Gabriel and The Ten Bridesmaids

Last week was a week of complete highs and lows for my family. I'm still trying to process the events and at the same time accomplish life in the present.
Gabriel, my great nephew finally arrived after giving his mom a bit of a struggle. What a beautiful treasure a newborn is! With my youngest being a teen now, I loved being on hand to help out this newly transformed family that went from two to three in the blink of an eye. Can one honestly look at a newborn and not be enveloped in hope and awe of God?

The joyous week took a sudden turn with a phone call telling me my oldest brother's wife, Violet, had very suddenly passed away. In an instant we went from life to death. And my heart broke for the family who lives on. I was eight hours from most of my own family so along with Ally and two of my sisters we made the trip from helping care for a newborn to helping family care for a death. The siblings and parents quickly closed ranks for my brother and his family, giving what comfort and support we could and knowing it was inadequate at best. The love my brother and his children had for Violet serves as a living testimony to the kind of woman she was. She took on the daunting task of marrying my brother who was the sole caregiver to his five children. Her body was laid to rest less than a mile from their farm. It's a place my brother will drive by daily. A place for him to remember and heal.

I realize it's not up to me to know why God does things. Violet had just taken the dog for a walk and was going to can pickles. She had no warning that her life was about to end. The priest shared the message of the ten bridesmaids at Violet's funeral. It's not been far from my thoughts ever since. May we all remain ready for the day we meet Jesus face to face...

At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to wait for the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The five foolish bridesmaids took their lamps, but they did not take more oil for the lamps to burn. The wise bridesmaids took their lamps and more oil in jars. Because the bridegroom was late, they became sleepy and went to sleep.
At midnight someone cried out, 'The bridegroom is coming! Come and meet him!' Then all the bridesmaids woke up and got their lamps ready. But the foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.' The wise bridesmaids answered, 'No, the oil we have might not be enough for all of us. Go to the people who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.'
So while the five foolish bridesmaids went to buy oil, the bridegroom came. The bridesmaids who were ready went in with the bridegroom to the wedding feast. Then the door was closed and locked.
Later the others came back and said, 'Sir, sir, open the door to let us in.' But the bridegroom answered, 'I tell you the truth, I don't want to know you.'
So always be ready, because you don't know the day or the hour the Son of Man will come. (Matthew 25)

Fences

I remember just yesterday my little two and a half year old running from one edge of the farm to the other, enjoying the thrill of life and freedom. It didn't take long for him to discover the joy of the corral and the pretend world it opened up for him.

He would play for hours in that old corral. At first, there were just 'pretend' animals but through the years the calves, sheep, pigs, and even a pony spent time in that corral. The corral was, for the most part, safe and not too far from mom or dad, should the need arise for some help. I can still see so clearly him playing with Paul and Ben and Grant and his little brother, Will.

I don't believe it was coincidence that God planted this spot for the photo session in my mind. The power of that corral hit me pretty strong that morning we took his senior pictures. I am so glad I wasn't the one behind the camera. It was all I could do to watch him climb a fence like the one that just yesterday seemed way too high for him.

As the years have so obviously flown by, I have watched my little boy with the boundless energy become a man. He's climbed alot of fences since way back then. Some of them were made of wood but many were not. Most of them were just plain fun, but a few gave him a splinter or two.

Today, he began his senior year of high school. Strangely enough, I find myself almost ferociously wanting to turn back time. To beg him, "Please, Coley, just go back one more time for me." I want to hear his little voice saying, "I love you infinity, can't start over" one more time! But in the next heartbeat, I know that's not what I truly want. There is a bright and beautiful world out there thanks to his knowledge of Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. I am excited for all the brand new fences he's yet to climb. And I anxiously await all God has for him.

Yet, even though my genuine excitement overpowers the useless wishing, I will always, always, always, be thankful for yesterday and the complete blessing of having my son in my life...

Son, you outgrew my lap, but never my heart. ~Author Unknown

Summer Randomness

Summer has been crazy and awesome! I'm already missing something that isn't even finished!




This summer has been the first one in a couple of years that we HAVEN'T moved--woohoo! We got to see friends in Ohio and family in Kansas and Nebraska. In the midst of that, several camps have been attended and we survived summer basketball. Throw in a little golf, a lot of swimming, some backyard corn hole, summer babysitting and fence-pulling jobs, and you've got a great summer. My feet have been dragging at the thought of returning to school but something tells me it'll all be okay. In spite of Cole's senior year, Ally getting her braces the very day school is supposed to start, and my niece having her baby any time (!!!) that I'm to go help her get acquainted with. I'm excited at all the things God has in store for my family--may we all remember to seek Him BEFORE we get too busy with life.

A Birthday To Remember...

We now have three teens in the house! We're truly having a time of celebration as our youngest reached her special milestone! The days when they were younger are such special memories but I have to say, we're enjoying this part as well. God has blessed us with some great kids and we love seeing them grow into who God is shaping them to be.

Ally begged for at least six months to head for the thrill rides for her birthday so off we went and had an awesome, if not heart-stopping day!

Cole and Ally were the only ones willing to go on this one!
Dirk was the 'lucky' one to take her on this monster.

Will and Al were the only ones willing to go for a spin on this one.

It seems like yesterday that she went on this ride and cried because it was too scary. This time they aimed for the edges because it was even more of a thrill.
A friend to share the day with made it a definite good time!

Summer So Far

So far, summer has involved a lot of basketball. Two of our crew are involved in Summer Jam. Cole has been to one camp already and will be leaving next week for the second one. It's exciting to watch them have fun at something they love. Will is going for his driver's permit next week so now we will have two young drivers in the family. He is also starting training to become a lifeguard so his days are about to become busier. Last night, they had a late night with friends having air-soft gun battles. The wounds are few and it sounds like they had a great time. As Independence Day rolls around we were happy to hear that some of Dirk's family will be stopping in for a pre-celebration complete with as much fireworks as the cousins can convince the parents to spring for. We've only had one near miss with a pop bottle rocket that burned a nice-sized hole in Will's shirt. What a proud moment it was for him!? He's definitely keeping that shirt. Hope your summer is going wonderful and you have less humidity than we do!

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day, Dirk! Thank you for being an awesome father to our children! You are terrific and I couldn't have asked for a better dad to our offspring!

The Cherry Tree

We have a cherry tree in our back yard. I don't know what kind of cherry tree it is other than a 'cherry pie' cherry tree.
It didn't take long to discover that these aren't the kind of cherries you just want to pick off the tree and pop into your mouth.
So far, we've gotten a few into jars, the kids have snacked on a few, and more than enough have been used as ammunition in kid wars.

I love summer...and cherry trees...and kids having fun...and being a part of it all.

Camping After All

I've held on to the knowledge that I just don't like to camp out for quite some time. This weekend I found out that it's definitely tolerable. I have been blessed...
What a beautiful morning!
Our accommodations not far from the unbelievably clean 'facilities'.
Dirk and Kaylynn.
Two girls making memories.
Will and Andrew
Cousins football is a must for all family gatherings.
Sweet sister, Sheila and pregnant Meg.
The one that didn't get away!
Cole and Kaylynn.

So yes, we stayed in a tent with an air mattress, the wind was a little breezy, the blankets a little damp, but the smores were awesome. I guess I'd go camping again after all. *Thanks, God!*

OH-IO

Our recent trip to Ohio was so great in spite of Dirk waking us all up at 4:30 a.m. to get started. One of the first images we saw on the road was the beautiful sunrise! It was a terrific reminder of God's great love and perfect way to start the trip. I don't think there is a vehicle produced that would be large enough for our family when we are on one of our trips. The crew never has enough space and someone is always touching someone. :) We had an awesome time and loved seeing some really great friends. Ally was thrilled to be back in the city (uh-oh!) and was able to clarify that Columbus is a CITY and we just don't have a real CITY where we live. The boys had a terrific time fishing at their old stomping ground at Tom and Marilyn's pond. The kids had a great time connecting with friends again. Memories were made, our hearts were touched, softened and even a little bit healed. And our love for them remains...

Milestones

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above...James 1:17

Unbelievably, we celebrated Cole's 18th birthday yesterday! Wow! It seems amazing when I look at this young man that it was just a little while ago I held him in my arms and thanked God for His very precious gift.

Everyone told me that time would move quickly, and it has. I love the memories of every moment I've been blessed to be with my children but I love the moments of today just as much.

While we try to teach our children all about life,
Our children teach us what life is all about.
~Angela Schwindt