Love the Lord your God, listen to His voice and hold fast to Him, for the Lord is your life! Deut. 30:20


Sunday, July 11, 2021

Rains

We've had our fair share of rain; unusual for this time of year.  Lots of rain!

My heart sunk when I went to my storage room one day and found water soaking up boxes on a shelf.  I took this picture after I had removed several boxes and scrap books, including my wedding book.  It is nothing compared to a friend of mine who lost all she had in a flood.  She almost lost her life!!  I can't even imagine what she went through!  It could have been so much worse!


The seal around the window frame in the study above had pulled away, allowing water to run down the wall into the basement storage room.  It didn't really get on the floor much, but the boxes that were pushed up against the wall were soaking wet!

Some of my scrapbooks were ruined.  I was able to dry out some things.  Here is a clipping of Allen, who was my highschool sweetheart, my heart throb! (and now my husband), who made the paper.  He was a good basetball player!


A scrapbook full of shower and wedding cards was wet.  I dried out some of them to keep.  They were just special to  me.

A telegram from the Aburatsu Christian Church 
in Japan congratulating us.


A note from a Japanese lady


Cards in German (our ancestry, many of the people in our church in Pretty Prairie still speak German) and also Japanese (my birth country)


Vintage


One of my saddest losses was an old prayer journal.  
All those prayer requests and so many answers to prayer! 
 Soggy notes with many of the words smeared.
But God knows each prayer I prayed.  I really do love to look back to see the many ways He answered prayers; some in such a different, unexpected way!


A scrapbook belonging to Allen's mother had gotten wet on the outside, but I was so happy that the photos and cards were not damaged!  I had to remove them from the scrapbook and actually, it was fun going through all of them!


Mom is the 3rd one from the left.  What a precious photo!  I didn't know everyone so I put the photo on FB and some people from Pretty Prairie helped identify  them!




Allen's parents


A page from one of my journals that was still legible. 


I  sent this to Jill and she read it to Hannah.  If you can't read it, it reads "Hannah called me.  'Nana, can you come to my house and get me and bring me to your house?'  I'm still in jammies and having devotions so I told her I need to get ready for my day first.  I'll take her with me to go get mulch."  

After Jill read this to her, Hannah said "Oh yes!  I remember that!  It's actually a core memory of mine."  She said she remembered I had to explain to her what a nursery was and that she helped me find mulch and spread it.  "To this day mulch is a favorite smell of mine!" she said.  This happened when Hannah was 4 years old!  What a memory she has!

Al resealed the window.


It rained again after this.


We had a "hurricane" a couple of weeks ago!


"He displays His power in the whirlwind and the storm."
Nahum 1:3

Several people in town lost big trees.  Our neighbor had a tree cut in half.


We had a few limbs that needed to be cut down.


Our creek behind the house was flowing pretty hard.




Things are quieter now.



And such a blessing that Al's seal job worked - no water in the basement!



Wednesday, July 7, 2021

Besides travelling....

My recent posts have been about our travels.  With our children all living out of state, it is true that we do travel a lot!  But besides travelling, we do have a life here in Kansas!

What occupies my time?  I love to watch sunrises and sunsets!

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

We've enjoyed walking around the lake.

I've enjoyed taking care of my flower garden.

"You created all things - the plants dance for joy!"

"For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth...All things were created through Him and for Him."  Colossians 1:16

I went on a garden tour one Saturday in town to get more ideas.

I've been "birding" again.  I had not been for awhile.  It is held the first Saturday of the month.

An indigo bunting!

A Mississippi kite

I daily feed my birds.  My daugher Mindy says I have a bird sanctuary.

This "bird" has a bushy tail!

We've gone to Prairie Pines in Wichita for concerts.  I love chamber music!

We've gone out "dragging Main", stopping at Sonic and visiting relation.

Unfortunately, there have been several funerals of people we know, so I have attended those.  One was of our neighbor who passed away. 

Our "Community Life Group" has gotten together.  What a treasure are dear brothers and sisters in Christ who laugh, cry and pray together!

My friends and I have continued to get together to sew for Dress A Girl Around the World.  Sew one week and meet for coffee the next.  In the Fall, we will begin a Bible study on Elijah!

We had a Zoom Prayer meeting with sweet Kaho in Japan.  

I've started sorting through photos.  What a project!!  But such memories! 

These are from our trip to Kenya and Zaire (now Congo).

I was not a good mom who put albums together for each of her children.  Now I've got to sort things out so they don't have to someday when I'm gone.

I celebrated my birthday with some of our family members who could come!  Good Mennonite cooking!


We celebrated our nation's 245th birthday.




Our freedoms which we can't take for granted.



I talk with each my kids often.   Being silly with Jill.
So thankful for Facetime and phone conversations that keep us in touch!

I get sweet pictures of our newest grandbaby to drool over!  Oh my heart!!


So you can see that I have kept busy besides travelling.  The most important thing I do each day is spend time with Jesus!  I am reading in the Gospels right now along with reading these 2 devotionals.  He gives me strength for each day and direction and guidance.  Wisdom in how to live.  What would I do without Jesus?  What a dear Friend, Shepherd and loving Heavenly Father!!



I've also begun preparing for my young mom's Bible study this coming Fall. I am excited to do this study!


    "The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me;
      Your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever."
                                                  Psalm 138:8

One day my life will be finished.  My purpose will be done.  Recently I have heard people remark "What a tragedy that they have passed."   I don't want anyone saying that when I die because death is not the end!  It is only the beginning.  A WONDERFUL beginning.  With Christ, which is far better!   Hopefully, sure, some will miss me, but it will not be tragic.  It will be TREMENDOUS! (my mother's favorite word!)