Mosquitoes

Last night after lights were out, I caught sight of something out of the corner of my eye, right by my face. I vigorously attacked it only to discover that it wasn't a mosquito after all but one of the ties on the quilt. :-P

It should be illegal for mosquitoes to enter human abodes.

That is all. Nothing too inspirational. Just wanted to share my woes and humble opinion. :-)

more pictures

Pictures... lots of them! :-)

Riding horses after swimming in the dugout.

Getting better from the flu. :-)

My sister Martha.

Jesse loves to tell stories and he was in the middle of one just then... :-)

Martha took this photo the other evening. I love it. The clouds... the colors... the light... the shapes... ahhhh! :-D

We have lots of delphiniums planted around our deck. Mrs. Bodner obviously had an eye for color and for flowers. So beautiful! :-)

Close up shot of our delphiniums. I love that color of blue.

A friend of ours is taking care of a little indian girl for the summer or so... he brought her over to take riding lessons and to visit. Four of us girls (including yours truly ;-)) got together to create this piece of art. :-) We shared a lot of giggles over it!

Here is the original photo... :-)

family pictures

Ellie showing cousin Eli how to play the fiddle. :-)

The entire clan, minus cousin Jack.

Grandpa and Cilla spend quality time together. :-)

Life's Decisions

The flu bug is going through our home, leaving in it's wake several individuals who are feeling much better but still a bit tired. Myself being one of them. :-) I was resting here the other day, looking out of our living room window, watching the clouds go by, when quite suddenly, my little big brother walked past on his way to the garage.

I see him every day...you'd think I would get used to how big he is, but I was startled. It seems like only yesterday when he barely came up to my shoulder and his voice was still high pitched. It seems like only yesterday when he was playing with toy tractors and loaders. Now he's playing with the big kind.

And his feet! When he grows out of his shoes, they get handed down (?) to me. It's fine, of course, because he doesn't usually get to wear them long enough to wear them out. In fact, it's rather nice because he gets the kinks worn out of them before I get them. (I hate stiff shoes. :-))

But Jesse isn't the only person growing up around here. Today (July 17th) Uriah turned six years old. It seems strange to think of that little boy being closer to ten than to five. :-)

And I watched my sister Martha leave her girlhood behind last winter. It was a little sad to see the little girl go. It seems like yesterday when she was playing with dolls and now there is a lady with a wit and such biting sarcasm in her place that we alternately grin and cringe. Sparkling green eyes behind the black rimmed glasses laugh, smolder, flash, mock, etc, etc, in turn. Yes, she is indeed a lady but maturity comes with experience... and with that experience comes the hope of a truly lovely woman.

My sister Lydia turned seventeen on the 10th of this month. She reads my blog so I can't say much but I will say this: she is also a lady. :-) Oh, it did come about a little slower than Martha's but we all mature at different speeds and lengths.

But look! I can still see her round face and hear her laughing and fighting with us. Her gangly legs trying to keep up with Ellie and myself as we run races...

While some of the changes I watched and have kept careful account of, others I am taken by surprise with. Sometimes, I ask myself, “When did these changes happen?” Did I have my eyes closed? Did I turn around?

But change is only natural and would we want it any different?

Watching my siblings as they grow and mature is amazing. Each has his or her own talents and uniqueness about them. Each contributes to our circle... the laughter... the arguments... the discussions... the chores... the music...

I watch them and wonder how they will be on their own. Will they be more outgoing? Will they be shy? Who will they pick for spouses? What will their occupations be? What will their children be like?

It's not just my siblings that are maturing and changing... Me growing up is an amazing experience, too. It seems that no sooner is one experience finished that another begins. In my case, there is fear involved because change has always been difficult for me. But it doesn't matter how difficult or frightening or happy the experiences are, I always come to the end of them a better person... knowing God in a deeper, fuller way. A little more mature, a little more knowledgeable. And this isn't because of me! It seems every step I am forced to cling closely to God. If it wasn't for Him, I would still be the silliest, most horribly selfish creature that walked the face of the planet. :-)

Lately, I've been forced to make a couple major decisions which will effect my life forever and the lives of my (Lord willing) children and grandchildren. I told a friend that I feel like a child trying to make adult decisions. It helps having people I trust praying for me and giving me advice. But there are times when it's necessary for me and me alone to make a decision. I can't always go to someone else. Therefore, the full weight of the consequences falls directly on me. Sometimes, it feels heavy.

Have you ever taken the time to lay back and watch the sky? Right now, ours is a mixture of clouds and blue sky and sunshine. Sometimes, I watch the clouds. Sometimes, I watch the blue. But always, I watch the sunshine. Because even on the most overcast, stormy skies, there is always light... sunshine.

I like the simile: God is like the sunshine. No matter how frightening the future looks or how dreary or dark, there is always light because He is there. Oh yes, I am a child trying to make difficult decisions but my Father is there. And even if He is making me act and not just allowing it to 'happen' to me, somehow, there He is.

Pictures

our home

the front

my grandparents

update... photos

We're back home again. Had a lovely visit with my grandparents and other relatives... I couldn't get over how lovely Washington is in the summer. So green, so lush, so bright.

The singing was a success. PTL! We were worried up until it was time for the performance but when it was time, it went very well indeed.

And, last but certainly not least, we were able to stop in at our friends in Lethbridge and visit them. It's such a blessing to see and talk with close friends. God has been very good to me.

When we got home, I opened another envelope from the package that my friend sent me for my birthday... and found this poem. If you can take the time, will you tell what your thoughts are about this poem? I especially like 2nd, 3rd and 4th stanzas.

God Knows Best

Our Father knows what's best for us,

So why should we complain...

We always want the sunshine,

But He knows there must be rain.

We love the sound of laughter

And the merriment of cheer;

But our hearts would lose their tenderness

If we never shed a tear.

Our Father tests us often

With suffering and with sorrow;

He tests us, not to punish us,

But to help us meet tomorrow.

For growing trees are strengthened

When they withstand the storm;

And the sharp cut of the chisel

Gives the marble grace and form.

God never hurts us needlessly,

And He never wastes our pain;

For every loss He sends to us

Is followed by rich gain.

And when we count the blessings

That God has so freely sent;

We will find no cause for murmuring

And no time to lament.

For Our Father loves His children,

And to Him all things are plain;

So He never sends us pleasure

When the soul's deep need is pain.

So whenever we are troubled,

And when everything goes wrong,

It is just God working in us

To make our spirits strong.

--Helen Steiner Rice

Well, we are almost to our water supplier and internet provider ;-) so I should get this ready to post. :-) God bless you, my readers... and bring you to a more clear understanding of God and his goodness.

In Washington! :-)

I'm in the van with my mother, sisters and dearly beloved grandmother. :-) It's a pleasant morning in western Washington, with the sun filtering down through the trees, a slight breeze making the leaves tremble with joy. We're on our way to town to pick up ingredients for making homemade icecream for the anniversary party. And Grandma is talking about making salmon for dinner. :-) So, it's a happy time at the moment.

I was wondering if you all could pray for us? We are scheduled to sing at the party but a number of us are battling colds. (Surprise! :-P) As the head of the group, I'm feeling a little stressed. I know that it will all work out for the best in the end, but I need patience and wisdom as I make decisions that will be pleasing to the Lord. It will be fun to see everyone again and a little nerve wracking singing for them. LOL! A lot of these people have known us since we were babies. ;-) Lovingly, of course. Hehe.

The trip went fairly well. The first day, Ruth got car sick.... she didn't warn anyone so it went on her pillow and Hannah's sleeve (who was seated next to her). Ruth hadn't been feeling well all day, so it wasn't a big surprise. Needless to say, we were so very glad to arrive in MT that night! 17 hours on the road that day and over 11 yesterday. That's a lot of hours on the road. We were doubly glad to finally see our grandparents again. :-)

Happy Canada Day!! :-)