The Last Steiger

2017 contained many goodbyes - some very hard and others just causing more nostalgia.

In May we said goodbye to the last of the monstrous Steiger tractors belonging to Dad's telephone company that were parked behind our shed. But I think Dad is too glad to be done with the pressures of plowing in fiber-optic cable to miss his equipment that much - even though these machines were wonderful helps in their time. 

Now we say "goodbye" to 2017 itself. 

And we pray for more of the joy of the Lord in 2018
-- no matter what is ahead.

November Harvest 2017

November first saw us cooking our last harvest of colorful Swiss chard. 

Till next year...

November Flower-Gardening

When it gets cold enough for snow to stay, 

there is one more task in our flower-gardening year.

Covering the roses. First dirt, then a thick comforter of leaves held in place by hog-panels left from our sheep-raising years.

This is probably the last photo I have of our border collie, Reginald, in action. He had a stroke, lost his ability to walk, and had to be put down by the vet in mid November. We miss his company.

But the roses are now snugly sleeping, 

hopefully to return to blooms like these again next year:

Merry Christmas 2017!

While traveling in November to the river-towns where our doctors practice, Dad, Elsa and I took the chance to visit riverside parks. 

We enjoyed some of the last barge traffic before freeze-up - even getting to watch a barge being loaded with tons of grain.

The river and its bluffs are famous for their resident bald eagles. On one winter trip we counted 50 of them congregated at the place that the water stayed open year-round.

One hardy plant yet "bloomed" in the park planters - ornamental kale.

As the sun set along the river, millions of Christmas lights began to show up. The town was decorating for their annual Christmas festival in the park.

 These creative displays must be so much fun in the festive crowds! They even have an ice-skating rink by the glowing "igloo." 

 It was fun to watch one of probably a couple hundred trees being decorated by a local organization.

Some of the decorations were so creative, and some so pretty. And yes... we love our Norwegian heritage.

But our favorite displays were those telling of the real reason we celebrate CHRISTmas.

Merry Christmas!

Ever-blooming Orchid

I don't think there has been more than a week or two in the past 4 years of illness when one of my orchids has not been blooming. This is a special gift, as they used to bloom only once a year!

Now while one stem of flowers is drying up, another is shooting up! And my plants are even growing new babies, called Keikis! (Hawaiian for "baby")

      

As I watered my nine pots again today, I was thrilled to find several more flower stems appearing! Even on the challenging new variety I just got in May. A special Christmas gift today!

Learning to do Without

153 THOU SHALT LEARN TO DO WITHOUT

The son answered his Father, saying, The Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping, I am well pleased that the Lord hath heard the voice of my prayer. Right dear in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. Thou Thyself hast led him over death to the Singing Land. And I know that there is a joy of birds in that land, and as for those who dwell there, joy shall take possession of them, and on their head shall be praise and exultation. Therefore I will offer to Thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting.

And now, said his Father tenderly, thou shalt learn the lesson set to the weaned child. Thou shalt learn to do without.

"His thoughts said... His Father said..." by Amy Carmichael 

Our last Sunday with Aunt Dorothy,
whose name aptly means "Gift of God."

Mourning with Hope

As I mentioned in my previous post, hospice came to help us make Dorothy more comfortable as her body started shutting down. We were all surprised and saddened that it went so quickly. But we also see God's hand at work through all the details and timing.

In less than a week I got a call just as I finished teaching a few lessons. 

"Dorothy is having seizures. I think you should come home."

I hope never to make that three mile drive so quickly again...

A hospital bed from hospice made her last days easier.

But what a sweet answer to prayer to have our whole family plus Dorothy's oldest brother around her in her last hour! And after getting past the seizures, she went so peacefully... another big answer to prayer. 

Oh, how we miss our little girl! Though Dad's sister and my aunt, we all felt more like she was our "baby" as she increasingly declined through seven years of Alzheimer's and seizures. And yet we do not mourn as those who have no hope. (I Thessalonians 4:13) We are so glad for Dorothy's sake that she is free from years of suffering and a lifetime of disabilities - clothed in a new and perfect body. And we wonder how she is beginning eternity in heaven... is she talking and singing and dancing non-stop?! I look forward to a big hug from her again when Jesus takes me home too!

It has also been good to start looking back at pictures and remembering the Dorothy of old. What an adorable and lively character she looked when growing up! And even the past five years of photos that I can find on my computer show much enjoyment of life. 

Eating out - 2013

Flipping methodically through a favorite book - 2013

4th of July, 2013

A sticker earned for being brave at the lab, 2014

Dorothy loved balloons and taught us to as well! - 2014

Sporting new shoes - 2015

Did I mention Dorothy loved balloons?!! - 2016

Making a happy face at a piano recital - May 2016

Coming home asleep from her
last day at "work" - June 2016

Dorothy's own van was such a help.
She could still join us on family outings.

Pondering what to have for breakfast... Cheerios!

Stuffed animals were often comforting. - 2017

Read-aloud time was the best! Even in Norwegian :-) - 2017

I should scan some of her childhood pictures to share sometime too...