3 angels

He will command His angels concerning you

to guard you in all your ways.

Psalm 91:11

I had an encounter with the "other" world yesterday.  3 angels.  Here is my story.



2 1/2 weeks ago, we moved my Aunt Millie from assisted living to health care.  Her health was declining and it was necessary.   (I know she isn't smiling in the picture above - and she has such a sweet smile. But actually she was confused about the camera and what was going on.)


This Wednesday during my Bible study with the young moms at church, I got a call that I needed to come. Aunt Millie was suffering seizures and they weren't sure she was going to pull through.  It was a hard day and we called in hospice to help.

 She had a better day the next day and was able to recognize her grandchildren and other family who came.  That's my dad with his sister above.  And also from many years ago, below.

Yesterday when I went to sit with her, she was struggling.  Asleep most of the day and showing signs that the end was coming.

Sandy, Millie's daughter, took a break and left the room for awhile.  As I sat beside Millie, she opened her eyes.  They had that glazed, far off look. 

She looked at the picture of Uncle John that I had hung up by her bed.  

Then she peered at a place close to the bathroom door, then to the other side of the door to her room, and then to the wall on her right.  She kept looking at these 3 places and back to Uncle John's picture.

"His eyes.  Strange." she mumbled. 

I had a thought.  "Millie, do you see angels?"

She nodded.

Another time, "Who's he?"

Later, she looked at the place by the bathroom door which was at the foot of her bed.  She looked up almost to the ceiling and down and up again.  "So tall!"  Then she gave the angel a big smile.  I looked at the place she looked and gave him a huge smile too.  I couldn't help it!

At one point she waved.

She continued to squint her eyes as if she couldn't believe it.  Back and forth at those 3 places.

I called Sandy.  She was just coming back and she joined in.

"Mom, are the angels here to take you?"

She nodded.

"It's ok to go with them."

Again, a nod.

"Mom, do you see Aunt Helen and Aunt Mary? (her 2 sisters who have gone on)

A nod.

"Do you see Grandpa Carl and Grandma?"

A shake of the head.

"Well, they'll be there soon to welcome you too."

A nod.

The welcoming committee is gathering!

"Hi John"

Twice she told John hi.

At times she seemed to speak to the angels and nod her head at them.  We couldn't understand what she was saying. 

During the night she said to Sandi, "Look!  He's right behind you"  She seemed to carry on an intense conversation.  Wish I could see in her dimension...

Revelation 2:10 - Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Aunt Millie's favorite verse.

The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and He delivers them.  Ps. 34:7

I read this chapter from Psalms to Millie the night before last. How she smiled as I read it.  She loves this Psalm.  Soon, Millie, you will see Him face to face!  Ah, the joys of heaven!

"I tell you the truth,

whoever hears My word

 and believes Him who sent Me

has eternal life and will not be condemned;

he has crossed over from death to life." 

John 5:24

Dedicating Claire

This past Sunday was a special day for our family.  We dedicated baby Claire to the Lord, promising to raise her in the instruction of the Lord.

To see our church's reasons for child dedication, check here.

The children sang a song.  Very sweet.  Our granddaughter, Emeri, from Arkansas also took part and just watched her cousins to see what actions to do.  She did a great job!

After church, we came back to our home for dinner.  It was the first time my dad had been to my house since his stroke back in May.  It was so good to have him there!!   He recently was dismissed from Kidron Bethel Home rehabilitating and has been able to go back home with mom.  What a blessing that is!  He continues therapy at home.

 My 3 precious children and Claire.

"Pour out your heart like water before the face of the Lord.  Llift your hands toward Him for the life of your young children."  Lamentations 2:19

October restaurant pick

For our October restaurant pick, we chose to go to Durham.  This small town is 9 miles north of Hillsboro on Highway 15.  When I asked for restaurant ideas for this year (we go to one restaurant a month that we have never been to before), this place was recommended.

"In 1806, Zebulon Pike led the Pike expedition westward from St Louis, Missouri, of which part of their journey followed the Cottonwood River through Marion County near the current towns of Florence, Marion, Durham. In 1855, Marion County, Kansas, where Durham is located, was founded."  As of 2010, the population of Durham was 112.


 Durham is home to the Donahue Corporation, maker of farm implement carriers.

When we got to the downtown (this town is approximately 7 blocks by 8 blocks in size - according to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.2 square miles), we noticed that the restaurant seemed pretty busy!  And it really was.  It hopped all night long.  All the tables full all the time.
That speaks good of the place!  (It is a 5 star restaurant!)

They are open Monday-Saturday from 6:30am-2:30pm and on Friday evenings from 5-8pm.  And since Friday evening is the only evening it is open, that is the place to go!

The owners and workers in this restaurant belong to The Church of God in Christ, Mennonite  (Holdemans).

We went through the buffet. 

Delicious German-Russian food - homemade sausage, chicken, verenika (dough wrapped around cottage cheese mix and crimped to form a half circle and served with ham gravy), mashed potatoes and gravy, beef, home-made yeast rolls.

Locally made Grannie's mustard and honey (from Hillsboro)

And homemade pies and other goodies.  Whoopie pies and cookies too.  Too much to choose from.  I would have loved to have tried the different desserts, but was just too full! 

Often we take someone with us and this time we had invited a cousin.  Last minute he was called out of town so we went alone.  At the restaurant we ended up talking with a Mennonite family from California who had come to Durham to help their son move there.  He had gotten a job at the sausage making plant.  What a wonderful visit with this friendly family.  Then when they left, a couple we had known from past years was checking out.  We began to do some catching up and we invited them to sit down and we visited for another half an hour or more.  It was just a delightful evening!

Travel home

We said our good-byes to Mike and Debbie and began our journey back home.

 

A mighty tiny house!

Going over the continental divide.  The rivers all flow to the east on this side.

Good-bye mountains!

Windmills have their own fascination, but they sort of ruin good scenery.

Just on this side of Dodge, we got out to take a look.

 Over 140 years and you can still see them!  In their heydey, over 1000 wagons traveled this land, 4 wagons wide, each day!

What a wonderful vacation Al planned for us!  There are still a few states we haven't been to that we will need to think about for next time.