All the Loves of My Life...

Forty Years Strong...

2010-07-03T09:17:00.000-07:00

July 3, 2010 (lady in background is there to point out we're in Redding, Calif. :)
Today is our 40th anniversary. Fred has, as always, surprised me with a "ruby red" theme for the weekend! A goody bag filled with red treasures including a sweet little ruby ring...especially sweet since I lost my ruby ring when we were robbed last year, and especially because Fred cares so much...

Our trip to Redding has been fun--we visited with our dear friend Marguerite Love from our Sunkist days yesterday in Citrus Heights and our good friends Dick and Shirlee from our Central Bible Church days in Palo Cedro. Dick and Fred both grew up in Costa Mesa and know everything about the good old days there--reminiscing was so special, especially since Dick is very ill and we're not sure what the Lord has in store for him in these next months. What a blessing both of these friends are to us, examples of being positive in the face of trials no matter what. Marguerite's unending practical and grateful spirit, and Dick and Shirlee's tremendous faith and trust in the Lord. Never have we dreamed of such enduring friendship, support and love from these dear people.

Today we're off to see John and Hal, Fred's brothers in Burney and tomorrow we'll visit with Lillian, our red white and blue friend I've known my entire life...in Grass Valley--we're staying at her most wonderful B & B tomorrow night and then will head home on Monday.

I leave this note filled with gratefulness to the Lord for His blessings to my life...expressed so beautifully in this beautiful poem Fred presented me with this morning. Happy Anniversary Honey!

Becky,
We've journeyed together these past forty years
Times filled with joy and some time with tears.
You've been so steady and brought strength to our union
How good it has been to share life's communion.
We knew from the start that God called us as one
And we'd stay together til' our lives are all done.
My beautiful, patient, enduring wife
I'm glad that God drew us as partners for life.
As we look forward to the rest of our days
Let love and forgiveness enhance all our ways.
Now as we journey together as one
Let's honor the Father and His precious Son.
May the Spirit continue to fill us with grace
Until that wonderful day we see face to face
Our beautiful Savior in mansions above
And know even more the depth of His love.

I Have a Daughter...

2010-05-20T06:11:00.000-07:00

Annie and her little Miss Em...
In 1980 when Annie was three, Carole Melvin put together the program for the Mother Daughter Tea at Sunkist. She gave me the words to a song she wrote called "I Have a Daughter." I practiced and practiced, and the plan was Annie would sit in my lap while I rocked her in a rocking chair and sang the song... The only part of the words I remember are, "I have a daughter who's looking to me, as an example of what she should be..." I remember thinking that those words would either come back to haunt me, or I would live up to them. I wasn't at all sure I had what it took to raise a daughter living out the example that God intended me to be for her. Now, as I reflect on her birthday today, I know how I have failed in so many ways. At the same time, I stand amazed that God has given such grace in that the woman that she has become is living out an example to her own very precious and silly little girl, Miss Em. Annie is a Godly woman and tries so hard to do what is right by her family. She is everything I would have wanted to be for her... God is so good, and I am so blessed to have her in my life, as an example now to me, and to those she is privileged to care for. Oh, during the song I sang to her in 1980, she was absolutely adorable, with all those bouncing ringlets, enjoying her moment and the oohs and awws of the audience as she wiggled and squirmed in my lap!

Happy birthday darling Annie.

15 Reasons...

2010-05-18T06:34:00.001-07:00

There are 15 fabulous reasons why I love Miss Penny Jane Martin!
1. She is my firstborn grandchild...and brought peace and joy to her family with her birth...
2. She is unafraid...to sing, to dance, to laugh, to cry...
3. She is willing to share...her locks, her gum, her dolls, her room, her life...
4. She is a submissive daughter...
5. She loves to dance...
6. She loves Jesus...
7. She loves to Praise Him...
8. She is diligent in all her pursuits...
9. She is sweet to her younger brother almost always...
10. She is bright...
11. She loves to read...
12. She accepts "no"...
13. She is full of joy when the answer is "yes"...
14. She cares about old people...
15. She is sweet to her younger cousins...

Happy birthday precious Penny!!!

Happy Mother's Day

2010-05-09T08:46:00.000-07:00

March 23, 2010

Dear Friends, Loved Ones,

I think Mother's Day is an emotional day. Some have lost their mothers that were a constant loving force in their lives. Some had Mom's that were not shining examples of what we believe instinctively that Mom's should be. Some have heartache over not having been blessed with children. Some have lost a child and Mother's Day is a very lonely day. Some are raising their children's children. Some are raising their children alone, without the help of a loving supportive spouse. Some have children who have immeasurably blessed their lives. And some are in the trenches taking care of their little ones with little sleep, doing without, and wonder if they will ever catch up!

Today, I honor my own precious mother, my sister, and all those women, Grandmother's, Aunties, dear friends, cousins, sisters-in-laws, and of course, the four Judith Anne's, who have influenced me so over the years, including my daughters-in-law and my own wonderful daughter, and even my five little (and big) grand-daughters.

I was blessed this morning by listening to this little 7-year old girl, Rhema, who lost her Mama a year ago. She sings her heart out...I hope it blesses you, no matter where your own heart and circumstances are this Mother's Day.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIQl6ygRqhw&feature=related
Love,
Becky

Moorpark Civil War Re-enactment Today

2009-11-08T19:09:00.000-08:00

Penny and Lydia
Daniel and Aaron looking on

Daniel and Aaron looking at the battlefiled

Mr. Lincoln with the kids--wouldn't be complete without him!
Aaron, Daniel
Mandy and Aaron
Penny and Daniel and Grandma
Mandy and Judi and Lydia and Aaron
Spotsylvania Battle at Richmond
My brothers and sister Judi are Civil War buffs, and so it stands to reason we would be drawn into it from time to time. My sister is a great seamstress and made some really pretty (and authentic) dresses for my grand-daughter Penny, her daughter Mandy and her daughter Mandy, and for herself. Today we dressed up and went to the Tierra Rejada Ranch in Moorpark and watched two battle re-enactments, Spotsylvania and Sayler's Creek. My grandson Daniel and Judi's grandson Aaron really liked it and had to hold their ears for the noise. It's amazing to see such huge crowds that do this. It was a really fun experience.

Halloween's Past and Present

2009-11-01T10:59:00.001-08:00

Freddy's Family with Uncle Bob & Aunt Judy
Jonathan being greeted by Grammy
Emily
Penny
Freddy's Daniel
Annie's Garrett and Emily, Freddy's Penny
Annie's little Garrett Elmo
Twins scary masks
Come in my pretty...

Bob and I were chatting about Halloween's past and how we would dress. It's different today! Parents purchase all manner of paraphernalia to get the costumes just right. Bob and I, and our siblings, would make our costumes...sometimes out of paper grocery sacks. Usually my brothers were Indians, or hobos, or cowboys, and my sister was often a gypsy. I remember being done up as a black mammy, complete with face paint, lipstick, a rayon 50's navy blue dress with white polka dots, and a red bandana tied around my head and shiny gold hoop earings. And as unbelievable as that may sound, I wasn't the only one dressed that way at the school carnival parade. Later, we would raid Dad's closet and put on a white dress shirt and a tie, blue jeans, and I would dress like a "teenager" of the 50's... that may not seem so unusual, except that it WAS the fifties, and that IS how teenagers dressed then! Then we'd take our paper grocery sacks and head out to the sidewalks and with THRONGS of kids go door to door, WITHOUT our parents. Our older brother and sister would head out and not stay with us... then when we got home (LATE, because you couldn't trick or treat until it turned dark outside), our candy would all be spilled out on the living room floor and the older siblings would take their favorite candy from us. We didn't mind--and we got it all eaten in just a few days. Oh how I wish there had been pictures taken!

There were many neighbors who did the most amazing haunted houses, and we would be terrified to go up to the door. Some neighborhood Halloween parties took place as well and they included bobbing for apples, noisemakers, candy, and apple cider. Later in the 70's and 80's Fred would always have our youth groups put on "Un-Haunted" houses, and Harvest parties to be sure we think of Fall as a time of bounty, harvest, and God's supply. During our early Colorado years, we went on lots of hay rides, and soon after starting at Arizona Bible College, we hiked out in the desert one Halloween with our fellow students and sat along a brick wall that was a ruin...it was very scary, complete with one student getting bit by a white tarantula and she had to be taken to the hospital!

This year, I look at how Halloween is celebrated with our kids--it's clearly different than when we were young, but the basics are the same--little kids dress up in costumes and go trick or treating. I couldn't help but wish I could have seen Isaac's kids in their little Alaska community doing their thing (I'll post their pictures when I get them...) but we had so much fun with Annie's and Freddy's families coming over for the traditional chili soup supper and then heading out for the various stops they have to make to visit grandparents and families and friends on both sides of their families.

One of the stops is to Uncle Bob and Aunt Judy's for the scary stories Aunt Judy tells and then Uncle Bob always disappears and then comes out at the appropriate point in the story dressed to SCARE! I decided to dress up as the wicked queen in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and show up at Bob and Judy's and ring the doorbell. It was a blast and fun to completely surprise everyone. Here are some of the photos...

In it Together...

2009-10-24T18:41:00.000-07:00

I had such a nice evening last night--I was invited to join 8 women to welcome two new youth pastor's wives to our church...it was a lovely pot luck dinner at the children's director's gorgeous home out in Simi Valley. Each woman shared how God had led them, how they met their husbands, and what their passion is--for the Lord, for their lives. I was struck how although we each have our own very unique story--a common thread runs through all of our lives--a story of a JOURNEY and of a sure CALLING. I love to tell the story of God's call on my life. I would never have responded to His call had it not been that I fell in love with a young man headed for the ministry. And to this very day, he is serving the Lord, all out, full on, sold out, and to the finish. The first 25 years were so different than these last 16. The first, I was working right along beside him and the churches we served got "two for the price of one!" These recent years I have been working at a career, but not for myself, rather so that he is free to serve in the unique field that he is in. His stories are amazing, heart-breaking, and often miraculous. And I am there for him to come home to and to know that all is well--we're in it together, and we're in it to the finish.

Whoopie!

2009-10-16T11:21:00.000-07:00

Anyone who has known me for very long know that I used to be a skinny person. Until about 45 years old, which was a long time ago now. Not being skinny was somewhat of a shock to me. Never having had to think about what I ate or exercize before, I did nothing about the "new me." To make a long story short, five weeks ago I decided it was time to change. I said my goal was to strengthen my core, not to lose weight. Well a complete reversal in habits has proven to me that you can teach an old dog new tricks--although I had serious doubt that would be possible for me, not to mention the added motivation of aging rapidly, deteriorating joints, various kinds of arthitis, AND, on top of it all, having become "pre-diabetic."

Today I had an experience I thought I would share with my blogging family. Keep in mind, to date, I'm very diligently building up my "core," and I've been eating right for the first time in my life.

Falling off the wagon--Whoopie!

So today I decide I'm going to not eat bkfst at home (I usually eat yogurt, granola and fruit, or fruit and an egg) but to stop at my favorite Corner Bakery on the way in and splurge on the cold oatmeal w/yogurt and chopped apples cup that I like and then have some mocha coffee with non fat milk and no whip as an extra splurge. When I got there they had these new cookies called "Whoopies." There are two kinds: chocolate with a vanilla frosting in between two layers of cookie, and pumpkin with a vanilla looking frosting in between. It was the pumpkin that got me. I HAD to buy one and thought I'd share it with my colleagues when I got in to work, but just have a tiny little taste, just in case it was something I'd need to make for the holidays--you know, for practical reasons. Needless to say, I had downed it before my oatmeal takeout was ready. It was the most yummy thing I've put in my face in months. Of course, I have absolutely no clue as to how far back that thing will set me on my new weight loss and body-building/shaping kick I'm on. I'll know more about that tomorrow when I meet with BRIDGETT, the six-foot perfect specimen of health and bone thin fitness person. Oy.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

2009-10-11T08:26:00.000-07:00

My Dad turned 87 today. In typical Wallace Family style, we gathered about 35 family members together and gave him gifts and angel food cake with strawberries and cream. There was lots of talking, laughter, reminiscing, story-telling, children running and playing, looking at old photos, and cheers for the latest triumph of one or another. All because of one man, and the love he gave to his extended family, his beloved wife, children, and grandchildren over so many, many years.

Recently I've been sorting through mountains of their old photos. I was struck by how amazingly handsome a man he was, and still is in so many ways. My brother Bob and I were looking a batch of old tree job pictures--not only was he handsome, he was strong. There are photos of him 60, 80, 120 feet in the air suspended by ropes, spurs and massive chain saws swinging behind him. Amazing to see him braced in an enormous eucalyptus tree sawing through branches five times his girth, at just the right angle, tying ropes to the log so it could be brought down without taking him with it or injuring anyone on the ground. The City of Los Angeles called him a "tree surgeon"... and it is obvious when looking at the photos what kind of skill, as well as bravery, it took.

That was my dad. Skilled and brave.

I recently read through a journal I wrote years ago about my own life, a history of events and thoughts, beliefs, and values. Woven throughout are things I've learned from my dad and my feelings about him. He gave me so much...what I think about and do today originated with him. The greatest gift he gave to me was his unconditional and sacrificial love for me. He truly was, and is, the "Jesus with skin on" that I needed as a child. He opened the door for my own beliefs and a knowledge that God as my Father in Heaven loves me, no matter how far I may stray from Him. Like my earthly daddy, His door is always open to welcome me home. He didn't have to tell me, he demonstrated it. And I knew it.

Today my dad isn't so strong anymore and he's not remembering everything. Now I open his door with a key. But when I unlock the door of my childhood home and come in, I hear those sweet words that will forever ring in my ears, "Well hello Sweetheart! How's my little dolly today? Doesn't she look like a million bucks Mama?"

Summer Vacation!

2009-09-03T14:29:00.000-07:00

Cheri, Becky, Nita
Isaac reunited with his girls
Happy Birthday Jolie!
Lego Capital! Emmy, Jonathan, Daniel
Legoland Ride
Legoland!
Baby Tess
Penny & Phia
Stairsteps
Grandma & Jolie Ruth
Sophia
Phia, Emmy, Jolie at church
All swim!
The last three weeks went by amazingly fast! Katie and the girls arrived from Alaska on the 28th and stayed for two weeks. It was so wonderful to watch all the kids playing together as we gathered for various family activities. We just missed Isaac who stayed behind to get started in the new school year in Thorne Bay. During the two weeks Fred had surgery on his eyes--for drooping eyelids--it was pretty horrendous as far as how bruised and stitched up he was! He was a patient "patient" while the healing took placed and he stayed home for two weeks just going back to work this past Tuesday. I took two weeks off beginning August 24 and we managed to hit Legoland with all the mommies and all the kids, I stole a little time away to visit with our dear friend Lisa Norr from our San Diego years who was vacationing down in Carlsbad, and I took one day to take the oldest four little grand-daughters to Disneyland. Then on Thursday night before Katie and the girls headed back home, we had a small scale birthday party for little Jolie Ruth who turns "2" on September 28. I flew back up to Ketchikan with Katie and the girls and got to see their family reunite with Isaac who took a float plane over and then helped the family head home on the ferry last Saturday afternoon. I then flew down to Portland and spent two days at the coast with good friends Cheri Green and Anita and Gene Inzer. It was so beautiful. When I got home late Monday night, I was sick with a cold and there were fires everywhere...the air is thick with smoke and it is so tragic. I was glad to be home and have enjoyed the last couple of days recuperating and catching up with personal business and spending time with Fred who is doing really well. God is so good and I am thankful for family and friends and His blessing on our lives.

39th Anniversary

2009-07-03T08:27:00.000-07:00

Today is our 39th wedding anniversary. Fred and I met in September of 1968. It was ALMOST love at first sight. After just a few weeks of dating, we both KNEW each was "the one." In the spring we were engaged. In the summer we were apart, I in Michigan working at Little Harbor Club for my dad's cousin "Mr. Fulton" and Fred in Phoenix working for Mrs. Stanley at the stationary store. We missed each other desperately and we have hundreds of letters to prove it. During that summer of '69 Fred bought his first car and I watched a man walk on the moon on a small black and white TV in Little Harbor, Michigan. That fall we began to prepare for marriage and we had a lovely summer wedding at my home church, Christ Community in Canoga Park, California. My twin brother in his Air Force uniform and my Daddy walked me down the aisle and my sister Judi worked her fingers to the bone to make my wedding beautiful. Our honeymoon was spent driving to the first church Fred would serve in Denver, Colorado. We had our firstborn, Freddy, while in Colorado in September of 1971 and since then have served churches in Costa Mesa, Lakeside, and Anaheim, CA, and then Oregon for 7 years, and then we made our last move to Winnetka in 1993 when Fred became the hospital chaplain at Kaiser Woodland Hills.

Our lives have been lived to the fullest, our marriage, while not perfect, has been God's perfect choice for us both. We are humbled by such amazing love and blessings. There are not words to describe how we feel about our children and grandchildren. Freddy, Isaac, Annie, their spouses are our kids, and their children--all eight of them, are so special to us.

When I think of 39 years, it feels like I could author volumes of books--at least one devoted to the life of a pastor's wife, one on marriage, one on parenting, and one on being a child of God...! But today I will think on my husband and how blessed I am to have lived 39 years with a man who loves me more today than yesterday, and more than I could have ever imagined. He never forgets, he always supports, and he always serves. Just this morning he gave me the most beautiful card and wrote the most touching sentiments he's ever given me. Sometimes having someone so loving and devoted who never forgets our special days is easy to take for granted. Today's card just moved me so deeply. All that I can add is to say how grateful I am to the Lord who alone has done this. "...so underserved, yet He gave to prove His love for me..."

Happy anniversary Honey!

Sentimental Journey

2009-06-05T07:45:00.000-07:00

Scrapbooking 1982...it's sentimental enough, but these photos are too wonderful not to post on the blog! I'ts when Tim and his family came to visit from Washington and just before they moved to Alaska. There is some pretty interesting body language going on! Thank goodness Ken and Judi had a camera...to capture some of our family history moments!

After the Break-in and Sacred Echoes

2009-06-03T06:39:00.000-07:00

My precious daughter and the bunks we slept in way back when at Pine Summit!
The trees at Pine Summit--Quiet time at camp--Listening to Sacred Echoes
The rubble...

I haven't blogged anywhere near the fun and special times I like to record (can't get to scrapbooking so blogging is the next best thing!). Have had so many wonderful things going on this (past!) Spring! Like recently going to Women's Retreat at our church with the author Margaret Feinberg who wrote "Sacred Echoees." She was wonderful. And it was so special because Annie and I went together. It was at Pine Summit where we have such fond memories from Family Camps long ago--we even stayed in our very same Alpine Lodge room at Family Camp in 1982! There were birthdays, the trip to Alaska, and time with friends and family. God is so good--and like the song says--All the time!

On Monday we were robbed--a long story of course, but the violation just seems to continue--a few minutes go I discovered that in the "bad guys" rush to grab all that they could stuff into pillowcases, they grabbed up the right shoe of my black sandals I wear to work every day. A small thing? Of course it is--problem is I've had an ingrown toenail bothering me for several weeks and can't wear closed shoes--so I had to change clothes to go with my other open-toed shoes! But God has given us both peace despite the losses, and the hassle, and the violation. In fact, I find it almost humorous that on Monday night, exhausted after the police left, we just shoved the rubble aside in our bedroom, slid the mattress back onto the bed and collapsed falling asleep almost immediately. I can't say we slept well, but the mess didn't bother me a bit.

There are endless lessons in something like this, and once it's all sorted out, I hope to obey that still, small voice inside--the Sacred Echoes I'm so thankful for.

Here's a photo of Annie and I, and shots of some of our "rubble." Thanks to my sweet family who have called to check in often, Bob and Judy, Freddy, Annie, Isaac--you know what you mean to me. Continue to pray for us, I'm leaving for work in a while and it makes me a bit nervous. And also pray about the paperwork. Fred has been amazing and I am so thankful for him. He's laying people to rest today, back and forth between the hospital and church and needs our support and prayers too.

Love to my LOVES!

Happy Birthday Emily!

2009-04-26T15:37:00.001-07:00

Emily and her Grandma Becky
Cousin Mandy celebrated her birthday too!
Yummy birthday cake

Emmy's new baby doll
We celebrated Emily's 3rd birthday with a BBQ yesterday! She was so tickled and it was fun to have Holly and Mandy and their kids, Grandpa Wallace, Freddy and Charif and Annie and Dave and their families. Here are some shots from her special day!

Easter Blessings

2009-04-24T14:07:00.000-07:00

The Isaac Martin Family
Sophia and Tess
Jolie Ruth
Sophia Easter Egg Hunt Thorne Bay Style
Baby Dedication
Little Martin Girls
Jolie, Tess, Sophia
One week old Tess Elizabeth
At the lake
Grandma and Sophia suiting up for a hike

The Martin Family at the Thorne Bay "Airport"
Good-bye to Thorne Bay
What a wonderful Easter--spent in Thorne Bay, Alaska, with Isaac and his family. Newborn Tess Elizabeth was born on the 7th and we arrived on the 10th. They were still in Ketchikan and so we were able to all go over to Prince of Wales on the ferry together. It was wonderful to spend Isaac's birthday with him. Baby Tess is such a beautiful and already contented baby and her older sisters, Sophia and Jolie, are delightfully attentive having practiced with their baby dolls for so long! Our time in their home in Thorne Bay was peaceful, quiet, and restful, surrounded by such beautiful nature. We are so proud of Isaac and Katie and the family they are building together for their children, a home of faith and love.

Happy Pre-Easter!

2009-04-05T18:52:00.000-07:00

These flowers arrived yesterday from friends...what a fabulous surprise!
Baby Garrett loves his Easter eggs...
After the hunt...
Annie's Family (no pix of Freddy's family taken on my camera--will update later!)
Auntie Reef reading to Emily...
Mom's 87th Easter
Girls baking cookies...
Freddy's Family
Spring flowers...
Today is Palm Sunday but we celebrated Easter Sunday today since we're heading to Alaska on Friday to spend Easter in Thorne Bay with Isaac and his family and new baby (due this coming Tuesday!)! It was the first Easter egg hunt for Garrett who is 15 months old--he loved walking around with his first two found eggs...Penny hid them for Daniel, Jonathan, Emily and Garrett. We had traditional Easter dinner and colored hard boiled eggs and baked sugar cookies after dinner. We sang "Christ Arose" and "He Lives" before dinner and thanked the Lord for His Resurrection, without which our faith would have no meaning.

We are anxiously awaiting news of the safe arrival of our 8th grandchild, any day now, and wish all of our friends and loved ones a glorious Easter!

Yellow Rose of Friendship

2009-03-30T07:03:00.001-07:00

The Wallaces, Beauchamps, Larsons, and Vallequettes got together at the Martin's yesterday and what a sweet time of remembrance, laughter, story-telling, warmth and affection we had together. We see each other now and then at major events, but haven't been together in this way for many years. It was perfect. Fred led a time of remembering and we had a ball sharing some of our memories. I loved seeing our parents' generation of dearest friends together again. My fondest childhood and teenaged memories included all who were there. The "reunion" probably should have lasted a weekend though because early this morning a flood of memories came back that I wish there had been time to share!

One thing we didn't touch on was the impact on our lives of growing up at Christ Community Church. I was thinking this morning about the hysterical (really) moment when Judi, Dorothy, Mrs. Escajeda, and Betty lip-synced to "I Want to Hold Your Hand" by the Beattles at the church's ice cream social around 1965. There was an elaborate stage, microphones, drums, the women were in suits and had Beattle wigs. The entire church was in hysterics! Now how does that fit in to our CCC faith heritage? Think about it. What Baptist church would ever have allowed that? That led me to think about how in many ways CCC was not very legalistic. Many people today think if you were raised "in church" that you come with a whole set of extra rules to abide by. Without legalism, I was able to make decisions based on what the Bible said, not by appearance, or Mr. Cart, or Lahoma Miller said! Think about how freeing that really is. Freedom, in Christ, to do what He would do. I'm so thankful that my parents found CCC to be the church home they raised their children in. And the same for the Larsons and the Beachamps, and Mary.

It also occurred to me that my little "Holly Dolly" was the first of the grandkids of our parents' generation. How appropriate that she would be there and what fond memories she brought!

Dear friends and family who came yesterday, thank you for taking the time and bringing your open hearts and hands. Let's not wait so long next time! Thank you Fred for giving each lady a yellow rose to take home and remember. And oh yes, the yellow rose of friendship is still blooming brightly and strongly.

January through February Highlights!

2009-03-01T15:11:00.000-08:00

Garrett loving the bounce house...
Emily in Grandma's miniature bounce house
Penny with a Great President--a trip to the RR Presidential Library to see the Magna Carta Exhibit
Morning at the Getty with Cousins and Brothers
Beautiful SoCal posies at the Ronald Reagan Library
Judi, Holly, and Mandy before Judi's surgery--praise the Lord, all is well!
Grandma Becky , Penny and Lydia
Abraham LIncoln on his 200th Birthday
Poor little Penny was sick with the flu and all done up in her beautiful Civil War period dress her Great-Aunt Judi made for her
Penny, Judi, and Lydia before the Civil War Re-enactment honoring Lincoln's 200th birthday
Becky, Judi and Fred at Hugh & Leona's 50th in Sacramento
Cousin Hugh & Leona's 50th celebration with their four kids!
Well January and February have come and gone...I had no idea March would march in this quickly! It was a busy time, with sad good-byes and some sweet hellos. Here are a few highlights since the holidays!

Happy Christmas

2009-01-21T20:18:00.000-08:00

Christmas Day at the hospital with Grandpa
Grandma and Annie's kids, Emily, Jonathan, Garrett
The Alaska girls, Sophia and Jolie
Little Garrett turns "1"
The Martin Women get a spa day
Four beautiful Grand-daughters!
The Wallace Kids and Mom and Dad

Christmas came and went and what a whirlwind of activity it was...we started out in Monterey/Marina in a time share apartment for the weekend before Christmas with Isaac's family...we had flown up to San Jose and rented a car in order to pick them up and head back down to SoCal after the weekend. We had such a sweet time, even visiting the Aquarium there and walks on the beach. We were so happy to be with our Alaskan family. Especially sweet was having one-on-one time with the little girls. After this visit we know that the girls will remember us always, which is nice since they live so far away. When they left, Sophia knew she was leaving her Grandpa and Grandma and her heart was breaking--which of course broke my heart and we miss all of them so much already.

Then Fred got sick with pneumonia and kidney failure. He had high fevers and wound up spending Christmas week in the hospital. Once he was out of the woods, he came home in time to spend New Year's with all of us. The pictures here are a few shots from a fun and busy week. Having all of our family together seems impossible given the distance, but 2008 gave us THREE such opportunities--we feel blessed beyond our imaginations. March--July--December. Now in April we will go up to Alaska for the birth of baby #3, but after that, it will no doubt be a long time before all three of our kids and their families will be together--so we will savor each and every memory. (Fred is still not entirely back on his feet--what an ordeal this pneumonia turned out to be--I had no idea it can take this long to get well from it!)

I've been back to scrappin' my little ones the last couple of weeks--I scrap at night or when I can squeeze in some time on the weekend. I feel I've accomplished something--I am in my seventh 30-45 page album having begun the project now 3 years ago! Drum role please: I am just about to start the year 1982. Yeeeaaayyyyy! The plan is to complete the Sunkist years (1985) and then take a breather--re-group--organize the Oregon years--condense--and whip through Oregon. That will take me through the kids' teens. After that who knows? Retirement--that's not likely to happen anytime soon--we all know why!

Freddy's family and Annie's family are close by--what a blessing to watch their kids growing up. Annie's family is in the process of moving back down to SoCal--they need lots of prayer--for a job for Dave and for things to sell and close up north--they've had some real challenges but stay sweet and faithful through it all. Freddy is in India right now with Children's Hunger Fund...we are praying for a safe journey all the way and that the trip will be productive and blessed by God. His family is so close to one another and it's hard to have their daddy gone--but Charif and the kids have lots of activities planned to fill up the time while he's away.

I'm amazed that three weeks have passed in January and that yesterday was the inauguration. In many ways it was amazing to watch and see throngs gathered in DC--I love it that so many people were so interested and not just young people. I heard lots of people at work say they had never watched an inauguration before. It's almost like they are paying attention to the "process" for the first time because of the historical significance of Obama's election. Having been to the last inauguration, it was a thrill to watch it this year. I hope he will be a good president and that he and his family stay safe and together through what has to be the hardest job on earth! I heard a singer this morning, Wintley Phipps, at the National Cathedral sing "Amazing Grace" during the National Prayer Service for Obama. It was the most amazing performance and it caused me to know that God is in control and America is what it is because of His amazing grace. (Look Wintley up on YouTube and listen when you can.)

So we dive into 2009 with much on our minds and hearts and a strong desire to live out our faith and be faithful to God's call on our lives... Happy New Year!

Happy Thanksgiving

2008-11-30T18:34:00.000-08:00

What a delightful day we had. We had my niece Holly and friend Terri O, niece Mandy and her family, my brother Tim, Josie, and Viv, my sister Judi, Fred and I, and my mom and dad. Freddy and Charif and Penny and Daniel stopped by early in the day with flowers and Thankgiving wishes, and my brother Bob stopped by toward the end of the day. Annie and her family were in Burney celebrating with friends, and Isaac and Katie and girls were at friends in Craig, Alaska. We remembered to pray for those who weren't with us, and especially those on foreign soil. Corie and her husband are both in Baghdad serving in the U.S. Army, Lincoln is getting prepared to go to Iraq on a special mission, and Forrest is at West Point. We are so proud of our military kids--they could do anything else, but chose to serve their country--that's putting Country First, as Palin and McCain said during their campaign. Such a big family, one away at college, others couldn't come, but we love each and every one and are so thankful for the blessings we remember on Thanksgiving day. For me it is my favorite holiday, one with the least commercialism, only food and family around the table, remembering to be thankful to the One who has provided. I always think of our forebears on this day, what a different place it is now, but lest we forget, bought with a great price. Here's a just a couple of pictures from the Day...

Our vacation on the Pacific Coast...

2008-11-30T17:48:00.000-08:00

Going back a bit to show the many activities on the ship...First, there was Vancouver BC, Nanaimo BC, then San Francisco, Catalina, San Diego, and back to Long Beach. You can see that we were really, really busy on this go-go-go vacation--you know how it is, you race around trying to "get it all in" that when you finally do get home, you're exhausted. Well, I'll let you in on a little secret: we mostly slept, hung out at the spa, and went to the dining room only when we felt like it. Ahhhhhhhhh....I need another vacation like this one!!
How'd this get in here?

Time to get up for breakfast kids!

2008-11-05T07:30:00.000-08:00

This morning I made blueberry muffins. I thought back to how many times I made blueberry muffins from a mix for my kids. And I missed my little ones this morning. Oh yes, I could have made them from scratch and it would have been more of an act of service to my family, I suppose. But whether they are made from scratch or a mix, the message was the same, I loved to make my children happy. I couldn't do it always the way I wanted. I was prevented sometimes from my fantasy of what I imagined a good mom would do by a lack of resources, other circumstances, stresses of life. While I ate my share of the muffins this morning, I thought of you. I thought about if anyone is at my house for Christmas morning this year, I'll make the muffins from a box. Maybe the homemade cinnamon rolls too...but definitely the muffins from a box. p.s. Since I can't serve them to you, I'll drop them off to Grammies!

I love you kids!

Rustication and Blogging

2008-10-22T18:23:00.000-07:00

RUSTICATION

Years ago Fred used the word rustication in a sermon...figure it out!
BLOGGING: This year it's been hard to keep up with blogging. There have been so many things that have happened and little time to blog or really reflect even. I have the blog bug, however, and many ideas just swirl about as I get through the "have to" of my busy life, when I dream of catching the small world up with the often insignificant and sometimes monumental happenings and learnings that continue, despite my ability to document it all in this fashion. My family's prolific blogging has significantly slowed as well--often a lifeline when longing for a hug, a kiss, a call from our loved ones far away. Don't get me wrong--we have been absolutely amazed that in the first six months alone of this year we were blessed to have our entire family together--TWICE! Here in March, AND at Hume Lake in July--so no complaints! I'm not going to update all the happenings here tonight, I'm going to take it one step at a time and try to get some blogging done with pictures. If I ever DO get to scrapbooking the 21st century, recording the happenings on the blog will be somewhat of a diary that will help me remember in my old age! (Just kidding?)

So, tonight I just think I'll list the things that I wish there was time to blog about, the things on my heart that caused anxious moments, the blessings that have happened and that we look forward to in the future, and what we're learning as we live and work, and trust. FUTURE BLOGS IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER!

Trip to Hume Lake and Sequoia Nat'l Park with the whole family
David's surgery and subsequent possible move back to LA
Isaac's volleyball injury
Fred and Charif's evacuation from the LA fires
Our vacation on a ship in the Pacific
Mom and Dad's needs
Fred's ministry
Freddy's work at CHF
Penny and Daniel and their amazing teacher Mommy
Jonathan starts pre-school
Garrett the bear cub--Emily the little whirl
God answering prayers for Isaac's school year
Isaac and Katie expecting baby #3!
Sofia and Jolie kissing and hugging and Jolie turning "1"
Penny's height and the play she's in
Sequoia and the pipes of the organ
Heartache
Fred's family and hurricanes
Annie and Dr. Young
The election, Sarah P, taxes, and our future
My work and my heart's desire
40th class reunion
Life in Thorne Bay
Providential provision
My niece and nephew both heading for Iraq
My brother Bob and answered prayer
Emily and the mall
Faith and trust and obedience

Happy Birthday Freddy!

2008-09-18T07:12:00.000-07:00

Today our son Fred is 37 years old. I can hardly believe it, really. I looked back this morning at the posts from the birthdays of my little kids and the expressions of my heart are the same. I've put the link to last year's post here http://auntibeck.blogspot.com/2007/09/my-little-boy.html. The sentiments are the same and I can't put them into words any better today. Only the pride I felt a year ago, 10 years ago, 25 years ago, has just grown. This man has brought more joy than one mother and dad can contain, and yet God has chosen to multiply that times three in the lives of our Isaac and Annie as well. To God be the glory!

This photo touches me because it says so much, Freddy has a heart for not just his own precious children, but those around the world...here he says good-bye to Penny and Daniel before heading to Kiev to bring food to hungry children...

Loved by many, happy birthday, Son!

http://auntibeck.blogspot.com/2007/09/my-little-boy.html

What a Week it Was Installment #4: Lake Piute

2008-08-24T15:15:00.000-07:00

After a nostalgic trip to Orange County beaches, we spent a beautiful day at Charif's sister Sam's hilltop home out and away from the hustle and bustle. After a morning hike all around the hilltops looking at the lake and poppies, we had a picnic lunch then we swung from a rope under a canopy of oak trees. What a great time! I especially loved watching Freddy and Isaac play their guitars on the deck overlooking the beautiful valley of oaks at Sam's house.

It is an amazing blessing to think that our children want to make sacrifices in order to spend time together, and with us. The week in March that Isaac was down from Alaska and Annie was down from Burney was very special. We celebrated Sofia's 3rd birthday and saw lots of family and said good-bye one by one once again. We began to plan a trip to Hume Lake in the summertime and even though we parted, we knew it wouldn't be long before we were together again. God is so good!

What a Week it Was: Little Corona Installment #3

2008-08-20T09:37:00.000-07:00

What a ball we had with Hal and Brandy and Parker, Olen and Marcy, Ben and his family, friends Rob and Janet, and our whole family! After bannanas on a stick at Balboa Island, we moved to Little Corona and after splashing in the tide pools and climbing over the big rocks, we built a huge fire and roasted hot dogs and marshmallows. Then we had an old fashioned "sing!" with all the old choruses that their Dad had led throughout their growing up years. Freddy and Isaac handed out the words to "Corona Del Mar" and taught us all the 12 or so verses and chorus. It was a great time and we laughed and laughed and sang as loud as we could as the sun disappeared beyond the horizon.

Cambria 36 Years Later

2008-07-08T06:17:00.000-07:00

Fields of lavendar...
A different kind of anemone...
Little beggars!
Thank Freddy for the cashews!
Sea lions!
Elephant seals -- See the baby?
So happy together...
Fireworks on the beach...
"Just a passin' Through..."
The end...
On our second anniversary we drove up the coast with little 18-month-old Freddy in tow...we stopped along the way at La Purisima Mission and remember seeing lots of deer in the forested hillsides that rose above Moonstone Drive in Cambria. Our motel was facing the ocean and I think cost us $27. After a long drive getting there we were exhausted and didn't mind spending the money, even though it seemed really pricey. The beach was clouded and there wasn't access to the beach. We spent a fitful night with a crankey baby.

36 years later painted an entirely different picture. Cambria is now a resort with a secret--it doesn't feel at all like a resort, but the price is without a doubt resort-worthy! What a wonderful anniversary trip Fred and I had! We got a later start on the third because Fred had a funeral for a friend from Rocky Peak, so no leisurely stops along the way, but we really enjoyed reminiscing about many trips headed up north, vacations, and second honeymoons gone by. We loved driving past Morro Rock and knew we were getting closer and closer, wanting to arrive before dark and we made it. We stayed at the Fireside Inn and the room had a fireplace. The fog was rolling in and we went to a great steakhouse and watched the sunset. The restaurant even provided blankets for those sitting outside to get every last vestige of the sun disappearance! We went to sleep with the sound of the ocean crashing just a pathway from the inn. The next day we got up early and drove all over the town/village of Cambria with plans for where we would stop when we came back--then we headed north and stopped everywhere we wanted--from the majestic viewpoints to see the massive sea lions and feeding little squirrels to the San Simeon park center, and a fabulous drive further north toward Big Sur and a stop at Ragged Point, now high above the ocean floor that you could barely see through the fog. That night we cuddled up and watched fireworks back in Cambria--they were wonderful and then we were back to our warm and cozy room. On Saturday we took the long leisurely drive home stopping wherever we wanted, Harmony, town of 18, the Harmony winery, Cayucos, Morro Bay for a fabulous anniversary lunch, Santa Barbara, and then home. God has been so good to our marriage and our family. How can we be anything but grateful and humbled by His grace in our lives. Happy Anniversary honey!

Burney Family Love...

2008-07-01T21:56:00.001-07:00

It's taken me so long to post this, but we had such a fun trip up to Burney with Susan Duffield and Margarete Love end of May to surprise Annie for her 31st! Here are a couple of my favorite pix of the trip!

Happy birthday Annie!

2008-05-20T07:23:00.001-07:00

What a happy little girl!
Always her Mama's girl!
Today is your birthday and my heart longs to be with you. So much of what we mean to each other goes unsaid, not because we're shy, but because it doesn't need to be said, we already understand one another's thoughts! Today, it goes without saying, I love you, I wish I were there to give you a hug and kiss and to ease your load, and to remind you of all that you mean to me! God gave me a daughter when he knew the desire of my heart. Happy birthday to the most beautiful girl, woman, mother of three, and daughter, to me!

Grandma's Girl...

2008-05-18T20:21:00.001-07:00

Penny is 13 today! I can't believe it--what a sweet girl she is. Her parents have prepared her for her teens and they gave her a fun party today with all her little girlfriends. I watched her be so caring to some of the little girls who were younger than the others and those who didn't know some of the others. Just like when she was "3" and upon opening a 2nd Cinderella video tape, she beamed and exclaimed with utter gratefulness of heart, "now I have two!", today I again watched her grateful spirit at work with her friends. Yes, I believe she is prepared and my heart prays that God will be her counselor and friend as she grows and matures over these next crucial and exciting years of her life. She is my first grandchild and will always have that special place in my and her Grandpa's heart. True to form, he took her out for a special Grandpa date last night--he told her he was looking for a 12-year old--no thirteen year olds allowed! So cute! If you're listening or happen by Penny, I am so proud of you and I'm praying for you and love you so much Grandma's girl!

Mother's Day 2008

2008-05-11T06:33:00.000-07:00

Mother's Day is a special moment in what is a year rapidly getting away from us with all of its cares and activities. A moment when I think about the three who are busy raising my grandchildren and I would take away all stress from them if I only could...but watching them I am immediately transported to when I was busy raising my own little ones. Now I long to run back a video tape if only there were such a replay. I spend my spare moments pouring over and studying the faded and poor photos that I have and my heart thrills at every pose and what is captured there.

On this day, I think also of my own mother. Time is stealing her away from us and I must be so thankful for what a good mother she has been to me. Fred and I talked today about how we miss Rueben and we realized that when my folks go, it's going to be hard for our kids--and yet we have been preparing our hearts for the loss that is sure to come.

I recently came across a list of customs I had written down that I'd like to leave to my children and grandchildren--it seems appropriate today to share these with you:

-Church attendance for a reason--because I love the Lord and want to know Him better.
-Extended family get-togethers for happy and sad occasions
-Dinners together around the table
-Pic-nics in a park
-Camping
-Carnivals/Fairs
-4th of July Fireworks
-Opening Christmas gifts on Christmas morning and Candy Cane Lane
-New Years' resolutions
-Prayers before bed-time
-Lullabies
-Cinnamon roles and homemade ice cream
-Scary stories and poetry ("And the Goblins' 'ill get you if you don't watch out!")
-Climbing Mount Whitney
-Daddy's taking daughters on "dates"
-Having apples and pop-corn on TV nights
-Having people over for dinner or dessert after church
-Trick or Treating
-Homemade Chili soup
-Easter egg hunts
-Road trips
-Beach bbq
-Story time, sitting around telling stories!
-Hosing down the driveway
-Singing around the piano
-Disneyland

Happy Mother's Day to my girls...and my love to All the Loves of My Life!

Emmy's 2nd Birthday

2008-04-21T13:58:00.000-07:00

I had a whirlwind weekend with Annie's kids in Burney. Saturday we visited a new pre-school for Jonathan complete with petting zoo and birds of a feather. Jonathan was so excited--never happier than holding squirt guns patiently waiting to be allowed to fill them with water!
Garret is so handsome and winsome and sweet. I loved spending more time with him this trip than before it seems. He looks like an angel when he's asleep and giggles and laughs when awake!
This little girl is a whirling dirvish of activity--and here she is loving her 2nd birthday party and cake on Saturday night!! (I was never too sure what a "whirling dirvish" is exactly, but this I do know, she is the embodyment of it!)
No fear Emmy feeding the pony and then afterward giving him a big wet kiss on his big wet horselips!

Miss Em counts to ten and higher, talks alot, and knows when she has two of something, and is potty trained! Pretty good for a whirling dirvish huh?!! This Grandma is a bit worn out, but so glad I can go up now and then. I miss them so much already!

"I don't want to go to Heaven, I'd rather be in Thorne Bay!"

2008-04-11T06:56:00.001-07:00

When Isaac was about age 3, a story I was reading to him had angels in it. That sparked a conversation about Heaven and with great animation and enthusiasm I told him what I knew about Heaven and he listened so intently that I continued on finally exclaiming, "and we'll live there forever and ever and ever!" Suddenly Isaac's already serious face turned very dark and he reached his arms around my neck tightly and he cried out, "but Mommy, I don't want to go to Heaven! I want to stay here with you!" I realized then and there that this was a child who would analyze everything and he would need the facts before buying into what I had to say! (Think--"I Saw a Tree By the Riverside...")

Well, today Isaac is 33, and some call this the age of perfection. I would say that, yes, Isaac has reached the age of perfection. That is not to say that he has it all figured out, indeed he is a life-long learner--just look at yesterday's blog--or that he has reached any pinnacles where there is no uncertainty or trials he is facing. But Isaac has become a man who seeks the Lord, is leading his family in a Godly way, is an example to his friends and students, and he is a loving and gentle, caring Papa to his girls. His Dad and I are very proud of who he has become. We've always said we named him right, Isaac, meaning laughter, has truly brought such joy to our lives.

On your birthday today, dear Isaac, if someone were to ask me if I wanted to go to Heaven for ever and ever? I would have to say, "I don't want to go to Heaven, I'd rather be in Thorne Bay today wishing you the happiest of birthdays!"

What a Week it Was! Installment #2

2008-03-29T06:35:00.001-07:00

Monday Morning: Isaac's family woke at Grandma's house and we spent the morning getting ready for a trip to Corona del Mar and a bonfire with the Martin Clan! Here Sofia and Jolie get familiar with Grandma's patio...
After loading up in two vans, we drove to Corona...first stop Big Corona!

It was a nostalgic journey to Corona for Fred and our kids, Fred because he had spent much time at Big Corona and the Wedge growing up in Costa Mesa...and we took our kids there when they were growing a number of times. It was wonderful to see the next generation of little ones race to the ocean and put their toes in the big Pacific! Next post: Little Corona!

40 Easter Sundays...and Counting!

2008-03-23T17:57:00.001-07:00

Freddy's family...
The Hollywood Bowl
40 Years Together...
This is our 40th year since we met in 1968. I told Fred today I wish I'd had the sense to get a decent camera somehow when our kids were little and take an annual picture of them each Easter! Instead I've been spending days and nights in my studio trying to sort through the years between 1977 and 1984. It doesn't mean anything to anyone but me, of course, but I can tell you this is a tough assignment. The pictures are faded, there are no dates, and they're all mixed up. So here I am so many years later putting this puzzle piece together! I've now gotten to the point where I'm able to sort by years in a couple of shoe boxes...some of it is so vague in my memory, but I'm doing the best I can. And there are still little stacks piled and spread out on the tables in the garage. But even with the time it's taking, and the poor quality of our photos, every one is a piece of my memory, and every memory is so precious and a treasure.

Today we went to the Hollywood Bowl for Easter Sunrise Service with Freddy's family--this means everyone had to get up and leave the house by 4:30 a.m. I can tell you that Freddy's kids are so great--they did it without one word of complaint! But we had a ball, really. It was a sentimental journey for me as I remembered going to the Bowl in 1965 with my church youth group for a similar Easter Sunrise Service. But then we had to dress up--high heels, dresses, hats, gloves. I remember being freezing cold and very tired on the drive home.

We went to my folks right after the service and I made a yummy brunch for them and then we met up with Freddy's family again for our regular church service--then we went back to my folks to visit a bit with my brother Tim's family, and then we went to the Sportman's Lodge--another sentimental journey--my high school prom was held there in 1968!
I am so thankful for the hope of the resurrection and that it makes a difference today in my heart and in my life. And because He lives, I can face tomorrow.

Happy Easter loves!

What a Week it Was! Installment #1

2008-03-20T07:41:00.000-07:00

Surprise for Cel was the little ones all brought their blankies hand made by "Aunti-Cel" and Emie, as her grandkids call her, and surrounded her with her beautiful handwork!
Sofia and her castle cake by Grandma and Aunt Judi
Emmy in front, Brooke, Garret, Jolie, and Andrew--meeting new new cousins!!
Ladies in waiting Penny and Lydia helping Queen Sophia in the castle bounce house!
Emily swinging in Cel's kid-friendly backyard
Isaac's and Annie's families made the journey during Isaac's spring break in Alaska to come down and have a week of vacation. We filled every minute with activity, relaxing, and chasing the kids! I'm going to post a little at a time to show the highlights! The first event was "soup night" at Cel and Mike's. They rolled out the red carpet for all and the food was fabulous and everyone had a great time visiting and reminiscing. It was an opportunity to meet Rob and Tatiana's new baby Andrew and his grandmother from Russia, Annie's new baby Garrett, and Isaac's new baby Jolie. and all the extended family who could come to the event and we celebrated Sophia's third birthday. It was a "Noble Knights and Fair Maidens" party and all the kids came dressed at knights or princesses. Sophia was thrilled--she'd never had a big birthday party before and was delighted. They're gone back home and there's a quiet empty place, but we know we will be together again as a family soon...

Friends forever...

2008-03-16T18:28:00.000-07:00

Scenes from a trip to Siloam Springs Arkansas!
For Judy's birthday, I took a trip to Arkansas to see their new life since moving from Texas to AR. We had three days to pack it all in and we had such a nice time. I flew into Tulsa and Bob and Judy picked me up and we drove home to their house. There had been an ice storm and the trees and bushes were covered in a layer of ice. Eerie and dangerous as we sometimes thought we fall on the slick surfaces. The town of S.Springs is quaint and seems thriving with Tyson Foods and John Brown University there. I loved seeing the town and reminiscing from a short visit there year's ago with Rueb and Reta. The next day we drove to Eureka Springs a town full of old Victorian homes, an old railroad station, and artisons and shopping. On our way out of the area and back to S. Springs, we drove through the battlefield of Pea Ridge--what a neat experience, it was cold and getting dark, but the most interesting part was that the actual battle took place at the exact time of year so picturing what it must have been like was so moving.

Judy and I always have such a good time together--we reminisce, laugh, sometimes cry, and always thank God for our friendship. We never push, never anything but an okay space for sharing our hearts with one another. The one that has lasted through thick and thin, over time, and in spite of great distances. What a wonderful blessing, this friendship of ours--now over 41 years in the making.

God is so good, and I thank Him for every remembrance of my friend...

Happy birthday to Sophia!!

2008-03-05T07:18:00.000-08:00

Our little Alaska darling is three! She is sweet, pretty, a GREAT big sister, and a good little girl for her Mama and Papa. In just FOUR days we'll be together with hugs and birthday surprises! Hurry up "Sophunny!" Grandma and Pop-pop are waiting!

Happy Times

2008-02-27T06:30:00.001-08:00

"Extra love from grandparents goes into the bank account of a child's heart, which draws interest and can be used for an emotionally rainy day."

Our visit to Burney to spend the weekend with Annie and Dave and kids was so much fun! We flew to Sacto, rented a car, and headed north. The kids were so happy to see us and it was so fun getting to see Garrett as a 7-week baby--he had grown so much since his birth on December 27. We had a wonderful service at church dedicating Garrett and then we said good-bye with the week in March when they will be down to introduce their new baby and for a reunion with Isaac and his family and Fred and Charif! It has been one year and 3 months since we were all together!
The Duffield Family
Sleepy Grandma!

And the yellow room...ready for guests!

Happy 4th Anniversary!

2008-02-07T21:16:00.000-08:00

Who could forget the majesty surrounding Majestic Valley Lodge on that cold wintry day that Isaac and Katie exchanged "I Do's." They have been busy ever since showing the world how big and how wide their love is for one another and their beautiful little girls!
Happy Anniverary and may God continue to bless your union!

January thoughts...

2008-02-03T15:17:00.000-08:00

"Giving is the secret of a healthy life...not necessarily money, but whatever a man has of encouragement and sympathy and understanding..." --J.D. Rockefeller Jr.

January is gone. Where did it go and how can it be that time flies away so quickly? "The secret of a healthy life..." This has been a month of "self help" and a focus on a healthy life and healthy relationships. Just yesterday Fred and I went to one of the Boundaries seminars put on by renouned experts in the field (fabulous, by the way). I have been journaling a bit today and so the temptation is there to randomly journal here...but I'll restrain myself and share more broadly what has filled the month of January here in my corner of the world as time flies by!

Attached are a few photos--it has been a month of a little remodeling. We restored our hard wood floors in our two bedrooms. Under the yucky dirty carpeting turned out to be honey colored hard wood that looks old and worn but really yummy. The photos don't show the floor very well, but when we're completly finished the rooms will be lovely. Notice the tulips? That's the front bedroom and I grew those tulips inside in a jar with floating bulbs. Each day they grew about an inch until the tulips opened and filled the room with color.

There's a picture of Daniel in the rain. That's because here in SoCal it has rained more than it has the entire year of 2007. It's raining today too. And then there's the photo of the little Burney kids just before I left for home on January 3rd.

Last weekend was a scrapbook weekend--always causing me to be introspective as I attempt to leave behind a history for the generations of my family who will follow me. If I could just have a picture of the moments before we left the hotel on the beach where we scrapped and Penny and Lydia and friend Kaylie and I went to the beach and swung in the swings there. The wind was blowing so hard and the ocean was as stormy as I've ever seen it and we swung together higher and higher with such exhilaration and then leaped from the swings into the sand laughing and playing. A moment to capture in my heart forever.

This weekend Fred took Daniel to a Night at the Museum (natural history) just the two of them to explore and pretend to be VIPs and for Daniel to feed the spiders and scorpians himself. Penny and I went to a depressing play at our local museum together after dinner on the beach in Malibu. The play was a modern adaptation of Oddysey--imagine my 12-year old granddaughter interpreting it for me since she had just read the book! This is very encouraging as I look forward to my dottering years when much will have to be explained I'm sure!

Then yesterday a seminar all day and today breakfast for my folks, lunch for my folks and meds and dinner for my folks. My sweet husband even went to the mall today to do my parent's Valentine's Day shopping for each other simply because it was on their minds. In between I've been ordering books online, baked cookies, watched a sad but beautiful movie with my patient husband, worked a bit, and then watched the pre-game re-enactment of the Declaration of Independence--a GREAT and nice touch by the National Football League, I have to say!

Now the evening is here, almost, and I wish I had the weekend to look forward to and that tomorrow wasn't a work day. I long to scrapbook, I long to write stories for my family, I long to paint, I long to sort and organize and to nest. But then I remember that there is so much to look forward to--this weekend we will get to hold those little ones up North and see how the newest little grandchild has grown. How blessed we are.

I listened yesterday evening to a story about the president of a major religion who has just died. He at 97 said that he would just keep going as long as he possibly could because he still had so much work to do. And if he couldn't get it all done, then the next in line would continue the work. I was amazed by that. Amazed.

Yes, the month is gone and February is here. What will I do with this month? I want to be giving all the intangibles I have to give, because as J.D. said, giving is the secret of a healthy life.

2007-12-29T19:44:00.000-08:00

Annie showing Emmy and Jonathan their new brother...
New Grandpa and Grandma...
Sisters
Neices

What a week! We spent a little time with my sister at her house and with my neices Holly and Mandy and Fred and Charif and their family. Then we headed north for the birth of our newest grandson, Garrett Alan. I'm reminded of what a gift children are to a family and to the world, especially children being raised to seek character and faith. I'm so thankful tonight that in spite of all the bad news in our world, there is good news being shared in homes, in churches, and in our hearts.

Pictures from the events of this week!

Too Much Goin' On...

2007-12-19T06:30:00.001-08:00

Do you ever find yourself wondering how you'll ever get it all done before that big and special day, December 25? Do you wonder why in the midst of it all you're racing through your home moving furniture and emptying out a room because in one impulsive yet opportune moment you decide to rip up your carpet to see what shape your hardwood floors are underneath? Why would you do that when you just held a 65th anniversary celebration for your parents and you don't have the crystal put away yet? And the desperately needed monthly housekeeper is on her way and you realize it's almost December 25 and you need to give her a gift. Then you remember you're emceeing the company "end of year celebration" aka Holiday or Christmas Party--and you're wondering how to avoid the politically incorrect! And oh, by the way, your daughter could go into labor at ANY moment which means you've got to get your "Grandparent-Will-Travel" bags packed! Not to mention, you've got to get to work by 8:00 and you really want to download pictures from the most blessed event of a twin brother's first grandchild coming into the world already one week ago! Yes, there's chaos now reigning in my home thanks to my own "heaping it on" mentality and lifestyle--but wait...in the midst of it all there was a moment...a moment when there wasn't "Too Much Goin' On" when we stopped and prayed--we stopped carting it all out of the bedroom, stopped folding clothes and putting away the crystal--and listened to the poetry of a dear friend and grieving widow and mother who writes about a starry, winter night, when Jesus was born amidst all the chaos.

May the peace in our hearts in the midst of self-induced chaos remind us that, yes, there's "Too Much Goin' On" when you can't take time to listen, to care, to give. It's time, my loves, it's time!

Happy Grandparents!
Who would ever have thought--Accompanying my son...pretty blessed moment!
65 Years of Living and Loving!

A Grandson Named Jonathan

2007-12-05T08:30:00.000-08:00

Today is Jonathan's fourth birthday! And what a fine boy he is. We just got back from visiting him and I enjoy being with him so much--he's sweet and tries hard to be good for his mama. I loved watching him play for hours with his Legos and reading stories, and shopping for Christmas decorations, watching him get a nice big boy haircut, and sitting with him in church. He helped me decorate the Christmas tree and he did such a good job, very painstaking approach! Jonathan says some pretty funny things--many are winners that need to go down in his baby book--what a delightful, bright boy. One such conversation went like this,

"Grandma, I'm really a girl."
"You are not Jonathan! You have a gun."
"Grandma, girls can go shooting with their dads and have guns."
"Well, you've got a cowboy room."
"Girls can be cowgirls too Grandma."
"Well, you've got a penis."

With that, a big huge grin showed up on his face and his eyes twinkled. End of conversation.

Yesterday his Pop-Pop sent him the followiing poem in an e-card--I thought it was darling! (Fred calls him Mr. McGee.)

There is a boy up in Burney named McGee,
This past year his number was three.
He's a boy I adore,
And he's made it to four,
So have a great birthday from me!

Today I remember Jonathan's birth, and the miracle of life and how precious he is to his parents and to us... And how precious he is to Jesus.

Dear God

2007-11-25T14:12:00.000-08:00

Dear God,

You are the most awesome wonderful being in the heavens, the earth, the underworld and anything beyond. You are like a king with me a worm underfoot.

Lord, grant me the measly wishes that I ask, please Lord.

Heal all my loved ones of any sickness. Forgive me of all my sins. Lord bless me in all I do, please.

I love you.

In thy name, Amen

Love, your rotten servent

FWM, Jr.

[A gem found in my new Treasure Box--circa 1985]

A Thankful Heart

2007-11-21T06:45:00.000-08:00

"Father, help me to take the time to create stories with my grandchildren. May good memories hold the generations together. Amen."

As I reflect upon another Thanksgiving holiday, I can't help but remember Thanksgivings past. On one Thanksgiving years ago I journaled the following:

"I am thankful that my parents loved each other and were affectionate with one another. It set a good example for us kids. I am thankful I grew up in the '50's and '60's when family values included working hard for what you have, respecting adults, your parents, teachers, authority--families attended church together. As a family, more often than not, we kids played outside ALL day and were called home for lunch or dinner. We were expected to behave at home and outside of home. More often than not, we didn't have TV. We never had video or computer games, cell phones, DVDs, boomboxes or IPODS. We climbed trees, built forts, tunnels, played outside in the playhouse, or on the homemade swing set. I am thankful I learned about Jesus. I'm thankful our Dad instilled a love for the outdoors (with exception the beach!). I am so thankful Mom loved to tell stories from her happy childhood."

As a child it was our tradition to gather with the local Wallace relatives--when it was at our house, I was amazed that all those people could crowd into my mother's ultra-tiny kitchen and pull that dinner off. My Daddy always carved the turkey with great aplomb, and later all the men would stretch out across the living room floor and sleep off the huge meal. And there was always a "kids table" set up somewhere. Of course, the kids were relegated to the outdoors until time for pumpkin and my mom's fabulous cherry pie. Not much has changed, only the location, many family members are gone, but new little ones continue to be added to the family tree and despite family spread out all over the world, a nucleous will still gather.

Today there is so much and almost too much to be thankful for. Now my husband and I have many grandchildren--and the year that is about to close has been filled with precious moments with each of them. There have been many important family events this year, births, weddings, birthdays, parties, and holiday celebrations. There are several in our family in harms way serving out their duty to this great nation we are privileged to live in--and I am thankful for them. The extended family stays in touch, and God has seen fit to give my parents one more year to love each other and for us to help as much as we can--on Christmas Eve they will celebrate 65 years! And God has given my husband and I our 37th year together--and he still loves me--wonder of wonders!

So today my heart is thankful, truly thankful, for the gifts God has given, trials and blessings, testings and triumph, filling another busy year. It all comes from Him. Tomorrow, my Alaska family will have friends over--Annie's family will be alone--and Fred and Charif will be at her family's. So my sister and oldest daughter and Fred and I will take dinner over to my parents' to celebrate. It should be a simple and quiet day while we remember our loved ones so far away and draw them close to our hearts on this very special day!
A few highlights from the year:

The New Carpet at Grammy and Grampy's

2007-10-27T07:39:00.000-07:00

Yesterday new carpet replaced G & G's very old and very stained blue carpeting throughout the house. The new is a lovely beige. It made the rooms look bigger immediately. Sister Judi and Mandy had bought a large rug to accent and protect the new from stains for what G & G always have called their "blue room."

I remember the first floor in that house at 8454 Oso. It was hard wood, warm in the summer and cold in the winter. The heat register between the living room and hall was lit with a match in the early morning and we stood on that hard wood warming our feet while it blew up my nightgown and I dreamed I could fly. We danced around trying to get at much warmth while keeping our toes off the hot grate and the four of us would fight for our corner of the heater in the winter. The floor always had dust bunnies and it had a beautiful shine. I remember Christmas's and laying on the floor before I could walk and slidiing along. Later with socks on I could slide on my feet. Then at about age five, the parents bought the braided wool rug. What an amazing rug. I doubt anyone in at least my grandchildren's generation have ever seen such a rug. It was really quite beautiful. It was like a Joseph's coat full of colors. And it was WARM. I was gone from home and long since married before they replaced it with the RED wall to wall. The braided rug wasn't even worn in most places. After that, the blue. But underneath, yes, there is that hard golden wood. Judi and I stood a moment in our old bedroom pondering a couple of things about the furniture there...she remembered a nail polish incident, and I remembered a pottying incident! So many funny memories in the house we grew up in!

Mom and I talked about what we would call the "Blue" room now that the carpet is no longer BLUE--the "Den" or the "Library." We settled on "Den," But I like to think of it as the Library. My Uncle Lloyd built the bookshelves years and years ago, in fact, I think Bobby and I were probably about four when the back bedroom was added on and the library and desks were added and it became the "boys room." It was a perfect "library" with desk space for two growing boys--one might have thought the parents emphasized education and scholarly research, but I don't recall seeing "the brothers" at those desks! But the desk to ceiling space for books were filled with books on trees, almanacs, agriculture, the wars (I, II, Civil, Revolutionary), biographies, encyclopedias, devotional books, political books, poetry, coffee table books, and much more. Since my childhood there have been many purgings and garage-selling, and giveaways of the books--but always, before long, the shelves are filled. Now Mom can't read or see what's there.

The other day she asked me if I had her old poetry book from her college days. She was sure she had given it to me. I didn't think so but promised I would look. She was hoping to get her hands on "Little Orphant Annie" by James Whitcomb Riley to share with the little "great-grands," as she calls them. (She always thinks of them, she wants treats handy just in case she gets to see them and she actually got out to See's to buy Halloween treats for them while the carpet was being laid yesterday--if they only realized how she thinks of and loves them! One day they will.) Then last night as Mandy and Jim and Holly and Judi and Fred and I were putting the furniture and knick-knacks back in their home, I took a moment to sit down in the new "Library" next to her in Dad's chair. I scanned the book titles on the shelves and there was her Poetry book. I jumped up and pulled it down, the fabric binding is frayed and worn, but her favorites are marked and I found "Little Orphant Annie." We called in the great-grands who were there--William, Rachel, Aaron, and Lydia. With the lights dimmed, I began to read the famous old poem with hushed and scary tones, and as I read, their Grammy quoted it word for word with me, with great emphasis on "And the goblins will getcha, 'ef you don't watch out!" What a sweet moment.

The sweetest moment came though when Jim was putting drawers back into the small credenza in the living room and a letter fell out. He picked it up and as he read he realized it was a thank you note to Grammy and Grampy from Andy. He must have been about 12 when he wrote it. He had beautiful handwriting and Mom and I were immediately taken back to those years while he was growing up and what an attentive grandson he was. It made me realize that Bob and Judy must go through those kind of moments on a daily basis and relive their loss that's never more than a breath away. It's a blessing that the memories are good and our hearts were warmed by that sweet moment admist the chaos of putting the house back together!

Here are a few pictures for my "Loves" who are near and far away...

Life in Southeast Alaska!

2007-10-21T16:26:00.000-07:00

How do I describe another trip of a lifetime for Fred and I? Pictures will tell the story, but I'll describe a bit here. It was an adventure--the adventure included incredible rain storm in Ketchikan, delayed planes, and wet and rough ferry rides between the mainland and the Ketchikan airport. Then the storm grounded all planes and we wound up about 11 hours behind schedule in meeting Isaac and his family in Thorne Bay. But finally in the dark and in the rain we had our arms around Sophia and Isaac as they greeted us at the ferry in Hollis. Then we drove through the forest to Thorne Bay where Katie and the baby were waiting with homemade pizza and a warm and welcoming home. The next day we had the baby dedication and Fred brought the message at their church. After church --the entire church family-- went to the pastor's home for unbelievable food (uh-huh venison stew) and then jamming with the church's Blue Grass band. I wish I had time to write all the detail--it was amazing. The rest of the week was spent with drives to Craig for shopping and sightseeing, a trip by foot through a dense rain forest that at the end trail rewarded us with a standing of old totem poles, indian lodge, and the ocean. Another trip to Sandy beach that was still densely forested but more open for sitting and watching the sea. We spent time at Ike's school on two days taking lunch to him and seeing his great school--for as remote as it is, it was fully equipped, completely accessible by wireless and remote. We had a morning at Sophia's little school (on the same campus as Isaac's high school), and we even attended a baby shower and welcome to the town for Katie. The Martin's had neighbors in for dessert two evenings, and before we knew it we were packing to leave. Leaving was so hard. Sophia especially hated to see her Grandma and Pop-Pop climb into that four-seater float plane and leave her behind standing on the dock. I was so sad, it's really tough having your kids so far away, you know in your heart it's supposed to be and it's meant to be, but it doesn't get easier.

The community there is really tight and it was wonderful to meet so many people and understand finally what life is like for them.

Now about the baby. She is beautiful, she is quiet, she is warm and soft and snuggly. She never had a speck of spit up--she is completely contented and loves her new world, She watched us intently when talking to her and formed a little rosebud with her pretty little lips. Sweet little smiles lingered on her mouth after being fed. And she followed the voices in the room with her eyes. She was, in this Grandma's eyes, very, very responsive and absolutely a perfect baby.

As for Sophia, there really aren't words to describe the brightness of this little girl. Her Pop-pop nik-named her "So Funny," emphasis on "So." Her language skills, her reasoning ability, comprehension, small motor skills, her independence, everything about her is advanced. And this is why it's so tough--my wanting everyone in the family to get to experience life in Thorne Bay and for all of you to be able to have your kids spend time together. I know it means that the times we are together will be that much sweeter and so very important.

Isaac and Katie, thank you for your wonderful hospitality--it was truly a trip of a lifetime for us! As Sophia says, I miss you, sooooooo much!

Sweethearts

2007-10-21T14:17:00.000-07:00

"To fell these trees would be no loss at all,
Whose age and sickness would your axe forestall;
A youthful successor with much better grace,
And plenty will supply the vacant place."
(The Whole Art of Husbandry--excerpt from Uncle Bob's article in "Tree Care Industry" Magazine october 2007)

Around 1957 Dad planted a beautiful umbrella tree in the front yard at 8454 Oso Avenue. Some years later when the tree was mature, he carved T "heart" A and three consecutive hearts that were naturally forming in the ash-colored bark. The tree provided years of shade to the entire house as it reached an enormous height and a certain amount of notoriety as an unusual tree for this cozy Canoga Park neighborhood. Mother even remembers neighbors commenting on that "stick in Amanda's front yard!" During Mother's "heart collecting" years, (before the "cherries collecting" years) this tree symbolized two people in love with each other and certainly in love with hearts! Then as the years began to steal their youth, the hearts in the tree symbolized much more, enduring love and a love that would withstand many trials, and last a lifetime. All of their grandchildren and most of their great-grandchildren know well the story of those entwined hearts and the example of love they represent.

Today a windstorm took that tree down. We are saddened to be sure. And as Bodelia's chainsaw whirled, they stood in their window reminiscing every detail together of planting, carving and being shaded beneath that tree. Bob came, Judi came, and Fred and I were there to see what we could do.

All that I can say now is that the section of the tree with the enduring hearts will be saved and treasured for years to come, and that Mom and Dad's love is safe, secure, and as solid as it has ever been. Sweethearts. How blessed the Wallace family is to know of such a love.

My Father's Garden

2007-10-07T11:02:00.000-07:00

I once journaled the following when thinking about my Dad's calling in life as a "Tree Surgeon."

[My Dad worked for the City of Los Angeles as a "Certified Tree Surgeon," and for the most part worked for the City for some 30 years. I remember clearly the day (I must have been in about 3rd or 4th grade) he came home from work and proudly showed me his business card. I thought at the time how important "Tree Surgeon" sounded to me, and how happy he was with his first business cards. My Daddy worked very hard and always ran his own tree business on evenings and weekends, usually with large crews who would be at our house early Satruday mornings firing up the chain saws and shouting to one another and loading up the trucks for the big job ahead. Daddy trained many a future "tree surgeon" on those weekend jobs and young men who would go on to takes tests to work for the City just like their mentor. On weekdays, Mother would often have us kids freshen up and line up in front of the picture window to wait for Daddy to get home when shoults would ring out, "Daddy's home!" when the trucked pulled up in front of the house. Lots of hugs and "hello sweethearts!" with dinner waiting on the table would make up the ambiance of a happy childhood home.

Then there were the getaways--time for refreshing on camping trips, Sunday picnics under oak trees in nearby canyons or parks, and then the trips out through Mojave Desert into the Sierras. My Dad was the original "off-roader." There was no such thing as anything but roughing it! Why would we go to a public place when we could throw that truck into 4-wheel and head off into the rocks and sand and explore! Sometimes we came home with rocks for the garden, but usually the beautiful rocks my dad collected came from big property clearing projects and tree jobs.

My dad's agriculture and arborist education made him an expert on tree names and plant names which my twin took on as a life work himself. But Daddy invariably would ask if I knew what "that plant is called." I would of course say, "no" and off his tongue would roll the botanical names for any plant or tree you could think of or point out--a trait of his that amazes family and friends to this day.]

So this summer at our house we re-landscaped almost our entire property and the work is virtually done. As I took photos today, I could not help but think of my Dad and I realized that the rocks I borrowed off his property around the corner from me all have a story and all have tremendous meaning for me as I remember back to my childhood when my parents own yard was a showplace. Now the once thriving desert mound is wind worn and barely a hint of what it once was.

Yesterday we walked my parents all around our front and back yard and showed him every rock, and by gum! -- he knew what every rock was called and remembered the jobs he had been on when hauling felled trees and dirt to the dumps or where a rock in the road was rescued! Always an incredibly generous man, he can no longer make his yard a showplace but yet so pleased that I could make use of his collection, gladly sharing out of his abundance.

What a man...what a garden. My Father's garden resides in my heart as I hear his sweet voice say, "It's just beautiful, Sweetheart, I'm so pleased for you!" Have a look:

Ride 'Em Cowboy!

2007-09-30T11:19:00.000-07:00

Dessert!

Puppy for Auction!

Last night I had the privilege of attending the 100th birthday Gala Celebration of a very famous cowboy. It was the most glamorous, fancy, expensive and beautiful event I think I've ever attended. (I'm not using the name because I don't want people seeing my post on the internet. But it was at the museum that bears his name.) The dress was "formal western" and there were the most amazing clothes and auction items. There were 1200 people seated at elegant table settings in an enormous tent that had a huge screen that during dinner played scenes from his movies. Then there was a live auction that someone payed $21,000 for a labradore puppy. Several personal items of the cowboy's sold for over $100,000. There were lots of famous people and the entertainment was given by, well, you'll see who they are by the photos! There was a goody bag with fun items too which I'll show my loves when we're next together. I so much wish I could have had all my loves with me--will have to suffice with a few photos...

As promised...

2007-09-29T15:18:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture of Isaac and Katie's two little girls...newborn Jolie Ruth and two and half year old Sophia seeing her baby sister for the first time. Sooo beauitful...
And just for fun here is a photo of newborn Isaac...

For more photos, visit Katie's blog where Isaac posted some photos last night. http://mylifemylove.wordpress.com/

Safely Delivered

2007-09-28T05:56:00.001-07:00

This morning just about two hours ago, Isaac and Katie were safely delivered of a new baby girl. Her name is Jolie Ruth and she has lots of dark curly hair. Jolie is French and means "beautiful" and Ruth is my middle name. Fred and I held each other and cried with hearts full of thanksgiving as we prayed for each of our children and for all of their little ones. On this day, we are especially thankful that Katie had a smooth and quick delivery, and we are thankful for this brand new life that God ordained before the world began. A life that was only imagined and dreamed of and desperately wanted. What a contrast to the throwaway world we are living in today.

We can't wait for Jolie's big sister Sofia to introduce this Grandma and Grandpa to her...we leave for Thorne Bay, AK, October 12...

Once there are photos, we will post... in the meantime, rejoice with us--and congratulations to Isaac and Katie and Sophia!!

My little boy...

2007-09-18T07:19:00.000-07:00

My little boy is 36 today. I remember people telling me at the delightful age of "3" "just wait til' he's older," "you think he's cute now," "it's cute now, but it won't be cute later." Lots and lots of naysayers in my life. The reason people did that to me was because this little boy was unique. He was special. He talked like a 3-year old at 1. He could read like a 6-year old at 3. He was full of personality and remembered every detail of the books he poured over from 1 year-old on. He knew every single church person's name who ever spoke to him, and he delighted every teacher he had (except the one that let him cut the end of his finger off. She didn't like him).

Today, he is a man seeking to make his faith relevant to every choice, every decision, every action he takes. He is a father to his children that in today's world could put him in a history book one day! He is a devoted husband to one wife, he is an example of a believer. He is a brother who cares, and an uncle, cousin, friend, and grandson who loves.
He is a son who has made his mother proud and full of humility and thankfulness to the Lord for what HE has done.

"How can I say thanks, for the things He has done for me...things so undeserved, yet he gave to prove his love for me. The voices of a million angels can not express my gratitude.... To God be the glory."

Happy birthday, Son.

Sins of Omission

2007-09-16T22:06:00.000-07:00

The Children of Tom and Amanda

Why do I feel guilty about anything relative to the care of my parents? When someone does something nice for them, I feel guilty as though I should be doing that for them myself. For example, the nice lady from church who goes over each Sunday evening and spends time with Mom going over the church bulletin and prays with her. Or the couple from my own church who took them out to lunch today. Or every time my busy daughter-in-law runs over to the store for them.

Then there's the overwhelming sense of guilt that had I been a better steward throughout my life, maybe I wouldn't have to work and could be my parents' full time caregiver. Last week I realized after doing our October taxes that we had given more this year than any other year, and despite our comfortable circumstances now, the reminder that had I been a better money manager I might be in a position not to have to work, and my parents' might not have had to do a reverse mortgage to pay for their in-home care--and more importantly, I could be more available to them--and on and on the cycle of guilt goes.

People observe what I do for my parents and think I'm a good, dedicated, loving daughter. But I know what I am and my conscience torments me. Attitude is everything I realize. "What you know in your heart is right to do and you don't do it--it is a sin (Becky's paraphrase)." The sins of omission are my reality.

The only time I don't feel guilty is when my siblings do something for my folks. When one brother drives a long distance to work in their yard clearing years and years of Dad's work away, or the other brother out of love for his Dad takes him to a movie or to a seminar. Or when my sister stops after church now and then and warms up their lunch for them. I suppose that's because we're all doing the best to do our part and all feel the responsibility. And my parents are so blessed to have my twin's wife and my own husband who do so much toward the caretaking and I'm incredibly grateful as well.

Yesterday I left them twice--once in the morning and once at noon. Both times their vulnerability and aloneness overwhelmed me. Dad never got up out of bed during my first visit--but he stirred when he heard me and said brightly, "Hi Sweetheart." Those are the words I will miss more than any when he can no longer speak. And Mom was so completely stressed over holding it all together and what they'll do if their caregiver quits, or what should she do about Dad sleeping so much. All the while she rocks back and forth in her chair as the anxiety increases, anxious and blind.

I left thinking I should go over and sleep there every night--just in case something might happen. I seem to have constant promptings that come into my mind of things I should do to help them--and few I act upon. On my way to or from work each day I talk to Mom on long calls. That is her lifeline--to have long conversations with anyone, really. While she presents one issue after another she's dealing with she says she wishes she didn't have to burden her kids with any of it--she never dreamed she'd be in this position.

So where does that bring me to today? First, I am thinking of the future and how I might be able to fix things so I can be more available to them. Secondly, and more importantly, I am a follower of Jesus and that should change me--guide me--and free me from the guilty feelings and motivate me to do wht I know is right.

Sins of omission? What am I NOT doing that I'm accountable to the Lord for? Between the Lord and me I will no doubt continue to struggle. But will seek His Spirit for guidance, and I will resolve to toss aside the wasted guilt and excuses and do what is right.

"Cheap grace preaches forgiveness without repentance, discipleship without obedience, blessing without persecution, joy without righteousness, results without obedience. In the entire history of the church, has there ever been another generation with so many nominal Christians and so few real (obedient) ones?" (D.A. Carson)

I John 2:3-6: We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The person who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him...This is how we know we are in him: whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.

It's easy to be "Jesus with skin on" for little ones, but when it comes to elderly parents, it's not so easy--but just as important. So I'm dealing with some misplaced guilt, to be sure, but just as assuredly, I desire to be more available to them, and more obedient to the Lord.

What a weekend!

2007-08-29T21:04:00.000-07:00

Last week Annie and Dave and their two, Jonathan and Emily, drove down to visit both sets of families. The girls (Becky, Charif, Annie) headed up to Big Bear for a scrapbook weekend and when we got back on Sunday afternoon we had a nice BBQ in oiur backyard so that the family could see Annie and her kids (the last time they were down was in April, so it had been quite a while since the family got to see her. The next time we see her down here may not be until after her new baby is born!). During the BBQ we surprised Bob and Judy with a mini-Grandparent's shower--it was so fun--they got cute books to read to their new grandbaby--some extra diapers to have on hand, and a photo album, among other cute things! After the BBQ we loaded up our family (Fred and Charif and their two, Penny and Daniel, and Annie and her two) and we drove all the way down to San Diego, arriving at a Motel 6 at midnight in Oceanside! That way we wouldn't have to fight traffic the next morning and having to get sleeping kids up too early. After a leisurely breakfast at a Coco's, we drove to Wild Animal Park! What a ball we had! Fred and I had gone down to SD in July and talked about how fun it would be to take the family there, so we planned it when we knew Annie would be down this past weekend. We always miss Isaac and his family when we do family things==but we are so excited about their move to Thorne Bay and Isaac starting his new job this week, and Katie and Sophia getting to know their new town and planning for the new baby's arrival in a month! Annie left this morning at 6:45 and got to Burney at 6:30 this evening. What a long drive for her--I hope she can take it easy now for a few weeks--this was quite a busy weekend!

"Nothing is more important to human happiness than to be part of a fractious, forgiving, warm, tightly knit family." (Marjorie Holmes)

God has been good to our family and we thank Him for the tightly knit and bound together in love unit that we have.

Wood, Hay, and Stubble II

2007-08-14T20:36:00.001-07:00

Last week, we were shaken from our slumber and out of our complacency by a 4.5 shaker. It was violent and the house shook and windows rattled loudly. Of course it took us back to 13 years ago and the 6.7 Northridge quake. It really scared me, only because of our experience with what a huge quake can do. At first I didn't think anything broke or fell--but oddly enough, as I was cleaning house on Saturday, I kept coming across things that had fallen over that I hadn't even noticed. Nothing broke (although I haven't checked the hutches yet). As with every event in our lives, this quake caused us to immediately assess our priorities, not to mention our "preparedness." How complacent one becomes when things are going well. We are no exception to what is common to most people. We found we had forgotten everything about preparing for a quake!

Then Fred said, "wood, hay, and stubble, honey." After all the work we have been having done on our house to get everything in shape before we can't for one reason or another, and here comes a quake to remind us once again that it can all be gone in a moment. And to remember always what really matters. And as I said in the first "Wood, Hay and Stubble" offering, there's not a blade of new Marathon Sod, not a "celtic wall brick" that can begin to compare with what really matters. At this moment there are six miners trapped in a mine collapse, there is a missing pregnant mother, there is a dear friend wondering if God will supply her needs, another friend's husband dropped dead of a heart attack at age 66...our Alaska kids have just been through a major move to a brand new community, a brand new job lies ahead, and baby is about to be born... and so life is what matters. Fred Jr. is getting ready to go to Uganda to bring hope to a world of hungry kids, and Annie is keeping up with her toddlers while hosting a young woman with no place to go and expecting her third baby...and so life is what really matters.

Before the New Lawn

After the New Lawn - And it's starting to brown because of the 100+ weather--so we're waterin' and we're hopin' but we're thanking God for what really matters.

Enchanted August

2007-08-07T19:57:00.001-07:00

On Saturday evening, Penny and I met Holly and William and Rachel, Mandy and Lydia, and Judi and Terri O, all the way out in Santa Clara (past Fillmore close to Ventura) to see the play Enchanted April in a small community theater there. We had such a good time together. Grammy contributed $50 toward our dinner before the play so she could feel like she's had a little part in the fun, and Holly and Judi arranged for the tickets. The play was simply wonderful. It's a story about a group of women in the 20s who decide to spend a month in a villa in Italy. They barely know each other and each has a story of their own and reasons to escape their somewhat dreary lives following the first world war. They find Italy to be truly enchanting and they come to terms with their problems. It was funny, well acted, and a great little theater. The kids that once were all just toddlers are now old enough to sit through a play written for adults and understand it and enjoy it. These pictures tell the tale, and I thought I'd share--turns out to be an Enchanted August as well!

On the way home Penny and I played a practical joke on cousins Cel and Mike. Even though it was almost midnight we stopped by their house and dropped off a chair that I had picked up on the side of the road leaving it on their front porch with a note that said, "lonley chair, heard a welcome here." You see, Cel has a fondness for old chairs and has 14 hiding away in her attic! Penny and I collapsed into bed in a heap of giggles. The first words out of her mouth the next morning were, "has Cel called yet Grandma?" Sure enough, Cel called and knew it had to be me that left the chair. Why would she think such a thing?

Dearer than our children are the children of our children... (Egyptian proverb)

2007-07-31T21:58:00.000-07:00

We just spent a weekend with the set of grandchildren in Burney...what joy! Jonathan is such a good boy and always wants to help, notice him helping shovel dirt while we planted flowers for his mama. And little Emmy is a whirling dervish of activity--she loves to look at books, but dashes away in an instant if she thinks you might be taking it away. Notice the two pix of her walking away--usually that's the best you can do on pix because she's always moving! Over this weekend Jonathan graduated to a big boy twin bed and he announced to me after it was set up, "I stayed in my bed ALL night (yes, until 6:00 a.m., much to his Mama's chagrine!)!

I don't know who said, "happiness is being a grandparent," but I know it's true...

After our weekend at Annie's, Fred was planning on spending several days up in Oregon visiting a number of our old friends there (after I flew home from Redding Sunday night), but he hurried home after we found out that our dear friend Joe B. Love passed away while we were at Annie's. Joe is married to Marguerite (see former blog about my mentor). Tomorrow morning is his service and Freddy and I will go with Fred who is participating in Joe's service. How quickly life can change and we do pray for our beloved Marguerite who will miss her "Love."

P.S. Thanks Jonathan and Emmy for showing Grandpa and Grandma such a fun time! (Thank you to Annie and Dave too!)

Wood, Hay, and Stubble?

2007-07-06T20:58:00.000-07:00

"We shape our dwellings, and afterwards our dwellings shape us." --Winston Churchill

Yesterday as we were preparing to have new brick replace old brick on the front of the house and around the porch area, it was disovered that the house beams and boards along the front were eaten away by termites. The wood is rotted by both subterranean and wood termites. So my beautification project well underway is now temporarily halted. Underneath the beautiful flowers in the front was nothing but rot.

And the little landscaping project that started out small and ended up to be of gargantuan proportions, and that I was spending too much money on, and then re-evaluating my motivation to make the changes in the first place, is now halted by this incredible discovery while we try to figure out what to do about it!

But as always, there are lessons to be learned. Fred said it made him think of wood, hay, and stubble. It makes me realize that there is nothing, no thing, house, garden, walkway, siding, or new brick, that can begin to compare to treasures in Heaven.

At the Villa last Sunday with my siblings, we were all impressed by how much the ancients tried to bury their treasures on earth with themselves--thinking that it would somehow accompany them into the afterlife.

And so, the termites present a problem. Tent the house, kill the bugs, put up new wood, clean up the mess, essentially.

And while we're doing all of this, I am going to be content and be thankful once again, that the only thing I can possibly take into Eternity with me is my family. And thank GOD there will be no termites in Heaven!

Happy 4th of July

2007-07-04T08:53:00.000-07:00

Photos from July 1 to celebrate the Wallace Kids' summer birthdays including Judy Wallace and Josie Wallace!

I love America. I love America. I love America. I can't help it. I am stirred always by the flag. I am stirred by the lives of those precious soldiers in Iraq. Their bravery, their skill, their sacrifice. I am stirred by the fact that there is evil in this world and that our country almost stands alone against it. There are not words sometimes to express it. I am filled with despair over the ignorance of the average American who does not understand what is at stake.

On a lighter note, I've reflected on 4th of Julys of my childhood...

On 4th of Julys in the '50s, often there was a family BBQ with relatives on my Dad's side who lived nearby. My parents would make homemade ice cream and then we would load up the station wagon and head to Orcutt park for fireworks. Then we would come home and have sparklers and "snakes" and the boys would light off cherry bombs. They got a LOT more out of the 4th than we girls did. One year, the next door neighbor boy Gregory McGillicuddy (or something like that!) blew the end of his finger off with a cherry bomb. The story goes that his finger was so grimy and dirty that the hospital sewed the end of it back on BACKwards! I remember the horror of it all. One 4th I had the flu and couldn't go with the family to the park. I was so sad. But my sweet Daddy cared and promised me something special when I got well. He followed through on his promise and took me out on a real date with he and I alone. I will never forget it. We went to a restaurant on Reseda Blvd and I had my first lobster tail that night. I had that lobster's shell in my treasure box until I headed for college! He bought me a corsage and I remember holding his strong hand as we walked along the boulevard and how filled my heart was with love for my Daddy.

But today, on the 4th, I'm a little lonely for my grandchildren, but glad my husband is home with me today, and I'm preferring to write or watercolor than to work! But Chuck Colson had a wonderful post on Breakpoint today. In his reflections on patriotism and the Christian he said,

"But the only place for expressing that allegiance is in the concrete loyalties God calls us to here on earth -- including loyalty to country. We can't love mankind in the abstract; we can only really love people in the particular, concrete relationships God has placed us in -- our family, our church, our community, our nation."

I am so thankful for this kind of allegiance--allegiance to the flag and our nation that I feel so strongly today of all days, and the allegiance I have to my faith in Christ, and my love for my wonderful family.

May I Have this Dance for the Rest of My Life...

2007-07-02T11:20:00.001-07:00

I chose this photo to celebrate our anniversary because it's the hottest day of the year today and I wanted to remember the romance of snuggling together to get warm in sub zero weather!

One of my favorite songs in whole world is "May I have this dance?" I always loved to dance before I got married and became a Baptist! Dad liked to dance too before we got married. But I always associated dancing with romance and flowers and wooing and affection. Then when this song came out, it touched me deeply, because I realized that marriage was like a dance that lasts forever. There is the partner--choosing the right partner. There is the need to hold each other close whether there is cold weather or hot weather. There are the steps that one needs to learn to be able to glide gracefully across the floor. There is the correct posture and position and how that has to be just right for it to feel right. There is the one who leads, and the one who follows. When the follower tries to lead, the feet get tangled and they might even fall down. There is music--the rythm, the melody, the harmony, the lyrics. All of it flowing perfectly together so that the couple can know which dance to dance.

Have you ever watched older couples who have been dancing together for years? Like Grammy and Grampy--I wish you all could see how perfectly joined they were when they danced. The years fell away and he was such a handsome lead and she fit perfectly in his arms and it was as though they were made for the waltz. It's amazing. If one or the other tried to take a different partner, they would become immediately clumsy and wouldn't know what to do with the wrong partner!

Dad and I have been dancing our dance for 37 years. When we were going together and we were newly married he would often say to me when we were standing together, snuggling on the sofa, or just holding hands, "you fit just right." And I did. And I still do. And he has truly been the perfect partner for me. I realize it more and more as I grow older and life is so full and different than I ever imagined it would be--that this was God's plan for my married life, that I would learn in this dance that every blessing and every trial was ordained by Him and He meant for it to all work together to form a perfect minuet, bossanova, swing, or rumba. We know the steps, we know the rythym, we know our partner. And it is in his arms that I have found the perfect fit and the perfect dance partner.

Happy Anniversary Honey!

30 Years Ago Today...

2007-05-19T19:39:00.000-07:00

Today is our youngest's 30th birthday. I remember so
clearly when she turned 13 and the realization hit
that I had three teenagers all at one time. It should
have been a bit of a rough ride, but God was so
gracious to us, and our teens were very easy on their
parents. Three teens all at once. Hmmmnn. Then it
was three young adults in their twenties, and now
today, it is three mature adults in their thirties and
three whole families besides. My stars and bars, as
my mother would say. Is it really possible?

But today she is 30. The girl I dreamed of having,
the perfect daughter, the true friend, the one who has
supported me as much as I've supported her. The one
who has given me two of my grandchildren and is about
to have another. The daughter who never asks, who
never complains, who loves her parents, her brothers,
their wives, their children and her entire family with
utter and complete devotion. The one we call Annie,
her Daddy's girl, and her mother's heart.

Happy birthday to the desire of my heart,

Mom

Happy Birthday Penny

2007-05-18T07:36:00.001-07:00

This photo was taken when Penny was only seven. She and I were going on a trip to Pantages to see the Wizard of Oz!

Today a Grandma's Girl is 12. Twelve is a significant year in a girl's life. It's when she decides what's important to her in life and when she will discover much about life. She'll probably begin to have some political views, she'll wonder about the mysteries in life, like how an eagle flies, or how God designed us to be different from one another. She'll think about boys and she'll develop very deep friendships with her girlfriends that, if she's very careful, will influence her in positive ways that will last and sustain her throughout her lifetime. She'll discover that friendships with boys really don't last, because girls are so much more mature than boys during these next few years of her life. She will learn that she is very unique to her Mom, her Dad, her Grandma, her brother, and her girlfriends. That her individuality is what will help her take a stand when she believes something isn't right; and her uniqueness may cause her to clash with others now and then. But this uniqueness is part of who she is and what God has been shaping from the moment she was born.

Yes, my little Penny will grow up this year. And this Grandma is standing in Penny's balcony, ready to cheer her on, and watch her become the unique and lovely young woman that God has been making plans for from before she was even conceived. My prayer is that Penny will take the Lord Jesus with her wherever she goes as she stretches those wings and begins to fly.

I love you sweet girl,
Grandma (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Mother's Day 2007

2007-05-13T09:22:00.000-07:00

"For some time she stood looking about her, her heart leaping and thrilling with a growing joy which was beyond her understanding and a peace indescribably sweet which seemed to enfold her." --Much-Afraid, Hinds Feet on High Places

This was a moment indeed, when I knew my family was complete, and that God would take care of my little ones and all was right with my world. And to this day, all is right with my world because of what He has done in and through all of our lives. Thank you all for blessing my life with so much love. I love being your Mom more than anything in this world.

Challenge: What Bible character would you like to meet and why?

2007-05-09T19:13:00.000-07:00

Hanauma Bay, HA July '06

I once journaled about Bible characters I would like to meet and what I would ask them if I could talk with them. Who would you like to meet?

First, I would love to know how MARY would tell the story of Jesus' birth and His childhood as well as her life with Joseph--was her marriage sweeter because Jesus was her child? When she "pondered these things in heart" did she feel as I do when I stand in awe and wonder at how good God has been to me by giving me each of my wonderful children?
And ESTHER. What was it like when she went before the king? Did her heart nearly leap out of her chest with fear?
EVE. How many children did you eventually deliver? Did you lose any children because of the Fall? And did you know God had a Son, Jesus?
MARY and MARTHA? Were you really just like me when I'm too busy to serve the Lord, and when I sometimes PREFER to be busy? Or are you just like me when I finally give in and worship the Lord Jesus? Or when I do something kind and sacrificial for someone else? Were you surprised by joy as C.S. Lewis wrote about?
THOMAS. When you felt the hands and feet of Jesus did you cry?
And Stephen. When you were martyred, did you only see Jesus? Did you feel inutterable unspeakable pain or did you know that He was right there beside you as you drew your last breath? Did you know instant peace and joy--could you see Him standing at the right hand of God reaching out to take you to the throne of God?
Blessings to you this evening, Family!

What a Beautiful Wedding Day...

2007-05-01T20:30:00.000-07:00

Our Corie was married Saturday to Justin Gleason and it was a beautiful wedding. Almost the whole family was there and also most of Justin's immediate family. It was sweet to see the beginnings of the blending of two families, two lives, two hearts, two loves. The most wonderful part of the day for me was how many hands helped to make this happen, out of nothing but love for Corie. Truly, the cousins in this family have a bond. They hear the words "wedding" and run to make it happen and start the party planning and buy airline tickets--they hear the words "baby coming" and we're off to plan the shower and share the maternity clothes and baby furniture! What a family!
And the ceremony was touched by sweetness. Fred with his choking up over the history in the church, our own wedding, Bobby and I being on the cradle roll there, the other family weddings there, and also the service for Andy. And Grampy and Grammy, still committed, still faithful to CCC. It makes me think of the passages of time and how precious life is. I loved the ringing of the church bell...it does something to me. I remember asking the wedding coordinator on July 3, 1970, if I could have the church bells ring after our ceremony at 8:00 p.m. that evening. Surely the neighbors wondered what was going on "up at the church" that night! It means so much to me.
I just want to say thank you to Judy W., Judi F., Holly S., Mandy B., Jimbo, Freddy, Charif, Fred, and everyone else who worked so hard to make Corie's wedding so special. And for those who just pitched in and worked the reception, Annie, Charif, Katie, Xenia, Terri O. I probably missed someone--but you know who you are. These are a few of my favorite pictures from the wedding. More posts coming on this one, for sure!

My Isaac...

2007-04-11T21:51:00.000-07:00

April 11 - Isaac is born... he has brought laughter and joy to my life in so many ways. As a little boy he had such curiosity about important things--like how many legs does a catepillar actually have, or what happens if you give a goldfish a bath, and can a snail drive a fire engine? Then as a school boy his curiosity grew into collecting things, like leaves, or black widows found under the picnic tables at school. Finally, his love of writing and literature began to unfound and combine with a love for the outdoors that grew until it became the very fiber of his being. As a young person he was a dreamer--and when he wasn't thinking about his next haiku, or how to properly disect owl droppings, he was figuring out how to talk his mother into circles until she would agree to anything! And then adventure took him far away to gain his independence and a life many would only dream of. Each year as he would come and go, the leaving was hard, but the call on his life was stronger. And always, as the adventure unfolded before him, he would never forget his brother or sister and parents, or to say I love you, or to hug, or even shed a tear when we parted. Finally, when the adventure became lonely, he found the love of his life and his joy was complete. And a brand new adventure is being lived out and the call on his life is fulfilled.

Happy Birthday Isaac! Love, Mom

Easter Babies

2007-04-06T21:23:00.000-07:00

Three generations of Easter baby girls.

When I was little Easter meant a trip to "downtown Canoga Park" for an Easter dress, shoes, bonnet, gloves, and purse. We always died Easter eggs and my sister was the one who organized it being very particular about the colors. I was fascinated by the whole process! On Easter morning it was always exciting to get up and find an empty Easter basket beside our beds. We then went to the living room and began to collect our jelly beans, marshmallo eggs and a chocolate bunny. We would then spread them out and count them...lining the jelly beans up by color. There was always a chenile chick or two as well. Then we dressed up for church and I usually had gloves and a little purse. Sometimes my new shoes were actually black and white saddle oxfords that would have to be polished and shined. I remember my first pair of "flats." It was hard to fit me in a dressy shoe because even my feet were scrawny! But Sunday School and church were always wonderful--"Up From the Grave He Arose" and "He Lives" were our favorite songs. A time or two I was lucky enough to go to the Hollywood Bowl for an Easter sunrise service--it was always cold but the music and sunrise were beautiful. I knew Jesus died on the cross for my sins and early on made the connection of Communion representing the shed blood and broken body of Jesus--who went willingly because of His love for even me. Mother always served ham on Easter--I never really knew why, and I didn't care for ham, actually.

When I had my own little girl, I had so much fun dressing her up for Easter Sunday and she always looked so pretty. I kept the same traditions as I had growing up and loved filling my children's Easter baskets and dying Easter eggs.

Now my daughter is about to dress her own little girl in an Easter dress (she won't keep the bonnet on, I'm sure!) and sweet little shoes. Oh how I wish I could be with them on this special day. Last year when Emily was not yet born, the family was stranded by snow and had to have Easter Sunday church at home.

Here I am about to celebrate my 57th Easter Sunday. No longer dressing up as times have changed and we're a casual society. But I will thank God for the memories of Easters long ago, and the Easters my children are making for their own special children. I'll put on my Easter Bonnet and head for the blogs for a glimpse of our Alaska babe and the Burney grandchildren--and then head to Easter Sunrise service at the Hollywood Bowl to remember and celebrate! Happy Easter everyone!

First Time on a Merry-Go-Round and Fairies

2007-04-03T06:55:00.000-07:00

I couldn't figure out how to put the merry-go-round video clip I have, but Emmy was so cute on the ride--she LOVED it! She is such a busy girl you can't get her to stop long enough usually for a big picture smile--but she smiles all the time--she's just such a wiggle-tail you can't catch it just right! In Sacto our main objective was a trip to the zoo--which was a blast! More photos on that later--but we also visited our cousins in Sacto who have twin girls. Jonathan played with them until crashing completely at night--sooooo much fun. But the funnest part was when they got tired of being Spidermen and wanted to dress up as fairies instead. Jonathan was utterly dejected, and finally just went with the flow--note the third very masculine looking fairy! But what fun--two and a half days with Annie and kids--we were both worn out from it all--but it was well worth it!

Friends and Cousins

2007-03-23T14:16:00.000-07:00

Penny and Vivi are cousins,
To Grandma's and Aunti's they're runnin'!
They played and they giggled,
They spinned and they fizzled,
And now they're mainly funnin'!

The girls came to my house today while Vivi is having a visit with Grampy and Grammy for the weekend. So Penny and Daniel came over for the morning so the girl cousins could play together. Now that they're 11 and almost 12, they are nearly independent and play together so nicely. Daniel and I made cookies while the girls worked on the computer and watched some kind of pre-teen contest thing on TV. Then picnic'd on peanut butter and strawberries for lunch.

40 Years is Not so Long...

2007-03-03T10:34:00.000-08:00

Becky and Judy in Dallas at The Gaylord

This year marks 40 years of my friendship with Judy "B." We met this past weekend in Dallas for a getaway to pause and remember, to "bolster one another up," and to set aside all of our cares and our busy lives to devote quality time to each other. When Judy had the revelation that we had "been together" for 40 years, we began to recall the milestones and the passages we have passed through over these many years. We laughed, we cried, we celebrated (happy birthday JB!), we remembered--oh yes, we also shopped! And most of all we thanked God that two young girls, aged 17 and 19, could be drawn to each other the way we were--with relatively little in common at that time--and that the bond that began almost instantaneously in 1967, could grow as it has into the strong, secure, and enduring friendship that is so special to us. We had so much fun just focusing on what was it that drew us to one another, what has kept it alive in spite of the fact we've never lived in the same town beyond college years, the parallels, the heartaches, the losses, the joys (our babies and grandchildren!), the burdens, our faith, and our utter and complete devotion to one another. We also talked about what it is that makes friendships fade away, and are so thankful that this is the one that has endured. We thanked each other for making it work--for making the sacrifices over the years to see to it that we saw each other as often as possible.

I am so thankful to the Lord for this friendship--Judy gave me a book once called "A Girlfriends Journal." One of the qualities it talks about is how you accept your friend just as she is...that is truly what we have (although I do believe we've got each other on a bit of a pedestal!) "I've always been able to count on you in time of crisis. It's like having my own personal Good Samaritan on speed dial." For now, we're on speed dial in our hearts forever. Thank you, Lord--thank you, Judy B.

Happy Valentine's Day

2007-02-14T07:26:00.000-08:00

I'm filled with love for each and every one of you, all the loves of my life.

As I reflect on Valentine's Day, I remember that despite my happy childhood, I sought approval from others, always fearful of not being liked or that someone would be "mad at me." I was often sad on Valentine's Day because I was never popular at school, so I would be one that was left out of receiving Valentine's. Sometimes my feelings would be very hurt. I distinctly remember that it was very painful at elementary school age--when I was first aware of it. And sometimes I didn't have Valentine's to give away because my mother didn't want to buy them, or we didn't have supplies to make them. Or I would forget to have them ready in time for school. But later on in life, I would receive many special Valentine's from girlfriends, boyfriends, my family, and grandparents. But the the most special Valentine's have been from my husband who NEVER forgets and has given me a lifetime of romance and flowers and beautiful Valentine's and loving words. As recent as yesterday on his blog, and today before leaving for work!

I am so thankful that God has given me love--first that He loved me, I received His gift of salvation, and then He blessed my life with each and every one of you. Happy Valentine's Day Loves!

Little Boys and Nephews

2007-02-09T15:17:00.000-08:00

Freddy

Robby Isaac

Lincoln

Andy

Forrest

Wade

Through their clubby confidences and shared secrets, through the time they spend alone and the knowledge they gain, cousins learn to cooperate and get along together. They discover the meaning of loyalty, and master skills in defending one another against the outside even in the midst of their own vicious battles. They cultivate their ability to have fun, to laugh and make jokes. They gain their first experiences in knowing themselves as individuals but also as persons connected to others. In short, they learn what it means to be "we" and not just "I."

These are the little boys that came into our world, one by one, beginning with Freddy in 1971. These are the grandsons of Tom and Amanda. Each and every one are now men. I look at this collection and wonder how it is that time has moved as it has. That three of them have families and children of their own, that we grieve the loss of one that went too soon, we fill with pride over two who serve their country, the one on his way, and one who is realizing a successful career, is hard for me to even comprehend. They live all over the country, and they all have unique and different lives. But I look into the faces of those little boys, my own and my nephews, and I know that God has a plan for each one, and that my responsibilities for praying for them are now greater than ever. Frankly, I sometimes fill with fear for their safety in a terrible world, a reality far too close, especially since Andy's passing. But today I am thinking of these boys and men, and am loving them, and praying for them to all know that life lived to the fullest is a life that trust's in the Lord above all else. I love the bond between them and their heritage they share together, and pray that they will always be close...

Like Brotha Like Sistah...

2007-02-04T18:32:00.000-08:00

Do the Duffield "eyes" have it? I think so! Here are my little NoCal grandkids at about the same age--9 months. Don't they look alike? I hope they will grow in love for each other like the relationships I have with my siblings!

2007

2007-01-21T19:42:00.000-08:00

Gloria Gaither said, "If everything special and warm and happy in my formative years could have been consolidated into one word, that word would have been Christmas." Since my last blog, I've had computer problems at home and haven't been able to catch up. But Christmas happened, and New Years, and now a family emergency with "Coolskool's" surgery. And so I'll write a little and share some of our recent, and past, memories.

Would you believe that at the end of last year I journaled that I thought it would be wonderful to have a family blog. Thanks to you all, we've done that through our own links to one another's pages. I also wrote I thought it would be wonderful for each family to write a "State of the Family Union Address" that we could share together once a year when all together. So maybe we can make that a goal for next year--or the next time we're together. But the blogging has been a wonderful surprise. I thought it would be hard, but it has been such an outlet, and more than anything, a way to connect with one another on an almost daily basis. It is also a window into each of your souls--I know each of you better than I thought possible. People talk about love languages--I really believe mine is words. And so this has been an especially wonderful GIFT for me.

Our www.sistersinstudy.com blog is another delightful surprise for 2007. I'm enjoying my daughters-in-law and my daughter spiritually more than ever before as a result. And it's keeping us accountable to a daily reading and study. We're doing great SIS!

As Christmas got closer, I thought about Andy alot. And now that February is approaching, he is on my heart and mind even more. I know that his mom and dad and brother grieve every day over their loss. And I hear his sweet refrain in my mind so often as I know you all do. And dear BE, your own loss must be ever so close to your heart as well. Please know that I remember and think of you and your family.

My grandchildren are so precious to me. And even though it was so unusual, CS and Chind have suffered a loss. And so have we. I am so thankful God is sovereign and He knows our hearts and our need. So we are comforted in that. And praise Him that CS is through her ordeal and I pray for a speedy recovery for her. How thankful I am that everything happened the way it did, before any worse injury could have happened to CS.

This year will hold so many events, trials, blessings, and changes, to be sure. Pastor Encourager was telling me the other day that we can't dwell on the past, nor worry about the future, but we can do something about today--today matters. So I'll not stress about tomorrow, but live for today, knowing Who holds the future for each of us. For my children, please know I am praying for you and all those changes and blessings that are ahead--but know too that I am so thankful you live your lives making each day matter.

The Lion King

2006-12-15T15:56:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday night we got to take our eldest grandkids, Penny and Daniel, to Hollywood to see The Lion King production/musical! What a great time we had. We had dinner at a restaurant called (you guessed it!) Hollywood and Vine... The kids were soooooo well mannered, said thank at all the appropriate times, were happy, and absolutely LOVED the musical. Daniel hadn't been to a big production before so it was really fun for him. Grandpa and Grandma tolerated things well, although we aren't used to staying up so late--so the kids had to put US to bed when we got home! We actually took the subway and that was really a blast too. We're blessed to live so close to a big city for things like this from time to time! (Thanks P & D for having such a good time with G & G--let's do it again!) [I'll let you in on a little Secret: The Pantages Theater holds lots of mystery and memories for this Grandma--I had several dates when I was a teenager at that theater! But don't tell Grandpa--K?]

EmmyAnne & JudiAnne - Side by Side

2006-12-15T10:33:00.000-08:00

Emmy & Annie

It is impossible to describe what it feels like to see and hold and love your children's children. When I look in the little face of Emmy's, my heart doesn't just see that beautiful child, it sees a little deeper. It seems as though I'm looking into the face of my own baby girl and it fills my heart with such awe and wonder that can't be explained. The closest thing I can come to telling what happens in my heart at these moments, is to paraphrase a Scripture passage that describes another Mother,

"And Mary kept these things hidden in her heart, to treasure them, ponder them, and bring them to mind when the future seemed uncertain, and all that she felt and believed about this infant child completely filled her heart with love and absolute wonder."

My heart too, is filled with wonder, and indescribable love and joy.

Happy Birthday Grandson!

2006-12-05T05:45:00.000-08:00

Mr. Magee with his Pop-Pop
Helping Grandma wash dishes...

The stance: following in Daddy's footsteps!

This is Jonathan. He is three years old today. I was there when his mommy brought him into this world. She struggled so and he had a bit of a rough start spending five days in a NICU and we prayed that God would keep his little life and he would grow and be strong and be a blessing to everyone he would meet along this road called life. God has answered our prayers beyond anything we could ask or think. This little boy has brought more joy than we could have imagined--to his parents, his grandparents, his aunts and uncles, his cousins, and it seems to the whole little community where he lives. He's loaded with personality, physical strength, he's funny, he has the most beautiful eyes, he's very smart and talked early, and says the funniest things. When he and I were washing dishes at my sink in October, we were very busy, but in the middle of it, he just said, "I love you Grandma." So JOnathan, all boy, athletic little guy, busy, rough and tumble, has melted and stolen this Grandma's heart.

Happy Birthday little guy--better check your mailbox! Love, Grandma

Beads For Needs

2006-11-19T18:00:00.000-08:00

Mandy and her Beads for Needs!

Our necklace and the Children's Hunger Fund Food Pak--The Perfect Gift!

My neice Mandy was inspired by the story of a Chris Carter who took a Pulitzer Prize winning photo of a starving child with wheat growing behind her and a vulture sitting nearby waiting for her imminent death. When asked what happened to the child, Chris, overcome by guilt when he realized he didn't know the answer, ended his life because of the shame. Inspired by this story and having many opportunities to share what gifts she has with children in our world who are disadvantaged and hungry, Mandy decided to begin a journey called "Beads for Needs." Today 11 women gathered in my home to make beautiful beaded jewelry with Mandy, and for each donation, Mandy purchased a box of food put together by Children's Hunger Fund. There were enough boxes of food purchased for the cost of a necklace to feed a family for a year! What a blessed time we had.

"This piece of jewelry was lovingly handcrafted. Not for the love of jewelry, but love for humanity. When you wear this jewlry know that all the proceeds from its sale feed a family for a month. Now that is showing "Compassion with your Fashion!" Love, Mandy

Sunset at Malibu...

2006-11-18T11:00:00.000-08:00

Last night we watched the sun go down from Gladstones on the Beach at Malibu. Brother Olen and Marcy invited us to dinner--they drove up from Orange County and had quite the time in traffic, but just the right time for us to watch the Beauty of God's Handiwork unfold before us! Thanks again Olen for such a great treat and BIG outing for Fred, who is looking pretty good I'd say!

It's Persimmon Time!

2006-11-12T11:20:00.000-08:00

Every year just before Thanksgiving it's persimmon time at Mom and Dad's. It means climbing up on the tall ladder and picking the lucious fruit before the mockingbirds and blackbirds get to them and before they soften. It means looking forward to Mom's fabulous old persimmon bread recipe, cookies, and candied persimmons.

Yesterday, my niece Corie, home from her Army intelligence school in Arizona, and me, did our best to fill up the red wheelbarrow with perfect persimmons. We got as many as we could reach while mom and dad sat nearby and watched and reminisced about that tree and how scrawny it was when Dad planted it so many years ago, and how many recipes featured its persimmons over the years! Mom remembered the first persimmon tree she had seen back in the 40s on Oso Street when they first moved there in 1948. There's something so predictable about this tree, this property, these people. Simple fruits, simple signs of the turning of the seasons, and love that goes on and on and on.

Dad and the windfall before Corie and I did our pickin'...

"What will your children remember?

There is something in every season,

in every day,

to celebrate with thanksgiving."

(Gloria Gaither)

Could the Doctors See the Love in Grandpa's Heart?

2006-10-30T08:49:00.000-08:00

Well, the surgery is over and God took good care of us. The next six weeks will be the recovery time and I'm hoping and praying Fred will be patient and enjoy the time to rest and allow his body to heal. He's been a good patient so far, so I'm sure he'll follow doctor's orders! You always learn alot during these kinds of experiences, and I've learned lessons as well:

I've learned about heart valves and how they work
I've learned that open heart surgery is very delicate and that medical science is amazing
I've learned that people who's lives Fred has touched really care about him and wish they could help him
I've learned that God is in control of everything
I've learned that in a hospital waiting room, there are many people who need a touch of God's amazing grace, just a word, just a look of empathy, just a ray of hope
I've learned that little children can say the most amazing things...

Someone once said, "Children are God's apostles sent forth, day by day, to preach of love, and hope and peace."

On day two after Fred's surgery, Daniel and I (and Penny) were looking through a booklet about heart valve replacement. We were talking about the valve from a very technical perspective--I named the four valves, showed then what an artificial or tissue valve looks like, and explained what arteries and ventricals and valves are. Daniel was taking it all in and then suddenly said to turn the page back to the picture of the heart. Touching the aortic valve with his finger, he said, "Could the doctors see the love in Grandpa's heart?" I said, "probably not, but Jesus sure could, and Jesus took care of Grandpa." Later, telling Fred that story, he started to cry as the words of a five-year-old reached in and warmed his "heart of hearts."

Tomorrow I bring him home and I'm excited to get him home and get into the recovery mode at home. But my greatest lesson is one I've been learning alot about these past months. And that is that no matter what we go through, God has in mind to grow us, to perfect us, and even to bless us. Even when it seems too hard. And along with all of that, we have nothing whatsoever to complain about, or be discontent about, that our circumstances are so small in comparison to what others are going through and in comparison to how big our God is. Fred used to tell of folks that would answer him with "I'm okay, under the circumstances." To that Fred would reply, "What are you doing under the circumstances?" Remember that? It actually may seem trite, especially if the burdens are much greater than one can bear, but it works for us in our current situation!

Here is a photo of Dad, who wanted to say a special hello to our family of bloggers. I want to thank you kids and your families for all the support you've offered me in these past couple of weeks. To Freddy and Charif and Annie who came and spent so much time in spite of all the chaos it created for you! And Isaac for all the calls and care that reached out through the wires straight to Dad. And a special thank you to Olen who just has been there for us--from breakfast on surgery day, to a shaver for Fred, to shaving Fred :), and the calls and visit with Marcy. Bless you all so much.

Reflections for the Loves of My Life...

2006-10-20T21:38:00.000-07:00

"Be joyful always; pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances,

for this is God's will for you." I. Thess. 5:16-18

This coming Wednesday my husband will be having open heart surgery. We are in the midst of preparing ourselves for what is sure to be a pretty intense time of recovery, needed patience and grace, and a touch from our Father's great mercy. As I try to place myself in the events of this coming week and in anticipation of seeing Fred in any discomfort, I do know that we will be on the other side of it all in a relatively short period of time. By Christmas, he will be almost healed, back to work, and our lives will be back into the usual rythyms and flow that have become the routine of our empty nest.

These past few days have held some surprises that I wish to record here. First, I've known that Fred has ministered with a very personal one-on-one touch to literally thousands of people over these past years as Chaplain and as "a" Care Pastor at our church. I know this because I can't get through a Saturday run into Costco without being stopped by someone who's life Fred has touched, or the mall, the corridors of the hospital, and certainly at church. But this week, as word has spread that he is having this surgery, the calls and cards and emails have been pouring in, reminding me once more of the ministry that Fred has had with so many. And today we learned that the blood donor center has been busy with a number who have stepped forward to donate platelets and blood for Fred. The donors are saying, "this is my chance to give back to Fred." I've heard Fred say numerous times, "you never know where your touch may go." Well, we've learned this week in new ways where his touch has been, that is for sure. And now there are those who wish to step in and touch his life and help in any way they can.

I've been asked if I'm afraid. My immediate response is that neither of us are afraid of death--and there is no question in my mind but that God will take care of me if anything should happen to Fred. But I do fear physical pain for him. And there is some nervousness, almost as though we are preparing for a great stage play in which we are major players. And of course both of us know that there are so many people facing impossible circumstances, losses, illness, pain, and sorrow, far greater than anything we are dealing with at this time.

And I give thanks for the heart of my husband. It is a heart that has certainly known pain, has ached for others in pain, has rejoiced with those who have rejoiced, has been broken and contrite before the Lord, has been filled with pride over his children and grandchildren, has sacrificially loved his wife, has been the true heart of a servant, and is a heart that as a young boy asked the question, "can God use a skinny little kid like me?" It is this heart that I have loved for the past 38 years--not a perfect heart mind you, but, like my own heart and yours, one for whom Christ died.

Years ago I had a major surgery and Fred sang a song at church for me, "He Giveth More Grace." I'm singing it for him in my heart tonight:

He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,

He sendeth more strength as our labors increase;

To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,

To multiplied trials He multiplies peace.
When we have exhausted our store of endurance,

When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,

When we reach the end of our hoarded resources,

Our Father’s full giving is only begun.

His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,

His power no boundary known unto men;

For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,

He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

So as I look toward this week ahead, and prepare my own heart to trust the Lord completely, and to place my husband in the hands of perfect strangers to handle his heart, I do give thanks for this circumstance and know it is God's will for us at this time--the God who knows, who sees, and who cares and will heal.

A Conversation With The Brothers...

2006-10-13T20:05:00.000-07:00

What is it Daddy? It's called a baby sister. She's really little Daddy. Yes, we have to be very careful with her, son, we could hurt her if we're rough with her. What is she thinking Daddy? Well, I think she's thinking how nice it is to have two big brothers. Will she like my toy trucks Dad? I think she'll want to play with your trucks so she can give her dollies a ride. Dollies? Yes, boys, she'll have lots of dollies to play with and toy dishes. Will she share her dollies with us? Oh yes, she'll learn how to share by watching "the brothers" share with each other. Is she talking to us Daddy? Yes, she's talking to us with her eyes. Can I take her to school with me for show and tell Dad? I think that would be very special, but we'll have to ask Mommy about that. She smells nice, Dad. That's because she's a little flower. Like Flower the Skunk in Bambi, Daddy? I think that's about right, son! Do you like her Daddy? Sons, she's Daddy's little girl and I will always love her and protect her. Daddy? Yes, son? I like her too. She's pretty Daddy. Yes sons, she's pretty, just like her Mommy.

Freddy, Isaac, Baby Annie, and Daddy - May 1977

Krista Gets Married...

2006-10-01T21:38:00.000-07:00

Krista was such a cute little girl. She was tiny and didn't really like Isaac hugging her that much, but she tolerated it pretty well. As a bride, she was stunning. Last weekend we attended her beautiful sunset wedding. She married Jason and it was blending of two lives, two families, and two careers in a lovely Christian ceremony. Karen was the matron of honor and she looked so beautiful. Krista has accomplished much and her parents have a lot to be so very proud of. But in spite of her achievements, she is the same sweet girl with sincerity in everything she does.

The next day we had a bit of reunion. I got to hold Karen's handsome little baby boy, Trent, and listen to him coo and blow bubbles at his mama's soft voice. All the Martin's who had come from out of town gathered for lunch at a restaurant and later at Olen's in Westminster and we had a great time together. Parker and Daniel played like only two cousins can, Freddy and his generation of cousins played and talked and shared, and the Martin boys and Gay visted non stop. We ended the day with singing, hymns, Mickey's solos, and, of course, a final version of the Martin Hannakuh song! A GRAND reunion and loads of fun. Many thanks to Olen for making all the arrangements, and to Sara and her darling baby Christina, and Barney and Gay and family who came from so far away. We really missed those who couldn't be there but we knew they were there in spirit.

"Happy times and bygone days are never lost... In truth, they grow more wonderful within the heart that keeps them."

Random Acts of Kindness? I Think Not!

2006-09-23T13:59:00.000-07:00

Our neighbor has a sign on the back of her car: "Practice Random Acts of Kindness." This makes me think and think about how random is it, really?

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.”

I want to share with you the verse that has become my own life verse: Ephesians 4:32: “Be kind and compassionate toward one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” This verse is God’s answer to selfishness, to bitterness, to cruelty. People have asked me what is my secret to a happy marriage—it is found in this verse. People have asked me how is it that my children have grown into such wonderful adults, it is found in this verse.

Reach back into your memories to when you were a little child. See if you can’t remember a time or incident when someone was NOT kind to you. Were there many such instances? How about a memory of someone who was kind to you? Can you remember a time when your mother was not kind, how about when she was especially kind?

Think about what it means to purposefully show kindness to your own little ones. Kindness instead of impatience, kindness instead of irritability, kindness over anger. Examples:

· When I was a little girl, at about age 7, I had asked Jesus into my heart. I was ecstatic afterward and shared Jesus with a neighbor girl. She too prayed to ask Jesus into her heart. I was about to burst with joy when I ran into the house where my mother was visiting with a neighbor. She shooed me out of the house and was angry with me. I was instantly wounded—and never forgot that moment.

· Then another memory was when I was in Kindergarten and was skipping down the hallway at Winnetka and the principal stopped me to tell me I had beautiful green eyes… I was so terrified of anyone in authority by that time in my little life that it astounded me, it thrilled me, and I never forgot it. How kind of him to say that to me.

· One Easter Sunday I had a brand new little white basket purse and gloves. Another little girl had the same purse but had lost hers. She claimed I had stolen her purse, and the Sunday School teacher leaned down to my level and whispered into my ear and said, “I believe you Becky.” Those words were full of kindness and made all the difference in the world to me at that moment. It didn’t matter what anyone might say after that—she had been so very kind..

Each of those incidents actually began to shape my own character, along with my own insecurities. Think about the many opportunities that you have each day to demonstrate to your children not only purposeful acts of kindness that they can do and show to others by your example, but kind and meaningful things that you can say and do for your children that will build their self esteem and help to shape their character and their ability to face life with courage and confidence.

My own children were taught about kindness in subtle ways. Growing up in a pastor’s home made it a challenge sometimes to teach why we behave—was it because church people might see us and judge us? Or were they expected to behave because it was right. A subtle difference, but a significant one. While they were young on December 1 we set out the manger scene and removed the straw from the manger and baby Jesus. During the month if I saw one of the children doing something kind or good to his brother or sister, I let them go and get a little bit of straw and place it in the manger. Then on Christmas morning we hoped there would be enough little acts of kindness to make a soft place for the baby Jesus to rest his head. I asked my adult children for examples of kindnesses they remembered--Isaac wrote back, “I shot Annie once with a bb gun!” Not exactly the memory I was looking for!

Keep in mind, Kindness requires:

· An open heart
· A willing spirit
· An outstretched arm

It can be spontaneous, it is a thoughtful or planned deed, it is a gift you give someone, and it is an extension of the Lord Jesus alive in you.

A couple of years ago, when little Daniel was barely two years old, Charif took him to my mother’s hospital bed following an extensive surgery. He was fascinated with the whole experience and immediately clasped his little hands together and said, “Jesus, Grammy well, Amen.” My mother started to whisper a thank you to Daniel, and he interrupted and said, “More Jesus!” Without realizing then, Daniel’s spontaneous prayer was an act of kindness. Would Daniel have done that without his mommy and daddy teaching him by their example that when someone is hurting, we DO something? I think not.

So family, let me encourage you—be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving in everything you do with your children. And watch for opportunities to show your children how to be kind to others—that kindness is something you sometimes do in secret, so that no one but Jesus knows it was you—and that your children can be taught to look for people in need—I love it when Penny says, “I’ve got “3” ministries!”

God bless you as you continue to be kind--not randomly--but on purpose!

It's Talk Like a Pirate Day Today!

2006-09-19T15:53:00.000-07:00

Ahoy, there, me maties! Is it bedtime stories ye be wantin'? Then mark me words, there'll be plunderin' pirates lurking in every cove--waitin' to board, so keep yer ruddy hands on board and stay closen together and listen to Captain Bogg and Salty and do the Pegleg Tango!! (Per me Shipmate and Cap'n Daniel!)
Ye Feller Skallywagg, Auntibeck

The Firstborn...

2006-09-16T10:01:00.000-07:00

The firstborn has to be really patient while the new parents figure it all out.
The firstborn has to understand when the parents make him perform for every visitor.
The firstborn is the one the parents practice on.
The firstborn is the one who tries everything once, so the next batch won't have to.
The firstborn is the one the parents rely on to teach them new technology.
The firstborn is the natural born leader.
The firstborn is the boss of the second and third-born.
The firstborn is the one who doesn't have to have hand-me-downs.
The firstborn is the one who speaks up when others won't.
The firstborn is the first love of the parents.

Our firstborn is the one who gets things done.
Our firstborn is the one who remembers ALL the relatives who have died.
Our firstborn is the one who makes sure his Dad has an Ipod.
Our firstborn is the one who checks to see if his Mom needs anything when Dad's away.
Our firstborn is the one who shares everything he has.
Our firstborn will remind his parents when they're off track.
Our firstborn is the one who will stay up all night long to write a song for the family.
Our firstborn is our leader.
Our firstborn is our pride and joy.
Our firstborn is our first love.

Happy 35th, Firstborn Love!

From the 50's to the 2000's!

2006-09-05T19:43:00.000-07:00

Sunday night, my sibs and I met to "discuss..." What a kick--we didn't really reminisce about the good old days, but sometimes we do and we cover everything from Romper Room to Mr. Brink, to the 56' International, to Judi's mud pies, the circus tent, Edgar Allen Poe, Uncle Frank, Grandma Couts', and to Winnetka Avenue Elementary! We often wonder at the education we got in the L.A. City School system--such as it was! But on Sunday, it was a dry and very hot desert night in Palmdale and the visit was pretty subdued, but as always, I come away so thankful for each of my brothers and for my sister. I was so happy that Bob made it happen. My, isn't this a quintessential picture of some baby boomers?!

Someone once said, "Though four children have the same parents, the same values, the same everything, they turn out different. Isn't that the genius of God?" Yes, how different we all are, but we are so united in so many ways. Thanks again Bob! Love to you all.

Family Photo

2006-09-04T11:59:00.000-07:00

"When you look at your life, the greatest happinesses are family happinesses." (Joyce Brothers)

When I look at this photo, my mind is flooded with memories of a short weekend, full of activity, love, silliness, laughter, tears, gratitude, exhorbitence, and tremendous pride. First, Annie and her family drove 10 hours in a van with their little ones, Isaac and his family flew all day and evening from Alaska, Freddy worked into the night for days on his special tribute to his dad before meeting Annie at our house and then picking up Isaac at the airport to drive to a Super 8 in Long Beach late at night to be able to make the 8:30 Catalina Express to head for our destination "Island 60th Celebration!" The adventure began in Long Beach--but I'll not detail that madness here! Then, none worse for the wear, we all met in Catalina, excited and ready to make the taxi ride to the beautiful Hamilton Cove condos waiting for all of us. So we did it all, from para-sailing to snorkeling, to kyaking, to playing Rook, to naps, to bbq, to "church in the condo living room," to Pop-Night--culminating in a wonderful tribute to our kids' dad.

How could I ever ask for a fuller life? I ponder and worry, and fret, and pray, and beg God to keep me ever grateful and that nothing should ever happen to my kids or grandkids. I somehow worry that because He is so good to us as a family, that it can't possibly last. But I remember and I know in my heart, that no matter what, He is the giver of every good and perfect gift, and it all comes from Him, the blessings, and the trials that we struggle with day to day.

For today, my darling and wonderful children and grandchildren, thank you for sacrificing your time and resources to spend that wonderful weekend with your dad. It has made a wonderful memory, and I am completely grateful to each of you.

"Gratitude...it fills us with a consciousness that God loves and cares for us, even to the least event and smallest need of life." (Manning)

Love, Mom

Mentors

2006-08-13T08:58:00.000-07:00

"Children need adults who can go for casual walks and talk about [trees and birds] and stuff like that...and slow down to look at pretty leaves and caterpillars...and answer questions God and the nature of the world as it is." --Dobson

Last Sunday Dad got it in his mind to drive two hours (Palm Springs) to say hello to Joe and Marguerite Love and sit at their table and have coffee with them. I guess he wanted to hear those old familiar words, "Well come right on in here and sit on down, Pastor Fred, I just put on a fresh pot of coffee!" He did just that, and then took them to their church and worshipped with them. And before two hours were up, he was back on the road to head home.

On Tuesday he received a thank you note for that visit. I wanted to share it with "All the Loves of My Life."

Dear Pastor Fred -- Age "60"-- a great age and you are a true blessing to us. Thanks for such a special Sunday. Greetings to all your dear ones.
Freddie--I want a blizzard and a hot dog.
Isaac--I will take a fish.
Annie--your smile and your love for your parents. You are a dear daughter.
Becky?? A wife of joy, love, kindness and laughter makes Fred a Happy Man.
Love, the Loves

I'm not sure if I've shared with you all about some of the mentors God has used in my life--and I will one day write to you about them. But Marguerite Love is one mentor the Lord brought into my life at just the right time to be an example of the Proverbs woman for me--a real live example with skin on! During the eight years at Sunkist that I had the privilege of sitting under her "tutelage," I watched her work in the church kitchen, visit "old people," take food to anyone who might need it, myself included, babysit anyone's kids, or pets, mine included, teach Bible school, make homemade pudding and the best pie crusts I've ever tasted, shop for everyone but herself, host hundreds of church events, take in overnight missionaries, work in her garden, clean her yard, then her neighbors' yards, hunt for bargains from one garage sale to another, and then give it all away to anyone who might need it, take care of her grandchildren, other people's grandchildren, sew beautiful clothes for her children, grandchildren, me, and my children, support multiple young families headed for any mission field, go to the mission field herself and work in a kitchen, head for family camp, year after year, chauffeuring anyone who might need a ride, and all the while being utterly grateful to God for her life.

One of the memories I have of Marguerite was when the first microwave ovens came out. She had to have one. And not only that but she sold them to everyone she knew. She demo'd them at grocery stores and fairs. Never one be behind the times on anything!

Those are the things that Marguerite did. Then there were things Marguerite said. Marguerite can talk with the best of them. And she openly, gladly, cheerfully, and practically shared her opinion, her philosophy, her faith, and her trials, with the practical Missouri attitude that basically tells it like it is with absolute wonder at people in this world who can't see it the same way--remind you of another Missourian in our world (see above photo!)? "I just said, Becky (Fred, Joe, or whoever she's speaking to), it's like I always say...I've got a roof over my head and food in the 'fridgerator, what more could I want?" Or, "We're not dead yet! I'm still moving, just a little slower, I can get in that car go to the grocery store and to church, what else do I need?"

Marguerite is an old fashioned woman, but has never, ever, let the changing times overwhelm her. When church music changed, probably not really to her liking, she's still right there on the front row supporting the musicians. When the clothing styles changed, she would get out the sewing machine and make sure the little girls in her world were dressed accordingly. The times have changed, and she so uniquely has kept up with those changes, but never changing the core of who she is--a practical, giving, sharing, and patient woman. When her kids and grandkids choices may not have been the choices she would have made, she supports them wholeheartedly.

In my opinion, things have not been easy for Marguerite. She's had many real challenges in her life--and yet, to know her or speak with her, you would never know it. She has made those challenges, and those terrific changes in the world around her, appear to be seamless, acceptable, reasonable almost, because, after all, it all comes from God, and He is in control, and He is going to make it all right one day.

What a blessed woman, and here, once again, with a simple handwritten note, she has blessed my life so much again--reminding me of those God has brought into my life to help me see the world through grateful eyes, patient eyes, longsuffering eyes. I love Marguerite Love, so very much.

POP GOES THE POP-POP!

2006-08-11T09:47:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is Dad's birthday! His 60th! He found this rather appropriate cartoon yesterday from Drabble. So I guess you guys will have to leave the balloons behind for this one! All joking aside-- someone once said, "It doesn't take monumental feats to make the world a better place. It can be as simple as letting someone go ahead of you in a grocery line." That's your Dad. Late last night a scared new Daddy called from the hospital. His "girlfriend" was in labor and he desperately wanted to marry her and thought maybe the chaplain could make that happen! So Dad got out of bed got dressed and went to the hospital to talk to Anthony. You can just picture it can't you? Here's his young girlfriend in early labor and he's decided now is the time to get married. I'm sure that wasn't exactly what she had in mind at that moment! So your kind Dad sat with Anthony and shared the Lord with Him, encouraged Him, prayed with Him, and helped him see that his life needs to take a new direction. [By the way, at this writing, his girlfriend is still in labor! And, he couldn't have legally married them, no matter how willing he was.]

But that's the kind of man he is, willing. This morning, for example, he goes right over to Grammies to fix her message on her phone. Last night, even though he is on the cabbage soup diet (that's the kind of thing you do when you're almost to turn 60!), and had been running ALL day since 5:00 a.m. that morning, and was soooo tired, he put on his shoes and left to pick up a burger for me and put gas in my car. He's the kind of man that when visiting a lady from church one time, he got in his car and went to the store for her to pick up sanitary napkin pads. The kind of person that would take ANYONE to the airport at 4 in the morning! He's the kind who doesn't mind handing over every penny he's ever earned if it means it would bring pleasure to his kids or to me, and in spite of what he might need it for. And yes, he's also a "Disneyland Dad," he may not have taught his boys to change the oil in the car or trim a tree, but he did teach his kids how to enjoy life, how to play, how to sacrifice your time, your energy, and your very being for the needs of others. Dr. Dobson once said that "the greatest thing a man can do for his children is to love their mother." Nothing could be truer than this in my view. And Dad has done that in every imaginable way.

Aren't we blessed kids? Thank you my love, for having this special birthday, and being willing to share it with your kids this coming weekend in such a GRAND way! And thank you for loving me...

July 2006, 36 years married, 56 and 60 years young!

Scrapbooking Musings...

2006-08-11T07:29:00.000-07:00

All the Loves of My Life, May 1977

In July 2005 I began to scrapbook our family beginning with our wedding in July 1970. It took five months for me to finish Freddy's first 3-1/2 years, which ultimately filled two albums with 108 pages (scrappers ALWAYS count their pages) and encompasses the "Denver years" and the "Costa Mesa years." After a short break :) I began the "Isaac years," which coincides nicely with the "San Diego years." I've just finished the "Isaac years" (80 pages!) and am now busy scanning, sorting, and planning for the "Annie years, ala Sunkist years!" The last two evenings I spent working on the journaling in the Freddy years--taking a lot of time as my "little women" know so well, but brings me so much joy!

At the same time, I've been reading portions of Scripture each day in a journaling book compiled by Anne Graham Lotz. The Scripture readings are from a book published in the 1800s called "Daily Light." Anne just organized the readings and added questions to prompt one to journal how the Scriptures reach into your heart and help you apply them to your life.

The following is a prayer I wrote when I clearly had scrapbooking on my mind!

"Oh that my life will have no blank pages--

that I would be filled up with the love of God for others--

for my husband, children, grandchildren, and my parents.

That the pages of my life would be easily read,

and the journaling left behind not scribbled or difficult to understand.

That Jesus will be found on every page

and His grace will be the embossing that is not just seen,

but felt--

along, above, and below the surface,

leaving behind a visible and permanent mark!

That even the memories I leave behind that are bitter

and have no value

and are not edifying for anyone,

will be viewed as the grace and forgiveness and love of Christ.

And that every frivolous and meaningless embellishment

I add to my hectic and busy life,

will be replaced by a deep and abiding legacy of living

with eternity's values in full view,

visible to all on every page of my life.

--July 2006

Little Woman

2006-08-11T06:39:00.000-07:00

Marmie and her Little Women

The Cast

Grandma's Little Woman!

Penny and I had lunch at the Hollywood Farmer's Market!

Grandma and Penny, August 6, 2006

Last Sunday Penny and I had the privilege of going to the Pantages Theater to see the Broadway musical production of Little Women. It was wonderful! You all know what a young lady Penny is becoming--and can imagine how much fun it is for me to spend time with her as she is indeed emerging into a "little woman!"

The main character in the story is, as you know, Jo. Jo is an 1800s woman ahead of her time--a writer, and based on the life story of her author and creator, Louisa May Alcott. She was a Christian woman, and had much heartache in her life--unlike Jo in this most famous story, she never married, but cared for her family throughout her life and also worked in hospitals caring for wounded soldiers during the Civil War. She died at my age, 56, just two days after her own father, a chaplain during the war. Her spirit, her sacrifices, her inner voice, and her amazing talent make her not just a heroine from the pages of a thrilling story of long ago, but a true "American idol" for girls like Penny to admire and emulate some 150 years later. I bought on Alibris a biography of Louisa and can't wait to share it with my "Little Woman" when it comes!

The last words on the pages of "Little Women" is the voice of Marmee...Touched to the heart, Mrs. March could only stretch out her arms, as if to gather her children and grandchildren to herself, and say, with face and voice full of motherly love, gratitude, and humility, -- "O my girls, however long you may live, I never can wish you a greater happiness than this!"

What an epitapth, all the loves of my life!!

The Heavens Declare...

2006-07-19T06:44:00.000-07:00

The glory of God and His handiwork!

Last night we were treated to a glorious sunset. After we noticed it, Charif, Penny, and Daniel and I took a quick drive over to the mall and stopped to take a couple of photos. We were exclaiming about the display that God gave and I started to say, "the heavens declare the glory of God and..." when Penny chimed in and quoted the entire passage! Then Charif pulled her pocket Bible out and read the whole chapter. She and Freddy's kids know the Word, and it's because they are living the Word in their home, in their teachings, and by example. I was humbled and blessed!

One month from today!

2006-07-18T23:18:00.000-07:00

Pretty fascinating to be loading on a big boat to head for Catalina! Well kids, it's almost time to relive the experience! Can you imagine leaving an infant on a ledge like that in the picture? Eeek. Hold on to your little ones hands, and I promise I won't take my eyes off of you!

Twenty six miles across the sea

Santa Catalina is a-waiting for me

Santa Catalina, the island of

Romance, romance, romance, romance

Water all around it everywhere

Tropical trees and salty air

But for me the thing that's a-waiting is

Romance, romance, romance, romance

It seems so distant twenty six miles away ??

Resting in the waters serene

I'd work for anyone, even the navy

Who would float me to my island green

Twenty six miles, so near yet so far

I'd swim with just some water wings

and my guitar

I would leave the wings,

I could leave the guitar

For romance, romance, romance, romance

A tropical heaven, out in the ocean

Covered with trees and girls

If I have to swim I'll do it forever

Till I'm gazing on those island girls

Forty kilometres in a leaky old boat

Any old thing that'll stay afloat

When we arrive we'll all promote

romance, romance, romance

"We'll never be as old as you are!"

2006-07-08T23:58:00.000-07:00

The guy on the left is "our" older brother... he just celebrated his 60th and the six of us met in Palmdale today to honor him. Even though it is Bob's and my birthday today, it was fun to note that "we'll never be as old as he is!" Cruel, but oh so true! What a fun time we had--happy birthday brothers!

36 Years

2006-07-08T23:31:00.000-07:00

"Happy times and bygone days are never lost... In truth, they grow more wonderful within the heart that keeps them." --Kay Andrew

How exciting and fun to surprise my husband with a mini-vacation to Hawaii for four days of sunshine, pineapple, sunsets, and aloha magic as we celebrated our 36th anniversary. We talked about our wonderful kids, our beautiful grandchildren, and how good God has been to give us so much. Happy Anniversary honey!

"Our" Birthday

2006-07-08T22:39:00.000-07:00

Childhood playmate...

Lifetime Friend...

When you are a twin, you go through life saying "we" and "ours" rather than "mine" and "me." When our birthday approaches, I find myself feeling like it isn't a birthday at all if it isn't shared. Today I thought about my brother, my friend, and what a caring and sharing person he is and how he gives so freely of himself to even perfect strangers. And as I spent most of my day alone today, I thought about what a blessing it is to share our birthday. And what a blessing it is to be able to live even brief moments of life unselfishly. And when I think of the gift that is my brother, I realize that what we knew as children, was a subtle but important life lesson about what is most important in this life, and that is it's always better to share with others.

In this moment, at the end of another of "our" birthdays, I am so grateful for another year and I pray that opportunities will come for me to live unselfishly before my family and all whom the Lord would bring into my life.

The black and white photo is of Bob and I at our 7th birthday on an Uncle's farm in Iowa. Our Aunt Maisy had made us each our own birthday cake, his a buckin' cowboy, mine a fancy doll. We were so proud and so happy. I still remember the sticky meringue frosting she made. I also remember what a giving and serving kind of woman she was...I wanted to be just like her.