Activity Director

Every day Andy asks me what we're doing that day. So I give him the agenda. Either we're going to work or we're working around the house and trying to fit in a hike. So another hat I'm wearing now includes Activity Director.

Yesterday's activities included:

1.  meeting a friend for coffee - just me
2. doing laundry - just me
3. doing exercises - Andy
4. vacuum - just me
5. work on a new puzzle - both of us
6. do yard work - both of us
7. go for a hike - both of us

etc. etc. etc. - you get the idea

We actually fit in a lot yesterday and it was so beautifully spring-like. Everything is blooming and it happened so suddenly - forsythia, magnolia, lilies, hyacinth, daffodils, the weeping cherry, with more in the next couple of days.

We hadn't been to the Brendan T Byrne State Forest in a long time. Well, actually, we had been there this winter but the trails were snow and ice covered so we couldn't do any hiking. So back we went yesterday and were able to walk an estimated 4-5 miles. 

 
The first thing I noticed yesterday as we started down the trail is how good it smelled. Fresh outdoor balsam smell...mmm!

We have hiked this path a number of times before and I am always so impressed by the giant Atlantic white cedars growing in a section of the forest. The brochure we picked up at the Ranger Station says that "Atlantic white cedar once covered vast areas of the Brendan T. Byrne State Forest, but competition from other species and increased deer population have reduced regeneration of this species."

They are impressive trees, aren't they?


It was actually quite warm while we were hiking. It felt more like summer than spring in April. There wasn't much of a breeze and the sun was quite warm. And because there were still no leaves on the trees, there was minimal shade.

I admit I was a bit nervous about the tick possibility. I read online before we left that the spring is the season when ticks are most looking for a host. To avoid the possibility of picking one up, stick to the middle of the trail and don't brush up against vegetation along the side of the trail. So we kept the rules!

 I was tired yesterday so I told Andy we wouldn't be hiking today. He was disappointed but I stuck to my guns! I need a day of rest. Being Activity Director can be tiring. This is a stretch for me because I don't consider myself an idea person. I suppose in some ways, it could be worse. At least I know what he likes to do. Hike, hike, hike and hike. Fortunately, I like to do it, too. But I do have other responsibilities that need to be attended to. Well, somehow it all works out.

I've referenced Elyse Fitzpatrick before. I've been working through her book Comforts from Romans, reading a devotional each morning. I love the way she thinks and writes. Here are some of the things I wrote in my journal of what ministered to me.

Rules won't make sin lovers obey because the real problem is not outward behavior but inward loves.

The gospel is about Jesus, not about me. Paul's command in Romans 6:11 is not to DO, but REMEMBER what Jesus did for me. Even a simple thing like remembering can be difficult because we are so prone to wander and forget.

The ultimate secret to freedom from sin: revealed in Romans 6:14 - "you are not under law but under grace." We are no longer under God's condemning eyes looking to destroy. Instead, his smile rests upon us and all the blessings of grace, favor and merit.

I am no longer a slave to sin and should not even want to sin because I am fully satisfied at the banquet table of God's grace.

The law has no power over me - I have died to sin - I am gloriously deceased! But alive to God.

Our attitude toward the law? We love it and pray that we'll obey it. We long to reflect the marvelous character of our Father and we rest wholly in the imputed righteousness of the only One who ever fulfilled it.

Jesus lived a perfect life in every way, not only outwardly, but his every thought and motive were pure and pleasing to the Father. He obeyed the spirit, as well as the letter of the law. This perfection is imputed to me because of his death and resurrection.

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus! Woo hoo!!!

I am a great sinner but I have a great Savior. Even though I don't understand how all things can work together for good, I do understand at least one thing: he is working in my character to change me. He's making me aware of the idols in my heart, of unbelief and ungodly character. He's doing a deep and painful yet beneficial work in my life. We do not see how deceived we still are but he does, so he works all things for good, that I will become what he has already declared: justified and righteous.

When you think about it, it's gracious of God to allow us to go through trials. It's a sign that he cares about us and our behavior. He's at work to make us more like Jesus.

He's the real Activity Director! Oh, that I would be as patient, kind and gentle as He is with me.

It's Spring!

The weather is finally turning nice and we are taking advantage of it. Two hikes in two days! Yesterday was cool, but the sun was shining so as soon as I got my grocery shopping and laundry done, off we went exploring. 

The last time we had been to Palmyra Cove, the woman at the Nature Center told us about the Cove Trail that meanders along the river. She advised us to take the hike early in the spring because later in the summer, it's not enjoyable because of all the bugs. After being there yesterday, it was easy to see they would be a problem because of the marshiness of the area. We didn't see any deer this time, but we were on the alert for nesting Canadian geese. We actually had to detour around the path at one point because a female was sitting on a nest right on the trail and her mate was on guard. They can be vicious when they're protecting their nest so we picked up sticks and circled far around them.

The tide was out.

Bridge across the Pennsauken Creek

Looking across to the Betsy Ross Bridge

This was a very enjoyable hike - 1.9 miles one way that dead ended so you had to go back the way you came. I think we'll try to get here at high tide next time. It probably looks a lot different with more water.

Today was even more beautiful: warmer and not as windy. Even though we had been to Rancocas State Park last week, Andy wanted to go there again. It is really a big park and there were areas we hadn't investigated and even after today, there are still more trails to explore. Years ago we had taken the family on one of our holiday hikes to the "Indian reservation" at Rancocas Park. We found out that the Indians actually had leased the land from the state of NJ. Originally, this tribe moved up from Virginia. The chief was Roy Crazy Horse and held things together with Indian festivals and all kinds of activities until he died in 2004. Then things pretty much fell apart. Those who were left couldn't agree on how things should be run. The state required them to upgrade their facilities according to fire code and building codes. And apparently, the Indians misspent the money that was allotted to them and they just abandoned the land they had been using. While they had been there, they used the land like it was their private property, paving roads and doing things on state land that they didn't get permits for. 

Rancocas State Park itself is 1,252 acres and there are many trails available for hiking. They are pretty clearly marked and some are through very scenic woods or along the Rancocas Creek.

The sky was so blue today.

We found this huge stand of immense pines.

I have to include one more picture as proof that occasionally there is a hill in south Jersey!

I know it doesn't look like much. Ok, it isn't really. I have to admit that the hikes we take don't have us huffing and puffing. But it is still exercise and that counts, doesn't it? 3.8 miles yesterday and close to 3 miles today.

It is such a blessing to live where we do. Andy and I are both thankful that he is able to get out and enjoy the hiking. We both feel that as long as he is physically able, we need to get out and take advantage of the parks that are available to us. The amazing thing is that Rancocas State Park is almost in our back yard. It only takes us 10 minutes to drive there.

It was a long, hard, cold winter but it looks like spring is finally here. The grass is greening up, the forsythia is blossoming and the magnolia tree is close to full bloom. 

Another evidence of the faithfulness of our God.

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.

Happy Day, Happy Week, Happy Life

The greatest day in history
Death is beaten, You have rescued me
Sing it out, Jesus is alive

The empty cross, the empty grave
Life eternal, You have won the day
Shout it out, Jesus is alive
He's alive

Oh, happy day, happy day
You washed my sin away
Oh, happy day, happy day
I'll never be the same
Forever I am changed

When I stand in that place
Free at last, meeting face to face
I am yours, Jesus, You are mine

Endless joy, perfect peace
Earthly pain finally will cease
Celebrate, Jesus is alive
He's alive

Oh, happy day, happy day
You washed my sin away
Oh, happy day, happy day
I'll never be the same
Forever I am changed

Oh, what a glorious day
What a glorious way
That You have saved me
Oh, what a glorious day
What a glorious name

Oh, happy day, happy day
You washed my sin away
Oh, happy day, happy day
I'll never be the same
Forever I am changed

Songwriters: Timothy David Hughes;Ben Cantelon

Published by: THANKYOU MUSIC, LTD.

Earlier this week, we brought Grace back to our house to spend some one-on-one time with Grammy and Pop-pop. It's a tradition we started the year she turned 7, then every year after that on or near her birthday. The first number of years, she would make up a list of the things she wanted to do while she was with us, but this was her 8th time and by now we know what she likes to do. Her favorite meal is barbeque chicken pizza,

 

with ice cream for dessert while watching a movie.

 

 

For breakfast, there's blueberry pancakes, then playing lots of games, all of which she wins. Maybe I don't try hard enough, but honestly, I really don't "let" her win. We went shopping for an new spring outfit and found a good deal because of a coupon I had.

 

She helped us finish the puzzle we were currently working on. This one was quite a challenge because there were a number of pieces missing including all of the border pieces. That's right...was this someone's idea of a joke?!

 

After lunch, we had to fit in a hike. This time we took her to Palmyra Cove Nature Preserve under the Tacony Palmyra Bridge. Andy and I have been there several times now and we love it every time. There are "tons" of deer and they're almost tame. They are more curious than frightened of us.

 

And there's the beaver dam. We sat and watched for a while but no beavers showed themselves.

 I love having the grandkids over one at a time. Even though I also love having them all at once to watch them enjoy playing together as cousins, it's hard to zero in on them and get to know them when they're all together. So I hope they enjoy it as much as I do, coming over to our house and doing fun things together.

We took her back Tuesday evening, then had dinner together with the rest of the family. Claire is quite the entertainment. She keeps us all in stitches, laughing at her constant chatter. At one point during the meal, she turned to me and said, "Grammy, let's play the quiet game!" I think I was the winner of that game!

I had a holiday off from work on Good Friday but kept it low key, staying home and having a day of rest. It rained pretty much all day so we didn't do any hiking. 

On Saturday, Dawn had play practice but needed a baby sitter for Kasey so Andy and I helped out - gladly. She is such a little doll and was happy being with us.

 When Dawn returned to the house, she had Kira with her and they stayed the rest of the day. They had lunch with us, then Dawn put Kasey down for her nap. I started working on the baked ziti for everyone who would be joining us later. I know ziti is not a traditional Easter dish, but everyone loves it.

Everyone arrived a little after 2:00 pm. Amy brought lots of the plastic Easter eggs that we filled with candy and some money (1 $10, 1 $5 and 5 $1's). Then the guys went out in the yard to hide them. We lined the kids up at the door, youngest and littlest in the first row, then the bigger kids at the rear.

 

 Get ready...

And go...

It was a houseful and loads of fun, but all too soon they all packed up and were gone again.

Today is Easter Sunday. A glorious day. It was such a wonderful worship service at church this morning, singing victorious songs and hearing the message again of the hope we enjoy because of Christ's sacrifice on the cross and resurrection from the dead.

Andy and I were tired today, maybe because of all the activity yesterday. But we decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather and go hiking. (I know - surprise, surprise!)

We had heard of the Rancocas State Park that is very close to us but we had never been there. So we had to go check it out. What a find! We took the 3.2 mile loop. Part of the trail ran along the bank of the Rancocas Creek.

 

 

In a lot of the parks we've been recently, I've been surprised at how close we are to civilization, even in the middle of the pinelands and state parks. That's the beauty of living in the Garden State, that in spite of the congestion and dense population, there are still many places to enjoy the beauty of God's creation.

 

 Case in point...there's the NJ turnpike and Interstate 295 in the distance.

Some time ago, I read in a book by Paul Tripp that trials often do much to reveal what's in our hearts. Unfortunately, I don't remember where I read it in which book, but I've been thinking on this. I am tending to agree with him because I have seen my impatience and frustration in all its ugliness. One of the idols of my heart is to "be right." I feel the need to prove my rightness when someone disagrees or says something "wrong." This has especially come to the forefront since Andy is no longer able to make good judgments. He is often confused and I am so tempted to set him straight. And I usually give in to that temptation. Poor Andy. But he is so patient with me. I have had to ask for his forgiveness so often lately and he freely gives it. 

Another book I am currently reading is  Comforts from Romans by Elyse Fitzpatrick. 

 

She is so good at explaining the good news of the gospel. Jesus not only died for all my sin (pride, self righteousness, anger, etc.), he lived a perfect, righteous life that is imputed to me. It sounds too good to be true, doesn't it? What a good and awesome God.

Oh, happy day, he washed my sins away!