On Friday, as soon as Dick got home from work, I left to pick up my friend Sandra Kirkpatrick, and we headed to Camp Swatara for our church's Women's Reteat. I hardly know how to describe such a mixture of fun, laughter, tears, inspiration, healing, worship, eating, drinking, sleeping, snoring, sharing..... maybe it was a taste of Heaven. Let me just say to you dear sisters who were there this weekend, you are some of my most favorite people in all the world. What would I ever do without your prayers, your love, your support, your teasing, your tolerance for me and my real-life dramas??? I am rich indeed.
Below are pictures. Linda, I was nice and did not post the close up of you. Sorry, Judy, I just couldn't do it. I still need Linda's friendship!!! Remember, if you click on the pictures they become much larger and clearer.
Saturday, September 30, 2006
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Feeling pretty organized
I'm feeling pretty organized this week (I'm not bragging, just amazed!) I actually got to the rec center to work out after school every day this week. Cooking ahead on Saturdays is really the key. I have all the music ready for the women's retreat this weekend, and I'm ready to get all the music notebooks ready for Sunday morning before I go to bed tonight. I don't want to have to face that when I get home from the retreat Saturday evening. After school tomorrow I'll pack my stuff and get Destiny's things ready so that Dick knows when she's supposed to wear what. (She's invited to her cousin's birthday party on Saturday afternoon, so Dick will be taking her to Frank before that.)
I remember a few years ago when we sisters got together at my sister Janet's house for three days. Dick had to keep Destiny. Before I left I organized all her outfits into labeled ziplock gallon bags (shorts, shirt, underwear, hair ties, socks and shoes, or flip flops, etc.) I don't think I'll go to that extreme this time! Besides, her outfits don't fit into gallon ziplocks anymore!
On Sunday after church we're going up to State College for Anthony's 30th birthday party. I'm going to take pictures of him along as well as some very interesting cassette tapes. At school I found a tape of the Christmas program when he was in third grade and had a solo. It is SOOO cute! Then I also found the tape of the Jr. High Music Festival at Lancaster Mennonite when he was in 7th grade and had a solo. Maybe I'll even hunt up one of the tapes he made when he was 4 years old. After Lisa started kindergarten he was so bored without having her to play with, so I started him recording himself telling stories and saying Bible memory verses. They're adorable and very funny, but unfortunately, very old and difficult to listen to.
After supper this evening Destiny wanted me to play Legos with her (Dick is working at Advance Auto Parts this evening - she would have much preferred having him play Legos with her.) So I went way out of my interest level and played Legos. I think the buggy I created isn't too bad for a mechanical moron like me!!
I remember a few years ago when we sisters got together at my sister Janet's house for three days. Dick had to keep Destiny. Before I left I organized all her outfits into labeled ziplock gallon bags (shorts, shirt, underwear, hair ties, socks and shoes, or flip flops, etc.) I don't think I'll go to that extreme this time! Besides, her outfits don't fit into gallon ziplocks anymore!
On Sunday after church we're going up to State College for Anthony's 30th birthday party. I'm going to take pictures of him along as well as some very interesting cassette tapes. At school I found a tape of the Christmas program when he was in third grade and had a solo. It is SOOO cute! Then I also found the tape of the Jr. High Music Festival at Lancaster Mennonite when he was in 7th grade and had a solo. Maybe I'll even hunt up one of the tapes he made when he was 4 years old. After Lisa started kindergarten he was so bored without having her to play with, so I started him recording himself telling stories and saying Bible memory verses. They're adorable and very funny, but unfortunately, very old and difficult to listen to.
After supper this evening Destiny wanted me to play Legos with her (Dick is working at Advance Auto Parts this evening - she would have much preferred having him play Legos with her.) So I went way out of my interest level and played Legos. I think the buggy I created isn't too bad for a mechanical moron like me!!
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Keeping humor in my life
Destiny helps to keep humor in my life (as if living with Dick did not provide enough humor!) Yesterday morning I laid out a sweatshirt for her to put over top of her shirt, since it was pretty chilly in the morning. As she was putting it on she said, "When I wore this sweatshirt the other time it made me feel all bunchy, and I just hated it." I said, "Bunchy? What does bunchy mean?" She said, "Fat." I just cracked up.
Then on the way to school we were stopped by road workers. Right outside her side of the car was beautiful ivy on someone's bank in front of their house. She said, "Oh, that stuff is my FAVORITE. But snakes crawl through that stuff. I don't want you to walk in that stuff, Grandma, because I don't want any snakes to bite you." Hmmm. My thoughts exactly. But I honestly don't think I've ever said anything like that about ivy. I need to be more careful, because I really don't want her to have the unreasonable fear of snakes that I have. But then, I don't want her asking to have one for a pet, either!
Then on the way to school we were stopped by road workers. Right outside her side of the car was beautiful ivy on someone's bank in front of their house. She said, "Oh, that stuff is my FAVORITE. But snakes crawl through that stuff. I don't want you to walk in that stuff, Grandma, because I don't want any snakes to bite you." Hmmm. My thoughts exactly. But I honestly don't think I've ever said anything like that about ivy. I need to be more careful, because I really don't want her to have the unreasonable fear of snakes that I have. But then, I don't want her asking to have one for a pet, either!
Monday, September 25, 2006
Monday evening ramblings
We had a nice, lazy Sunday yesterday. I took a good nap in the afternoon, then worked on the preparations for the music at our women's retreat this coming weekend. Dick took Destiny to Lititz Springs park for a while to work off some of her energy.
Today was just a normal day of school, working out on the treadmill at the rec center, supper, and now Destiny's bedtime. Dick is playing basketball at the rec center, as he does every Monday evening.
My stomach has felt a bit unsettled ever since I ate my salad at lunch today. And it didn't have any spinach in it either!! I was hungry for supper, but now I feel worse since I ate.
Poor Sophie is still working on those molars and incisors. Lisa says she puts just about anything into her mouth to chump down on it. What a relief that will be when they finally all come through!
Jeremy's new job is taking off at lightning speed. I think he said he will have FIVE house calls this week. After each house call he prepares presentations for the homeowners to show them his recomendations for the rooms they want to redo, from flooring, walls, lighting, windows, furniture, and accesories. He certainly seems to be impressing a lot of people with his designs. One lady said, "Now I don't want a sofa that costs $20,000." Can you imagine? I would be saying, "Now I don't want a sofa that costs $2000" - or $1000, for that matter!!
This was a perfect day, weatherwise. The sun was so bright, but the air was so comfortable. It felt just exhilirating to go outside.
Today was just a normal day of school, working out on the treadmill at the rec center, supper, and now Destiny's bedtime. Dick is playing basketball at the rec center, as he does every Monday evening.
My stomach has felt a bit unsettled ever since I ate my salad at lunch today. And it didn't have any spinach in it either!! I was hungry for supper, but now I feel worse since I ate.
Poor Sophie is still working on those molars and incisors. Lisa says she puts just about anything into her mouth to chump down on it. What a relief that will be when they finally all come through!
Jeremy's new job is taking off at lightning speed. I think he said he will have FIVE house calls this week. After each house call he prepares presentations for the homeowners to show them his recomendations for the rooms they want to redo, from flooring, walls, lighting, windows, furniture, and accesories. He certainly seems to be impressing a lot of people with his designs. One lady said, "Now I don't want a sofa that costs $20,000." Can you imagine? I would be saying, "Now I don't want a sofa that costs $2000" - or $1000, for that matter!!
This was a perfect day, weatherwise. The sun was so bright, but the air was so comfortable. It felt just exhilirating to go outside.
Saturday, September 23, 2006
Gearing up for the next few busy weeks
This is a pretty boring weekend, but we needed it to gear up for the next few weeks. Our next two weekends are filled up (a ladies retreat, a birthday party for Anthony in State College, and our 35th anniversary trip to the Poconos,) so I'm trying to get some things done ahead to help myself survive. I think I just cooked enough food for at least 10 meals for us. Now I want to make a double batch of granola, then I must face the sink full of kettles, bowls, etc. And get all the music notebooks ready for tomorrow morning. And wash the kitchen floor.
Dick was at the computer for hours today. This year the Christmas musical I will be directing at church does not have ready-made practice CD's that the choir members can buy. Instead it has a set of four practice cassettes (soprano, alto, tenor, bass) for reproducing. Dick patiently played each song off of each practice tape into the computer, then made CD's for each vocal part. (I could not do my job at school or at church without his help. We are truly a team.) Our first rehearsal is two weeks from tomorrow. I can hardly wait. The musical is called "That's the Good News", and I just LOVE it.
Dick was at the computer for hours today. This year the Christmas musical I will be directing at church does not have ready-made practice CD's that the choir members can buy. Instead it has a set of four practice cassettes (soprano, alto, tenor, bass) for reproducing. Dick patiently played each song off of each practice tape into the computer, then made CD's for each vocal part. (I could not do my job at school or at church without his help. We are truly a team.) Our first rehearsal is two weeks from tomorrow. I can hardly wait. The musical is called "That's the Good News", and I just LOVE it.
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Happy Birthday, Krister
When I featured our daughter-in-law, Lori, on her birthday I promised that I would introduce you to our son-in-laws on their birthdays as well. Tomorrow, Sept. 22, will be our son-in-law, Krister Lindmark's birthday. Since in Sweden they are six hours ahead of us, it's his birthday already. So I'll feature him this evening.
Our daughter Miki met him when she was on a YES (Youth Evangelism Service) team to Jokkmokk, Sweden in 1990. He was the interpreter for the team, and spent much time with them. He was a pre-med student and a very active member of the church that hosted the YES team. They each felt the Lord calling them together, but were willing to abide by the dating rules of the Eastern Mennonite Mission under which Miki was serving. Miki came home at the end of her term, and Kris followed three weeks later. Our first introduction to him showed his true colors. He wore a pair of false teeth he had made that were the UGLIEST, CROOKEDEST, YELLOWEST things you have ever seen. My heart fell to my feet as I tried to imagine introducing him to people. I couldn't believe Miki had never mentioned his teeth. At the same time I tried to convince myself that a person's looks are not their true value. HOW RELIEVED I was when I realized they were not his real teeth!!!
We had a wedding for them that summer and they returned to Sweden where they have lived ever since. They have a son and a daughter, and Kris is now a cardiologist in the hospital in Umea, Sweden.
As the above story demonstrates, Kris is a VERY funny guy. He is one of the wittiest people I have ever met. I'll never forget a conversation he was having with George and Lisa a few days before their wedding. He was asking Lisa about the sales work she was doing as opposed to working in the field of nutrition, which was her major in college. She said the sales rep job pays better, and that she and George would like to pay off their student loans, etc. so they can afford to have children. Kris said, "Oh you don't have to buy them. You can make them yourself." I still could howl laughing as I remember how quickly he shot back that reply.
When I visited Miki and Kris in June 2002, we spent a week in Jokkmokk, Kris's hometown where he and Miki met. We stayed at the home of the pastor that week. I remember a conversation Miki and I were having with the pastor's wife one day. According to her, Kris was the child prodigy of Jokkmokk, academically, musically, and spiritually. She was a teacher in the high school in Jokkmokk, and she claimed the school had never had anyone like him before or since. When Miki met him, the thing that drew her to him was his strong moral convictions, in a country where high morals were rare indeed. And in addition to all that, he is an amazingly gifted piano and flute player.
Miki did not join our family until she was 14 years old, so I can't say I was praying for her husband ever since she was a little girl. But I certainly can say that I prayed many, many prayers for Miki and her future during her teen and early adult years. And even though I dearly wish they could live in this country so we could spend more time together, I have never stopped thanking the Lord for bringing her and Kris together, and for bringing him into our family. My words, in an effort to keep this from getting too long, do not at all convey the depths of the emotions and amazement I feel as I think over the ways God has worked and healed and led and provided in Miki's life.
We love you, Kris, and we surely would enjoy a visit from you! I need some good laughs! "Laughter doeth good like a medicine" the Bible says. No wonder you're such a good cardiologist. You probably heal people by making them laugh!!
Our daughter Miki met him when she was on a YES (Youth Evangelism Service) team to Jokkmokk, Sweden in 1990. He was the interpreter for the team, and spent much time with them. He was a pre-med student and a very active member of the church that hosted the YES team. They each felt the Lord calling them together, but were willing to abide by the dating rules of the Eastern Mennonite Mission under which Miki was serving. Miki came home at the end of her term, and Kris followed three weeks later. Our first introduction to him showed his true colors. He wore a pair of false teeth he had made that were the UGLIEST, CROOKEDEST, YELLOWEST things you have ever seen. My heart fell to my feet as I tried to imagine introducing him to people. I couldn't believe Miki had never mentioned his teeth. At the same time I tried to convince myself that a person's looks are not their true value. HOW RELIEVED I was when I realized they were not his real teeth!!!
We had a wedding for them that summer and they returned to Sweden where they have lived ever since. They have a son and a daughter, and Kris is now a cardiologist in the hospital in Umea, Sweden.
As the above story demonstrates, Kris is a VERY funny guy. He is one of the wittiest people I have ever met. I'll never forget a conversation he was having with George and Lisa a few days before their wedding. He was asking Lisa about the sales work she was doing as opposed to working in the field of nutrition, which was her major in college. She said the sales rep job pays better, and that she and George would like to pay off their student loans, etc. so they can afford to have children. Kris said, "Oh you don't have to buy them. You can make them yourself." I still could howl laughing as I remember how quickly he shot back that reply.
When I visited Miki and Kris in June 2002, we spent a week in Jokkmokk, Kris's hometown where he and Miki met. We stayed at the home of the pastor that week. I remember a conversation Miki and I were having with the pastor's wife one day. According to her, Kris was the child prodigy of Jokkmokk, academically, musically, and spiritually. She was a teacher in the high school in Jokkmokk, and she claimed the school had never had anyone like him before or since. When Miki met him, the thing that drew her to him was his strong moral convictions, in a country where high morals were rare indeed. And in addition to all that, he is an amazingly gifted piano and flute player.
Miki did not join our family until she was 14 years old, so I can't say I was praying for her husband ever since she was a little girl. But I certainly can say that I prayed many, many prayers for Miki and her future during her teen and early adult years. And even though I dearly wish they could live in this country so we could spend more time together, I have never stopped thanking the Lord for bringing her and Kris together, and for bringing him into our family. My words, in an effort to keep this from getting too long, do not at all convey the depths of the emotions and amazement I feel as I think over the ways God has worked and healed and led and provided in Miki's life.
We love you, Kris, and we surely would enjoy a visit from you! I need some good laughs! "Laughter doeth good like a medicine" the Bible says. No wonder you're such a good cardiologist. You probably heal people by making them laugh!!
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Our visit to the oncologist
After school today I took Destiny to my sister-in-law Carolyn, then I met Dick at the oncologist's office. The doctor said the the CT that was done last week showed that the enlarged lymph node near his heart has not changed at all since July. Ofcouse the biopsy of the lump on his head showed the presence of lymphoma, so the plans are for Dick to receive four weekly treatments of Retuxin only. That is one of the chemo drugs they used the last time that is very effective against lymphoma. It didn't even exist yet when he had cancer the first time. The other times his chemo consisted of several drugs given every three weeks, plus a heavy dose of Prednisone the first five days each time. This time they will use only the Retuxin, since the cancer cells seem very "indolent", as the doctor described them. Retuxin does not cause any of the undesirable side effects of some of the other chemo drugs, so this seems very easy to take, and we are extremely relieved and thankful. His first treatment will be on Friday, October 6.
Meanwhile, we keep eating fresh fruit and salad every day (minus the spinach now!), my homemade granola with ground flax seeds and other grains, seeds, and nuts for breakfast, and more fish than we used to eat. Hopefully we can discourage the growth of those nasty cancer cells.
Meanwhile, we keep eating fresh fruit and salad every day (minus the spinach now!), my homemade granola with ground flax seeds and other grains, seeds, and nuts for breakfast, and more fish than we used to eat. Hopefully we can discourage the growth of those nasty cancer cells.
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Reminiscing about Anthony's birth day
Even though Anthony's birthday isn't until tomorrow, I'll do my reminiscing today, because I know I will not have time to do so after school tomorrow. I will be going with Dick to the oncologist at 4:00, then in the evening I'll be going to Hamilton Arms Retirement Home to sing with some others from church.
Thirty years ago, on Monday, September 20th, my due date, I woke up at 6:00 AM, trying to decide what I would do that day. Unbelievably, I had just had all four of my wisdom teeth pulled 10 days before (a rash decision on my part, without my doctor's knowledge) and I was just beginning to feel pretty normal. About 20 minutes later I knew what I would be doing that day, when my water broke. We called Dick's mother to come for Lisa (age 2 1/2) and prepared to head to the doctor's office, since it was obvious I would not be wasting any time having this baby. At some point the phone rang, and to our dismay we discovered that Dick was to have driven school bus that morning and he had completely forgotten!! Someone else filled in.
My doctor had just recently begun doing deliveries in his office in Manheim, so since I was the "mother earth" type, and firmly believed that babies should never be separated from their mothers, that was a perfect solution for me. Anthony was born at 9:20 AM (on 9/20). An hour-and-a-half later we walked out of the office, right through the waiting room of people, showing off our newborn son. (I do confess, I felt a good deal of pride at everyone's astonished reactions.)
At home that afternoon, I remember lying in our bed with Anthony, listening to Dick on the phone downstairs telling everyone all about him, and I felt like I had never been happier in my life. Dick's mother brought Lisa to see him, and she was absolutely delighted with "her baby". Dick's mother did tell us, however, that when she had told Lisa that she has a baby brother, Lisa said, "I don't believe I want him." !! She probably thought that a few more times in the years to come!!
Thirty years ago, on Monday, September 20th, my due date, I woke up at 6:00 AM, trying to decide what I would do that day. Unbelievably, I had just had all four of my wisdom teeth pulled 10 days before (a rash decision on my part, without my doctor's knowledge) and I was just beginning to feel pretty normal. About 20 minutes later I knew what I would be doing that day, when my water broke. We called Dick's mother to come for Lisa (age 2 1/2) and prepared to head to the doctor's office, since it was obvious I would not be wasting any time having this baby. At some point the phone rang, and to our dismay we discovered that Dick was to have driven school bus that morning and he had completely forgotten!! Someone else filled in.
My doctor had just recently begun doing deliveries in his office in Manheim, so since I was the "mother earth" type, and firmly believed that babies should never be separated from their mothers, that was a perfect solution for me. Anthony was born at 9:20 AM (on 9/20). An hour-and-a-half later we walked out of the office, right through the waiting room of people, showing off our newborn son. (I do confess, I felt a good deal of pride at everyone's astonished reactions.)
At home that afternoon, I remember lying in our bed with Anthony, listening to Dick on the phone downstairs telling everyone all about him, and I felt like I had never been happier in my life. Dick's mother brought Lisa to see him, and she was absolutely delighted with "her baby". Dick's mother did tell us, however, that when she had told Lisa that she has a baby brother, Lisa said, "I don't believe I want him." !! She probably thought that a few more times in the years to come!!
My fat baby is turning thirty!
I'll have mercy on you readers and not make you look at that haggard picture of myself everytime you check my blog today!! Instead you can look at our handsome son Anthony who will be turning 30 tomorrow. More about him tonight, including some fat baby pictures!! And I mean FAT!!
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