Thanksgiving Week, 2014

Our dear friends from Bangladesh were here in the States for several weeks and here in NJ this past week.  On a whim, I asked them if they wanted to join us on a hike in a park nearby and surprisingly, they were available.  So that's what we did on Tuesday.  Even though clouds hid the sun, the weather was fairly warm and pleasant for a hike.

We went to Amico Island on the Delaware River.  The tide was out so we had a nice long walk along the beach.  Shawne and I thought this little tree had an interesting shape.

 And this tree was also interesting growing off the side of the bank.

 The city of Philadelphia in the distance.

 

Amico Island selfie!

Where is the sun?

It was a busy week at work because I had to get 4 days of work done in 2.  But the reward was 4 days off in a row!  On Thanksgiving Day we went over to Andy's brother's where we go every year for Thanksgiving.  We enjoy catching up with our nephews while there and this year, Christy and family were able to join us, too.  Dan & Lou very considerately changed the time of the dinner this year to accommodate us so we wouldn't have to travel home in the dark.  We ate the big meal around 1:00, then had the rest of the afternoon to visit before returning home.  

When Christy and her family arrived, I mentioned that it was a shame we hadn't thought about it earlier so we could prepare to have the kids come home with us to spend the night since they would be coming to our house the next day.  Well, just the mention of it was enough to start the wheels turning.  The kids insisted they didn't mind sleeping in their clothes and they knew we had extra tooth brushes.  So it was arranged except that our car could only take 3 children.  Aiden decided he would rather sleep in his own bed so Grace, Naomi and Asher came home with us.  What fun!

Grace and Naomi had their instruments with them and were given strict instructions not to neglect their practice.  So on Friday morning, while they practiced, Asher played on the treadmill.  

After breakfast and practice, Andy and the kids rode bikes to the church and played in the gym.  There happened to be 2 boys playing there but Andy and the kids joined them in having a good time.  Andy's really good at making up games, but this time, the kids decided they wanted to play dodge ball.  They explained the rules, but Andy didn't seem to be able to remember them and kept "cheating."  The boys were so kind, though, and kept saying, "it doesn't matter."  They were very forgiving and sweet tempered.

Later in the day, around noon, Christy and the rest of her family arrived and Dawn and her family joined us.  Our traditional meal on the day after Thanksgiving is panzarottis and pizza.  It's an easy meal with very little hassle and mess and everyone likes it.  Our dessert included all the leftovers from the day before.  There was plenty to eat.

After lunch and Kasey's nap, we decided to go to the park to let the kids play.  It was extremely cold with a bone chilling wind, so we didn't stay more than about 5 minutes.  I did get some pictures.  The kids seemed to enjoy the park except for Kasey who didn't last too long before letting us know she was very unhappy being so cold.  She just "verbalized" how we all felt, I think!

 

The cousins enjoyed all the play time together and were unhappy when the day finally came to an end and it was time to go home.

All in all, we have a lot to be thankful for.  We are very blessed.

A Full and Busy Time

We had a few very busy days and nights, mostly with family, with a few friends thrown in to the mix!

On Thursday, I took off at noon from work, using some vacation hours.  Andy and I drove up to Christy's because Claire was having a birthday.  Her birthday is actually the 14th, but that date didn't work, so we celebrated a day early.  She is a very precocious 3 year old, if I do say so myself.  Of course, all my grandchildren are cute and smart!  It was her day and she was happy to perform for us.

 Grace made the cake - an orange marmalade cake, even decorating it with a fancy cake decorator.  It not only looked good, it also tasted yummy.

Christy will probably not be happy with me including this picture of her, but I thought it was funny that she was "helping" Claire blow out the candles.
 

Believe it or not, this early in the year, when we left after dinner, we opened the door to snow!  It was a harrowing drive home.  We don't ever enjoy driving the PA turnpike, but at night in the dark and with snow/rain - ugh!  But we made it home safe and sound - thank God.

The next day, Friday, Amy and her kids came down to spend the day since Ricky was away hunting all week.  I was working till 3:00, so she spent the day with Dawn and her kids.  They went to Discovery Museum in Cherry Hill until it closed at 5:30.  Andy and I went over to Dawn's house around 5:00 to put her scalloped potatoes dish in the oven so it would be ready when they arrived home.  We all had dinner together.  Joanna and Katy stayed for a sleepover with Kira, while Amy and Chase came back to our house to sleep.  "Sleepover" is a misnomer because not much of it took place.  Katy woke up at 4:30 am, bringing Kira with her.  Yup, she never went back to sleep the rest of the morning.

Kira had swimming lessons mid-morning, so Amy and her kids came to our house.  We decided to go to the park for a hike.  The sun was shining, but there was a stiff chilly breeze - it was downright cold.  It didn't seem to bother Chase...I think he was dressed the warmest, plus he was the most active.  He had his bike and drove it in typical boy madness!  Up the hill and back down again, several times.
 
 

Katy was very cold and had a hard time dealing with it - not having had much sleep!  She covered herself up as much as she could and it helped a little that she didn't have to walk with Poppop around.

 

Here's the proof of how cold it was - ice on the puddles.

 Back at the house, the girls played dress-up and Chase busied himself with his favorite game while here.  I love it how he can occupy himself for a very long time with his imagination.

On two separate occasions recently, friends remarked to me how obvious it was that the Lord had provided for us in our situation.  I couldn't have agreed more.  We enjoy so many friendships and people who love us and care about us.  

On Friday morning, one of those friends, came and got Andy, taking him for a ride in his convertible and spending the morning with him.  It was a frigid morning and Andy said people were looking at them like they were crazy.  When asked how they could stand it, he said they had the heater on!  Well, and too, the sun was shining - which might have helped a little!

People keep asking how we're doing.  Andy always says, he's doing well.  And he is.  He feels good and feeling good is a blessing.  He is spending time raking up our leaves into huge piles at the street.  Last year this time, someone else did it for us because he was unable to.  

So yes, he feels good, and perhaps he is stabilizing on the memory and confusion.  I don't think he's getting any better, and maybe he's not getting worse.  That is hard to say.  Sometimes it seems like I explain and re-explain things multitudes of times.   I appreciate when people ask how I'm doing.  It's hard to see dear Andy struggle to grasp what I tell him.  He's always so patient with me, though.  He doesn't get frustrated, maybe he doesn't even realize he's just asked the same question for the umpteenth time.  And it's difficult to let him give his side of the story without correcting him.  I need to let him, though.  Why does it matter if he gets every detail right?  As stressed out as I've been this last year, it's time to relax and trust God even in this.  I need to have a quiet heart, resting in God's plan for us.  There's always room for growth on this journey.

On Saturday, Tommy came over and helped Andy clean out the gutters on our house.  They are such a job - always needing to be cleaned because of all the trees around our house.  I love the trees and am not willing to get rid of them.  BUT...oh the work.  But Tommy is young and full of energy.  Besides I promised him a batch of cookies - hey, whatever works.

I also did a little mending job for his surfing changing outfit.  It was well worth it not to be worried about Andy on a ladder or up on the roof.  With the two of them working, they had it done in no time.

So in 2 days, we saw all our kids, 2 of our sons-in-law and all our grandkids, everybody but Ricky :(.  I love our family!

For the Beauty of the Earth

We're taking advantage of the beautiful weather to get out as much as we can.  Last Sunday afternoon, we drove over to Boundary Creek Park on the Rancocas River to hike the trails and enjoy the day.  It was beautifully sunny and the leaves were brilliant.

It's hard to see but that little white spot in the middle of the picture is an egret.  I just couldn't get any closer and even had the zoom on.  Sigh!

Today was another sunny, fall day so off we went to Smithville Park this time.

 

As much as I love the bright yellows and reds mixed in with those that are still green, I can't help feeling a little sad because they'll soon be gone, and we'll have all grays and browns for 5-6 months.  I was thinking the other day that if I didn't believe in a Creator God, it would be easy for me to be a sun worshiper.  I love the sun - how bright life seems when the sun is shining.  

There are a lot of hymns that speak to the beauty of the earth and God's creation:


How Great Thou Art (Stuart K. Hine)
O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.
Refrain
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee;
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee;
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
            Second Stanza
When through the woods and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees,
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur,
And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze.


Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee (Music from Beethoven’s 9^th Symphony, Text by Henry van Dyke)
   Second Stanza
All Thy works with joy surround Thee, Earth and heaven reflect Thy rays,
Stars and angels sing around Thee, Center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain, Flowery meadow, flashing sea,
Chanting bird and flowing fountain, Call us to rejoice in Thee.
 
Great Is Thy Faithfulness     (Music by William Runyon; Text Thomas Chisholm)
            Second Stanza
Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
Refrain
Great is Thy faithfulness, great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me.


This Is My Father’s World  (Music by Franklin Sheppard; Text by Malthie Babcock)
This is my Father’s world, and to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings The music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world; I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and  seas, His hand the wonders wrought.
This is my Father’s world, The birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white, Declare their Maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world; He shines in all that’s fair;
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass, He speaks to me everywhere.
 

I Sing The Mighty Power Of God (Isaac Watts)
I sing the mighty power of God, That made the mountains rise;
That spread the flowing seas abroad, and built the lofty skies.
I sing the wisdom that ordained The sun to rule the day;
The moon shines full at His command, And all the stars obey.
I sing the goodness of the Lord, That filled the earth with food;
He formed the creatures with His word, And then pronounced them good.
Lord, how Thy wonders are displayed, Wherever I turn my eye;
If I survey the ground I tread, Or gaze upon the sky!
There’s not a plant or flower below, But makes Thy glories known;
And clouds arise, and tempests blow, By order from the throne.
While all that borrows life from Thee Is ever in Thy care,
And everywhere that man can be, Thou, God, art present there.

  Jesus is my traveling companion.  He is with me every step of the way..My life is a faith walk and He is faithful.

Aha

This past week has seen some beautiful fall weather and we've been able to enjoy it.  On Monday afternoon, Dawn called to ask if she and the girls could come over to play.  Andy and Kira went to the neighbor's trampoline to do their usual romping.  Their hilarious playing attracts the neighbor girls who then come out to join them.  They chase each other around and around, laughing and giggling - it's such fun to watch them having fun.

Tuesday was also a beautiful day so after lunch, we met Dawn at Long Bridge Park for some playground time with the girls and a little hike to the lake.

Kira was our map reader/trail guide par excellence!  And very serious about her role!

I am happy to report that we are in a somewhat stable mode.  Andy saw his urologist on Wednesday (the last doctor appointment on the schedule until the spring!  Yippee!).  We got a very good report at that visit and the doctor said he doesn't have to go back to him for a year.  Yeah!

We saw an incredible number of doctors this past year.  It seemed like every Tuesday was taken up with an appointment to one or another of them.  Andy feels good physically and continues to work hard at his exercises.  "He looks good," and we have to laugh because that seems to be what everyone tells us whenever they ask how we're doing.  

You know, how certain conditions get an automatic response from people.  When a woman is pregnant, the common question is:  "how are you feeling?"  When the baby is born, "are they sleeping through the night?"  etc.  So for us now, the common response is:  "You look good!"

So we laugh and agree, "Yes, Andy does look good!"

I know feeling well is helping him to be more engaged.  He also works hard at entering into conversations, although depending who he is with determines how difficult it is for him to put his thoughts into words.

I was talking with a friend a week or so ago about how often the Bible tells us to be thankful.  

1Thessalonians 5:18:  "Give thanks in all circumstances..."
Philippians 4:6:  "...in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving..."

I was sharing that as much as I wanted to, I just could never thank God for taking our baby boy.  Yes, there were many things in the situation that I could thank God for...especially the experience of the nearness of God and how He ministered to us during that time.  And now that Andy has this horrible disease, how can I give God thanks for this?  Again, I am very thankful for many of the blessings we enjoy even in this difficult time:  friends and family who surround and support us, our financial needs are being met in incredible ways, the place we live is just right for us right now, and innumerable other many things that fit together for us.  

Then it came to me in an "aha" moment.  God doesn't say we should be thankful FOR everything; but IN everything, we are to give thanks.  He doesn't expect us to be thankful for the effects of the fall:  death, illness, hardships.  But in those hard times, we can find things to be thankful for.  Most of all, for His presence and enabling grace to endure with patience and joy.  

I have been reading Paul Tripp's book, Forever.  

He writes some very powerful truths.  This life is not all there is.  And God is not our genie in the sky to make our life easy and comfortable.  He has a bigger plan.  He is more committed to my eternal good than my present ease.  He is in the business of transforming us into the image of His Son.  

"And how does God transform us?  He has chosen to keep us for a while in this terribly broken world, where he patiently uses surprise, hardship, disappointment, and trial to prepare us for the perfection that is to come.  You could argue that the universal experience of people this side of forever is suffering.  God doesn't allow us to be exposed to and personally experience these things because he doesn't care for us, but precisely because he does.  With patient grace, he employs the hardships of life in this fallen world as his tools of redemption.  He knows how self-righteous and self-reliant we can be.  He knows how strong our trust is in our own wisdom and strength.  He knows we think we're okay and the other guy is in need of redemption.  So he leads us into situations that take us way beyond the limits of our own strength and wisdom.  He uses difficulty to expose our weaknesses of character, wisdom, desire, thought, word and action.  And he does all of this so that we will admit our need, cry out for his help and receive his transforming grace."

Oh, I have so far to go.  I am far from mature and complete, so I should consider it pure joy for the trials I am facing because they are working together for my good.

James 1:2-4:  "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."