My Peace is such an all-encompassing gift that it is independent of circumstances. Though you lose everything else, if you gain My Peace you are rich indeed.
Let that be a deep comfort to you, especially amid the many aspects of your life over which you have no control! When you are feeling at the mercy of your circumstances, My all-encompassing Peace is exactly what you need, even though you sometimes feel unable to receive it. Perhaps that is because you cling to other things--your loved ones, your possessions, your reputation. It's as if you are wrapping your fingers tightly around a small copper coin while I am offering you unlimited supplies of pure gold. My desire is to help you treasure My Peace above everything in the world--recognizing it as a supernatural gift, bequeathed to My followers shortly before My death.
A man who knows he will soon die wants to leave something precious with those he loves. Therefore, I "willed" My Peace to My disciples and all who would follow Me. I knew this was a difficult gift to accept, especially in the midst of adversity. So, after My resurrection, the first words I spoke to My disciples were "Peace be with you!" They needed this reassurance to reinforce what I taught them before I died. You also need to be reminded of the divine nature of this gift, for it is not the world's peace I give you: It is Peace that transcends all understanding!
Peace I leave with you;my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said "Peace be with you!" John 20:19
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
(Taken from "Jesus Lives" by Sarah Young)
This was my morning devotion which like so many other times meets me just where I'm at. It is hard to explain how I feel but maybe the best way to describe it is all over the board! This morning I woke to feeling a lot of tears needing to break forth. I can't really explain why, they just seem to have a mind of their own that all of a sudden need to appear. A good cry seems to help quite a bit. I love it when my Bible readings and devotion all seem to meet me where I'm at. That alone makes me so sure there is a very real personal God who knows exactly how I am feeling. This happens far too often to say it is a coincidence.
Today is Sunday and it was good to worship again with others this morning but I was able to worship Friday night and Saturday at an in town women's retreat with my daughters and daughters-in-law and some granddaughters as well as a niece, along with some 490 other women. It was a moving time of inspiration even though we had times of mourning when a song made us think of our dear one who is no longer here. I also was moved to tears when I went to a station that had us glue pieces of ceramic to a board and imagine God healing the broken pieces of my life. I know it is good for me to face the mourning so all these times and things that happen are good. From our time together I think the best part is realizing I don't have to work so hard to make things happen just realize God takes care of it as needed and He always has me in His hands. I don't need a check list, instead be in conversation with my heavenly Father who is my Daddy and has my best interest in mind.
God will lead my life's spiritual adventure and I can relax and enjoy where He takes me and trust Him fully! I know He will give me the desires of my heart because as I trust and rest in Him my desires will be His!
I read another book by a man who was taken to heaven only to discover it wasn't his time. It had some very encouraging parts for me to think of my sweet Tom enjoying heaven the way this man's loved ones were. I felt it was just another way God used to reassure me that heaven is so very real and He has Tom in His perfect place at His perfect time. I also felt encouraged to continue to run the race set before me till He calls me Home.
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Friday, February 15, 2013
Marrige
Here we are in the month of love..... Do you wonder how it might make those of us who have lost the most loved person in our life feel? Well I will try to explain where I am after 5 months. I feel so glad for those who have special relationships and are enjoying them to the full. Nothing is more wonderful than a marriage that works the way God intended it to work. If I see couples in my family or out in public snuggle or hold hands I am so glad they are enjoying each other while they have time to do that. God blessed Tom and I with an awesome relationship. We were so different yet we were one. We often would make a comment and the other would say I was thinking the same thing! We knew how the other would feel in any given situation and we both tried to do what the other liked even it wasn't our favorite thing to do. For example I tried hard to like sports (especially football) when my honey liked to watch the games on TV. He would take me to the movies from time to time just because he knew I liked to go even though that wasn't his favorite thing. We learned agape love over the years not 50/50 but give the other person 100% of yourself and don't always worry about what he is giving back. I discovered giving this way reaped many blessings for me. My husband loved me more and more and honored me always. We learned how to tell the other person if we were hurting so we could receive the needed comfort. It happened if we had to confess we messed up or if we had to tell the other their words hurt. We discovered often the other person did not even realize their words hurt. Tom and I were lovers not fighters so over the years we always worked on ways not to argue.
Now you may wonder do I miss that sweet relationship? More than I ever imagined. I thought I could be strong and stand alone...... Wow is it hard but God has indeed been there for me. I cry often still which I know is healthy, but I also know I must move on with my life everyday. I have such wonderful things to do often, so that is not the problem. My children and grandchildren are ALWAYS there for me. My church family embraces me too, so that I can never say no one cares! It would be pitiful for me to face life thinking no one loved me! Just not true! Just yesterday my two married grandchildren shared their Valentine dinner with their grandmother taking me to Ruth's Chris for a yummy steak dinner when I know they are both on tight budgets. If you haven't heard of this restaurant all I can say is your missing something very special. This week I also was able to enjoy the World Ag Show in Tulare which is world renown. I love to go since it is filled with interesting things relating to farming (which happens to be our family life work) and they have a women's area that has all sorts of tempting items to buy and see. We were also able to attend a prayer breakfast that inspired our faith. The speaker was amazing since he was 91and sharp as anyone after years of being thrown around by animals (bulls & cattle) as a clown in rodeos. He reminded us we are visitors on earth for the time God calls us to be here. He had so many encouraging reminders that we have heaven waiting and work to do now! He pointed out the Bible says nothing about retirement, but says if you are able but don't work you don't eat! Wow and he's 91! I was able to do all this since my children saw to it I had tickets for everything! Therefore the day was not only a blast and inspiring but it was free except for what I bought in the women's area! So you can see I cannot complain since this is just a little of how others show me love. God is good all the time!
In spite of these wonderful people in my life I do miss my marriage and husband. The other day I was thinking about why people need to be loved and seek happy marriage. It started at the beginning I realized. Genesis (the first book of the Bible) 2:18 The Lord God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."
Genesis 2:24 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.
Also many places throughout the Bible we see God comparing his people to a wife and He is the husband. God has given us marriage since He has created us in His image. He is a triune God - there is three parts - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - yet they are one. When we marry we are two very individual people who become one. Through marriage we see the tip of the iceberg of God's love for us. We understand how much it hurts when a husband or wife if unfaithful to one another. So too is God hurt if we turn away from Him and don't believe He exists or turn to false religions. The final comparison in the Bible is when Jesus comes again - The Father sends His Son to collect His bride the church. Oh what a joyous day a wedding is! We all get that don't we? I'm a romantic and I think this is the best of all - to be called the bride of Christ! I hope you do to and that you expect to be ready for your bridegroom. Remember a bride would never be caught on her wedding day without her wedding dress! Be ready! Matthew 25:13 "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or hour."
I hope you accept Jesus as your Savior and be ready for heaven!
Now you may wonder do I miss that sweet relationship? More than I ever imagined. I thought I could be strong and stand alone...... Wow is it hard but God has indeed been there for me. I cry often still which I know is healthy, but I also know I must move on with my life everyday. I have such wonderful things to do often, so that is not the problem. My children and grandchildren are ALWAYS there for me. My church family embraces me too, so that I can never say no one cares! It would be pitiful for me to face life thinking no one loved me! Just not true! Just yesterday my two married grandchildren shared their Valentine dinner with their grandmother taking me to Ruth's Chris for a yummy steak dinner when I know they are both on tight budgets. If you haven't heard of this restaurant all I can say is your missing something very special. This week I also was able to enjoy the World Ag Show in Tulare which is world renown. I love to go since it is filled with interesting things relating to farming (which happens to be our family life work) and they have a women's area that has all sorts of tempting items to buy and see. We were also able to attend a prayer breakfast that inspired our faith. The speaker was amazing since he was 91and sharp as anyone after years of being thrown around by animals (bulls & cattle) as a clown in rodeos. He reminded us we are visitors on earth for the time God calls us to be here. He had so many encouraging reminders that we have heaven waiting and work to do now! He pointed out the Bible says nothing about retirement, but says if you are able but don't work you don't eat! Wow and he's 91! I was able to do all this since my children saw to it I had tickets for everything! Therefore the day was not only a blast and inspiring but it was free except for what I bought in the women's area! So you can see I cannot complain since this is just a little of how others show me love. God is good all the time!
In spite of these wonderful people in my life I do miss my marriage and husband. The other day I was thinking about why people need to be loved and seek happy marriage. It started at the beginning I realized. Genesis (the first book of the Bible) 2:18 The Lord God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."
Genesis 2:24 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.
Also many places throughout the Bible we see God comparing his people to a wife and He is the husband. God has given us marriage since He has created us in His image. He is a triune God - there is three parts - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - yet they are one. When we marry we are two very individual people who become one. Through marriage we see the tip of the iceberg of God's love for us. We understand how much it hurts when a husband or wife if unfaithful to one another. So too is God hurt if we turn away from Him and don't believe He exists or turn to false religions. The final comparison in the Bible is when Jesus comes again - The Father sends His Son to collect His bride the church. Oh what a joyous day a wedding is! We all get that don't we? I'm a romantic and I think this is the best of all - to be called the bride of Christ! I hope you do to and that you expect to be ready for your bridegroom. Remember a bride would never be caught on her wedding day without her wedding dress! Be ready! Matthew 25:13 "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or hour."
I hope you accept Jesus as your Savior and be ready for heaven!
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Some Grimmius Family History
As I went over the blogs recently written I realized a very important story was left out. We have had so many events happen so quickly that you think you have already written about it when actually you did not. This event happened just before Christmas, December 13 to be exact. Tom's brother, John, was on a trip with his wife, Marlys, when she had a terrible fall that took her life. We were all pretty much in shock and could not believe just 11 weeks from Tom's death we were burying another family member. She was a strong Christian woman who loved the Lord all her life so we have the wonderful assurance that she too is skipping free in heaven. She had a bundle of health problems in recent years and actually throughout her life. Many surgeries that probably did not help keep her mind in tact. She suffered in recent years from dementia. This was one of the reasons she fell as she would become disorientated at times and she went the wrong direction and fell down a step into a wooden chair which caused her spleen to burst. Her bleeding could not be stopped and very quickly her life was gone. The family all live close to us which is very comforting for all of us. We have always known each other well but in recent years did a little more together again.
My first meeting of Tom's brother and sister in law was after Tom and I were dating a bit. They were at a family gathering at his parents house to check out Tom's serious girlfriend. It was a nervous time for me, but as far as I could tell I passed. Later I did hear that Tom's parents had to check with my sister Sharon's in-laws who were close friends of the Grimmius family to see is those Schoo girls were okay.
I have so many fond memories of going to John and Marlys' house every Sunday afternoon when Tom and I were dating. (They probably were sick of us but never complained) She always made the yummiest desserts! She was an excellent cook and after we were married my dear husband did not ask me to cook like his mom, but like Marlys. Tom and John were always the best of friends and through the years kept close. They moved to Visalia first where John eventually left the cattle business and started selling land for dairies and ranches. It was a great time for the land to sell in the Central Valley and John became well known as the Ranch CO. We moved up in 1973 and my husband worked with his Grimmius Cattle CO. Those boys both loved business and never tired of sharing time together about how things were going in various things in the Valley. They grew up around cattle so they enjoyed comparing women to heifers in their child baring years. I thought it was interesting how Tom could figure out if a woman would have a hard time in pregnancy or child baring by how she was built! Of course many women didn't really like the idea of being called a first calf heifer or 2nd and later an old cow! So they would talk about those things very quietly! We watched our children grow up together and spent many times at family celebrations when their parents were still alive. As the years passed and we both became empty nesters the family times were less because it became harder to get everyone together. During this time we did more just the four of us for dinner on occasion. Tom and John kept us their visits and phone calls though. In recent years we decided it would be fun to try once a year to get all the kids together again and remember the years past. Our children started some reconnecting, even though they never totally separated since there were always weddings or graduations or various times of get togethers. Since Tom's and Marlys' death we have to say there has been even more reconnecting. Cousins that always had fun together discovered there is something very special about blood relatives that never ends even when we go separate ways. It's been a blessing to reconnect in all of our sadness. When tears are shared there is a bond that never ends. Sharing our faith is also huge. We all look forward to the day we will be welcomed by our loved ones in HEAVEN.
We are promised: Revelation 21: 4 - 5
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."
I know I am not alone in sadness as I am praying for so many going through really tough things! May we all turn to the ONE who has the answers, Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Now we must encourage each other to keep the faith and run our race till we reach the goal of our true HOME. I hope you are EXPECTED IN HEAVEN!
My first meeting of Tom's brother and sister in law was after Tom and I were dating a bit. They were at a family gathering at his parents house to check out Tom's serious girlfriend. It was a nervous time for me, but as far as I could tell I passed. Later I did hear that Tom's parents had to check with my sister Sharon's in-laws who were close friends of the Grimmius family to see is those Schoo girls were okay.
I have so many fond memories of going to John and Marlys' house every Sunday afternoon when Tom and I were dating. (They probably were sick of us but never complained) She always made the yummiest desserts! She was an excellent cook and after we were married my dear husband did not ask me to cook like his mom, but like Marlys. Tom and John were always the best of friends and through the years kept close. They moved to Visalia first where John eventually left the cattle business and started selling land for dairies and ranches. It was a great time for the land to sell in the Central Valley and John became well known as the Ranch CO. We moved up in 1973 and my husband worked with his Grimmius Cattle CO. Those boys both loved business and never tired of sharing time together about how things were going in various things in the Valley. They grew up around cattle so they enjoyed comparing women to heifers in their child baring years. I thought it was interesting how Tom could figure out if a woman would have a hard time in pregnancy or child baring by how she was built! Of course many women didn't really like the idea of being called a first calf heifer or 2nd and later an old cow! So they would talk about those things very quietly! We watched our children grow up together and spent many times at family celebrations when their parents were still alive. As the years passed and we both became empty nesters the family times were less because it became harder to get everyone together. During this time we did more just the four of us for dinner on occasion. Tom and John kept us their visits and phone calls though. In recent years we decided it would be fun to try once a year to get all the kids together again and remember the years past. Our children started some reconnecting, even though they never totally separated since there were always weddings or graduations or various times of get togethers. Since Tom's and Marlys' death we have to say there has been even more reconnecting. Cousins that always had fun together discovered there is something very special about blood relatives that never ends even when we go separate ways. It's been a blessing to reconnect in all of our sadness. When tears are shared there is a bond that never ends. Sharing our faith is also huge. We all look forward to the day we will be welcomed by our loved ones in HEAVEN.
We are promised: Revelation 21: 4 - 5
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."
I know I am not alone in sadness as I am praying for so many going through really tough things! May we all turn to the ONE who has the answers, Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Now we must encourage each other to keep the faith and run our race till we reach the goal of our true HOME. I hope you are EXPECTED IN HEAVEN!
Monday, January 7, 2013
Children insights on Heaven
The last writing was one month ago already! Christmas went smoothly and I was able to have several adventures. Tom and I would travel out of town every Christmas since we always celebrated early with our children and grandchildren. We did this since our kids were small. It seemed we always had parents or others who wanted a visit then so we just made a habit of traveling around the Christmas holiday. The only Christmas I was in town here for the last 39 years was last year when we came back from Stanford and Tom was too sick to go away. I decided I needed to think of something to do so I booked a flight to Chicago where my youngest sister lives and visited her and her family for Christmas and New Year. First I drove to Tricia, my foster daughter, and spent the weekend with her and her husband. We celebrated Christmas and then they brought me to the airport and off I went. LA airport had a lot of memories for me so it was a little rough waiting for the plane. The flight was smooth and I made it to Chicago in great time. The weather there was perfect for this warm weather girl and my clothes were plenty warm. My sister and her husband have moved so often that Tom and I had never visited this home. It made it a whole new experience for me to work on new memories. All the ten days I was gone was filled with joy and love. Even the road trip did not make me too sad which I was thankful for and pleased about. Tom and I had traveled that road more times than I can count. To tell the truth I felt God's comfort in a special way on the road which was so needed - tears don't work well when one is driving. The traffic was normal for southern California so one must always be on ones toes and alert.
Here I am 3 months under my belt and it is still plenty difficult not to feel pain everyday. God is very good in giving me so many reminders of His love though. One thing is always before me and that is the hope of heaven. I love thinking about what my sweet man is up to and can't wait to see him again! This doesn't mean I am longing for death, instead it is like the verses in I Thessalonians 4:13 -18 which say, "Brothers (and sisters) we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep (we say die) or to grieve like the rest of people, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him. According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words." That's what I am excited for!
In the meantime I really want to live like this one woman I read about in a book called "Glimpses of Heaven" which was written by a Hospice nurse. This was a little story about her mother. "When Dad died in 1973 Mom was only 65 years old and had many very productive years ahead of her, during which time she traveled extensively and worked for the church in one capacity or another well into her 80's. She read her cherished books, taught herself to play more than 150 songs on the organ and loved her children and grandchildren dearly. She was fun, disciplined, tender, pretty, strongly determined, opinionated, ever prayerful, dependent on love, and she touched everyone she met with both her humanity and her deeply spiritual soul." I can identify with a lot of it, but most of all the fact that I am 66 and know I am healthy and could live a few more years. My prayer is I am an example to others in godliness and make the most of whatever time God gives me to bring Him glory.
The other night I had the joy of being able to have 5 of my grandchildren spend the night, ages 5 to 12. I love to hear their insights and listen to new songs or verses they are learning. Three of them are learning the book of Revelation through song which they sang for us. Another sang all the books of the New Testament. What a great way to learn difficult names and verses. This opened up a discussion on heaven since the book of Revelation is a story of John, a disciple of Jesus, seeing heaven. I love their thoughts! One asked, "Do you think we can do anything we want in heaven?" Another answered, "Well I don't think we will be able to smoke." Ha Ha pretty funny I thought but pretty perceptive too. Another question one had was, "Do you think heaven will be boring?" The answer from another child, "Well I think God made all the things we get to do now and surely heaven will be even better!" Needless to say I was pretty proud of their thoughts! From the mouth of babes as they say!
So I close these thoughts and I hope you have questions of heaven and go find the answers at your church in worship and spending time alone with God in His Word! That is how I handle my life with the overwhelming loss I have and I can say from experience it is so comforting!
I know I'm expected in heaven...................
Here I am 3 months under my belt and it is still plenty difficult not to feel pain everyday. God is very good in giving me so many reminders of His love though. One thing is always before me and that is the hope of heaven. I love thinking about what my sweet man is up to and can't wait to see him again! This doesn't mean I am longing for death, instead it is like the verses in I Thessalonians 4:13 -18 which say, "Brothers (and sisters) we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep (we say die) or to grieve like the rest of people, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him. According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words." That's what I am excited for!
In the meantime I really want to live like this one woman I read about in a book called "Glimpses of Heaven" which was written by a Hospice nurse. This was a little story about her mother. "When Dad died in 1973 Mom was only 65 years old and had many very productive years ahead of her, during which time she traveled extensively and worked for the church in one capacity or another well into her 80's. She read her cherished books, taught herself to play more than 150 songs on the organ and loved her children and grandchildren dearly. She was fun, disciplined, tender, pretty, strongly determined, opinionated, ever prayerful, dependent on love, and she touched everyone she met with both her humanity and her deeply spiritual soul." I can identify with a lot of it, but most of all the fact that I am 66 and know I am healthy and could live a few more years. My prayer is I am an example to others in godliness and make the most of whatever time God gives me to bring Him glory.
The other night I had the joy of being able to have 5 of my grandchildren spend the night, ages 5 to 12. I love to hear their insights and listen to new songs or verses they are learning. Three of them are learning the book of Revelation through song which they sang for us. Another sang all the books of the New Testament. What a great way to learn difficult names and verses. This opened up a discussion on heaven since the book of Revelation is a story of John, a disciple of Jesus, seeing heaven. I love their thoughts! One asked, "Do you think we can do anything we want in heaven?" Another answered, "Well I don't think we will be able to smoke." Ha Ha pretty funny I thought but pretty perceptive too. Another question one had was, "Do you think heaven will be boring?" The answer from another child, "Well I think God made all the things we get to do now and surely heaven will be even better!" Needless to say I was pretty proud of their thoughts! From the mouth of babes as they say!
So I close these thoughts and I hope you have questions of heaven and go find the answers at your church in worship and spending time alone with God in His Word! That is how I handle my life with the overwhelming loss I have and I can say from experience it is so comforting!
I know I'm expected in heaven...................
Friday, December 7, 2012
Holidays, Memories and Pressing On
Can it be 10 weeks already? Yes today marks that amount of earthly days since my sweet man made his way to his heavenly home with God's help. It has been quite the road to walk on and no one can prepare you really, although many try, only God can take your hand and walk it with you.
Many ask or say the holiday season has to be difficult, right? I'm sure many of my friends and relatives are wondering how I'm doing with them. Well, I wrote last just before Thanksgiving at which time I wondered myself how that would go for me. It was always such a special day for Tom and I. Actually a whole special weekend as we always seem to have get togethers the whole time. For instance this year we did our usual girl coffee time at Starbucks on Friday morning and another family dinner Friday night followed by a hay ride with a bon fire and dinner in the creek bed on Rochelle's ranch on Saturday evening. The weekend ended with church and Sunday afternoon lunch together at Randall's house. Tricia and Steve came up and spent some extra time overnight with me so I was surrounded with family and activities all week. The answer to my above question of, is holidays hard for you, I have to say no just because there is so much joy and sharing time together. Every day though, does have some tears just because the loss is always there so holiday or no I still have to work through the grief.
Now it's getting ready for the Christmas season and I praise God for helping me enjoy many things that remind me of what an amazing God we have that He came to this world to give us hope and salvation! I have enjoyed decorating and already had a Christmas party at my house with the Care Pregnancy Center volunteers and board and staff. The 18 of us had a wonderful time of food and fellowship as well as a time of sharing encouragement in the ministry. I was also able to attend a presentation of the Messiah and got shivers from the Hallelujah chorus and one of my favorite solos - I Know that my Redeemer Lives. The songs are all from the Bible so it blesses our hearts as we listen. On the next two nights I was able to attend wonderful Christmas programs my grandchildren were in. It doesn't get any better than that! I have a few more parties to come as our family has three birthdays to celebrate in December and our family Christmas celebration which we have on the 21st so everyone can do their own thing and be with in-laws on Christmas. There is also another Christmas program to attend and a friends party to enjoy.
As you can see I am not one to sit at home. I'm thankful God gives me the strength to face each day tears and all. I can get up in the morning and still love to jog a few mornings a week and I also sleep very well. I'm so thankful for these simple things as life is so different not having Tom around. It occurred to me today it is a little like when we moved into this house 23 years ago, I wondered why it felt so cold as it was very lovely. Then I realized we had no memories here and once we lived life here I soon forgot about my old home. I don't think I'll ever forget my life with Tom but I do realize it takes time to make new memories as my mind is often flooded with thoughts of what we did together.
One thing we did a lot of over the years was travel. Tom's business took us up north to Redding this time of year. I spent many years shopping at the malls up north in Chico, Anderson, and Redding while my honey was buying cattle. I learned to wrap gifts, make out Christmas cards, do my Bible Study lessons, and wherever while we were on the road. Many weeks we were gone from Thursday to Saturday. I always liked to tell Tom he was blessed for marrying a woman who was half gypsy as I always enjoyed going wherever he wanted to go. I could always figure out what to do while he worked. Our evenings were than spent finding good restaurants and early morning running paths or some hiking places. In Redding there is a beautiful path along the Sacramento River. We loved doing that on Saturday morning before we left for home. We had some favorite eating places all along the road home. I find myself thinking about all these things we did so often.
Our first dates were at Christmas time also. We ended up going out 5 times in 7 days because there were ball games and I was a cheerleader, programs to attend and church. After those 5 days I knew I was in love, but I wasn't quite sure about Tom. I happened to have gone out with another young man just before this time who wanted to ask me out again. I did not want to go and kept making excuses so he asked if he could pick me up from school and I gave in and said yes! BIG MISTAKE! Tom's friend saw me and reported the incident. I was able to turn down the other young man who I felt bad about hurting but I knew Tom was special. I was able to tell another of Tom's friends the truth of the situation so Tom would not throw in the towel on me. I heard he was VERY angry when he heard about the other boy. Yikes! God was good and let us get back together. Soon after this Tom's sweet friend that helped us repair our relationship warned me not to get too hooked on Tom as he loves them and leaves them quite often! WHAT! To late for that! Well believe it or not Tom after a few more weeks asked me if I wanted to meet his parents! Well now I thought I don't think he is going to leave me too soon as I did not think he had done that with anyone else. Not long after I met his parents - later I heard they were pretty nervous about me as I was rather young and I have to admit a little ditsy. It wasn't long after that he asked me to go steady (a thing we did in the 60's). That was big as I knew for sure he had not asked another girl to go steady. To him that was like engagement. :)
As you now know we made it through those dating times and went on to many happy years of marriage. We have been so blessed!
Let me leave you with two great verses that are underlined in my sweet husband's Bible so I know they were special to him:
Philippians 1:6 being confident of this that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
I'm pressing on my dear one.............
Many ask or say the holiday season has to be difficult, right? I'm sure many of my friends and relatives are wondering how I'm doing with them. Well, I wrote last just before Thanksgiving at which time I wondered myself how that would go for me. It was always such a special day for Tom and I. Actually a whole special weekend as we always seem to have get togethers the whole time. For instance this year we did our usual girl coffee time at Starbucks on Friday morning and another family dinner Friday night followed by a hay ride with a bon fire and dinner in the creek bed on Rochelle's ranch on Saturday evening. The weekend ended with church and Sunday afternoon lunch together at Randall's house. Tricia and Steve came up and spent some extra time overnight with me so I was surrounded with family and activities all week. The answer to my above question of, is holidays hard for you, I have to say no just because there is so much joy and sharing time together. Every day though, does have some tears just because the loss is always there so holiday or no I still have to work through the grief.
Now it's getting ready for the Christmas season and I praise God for helping me enjoy many things that remind me of what an amazing God we have that He came to this world to give us hope and salvation! I have enjoyed decorating and already had a Christmas party at my house with the Care Pregnancy Center volunteers and board and staff. The 18 of us had a wonderful time of food and fellowship as well as a time of sharing encouragement in the ministry. I was also able to attend a presentation of the Messiah and got shivers from the Hallelujah chorus and one of my favorite solos - I Know that my Redeemer Lives. The songs are all from the Bible so it blesses our hearts as we listen. On the next two nights I was able to attend wonderful Christmas programs my grandchildren were in. It doesn't get any better than that! I have a few more parties to come as our family has three birthdays to celebrate in December and our family Christmas celebration which we have on the 21st so everyone can do their own thing and be with in-laws on Christmas. There is also another Christmas program to attend and a friends party to enjoy.
As you can see I am not one to sit at home. I'm thankful God gives me the strength to face each day tears and all. I can get up in the morning and still love to jog a few mornings a week and I also sleep very well. I'm so thankful for these simple things as life is so different not having Tom around. It occurred to me today it is a little like when we moved into this house 23 years ago, I wondered why it felt so cold as it was very lovely. Then I realized we had no memories here and once we lived life here I soon forgot about my old home. I don't think I'll ever forget my life with Tom but I do realize it takes time to make new memories as my mind is often flooded with thoughts of what we did together.
One thing we did a lot of over the years was travel. Tom's business took us up north to Redding this time of year. I spent many years shopping at the malls up north in Chico, Anderson, and Redding while my honey was buying cattle. I learned to wrap gifts, make out Christmas cards, do my Bible Study lessons, and wherever while we were on the road. Many weeks we were gone from Thursday to Saturday. I always liked to tell Tom he was blessed for marrying a woman who was half gypsy as I always enjoyed going wherever he wanted to go. I could always figure out what to do while he worked. Our evenings were than spent finding good restaurants and early morning running paths or some hiking places. In Redding there is a beautiful path along the Sacramento River. We loved doing that on Saturday morning before we left for home. We had some favorite eating places all along the road home. I find myself thinking about all these things we did so often.
Our first dates were at Christmas time also. We ended up going out 5 times in 7 days because there were ball games and I was a cheerleader, programs to attend and church. After those 5 days I knew I was in love, but I wasn't quite sure about Tom. I happened to have gone out with another young man just before this time who wanted to ask me out again. I did not want to go and kept making excuses so he asked if he could pick me up from school and I gave in and said yes! BIG MISTAKE! Tom's friend saw me and reported the incident. I was able to turn down the other young man who I felt bad about hurting but I knew Tom was special. I was able to tell another of Tom's friends the truth of the situation so Tom would not throw in the towel on me. I heard he was VERY angry when he heard about the other boy. Yikes! God was good and let us get back together. Soon after this Tom's sweet friend that helped us repair our relationship warned me not to get too hooked on Tom as he loves them and leaves them quite often! WHAT! To late for that! Well believe it or not Tom after a few more weeks asked me if I wanted to meet his parents! Well now I thought I don't think he is going to leave me too soon as I did not think he had done that with anyone else. Not long after I met his parents - later I heard they were pretty nervous about me as I was rather young and I have to admit a little ditsy. It wasn't long after that he asked me to go steady (a thing we did in the 60's). That was big as I knew for sure he had not asked another girl to go steady. To him that was like engagement. :)
As you now know we made it through those dating times and went on to many happy years of marriage. We have been so blessed!
Let me leave you with two great verses that are underlined in my sweet husband's Bible so I know they were special to him:
Philippians 1:6 being confident of this that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
I'm pressing on my dear one.............
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Thanksgiving
God is our 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, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.....Psalm 46:1-4 In the Bible are so many verses with hope and assurance that help me walk through every day and go peacefully to sleep at night.
There are plenty of tears that happen when I least expect. Like this week I was feeling rather strong one day and thought I had a handle on this grief stuff. Well my strength did not continue and I realized that MY strength won't get me far it has to be GOD'S strength and that is so much better. There is a verse in the Bible that tells me "For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:10 Paul a missionary for Jesus Christ tells how we are not always given 'easy' in this life so that Jesus' strength can shine more powerfully in our weakness. This is not my favorite way to live life as I would rather be strong on my own.
This morning in church we were told we were having a service of lament! Thankfully my daughter warned me as she went to the first service and I went to second. I was also thankful to have my son and his family surrounding me. It was a very good service, but my tears flowed freely! No stopping them sometime. The wonderful thing is to be reminded of the hope we have in our weakness. Again Paul speaks to us in 2 Corinthians 4:7-9 "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." Also verse 17 "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an ETERNAL GLORY that far outweighs them all." It was a wonderful service in the end of it all and one we need to experience more than once.
My family and I are getting ready for our tradition "marathon" Thanksgiving Day. This has developed over the years and become a pretty special event for us. Years ago when my children were small we would pack up the kids and go to my parents home in southern CA. We always spent Thanksgiving with them as it was my mother's birthday as well. This year her birthday would have been the day of Thanksgiving. She gets to celebrate with my dear Tom this year. Anyway my parents loved to have big turkey dinners and afterward go bowling. My kids loved it so much that it became part of the holiday that stuck. We also decided when our kids married to ask them to keep that day for our family and any other holiday could be with the in-laws. Now we start our day with a run/walk in the morning that benefits the local emergency aid council. Then after changing we end up at my house for plenty of turkey and beef (sweet Tom always needed some beef) with lots of other foods. We have to have praise and worship time of singing songs and some Bible read and prayer. Everyone comes prepared to share what they are thankful for, which usually ends with some need for tissues. Finally we are off to bowl and at the end of that we need to come back to my house for pie and don't forget the turkey and beef buns as well as a wonderful mixture of other foods!
Tom and I often thought the day reminded us of a little bit of heaven - feasting, enjoying each others company, playing, singing, sharing true feelings and feeling so loved. May all of you have a touch of heaven as you share together this holiday. There are no guarantees of who will be there but there are guarantees of heaven! We all hope you expect to be there one day!
There are plenty of tears that happen when I least expect. Like this week I was feeling rather strong one day and thought I had a handle on this grief stuff. Well my strength did not continue and I realized that MY strength won't get me far it has to be GOD'S strength and that is so much better. There is a verse in the Bible that tells me "For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:10 Paul a missionary for Jesus Christ tells how we are not always given 'easy' in this life so that Jesus' strength can shine more powerfully in our weakness. This is not my favorite way to live life as I would rather be strong on my own.
This morning in church we were told we were having a service of lament! Thankfully my daughter warned me as she went to the first service and I went to second. I was also thankful to have my son and his family surrounding me. It was a very good service, but my tears flowed freely! No stopping them sometime. The wonderful thing is to be reminded of the hope we have in our weakness. Again Paul speaks to us in 2 Corinthians 4:7-9 "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." Also verse 17 "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an ETERNAL GLORY that far outweighs them all." It was a wonderful service in the end of it all and one we need to experience more than once.
My family and I are getting ready for our tradition "marathon" Thanksgiving Day. This has developed over the years and become a pretty special event for us. Years ago when my children were small we would pack up the kids and go to my parents home in southern CA. We always spent Thanksgiving with them as it was my mother's birthday as well. This year her birthday would have been the day of Thanksgiving. She gets to celebrate with my dear Tom this year. Anyway my parents loved to have big turkey dinners and afterward go bowling. My kids loved it so much that it became part of the holiday that stuck. We also decided when our kids married to ask them to keep that day for our family and any other holiday could be with the in-laws. Now we start our day with a run/walk in the morning that benefits the local emergency aid council. Then after changing we end up at my house for plenty of turkey and beef (sweet Tom always needed some beef) with lots of other foods. We have to have praise and worship time of singing songs and some Bible read and prayer. Everyone comes prepared to share what they are thankful for, which usually ends with some need for tissues. Finally we are off to bowl and at the end of that we need to come back to my house for pie and don't forget the turkey and beef buns as well as a wonderful mixture of other foods!
Tom and I often thought the day reminded us of a little bit of heaven - feasting, enjoying each others company, playing, singing, sharing true feelings and feeling so loved. May all of you have a touch of heaven as you share together this holiday. There are no guarantees of who will be there but there are guarantees of heaven! We all hope you expect to be there one day!
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Some History and More
November 6, election day! My dear Tom really appreciated being able to vote. He was born in Holland during World War II and grew up knowing that freedom was a wonderful gift of God. His father longed to move his family to America to give a better future to his children and he felt the US had a better democracy. In 1948 they were able to come as well as become citizens. His parents learned a new language at 45 and 50 years of age and started over in business. Through the years I thought that pretty amazing as trying to learn a new language at that age would be so hard! But they were determined so one day they could speak to the people their children would marry. Bottom line Tom grew up knowing he had to care about the things that went on in our country and be a part by casting ones vote. Yes indeed I voted!
The days in the last few weeks have gone by quite well and God continues to meet me where I need. I still have my share of tears, but find I also have good times. One of the good times was going with my daughter and granddaughter on a short trip. We took in California Adventure (we are Disney fans) and also a cattle women conference (big difference from Disney). Both were great for just having fun as well as learning some amazing farming things that happen in California. It was my first trip in forever without Tom. I was a little worried how I would handle it, but much to my surprise and joy, I had a great time.
When we were gone I read this devotion in "Jesus Calling":
Walk peacefully with Me (Jesus) through this day. You are wondering how you will cope with all that is expected of you. You must traverse this day like any other: one step at a time. Instead of mentally rehearsing how you will do this or that, keep your mind on My Presence and on taking the next step. The more demanding your day, the more help you can expect from Me. This is a training opportunity, since I designed you for deep dependence on your shepherd-King. Challenging times wake you up and amplify your awareness of needing My help.
When you don't know what to do, wait while I open the way before you. Trust that I know what I'm doing, and be ready to follow My lead. I will give strength to you, and I will bless you with Peace.
Bible verses that go with these thoughts:
Exodus 33:14 The Lord replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."
Hebrews 13:20-21 May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen
Psalm 29:11 The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace.
Reading things like this always helps to lift me up and remind me who is with me when I feel so weak. Daily life can feel somewhat daunting when I think I walk alone, even when there are fun things to do. The fun things (along with difficult) before were always shared with my best friend, my husband, and sweet companion.
We first met when I was a sophomore in high school and he was just graduated. He had gone to a small fair in the fall with a friend who was a junior in our high school. Myself and some of my friends were sitting on an empty booth at the fair and flirted with his friend saying we were selling kisses for a dollar. His friend was a very handsome young man, but rather shy, so he just smiled and talked a bit before hi-tailing it out of there. We had to be a little intimidating. There were at least 15 or 20 of us girls. Tom was standing very quietly in the background observing all of us being quite silly. Later he asked his friend if he knew who I was and could he meet me. It took my bashful boy 1 1/2 years to finally ask me on a date. We always said that was good since I was rather young. I always marveled at the fact I was the one he choose in all my friends. That usually did not happen to me!! He said it was love at first sight!! That also amazed me, as he told me he could tell I was sweet, when he watched all the girls. I was thinking flirty maybe, but I was thankful he saw that as sweet! We had a few rocky places in the first few weeks of dating, but after that we knew we had met THE ONE. Our parents worried we were too young when we asked to marry right out of high school (for me). July 3 was our wedding day and I did not turn 18 till September 21. Our parents did not have to worry since God was very good and taught us through the years how to love each other in wonderful ways. We seemed to go together so well and have many things in common. Neither one of us enjoyed quarreling, therefore did little of it. This year we celebrated 48 years of marriage! Now I am so very thankful for the years. I never regretted marrying young or feeling like I missed out on things in life. My husband, Tom, encouraged me to do the things he thought I was gifted in and together we enjoyed raising 4 children, watching them marry, and gifting us with 15 grandchildren. We even we able to see 2 of our grandchildren marry! The story is long and there is much more to it so I will share more later.........
One of the books I'm reading had a wonderful quote from Jan Karon: "People may doubt what you say, but they believe what you do." I couldn't help but think that is who my Tom was. He was a quiet man, but his actions spoke so loudly, and when he spoke people listened. He lived what he believed and set wonderful examples for his children and grandchildren and the people he did business with.
The days in the last few weeks have gone by quite well and God continues to meet me where I need. I still have my share of tears, but find I also have good times. One of the good times was going with my daughter and granddaughter on a short trip. We took in California Adventure (we are Disney fans) and also a cattle women conference (big difference from Disney). Both were great for just having fun as well as learning some amazing farming things that happen in California. It was my first trip in forever without Tom. I was a little worried how I would handle it, but much to my surprise and joy, I had a great time.
When we were gone I read this devotion in "Jesus Calling":
Walk peacefully with Me (Jesus) through this day. You are wondering how you will cope with all that is expected of you. You must traverse this day like any other: one step at a time. Instead of mentally rehearsing how you will do this or that, keep your mind on My Presence and on taking the next step. The more demanding your day, the more help you can expect from Me. This is a training opportunity, since I designed you for deep dependence on your shepherd-King. Challenging times wake you up and amplify your awareness of needing My help.
When you don't know what to do, wait while I open the way before you. Trust that I know what I'm doing, and be ready to follow My lead. I will give strength to you, and I will bless you with Peace.
Bible verses that go with these thoughts:
Exodus 33:14 The Lord replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."
Hebrews 13:20-21 May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen
Psalm 29:11 The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace.
Reading things like this always helps to lift me up and remind me who is with me when I feel so weak. Daily life can feel somewhat daunting when I think I walk alone, even when there are fun things to do. The fun things (along with difficult) before were always shared with my best friend, my husband, and sweet companion.
We first met when I was a sophomore in high school and he was just graduated. He had gone to a small fair in the fall with a friend who was a junior in our high school. Myself and some of my friends were sitting on an empty booth at the fair and flirted with his friend saying we were selling kisses for a dollar. His friend was a very handsome young man, but rather shy, so he just smiled and talked a bit before hi-tailing it out of there. We had to be a little intimidating. There were at least 15 or 20 of us girls. Tom was standing very quietly in the background observing all of us being quite silly. Later he asked his friend if he knew who I was and could he meet me. It took my bashful boy 1 1/2 years to finally ask me on a date. We always said that was good since I was rather young. I always marveled at the fact I was the one he choose in all my friends. That usually did not happen to me!! He said it was love at first sight!! That also amazed me, as he told me he could tell I was sweet, when he watched all the girls. I was thinking flirty maybe, but I was thankful he saw that as sweet! We had a few rocky places in the first few weeks of dating, but after that we knew we had met THE ONE. Our parents worried we were too young when we asked to marry right out of high school (for me). July 3 was our wedding day and I did not turn 18 till September 21. Our parents did not have to worry since God was very good and taught us through the years how to love each other in wonderful ways. We seemed to go together so well and have many things in common. Neither one of us enjoyed quarreling, therefore did little of it. This year we celebrated 48 years of marriage! Now I am so very thankful for the years. I never regretted marrying young or feeling like I missed out on things in life. My husband, Tom, encouraged me to do the things he thought I was gifted in and together we enjoyed raising 4 children, watching them marry, and gifting us with 15 grandchildren. We even we able to see 2 of our grandchildren marry! The story is long and there is much more to it so I will share more later.........
One of the books I'm reading had a wonderful quote from Jan Karon: "People may doubt what you say, but they believe what you do." I couldn't help but think that is who my Tom was. He was a quiet man, but his actions spoke so loudly, and when he spoke people listened. He lived what he believed and set wonderful examples for his children and grandchildren and the people he did business with.
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