After The Rain

Yesterday afternoon we had rain – and thunder.  Then quiet.  And a bit of sun peeking through for a time.  Today the sun is shining.  There is a message to my heart in this.  Plans were in place for our daughter and her four children to move into a new-to-them home today after living with us for a few months.  Those plans fell through.  Yesterday it was clear that the planned move today was not going to happen.  In the middle of the disappointment there is hope.  After yesterday’s rain, the sun came through.  I know that the light of God’s grace and love will shine through the ‘rain’ of these days for them.

We don't know what the future holds for them but we do know that a lot of people have been praying for them and God is still in control.  He knows what's best for us.  Always.  That can be hard to comprehend in the middle of it all.  While going through a similar situation in our lives many years ago, I walked through the middle of a store and my attention was drawn to a magnet on display.  On that magnet - that now hangs on my refrigerator! - this verse:  ‘For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’ (Jeremiah 29:11)

His plans are always right.  His timing never wrong.  There are no accidents with Him.  Even though it seems someone else may ‘mess up’ the plan, He is still in control.  He brings the rain – He brings the sun.  The sun will shine again.  I have no doubt!

Gone

I bought this sign for my sweetheart a few years ago.  My intention was for him to hang it in his little half bath just off the laundry room and garage.  Instead, he took it to work and hung it in his office!  When he retired two and a half weeks ago, he brought it home and hung it on the doorbell!  We’ve enjoyed the idea that he doesn’t have to go back to work so much that we’ve left it there.  And I smile every time I see it.  Now he really, truly is gone!  Gone hunting.  For elk this time.  He left early before the season began, met his recently retired brother-in-law and drove to places somewhere in the south central part of our state.  They went much earlier than anyone else in their hunting party.  They set up camp and started scouting to see where the elk were ‘hiding’.  Our daughter asked why they left so early.  My answer:  ‘Because they can!’  For the first time ever, both of them could go when they chose and stay until the season ends in a few days.  While he’s gone, I’m keeping the home fires burning – and, believe me, there are several of them burning at the same time. 

I’ve been gone from blogging for awhile but will be back soon to share some of our doings and update you on several things.  I’ve been peeking in to see what you’ve been up to but have often had so many things going on at the same time that I haven’t left many comments.  Maybe life will settle down.  Maybe not!  But, I’ll be back!

The End – And A New Beginning

Today is the end – and the beginning.  The end of many years of hard work and commitment and consistent attendance and integrity in some very tough times.  This is the day we have talked about and dreamed of and planned for a long time.  (Three months ago I made a countdown calendar.  Last night my sweetheart was so excited to mark off ‘one more day’ he just couldn’t help embellishing today’s date.)My sweetheart is retiring from Stanley Hydraulic Tools today!  He has been a member of the Stanley Tool company for nearly twenty five years.  It was a job that was much needed – and he started at the bottom, even though he was well qualified for more.  It was grunt work, a foot-in-the-door job.  And he did it without complaining.  Ever.

Through the years my sweetheart’s true character showed through and he was promoted and honored and moved to more responsibility.  One day he was named Assistant Plant Supervisor and he never dreamed where that would take him.  Through a long illness of the Plant Supervisor my sweetheart worked many, long hours to keep up with the needs of the operation.  Then a day came that he was told his supervisor would not return.  My sweetheart immediately became the Acting Operations Supervisor (a title change had taken place somewhere in there).  For over a year and a half he maintained that position.  At times he felt he was in over his head.  But he kept going.  Without complaint.  Always with a good attitude and a smile.  Applications were taken for the position and interviews brought it down to two men – my sweetheart and a younger man from outside the company.  The management was concerned about my sweetheart – what would he do if he wasn’t chosen for the position?  His answer, ‘I want what’s best for the company.  If another person is hired I will do everything I can to help him or her learn what they need to know.’ And he did just that.  Another man was hired (and, quite frankly, we were relieved).  My sweetheart did what he said he would do and it wasn’t long before the new supervisor said he wanted my sweetheart to step into a newly created, extremely important position – Operations Coordinator.  Over the past nearly three years he has made sure all of the raw materials were ordered, he has plotted production through the plant to meet shipping deadlines and he has been one to whom everyone could go to talk or to share a problem.  He has won awards.  He has been admired and highly respected by people at the top of Stanley Tools.  He has been there for people, no matter their position or background.  He has championed the ‘little guy’ and applauded the ‘top dog’!

At noon today I will join him and his bosses and coworkers to honor his service – and who he has been to the people he’s worked with.  In conversations with his boss I learned that my sweetheart will leave a big ‘hole’ – a gap that can’t be filled by anyone else.  Even though others will come and go and fill the roles he had there’s no one will be more respected and loved than my sweetheart.  I am proud of him and today I will join others to applaud and give thanks for who he is – and who he has been through the years.

Then we will begin a new chapter in our lives.  We don’t know what that means.  We haven’t decided what we want to be now that we are all grown up!  We have ideas and thoughts and passions.  Time will tell – and God will lead.  Our hearts will always be full of gratitude for the years we’ve had in the past but the future stretches out ahead of us with such hope.  And joy!

Let Your Light Shine

Let your light shine in front of others.
Then they will see the good things you do.
And they will praise your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:16

 

 

Scripture from New International Reader’s Version

Home Again - Home Again - Jiggity Jig

The trip was just what I needed.  My time away with my dear friend, Jane of Tickleberry Farm, was everything I imagined it would be. And more. We loved the little cottage we rented – it was a little haven for our weary feet bodies at the end of the day.You can read a bit more about Agate cottage here on Jane’s blog and you can find rental information here.  The cottage was in the back corner behind a lovely home.  It had originally been a mother-in-law cottage and now it was a safe, sweet, secure place for two girlfriends to spend time away together.  We could see the owner’s home and lovely, big back yard from our front window.As soon as we stepped into the entryway we knew we had chosen the right place!   The cute, little living room (part of the great room) was the perfect place for lounging in our jammies for long chats when we returned ‘home’ each evening.The kitchen was fully equipped with what we needed and a bit more.A basket of goodies and a sweet welcome note from the owner waited for us on the table when we arrived.The entertainment center on the other end of the great room held magazines and all sorts of brochures that helped us plan our activities in the area.  The open door to the right led to the bedroom and bathroom.We shared the single bedroom.  What a delight to find it was equipped with everything we could possibly need.The bathroom was big and it had a huge shower!  It was filled with soft, thick towels, soaps and lotions and a washer and dryer - things that made us feel right at home.Our time together was precious – and it went by w-a-y too fast!  We shopped and thrifted and dined and walked until our feet complained.  Then we started all over again!  Our chats were long and treasured.  We shared laughter and tears and hopes and dreams.  We have plans to meet again.  We’re not sure where but we are sure this was just the first of many times together.

Leaving–For Awhile

Today I’m packing up my car, driving south for a few hours and ending my journey in a sweet, little place with a very dear friend.  I'm going by myself but I won't be by myself for long!  A treasured friend is driving north from her home and we will spend the next few days together.  We've planned time together for long, cozy chats, excursions out and about, a bit of antiquing and places not seen before.  The world of blog brings people together.  Never in my wildest imagination did I ever realize how precious new friendships could be when hearts connect online.  My dear friend, Jane, of Tickleberry Farm has become such a friend.  Our friendship has grown from words online through our blogs and emails to personal face-to-face meetings and phone calls and hearts shared through thick and thin.  Today she will drive north from her home and I will drive south from mine.  And we will meet – in the middle.

I love how God allows plans to be made and times to be marked off on the calendar long before we know how very much we will need to get away at the time planned.  Our home is still filled with our dear ones.  Life has settled into new routines with our daughter and her four children here.  But the time has come for me to leave – for awhile.  A long-planned, much-needed time away begins today.  Hugs and smiles and laughter – and maybe a few tears – wait at the end of the journey.  Deep thoughts and memories and more smiles will find their way home in our hearts when we return.

Flowers and Sand and Trust

Our weeks have been crazy and this last one topped them all.  It was a week to know the grace and wisdom of God and to sense His ‘ever present help in time of need.’  We learned to trust for every moment and to hold firm to the knowledge that He was with us – would never forsake us – and would be our constant companion.  Psalm 3:3 ran through my thoughts as a constant reminder that He is a shield around me; He’s my glory and the one who holds my head high.

During the events of our days I ‘sneaked’ away for a chance to be alone.  Near the end of our street, in a rural area, is the world’s largest Dahlia farm.  Each year about this time they have two weekends of the most spectacular Dahlia Show.  I took time to drive down, park my car and wander through the fields and the exhibit hall that was filled with gorgeous arrangements.  I took a few minutes to attend a seminar to learn the art of dividing the tubers and how to store them for the winter.  The winters are wet here in our part of the world and it’s a risk to leave Dahlias in the ground.  I decided I would love to make my yard a Dahlia farm – but I don’t want to do all the hard work it would take to fill my corner with every one I wanted.  Soon I will share more of the Dahlia Show with you but, until then, here’s a peek at one of the arrangements on display.

(oops, there’s a yellow peeking through!)

 

This afternoon my sweetheart and I are taking our little cabin-on-wheels and heading to the Oregon Coast for the weekend.  This is a much-needed time away together.  Time for rest and quiet walks on the beach, time to think and talk and refocus for the days ahead.  I may not be online while I’m gone but if I’m not you can be sure I will tell you all about it when I return!