Father's Day '08

To The Wonderful Father of our 4 daughters!
I hope you have a great day today and in the
coming year as you continue to enjoy your role
as Father to our daughters and their families.
Your The Best!! and I LOVE YOU!!







My Dad, Ira Miller, holding me in some of my earliest years.




Dad and I visiting in his living room in April '07

I am so blessed to have the Father I do. And, to still have him here to call up and talk to is a special privilege. He has been a good dad to me and my 4 siblings over many years. His faithfulness to my Mom has played an important part of my life as they learned together about marriage and family. He could have chosen to walk away from his responsibilities as a dad when the going got tough, but he didn't. He could have chosen to turn his back on God after his mama died when he was a little boy, but instead he decided to learn to know God personally and walk closely with Him.
One of my favorite memories of my Dad was Sunday mornings when he would be all ready for church and smell like Wildroot hair lotion!! I liked going with him on errands around the farm or in to town to pick up things. It didn't happen often that I could go alone with him, but when it did, it was special.
I know my daughters treasure having him for their Pappy so many years and now even my granddaughters are getting to know him. Thank-you, Lord, for all the memories we've had together.

Week-end photos

Nice week-end

We had a nice week-end (although short) with Daryl, Robyn and the girls here from Friday night until Sunday afternoon. The weather cooperated enough to allow for a bit of fishing. Olivia caught a 7.5 lb. walleye (same as her own birth weight!). Anna-Christina was my best fish breading helper as we prepared a delicious supper. We had a beautiful Sunday afternoon to play in the yard yet a bit before they had to leave for home.

continued...

In my yard and first fish fry

I've been having fun seeing some wildlife around here but didn't get to take pictures of everything.
On Sat. C. and V. invited K. and I to go fishing with them. Then, we invited K. and D. over to join us 4 for lunch after church yesterday. Were they ever delicious.

Home again

These flowers were the sight that greeted us around midnight when we finally got to Rachel's house. The next day started a flurry of activities--mostly shopping, planning, and finally some actual doing. In between I tried to do some baking and cooking and lots of great babysitting sweet little Hannah to make it easier for the others to keep going. Unfortunately, I didn't have anyone take pictures of me and her, so maybe Jenni or Rachel will post one. She was a great little traveler, but I think she was missing her brothers and daddy at the end!
Dave had arrived the day before Jenni, Hannah and I got there, so we got to know him better. Since I'm home someone asked me what kind of a man Rachel is "getting". So, in case the rest of you are wondering...in my opinion, he has a heart for following God. His personality reminds me a bit of my niece's husband, Kyle and also in seeing him learn about some of the menno.-style of things. Rachel already taught him and what an augashik is and he used it appropriately several times!!
On Sunday we were invited to the girls' Aunt Fran and Uncle Paul's house for lunch. What Rachel and Dave didn't know was that there was a surprise shower as well. It was very small with just a few other relatives and we finished off the shower with the best homemade ice cream I've had in many years. In the 2nd picture their Aunt Rebecca is pinning a corsage on Rachel when we arrived. She has offered to do all of the flowers for the wedding! We left a lot of unfinished projects for the 2 of them to do, but I'm sure they can do it. Jenni's gift of organization will help to keep them on track.

Mom's Day post script

And I'm so pleased to be MOM to these four lovely ladies!!

Mother's Day

As I think about Mother's Day this year I have a lot of thoughts and emotions; so many events that play into what I am thinking and feeling. Today when I read a nice note from Rhonda I was reminded how I long took my own mom for granted and then kept on doing that in my own role as a mom. I know that since I work with less fortunate girls it has really made me more aware than ever of God's grace in my own life. I have a Godly mother and I used to have Godly grandmothers and a special mom-in-law as well. I know they did an amazing job of nurturing and blessing not just me but many people. I finally caught on from hearing some of these girls stories that learning even basic things such as hygiene and manners are things I shouldn't have assumed to be "normal" things that moms pass on. I also know now that kindness, hard work and prayer are not necessarily the norm for moms in todays world either.
How very blessed I am. Partly because, even though we won't be spending the day together, we still have each other and can talk on the phone, which we often do. I had to think of this because on Friday my Aunt Katie Mae buried her only daughter, my cousin Faye, age 42. I'll post of picture of my mom and her 3 sisters taken a year ago when I was in KS. Also, I had taken a picture of Faye, my sister Kath and my mom, which I'll post. My heart is so sad when I try to imagine what Faye's husband and 3 teenagers will go through tomorrow and in the years ahead on Mother's Day. They do have a wonderful hope to meet her again.
Then, as I think about young moms today and the enormity of their roles my thoughts go out to all of them. I have a lot of admiration for all of you moms with young kids because I know how extremely difficult it can be to be consistent day after day modeling the Love of Jesus while working hard to meet their needs and guiding them along.
I also want to salute my friends who foster kids. I'm especially thinking of Shelley who is a single mom that has chosen to foster 3 kids in addition to raising her own daughter. She works very hard to teach them to love Jesus and to do the right things as life comes at them. Way to go Shelley--don't be weary in doing well!

Our Spring Nest

On Monday after school two of "our" girls returned for a few days. Mary Lawson had to take her parents to Thunder Bay for medical appointments, so her daughter, Kaylene, and her foster daughter, Tia Pettit, came to stay again. Here they are blowing the hugest bubbles I've ever seen with a large wand. Tia won the bubbles in her Ojibway language class. They are fun gals to have around!

Spring is in the air

Now that spring is in the air, I feel I should let everyone know! However, depending on where you are as you read this, you would wonder if I know what I'm talking about. The snow is melting by the minute, but there is still quite a bit in our yard, if you really must know. The temperature got up to +12 today and the days feel so nice and long when going by the length of daylight hours.

We had a really good public relations trip to PA, OH, IN and MI. We left on March 24 and returned on April 9th. It was a lot of fun having Jim and Mary Keesic along this time. One of the things that I liked about having them along was how they commented and appreciated things that I probably take for granted. Simple things like horse and buggys, front porches, and the enormity of some of the houses in the states. But the really big one was how they noticed how kind people are everywhere we went. I think I've gotten to assume that is a "given" in my life, so it was good to be reminded not to take that for granted. It was fun to get to know them better and also to do word games and crosswords together to help pass all the miles.

We met with various people, including friends, relatives, church leaders, one youth group, missions leaders, and youth pastors. We stayed with old friends and made new ones. It's always good to reconnect with people who once lived in this area. The banquet in PA was a good one, in spite of the numbers being down a bit from previous years. The Bragg's had a receptive audience and hopefully those who heard will pray more effectively for not only the work they're doing but for all of LHNM.

I really did a poor job of remembering to take pictures, so I guess I'll leave that for now. Another highlight for us was to see "Daniel and the Lions Den" live production at the Sight and Sound theater near Strasburg, PA. It was truly a WOW! experience. Thanks Gary and Joyce for making it happen.

Since there's no place like home it was really fun coming back. Some people wonder how that can be when we enjoyed spring in the south and then come home to freezing temperatures and lots of snow on the ground. Well, the beauty of it is that we get to enjoy 2 springs. I really soaked in the sights of all the lovely green grass, daffodils, crocus, hyacinths, forsythia, and even one bed of red tulips while in PA. And we loved hearing the cardinals and robins singing in the morning. Now we are watching mr. and mrs. raven on their nest high up in a tree not to far behind our house. And because my rhubarb is close to the house, the snow has melted and their tiny red shoots are poking out. So, hurrah for getting to watch it happen, and thank-you Jesus for the beauty of the seasons.

Life Keeps Moving

Life really has been full and most interesting to say the least. Right now 3 of my granddaughters are staying here. They came on Sat. the 22nd and their parents and little sister plan on getting in late tonight and stay through Sunday. That's been a lot of fun, work and memory making times, but I think now they're very ready to see their parents and baby sis again. Before they came we had been out at their house for part of a week-end on a ministry trip north of the city.
One day A. (2 year old) said, "God made Adee, God made Adee" over and over. Finally I repeated it and added "and He did a good job". Then she said, "God made gwa-ma, God made gwa-ma", and I thought about adding my line again...Hmmm, I wonder if I always believe that God did a good job when He made me.
I continue to be amazed how happy children are when they are secure. They sing, talk freely, ask questions, obey, love life, have hope, have great appetites, are creative, and eager to live life to the fullest. It's truly inspiring to think about and for myself, to quit taking it for granted. How I praise God for dedicated Christian parents who are convinced that a relationship with Jesus is worth passing along to their offspring.

Celebrating With Friends

This past week-end found us on a reserve north of us for a wedding that the couple ask Merle to officiate at. Justin and Pavillia have quite a story and testimony of God's redeeming power in their lives. Colleen has been a friend of the bride for a long time and put a lot of time and energy into making their evening a very special celebration. I'll see if I can post some pictures.

In helping out a friend, I told her I'd keep two of her teenagers for a few days. She needed to go out of town on the spur of the moment. It's interesting to me how God keeps opening my door to teen girls! I can't help but wondering on some of the why's, etc. I do know however that my heart is for the children who are hurting and that He has been helping me in this for years already.

This n' That

Life seems to just keep moving along and a lot of things have happened since my last post. On Tues., Feb. 19, I went with a group of ladies from our mission to our annual ladies prayer retreat. It's held in a beautiful camp setting northwest of Thunder Bay because of it being central for our eastern staff to come meet us about half way. This year the numbers were down, but God was definitely among us as gathered there. I need to say a huge Thanks to my friend, Elise, for coming to stay with Silver while I was gone those 3 days. Merle was traveling as well, so we were grateful that this worked out.
When I returned on Thurs. the 21st, Elise told me that she'd gone with S. to court and then helped her load up her belongings to move back home with her sister on the reserve. I was prepared for that to happen as she'd talked like it might. On Friday she called to tell me that she'd gotten registered to go to school in there in March. Of course there are many feelings that go along with it all, but for now I'm at peace with it.

Merle and Dave arrived home early this morning and tonight will be the first time Merle and I get to eat supper alone/together for quite some time. Nice!

A good part of my day (and 10 others) was spent at the LHNM office helping with a large mailing.

Later tonight we expect Kendall and Karen Hochstedler to arrive and spend the next 3 days in the area. He has a job interview at the hospital and they're checking out possibilities for moving here sometime.

Baby Shower for Jenni and Hannah; Jan. 16, '08

Mexican Fiesta

On Valentines Day our church put on their annual sweetheart banquet. This years theme was a Mexican Fiesta; the committee did a great job on decorating and the enchiladas, refried beans, rice, etc., were delicious. S. and I helped K.H. cook part of the day and also helped dish up the food for the youth to serve. Below you'll see L.W., the "Mexican" emcee, and also the Shanks and friends!

"Remember Me" (...thanks Steve Bell)

Why is it that whenever my husband leaves town, "things happen?" I think I know the answer, so I won't go there right now. With S. it seems to be even more pronounced and it gives me tons of concern, not just with her responses and reactions, but with mine as well. Anyway, last night before bedtime we had a bit of a "scuffle" and I went to bed with a throbbing feeling in my head and a pounding heart for awhile. The Lord helped me sleep just fine, but I wasn't up very long this morning before I poured out my heart to Him, crying out for mercy and grace to keep walking. After telling Him I just couldn't keep on going, I asked Him for help and encouragement and then put on Steve Bell's "Beyond A Shadow" cd while I drank my coffee and ate my toast. Well, I don't know when it took me so long to eat one slice of homemade toast; I had to keep choking back my tears as song after song ministered to me. The one verse of Remember Me that really caught me the most was:

"Show me your favor yahweh
Let it never be said that I've trusted in vain
It is your reputation that makes me outrageously brave
Hold out your mercy to me
Go ahead and correct me for the sake of your name
It's not much of a thread but my hoping is keeping me sane
..Again and again...

And it's that hope that I want to really hold out to S. and others around me.
God did answer my prayer then by having Ida M. call me and it brought me so much encouragement. She's known this family from contact in years past. Thanks, Ida. May all praise be God's; He is so faithful.

And thanks to my dear K., who is "babysitting" tonight so I can have a night off and be ready to work a 12 hour shift tomorrow.

I really appreciate all your encouraging feed back and prayers, etc. It will be worth it all when we see Jesus!

My week-end

This past Friday (31 Jan), I had to go to Dryden for the day with work related stuff. So, when I returned at 4:00, I looked to see if S's coat was hanging up, but it wasn't. After taking off my boots, coat, etc., I came back out into the hall and nearly stumbled over her shoes. It caught me by surprise and I said, jokingly (and quite loudly), who's shoes are these? Then I remembered that she may be asleep so I went upstairs to look if she was in her room. She had the door opened and was sound asleep, fully dressed! I wasn't prepared for the emotions it caused in me. Maybe a little like the father had when his prodigal son returned? Unfortunately, I didn't see her or talk to her for about the next 24 hours, as she had to sleep off all the toxins in her body again. She told me that when she sniffs gas, drinks alcohol, etc. (usually a combination), she eats very little or nothing and so, Sat. p.m. when I knocked on her door it didn't take her long to get downstairs and eat a meal. She was shaking slightly from the lack of nutrition.
The upside of all of it is that when her father brought her back, he had to go to M.'s office for something, and M invited him in for a chat. Now that is nothing short of a miracle as far as I'm concerned. And a good chat it was. He is thrilled that his daughter has a safe place to be; he doesn't like to have her in the community because of her tendency to fall back into old habits, etc. He said that he "knows" about living in a Menno. home because he did that at one point in his life. (Ida Martin's oldest brother!) I'm sure this is different, but we got the picture: Trust. Hopefully, now that the men have talked, we will have that point of contact for future reference. And, I must say, God is working in my heart, reminding me again and again that I've only ever heard S's side of the story and never the adults in her life. Also, this has started me on a more regular path of prayer for her Dad and family.
We had the Teen Challenge group from Winnipeg share in church yesterday, followed by a huge potluck. There was one young man along with them that comes from the same community as S., and they talked together afterward. I was just thrilled that she agreed to come listen, even though it makes her uncomfortable to be around a large group like that. God is at work and it's exciting to see it unfold.
I just feel so blessed with all of your encouraging comments. Thanks!
Oh, and yesterday morning we got to talk to our Madagascar family members (even L., which has hardly ever happened before--thanks, L., for your nice song!) And then, we chatted online, with the newly engaged RACHEL. Congratulations, young lady (oh, and to you too, Dave!) M. and I are happy for you both!

"Silver Bells..."

One month and then what?

On Dec. 28, Silver came to our house. We weren't sure of all her reasons or future plans, but today, quite suddenly she found a ride back to her reserve and she was gone. Most of the month was spent listening to her, trying to better understand her world. She was sometimes difficult to tune into, but could be hilariously funny as well. We had some great serious talks and lots of fun times too. In spite of it being a bit of a strain on our "normal" home life, it was still rewarding knowing we were protecting her from her other life of substance abuse. Now we just need to pray that God continues to surround her with His love and many angels. She did leave most of her belongings here so we're sure she'll be back. All this to say to Rhonda who named my blog, don't worry, I have a feeling we are not once- and- for- all empty nesters. I may be able to find a good picture of her tomorrow, but for now--good night.

more?

con't....

pics from the week-end

Birthday week-end

This was the big week-end to go to Kenora to help Mary Jane Meekis celebrate her ___th birthday with friends from this area and S. MB. There were 14 adults and 3 cute babies. Our group left on Sat. a.m. in 2 vehicles. They were Yvonne, Elise, Wendy, Dylan, Silver, Kendra, Linda, and myself. Around 5 p.m. on Sat. we met up with the rest of the group at a great restaurant. This included Robyn, Emilie, Tamara, Karen J., Frieda H., Debby, Melissa, Dakota, and , of course, MJM. After ordering our meals we let the birthday girl open her presents and then we ate. When we left we headed over to Debby's house for a choice of 3 delicious desserts, coffee and games. E., M.,and W., (along with their babies) went to a hotel for the night. Around midnight we were getting tired and ready for sleep. Debby had it well planned and everyone had a place to lie down and rest for the night. This a.m. we had a nice brunch and then a meaningful time of singing and praying together. Around 2:00 everyone was loading up, saying their good-byes and heading out. Of course I felt very blessed to be a part of it, but the added bonus was to spend quality time holding my youngest granddaughter, Emilie. She's quite a social 4 month old with a loud voice when needed! I'd say she fits right into her family even though her eye and hair color is so different from her 3 older sisters.
I've never posted pictures before, so be patient and I'll see what I can handle. Don't sit and wait as this could take me awhile.

new mama on the block

Thanks to my daughter, Rhonda, I'm an official blogger. I guess. We'll see how it goes anyway.