Waiting... and a Wedding

My sister spent 35 years as "Miss Maren." Thirty-five full, fruitful years. Yes, she had long hoped for a family of her own, but I watched my sister cultivate contentment year after year and choose to live fully "now" - trusting God's plan.

The term "single" doesn't really fit those years.  She has always been surrounded by family, students and friends to love, enjoy and serve.  And most importantly, she continued to learn of and lean on God's steadfast, unfailing, perfect love for her.  Maren sought daily to serve Him wherever she was.  Often that just meant washing endless dishes, changing diapers, and giving back-rubs day and night.

Rather than "single," Maren has been Daughter, Sister, Neice, Granddaughter, Student, Teacher, Mentor, Counselor...

... with these last years being focused intensely on Caregiver, Nurse, Cook, Dishwasher, and finally, Horticulture Apprentice and Sweetheart.

Now God has called her to a new role: Mrs. Maren.

More photos soon!

Remembering Grandma, II

More sweet memories of Grandma, flowers, and kittens... on Elsa's blog here

Tea Timing

A friend from church grows and harvests herbs to make her own, delicious blends of teas.

Recently we found we were running low on a couple of favorites, so we ordered refills plus a lovely new blend Mom had tasted at a ladies' meeting.

Many of the teas carry names as soothing as their flavors.  This one was "Afternoon Visit."

The next Sunday morning Elsa and I couldn't get to church, but Mom brought home this beautiful surprise!

Besides being a gardener and tea-maker (and shepherd, and writer, and wife/mother/grandmother, and...), Judy is also an artist.  Her special touches on these jar lids continue to bring us joy!

Plus she sent home an extra tea, her "Cold Time" blend.  Little did we know how well-timed was her generosity.  

A few weeks later, in the one-week gap between Grandmas's funeral and our sister's wedding, Elsa got a bad cold and fever.  So I played "nurse" for a couple of days, dishing out all the remedies we knew from doctors and friends.  This tea is the most appealing form of "medicine!"

Then a couple days later, Elsa gave me "a taste of my own medicine" by putting me on the whole routine after kindly sharing a bit of her cold.

Thank you, Judy, for the wonderful tea-timing!

"Be Still" Music

 So much music promotes anything but stillness of spirit.  What do you turn on to really aid in rest?  What brings peace instead of calling for adrenaline?  What fills your mind with truth?  What turns your thoughts and heart to the Prince of Peace?

Here is one CD that beautifully fills those roles for me and my family - day or night.

"BE STILL piano meditations" recorded by Nancy Leigh DeMoss

And as a pianist, I also love the piano book to play from at home and church and for friends.

Song list:

1. Be Still, My Soul
2. Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
3. There Is a Fountain
4. Great Is Thy Faithfulness
5. Be Thou My Vision
6. Lead Me Medley
7. Like a River Glorious
8. Take My Life and Let It Be
9. 'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus
10. Jesus, I Am Resting, Resting

Find your copy of the CD or piano book here on the "Revive Our Hearts" website

Remembering Grandma - Oct. 13, 2015

Today I remember a very special Grandma...

Grandma R. 1919 - 2015

Nov. 2014 - My last visit in their home

Written nine years ago:

November 22, 2006

I just had the most fun afternoon I've had in ages.  First, I got to be a piano student again for an hour - so much fun! Then, on the drive home I suddenly decided to visit Grandpa and Grandma (my mom's parents) who live in a little "town" which boasts all of 11 houses.  I haven't seen them much since before my summer semester at SIL-UND and can't remember the last time I had a chance to stop at their place even though I drive by several times each week. 

Grandpa is 90 and Grandma 87, but they are still very spunky and energetic.  

2011 - G & G shared every birthday, February 26th

Grandma has already done a bunch of her Christmas baking, including all of her lefse for both Thanksgiving and Christmas.  That's hours and hours of work to satisfy around 30 family members!   

2009 - Lesfe

2010 - Flatbread

2010 - Christmas Eve Traditions

Grandpa still goes out regularly for his 5 mile walks, and when I came today, he was about do some rock-picking in one of their gardens.  Nevertheless, when a grandchild stops by they drop everything and sit down to visit. 

2008 - At the Lake

After doing some catching up, Grandma asked if I was up for some "coffee."  That means whatever we like best to drink - be it coffee, tea, pop, etc. - and several varieties of her baking.  I think she was surprised that I took her up on the actual coffee!  None of her children drink the stuff, but several of us grandchildren now enjoy it.  With cream skimmed off of a local farmer's raw milk plus some sugar, I enjoyed my coffee and preview of Christmas cookies.

While the coffee was being prepared, Grandpa gestured at the piano and asked his usual, “Do you have any music you could play for me?”  Grandma laughed and said she thought I must get tired of always being pestered to play, but I could truthfully say that I enjoy playing for such an appreciative audience.  I can’t imagine anyone is as proud of their  grandchildren’s music as my grandpa.  And not just any music either.  He goes for rich classical music and hymns.  I grabbed my piano books from the car and coaxed what I could from their tinny old piano as Grandpa soaked it all in from his recliner nearby.

As we were chatting about the sad trend of people preferring entertainment to “real artists” and classical concerts, Grandma stepped in to invite us to the kitchen.  She had to laugh again when Grandpa said (in Norwegian) that we should say the Norwegian table prayer.  They were happily surprised that I knew it and could keep up with them.  Several years ago Grandpa had wanted all of us grandkids to learn “I Jesu Navn…,” so he gave us each a handwritten copy.  I stuck it on my dresser mirror until I memorized it.  I don’t know what every word means, but it has a nice musical rhythm in my mind.

When our conversation turned to which picture they would chose to send with their Christmas letter, I remembered I hadn’t yet seen the pictures from their trip to Norway this spring.  Even at their age they made the international trek once again to spend a couple of weeks visiting relatives and introducing three of their granddaughters to the “fatherland.”  

Though both thoroughly enjoyed the trip, it had been quite the struggle to convince Grandma to go.  But Grandpa had his mind set and wouldn’t give in.  He hinted that if my sisters and I would go to Norway next year, he’d come with us!  

Grandma said she probably wouldn’t let him. 

Grandpa responded with a laugh that he was a pretty independent man.

Grandma exulted that he had finally admitted it. :-)

“There you said it!  Now I have something on you!” 

“No you don’t.  I know it!”…

2013 - 70th Wedding Anniversary

2010 - Happy Couple

Anyway, we probably spent the next hour looking at their pictures and trying to get all of the relatives and places straight.  Grandpa’s father came over from Norway at age 16, so there are still a first cousin or two left besides many other relatives.  If fact, Grandpa and Grandma called a cousin this morning and visited in Norwegian.  Yes, they speak Norwegian.  Or, I should say, Grandpa speaks Norwegian and Grandma always answers in English.  (I guess in Norway one of the relatives told her she could speak it better than Grandpa though.)

What a fun time – visiting with Grandpa and Grandma!  It is even more special when I realize how few of these afternoons may be left for us.  They wouldn’t let me go without a big hug… and I couldn’t stop smiling the whole way home.

Hannah

A Bit of Grandma's Legacy

Love for Family - 5 Children, 18 Grandchildren, and many Great-Grandchildren

2013 Mother's Day - Grandma and Mom

Passing on her love of homemaking and baking to daughters...

... and to granddaughters.

Laughter and Playful Humor

The Beautiful Art of Handwork, Sewing, and Quilting

Faithful Love and Devotion to her Husband and to God

I miss Grandma. But I'm glad she doesn't have to deal with a 96-year-old body anymore and is now happy and whole with Jesus.

Sunlight

If you sit on our couch in late afternoon, 

And if the sun is shining,

And if there are flowers on the table by the fireplace,

And if you take the time to watch... 

The lowering sun slants in through a window and stealthily glides along until it reaches the bottom flowers.  Then you realize half the bouquet is glowing in sunlight - bringing even more life and warmth to the natural beauty of flowers.

The longer you watch, the more it changes and glows until -- quite suddenly -- it's gone.

And guess what! This happens even if you don't take time to look and enjoy. ;-)

What beauty do you see ... when you look?

Rest II

It's time for a guest post!  My friend, Pat, recently blogged her thoughts on a topic many of us struggle with: rest.  Being still...

"I am in a strange place. For many months now, actually for a year or two, I have been getting messages that I need to slow down. Unfortunately, like a wayward horse that wants to rush ahead at breakneck speed, I've been reluctant to slow down just because of 'my age.' If I am in good health, why shouldn't I carry my own groceries, escort our visitors around town, or continue multi-tasking long past 'normal working hours'?  The problem is that this kind of thinking misses the point.

"Mini-vacations out in the country from  time to time give me time for reflection. Gradually, a new perspective is dawning. It's not that I can't do these things - although I must confess I tire much more quickly than I used to... It is a matter of obedience, an obedience wrapped in faith, and the fact that God knows what I need. There's also the principle of passing 'the mantle' on to the next generation.

"The verses that come to mind are Hebrews 4:1, 10:

"Now, since God has left us the promise that we may enter His rest, let us be very careful so none of you will fail to enter... Anyone who enters God's rest will rest from his work as God did."

"Hebrews 4:1 is often interpreted as our life when we go to heaven. When I think of entering into God's rest, I see it as a matter of faith in the here and now, as well as in the eternal future. When I 'put on faith,' peace and rest come to my soul. And when I slow down and allow myself much needed alone time, I experience both a physical and a spiritual rest.

"Then, when the next wave of activity or necessity comes, I am better prepared than if I'd just kept going.

"When was the last time you stopped to 'rest'?"