Mon.-Rainy dreary cozy kind of day. Alli, Susan, and I drove about 7 miles and discovered the indoor pool we had seen advertised. What a wonderful treasure and wonderful people. $5 an hour. Open for parties and volleyball. I think I'll have my 55th birthday there come spring with a pile of women. There are plenty of chairs and a kitchenette. Came home and watched Monk and ate leftover chili. Alli went home to clean and Susan studied Anatomy and I did some paperwork and made corn bread to go with more chili for the evening supper.
Tues.-Rainy dreary cozy kind of day. Susan ran out at 6 in the morning and brought Lucy in during a down pour. Lucy didn't want to leave Susan's lap. Went out to Farmville at noon for Science and Drama co-op. I met Janelle for lunch at Country Cookin'. She is enjoying her teaching job at Longwood. Went to Walmart afterwards and then to Lowe's after picking up Susan. We both took a nap of sorts after putting groceries away. Guys had chili for supper again. It just gets better with age but tomorrow should probably be the last day it is served.
Wed.-Rough night. Right arm itching and painful. Finally took Benedryl at 2:30 this morning and then slept until 8:30. Dragging all day. Susan was full of energy and did all kinds of work-outs and school. She's feeling so much better. Wanted to order Civil War DVD's from a company and it was over $500. So I checked Amazon and got the same thing for under $22 shipping included. Ordered some SAT resources while I was at it. Susan drove us out to Calvary tonight. Phil will go pick her up. It will be her first time driving in the dark-if he lets her drive, which he will. (Which he didn't because he didn't think about it and apparently, neither did she.) For supper, we had fresh lettuce from our garden, NY venison chunk gravy, and real mashed potatoes. Rave reviews. Ollie was running all over the roof today. When I went out back, he was on the porch, waiting to be fed. Dog food. I think he was trying to tell me he was hungry. He also was knocking on the front door this morning, wanting to come in. It's time to power wash the front porch again. Ollie isn't potty trained. Oh, Annie called today. It was nice to hear from her.
Thurs.-Got lots of odd jobs done this morning and talked with Lindsay too. Always a treat. Ate our one and only watermelon from the garden. The tomatoes have revived and we have a whole other crop coming. Ate watermelon, cheese, and peanuts, and got very sick for awhile. Judy came with Sammy Jo for a photography shoot with Susan. It was great fun. We changed her outfit several times and for many of the pictures she held a little chick. Ollie and Angel hovered nearby, unwilling to be excluded. We left the gate open when we went down to the river and as we came up, the cows were pouring into the bottom field. Susan and Angel shooed them back in. It took some doing and Susan was barefoot and brave. Phil was home planting radishes as a cover crop. I ate some today. Really good. They're daikon radishes and as they grow down long and deep, they penetrate the soil and 'dig' it up. When they rot, they add nourishment to the soil. I read a little about pickling radishes. I think I'll try it. We have acres of radishes and the field won't mind if I borrow a few. Phil walked up from the fields at lunch so Ollie would come up with him. He runs right in front of the tractor and right alongside of it and Phil ran over his foot. The ground was soft so it didn't hurt him. Phil started his truck so Ollie wouldn't hear it start and come after him. Then he came in the house to eat and as I talked with Ollie on the back porch, Phil and Susan snuck out the front and Susan drove him back down to the field again. Phil said, "Ollie is complicating my life." I said, "All animals and rich women love you." He laughed a little. That was at lunch. Later in the day, Judy said, "I'll never forget the first time my mother saw Phil. She said he was the handsomest man she ever laid eyes on." We laughed and she went on to say, "He kind of looks like Pastor Frank." Phil is handsomest when he is driving a tractor because he is the happiest then. His tanned face glows and I wish I was sitting up there beside him. Ollie played tag with Sammy Jo today. She chased him and ran in circles and he stayed just out of her reach. SJ saw the little pigs too, and got her picture taken with a little calf. Read more of a George MacDonald Book-'The Quiet Neighborhood.' I wish it had been a quieter night. Hunting dogs were baying and I couldn't sleep. I write this at 4 0'clock on Friday morning. Perhaps now, I'll give it another try.
Fri.-Slept until 8:30. Read story in chapel about Moses going up into Mt. Sinai. He entered into the thick darkness where God was. Why does this thought always make me weep? Is it because in the darkness, there is only One we can see and hear, and in the light, there are so many things to distract us that we sometimes cease to incline our ear and heart toward Him? Perhaps we've had it wrong. We talk about mountaintop experiences with God where we can see Him clearly like the 3 disciples saw Jesus on the Mt. of Transfiguration. But Moses' Mountain top experience with God was in a dark cloud with no visible visibility to be seen. And this is where He stood closest to God-face to face-in the darkness. O dear hearts who are straining to see light in the darkness, don't endeavor to leave the thick cloud too quickly. Wait for the tablets of stone to be placed in your hands. Wait for the Word of the Lord. Wait until you have talked with Him face to face. You know not what awaits you when you leave the dark cloud. He never leaves us or forsakes us even if the behavior of others angers us so greatly that we are tempted to throw down the very stones etched with the finger of God. Thank God, for His mercy, and His willingness to write again.
I cleaned out the fridge today and made a flock of food-chicken breasts, salad, raw vegetables, rice and veggie stir fry, hummus, avocado dip, homemade mayonnaise, gluten free macaroni salad, regular macaroni salad, mushrooms and zucchini, beets, turkey bacon, and baked garlic. Some of these things I made to use up the odds and ends in the fridge. Susan worked on British Lit and mowed the lawn. Phil went to work nearby and Philip brought him home at lunch and then Phil planted more cover crops and Philip went back to work. Philip posted a video of himself on facebook. He filmed himself walking on a board and honestly, I broke into a sweat. Did I mention it was quite high off the ground. Later Michael posted a picture of a new airplane that he was going to fly. How is it that some of my kids love heights so much? I'm not real good with heights. ( I went parasailing in Cancun and that was as high as I want to get. Just as they were buckling me in and asking for a tip as they did so, the previous parasailer hit the beach hard. He was slightly overweight and it made quite an impression on me but there was no turning back at that point.) I fly in a plane if I must. But I'm drugged when I do so. It's good our kids aren't limited by my limitations. I do want them to soar. I just want them to land safely.
Sat.-I lost 10 pounds this past month by going gluten and sugar free. I'm starting to feel better. Phil said he can tell that I feel alot better. I am so thankful that God gave me an answer. The amazing thing is that I don't crave anything. I don't keep eating even if I'm full. I even have no desire for chocolate. And I ask God every day to help me eat in a healthy way. It is His mercy that gave me this answer and His strength that is helping me do it.
I noticed something in 11 Tim. 1. We often quote verse 7-"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and love, and a sound mind." But verse 6 says, "Stir up the gift of God which is in you"---and then--"For God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and love and a sound mind." Sometimes we are afraid to use our gifts and we let the good things of God settle down to the bottom of our life's pot. We need to stir it up-stir up the gifts, because God has given us the power to use them and the sound mind to use them and the freedom from being afraid of using them.
Paul's action words for chapter one: Stir up the gift; Be bold-do not be ashamed-Share in the gospel's sufferings; Hold fast the pattern of sound words; Keep by the Holy Spirit within you the good thing that was committed to you. This makes me think of Gil and Lindsay because they do these things in such a practical, intentional, honest way.
Got ready for Michael's party and then took Susan out to Liberty Baptist for drama practice from 1-4. I went grocery shopping and then to my favorite little shops in Appomattox. I found some pants for Micah and an LLBean bag for $6 at 'The Little Things in Life' consignment shop. I bought some Macintosh fragrance beads for the car at Country Charm. And then to B&L to tell Linda that my shore girls loved their jewelry but she had just left. I then bought 5 pairs of earrings there for $5.00. They're getting rid of their extra earring inventory. Two of them had no prices in the back. But three were marked 8.99, 5.99, and 9.99. The ones that Susan liked were the ones I had picked out for her. Silver long dangles with light blue beads. Also went to Salvation Army to look for props for Susan's photography business.
Came home and there were some kids here for Michael's party. More came as the night went on and there were at least 28 that I counted. It was a mix of old New Life friends, a few from Calvary, and many from Liberty. It was nice to meet Michael's roommates. Sweet Tea is not his roommate but said that Michael is his best friend in America. He is from Nairobi. He thanked us for making such a nice person as Michael. The fire was crackling, the volleyball set was getting a workout, hot dogs and s'mores were being 'cooked', hot chocolate mix was being stirred, stories were being told, friendships were being forged, stars were shining, pigs were being viewed, and everything was going along nicely. Hopefully, it still is. A few have gone home but the rest of the gang has gone for a flashlight-free walk down to the river. I can't imagine that they won't step in any cow pies. I mean, the odds are against them and it's dark. Phil and I are debating about hiding somewhere and scaring the living daylights out of them but there's probably enough crap out there already.
Sun.-RAIN! Church by the riverside cancelled and moved back to the building. Guest speaker spoke about Doubting Thomas. Good. Lunch served after church. Phil and I went to see 'Obama-2016' and Susan went with her brothers to see 'Taken 2'. The Gordon's were there and we visited with them a little bit. Came back home and snuggled in and watched Monk and drank hot chocolate made with dark cocoa and sucanat. Michael took the rest of the hot chocolate mix back to college with him. The kids were enjoying it last night. Recipe: 1 med. box of dried milk powder, 1 large container of powered creamer, 1-2lb container of Nestles chocolate quik. Mix well. Take 1/2 cup of mix and put in mug and fill with boiling water. Add marshmallows if you like. I saw some kids putting in caramel marshmallows. Yumm...Philip spent the afternoon/eve at the guys house. He told me this morning how many times and in what ways he scared the kids as they walked down to the river last night. One time, he dropped down from a tree right in their midst and snarled. I hope we don't get sued. Susan edited her pics of Sammy Jo and put them on facebook. It's a good night for snuggling.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Monday, October 1, 2012
Grandma and Grandpa Hertzler's birthday card to Michael
Michael turned 21 this year. Philip turned 24. Phil turned 56. Michael was born on Phil's 35th birthday. When I was pregnant with Philip, I was sure he was a girl. Phil knew better. He had seen the sonogram. But I 'didn't want to know' even though he tried to tell me. So, I was glad when Philip was born but I decided not to predict the sex of the child in my womb from then on.
When I was pregnant with Michael, I would say to Phil, "I don't know whether it's a boy or a girl but I know he/she has red hair and will be born on your birthday." He was born on 9-19-91. My doctor said I should have played the lottery.
Five years earlier, on Phil's 30th birthday, we were celebrating at his parents house. We were having a double party. I think we were having a shower for Linda who would have been pregnant with Karalee. The phone rang and it was my middle brother. He told me that my oldest brother's wife had been killed by a drunk driver. She was 35. She was beautiful. She taught Junior High kids. Someone is walking around seeing life with her lovely brown eyes.
When Michael was about five, my oldest brother asked me the date of Michael's birth. I said, "September 19th." He said, "I'm glad something good happened on that day."
My brother remarried a few years later and I have another wonderful sister-in-law who is also a teacher. She teaches high school Math. She's one of my favorite people. I'm thankful.
But this was to be about Michael's birthday card from his Hertzler grandparents, so here goes.
This card has a picture of a dog with its head burrowing into the sand. On the outside it says, "Happy Birthday!" On the inside it says, "Now if I could only remember where I buried your gift!"
Grandma wrote:
Dear Michael,
The beagle on the front reminds me of our beagles we had in the past. It may only be a "mutt." Whatever, he's searching!! and working. We are waiting to see you make a flight in our area and are eager to hear of your progress in flying. Grandpa picked apples at the neighbors tree. He got bushels of apples. Today we're going to make them into sauce and a later date he wants to make a big batch of apple butter. We'll cook it the old-fashioned way and have jars of apple butter to share with family and friends. We wish you a Happy Birthday.
Love, Grandma
"I will not worry about anything, but pray about everything." Phil. 4:6
And Grandpa:
Dear Michael,
I'm glad you have the privilege of studying aviation. That was a dream I had, but as Uncle Jim says, I have a 30's mentality. In the 30's there wasn't money to buy more than food and clothing and the Apostle Paul wrote by inspiration "having therefore food and raiment let us be therewith content". Shakespeare wrote, "Men at some times are masters of their faith. The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars but in ourselves that we are underlings." When I was about 18 years I bought a car to be like my peers and had I given myself to the dream of flying, it could have happened. Well, I'm glad you have the privilege. Whatever we do, let us commit our way to our Lord and endeavor to honor Him and trust Him to lead us into fullness of life and blessing. Grandma and I asked the Lord if we should buy the farm, and His answer was very clear. We got awake about 2 AM on Christmas of '64 and to me the room got light and I heard His voice say, "Buy the farm and take up the work your father laid down on the farm, in the community, and in the church." We've tried to do that. Originally I had planned not to farm but I'm thankful that I did. God will surely guide you in the important decisions of life if you ask Him.
I'd better go now and help grandma with the apples.
My prayer is that God will guide you in the important decisions which will be before you at this time of your life.
With love, your grandpa Hertzler
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Two of Phil's brothers have taken over the farm and Grandpa helps out where he can. They continue to be light and salt in our family, in the community, and in the church.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
When I was pregnant with Michael, I would say to Phil, "I don't know whether it's a boy or a girl but I know he/she has red hair and will be born on your birthday." He was born on 9-19-91. My doctor said I should have played the lottery.
Five years earlier, on Phil's 30th birthday, we were celebrating at his parents house. We were having a double party. I think we were having a shower for Linda who would have been pregnant with Karalee. The phone rang and it was my middle brother. He told me that my oldest brother's wife had been killed by a drunk driver. She was 35. She was beautiful. She taught Junior High kids. Someone is walking around seeing life with her lovely brown eyes.
When Michael was about five, my oldest brother asked me the date of Michael's birth. I said, "September 19th." He said, "I'm glad something good happened on that day."
My brother remarried a few years later and I have another wonderful sister-in-law who is also a teacher. She teaches high school Math. She's one of my favorite people. I'm thankful.
But this was to be about Michael's birthday card from his Hertzler grandparents, so here goes.
This card has a picture of a dog with its head burrowing into the sand. On the outside it says, "Happy Birthday!" On the inside it says, "Now if I could only remember where I buried your gift!"
Grandma wrote:
Dear Michael,
The beagle on the front reminds me of our beagles we had in the past. It may only be a "mutt." Whatever, he's searching!! and working. We are waiting to see you make a flight in our area and are eager to hear of your progress in flying. Grandpa picked apples at the neighbors tree. He got bushels of apples. Today we're going to make them into sauce and a later date he wants to make a big batch of apple butter. We'll cook it the old-fashioned way and have jars of apple butter to share with family and friends. We wish you a Happy Birthday.
Love, Grandma
"I will not worry about anything, but pray about everything." Phil. 4:6
And Grandpa:
Dear Michael,
I'm glad you have the privilege of studying aviation. That was a dream I had, but as Uncle Jim says, I have a 30's mentality. In the 30's there wasn't money to buy more than food and clothing and the Apostle Paul wrote by inspiration "having therefore food and raiment let us be therewith content". Shakespeare wrote, "Men at some times are masters of their faith. The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars but in ourselves that we are underlings." When I was about 18 years I bought a car to be like my peers and had I given myself to the dream of flying, it could have happened. Well, I'm glad you have the privilege. Whatever we do, let us commit our way to our Lord and endeavor to honor Him and trust Him to lead us into fullness of life and blessing. Grandma and I asked the Lord if we should buy the farm, and His answer was very clear. We got awake about 2 AM on Christmas of '64 and to me the room got light and I heard His voice say, "Buy the farm and take up the work your father laid down on the farm, in the community, and in the church." We've tried to do that. Originally I had planned not to farm but I'm thankful that I did. God will surely guide you in the important decisions of life if you ask Him.
I'd better go now and help grandma with the apples.
My prayer is that God will guide you in the important decisions which will be before you at this time of your life.
With love, your grandpa Hertzler
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Two of Phil's brothers have taken over the farm and Grandpa helps out where he can. They continue to be light and salt in our family, in the community, and in the church.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Grandma and Grandpa Hertzler's birthday card to Philip
Dad told me that sometimes he doesn't know what to write in our birthday cards. I told him to just tell us about what they are doing. It doesn't have to be anything profound. Just give us a snapshot glimpse into your lives. I so enjoyed reading the birthday cards they wrote to the three September birthday men around here, that I decided to blog them, after asking the boys if I could. They thought it would be a nice way to preserve their grandparents/parents words.
Philip's card had a painting of a Atlantic Puffin in the front with fish in its mouth. Inside, Grandma had hand-written 'Happy Birthday.' Then she wrote:
"Dear Philip,
Hope you can enjoy the "Puffin" with fish in its mouth for the young hungry babies, waiting expectantly for a delicious dinner.
This afternoon we had a carriage ride with Carl and Hilda Stoltzfus. They have beautiful "Halflinger" horses whose origin is from Halflinging Austria. On the ride we went past your old house. The owner was in the lawn playing or training with his dogs. Before we got to French Creek we made a right turn traveling through the woods and another right unto 345 and connecting with Harmonyville Road and on toward home going past the cottages your dad repaired. We all enjoyed the ride and fellowship.
Love you and come see us soon. Grandma
Dad wrote:
Dear Philip,
One interesting thing we have here is a perky little pup they gave Bradley for his 12th birthday. He's part lab-his body and head are black, and he's part Blue Australian Heeler. He joyfully runs around and sticks his nose in everything; he is the picture of happiness and the cats have their various responses according to their personalities. Some cats keep their composure when a dog comes close and some don't. That reminds me of a little jingle about personalities that kind of defines people-
Some are and some aren't.
Some do and some don't.
Some can and some can't.
Some will and some won't.
So when you know how the person you're dealing with fits into that system of actions you can judge how best to respond to them. The book of Proverbs is surely the best teaching along this line. There's one chapter that deals with fools and another that deals with mean-spirited people. The best I can gather is watch out for the mean-spirited man: you won't get a break from him, and watch out for the fool: don't deal with him as one who will reciprocate for a fair deal. In other words, guard yourself. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you, but know who you are dealing with. Proverbs also says, "Like a mad man who throws fire brands, arrows and death, is the one who deceives his neighbor and says, "I was only joking.'" Another proverb states, "It is better to meet a female bear robbed of her cubs than to meet a fool in his folly." So know who you're dealing with. The Book of Proverbs is divided into 31 chapters, so read 1 chapter a day and cover it every month.
We've had good rains here. I don't believe we've ever had better pastures this time of year. We used to pasture the milking cows day and night, which meant we had the job of getting in the cows before milking. Bringing them across the road from the pond field in the afternoon was my job when I was old enough. We did have a dog to help part of the time. Then later we were given an Australian Shepherd pup. I asked a man who knew how to train him. He said, "The only thing you can teach him is to come to you. He knows all the rest." We called him 'Buddy.' When you went to the field and there was a cow way off in the far corner and Buddy was with you, all you needed to do was point at her and Buddy went and got her promptly. He wasn't a Blue Heeler, he was light brown with some white. He got a bit rough on the cows and one time it seemed they agreed they weren't going to put up with it and they stampeded at him and he ran for his life and got away. The herd seemed to have a different attitude and since then even the heifers seem to act silly when I walk thru their pasture. They come walking after me and smell at me.
God bless your cattle business. Keep looking for ways to play fair and make a profit. Look to God for LIFE. He desires to guide you into the best experiences of joy and satisfaction. And remember: whatever happens to you is the best thing that could have happened to you.
Love,
grandpa Hertzler
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Through the years, these special cards and letters have been collected into a special box or drawer.
Precious words with history and wisdom entwined amidst precious personalities and a blessed heritage.
Philip's card had a painting of a Atlantic Puffin in the front with fish in its mouth. Inside, Grandma had hand-written 'Happy Birthday.' Then she wrote:
"Dear Philip,
Hope you can enjoy the "Puffin" with fish in its mouth for the young hungry babies, waiting expectantly for a delicious dinner.
This afternoon we had a carriage ride with Carl and Hilda Stoltzfus. They have beautiful "Halflinger" horses whose origin is from Halflinging Austria. On the ride we went past your old house. The owner was in the lawn playing or training with his dogs. Before we got to French Creek we made a right turn traveling through the woods and another right unto 345 and connecting with Harmonyville Road and on toward home going past the cottages your dad repaired. We all enjoyed the ride and fellowship.
Love you and come see us soon. Grandma
Dad wrote:
Dear Philip,
One interesting thing we have here is a perky little pup they gave Bradley for his 12th birthday. He's part lab-his body and head are black, and he's part Blue Australian Heeler. He joyfully runs around and sticks his nose in everything; he is the picture of happiness and the cats have their various responses according to their personalities. Some cats keep their composure when a dog comes close and some don't. That reminds me of a little jingle about personalities that kind of defines people-
Some are and some aren't.
Some do and some don't.
Some can and some can't.
Some will and some won't.
So when you know how the person you're dealing with fits into that system of actions you can judge how best to respond to them. The book of Proverbs is surely the best teaching along this line. There's one chapter that deals with fools and another that deals with mean-spirited people. The best I can gather is watch out for the mean-spirited man: you won't get a break from him, and watch out for the fool: don't deal with him as one who will reciprocate for a fair deal. In other words, guard yourself. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you, but know who you are dealing with. Proverbs also says, "Like a mad man who throws fire brands, arrows and death, is the one who deceives his neighbor and says, "I was only joking.'" Another proverb states, "It is better to meet a female bear robbed of her cubs than to meet a fool in his folly." So know who you're dealing with. The Book of Proverbs is divided into 31 chapters, so read 1 chapter a day and cover it every month.
We've had good rains here. I don't believe we've ever had better pastures this time of year. We used to pasture the milking cows day and night, which meant we had the job of getting in the cows before milking. Bringing them across the road from the pond field in the afternoon was my job when I was old enough. We did have a dog to help part of the time. Then later we were given an Australian Shepherd pup. I asked a man who knew how to train him. He said, "The only thing you can teach him is to come to you. He knows all the rest." We called him 'Buddy.' When you went to the field and there was a cow way off in the far corner and Buddy was with you, all you needed to do was point at her and Buddy went and got her promptly. He wasn't a Blue Heeler, he was light brown with some white. He got a bit rough on the cows and one time it seemed they agreed they weren't going to put up with it and they stampeded at him and he ran for his life and got away. The herd seemed to have a different attitude and since then even the heifers seem to act silly when I walk thru their pasture. They come walking after me and smell at me.
God bless your cattle business. Keep looking for ways to play fair and make a profit. Look to God for LIFE. He desires to guide you into the best experiences of joy and satisfaction. And remember: whatever happens to you is the best thing that could have happened to you.
Love,
grandpa Hertzler
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Through the years, these special cards and letters have been collected into a special box or drawer.
Precious words with history and wisdom entwined amidst precious personalities and a blessed heritage.
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