New Years Blessings- 2011

It is New Years Eve, Friday, December 31, 2010. I was thinking about things people do to begin the New Year.  The other day when we were walking at LaJolla Cove we saw some swimmers going into the cold Pacific Ocean. It was nine in the morning and I was wearing a jacket. But those faithful swimmers were doing their morning ritual no matter the weather. I can picture them jumping into the icy waters on the first day of the year. We see pictures of people in the news doing their Polar plunge each year. I'll stay in my warm jacket and watch the brave souls. Makes me shiver thinking about them.

Laura and I read the book, "Swimming to Antarctica," by Lynne Cox. She is a long distance swimmer and likes the challenge of very cold water. It was an enjoyable book, but I'll leave the endurance records to her and just read about it. I admire people who get out there and challenge themselves like that.

Bruce, Charlie, Swede, Clarence

Paul's brother loves to go cycling every day. Charlie and some of his friends who are all in their 70s, except one may be in his 60s, enjoy an annual cycling trip together. They have done the Rockies in Canada and points south. This year they were in the North Cascades. Each year they will be a little more south during their excursion. They impress me each year as they continue this tradition of pedaling up hill and down for great distances and enjoying the scenery. These fine gentlemen are all graduates of Coronado High School.

Some people begin the year on a birding expedition. That is bird watching to most people. Paul and our son Bill enjoy starting the year this way. The idea is to see how many varieties of birds you can get in a day, or a month, or the year. Paul has a thing about lists so he has lists for each excursion, each month and each year. Plus whatever other list he comes up with. Then some people just enjoy the birds and don't bother with lists. There are people who do an official bird count this time of the year too. Paul used to go on bird walks with the Audubon Society and really enjoyed this activity. When you are with other birders you can find more birds as others may see or hear one that you would not have otherwise. Paul enjoys going with our son as Bill has a good eye and ear for birds. Laura enjoys seeing the birds too.

I'm glad that Bill takes his dad birding as I get to go places and see things I wouldn't get to do otherwise. We get to go to the mountains, the desert and many of the nice coastal areas in San Diego. When we had a car we would be able to do some of these things all through the year. Now we depend on going with family or friends for these adventures. But there are local things to do on the bus. Sometimes we go to the I.B. pier or other nearby walking areas. We need to do this more often.

Some people ring in the New Year with parties or fireworks. Some stay home and watch the festivities on T.V. We are doing good to be awake at midnight. I hope all of my friends and family face the New Year with the Joy of the Lord and may you enjoy the Peace that only He can give. Maybe some are going to ring in the New Year by singing and praying with other believers at the church of their choice. Do remember to count your blessings. Hugs :)

Happy New Year - 2011

As I begin this it is New Years Eve Eve, Thursday, December 30th. Looking forward to 2011 day after tomorrow. We will have a quiet New Years Eve as we plan to be up early on the first for a busy day. No parties or celebrations planned here. We will probably be awakened at midnight with our neighbors greeting the year with some fireworks or other revelry. I will traditionally worry about the danger of the fireworks and may go outside to tell them to be careful. Been there, done that.

When I was much younger I enjoyed a New Years Eve party or two. It is fun to greet the year with your friends. There have been times we have gone to Griff's in Valley Center to spend the night on New Years Eve. It is fun to wake up and look across the valley towards Palomar Mountain. Sometimes the valley is covered in fog and is a picture waiting to be taken. It is always cold at his place on a winter night.

We went to Griff's on New Years Day last year. That was an enjoyable way to start the year. Any time we can spend with family is a plus. Bill was with us then as he is this year. We had an extra surprise this year as he arrived on Christmas morning. This was the first Christmas he has been with us since he went in the Air Force in 1988. (I stand corrected as I was saying '89). Griff was also here on Christmas as he is each year.

I don't make New Years resolutions so won't make any profound statements about things I resolve to do. I need to get my house in order so my children don't get stuck with it someday. I do get rid of things but need to do more. I have a box ready to put out for Amvets in the morning, as I do from time to time.

Today we went for a nice ride as far as Potrero. It is on the way to Campo which is another destination we have done when with Bill. We have also done these rides with George in years past. When we had a car and drove we would take off and head that way or to Julian and Cuyamaca. I'm sure we will do more  mountain rides with Bill while he is here for a month.

Laura and I will continue to read the Bible together and pray as we have determined to do this year. It is hard to be consistent but we make an effort. She does her own reading too. Paul is faithful year after year in his Bible reading. Oh to be so faithful.

My prayers are for each of our dear ones. I pray for Kathy and her sweet family. I pray for our sons to know the Lord. And I pray for Laura each day. God Bless each one that I love. Hugs  :)



Photo credit: Markusram

Paul's Surgery - December 2000

Ten years ago Paul was in the hospital awaiting heart surgery. On Christmas 2000 we enjoyed a family Christmas with my sister and brother-in-law here from L.A. in addition to Paul, Laura, Griff and me. Paul's Uncle El and at least one other relative had dropped by for a visit that day too. This reminded me of some of our previous multi-generation Christmases in years past.

In the late afternoon, after most of the family had gone home, Paul and Griff were moving some large logs onto Griff's truck. We had cut down a large tree earlier in the year and were trying to make use of the remaining logs. This was also the year that Paul knew he needed to eventually have heart surgery. After helping to move the logs Paul said that maybe he shouldn't have done that and then he fell. I asked him if I should call 911 and he said no.

He got up and tried to walk toward the house but didn't get very far when he crashed and bumped his head and was definitely in trouble. We didn't ask him this time if he needed help. 911 was called and he was taken to UCSD Medical Center in Hillcrest as they have a trauma unit at that hospital. Thankfully Griff was still here as he was able to take Laura and me to the hospital.

Paul would be staying at the hospital at least overnight. The next day it was determined that he had a heart attack. All tests verified what we already knew, that he needed his aortic heart valve replaced. He probably needed bypass surgery too. Surgery was scheduled for the next to last day of the year.

On Saturday, December 30th Madeline and Steve took Laura and me to the hospital, and they waited and prayed with us while Paul spent many hours in surgery. Griff came from Valley Center to be with us too. Pastor Larry joined us in the long wait to find out how Paul was doing. When the surgeon finally finished the operation he came to tell us that Paul's heart valve had been replaced along with a double bypass and an aneurysm repaired in his aorta. The valve had been the worst one he had seen in his years as a surgeon. He would have done a triple bypass but Paul had spent enough time in surgery.

Paul was healing as expected and it would not be long till he could go home. But on January 2nd and then again two days later he had cardiac arrest. Each time he had to be shocked back into normal heart rhythm. One of those times he actually had two cardiac failures and was shocked back a third time. It is with much appreciation from me that the nurses did a good job. Imagine waking up to the phone call in the middle of the night that your loved one had been through this trauma. Thankfully Paul survived this crisis.

One morning when I went to visit him there were a number of heart doctors around his bed deciding what to do to prevent this from happening again. It was decided to implant a defibrillator-pacemaker, so on the 8th this procedure was done. He was in the hospital for three weeks, from Christmas until January 16th. He began 2001 in the hospital. He had not been allowed out of bed at all during those three weeks so needed to regain his strength to be able to walk again. He had a visiting nurse to check on him for a short time, as well as an occupational therapist to be sure he was ok.

I could end the saga here, but I want to share how God provides. Laura and I almost always had a ride to go see Paul in the hospital. It didn't matter whether it was raining or not, and we had a number of rainy days at that time. Friends and family took time out of their busy days to go see Paul and to take us to Hillcrest to the hospital. We barely had to use public transportation to make the trip. I remember going by bus on January 1st and making very good connections so even that day was a blessing. I don't remember any days with bad connections.

Then five years later when Paul broke his ankle we again experienced God's provision with rides each week. Paul needed to go to UCSD Medical Center in Hillcrest each week to have his ankle checked. He had surgery on his ankle and the incision was slow in healing so this was a concern. This meant a new cast every week for some time even though the bone was healing nicely. This also meant a need for a ride every week which we had from different friends and family. Paul was in a wheelchair for several months that time. And the wheelchair was from a neighbor. We are certainly blessed.  :)

Merry Christmas One and All

It is Christmas Eve Eve, two days before Christmas. Shoppers are out fighting the crowds and what is left of the giant puddles from this week's storm. Many are wrapping gifts and rushing to get their remaining cards in the mail. Cookies are baking and final preparations are being planned for the big meal on Christmas day. Some are finding time to sweep the corners of each room. Final decorations are put on the table. The big day is just around the corner.

I have been in this mode in years past, but now days I don't get much past the sending of the cards or posting my greetings on the computer. I made some cards earlier in the year with intentions of making more. The ones I sent were appreciated, I'm sure, and I would have liked to make more. I gathered together more cards and personalized them with notes and stickers which is fun to do. Cards are still my thing to do as I can share the good news of Jesus to those near and far. I love my friends and family and don't want to lose touch.

Presents are few this year but I haven't forgotten those I love. It is not about the money spent. It is about caring for others and praying for the very best for them. The good news is in the Bible. "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. God's gift to us is what is most important. We need to accept that gift for it to make a difference in our lives. How would we like it if our gifts were rejected? How would I like it if someone did not like the card I created for them? God gives more than a material gift or card. He gives His only begotten Son.

I haven't put out my favorite decorations as I used to. There are always things on display that would have to be moved and the kitties are too helpful now days. There is no tree for them to climb. I do miss these festive things but I don't want to fight the cats, and trees cost more than I'm willing to pay in this day and age. I remember the thought I used to put into getting just the right tree. It may have been a Charlie Brown tree but it was beautiful when I finished with it. I was going to make a wreath but that didn't happen either. I put an old one that I had previously made on the door. I like the simplicity of this old wreath. One year I made a tree out of the branches I trimmed off the juniper in our front yard. It was fun to do. The juniper also makes nice wreaths, but they are hard on the hands while putting them together.

This year I did go through some of the decorations and gave some to Josie. She appreciates my old stuff. In the past I have sent some of our decorations to Kathy and the girls. Now I like to buy them one or two new decorations to add to their collections. Melissa Joy gets joy decorations. Newlyweds get something to remind them of their first year together. I used to buy ornaments that were meant to go to each of my children eventually. Those ornaments have seen their better days by now.

The turkey is out of the freezer and in the refrigerator waiting to be prepared. I may do it a day earlier and not spend all day on Christmas in the kitchen. This is a tradition in many families as they even have their main celebration on Christmas eve. There are other foods to put in the oven on Christmas. I wish I were ambitious to make cookies as homemade cookies are the best. Maybe I will do that again someday. We will have plenty on Christmas. Our son Griff will be here along with our daughter Laura, Paul and me. We have more than enough for so few of us.

I remember the days of four generation family Christmases. The house would be full with Greats and Grands and even an Aunt or an Uncle. That was a real blessing to me. I loved it when our granddaughters were in San Diego along with their brother and their parents. My niece lived with us for five years so she was part of the mix, along with her dog. That is when we had dogs too so there was a lot going on. I can't believe all that we were able to do even with a full house. But the kids jumped in and helped keep things going.

Paul's brother and his family still have big family gatherings at one of the younger generation's homes.  We receive letters from Charlie and Edye with pictures enclosed that show all the generations together. Charlie's family is still giving him grandchildren. They have a ways to go before there are greats. They have a great family though.

Santa Laura just came in from her one shopping trip of the year that she goes alone. She can't take me as there would be no surprises for her mother then. When Griff arrives at our house on Thanksgiving and Christmas he usually fills the refrigerator or cupboard. What a blessing. Bill already sent his surprise in the mail. His best gift is when he comes all the way from Florida and then takes us places. This year Kathy and John came from Colorado to see us in July which was part of our year of family gatherings. We got to go to Griff's a number of times during the year, each time someone was here to take us.

This has been a year of many blessings. There were vacations to see loved ones. Paul got to enjoy a lot of bird watching with our son Bill. There was an engagement announcement and then Becky and Jay got married. And last but not least Becky and Jay became parents of our new little great grandson, Jacob Marcus Van Maanen on December 13th. So we have another Christmas baby in the family.

We had another Christmas baby in 1962 when Griff was born the day after Christmas. He was our fourth baby, second son. I got what I wanted for Christmas that year as I always wanted two boys and two girls. He gets cheated out of a special day of his own many years. I always tried to do something special for each child on their birthdays and made an effort not to cheat him out of a birthday even though it was the 26th. He doesn't like to make a big deal about it. Often he gets candles on one of the Christmas pies. But when he was little it needed to be a cake. I thank God for my family.

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." Luke 2 : 11
Let us remember the true meaning of Christmas. Remember the One we are celebrating. May our hearts be touched by the Saviour.   Hugs. :)

Becoming a Great Grandmother

Becky, baby Jacob, and Jay

Today, December 13, 2010, our little great grandson, Jacob Marcus Van Maanen, was born by C section. He was scheduled for noon Colorado time, but I don't know what the hour was when he made his entrance into the world. He had a low heart rate during delivery or before he was born. Then he had trouble beginning to breathe so it was a difficult time for him. He now has a good heart rate, but due to the earlier difficulty he has low blood sugar and oxygen so is in the NICU. He should be ok in a day or two.

NICU is something you see on TV programs, not a place for babies we know. I have a good friend that volunteers in the NICU in one of our San Diego hospitals. She holds the tiny infants as it is very beneficial for them to be held. Little Jacob spent time with his parents and grandparents being held today. We have the traditional pictures of him being held by each one there. His Aunt Melissa posted them on Facebook for us to see.

The Van Maanens with Daddy Jay

This is Paul's and my first great grandchild. Here I am all excited and telling the world about Becky and Jay's little baby boy. Paul had to double check with me about the relationship Jacob is to us. He knew, but wasn't positive. He has always taken a back seat to this parenting business. But he is trying. He knows to pray for this precious baby boy.

I notice that Becky has referred to him as Jake. Our daughter Kathy, the new grandmother, also called him Jake in her recent Facebook comment. I'll probably end up calling him Jake too. In the Old Testament Rebekah had Jacob. In our family Rebecca had Jacob. Baby Jacob is named after one of his Daddy's grandfathers or great grandfathers. We have a lot of "J" names in our family. Jacob's parents are Jason or Jay and Rebecca Jean. Kathy and I both have Jean as middle names. Then there is John Golden, Becky's Dad, Jacob's grandfather. I don't remember all the names in the Van Maanen family. But we have Joy in our family, Melissa Joy.

The Goldens

We are now greats, but Paul's brother Charlie is still having new little grandchildren. His son Eric and Eric's wife Kara are expecting their second baby girl early in the new year. Their little Grace was born on my husband's birthday in 2009, so I will not forget her special day.

Today would be my late brother-in-law Sam's birthday. I will always think of Sam on Jacob's birthday. We end up having a number of repeat birthdays. My cousin had her last child on my mother's last birthday before she went to be with the Lord. So that was a nice birthday present for Mom.

I am thankful for family. I am thankful for this new generation in our family. God has such a great plan for families.

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.  And God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth." Genesis 1:27,28


Photos by Melissa Joy Golden

December Markers

December is a month of many markers in the lives of those we love. We grow up looking forward to the arrival of Santa Claus as well as being able to see the beautiful decorations around town. Some of us enjoy December birthdays. My birthday is early in December so it is a good way to begin the celebrations. I officially met Paul in December when I was a teenager.

My friend Joan gave me a surprise sixteenth birthday party. This was my first birthday party other than family celebrations. It may have been a day or two before my birthday. We all went to the Village Theater to see a movie as part of the evening's events. After leaving the theater Joan saw her good friend George walking with a friend. She asked him to come to the party with us and he said he would if he could bring his friend. George introduced Paul to us and that is our official meeting, the day of my sixteenth birthday party.

Actually George is Paul's cousin by marriage as his late mother was married to Paul's late uncle. We are still good friends with George even though he lives in Seattle. He gets down once a year to see family and friends. We will see him next week. He would have come by today but we didn't want to share our colds. He is going to take us to see another cousin later next week.

Paul's mother also had a December birthday, the first day of winter. She also drew her final breath on her 60th birthday. Paul's mother was the best grandmother ever to our children. Nothing against my mother as she loved being a grandmother too. My mom was the lady with the paint overalls on and climbing a ladder to take care of business. Paul's mother was the grandma with apron on and a full cookie jar. They were both tops in what they could do. I need to find the Neil Morgan column that mentions my mother.

My brother-in-law, Sam Hamilton, also had a December birthday. His birthday was on the 13th. My sister Betty married Sam when my children were little. They are both gone now, but we have special memories of them over the years. Sam was in the Navy when he married my sister. They spent enough time in our area for our children to enjoy each other's company. They spent one year in Hawaii where their youngest son was born. They moved to Billings, Montana when Sam got out of the Navy. They came to San Diego on vacations and to help us when Mom died. We had vacations in Montana and went to Yellowstone with them. Mom and Frank used to go to Montana on annual vacations. Betty and Sam are survived by Gary, Elizabeth, Matthew and Mark. They also had four much loved grandchildren.

We also had a dear neighbor, Mary, that had a birthday on December 13th. She was 90 years old and is now in Heaven. Her son has been our neighbor since the seventies and continues to be a good neighbor.

I have other good friends with December birthdays. Betty Clark's birthday is on the third. Unless I am wrong and it is the first. It is right next to my birthday. One time I had a friend with my December second birthday. And an ex brother-in-law has the same birthday as me. He is one year older though. He is Arthur and Debra's father. (my nephew and niece)

In 1960 when our son Bill was an infant we lost my Grandma McDonaugh on December 26th. We lived just one block from her on F Avenue. It was so nice to have my grandma nearby along with one aunt and an uncle. My parents also lived on the same block so I was used to a lot of family nearby. Paul's family was all in town too. The day of my grandmother's funeral was the last time I saw some of my relatives as they mainly came to Coronado to see Grandma. Dad was the youngest son in a large family.

Two years later on December 26th our youngest son Griff was born. We had spent part of Christmas at my parents' new home in what is now Otay Mesa (West). They were in the first houses built in this area in the early sixties. We enjoyed the day with the children at my parents', and then at home in Coronado I tucked the children into their beds and then decided it was time to go to Mercy Hospital. I called Paul's father to take me as we had no car. We had to go on the ferry in the middle of the night to get to San Diego. When we were on the ferry I said to Pop that I wasn't real sure if I was in labor. He said,"You better be." It was not the most convenient time to be unsure. Good thing that I really was in labor and not having a false alarm. Our new baby boy was born the morning of December 26th. He was named Griffith Hughes Marvin after Paul's late grandfather Griffith Hughes Jones.

Enough of my December musings. Time to do my Christmas cards or December 25th will come and go without sending many greetings. "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:11

Next Monday on December 13th we are anticipating the birth of another baby boy. Jacob will be born to our granddaughter Rebecca Jean and Jason Van Maanen.

Image credits:AlicePopkorn; Foxtongue; *L*u*z*A*

December 7th

We remember Pearl Harbor today. This has been a day to remember those lost during a most disastrous time in U.S. history. Some remember that day in 1941 as if it were yesterday. The numbers of those that were there are quickly dwindling. I was a child living in Washington state at the time and the only thing about that period of time that I recall is what has been repeated to me. My dad told about hearing the news on the radio while the rest of the family was in church. He had been sitting with us, so the story goes, but went outside with my youngest sister who was a toddler at the time. (He said he had pinched her so he could take her outside).

Paul's Aunt Helen Wyatt was in Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 as her husband was stationed there aboard one of the ships. Uncle Ernest and his shipmates missed being attacked as their ship was out of the harbor that particular day. Aunt Helen was at home with their little daughter Jean. I do not recall any more details except to say their family lived to tell about it. I got to know Jean when we were both in fourth grade together in Coronado.

Paul's first recollection of the war was when his dad and their family friend, Bruce, were slaughtering the bunnies for the family to eat while they were away.  The men had to go to war, but first they made sure the family would have food on the table. Not that the family really wanted to eat the bunnies. There are a lot of hard realities in life and killing for food is one of them. Killing during war is an even worse reality. Thankfully the menfolk Paul knew all came home from the war. I also did not suffer any loss in my family. My father was not well and did not pass the physical to go into the military.

Today, December 7, 2010, finds our friends, the Branneys, suffering a big loss in their family. I received a call this morning from Ron Branney that his dear wife, Kathy, had gone to be with the Lord. He is at peace about this as he knows the Lord and has been praying with her and is sure that she was ready to meet the Lord. He got the call from the doctor at four A.M. He was ready for the call and feels she is in a better place now. We will be here for him when he needs an ear to hear. Right now he has family with him. I pray that they find the peace that their father has. Kathy had serious health issues for quite some time and experienced numerous hospitalizations.

Kathy Branney was my Scrabble friend. Playing Scrabble will not be the same with anyone else. She and I played mostly for fun and bent a few rules. We played hours on end and divided the wins, but she often won more than me. Originally, in the eighties, we would play once a week. But in recent years we would go months without a game. We played once this fall and maybe just a few times all year. I first met Kathy because her oldest and my youngest son were friends. We are neighbors, but they live around the block from us. The boys met in fifth grade and were good friends for a number of years. They both grew up and went their separate ways. But Rick still asks me about Griff.

A little more than a year ago Ron invited Paul to go to his Saturday morning Bible Study group with him. I was surprised when Paul said yes and went. Paul loves to read the Bible but is more of a loner so I was pleased he decided to go with Ron. He needs fellowship with other men as well as studying the Bible. This is a group from Ron's church and they meet in a restaurant in Chula Vista. I'm also glad Paul and Ron are getting to know each other better. For a long time Ron teased me that I didn't have a husband as Paul never went with me to their parties and it took a long time for them to meet each other.

As in many relationships there were words left unsaid. I should have spoken more about the Lord. I needed to say "I'm sorry" as well as telling her I appreciated her. Who else do I need to apologize to, or to say something to lift them up? The Bible tells us to care for one another and to be kind to one another. We learn these lessons in Sunday School, but do we take them with us throughout life? It does help to get enough sleep and not get grumpy. Sometimes people see the worst in us because we are having a bad day. I don't want people to see the worst in me so I better stay close to the Lord and be filled with His Spirit. "Rejoice in the Lord always" Philippians 4:4

Five years ago today Paul and I were in North Carolina with our son Bill. This was one of the two trips Paul and I took to the Atlantic coast to spend time with our son. We enjoyed two ferry rides and the islands along the coast of NC on December 7th 2005. I enjoyed seeing the lighthouses; and of course Paul and Bill were birding throughout the whole trip. We are looking forward to Bill coming to San Diego in the very near future.

Next week we will have another milestone in our family. Paul and I will welcome the first of our next generation to our family. Actually I wish I could be in Colorado to welcome little Jacob into the fold on December 13th. Becky has a C section scheduled for Monday. Our daughter Kathy will be a grandmother. What a blessing.  This blessing is on my late brother-in-law, Sam Hamilton's, birthday. We will be thinking of Sam that day too.

So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.          1 Corinthians 15:54-58

Image credits: .:[ Melissa ]:.; twob

My Most Unusual Job

When we first moved to this house in 1973 we were warmly welcomed by many of the neighbors and I had opportunity to get to know some of them quite well. Some of us were in and out of each other's homes a number of times a week. We had children of various ages and some of them were friends with each other. My youngest was ten years old and the oldest was out of high school. I baby sat for some of the little ones in our court. Over the years we have seen the first babies grow up and have babies of their own. Some have stayed in our neighborhood. I'm like a grandmother to some of "my" original babies. I baby sat for them until they were too old for such things. 

It was fun when we were first on the block and the children came over to play board games. As the years went by the little ones that I baby sat for enjoyed card games as well as some newer board games. I can't remember how to play most of those games anymore. One game we learned and I want to relearn is Backgammon. I spent a lot of time at several of the other houses as I baby sat in their homes mostly. I don't get to the other homes much anymore, or have neighbors here, as things change over the years. There are neighbors who would enjoy a friendly visit, I'm sure.

One neighbor, who was a good friend, had a Santa Clause business that she inherited from her father. She hired Santas for different shopping centers. She had beautiful Santa suits, wigs and beards for the Santas to use. One year she hired another neighbor and me to wash and groom the wigs and beards. This was a fun time for neighbor chit chat and keeping our hands busy. We were both novices at this grooming wigs and beards business but I guess it was satisfactory. Say wigs and beards real fast several times and you get "bigs and wierds." The Santa business didn't last too many more years due to a divorce. This was sad since her father started the business.

So my longest job was caring for some of the neighbor children. And the most unusual was grooming wigs and beards. My shortest lasting job was when my neighbor helped me get a job bagging groceries at the commissary at North Island. I always thought that bagging groceries would be a good job for me. Well that was one of my worst days ever. If anything could go wrong it did. I had a ride each way with my neighbor and was crying on the way home. I refused to go back. It wasn't like they had my name written on a contract. I didn't even get the name tag I was supposed to wear. Of course that was cause for criticism. As for doing the job, I did my best, even following instruction. That was a negative. It wasn't as if I had never worked in a store before. I worked at an old variety store in Coronado for more than a year. It was a good job.

My favorite job is being a mother and grandmother, as well as being a wife. That is one reason child care works nicely for me. But I think I'm retired from that, unless family really needed me to help. I loved caring for my granddaughters when they were little and lived in San Diego. Now they live in Colorado and are adults with their own responsibilities. Melissa works in a preschool and goes to college. Becky is expecting her baby any day now. 

Image Credits: LadyDragonflyCC; Aoife city womanchile

Well Laid Plans

Each year I think I will finish our Christmas cards early, but each December finds me needing to address the many cards I intend to mail. I made some cards earlier this year as I did last year. It is fun to be creative and to use old cards to make new ones. I would make all of the cards if possible. I also have some other nice cards to send to friends and family so have plenty to choose from.

I sent a small amount of Thanksgiving cards and was able to get most of them in the mail early. This should have been the pattern to follow for our Christmas greetings too. We have received some beautiful Christmas cards already and I have yet to address any. It is always a pleasant surprise to find Christmas cards tucked among my birthday cards early in December each year.

Plans go out the window when you get sick. I managed to get a bad cold and did not want to leave my chair for several days. All scheduled events had to go on without me. I missed my own birthday if that included going someplace. But I wasn't forgotten by friends and family. I am truly blessed. But I would have loved to be at Bible Study at FBC and share in the baby shower for one of our sweet ladies. I also missed an event I was scheduled for at Westview Bible Church. I did not want to share this cold.

Sorry to say that Paul and Laura now have colds too. So guess none of us will be in Church tomorrow. I hate to miss going to either Westview or to our old Church in Coronado. I have strong ties to Coronado and newer ties to Westview in Imperial Beach. Both are precious to me. How can I leave the place that has been home for so many years? Laura is very happy just going to Westview. Paul would probably be happy going along with Laura. But I am not ready to let go of the place that has been such a blessing for so long. They have been so good to us. For now we mainly go to the place nearer home which is Westview. But Paul and I get to Coronado at least once a month. And I stay active with the Ladies Bible Study at First Baptist Church in Coronado.

This was intended to be about sending Christmas greetings and also about well made plans. The greetings will be sent, hopefully not late. The calendar may be full but I have to be willing to let go of things if need be. I want to do each activity planned and that would have been nice this week. But we never know what tomorrow may bring. Last week my sister, Donna, wasn't going to come down for Thanksgiving since she had a bad cold. But on Thanksgiving eve her brother-in-law died so Donna and Fred's plans were changed. They needed to come to be with his family in Chula Vista. So we got to see them after all. But it was a sad time for their family.

During the year I have thoughts of what I would like to do for loved ones at Christmas. As time passes it becomes obvious that these plans are not possible. We always have to minimize what we do. It is a good thing that it is the thought that counts because that is mostly what we give now days. A small package for each grandchild and for our four children are at the top of the list. Postage costs more than what they contain, some years. I have other small gifts on the list that I try to buy. I consider cards to be the main part of our Christmas giving. Jesus is the Reason for the Season. Trying to share that precious message is the most important thing for me.

"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

Image credits:Jerine; calsidyrose; Lauren Manning

Remembrances of Louis Guapo

Yesterday was a day of gathering together to remember a brother, a father, a husband, an uncle, a nephew, a cousin, a neighbor and a friend. Fred's brother, Louis Guapo, was loved by many. Most came to San Diego from the Los Angeles area to celebrate the life of their loved one. One daughter came all the way from Hong Kong to pay her respects to her father. I met more Guapos than I could have ever imagined.

My sister married Fred Guapo the summer of 1979 and he has been an important part of our family ever since. We have seen his son Freddy grow from being six or seven years old to the fine man he is today. We knew Fred's mother Bea and enjoyed visits with her over the years. The last time we were in Los Angeles we visited her grave at Forrest Lawn.

I remember Louie and his dear wife Virginia, along with their four daughters, from before they moved to Chula Vista. Donna and Fred came from L.A. to visit them as often as possible after they moved south. When Donna and Fred were in town they would sometimes take me to see Louie and Virginia. I remember the four girls from when they were quite young. They have grown to be lovely young ladies. They were each well spoken when they shared about their loving relationship with their father yesterday. I also got to meet Louie's son and his family yesterday. I enjoyed talking to Louie's daughter-in-law and granddaughter, as well as other family members.

Louis Guapo had been ill with cancer for ten years. He did have times of remission though. Fred gave his brother bone marrow which gave him much more time with his family. Louie had the most up to date medical care over the years. But when God is ready to call us home to be with Him we will draw our last breath here on earth. We need to be ready to hear Him say "Well done, good and faithful servant."

Homegrown Poetry

In the last blog I was writing about going through our parents' belongings and deciding what to keep and what to throw away. Yesterday Laura was going through my old scrapbook that includes a lot of little treasures from when she was quite a bit younger. We enjoyed a few good laughs and were touched by some findings. I had forgotten much of what was inside the book. A favorite is some poetry that Paul wrote in the sixties. He always kept a journal but this poetry is rare. He was not impressed with himself for writing poetry, but I was impressed. I liked it so much that I copied some without his permission. He now knows that I did this so I'm sharing them with you.

   

                                                   White Crowned Sparrow

                                      White Crowned Sparrow with the yellow beak,

                                          What kind of wiggleworms do you seek?

                                                 I don't eat worms, I eat seeds,

                                            They are sufficient to fill my needs.

                                                 So what of the wiggleworms,

                                                    What happens to them?

                                                  They're eaten by a blackbird

                                                       Whose name is Clem.

                                                      Clem is a blackbird

                                                         So big and fat.

                                                        He's even chased

                                                          A skinny cat. 

  

                                                                         

                                  Clem, the Brewers Blackbird, was big and fat

                                     He even chased, as you know, a skinny cat.

                                   He chased him from room to room on the fly

                               Till the kitty's master came and baked him in a pie.

                                 The pie baked at one hundred degrees fahrenheit,

                                    Gave Clem a hotbeak so he took to flight,

                                          Singing, "I am not a dainty dish,

                                          When cats really should eat fish.

                                     I'll not be the one to make a skinny cat fat."

                                                    Black Brant Brando

                                Black Brant Brando with the waddly webbly feet

                            Wandered along the bayside in search of food to eat.

                     His waddling changed to runling  when a Plymouth Station Wagon

                        Chased him along the bankside until his tail was draggin'.

                                     He drug down into the salty watery bay

                                         Doing his very best to swim away,

                                     When in the middle of the bay he saw

                                  That the Plymouth didn't want him after all.

                                      Much relieved, he went about his hunt

                              Trying to avoid becoming just a duck sized runt.

                                 For wasn't he already the smallest of the gooses?

                              Yet his ambition was to be bigger than the mooses                                                                            

                                                        

If you heard me laughing as I typed this I wouldn't be surprised. Paul has a sense of humor that I haven't always appreciated, but I loved these when he wrote them and I still do even after all these years. He was a fledgling birder in the mid sixties when he wrote these. He didn't even use the term "birder" in those days. He said "bird watcher" as most people would.

As I continue to go through my treasures I'm sure I'll find more to share. We found some of my water color paintings last week that makes me want to buy some new paints and brushes.

Poems by Paul W. Marvin,Jr.

Image credits: jessicafm; SamJuk; gdahlman

A Time to Keep and a Time to Throw Away

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
    a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,
    a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,
    a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
                   a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
    a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up,
                      a time to keep and a time to throw away,
     a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,
     a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace."
                                                                                     Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

We recognize the seasons of life, as we have often read in this passage from Ecclesiastes. We see in this book of the Bible that life has no meaning without God. "Meaningless! Meaningless! says the Teacher. Utterly meaningless!...What does man gain from all his labor at which he toils under the sun? Generations come and generations go, but earth remains forever."  Ecclesiastes 1:2-4

Then we see that a life lived for God is as it should be. "He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men...there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live...and find satisfaction in all his toil- this is the gift of God...everything God does will endure forever, nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him."  Ecclesiastes 3:11-14

When we went through Mom's things in 1996 we learned the meaning of "a time to keep and a time to throw away." Mom grew up when you didn't throw anything away and she really took that to heart. We had a major job on our hands. I'm still finding her treasures amongst my belongings. Then a few years later we went through Paul's Dad's belongings. He had things more in order so it wasn't such a difficult task. Yet there were still precious belongings to go through.

We went through a time of searching and a time of giving up as we dealt with our parents' treasures. What to keep and what to give away was of importance. We realized that you can't take it with you when you go to meet your Maker. It felt like that is what Mom wanted to do.

I hope I follow the example of loved ones who set their eyes on God and lived for Him. I know that we have a beautiful heritage of Christians in our family that are not to be forgotten. We have grandparents and others who we will see in Glory. We may weep when they leave the confines of their earthly bodies, but they are in heaven singing and praising the Lord. "A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance." Let us all prepare for days of rejoicing with the saints in heaven.

Image credits: striatic; igorzoid

A Time to Be Thankful and a Time to Mourn

The tummies are full and we have much to be thankful for. We enjoyed time with family and heard from friends by way of the phone. Thanksgiving greetings were sent to many on Facebook. Handwritten cards arrived in the mail reminding me of loved ones we miss. We are so blessed.

On Thanksgiving eve we received a call from my sister with sad news. Her brother-in-law, Louie, had lost his hard fought battle with cancer, and heart problems. He had been diagnosed with cancer at least ten years ago. His brother, my brother-in-law, had shared his bone marrow with him a number of years ago. This helped for quite some time. But the illness prevailed in the end. Each time we saw him he was somewhat thinner than before. He was the patriarch of a beautiful family. He will be sorely missed by many.

This seems to be the time of the year that we lose loved ones. November is the month we lost my Dad, in 1964, when all of his grandchildren were quite young. He was only 53 years old when he lost a battle with cancer. We had not known why he had so much pain until it was much too late to properly fight the illness. Mom had to be courageous as a young widow and to continue to earn a living on her own. She had always had Dad at her side as she held a paint brush and climbed ladders to earn a living. It wasn't easy for her as she hated to be alone. She eventually married again. She buried her second husband the month she turned eighty.

Three years ago it was another November that saw the loss of my youngest sister Betty. She was just 67 years old and had endured pancreas and liver problems for some time. We are never really ready to say goodbye to our younger siblings. But her children were less ready to say goodbye. They had already lost their Dad ten years before.

December is also another month that we have had to say bye to loved ones. Both of Paul's parents went to be with the Lord in December. Paul's mother died on her 60th birthday in 1971 after suffering with cancer for some time. Paul's father lived until he was 89. He would have been 90 in April of 2000. He lived long enough to bury three wives.

I remember Paul's mother saying that she was glad to get through this time of the year without losing a loved one. It must have been near her birthday in December when she was around thirteen that she lost her father. That would be traumatic for a young teenager or child. She had four younger siblings. Her mother had to work very hard to support them after having been provided for by her carpenter husband.

Families have so many stories to share and we must not forget where we have been. I wish I could remember all the stories my grandmothers told me. Mom and Dad always talked about things they had done in years past too. Wish I had a photographic memory to recall everything that I have been told. I'll try to remember what I can so I can share.

We have much to be thankful for and I wish that all those that I love could realize this fact. I love our family and friends. I also love our country. God bless each one that I love.  :)

top photo-Betty McDonaugh Hamilton, my youngest sister; second photo-McDonaugh family; third photo-Gwladys Jones Marvin with Paul Marvin,Jr. family; bottom photo- Paul W. Marvin,Sr.

Reflections on Friendship

We all have such unique and various personalities. Some of us are ready to make friends with people we have never met before, and others are much too shy to be the first to speak. I guess most of us fall someplace in between these two extremes. I have been shy at times but that is not my usual stance. My mother never knew a stranger as she was ready to speak to anyone who would listen. I'm somewhat like that as I am interested in many of the people I encounter in my daily activities. I have made new friends over the years. I also stay in touch with those I have known for years.

There are people I know who are somewhat shy but they can be friendly if given the chance. Some just don't know what to say to keep a conversation going, but they want to be part of the action. Some are just waiting for us to draw them into our conversation.

Do you ever look at a class picture and wonder about the quiet student that was in each picture over the years, but you did not know him or her? Maybe that classmate had been there since kindergarten but you had never spoken to her. She may have had a few friends but you had no idea one way or the other. You were busy with your own friends and activities. The shy student was not your concern.

I have more than one example of this. When I meet someone who graduated a certain year, and I mention someone I know from that year, and they have no idea who I'm talking about, I am disheartened. I try to say something to help the discomfort, but nothing really makes a difference. 

Was I one of the unaware participants in neglecting a fellow student? One of my classmates wrote in the 50th reunion memory book that she didn't have any good memories from high school. What a sad commentary. I feel bad for her. Could I have made a difference if I had not been wrapped up in my own circle of friends. And I had problems of my own to deal with. But I always had friends and do have good memories.

I know more than one person not interested in going to high school reunions as their experience in school was not so great. I was sometimes hesitant to go to reunions and missed some, but I wish I had gone to more reunions. I was not one of the in crowd but I never lacked for friends so don't know why I was apprehensive about going. I could understand if I had been without friends and was hesitant to go. I have enjoyed each reunion I have attended.

My sister Donna enjoys reunions, but she likes all parties. Classmates do remember her. Who could forget Donna McDonaugh? I met one of her classmates recently and of course he knew who she was. I met a classmate of my other sister and he had no idea who I was talking about. Betty had been in Coronado since kindergarten. I know she had some friends. She may have been shy though. She did not get to go to any reunions because she lived too far away and never got any information about them. Betty had hoped to go to her 50th reunion though, but died the year before.

My daughter Kathy may have been shy but she had a kind way about her. I like to brag about something she did that is very special in my book. She was a good friend to one of the most picked on girls in the whole school. I don't know what started it, but Sherry was the victim  of a lot of mean actions. Now days the schools make a big deal about bullies, but maybe they did not know what was happening to Kathy's friend. I don't know what made me powerless to say something. Some things were so subtle though.

So that quiet or shy student may be someone that you would want in your corner when you are without hope.

"Be kind to one another"

Continuing to be Thankful.

There are more reasons to be thankful than could ever be written, but I will continue to try to express my thankfulness. "O give thanks to the LORD; for He is good: because his mercy endureth for ever." Psalm 118:1

41. We don't have to be Anxious for anything.

42. Now I Belong to Jesus, Jesus Belongs to me.

43. The Lord Comforts me.

44. He is Dependable.

45. It is Encouraging to be part of the Family of God.

46. I know that there is a place in Heaven for me.

47. We have also been blessed with good neighbors. Some are like family to us after living in the same neighborhood for 37 years. Some of the babies I cared for have had babies. What a blessing!

48. I'm thankful that some of our neighbors know the Lord. They have been a blessing to us.

49. I appreciate public transportation and being able to be out and about. Just being able to walk down the street is a blessing.

50. I'm thankful God made animals. We love our kitties. We enjoy all animals.

51. The birds of the sky are such a wonder to behold.

52. The sea and all that is in it were created by God.

53. I'm thankful for Laura's garden.

54. For flowers and trees and all the plants that God put here for our pleasure, I am thankful.

55. How can I not be thankful to live in such a beautiful part of our country? We are blessed.

Today I will close with a favorite poem that used to be above our sink. We have it memorized after looking at it every day for a number of years.

                                                 "Thank God for dirty dishes;
                                                        They have a tale to tell;
                                                 While others may go hungry,
                                                       We're eating very well.

                                             With home and health and happiness
                                                      I shouldn't want to fuss;
                                                  For by the stack of evidence
                                                        God's been good to us."

Thanksgiving 2010

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights." James 1:17
The sermon this morning was to remind us to always give thanks to the Lord. All good things come from Him. We need to be thankful to God each day of our lives. Always give thanks to God for all things. Pastor Carey challenged us to make a list of things we are thankful for.

1. I'm thankful that God loves me.

2. I thank God the Father for giving us Jesus, His Son, to save us from our sins.

3. He is Lord of my life.

4. I give thanks for my family. I love each one.

5. I thank God for a Christian husband. I thank God for keeping us together for 56 years.

6. I thank God for my parents who are now with Him. They were hard workers and I appreciate what they did for my sisters and me.

7. I'm thankful for our children, Kathy, Laura, Bill and Griff. Children are a treasure from the Lord.

8. I'm thankful that Kathy married John Golden. I'm glad that he is a fine Christian husband and he is good to her.

9. I'm glad that Kathy and Laura love the Lord.

10. It is a blessing that our sons each served in the military and are honorable men. They are good to us.

11. It is a blessing to be a grandmother. I thank God for Becky and Melissa.

12. I thank God that Becky is married to Jay and they will soon be parents. I'm looking forward to being a great grandmother.

13. I'm thankful that Laura started me on the computer and got me to write this blog.

14. I'm glad that Bill took us on car trips this year. Paul and I got to go to Arizona with Bill. Laura and I got to go to Colorado with him, and we got to see our Colorado family.

15. It is a blessing to have an "adopted family." Josie and her little Joshua are my bonus daughter and grandson. ( She used to be our daughter-in-law.)

16. I thank God for extra special friends. Madeline is my sister in the Lord and friend since third grade. Her family is family to me. I love her dear mother.

17. My "other mother" is dear Rosalie who we have known since we were teen agers. She was our cupid.

18. I must not forget my siblings, Donna and Betty. Betty is not with us any more, but never to be forgotten. Donna has been part of my life since I was a toddler. Thank God for sisters.

19. I am thankful for nieces that are like daughters to me. I also Thank God for all of my nephews and nieces, including greats. They each have a place in my heart.

20. I'm thankful that my niece Elizabeth knows the Lord and is married to a Pastor now.

21. I thank God for new friends as well as old friends. Make new friends and keep the old, One is silver and the other is gold.

22. We have been blessed with being part of First Baptist Church in Coronado since our children were little. We have new and old friends there, brothers and sisters in Christ.

23. We have also been blessed with more dear friends at Westview Bible Church. I have much to be thankful for. Ellen and Dave, thank you for being there. Adria has been part of Laura's life even longer.

24. We are blessed with more brothers and sisters in the Lord than I can say here. Laura's dear friend Bea and her family are also family to me.

25. My Ladies Bible Study has been a real blessing. I thank God for so many sisters in the Lord. Lucia has adopted me as her "mother". Her Mommy is in another country.

26. I thank God for modern technology and getting to know friends better this way. I appreciate Vicki and Laura for encouraging me to blog.

27. Paul's family has always treated me as part of their family. His parents were dear people. His aunts and uncles were my aunts and uncles. Likewise , his cousins are my cousins. Two I knew before I knew Paul. And of course Paul's brother is my brother. And his wife is also another sister.

28. I have another brother-in-law that I also appreciate. Donna's husband, Fred, is family to us.

29. It is a blessing that Melissa, our granddaughter, loves the Lord, her church and her friends. She is in college and has a job as a preschool teacher's assistant. She also plays the violin in a group at church.

30. God is working in the lives of each one, and we pray that all of our loved ones will come to a saving knowledge of God. I'm thankful for answered prayers.

31. God created all things. The heavens declare the Glory of God!!

32. God's grace is sufficient for us.

33. Blessed be the Name of the Lord.

34. We are blessed to live in this country. We are free to worship as we choose.

35. We have abundance. We have enough to eat, a roof over our heads and are well clothed.

36. I am glad that I am able to share what I have.

37. I'm thankful that people have been generous to me. Very generous!

38. God gives us peace that comes from knowing Him.

39. God gives us Hope and Joy. "Rejoice in the Lord always." Philippians 4:4   A favorite verse.

40. Today I want to close with some beautiful words Adria wrote on the Thanksgiving card she gave us.

       "He's Still the God of the Impossible.
Nothing is impossible with God. His Majesty rides upon the storm.
He brings clouds and rain in our lives, then gives Rainbows.
He's the God of all Comfort. What a Mighty God we serve."

Lessons Learned.........Part Four

61. One sweet lesson I learned was being a mother-in-law. Kathy's husband John quickly became part of our family. And just a year later, besides becoming a grandmother, I was also blessed with a sweet daughter-in-law. Griff was in the Marines and spent a year in Okinawa. He had the opportunity to visit the Philippines where he met Josie. They were married after he was able to bring her to the states. We became very close and she considered us to be her family since her family was so far away.We shared holidays together as well as other happy times. They never had any children. They were both hard workers and saved up for their long awaited house. But after sixteen years of marriage we received the very sad news that they were not together any more.

62. Eventually Josie met John and they got married. After a number of years they became parents to their cute little Joshua. Despite the fact we are not blood relatives I am Grandma to a sweet little boy. They were in Escondido until they moved to Colorado to be near her sister a year and a half ago when Joshua was not yet two years old. We stay in touch and I got to see them when we were in Colorado this year. They were also in San Diego one time this summer, mainly to see John's ailing father. I pray that they are raising Joshua to know that God is love.

63. We are going to be great grandparents to Becky and Jason's baby boy before this year is over. Becky is now twenty six years old, is married and expecting baby Jacob. Rebecca in the Bible had Jacob and our Rebecca is also having Jacob. They live in Colorado where Becky's family has been since the early '90s when Becky's Dad retired from the Navy. It has not been easy being a long distance grandma. There have been visits to Colorado, and some visits by their family to see us in San Diego. More bus adventures by me to go see them. Laura went with me on the bus once. There have also been several car trips, each a story in itself. I have also gotten used to flying though it is not my favorite thing to do. I have years that I don't get to go to see them. When the girls were in kindergarten and third grade Laura spent most of a school year there so she could help with their care when their parents were working. And now they are all grown up. Melissa is learning to be a preschool teacher. She loves the Lord and her church and friends.

64. Michael has three children but we don't have any contact with them. Kathy and John have barely had opportunity to see them. They would love to though. I saw the oldest one once when she was two and Michael was still with the mommy of his children. I briefly saw the other little girl on two separate occasions. I have not seen Michael's son, little Michael. I would have welcomed the chance to be a grandma to them. They do have grandparents and a great grandmother that care a lot for them. I pray that they get to go to Sunday School and to learn about Jesus.

65. Without knowing the Lord we don't really know the purpose of being here. Even if we love Jesus we sometimes take our eyes off Him and things can go downhill fast. Most of us have gone through these valleys. I have been through a dark valley in the past and only the Lord could change my course.

66. "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.  He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

"Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever."  Psalm 23

67. Another lesson we need to learn is forgiveness. Before being forgiven we should be forgiving. I have a problem of not forgetting and that can interfere with forgiving. The Bible tells us that we should forgive the debts of others just as He forgives our debts. God is merciful to us and we need to show mercy to others.

68.We need to let our light shine before men. We need to be a reflection of God's light to the world.

69. Memorizing Bible verses is not easy but we sometimes do it without realizing it. Many songs we sing in church contain scripture and we learn these songs. We remember Bible stories from childhood. These contain Bible verses that we may know. With repetition we can learn.

70. The most recent verse I memorized is James 5:16. "Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." This is the NIV translation. I use King James for verses I learned earlier.

71. "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." Matthew 5:8

72. When we were young Christians, and also young parents, we were very much into Christian music. We bought some good records and surrounded ourselves with some favorite old songs and hymns. We listened to George Beverly Shea and Stewart Hamblen as well as other favorites. We didn't hear the popular songs of the day and didn't have a TV so weren't familiar with a lot of 60s songs. I could follow along with "It is no secret what God can do, What He's done for others He'll do for you..." We were blessed with hearing this song again on Sunday at Westview Bible Church.

73. I was blessed with being challenged to learn to lead our Ladies Bible Study at First Baptist Church.  I was used to teaching children for most of my life, but I preferred them very young and did not have skills to lead adults in Bible study. I felt led by the Lord to restart the Ladies Bible Study that did not have someone to lead it. It had been a year since our previous leader had moved. I was so happy to facilitate this group of dear ladies for a number of years. Eventually others stepped in and took turns leading this group. We are always adjusting to change since First Baptist is mostly military and members come and go. There are some old timers like Paul and me and that is good. But we welcome newcomers each week with open arms. Westview is similar but I think there are more old timers there.

74. In celebrating my 74th birthday next month I want to remember that life is always full of changes and challenges. What will the next year bring? Will I meet my maker? I love Jesus and have confessed my sins to my Lord, and know that He will forgive us if we repent and turn to Him. I have put my faith in Him and believe in my heart that I am saved. I am looking forward to more adventures and being able to spend time with loved ones. I'm anxious to meet baby Jacob and any future great grandchildren. Another four generation picture would be nice. But I am ready to sing with the saints in Heaven someday.  :)