Gratitude

Last night I was privileged to listen to Gracia Burnam. Gracia Burnham and her husband Martin were missionaries in the Philippines with the New Tribes Mission for 17 years from 1986.

The couple was among a larger group kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf, an Islamist separatist and terrorist group operating in the southern Philippines, on May 27, 2001. While most of the group were freed after ransoms were paid and several beheaded, the Burnhams were in captivity for a year and a few days. The kidnappers demanded $1,000,000 for their release. A ransom of $330,000 was paid, yet the kidnappers refused to release them. During the eventual rescue attempt by the Philippine Army on June 7, 2002, Martin was killed by three gunshots in the chest and Gracia was wounded in her right leg. Since her release and the death of her husband, Gracia Burnham has returned to the United States with their three children. She has written two books about her experiences, In the Presence of my Enemies and To Fly Again, which I purchased last night.

I took my mom and a couple elderly ladies. They wanted to be there early and it was so neat that Gracia came over to talk to us. She is such a sweet and precious lady!

This was one of the outfits she had with her in the jungle for that year. She used it as a skirt (it cinches closely around the waist) and also to give herself privacy to go to the bathroom, or change. Or served as a blanket when it was chilly.

Often they were so very thirsty or hungry. She sang this song by Nichole Nordeman. She says it makes her cry every time she hears it.

"He tends His flock like a shepherd:
He gathers the lambs in His arms
and carries them close to His heart;
He gently leads those that have young."
Isaiah 40:11

Redeemed

Praise the Lord, O my soul;

and all my inmost being, praise His holy name.

Praise the Lord, O my soul,

and forget not all His benefits -

Who forgives all your sins

and heals all your diseases,

who redeems your life from the pit

and crowns you with love and compassion.

Psalm 103

Today at Mom To Mom, our speaker shared Psalm 103 with us. We had our own version of these cardboard testimonies. Some of them were:

Relying on parent's faith - Personal, intimate growing relationship with Christ.

Parents divorced - broken relationship with parents. - Blessed with 30 year marriage and healed relationship with parents - wonderful stepmother and stepfather.

Depression, suicidal - Joy in Christ!

Married "too late" to have children - Our God-chosen children (photos of 3 precious children)

At 9 I lost my mother, grew up lonely - But Mama left a legacy - my name - Grace - and faith to trust God's grace

Hubby had 3 cancer surgeries - God is our Peace, Refuge & Strength, & Ever-Present Help

I was told my family should have died in a house fire - But God has a plan for our lives so I will continue to seek Him and do His will

Empty Nest - "Tweetie, let's go out to eat!"

What a blessed Redeemer! How has He redeemed you?

Vacation at Nana and Papa's

We had the grandchildren here for several nights while Jill and Adam attended a conference in Kentucky. They had told the children that they would be having a vacation at Nana and Papa's house. What a wonderful vacation we all had! Of course I was too busy to blog or do anything much except play!

Dancing with Do-Do-Do-Do-Do-Dora....

Racing through the house

Taking wonderful bubble baths.

Preschool for Hannah (with her wonderful teacher!!)

The girls LOVE going to the "Puppy store" (that is what the girls call the country store close to us that has supplies for farmers but also carries chickens, dogs, bunnies, hamsters...)

We took a trip to Exploration Place...

and you can probably guess where we stopped for lunch!

We can't go to Wichita without a stop at McDonald's!

Mom invited us over for a waffle supper. Aunt Mindy was able to come too!

As the days are getting nicer, and it was coming to the end of February, we decided it was time to put away the snowmen and other winter decorations and get out the Spring and Easter decorations! Hannah loved helping me decide where all the decorations should go. It was fun to tell her about some of the decorations. "This came from Grandma Lois" or "My friend gave this to me". She loves to hear all those stories.

Another friend made this. Because she could not find anything in the stores that represented the REAL Easter - everything was bunnies, chickens, etc. - she designed and made this tomb scene where the women go to the tomb and find it empty. This friend passed away from cancer some years ago and is now in the presence of the One who died and is risen!

Silly Papa!

Ever since weather statistics have been taken in the late 1800's, we have never had a winter that we have not had some days of 60 degree weather. There always is at least 1 day in January or February where there is a fluke day or two of 60-70 degrees. But not this year. It has been a LONG winter! But the weather did get into the high 40's and with not much wind, so we went out to play. And we saw our first robins so Spring is on the way!

Feeding the birds. The pretty birds.

But not these guys! They are pretty in their own way - but look at them! (Can you see all those dots on the lake?- those are geese!) Has anyone else noticed the HUGE population explosion of Canada geese?? I saw on the news that in Wichita they have signs posted not to feed them. I think they have it all wrong. I think they should feed them some food laced with birth control!

Well, the kids are back home now and the house is quiet once more. But I get to babysit again tomorrow while Jill teaches piano. What a lucky Nana I am! Missing my Arkansas grandchildren terribly and hope to see them sometime soon.

Day in Wichita

I went to Wichita yesterday...to one of my favorite spots -

this super comfortable massage chair!

AH! Wonderful!

I am not too keen on having my back cracked, but I love this chair following that procedure with the chiropractor!
Also went to see this guy for a suspicious mole that was changing shape. Luckily it ended up nothing to worry about and the doctor said it would eventually fall off. Another mole that is checked yearly hasn't changed either so that is good. When we were kids, we'd spend all day at the beach without suntan lotion. I don't think we knew back in those days that the sun rays were so dangerous. We'd get burned crisp - a lot. Then my brothers and I would see who could peel the largest piece of skin off eachother. Gross huh?

Before those appointments, I went to visit my friend, Debbie Fry.

Here are her kitties. They recently got Tiger Lily (the gray one) and she was a 'fraidy cat. One day Debbie spent the whole day trying to find her. She was just lost. Ended up she was behind the coffee maker. Last time I was there, she was hiding behind the washing machine. But now she feels at home.

Debbie and I went to the Olive Garden. She didn't feel real good but wanted to go out anyway. Today she was to begin her 3rd round of chemo and then she really wouldn't feel good for awhile. On the drive there we saw our first garage sale sign. First sign of spring!! We love to garage sale together. I hope you will feel up to doing that again soon, Debbie!! (She has 3 more rounds of chemo coming up. I know she'd appreciate your prayers!!)

We shared this chicken alfredo pizza. Oh my goodness! It was so delicious!!

We sure had a fun time - lots of laughter. Debbie, I am praying for you and that you will know God's very presence, His strong arms of comfort during this time. His grace sufficient for each test.

"God is my refuge and strength,'

an ever present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear,

though the earth give way and the

mountains fall into the heart of the sea...

Be still, and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth."

from Psalm 46

Although the path be all unknown?

Although the way be drear?

Its shades I travel not alone

When steps of Yours are near.

-Streams-

"Surely I am with you always." Matthew 28:20

Move/Extreme

Andrew and Alison Sagmoe moved out of their rental to a "new" home and our community life group went to help them out.

A cardinal sang a beautiful trill nearby. I had almost forgotten the sound. The first year we moved to our home, we had several pair of cardinals. Since then the "stupid" (Hannah says I shouldn't use that word!) black birds have chased them all away.

Alison and Andrew at their new home. Enjoy your home!! You'll have to host Bible study some night!

* * * * * * * * *

Al wanted to go see "Extreme" at the cosmosphere in Hutch.

So that is what we did in the evening.

It is pretty incredible that they have rockets and moon landing stuff there in Hutch of all places. This is Al's alma mater. I attended Adela Hale while he went to Hutch JUCO for 2 years. Hutch was a great place to date. We'd stop at The Hutch for peanut butter shakes or go to the movies at The Fox. Our first date was at the State Fair in Hutch. I worked for a year at The Great American Life Insurance Company there before we married and moved to Lawrence.

Anyway, it was good to go back to Hutch; and to go see Extreme. It was about these crazy, extreme outdoor adventure sports that people do. Like riding waves taller than 30 feet.

And climbing sheer cliffs.

Or skiing or snowboarding down untouched mountain peaks. Climbing vertical frozen waterfalls. It was amazing. The world God has created and continues to create is breathtaking. Unfortunately, this film had a lot of spiritism in it. There was no giving the Creator the credit for all He has done.

Reminds me of Romans 1 where it says "The basic reality of God is plain enough. Open your eyes and there it is! By taking a long and thorough look at what God has created, people have always been able to see what their eyes as such can't see: eternal power, for instance, and the mystery of His divine being. So nobody has a good excuse. What happened was this: People knew God perfectly well, but when they didn't treat Him like God, refusing to worship Him, they trivialized themselves into silliness and confusion so that there was neither sense nor direction left in their lives. They pretended to know it all, but were illiterate regarding life. They traded the glory of God who holds the whole world in His hands for cheap figurines you can buy at any roadside stand." The Message

After the Imax film, we went to a Chinese restaurant. There was an extreme item on the menu.

Frog legs.

Gross.

No.

Did not do that either.

I like SAFE.

I don't like EXTREME.
I'll watch extreme,

like the Olympics

from my SAFE and comfy chair.

art

Hannah loves to do art work. She told me today she felt "crafty". Her Gramsy sends her lots of crafts in her "Gramsy Grams" (wonderful packages from Adam's mother who lives in Wisconsin). This is a picture that Hannah made for her mommy.

This one is of her and me.

And Sophia's coloring.

Tonight while I was preparing supper, Al did playdough with the girls - since Hannah felt "crafty". My husband does not have a artistic bone in his body. I thought. Stick figures and such. Well, I learned something new. After almost 35 years of marriage, I find out he does sculpture!

finances

This week we had : Checking in -

Yummy food - (*recipe for the trifle at end of post)

Beautiful decorations -

Lots of friends and fellowship -

This month there was a panel discussion about finances -

put on by some very wise women.

They have been through Crown Ministries or Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace classes and help lead them now. They had many, many wise things to say. I liked how they mention giving children "commission" instead of allowances. They have to work for their money. And teaching them to put money into savings, tithings and spending categories. We did that for our kids and I think they are all pretty sound financially and know the value of money.

Al and I used to be real poor. We got married young. Like just turning 20. Neither of our parents had lots of money. Al grew up on a farm and his dad had to work 2 jobs to help feed his family with 6 children. My parents were missionaries and then had a pastorate. You know that isn't bringing in lots of money. Although I never knew it. We traveled a lot and in the old days only wealthy people traveled. People were so good to us, bringing us lots of food - mikans, nashi and omochi in Japan and in America the congregation would give us cream, milk, eggs and lots of meat. So, if we didn't have money, I didn't know it.

When we married, Al was in pharmacy school. I worked at KU and brought home $400 a month as a secretary. We got by fine. Our rent the first year was $80 (we lived on campus - married student housing with an orange plastic sofa!) and went up to $100 later. Then we had Josh. We thought we were done with school, but Al went on for his masters. I stayed home; Al really couldn't work with his studies. One year he did bring home $86! Of course we were audited but they found out that was really the case. We lived off borrowed money and love. We wore clothes purchased at garage sales (and our old clothes from high school days) and I washed cloth diapers; we used the WIC program. God always provided. Sometimes it was a sack of groceries on the porch; or someone would give us clothes for Josh. We prayed about needs. During those years, God taught us to tithe, even if it seemed like we didn't have any $$ to give. We never went without our needs being met. Maybe our wants. Ok, a lot of times our wants. But I learned that that wasn't what was important.

Well, those days are gone. Al makes a good living for us. I don't know a lot about money. Numbers don't compute in my head. Truly. Al makes the money; I spend it! Ha! I do stick to the budget. Mostly. I don't consider myself a shop-o-holic. I do enjoy buying things for the kids; and for the church nursery. Al is really smart when it comes to finances and knows about investments and such. He is in an investment club with several of the guys from church. We have a budget book and write down every penny we spend. We pay cash for our cars. We buy only used ones, but in good shape. We do use credit cards (I know Dave Ramsey says you shouldn't). We pay them off each month. Never put anything on the card that isn't in the budget. Never put anything on a card that we don't have the money to pay for it. NEVER not pay the bill in full. So we get cash back. Lots. Sometimes as much as 5% back at some stores. And Al gives it to me for fun money! Isn't he sweet?? I know some people don't like to use credit cards. Some people use an envelope system. We used to. We pinched every penny. I used to have to take the calculator to the grocery store to make sure I didn't overspend. It is nice to not have to worry so much about that any more. But we never know the future and what might happen so we can't take that for granted. But that's why it is important to have that emergency fund.

One thing I have really appreciated is that every January, Al writes down everything I need to know in case he would pass away. His 2 grandfathers and uncle died very young - in their 50's - so we know that could always happen. Al takes such good care of me and of course, I surely do hope he lives to a ripe old age, like his father.

True satisfaction comes not from stuff. It comes from the Lord.

"Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare." from Isaiah 55

"I said to the Lord, 'You are my Lord; apart from You I have no good thing." from Psalm 16

This advise from Hannah (age 4): If we want to save money, we should go to Walmart. Save money. Live better. Walmart.

*Trifle:

Bake a brownie mix. Cool and break apart into about 1" squares.

Put half the brownies into trifle bowl.

Add some Cool whip.

Add some cappucino pudding (I make a vanilla pudding mix and add some instant coffee mixed into the milk to make it)

Add cut up strawberries.

Layer it all over again.

Top with hard shell chocolate ice-cream topping.