Wash Day

If you travel overseas, you will notice that hanging out the laundry is still a very popular thing to do. Driving or walking down the road, you will see the wash hanging on fences, trees, railings ... anyplace it can catch some warmth and sun.
I love  the memory of going for a walk with Julene in the morning and seeing the women visiting across the lane from each other as one was hanging her her laundry and the other was delivering fresh produce to a home. It's a very different way of life . . . and the kind of life that is more normal for our grandchildren there than our North American way.

Julene posted this photo of their wash day . . . showing that even play can take on another form. I'm sure it kept the kids busy for a while. And busy kids makes for a happy mom! A happy mom . . . a contented Grammy. Doll clothes are easy to send.

Believing That God Will Enable You

Continuing on with my review of Beth Moore’s, Believing God, study … I just want to take out a few more nuggets.

In this Chapter we were directed to the story of the walls of Jericho tumbling down. It was probably a favorite in Sunday School in my time, and now a favorite of my grandchildren in the Veggie Tales Videos. God had promised to give Jericho to His people, as impossible as that seemed, with its high, fortified walls. Although the people living in that city worshiped their own gods, there was talk about 'the God of the Israelites' who was performing great miracles for them.

We see this, when two Israelite men enter Jericho to spy out the land and find shelter in the home of Rahab, the prostitute. When she finds out who these men are, she tells them, "I know the LORD has given you this land . . . We are all afraid of you. Everyone in the land is living in terror... For the LORD your God is the supreme God of the heavens above and the earth below. Now swear to me by the LORD that you will be kind to me and my family since I have helped you. Give me some guarantee that when Jericho is conquered, you will let me live, along with my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all their families." (Joshua 2:9-13)

I believe that God led these spies to the home of a woman who was willing to believe God and help send these men on their way to safety. In the end, when the walls came down, everyone congregated in her home was saved. Rahab, the prostitute is listed as one of the heroes of faith in the New Testament.

I took a bit of a side-tour there … but coming back to the walls … I have also stood at my personal wall of Jericho. The wall of debt … the wall of divorce . . . the wall of debilitating illness . . .and death . . . the wall of distance from loved ones and other disappointments.

Beth’s study challenges us to ask God to give us insight into the wall that stands between us and our promised land. .. and then ask Him to give us grace to do what He says… to trust and obey . . . rather than to despair or follow our own way. 

"Even the saddest things can become, once we have made peace with them, a source of wisdom and strength for the journey that still lies ahead." Frederick Buechner

If it’s the walls in our life that cause us to call out to God and experience delivery that eventually brings praise to Him, how else would we be able to see what He can do?

Larissa's Shower

Menu:

lavender poppy seed cupcakes

lemon tarts

icicles

pistachio squares

scones with Devonshire cream and jam

egg salad pinwheels

Mexican Spirals

tomato basil brushetta

Choux pastry filled with coronation salad

veggies

fruit

punch and coffee

Tim popped the question.  Larissa said YES!

So we showered her with things for her nest!

Larissa's quaint tea cups needed a new mate,

So guests brought a vintage inspired plate . . .

. . . and went home with a treat to remember the day!

We missed you, Julene and Kristal.

PS ... Happy Birthday to my beautiful niece today! May God bless you and Tim as you plan for your wedding and marriage. 

Shower Coming Up

The invitations shave been sent out a while ago. . . food is planned and being prepared.

Kari is coming over to decorate. This weekend the family will bless the new bride with things for her nest.
I hope to tell all about it next week.

Announcing the Winner

First of all, I owe a big thank you to all who left a comment for me to enjoy yesterday. I was unprepared for the joy and inspiration this gave me as a Grammy, myself, now. I loved reading of grandmas with spunk and strong hugs and honorable women, with wise counsel and quick wit as well. Many of your spoke of hospitable women, ready with soup or a nice meal . . . and beautifully set or simple tables ... both leaving lasting memories.
There are grandmas who taught us how to bake, sew, knit or do needle work . . . and those who also sang, prayed and encouraged, maybe even during a foot massage. Some of you shared of long marriages . . . up to 70 years! Whether it be their smiles, their cookies, or time spent playing cards .  . . everyone's memory speaks of a valuable impression left on them . . . an umbrella with a legacy of prayer and faith.

And the winner of yesterday's commenters is . . . drum roll ....it is Anita Brown! Congratulations! I know you live in Abbotsford, so I'll just drop off your gift at your house sometime. How handy is that?

Thank you ... everyone!  Now, I have to get into the shower and get ready for a special little visitor.

To Chicken Noodle Soup and Cookies!

Some time ago Kari and I were talking about my blog and she suggested I do a give-a-away sometime. Something I've never done! Sweet as she is, she even offered to make something . . .

 



and one day these cute potholders were hanging in a pretty bag from my front-door handle.

Could I just pretend I forgot what we had talked about and keep them? I've got to say, when this girl makes something, it's never just plain or ordinary.

I guess I can't blame my boy for falling in love with her!

I think this ties in well with a certain post last week, especially since Kari's own Oma is turning 102 this year! Looks like the long life genes run in her family as well! And I suspect that her grandmother would attribute her long life to near the same thing . . .
homemade chicken noodle soup, cookies . . . and exercise, which I know came with hard work ethics. She certainly did not get where she is today, because of an easy life but, more-so, by the grace of God.



Obviously potholders signify some good home cooking and these Russian dolls remind me of some of my heritage. So, in honor of "homemade" and long life, we will draw a name from today’s commenters.

If you sign in as anonymous, remember to leave you first name after your comment, so that we know whom to announce. A name will be drawn . . . most likely tonite, announced tomorrow sometime and the winner can then email me with an address, in order to receive this unique and beautiful set of potholders . . . just because.  Actually . . . partly to see who else is lurking out there and partly to say thank you for visiting.

If you have a story to tell about the oldest person you have known, or what you admire/d about your grandmother, that would be fun too ... and, who knows, it may just help you win.