Month: December 2024

God is really taking good care of me. I testify to His provision and His goodness.

I still want to make some suggestions of how to bless a widow you may know of. There are those moments when “normal stuff” can be daunting to a widow with waning physical strength.

Recently Cherie and I needed to change an iron water filter in our system. It needs to be done every four months or so. We puzzled and strained over it before we (she) got it unscrewed and replaced. Victory!

Sometimes there’s a piece of something missing somewhere and it just needs a handyman’s touch.

Usually our needs have to do with plumbing, but I’ve had a guy from church check my tires. I often fear things that could go wrong with one of our vehicles. I try to keep them up and take them to the car care people regularly. Still, stuff happens…

If I lived in a community where all the maintenance was provided I’d probably be better off, but I am loath to leave my home and my family here.

Think about ways you can bless a widow in your acquaintance. I’m sure you know one. She will probably not be quick to ask for help. No one wants to be a pest. She probably has something a handy person could help with.

Speaking from experience.

BTW I am blessed by my five wonderful children, and their willingness to show up when I am desperate. I just share the thoughts of vulnerability that crop up in my thinking at times, and I know my widowed sisterhood shares these concerns.

It’s Christmas. Think of blessing her.

It was about a month ago when I woke up feeling sort of sad and needing a hug. I said to God, “You know, we humans need a hug every once in awhile.”

Ed had mentioned to me awhile back that “studies show humans need 13 hugs a day for optimal mental health.”

Well, that ain’t happening with Miss Corgi.

ANYWAY

God has a keen sense of humor.

Recently I picked up one of my Bible Study friends for supper. She is a researcher at the University.

She got into the truck with a big fat bag.

“I have something for you. It’s been hanging in my closet for two years. It’s from China. I will never wear it. I feel like a polar bear when I put it on.”

A beautiful furry coat was gifted to me. I tried to dissuade her from giving me such a beautiful garment. I said we’d shop for the right outfit for her to wear it with…That she should show courage to be a polar bear….

I have the coat. I have worn it since!

I look like a polar bear and EVERYONE wants to hug me!!!

The ladies at the dentist office yesterday just sang out, “Can I hug you?!”

“Yes! Of course!” Ha ha ha ha !!!!

So far only a few strangers have asked to hug me.

Mostly it’s people I do know.

My friend is missing out. God is laughing.

Give me a hug!

As I’ve written, the holidays are somewhat “off” this year with the house repair project. Since Christmas is sort of an emotional season, (candles, memories, sweets, scents, tastes, music, lights, gifts!) we are all affected by the circumstances around us more deeply.

Add grief and conflict to the mix and you have emotional gunpowder.

So the challenge—is to find peace and contentment in the middle of this storm of emotion.

In the middle of a worship song last Sunday the Lord gave me an image. It came right out of the blue, but it was so obviously a sweet thought from Him.

A bird. It had just hit the window and was still stunned. It was cupped in my hand. I was filled with compassion for it, hopeful for its recovery, hoping it wasn’t injured beyond healing.

And then I felt that I was that bird, held cupped in the Lord’s hands.

Of course He knows the end of the story. I do too, sort of. He wins. I belong to Him, so I win too.

But this is a moment of recovery and peace, sheltered in His care. Still stunned. Safe.

This Christmas will have that feel—-still stunned, but safe.

The four years that have just passed for me are like slamming against a glass window pane, falling helplessly to the stony ground below, checking my wings for escape.

The Lord heard my thump and came and lifted me safely. His compassion and even love for me came through.

Don’t you feel that tug at your heart when you see that poor little bird? How much more does God see us lovingly?

Perhaps it is still hard to believe that God really loves and cares for us, but His Word affirms that. I struggle with feeling loved.

The image of the bird in hand gave me a sense of warmth and reassurance. If I can care for a tiny creature, God can care for me, too.

Life is hard. Trouble is a given. Death and loss, conflict and pain are all a part of this existence. I’ve felt it all deeply, struggled to see it in a correct light of discipline, punishment and circumstance.

It’s ongoing. When I’ve figured it out I will let you know. (As if I could!)

But today I see God’s sweetness.

Gandalf and Topi have some health concerns. Topi has a respiratory thing, Gandalf a cyst that is irritated. We are praying for recovery, and a visit to the vet is happening today. Predicate continues to age. She is a wisp of her former self, yet still active and feisty. We think she is about 17 years old now (human years :)).

The pups are fine, thankfully.

Mild weather continues this week after an icy weekend. Someone was hired at the hotel so I need not work every weekend after this month. Working everyday except Sunday is the lot of many humans, but it does have its toll on life!

I’m old. I am not quite up to it. There’s laundry and chores that pile up at home when I work that much! Preparing for Christmas also takes so much time, so that isn’t happening much this year. Cherie is disappointed, but she is caught up in her university finals. That assuages.

There have been moments of fun, despite the busy schedule of teaching and “hoteliering.”

The trip last week, eating out with my mom and my niece, seeing my Bible Study people, lunching with our newlywed friends, coffee on Saturday with Ed, a brief celebration of Jim’s birthday—! Those three Christmas concerts I got to still ring in my mind. I pack my days early to late!

We fit in these moments, and I am thankful for the joy they bring. I’m thankful for friends and dear ones. How blessed I feel!

Margaret delivered a plate of beautiful cookies. Christmas time treats. Your beautiful cards are arriving daily. I am so blessed. Will I have time to address my own cards to you? That is a question.

I see your cards as gifts. News of you. Thank you.

Looking for Jesus!

MARANATHA

Actually it’s only around zero, but it makes the house creak and the fire feels good. These dark mornings can only be endured through a sense of cozy.

This was a good week of family and adventure.

I visited family in Iowa, drove north to see the Runestone Park in Kensington, and spent a day of quiet at home. The Silverado performed wonderfully, and I am so grateful for my truck. The snow crystals played on the pavement as I drove up U.S. Highway 71 for half the state of Minnesota.

One of my emails is ushwy71@gmail.com. Perhaps that is odd, but I have a deep connection to that highway. I’ve traveled it completely, north to south, in this country. I’ve lived along it, by it, been connected to it my whole life.

My great grandparents settled in a town on Highway 71, Windom, MN. My dad bought land up north near it for a cabin.

I lived down in Louisiana close to this highway.

My husband’s family lives in a town on Highway 71.

It seems like I’m tied to it for life.

Even though the Kensington Runestone is closer to Alexandria, MN than Sauk Center (on Highway 71) it’s relatively close to it.

I was on a research trip to see the place where the Runestone was found. I’ve been to the museum in Alexandria, but I’d not been able to get to the actual farmstead where the stone was found before this week.

Since I’ve been illustrating a storybook about the stone I thought I should see the lay of the land where it was unearthed.

The bitter cold kept me from hiking around the park, but I took a few photos and peered in the windows of the beautiful structure that’s been built there. Clearly there are many other people that take exceptional interest in this fascinating piece of history.

I left the park with determination to revisit on a warmer day.

I’m still glad I went.

The nature of traveling in bitter cold does things to your mind. As I ventured further northwards I had thoughts of turning back—even as I came with miles of my goal! Granted, I was by myself in unknown territory, something I rarely am.

I felt super adventurous.

Anyway, I high-tailed it home on Interstate 94, blasted through St. Cloud with thoughts of my regrets about my Master’s Degree—which I almost completed at St. Cloud State two years ago.

Back home to a warm fire, cozy cats and two pups who were happy to snuggle.

Blessings.

Cherie had her last day of class this week for the semester. Finals next week.

The house feels a bit like Christmas with a tree of apples and oranges, nuts and gingerbread. No tree this year. The basement trumped that.

We will still celebrate, fellowship with friends and family, and contemplate the Dear Savior’s Birth.

On Sunday I went to two musical events: The Singers, and a Messiah Sing-a-Long. What a lovely time of year to soak in the beautiful Christmas music!

As I drove north on Highway 71 I was again touched by the beauty of the land; rich fields, hollows and hills, remarkable spots like petroglyphs and parks, Rivers and valleys, picture perfect farms, vistas that stretch for miles. What a beautiful place!

The skies were perfect, too, with wispy gray clouds, light blue above, sunny rays. The moon appeared too.

Friendly folk who raised a hand from the steering wheel to greet me as we met —-

This is Minnesota, after all.

I’m off to school—to teach art for the day.

The scenes of my adventure will play in my mind. Blessings.

MARANATHA!

I had such a great day yesterday. My dear friends visited, I got back to swimming after a hiatus.

Did some Christmas shopping.

The sky was gorgeous despite blustery winds and cold temperatures. A gray cloud of wisp parted to reveal light blue skies, a sliver of moon and a bright planet! All near a sun-brightened cloud of late afternoon. Maybe you saw that beauty too.

I’m feeling so much better.

These nagging colds are almost over (I think) and my pain is lessening with purposeful remedies. Thankful.

Today I was back in school, teaching agriculture to the middle school kids. All good. Tomorrow it will be third grade.

There have been some truly disheartening circumstances lately with teaching, some students that have behavior issues that spilled over into my own sphere. I must continually place it in God’s hands. It is a puzzle that I haven’t solved yet.

It makes me grateful for all the years that no one seemed to notice me at all, not care, nor pay attention to anything about me. Having bad attention isn’t easy. I’m not used to it. I prefer the quiet of my fortress.

I like quietly just doing the right thing. That’s my style. I never expected accusations nor falsehoods to affect me. Teachers must be ready to face everything, though. Kids can be unbelievably cruel.

It is always a puzzle to me that students behave when there is no real power to enforce that behavior. Punishment is slow and respect is only shown by about half of the students. Kids have power that they’ve never had in ages past. They can easily ruin someone’s life. Believe me.

There are issues in public education. I know.

Today I told the classes that there would be a “good” list. If a student followed directions the entire period their name would go on the good list. Less than half of each class got their names on the list. That is sad.

The teacher can deal with the fallout tomorrow.

So is my life as a substitute. These days practically anyone can be a substitute teacher. I wonder how many can truly handle all the hard stuff, though.

I do get a kick out of sharing knowledge. I always learn something new each time I sub.

That’s my payback.

Of course I ‘m happy to be paying the bills, too.

I’m grateful. I still need prayer, but I am grateful.

God is good.

Jesus is coming soon!

MARANATHA!!!