Mon.-Day at home alone what with Susan in Kentucky with Makenzie and Michael down south with the Warren's. Had a lovely day, actually, catching up with Lindsay and Lisa on the phone, doing wash, canning salsa, unpacking, doing wash, sweeping floors, emptying trash, garbage, watering chickens, reading, listening to Christian radio, making four kinds of dried scented homemade laundry soap, making corn calls, etc. Wanted to make it down to the river but rested in bed with a book and peanut M&M's instead. Got a text from Danielle. Her grandpa Johnny is with Jesus now. Remembering the years in our twenties when we helped start a church in Downingtown with that precious man and his wife and about 30 others form the mother church, Hopewell. We experienced church in it's finest. Philip is rubbing my neck and shoulders while I'm writing this. He's been working out and getting quite muscular. He dictated the last two lines to me. Now he's laughing. What a dear son he is. "I try," he said, after he read this. "You don't have to try," I said. "You already are." "Oh, you're so kind," said he.
Tues.-Went to Amish Produce Auction and bought two boxes of beautiful peaches for 16.50 each, 2 boxes of yellow tomatoes to freeze to make chili look pretty-2 each, 2 bags of new potatoes for 6.50 each, and a box of bell peppers for Freeman for 7.50. Ate a fry pie for the first time and some homemade ice cream at the snack stand. Saw Miriam M. and Liz K. there. Otherwise I knew nobody there. The auctioneer was really good. Came home and finished a good book that Rosalee had given me and then got to work on the tomatoes. I mixed peppers, onions, garlic, and celery with them after chopping them up after scalding them to get the skins off. They are beautifully yellow but not ripe. I'm going to wait awhile on the next box. Heard some great news from the Banton's today. It's a boy!!!! Well, that means a whole new wardrobe for this baby. I was so sure he was a boy that I would have doubted myself forever if he was a girl. Well, maybe not forever. I would have just doubted my gut feelings about the gender of unseen Banton babies for a long time. Made a chicken for cold sandwiches this week and also browned sausage, peppers, onions, tomatoes, and potatoes and used that as a base for a quiche for supper. Phil picked more corn for Kathy this eve. Philip's playing guitar. Mike and Susan are our of state. John Fisher's viewing and funeral is tomorrow at Calvary Chapel at 5-7 and 7:30 and on Friday it will be at Petra in Pa. Jesus, give the family your strength and peace, especially Lydia.
Wed.-Spent some time at Baine's with DDF and a cup of coffee and a blueberry scone. We sat at the little table at the top of the stairs and talked. Later, I went to John Fisher's viewing and got to see Wilma and Mary Jane and Lydia and other of his children and in laws and grand children. Then I went to Walmart and over to Judy's where I read 'Jesus Calling' for a precious half hour. No one was there but Him. Went back to Calvary Chapel where I met Phil for Johnny's Memorial Service. What a blessed time. What a legacy. It was so good to be with all the folks that we know from Pa. In spite of the different pathways we've all taken, we all come together when we are celebrating the life of a man who knew how to love us all unconditionally. He was friendly to everyone and he refused to worry. I think there is a connection between those two strengths. It is hard to be friendly when one is worried. And one is less inclined to worry when one has friends to confide in. My heart is full. I am inspired. Lord, give this dear family strength for the days ahead. They are traveling to Pa. for the services and burial that will take place there.
Thurs.-Finally got my desk somewhat cleaned off today. Also did wash, canned 3 pints of tomatoey things, froze the yellow tomato chili mixture I made yesterday, made chili, laughed with Beth and Lucy-Janelle's aunts, made coffee for Lucy, considered joining them at Holliday Lake, took care of chickens, burned the trash, cleaned the house, made supper, watched some Monk, overdosed on sweet corn, mapped out a plan for tomorrow, realized I have about 40 writings left to post and then I'll download all of the ones I've posted on face book into a chip and take them to the printers, missed Susan so much I cried, prayed for Michael, kissed Phil, and made Philip happy with chicken salad toasted bagel sandwiches for supper. The sky is beautifully gray and the trees foretell a coming storm. It's 7:07 and it's time for bed.
Fri.-Went to Beckley, WVA. and walked around Tamarack Artisans Center for about an hour, then met Susan and the Kissicks at the motel. A hard good bye. Made it home in good time.
Sat.-made healthy jam with peaches-Susan did it. Mixed 2 cups peaches, 2 Tablespoons chia seeds, and a dropper full of stevia. Blend and refrigerate. Also canned 6 quart of Tomato juice, 5 pints of sweet peppers, and froze 7 quarts of yellow tomatoes. Durell, Adriane, and Arlen Stoltzfus stopped in for a visit.The twins are both working with YWAM. One in Holland, the other Australia. Such a pleasure to see them. Susan mowed our entire property. Jonathan, Wendy, and Jr. stopped in for a visit and to pick up some corn.
Sun.-Great church service. Went to Williamsburg to meet Eldon, Sandy, and Kera Stoltzfus. Julie and Susan came with us. Nolte met us for dinner at the Inn. Had a pleasant time walking around Colonial Williamsburg, getting ideas for a house. Eldon is an architect. Fun ride home. Stopped for ice cream at Mcd's. Julie's spending the night.
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