Everything Changed

I'm sitting by the tree, listening to Christmas music....just me and my Mac (okay, I'm not totally by myself....Grandpa's sitting on the couch).

The tenants in our duplex next door bought a house and moved out. We'll certainly miss them but we now have the opportunity to spread out our family of 8 (plus the dog). The Martinson's have moved next door. Dave and I have moved out of the garage back into our bedroom. The fake wall with a window that Dave & Matt installed in the garage so I could still see daylight this summer has been removed, the carpet returned to the Heimers, Dave's computer and make shift office has been returned to the house and the car now claims it's rightful spot. The garage actually made a very comfortable bedroom even though it did get a little chilly when it dropped to 30 below. I'll always remember the summer and fall we slept in the garage (and not in a bad way).

The room the boys vacated used to be a TV room for Grandpa. We had moved the TV in his room along with his very comfy recliner when the Martinson's moved in and that should continue to work okay....especially since around September he decided he didn't want to watch TV anymore. He sleeps in his room, but spends the rest of his time in the living room. So, the vacated bedroom has now become my office. I moved in a desk and bookcase. That's where I'll scrapbook, conduct Avon & Kat's Keys business and maybe just hide out....I'm excited to have my own space. Now I can clear out a few plastic drawers of files and stuff that I've had sitting in the corner of the dining room because the dining room table has served as my work space and desk for too long.

Things change.....

That reminds me of a new Christmas song I've heard this last week (my new favorite), "Everything Changed" by Eddie Kirkland. Free download at http://northpointmusic.org/christmas/

"On a night like this

On a broken road

She is far from sleep

She is far from home

For a baby's cries

Tear the still of night

She wonders why

The future was bright and clear

She planned for a wedding day

Her daddy would hold back tears

Giving her hand away

Now all her hope and fear

In a cradle lay

Cause a baby came and everything changed.

On a night like this

Many years ago

As she held him close

She had come to know

That a mother's heart

Could not let him go

And she now knows why

The future was bright and clear

With hope and a promise made

The light of the world was near

Choirs of angels sing

Heaven's exalted king

In a manger lay

Cause a baby came and everything changed

When our dreams grow dim

And our hearts grow cold

He is never far

From our broken soul

Gloria, our God is with us

Gloria, He came to save

Mercy and love

Now for every generation

For the Savior came and everything changed."

Do You Trust Me?

This was a particularly difficult week (the details of which are too personal to share) which had escalated to the point that finally I went to my room alone and broke down sobbing. I prayed, “God, I need you to help me because if You don’t I don’t know what I’ll do.” I wept before God confessing my anger, hurt, and hopelessness. I told God that I needed to hear from Him. The question "Do you trust me?" kept echoing in my spirit. I turned to Psalm 107, which I had read just that morning, and found comfort in "...they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder.” (Psalm 107:13-14)

I confessed to God that I really did want to trust Him more but that I really didn’t know how in my present state of mind and spirit. So, somewhat relieved I went on with my day.

The next afternoon, I went to the mailbox and in with all our other mail was a manila envelope from Foster Bell, a friend of ours who lives in Georgia. Inside was a piece of music which Foster noted he had come across a year or so ago but had only now gotten around to sending it, thinking I might be able to use it in our worship. The song was a medley combining the old hymn “Tis So Sweet To TRUST In Jesus” and Chris Tomlin’s song “Enough” which speaks of the sufficiency of God regardless of our circumstance.

As I read the words of the medley, my eyes filled with tears. Even before I had cried out to God, even before I had heard His voice whisper, “Do you trust me?,” even before I had confessed that I wanted to trust God more, He had sent a very real affirmation of His love and care for me through the song I received in the mail.

My Flowers are Dead...

My beautiful flowers are dead, except for a few hardy pansies and petunias. Now to pull up all the lifeless flowers and put all the pots and containers away for the winter. I remembered to bring my big hanging geranium plant inside before it got bit by frost. It still has lots of buds so hopefully I will be able to enjoy those blooms inside once it starts snowing outside. I can't believe I just said the "S" word!!!

One of my favorites this year were the red begonias that I usually don't have much luck with. However, this year I planted them in an area that only gets morning sun and they were beautiful. The sunflowers are always one of favorites to watch grow and bloom. It seems every year I plant a few more than the year before. My tallest sunflower hit 10' 6-3/4". My prize! I've never done anything with the seeds before, but this year I have the seeds drying....getting ready to roast sunflower seeds. If they don't turn out good, I'm sure the birds will still enjoy them.

It's also time to put away the outside swings and glidders, the hammock (my very favorite), chairs, water fountain, water hoses....anything that speaks of summer we have to put it away. September brings the beauty of yellow leaves, crisp, fresh air, sunny cloudless skies, but it also brings a sadness that summer is over. It's time to shut the front door, put my sandals away, bring out the jackets, socks and shoes.

At this time of the year I have to remind myself of the beauty of winter. The snow falls (and stays) and reflects all the light it sees, the Northern Lights put on their show, the trees become white and fluffy with snow. It is indeed a winter wonderful. And another good thing, my freezer is enlarged to my whole back porch! I've lived in Alaska 40 plus years, but I never look forward to winter. Once it arrives I'm fine.....I just never wish it would hurry up and get here; although many people do.

So, as I kiss summer goodbye and cordially greet winter, I know "there's coming a day" when the snow will once again be gone and I'll go out to the greenhouse and start planting flowers once again.

It reminds me that God is always faithful....."there's never been a night without a dawn" (David Baroni).

This 'n That.....

It's been awhile since I've been here, but not because I haven't had anything to write about. Some things I don't want to expose, other things are just too trivial, and mostly I just haven't taken the time to put thoughts and feelings into words.

I cannot believe that September arrives next week. Holy cow, summer went by entirely too fast. Somehow we've got to lower the speed limit on summer.

The Martinson house is coming along on schedule (as far as I know). The windows and doors are in except for 2 windows (where they brought in sheetrock) and the garage doors are being installed today. The vapor barrier has to be finished and then they start the sheetrock. The sheetrock has already been hung in the garage.....one room done. Check!

School has started and Andrew and Kaiden love Woodriver Elementary. I'm glad their transition to a new school is going so well. After about 14 years I'm involved with Moms-in-Touch (MIT) again. MIT is an international organization that's made up of small groups praying for individual schools. My group prays for the students and staff at Woodriver & U Park. It's good to be involved with them again.

I just finished reading "When Christians Get it Wrong" by Adam Hamilton. Even though I don't agree with everything, it's an eye opener, very thought provoking and motivating. Thanks, Geoff, for passing it along to us.

Yesterday was a week since daughter Jami's surgery (one ovary removed). She's not able to Jazzercise or Zoomba yet, but otherwise she's back to normal. Thank the Lord for her quick recovery.

My sister-in-law, Nancy, arrives on Tuesday. I'm looking forward to quality time with her and I know her visit will bless us all.

Last week my daughter-in-law, Nicole, asked me if I was okay because she thought I was acting a little "sullen". I replied that I indeed felt and was acting sullen.....for which I was sorry. Nicole then replied......"sometimes the stars don't align in life!" I thought about that and finally had to ask her what that meant. She explained, "it just means that sometimes things at home, work and church are a little off causing us to be a little off in other areas. So when my "stars don't align" I need to remember the verses that God has spoken into my heart last week:

• There will come a time when everything will return to normal and life will go on as usual. (A recap from Jeremiah 31-33)
• There will be heard once more the sounds of joy & gladness (Jer 33:11)
• ....there is hope for your future (Jer 31:17)

Our Rainbow

I've got to share about our Beth Moore Video Bible Study (Breaking FREE) last night.

Here's a few of the notes and comments that really spoke to our ladies. ( I hope you'll read to the end).

• God never allows or appoints a fire (trials & difficulties) unless He can bring beauty from the ashes.
• We cannot avoid fiery trials. Even faithful people have tremendous difficulties.
• What will we do with what has happened in our lives?
• One primary purpose of fiery trials is to surface the dross.
• The only discipline He allows are the ones which will bring our healing.
• Sometimes our fiery trials are absolutely necessary to fulfill our callings.
• We are better "healed" than just "well".
• Our passion will be birthed from our pain.

During the discussion following the video, the Holy Spirit ministered through our honesty, tears and desire to be "healed" (set free from our fiery trials). We discussed the beauty (or not seeing any beauty) from the ashes in our lives.

As we left the church it was raining. When I was almost home I saw the most beautiful, vivid rainbow.....it was actually a spiritual moment (I had to cry again). Several of the ladies from the class saw it and responded in the same way. I loved what Jami said. "On one side of the city there's a fire raging (literally) and in the middle of it all there's a beautiful rainbow." I felt like God sent that rainbow especially to remind US of God's presence and love.

I still feel his nearness today as I think back to our class and "our" rainbow.

Isa 61:3a

"...to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes..."

"An unhappy woman usually needs a change of heart more than of circumstances."

(Beth Moore)

Good-bye June

I'm missing June (as in the month of June)....can't believe it's July already. Heading to Chena Lakes tomorrow for picnic and beach time. Hoping for sunshine!!

Some of June's Highlights:

• The trusses were up on the Martinson house the last day of June. The roof should be finished tomorrow!! It's fun to see how quickly their house is taking shape.
• We celebrated my Dad's 90th birthday with him. He enjoyed all those who dropped by to wish him a Happy Birthday and he received so many birthday cards and birthday wishes. I too enjoyed all the "memories" people shared with him.
• Charles Lamb, one of the boys from the Orphanage in Cleveland, TN, stopped by. What a great surprise!!! I haven't seen him in over 40 years. He and his wife are visiting Alaska and I'm so happy they looked us up. It was great to reminisce and "catch up". God bless them and protect them as they continue their travels through Alaska.
• Noel Cammack, one of my former piano students, visited and spoke last Sunday at LifePoint. He is still serving (7 years now) in Ireland as Worship and Youth Leader. He shared a video and slides of the work there in Port Laoise. I was blessed to hear his testimony and hear his heart for God. I think a seed to visit Ireland has been planted in my spirit. His parents were there as well and we appreciate their friendship and ministry so much.
• Things are going fine in the Welch/Covey/Martinson household. It seems we never catch up with the laundry, washing dishes, cooking meals, buying groceries and cleaning house, but that's our new normal.
• I have only one piano student this summer, which is working out just fine.
• I'm loving my window in the garage (our temporary bedroom). What a difference a 2x2 opening makes. I can now see outside, feel the breeze, see the trees, see the sunshine, hear the chimes and the rain. It makes me realize how important the simple things in life really are. Over the past month we've had to replace our microwave, a lamp in the living room, and our crock pot. If I could only have had one of those items, I would have choosen the window!!!!!
• Good-bye June, hello July!

Summer Solstice

I can't believe this is summer solstice weekend.....already.

21 hrs, 49 min, 15 sec of daylight today (6/19). This is a bitter-sweet weekend for me. There's lots of daylight, but I know that on Tuesday we'll start losing daylight. Even though it will be a gradual process, it's still a little sad.

I can't see any daylight in the garage (remember Dave and I are sleeping in the garage while the Martinson's are living with us). I haven't had any success yet, but I'm trying to think of a way to let some daylight in the garage. Any ideas, anyone?????

Tonight is the Midnight Sun Run - a 10k race starting at 10:00 p.m. I haven't participated in several years and Dave isn't running this year. Jami and Matt are walking and I'm dropping them off and picking them up. I'll probably hang around to watch the start of the race. It IS a beautiful sight seeing the "sea of people" running and walking by. Hope the sun keeps shining.

Monday night is the Solstice baseball game that starts at 10:30 p.m.....played with no lights. Thanks to Phil Barker and Phyllis Wright, Dave & I have tickets to attend. I've lived here 33 years and have never attended a game, let alone the Midnight Sun Game. This may be the beginning of something new for me.

Happy Summer Solstice to everyone and Happy Father's Day to my Dad, to Dave, Geoff, Matt and all you Father's.

Week's Review

Weather: Rainy with thunderstorms

New favorite iTouch game: Line Up 2

New favorite M&M's: Coconut

Latest Movie I viewed (rented on iTunes and watched on the Mac): The Spy Next Door (Funny)

Latest purchase: Microwave (our old one died).

VBS: Last Monday through Wednesday I helped with Vacation Bible School at LifePoint. I helped teach the 3 and 4 year's old.......4 little girls in my class each evening. They were so cute and could say "Zacchaeus" as good as I could. It was amazing how they could help tell the story and how well they could recite the memory verses. VBS is always so FUN, but very tiring.

Anniversary celebrated: Geoff (son) and Nicole celebrated their 13th wedding anniversary on June 7th. Hard to believe they've been married that long.

10th Birthday: On Thursday (6/10) our oldest grandson Andrew celebrated his 10th birthday. He's into double digits already. His favorite gifts were a PSP GO, a bean bag and gift cards for PSP games. It was fun celebrating with him.

The New House: The Martinson's house is taking shape. Exterior and interior walls are standing on the first floor. Today they're getting things ready to start putting joists and decking on the second floor. Hopefully the rain will hold off.....

Scrapbooking: I scrapbooked with friends Friday night. Actually I did a LITTLE digital scrapping, some knitting and mainly had fun hanging out with friends.

Births: My cousin Paulette's daughter (on my Mom's side) had a baby boy on June 4th.....Colton James Giles - born in Ohio.

Deaths: I just found out that my cousin, John Strike (on my Dad's side), passed away on May 1st from complications from a surgery he had April 4th. I think he was about 10 years older than me.

Favorite Bible verse this week: Zeph 3:17

God is with you.

He is mighty to save.

He will delight in you.

He will quiet you with His love.

He will rejoice over you with singing.

First Week

It's been a week since we've been sleeping in the garage (since the Martinson's moved in with us)....and all is well.

This week's highlights:

• Dave installed a fan to pull the hot air out of the furnace room which makes the garage cooler.
• Maddy spent a night with us in the garage.
• I've been able to do a few more things alone, because Jami is here and graciously takes care of Grandpa.
• Jami and I take turns cooking so I don't have to cook every night. I love that!!!!!
• The same applies to cleaning the house.....I don't have to clean it ALL.
• Andrew and Kaiden are so helpful. I have them doing all sorts of chores.
• We helped Geoff celebrate his 34th birthday. We took Oasis cheeseburgers and dined in his office.
• Geoff shared a story* with me from Runner's World about a runner while struggling to care for his ailing and unruly father finds an escape in his daily runs. His four mile runs eventually turned into a marathon. I'm not a runner, but this article did encourage me to find "my escape". (*Mark Levine, "Slipping Away")[-
• It's been a hot week, so I've enjoyed lots of "outside" time in my new favorite chair the kids gave me for Mother's Day. The hammock is taking 2nd place to the chair right now.
• I've planted flowers and a few things in the garden. I still have to get some cabbage plants (my cabbage seedlings didn't make it) and a few more flowers for my 3-tier planter out front. So far, I haven't found the right plant that will flourish in the 3-tier planter.
• Enjoyed lunch on the deck at Pike's with Sandy & Marcia.
• Attended the monthly Beth Moore video class (Breaking Free) at LifePoint. I just learned that Beth Moore is a guest speaker at Catalyst in Atlanta in October.
• God, through the power of Your Holy Spirit, help me to live in harmony with others, be sympathetic, love as a brother or sister, be compassionate and humble. (1 Pet 3:8)

Moving Day

Jami, our daughter, and her family are building a house this summer and are now homeless because they've sold their house where they've lived for seven or eight years. We've worked it out and they will be moving in with us - tomorrow.....five additional people. I'm sure it won't be long before they say, "What were we thinking"?

Dave & I have converted the garage into our bedroom. Wayne & Karen loaned us a piece of carpet, Mike and Ashley loaned us a bed frame.....we're about set to move in. We'll have a small desk, table and lamp, a TV. The only thing we won't have is a window, but watch out if someone hits the button for the garage door. :) Note: The garage door will be disconnected and locked. We'll move Grandpa's TV & recliner out of the den into his room, so Andrew and Kaiden can have the den for their bedroom. Matt, Jami & Izzy will occupy the downstairs, with a mattress on the floor for Izzy.

Fortunately we have three levels where we can all spread out, and I'm hoping for a nice sunny summer so we can eat lots of meals outside. Jami & I are trying to figure out how to trade-off with the cooking duties.......every other day or weekly??

I told Grandpa Covey what was going to happen and he just nodded. I hope he understands.

Geoff, Nicole & Maddy live less than a mile from us. I'm sure we'll end up on their doorstep, when any of us need a break. We appreciate their offer to help and I'm sure we'll be taking them up on it in various ways this summer and fall.

This will be a busy, crazy summer, but I'm hoping it will be one full of good memories.

The Senior Center

I take my Dad to the Senior Center once a week for lunch. Today we had spaghetti, green beans (too tough to eat), garlic bread and a big piece of chocolate cake. I take Dad so he can be around people his own age. He seems to enjoy going, but he's usually very quiet and I'm the one who winds up talking to everyone. I enjoy hearing bits and pieces of people's history, and I have learned that big gaps of silence in the conversation is perfectly acceptable and it's becoming more comfortable for me.

Some never say a word, others enjoy seeing their friends and have lots to say.

Many are stooped over and move very carefully and slowly.

Walkers and canes are visible at most tables.

Eighty-three year old Mary is still very spry, speaks her mind and is still full of life.

Donna (in her 80's) may tell the same stories over and over, but she still loves to help others get their food and clean off the tables.

You can see the light of life in some of their eyes, while others have a blank stare.

When someone doesn't show up for a couple weeks, you fear the worst.

I look at the variety of people in the room every week and wonder....

What careers did they have?

Where are their families?

What goals did they pursue?

What have they contributed to society?

What passions still burn in their hearts and minds?

Do they still feel useful and needed?

Even though I'm usually the youngest one in the room, I realize it won't always be that way. One of these days I'll be the one with the cane, I'll be moving slowly and my words won't come out correctly (that's happening now!!!!). I pray that age will not.....

steal my zest for life.

kill my purpose and passions in life

devour my abilities to love and serve others

leave me lifeless and bored

deceive me into thinking I'm no longer needed and useful

Oh to be like Caleb.... "So here I am today, eighty-five years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I'm just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. Now give me this hill country that the Lord promised me that day....but, the LORD HELPING ME, I will drive them out just as he said." Josh 14:10-12

Grandparent's

I enjoyed Mother's Day yesterday with my children, their spouses and the grandchildren. I'm so blessed to have them all close by. I missed having my Mom here yesterday. I miss her presence, her love for God, life and family, her creative ways of doing normal things. She loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and even though she's only be gone 2-1/2 years, I wish she could see the kids.....how they've changed and grown. There's so many of her positive influences that I hope I can carry on.

Today, I'm thinking about my maternal grandparents. They were both born in Austria, Hungary (1882 and 1886), came to America in 1904 and 1906 and were married in Bay City, Michigan on January 8, 1911. They moved to Akron, Ohio where they had eight children. They later moved out west to Long Beach, California. I never knew my grandfather - he died before I was born. His citizenship papers arrived in the mail the day he died. I remember my grandmother, but I only saw her 2 or 3 times. All I know about them is what my Mom passed down to me verbally and in a pamphlet she wrote about her family, which I'm very thankful for that much information. That reminds me.....I need to have good information to pass on to my grandchildren.

I wish I had known them. My parents never packed me up and sent me to spend a week at their house during the summers, I never wrote them a letter, they never read me a book or told me stories (which my Grandfather was famous for). Today I feel a little cheated and I feel they were a little cheated too because they never knew me.

My Grandmother was a terrific cook. She loved to knit and she did make me several sweaters. She also had a beautiful voice and loved to sing. In a shadow box on my piano, I have her old church hymnal that's very worn and used and a picture of her and I at a picnic in California. I'll cherish that always!

I hope my grandchildren will have good memories of me. Memories of doing things together, laughing together, playing together, doing crazy, fun stuff that they wouldn't do at their parents house, memories of having my full attention, memories of unconditional love. Memories that won't fit into a shadow box......

Scrapbooking

Scrapbooking is always more fun when done with friends, which I did tonight with Sandy & Marcia. With friends it's so much more than scrapbooking. It's checking out any new products and materials that one of us has purchased, it's looking at one another's pictures and hearing the stories behind them, it's hearing the ups and downs in each other's lives since the last time we were together, it's sharing ideas, it's laughter, it's friendship! And sometimes I actually get some scrapbooking done.

Applesauce

When I couldn't get all the applesauce out of the jar, I turned it upside down and set it on it's lid. A few minutes later I took the lid off and, plop, more applesauce came out of the jar. Unfortunately about that time I dropped the plastic jar on the floor....lid off, of course! Grrrr....applesauce all over the floor. I got a sponge to wipe up the applesauce from the floor and discovered it had also gotten on the dinning room carpet and all over a magazine rack. Now I'm really NOT HAPPY! Once I started cleaning up the applesauce I found much more dirt and dust and wound up cleaning more than I started out to clean. I only started out to put the applesauce in a smaller container and ended up with a clean floor and magazine rack.

That happens to me in other areas. The lid comes off and I spew applesauce everywhere. In trying to clean up my mess, I discover other issues that haven't been dealt with (i.e. resentment, selfishness, pride). More cleaning to do, more forgiveness to be received, more grace to be used.

Today, my floor and magazine rack are clean, but there'll be more applesauce jars to open.....