These have been two weeks full of fun and happy times. I'm so grateful for the oil of gladness, the joy God gives us even in the midst of difficult times. 

One of my many blessings is living close to Dawn so that I can just pop by her house to hang out. One evening Tommy was working late, so after I visited Andy, I drove on over to see Dawn. It was still light enough to play outside so we got the bikes out and let the kids ride and play while Dawn and I chatted and enjoyed the outdoors. I was getting a charge out of Cole riding his "bike." Dawn kept asking him if he wanted to ride in the stroller, but he was pretty emphatic about nixing that idea.

Dawn and I have been taking one evening a week for just the two of us to be together. We go to Starbucks and sit and chat for an hour or so with no interruptions from children needing attention. This has been such a booster to my spirits, and she says it's cathartic for her as well. 

Last weekend was scheduled to the hilt. I went and picked up Katy on Friday afternoon and brought her back to spend overnight with me. She turned 7 on the 10th but I already had something scheduled on that date (more on that later) so we celebrated her birthday a little earlier.

She seemed a little nervous about being with me all by herself, but we ended up having a good time (at least I did!). We did the usual fun things: watched a movie, ate ice cream in the living room (shhhh), played games, read stories, took a hike. She also loved having the dress up clothes all to herself, and I think she put most of them on all at once.

I love to braid little girls' hair so I'm happy when they let me have my fun. We took our hike at the Rancocas State Park. I wasn't sure how Katy would do since it's a 3.2 mile hike, but she did amazingly well. I was proud of her. We did sit down every time we saw a bench, but she did not complain or lag behind even though I know she was tired by the end.

After lunch on Saturday, Katy and I drove over to Dawn's and got Kira and Kasey. I took the three of them over to Care One Harmony Village because they were having a Fall Festival. Andy was already outside with the other residents and staff.

The girls had a lot of fun eating cider donuts and soft pretzels, petting the therapy dogs and mini horses. There was also pumpkin painting that occupied them for a while. Although it was fun to be there, it was almost too much for me - to watch three little girls and Andy. (He needs a lot of watching.) While the girls were occupied with painting their pumpkins, I took the opportunity to take Andy into his room for him to rest.

And while we're visiting Pop-pop, don't forget the Ice Cream Parlor!

Christy and her family arrived after the festivities, but then they added their own brand of fun. I'm glad Andy had that little rest because I was able to bring him out to the lobby for a mini-concert from the Lindsay kids (and Christy).

It's so interesting how children can find all kinds of ways to have fun together, like hanging backwards off the back of a backless couch.

 After a little time spent with Andy, we had to leave him and all went back to our house for a dinner together with the rest of the family. All our kids and grandkids were present - a house and table full (11 children and 7 adults!). The kids played and played, while the adults enjoyed good conversations and laughter.

It was a full and happy time for me, but I was pretty tired when they all left. In fact, I was so tired, I didn't even clean up except to run the dishwasher. That is pretty radical for me. 

On Sunday afternoon, I drove down to Sandy Cove Retreat Center in North East, Maryland for our staff retreat. I must have been tired because as I was driving, I was dealing with negative thoughts, on the verge of tears. I couldn't help but think that I was going to be with couples, that I was going to miss Andy sharing this weekend with me, etc. One thought led to another down the slippery slope, ending in fear, worry and distress. But even there in that state, I could sense the Lord ministering to me. He reminded me of verses I had recently read in Jeremiah 17:7-8:

"But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does NOT FEAR when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has NO WORRIES in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."

I felt my dark mood lift as I drove in on the road taking me to the conference center. I really had a good two days there with the people I work with. God has surrounded me with loving, caring people. Everyone made a special effort to sit with me at meals, listen to my concerns, cry with me and just be with me. Monday morning was dreary with rain, but by afternoon the rain was gone, and I was able to fit in a hike with one of my friends.

The beauty of the place was such balm for my soul, the sun sparkling on the water and the glorious sunsets - all the more spectacular after the gray and dreary day.

Sometimes you unwittingly fall into a happy experience. For the last two weeks or so, COHV (Care One Harmony Village) has been announcing their fall fashion show. It was scheduled for this past Friday. I didn't think much about it because I didn't think Andy would be interested and besides, what could he model? But then in talking to Dawn, she wanted to visit Andy on Friday. On a whim, I asked her if she wanted to be there for the Fashion Show. As I was talking to her about it, I had the idea to dress Andy up in his leather jacket. He always loved that jacket and got lots of comments whenever he wore it. One idea led to another...I took a pair of jeans, a black t-shirt and a pair of sunglasses, along with the jacket. I got to COHV a little before the start of the fashion show to get him dressed. He didn't seem too excited about a "fashion show" but as he walked out into the lobby with his black leather jacket and shades on, he got a lot of attention and good vibes. It was hard to get him to keep the glasses on, but he was a pretty good sport about it all.

He's actually smiling!

The whole show was really fun and heart warming. I am very impressed with the staff. They are genuine in the care of the residents. They helped the women and men walk the "red carpet," clapping and showering compliments on them all, whether they could walk or not. One lady loved the applause so much, she walked around three times! And she was applauded each time. Each "model" had their picture taken and made much of. They ate up the attention. Even people normally stone-faced and emotionally unresponsive were smiling, radiant and sparkly. Seeing them every evening, getting to know them a little and now observing them enjoy themselves in this activity, made me choke up. 

Andy was tired by the end of it all, but he humored Dawn and me by submitting to having his picture taken with us. Then he told us he had a wonderful time.

And the icing on the cake...a hike at Rancocas State Park with 3 friends yesterday. It was cloudy but not too cold nor too hot. Except for the humidity, it was a great day for a hike, especially with friends.

I'm so grateful for happy moments like these...gifts from our good God, who "has been mindful of the humble state of his servant" (Luke 1:48) and loves to give good gifts to his children (Matthew 7:11, Romans 8:32 and James 1:17).


But the best gift of all is our salvation, because of the cross. The Newsboys have a fairly new song that I have been listening to lately: The Cross Has the Final Word.


Evil may put up its strongest fight
The Savior has come with the morning light
He traded death for eternal life
The cross has the final word.

There's nothing stronger,
Nothing higher
Nothing greater than the name of Jesus
The cross has the final word.

Written By Cody Carnes

An article posted in the Huffington Post this week claimed that "the one thing Christians should stop saying" is that we're blessed, particularly when we are financially "blessed." I agree with the questions he raises. Why do we think we are blessed when we have no financial worries or if we receive a raise or get back a nice big income tax return? What about the millions of people, some of them Christians, all over the world who make less than $10 per day, who scrounge around in garbage dumps to find scraps of food? Are they not blessed?

The author of the article, Scott Dannemiller, goes on to remind us that Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, told us that those who are happy (blessed) are those who are poor in spirit, meek, hungry for righteousness, mournful, merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, and even persecuted for righteousness' sake. 

We in America tend to think God is our Genie in the Sky, on call to answer our every need in the way we want. We forget that God's purpose for us is to refine us, to make us holy, to complete the work he began in us. And that does not necessarily mean giving us a comfortable life with no problems.

There's no doubt that we are blessed, but not necessarily in the way we Americans think of blessing.

One of those blessings I was grateful for this week was children and grandchildren. Scripture is clear that people, our relationships are gifts from the Lord. 

Psalm 127:3 - "Children are a blessing and a gift from the Lord."

Proverbs 17:6 - "Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers.”

I had brunch with a dear friend on Tuesday and met with another dear friend on Thursday afternoon. In both encounters, we were recounting how much joy our grandchildren bring us. I have always been astounded at the instant bond there seems to be between us "old folks" and the new grandbaby. In our own case, at least, each grandchild has not only been a joy to us, but amazingly enough, also seemed to enjoy us. 

So just for the pure joy of it, I spent several hours yesterday looking through pictures for proof of fun times with us, in particular with Andy. Of course, those grandchildren born earlier have memories of him rough housing with them, playing on the floor, wrestling and tumbling with them. But even those born more recently still seem to be drawn to him. I've always told him he's a baby/kid magnet.

Kasey Ann Sherf

Claire Ruth Lindsay

Joanna Alex Eberly

Asher David Lindsay

Aiden Christian Lindsay

Kira Dawn Sherf

Chase & Joanna

Katy Emma Eberly

 

Grace Olivia Lindsay

Kira

 

Eberly kids

Grace, Naomi Rayne and Chase

Chase Wyatt Eberly

 

Kira

Cole Thomas Sherf

Grace

Cole

Ann Voskamp had a guest post on her blog this week by Jennifer Dukes Lee who wrote a book, The Happiness Dare. I was very interested in what she had to say because sometimes I almost feel guilty for being happy when there is so much horrible stuff going on in the world.

I resonate with the points she made:

* When you desire happiness, you are not a pleasure-seeking heretic. You are responding to something built into your soul.

* Your desire to live happy is your soul's memory of the original paradise, etched and alive in you.

* Your happiness is a formidable weapon in a world wracked with pain.

Oh yes, life is hard, but there are still happy moments. Andy and I still laugh together. We tease and enjoy the life we have at this moment. We enjoy our family, our friends, hikes in the woods, our home, ice cream...

Lee goes on to say that "happiness is a gift from a happy God. It's permissible by God and achievable through him."

Then she quotes John Piper who said it like this: "Our mistake lies not in the intensity of our desire for happiness, but in the weakness of it."

Her whole post is excellent and I heartily recommend you read it and take up the happiness dare.

1 Corinthians 4:7 - "What do you have that you did not receive?"

1 Timothy 6:17 - "...put your hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment." 

Happiness and blessing. 
Yes, I agree we need to be careful about what we mean when we say we are blessed. But the Bible tells us that we are indeed blessed "with every spiritual blessing in Christ." 
(Ephesians 1)

We have been:

* chosen by God to be his children, holy and blameless in his sight, 
* he loves us with an eternal love, 
* we are redeemed through Jesus' blood, 
* the riches of God's grace have been lavished on us,
* we are accepted in the Beloved.
* we are marked with the Holy Spirit, a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance.
* we are God's possession.

Oh yes, we are blessed indeed.  

Laughter & Fun

One of the things I really loved about Andy when we first started dating was his ability to make me laugh. He was masterful at one-liners at just the right time. I confess I laugh easily. My mother used to tell me I wouldn't be able to discipline my own children if I was always laughing at them. 

Andy would sometimes express astonishment that I laughed at all his "dumb" jokes. So I would come back at him that I wasn't necessarily laughing at his jokes, I was laughing that he actually thought he was funny.

Raising our children was often far from funny. But when things got tense, Andy's advice was to "keep a sense of humor." There's nothing like a little bit of fun to ease the tension. But I have to admit, it was sometimes easier said than done.

We had a beautiful day on Thursday. The sun was shining but the temperature was still cool. I had this long list of gardening that needed to be done - hanging over me. All the little maple trees and weeds growing taller by the day in the gardens, and the bushes was really getting, well, bushy, and out of control!

So as soon as I got home from work, Andy and I went out and worked till dinner time. I made something quick, then we went out again. What a great feeling to get all that done - and enjoying the great outdoors at the same time. After we were done, I couldn't believe how sore I was all over.

These are sundrops...aren't they so cheerful looking?

The next morning as we were pulling out of the driveway, we both at the same time, said, "looking good." Then we had to laugh. As we were laughing, Andy said, "I'm going to have to tell Phyllis that one." And I couldn't help laughing some more.

Laughter is a great gift. Proverbs 17:22 says, "A cheerful heart is good medicine..."  

I love to watch the birds at our bird feeder as I work in my kitchen. However, the squirrels are determined to get their share. Actually, they get a lot more than their share. So I already had one squirrel-proof feeder, and recently bought another one. The idea is that when a squirrel puts its weight on the ledge, it drops down to close off the holes where the food is. Well, this doesn't stop them from trying. It's actually quite entertaining to watch them. The other day, I saw the squirrel on top of the roof of the little house hanging upside down. He was trying all his tricky moves when he suddenly lost his grip and fell head first into the bush. 

Earlier in the week, we took a trip to PA in order to celebrate Naomi's 11th birthday. It's always great fun to be with our kids and grandkids. I made a cheesecake with strawberry topping to take along.

It takes great thought to come up with the perfect wish before blowing out your candles.

There was some time to do a "little" reading to Claire. Actually, I read a stack of books...so many I was beginning to lose my voice.  

 All too soon it was time to leave to go home again.

These incidents just show that as hard as life can be, there is respite at times and joy along the way.

Pastor's message was another good one this morning. I can't begin to express my gratitude in God bringing us to this church. I have learned so much over the years from sitting under his teaching/preaching ministry. Today we celebrated 35 years of his leadership and the church's existence.

His sermon this morning was from Exodus 15:22-27 where the Israelites arrived at the bitter water in the desert. Instead of trusting God to provide for them, they grumbled. They were disappointed in the waters and disappointed in God. Pastor said that when we grumble against God:
1. We set ourselves up as God's judge.
2. Our grumbling is veiled in grumbling against others.
3. It's shown in our attitude.
4. Grumbling often leads to other sins. We excuse our sins by thinking we deserve a break because of the hard things we're dealing with.    

But in the Israelites' case at the bitter waters, they discovered things about themselves and about God. And when we go through difficulties, we often discover things about ourselves. It's actually God testing us, to show us our hearts. If we grumble, we're really unhappy with God and his dealing with us. We are not trusting him. But if we surrender to him and trust that he knows what he's doing, we discover that he has resources we don't always recognize. Moses picked up a stick and threw it in the bitter waters and they became sweet. Who would have thought - the solution was there all along. God also has reasons for what we are going through that we can always benefit by. He encourages our remembrance and he brings relief in HIS time. We are often so impatient, wanting relief immediately. But something disastrous can be a catalyst for change.

And don't we all want to become better persons? Knowing God better? Becoming more mature in our walk with the Lord? 

I know from experience that God feels so much more "with" me when I am at my neediest. I see his hand, I experience his goodness and grace. He gives me the strength to endure; and yes, even the gift of laughter in the darkest of times because we are not without hope. 

"We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings...Hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." Romans 5:2b-5
 
And if that doesn't put a song in your heart and a spring in your step...

Forgetting What is Behind and Pressing on Toward the Goal

Sometimes the anticipation of something is not at all like the actual event. I'm afraid I got myself all worked up over the anticipation of attending an old order Mennonite funeral. Memories that were long past came bubbling up to the surface, reminding me of some painful issues that I thought I had dealt with. But even with the discomfort, it was an interesting event, and I was even able to enjoy it to some extent.

We left our house at 7:30 Tuesday morning to make the drive to Lancaster County. Ricky's parents attend an old order Mennonite church that has a fair number of deaf in that church community. So they feel comfortable worshiping there and have many friends. The service was well attended. We arrived at the church before the hearse and the family. I was glad Christian and Christy had also decided to attend the funeral since then we had some moral support. Amy had warned me ahead of time that men and women don't sit together in this church, so I was glad that Andy could sit with Christian. I don't know how he would have done on his own. I suppose somehow we would have managed.

Men and women not only sit on separate sides inside the church for the service, they also have separate entrances into the church. (I did not take this picture myself, but it is a good representation of what the church looked like.)

  
Christy and I went into the women's entrance and weren't sure what to do from there. But two ladies graciously greeted us, then entered into conversation with us. They were twins in their 70's (just guessing on how old they were) with a great sense of humor. They told us they came into the world together, and they've lived life together ever since. We asked them if they were married and we were told, "No, we're SS - single and satisfied." It was gracious of the Lord to allow us to meet these dear ladies as our first contact in this church. 

When the hearse and family arrived, we filed by the coffin for the viewing, then walked down to the cemetery for the graveside service. A preacher preached a sermon before the coffin was lowered into the grave.

After that, we all went into the church for the memorial service. Two preachers preached full length sermons which were interesting and sounded like what we would hear in our own church. Christy and I sat in the back row and the view in front of us looked something like this:
 

I was tempted to take out my phone to snap a picture but I resisted that temptation! 

After the service was over, a lady sitting in front of us, turned around to talk to us. This woman was very different from the twin ladies we met before the service. She was much more critical and started in on us with the "Mennonite Inquisition." Having grown up as a child in the Mennonite culture, I am fully aware of what they consider important: Christian heritage, church affiliation, keeping the rules, who were your parents, to name a few. So she started asking me:

"Where are you from?" (I obviously wasn't from Lancaster County!)
"I'll bet this church is a lot different that what you're used to."

At that point, I told her that I had actually grown up in a church just like this. When I was young, men and women did not sit together. 

Next question: "What conference was your church?"

I don't know, I was only a kid.

And then, I guess to try to identify with her and convince her I knew what she was talking about and just how conservative my church was, I told her: "When I was a teen, I cut my hair and my dad was really upset with me."

Oops...wrong thing to say! And that was the end of the conversation. Christy told me later, that when I said that, the lady looked horrified like I had just said I murdered someone! Yup - raised eyebrows and pursed lips!

It was good of the Lord to allow the first experience in the church to be positive with the twin ladies. It was also very helpful to be there with Christy who wisely observed that every church has their gracious, friendly people who welcome visitors, as well as those who are critical, judgmental and legalistic. 

All in all, I was thankful for the experience because it reminded me of the grace of God. I will never measure up but I don't have to because Jesus fulfilled the law and with his death in my place, not only saved me from my sins, but credits his own righteousness to my account. Hallelujah, what a Savior.

I was also glad we could attend the funeral for Amy's sake. She loved her father-in-law, and he was easy to love. He was a friendly guy, always with a ready smile, and accepting of us "outsiders."

We've been enjoying warmer weather...not exactly warm, but warm-er. I had off on Friday (Good Friday) and we sat on the deck to drink our afternoon coffee. The sky was gorgeously blue.

Andy has been taking the opportunity to clean up the back deck and yard. The magnolia petals have been falling and blanketing the ground. I think it's pretty - a pink carpet. But they do need to be cleaned up before it rains and then they stick to the deck and make a mess. He's always a good sport when I want to take his picture.




Yesterday, everyone came down for an Easter meal together. We had 20 at our table, including all 3 daughters with their families and Andy's mom and dad. I had organized the menu and the girls chipped in to bring dishes to add to the meal. There was a lot of food and everyone was happy.

Little Cole is almost 8 weeks old. He is very attentive toward anyone who holds him. Here he is getting to know his Grammy. What a sweet baby.

Today is Easter, and we're celebrating the resurrection of our Lord.

Living, He loved me
Dying, He saved me
Buried, He carried my sins far away
Rising, He justified freely forever
One day He's coming
Oh glorious day, oh glorious day

One day they led Him up Calvary's mountain
One day they nailed Him to die on a tree
Suffering anguish, despised and rejected
Bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He
Hands that healed nations, stretched out on a tree
And took the nails for me

One day the grave could conceal Him no longer
One day the stone rolled away from the door
Then He arose, over death He had conquered
Now He's ascended, my Lord evermore
Death could not hold Him, the grave could not keep Him
From rising again

Living, He loved me
Dying, He saved me
Buried, He carried my sins far away
Rising, He justified freely forever
One day He's coming
Oh glorious day, oh glorious day
  

Songwriters HALL, JOHN MARK / BLEECKER, MICHAEL

Published by Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.

After church and lunch, it seemed like a good idea to go to the woods. It was somewhat cloudy, with occasional patches of blue sky. We hiked around Pakim Pond which was a challenge in several spots because the trail was under water.

 

The trail around the pond is only about half a mile, and we felt like we could go a little further. We went off into the woods on the Batona Trail for another half mile before turning around and hiking back. 

Pakim Pond

The Batona Trail in the Brendan T. Byrne State Forest

Andy was very interested in Randy Alcorn's book, Happiness, when I was reading it. He picked it up and is making the effort to get through it. He is making progress and marking it up, making notes and highlighting significant sentences. He shared with me a quote that Alcorn made of A.W. Tozer that "The people of God ought to be the happiest people in all the world!" Then offered this explanation:

"Goodness is that in God which desires the happiness of His creatures and that irresistible urge in God to bestow blessedness [happiness]. The goodness of God takes pleasure in the pleasure of His people...for a long time it has been drummed into us that if we are happy, God is worried about us. We believe He's never quite pleased if we are happy. But the strict, true teaching of the Word is that God takes pleasure in the pleasure of His people, provided His people take pleasure in God."

And truth be told, we have a lot to be happy about. We are blessed beyond measure, pressed down and overflowing. Even in our "light and momentary troubles," we are blessed, because Jesus is with us, giving us the strength to endure cheerfully, knowing that it will all be worth it when this life is over and we are with him forever and ever.

It's hard to remember every moment of every day just what a blessing our trials are. That's why I have to constantly bring my thoughts around to His thoughts. I do that by reading His Word as well as books that challenge me to think right thoughts. I finished reading Desiring God by John Piper. What a man of God he is. I so appreciate his emphasis that we glorify God most when we are most satisfied in him.

Just a couple of quotes that I wrote down in my journal from Desiring God:

"All suffering (persecution, sickness or accident) has this in common: they all threaten our faith in the goodness of God and the preciousness of Christ. They all tempt us to leave the path of obedience." (page 216)

"Suffering is clearly designed by God not only to wean Christians off self and onto grace, but also to spotlight that grace and make it shine. That is precisely what faith does, it magnifies Christ's future grace." (page 223-223) And he referenced 2 Corinthians 12:9-10..."The power of Christ may dwell in me...when I am weak, then I am strong."

"The deep things of life in God are discovered in suffering. So it was with Jesus himself. Hebrews 5:8: 'Although he was a Son, Jesus learned obedience through what he suffered.' Learning obedience does not mean switching from disobedience to obedience. It means growing deeper and deeper with God in the experience of obedience. It means experiencing depths of yieldedness to God that would not have been otherwise demanded." (page 223)

So through the experiences of my childhold and with what I'm learning about suffering, Philippians 3:12-14 seems a fitting conclusion.

"Not that I have already obtained all this (knowing Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings - verse 10), or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."