Remembering

Six years ago today my dear father quietly slipped away from this earth and through Heaven’s gates into the presence of the Savior he loved deeply and served faithfully for many years. While we miss him more than words can say we would never ask him to come back, - if we could. Today my cousin, Mrs. C., and I will take my dear little mother away for the day to spend time together and do something special. Today we will remember and reminisce and thank the Lord for the life my dad lived and for the comfort it brings to know we will be with him again one of these days. Knowing that I’ll be with my dear ones again some day makes it easy to look forward to the day when I join them there. But even more than that - I will see my Savior. Face to face! I love the words to this song – it says it so well!

The other day I passed a place

You always liked to go.

And I picked up the phone

Because I thought you'd want to know;

But I forgot you weren't there,

I miss you all these days,

That I'm reminded of your smile

And the funny things you'd say.

I miss you most at Christmas –

You were like a little kid,

You always loved a good surprise

And now I must admit

That I long more for Heaven

Than I ever did before,

You give me one more reason

And each day I want it more.

Knowing we can spend a lifetime

Reminiscing on the past,

Knowing I will see your face again

Where tender moments last;

It makes me want to go there

Knowing I won't be alone,

Knowing you'll be there

Makes it easy to go home.

You left a group of fishermen

And somehow you left me too,

Though I have failed you many times,

I know you saw me through;

I've always longed to feel your arms

And look into your eyes,

And talk forever - me and you

Somewhere in Paradise.

Knowing we can spend a lifetime

Reminiscing on the past,

Knowing I will see your face again

Where tender moments last;

It makes me want to go there

Knowing I won't be alone,

Knowing you'll be there

Makes it easy to go home.

With a grateful heart,

~Adrienne~

Song: ‘Knowing You’ll Be There’

Like A River Glorious

Like a river glorious is God’s perfect peace,

Over all victorious, in its bright increase;
Perfect, yet it floweth fuller every day,
Perfect, yet it groweth deeper all the way.

Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blessed

Finding, as He promised, perfect peace and rest.

Hidden in the hollow of His blessed hand,
Never foe can follow, never traitor stand;
Not a surge of worry, not a shade of care,
Not a blast of hurry touch the spirit there.

Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blessed

Finding, as He promised, perfect peace and rest.

Every joy or trial falleth from above,
Traced upon our dial by the Sun of Love;
We may trust Him fully all for us to do;
They who trust Him wholly find Him wholly true.
Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blessed
Finding, as He promised, perfect peace and rest.

Song: 'Like A River Glorious'

Written by Frances Ridley Havergal

Photo: 'Dawn on The Columbia River'

Compliments of art.com

Finds On A Rainy Spring Day

Last Friday my dear little mother and I met my cousin, Mrs. C., and her husband, Mr. V., in a neighboring community. Our plan was to stop at an estate sale advertised in the paper, visit an antique and collectible shop we have wanted to check out and have lunch together. The estate sale was more than I had hoped for - the house and garage were filled with treasures and collections belonging to someone who must have gathered them over a lifetime. Her house was filled with beautiful things and it didn't take long to realize we would have more fun than imagined. She had things hung on walls throughout her home. China cabinets and display cases were filled with collections and gorgeous china and crystal and depression glass. It was almost too hard to comprehend. In the dining room was the table where I spent the most time. Time to decide what I would buy and what I would not buy. The long table was filled with cups and saucers that captured my heart. Any of them would have been a wonderful addition to my growing collection. But I had to focus and choose just one! That was my rule in the interest of frugality. Not a rule I wanted to make but one that seemed reasonable. Finally, after a long time I carefully chose the very first beautiful cup and saucer that took my eye. It's a bit different than anything I own.

I love the subtle design inside.On a table near the door I saw this turkey. I think he will display a harvest arrangement in the center of my table at Thanksgiving time.After lunch we said goodbye to Mr. V. and we girls headed to the Oregon City Antique Mall where we browsed and enjoyed spending time together. In one of the booths I found a real bargain. In a plastic bag that was stapled shut at the top and marked with black pen I was excited to find what was labeled 'lace pieces - three dollars'. I knew right away that there were more treasures inside than I wanted to leave behind. What a wonderful surprise when I got home and opened the bag. There was an old, crocheted top - most likely from a camisole.Look at this gorgeous crocheted butterfly - there is one on the front and another on the back!A crocheted collar was next. . .With another butterfly!Another crocheted collar and two tatted pieces were among the collection.And yards of crocheted lace - each one different than the other.Just before we left the antique mall I found this sweet, old handkerchief for five cents. I couldn't leave it there - I needed to add it to my other treasures. The treasures found on that rainy Spring day were special. But the real treasure was the wonderful time spent with those dear to my heart. They are the real treasure and our time together is more valuable than anything money can buy. Priceless, for sure.

I want to share the new blog of a dear friend of mine. She and I have quite a story to tell. How often does a deep friendship develop between you and the person who was your boss after you both leave the organization where you once worked? Not often. But that's how it began for us. We have dreamed dreams together, shed tears together, held each other's hands in the tough times and celebrated in the good times. I hope you will visit my dear friend, Betty, at her new blog - Sammy Girl. You won't be sorry.

Today my dear mother, Mrs. C., Mrs. B. (Sammy Girl) and I are driving a ways to a very big estate sale conducted by a friend of my mother. The lifetime belongings of both of her parents will be sold in a large pole barn and the home where they lived for many years. My dear mother has had a sneek peek and we know it will be worth the drive. We're excited! And you can be sure I'll show you what I find! No doubt about that.

Just Joey. . .

Just Joey

the rose I'd love to add to my garden

and

Joey

the little dog who has stolen our hearts!

I shared here a bit about the sweet gift my daughter gave me for my birthday - the birthday that is still a few months away! And I shared my dilemma about his name. Our oldest granddaughter named him 'Jerry' while he stayed with them for a few days before coming to live here. It didn't take long for me to decide what to name him! When my sweetheart came home from work the day the puppy arrived he was greeted at the door by this sweet little fellow. My sweetheart said, 'Hello, Jerry.' I was across the room and I thought he said 'Hello, Joey!'

'That's it,' I said with an excited voice. 'That's his name. It's the perfect name.'

'What?' my sweetheart asked.

'Joey, that's the puppy's name! It just fits him - it's right. That's what I want to name him!'

And that's how he got his name. Everyone here agrees with me - it's the right name.

Joey came home from our daughter's house in a little hooded sweater - a gift from her to him. It didn't take long for him to get the hood off his head. . .

Investigate everything. . .And get tired enough to need to stop and break.Rest - sleep. That's what he does best. Curled up in his little bed. . .Hanging out the front. . .Or wherever he gets tired.He loves to go outside. There are lots of new things to see - and smell - and hear. He's small enough that the step down from the house to the patio must seem like a giant leap! He won't try it - no siree. No way! He's afraid to try. He waits to be carried out. If I wait a bit too long, he whimpers. A pathetic, tears-at-your-heart whimper. Works every time!

Once he's outside there's no stopping him. He loves the adventure.

He's a bit reluctant when it's time to come back in. Not reluctant to step up into the house - reluctant to stop playing and come back in.But it's not long and he's back inside - ready for another nap! Oh, the life of a puppy!

Odds And Ends And A Cup Of Tea

I wish you could come by today, knock on my door, sit for awhile and chat over a cup of tea. I would ask about your family and what you have been doing and I would tell you all about my dear ones and give you the latest news. Our son, Mr. J., arrived home from his missions trip to Europe on Friday afternoon. He spent the weekend resting and relaxing and enjoying time with his family. There was time to debrief, catch up with each other and just enjoy the blessings of home.You have asked how our daughter and her children are doing since losing their young husband and father in December. They are doing as well as possible in a difficult situation. Our daughter, Mrs. M., is a strong young woman. She is moving forward and making good decisions for herself and the children. Each day is a challenge as she adjusts to life as a single mom. Her kids are out of town this week. Our son-in-law's cousin and her husband have become more involved in the childrens' lives. They own a condo near Anaheim, California so they asked to take the kids - Miss A. (11), Mr. C. (8) and Miss E. (6) - to Disneyland for Spring Break! I tried to beg and plead with the kids to let me go with them! I offered to ride in the trunk of the car, in their suitcase - or their pocket - but no amount of appealing to their hearts got me a place on this trip. They offered instead to bring autographs from Micky and Minnie. And maybe a few more of our favorite Disney characters. Of course we are thrilled that they can go. And our daughter is enjoying a few days with her best friend who arrived from out-of-state for a visit.And I would share my exciting news with you! Later today I am getting a puppy!! A gift from my daughter. He is a miniature Doxie (daschund). The sweetest little guy. It all started when I took our oldest granddaughter, Miss A., to the pet store so she could see the new puppies! Next thing I knew my heart had been stolen by this little guy, but I walked away. Soon my daughter devised a plan to give him to me for my birthday - my August birthday!! Isn't he the cutest little fellow? And look at Miss A.'s eyes - she's pleading with me, 'Please - wouldn't you like to have him?' He has been at my daughter's home for a few days while I worked to puppy-proof our home. He came a 'home visit' the other day and it was fun. Miss Savannah, my cat, wasn't sure about him! Today he moves in to stay. I haven't yet decided on his name. Miss A. named him 'Jerry' - not the name I would have chosen for my puppy. She knows I may not keep that name but she hopes it can be part of his name. As you and I talk over tea I would ask if you think I should keep that name just because she chose it, or should I choose a different name? I've thought of calling him Jeremiah, which would be close to 'Jerry'. Miss A. likes that idea. Some of my family and friends think that it's too big a name for him - too many syllables. Especially for a little guy. I do have a name in mind that includes Jeremiah as his middle name but I'm still undecided. As we sip our tea I would ask if you have any suggestions. Any advice? For now I plan to bring him home and watch him romp and play, get acquainted for a day or two and then make it official. And when it's official - I'll be sure to tell you!

Edited to add: A name has already been chosen and it suits him to a T! The dear folks closest to me agree that it's the perfect name. It all happened quite suddenly not long after he arrived at our home. I misunderstood what my sweetheart called him - and I loved the name I thought he said. I'm gathering photos of our dear little pup and in a day or two I will formally introduce him to you. And I'll reveal his name at that time!

Instruction For Difficult Times

Don’t worry about anything;

instead, pray about everything.

Tell God what you need,

and thank him for all he has done.

Then you will experience God’s peace,

which exceeds anything we can understand.

His peace will guard your hearts and minds

as you live in Christ Jesus.
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing.

Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable,

and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable.

Think about things that are excellent

and worthy of praise. . .

Then the God of peace will be with you.

Phillipians 4:6-9

(New Living Translation)

Travel Update

Recently I shared here about our son's travel to Europe with a special missions team and I asked you to pray for their safe travel. Thanks to our son, Mr. J., for urging me to join Facebook where I've been able to see photos and read updates of their travels and experiences while overseas. The first few days they were in Amsterdam where they met with missionaries, pastors and church leaders to discuss the work they are doing in their part of the world. They attended and participated in church services and heard incredible testimonies of the faithfulness of God. They have been challenged by the passion and experiences of many of the people they met. They have had opportunities to tour the area and see many famous places. Oh, how I wish I were there, too!

Mr. J. in Amsterdam

The last few days they have been in Brussels. While there they have spent time and stayed at the Continental Theological Seminary. The seminary is in Sint-Pieters-Leeuw on the grounds of the former Rattendaal castle. The history of the property can be traced back as far as 1174. Through the years, ownership of the property passed through many hands. During World War II German forces occupied the facilities, and after the liberation of Belgium, it became a school for Jewish young men. It was purchased in 1977 for the theological seminary.

While in Brussels, they met with the seminary president, spent time with the students and attended their chapel service. One of the missionaries took them on a nighttime tour of Brussels. Yesterday they visited Waterloo, the battlefield where Napoleon was defeated (The Battle of Waterloo), they saw where the Communist Manifesto was written and many more historical places. They spent time at the European Ministries Center meeting with ministry leaders who are reaching out to the people of Europe. Returning to Brussels for the evening they attended a service at the Latin American International church service which was formed by a group of about 500 Latin American immigrants. The services there are in Spanish. The Oregon District Superintendent, the head of the team, spoke and they had the honor of praying with some of the people at the close of the service. Today they head back to Amsterdam and will stop to see Corrie Tennboom's house *.

The chapel at Continential Theological Seminary

What a blessing - and a comfort - to this mother's heart to have the privilege to share in their updates and to see their faces and some of the places they are visiting. Most of all my heart is touched to know that they are making a difference by being there - a difference in the lives of the people they have met. And a difference in their lives. They will never be the same again.

Thank you for your prayers and your emails inquiring about their status. It means much, not only to me but to each one on the team.

*Cornelia Johanna Arnolda ten Boom, generally known as Corrie ten Boom, (April 15 1892 – April 15 1983) was a Dutch Christian Holocaust survivor who helped many Jews escape the Nazis during World War II. Ten Boom co-wrote her autobiography, 'The Hiding Place' which was later made into a movie. In December, 1967, Ten Boom was honored as one of the Righteous Among the Nations by the State of Israel.