Saturday, June 26, 2010

Simple Joys Saturday




My previous post shared about the way our week began, with a tornado just 15 miles from us that hit Billings on Father's Day; a rare event that hasn't occured here for over 50 years. If you want to read about that, click here. The rest of the week was less weather related, and we enjoyed this last week with my mom here with us, and she and I spent a couple of days babysitting my grandchildren. Mom enjoys the kids, but the activity and noise wears her out, and I suspect she is looking forward to getting home soon, but we have had a wonderful visit with her. It is easy to see how she is affected by the Alzheimers, yet it amazes me how well she plays Jeopardy as we watch it on tv! We had lots of talks about flowers, how she and dad raised 5 kids on a farm, and a few other glimpses of her life now and long ago.

We will be driving Mom back, leaving on Sunday and meeting my sister and brother-in-law on Monday. Mom will then travel home with them. My husband and I will spend a couple of days visiting his dad and other family members and then we'll head back home; a quick but hopefully good trip. We would appreciate your prayers for a safe and peaceful trip, and for when the time comes to say good-bye to my mom and my husband's dad. We live several hundred miles away from each of them and our trips to their homes are only once or twice a year.

Lauren took Lucy, our golden retriever, for a bath at the Wash-a-Mutt, located at a nearby veterinary, so that she will smell good for our trip. She doesn't like the "trauma" of it all, but she came back smelling wondeful and we poured on the praise. She even poised for this photo with her tail wagging:



The wonderful rains and warm weather have really helped our flowers pop, so I leave you with just a few photos of June's blossoms. Have a good weekend and week, and a wonderful time worshipping our Lord, who has given us more than we could ever need or want.

The LORD reigns, let the earth be glad;
let the distant shores rejoice.
Psalm 97:1


Monday, June 21, 2010

A Father's Day Picnic and Then, the Storm!

Father's Day started out as a beautiful, sunny and warm day, and after church we met our daughters and their families in a park in Billings for a picnic. It felt so good to be outside, as we have had quite a lot of rain and cool days. We ate our picnic fare, watched the kids play, and just enjoyed sitting in the shade of the cottonwood trees.

Lauren with our granddaughter, Maya



Our son-in-law John with his 2 sons, Eli and Jack, in a loving pose!


Our son-in-law Mark with Eli and daughter Maya
At about 1:30, we all went to our own homes; the toddlers to take naps and the rest of us to enjoy our own lazy respites. John and Mark went to play golf together. It was just a perfect Sunday.


About 4:00, the sky started to get very dark as the clouds rolled in, and we were expecting a good rain. About 4:30, we heard the siren; not our local fire siren, but the emergency siren that we usually only hear during tests periodically throughout the year. But this was no test. We looked at each other and said something like, "Why is that going off?" We turned the tv to the local weather channel, and they muttered something about a storm. Most of the tv stations went off the air. Not a good sign!

We have lived in Montana for 30 years, and one thing we always have liked is that tornadoes are very rare in Montana. In fact, it has been over 50 years since a tornado hit the Billings area. There have been a few tornadoes that hit some of the more rural areas several miles from this area, but generally, tornadoes are very rare. But that was about to change!

Now, you would think we would've gone to the basement, but remember, tornadoes are rare, so we continued to stay on the main floor and try to find out more information. Besides, our basement is old and full of stuff, and I didn't want my mom to have to tackle the old steps unless absolutely necessary.

A tv station came back on the air that had the information we needed: Billings, about 15 miles from us, had been hit by a tornado, and not only that, the area hit was only a mile or 2 from where Sara and Mark live! I called Sara, and she said that yes, they had had a torrent of rain, wind and hail, but they were fine. Mark was driving home at the time and saw the funnel, but it was away from their apartment.

Here is a picture of the funnel. I'm not sure if this was before or after it hit Billings.


The worse damage was in the Billings Heights area, where the tornado hit Metra Park, a large sports arena where Women of Faith has come as well as Beth Moore. When filled, it seats 12,000 people. The day before, the Billings Outlaws had played a home football game in front of over 2,000 people. This is the inside of the Metra, the roof completely gone and the inside littered with debris and heavy damage.



The funnel swirled about the Metra for about 15 minutes, and it also destoyed or heavily damaged several businesses. Over 2 inches of rain fell in less than 1 hour, not normal for this area. Winds ranged from 111 t0 135 mph.By the grace and power of God, no one was killed and only a few were injured by hail. In our town, we only had a little rain and not a lot of wind.

My husband had to drive by the Metra today as part of his work day, and he described it to me on the phone. He said debris was everywhere and the Metra was as bad as the news reported. The weather report is for more storms tonight, and believe me, if we hear the emergency siren, we are headed to the basement!


Throughout all of this, I didn't feel any fear,but afterI found out how close loved ones had been to the tornado, I realized how quickly things can change in our lives. Today, I am more aware of what is happening in the sky, but I do know and trust that our heavenly Father is watching over us, and that nothing comes as a surprise to Him. All types of storms come into our lives, and He is ever faithful to give us His peace. Some of you have been through or are going through a storm right now. Some of your storms have been raging for a long time, and there seems to be no end. My words cannot calm the storms of your lives, but God's can. He has the power to be with you in the midst of any storm you go through, no matter how severe and how long.  I know that when our faith wavers, He is with us, and I am reminded of His power when he says,

"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you.
 I do not give to you as the world gives.
 Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid."
John 14:27



Friday, June 18, 2010

Simple Joys Saturday - Time with Mom


I have been enjoying time with my mom as she visits us this month, and on Monday she and I went to our local zoo to see the flower garden there. We have been having a lot of rain, so getting out on a warm and sunny day was indeed a simple joy. Mom had both flower gardens and a very large vegetable garden on our farm where I grew up, and it was fun to have her point out the flowers that she knew as well as to learn the names of a few neither of us had ever seen.

I have mentioned before that Mom has Alzheimers, and so each time a window of her life as a young girl opens, it is a joy to see and hear about. My husband took our grandson Jack to two fishing derbies recently, and that has brought back memories Mom has of fishing with her father. She said her 2 brothers never went, but she and my grandpa went quite a bit, and to this day she loves to eat fish. She helped me pick out fish at the grocery store recently, and we will be cooking that up soon.

Mom  also came along when I babysat our grandchildren a few times this week. She is not used to the noise and activity, but she does enjoy getting to know them. We spent a morning with my granddaughter, and the next day, she cried that she wanted her "grandma", my mom, as I am Nana. That made Mom feel good!

I am seeing the dificulties that come with age in my mom, such as the need for a cane to keep her steady, the pain of arthritis as well as pain from a couple of bad falls, and a few other things that have really slowed her down, but it is the Alzheimers that is the most difficult to watch. She has a home near my sister in the midwest and also a small home in AZ, but she has trouble remembering either one of them. I am sorry to say that I do not have pictures of these homes on the inside, but we do talk about them alot to help her feel secure that she does, indeed, have a home that she will be going to soon (in the midwest).

I am so glad to have this time with Mom, since we live quite far apart and I do not see her often. This has been such a joy to me and I thank my Lord for giving us this time together.

"Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He,
I am He who will sustain you.
I have made you and I will carry you;
I will sustain you and I will rescue you."
Isaiah 46:4


Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Word-Filled Wednesday ~ Come, Lord Jesus




Fill your cup with the Word at the Internet Cafe

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Jack's Outdoor Activities

Our grandson Jack recently went to a fishing derby with my husband,
and Grandpa took these photos of Jack's catches. The fish may have
 been small, but the day was a big success. Happy Pappy, Jack's 
midwest grandpa, taught Jack how to fish when Jack was a little sprout!
Way to go, Pappy!




Jack and his dad, John, went rock climbing on the Rims nearby.
 It was Jack's first time climbing, and John was able to get a few
 pictures of the big event. The other picture is of John holding Eli,
perhaps a future rock climber?


Saturday, June 12, 2010

Simple Joys Saturday ~ Contentment II

Yesterday I did a quick post on my need for rest and "gave" a bouquet to my bloggy friends. So for Simple Joys Saturday, I ask you to hop to A Bouquet For You  to see your gift from my garden.

My need for rest comes from being overextended, as I said, but this busyness is actually a joy for me, for my time this week involved being with my mom, who is visiting us this month, and being with my grandchildren, who always fill my heart with joy!

A big joy is that my husband and grandson Jack are at a fishing derby for kids today, the second one they have gone to, and I am so thankful that the Lord made it possible after bringing our daughter Erin and her family back here to live after being in MN for 4 years.

Mom and I also got to spend Thursday afternoon with my granddaughter Maya, who was full of energy and fun, "reading" us books and telling us all about her day.

I wish I had taken pictures this week of the JEMs (the grands), especially yesterday when Jack, age 6, brought over a soccer trophy he was awarded after a week of soccer training. He has never played before, and he had such fun each morning. What a joy to have him show me his soccer moves! Now he and little brother Eli will have a ball playing soccer in their backyard this summer.

We have also received much-needed rain this week - thank you, Lord!

I think I can sum up this Simple Joy Saturday as being content in the life God has given me, knowing He provides all I need, the simpler the better!

Please join Jan for Simple Joy Saturday!

Friday, June 11, 2010

A Bouquet for You

Flowers for You on a Rainy Day

(a peony bouquet on a vintage peony tray)

The white pitcher holds a few of my favorite peonies blossoms, as well as lady's mantle, lamb's ears and a few hosta leaves. I got the tray last year on etsy, one of my favorite places to shop!


It is a cool, rainy day, perfect for getting caught up on a book I am reading and indulging in a little laziness. I have been a little overextended lately; actually, for about a month or more, so today is a day off. But I wanted to apologize for not answering some of your comments or even getting to your blogs to read your latest.  I so enjoy connecting with my blog friends and family, and I do hope you have a wonderful weekend, soaking up some sun or enjoying the rains that nurture our flower and vegetable gardens. Perhaps a little rest is in your plans?


Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Word Filled Wednesday ~ Contentment


(my photo of our Lucy )

Contentment and peace do not come easy for any of us, but as we trust in Him and grow in His Word, it does come. And God always keeps His promises - that is true wealth!

Keep your lives free from the love of money
and be content with what you have,
because God has said,
"Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you."

Click here to go to Internet Cafe Devotions for Word-Filled Wednesday
and be blessed by the Word of God.

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Mosaic Monday ~ Garden Blossoms


1.Catmint 2.Columbine 3.Lamb's Ears
4.Lady's Mantle 5.Daisies and Catmint 6.Painted Daisies
7.Lamb's Ears by the birdbath 8.Peony bud 9.Pansies and Johnny Jump-ups


It is always so pretty this time of year in our little flower gardens, before it gets hot and dry. The next anticipated blossoms are the Peonies and the Lady's Mantle, which are just about ready to pop!



Join Mary at Little Red House for more Mosaic Monday fun!

Friday, June 4, 2010

Simple Joys Saturday 4 ~ Family Times


Please link up with Jan for Simple Joys Saturdays!

This week has been blessing-filled with family times, as my sister, brother-in-law and my mom came for a visit from the midwest. We enjoyed eating outside on Memorial Day, with very fine weather and the joy of being together. Our daughters and their families joined us, and it was such a pleasant day.


I continue to be amazed and thankful that all 3 grandchildren (our JEMs) are living near us. This week, my mom and I had the joy and the busyness of watching them at various times. Mom is staying with us for a few weeks, and this week it has been such a blessing to see her feeling quite well, considering that she has Alzheimers and uses a cane to keep from falling. We usually only see her once or twice a year, as she lives by my sister and brother-in-law. They tirelessly take care of her and I am so thankful for their love and care of her, as it is not an easy task.

Spring is unfolding the flower blossoms and tree leaves; the transformation always amazes me as we go from bare tree branches to full leaves in just a matter of days. I was also able to plant flowers in our window boxes recently, making spring official.

This week has offered us the simple pleasures of sitting on our front porch to soak up a new book, magazine or to just sit and listen to the sound of the birds as they flit from tree to tree. The backyard also beckons us to sit under a shade tree or loll in the hammock. My husband and grandson Jack are going to go to a fishing derby on Saturday. Ahhh, simple joys and blessings!

I am not saying this because I am in need,
for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.
 I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation,
 whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
                                                 Philippians 4:11-12 (NIV)

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Word-Filled Wednesday ~ A Full Quiver




I am a little late to the party, but I wanted to share this verse,
which has been such a blessing to me.
The NIV reads:

"Sons are a heritage of the Lord,
children a reward from Him.
Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
are sons born in one's youth.
Blessed is the man
whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
when they contend with their enemies
in the gate."
Psalm 127:3-5

Our days have been full lately, with our children, their spouses and our 3 grands.
Our quiver is indeed full.
Thank you, Father!