All the colors of the rainbow! 

These would look beautiful in my house! 

What a day!

This day was packed from beginning to end. Of course we had our regular responsibilities of leading worship at church this morning. After church we shared a meal with some others from church at Dan and Freda Beachey's house. Afterward Dan took us on a tour of Esbenshade's Greenhouse where he works. Wow!! I have never seen so many poisettias in one place, and we apparently didn't get to see nearly all of them. He told us how they get small poisettias from Mexico, and from each one they produce many more. It was so interesting and so extremely beautiful. I took a lot of pictures and I'm hoping to be able to post them. (I wasn't being successful a while ago when I tried, but I'll try again.)

We had our regular Christmas rehearsal at church from 5:00 to 6:15, then a Thanksgiving service at 7:00. It was really fun to sing with Steve and Doris again. Dick, Doris, Steve, and I sang an acapella song, the Mennonite Anthem, #606, or Festival Doxology - take your pick! Then Steve, Doris, and I sang Dennis Jernigan's song, Thank You, Lord. Dennis's message was SO good about thanking God in all circumstance - we can do that, because no matter what our circumstances, we can NEVER be separated from God's love.

I love Saturday mornings

I actually slept until 8:00 this morning! I just love Saturday mornings, especially if my house is clean. Dick is always here and makes us his special eggs for breakfast. Ray was here today too, doing his wash. This afternoon Dick's brother Steve Stauffer and my sister Doris Fahnestock came to practice some songs that we are going to do tomorrow evening at a joint Thanksgiving service. We used to sing together as The Freedom Singers back in the 80's. When I told Ray what our group's name was, he jokingly said, "Did you have something to do with the underground railroad?" I thought that was pretty funny.

I made a huge batch of brocolli salad this evening for a meal we are going to share with some others tomorrow. It's so good - I've eaten too much of it this evening!

My eyes are telling me it's time for some shut-eye.

A woman's work is never done

After school today I got much-needed groceries at Weis. This evening there was a special night for kids at the Lititz Community Center - games, swimming, movies, snacks - for $10. I had signed Destiny up for it, so she went there for the evening, Dick went the Manheim Central's play-off game, and I stayed home and cleaned the house. After skipping last week-end it was terribly necessary. Now I still need to fold my wash, because Ray will be coming in the morning after he gets off work at 5 a.m. to do his wash and to sleep here for the day. He'd better not wake me up when he gets here - it's my only day to not set an alarm clock.

Jeremy called this evening and said he was at Lisa and George's this evening. He said Sophie was all smiles when she saw him. Lisa called several times this week to tell about the new things she's doing - she's really beginning to imitate words and sounds already! I just hate being so far away from her.

Challenges and more challenges

I'm starting to feel a bit snowed under. I can't believe Thanksgiving is already next week. As soon as Thanksgiving vacation is over, our practices for the Christmas program shift into high gear at school. I have so much to do before that. And then I'm also directing a Christmas musical at church for the first time in years. There's so much to be doing for that too. I was making a huge list this evening (I'm a list freak). I was thinking, "Now how would Janet go about accomplishing all this?" I couldn't help but also think that she didn't have a five-year-old! I'm sure I'll feel more positive after I have extra time to accomplish things over Thanksgiving vacation. And I DO love directing programs, in case you wonder why I get myself into all this stuff!!

And this five year old has had a bad several days, both at school and at home. Her attitude and behavior have been extremely challenging. She has certainly kept my prayer life sharpened. She seemed to have a change of heart later this evening, so we shall see. Sometimes I feel like there are two Destinys. I tell her that sometimes too. I say, "Where did my sweet Destiny get to? I don't like this mean Destiny. I want my sweet Destiny back." Sometimes that makes her laugh.

I went to the doctor this morning for my shoulder. He gave me a cortisone shot. He said it may take a couple of days to fully take effect. I think it felt some better today. He said I probably have a torn tendon and he gave me some stretching exercises to do.

I need to hit the hay. Fridays are big days for me at school.

Pray for the broken hearted

It's been a sad two days since I last wrote. As the news continues to unfold regarding the shooting that occurred on Sunday morning, my heart just breaks for the two families involved. At first I didn't think I knew anything of either family, but it turns out that there are many connections that we are becoming aware of. My sister Doris and her family used to be in a home group with the boy's family when they went to Petra Christian Fellowship. Dick's brother Jim coaches a home school volley ball team, of which the boy is a member. His mother is often working out at the gym at the same time I am. We were just on treadmills next to each other last week one day. A boy at our church is on a home school mime team on which the girl's siblings are members. This has hit very close to home and it's such an unthinkable, unspeakable situation. After finding the kids in Indiana yesterday, they were brought back to Lancaster today. I heard on the evening news that the boy was put into Lancaster prison. All I can think about is his mother. They all need our prayers so desperately.

I had an appointment with the foot specialist this morning and got orthotic inserts for my shoes. Hopefully they will help my aching feet.

A special week-end

Yesterday afternoon my sisters Mary Ellen and Doris, my parents, and I went to visit my sister Janet's grave and then Janet's husband Elvin. What a special day. That lovely lakeside home holds such precious memories for us sisters, but of course even more memories for Elvin and family. Janet's office is still as it was when she died and we had an interesting time looking at her multitude of books. Elvin said we could take ones that we wanted, but we didn't have nearly enough time to look at them all. I took one on how to write your life's story!! I remember that we used to joke about that when I was a kid - that someday I would write a book about the Witmer family! Janet has files upon files of research, sermons, etc. It's hard for Elvin to know what to do with them. I know I would love to have more time to look through things.

We had a special service today at church. The worship was especially glorious. Then we had a baptism service. Caleb Roser, one of my 5th grade students, was baptized, and also Barry Herr, a "Grandpa", who had never been baptized by immersion, and wanted to be. It was really neat. We had a surprise visit at church by a former pastor couple, Dave and Carol Witmer. He was pastor and elder from 1987 to 1992. It was great to have them there.

I just saw on Yahoo's headlines that there was a double-murder in Lititz today. Apparently a husband and wife were shot to death by their 14-year-old daughter's boyfriend, and he took her with him at gunpoint. He was 18, and they knew each other through a home-school association. Wow. I guess it's been on the news, but I haven't watch TV at all today. That's two gun incidents in Lititz in one week's time. Earlier this week a policeman was shot when he served an arrest warrant. Lititz, this nice, quiet, historic town that we just moved to!!

Mary Ellen, Mary, Dad, Doris, Elvin 

Janet and Elvin's lovely home by Lake Meade 

At the boat dock with Elvin 

Beautiful Lake Meade 

A view of Messiah College from Janet's grave 

Mary Ellen puts some of her last roses at Janet's grave. 

Memories, memories, memories

It is hard to do anything but think of Janet this morning. It was a Saturday morning last year, November 13th, that I was sitting at the computer doing bookwork, just like I am this morning, when the phone rang. It was my Dad. He said, "You'd better sit down." I thought, "Oh no, what happened to Mary (my step mother)?" I was no way expecting him to say, "Elvin called and said Janet didn't wake up this morning."

I have done so much weeping this year, as I am right now, just remembering what an amazing person she was, yet how she managed to make me feel so encouraged and affirmed. As I said last night, I miss her intensely sometimes. We sisters have had so many wonderful times together over the years, even though some live at a great distance. The last time all seven of us sisters were together overnight was in the summer of 2003 at Janet's lovely lakeside home. We also were together there for an entire weekend in the summer of 2004, but regretfully, Barb from Idaho was not able to be with us that time. Then in October of 2004 we all got together for the annual family weekend at Camp Andrews. Even Barb was able to come for that event. We had no idea it was our last time with Janet.

Janet was a woman of tremendous accomplishments, passion, and vision. As her family, we had no idea of the scope of her ministry and outreach. She was so incredibly humble and never talked of all she was involved in and how far-reaching her influence was. As her sisters, we just knew she was wonderful and tons of fun. It seemed every time we were together, something funny would happen to her. Like the time she came walking out of a public bathroom stall with a trail of toilet paper attached to the waist of her pants!! Her last funny story was of her trip to a huge church conference in California and her luggage did not make it on the same day she did. She had no make up and nothing to do her hair with. She was so distraught, and all Elvin could do about it was to offer her his hat!!

Well, I have much to do before we go visit her grave today. Thank you, Lord, for having given me Janet for a sister.

Our last time all together, October 2004. Janet, Betty, Mary Ellen, Rose, Dad, Barb, Doris, Dick, Jeanie. 

An evening at Grandpa's, August 2004. Dick Witmer, Janet Peifer, Lori (Peifer) Harris, Dad, Scott Peifer, Elvin Peifer, Josh Witmer on floor 

Sisters on Janet's lakeside deck, August 2004 

Sisters (all but Barb) in front of Janet's house, August 2004 

Not a typical day, but a good one

Today I went to the MACSA conference held at the Lancaster Host Resort. I took two very good sessions - Balancing Your Private and Professional Lives and Developing Your Choral Program. Afterward I spent a little bit of time at the Corning outlet at Rockvale Square, then headed to West Chester.

I had a great evening with Sam. First he showed me the apartment he shares with another guy, which I had not seen before (even though he's been living there since June). It's a really nice apartment in a very quiet section of the city (has he grown up, or what???!!!) Then we picked up Jess and went to Ruby Tuesdays. I just love Jess. She was telling me about her new job as a foster care caseworker, which led us to reminiscing about how Sam became our son eleven years ago. It was funny how Sam's memory of how it came about differs from mine! Different perspectives of the same event, I guess. I am so proud of Sam. I would just love if certain people from his past - like Berks County caseworker Bob or Mr. Martarano from Manheim Central would happen upon him at his office someday. Not likely to happen, but definitely fun to imagine!

Destiny was Grandpa's girl this evening. When I called home as I left Ruby Tuesdays, Dick said she was coloring and he was watching the Manheim Central game on TV. When I got home at 9:00 she was snuggled up against him on the couch, sound asleep. It looked so cute.

This weekend it's a year since the shocking death of my sister Janet. Tomorrow afternoon some of us will be going to my brother in law's house and to Janet's grave. I still miss her tremendously. I want her to see my house and I want her to see the pictures of Sophie, etc. I miss the funny things that always happened to her. I miss her emails, I miss her encouragement and affirmation. I really, really miss her.

Sam and I celebrating our birthdays at Ruby Tuesdays

Jess and Sam at Ruby Tuesdays 

Song and Dance

Yesterday after school I registered Destiny for a new dance class at the Lititz Community Center where we are members. It's for kids ages 4 - 6. The class meets each Wednesday from 4:00 to 4:45 and they learn beginner baton twirling, dancing, and tumbling. This is what I should have had Lisa doing when she was this age. She would have loved it as much as Destiny does.

At school I am in the highly unpopular process of choosing soloists for each of my choruses. Of course it's popular with the ones who get chosen, but for the ones who don't.... It's really hard to teach children to rejoice with those who rejoice.

Enid picked Destiny up after school today and had her for the evening. That gave me a chance to return some jeans I had gotten Destiny that were too large and to find some others to replace them. This evening I went to Enid's place near Mount Joy to pick Destiny up around 8:30. She was having a wild and crazy time playing with her little brother. But by the time we drove from Mount Joy to Lititz she was almost asleep.

Tomorrow we don't have school because we teachers are going to the MACSA conference at the Host Resort near Lancaster. Afterward I am going to West Chester to spend the evening with Sam and Jess. Sam just had his 28th birthday yesterday.

Destiny and Enid at Destiny's birthday party in September 

A Happy Birthday

I had a happy birthday, although I didn't even think about that it was my birthday until Dick said, "Happy Birthday, Mrs. Stauffer" a while after we got up this morning. I had an appointment at the doctor before school to have blood drawn. I was supposed to sign and date the one piece of paper. I wrote 11/8/51 for the date without even thinking - I'm so used to putting 51 after 11/8!! So now, figure out how old I am!

Dick had flowers delivered to me at school, someone had balloons for me, some of the teachers played a little trick on me that was pretty funny, several of our children called me on my cell phone. Frank wanted Destiny this evening, so that gave Dick and
me a chance to eat out this evening. We met Frank afterward at 8:00 at Provident Bookstore to get Destiny back from him. We got there before he did, so I went in and used the gift certificate the PTF had given me for my birthday. I got a double C.D. of Handel's Messiah (I had it on old cassettes that were beginning to sound bad), and a Christmas instrumental C.D.

Now I'd be ready to hit the sack, but Tuesdays are always my laundry evening, and if I don't do at least one load, Destiny might not have anything clean to wear to school tomorrow.

Fifty-four and ready for bed! 

Another busy weekend

I think I finally figured out how to get my blogs to post again. The last thing I tried to write was Friday night, when I was saying that I was cleaning, because Anthony and Lori were coming for the weekend. He had his 10th class reunion Saturday evening. I also said that I had talked with Sam for a while on the phone that evening. His girlfriend Jess just started a new job as a foster care caseworker. She graduated from West Chester in May. She's a really wonderful girl.

Saturday was an absolutely gorgeous day. We made hamburgers on the grill when Anthony and Lori got here at lunch time. We spent a lot of the afternoon just relaxing on the front porch. It was a rare kind of afternoon for all of us.

On Sunday Anthony did one of his songs for the offertory. If you want to know more about him and his music, go to www.anthonystauffer.com. My sister Mary Ellen also came to our church Sunday morning. She just moved up from Alabama this past summer. She hasn't lived in Lancaster County for 35 years, so she's not looking forward to winter! Neither am I, for that matter.

After church we, along with Anthony, Lori, and Mary Ellen, went Kreider's Brunch Buffet. Dick did not feel well most of Saturday, and was feeling progressively worse on Sunday. When we got home from Kreiders he was ready to crash. He has a sinus infection and a persistent cough.

I went to our Christmas rehearsal without him in the evening. On the way home I drove through a strong thunderstorm and heavy rain. I was really glad to get home. We went to bed early.

After school today Destiny and I had to do grocery shopping. Dick went to the doctor this afternoon. He's feeling so much better already he went to play basketball this evening! Hmmmm. Sounds like Bill Cosby's old "a miracle happened" trick! Just kidding.

Sam and Jess with Destiny last Thanksgiving 

Hair, shopping, and laundry

I got my hair trimmed and the roots colored this morning. My hair dresser is really good, but he is sooo slow. I think he's like me - he finds it hard to work and talk at the same time!

After school Destiny and I went to Kohls instead of the gym. I needed to get her some more school clothes and I needed a new purse and better shoes for school. The purse (should I say, bag?) I used for several years was falling apart. I carry everything but the kitchen sink in it.

Ray was here for a while this evening. Dick is home for the first evening all week. Monday he played basketball, Tuesday he had a regularly scheduled CT scan, and Wednesday evenings he always works at Advance Auto Parts. He's supposedly folding wash, but there's some kind of game on TV that he's watching. I think he folds a piece of laundry about every five minutes!

Our back yard (our shed on the left) 

Autumn Scenery

Each morning on my way to school I see such beautiful colored leaves. I finally remembered to take my camera along this morning. Autumn certainly is the most beautiful time of year. How awesome that our Blessed Creator designed the leaves to put on such a lovely show for us instead of just turning brown and dropping off.

Autumn Scene V 

Autumn Scene IV 

Autumn Scene III 

Autumn Scene II 

Autumn Scene I 

Sophie in her cheerleading outfit for Halloween! 

October's final glory

Yesterday was such a beautiful day - I think it may have almost hit the 70's in the afternoon. After school Destiny could think of nothing else than going to the park to feed the ducks. So we came home to get a loaf of bread and went to Lititz Springs Park. She had such a great time. I kept wondering if we're allowed to feed them, but I didn't see any "Do not feed the ducks" signs anywhere. That park brings such feelings of nostalgia to me. As a child we went there every summer for a Wenger Reunion. It was such a big event to me - seeing my cousins, playing on the swings and slides, buying stuff at the little round store they had in the middle of the park. It really was one of the highlights of the year to little farm girls like me!

I went to bed early and got a good night's sleep last night for a change. I'm ready to hit that huge stack of papers that need to have grades put on them before report cards go home next week. That is the worst part of my job. It just puts me right to sleep when I sit down to do it. It's just not as envigorating as the theatrics I go through to teach kids the fundamentals of music or to get them to sing!

Feeding the ducks at Lititz Springs Park 

A fun weekend

This was a fun weekend. Yesterday morning I had the Stauffer ladies' breakfast. We had such a good time catching up with each others' lives and children.

In the evening our church had our annual pig roast/barn party. It was another fun time. A little too cold for my taste, but great food and fellowship.

After church today we met our son Frank so he could have Destiny for the day. Then we went to my cousin Mary Jane Myers's home for dinner. She has been having groups of her cousins every Sunday this month. Cousins Arlene, Louanne, and Erma Martin were there, as well as their sister Revenda and her husband. Also there was cousin Peggy Myers and her husband. After dinner Mary Jane and I played piano and organ together. A very unique afternoon.

We had Christmas musical rehearsal at church at 5. Wow - they are sounding good. The people in the drama practiced for the first time and they are going to be incredible. There will definitely be a lot of laughs. I was just cracking up listening to them, and I've heard it on the C.D. a lot of times already. Anyone reading this who is interested - the performance will be Sunday, December 18 at 7 p.m. at Grace Community Fellowship.

Lisa sent a bunch of pictures of Sophie yesterday. She is 9 months now and learning new things every day. It's just nothing short of amazing how quickly babies grow in the first year.