landisplatz

Blessings in Disguise

2011-12-22T07:24:00.000-08:00

We pray for blessings

We pray for peace

Comfort for family, protection while we sleep,

We pray for health, for prosperity,

We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering

All the while You hear each spoken need,

Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things.

We pray for wisdom,

Your voice to hear

And we cry in anger when we cannot feel You near,

We doubt Your goodness, We doubt Your love

As if every promise from Your Word is not enough,

All the while You hear each desperate plea

And long that we'd have the faith to believe.

'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops

What if Your healing comes through tears

What if a thousand sleepless nights

Are what it takes to know You are near

And what if the trials of this life

Are your mercies in disguise?

When friends betray us

When darkness seems to win

We know that pain reminds this heart

This is not our home

It's not our Home!

"Cause what if your blessing comes through raindrops

What if your healing comes through tears

What if a thousand sleepless nights

Are what it takes to know You are near?

What if my greatest disappointments

Or the aching of this life

Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world cannot satisfy

And what if the trials of this life,

The rain, the storms, the hardest nights

Are you mercies in disguise?

(Laura Story)

only one life dilemna

2011-11-21T06:41:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago we attended the Christian Aid Ministries open house at Ephrata Pa. We also receive a fair amount of newsletters from various mission organizations. Sometimes I wish I had 1000 lives to give my Lord. I would be happy if He would send me in one life to Haiti to sweep floors in the clinic in Haiti where my niece serves the needy, one life to be a nanny or grandma at a children's home in MX, one life to distribute Bibles in China, one life to serve in a USA city mission, one life to help spread the Gospel in dark places of Europe, one life to wash dishes at places that minister to hurting people and the list goes on and on. If salvation were based on how much one can accomplish in life, I'd never make it to heaven.

At other times I am afflicted by weariness and am so thankful that at the end of one life, I can go Home and rest forever. I am grateful that this world is not my Eternal Home. But my Commander-in-Chief tells me that by the avenue of prayer one life can minister to many. Isn't that amazing? It is all about HIM and HIS GLORY! Just think what 1000 short lives could do if they were totally committed to Him?

Long ago my Grandma wrote the following verse in my autograph book:
"Only one life, 'twill soon be past,

Only what is done for Christ will last."

Lord, help me to focus on things of eternal value!

39 evidences of pride

2011-08-22T07:53:00.000-07:00

This list came to me recently- I am convicted and challenged! So much of today's atmosphere smacks of "self-worth, self-confidence, self-image, know yourself, self-this, self-that, and more-self. " Oh! just to have the mind of Christ!

If you know who developed this list. Please let me know, so credit can be given to that individual.

1. Do you look down on those who are less educated, less affluent, less refined or less successful than yourself?

2. Do you think of yourself as more spiritual than your mate, others in the church?

3.Do you have a judgmental spirit toward those who don't make the same lifestyle choice you do?

4. Are you quick to find fault with others and to verbalize those thoughts to others? Do you have a sharp, critical tongue?

5. Do you frequently correct or criticize your mate, your minister, or other people in positions of leadership (teachers, youth director etc.)?

6. Do you give undue time, attention and effort to your physical appearance- hair, clothing, weight, body shape, avoiding appearances of aging?

7. Are you proud of the schedule you keep, how disciplined you are, how much you are able to accomplish?

8. Are you driven to receive approval, praise or acceptance from others?

9. Are you argumentative?

10. Do you generally think your way is the right way, the only way, or the best way?

11. Do you have a touchy, sensitive spirit? Easily offended? Get your feelings hurt easily?

12. Are you guilty of pretense? Trying to leave a better impression of yourself than is really true?

(Would people be shocked if they knew what you were like at home?)

13. Do you have a hard time admitting you are wrong?

14. Do you have a hard time confessing yous sin to God and others? (Not just in generalities but specifics)

15. Do you have a hard time sharing your real spiritual needs/struggles with others?

16. Are you excessively shy?

17. Do you resent being asked or expected to serve your family, your parents or others?

18. Do you become defensive when you are criticized or corrected?

19. Are you a perfectionist? Do you get irked or impatient with people who aren't?

20. Do you tend to be controlling- of your mate, your children, friends, those in your workplace?

21. Do you frequently interrupt people when they are speaking?

22. Does your husband feel like he can never measure up to your expectations of what it means to be a good husband, spiritual leader etc?

23. Do you often complain- about the weather, your health, your circumstances, your job, your church?

24. Do you talk about yourself too much?

25. Do you have a sharp critical tongue?

26. Are you more concerned about your problems, needs , burdens, than about others' concerns?

27. Do you worry about what others think of you? Too concerned about your reputation or your family's reputation?

28. Do you neglect to express gratitude for "little things"? To God? To others?

29. Do you neglect prayer and intake of the Word?

30. Do you get hurt if your accomplishments/or acts of service are not recognized or rewarded?

31. Do you get hurt if your feelings or opinions are not considered when your mate or your boss is making a decision or if you are not informed when a change or decision is made?

32. Do you react to rules? Do you have a hard time being told what to do?

33. Are you self-conscious because of your lack of education or natural beauty, or your social status?

34. Do you avoid participating in certain events, for fear of being embarrassed or looking foolish?

35. Do you avoid being around certain people because you feel inferior compared to them/don't feel you measure up?

36. Are you uncomfortable inviting people to your home because you don't think it's nice enough or you can't afford to do lavish entertaining?

37. Is it hard for you to let others know when you need help (practical or spiritual)?

38. When is the last time you said these words to a family member, friend, or co-worker: "I was wrong; would you please forgive me?" (If it has been more than a month, mark it down).

39. Are you sitting here thinking how many of these questions apply to someone you know? Feeling pretty good that none of these things really apply to you?

Forty Six Years and counting

2011-08-14T17:25:00.000-07:00

Forty Six Years and Counting

Years ago we were young, in love and full of dreams for our future together.

We have shared many joys and sorrows of life

that were part of the dim unknown future

on August 14, 1965.

Sometimes we have taken each other for granted,

On this anniversary we grieve with a dear couple who have barely made it past their silver anniversary before the dark cloud of cancer appeared on their horizon.

And we feel so blessed to still love each other and have the privilege of growing old together.

We did not know how hard it would be to earn a living and make ends meet.

But God has faithfully provided for our needs and beyond.

We have chosen God's Word as our guide for living.

Sometimes we were faithful, many times we were not.

We thank God for His mercy and forgiveness.

He is a God of "new beginnings".

We did not always handle stress in a good way during the heat of the day,

but today we enjoying the opportunities to spend more time alone together

while we watch the steadily approaching sunset on the horizon.

This was the opening song at our wedding (adapted version):

All the way our Savior leads us, what have we to ask beside?

Can we doubt His tender mercy who through life has been our guide?

Heavenly peace, divinest comfort, Here by faith in Him to dwell

For we know whate'er befall us, Jesus doest all things well.

All the way our Saviour leads us; Cheers each winding path we tread,

Gives us grace for every trial, feeds us with the living Bread,

Though our weary steps may falter, And our souls athirst may be,

Gushing from the Rock before us, Lo! A spring of joy we see.

All the way our Saviour leads us; oh, the fullness of His love,

Perfect rest to us is promised, In our Father's house above

When our spirits clothed immortal, Wing their flight to realms of day

This our song through endless ages; Jesus led us all the way.

Three centuries

2011-07-02T14:27:00.000-07:00

No I am not three centuries old...yet. But recently an 80+ year old man asked me, "Did you know my father?" I did not know his father. My first thought was, "How old do you think I am?"

But on second thought- I have known the parents of quite a few people who are 80 or more years old. I well remember my grandparents- the parents of my 97 year old aunt who passed away this year. My 4th-5th grade school teacher was an 1800's model. I could go on and on naming people from the nineteenth century who have touched my life in one way or another.

When you think about it- I have known people who were born in the nineteenth century, twentieth century and now the twenty-first century. People from three different centuries have touched my life in one way or another. I am blessed by the perspective that gives to life today.
I am even more glad my life has been touched by an eternal God.

Family weekend

2011-06-13T05:09:00.000-07:00

After Brianna's graduation at Warrior Run High School, Marvin & I followed our GPS (and the guardian angels followed us) to this cabin near Thurmont MD where we had reservations for our family weekend. It was a very nice place- and conveniently located near enough to Washington DC where we planned to go on Saturday. It was midnight when we arrived. This place is about 3.5 miles off the beaten path in a back woodsy atmosphere. Lovely!

On Saturday morning after breakfast and lunch packing, we headed to Rockville MD and bought tickets on the Metro into Washington DC. You can see us in the photo below with our thirteen PA grandchildren at the National Zoo entrance.

We saw some animals but we discovered a hot summer afternoon is not the best time to go to the zoo. Many of the animals were seeking relief from the heat by hiding in dens or other places of shelter from the heat. We did enjoy the octopus feeding, cheetahs, lion, tiger, leopard, zebra. dragon and gorillas. We did take some time for a few family shots.You can see Dale & Betty Joy's family below.

Then Mark & Melanie's family

And here is Jason & Gloria's family at the entrance

Our next destination was the slide at Mt Tabor Park.
I think it is about 40 ft high- has a varnished wood floor!
The first time Grandpa & I went down the slide together,
I thought, "I promised 'whither thou goest, I will go". And we went!
It was scary but fun! The next time we went on burlap and went even a little faster!
I may be 65- but I survived!

Here you can see some of the grandchildren went together on a long sheet of waxed paper and tumbled in a pile on the sawdust at the end of the slide.

Marvin & I arrived home about 6 PM with smiles and miles of memories!

Milestones of life!

2011-06-12T19:13:00.001-07:00

This photo may be dark- but it is a bright moment for Brianna Pfleegor! It is a moment we have looked forward to for so long!
Brianna came into our lives when she was 16 months old! It's been a long story of smiles and tears! She lived in our home and was part of our family for a total of eight years. In the years she was not living here, she had regular visits and continues to be an important part of our lives- now as her grandparents. Because of limited seating, we did not expect to be able to attend her graduation on Friday evening. But then the Lord blessed her with extra tickets- and we sat with her twin sister Brittany on the front row! My eyes filled with tears as I remembered the smiles and tears that have been part of the journey to this moment!
God bless you Brianna as you begin a new part of the journey of life!

This is it- the diploma!

Grandpa & Grandma with Brianna & Brittany!

The white color signifies that Brianna is part of the National Honor Society. She worked hard to earn that collar!

Family fun

2011-05-18T14:20:00.001-07:00

Our oldest granddaughter spent the day with us on Monday. It was a super-wonderful day. She and I had plenty of time to visit and get ready for the family supper. She got to see all her PA family in one day plus a school friend. Here you can see her grilling hamburgers for supper.
What an impromptu fun family evening!

The two youngest grandchildren are all smiles!

Trampoline season is in full swing..or should I say full bounce!
You might notice the missing tree in background. It blew over in a storm a few weeks ago. The remains are firewood in the background and bark mulch under the trampoline.

Not every one made it for this last minute grand finale of a photo...but smiles are in vogue!

We are so blessed! Thank you Jesus for the delightful day!

For God so loved the world.....

2011-04-23T05:59:00.000-07:00

We attended a home school international evening where some of our grandchildren were part of the activities. In one evening we traveled to Australia, Guatemala, Kenya, India, Netherlands, Thailand, China, Sri Lanka, Mexico and Saudi Arabia. Each family wore costumes and treated us to some food typical of their chosen country. The students gave interesting speeches about their subject.
In the photo above you can see our daughter and her family with a Mexican flavor. Each family had a reason for choosing their particular subject. Our grandchildren have visited Mexico recently or hope to do so in the future. They introduced the group to information they learned about the history,customs and statistics of Mexico, sang two familiar Spanish songs for us and told about their travels. They had a display table with Mexican souvenirs. Their snack was tortilla chips with guacamole dip ( recipe from our Mexican daughter in law) and Mexican ruedas (somewhat like a cheese curl) with a spicy sauce.
Over and over as each student told of the population of their chosen country, I was struck with the reality of the millions of people who do not know Jesus and experienced His salvation. No wonder the Lord delays his return. The fields are white ready to harvest, and one person can do so little. Am I doing the little I can do to spread the Good News? No matter where we live, travel and work, we meet people who need the message of salvation. My desire is to be faithful where I am planted. But so often I am distracted by the cares of this life. O God, forgive!
This weekend we celebrate two of the three greatest events in history- Jesus death and resurrection. God "gave" at Christmas, "died for our sins" on Good Friday and "rose triumphant" on Easter morning. Alleluia
For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

Holland tiles

2011-03-21T00:28:00.000-07:00

Almost 12 years ago, (June 1999), we traveled with cousins to Western Europe. While in the Netherlands I collected pretty 6x6" tiles as our souvenir. My intentions were to replace the counter top in the kitchen and use these as part of the back splash. Well, several years passed and that did not happen. By 2004 we were moving to the "old house on the back 40". The tiles became part of a new plan- the downstairs tub room would be their new destination. Other things kept the tiles on the "back burner" for more several more years. Finally this winter we tackled the project. It became a family affair. Karen & I designed the arrangement of the tiles. Marvin applied them to the masonary backer board. I knew he has a more steady hand and is better with details. Then David volunteered his hand and refined the process too. David also did most of the grouting. Didn't they do a good job? None of us are professional- but in my humble opinion, they did an almost-professional job! The whole thing turned out better than I expected.
I hope we live in this house a few more years to enjoy them. But then again- if the trumpet sounds, we will leave them behind along with everything else.
Ready for a tour?

This shows part of the arrangement of tiles in the tub room.

This tile is my favorite! There are so many little details..the cat lapping spilled milk, Dad milking outside the door, Delft blue on the shelf and more.

Do you like this one?

another favorite tile!

As you can see, these tiles are above the shower head.

About 1 1/2 years ago the Formica behind the stove melted in a hot oil kitchen fire. You can still see the scars on the stove back...but my dear husband and son have repaired the wall with these tiles. Adds to the grape theme in the kitchen/dining room.

CA/MX trip 2011

2011-02-07T06:55:00.001-08:00

Frosty morning in Pennsylvania January 14th- heading to CA sunshine!

About 30 hours later..we took this picture- 80 degree January afternoon- on the two hour cruise on the bay between San Diego and Coronado. Can you see us between the shadows?

Six of our sixteen grandchildren-Konrad, Israel, Jonathan II, Elizabeth, Janelle and Betsy.

Coronado Bridge- 2 1/2 mile long between San Diego and Coronado

Br-r-r! The water is cold but so much fun.
First time to the ocean for two of the grandchildren!

Shopping for souvenirs in a big way... on Monday, Jan 17

At the Chinese restaurant with Ricardo, Angelica's nephew who lives in Tijuana, MX.

Janelle, Konrad and Betsy at the butterfly collection in the Earth & Science Museum at Santee, CA. Just wish the picture could do justice to the beauty of this collection. Janelle is wearing her souvenir shirt from Tijuana, MX that she purchased on Monday.

Decorating Christmas cookies in San Diego, CA- in 75 degree weather..with palm trees waving outdoors. Still fun for the cousins in any kind of weather.

Konrad (14) gave a Christmas bundle to Ismael (14) but this 5 year old boy Guillermo (Pauncho) and Konrad became "buddies".

Janelle and her little girl, Erica. She chose things for Erica's bundle.

Betsy and her friend Bianca with the Christmas bundle at the children's home.

Enjoying the Sierra Nevada Mtn. Pass on Sunday afternoon. By this time Karen had arrived in MX for the Orphans for Jesus work week. The six of us rode in an extended cab elderly pickup truck with an aging driver. Adventure of the day!

Back at Harrisburg, PA- Jan 24, 2011- A dream became a reality and is fast on the way to becoming a memory.

The Christmas Hero

2010-12-08T19:06:00.000-08:00

Christmas has been and continues to be my favorite holiday of the year. Someone has said "There are only two seasons in the year. One is Christmas and the other is Waiting for Christmas.
The words of the familiar Christmas carol It Came Upon A Midnight Clear have a clearer meaning to me this year than ever before.
Did you ever notice the words
For lo, the days are hastening on,
by prophet bards foretold,
when with the ever circling years
Comes round the age of gold;
When peace shall over all the earth
It's ancient splendors fling
And the whole world give back the song
Which now the angels sing.

My friend poked me in church on Sunday and ask "What is a bard?" I was curious enough to look it up in the dictionary the next day. Definition: A person who composed or sang songs about a hero.
Ah! Who is the HERO of Christmas? Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord! He is not only King of kings and Lord of lords, but the Hero of all heroes ...of all time and eternity. The greater the hero, the greater the celebration of victory!
The angels came singing "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace..."
Oh! for the whole world to give back the song the angels sang!

The world's vacumn

2010-12-01T14:50:00.000-08:00

"How do you keep from getting sucked into the world's vacuum?" That was the question posed by a non-Mennonite believer.
For a starter- what is a vacuum? The dictionary definition is 1. A perfectly empty place 2. A space inside a closed vessel from which most of the air has been pumped.
So the world's vacuum is a place of emptiness where there is a shortage of air. Right?
After some thought my answer - "Whatever takes my focus off Jesus Christ and His Calvary love for me has the potential of sucking me into the world's vacuum."
Turn my eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.

Grand Grand-daughters

2010-10-18T16:17:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago seven of our eight granddaughters went to the cabin with us for a sleep-less sleepover. What fun! This was Kaylyn's first sleepover with Grandma and Aunt Karen. She felt like such a big girl!

This is our littlest angel with her baked banana split treat!
The chocolate covered coffee beans kept all our batteries running until 1 AM

After a treat and the favorite "old movies" we relaxed with foot massages and back rubs.
This is called efficiency! Kara is giving Aunt Karen a back rub
while her feet are massaged. Betsy is in the background with the foot vibrator.

How can we get everyone combed at once?

Here is our line of shoes inside the cabin door. There is an obvious gap between
Aunt Karen's and Andrea's shoes. That gap represents the missing granddaughter,

Elizabeth who lives in CA. We missed you Eli!

Aunt Karen treated everyone to an ice cream cone at Kate's Kreamery before

going home. A delicious topping to a beautiful memory! Thanks Karen!

Now when will we be able to mesh schedules with the grandsons,

Grandpa and Grandma to do the male rendition at the cabin?

Sabbath-Sunday

2010-09-20T08:43:00.000-07:00

From the beginning of time, God rested on the seventh day and ordained a day of rest for us too. In Bible times, and even today, Jews and 7th day Adventists , observe the day of rest beginning at sundown on Friday evening.
After the resurrection, Christians began to observe Sunday as a day of rest and worship too. It appears that the early church may have observed both Saturday and Sunday for a time. They did not want to offend their fellow Jews by disregarding Saturday. But they also met to worship, bring offerings and observe communion together on Sunday.
We are somewhat familiar with the transition from Saturday to Sunday observance of a day of rest. But when did the change come that we practise a day of rest from midnight to midnight- 24 hours of Sunday?
We have been challenged by friends recently to return to the sundown to sundown observance of the day of rest the way God designed it. Why not? Too often I have worked late Saturday night to accomplish unfinished goals of the week. Then I reap the consequences with weariness on Sunday morning!
Like my mother before me, I wash the "Sunday clothes" on Monday and begin to prepare for the next Sunday. By the end of the week some special dishes are prepared to make cooking easier on Sunday. Once I read of the woman who did something every day of the week to prepare herself and her family for the "day of rest". Shoes can be polished and the house cleaned to prepare for the Lord's Day. But is my Lord honored when I stay up late pushing myself to meet other goals of the week?
I have often appreciated the freedom to relax on Sunday and not feel guilty for taking a mid-afternoon nap. Sunday is my favorite day of the week! The past two weeks I have been able to let myself relax on Saturday evening. I can read a book, study my Sunday school lesson and simply relax. How much more my brain is refreshed for the Sunday morning service! It has not been "another rule" for myself- but a freedom to let unfinished tasks remain unfinished. I can relax and not feel irresponsible. I've heard if you do something for 3 weeks, it will be a habit. Feels like a good habit to develop at this point. Why didn't I do it years ago?
In case you wonder- I do not plan to begin my laundry at sundown on Sunday evening. If the early church could observe two whole days to avoid offense, surely I do not need to be stroking the legal aspects of a 24 hour observance from sundown to sundown...but extend it into a few more hours. The list of to-do's will be there on Monday morning too.

Rear view mirrors

2010-08-06T09:21:00.000-07:00

Thought for today:
History is like a rear view mirror. We'd be severely handicapped without the perspective it provides. Because we have seen God at work in the past, we can enjoy Him more fully today and press toward the eternal goal where we will praise Him forever!

Kurtz family story

2010-07-31T17:27:00.000-07:00

Abraham and Margaret Kurtz arrived in America in 1740 and lived in Lanaster County. They had two sons when Margaret died. By 1749 Abraham traveled to Europe and married Margaret's sister, Barbara Bollinger. Abraham brought his new bride to America in September, 1749. Eventually they added six children to the family.
When troubles arose in their Amish church, Abraham's son John moved to Juniata Co by 1812. Eventually some of the Kurtz family transferred to the Mennonite Church near Richfield known as the Shelley's Mennonite (or more recently known as Brick Mennonite ) Church.
John's son Samuel (1796-1865) married Barbara Mosser/Musser. His son Abraham married Elizabeth Kauffman. Today Abraham and Elizabeth Kurtz's family Bible with the birth record of their three children, Lidia, Jacob and Catherine are one of the prize pieces of Juniata Mennonite Historical Society's collection.
The more famous Kurtz story begins with the fourth generation, (Samuel & Barbara's son), John M. Kurtz who married Catherine Shelley. John and Catherine assumed ownership of the Shelley farm near the Shelley's small log church building across the road from their farm. The church and it's tiny cemetery overlooked the Shelley/Kurtz farm and the beautiful Juniata Valley. John saw the need to build a new brick church in 1868 to replace the 1800 log building that stood at the edge of their cemetery. Already five of their young children had been laid to rest on the steep hillside cemetery.
Little did the Kurtz family know the overwhelming grief that awaited them. When diphtheria swept through the valley in 1872, the Kurtz family bowed in grief as their oldest son, Samuel (17) succumbed to the dread disease for which there was no known cure. The very next day, Jacob (6) and Anna (4) also fell victims to the same disease. A funeral for all three children was planned for July 28. One grave held all three of these precious children. While they were attending the funeral at the nearby church, the grim reaper claimed the life of their oldest daughter , Barbara (16). The next morning 14 year old Catherine became the next victim of the dread disease. That evening the baby, Sarah (1) followed all her sisters to their heavenly home. Only thirteen year old John S. Kurtz survived. Even though water was forbidden to diphtheria patients, when the doctor heard John's plea for water, he said, "Give him water. He will die anyway." But John was the only survivor, much to their surprise and gratitude. All eleven of his siblings had been laid to rest in the cemetery near the new four-year-old Brick Church. In the weeks ahead, John was so lonely, he wished he had died with his siblings.
Three years later, John and Catherine welcomed a son Abram into their family. The youngest child, Christian was born in 1877 .
John S. Kurtz was ordained as a minister in the Brick Church to serve the Lost Creek congregation when he was single and 27 years old. Not many young people became church members before marriage in those days..much less be ordained as a single man! But John faithfully fulfilled his calling. Eventually he married Maria Horning, from Lancaster County. When he needed a hired man, Maria's brother, Mose Horning agreed to move from his home in Lancaster County to help on John's Juniata County farm. Several years later, Moses Horning was also ordained as a single man.
When troubles arose in the church and a split developed, John Kurtz and Moses Horning decided to return to Lancaster County. Most of the congregation who did not go with the faction to the new Richfield Mennonite Church, started going to nearby Lauvers and Crossroads congregations.
But all was not well in Lancaster County churches either. English preaching and Sunday school were part of the tension that existed. Eventually a significant bishop , Jonas Martin withdrew from the Lancaster Conference. John Kurtz and Moses Horning supported Bishop Martin in his decision and also withdrew.
John S. Kurtz took over a mill when he returned to Lancaster County. When work was slow at the mill, he started to hatch eggs in his homemade incubator as he had done in Juniata County. Eventually the hatchery business grew from it's humble beginning of 50 eggs to a business of
more than two million capacity today.
By 1927, Moses Horning was a bishop and in the middle of the tension concerning the question of whether to allow their members to own cars and trucks. Eventually another church split occurred when Joseph Wenger took his stance against the car and Moses Horning accepted it. Jonas Martin's Old Order group dissolved into two factions with Joseph Wenger and Moses Horning as the significant leaders of the two groups. Even today, the Weaverland Conference is sometimes called the "Horning Church" and the Groffdale Conference is known as the "Wenger Church".
What can we learn from all this? We may view the current situations of our lives as "these difficult times"...but the generations before us knew sorrow and grief in their families and in their churches too. Jesus Christ the same, yesterday, today and forever! He will see us through what ever we may face in the days of our lives.
John and Catherine would probably be surprised to meet their many descendants from their three sons who grew to manhood. Today a group of 38 descendants visited the Brick Church and shared their family stories. It was a beautiful day for the occasion. I was blessed to be reminded of God's grace and faithfulness.

Some survivors

2010-07-20T15:14:00.000-07:00

Back row- left to right- Carol, Betty Ann, Margaret, Romaine, Walter
Front- Chester, Vernon, Melvin

On Sunday we attended our "Little" (literally) Burkholder reunion. My parents were both Burkholders. But since my mother's family was much smaller than my father's, we dubbed the reunions the Little Burkholder reunion and the Big Burkholder reunion. This year the grand total who attended the Little Burkholder reunion was 14 people! Even my sole surviving aunt who is 96 years old was not able to attend. It is obviously a dying reunion.

However, when you analyze the facts... it is not so bad! Ezra and Lizzie Burkholder had 4 children and 15 grandchildren. There were many times most of us squeezed into their small farm kitchen at once on a Sunday afternoon and/or evening. We have pleasant memories of "them days" as my Dad would say.

Today, of those 15 grandchildren, two are deceased, three do not live in Pennsylvania. If you are doing the math, that leaves ten grandchildren living in our state. Eight of the ten who live in Pennsylvania attended the reunion on Sunday. One lady was there to represent her deceased husband, our cousin. Others who attended were the spouses of some of those in the photo. No one from the next generation attended this time so we could all remember the old days without boring anyone... and just be cousins. It could be the last Little Burkholder reunion, but it was a good one!

Born to serve

2010-07-17T17:51:00.000-07:00

Born to Serve...was the heading of three sermons at the annual Berean Mennonite Conference! The messages were soul stirring enough to keep one awake on a hot, muggy afternoon without AC.
Just as an unborn child does not build a house, so we need to be born again to be able to serve our God in His kingdom. My brother preached the one sermon and quoted my mother who would tell us, "You are not here just for pretty." She loved us and we knew it, but she did not wait on us hand and foot when we were healthy and able-bodied. We knew our parents expected us to make a worthwhile contribution to the family according to our abilities.
God does not save us "just for pretty" either so we can sit around saying, "please serve me". Doesn't He expect us to get with the program and be part of His team, using every opportunity to bring glory to His name? We may not be "born workers" but our Father will teach us how to become useful in His kingdom, if we are willing.
In youth or old age, God calls and equips us with His enabling grace to be part of His family team and make a worthwhile contribution for His glory. As parents, we did not expect our three year old son to harvest a wheat crop or a teenage daughter to make mortgage payments. In similar ways, His call for me may change through the years as He gives tasks suited to the stage of life and abilities. It has been surprising to find some of the "hats" He has handed to me. I pray that in spite of me, He may receive the glory for any thing good that has come out of my feeble attempts.
There are so many needs around us...and so many born again believers, let's band together for His glory! And when the trumpet sounds, we will all be done..and can rest forever!

hydrangea

2010-07-08T18:52:00.003-07:00

A few years ago our son and his wife gave a small potted hydrangea bush to me for Mother's Day. I love what ever flower is in season. Right now, even in a heat wave, the hydrangea bush is blooming so beautifully!

I enjoy cut flowers on my table but rarely have a store-bought bouquet...nor do I feel neglected without one. I'm very happy with black-eyed Susans picked along a fence row, dahlias from my own flower bed or even Queen Anne's lace and clover blossoms that do not cost a cent.

This year a daughter gave an enamel pan with perennials for Mother's Day. My husband knows that I prefer a rose bush over long stemmed roses that will fade in a short time. A flowering bush is the "gift that keeps on giving" that is....if I can keep it alive.

Thanks again to my husband and children for giving the sort of flowers that keep on giving.... and bring pleasant memories in every season.

Traveling on....

2010-07-08T18:26:00.000-07:00

Today Raymond & Lydian and I went to BWI to see Karen and their daughter Sharon off to Guatemala. We watched them disappear into "security" until we could only see a speck of them in the long line of travelers.
Karen and Sharon will be in language school together for a week, Karen will spend a week with her friend Dorcas Miller at the clinic, and then go back to language school for two more weeks. Karen will return mid-August. Sharon will be serving with Mennonite Air Missions for 18 months. May the Lord bless them real good...and help them to make a difference in the life of at least one person for His glory.

John and Elizabeth

2010-06-30T12:05:00.000-07:00

We are changing more than our hair color!
Since Marvin and I are eligible for Medi-care, we both need to use our proper first names. To receive benefits, the doctor's office, prescriptions and other medical records have been changed to John and Elizabeth. It is a switch in identity!
There are seven generations of Elizabeth's but none have used the "Elizabeth" name. The first generation was called "Betsy". The second and third were "Lizzie" , the next three were/are "Betty" and the seventh is our granddaughter "Betsy". My mother used the name "Elizabeth" in her school days. Her family taught her to write her name "Betty" before she went to first grade. Just before school started, she learned her real name was "Elizabeth." She was fascinated by that information. So when the teacher ask "What is your name?", she replied, "Elizabeth Burkholder". She was the smallest child in her class but she had the longest name. The other students got 1/2 of a blackboard to practise writing their name but the teacher gave her a whole blackboard. She often said she was glad she used that name in school because it felt more like her name. As long as she lived, some of her classmates continued to call her Elizabeth. Anyway, after all these years, I get to use my own real name! I don't mind my nickname at all. It is like an old familiar shoe that you don't want to throw out. I just wonder how long it will take for it to register when they call the name "Elizabeth" at the doctor's office.
And speaking of hair color...yesterday while cleaning at the History Center, I saw a light hair caught in the furniture where I had just been stooping to clean. My first thought was "Now who's light hair is that?" My second thought was " Oh, it is mine. My black hair disappeared a decade ago."
But the greatest change in identity is still ahead. I'm looking forward to changing from mortal to immortal. What a day that will be!

More Canada trip visuals

2010-06-11T18:00:00.001-07:00

I will begin with some of the flowers in bloom around Sioux Lookout.

Lady slipper

Lupines

Corrected caption: Bunch berries

The men had been on the lake fishing several times during the week. Merle and Edith offered to take Romaine & I out for a canoe ride on Sunday evening. What a northern experience! We saw two cow moose soon after we were out on the lake and sat watching them eat for awhile. There was a baby moose partially hidden in the thickets that we heard whimpering. Then we crossed the lake trying to get closer to a bull moose we saw on the other side. By the time we got there , he had disappeared. We did see two beaver and heard loons to round out our evening. But the best was just ahead for us! We rowed back to where we had seen the two cow moose. We figured they had wandered off, but as we got near, the one cow moose came crashing out of the bushes and ran into the woods. The baby followed her as far as the water and then just stood traumatized watching us. It was a rare treat to see a one to two week old baby moose so close. I regretted that I had chosen to let the camera behind rather than risk it getting wet. I cannot seem to get that picture moved from my mind's eye to the computer now. I imagine Mama moose scolded him later saying, "When you see something like that again, you run and hide." Before we left, Merle made an appointment with him for Oct 9th at that very spot. (That's when hunting season opens!)

We left Sioux Lookout on Monday, June 7th. We drove near to Pepin, WI where we went on Tuesday to see the replica of the "Little House in the Big Woods". It is at the site where Laura Ingalls Wilder was born in 1867, located seven miles out of town. We tried to imagine the land of trees that stretched further than a man could travel in a day in the 1860-70's. I took the book along so we could compare her words with the site. We visited the town and picked out the old buildings that existed in 1870. Laura felt like she could not see the town for the houses...there were more than she could count. The Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum in Pepin was worth our time. We bought a CD with recordings of Pa's fiddle, Laura's pump organ, her recorded voice, some singing and narration. And would you believe, Romaine and I tramped around in the Pepin cemetery where we found some Ingalls relatives graves.

I picked up a few stones by the lake but did not tear out my dress pocket like Laura did when she gathered too many. And to keep up the tradition, I dipped my feet in the waters of Lake Pepin, WI. One of these days I could make up an album of the bodies of water where my feet have been on this earth.

Where have your feet been today?

Our last sightseeing stop was the Case IH tractor factory in Racine, WI. The company merged with Ford so there is a mix of blue and red tractors on the assembly line. Marvin's Grandpa was a Case dealer and had one of the Case eagle emblems on his barnyard fence at Landis Valley, Pennyslvania.
Chuck, our guide, gave us a four hour tour of the plant. I did not understand all the language about gears, transmissions and clutch parts, but I am grateful that Marvin does things like go along to a history conference and the Pepin cemetery too. Along with several other things, I was impressed with the precision that goes into the making of tractor parts.

We arrived home about supper time on Thursday evening. Marvin suggested we stop at a restaurant for supper before we got home. That was a nice idea..then Romaine and I did not have to cook supper. Our children at home were fending for themselves for nearly two weeks, we concluded that surely they could find something to eat for one more meal.

All in all, we thank God for a safe and pleasant trip...and Leroy & Romaine's gracious invitation for us to go with them. Thanks to Merle and Edith for making our visit to their home and Sioux Lookout so enjoyable.

Canada trip visuals

2010-06-05T16:04:00.000-07:00

We spent the weekend with my niece in Ohio. On Memorial Day we drove to Mackinaw City on the tip of the Michigan Penisula. The next day we took a ferry to Mackinaw Island. The ferry took us on each side of and under the famous five-mile-long bridge. The waters of lake Huron are in the foreground. Lake Michigan is in the background. Later we went over the bridge and drove across the Upper Penisula of Michigan toward International Falls, Minnesota.

Horseless carriages were outlawed on the Mackinaw Island in 1895. This carriage driver in the top hat is taking his passengers to the Grand Hotel. Someone told us the rooms begin at $1000 night.

This is a view of the fort we paid admissions to see. Very interesting history! The island was famous for furs, then fish and now tourism.

The waters of beautiful Lake Huron are in the background. It was a perfect-weather day!

The men worked at putting siding on a shed for Merle.

Mission almost accomplished! Three sides of the shed have siding now. Merle says Dallas can help him with the front side. It just has small sections to do around the big sliding doors.

The men bought license and went fishing every day. On Thursday and Saturday they worked at siding in the morning, then went fishing. It was threatening rain on Friday, so Merle said, "We will do the most important thing first" so they went fishing in the morning before the rain arrived. Marvin and Leroy each caught one wall eye on Thursday (shown above). Other days Leroy caught the most. We had to keep eating fish so they could go fishing the next day. We are not tired of eating fresh walleye yet.

Whether the men were working or playing, we ladies could be found quilting. The quilt is for Elaine!

The finished product!

What is more beautiful than a day in June...in any latitude?

Migratory Birds

2010-05-28T05:59:00.000-07:00

Last winter when the temperatures dipped into the single digits, we got on a plane and headed to southern California and Mexico for a 3 week (working) vacation. We wore sweaters in the morning and evening for the first half of the trip. We did hit a rainy spell in Mexico on that part of the trip but not ice and snow! The remaining winter weather in Pa was intense but short-lived after we returned home. The wild geese do not have a bad idea and we hope to follow their migration patterns in Jan 2011 again.

Currently we are in the middle of a PA heat wave but things seem to be headed in the right direction. Again, the birds seem to have the right idea...We have our sights set on a trip to Northwest Ontario where they have 70 degree weather instead of our 90 degrees. We plan to leave tomorrow with my sister and her husband. Lord willing, we will travel to OH where we will spend Sunday with my niece and family. On Memorial Day we will travel up to the top of the Michigan Penisula and spend the night at Mackinac City. The next day we will do some sight seeing in that area and then head west toward Sioux Lookout, Ontario. The main purpose of the trip is to visit my brother Merle and family. We expect to be with them from June 2-7. On the return trip we hope to visit Laura Ingalls Wilder's birthplace at Pepin ,WI and the CaseIH tractor factory at Racine, WI. Marvin's Grandpa Landis had a Case dealership for many years and influenced his family for tractors that are a less popular make than the famous John Deere. From there we expect to set our sights on home and return on June 10. We may be just in time for another heat wave...
Oh well, in another ten years or so I might hibernate in heated /AC room with a supply of coffee and chips to keep me going the rest of my days...or better yet- move to my eternal home where there is no heat waves or freezing temperatures EVER! Meanwhile we enjoy the migratory flights. I don't expect we will migrate to Canada very often. Where can we go next summer? :D
We are blessed to have David and Karen here to look after things at home. We seem to be taking turns. Karen and David were in CA/MX in March and now she plans a Guatemala trip in July.
Guess the migratory gene has been passed on ....

Diary Writing

2010-05-24T05:50:00.000-07:00

First the disclaimer....
I've been reminded that it has been awhile since my Christmas memories blog, and time for a new post. Well, the computer was in and out of the hospital during the winter months. It needed to be reformatted which meant backing everything up on CD's and then reinstalling everything.
So where does the title "Diaries" come in?
It is where I have been in the past months. I was reading the diaries that my husband's Aunt Emma kept from 1938-2003. If you do the math, that is 65 years worth of diaries with almost daily entries. Other late winter projects on my list came to a standstill while I read her diaries in preparation to fulfill a request to put her life in story form. Now 22 copies of forty-plus pages later, her story "All the Days of My Life" is ready for distribution to my husband's cousins when we meet in June. Aunt Emma recorded a lot of facts about her life which included the weather, the activities of her day, plus world, national, local, church and family events. Besides her diaries, she kept other records. She recorded the gifts she gave and received at Christmas, the cards and letters she sent and received. At one point she kept record of how many hours and minutes she slept each night. Can you believe there are so many records? On rare occasions she recorded her feelings about a situation or event. Although the project has consumed more winter hours than I expected, there is some value in understanding the times in which my husband lived in his formative years. It was also a time of gaining more appreciation for his childhood connections to his Landis grandparents and other family members. No wonder they enjoy their times together now! Having been in the family for nearly forty five years, they are "my cousins" too. His grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins all lived within walking distance of the Landis Valley Museum, with the exception of an aunt who served in Africa as a missionary nurse. (His grandparent's home is now part of the Museum's property.) In his childhood, the whole clan worshipped, worked and played together, making a contribution to who he is today.
But last week diary reading took me down a different path. I was reading my own early diaries and reliving memories. My sister was writing some of her childhood memoirs. I dug out some of my old diaries to answer her questions. I was surprised to discover that my first diary record begins on May 23, 1956 when I was ten years old. That means today, May 24, 2010, I am beginning my 55th year of diary writing! There are a few years when our older children were small that I did not write regularly. The only consolation is that I was writing a weekly letter to my mother during those precious years. She returned most of those letters to me which help to recapture little tidbits from that era of my life.
What good are old diaries? For one thing they recapture some of the "ordinary" that becomes only a " distant memory". For instance, one day when I had a bad sore throat, Dr Ridgway came to our home to give me a penicillin shot. What doctor makes house calls today?
There is the precious memory of the times in October 1956 when Daddy took me to see the unveiling of the new cars. The new models were transported on car carriers with huge tarps draped over them. Suspense built up as they were moved into dealer's showrooms under cover of darkness and remained covered inside the big show room window until a crowd gathered for the official unveiling at the appointed date. Daddy knew our 6th grade class was all hyped over the unveiling of each new 1957 model. That year he took me to see the new Fords at Denver, Chevys at Ephrata and Mercurys at Akron..and maybe more. Those memories stir up loving admiration for my dad and the time he took for my fleeting interest in cars.
The house of my childhood was demolished last summer to make way for a new housing development. But childhood memories can linger and bring enjoyment the rest of my life. Life was not "perfect" back in the good old days, and my desire to move forward toward the eternal goal is much stronger than the longings for past pleasures. Through my diaries and the vehicle of memory, I was riding bike, taking pony rides, dressing cats in doll clothes, playing in the creek, reading books and sometimes just loafing. Other times I was helping to pick corn by hand, welcoming a new baby sister and reliving the memorable 1958 blizzard when we had no electric for five days. The words brought back the people, surroundings, fragrances and feelings of the past. Feelings could be so bluntly honest. When I made my first home run at school I wrote "I am a little proud." When our family came home after a long day I wrote "we are all grouchy".
My diaries do include more feelings than Aunt Emma's, and I regret some words written in immaturity. But many years ago, I committed myself to writing words that do not slander or judge another person. For one thing, God is the only One who is right in all his judgments. There is always the possibility that I may be wrong in my evaluation of a person or situation because I only see in part while He knows in every detail.
Maybe no one else will ever want to read my diaries, but if they do, I want my written words to be a blessing, not a curse. In the past few years I have been using my diaries, letters written to my mother and photos to compile albums for our children which includes photos and stories from their childhood. I have gone from 1965-1975, 2007-2008 and currently I'm working on 2009. My style of scrap booking is not artistic like many of my friend's albums, but focuses telling the stories of life.
I still cannot imagine anyone wanting to wade through my two banana boxes of diaries in the attic. But between me and my God, they can still be a record of what He is doing for me and in me.
So here goes for my 55th year of diary writing. The remaining pages of the future are blank. I wonder what God will write on them! I can say like Moses, "If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence." Exodus 33:15b

Christmas memories

2009-12-06T12:28:00.000-08:00

I have been ask to share my childhood memories for the children at church tonight . So I have been thinking about it this past week. What was Christmas like for my family in the 1950's?
Our family did not go to Grandpa's house for Christmas like Marvin's family did. By the time I was five years old, my paternal grandparents had passed away. About that time, my maternal aunts had grandchildren of their own and had their own family Christmas. Since my mother was much younger than her siblings, we spent almost every Christmas at home. But we did not feel sorry for ourselves! As long as I can remember, it was impressed on us "This is Jesus' birthday!" For weeks the excitement would build to a cresendo level! My mother would order a decorated cake from the baker. The words on top of the cake said "Happy Birthday Jesus". "How old is Jesus?" I often wondered. Our parents did not have a lot of money to buy presents. Some of the " really big" gifts were my first doll with hair, my first and only bike and my first wrist watch. I still have all three of them today. Some of our family activities reflect the interest of my two parents. Daddy usually led us in singing one Christmas carol after another. Mom often had a special "Christmas story" to read to us.
One year my parents bought a cardboard fireplace. It looked like a red brick fireplace with a cardboard log and red light bulb. When we plugged in the light, we felt like we had a real cozy fireplace...just like they do in story books.
As Christmas approached, the excitement steadily increased. When we shopped in Ephrata, we begged to go up to the second floor to see Toy Land. We did not expect our parents to buy any of the toys for us. It was just fun to look at all of them. I can still see all the pretty dolls on the shelves! My brothers looked at the toy trains and cars. One of the most fun things at that store was to ride the 1912 elevator, one of the first elevators in PA. It was built like an open black iron cage big enough to hold about 4-5 people - if they were not too big. You could actually see the supporting cables outside the cage...and hoped they did not break when you were part way up to the next floor.
When we shopped in Lancaster we could watch the animated displays at Watt & Shand. The one display had two little kid goats in a pillow fight with feathers flying in every direction. When the door to their room slowly opened, and their mother peeked in the room, she would see two little goats "pretend sleeping" in their bed. As soon as Mama goat closed the door, the pillow fight would resume.
Our family attended a small mission church in another county. My Dad rented a bus to take most of the church people Christmas caroling. We went to many homes tucked in the hills of Berks Co. I loved to stand beside the Weaver sisters and hear them sing the beautiful carols of Christmas...and even teach us some new ones. Enroute from one home to another we had a breath taking view of the gaily decorated Christmas Village...while adults commented on the enormous electric bill those folks must pay in December.
A week or so before Christmas the ladies from church came to our house to bake Christmas cookies. Even some older town ladies came to help. We baked cookies to distribute to some needy families and divide among ourselves.
About that time my Dad would set up the train on the dining room table. He started with an engine and a few cars with a small track. Every year he added something new like more cars, trees, and small buildings. If we had permission, we could put a little white pill in the smoke stack of the engine. Then while the engine went around the track, it would give of little white puffs of smoke, just like the real train that went though town. We thought that was the grandest thing you can imagine!

This poem came in an early Christmas card. I love it!

Memories are a special house
We build inside ourselves
Where love and laughter linger
Where all our past life dwells.
On holidays like Christmas
We can draw upon the store
Reliving happy times
And feeling all that warmth once more.
Wherever we may travel
The house is always there
To help to blend the old and new
To build on, grow and share.
This house can never get too full
Just grow from floor to floor,
Because the joy of making memories
Is always making more.

Make some memories for you and yours this Christmas. May they focus on the real reason for the celebration..the birth of Jesus...God's unspeakable Gift to us!

Berlin Walls of Today

2009-11-11T07:23:00.000-08:00

World War II ended just weeks after my birth. The Cold War was in full swing during my childhood and youth. Swarms of returning soldiers were landing in their homeland during those years. Warily, my sister and I checked the porch roof for soldiers before we tucked ourselves into bed at night. When the shrill air raid siren from our local town screamed loud and long on a school day, we students clambered to hide under the school desk until the "threat of danger" had passed. The Russians and Communism were a real world threat. US Army planes overhead and the words "Maybe the Russians are coming" would send shivers of fear through my whole body. Krushav, the Russian leader's threat "we will bury you" was a familiar line known by everyone...from children to the hoary head. . We never dreamed we'd live to see the day when the powers of communism woud lie in ruin. The Berlin Wall separated family members and friends in that German city for so many years. It was a wonderful testimony of God's prevailing power when communism fell in 1989 and the Berlin Wall came down piece by piece.
But as long as humanity exists and the prince of darkness has a measure of liberty, people will hate and destroy each other.
Recently I came to this website www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2009/11/05/todays-berlin-walls and pondered.
The article states there are five walls existing today.
#1- The Israel/Palestine "Separation barrier". The Israeli's proposed a physical barrier in 2002 to prevent terrorists from entering Israeli territory. When we visited Israel in 2008, we observed first hand some of the severe hardships this barrier creates for ordinary, non-violent citizens of the West Bank.
#2- US/Mexico border fence. In 2006 a 700 mile long fence on the US/Mexico was approved by the US government. A majority of Americans support building a fence along the entire border. We have been eyewitnesses of this "wall" and some of the ramifications involved.
#3- The Korean Demilitarized Zone- This heavily militarized zone divides North and South Korea since WWII.
#4- The Wagah Border Crossing (India-Pakistan) The border between these two countries has been relatively peaceful for the past six decades. But in Wagah, a divided town hosts the only road link between India and Pakistan, their rivalry is displayed every night. During a ritual ceremony the India and Pakistan soldiers pass within six inches of each other every night with the "legal line" between them before shutting down the road and lowering their flags. Their animosity is waning as evidenced by the ceremony that now ends with a brief handshake between the rival soldiers.
#5- The Great Firewall of China- China's Ministry of Information Industry has manned the world's largest Internet censorship and filtering system. About 40,000 cyber police monitor the country's Internet users. While it may not be a physical wall, the users are not permitted to access the complete World Wide Web which limits their interaction with the outside world.
These boundaries and walls between nations and peoples are a sad commentary on humanity. And I think of a familiar hymn by Kirk & Deby Dearman based on a prayer by St Francis of Assisi (13th century)
Lord, make me an instrument of you peace,
Where there is hatred let Your love increase,
Lord, make us instruments of Your peace,
Walls of pride and prejudice shall cease
When we are Your instruments of peace.

Where there is hatred, let me show love
Where there is injury, we will never judge,
Where there is striving, we will speak His peace
To the people crying for release
We will be Your instruments of peace.

Where there is blindness, we will pray for sight,
Where there is darkness, we will shine His light.
Where there is sadness, we will bear their grief,
To the millions crying for release
We will be Your instruments of peace.

Let the walls of pride and prejudice come down.......for His glory!

Shipping Out

2009-11-05T15:27:00.000-08:00

Over the years, our place has become somewhat of a mini- distribution center for various causes. It is not a job that was officially assigned to us but it is one we enjoy.
Today I dragged this pile of bags down from the attic where they have been waiting . Tomorrow we plan to attend the Christian Aid Ministries (CAM) open house near Ephrata. So they will begin the journey to who-knows-where. Included in the stash is outgrown clothing, sewing supplies, several comforters from our sewing circle group, used Sunday School material and empty pill bottles. Neighbors, friends and church people have all made their contribution to the collection.
For many years we collected used Sunday School books to send to Nigeria where they were used at a youth camp. But the duty fees for them to receive the boxes became too costly for their budget. So now we send them to CAM for distribution instead.

Another project of the day was to prepare this stack of boxes to be sent to Northern Youth Programs (NYP) . Many of the contents are donations from our congregation. The ladies sewing circle is sending a box with six baby comforters for a missionary to distribute to native mothers. Our church's annual kitchen linen project for NYP yielded almost 100 tea towels, 42 dish cloths, a dozen hot pads, plus some hand towels, a bath towel and a few wash cloths. One dear older sister canned 15 qt of green beans out of the summer abundance. A young woman went on a shopping spree and hopes to bless her friends in the North with several boxes of personal items. Of course, we added some things to send to my brother and his family who live at Sioux Lookout where they serve the Lord and the church. An older couple in our church plans to pick up the boxes next week. They graciously offered to collect the boxes at several locations north of Harrisburg and take them to Lebanon where they will be loaded on a truck to take their long journey up the north road.
Next month our church plans to assemble Christmas bundles for the Shining Light Children's Home in Tijuana. Last year we had the special privilege of personally distributing them to the children when we visited the Shining Light Home. How blessed we are to be part of the whole chain of those who "distribute to the necessity of the saints" around the world!
The next thing I'd like to ship out is the mice that are invading our domain this week! We do not feel blessed by their presence!
But who would want them? So the question remains...where do we ship them? Russia, China, Haiti, Mexico, Canada , Timbuktu...or Mifflinburg? Maybe on the back porch to the CAT.

Landis Valley post #2

2009-10-12T11:44:00.000-07:00

Next post on Landis Valley Museum.. how do you like the rules for teachers in 1872?
This cupboard in Henry & George's family was one of their family heirlooms. Marvin remembers the 20 cats that inhabited this room with Henry & George. He says the cats would climb the window shades and play with the pull strings.

The outside of Henry & George Landis' house. Good they were bachelors...what woman would have put up with the 80,000 to 100,000 items they had stored in a few buildings before the state took over and made a real museum out of their collection.

This group almost made you look over your shoulder to see the Alps on the horizon.

Below: This is the house where my Uncle George and Aunt Emeline Felpel lived near Landis Valley. The barn, chicken houses and other out buildings are gone. The long lane is gone and you access the property by a new street. It is surrounded by new houses in a development. But the sun room to the left of the house makes it easy to identify. It appears to have the same old tin roof. When I was growing up in the 1950's this house seemed to me the epitome of elegance. There was glass french doors between the living and dining room, a sun room, the grand old piano in the living room, winding stairway to second floor...

My Grandma had a broken pelvis when she and Aunt Emeline were involved in an accident at Landis Valley not far from here. Aunt Emeline gave her excellent care while she recuperated in the sun room. ( I think that room must have shrunk..it had to be bigger than it appears now:-))The accident happened on the front lawn of the Henry H Landis home (Marvin's grandparents). We both remember going to view the damages to the black iron fence and lawn after the accident. But we did not meet there.

Another thing I admired about the Felpel place was Aunt Emeline had a bird bath in the middle of the lawn in front of the house. Bleeding heart plants circled the bird bath. The only photo we have of my sister Lucille (in my mother's arms) was taken in front of this house.

Landis Valley Museum

2009-10-12T10:49:00.000-07:00

This is the house where my Uncle George and Aunt Emeline lived near Landis Valley. My Grandma had a broken pelvis after she and Aunt Emeline were involved in an accident on the front lawn of the Henry H Landis home. Marvin & I both remember going to the scene after the accident to view the damages....but we did not meet there. My Grandma recuperated in the sun room (attached to left of house) with Aunt Emeline's excellent care. I remember a bird bath surrounded bleeding heart plants in the middle of this lawn. The only picture of my baby sister Lucille with my mother was taken in this front yard. The barn, chicken houses and other outbuildings are gone...but the sun room still has the old tin roof! I thought the interior of this house was so grand with french doors between the living and dining room, a big, old piano in the living room, the sun room, the winding stairway to upstairs...it seemed like the epitome of elegance in the 1950's.

The Landis Valley Museum school house has a list of rules posted for teachers in 1872. How do you like this?

Engraving a tombstone with wooden mallet and chisel. Slow tedious work!

2009-10-12T10:12:00.001-07:00

Ever since my mother died in 1993, my sisters and I plan an activity to celebrate one of our birthdays. Sometimes our brothers and their wives are included. This year my youngest sister Carol and I exchanged our birthdays. I chose to attend the Harvest Days at Landis Valley Farm Museum the week of Carol's (Oct 7) birthday. Lester had to work and Merle is in Thailand so it was just the three girls this time. Landis Valley Museum is a highlight for Marvin since his Grandpa Henry H. Landis farm has been swallowed up by the museum that Henry and George started years ago. The guide told us they collected between 80,000 to 100,000 items. Good they were both bachelors or they would not have gotten away with stashing so much in their few small buildings. The first time I attended the museum was on a class trip in 1956. George and Henry served as the tour guides if I remember correctly. The cupboard below was an original Landis family piece. Marvin remembers visiting this house that about 20 cats inhabited with Henry & George. They would climb the window shade in this room.

Last spring our oldest daughter and her homeschool children invited us to accompany them to the Homeschool event there. That's what drew us back in October for Harvest Days on Saturday. They had a lot of demonstrations like slaw making, candle making, butchering, weaving, spinning flax, and more.

We saw the school house, Marvin's Grandpa Landis' house, the country store, and more. At the store we learned that eggs would cost $6-9 dozen if they would be in proportion to today's income. Reason: Chickens did not live under electric lights nor have some of the newer feed improvements etc. so they only laid eggs seasonally..in the spring and summer. If you ever had a birthday cake, it was very special. Too bad if you had a winter birthday..eggs were out of season. At the end we enjoyed some German music. It almost felt like the Alps might be on the horizon.

I tried adding more pictures...but it did not work for me. Maybe I will post more pcitrues on a new post.

Taste of Swiss-German culture

2009-10-10T18:33:00.000-07:00

Today we went to Landis Valley Museum Harvest Days. Ever since our mother passed away in 1993, my sisters and I do something special on our birthdays. The birthday girl plans the activity. One year Romaine & I exchanged birthdays so she could plan a summer activity and I could plan something for December. This year my youngest sister ,Carol and I agreed to exchange birthdays because my choice was at Landis Valley.

The museum is home stomping ground for Marvin. His grandparent's farm has become part of the museum's property. It was an interesting day! Do you know that the cost of eggs would be about $6-9 dozen in comparison to today's income? Why were they so expensive? Because chickens laid eggs seasonally before there was electric lights and other improvements. Chickens lived longer, but the eggs were almost nonexistent in winter. That means you did not get a birthday cake if you had a winter birthday. If you had a birthday cake any time of year, it was a very special treat.

The simple life of the settler's cabin would seem appealing but it was not an easy life! Consider raising your own flax to spin and weave your own homespun cloth, make your own candles, butcher and smoke your meat and much more. And we tend to think their lives were lived at a slower pace???

The last thing we did was watch this group do their thing....close your eyes and pretend you see the Alps somewhere on the horizon.

Summer's reward

2009-10-09T08:29:00.000-07:00

For many years I enjoyed my mother-in-law's admiration of my canning shelves at the end of summer. Her praise and affirmation boosted my spirits after many hours of labor at a hot stove in the heat of summer. I confess that some times before her end-of-summer visit I rearranged the jars to give a more colorful appearance.
My mother-in-law has been gone for nearly 20 years. But these quotes express something of my gratefulness at the end of the gardening season.

"The first gatherings of garden in May of salad, radishes and herbs made me feel like a mother about her baby- how could anything this beautiful be mine? And this emotion of wonder filled me for each vegetable as it was gathered every year. There is nothing that is comparable to it....as satisfactory...or as thrilling as gathering the vegetables one has grown." by Alice Toklas

The following poem was taped at my jar shelves for a long time.

Labor of love
Shelves of vegetables and fruit,
Gleaned from bush, or tree or root,
One by one they tell a story,
Fresh tomatoes, rhubarb glory,
Snap beans stacked in green array,
Corn and kraut preserved to stay.
Each one represents her labor
Made worthwhile in taste to savor,
Berries and some cans of peas,
Memories left unawares
Testify that nature's treasure,
Knows no value one can measure,
Wintertime will show the worth
Of her salvaging the earth.
by Vivian Hansbrough

Getting ready

2009-10-03T19:11:00.000-07:00

About two weeks ago a relative invited us to join them on a trip from Oct 9-23, 2009 to Greece and Turkey to visit the places where the Apostle Paul preached the Gospel. We have considered it. We have passports, good health and each other. But paying the ticket is the biggest drawback. Do we just go on good credit and pay later? We never traveled on credit before. But the more we study maps and itinerary, the more interested we become in making the trip. We have even purchased our prescriptions ahead and bought a bigger suitcase to replace our worn weary ones. While we continue our normal routines, we are preoccupied with the thought of everything the trip promises. We see ourselves with bags all packed, meeting the group and boarding the plane. But before we go, the barley should be planted and firewood stored up for the winter. More fall housecleaning should be chalked off the "to do" list. We talk to our friends, look at photos and read about the places listed on the itnierary. There is so much to do! One woman said, "I can either get ready, or I can go. But I can't do both!"
Oh yes! I should have told you...the group is full. We are invited only on a "standby" basis. Will the tour leader call tomorrow to say "There is room for you now "?
However, as the time approaches, we have about come to the conclusion that we should wait for this trip until we have sufficient savings rather than to go on our good credit rating. We don't know "when" or "if" we will ever go to Greece/Turkey. But if something changes this week, and God makes it clear that we are to go, I am confident that we can pack on short notice and go.
And I consider...I have received an "all expenses paid trip" to my heavenly Home. I do not go on my good credit, and pay later. It is paid in advance by the precious blood of Jesus who paid the ransom for my sins and gave me a gift certificate to travel at His expense. If I do not ever visit Greece/Turkey it will not be a great loss, but to miss heaven is eternal loss.
Nor am I on "standby" waiting for another to cancel their trip to heaven. There is always "room for one more" to accept His free gift of salvation and prepare for the "greatest dream trip ever!"
Sometimes I grow weary of all the activity of "getting ready". There is so much to do in the time that remains. There is the normal duties and committments that continue. I love to hear the experiences of others and be reading and studying available information (my Bible) . I am sometimes preoccupied with everything the "trip" promises. I strive to be prepared to leave at a moment's notice when the Master calls my name for the "dream trip of my life" . I dream of meeting Him with my bags all packed and boarding pass in hand.. My mind wanders to the description of our destination site. Am I excited enough to be talking to others about the wonderful opportunity and hope they decide to join our traveling party? Do I get acquainted with other " enrolled tour members" in advance and enjoy the anticipation and excitement with them?
Let's go! Are you getting ready?

Bring the books

2009-09-13T14:59:00.000-07:00

Do you remember the growup feeling of holding a book at arm's length and reading. Even simple words like see, come, go, hat and cat were delightful for a first grader to read. And then we advanced to big words like "something" and"everything".
We snuggled against a mother while she read to us. "How can she remember to tell the story exactly the same every time?" we wondered. When we could read for ourselves, the appeal of books was a compelling force. Transported into other worlds, we found there was much to learn, see, do and imagine as we devoured many good books during childhood. Whether twirling on a backyard swing or drying dishes, a book became a familiar companion. We read while we brushed our teeth or buried our heads under the blankets to read with a small flashlight at night. Even through the teen years my mother continued to read wholesome, uplifting books to us in an effort to strengthen our faith.
The pleasure of books has not faded as youthful energy wanes. Life may be full of things to do, and places to go. But there is always a book waiting on the shelf beckoning. In the farm house, we had a bookcse in nearly every room of the house. Now, in our current home, we have a room our daughter-in-law named the "Library".
Yet, with all the books we possess, none compares to the Book of books! It is the greatest Book ever written! The Bible is God's way of revealing Himself to man. Many good books have been written under God's divine guidance, but no other book can claim God as the author, except the Bible! Various human writers were so completely directed by God that every word is His inspired writing. Napoleon said, "The Bible is no mere book, but a Living Creature with a power that conquers all who oppose it."
No other book can bring comfort, healing, hope, courage, guidance, challenge, conviction and faith like God's unchanging Word. Take away all the other books if you will, let the Bible remain!
The Apostle Paul said, "When thou comest, bring with thee...the books, but especially the parchments." 2 Timothy 4:13
Sometimes people are in awe when they meet a "real author" like my sister who has written about half a dozen books . Have you met the Bible's Author yet? Don't put it off! It is a life changing experience!

Changing seasons

2009-09-05T17:45:00.000-07:00

I have felt for many years that like the Jews we should celebrate New Year in September. It is the month when schools are opening for a new term, the summer weather and holidays are behind us and we settle into new fall schedules. The garden is beginning to look bare and even the trees are dropping a few leaves. The birds are gathering with all their friends and relations for the long trek south for the winter season.
Today Joyce Bupp's column in the Lancaster Farming took the words out of my mouth on the subject of changing seasons and the "September" New Year.
My Resolution #1- Get back in the exercise program and practise more portion control at the table.
#2- Clean out the attic. It got dusty, dirty and disorganized while Karen's attic room was taking shape this year. Although it seemed like an impossible task , it did not go away.
So I started this week. My attic is not one of these "under the eaves" cubby holes. It has space under the eaves, but there is a "room" in the middle. At this point Karen has one side of the attic. That leaves the whole west end of the attic for my things... that means a lot of space to collect "stuff". Our collection is no match for the Landis Valley Museum. This was the week to discard some of the historic items up there.
Why do we need the huge Dell box that the computer was packed in when it was new? The computer specialitst told me last week that my PC is bordering on antiquity. We won't be needing that box to return components that are under warranty.
My favorite Farmer keeps a pair of old shoes for a spare when his work shoes need repair. But three "hole in the toes" pairs of shoes? He chose the "best" of the worn out pairs and fed the rest to the outdoor furnace.
Then there was the baby crib that has not been used for 25 years. I kept it hoping to have space to set it up for visiting grandchildren. We never had the space and the youngest grandchild (at this point) is heading for his 4th birthday. Besides, it is out-of-code and illegal to sell. When we are great-grandparents, we may too feeble to babysit anyway. See what I mean about changing seasons. Even life has it's seasons. We made room for a crib in our bedroom for most of 20 years. But that season is past and the crib is reduced to ashes.
I have not yet tackled the box of Christmas decorations. Then there is the box of empty boxes that are saved for sending a package to our son's family who live along the Pacific or for gift boxes at Christmas. I think some of them should go the way of all flesh too.
Some of the boxes hold letters from another season in life. Maybe I should read all the letters from my long ago North Carolina penpal and return them to her for her posterity.
Marvin remembers the winter day when his Dad built a little barn for him from orange crate lumber complete with a little barn hill. No one has used it for 50 years, but it is there and will remain for a start on our Landis Family Museum.
Then there is the stash of family genealogy books that did not get sold. Hah! that family has a reunion coming up...maybe we can give them away for prizes.
We don't need the plastic gallon jars that were saved to send veggies to a distant mission. Since we have less garden and less energy, I suppose that season is over. And then there was the big box of plastic milk jugs and several boxes of glass vingar jugs saved to make cider...and we have no more apple trees?
There is little monetary value in the things in our attic. The wall paper hanging tools might get used again some day. The bag of poly fill and muslim fabric scraps might turn into Raggedy Ann & Andy dolls someday.
And the other fabric scraps just might get used for comfort or quilt tops...... if God allows yet another season of life.

Survival Skills

2009-08-30T18:46:00.001-07:00

Back in the 1970's we were a family with young children. The US was experiencing a recession and "fuel shortage scares". There was predictions of a major depression somewhat like the 1930's in the future. We did not know if we would live to see a major depression or what our children might face in their adult lives.
We remember deliberately making some choices to help our children develop some survival skills. Living on a farm gave us the opportunity to buy a cow that provided enough milk for table use. We made our own cheese, cottage cheese and butter. Some of our children learned to milk a cow by hand. My husband taught our sons to fix things by using what we had on hand like bale twine and plow shares. He taught creativity like making a small tool with "junk parts" and a welder. They learned how to fix anything from a small kitchen appliance to the combine. My husband sought out professional electricians, plumbers and mechanics to learn the "how-to's" for many "do-it-yourself" projects.
We baked our own bread using some of the wheat grown in our fields. We grew fruits and vegetables to preserve for winter use. We felt so blessed when the canning jars were filled, apples and corn were dried, the chest freezer held more vegetables and fruits. Potatoes were stored in the cold cellar. We butchered the grass fed beef we raised on our pasture and stashed it away in the freezer. Venison and other game found their way into the freezer or canning jars.
Our daughters learned to make their own clothing. They could also use discarded scraps of fabric to make a book cover, doll clothing, a purse, curtains or whatever they desired.
Today our children are grown and some of them are raising their own families. We are so blessed to see all of them using "survival skills" in one way or another. It may not be in exactly the same ways we did, but we can observe them "making do" with the resources they have on hand. Last evening we dropped in at one daughter's house to find her husband mixing up a bucket of homemade laundry soap. Other daughters make their own bread regularly. Another daughter finds scrap material and designs curtains for her room. They can decorate a cake or design their own decorations or gifts by using available resources.
Our sons know how to repair vehicles or appliances. They can replace a roof, fix the kitchen sink or build a barn by harvesting trees from our woodlot.
Eternal values are still the most important aspects of life, but in a shaky economy, we are blessed to observe grown children knowing "how to make do" or "do without".

2009-08-14T17:18:00.000-07:00

Now for the ways we are different. I'm glad we agree on the things that really matter!
1.She says: I like coffee
He says: I prefer tea
2. She says:Hot peppers and onions please
He says: No onions and certainly no hot peppers
3. She says "Open the windows at night for fresh air"
He says "Close the windows, it might get cool or rain during the night."
4. She says: I have kept a diary almost every year since I was 13 years old.
He says: I stopped writing a diary when we got back from our honeymoon on Sept 10, 1965.
5. She says: My best time of day is 9am.
He says: Things start to fall in place for me about 3pm

6. He says: I like to go to bed about 9:30-10pm
She says: I go to bed whenever I get done. It could be 10 or 11 or later
7. He says I squeeze the toothpaste tube at the bottom like it is intended.
She says: I squeeze the toothpaste tube wherever it happens to land in my hand.
8. He says: When I am reading, background music is distracting.
She says: When I am reading, background music is relaxing.
9. He says: I prefer strawberry or vanilla
She says: I like chocolate
10. He says: I like sweet treats
She says: I like salty snacks

11. She says: I like to try new recipes.
He says: I will try most things once, but I prefer Pa Dutch cooking.
12. She says: Money in the checkbook is to pay bills and hang on to as much as possible. The money in my wallet is for spending.
He says: The money in my wallet is to save as long as possible. The checkbook is for spending.
13. She says: I write at least one letter weekly.
He says: I write a letter once in every decade.
14. She says: I do not like to be late or have someone waiting for me.
He says: I do not like to waste time by being too early. And I do not like when I have to wait on someone too long.
15. She says: I can remember at least some phone numbers and birthdates.
He says: I can remember names and faces better.

16. He says: I like to meet new people.
She says: I prefer my old friends and acquaintances.
17. He says: My shoes are either on my feet or in our bedroom.
She says: My shoes are wherever I kicked them off last.
18. He says: I like quick showers
She says: I like a nice, warm, soaking tub bath best.
19. He says: I usually remember where I put things.
She says: I often forget where I put things.
20. He says: I often forget the details when given verbal instructions.
She says: I used to remember details that people told me (but I am losing it)

21. She says: I turn on the lights when I walk in a room.
He says: I turn off the lights when I leave a room.
22. She says: I like new clothes.
He says: I prefer my old well-worn duds
23. She says : I will "shop around" hunting for the "perfect gift".
He says: I will settle for "something" rather than shop around.
24. She says: If I take a nap during the week, it is between 2-4pm.
He says: If I take a nap during the week, it is before 10am.
25. She says: I will print out directions on Map Quest.
He says: I'd rather just find my way somehow.

26. He says: I like when the toliet paper comes off the roll from the top.
She says: Doesn't matter to me which way it comes off. I'm just glad if the last person replaced an empty roll.
27. He says: I like eggs and cereal for breakfast..and served in that order.
She says: I like variety in the breakfast menu.
28. He says: I think there should be at least one calendar and clock in every room of the house.
She says: I think one or two calendars are enough for a house. I'd rather have a phone in every room...and clocks...whatever!
29. He says: I like a place for everything and everything in it's place.
She says: I am somewhat organized in the big picture of things.
30. He says: I like things visible so I can find them.
She says: I hate clutter!

31. She says: I enjoy a librarians and archivists meeting.
He says: I prefer Ag Progress Days.
32. She says: I need to brush my teeth at least once or twice a day.
He says: I brush my teeth whenever I think of it.
33. She says: I like ketsup on chicken corn soup.
He says; Ketsup on what? Ketsup is for eggs, hot dogs or hamburgers!
34. She says: I like to cook a big family dinner.
He says: I cook when I heat food in the microwave.
35. She says: I like a ladies/girls tea party.
He says: I prefer a smorgasbord where there is real food.

36. He says : When I read a book, I read it and there is no reason to read it again.
She says: When I find an especially good book, I may read it several times and enjoy it more each time.
37. He says: I like to get dressed first thing in the morning.
She says: I could easily begin the day in housecoat and slippers (but I don't for his sake)
38. He says: I like ice cream on Sunday night.
She says: I prefer popcorn.
39. He says: "The hay is wet. How soon could you be ready to leave for Niagara Falls for a few days? I'd be ready to leave in an hour or two?
She says: I'd like to plan a trip to Creation Museum sometime next year? I need to write to several friends that live in the area and make some plans to visit etc. I want to plan our visit to fit their schedules, you know. And I need to check out some places on the Web.So we need to begin planning.
40. He says: Do you have my shaver, my sunglasses, my toothbrush etc (after we are driving down the road at the beginning of a trip)
She says: Here's the list. Whatever is on the list is packed.

41. She says: I like a clean towel very day.
He says: I could reuse the same one for a week...(but he doesn't)
42. She says: I like to set the alarm clock when we need to get up earlier than usual. Otherwise I wake up 20 times a night because I am afraid we will oversleep.
He says: I hate alarm clocks. I wake up 20 times in the middle of the night thinking the dumb thing will probably go off soon.
43. She says: I do not like soggy cereal, bread etc. Yuck! I like to eat cereal before the milk makes it soggy.
He says: I like the summer soup my mother made with bread, fresh berries and milk. Yum! I like to jab applesauce into a piece of cake and mix it all together.
44. She says: I like being married to an old man who does not remember receiving the same Father's card from one year to the next.
He says: What card?

our 44th list

2009-08-14T14:50:00.000-07:00

Like I said in the previous post:
Marvin & I made up a list of 44 things we agree on and enjoy as part of our 44th wedding anniverary. They are not all necessarily in the order of importance or value to us. There are more..these just came to our minds today.

1. God's Word is the final authority. (This is truly #1)
2. Personal devotions work best for us in the morning.
3. Our church activities come before pleasure/leisure.
4. Family first, but we enjoy our friends too.
5. Honesty pays.
6. Bills need to be paid on time, if possible.
7. Work is not a burden if you enjoy what you are doing.
8. We "slept in" if we stayed in bed until 7am.
9. Spring is our favorite season.
10. We enjoy unexpected company.
11. It is a pleasure to attend grandchildren's programs etc.
12. We both like bargains, rebates & senior discounts
13. We enjoy helping adult children with their projects
14. Christmas is special!
15. We need a Sunday afternoon nap
16. Reading a good book is a favorite activity
17. We like potato chips!
18. Trips are treasured memories!
19. We like when the checkbook is balanced (and there is money left at the end of the month)
20. Chorus programs and hymn sings at church are special inspiration times
21. Watching the sunset on the Pacific ocean
22. Dinner invitations, Sweetheart banquets and the Chinese restaurant's buffet
23. Breakfast, dinner, supper (by the way) go ahead ..smile..we are from Lanc Co.PA
24. Family reunions
25. Marriage vows are for life! Love can last a lifetime too!
26. We like fresh flowers on the table (in season)
27. Ah! remember the 1940's and 1950's
28. The Direct Connect on our cell phone that connects us many times a day
29. We try to take care of our bodies but expect they will be "used up and worn out" when we are done with them.
30. God still hears and answers prayer.
31. Every day is a new beginning.
32. The day of miracles is not over.
33. God forgives and redeems the past.
34. We do not have children to raise or cows to milk every day at this stage of life!
35. Pizza is a good invention that was unknown in our childhood.
36. Raw milk, farm eggs, day old bread, fresh produce seconds and home preserved food are appreciated.
37. We enjoy attending an Old Order Mennonite church service occasionally
38. We look forward to walking all over heaven together and exploring the sights and scenes
39. We enjoy doing service projects when we are able
40. Teaching a Sunday School class
41. Phone calls from children, grandchildren, the twins and others we love
42. We are "country folks" and like it
43. Hearing about the salvation of a lost soul or one who experienced victory in a struggle
44. That we are still married to each other after 44 years of life together.

The next list will be our 44 ways of being different.

2009-08-14T10:21:00.000-07:00

Today is our 44th anniversary. We went out for lunch at the China House, our favorite area restaurant.
We worked on some lists that I will include in the next post...if this one goes through correctly. The lists are 44 things we agree on and 44 ways we are different. We are not quite finished with the lists but it was fun to do.
Today our son and daughter-in-law are also celebrating an anniversary, their tenth one.

2009-08-14T09:16:00.000-07:00

There is a first for everything! And since this is my first blog, it is a test run. As for frequency and style of new posts, they may be sporatic, mundane or eventful. . There may be commas, exclamation points, question marks or periods. But here goes!