Memory Album

Back in 1985, the doctors I was seeing at the hospital led me to believe that the baby I was carrying could be born soon after Thanksgiving. I was 20 at the time, I had been married almost a year and this was my first experience with babies and childbirth. I had NO CLUE!!!! It didn't help matters that I was seen in a rather old-fashioned hospital (which is surprising given the fact that it was in Long Island, NY)


We were all prepared for this baby. Thanksgiving had come and gone and we were sure that the baby would be there by Christmas. The baby had a stocking, my mom had purchased a neutral "Baby's First Christmas" outifit. Dec. 15, my dad's birthday came and a friend who was pregnant also had her baby on that day. They put MY DAD's name as one of the middle names of their baby. I was SO UPSET!!!!!!! It should have been MY baby born on MY DAD'S birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I went back to the doctor that week and left in tears when the stupid doctor said, "Don't worry, you've got a LONG way to go!!!" Yeah, she sure was encouraging!!

Christmas came and went. Still no baby.

FINALLY, on Sunday, December 29, I began to feel a little ache in my back. I felt them all through the day. We made the decision to go to the hospital on Monday morning. Since I was about ready to pop and had finally officially began labor, they decided to admit me. Now, if I had know ANYTHING in those days, I would have waited. I was admitted and put on a stretcher-type thing , plugged into monitors (which they later discovered weren't working very well) and received and IV full of pitocin (which they kept upping because the monitors weren't working very well!!) I was given no drugs other than the ones that make you hallucinate. I about ripped Cliff's shirt off his neck!!!! After 24 hours of laying on that ridiculous stretcher and horrendous pitocin-induced contractions, I was dilated to a full 5!!!!!!!!!! A nurse came and told me they were going to do a c-section. I said, "I DON'T CARE!" Do whatever you have to do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

From then on, all I remember hearing, "It's a boy." and waking up in the recovery room to a nurse saying to me, "you're so lucky, honey. The cord was around that baby's neck twice." Nice.

Now, in this wonderful, old-fashioned hospital, they brought you the baby 3 times a day for one hour each time. No family or friends could see or hold the baby. Just the parents. 12 hours later I ran a fever (normal after surgery) and they wouldn't bring me the baby at all. I asked a nurse to take me to the nursery and I sat in the wheelchair outside the nursery window and sobbed as I gazed upon my big newborn baby (He was 9 lbs, 5 ozs.) Isn't that awful?? It's a wonder I had anymore children after this harrowing experience.

I can't believe all this took place 22 years ago today. He's turned into such a good man. I'm as in love with him today as I was the first time I saw him. He's still my buddy. He's my comfort. He and I are so much alike and yet so different. He has lofty dreams and grand ambitions. I hope he reaches them all!!! I'm his biggest supporter and cheerleader and the thought of some girl replacing me in his life is a very big pill for me to swallow.

This was one of his songs from his senior concert.

2007 In Retrospect

Like most people, I thought I would take the last day of 2007 and reflect.
While not perfect, I'd say 2007 was a pretty good year for us.

*June: After several months of hospital visits, Cliff's step-father, Jerry was diagnosed with terminal cancer. He was given 3-6 months to live (by the time they discovered the cancer, it had progressed to far) He lived only 5 days. The blessing in this? At Jerry's funeral, the pastor shared with us how that Jerry had called him to make sure of his salvation. Jerry now inhabits a pain-free body and lives in the presence of the Savior.

July: We were able to take an unexpected vacation to GA. We spent a day at the lake with Cliff's Aunt Bobbi. It was quite an adventure. We took off in her pontoon boat for the 4th of July fireworks display over the lake. It took us over an hour to get to that part of the lake. Sitting in a boat on a beautiful summer night, watching the fireworks was WONDERFUL. We got about halfway back when Aunt Bobbi realized we were out of gas. The solution?? They attached a tolling?? motor to the boat and we quietly and SLOWLY sailed back. We didn't back until well after midnight. It an adventure we'll never forget!!

December: After living a very full and abundant life, my grandma quietly passed away, surrounded by her children. I was so thankful to be able to attend her funeral. I was so blessed to be her grand-daughter. Today my grandmother occupies a healthy body and delights in the presence of the Lamb.

We finished up 2007 with everyone healthy. Everyone is healthy. Cliff's job is going well. We've grown and learned new things. We've lived and loved. We've made new friends. We've stretched ourselves and reached for new goals.
For me, 2007 has been a good year of personal growth. I'm ending this year... content.

Hebrews 13:5 Keep your life free from love of money,
and be content with what you have,
for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

It was so good to be in the house of the Lord today. Our worship all revolved around lifting up the Name of Christ. One of the songs we sing is "O What a Beautiful Name." Several years ago, Ray Boltz put sort of a new melody to this old Hymn on his Christmas album, Bethlehem Star. For me, this song has been uplifting, healing, and reminds me how in love with my Savior I am. I absolutely love to sing this song with the Body of Christ at our church.

The pictures on the video aren't the greatest but at least the words and melody can be heard. It was the best Youtube had to offer on this particular song.

Looking Towards A New Year

Most people who know me, know that I am a very goal-oriented person. Some people may find goals to be too much pressure but I find them to be motivation! I like the challenges. I struggle, though, when it comes to really big goals. You know, the ones that take months to reach? Because while I like goals, I sometimes lack discipline...the thing that makes you "stick-with-it."

Attending Financial Peace this past year made me realize that Cliff and I need to set some very definite financial goals for ourselves this year. I don't want to go backwards. I want to keep building on the progress we made. We won't do that without a plan.

I have some personal goals. They are personal so I won't share them.

I like to take this time of the year to reflect about this past year and look ahead to the new one. I'm ready to go. I'm ready to move forward. I'm ready and anxious to see how God is going to work in all of our lives this year!!

In a day or two I'll be posting some reflections on 2007 but for today, I'm looking forward and I'll leave you with this thought...
While researching "resolutions" on the internet, I came across "The Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards" ...there are 70!!!!! But they are very good and definitely worth the read. Edwards begins the document with this quote:

BEING SENSIBLE THAT I AM UNABLE TO DO ANYTHING WITHOUT GOD' S HELP, I DO HUMBLY ENTREAT HIM BY HIS GRACE TO ENABLE ME TO KEEP THESE RESOLUTIONS, SO FAR AS THEY ARE AGREEABLE TO HIS WILL, FOR CHRIST' S SAKE.

God bless you and yours in the coming New Year!!

Memory Album

After I had Amy, we had tried to have another baby. It wasn't as easy as the first two had been. In fact, I thought perhaps God had decided 2 was the amount of children our home was to be blessed with.

Finally, after 3 years of "trying," I was able to go to the dr. for a pregnancy test. I was shocked to get a positive result after all the negatives!! That night (Wednesday) I spotted my sister, Elizabeth, in church. I beelined over to her. I had this incredible secret and after Cliff, she's been the other person I've shared my secrets with! Our conversation went something like this:

Rebecca: "Elizabeth, I'm pregnant!"

Elizabeth: "Me Too!!"

Rebecca: "WHAT??? When are you due??"

Elizabeth: "The last week of Dec."
Rebecca: "I'm due a WEEK LATER!!!"

(Rebecca floats back to her seat by Cliff)

Rebecca (whispering): "Cliff, Elizabeth is pregnant too"

Cliff: (not whispering): "Get out of here!"

Rebecca: And we are due a week apart!"

Cliff: GET OUT OF HERE!!!!!

What a time that was!!!! We both ended up with the same doctor, so of course that meant we were both scheduled to deliver at the same hospital.

Fast-forward 9 months. I'm having a scheduled c-section a week early....Monday morning, December 28. I had to be there by 9:00 AM.

Guess who's water broke Sunday evening the 27th???? YEP. On my way to my delivery, I stopped and visited my sister in her room. I then went on my merry way and delivered a very healthy, robust
8 lb, 15oz. baby boy whom we named,

Jacob Adrian.

10 hours later, Zachary Brian made his entrance into the world. Obviously I couldn't see Elizabeth's baby and she couldn't see mine until the next day. What an event that was. Our little twin cousins have been the best of friends ever since.

It is so hard for me to believe that was 15 years ago today. Jacob is one of my "little" kids!!!! Now, I could share with you story after story of all the "adventures" Jacob has put me through (I'm so surprised I do not have a head full of gray hair) but when thinking about today's post I thought I would share a most recent memory that totally blessed my mother's heart:

When Jacob was a toddler, he was very "rough and tumble." He would NEVER be still to go to bed or take a nap so Cliff or I always had to lay down with him to get him asleep. I would always lie down with him at nap-time. He needed a nap and so did I! I would make up stories but most of all, we would lay there and sing. I wanted to develop this side of him. I didn't want him to grow up without any appreciation for music and arts and books. So we would sing.

A few Sundays back when we were in Ohio for my grandmother's funeral, we went to a rather large church my family attended when I was a little girl. Jacob was sitting a row behind me. During one of the hymns, I heard this male voice singing away. It was my son. I was so blessed to hear him singing. It took me back to those nap-times!!!!

Jacob is a good kid. He's a delight to his mother.

Happy 15th birthday, Jacob!!!!!!!

A Headache, More Snow, and A Book

I woke up today with a nice pounding headache. I wake up with them fairly often. I'm not sure if it's the way I sleep, or lack of sleep or what. Do you think I've seen the dr. about them??? It's just something I've lived with for several years. I will just hit the "green bottle" a time or two today and hopefully it will lift in a couple hours.

They are forcasting more snow for us today. We had snow showers all day yesterday and now we are under a snow advisory from 9:00 tonight until noon tomorrow. We are supposed to get 2-4 inches. This is the absolutely perfect time for snow. Now school and Cliff is off work for two weeks. And who wants a bright sunny Christmas?? Certianly NOT me!!

At my grandma's funeral, my mom and my aunt both made reference to the Proverbs 31 Lady when talking about my grandmother. That got me to thinking about a book I read about 10 years ago. It's a humerous look at one woman's struggle to become like the woman described in Proverbs 31. I figured I'd check out Paperback Swap since I have some credits left there and much to my surprise, someone had it listed. I started reading it as soon as I got it and finished it up yesterday. I may not always agree with every point in every book I read, but whether I'm reading fiction or non-fiction, I always try to learn at least one new thing. I'm not going to go into detail on private lessons learned or attempt to teach anyone. I'm just going to pass on book titles that I've read. You can draw your own conclusions.

A Long Winter's Nap...

The last scene in the movie, "Christmas Vacation," shows Clark saying, "I Did It."

I share Clark's sentiment!!

For the first time in many years, I had to finish up the shopping on Christmas Eve. I left our house at 6:30 AM to do it. When finished, I ran home, picked up the family and we were out the door by 8:00 AM to finish up and then grab lunch.

I did, however, enjoy getting out on Christmas Eve.

We had such a nice Christmas. We revived a tradition we have had for years. We go out to breakfast. It's such a nice family time and when we get home and open gifts, everyone is fed and happy. We didn't go last year because my sister and family were in town and I really missed going. We decided to take a leisurely pace through the day, so we didn't go until 10:00!

Everyone loved their gifts. We enjoyed them all afternoon. We then headed over to my parent's for dinner and open presents with them.

There were lots of games given this year so we had such a good time last night playing some of them. I think we'll be ringing in the new year with a game night!!

Now? Well, let's just say all the stress and all the nights of too little sleep have hit me full-force today. I slept in and a few hours later found myself snoozing on the couch. I have allowed myself today to "recouperate" and tomorrow it's back to business. I hope to start putting things away and getting back to as much of a normal life as we can have around here!!

I didn't get one Christmas card mailed this year. Time just got away from me. So for our family and friends that may be reading here, we hope you had a wonderful Christmas and will have a very, very blessed New Year!!!

Merry Christmas

"And there were in the same country

shepherds abiding in the field,

keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them,

and the glory of the Lord shone round about them:

and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them,

Fear not: for, behold, I bring you

good tidings of great joy,

which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David

a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."

Luke 2:8-11

Have a Blessed Christmas!

Show & Tell Friday - Holiday Edition

I can't believe it's time for the last "Holiday" Show & Tell.

Kelli at No Place Like Home hosts them each week.

For today I picked out one ornament and a grouping:

This little silver bell is from one of my grandmother's trees. I'm thinking my grandma Adrian. (My sister, Elizabeth will know) and if I'm wrong I'll correct myself. I love having something so vintage and something so cherished hanging on my tree.

The following group is "Lucy" ornaments from Hallmark. A girl in church knew how much I love the "I Love Lucy" show and gave me one every year for Christmas. This year, Amy found me a new one (the ballerina on the bar). They always have a very predominant place on my tree!!

Let's Keep Christmas

"We long for the abiding love among men of good will

which the season brings . . . believing in this ancient

miracle of Christmas with its

softening, sweetening influence

to tug at our heart strings once again.

We want to hold on to the old customs and traditions

because they strengthen our family ties,

bind us to our friends, make us one with all mankind

for whom the Child was born,

and bring us back again to the God

Who gave His only begotten Son,

that 'whosoever believeth in Him should not perish,

but have everlasting life.'

So we will not 'spend' Christmas . . .

nor 'observe' Christmas.

We will 'keep' Christmas--keep it as it is . . .

in all the loveliness of its ancient traditions.

May we keep it in our hearts,that we may be kept in its hope."

From "Let's Keep Christmas" by Peter Marshall

A Blast of Christmas Past

Christmas 1974

When we were kids, it was my mom who brought the "spirit" to Christmas. She cooked, baked, shopped, and wrapped all season long. My Dad? Well, let's just say I think my dad delights in routine. It didn't matter if it were Christmas morning or not, he had a daily morning routine. We were not allowed to go downstairs to the tree until mom gave us the go-ahead. So we waited and waited for what seemed like hours until my dad got up, showered, dressed, and did his hair. It was AGONY!!!!!! We could hardly stand it!!

Once we finally entered the livingroom there would be alot of gifts under the tree and the stockings would be full. Christmas seemed to last all day. We would open, play, eat, and then play some more. It was so much fun and magical.

It was also this particular Christmas that the only thing I really, really wanted for Christmas was a Barbie. Not just any Barbie but "Barbie Sweet 16." There was just something about her pink dress and blonde hair that just called to me and to topp it off, she also came with her own little makeup case. My mother made sure it was there under the tree. I screamed when I opened it up and to this day have never forgotten it.

That's the kind of Christmases Cliff and I have had with our kids. We've each brought traditions and memories from our childhoods and have combined them into our own. Christmas in my parents house was about God and Family and Friends. Christmas was fun. Christmas at our house is about the very same things.

Reading

Inspired by my cousin, Gretchen, I have decided to add links to books I'm reading through the new year. I love to read and am always on the lookout for good books. I enjoy fiction as well as books that will help me grow.

One of the books that I have read over and over has been "My Utmost For His Highest" by Oswald Chambers. I read the one with the more modern language. My mom has raved about this book for years and it didn't click with me until about 15 years ago. The book has been on my shelf for the past 5 years and this past week I decided I needed to add it to my daily devotions again. It's like finding an old friend. Chamber's writings are thought-provoking and challenging. It's exactly what I needed...like a medicine for my soul. The link will take you to a site where you can read the devotions for the day. I love my book, though. It's marked, underlined and highlighted just like an old treasured Bible.

Mom's Sugar Cookies

The sugar cookie recipe I use is the same one my mom used when we were kids. It came out of her Better Homes and Gardens cookbook that I think, she received when she got married. I have a newer one of these cookbooks and this recipe isn't in there. I've tried others through the years but have always returned to this one as I like the taste and texture. The dough does not have to be refrigerated and actually is better if you don't refrigerate it. If you don't handle it too much, you can roll out every last bit of dough. I use a standard buttercream frosting and let them air dry several hours before packing them up. It's a tried and true recipe.

SUGAR COOKIES

2/3 cup shortning (I use Crisco butter flavor)

3/4 cup sugar, 1/2 tsp vanilla

1 egg, 4 tsp milk

2 cups flour, 1 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1/4 tsp salt

• Thoroughly cream Crisco, sugar & vanilla.
• Add egg & beat until light & fluffy.
• Stir in milk
• Sift together dry ingredients & blend in creamed mixture
• Roll & cut out shapes.
• Bake at 375 for 6-8 minutes.
• Frost & Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  

One Week to Go!!!!!!!!!

My brother and neice left this morning. We had such a good time with them. I enjoy talking to my brother. This wasn't true when we were kids, mind you. He was 5 years younger than me and I actually didn't find him one of the more interesting people in my life as I do now. I find myself several times through the year calling him and seeking his advice on different situations. I value his input. I wish we lived closer so we could have lunch from time to time.

This afternoon I have been busy, busy, Busy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I finished off another scrapbook project, frosted my sugar cookies, made no-bake cookies, toffee, and peanut butter balls. I still need to make some haystacks for my brother-in-law, pack all the boxes and get them to the mail. I'm always so relieved to get that done!!

Sunday

After traveling last weekend, it was so good to be back in our church today. My brother, Jon brought the message this morning. He did an incredible job! He spoke from Matt. 2:1-2. His message was so timely, relevant, practical, and applicable. I, along with many others thought he was speaking directly to me (us). I'm always so proud of my brother...especially when I hear him speak.

Josh came home from school on Friday. We always have him sing in church when he's in town so he was scheduled to sing this morning. What I did not know was that he and Amy had put together a duet of Silent Night. Talk about a proud mom! I thought my heart was going to pop out of my chest! They did an excellent job. I was so moved and proud of my children. What a gift that was!

Saturday

My brother Jon flew in yesterday for visit over the weekend with his 4 year old daughter. She was coming ready to see snow. Well, they picked the right weekend. We had snow all day. Coming from FL, they had to go right to Walmart and buy boots, gloves, and a coat! What fun and what memories she'll take home with her!

I finally was able to get some baking started today. I usually mail quite a few cookies and am hoping to get everything in the mail by Monday afternoon. I decided to start with the sugar cookies because once I frost them, I have to let the icing dry out before I package them so they won't stick together. I'l finish up the others tomorrow.

I finished one scrapbook gift, am just about done with 3 more which will leave one more to do this week. It's the big one I'll have left. I'm glad with what I got done today. I've also got a lasagne in the oven, meatballs in sauce on top of the stove and have done several loads of laundry.

We're leaving in just a few minute to have dinner with my family over at mom's. That's what the lasagne is for.

Have a wonderful Sunday!!

Show & Tell Friday - Holiday Edition

Kelli at No Place Like Home is Hosting Show & Tell Friday.

My mom and I had a tradition of going to Cracker Barrel for breakfast once the weather turned cool. It would put in the Christmas spirit. The fire was usually going, the pancakes were delicious and the little shop was always decorated so nice for the holidays. I thought they had some of the cutest ornaments. Most of these I picked up after Christmas on clearance. The cookie Christas tree is one I bought for Amy and the sock monkey is one I bought for Emily. (She was so intrigued by sock monkeys one year.) Unfortunately our Cracker Barrel closed up about 2 years ago and I miss our tradition!

The following is my Cracker Barrel collection:

Ice Storm

This is what we came home to. Glad we left on Tues. instead of Mon. as planned!!!! Yep, Aaron was right!

Snow Fun!!

For some snow fun, go here and click on make your own snowflake. Enjoy!!!!!

Weekend Reflections - Part 3

It wasn't until my Grandpa Adrian passed away that I truly understood the "loss" when someone dies. I'd always thought the "loss" was the fact that they were gone. And while that is partly true, the "loss" is so much more. With my grandpa Adrian, I had had so many plans for that summer that he died. I wanted to record some of his stories and spend some time with he and my kids. That wasn't able to happen. That's part of the "loss."

With Grandma Benzing it's somewhat different given the fact that I've lived quite a ways away from her for most of my life.

When I was 5, my parents moved to upstate New York. We lived in New York until I was married. I then lived in Maryland, Florida, and now Kansas. When I was a kid, going to see my grandparents was the highlight of my year! There was NOTHING like it. I LOVED spending time with them. As I've previously mentioned, they were such special people to me. We would pile in the car and from NY, it was a good 12 hour drive. Finally, we would be in OH and finally I would see this sign...

When I saw this sign, I would get so excited because I knew that right around the bend, my grandmother was waiting for me!! After I got married, I came for the 50th anniversary part in 1989 and again in 1991 or 1992. I then wasn't able to get back until Sarah's wedding in 2004. 12 years later!! As an adult, coming down that road and seeing this sign, I still got all excited because I knew Grandma was just around the bend waiting for me. Until this past weekend. I came down the road, saw the sign and that excitement was not there. I felt loss. She wasn't there anymore. I'm shedding a few tears as I write this. This is a testament to my grandmother. She made me feel so special and so loved. Yet, she had 30 grandchildren and as far as I could tell, they all felt that way also. Our family has suffered a loss. Her memory and her legacy will continue on. This world is a better place because of the life of Anna Mae Benzing and heaven is all the sweeter because she is there.

Weekend Reflections - Part 2

This morning's post was part of 3 posts I wanted to do today about my time with family this weekend. This is the 2nd.

As I talked with various family members or heard conversations, I realized that time within our family is currently measured by 2 events. Grandma and Grandpa's 50th anniversary celebration (1989?) and Sarah's wedding (2004).

For the 5oth anniversary, we all stayed in a hotel downtown Hamilton. The ceremony was at a local church and the party was back at the hotel. It was a beautiful celebration.

Sarah's wedding, it seems, is what connected us. First of all, I have to say what an incredible amount of work it had to have been for Sarah. Just planning a wedding is hard enough. But add in a family reunion of over 80, well, let's just say it was an incredible amount of work that I know Sarah and I'm sure Emmy did.

Sarah opened up her wedding. We all had a part. Every family was included somehow. All the kids were part of the ceremony. And I'm not sure how they did it but they got just about everyone to come....for the entire weekend! My kids discovered an entire branch of family. Kids who were their own ages that they still keep in touch with today, 3 years later. I was able to reconnect with cousins and aunts and uncles that I hadn't seen for years. I was also able to renew my relationship with my grandparents. It was just an incredible time that I don't know could ever be recaptured again.

So, when we came together again for grandma's funeral, I felt so at ease. It was so comfortable because of that weekend back in August, 2004.

Sarah, thankyou for sharing your wedding with all of us. Thanks for getting everyone involved and the way you had all the kids be a part of Dion & your special day. Thanks for all the hard work and planning that went into that entire weekend. The fruits of it were seen again this past weekend.

The Benzing Family - 2004

Weekend Reflections - Part 1

On our 11 hour drive home from my grandma's funeral. I had quite a bit of time to reflect on the events of this past weekend. I sat in the church that was filled with family and felt so blessed and so priviledged and proud to part of them.

I was witness to so many acts of love. These images are engraved in my memories like photographs in one of my scrapbooks. I took it all in. I savored each moment I could. I would have liked to have frozen time and instead will cherish these memories. I know I will not list them all but I'll try to share the acts of love that impressed me. And for family members that read here, feel free to share along with me.

*The way my mom and her sisters, Pat, Emmy, and Donna always had an eye to their father. It seemed as though one of them was always next to him with a hand on his shoulder.
*The way my uncles Matthew, John, Bill, Ron, and cousin Aaron helped Grandpa stand or sit and supported each step he took.
*The way my grandma was compared to the Proverbs 31 woman.
*The way Matthew referred to the way his mother had prayed for him and loved him unconditionally.
*The playing of the bagpipes at the gravesite.
*All the hugs.
*The lunch supplied by the Horshoe Bend Baptist Church for our very, very large family.
*The way Stephen held his mother's hand at the gravesite.
*The way Anna comforted her mother, Julie.
*Karl singing Beulah land at my grandmother's request and Aaron's response to it.
*The reading of the Scriptures and the Hymns of praise and of Heaven that we sung
*Adam leading the singing and Janet playing the piano.
*Joel praying with my grandpa before they left
*Seeing Uncle John with his new wife, Linda and how he served Grandpa, how she made him coconut cream pies and John praying with him when he said goodbye
*Watching my grandpa say goodbye to grandma
*Seeing grandpa's brother Bill sit beside him at the visitation and the funeral
*Seeing Matthew embrace my grandpa after the gravside ceremony

I am still taken back when I picture each of these. Thanks for reading. Thanks for sharing my memories.

Show & Tell Friday - Holiday Edition

Each Friday I have been showcasing ornaments from my Christmas trees. As I was looking through them for today's installment, I didn't realize how many I had handcrafted through the years. There was a period when I tried all kinds of crafting and these ornaments reflect those years. Sometimes I just wanted a new ornament or two, couldn't justify buying one so I made them with whatever materials I had on hand. However they came about, they have remained on my tree year after year. For more Show & Tell fun visit Kelli at No Place Like Home.

My Grandma Today

Last night my grandma went to sleep on this earth and woke up in God's light. Today she is pain free and tear free. Today she is reunited with her son, Gene who passed away about 24 years ago. Today she is reunited with her parents and others of her family who have gone before her. Today she is in the presence of the Lord. Today I am in praise and thanksgiving to my Lord and Savior who gave us the victory over death. Along with the many, many memories that have flooded my mind today, I have thought of this piece of scripture over and over.

I Corinthians 15:55 (The Message)

Death swallowed by triumphant Life!

Who got the last word, oh, Death?

Oh, Death, who's afraid of you now?...

But now in a single victorious stroke of Life,

all three—sin, guilt, death—are gone,

the gift of our Master, Jesus Christ. Thank God!

For two more beautiful posts about my grandma, visit my sister, Elizabeth at Life's Journey with 5 and my cousin, Gretchen at Gretchen reads 24/7. Anymore family reading this? Feel free to leave a comment and if you have a website, I'll link us all together.

Finally Home

"Finally Home"

by L.E. Singer

When engulfed by the terror of the tempestuous sea,
Unknown waves before you roll;
At the end of doubt and peril is eternity,
Though fear and conflict seize your soul.

But just think of stepping on shore-And finding it Heaven!
Of touching a hand-And finding it God's!
Of breathing new air-And finding it celestial!
Of waking up in glory-And finding it home!

When surrounded by the blackness of the darkest night,
O how lonely death can be;
At the end of this long tunnel is a shining light,
For death is swallowed up in victory!

But just think of stepping on shore-And finding it Heaven!
Of touching a hand-And finding it God's!
Of breathing new air-And finding it celestial!
Of waking up in glory-And finding it home!

Anna Mae Benzing

Finally Home - December 5, 2007