then come back here for the update:
"I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me." Psalm 13:6
2/20/2015: UPDATE: Four years later, the family tradition continues, only this time it is my son Scott showing my grandson (his nephew) Noah how to bake Grandma Mursch's Orange Cookies. (Go here for the recipe and history) Pictures to follow. This is especially poignant because Noah's father, our son Matthew, passed away last year after a four year battle with cancer. Noah is now 15 years old, and this was his first airplane trip to visit us all by himself...and to spend some much needed Steiner family bonding time with his uncles and grandparents. My thanks to his wonderful mother Nicole for sharing him with us this past week. What a blessing and time of healing this was for all of us.
One of the things on Noah's bucket list for this week was to learn how to bake Orange Cookies with Uncle Scott teaching him, Yes, he did some fun "manly" things with his uncles too, like riding every roller coaster ride at Busch Gardens...some even twice....
And goofing around with the Uncles, laughing, eating, playing cards, video games, eating...laughing...
Celebrating Grandpa's Birthday...(no, he isn't really 661 years old...that's just a creative
way to say 67 when you don't have a # 7 Candle!)
Taking "selfies" with Grandma
More Eating with the extended family tree...
Standing Tall with his Uncles and Grandpa...
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| I can't believe our "little grandson" is now as tall as his uncles (6'1") and almost as tall as his Grandpa... His daddy Matthew was a little bit taller at about 6'3"...but Noah is almost there...and definitely still growing... |
But, back to the Orange Cookies:
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| First, Uncle Scott explains to Noah the importance of careful measurement and mixing things in order... |
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| Then he shows him the secret information: FOLDING in the buttermilk correctly... |
To sum it all up...
"I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me." Psalm 13:6
That was my choice verse back in 2011 when I first wrote about our son Scott coming home and baking cookies....and now 4 years later, after much family sorrow, trials and tribulations...I am still able to "sing to the Lord..." because "He has dealt bountifully with me." Yes, we have lost one of our precious sons, but we have gained a measure of his spirit and presence in the gift of his wonderful son Noah, who is growing up into a very fine young man who would make his daddy very proud....and who is also making us very proud.
Thank you, Lord...for dealing so bountifully with me. Amen.
2-21-15: Postscript: I was thinking about the time that Scott baked these orange cookies especially for his brother Matthew, back in 2012, when Matthew had come to visit us for a week by himself in between his chemo treatments for cancer. Scott woke up extra early to bake the cookies so that Matthew could take them home with him on the plane. Here is a picture of this special time:
Now maybe you can understand why this is such a special bonding thing for our family. Precious memories.
That is a wonderful time of bonding and of healing for you and your grandson and for your extended family. Food and laughter and a treasured family recipe combined for family time. I would have to skip those wild rides though.
ReplyDeleteThanks Terra. Yes, I had to skip the rides as well...I could barely keep up with them to catch up with them and try to take some pictures...but it was worth the effort just to hear them laughing and talking about how wild the rides really were. It was a wonderful time. So thankful!!!!!!!
DeleteI am so happy that this visit happened. Sounds like a very healing time and new stage of bonding with an almost grown-up Noah. Wonderful evidence that cookies = happiness and healing.
ReplyDeleteYes, it was all of that. We truly enjoyed having him here with us. He is definitely a gift to us from Matthew (& God). So thankful. God is good.
DeletePam: I enjoyed reading about your 'family' week. The cookies sound scrumptious. I know you are thankful for your sons and your grandson. I love the picture of your honey's birthday cake and the creative way you showed his age. Blessings to you and yours.
ReplyDeleteThank you Cecilia. It was such a great week. Just sorry it is over so quickly. But so thankful for God giving us this gift this past week. Very healing for all of us.
DeleteWhat a precious post...love it that Noah was able to come and spend time with you for a week! I loved seeing all of the pictures...and am grateful that you are still able to sing to the Lord. xo
ReplyDeleteThank you Dianna! It was indeed a precious time..and I did find myself rejoicing in the fact that our son Matthew lives on in his son Noah...what a wonderful gift.! Yes, I know Matthew himself is with the Lord, but there is so much of him in his son...it was truly a comfort to my heart and yes, I can sing. Thank you for stopping by and visiting with me. I've been a little out of touch lately with my dear friends. I need to get caught up!
DeleteSo happy that you got to spend this time together with Noah. Grandchildren are magical!
ReplyDeleteYes, he is a very unique and "magical" young man. He made us laugh and smile in ways we haven't laughed and smiled in almost a year. God is so gracious to us to give us such a gift.
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