Wrapped in His Love

On Saturday I attended the women's conference at our church titled "Wrapped in His love". Wow. Dee Brestin, a well-known author and speaker was our speaker. You have got to get the CD's of this! She is a very humorous speaker and yet she can bring tears the next moment. I fell in love with Jesus all over again!

Dee Brestin said she was talking with Janelle Paden about why some children leave the faith when they go off to college. Janelle's answer was "Their hearts have not been captured by God." We need to pray that God captures our children's hearts. That they will be enthralled with Him! And this was really her topic too - that it is God's desire to capture our hearts. He loves us, as a Bridegroom loves his bride. And He desires us to love Him!

I loved Dee's many movie clips that she provided. The first one was from the movie "Miss Potter" where Beatrix Potter's suitor teaches her to dance. Dee went on to say that God is the Lord of the dance. The Bible is not a book of advice and rules. No! It is a book of love. He desires to love us and to have us love Him back. "As a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you" Is. 62:5 He wants to teach us to dance. Put your hand in His and let Him lead.

Another clip I especially appreciated was from "Fiddler on the Roof".



At our church Valentine Banquet one year, Allen and I did this very scene. I'm afraid we were laughed at. At any rate, God isn't interested in people who follow rules. What He wants is people who love Him. The Pharisees and scribes kept the rules but they didn't love Him like they should. They defined sin as those who broke the rules. But He asks "Do you love me?" Do we answer "For 25 years I've gone to church, sung in the choir, served on committees..." We can't earn His love! Do we love Him or do we just want His blessings? Serving Him comes out of our love for Him, our intimacy with Him.

In Biblical times, young women were given alabaster jars with perfume that would be used as a dowry, to be given to her intended. In fact, they would be worth about a years' wage. Mary gave her most precious thing to Jesus. She abandoned herself to her Bridegroom. He is our Bridegroom. Are we willing to abandon all to Jesus? To let Him love us? We ended the conference pouring out our "alabaster jars" of oil as a picture of our love to Him.

Here is a picture of Dee with me. What a privilege to meet her. She also has a precious adopted daughter from Seoul, Korea so we had something in common.

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Sunday afternoon while Jill and Adam had a double-date with the Buhlers to go see "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers", we watched the girls. We had a good rain on Saturday night so the construction site next door was a great place for Hannah to play in the mud! She had a blast!

We had to wash off at the outdoor faucet before going inside! We threw the clothes in the washing machine and threw the girls in the tub.


As you can see, we are "fun" grandparents. At least we try to be. Hannah calls me her "spoiling Nana". I didn't really know my grandparents at all having grown up an ocean away and only coming to America once every 5 years. Infact, when we were coming to America when I was seven, my mom was telling me that we would be seeing my grandparents. I asked her "What is a grandparent?" I remember the shock of her telling me that she had parents. I had no idea! I am so grateful that in this day and age we are able to have blogs, e-mails, skype and fast wheels to keep in touch with our granddaughter, Emeri in Arkansas!

Yesterday, Jill was not feeling well so Hannah and Sophia came to my house. It was such a beautiful day so we explored the "woods" behind our home.

Hannah was picking these weeds and I heard her muttering to herself "these will be a beautiful get - well gift for my mommy." So we brought them back to the house and tied a ribbon around them for Jill. Aren't they beautiful??

The girls always enjoy playing in the playhouse under the stairs at our home.

Hannah lined up all her friends on the couch...
Keiko-chan
Jaime
Lily Mae
Buttercup (the bunny from my yard)
Sparkles
Twinkles
Abby
Timmy

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Last night, Jennifer Veer (Kelsey's mom) and I went out. We love going to concerts and Philip Aaberg (piano), Darol Anger (violin) and Eugene Friesen (cello) were performing at the Stiefel Theatre in Salina. They were accompanied in the 2nd half by the Fairmount String Quintet and Foofaraw Woodwind Quintet. We hear Eugene Friesen often when we listen to 90.1 Nightcrossings at 9:00 in the evening. This music is jazz/new agey/blues. Not sure what you call it. Most of the pieces were new compositions. These guys come from Vermont, Montana and Portland. Eugene Friesen is originally from Hillsboro, not a surprise.

What a place!! Very elaborate little theatre!
Look at the drinking fountain!

This light was suspended from the ceiling in the main theatre.

I felt like we'd been transformed back to the 20's or something.

They didn't allow flash photography and I tried a setting on my camera so I could take a picture of them in concert. Well, it didn't really work. The flash didn't go off, luckily, or they might have kicked me out, but it looks like we watched a performance of ghosts!
One of the numbers that Philip Aaberg performed on the piano he called "That Train" - a spin off of "This Train", which he feels is a little too exclusive. The words of the original song go "this train don't carry no gamblers, this train...no cigar smokers, etc." Jen and I weren't sure exactly how he was taking that. Probably he didn't like the exclusivity of the gospel. But Christ said "I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father but by Me."John 14:6. Oprah and others of this age don't like that. They feel all faiths lead to God.

Another thought is that the train really is filled with sinners. "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us." 1 John 1:8. The only way I stand a chance is through Christ. It is nothing I do. "A man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ." Gal. 2:15, Titus 3:5, Eph. 2:8,9. We are to live for Christ but in ourselves, we can never be righteous enough to deserve heaven. It is only in our faith in Christ's work on the cross. Blessed be the Name of the Lord!

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Today is Cora's 1st birthday. She is celebrating in heaven. At Bible study, we put a candle in our coffee cake and sang "Happy Birthday" to Cora. We also sang a verse for Tami, whose birthday is also today.

In the afternoon, we had a meeting at church with Jess and Joel and their parents. We have begun thinking about the design for Cora's Playground. It really is mind-boggling how many people from around the world are supporting this. Very humbling. We are overjoyed with knowing that God's Word is being proclaimed. "All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing." Col. 1:6. Joel and Jess and many with them are faithfully sharing God's faithfulness and love. So many are now beginning to follow Christ and live for Him because of their story.

Tonight is the jewelry party - a fundraiser to help Joel and Jess with expenses. I will also be having a sign up for the Cora Scrabble Tile pendant. That money will go to the playground. It is so neat to see people wearing the necklace and also the messy flower pins! If some of you reading this want one, let me know!

Mom2Mom

Tonight at church we had our monthly Mom-to-Mom. Around 90 women came! The evening began with a salad supper and ice-cream (in a flower pot) for dessert. After dinner we watched a slide show of our children (so adorable!) and saw a video clip from "Kids Say the Darnest Things", a show that used to be on t.v. back in the 60's if I recall. What a hoot! Incidently, when our own Mindy arrived from Korea, I had my camera all ready to take her picture as she came off the plane. But guess who came off the plane first?? Art Linkletter, the host of that show! I snapped a picture of course!

Janelle Shoenwald was the speaker for the evening. For those of you reading this who don't know who she is, she is from the Wichita area. Her children attended Berean Academy. I'll try my best to sort of recap her story. I can't justify how well she told it, but here is my attempt at it.

A year ago in February, her family was traveling to Colorado to go skiing when they were involved in a horrible accident. Their car hit a trailer pulled by a pickup and went across the median and was hit by a semi. Her husband and 2 of her children were killed instantly. She said it happened at dawn - "darkness always comes just before the dawn". Often, we go through the darkest times don't we, before we see the dawn.

Two of her daughters, who are twins, survived the accident. Janelle was thrown from the vehicle and landed in the median. They said her head was only a foot away from where the semi drove past when it crashed into their car. God left her for a reason. One of the daughters recalled hearing the loud crash of the accident and then the sudden stillness. No one responded to her calls but she said she heard God speak and was certain of His presence. The other twin came out of her unconsciousness and they spoke to one another until the responders came to take them to the hospital. When the responders came, one of the girls told them "It's ok. We're Christians." She didn't mean it was ok, but it was, because even if no one survived, she knew they would all be with Christ. One of the twins was taken to a different hospital and for awhile, she did not know if any other member of her family made it. "It's just You and me, God" she said. Janelle challenged us that the most important, most loving gift you can give your child is to introduce them to Christ. These children were assured of God's love for them.

The healing time was not easy. At first she said that it felt that a black gauze covered the world. It was dark and everyone seemed to be distant. How difficult it was for her to tell her girls that her husband and 2 of their siblings did not survive. But what hope to know that they are with Christ.

Janelle wrote a song and I asked her for the words. Here is what she said and the song she wrote:

"When my children were very small I was overwhelmed with the responsibilities of raising a family. I wanted nothing more than to know my children "walked in truth", but at times I felt inadequate to see that happen. I sought God's help and I wrote a song, a prayer actually that I sang often. This was my prayer:

Lord, give me wisdom
Lord, give me peace
Lord, give me courage to ward off defeat
Lord give me patience and strength for the day
Lord, give me the right words to say:

To mold these young lives to become more like You
I want them to know You, to love You and serve You
When my life is over, may my reward be
To see all of my children with Thee.

Make me an example
A pure shining light,
Give me the courage to do what is right.
Make me a reflection of all that you are
But Lord, you must give me the power:

To mold these young lives to become more like You
I want them to know You, to love You and serve You
When my life is over, may my reward be
To see all of my children with Thee.

When my life is over, Oh Lord, let me see, all of my children with Thee.

Two of my children are with God right now. I look forward to the day I can worship around God's throne with all my children."

That is what is most important! Pray for your children, just as Janelle did, that God would draw them to Himself, that they would grow up to love Him and serve Him.

Robyn Stucky did videotape this evening, so for those of you who missed this, you can maybe ask for a copy.

Afternoon with Hannah

This afternoon Jill called. She wasn't feeling very well so I offered to watch Hannah. Sophia was going to nap and Jill needed to also. Adam brought Hannah over on his way to work. We had a little rest time first, but then we decided to make some cookies. While the cookies were in the oven, we played "Wheel of Fortune" on the computer.

The contestants were Nana, Hannah and Papa!

When the cookies were done, it was time to make deliveries! Our first stop was to take the warm chocolate chip cookies to Dave Balzer, who is working on houses in our neighborhood.

Next stop was church. Sorry, Dave and Steve. You don't work on Fridays. Next time, we'll try to deliver on a day you do work. Usually, Adam doesn't work Fridays either, but he did work this afternoon.


We made a stop at the post office and by that time, Hannah proclaimed that she was hungry. We hadn't gotten to sample any of the cookies we made, so Hannah thought we should stop at the Dairy Queen. Good choice! As we were eating our chocolate dip cones, she said, "How come that man is staring at us?" I looked across the street at Anderson Health Care. There in the window was a mannequin and sure enough, he was staring at us!

That reminds me of a time Hannah went shopping with her mommy and at one store, there was a mannequin and it was one of those modern kind that didn't have a head. Hannah stood in shock and said "Mommy, that person lost his head!"

After a delicious treat, we needed to return a book to the library for Aunt Millie, so Hannah wanted to also go to the children's section and check out some books and videos.


She will have fun reading. After picking up some medicine at Wal-greens for Aunt Millie, we stopped at her apartment at Kidron to deliver her some cookies as well.

Oops, Aunt Millie's head got a little fuzzy.


One more stop before going home. We took a batch of cookies to Grandpa Pete and Grandma Lois, who live in a duplex at Kidron.


By this time, Hannah was tired and ready to go home. So off we went to take cookies to her family.
Sophia thought those cookies sure looked tasty.
Sophia also thought it was her turn to go with Nana. She took me by the hand and led me to the door. "bushidamadisha...bye bye." When I told her I would take her another time, she almost cried. Nana and Papa love their grandchildren!

"Children's children are a crown to the aged" Proverbs 17:6

Party March 5

An invite to all my friends to a party in honor of Cora's birthday. (double click to see enlargement) We'd love for you to come and shop. We also will be having a sign up for anyone who wants to purchase the "Cora's Playground" necklace. The maker will give them to us at cost and any additional proceeds will go to help with the playground.

Here is the one I have. I just love this scrabble tile!

My home is decorated with snowmen. It is February, right? Winter?

I think the plants are confused.
What happened to winter?

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In my devotions, I use "Today in the Word" put out by Moody Bible Institute (where Jill and Adam went to school). During the month of February, they have been going through love stories in the Bible. Today the reading was from Romans 8:31-39:

Christ Jesus...is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
(what a thought!!!)
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?
Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine
or nakedness or danger or sword?
...No, in all these things we are more than conquerors
through Him who loved us.
For I am convinced that neither death nor life,
neither angels nor demons,
neither the present nor the future,
nor any powers,
neither height nor depth,
nor anything else in all creation,
will be able to separate us from the love of God
that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The devotional recommended that we insert the name of the worry into the verses above to remind us of what you can never lose. I am convinced that neither wealth nor money problems, job loses, illness, loneliness, problems with relationships....nothing will separate us from the love of God!

A morning with Aunt Mindy

This morning Hannah came to her mommy and said, "I feel God is calling us to move." "Oh, really? Where?" "To Aunt Mindy's apartment because she has a pool."


We were going to Mindy's apartment today to swim and play with the kitties since Mindy had the day off. We took special string for them to play with.







The girls had a blast in the pool! Sophia loved to jump in from the side of the pool and also she loved to be thrown up in the air and fall into the water. Hannah was just a bit more cautious.


After a good swim, we went to IHOP. Hannah enjoyed her happy face pancake!

This morning tuckered Sophie out.