Saturday's Scribbles on Sunday

 Good Saturday/Sunday to you from our corner of the world where weather has been and continues to be the topic of conversation.  A lot of rain came this week, a few storms, and a tornado damaged crops southeast of us.  East of us an hour they had 11 inches of rain in 24 hours?!  Flooding followed in some areas and there are still a few flood watches being forecast.  Definitely needed the moisture but it came hard and fast.  We missed the storm and tornado warnings on Friday as we had packed up and left to go to the Twin Cities for an overnight stay.

That leads in to another more important topic of conversation~~ We were able to gather family outside for the inurnment service for my sister Jo who died last December.  It was extremely hot and humid, her favorite kind of weather!  About 50-60 of us came together.  The pastor did a wonderful job, we sang two of her favorite hymns, and were able to put her urn into it's spot overlooking nature at it's best.  Everyone then went with their "kids" and grands to eat at their favorite places before heading to my niece and her husband's beautiful backyard to have a celebration of her life.  Everyone who wanted brought photos, there were two beautiful cakes and some of Gr. Jo's favorite Starbucks, besides soft drinks that kept everyone nourished.  We all shared some wonderful stories that captured her essence.  She was a faith-filled, family loving, fiercely passionate woman who loved to talk politics and religion. She loved staying connected with her family.  Whenever one of the grands was dating someone, she would want to know two things.....are they Lutheran?  and what political party did they line up with~ hers being the right one of course!!!  After sharing stories that had us all laughing and wiping a few tears, we sang the extended family "song"....the chorus of You Are My Sunshine", and the song she sang when she called or was with family for everyone's birthdays....Her kids, their spouses, the grands, their spouses, etc.  She sang this song until the last month of her life when she was too weak to do so.  Some of us are carrying the tradition on for her....

"A happy birthday to you.....a happy birthday to you..

Every day of the year, may you feel Jesus near....

A happy birthday to you....a happy birthday to you...

The BEST that you ever did have. "  

I know some in my family have kept recordings of her singing that song on their phones to play back.  They are even more precious now. 

We stayed in a hotel Friday night with two of our kids and their families.  It was the first time we had been in hotel since Dec. 2019 and most of the time we wore a mask when out of our room and sometimes we didn't.  It was a mixed bag on what to do with the variant causing so much havoc.  We all wore masks at the memorial service, but in the spacious back yard we gathered in we did not.  Although a lot of hugging went on.  It was the first time we saw our son Mark and his Noah in 20 months!  Sooooo good to be with some of our kids.  Sad for those who could not come.  It was a true gift to see so many extended family!  Some flew in from AZ, Boston, South Dakota, and Texas. Others came from Iowa, Wisconsin, and around MN.  What a blessing!

We came home last night, unpacked, found something to eat, and were in bed and asleep by 9:30.  This morning we watched church from our living room sofa and recliner cuz...........I think we are feeling the trip!  Aren't we blessed to be able to do that!  I go to Facebook, get the service on their and cast it onto our TV and there it is on a big screen and in living color!  When I get complacent about worshiping or listen to others complain about having to mask up, etc. to go to church I cannot help but think about all those who have an "underground" church so they will not be killed for believing in Jesus.  And here we are.............Wake up people!  Stop the entitlement attitude and make it a gratitude attitude for this country~ flaws and all!

So, what am I grateful for today?  For being able to travel and have this service for this precious complicated, passionate, caring, woman who loved her family and her Lord Jesus.  I am grateful she took me in with her hubby and raised me with her family giving me what I longed for.  I am grateful for what she taught me about God, for sending me off to Bible College, and for praying Joel into my life~ literally.  I am grateful for being with my extended family, hugging again on my sister Jan and others, and for being with some of our kids.  I am grateful for the legacy, Gr. Jo leaves behind and is now moving through the next generations.  Grateful for a beautiful service, a wonderful celebration.  So grateful.  

Saturday's Scribbles

Good Saturday to you on this beautiful weekend here in our small corner of the world.  This week we have enjoyed a hummingbird that has come to visit more than one day while we were porch sitting.  Also, loving the cooler weather and grateful for the  good rain that came last night.  It is very dry here, just like so many other places,  The land is thirsty....

Speaking of land, it has been hard this week not to be thinking about Afghanistan and the horrific crisis that is going on there with the Taliban taking over the country.  Lord have mercy on the Afghan people who are wanting out........those Christian Afghans who are expecting to die, and the women and girls who will be once again without any freedoms or rights.  And then there is Haiti.....a suffering country in more ways than one, their leader assassinated, hurricane, devastating earthquake.  Again, Lord have mercy! 

Seeing the images on TV of the airport and the streets of Kabul, took me right back to when Saigon fell in the late seventies.  So many images of people trying to leave the country, images of desperate parents trying to get their children out of the country. Begging soldiers to take their babies....because what they would be facing would be so horrific.  It took me back to when I helped with Operation Baby Lift while we were stationed in The Philippines at Clark Air Base. It took place a few weeks before the fall of Saigon.   Joel was forecasting the weather for pilots that flew everywhere including in and out of Viet Nam. This was his job as a meteorologist.  I signed up to help care for one of the many orphan children that were being airlifted out of Nam.  I was picked up by a military bus from the base (our home was off base) and taken to a place to be given information on our "duties", then we went to the airport where we all waited for the first plane to arrive.  It was not too long before we were told that the first plane had crashed while returning to the airport due to mechanical problems.  Sadly many children and adults died or were injured.  After receiving that news, we were taken somewhere on the base to wait and see what was happening next.  It was after midnight when we were once again taken to the airport to meet the next plane to arrive.  We walked in single file onto the plane picking up and carrying the first child available to us.  We carried them back to the bus and drove with them to a place that was well equipped for us to care for them for the 12 hour shift we were assigned to.  I will never forget this experience and felt so blessed to be a part of it.  I did not realize how much those Saigon images or the plane crash affected me until I saw what was going on at Kabul.  I was mostly an observer of all that was going on, but it impacted me enough to bring strong emotions to the surface.  I believe that we in America have little idea what the Afghans are going through. We take so much for granted.  Our prayers are with all those trying to leave....those trying to save their children.  Lord, have mercy.

 And as long a we are lifting up our hearts to God let us not forget the Covid-19 crisis here that has once again reared its ugly head, trying to swallow up not only the elderly, but the children and younger adults too.   Lord have mercy.  

All of this and more can keep a person in a high state of anxiety and apprehension,  It is not a good place to be.....how do you all cope with it?  I am now limiting once again the news and who I listen to, when, and questioning how much info I really need.  We are doing a lot of porch sitting!  Praying!  Giving thanks....And remembering who is in control........who is our provider, protector, healer,  Amen and Amen,

The good news here this week is that my oncology exam and blood work was all good.  Yay......The DNRS does give me more energy even though at times other things talk louder.  I am still walking daily, and getting house "stuff" done.   The new med I have been on for a month is giving me less cognitive issues, less fatigue, and less joint pain.  All good......

Joel is working at Habitat today to help build a house here in Mason City, he has gotten in some biking, and more projects done.   He likes to make things out of scraps and made both this easel tool holder and this table in the picture for when he is working on something like our back window.  Very creative.........and practical too!

We watched an interesting movie this week called "Fisherman's Friends" on Netflix.  It is based on a true story of a group of fishermen "discovered" by a guy seeking out new groups to record music.  They sang "sea shanties" and he helped them get a contract for their music when no one else would believe in them!   It was quite entertaining, although a bit slow moving at first.  

This weekend I am watching a live stream Pentecostal conference put on by a couple teachers/speakers I follow.  Joel and I watched a service last night that had us both saying..........well, this is definitely out of our comfort zone!  Haha  It was definitely more than a little different than our Lutheran services of worship.  It is good to experience new things! 

So, today I am thankful for memories of Operation Baby Lift, the young boy I cared for and what he shared with me, for good reports, for walking and biking, for porch sitting, open windows, movies to distract, texts, phone calls and emails, rain, hummingbirds, stepping out of our comfort zone, and so much more.......

Enjoy your weekend!

What Are We Cultivating?

More than a decade ago I was told by a Lyme specialist that the "flight or fight" part of my brain, the amygdala, was stuck in the on position and that I needed to cultivate a place of quiet, a stress free environment.  Yeah........so in other words, I needed to create new neural pathways so my limbic system which activates the fight or flight, would have new ways of dealing with stress.....thus the DNRS training I am currently exploring.

Recently I watched a 4 minute video of Kris Vallotton, pastor and world wide speaker for Bethel Church in Redding CA, speaking on the renewing of our minds.  He caught my attention when he mentioned our need for new neural pathways in the brain. I listened to it more than once and what jumped out for me was the idea of "cultivating our trust in God".  (you can find the video saved to my Facebook page)

Trust.  It seems to me that our country, I would venture to say even the world, has little trust for leaders, whether political, medical, or spiritual.  Who do we trust?  Where do we put our trust?  We are seeing the evidence of people not trusting the scientists who created the Covid-19 vaccines, we are seeing the evidence of people not trusting our government, no matter red or blue or purple or green.  We are seeing the evidence of our nation not trusting what spiritual leaders are saying and many spiritual leaders are not trusting the political or medical leaders.  It is tearing apart our country.  What is being cultivated?

Who do we trust?  Where do we cultivate our trust?  We turn to the Word for guidance and God says, "Trust in the Lord your God will ALL your heart and lean NOT on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.  Be not wise in you own eyes, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.  It will bring health to your flesh, and strength to your bones."  Proverbs 3: 5-8  

We cultivate a trust in God.  A daily process on our journey through life.   Trust.  Lord, I am fearful of what is coming.............."trust that I have plans for you for good and not for evil".......Lord, what if......."I AM.  I will never leave you..."

The scriptures are packed full of God's promises that we can rely on.  We need to feed our souls and our minds with HIS Words, HIS promises, knowing that as we cultivate that which is good, we harvest the peace we need, creating new neural pathways in our brain that lead us into a healthier way of living.  This DNRS program is not a new thing, it only has a new spin on it and a bit more knowledge to share with us on the science of how the brain works in connection with our body's responses.  God's Word is still what we need to cultivate to live with a renewed mind.   

Cultivating a trust in God.  Sometimes it requires stepping out of the boat, like Peter did.  Sometimes it requires sitting at Jesus feet like Mary did.  Sometimes it requires filling our minds with knowledge like Matthew did.  Sometimes it requires walking through the desert like Jesus did.  One thing is always clear, it begins with meditating on His Word.  Soaking in His promises, His presence.  Intentionally cultivating trust in God.

Saturday's Scribbles

Good Saturday to you from the upper Midwest where August is bringing us low 80's and dryer heat again after a few days of Filipino-like weather.  I am more than happy with the low humidity although I expect we could still use some rain.  We were sitting on the porch this week and I glanced at the large bush that protects part of the porch and I noticed that the leaves were drooping and some were even curled up!  Yikes!  They needed water and ASAP.  We usually don't need to water them, but lack of rain put them in a "crisis".  I was happy to see that they were back in true form just a day later.

Speaking of happy, Joel was feeling that yesterday after he drove to Clear Lake and did a 15 mile bike ride around the lake.  His main trail here has been cut up this summer as they are doing some repair work so he was happy to change his location.  I've been able to walk 30 minutes several days which makes me happy too.  

When I was growing up the term "lazy, hazy days of summer" really held true.  We always had so much free time, especially before I started working at a local new retirement home.  I feel like that has come full circle for us lately ~ lazy hazy days of summer with not much on the agenda.  Can't say I always enjoy that....just means we have a quiet house.  I like the saying, "I would rather wear out than rust out" but this body does not always cooperate with that mantra!  Still, we keep asking God for more purpose.......

Getting back to the days of summer, during my Junior High and High School years we would often go as a family to a lake in a town about 1/2 hr away.  Our family friends had a boat and skis and a bunch of kids just like we did.  We would spend a whole day or weekend (driving back and forth) in the sun, boating, swimming, having a picnic lunch, etc.  I'm not too fond of boats myself but several of my sibs like boating, lake cabin living, and fishing.  Our oldest and her family are able to enjoy a cabin lake life in WI.  There is something special about lake living in the upper Midwest, where in Minnesota there is over 10,000 lakes to choose from!  I think that is one of things I miss living here in Iowa.  I miss the water, many lakes (Joel's hometown has 3 lakes within it's borders and the county has over 1100!), all the green spaces, forests, and even the Minnesooooota accents!  I think ours has faded over the years for sure. ( You betcha) Of course we miss family too.....  but we miss them wherever we are unless we are all gathered under one roof!  

Speaking of gathering, in two weeks time we are to hold Gr, Jo's memorial service with a small interment/graveside service before family goes to her favorite place to eat.  We have reserved the party room and outdoor space for family to come and eat and share memories, etc.  With CoVid-19  on the rise, we are cautiously hopeful nothing will interfere with that.  

Speaking of Covid, we have gone back to masks in public as cases rise, hospitalizations rise, and ICU cases rise again here in our country.  Cases have tripled in past three weeks.  Seriously need this over and gone, don't we.  I don't like this new normal!

Yesterday I headed back for a maintenance visit with our chiropractor and he gave us tomatoes from his mom's garden on their farm.  There is nothing as good as vine ripened freshly picked tomatoes.  Delish. We decided we just had to have BLT's again with those tomatoes calling our names........That was our meal ~ BLT's with watermelon on the side.  Such a great summer feast!  Getting back to our chiro, his story is fascinating to us.....his mom and dad met in California, married, and eventually moved back to Iowa where she was from.  She is Caucasian and her hubby she brought to Iowa is Japanese.  They took over the family farm I believe,  Dr. Hirota is our favorite kind of chiropractor.....he does not push you to come back for weeks and weeks......is respectful of your special needs or aches and pains, and is good at his job.  (I think I just put a good word in for him....wonder if I could get a discount? )

Tonight Joel is heading to a 150 yrs. church anniversary,  This church is one of now four congregations that have joined together but are still separate.  Joel and his friend Jack were interims there nine years ago and worked to join this geographical parish in NE Iowa.  He enjoyed working there so much it was hard to leave.  So many rural or small town churches are struggling to financially support a full time pastor and our North Iowa Synod has done a good job of joining congregations, yet keeping their separate identities. I expect after Covid and the changes that took place in many congregations, this will become more and more common..  Sharing a pastor or two.  It enables them to keep going!

Speaking of keeping going, I continue with the DNRS program and am learning much along the way.  I over trained this week and ended up with a big flare up of some symptoms, but learned to do some what are called "Calming rounds" of practice,  Definitely an ebb and flow.....and certainly not a straight line to success, but a journey.  Just like life.

Speaking of life, what are you grateful for this week?  I am grateful for every day I wake up.  Grateful for phone calls from some family and a friend, texts that connect us day and night, DNRS, Joel's bike ride around the lake, fresh tomatoes, laughter, tears, prayers from others, and the privilege to pray, porch sitting, bushes coming back to life, all our Minnesota memories, dryer weather, open windows, and so much more.......

Enjoy your weekend!

Saturday's Scribbles

Good Saturday to you from hot and humid Iowa where we have once again had a bit of rain to help our thirsty land.  It is August, and by it's end we will be ready for fall!  

This past week has gone by quickly due to watching the Olympics and working up to 2 hrs a day on the limbic system impairment retraining.  I have seen some progress in energy.......since day 3 in fact and it has given us hope for some of the other symptoms to subside too,  The basis behind the training is the belief that the limbic system becomes impaired within many people from trauma, whether that is from an accident that sets up pain pathways or an event or many events in your life.  It is interesting and makes sense when I watched the DVDs.  Any improvement is a good thing!

Speaking of good things, it has been fun to watch the athletes in Toyko.  Hats off to Biles who took care of herself while dealing with the "twisties" and the death of her aunt.  And the way the other gymnasts stepped up!  They were able to shine and that is a good thing!  We watched women's beach volleyball take the gold, the the women's diving competition was amazing with the 14 year old from China....,It still surprises me that I like the Olympics so much when I don't watch any other sports but a bit of girls HS softball,  We try to make the effort watching the Vikings, but no one would be surprised to learn we just don't have the "team spirit" needed.  

It took several days for me to stop missing our grand dogs.  I just kept expecting them to be there all the time.  Our house is pretty quiet!  Even though Joel misses their company, I am pretty sure Joel does not miss all the walks. (grins) 

One of my sisters and her whole family went on a special trip to the Black Hills this past week where they, plus another sister and her oldest and family joined them to have a small service in Spearfish Canyon for Gr. Jo.  This area was one of Gr. Jo's favorite places as a child and they were able to sprinkle a few of her ashes in the area.  The Black Hills are a big part of our family history.  My Uncle was sheriff in Deadwood back in the 50's and we lived out there and in other places of South Dakota.  I started Kindergarten in Deadwood.  My grandmother had a cabin in Spearfish Canyon where she lived alone against one of the hills away from town.  She was one tough lady.  Looking back I see so many strong women in my family.  Four years ago we drove through Spearfish Canyon on our way home from northern California and Bethel Church.  It is so beautiful there and just felt like "home" to me.  I expect my family's history was on my mind, but it is a great place!! 

Spearfish creek

Spearfish Canyon

My grandma standing by her well in front of her cabin

Joel has a Saturday morning coffee group he likes to go to called, "Gabby Grandpas".  They meet outside which is a good thing since our county is now in a "High" area for Covid Spread.  Our new cases have doubled since last week.  We are back to wearing masks in public places indoors.  Our choice.  I am still amazed at how people react to that.  We were at Target Friday and I glanced at one woman in line and she, maskless, smirked at me and rolled her eyes before turning her back on me.  I am assuming here that she was letting me know that masking was ridiculous.  At first it annoyed me and then it saddened me that she is allowed to make her own choice, but I am not.  She has all the answers and I do not.  I have read more than once people speaking out and saying the vaccines are being given because there are too many people in the world and this is one way of getting rid of a few.  One of the nurses I have believes the vaccines are killing more people than Covid itself.  I don't know where all this comes from, and for me it is not the truth, but it is not up to me to tell her what to believe.  Ya know?  I am vaccinated and grateful.  Do I feel invincible because I am vaccinated?  Absolutely not,  I am still cautious and careful.  Just like with the flu vaccine, we do not have 100% protection.   Bottom line, "Lord have mercy on our world" seems to be a prayer we need to express 24/7.

As I have mentioned before, when the heat and humidity rises to a high level I am always drawn back to the Philippine Islands, the most humid place on earth I am sure!  One example:  We took our young kids wooden Fisher Price puzzles along and from the humidity the wood all separated and came apart!  Infections came quickly on the skin from the humidity, and the term "Filipino time" made so much sense because you needed to move slower to nto deplete all your energy in the heat.  It would be consistently 85 degrees by 6 am and be in the 90's every day, with humidity at 80-90%.  It took us awhile to adjust to it, and then when we came back to the states in May of 1976 we all got sick from the "drop" in temperature!  We were COLD when it was 65 degrees.  We would go to the resort area of Baguio up in the mountains and wear jackets because it was only 65 degrees....I don't miss that heat and humidity combo!  I miss others parts of living there, but not the weather.  

Last night we watched a Diane Keaton movie called "POMS".  It was both sad and very funny.  Can't say I was comfortable with the language, but overall the movie was funny and we enjoyed a good laugh.  Laughter is such good medicine!!

So this week I am grateful for air conditioning, for a change of seasons that will come, the Olympics, the DNRS retraining, some of Gr. Jo's ashes being in one of her favorite places, walking, biking, family history in Spearfish Canyon in the Black Hills,  homemade bread, masks, vaccinations, God's mercy, phone calls and texts, more energy, laughter, and so much more......

I hope my scribbles have you thinking about your own week, and your own family history.  Enjoy the weekend!