Me and My House

I love to go to church.  

When my family was young I loved sitting on the church pew with them.

One of my favorite scripture passages has always been Joshua 24:15

"...As for me and my house, We will serve the Lord"

I am blessed to have a wonderful family.

My children have all grown up and they are all happily married.

They are working hard to teach my 17 grandchildren truths

I love family scripture study.

I love family prayer.

I enjoyed family home evening.

I thought game night and family dinners were the best.

I was thankful when Sunday came around and we could have a family day without interuptions.

Life was not always perfect.  We made mistakes, but we did not give up.

Now I watch as my children try to keep going in their own homes,

and pass on the traditions that my mother and father taught me, my grand parents taught them...

Back 4 generations and forward 2 more.

Life is good.....

......I am blessed

Every day we choose whom we will serve...

 

 

The Revolving Door

When my children started graduating from high school and attending college I realized that I had a revolving door on at least one of my bedrooms.

It seems as if one or more of my kids were always coming or going.

Sometimes they would stay home for a summer, a semester or just Christmas break before they were off to explore the world again.

It was fun to have them come home and see how much they had grown and matured. I enjoyed having a full house, watching the whole group interact and laugh together.

This summer reminds me of those times.

I seem to have a revolving door that grand children are walking through this summer.

First one set of grandchildren stayed while their parents went off to celebrate their 15th wedding anniversary.

Then another set stayed while their parents were off to Europe on a business trip.

When my daughter returned from Europe she brought her two nieces with her and now they are with us for a few weeks.

While the girls are visiting from Europe we decided we needed to have a cousins camp and invited Ella and Logan to join us for some girl fun. More about that in a future post.

Lately my house feels a bit like an accordion, stretching and maneuvering to accommodate the crew that shows up to sleep or eat. I never know if we will be having 2 or 15.

My grandma used to say that when there is heart room there will be house room, and I know she was right.

I seem to have a revolving door at my house right now and it makes me a happy grandma.

Girls Camp

Ever since before I was born my family has gone camping.

I love to sleep outside and cook over a fire.

Now I would not love to do this on a 24/7 routine, but for a week, once a year, I am in heaven.

I love the peace of no TV or telephone.

The smell of bacon in the morning sets the mood for a wonderful day.

I enjoy creating a delicious meal for my family using the fire and a few simple tools, it makes me feel content.

I like being able to sit under a tree with a good book and not feel the need to go anywhere.

I like that my children can run and yell and carry on all day long.

I enjoy stories and songs around the campfire in the evening.

It is true that camping is a bit of work to get ready, but over the years I have gathered plastic bins that stay packed with supplies.

It is true as well that cleaning up after is a chore, but I have a wonderful washing machine, and it is camping gear, it will wait on the deck while I get the job done.

This year I am camping with the girls from church, I am the cook.

My husband is worried about me, I am thrilled for the opportunity.

Yesterday I practiced baking brownies in a cardboard box with charcoal, they were yummy--totally amazing.

Today I make the last minute lists to be sure I don't forget anything--old brains need a little help.

Tomorrow we load it up and start a fun adventure.

I am so excited.

Grandma's Gentle Words

I am a lucky girl.  Both of my grandmothers lived until just a few years ago, when I was well into my adult years.

They both taught me many great things to remember and guide my life.

One item of business that I often have time to reflect on is:

THERE IS NO ROOM IN A HAPPY LIFE FOR JEALOUSLY

I have found that if I start feeling a bit under appreciated or achieved, a good dose of good deeds for others cures that ill feeling.  When the green monster of jealousy rears it's head in relationships it usually comes out in unkind words and actions.  When you are feeling attacked from nowhere it is usually because the attacker is feeling jealous.  I find it best to try not to be that person.

Another of my grandmother's wise words were these:

THERE IS NO ROOM FOR HURT FEELINGS IN A HAPPY LIFE

Sometimes it is best to resolve a matter by talking about the issue with the person who has offended you.  But, sometimes you just have to walk away and let time work it's magic.  It may be best to just lay low for a while. Then, when circumstances bring both of you together, go forward without looking back and dredging up old issues.  The two of you may always disagree, but a relationship on some level is better than none at all.  Remember TIME is your friend in this matter. Give it some time.

As our world swirls with commotion friend will be pitted against friend and families will be torn apart on issues that seem and are innocent at the start.  We live in perilous times.

Grandma also taught:

BE KIND IN ALL YOU DO

SMILE

REMEMBER TO PRAY

YOU ARE SPECIAL TO ME

I am thankful for my wise grandmothers who helped me see the world from their point of view, after years of experiences they could see the good and look past the rough.

A smile makes a world of difference.  Kind words build bridges.  Time heals open wounds.  Prayer mends a broken heart.