Mi casa, su casa

hospitable - 1a: given to generous and cordial reception of guests  b: promising or suggesting generous and cordial welcome  c: offering a pleasant or sustaining environment  (the word hospital comes from the same root word)

This past weekend I had such wonderful company!!  Christina's family from Texas came again!  We love to have guests come and stay.  It saves them hotel costs and I want my home to be a place they can relax and enjoy themselves and have a good night's rest. 

Christina's family knew we were going through a trying weekend with Aunt Millie's funeral and they took time to comfort and to pray with me.  I just LOVE these women!!

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Many, many years ago, as a young mom, I remember reading a book called "Open Heart, Open Home" by Karen Maines.  Here is a quote from that book:

“We think in terms of entertaining as a woman's chance to demonstrate her skill and the quality of her home, when actually entertaining has little to do with real hospitality. Entertaining says, "I want to impress you with my beautiful home, my clever decorating, my gourmet cooking." Hospitality, however, seeks to minister. It says, "This home is not mine. It is truly a gift from my Master. I am His servant, and I use it as He desires." Hospitality does not try to impress, but to serve.


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My mom was the hostess with the mostest and I think I learned about hospitality from her first.  We had company at our home a lot in Japan.  Mom would dig out her china and we learned manners from her.  What fork was for what, etc.  Below, we are eating a Japanese meal though.  They love to serve sukiyaki!

Sometimes missionaries from other countries would be passing through on their way back to the States or to Canada.  Often times it was people from America touring Japan.

Sometimes it would be a world traveler coming through our town.  We spotted foreigners (gaijin) a mile away!  In our part of Japan, we gaijin were an oddity.  Mom would make sure to invite them over for dinner and the night. This was Fritz, from Germany.  He told us tales of his travels through India and around the world. 

 A couple of times mom invited the whole school over for the weekend.  We had a church bus for awhile and we were able to all go to the Cactus Gardens on the Nichinan Coast.

When we came to the States, my parents became host parents for a college student from Ethiopia who was attending Bethel College.  Mom still has this huge ostrich egg that she gave us.  We learned that Ethiopian food is VERY spicy!!

And Grace Community folk, do you recognize this couple with their children?  They visited us in Japan and then also when we moved to Pretty Prairie.  Hint:  they go to China every summer to teach English.

Isn't this a fun 1970's picture of Jim and Shirley??

1 Peter 4:8-10

Most importantly, love each other deeply, because love will cause people to forgive each other for many sins. Open your homes to each other, without complaining. Each of you has received a gift to use to serve others. Be good servants of God's various gifts of grace.  

Farewell, Aunt Millie!

We had our memorial celebration of Aunt Millie's life this past weekend.  On the table we put pictures of Millie and Uncle John who passed away some time ago, and a picture of my Dad's 3 sisters who are now in heaven.

The plaque says "Sei gefreu bis an den Tod, so will ich dir die Krone des Lebens geben."  Offb.2,10

"Be faithful even to the point of death and I will give you the crown of life."  Rev. 2:10

That verse marked her life - her faithfulness to the Lord.  

The Lord went before me and graciously orchestrated everything to fall into place for a service just like Aunt Millie would have wanted.  Ruth Miller called to ask if we wanted her to play the piano (she was incredible!!  Aunt Millie had asked her ahead of time if she would do this), Pastor Mace officiated, Adam sang Aunt Millie's favorite song "Jesus Paid it All"and also gave a wonderful sermon just like she wanted, a granddaughter, Tina, read the obituary and I was able to give my reflections of her life without breaking down.

You, Lord, are all I have,

and You give me all I need;

my future is in Your hands.

How wonderful are Your gifts to me;

how good they are!

I praise the Lord, because He guides me,

and in the night my conscience warns me.

I am always aware of the Lord's presence;

He is near, and nothing can shake me.

And so I am thankful and glad,

and I feel completely secure,

because You protect me from the power of death.

I have served you faithfully,

and You will not abandon me to the world of the dead.

You will show me the path that leads to life;

Your presence fills me with joy

and brings me pleasure forever.  ~ from Psalm 16

My cousin Sandy (right) and my Dad's only remaining sister, my Aunt Betty with Uncle Bill.

This is my Aunt Millie's family and my cousin Tom (beside Sandy).  May God bring comfort to them.  Aunt Millie prayed for each one every day.

I am standing on the seashore.

A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean.

She is an object of beauty and strength and I stand and watch her until at length she hangs

                like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come down to mingle with each other.

Then someone at my side says:

                              'There!  She's gone.'

Gone where?  Gone from my sight that is all.

She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side,

      and just as able to bear her load of living freight to the place of destination.

Her diminished size is in me, not in  her;

and just at the moment when someone at my side says:

                               'There!  She's gone.'

there are others watching her coming, and voices ready to take up the glad shout

                               'There she comes'

And that is dying.

~Charles Henry Brent

Thankful hearts

From the rising of the sun to it's going down,
                               the Lord's name is to be praised. Psalm 113:3

During the month of November,I plan to be intentional about thanking God each day for His many blessings.  A grateful heart - that's what I want.  Even when times are hard because He promises His presence and comfort.

Just a few random things that I am thankful for today:

Grateful for this newest one and that we have medicines to treat pneumonia and croup!!  And that she is doing better!  (you can faintly see a rainbow in the background) 

My 5 little "punkins" - Hannah, Sophia, Emeri, Eli and Claire.

 I love birds - and here are 6 doves roosting on my back deck!  I hear them coo even as I type.

Thank You, Father for my husband - such a good grandpa to his grandchildren!

Our leaf pile not so big just yet.  It will be a few more years until the pile is huge and we will be sick of so many leaves in our yard. 

When that happens, I wonder if our teenage grandchildren will be willing to help?  I will be most grateful for that!I love to take walks with the children.  This picture taken by Hannah

                            and this one by Sophia. 

Thankful for this family in Arkansas, 

               and sweet Mindy who is a very fun aunt!

Grateful for my fountain - and for a husband who hates it but lets me keep it!  He likes the looks of it but it seems to need lots of care and he does NOT like that!  We took this photo when there was a freeze.  Look at the ice! 

And I am especially grateful this day for His presence in my life, in particular, during this time as I grieve.  I am amazed at how He is working everything out as I have been planning Aunt Millie's memorial service.  Truly, it is only God going before me each step.  I am excited to celebrate her life and give Him the glory for all He has done in and through her.  And for His comfort.


"In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
 1 Thess. 5:18

My Aunt Millie

Just 20 days ago, we moved Aunt Millie from Assisted Living to Health Care due to declining health.  I would never have thought she would have had to go on hospice so soon.  Last night we knew it wouldn't be too much longer. 

Today at noon, she ran into her Father's arms and was greeted by her family and friends who went before her.  Aunt Millie used to fret at times about her health and her weakening condition, but she said it was settled, she knew to Whom she belonged and she looked forward with great joy to going and being with the Lord.

  

How I will miss my sweet aunt! For the past 8 years I have not only been her caregiver - taking her to the doctor visits and shopping and cleaning her apartment (it never needed cleaning!) - but she became my dear friend.

What fun we had together - sharing what we had read (we loved the same books - Anne Graham Lotz, Joe Stowell, Dwight L. Moody, and also many fictional pieces), sharing what we learned that morning in our devotions, singing a hymn together.  Sometimes she would sing a song to me that she had written for children many years ago. Or read a poem she had written.

One of her favorite quotes was this:

"Life is like an onion.  You peel it away one layer at a time.  And sometimes you cry."

I was pretty sure today would be the day God would call her home and as I looked at the morning sky I had to think of the song "What a Day That Will Be".


There is coming a day when no heartaches shall come
No more clouds in the sky, no more tears to dim the eye.
All is peace forevermore on that happy golden shore,
What a day, glorious day that will be.

Chorus:
What a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see,
And I look upon His face,
The One who saved me by His grace;
When He takes me by the hand
And leads me through the Promised Land,
What a day, glorious day that will be!

There'll be no sorrow there, no more burdens to bear,
No more sickness, no pain, no more parting over there;
And forever I will be with the One who died for me,
What a day, glorious day that will be.

Chorus

And yes, what a glorious day this is for my Aunt Millie!  It just excites me!  Looking at His face, thanking Him for what He has done and continues to do!  Just think, no more pain, sickness or sorrow, nothing but peace and joy. He is really worthy to be given thanks, praise and love!

a walk and a pumpkin patch

The Arkansas grandkids were here last weekend for Claire's dedication.  We took a walk one afternoon. 

The kids got a little tuckered out.

At home, there were "Wanted"  posters all over the house.  Papa is a wanted man.

Adam and Jill's family had plans later in the afternoon so we took Josh's to Papa's Pumpkin Patch.

Those Kansas pumpkins have now found a new home in Arkansas.

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