

 Giving her a name (Zoey) and birth certificate

 

The girls wanted to ride the escalator

 

 

 Next we chose ice cream “Dippin’ Dots”

 

 

 

 

 Then we needed a massage!

 

 

 Two for one money!

 

This feels so good!

 

 Back to the car

 

 Jana dressed Zoey when we got home.

 

 That’s the best-dressed monkey I’ve seen in a long time!

~~~

They went back to their parents after church tonight, so the house seems quiet again.

 

 

 

 

 

Who Could Have Done This?

 

I received these photos from a son and daughter-in-law, and couldn’t resist posting it!

 

It was me…sweet, little, two-year-old Jared!

 

Let me tell my side of the story…

 

Mom was upstairs folding wash, and had been gone about ten minutes.  She thought I was watching a movie, but smelled something that made her suspicious, so came downstairs, to check on me. 

 

To her surprise, I had emptied a whole bottle of baby powder onto the bathroom counter, floor, sink, and anywhere else it went.  The bathroom was a haze of dust.  

Baby powder is so neat!  What fun to ski and slide in it!

 

 

 

 

Fickle Weather

It feels like winter again!

 

When I came upstairs (from our basement office) to get my second cup of coffee this morning, I told Cerwin I thought fog was moving across our valley.

 

Then I said, “I believe it’s rain.”

 

When it got closer to the house, I noticed it was snow! 

I knew it was supposed to be cold today, but never expected a snow flurry.  It didn’t amount to anything, but the day was cold and felt wintry.

 

 

 

 

I Love Spring!

 

If spring is happening where you live – go outside and check out the neat buds and blossoms.

 

 

 

 

This tree has been in our yard for years, but I don’t remember ever noticing this beautiful stage of its leaves.

 

 

 

 

Lots of Babies

Our oldest son and his family have a few sheep – or they did have a few – until this week!

 

On Thursday their youngest ewe, Snowball, gave birth to twins – both male.

 

Brandy surprised them with quadruplets – all girls – on Sunday.  Jeff named them Faith, Hope, Lovey, and Charity

 

On Monday their oldest ewe, White Tail, gave birth to triplets – all girls.

~~~

Betsy their remaining ewe is due any day.

I can’t wait to see them in pasture, running and playing as little lambs do.

 

 

 

 

Another Birthday!

Sunday Lunch

 

The color of this entry and the dinner napkin should give you a hint that the person celebrating a birthday is female.

 

This time it is Jana’s special day.

 

She is now a grownup eight years old.

 

My name card.

 

Strawberries were a treat for our late morning brunch.

 

A shimmering jump rope

 

Grandma Buch helping her read a card.

 

A special gift crocheted by Grandma Buch

 

Then it was time for the gift from her dad and mom

 

Her own camera.

 

Grandpa was in charge of hiding her eyes until the cake was revealed.

 

A very creative piano designed by Dad and Mom.

 

After cake and ice cream, it was time to jump rope.

 

 

 

Sunday Afternoon

It was the day for the biyearly meeting with our TFC Advisory Council.

This time we invited Howard (standing) and Angie (in yellow) to attend and tell the group about their responsibilities at TFC’s International Office, and answer questions about some of the ministry changes. 

These treasured friends listen to our ministry joys, struggles, successes, and discouragements.  Most are or have been truck drivers, and we value their input and advice.