Dear Care,
While Chwk is not a small town the same way HG is, there are times the citizens still deal with each other in a small town way.
Today while driving from our house to the school I noticed I was a little (or more) low on gas. I hadn't taken my purse with me though, so I gave it no more thought seeing as I had no fiscal way to deal with the situation at hand.
Problem came on the way home again when I notice the gauge needle was periously close to the bottom. No, not the 1/8th mark or even the 16th mark for remaining fuel. This needle was dropping to the point of the gauge that spells FUMES ONLY. If I had been on my own I may have tried to make a go of it but I wasn't on my own so I drifted into Kim's and left the van idling while I dashed inside to pleade my case.
"Hi," I panted, "do you recognize me at all? I get gas here quite frequently. I have a huge favor to ask, I'm wondering if you could give me $10 worth of gas so I can get home safely, pick up my purse and come back to finish fueling up."
It's true, I really thought he would recognize me and say absolutely, no problem, here you go. I was in for a surprise. He was already shaking his head, shrugging his shoulders, rubbing his hands together. He was not buying this at all.
I resorted to begging. "I'm sorry to even have to ask. I really don't think I can make it home and back again on what I have. If I was by myself I wouldn't be so worried but I have six children in the van with me that I don't want to be stranded on the side of the road with."
He countered my pleading by opening his cash register and showing me three thick stacks of counterfeit bills, bogus credit card reciepts, and a few other requests that were similar to mine. "You say you come back, they all say they come back." He wasn't being rude, he was letting me know countless other people had ripped off him and his service station. "How can I trust humans?" he quietly finished.
What could I say? I promised him my name, phone number and address and then told him if he wasn't completely comfortable with it I would accept a no answer and try to figure out something else.
"I'll give you five dollars," he sighed. "I hope I see you again." Then he shifted sideways and typed $5 into the pump where my van sat gasping.
Those $5 went in fast, the van was thirsty. The second it was done I jumped into the van and took off for home.... and my purse.
Now, sis, up to now you might be thinking, big deal. If you were really small town they would have let you fill up and said no worries, stop in the next time you come by. You're right, they probably would have. But actually I'm not to the small town point of the story yet. That part started the minute I started to pull into the gas station, purse in hand.
I watched a big red truck with a tool box on the back pull in right in front of me. Could it be?! Yup, big town enough the gas station owner wasn't completely comfortable lending me gas, small town enough that upon my return my little brother pulled into the same gas station I had needed him at 10 minutes earlier.
Begging some money off him might have been as tough as begging gas off the owner but at least he would have been 100% certain where to find me if I didn't come through in paying him back!
Okay so that's not one bit true. :) If Brian would have been there when I needed him I wouldn't have even had to ask twice. But he wasn't there when I needed him, a fact I took time to point out. But in the end, it was okay. The kind owner took a chance on me and thankfully I was able to get straight back and pay the $5 (and the additional $57ish it took to satisfy the gas tank)
As a closing point I would just like to remind Brody the point of the story is that we are not a huge city. Bigger than HG yes, but just think, even if the gas station owner doesn't want to lend you gas, there is the possibility your brother -in-law might come by soon enough to pick up your tab? Is it tempting at all? ;)
Love you all!
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Monday, August 29, 2011
Last week we were privileged with a week long camping vacation. Now, be aware I use the word vacation loosely because while it was a LOT of fun and I would do it again next week if I was able, the word vacation itself implies rest and relaxation and for the most part, camping with 5 littles doesn't fit that definition quite yet.
Monday morning started out promising despite the weather man's predictions. There were the sunny breaks and warm temperatures that enticed me to believe the weather report was probably wrong - again. Too bad for us, he and it were not wrong and before long the wind drove in grey clouds that covered up the sun and delivered cold driving rain.
I have to tell you I was ridiculously excited to be packing up the tent trailer my parents had bought used when I was a young girl. And even though there were a few things one might wish to change (like the old lino and not so thick mattresses :) ) the memories I was having of watching my mom make our meals, watching my dad pack it up just so, sitting at the table in the cherry orchard somewhere far away in the states while a fierce thunder storm rolled over, and countless other precious memories of our 5 or 6 week holidays (mom and dad were teachers) exploring all over Canada and the States fueled excitement to pack, even in the pouring rain. Now this old tent trailer had a few issues and one of them was a flat tire I had brought in to be repaired the week before.
Later Steve admitted he feared the whole repair business was a bit sketchy and so instead of taking the big highway to the secondary highway he took the back roads. Once on the secondary highway he thought about the rest of the trip and figured if he could only get the trailer over the big bridge he would be home free. So, while approaching the bridge he prayed and while going over the bridge he prayed and he prayed that God would just get him safely to the other side of the river. And that is what he was given. God graciously answered his prayers. But little did Steve know that was all he was going to get.
He was barely off the bridge when he felt the trailer starting to wobble and as he slowed down it quickly become obvious that something was wrong. Nope, he hadn't blown the repaired tire. It had come completely off!
This is Steve heading toward the van for a consultation in the pouring rain.
This is the sight that had met the kids and I as we came over the bridge a few minutes later than Steve.
Understandably the kids were incredibly disappointed and were immediately doing their best to paint a very black picture of going home, no camping trip and probably a stolen tent trailer while we weren't looking.
I couldn't let them go there though. There were too many blessings involved. To allow them a complaining attitude would have been to throw the grace God had shown us back in His face.
Monday morning started out promising despite the weather man's predictions. There were the sunny breaks and warm temperatures that enticed me to believe the weather report was probably wrong - again. Too bad for us, he and it were not wrong and before long the wind drove in grey clouds that covered up the sun and delivered cold driving rain.
I have to tell you I was ridiculously excited to be packing up the tent trailer my parents had bought used when I was a young girl. And even though there were a few things one might wish to change (like the old lino and not so thick mattresses :) ) the memories I was having of watching my mom make our meals, watching my dad pack it up just so, sitting at the table in the cherry orchard somewhere far away in the states while a fierce thunder storm rolled over, and countless other precious memories of our 5 or 6 week holidays (mom and dad were teachers) exploring all over Canada and the States fueled excitement to pack, even in the pouring rain. Now this old tent trailer had a few issues and one of them was a flat tire I had brought in to be repaired the week before.
Later Steve admitted he feared the whole repair business was a bit sketchy and so instead of taking the big highway to the secondary highway he took the back roads. Once on the secondary highway he thought about the rest of the trip and figured if he could only get the trailer over the big bridge he would be home free. So, while approaching the bridge he prayed and while going over the bridge he prayed and he prayed that God would just get him safely to the other side of the river. And that is what he was given. God graciously answered his prayers. But little did Steve know that was all he was going to get.
He was barely off the bridge when he felt the trailer starting to wobble and as he slowed down it quickly become obvious that something was wrong. Nope, he hadn't blown the repaired tire. It had come completely off!
This is Steve heading toward the van for a consultation in the pouring rain.
This is the sight that had met the kids and I as we came over the bridge a few minutes later than Steve.
Understandably the kids were incredibly disappointed and were immediately doing their best to paint a very black picture of going home, no camping trip and probably a stolen tent trailer while we weren't looking.
I couldn't let them go there though. There were too many blessings involved. To allow them a complaining attitude would have been to throw the grace God had shown us back in His face.
- He had answered Steve's prayer. An accident on the bridge that is notorious for it's deadly crashes could have ended up exactly that. A deadly crash. For Steve or for some other unexpecting driver coming along at the wrong time.
- I wish I would have thought to take a picture of the other direction to show you the distance from the trailer to the bridge. It wasn't very much. It only underlined that God had carried that trailer over the bridge as Steve had prayed.
- Almost immediately after Steve pulled over a kind gentleman had already pulled over behind him to help him get the trailer jacked up.
- We were a few minutes behind Steve. The kids and I didn't have to see it happen and wonder in those few scary seconds if there was going to be an accident.
- The tire, while coming right off, did not go bouncing across the road but jammed up in the wheel well which saved the axle from dropping on and dragging across the road.
- The tire shop we stopped next to which didn't have what we needed, was right next to a thrift store where we were able to play with toys and read books for the next 45 minutes in a dry spot.
- My Dad was able to help out in getting a tire, bringing it out to Steve, putting it on, following it up to the campsite to make sure it stayed on, and in setting up a beautiful camp ie. dry, level etc. with a pretty slick tarp system!
- My friend Laura was home and allowed us to come hang out at her place while we waited. Not only was it dry but we were all able to enjoy some CLEAN :) fresh smelling, flushable toilets for a while longer.
- It was still pouring when we got to the campsite nearly 4 hours later than first planned, so much so that while we set up the trailer and tarps the kids stood underneath the rain pouring off exclaiming over their showers. If we had gotten there any earlier we would have had to go through a few more pairs of warm dry clothes....that we didn't really have.
And I know there is still more. It's not too hard to understand what I'm saying. There was so much good, so much undeserved blessing that to have complained would have been wrong.
I leave you with this.
Psalm 121
A Song of Ascents.
1 I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
From whence comes my help?
2 My help comes from the LORD,
Who made heaven and earth.
3 He will not allow your foot to be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
4 Behold, He who keeps Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The LORD is your keeper;
The LORD is your shade at your right hand.
6 The sun shall not strike you by day,
Nor the moon by night.
7 The LORD shall preserve you from all evil;
He shall preserve your soul.
8 The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in
From this time forth, and even forevermore.
For something from the second day...
The sun was shining and though while still abit cool Cody was not about to be deterred from swimming in the lake. We went to the campsite to get the "life jacket" he has claimed as his own, orange ruffle, saggy bum, shorts, gum boots and all.
And immediately walked into the lake to splash before I could remove his only remaining sweater.
Good thing Steve, who couldn't stay up at the camp site with us Monday night, brought home a whole load of wet muddy laundry to do for us so he could bring it back to us clean on Tuesday!
Saturday, August 20, 2011
The Run
was so much fun! At least according to the guy who did it. :)
But first, our 2nd annual Hope (River) Classic family photo. Thanks, kind stranger!
Totally psyched to go and he's on his way!
And back again. He had so much fun! The best part of my day was seeing his sparkling eyes and glowing face upon his return. Oh wait. That glowing face part? That was just the sweat pouring down and dripping off his chin. Nice hey? Don't worry. I hugged him anyway. The joy was irresistable.
(Sam's just aching for the day when he'll be able to run along... make that... beat his dad!)
But first, our 2nd annual Hope (River) Classic family photo. Thanks, kind stranger!
Totally psyched to go and he's on his way!
And back again. He had so much fun! The best part of my day was seeing his sparkling eyes and glowing face upon his return. Oh wait. That glowing face part? That was just the sweat pouring down and dripping off his chin. Nice hey? Don't worry. I hugged him anyway. The joy was irresistable.
(Sam's just aching for the day when he'll be able to run along... make that... beat his dad!)
Friday, August 19, 2011
Today was my dear husband's birthday. In keeping with what's becoming family tradition (one Steve is mostly responsible for) we made him a cake.
Leah made the cake. I chased the kids outside and decorated in peace. I know, I'm really nice like that. Send the kids outside when there's icing to lick.
Anyway, Leah and I agreed that a running shoe was the most applicable thing as Steve loves to run and for the second year in running he has asked to participate in the Hope Classic as his birthday gift.
Anyway, while I wouldn't dare show you his actual runners to compare, he does have silver shoes with some black and red on them. (excuse the cutting line, Steve actually had to remind me to take a picture but it was already one cut too late :) )
And while this isn't the best picture you get the idea he was surprised and tickled with our efforts.
I love you, Steve. It was our delight.
Leah made the cake. I chased the kids outside and decorated in peace. I know, I'm really nice like that. Send the kids outside when there's icing to lick.
Anyway, Leah and I agreed that a running shoe was the most applicable thing as Steve loves to run and for the second year in running he has asked to participate in the Hope Classic as his birthday gift.
Anyway, while I wouldn't dare show you his actual runners to compare, he does have silver shoes with some black and red on them. (excuse the cutting line, Steve actually had to remind me to take a picture but it was already one cut too late :) )
And while this isn't the best picture you get the idea he was surprised and tickled with our efforts.
I love you, Steve. It was our delight.Monday, August 15, 2011
Oma
August 4, 1921 - August 15, 2011Psalm 103
11 For as the heavens are high above the earth,
So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;
12 As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
13 As a father pities his children,
So the LORD pities those who fear Him.
14 For He knows our frame;
He remembers that we are dust.
15 As for man, his days are like grass;
As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
16 For the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
And its place remembers it no more.
17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting
On those who fear Him,
And His righteousness to children’s children,
18 To such as keep His covenant,
And to those who remember His commandments to do them.
11 For as the heavens are high above the earth,
So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;
12 As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
13 As a father pities his children,
So the LORD pities those who fear Him.
14 For He knows our frame;
He remembers that we are dust.
15 As for man, his days are like grass;
As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
16 For the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
And its place remembers it no more.
17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting
On those who fear Him,
And His righteousness to children’s children,
18 To such as keep His covenant,
And to those who remember His commandments to do them.
(the picture was taken by Aunt Mary on the day before Oma went into the hospital)
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Uncle Jeff & Auntie Holly.... or is it Uncle Holly & Auntie Jeff...
Well, if you want the right answer don't ask me, I've mixed them up enough times to totally confuse Cody and he rarely gets it right anymore!
We went to Othello Tunnels the other day for an afternoon of fun and hanging out.
If you live close enough and you haven't been there yet this summer, pack a lunch and head on out. It is so beautiful and fun! The drive is worth it.
Old trestle bridges make great observation decks.
Huge tunnels. Huge, dark, try to scare your family tunnels. :)
A few side stops to climb up the cement blocks. You will notice Cara is missing from this type of crazy entertainment she has no desire to participate in the adventurous stuff.
More her style.
Too bad Sam wasn't with us.
At the begining of the trail there's a spot where you can go down beside the river and play on the sand and climb on the rocks. Great spot to spend a few hours climbing.... with assistance...
or without... this boy has his daddy's climbing genes!
So different in character, each one precious.
Observing the gorgeous water from up on the "rhino's" back.
All is peaceful and quiet... until Holly decides to kick some water at Jeff.
Retaliation is.... wet!
Jeff is schemed against.... even if he's trying to listen in.
blissfully unaware....
Of the plans to use the lunch containers for an altogether different purpose than originally planned.
Mountain climbing, rock scaling, bridge crossing, tunnel exploring, water fighting, shoulder rides getting... all in all it was a wonderful way to spend our day with these two who live so far away.
We went to Othello Tunnels the other day for an afternoon of fun and hanging out.
If you live close enough and you haven't been there yet this summer, pack a lunch and head on out. It is so beautiful and fun! The drive is worth it.
Old trestle bridges make great observation decks.
Huge tunnels. Huge, dark, try to scare your family tunnels. :)
A few side stops to climb up the cement blocks. You will notice Cara is missing from this type of crazy entertainment she has no desire to participate in the adventurous stuff.
More her style.
Too bad Sam wasn't with us.
At the begining of the trail there's a spot where you can go down beside the river and play on the sand and climb on the rocks. Great spot to spend a few hours climbing.... with assistance...
or without... this boy has his daddy's climbing genes!
So different in character, each one precious.
Observing the gorgeous water from up on the "rhino's" back.
All is peaceful and quiet... until Holly decides to kick some water at Jeff.
Retaliation is.... wet!
Jeff is schemed against.... even if he's trying to listen in.
blissfully unaware....
Of the plans to use the lunch containers for an altogether different purpose than originally planned.
Mountain climbing, rock scaling, bridge crossing, tunnel exploring, water fighting, shoulder rides getting... all in all it was a wonderful way to spend our day with these two who live so far away.Monday, August 8, 2011
Thursday, August 4, 2011
A full day
Today was one of those days that is emotionally full, almost overwhelmingly so.
Today is my Oma's 90th birthday. Back in January when we first started making plans to celebrate with her we as family were very aware that such a celebration was in God's hands. He had kept her 89.5 years and only by His grace would she live to 90. Yet such a huge gathering of family (about 75 grandchildren and I'm sure over 100 great grandchildren - by Saturday I will probably get real numbers) needs months of preparation, planning and details to get pulled off nicely. And so the planning went ahead and Monday mornign kicked off a busy week of celebration and thanksgiving to God for all the blessings showered over Oma and her family. And although Oma is older than she was back in January her health seemed more sure because her birthday was so close. There were so few days for her to get sick that I seemed to slide into a home safe attitude. But yesterday evening she was brought into the hospital becuase she wasn't feeling well and at 2:30 on her birthday morning her condition worsened and the doctors originally thought she had a stroke. It caught me by surprise. It was a reminder to me that not one minute can be taken for granted. It was a reminder how life can change completely in an instant. And I shouldn't have needed a reminder. I'm thankful to be able to tell you that as far as I know Oma is much more stable than earlier today although only God knows how the rest of the week will turn out. After all, Oma is 90.
Do Not Boast About Tomorrow
13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; 14 whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. 15 Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.”
James 4:13 - 15
10 The days of our lives are seventy years;
And if by reason of strength they are eighty years,
Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow;
For it is soon cut off, and we fly away.
12 So teach us to number our days,
That we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:10 & 12
Then tonight we were able to go to our church and be part of the installation service of our new pastor. It was full on the opposite end of the spectrum. Where I had spent my day reflecting on the last few years when I got to know my Oma better and wondering if I would get a chance to talk to her one more time, I spent the evening reflecting on the future of our congregation, thankful we were given a new pastor and looking forward to times of getting to know him and his wonderful family better. The glimpses of the future, while uncertain in the way all of future is unknown, also contained glimpses of the absolutes and the unchanging truths that are part of passionate knowing, loving and sharing Christ and the gospel.
How beautiful upon the mountains
Are the feet of him who brings good news,
Who proclaims peace,
Who brings glad tidings of good things,
Who proclaims salvation,
Who says to Zion,
“ Your God reigns!” Isaiah 52:7
For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 1 Corinthians 2:2
I'm failing miserably but I can't help but wish I could share with you more clearly the fullness and absolute truth found in those 2 verses we focused on tonight. I can't be sure every single one of you knows the good news of Jesus Christ and Him crucified with a sureness in your soul. But I can pray. May God bless you. For life (even 90 precious very short years) but most of all for all eternity.
Today is my Oma's 90th birthday. Back in January when we first started making plans to celebrate with her we as family were very aware that such a celebration was in God's hands. He had kept her 89.5 years and only by His grace would she live to 90. Yet such a huge gathering of family (about 75 grandchildren and I'm sure over 100 great grandchildren - by Saturday I will probably get real numbers) needs months of preparation, planning and details to get pulled off nicely. And so the planning went ahead and Monday mornign kicked off a busy week of celebration and thanksgiving to God for all the blessings showered over Oma and her family. And although Oma is older than she was back in January her health seemed more sure because her birthday was so close. There were so few days for her to get sick that I seemed to slide into a home safe attitude. But yesterday evening she was brought into the hospital becuase she wasn't feeling well and at 2:30 on her birthday morning her condition worsened and the doctors originally thought she had a stroke. It caught me by surprise. It was a reminder to me that not one minute can be taken for granted. It was a reminder how life can change completely in an instant. And I shouldn't have needed a reminder. I'm thankful to be able to tell you that as far as I know Oma is much more stable than earlier today although only God knows how the rest of the week will turn out. After all, Oma is 90.
Do Not Boast About Tomorrow
13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; 14 whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. 15 Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.”
James 4:13 - 15
10 The days of our lives are seventy years;
And if by reason of strength they are eighty years,
Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow;
For it is soon cut off, and we fly away.
12 So teach us to number our days,
That we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:10 & 12
Then tonight we were able to go to our church and be part of the installation service of our new pastor. It was full on the opposite end of the spectrum. Where I had spent my day reflecting on the last few years when I got to know my Oma better and wondering if I would get a chance to talk to her one more time, I spent the evening reflecting on the future of our congregation, thankful we were given a new pastor and looking forward to times of getting to know him and his wonderful family better. The glimpses of the future, while uncertain in the way all of future is unknown, also contained glimpses of the absolutes and the unchanging truths that are part of passionate knowing, loving and sharing Christ and the gospel.
How beautiful upon the mountains
Are the feet of him who brings good news,
Who proclaims peace,
Who brings glad tidings of good things,
Who proclaims salvation,
Who says to Zion,
“ Your God reigns!” Isaiah 52:7
For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 1 Corinthians 2:2
I'm failing miserably but I can't help but wish I could share with you more clearly the fullness and absolute truth found in those 2 verses we focused on tonight. I can't be sure every single one of you knows the good news of Jesus Christ and Him crucified with a sureness in your soul. But I can pray. May God bless you. For life (even 90 precious very short years) but most of all for all eternity.
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