60 Years of Marriage Honored

I have major bragging rights this week thanks to my parents. The above photos were taken in 1947 when my parents fell in love and became engaged. They had met at a YMCA dance that my mom did not want to go to, but her sister Rosalyn, convinced her to go anyway. There my dad, Ray, asked my mom, Lois, for a dance and a year later on April 24th, 1948 they danced up the aisle marrying at St. Michael's Catholic Church. Now here it is 60 years later, still married, with 9 living children, Carol, Edwin, Timothy, Nancy, Paul, Renee, Jean, Joan, and Jacqueline (their firstborn Daniel, died at birth), 19 grandchildren, Mark, Sarah, Joanna, Judith, Melissa, Anthony, Rachel, Deborah, Aaron, Laura, Nathan, Daniel, Sadie, Benjamin, Samantha, Katherine, Nicholas, Grant, and Christopher (with another one on the way), and 7 great grandchildren, Charissa, Nathan, Ethan, Nathan, Charis, Malachi, and Miles (and 2 more on the way)! Now that is something to be proud of! Congratulations mom and dad! I am sure the LORD God is pleased with your vows honored and the testimony of what the sanctity of marriage means. Anyone married and raising children knows the sacrifices and work that is required! Many blessings to you on your special day! Love, Daughter #2 Nancy

PS How many folks can you name who have been married longer than 50 years? Would love to hear about others who have been successful.

Gardening 102

My gardening skills (or rather attemps at gardening) are as yet unpolished and I certainly admit that I lack some basic intrinsic understanding of what to do to be successful. Bottom line translation: I really think that God decided when I was created to just let me sit back and watch and let the experts do their job. For example, last week I decided to get going on some very much needed hedging on the multitude of shrubbery esconcing our yard. (Esconce, pretty good word huh?) Anyway, I wanted to get it done before my husband arrived home from work and mowed the yard. Later on in the evening we were expecting 7 of our good friends over for dinner and socializing in the back yard so I wanted to do my part to make sure the backyard looked great and well tended.



I decided since the yard is pretty big to use our longest extension cord, the bright orange 100 foot one. Not finding an outlet outside I plugged it in, in our kitchen and left the back door open slightly for the cord to snake through. Next, I grabbed the hedger, plugged in the cord and spent the next 40 minutes or so hedging away. Okay, let's put it this way...I trimmed a good 10 to 15 shrubs on a very steep incline before I decided I was done for the day. On my way back down the slope I pulled a few weeds and noticed one of our longest shrubs could use a little trimming, so I immediately began to give it a grooming. All of sudden the hedger threw sparks everywhere, and I gave a good shriek! Our neighbor next door has a tiler working on installing an outside barbeque bar, so I am sure he wondered what the heck was going on. Anyway, I was sort of shook up and decided that the hedger had finally gone bust. I remembered we had purchased it in Oregon so I calculated it was at least 8 to 9 years old. Oh well, time to get a new one. After setting the hedger down on the wrought iron table I elected to wash down the teak patio set since so many of our friends were coming over and we would need both patio sets. So I washed it all down, and then realized I hadn't collected the length of cord off the lawn where Robert was going to mow shortly. I started pulling the cord up to the patio area and then stopped when I thought I should get the weeds I pulled out of the way first. Well, when I bent down to pick up the weeds I suddenly saw about 2 feet of the extension cord lying on the ground severed from the rest of the cord! Well this was good and bad news. The good news was the hedger was not dead after all; the bad news was I had unknowingly killed the longest extension cord in the house and it was the one Robert needed when he came home to do the edging. Ohoh! Then I realized the cord was still plugged into the kitchen wall and I had left a live wire on the lawn while I had washed down the patio set! Well, then there was even more good news! I had not set the lawn on fire nor had I electrocuted myself. Yea God! There was only one other piece of bad news and that was telling my loving, adorable, understanding spouse what I had done. Needless to say I was laughing very hard when I tried to call him and let him know before he came home. Only problem was he had already left work. I had to call someone so I called my friend Chris and I was laughing the whole time, when suddenly I heard the garage door open...Oh no! My husband was home and I had to tell him the truth. Yikes! Needless to say, he could only shake his head, and with that stunned look on his face, "Nance I don't know how you do it." Quite frankly, I don't either, it's a talent I have when it comes to gardening!

PS One of our friends took the 2 feet of severed cord and laid it on my pillow later that night--- I guess to wish me sweet, electrifying dreams. Ha!

Gardening 101

Well, the story of a hopeless gardener begins here:
I promised I would write about the ranuculas that I planted with my friend Diane. Well actually that isn't quite true. Let's just say that she is the gardener and I am a great admirer of those who can make things bloom, grow, and tend to garden beautifully. I am a "wannbe gardener" but just don't have the drive, or ambition to do all that labor intensive stuff. Plus, I am not wild about weeds, dirt under my nails, sunburn, fungi, and bugs or creepy crawly things. Then there is the watering, fertilizing and weather to worry about. I guess it comes down to..."it's a lot of work." But I sure love the flowers that God has orchestrated to bloom. So many beautiful blossoms, in every shape and color, with many different perfumes all their own, and all through the year!

Now about those darn ranuculas. Here's the story: About 18 to 20 months ago, I decided to go to our local nursery and pick up some bulbs to plant before the end of fall. Well, I got the tulips planted and for some reason I delayed planting the ranuculas. I think I was actually going to call Diane in Oregon and ask for some pointers about where and when to plant them. Well, I never called her and so my ranuculas just sat in the garage for a season or two. Then Diane and her husband came for a visit recently, right after we had cleaned out the garage and I set those ranuculas in plain view to get planted while Diane was here. Oh, one more thing: I had decided they needed to be frozen in the freezer section of the refrigerator in order to get them to bloom, so for about 2-3 weeks I had put them in my freezer. Okay, when Diane heard everything I had done to those poor ranuculas she cracked up! It turns out they should have been planted right away and you should never freeze them. Well how would I know that? Anyway, we went to the local nursery and they said you can try and plant them and see what happens...so my dear sweet friend Diane, did just that. She planted them in less than 5 minutes and told me to be sure they get water..."yes ma'am!" That was about 2 weeks ago now. So far, nothing has happened, but I sure am hoping. My job is to make sure they get their water. Which I have been pretty good about--which is a surprise even for me. I always start out with good intentions, but then somewhere along the way, I just forget or get too busy. I have my fingers crossed though that those ranuculas are going to bloom just for me. Sure hope so. So for the novice gardener: first rule of the green thumb...plant your flowers right away, that way no one will laugh at you 2 years later.

That ends the tale of the ranuculas for now, but check out my next escapade in gardening that I did last Friday. It was a "spark"ling performance to say the least.

Here's the Latest

Okay, I recognize that it is already mid-April and I haven't posted anything yet this month, but between filing TAXES(ugh), visiting doctors about foot and knee surgery, wonderful friends visiting from Oregon, hosting the food for our Sunday School class, facilitating one bible study and participating in another, planting Ranuculas (ha! my friend Diane will get a kick out of that... I will write about that in my next blog) and wine tasting, well let's just say, "I've been busy." Oh I know I am not as busy as my daughters, the young moms that they are, chasing little ones around, hosting and leading bible studies, surviving construction at one house with a newborn eating around the clock, and enduring weather changes, but hey I am busy. It's the nice kind of busy though...the kind where you pretty much can go at your own pace throughout the day to get ready for something else that's fun and entertaining.

We have had a great time with our good friends Diane and Ron who gave us a quick call and said they were coming down from Oregon for some rest and relaxation, oh and yes to play board and card games, and go geocaching with us! Hooray! It's the best kind of company, no hassle, just friendship, fun, and easy going. Needless to say, we always realize how blessed we are to know them and share memories, and catch up on what's going on with each other. And as always we realize how much we miss everyone in Oregon and are hoping to find time to get there up soon and see all those sweet faces.

Now about the doctors. Apparently last August when I had a pretty ugly fall off my bike going at a high rate of speed and needing to stop suddenly, I managed to cause some unhealthy damage (is there any other kind?) to my right foot and knee. I kept thinking I just need to stay off it long enough to let it heal, but unfortunately the pain in my knee especially has not diminished and at times it can worsen. So...here's the diagnosis and prescription: My knee has a torn meniscus, lots of arthirtis, and the kneecap pulls to the outside and is not sitting center. There may be a torn ACL, but they will not do anything about that (apparently I am too old and not an athlete, geez I thought I was young and quite athletic (not!). Through orthroscopic surgery the doctor will remove the torn meniscus, ease a ligament on the outside to move the patella (knee cap) back to center, and that's about it. This is going to be done asap. We are awaiting insurance approval. The recovery is quick, although the first 3-4 days I will be in pain, but able to walk on it right away with a cane, and then in about a month I will go through physical therapy.

My foot joint, the big one below the big toe, is shattered and has a bunion and bone spur. So in 2-3 months I will have foot surgery to do a partial to full joint replacement and bunionectomy...yes that's what it's called a bunionectomy. This will also entail a titanium implant. (Will I be worth any money? I dunno' know). This recovery is going to drive me crazy because I will be in a cast for a minimum of 3-4 weeks with only the possibility of a partial walking cast. Yikes! Since I will not be allowed to put any weight on the foot in that first month I will be required to use crutches or a walker, neither of which is particularly appealing to me. However, the very worse part is that since this is my right foot I will be unable to drive for the entire time my foot is in the cast and I will be house bound unless friends have mercy on me...which they already plan to do, but ya', know it's hard being dependent on others for getting you around. After the cast is removed I will again need physical therapy and then I will have a leg and foot that are like brand spanking new. I am really okay about all of this because I live in an age where these things are repairable and we have the insurance to cover all of this. Praise God! Okay, I know this is a lot of information to take in, but I just wanted you to know what I've been up to and where I am going to be for the next few months...which is home, home alot! Just an FYI my dialing finger still works and works well, so look out if I am bored silly recovering. I may just call you and ask you to talk to me so I don't go stir crazy. Hope you don't mind. Stay well and for goodness sakes, make sure you have health insurance and don't pick up the phone if it's me unless you have lots of time on your hands too. Love, N.

A Sweet Friend

Well if you wonder why I haven't blogged in a while let's just say I have had other more important items to attend to as I am sure many of you could relate. Last week a sweet friend named Sue, suddenly became gravely ill to the point we weren't sure if she was going to celebrate Easter with us here on earth or with her Savior in heaven! A simple bladder infection that went undetected then infected a kidney which in turn released toxins into her blood stream, then dropped her blood pressure to a very dangerous level. The hospital staff not paying closer attention to her complaints of having a hard time breathing left her struggling and in cardiac failure! Praise God an "on call" doctor sounded the alarm and my poor friend heard the doctor outside her door, barking orders and saying, "I've got a patient crashing here!" The next day I managed to sneak in a quick visit and other than the stress of the hospital atmosphere my friend was on the mend. On Saturday she finally went home, and yesterday, Easter Sunday, I gave her a call and we talked for a while about the experience. Besides saying the whole thing " was surreal" my dear, sweet friend, said, "do you realize just two days ago I almost died?" Yes! I knew she had been gravely ill and how quickly it had all come to be. We had met her and her husband for dinner only four days before then suddenly it looked like our time together was going to end! Many prayers were then offered by those in our Sunday School Class who also know and love Sue. Now she is home from the hospital and taking it easy for next 10 days or so, and looks like there will be no long lasting side effects! Alleluia!

This is the second Easter in a row that I have had a friend arrive home from the hospital after nearly being called home to heaven. Praise our loving Father who hears the pleas and prayers of his children and grants loved ones more days on this earth with those who selfishly love them and want them to remain with us! We have such a generous heavenly Father who even gave up his only begotten son, so that we would know the love and the glory of being in God's presence. I am blessed beyond belief when I realize how kind my loving Father is to me. Twice in a year He has spared me the grief of losing someone, a dear friend, I love. My sweet friend Sue, is in my life for a while longer, praise God and MY SWEET FRIEND IN HEAVEN, El Shaddai is in my life for always! Thank you LORD! I love you all dear readers, but most especially I love my generous, loving, Heavenly, Father!

I Love Worship Music

One of my most favorite blessings I think the LORD has given us is music. What a way to see how much He loves us and what a way for us to express our love for Him! Ever since I can remember I have loved singing, at the top of my lungs sometimes. Nothing gets me cranked up better in the morning than to put on my worship music and sing. (My husband bought me an iPod with the speaker system dock which I have placed in the kitchen). As I prepare my breakfast and before I read my bible and fellowship with the LORD I gotta' put my music on. Then it's just Him and me. Really quite lovely.

In December, I watched a special about Ruth Bell Graham and ordered the DVD on her life. It's sort of a documentary with clips of her in conversation with interviewers, her husband, and her children and friends. I have come to admire this woman greatly and my plan is to end up as wonderful a servant as she was, although I have a long, long way to go. (Well at least, it's something to aim for.) In any event, on the DVD is Fernando Ortega singing, Give Me Jesus, apparently a favorite of Ruth's and now one of mine. I bought the CD of Ortega's with that song and play it every morning on my iPod. But that particular song is at the end of the CD and there are 10 other great songs preceding it. The very first song is the one I hear initially every day now and I think it is a great way to start your day so I am attaching it for your to hear. It's titled, This Good Day, and makes me just want to get up, dance, and PRAISE God! Enjoy!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gK6D31c7oL8

Another aside: Fernando Ortega often tours with Ruth's daughter, Anne Graham Lott.

Danger! Check Your Marriage!

Well today I received a dismal email from a friend who has informed me her marriage is dissolving and they are filing for divorce. Now here's the thing: this couple has been married longer than we have ...probably close to 40 years! We are dearly grieved and in shock because you would think that after surviving all the major hurdles of learning each others triggers, raising a family, financial strains, work schedules etc. that this time in their lives would be easier and more restful. Not so! The enemy obviously has been hard at work as they seem unable to forgive, forget and practice self-control...holding their tongues and guarding their thoughts.
I just researched some interesting data at this web site
http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_dira.htm and unfortunately Christian marriages may actually be more vulnerable to divorce that other groups. Now I am sure there are other sites and studies that would dispute this finding, but the reason for this particular blog (other than to vent my frustration and sadness) is simply to point out that no matter how long you have been married, how old you are, how well you know scripture or the LORD, how wealthy, how anything, protecting your marriage is done with due diligence. Stay vigilante and make sure you and your spouse are on the same page the majority of the time. Talk openly, clear the air, don't let issues simmer and grow. I know for us, that what my spouse and I have learned most of all is true forgiveness, and true self-control of our actions and tongue is something that must be practiced on a daily, sometimes minute by minute basis.
Easy? Hardly! Doable? Only with the grace of God and His Holy Power!
So as a loving friend, or relative to you my reader, please do me a favor today...talk with your spouse. Take your marriage's pulse, blood pressure, and temperature. Never take it for granted! Please. I am heartbroken for this couple that I love and I can't imagine what their adult children are feeling. We are praying for them, have offered our assistance, and we know that the LORD can do all things, so we can always hope for changed hearts. Thanks for reading this. Now, this minute, remember all the wonderful things about your spouse that made you decide to marry him and immediately go tell your spouse how much you love and appreciate him!