Unless a seed....

Steve and I went to the funeral of a good friend and neighbor yesterday.  She passed away on Saturday after a long fight with breast cancer.  Today I have been feeling sad and flat.  Strange how you process sad news.  I find I try to grip myself when I know something is coming, but when it happens, it doesn't seem real; I  feel numb for a little bit. Then sadness hits at various moments of the day. Great sorrow for Kim's husband over takes my heart.  I can't imagine Dale without Kim.  They were like 2 peas in a pod.  How will Dale bare it?   How would I bare it if it were me?  Not very well.  But of course the grace of God is real, tangible and powerful.  It is that power that works in us, when it seems impossible for us to go on.  It is here with us.  It is here with Dale.

We told Eddie about Kim.  He knew it was coming too, but I think when we are young the inability to understand or grasp the reality of those things is even stronger.  Eddie was taken aback.  His first question to Steve was "How is Dale?"  That was so precious for Steve and I to hear.  It really touched our hearts.  Yesterday Eddie called us on our cell phones after the funeral;  he said.  "How is Dale?"  That was a double for Eddie, who more often than not doesn't seem to notice the world around him in his adolescent cloud.  This blesses me.

Life and death are a mystery.  They are everywhere and all around; sometimes in the obvious such as I have just talked about, and in the  not as obvious, like the grain of wheat; like our life  as Christians, which dies progressively to "self", and lives progressively to "redemption".   Dying has seemed to me lately like giving birth; pain and travailing giving forth to a new life.  For Kim that new life is in Heaven.    I see so many changes in the earth these last few years.  More death than I ever remember.  I don't quite know how to take it in.  For some we can rejoice, and for others, it is great sorrow.  Every time I hear of a movie star or someone famous dying, it grieves me greatly, because their death has not necessarily translated them into new life.   I don't worry about Kim's soul  I know where it is, but I find my heart heavy for the world.  I am reminded how my Heavenly Father gave the life of His only begotten Son so that those who believe in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.   The symbolism is everywhere; I have often marveled at how death reigns in the winter, but life reigns in the spring.  Out of hard dead sticks come soft supple buds, new leaves, new life.  I understand it,  and yet, it is a mystery.

THE ANGEL

The hospice nurse was a friend of Kim's from previous days, and the Lord  brought her to be Kim's hospice nurse.  She told a story at the funeral that blessed us all.  She said that as the end drew near, Kim whispered to her to get Dale (who had been up all the previous night, and was now sleeping while Kim's Mom and the nurse took the shift).  As the nurse turned to go get Dale, she  looked up and saw an Angel of the Lord; yes, an Angel.  And then he began to ascend.  Kim said "hurry".  Dale came quickly to Kim's side and was able to be with her those last moments; and that was the end. It was very comforting to think of that Angel there to assist Kim to Heaven.  What a treasure.

Dale and Kim standing next to Russell and friends and family  at his going away party last year.

John 12:24

"Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone ; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.

7 Random Facts

 

Keri from Keri On  tagged me for this award.  I am supposed to give 7 random facts about myself, and then I will pass it on.   I enjoyed reading the 7 facts about Keri, and I do think it is a nice way to get to know a little more about each other.  Thanks Keri.  

Now let's see 7 Random facts....

1.  I was born in California (yawn... I know but still, its a fact and its random)

2.  My family moved to Europe  when I was about 3 years old; We lived in Wales,  Italy and Germany for several years.

3.  I spoke  Italian somewhat fluently (or so I am told), but don't remember any of it now except the few words  that my family sometimes say to each other such as; "Pamela  cativa" (pronounce  Pamela: Pam - a - (long a) - la):   or" Mikala  cativa" or : "Davida cativa".... which means "naughty Pammy" or "naughty Mikey", or "naughty Davey"....  (my brother's names are Mike and Dave). Now isn't that funny the things you forget, and the things you remember?

4.  My family moved to Phoenix , Arizona after we returned from Europe,   where I lived until I got married.

 

5.  When I was in High School I took German as my language course.  I can remember a little more German than Italian, because I was able to go back to Germany for a summer when I was 17, to visit my Dad who was living there at that time.

6.  When I was a little girl I used to say "when I grow up, I am going to marry a rancher". When I was a junior in High school, I met a young man whom I fell in love with and I married him 2 years later.  He grew up helping his Grandfather on his ranch every summer, and that's what he became; a rancher.  Isn't The Lord good to us? We have been married 31 years now.

7.  Books are one of many favorite things.  I love to read, collect, look at and smell books.  To me a house doesn't seem quite complete with out some sort of library to brows through.

Now I would like to tag Ann of 8 Acres of Eden.  I would enjoy learning 7 random things about her.

Spring Lambs

Three of five are complete... two more are in process.  Little Easter lambs for my own precious lambs (Grandchildren)  

Luke titled this one "Popeye the sailor lamb" I thought that was pretty cute.

I didn't have any directions for these, I simply began crocheting.  I got the hang of it when I began the lion (previous post) and have been able to just crochet animals by increasing and decreasing in appropriate areas for shapes and sizes desired.  If I end up writing down any instructions I will share them with you at that time, but for now here they are.... will post the other two when they are done.

Food for Thought

These are some books I've been reading recently.  I have really enjoyed them.  They are cookbooks with stories from the Great Depression.   I've had my interest piqued lately about the Great Depression.  Many of our grandparents or great-grandparents lived through that era.  I wonder how many of you remember your grandparents talking about the Great Depression.  I know my husband and myself had grandparents who were greatly influenced  their entire lives from that era.  Conserving water, making use of every last thing, eating oatmeal rain or shine, and feeling a sense of uneasiness towards banks and governments were all things we both remember hearing about.  Sometimes when we were younger their excessive expression of those things would seem wearisome to us,  but now as the days get more and more difficult, I long to hear what they had to say.  Sad to say, our grandparents have all passed away.  There are, however,  still many valuable nuggets to be attained from our parents and  from stories like these, in these books.   I really enjoyed and appreciated the stories or even just "one liners", particularly in "Clara's Kitchen".  She talks throughout the cookbook about what they did and how they ate to survive.  Her story, her life, her outlook and her recipes are all delightful.

Seeing the days that seem to be coming upon us, I thought it would be a good idea to take seriously the wisdom "that" generation has to give us from those days.  We at least have the ability to look back, and then look ahead and pray "Lord, give us wisdom, give us a plan".
I have been mulling over ideas that would help earn money, save money, and stretch what we have, and help us persevere through difficult times.  Would love to hear your ideas.

If you get a chance, you should visit Clara's Blog and enjoy the little video below.   Clara is 94 years old.  depressioncooking.blogspot.comdepressioncooking.blogspot.com

"God is our refuge and strength

a very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change

and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea:

Though  its waters roar and foam,

Though its mountains quake at its swelling pride......

....The God of Jacob is our stronghold."

Psalm46

Don't forget to scroll down and pause my music before you press play.

Crocheted Baby Hoodie

My first crocheted sweater.  It is very satisfying to have completed it.  I cannot say that it went smoothly, but the fact that I was actually able to complete it is a huge victory to me.  Now I only have 4 more to make before Christmas.

Blessings to all

Much Love Pam

Found these cute little doggie buttons, Couldn't resist them.

For the Love of Goats

This story was brought to my mind recently through a blog conversation I had with Keri from Keri--on.blogspot.com, so thought I would tell the story for everyone.   It is a funny story, at least... 20 some years later it is...funny.  I really am amazed that over 20 years have gone by since that happened... but yes, my first four children are now 26, 26, 28, and 30. I think they were about the ages of 2, 2, 4, and 6 at that time.... guess that makes the story closer to 25 years ago, but  let me tell it to you.

     When I was a little girl, I had always dreamed of growing up,  living in the country, and owning all kinds of animals. I kept that dream into my young adult life, and married a handsome cowboy from Colorado. After about 7 years of marriage, we were able to move to Colorado (or in Steve's case: back to Colorado).

Oh what delight to get to begin the dreams of having a farm/ranch and all kinds of animals.  Now obviously,  horses and cows go hand in hand with any ranchers idea of what ranching is all about, but chickens and goats and what ever else I could come up  with were not necessarily something this particular rancher was as enthusiastic about.... but this rancher was eager and ready to please his wife, so we went to a little farm auction not far from here and got our first goat.  We really didn't know anything about goats, but were willing to learn and I was excited at the prospect.  I had an image of Eden in my head, where all the dear little animals would roam happily and freely around the property, coming in eagerly at milking time or bedtime,  playing gently with my  children, and walking companionably with us all on afternoon walks.  Chickens roaming the gardens and eradicating all the unwanted bugs while not touching one plant that did not belong to them.  Oh yes, such bliss.  I'm sure you can get the picture.

It really was fun...no really it was... and crazy... and chaotic.... We did get to milk our goat, and learn how to make goat cheese.... She did play with the children...( did I say  gently? well, never mind that)... she did go on afternoon  walks with us (only a few head butting battles and minor injuries... no worries... tough kids).....but lets see in the process, we also learned about goat breeds, and goat pens (and consequences of the lack of them).... companionable goats? yes,  at least to all but the Mama  of the family (I was never really sure if she was trying to kill me or she was just playing).... we did learn that some goats are taken purposely to farm sales  because... well, they were not necessarily ideal. We did love our chickens.... and had wonderful fresh eggs... and we did  have a delightful garden... what was left of it....and we did learn not to let the goat out of the pen (which we eventually constructed) while the "addition" to our little house was under construction (especially while husband has framing hammer in hand and no more patience for goat who takes too many liberties and one too many blueprints eaten for lunch .... hubby did,  however,  improve his tomahawk throwing skills while practicing with framing hammer) or leave her out while changing out chocolate cookies in oven.... unless of course you didn't mind a goat coming through your ceiling.

Okay, so now I have you.... and if any of you don't believe this story, just ask my older children, they were there... happily eating cookies at their little table in the kitchen... thinking all was right with the world until..." what in the world is that noise....?!!!!?"

Now I was also thinking all was right with the world and humming happily to myself and breathing in the delightful smell of fresh baked cookies When..."Uh oh. I left the goat out while I popped back inside to change these cookies  "rats", Steve told me not to  do that... he reminded me how she loved getting into the "addition"  and onto the roof because of her fantasies of being a mountain goat... he reminded me how he had  ripped off the existing roof on that one side and there is nothing there right now except insulation and sheet rock. he told me to keep an eye on her ... is that a hoof I see coming through the ceiling? ".

Well, the rest just gets better... or is it worse.... there were no more delightful thoughts of chocolate  cookies, no serene motherly blessings to such dear children... no, there was a goat on top of the stove!

The children were crying at least some of them were...(I'm sure like myself, they had no idea what was happening... earthquake perhaps... "the rapture".... I don't know it was just something loud and unbelievable.  I heard Luke (the 4 year old) mutter "Daddy's gonna shoot that goat, he's gonna shoot that goat and use real bullets"... and then the goat ran bleating through the house.... apparently not a scratch on her.   Steve was away at the moment... I was thinking.. "what shall I do  what shall I tell him?"  I did think quickly, because I knew we would be eating goat for dinner if I didn't come up with a quick plan.

"Oh yes", I thought to myself , "the neighbors have been wanting to get a goat themselves.... I will call them and tell them to come quickly and get this goat if they would like to have it for free".  And so I did and so they did.  My husband called before returning home.  This is what I told him on the phone; "Sweetie, there's been an accident"... now I really was getting choked up as I was trying to tell him... and of course my husband thought someone has been seriously hurt, so his heart went right into his throat.  "whats going on is everyone okay?"   You can imagine his relief  when it was nothing more than; "the goat fell through the ceiling!"

Ahhh such blissful days when we were young....ha ha. We have had quite a few goats and chickens since that day and my husband is a patient man who has blessed me with his perseverance and love.  He fixed our kitchen ceiling, while at the same time finishing the floor to our upstairs, and the addition was completed.  We never again had a goat in the kitchen, although, there have been many calves in there (those needing a little extra help after coming into the world on a cold wintry night).  There are many more stories to tell, but another day, another blog post.  In recent years Steve's career went through some changes and we come and go from the ranch more often, and don't raise the animals like we used to...so we have only 2 dogs and 2 cats to entertain us. But I was dreaming yesterday about "Alpaca's".  Wool is such a delightful thing... I would really love to learn how to "Spin" and "weave"....  I feel the full "Proverbs 31 Woman" coming on.  Smile.

Have a blessed week everyone

Love  Ya,

Pam

To this day, I still really love goats, and Nubians are my favorite

Steve brings a little Valentines Day Calf to join the party  20 something years ago. (Steve on left, Elizabeth in foreground and little friends on either side).

All of the "four" together with friends... about the time of "goat incident" (The Blondies are all mine).  (Nathan in back on left, Elizabeth on his lap, Marie on friends lap, Luke squeezed between baby Danielle (friend) and Marie.

Nathan and Himilce with new baby goat.... the first time Himilce came to meet us.

Old Friends

I got a package in the mail yesterday.  It was from some old friends.   Such a sweet surprise.
We got to visit with them last month....prior to that, I think it was Marie and Himilce's baby Shower that we last saw them... was that almost  2 years ago? Time sure flies.

Art and Barbara are old friends whom we met almost 30 years ago when we moved in next door to them.They love the Lord, and what  touched us about them when we met, was that they would talk about the Lord and how He blessed them in almost every conversation.  It bonded us to them.  We all became very close.  They were like family to our kids, and I think we to theirs.  Our kids were babies at the time, and theirs teenagers.   We were in and out of each others'  houses all the time.  Barbara was/is a great cook and homemaker.  She always set the prettiest tables and to this very day I think of Barbara when ever I am setting the table.  I love to make it pretty the way she does.  I love to use pretty china and lovely centerpieces and my Mom's beautiful silverware, because of Barbara.  Art used to make us laugh with his booming voice and hilarious stories about hunting and fishing and horses and well... you name it, Art could tell a hilarious story about it.  We used to go out to the desert and have cookouts together (we lived in Arizona then, where they still live today).    For many years we spent our Thanksgivings together, and I miss those days very much.  I miss living next door to them.  They are very special friends.  Their 4 children also are blessings (grown now of course), and their grand children are all scrumpscious.  We get to see 10 of those grandchildren (theschefflers.com) on occasion because they live only a little over an hour from us....  they are all such treasures and every time I see them I am blessed.

Art celebrated his 70th birthday this year, and we were the happy participants of a wonderful family birthday party at his daughter Shari's and Son in law Bob's house last month.  What a great time we had... they even included me in the birthday celebration  (Art and I are 1 day and 20 years apart and have often celebrated together ....  with a little math you can figure what that makes me... a half a century now, along with my hubby :) ).

Love you Art and Barbara.  Thanks for the sweet box and the happy memories, they are treasures to me.

Much Love,

Pam

Art took this picture of Steve and I;  Barbara sent it to us in our little package.... It turned out pretty sweet, so thought I would post this one.  The one on top is a picture of Art (in the middle) and Barbara on the right, with 10 of  their grandkids at Art's 70'th.  It was taken with my phone, and I didn't have my settings right, so it didn't come out as clear as I would have liked, but well, what the heck... everyone looks so cute don't they?