Rudy and I have continued to enjoy helping out with the great grandkids. In the last couple weeks we have enjoyed special time with Gabriel, Ava, Jonah, Payton, Kendall, Hudson and Tucker. Hudson and Tucker stayed with us for an afternoon. They played in the house and then we took a trip in the woods looking for deer. Eric and Matt joined us for supper. Sure enjoyed the day! Don't get to spend nearly enough time with these young men.
Ava teases her grandpa-great something terrible. With her constant messedup hairand dirty face, she holds a special placein his heart (of course, they al do). She is a master at ignoring him when he tries to talk to her...not even a blink...should mention she was watching Strawberry Shotcake at the time. I don'tknow how many times I have heard him repeat that story with achuckle.
We had the honor ofkeeping Jonah overnight. For a night, it isfun! When I picked him up, even Andrea was excited at the prospect of a night of uninterupted sleep. All things considered it went well..a little roughbetween midnight and 2.
Payton and Kendall came over last Friday night. Kendall is such a little peanut! I was so fun to have Payton again. She hasn't stayed since the addition of her little sister. She fussed for her mom a bit, but then grandpa made popcorn. That dried the tears.
Lynne arranged for Patti to take our family picture. Oh, it was fun! It was a beautiful fall day and all were ina good mood. It canbe can be such a joy to be together. It's reminder of how much to be thankful for. Life can be rough at times, but I have these wonderful people in my life! Seriously, whatdo people do that don't havethe support of others who love them? And it is important to remember this lesson. Ee are called repeatedly to care for the orphans and widows - those who are alone.
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction... James 1:27
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Thursday, October 17, 2013
God's beautiful creation
I love autumn! Rudy and I were working back in the woods and as I drove the kabota back towards the house around 6:30pm I just had to wonder if there truly is anything more beautiful than an autumn evening sun on the changing trees and the corn ready for harvest. What a splendid breathtaking sight!
Now the view from the air might have rivaled the panorama before me, which brings me to our task in the woods. For the past couple of years, Rudy has commented that there are some trees that hinder his approach to the runway from (or departure to) the north. Thus our project in the woods. It seems like we often tackle these jobs when we have been overwhelmed by another (less fun) project, i.e. our remodeling. It maybe isn't the best method for completing a job, but it does keep us sane and serves to refocus us. Being outside, working together at something that we would like to complete, but doesn't "have" to get done does a lot to calm some stressed out people. I know we need to get back on track to finish up downstairs, but I am feeling much better over all.
Speaking of downstairs, I was so thankful for the assistance of Ruth (maibach). She stopped in last Friday to help me hang some items in the "new" rooms, and her input was much appreciated!! It is so nice to have that advice, esp from someone with such a good eye for decorating!
I told myself that I would not start on any more rooms until these are finished, the current rental work is done and we finish some tasks outside, but there was this one auction.... We did buy a couch last Thursday and now I just can't hardly keep myself from thinking about redoing the kitchen and family room. It would be so nice to just have it done! But I am not foolish enough to think that I will ever consider it all done. There will always be one more project...
It is so tempting to think, if ______ (fill in the blank) was done/completed/over with/etc, then I will have more time or then I will do such and such. There is a little bit of truth in that and we can't allow ourselves to be overloaded, but it can also be used as an excuse to not reach out in ways that God would desire. Oh, to stay focused on Jesus! It is such a pleasurable way to live; why is it so hard to do????
Now the view from the air might have rivaled the panorama before me, which brings me to our task in the woods. For the past couple of years, Rudy has commented that there are some trees that hinder his approach to the runway from (or departure to) the north. Thus our project in the woods. It seems like we often tackle these jobs when we have been overwhelmed by another (less fun) project, i.e. our remodeling. It maybe isn't the best method for completing a job, but it does keep us sane and serves to refocus us. Being outside, working together at something that we would like to complete, but doesn't "have" to get done does a lot to calm some stressed out people. I know we need to get back on track to finish up downstairs, but I am feeling much better over all.
Speaking of downstairs, I was so thankful for the assistance of Ruth (maibach). She stopped in last Friday to help me hang some items in the "new" rooms, and her input was much appreciated!! It is so nice to have that advice, esp from someone with such a good eye for decorating!
I told myself that I would not start on any more rooms until these are finished, the current rental work is done and we finish some tasks outside, but there was this one auction.... We did buy a couch last Thursday and now I just can't hardly keep myself from thinking about redoing the kitchen and family room. It would be so nice to just have it done! But I am not foolish enough to think that I will ever consider it all done. There will always be one more project...
It is so tempting to think, if ______ (fill in the blank) was done/completed/over with/etc, then I will have more time or then I will do such and such. There is a little bit of truth in that and we can't allow ourselves to be overloaded, but it can also be used as an excuse to not reach out in ways that God would desire. Oh, to stay focused on Jesus! It is such a pleasurable way to live; why is it so hard to do????
Thursday, October 3, 2013
The Joyous sounds of children...and the not so pleasant task of remodeling...
The month of September has continued to be a busy one for us. All summer I was gearing myself up for the overwhelming task of working on a few rooms downstairs. I do enjoy when they are complete and all put back together, but I don't always enjoy the process of getting there. Add to the task that one of the rooms is where all of my overflow items went when we moved from Smithville to the farmhouse, as well as my classroom and office supplies from school. I wasn't just facing the remodeling tasks, but the many decisions on what to do with all of that stuff!
Well the decision making isn't complete, but the prep work, painting and carpeting is done. And it looks pretty good if I dare say so :-) Ben and Joanne helped get the ball rolling. We closed in a doorway and Ben came and helped frame the area and put up the drywall. While they were working, Joanne helped me carry additional items out of the other room. Those tasks were some big hurdles for us, and really helped to keep the momentum from completely stalling out. I need to finish returning the items to the rooms and to decide what to do with the other stuff.
The project is to a point where the house is functional again and I have been taking advantage of the remaining "good" weather to work on a porch at one of the rentals. At this point, it is good to have a little breather; it had completely consumed me and left me feeling drained and frustrated.
I am also enjoying some extra time with some of the grandkids! They can sure brighten up a mood in a hurry. To cuddle up with one of these precious little ones and to hear their chatter and their giggles...wow! Is there anything more precious?? yeah, I am frustrated because my house is a mess, my laundry is behind and I am still stepping over items, but I also know without a doubt that if Jesus returned today He would be much more pleased with my attention given to the children than He would to an orderly home. Things need to be kept in balance, but I don't ever want to loose sight of the truly important matters in this life.
And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased , and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein . And he took them up in his arms , put his hands upon them, and blessed them.
~ Mark 10:13-16
Well the decision making isn't complete, but the prep work, painting and carpeting is done. And it looks pretty good if I dare say so :-) Ben and Joanne helped get the ball rolling. We closed in a doorway and Ben came and helped frame the area and put up the drywall. While they were working, Joanne helped me carry additional items out of the other room. Those tasks were some big hurdles for us, and really helped to keep the momentum from completely stalling out. I need to finish returning the items to the rooms and to decide what to do with the other stuff.
The project is to a point where the house is functional again and I have been taking advantage of the remaining "good" weather to work on a porch at one of the rentals. At this point, it is good to have a little breather; it had completely consumed me and left me feeling drained and frustrated.
I am also enjoying some extra time with some of the grandkids! They can sure brighten up a mood in a hurry. To cuddle up with one of these precious little ones and to hear their chatter and their giggles...wow! Is there anything more precious?? yeah, I am frustrated because my house is a mess, my laundry is behind and I am still stepping over items, but I also know without a doubt that if Jesus returned today He would be much more pleased with my attention given to the children than He would to an orderly home. Things need to be kept in balance, but I don't ever want to loose sight of the truly important matters in this life.
And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased , and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein . And he took them up in his arms , put his hands upon them, and blessed them.
~ Mark 10:13-16
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