Must be my day to blog. It sure is good to be home after another week in NC. I love to be with the kids. . Paul and Kaylene as well as the boys. .. but it's good to be back.
Speaking of home, it occurred to me today that I really need to write about what you should know when I die. We have been having a wonderful Sunday school class on death and dying, and one of the recurring themes is hope. .. and how hopelessness is one of the most painful things endured by hospice patients. And I want to be sure you know where my very CERTAIN hope is.
I have been planning my funeral for a long time (and the plan is written down in my Bible as well as in a document on my computer in case you need to find it). I really can't wait to go. I will see Grandma Beetham and dance with her and Grandpa. I know Grandpa Henderson will be there, and my Mom. Of course Laura and Karin will be waiting with open arms. And most wonderful of all, Jesus will enfold me with the greatest love of all. I have no fear of passing into any and all of their arms. And I want my funeral to reflect the joy that I will be having while others are grieving.
Oh, I know, there will be those who find my absence very sad, and will miss me. But I want them to know that I will be much happier to be gone. My prayer is that I will have supplied them well with love, and they will know that I care very much about them and they will remember me that way. And I think of my Mom and Grandma before they died and how they wished to leave here and be home with the Lord. As much as I miss them, I wouldn't wish them back from that. And I think of Laura and all the blessings she left behind her and the good memories and joy she filled our lives with. I hope my life will be as joyful and a blessing to others.
So. .. . please understand why my funeral will have joyful songs of heaven, and know that I will be singing "
Agnus Dei" with you. .. but from the throne of Jesus. And do not weep for me. If you must weep for yourself, feel free. I am so sorry I can't hug you and dry your tears. But I will be much happier in heaven!!
Sunday, July 22, 2012
One is silver and the other gold
I've been thinking a lot lately about the old Girl Scout song. .. "Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other gold." And this weekend has just reinforced it!!
I got a phone call a couple weeks ago from an old High School buddy. Pam and I went to different schools, but did a lot together through church and have always stayed in touch. For a lark, a number of years back, we went back to our old church camp town. . .but this time we hit the wineries close by. And I took her to NYC for her first time. . . it was a ton of fun seeing her reaction to the drivers, the skaters, the buildings, and the rapid pace. She remarried recently and I've never met her new hubby and they will be in DC on business once a month for the foreseeable future. I am thrilled and really looking forward to it as we always have a ton of fun together.
Today, my best friend in HS called me. She had spent the weekend in our old home town (I couldn't be there due to other commitments) and was giving me the report on her way home. We sure had a lot to catch up on. She'll always be "Lenke" to me, and I had a pretty good guess who was on the line when she greeted me with "Ida Louuuuuu".
And yesterday I had a good chat with my dear friend from Greene now in Tennessee. To say that Karen and I are close. . .well, in Sunday School class today we were talking about death and dying and the importance for being there when someone passes. And I thought of her constant prayers and support through all of Laura's illness. I don't remember her being with us in the ICU waiting room. . . but she was. In fact I don't remember much of that waiting room at all except the misery. We were talking a couple years later after I was there with another friend, and I mentioned that I didn't remember it had an attached bathroom. . that's when she reminded me she had been there most of the time. I suppose it will be like that when we meet Jesus in heaven. We'll say, "Lord, did you know. . ." and He'll say, "I know. . I was there all the time.
And then there are the new friends. I was killing time in the fabric store waiting for a phone decision on curtain fabric for Paul and Kaylene. "Are you a quilter?" the sweet young thing asked as I browsed the quality cottons.
"Occasionally. Why?"
"I'm getting ready to make my first quilt and I need 10 fabrics. Can you help me?" And a delightful half hour ensued with us cruising the aisles together, and my tutorial on quilting terms, color choices, print sizes, etc. And as God would have it, it turned out she is an environmental studies person with an interest in volunteering on some of the same things I do. I sure hope Hannah uses the email address I gave her to get back to me and share the quilt top when she has it done. And for sure, I hope to see her at a Stream Watch or Master Naturalist function as of course, I gave her all the contact info for those programs, too.
Yep - - one is silver and the other gold. It's getting to the point that most of my "old" friends are silver now. . . but they are all treasure to me. I'm one of the only people I know who can call a wrong number and talk for half an hour. They are all dear. What a blessing!!!
Thank you for being my friend.
I got a phone call a couple weeks ago from an old High School buddy. Pam and I went to different schools, but did a lot together through church and have always stayed in touch. For a lark, a number of years back, we went back to our old church camp town. . .but this time we hit the wineries close by. And I took her to NYC for her first time. . . it was a ton of fun seeing her reaction to the drivers, the skaters, the buildings, and the rapid pace. She remarried recently and I've never met her new hubby and they will be in DC on business once a month for the foreseeable future. I am thrilled and really looking forward to it as we always have a ton of fun together.
Today, my best friend in HS called me. She had spent the weekend in our old home town (I couldn't be there due to other commitments) and was giving me the report on her way home. We sure had a lot to catch up on. She'll always be "Lenke" to me, and I had a pretty good guess who was on the line when she greeted me with "Ida Louuuuuu".
And yesterday I had a good chat with my dear friend from Greene now in Tennessee. To say that Karen and I are close. . .well, in Sunday School class today we were talking about death and dying and the importance for being there when someone passes. And I thought of her constant prayers and support through all of Laura's illness. I don't remember her being with us in the ICU waiting room. . . but she was. In fact I don't remember much of that waiting room at all except the misery. We were talking a couple years later after I was there with another friend, and I mentioned that I didn't remember it had an attached bathroom. . that's when she reminded me she had been there most of the time. I suppose it will be like that when we meet Jesus in heaven. We'll say, "Lord, did you know. . ." and He'll say, "I know. . I was there all the time.
And then there are the new friends. I was killing time in the fabric store waiting for a phone decision on curtain fabric for Paul and Kaylene. "Are you a quilter?" the sweet young thing asked as I browsed the quality cottons.
"Occasionally. Why?"
"I'm getting ready to make my first quilt and I need 10 fabrics. Can you help me?" And a delightful half hour ensued with us cruising the aisles together, and my tutorial on quilting terms, color choices, print sizes, etc. And as God would have it, it turned out she is an environmental studies person with an interest in volunteering on some of the same things I do. I sure hope Hannah uses the email address I gave her to get back to me and share the quilt top when she has it done. And for sure, I hope to see her at a Stream Watch or Master Naturalist function as of course, I gave her all the contact info for those programs, too.
Yep - - one is silver and the other gold. It's getting to the point that most of my "old" friends are silver now. . . but they are all treasure to me. I'm one of the only people I know who can call a wrong number and talk for half an hour. They are all dear. What a blessing!!!
Thank you for being my friend.
Monday, June 25, 2012
Camp Fun - May 2012
PHEW!! What a month!! Is it over yet?
Have you been looking forward to 'retirement'?? Plans to put your feet up?? Try this on for size. . .
June 1 Teaching Bible class. (And I love that God has called me to it.)
June 2 Table at the annual "Clean the Bay Day". . and oh, by the way, help clean up a homeless shelter we found as well. Then off to BBQ with good friends and see Steve Martin at the Pavilion. . . GREAT FUN!
June 3 Church. . . and family fun
June 3-4 At Tangier Island learning about the Chesapeake Bay, crabbing, etc
June 6 Unpack. Dentist to FINALLY get missing crown fixed. oh, oh. . needs extra work!
June 7 Dentist in AM, delightful spring quilter's luncheon and then to friends for wonderful dinner
June 8 Teaching Bible Class. . . last one for the summer! And the original Paul Swenson arrives for the weekend of golf with John they look forward to all year.
June 9 Table and help at Lake M fishing day for little kids. Then play with my sister-in-law who came over for the golf tournament dinner
June 10 Nurse wounded golfers in AM before church, then play with Janet and Dick after. . . but WAIT! Keys locked in their car, shuttling swimmers, and finally home just in time to go to Newcomers' picnic because I have a guest!!
June 11 Podiatrist appointment and Bible study. . .but I need this day to get ready for the next one!!
June 12 Teach workshop I've never done before on Project Wild's new HS/MS curriculum. Then go to Circle salad supper.
June 13 Teach at a watershed camp in Scottsville. . .nice kids! Pack to go to Greensboro.
June 14-15 Delightful two days with grandsons. . and their Mom and Dad. . .swimming in motel pool, playing, but wait. .. . Grandpa is sick and can't play while Grandma gives Mom and Dad some time off.
June 16 Decorate room for VBS. Happy Birthday, Kaylene
June 17 Happy Father's Day. Planning for VBS. . . like crazy since I'm doing extras!
June 18 VBS begins. . .I teach fifth grade class with three fabulous helpers, but also doing the opening assembly stunts as 'Anaconda Ida'. Setting up plans for subs (Takes three to replace me!)
June 19 Go to Richmond to testify against our outrageous water company!! Making connections to start a state wide campaign to control them.
June 20 Back to VBS. Board of Directors (LMOA) in evening
June 21 V BS
June 22 VBS Gotta clean up from it! And then a party at 4 PM. And then another at 6 PM and dinner out
June 23 Miss the BBQ festival in our county so I can table at the mussel festival (no eating. . just saving them!) Figure it would be nice to have groceries in house, then rush home to run to sister-in-law's for birthday cake for Uncle Paul and Aunt Janet, rook with all John's sibs and Mom, then fabulous production of 1776 - the musical- at UVA. Sitting two rows behind President Sullivan (and if you have followed UVA news, you know that's a big deal!)
June 24 Do reading of scripture in today's Church service. . .Romans 8:18-30. Gives me great hope!! Great fun back at sister-in-laws' trying to save the world from 'Pandemic'. . .this game is played at least one-three times a day by John and I. Just think what I could get done if we didn't have to play so much!!
And that gets me to today. . . Hair at 11, then planning meeting in streams for one class next year in our Master Naturalist course. But should be a fun day. Got the copperhead started toward preservation this AM. (Claimed him/her on Sat. He was killed on the path we were using to the river.) Shhh. Only two evening things this week, and three day time things. But Saturday closes the month with big board of directors' doings at the annual meeting!! I hope to reclaim my bedroom and office and batten the hatches for kids coming on July 4.
Looking at all of this causes me to reflect on my life. There are very great riches in all of this. And not nearly enough time for God. Considering how greatly He has blessed John and I, I need to carve out more time for Him. And maybe carve is the wrong word. It implies some kind of cutting into my life, when the rest of my life should be an extension of Him! May God make my life and extension of Himself.
June 1 Teaching Bible class. (And I love that God has called me to it.)
June 2 Table at the annual "Clean the Bay Day". . and oh, by the way, help clean up a homeless shelter we found as well. Then off to BBQ with good friends and see Steve Martin at the Pavilion. . . GREAT FUN!
June 3 Church. . . and family fun
June 3-4 At Tangier Island learning about the Chesapeake Bay, crabbing, etc
June 6 Unpack. Dentist to FINALLY get missing crown fixed. oh, oh. . needs extra work!
June 7 Dentist in AM, delightful spring quilter's luncheon and then to friends for wonderful dinner
June 8 Teaching Bible Class. . . last one for the summer! And the original Paul Swenson arrives for the weekend of golf with John they look forward to all year.
June 9 Table and help at Lake M fishing day for little kids. Then play with my sister-in-law who came over for the golf tournament dinner
June 10 Nurse wounded golfers in AM before church, then play with Janet and Dick after. . . but WAIT! Keys locked in their car, shuttling swimmers, and finally home just in time to go to Newcomers' picnic because I have a guest!!
June 11 Podiatrist appointment and Bible study. . .but I need this day to get ready for the next one!!
June 12 Teach workshop I've never done before on Project Wild's new HS/MS curriculum. Then go to Circle salad supper.
June 13 Teach at a watershed camp in Scottsville. . .nice kids! Pack to go to Greensboro.
June 14-15 Delightful two days with grandsons. . and their Mom and Dad. . .swimming in motel pool, playing, but wait. .. . Grandpa is sick and can't play while Grandma gives Mom and Dad some time off.
June 16 Decorate room for VBS. Happy Birthday, Kaylene
June 17 Happy Father's Day. Planning for VBS. . . like crazy since I'm doing extras!
June 18 VBS begins. . .I teach fifth grade class with three fabulous helpers, but also doing the opening assembly stunts as 'Anaconda Ida'. Setting up plans for subs (Takes three to replace me!)
June 19 Go to Richmond to testify against our outrageous water company!! Making connections to start a state wide campaign to control them.
June 20 Back to VBS. Board of Directors (LMOA) in evening
June 21 V BS
June 22 VBS Gotta clean up from it! And then a party at 4 PM. And then another at 6 PM and dinner out
June 23 Miss the BBQ festival in our county so I can table at the mussel festival (no eating. . just saving them!) Figure it would be nice to have groceries in house, then rush home to run to sister-in-law's for birthday cake for Uncle Paul and Aunt Janet, rook with all John's sibs and Mom, then fabulous production of 1776 - the musical- at UVA. Sitting two rows behind President Sullivan (and if you have followed UVA news, you know that's a big deal!)
June 24 Do reading of scripture in today's Church service. . .Romans 8:18-30. Gives me great hope!! Great fun back at sister-in-laws' trying to save the world from 'Pandemic'. . .this game is played at least one-three times a day by John and I. Just think what I could get done if we didn't have to play so much!!
And that gets me to today. . . Hair at 11, then planning meeting in streams for one class next year in our Master Naturalist course. But should be a fun day. Got the copperhead started toward preservation this AM. (Claimed him/her on Sat. He was killed on the path we were using to the river.) Shhh. Only two evening things this week, and three day time things. But Saturday closes the month with big board of directors' doings at the annual meeting!! I hope to reclaim my bedroom and office and batten the hatches for kids coming on July 4.
Looking at all of this causes me to reflect on my life. There are very great riches in all of this. And not nearly enough time for God. Considering how greatly He has blessed John and I, I need to carve out more time for Him. And maybe carve is the wrong word. It implies some kind of cutting into my life, when the rest of my life should be an extension of Him! May God make my life and extension of Himself.
Monday, May 21, 2012
You know the feeling. . . a song worm. There are tunes and words that get into your head and no matter how you try, you just can't get them out? This song from my childhood camp days came into my head a week as go as we studied John 12 in our Monday night Bible study. It reminded me again that often we are discouraged because we are beset by storms in our lives, but at the same time God can use those storms to grow something for His kindgom. And no matter how fruitless a task may seem to be, if God blesses it, is for greater glory.
I hope this song blesses you. If you go to the link at the bottom of the page, you can hear the tune that goes with it. . . and you, too, will have a song worm in your head. (Let's hear it for helminthology!!!)
Kristian Ostergaard (1855-1931) (Den Sag er aldrig i Verden tabt); translated from Danish to English byJens C. Aaberg (1877-1970)
That cause can never be lost nor stayed
Which takes the course of what God has made;
And is not trusting in walls and towers,
But slowly growing from seeds to flowers.
Each noble service that men have wrought
Was first conceived as a fruitful thought;
Each worthy cause with a future glorious
By quietly growing becomes victorious.
Thereby itself like a tree it shows:
That high it reaches, as deep it grows;
And when the storms are its branches shaking,
It deeper root in the soil is taking.
Be then no more by a storm dismayed,
For by it the full grown seeds are laid;
And though the tree by its might it shatters,
What then, if thousands of seeds it scatters?
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/t/c/tccnblns.htm
I hope this song blesses you. If you go to the link at the bottom of the page, you can hear the tune that goes with it. . . and you, too, will have a song worm in your head. (Let's hear it for helminthology!!!)
Kristian Ostergaard (1855-1931) (Den Sag er aldrig i Verden tabt); translated from Danish to English byJens C. Aaberg (1877-1970)
That cause can never be lost nor stayed
Which takes the course of what God has made;
And is not trusting in walls and towers,
But slowly growing from seeds to flowers.
Each noble service that men have wrought
Was first conceived as a fruitful thought;
Each worthy cause with a future glorious
By quietly growing becomes victorious.
Thereby itself like a tree it shows:
That high it reaches, as deep it grows;
And when the storms are its branches shaking,
It deeper root in the soil is taking.
Be then no more by a storm dismayed,
For by it the full grown seeds are laid;
And though the tree by its might it shatters,
What then, if thousands of seeds it scatters?
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/t/c/tccnblns.htm
Monday, May 14, 2012
Super Grandma!!
Who has the smile that never goes sour?
Who is the one who can make up a rhyme
At any old place, at any old time?
Who is the one who will cook and bake
And take you swimming in her big old lake?
SUPER GRANDMA!!!
What does one do with the earrings a 2 and 4 year old chose for you for Christmas? What do you do with the gorgeous walking stick your dear friend gives you? or the mask someone else was getting rid of??? And how do you pique the imaginations and reach out to those same 2 and 4 year olds??? Why. . .you put them all on and become SUPER GRANDMA!!! And every super hero needs a rhyme or some catchy saying. . .right?? Voila!! You have it!
Sunday, January 1, 2012
NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS
For years I have encouraged my Sunday School students to write New Year resolutions. And I used to encourage my science students to do the same. A long time ago, I read that it was one of the common attributes of highly successful people that they not only write them, but that they share them with others. . to gain more accountability for them. So, here are my resolutions for 2012. May I say I am not doing well on them already, but you'll see that I have at least one on the way.
1. JOURNAL! This is really not a good resolution because it doesn't say anything about how much, when, or anything else. So I'll revise it to "Keep a prayer, praise and poetry journal with at least one entry a week."
2. Read the Bible through. This resolution I've managed to keep for several other years. . but mostly when I was working. My self-discipline has absolutely gone to pot since I retired, but nothing like resolutions to help promote some!
3. Do Aerobic exercise 5 times a week, and strength training at least three times a week.
4. Blog once a week! Now this one can be similar to the first goal, but it's very much different. They both involve writing, but the purpose of blogging is to provide my own thoughts, not the troubles of others. . and certainly not my most private thoughts. (Much as I love you, dear reader, there are some things that just are none of your business!)
And along with these daily/weekly resolutions, I also have made a long list of goals that are once and done!! And some of these are things that have needed done for years. . but in the interest of trying to be more accountable, here is an almost complete list:
1. Bedroom and Living room drapes
2. Paint the bedroom
3. Sort my jewelry
4. Get a color consultation (Had this done years ago, but with my 'new' hair color and aging skin, it's time do it again.)
5. Clean out my closet based on the color consultation.
6. Sort, shred, dump as many of my folks remaining files as I can.
7. Finish the ultimate sibling presents.
8. Photograph and record all family heirloom things before I forget.
9. Make my coma/funeral/etc CD
10. Sell the remaining quilts
11. Gifts for Yi, Jing, Karen L
12. Shorten pants
13. Abram quilt
14. P and K quilt
15. Tree skirt
16. Remodel "my room"
Hmm. I think I'm wasting my time here, now. What do you think? I've had folks who are amazed at what I get done. . once in a while I'm amazed, too, but to be honest there is a huge amount of time I waste. Maybe if I spent time watching TV, playing on the computer, and fussing with emails, I'd have more time to accomplish these resolutions. Notice, I didn't put "Stop playing computer games" on the resolution list. We'll see what the Lord can help me do.
Let me know how your resolutions are coming along! And feel free to ask me about mine.
Happy New Year!!
1. JOURNAL! This is really not a good resolution because it doesn't say anything about how much, when, or anything else. So I'll revise it to "Keep a prayer, praise and poetry journal with at least one entry a week."
2. Read the Bible through. This resolution I've managed to keep for several other years. . but mostly when I was working. My self-discipline has absolutely gone to pot since I retired, but nothing like resolutions to help promote some!
3. Do Aerobic exercise 5 times a week, and strength training at least three times a week.
4. Blog once a week! Now this one can be similar to the first goal, but it's very much different. They both involve writing, but the purpose of blogging is to provide my own thoughts, not the troubles of others. . and certainly not my most private thoughts. (Much as I love you, dear reader, there are some things that just are none of your business!)
And along with these daily/weekly resolutions, I also have made a long list of goals that are once and done!! And some of these are things that have needed done for years. . but in the interest of trying to be more accountable, here is an almost complete list:
1. Bedroom and Living room drapes
2. Paint the bedroom
3. Sort my jewelry
4. Get a color consultation (Had this done years ago, but with my 'new' hair color and aging skin, it's time do it again.)
5. Clean out my closet based on the color consultation.
6. Sort, shred, dump as many of my folks remaining files as I can.
7. Finish the ultimate sibling presents.
8. Photograph and record all family heirloom things before I forget.
9. Make my coma/funeral/etc CD
10. Sell the remaining quilts
11. Gifts for Yi, Jing, Karen L
12. Shorten pants
13. Abram quilt
14. P and K quilt
15. Tree skirt
16. Remodel "my room"
Hmm. I think I'm wasting my time here, now. What do you think? I've had folks who are amazed at what I get done. . once in a while I'm amazed, too, but to be honest there is a huge amount of time I waste. Maybe if I spent time watching TV, playing on the computer, and fussing with emails, I'd have more time to accomplish these resolutions. Notice, I didn't put "Stop playing computer games" on the resolution list. We'll see what the Lord can help me do.
Let me know how your resolutions are coming along! And feel free to ask me about mine.
Happy New Year!!
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