Isaiah 40:31 "But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint."

(ACTUALLY, THIS WAS WRITTEN BACK IN MARCH OF THIS YEAR... I HAVEN'T SEEN MY OWLS MUCH LATELY...BUT WE DID HEAR THEM THE OTHER NIGHT, SO WE KNOW THEY ARE STILL OUT THERE.  THINGS USUALLY START GETTING INTERESTING WITH THEM AGAIN IN THE WINTER...THAT'S THEIR MATING SEASON APPARENTLY! I'll keep you posted!..And as an update, they never did produce an offspring this past spring.  They kept going into the nest, but no baby owl ever appeared to our sight. Not sure what happened to it.  Last year they had twins, and two years before that they just had one baby.  So who knows? Maybe this hear will be the year for tripletts?  We'll have to wait and see!)
March, 2010...I had a most interesting encounter this morning with my owl friends.  I call them my friends because they have been making my back yard treetops their home for as long as we have lived here, and God only knows how long they were here before us.  Actually, this is their home...we invaded their privacy when our house was built in their woods, exposing their secret nesting tree to the human eyes of the world.  But thankfully, they have been very tolerant of our inquisitive prying into their world, and have actually appeared to enjoy showing off for us.  Case in point:

While it was still shadowy and misty in the early morning dawn, I stepped out onto my back patio and scanned the treetops for a possible sighting of "my" owls.  You see, it is just about time for their offspring to spring into view, so I have been watching for them every chance I can.  Much to my pleasure and surprise, I discovered the two parent owls huddling close together high on a branch to the west of my vantage point.  So I ventured out into the yard a bit closer and started talking to them...(hold your comments to yourself, please).  I said, "Good Morning Mr. and Mrs. Owl! I am so very glad to see you this morning." At this point they both turned their very large brown eyes right in my direction and looked me over very closely. Then I distinctly noticed that they turned away and looked at each other as if to say, "There she is again...that crazy lady who's always talking to us like she thinks we should understand what she's saying! How on earth did we get stuck with such a loony human neighbor?" Then they looked at me again and craned their fat feathery necks around in order to get a better look at me.  At this point I was getting a little nervous, as I know they were probably sizing me up to see if they could pick me up and carry me to their nest for breakfast.  So I thought I'd better talk a little faster and louder so they could hear me better...

This time I asked them, "So, where are your babies?  Do you have any new baby owls yet? Are they getting big enough to come out and play?"  Now, I kid you not...at this very moment the Mama Owl immediately flew off her perch, spreading her wide strong wings straight out, and flew very rapidly and directly to the nest tree, which is on the opposite side of the yard. She landed perfectly on the hollow tree and perched there at the opening of the nest and looked squarely at me again as if to say, "Here they are...the babies are right here safe within the nest!"  I immediately trotted over to that end of the yard so I could see her better, and bounced up and down clapping my hands with glee and saying, "Oh thank you Mrs. Owl! I am so excited! I can't wait to see your new babies! Thank you for letting me in on the secret! I promise not to tell a soul." (oh, well, I guess I lied.)  She gave me one last penetrating look, and all the while I noticed that she was regurgitating something in her beak, and then expertly dove head first down into that opening to feed her babies.  Of course, I fairly danced back to the house, waved good-bye to the Papa Owl who was still waiting on the other tree, and then I rushed off to hit the road for work.

So, what has all this got to do with us, or with our "waiting on the Lord"?  I don't know, except that I can see that for which I was earnestly waiting, the appearance of the baby owls, is about to happen...and the Mama Owl encouraged me this morning by her actions, as if to say, "Your waiting has not been in vain!"

In my real life, I had to wait quite a long time for an answer to prayer in the form of a job...and today the other ladies in the office and I were talking about how God's timing was perfect for each of us in the way that He answered our individual prayers. We each had our own stories about the frustrations of waiting, but yet marveled how God used that time of waiting to strengthen us and renew our minds and spirits so that we would be ready for the fruition of His divine plans.  I have been noticing that I am doing a lot of running back and forth in my new office due to the crazy maze of a floor plan we have to maneuver in order to get our daily work accomplished.  Even though I come home somewhat physically tired, at the same time I am exhilarated and renewed...because I know this is the Lord's plan for my life at this time.  I am so thankful that I "waited on the Lord"...and that He is giving me wings like the eagles (OWLS) to make it through each day.

"He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength." Isaiah 40:29

"Collective Reasoning..."



Pretty Colonial Doll from my husband.  Tea Time from
my sister.

 Psalm 119:36-37: "Incline my heart to Your testimonies, and not to covetousness. Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, and revive me in Your way."






A Few of My "Favorite Things"

(Click on pictures to enlarge...then hit the back arrow to return to blog)

Japanese Cherry China from husband's Grandmother Martin

My "Margie Doll", given to me by my Aunt Margie for my
7th birthday, and "Valerie", given to me by my Dad for
Christmas several years ago.

I have inherited a fondness for going "shopping" at interesting looking antique shops and other stores full of old "treasures"...you know, stuff like old books, dishes, furniture, kitchen utensils from bygone days, etc., etc., etc.! I come from a family of "collectors", collecting anything from old trains, dolls, postcards, toys, and certain kinds of glassware to just plain "junque" (classy junk) that someone else may be collecting and willing to pay a price for. So I come by this tendency honestly. My personal preference is old fashioned books, preferably novels and historical fiction from the late 1800's and early 1900's. Anything later than that is subject to keen evaluation for suitability for my "old-fashioned" values. I also love dolls, teapots and tea-cups, both antique and new if interesting and unique enough.



"A Child's Tea Party"...special dolls from special friends
The love of dolls and  pretty things from my mother.



When we lived in New England the opportunities for searching through such treasure-troves were endless. Almost every small village and town had several antique shops and other such collectible markets to lure the tourists as well as the newly arrived local people. I've also noticed that central Florida, where I currently live, has it's fair share of such places as well. The problem is certainly not in having a place to investigate, but finding the time to spend on such a pleasure trip, and then having the spending money available with which to purchase something when I've found it! I have set for myself strict limitations on the price I will spend on any of my favorite passions, and with our limited budget it is not often that I can indulge. Sometimes the opportunity to spend an afternoon leisurely shopping with a friend or "sister" comes along but usually the funds are not available at the same time. Perhaps that is a blessing in disguise.

It seems as though lately either I am maturing in my pursuit of "worthless things", or my taste is just changing. Maybe the Lord is helping me to realize the true value of spending my time and energy on developing a closer relationship with Him and with His people rather than on living in my collections of the past. Not that there is anything really wrong with having such a hobby or collecting things one enjoys...unless those things begin to interfere with one's relationships...either time-wise or monetarily. I have been shopping with some people who were true collectors...and have even felt a bit covetous of the amount of money they were able to spend on something they just had to have to complete their collection. To them the "having" was worth almost any price! Little by little the Lord has opened my eyes to the worthlessness of such a pursuit. It seems as though the more one has, the more one wants! There is no end to the "collection"! And yet, what are all these things with which we fill our houses and barns when we are facing eternity? On the day we leave this world, whose will they be? Something for the remaining relatives to squabble over or set upon the auctioneer's block for sale!

Teapot with a bird on top, from my sister Doris.
Calumet Baking Powder vintage cookbook
Teacup and cookies...you must see this one!

Please don't misunderstand me. I still enjoy the reminders from the past that have been passed down from generation to generation and will pass them on to my children when the time comes. But more importantly, I want to pass down to my children a testimony of faithfulness to the Lord, a memory of a mother who truly loved the Lord and His people, and didn't just spend all of her time and money on "worthless things" that have to be dusted and protected from sticky little fingers.

Lord, thank you for this lesson today. It appears as though the older we get, the more attached we become to the things of the past. We're afraid to let go of them for fear we'll lose a part of our identity. Help me to be always identified with You, my Lord and Savior. Revive me in Your way, and help me to leave behind a heritage of faithfulness and a testimony of a mature relationship with You and Your people. And forgive me when I am tempted to covet what another has. I know that I have all I need in You. Amen.




The Hoosier Cupboard
from husband's grandmother Nanny Martin ~ Teapots and Teacups from
Friends and Loved Ones



"Baby Elva Cynthia", a precious gift from a precious friend.



By the way, everything pictured above were either gifts to me or items I have received through inheritance from family members.  As I scanned the pictures I realized that I had not purchased any of those items...and each item is very special because of the fact that they were gifts from dear friends and loved ones and all have significant sentimental value attached.  Nevertheless, when the day comes that God calls me home, I cannot take these precious gifts with me...but I will inherit eternal life...and as an extra bonus I will once again enjoy the company of those who have left these things behind for me to enjoy in the meantime! That's one of those "lasting treasures" that moth and dust cannot destroy!!! Hallelujah!! (See Matthew 6:19)

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

(Matthew 6:19-21)

Don't Judge A Book (or a hairdresser) by it's cover...(Or it's hair)

Boy did I have a slap in the face humility lesson!  I went to my usual place to get a haircut, which was LONG overdue (pardon the pun).  My usual place is really exotic...Smart Style in the local Walmart...it used to be cheap...but not anymore.  They charge as much as the real salons where you have to have appointments and get preferential treatment...

Well anyway,  I go to Walmart because it is convenient and I don't have to worry about keeping an appointment.  I usually try to get the same person each time, but if she's not available I'll take whoever is ready and willing to get the job done.  So, I walk into the salon and sign in and ask for my favorite lady. I am told by the woman at the desk that she is off today.  So I say, Ok, I'll take whoever is ready...and she says, "Ok, Josh, you're up!" 

I look to see who "Josh" is, as I have never seen a man stylist in this place before.  Wouldn't you know that "Josh" is a young 30 something guy with the most punk looking haircut you can imagine?  I mean, he's got a spiked mohawk with hot pink hair tips standing straight up like a coxcomb!  My first thought is, "oh my gosh...he's going to cut MY hair?"  Oh no! I'm trying to think how I can get out of this without looking ungrateful, but it's too late.  "Josh" has already seen me coming in and he walks right up to me and shakes my hand and says, "Hi, I'm Josh! How would you like your hair cut today?"  The first words out of my mouth are, "Hi Josh, I'm Pam...I need a wash and cut, but not like YOURS!"  He laughed and said "That's the reaction I usually get!"  Then I relaxed and said, "Well, maybe we could start a new trend for 60 year old ladies! I'm sure my husband would just love it (not)...and so would my employers at the church where I work!"   Then he really surprised me, because obviously I'm thinking this guy knows nothing about church...I mean, he just doesn't fit the mold...at least not the mold I'm thinking about... 
Josh replies, "Oh, hey, I know what you mean. I teach Sunday School, and when the new parents drop off their kids they look at me and say, "Uh, where's the teacher? Is there anybody else in there?"  And he just smiles and says, "Yeah, my wife is here...she's the teacher...I'm just here for the entertainment!" 

So then I'm really flabberghasted...not only is he married, but he teaches Sunday School with his wife! And he's a parent too...has two kids...one aged 11 (just like my grandson!), and a little girl age 5!  So now I'm really mulling all this over in my head...(while he's cutting away at my hair...and I'm still wondering what I will end up looking like....  He continues to chat about his family and his home and where he went to school (at one the same places I worked...Lake Tech) and then I find out he actually worked in one of the same places where my younger son worked (a restaurant) before he decided he wanted to try something new like cutting hair!!

By the time he's done cutting my hair I had totally had my whole mind rearranged about pre-judging this young man...and I actually left there liking my haircut even better than ever before from all those old experienced women stylists!  Oh, and how DOES my hair look?  I'll never tell...you'll have to come see for yourself!!



The new me....

Lord, forgive me for prejudging and being such a narrow minded person.  And thank you for bringing Josh to my "hair rescue"...Not only did he do a great job on my hair (see above, oh sorry, I'm praying), but he also did a great job on my mind!  I do believe You sent him to me on purpose!  Thanks, Lord!  I needed that lesson!  Amen.

Are You Running in the Wrong Direction?

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fvodpod.com%2Fwatch%2F117569-casting-crowns-does-anybody-hear-her&h=8de36

The above link will take you to a video of a Casting Crowns song entitled, "Does Anybody Hear Her?"...
I was struck by this song yesterday morning on my way to work...it was playing on my radio just as I was pulling up to my place of employment, which  happens to be a church with a most imposing and glorious steeple that towers over the city and looks down upon a whole community of lost and lonely people.  I thought to myself, "Wow, what a song to hear just as I crested the hill where I could see the top of that steeple spiraling up toward the heavens!"  Then I thought about all the lost and lonely people that I pass by every single day....even though it is a beautiful, historic, charming southern victorian section of the city, there are many, many hurting, homeless, lost people all around us.  I see one very thin woman carrying her large shopping bag full of her life's treasures, always wearing a long raincoat as she walks to and fro to where? From where? I don't know.  We have many needy people stopping in our church on a regular basis for assistance with their light bills, rent, (if they have a place to live), gas for their vehicle (if they are fortunate enought to have one) so they can get wherever they need to go, and many even asking for Greyhound Bus Tickets to get them back home to a safe haven (hopefully). 

Thankfully our Pastors are cognizant of the even greater needs many of these people have for words of hope and encouragement, exhortation, and perhaps even counsel on how to come to Christ...the Only answer for ALL their needs. That's the real need of their hearts... they need Jesus.  Oh yes, I know they need food, shelter, clothes, gas, and all the other necessities of life...I'm not so "heavenly minded" that I can't see their earthly needs.  But it is so important to give these people more than just things...they need hope for a way out of their deep despair...they need light for the darkness in their hearts and minds, they need power from on High to pull out of the deep pits into which many have fallen and feel hopelessly trapped.  They need to drink from the well of everlasting life...so they will never thirst again...like that woman at the well, who met Jesus there, and He said to her,

"If you knew the gift of God, and Who it is who says to you, 'Give Me a drink,' you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water." 

and when He offered her the gift of everlasting water, she said,

"Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw..." (See John 4:1-30)

When her eyes were opened to the truth, she realized that Jesus was the Messiah, and even though her sins were great and her problems were many, she believed, and went and brought many others to Him so that they too might drink of that living water.  I believe that woman's life was changed at that very moment...I have a feeling she found a new freedom in Christ that she had never known before...and she couldn't wait to share it with others. I would love to have followed that woman around after her encounter with Christ, to watch and see exactly how God was working in her and through her in ways she never had imagined possible before that meeting.

Have you been to the well of living water?  Have you drank from it's depth of compassion, strength, and power?  Have you shared that with anyone else?  Or are you still running in the wrong direction?

Lord, I pray for all the "lost and lonely people" around me right now...right in the shadow of our steeple.  Open my eyes, Lord, to see them as You see them.  I've already drank from that living water...help me to run and tell others the good news...The Messiah has come! He is here with us right now...living in us in a fountain that is overflowing with eternal life...with power to live both now and forever.  Thank you, Dear Jesus, for the hope that is in me.  Help me to spread the news. Amen.

It's Recipe Thyme



My Sweet Mama, Circa 1938



Here is a favorite fall dessert recipe from my Mother, Dorothea T. Mursch, (1917-2006).  We loved this delicious warm cake served in bowls with the hot nutmeg sauce poured over, better known to us as "Cottage Pudding".  This is a great little treat for your family to try! 

Mom Mursch’s Cottage Pudding Recipe

Oven 350 degrees

Cream well ½ cup shortening and ¾ cup sugar; and 1 egg and ¼ teaspoon lemon extract; beat well.

Sift together 1 ¾ cups sifted all purpose flour, 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder, and ½ teaspoon salt.
Add to creamed mixture alternately with 2/3cup milk, beating after each addition. Bake in lightly greased and floured 9x9x2 inch baking pan at 350 degrees for 40 to 45 minutes or until cake tests done. Serve warm with Nutmeg Sauce.

Nutmeg Sauce:

½ cup sugar

1 Tbsp. Corn Starch

dash salt

About 1 tsp. Nutmeg.

Gradually add 1 cup boiling water, stirring into mixture. Add about 2 tablespoons butter. Stir until thickened.


Pour warm sauce over individual servings of cake above. Double this mixture for a larger cake. Delicious dessert for a cool evening!!




Let the kids help out!  They'll love licking the beaters!!



This is a great fall day snack after the kids come in from
playing in the leaves!!

Here's another of my Mother's Favorite Fall Recipes: 

GINGERBREAD
Oven 350 degrees
1/2 Cup shortening
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup light molasses ( I use dark Grandma's Molasses)
1 1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon soda
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup boiling water.

Cream shortening and sugar til light.  Add egg and molasses; beat thoroughly. Sift together dry ingredients.  Add to creamed mixture alternately with water, beating after each addition.  Bake in greased and lightly floured 8x8x2 inch pan at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes or till done. Serve warm with whipped cream or icecream.

My mother always put a thin confectioner's sugar glaze over top of the warm gingerbread.  Mix a little milk in a cup of confectioner's sugar to a medium-thin consistency. Pour it over cake while cake is warm.

Enjoy these two family favorites!!
 

Sing to the Lord...

"I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever; With my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to all generations." Psalm 89:1

Today I chimed in on an interesting discussion on facebook about hymns vs. contemporary music, etc., which is a "debate" that has been going on for some time now.  It appears that the church is pretty divided on this issue...and then again, there are many who have compromised and split it down the middle...half hymns, half choruses...  They each have their place in our worship services...and the most important thing is this:  Just SING!!! If you look in the Bible you will find many many references to music, especially in the Psalms.  I will just share a few with you...and this expresses my feelings pretty much exactly:

"It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, and Your faithfulness every night, on an instrument of ten strings, on the lute, and on the harp, with harmonious sound." Psalm 92:1-3

"Oh come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.  Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. For the Lord is the great God, and the great King above all gods."  Psalm 95:1-3

"Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! Sing to the Lord, all the earth.  Sing to the Lord, bless His name; Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.  Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples.  for the Lord is great and greatly to be praised...."  Psalm 96:1-4

"Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! For He has done marvelous things;  His right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory. " Psalm 98:1

"Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth; Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises.  Sing to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of a psalm, with trumpets and the sound of a horn; Shout joyfully before the Lord, the King.  Let the sea roar, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell in it; Let the rivers clap their hands; Let the hills be joyful together before the Lord, for He is coming to judge the earth.  With righteousness He shall judge the world, and the peoples with equity."  Psalm 98:4-9

"Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!  Serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing."  Psalm 100:1-2

"Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise.  Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.  For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations." Psalm 100: 4-5

"I will sing of mercy and justice;  To You, O Lord, I will sing praises."  Psalm 101:1

Need I say more?  Oh....but there is one more verse I want to share with you...Did you know that God also sings to us?  Yes, He does...according to Zephaniah 3:17 ~

"The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing."

To sum it all up: SING TO THE LORD...REJOICE IN THE LORD...SING NEW SONGS, SING OLD SONGS, JUST SING AND PRAISE THE LORD ON HIGH, FOR HE ALONE IS WORTHY OF OUR PRAISE! I LOVE HYMNS, I LOVE CHORUSES, I LOVE SINGING TO THE LORD ALL DAY LONG......JUST SING!!! DON'T FIGHT ABOUT WHAT SONGS ARE BEST...GOD JUST WANTS US TO SING AND FIGHT BACK THE DEMONS WHO ARE TRYING TO KEEP THE MELODY OF PRAISE OUT OF OUR HEARTS AND MINDS. OH, SING TO THE LORD A NEW SONG! FOR HE HAS DONE MARVELOUS THINGS! HIS RIGHT HAND AND HIS HOLY ARM HAVE GAINED HIM THE VICTORY!!!!!! (PSALM 98:1) SO, PLEASE, PEOPLE OF GOD: SING!!!!!

"Praise the Lord! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty firmament! Praise Him for His mighty acts; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness! Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; Praise Him with the lute and harp! Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes! Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with clashing cymbals!!  
LET EVERYTHING THAT HAS BREATH PRAISE THE LORD!  Psalm 150: 1-6

And all the people said: "AMEN!"

Keep On Praying!!!

I feel like it has been a long, long time since I last wrote you all.  It has been over a week, and I feel so estranged already....Writing a "daily blog" takes a lot of discipline...and especially when you've been traveling and staying too busy to take the time to write it all down!  So, here goes:
 

R to L: Mike and Lisa Wedge, Nicole and Matt Steiner



Last night we returned home from a whirlwind trip to Maine to visit our son Matthew and his family...and to celebrate our grandson Noah's 11th birthday.  We also visited our younger son Scott who happens to live in the same area.  So it was a busy, but happy time together with loved ones and even some old friends. 

If you have been following my blog for a while, you know that our son Matt is battling a rare and aggressive cancer: Desmoplastic small round cell tumor...a disease that usually attacks children, but  for some reason it chose Matthew as a target at the age of 37.  Matt has been undergoing chemo for about 6 months now, and is soon coming to the end of this round of treatment.  At that time they will determine whether or not he needs further treatment or just what the next step should be to bring him to the desired goal of healing in his body. 

Of course, this has been a topic of much prayer among our many loved ones, friends, churches, and even total strangers across this land...and around the world.  I love the electronic medium of email and facebook, and even this blog, which has helped to spread the word to people who truly care and who actually take the time to pray for a young man whom many have never even met.  For this, I want to say a hearty "Thank you!" and God bless you all.  Please don't stop praying!  Your prayers are being answered. 

As I spent time with Matthew this past week, I marveled at his apparent strength, health, and overall good attitude in the midst of what could be a time of extreme devastation for some.   Matthew shared a story with me about another man he knew who was diagnosed with cancer about the same time as he was, and who, because of fear of the unknown and perhaps a feeling of desperation, took his own life, saying he did not want to be a burden to his family.  How sad for that family...the very thing this man wanted to avoid became exactly what happened...his unfortunate actions placed an even greater burden on his family who would gladly have tried to help him through that trial had he only given them a chance...and had he had the faith to believe that God would be there to help him.  I can't stand in judgement of that man for I do not know what motivated him from within, but I can only pray for his family, that God will comfort them as they deal with that great loss.

I know that we are not through with this ordeal yet, and we do not know what the future may hold.  But we are assured of one thing, that God is with our family in the good times and the bad...He does not forsake us or leave us comfortless.  He gives us the strength we need to get through difficult obstacles and serious health issues...one day at a time...one obstacle at a time.   That is the faith that sustains us, carries us, and keeps us moving forward.  The hope that only Christ can bring in the time of sorrow, uncertainty and fear is what gives us strength.  I am thankful that our Matthew has this hope and faith.  I'm not saying he has not felt any fear or anxiety over this illness and his situation...he has had plenty.  But I truly believe that it is the prayers of many, including you, who have given him courage and strength and the will to keep fighting.  That is why I say Thank you!  Please don't stop! Your prayers are being answered....don't ever think your prayers don't matter...they matter to ME, to Matthew, and to our whole family.  God bless you all, and thank you.

James 5:16  "....The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."   









Noah and his cousin Jeremy

 Noah and his cousin Jeremy...born one week apart and good buddies.

Our grandson Noah and his Grandpa Steiner...showing off a new t-shirt he was given for his birthday...Nike says, "There is no finish line", and the letters are made up of people running the race...  Actually, we are running a race...I Corinthians 9:24 says, "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize?  So run, that ye may obtain....vs. 25 says, "They do it to obtain a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible. "

Noah and his Grandpa Steiner





My Friends Nancy, Me, and Sharon

 This picture shows me with two of my long-time friends from New Hampshire. Nancy is my daughter-in-law's Mother, and a good friend. Nancy lost her sweet husband Dennis to a brain tumor a few years ago. He was a precious man, and we all miss him...especially Noah misses his "Pa-Pa".  Sharon is a breast cancer survivor, and she also lost her dear husband Walter a little over a year ago to a brain aneurism, which took him quite suddenly. They were also dear friends of ours. Sharon is the grandmother to Noah's cousin Jeremy, and so is Nancy. So we are all one big family.  We always get together to celebrate Noah's birthday each year when we travel to New England for this annual event!



"Uncle Scott" and Noah

This picture is my grandson Noah with his Uncle Scott, our youngest son.  They have a great time together playing Wii and goofing around, as you can see.