“I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God’s hands, that I still possess”–Martin Luther       “Peace if possible, truth at all costs.”–Martin Luther   “On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed ninety-five theses to the castle church door in Wittenberg, Germany, which addressed the abuses of the sale of indulgences and provided the catalyst for the Protestant Reformation.

Martin Luther is one of the more important figures in Western history, as his thought has impacted family life, politics, church-state relations, individual liberties, and a host of other societal issues. His powerful expositions of the Gospel remain one of his most important legacies. In an era when the Gospel had been eclipsed by a system of human merit, Martin Luther and the other reformers were able to remind the people of God that we are declared righteous in the sight of the Lord through faith alone in the person and work of Christ Jesus.

The widespread acceptance of watered-down doctrine and uncritical ecumenism in our day demonstrates how we cannot take biblical teaching for granted. Luther was willing to die if necessary for the biblical Gospel, but many today simply ignore the doctrine of justification through faith alone by grace alone because of Christ alone. This year, let us remember the work of our forefathers on Reformation day and strive, as they did, to contend for the faith once delivered to the saints (Jude 3).”

— from a Ligonier Ministry email

I’ve been reading and studying The Reformation lately and couldn’t let the day go by without acknowleging a little-known (at least in my life) date in church history. 

We arrived home not long ago.  Do I have enough creative juices flowing in order to write interestingly enough to keep you with me?  I don’t know. . . . . .

All in all, the weekend was a lot of fun, a satisfying family sort of fun.  We spent Saturday with my husband’s family.  The highlight of the day was spending time at Rich’s Grandma’s house and then going to my inlaws to have dinner.  We were all together with no one missing—Rich and his 3 brothers, their wives and children and his parents and Grandma, along with her daughter, Aunt Phyllis.

I was sitting out in the livingroom during the meal, with Grandma, and we could see and hear the bustle of everyone else in the kitchen.  We were both quiet when out of the blue Grandma said, “Shanda, . . . .it’s times like this when I think of their father.” (her husband)  “You know, he died when Willie”. . . (Rich’s Dad and her youngest). . . “was only 8.  He didn’t know how they would turn out.  I wish he could see them now.”

I almost started crying.  I got out of my seat and went to sit on the floor next to her chair.  She was holding Jason and Mary’s newborn baby–her 12th great grandchild.  And she was sitting there thinking of him, her husband, who had been gone for about 43 years.  She talked to me for a few minutes about him and pointed across the room to his photo, hanging on the wall.  What struck me was, no one in that room was thinking of him but, to her, he was a very real part of the moment.  And, I tried to think how that would be, how I would feel if I were her.

She raised her four children alone after her husband died.  She had to work hard. 

Rich told me that when he was a little boy he asked Grandma why she didn’t ever get married again and she told him that she never had the desire to marry anyone else after husband died.  He said that after she said that, she went in her room and cried.

When we go to her trailer, a warm, spotlessly clean, homey place, it is always always peaceful.  She is a quiet, God-loving old lady.  She is ninety years old.  She loves to talk to the children and to us.  She laughs, too, which I admire. . . . .she is content and happy without one trace of bitterness ever in her voice.

I am convinced, completely convinced that it is because of her prayers that Rich loves the Lord with all his heart today.   I know it is so.  She feels the burdens of her family heavily and it comes out in her prayers.

You should have seen her giving away some of her earthly treasures on Saturday.  She has 2 granddaughters and 4 grandsons.  My husband is one of them. . .and I, as his wife, was there along with the other wives.  6 of us in all stood around a loaded table and one by one chose the items we thought were pretty.   After we made our selection we went over to Grandma’s chair and she explained where she got it and what it meant to her.

“Oh, that’s just a modern dish”, she said with genuine sorrow over my first choice, “I’m afraid that isn’t valuable.  I loved the pattern and wished I could buy the set.”  (It is a Homer Laughlin plate and I was perfectly happy)

“That was given to me as a young girl by the next door neighbor.  I must have done something for her and she gave that to me.  I’ve always loved it.” (It’s a little ceramic basket that some remember her keeping soap in)

“That is called satin-glass.  I believe it is called a hair-catcher.  You know, ladies used to save their hair.  It belonged to my mother.”  (I kid you not, it is the same color of Grandma’s eyes.)

“Oh,” she was excited over my next choice of a pretty pink-glass vase, “That was given to me on my 50th birthday.”

And, about a covered glass dish, “That was given to Clarence and I when we were married.  My parents gave it to me.  There is a plate that goes with it that you may have.”

There were a few more pieces that I got.  A glass cake stand (that she put 3-layer cakes on, “I’ll give you the cake pans, too, remind me” she said).  A relish dish, a tea cup, a vase, and a cookbook.

I had to swallow tears there, too, because we were emptying out her china cabinet.  Everything.  She gave it all away. 

“I’ll have fun seeing everything in your homes.  I hope you enjoy it all as much as I did.”

“Oh, don’t you worry” she laughed when Aunt Phyllis remarked about the empty china cabinet, “I have some things I will put in there.”

She gave so cheerfully.  She was so genuinely pleased to give us her things and trusted us completely.  I would’ve been like, “Here, sign this contract that you will never give these things away or break them”.  No, not her!  She simply gave.

It hurt me and it hurts me to unwrap her things in my house.  However, I also loved it and I was honored.  Both at the same time.  I find her inspiring and would like to do the same with my things when I am old.

Her name is Sarah Lillian.  Her friends call her Lillian and that is my daughter’s middle name, we gave it to her in honor of Grandma, who helped raise Rich and his brothers after his parents were divorced.  His dad moved in with Grandma for a while. . . . .another story of many more I could tell you about her.

She is a wonderful lady.  I love her so. We treasure every moment we have with her now, and hope God lets her stay for many years to come.

I searched and searched for the

perfect quote or poem to go

with this picture

but there wasn’t one.

All I want to say is

these are my children

and I thank God for them.

I just feel like writing today.  I got up early, thanks to my alarm clock (Caleb). . .he watched a Thomas video while I read my Bible and a book titled, Essential Truths of the Christian Faith, by RC Sproul.  I read while drinking a nice hot cup of coffee, with a fire in the fire place, and darkness outside.  It was cozy.

Yesterday I took David to the local elementary school to have his speech evaluated.  He, according to the nice lady who tested him, “needs intervention” and she would like to start seeing him for about 1/2 hour to an hour every week.  Will you please pray that I will find someone willing to watch my other 4 children so that I can take David?  I need to be there in the room while she works with him.  I was pleased with the meeting, she had him saying words beginning with “S” and “F”, and he said some words perfectly that he has never said before.  I had tears in my eyes once or twice, I have been so burdened by his speech.  He has a rich vocabulary, but just isn’t where he needs to be with all the sounds.

I have a quote that I wanted so share.  I was reading yesterday from the book, Ladies of the Reformation, written by J.H. Alexander.  The book is historical and thought-provoking and is full of mini-biographies of influential Christian women from the Reformation time period.  I was reading about Elizabeth of Brandenburg, who was the daughter of the King of Denmark, and who married the Elector of Brandenburg, Germany.  She lived in the early 1500’s.  Later in her marriage, and after the birth of her four children, she was able to read a copy of the New Testament (translated by Martin Luther) and her “heart was opened” and she believed.  She suffered persecution from her own husband and had to flee for her life.  At the end of the chapter, I was struck by these words:

“She loved and studied Luther’s translation
of the Bible with his marginal notes, and marked
down many favorite chapters in Isaiah, the Psalms,
John, and the Epistle to the Romans.
‘God be for ever praised in heaven above’, she said,
‘that these words are thus recorded, for more
than a thousand times I have felt in my
heart that they are true.‘”

What she said about the Bible was beautiful to me, and I am going to copy it in the cover of my own precious Bible.  So many times have I turned to it in distress, to find calm and peace for my soul.  So many times I have gone to it thirsty, and come away refreshed. 

Again, this morning I read another passage from a book, All of Grace, by Spurgeon.  I read something that helped me a great deal.  I think we have all struggled from bad thoughts.  For me, I am particularly prone to negative thinking—in all areas, as a mother, wife, my physical health, my spiritual growth–I have had negative thoughts about all of those things.  In the chapter titled, “I can do Nothing”, Spurgeon writes specifically to those who may have the weakness of “Tormenting and Blaspheming Thoughts”.  I read:

“These thoughts, if you hate them, are not
yours, but injections of the devil.  He is
responsible, and not you.  If you strive against
them, they are no more yours than are the cursings
and falsehoods of rioters in the street.
It is by means of these thoughts that the devil
wants to drive you to despair, or at least
from trusting Jesus.

“Jesus died for those who are guilty of ‘all manner of
sin and blasphemy’ (Matt. 12:31).  Therefore,
I am sure He will not refuse those who are
unwillingly the captives of evil thoughts.
Cast yourself upon Him, thoughts and all,
and prove that He is mighty to save.  He can still
those horrible whisperings of the fiend, or He
can enable you to see them in their true light
so that you will not be worried by them.
In His own way, He can and will save you
and, at length, give you perfect peace.
Only trust Him for this and everything else.”

The next time I get mired in my own destructive thoughts (I am very introverted so I have lots of time to think, LOL), I will read back over this quote.

Now, have you ever noticed that any good devotional time with the Lord ends up with more love for Christ, the One who has made this wonderful relationship possible?  The One who has brought peace to our soul?  That is how I felt this morning. . .and so I read through a hymnbook to try to find a hymn that would reflect those feelings.

“I’ve found the pearl of greatest price,
My heart doth sing for joy;
And sing I must, for Christ is mine,
Christ shall my song employ.

Christ is my Prophet, Priest, and King:
My Prophet full of light,
My great High Priest before the throne,
My King of heavenly might.

For He indeed is Lord of lords,
And He the King of kings;
He is the Sun of Righteousness,
With healing in His wings.

Christ is my peace; He died for me,
For me He gave His blood;
And, as my wondrous sacrifice,
Offered Himself to God.

Christ Jesus is my All-in-all,
My comfort and my love;
My life below; and He shall be
My glory-crown above.

John Mason, 1646-94

I am aware that, at times, when we share personal thoughts about our relationship with God, we do not get as much feedback.  However, for today, I ask that if you have anything to say of your Savior, anything that He is teaching you, anything that you have learned in your Christian walk, that you will write it down for the rest of us to read.  The comments are often just as encouraging as the actual post, I have discovered over and over.  Do you have a quote, a verse, a bit of something encouraging?  Then, please tell us how and/or why the Lord is good to you today.

Now, I have some packing to do.  We are going to NY for the weekend.  Tomorrow Grace and I are going to a tea party, hosted by my husband’s 90 year old Grandmother.  From what I understand, she is using this time to give away some of her dishes and pretty things.  Isn’t that touching?

Love to you all~

We went to public school when I was growing up. . . .and, being the oldest of five, I remember how sad my mom used to be when a younger sibling entered Kindergarten.  I didn’t understand it then, but I think I do now, because I feel so attached to my little ones.  They are my little buddies.  I’m their best friend, the one they want to be near all day long.  And, truth be told, I very much like them around me, too.  I feel better when they are near.  My mom must have felt that same way.   I especially remember how my little brother, Nathan, used to watch for birds with her.

Anyway, this afternoon I was outside with little C.  I just meant to go around the yard with him, but we got further and further off the beaten trail.  I got a little ahead of Caleb, and walked through some tall grass and shrubs to the stream.

Look who didn’t want to be left behind:

My little Pooh! 

So we sat awhile and looked at the stream together.

I talked to him and he leaned on me.  I rubbed his warm little head and held out my camera to try to capture the moment.

My heart melts when I see that little face!  I kiss those little lips and those velvet cheeks every day, lots and lots.

Playing Peek a boo

Oops, over he goes! 

Going back home

I was too tired to blog yesterday.  I had been awake in the night and spent the whole day feeling very S-L-O-W.  In fact, Rich even commented on it when he got home, “You seem. . . .kind of. .. slow, Shanda” and he laughed at me. 

We had special meetings at church and he went with the kids and I went to bed EARLY! 

I’m feeling SO much better this morning! 

Ethan is out walking the dog.

Jacob is practicing his violin.

Caleb is in here, playing with his choo-choo’s and humming the “Thomas song”.

David is watching a Thomas video.

Grace is in watching Jacob practice, with Patches on her lap.  (poor, poor Patches)

I wanted to share some pictures that make me LAUGH.  I took them when Mom and Dad were still here–and Dad was playing tic-tac-toe with Ethan.  Dad decided to give me a hard time and goof around during the picture-taking.  I think David’s and Ethan’s reaction to Grandpa is especially dear.

(“Is Grandpa okay?”)

(“He’s okay!  He’s laughing! Grandpa is so silly!”)

Let’s all gather around Grandpa!

Sweet.

Yesterday, I was in the kitchen with David and Caleb and I gave them each a cheese-stick.

David:  “Mom?  Are cheese-sticks made of WOOD?”

Me (in confused tone):  “No”

David:  “Then why are they called cheese-STICKS?”

The pictures of Dad were taken on Friday night.  Now, these photos were taken early Sunday morning.  Rich had already gotten up and was busy with the dog.   I was still asleep in bed when my door opened and I heard my mom saying, “Shanda?  Are you awake?”   It was so fun!  I felt like I was back home and she was getting me up for school.   I said, “Come on in” and she got in bed with me and we talked and giggled a little before we got up.  She was full of energy so as soon as I was ready, we went outside for a walk.  Jacob came with us.  It was so nice!  We ended up coming home with handfuls of leaves, berries, and other things. 

I’m hiding behind mom so my RAMS football sweatshirt doesn’t show.  We’re ashamed of them this year.

Lovely refection in the stream of the bright fall colors.

 Our shadows—this was so fun!  Parker, Me, Jacob, and Mom Shadows:

Our silly shadows:

I finally got a picture of a flock of geese:

Jacob thought it was so funny when I went right through some deep black mud.  Apparently the sound of the mud and my “oooph” as I went down was too much for him.  He laughed and laughed, “ho, ho, ho”  he says.

Some of our collection.  The acorns were a dark, shiny brown.  So lovely and nutty.

My mom sat at the table and put a wreath together “just like that”, with only some twine.  Everything was collected from the woods except some zinnias–they were from my garden.

It’s time to get dressed and ready for a morning of school with the children.  Davy-do is doing more and more with us, and I am proud of him.  His coloring is getting much better, I am encouraging him to be neat with his work (he’s a natural scribbler).  The others are also doing well–I’m especially pleased with their memorization of Bible and Poetry.  I’m amazed how quickly they can learn something by heart.

Here is a poem that Grace has memorized:

If I Knew

If I knew a box where the smiles are kcpt,
No matter how large the key
Or strong the bolt, I would try so hard
Twould open, I know, for me;
Then over the land and the sea broadcast,
I’d scatter the smiles to play,
That the children’s faces might hold them fast
For many and many a day.

If I knew a box that was large enough
To hold all the frowns I meet,
I would like to gather them every one,
From nursery, school, and street;
Then folding and holding, I’d pack them in,
And turning the monster key,
I’d hire a giant to drop the box
To the depths of the deep, deep sea.     -Maud Wyman

I took these photos this morning
before my parents left to go back home.

********

They have been married for 32 years and now have
an empty nest. . . .they both love
the Lord, their children, and each
other very much.

They both work full time, so when they
aren’t working, they spend all the time
they can, being together.

My mom makes my Dad homemade chocolate pudding.
When it’s ready, she pours it into 1-cup canning
jars and screws on the lid.  She makes about 6 at a time.
He loves it.  You should hear the racket
he makes, trying to get every last drop.

He calls her “Lovebird” or “Lovie”.  He adores her.

They like to be outside on the weekends.  They garden together,
work on house projects together, go for jogs together, and also target practice.

When Dad has his camera, Mom points out pictures for him to take.

They would rather be together than with anyone else in the world.
They don’t act the same if the other one isn’t near.
When I go home for a visit, I find their little love notes around the house.

They drink coffee together in the living room or on the porch. 
They like making nice pasta dishes for lunch or dinner.

They raised 5 children:  two girls and three boys.
They have 8 grandchildren, and my sister is expecting the ninth in February.

They delight in going on adventures together–traveling, walking, making memories.
My mom said, “Sometimes I miss those days with you kids at home.  But, I love
it now.  I love being home with your Dad, we enjoy
spending time with each other.”

Sometimes they get each other laughing so hard.  That’s the time I love the most.
There is a happy, blissful feeling inside me when I see my parents laugh together.
It makes the little girl in me feel warm and secure.

Quick and Easy Cornbread

1 small box cornbread mix
1 yellow cake mix

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Mix boxes together according to directions on back of each box.
Pour batter into a greased 9 by 13 inch pan.
Bake about 25-35 minutes, or until done.

I make muffins. Recipe yields 3 dozen.

Please visit my blog at http://www.xanga.com/purpleamethyst76

Because it’s a Saturday in October.

Because my parents went to visit my sister for the day.

Because Rich fell asleep on the couch.

Because I was looking for something to do.

Because the brothers were watching a movie.

Because I needed some fresh air.

Because it rained last night.

Because she’ll only be 7 for 15 more days.

Because I like spending time with her.

Because life is good.

Because she makes me smile.