The "Old" Farm Place--Barn Day Fun

This past Wednesday, all of us siblings, plus 2 spouses and a niece gathered at Dad's farm to have a work day in the barn. Dad had some old scrap metal that he wanted to sell. There is also, as we discovered, many other treasures (or junk?) that will need to be disposed of later. We knew we would need some help for this, so we had enlisted the services of Dean Short, a very spry 80-year old friend of Dad's. He brought a truck, trailer and a bobcat to assist with this rather daunting task.

My sister, Brenda, has written a really great description of our day Brenda's blog We really had fun working together to get this accomplished. I think Dad was really excited to be out there with all of us, and supervising the work. I'm sure he was exhausted at the end of the day, but it was probably a good kind of tired.

I haven't been in the house on the farm for many years. Dad is currently renting the house, and the lady told me that she had done some fixing up in the kitchen. I would love to see the inside again, for old times sake; but sometimes a trip down memory lane isn't always what you expect it to be. Still, it's great to have our memories.

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Memories of Mother

Holidays and special days always cause us to go back in time to some of the wonderful memories that have made these times special for us. This is especially true of Mother's Day. For many of us our mothers are no longer with us. It somehow brings them back for a moment of time, as we remember some of the things that we most loved about them.

My sister, Brenda, asked me today what were some of my special memories of our mom. She had some specific incidents that she related. At first I couldn't think of a specific story. I remember things like the fact that in the winter she would always have hot oatmeal for breakfast before we left for school. ( She also watched faithfully for the bus, and let us know exactly when we had to get out the door in order to meet the bus.)

I also remember after my daughter was born, when she was 3 weeks old, I flew home to spend a couple weeks with mom and dad. I had an almost 3-yr. old son and my baby girl. It was a really stressful trip, as my planes had delays, and we got to Toledo airport much later than we expected to. She was there waiting for us, and very worried about us, and very glad to have her daughter and grandkids safely home with her.

At mom's funeral, so many people came up to me and told me stories about how my mom had helped them in so many ways, and how she was such an encouragement to them. I felt I learned things about her that I never really knew, and it was great to hear their memories.

It's been said that a mother will love you even if you feel like no one else in the world loves you. I think I've felt that way a few times in my life; and yes, I always knew that my mom (and dad, too) really loved me.

I found this poem, that I really liked, and decided to share it here.

A mother's love is something that no one can explain
It is made of deep devotion and of sacrifice and pain.

It is endless and unselfish and enduring come what may
For nothing can destroy it or take that love away.

It is patient and forgiving when all others are forsaking
And it never fails or falters even thought the heart is breaking.

It believes beyond believing when the world around condemns
And it glows with all the beauty of the rarest, brightest gems.

It is far beyond defining, it defies all explanation
And it still remains a secret like the mysteries of creation.

A many splendored miracle man cannot understand
And another wondrous evidence of God's tender, guiding hand.

A Birthday Celebration

My precious hubby had his 63rd birthday on April 28th. I am not usually one to plan a big celebration, and I thought we would probably just go out to eat with his daughter. However, when we were in Archbold on Sunday (the 27th!) Bob told me that Lynn had made a comment about hoping that 'his girls' were planning something for his birthday. So when I got home Sunday I called Janelle and left a voice mail, saying I thought we could take her Dad out to dinner Monday evening and that I was going to plan a little party at the house. I proceeded to ask some friends at church Sunday night if they could come for cake and ice cream Monday, and several of them said yes.

When I got home from church, Janelle called. She wasn't really at all happy that I had planned a party. (she and her Dad are restoring a '51 truck and they usually work on the truck on Monday nights). She asked who was baking the cake, and I told her Judy Steinman had offered. She said she would have liked to bake the cake, as lemon is her dad's favorite (I already knew that). But basically I thought she decided she wouldn't have time to bake it as she was working Monday.

I stayed home on Monday, as I needed to see the eye doctor about a reaction in my right eye. So besides cleaning, and getting some drinks, etc. ready I decided I would bake a lemon cake so that he would have his favorite. (Judy was going to make a white cake, and I thought it would be good to have both, as some people might not like lemon). So! Everything seemed to be working out.

While we were out for supper Monday, Janelle said, "I called Judy and found out she was making a white cake, so I went ahead and made a lemon cake for Dad" I couldn't believe it! (She called Judy Sunday nite, but didn't call me back and tell me what she was doing). The bottom line--we had 3 cakes for 11 people. However, the evening turned out great. We have a small house, but the men sat in the dining room and the women in the living room and both groups were engaged in lively conversation. Everyone said they really enjoyed it, and I was glad I made the effort. It was a spur-of-the-moment plan which actually worked out well. But since both Lynn and his daughter are definitely 'plan-ahead' type of people, maybe I should start to make plans a little earlier next year!. It is now Saturday, and we are STILL eating cake--but it's absolutely delicious.

An Un"B"elievable Day at Dad's

Last Sunday Lynn and I and Bob and Brenda went to Dad and Kay's. We had a nice lunch with them and then Bob and Lynn headed out to Dad's farm and Brenda and I took Dad and Kay back to the house. (It was kind of a sad day for Kay,as her nephew had died; her daughter Linda was coming up and they would be spending the rest of the afternoon at the funeral home). The main purpose of the trip for Bob and Brenda was to open up the Bee hives on the farm. We thought it would be interesting for Lynn to put on a Bee suit and be able to watch the process. Brenda and I also went out and watched. We didn't have bee suits, but the bees were pretty calm. It did make me a little nervous, but my interest and curiosity over-ruled my nerves. It was really fun to watch, and Bob & Brenda were really excited, because one of the hives still had bees and the queen bee was there. Brenda actually has some video on her blog of Bob opening up some hives (Benda-beesnest). (Sorry, I haven't learned how to put an actual link to her blog)

As it turned out, Lynn actually helped with some of the preparation work, and I think he enjoyed it and thought it was really interesting. It was very educational, and fortunately, we are never too old to learn new things and broaden our horizons.

Random Act of Kindness

The Lord has truly blessed me with a very kind, caring husband. (You're going to wonder where I'm going with this, but just bear with me.)

On Tuesday of this week I had another injection in my right eye for my macular degeneration. I've been getting injections of Avastin on a monthly basis for the last several months. I initially had significant improvement, but the last few injections have not given progressive improvement. So Tuesday he changed to Lucentis, which is the other drug that can be used.

I usually experience some discomfort and scratchiness for a day or two after the injection. And I put antibiotic drops in my eye 3 times a day for 3 days. However, since Wedneday, my eye has continued to feel very irritated. ( Also, I started rubbing my eye, which didn't help matters).

Friday at work I began to be worried about it. Some of the nurses said it was red and swollen. Then this morning, Saturday, I was really depressed; I was thinking I may need to make an appointment and try to get off work to go have Dr. Walker check it. So, the bottom line is, I was kind of having a pity party this morning.

I was sitting in my recliner about mid-morning working on some things on my computer, when Lynn came in and sat a vase of really pretty flowers on my end table. He knew I was feeling bad and wanted to cheer me up. I so much appreciate his love and concern and he is very good about doing random acts of kindness at various times when I seem to need them most.

I am back on track now, and just trusting the Lord to heal this eye, if that is His will. And if not, I
will continue to trust Him to allow me to have good enough vision to continue working, at least until September.

Psalm 18: 30 As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him.

Psalm 91:1-2 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.

Making Memories

A couple weeks ago I went to a "stampin' up" party hosted by a friend from church. I knew it was mostly about making your own cards, but also would have some ideas for scrapbooking, so it piqued my interest. I really do enjoy scrapbooking, but haven't taken time to do much of it recently.

The party was really fun. We made three cards, and they showed us different techniques and materials and tools to use. I have a good friend, Shirley, and she and her daughter have started making cards and have accumulated lots of supplies/equipment. Of course, I just had to buy a FEW things to enhance my scrapbooks, so now I'm anxious to start working on them again.

I started scrapbooking after my trip to Israel; I wanted a really nice way of preserving my pictures. It really turned out well. Then I started doing a book for each of my kids, starting from birth to present. That was a little bit of a challenge; the hardest thing was organizing the pictures and remembering what age they were, etc. I had finished Sara's and I was so glad that I had it. When she passed away in August 2006, I was able to have the scrapbook available for people to look at. I think it turned out to be a really neat thing to have, especially for some of her friends. I have completed Tim's as well, except for recent years, and I have very few pictures in the last few years. I am now working on a scrapbook of Lynn and I, starting with when we first started our relationship.

It's great to have an organized way of reminiscing and re-living great memories occassionally. So for now, I'll probably continue my quest to get family pictures into scrapbook form.

Haiti--Picturesque, Poverty, Prayer Power

1. There is no way that I can really begin to express what this trip to Haiti has meant to me. Nor can I put enough pictures on this blog to really give a sense of what Haiti is like. So I selected a few pictures that meant a lot to me, as well as a couple pictures of the scenery and the caribbean.

2. I believe that as I was thinking about this trip initially, I was hoping that I could help teach some of the Haitian nurses and be an encouragement to people there. What really happened is that they taught me, and encouraged my heart.

3. We had a setback when we first arrived. The Sunday evening we got to Cayes, the 6-month old son of Hannes, the German engineer, started having seizures. The American doctor at the hospital evaluated him Monday morning and felt they should go to Port-A-Prince to see a doctor there. The PAP doctor and Hannes decided they needed to go see a specialist in Germany. Hannes' family is there and they would have that support. However, this meant that Lynn and Barry would have to work on the transmitter building without Hannes. They did have the help of 2 haitian techs, which was a blessing. They both spoke and understood a little English.

4. (We later heard that Jeremie, Hannes son, has a very rare neurologic disease; it causes seizures, and can cause muscle weakness on the affected side; it can also cause mental retardation and visual problems. Currently Jeremie is in a very low percentage of those that have this disease that may very well not have some of the worst outcomes. We are certainly praying for the very best for them).

5. The first week in the hospital I helped get some patients ready for surgery--start IV's etc. I also helped with dressing changes. They had several people with wounds, amputations and one patient with a burn on most of her right leg. ( She is the lady pictured with me above) She really liked me and would ask if I was going to do her dressing change. When I left, she said she would remember me and pray for me. She was a very sweet lady.

6. The first day I worked with a nurse named Zamor (on the right I think!) The other nurse is Corrine, the head nurse--she has her arm around Zamor. Zamor told Beth, the missionary nurse practioner, that she really liked working with me. So I basically helped her with her assignments the rest of the time. I also helped her give medicines. From about 2-4 pm every day the first week I worked with the evening nurses. I mostly took blood pressures. They had about 30-35 patients and I took blood pressures on all of them. The Haitian nurse took the temperature--they used the same thermometer for everyone so they took axillary temperatures. Some things like that were a little hard to get used to. Amazingly enough, I don't think they have much problem with infections.

7. The baby pictured above is named Hope (Esperancia in Creole). She was left on the steps of the hospital in a suitcase, abandoned by her mother. I think she was left there several months ago, and they think she is about a year old now. While we were there, they assigned her a birthday, and had a 1 year birthday party for her. The hospital staff take care of her, but they have help from other people who are there helping to take care of their family members. She has Hydrocephalus. They have put a shunt in her, but her head is still very much out of proportion. She is so cute, and smiles a lot. She doesn't talk or walk. They have to support her head when they carry her.

8. On Sunday we went to a Haitian church. Then we had dinner at a restaurant on the beach. The guys had eaten there last year, and said it was really good, but this year it was a disappointment. Judy and I had fish and I didn't really care for it. The guys had lobster, but Lynn said it was very greasy. Sunday afternoon we went to a beach. We were in the water for a little while; the waves were sort of rough, so we basically "jumped" waves. Then we walked along the beach and collected shells. Susanne, the lady in charge of the children's work, took us. Lynn stayed with our chairs while we walked. When we got back these kids, pictured above, were there with him. I told them, in Creole, that I had a gift for them. I gave each of them a wordless book, with an explanation of the book in Creole. They seemed excited to get them. Their ages were 6,9,12, and 14. The 6 year old girl goes to school and could write her name in the sand.

9. The second week I worked in the hospital in the mornings, and helped work on VBS materials with Judy in the afternoon. We did that on the patio at Susanne's house, and we could wear shorts. There was a breeze, so it was very nice. She also always gave us fresh juice--usually a combination of mango, pineapple and lime--which was delicious!

10. There is much more I could add, but must close this epistle for now. Even without Hannes, Lynn and Barry got done what they wanted to accomplish. They wanted to get the Torbek radio station back on the air. The transmitter is working, and was actually on for a little while on Thursday before we came home. There are a few bugs to work out, but basically it's ready to go back on the air. We praise the Lord for that.

11. The people are so poor, but most are really sweet. It was a pleasure to work with them. Another blessing was that I really started to remember my Creole, and by the end of the first week I could at least communicate enough to be understood. That was unexpected and I really enjoyed trying to converse in Creole.

12. The Lord was there with us. We saw his hand in so many ways. I am so thankful that I was able to go. I think I was probably an encouragement to some, but they were a blessing and an encouragement to me.

(I'm a frustrated blogger. I tried to just separate these paragraphs, but it wouldn't let me, so I just numbered them!)