Preacher Man

In 1980 as a young mom I needed a full time job. In October I landed a wonderful full time job, evening hours, thus only needing day care a couple of hours. I started at 3:00 - 11:00 - making it early enough to get home do a couple loads of laundry and get enough sleep to get up in the morning rested. The hours changed through out the years as I gave up a day here and picked one up there... but I stayed at this wonderful place for 26 years! It helped that I absolutely loved my job. It was working in a group home with mentally challenged adults (many my age). I have many great memories of this group home - I hope to share a few through out the year. This one I write today is about a young man who became one of my best friends, how I loved him, he is gone to be with Jesus now... so I write this today in his memory.
...One of my first memories of Marvin was his love of music. In the younger years he and his friends had "instruments" and they would come down into the dining room and play and sing. If anyone came to play the piano - they would play right along. Marvin was given a red, white and blue guitar for Christmas from his parents that first year and you have never seen anyone happier. Always willing to share a "tune".
......do any of you remember the singer "Tiny Tim" (he named his one and only daughter Tulip, if that helps your memory!)? Marvin would sit at the piano on the bench - hands to the keys (not really playing just pretending) and belt out a good melody of "Tip Toe through the Tulips with me"... he got the vibrato exactly right, the high voice...and any time some new girl would start he would serenade them with this song (adding a few words of his own and the girls name). I believe whenever I hear that song in my heart I will fondly think of Marvin.
...He loved to dress up and act things out. Always doing it for his own pleasure but hoping that someone was enjoying his show. It was a beautiful November and one of our staff had a tee pee that they brought and set up out in the front lawn for Thanks-giving. Marvin had an Indian head dress that he had gotten also as a gift.
......have any of you ever seen an actual Indian sitting in a tee pee? Marvin was not to be found one day and I'll be if he wasn't sitting out in that tee pee with his head dress on singing an Indian chant just loud enough for us to enjoy!
...Marvin loved church and he loved Jesus. He was given a bible from the church he attended, probably around 1985 or so. Every Sunday that Bible went to church with him and many times he would get it out during the week. Down in the basement he set up his own church, where he had his Bible stored, crosses on the wall, chairs for the congregation, a pulpit for him, and an old tea set that he used for Communion.
......have any of you ever been to a church service given by someone with Down Syndrome, that can not read but his Bible is worn out from reading it, that has Communion with his Lord without real bread and wine, that prayed in a language only he and God understood?
...What a gift I was given!
...tears of joy fill me as I remember my friend the "Preacher Man". I remember many nights praying with him, his words that I could not understand but I knew were being sent straight to Heaven, his praises to the Lord that were not in tune here on earth, but I knew Heaven was hearing a masterpiece. I remember the peace I would feel inside when I would get a glimpse of him giving a church service, handing out communion to himself, lifting his hands in praise to his God. Most of all I remember the times he would be on his knees, crying and letting me comfort him in prayer.
......I know in my heart that this wonderful man is with Jesus now.
......I know in my heart that Jesus met him where he was at and said "WELL DONE GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT"
......I know in my heart that when I see Marvin again, he will take my hand and ask me to pray with him, then we will sing together as he plays a golden harp - given to him as a gift by Jesus.

(Names,places and dates have been changed, these stories are true only in my mind)

Two Friends and a baby

This picture reminds me of 30 years ago. I was a young mom and I had two of the best friends in all of the world... and they were there for me and my baby - and now...
... each one of my friends had a daughter the same time I did (1987)
... my two best friends are still the best in all the world...
... and they have given a part of themselves to my family.
And I am so Thank-ful that the Lord has given me time here on earth to see how Blessed I have been through my life to have two special friends, that had two babies, that grew to be two special friends to my baby who is now the mother to Nola Jean!

Prayer

Tonight I went to let Chloe out before I went to bed. It was late and I had just spent time talking with Emily who is pregnant with high blood pressure, talking to my mom on the phone who is taking a new medication that makes her feel dizzy and tired, talking with my friend Missy about her situation and the sadness involved on all sides, talking to my Dr. about my knee which suddenly turned red on the scar and I have a temp of 99.4, praying for a friend who has cancer,writing a prayer on facebook from the Message bible about bringing light into the darkness and letting others see JESUS in our eyes...
...I am tired and walking out the door with Chloe
...behind me to my right I hear "nighty night" - in this eerie sounding whisper
...it scared me so bad and I looked back thinking I would see Curt who probably couldn't sleep either - and he wouldn't know how bad I was shaking and how his voice scared me in this tired state...
...and Curt wasn't there... no one was there...
...trembling I realized it was the devil trying to steal my sleep - trying to scare me with all this stuff...
...and now it is 1:38am, I am so tired...
so, I will take this moment to pray
......Lord Jesus, You have heard my voice tonight, if fear has set in over any of these things that I have mentioned above I ask for forgiveness from You, I lay it all at you feet
...Jesus, please take Emily and heal her in every single place she needs healing, please hold my mother during this time of uncertainty of new medications and soreness from her fall, give Missy and her family peace of mind that all is well, you are in control and you see their pain, take my knee and wrap it in your healing power, rain down your love and healing on those with cancer and their families, and most of all Lord - anyone who doesn't know You as their Savior, that they will meet you before the grave, that they would know of Your word, Your peace, love and joy - I know you love them - we are all Your children, made in Your image. I take my worry and offer it to you in this prayer and I thank-You that You have already won the victory! Amen

Good night everyone! I am tired and going to spend some time in His rest!

Come little Donkey come...

and so...
...we write back and forth on a little block on the bottom right of the screen
.....my friend and I
........and we are laughing so hard - we're not even sure what we are laughing about
.............we are talking about green XL swimsuits that we wore in school
..................we are talking about white speedo swimsuits that should be outlawed
...we miss a few letters, forget to put in spaces between words
......and all of a sudden it gets even funnier
...............I type the words orwill he shave?
....she understands I am calling him - orwill... thus we have a new word
..................making us laugh uncontrollably
.........and we know no one else will understand our craziness
.............that we can have this much fun
...talking about Orwill, speedo's and green swimsuits...
..................and our hope is that everyone will think we are as funny as we think we are!
......as we sing a song of TINGALAYOH...
and try to figure out how to say Spanish words using the French language!

Favorite toys!

Our newest little member of the Schmidt family... Nola Jean! Nola is now 3 months old. She has continued to swim in life's pool and learn and grow as the books say she should. I like to tease her momma that she is "making cream for our Nola jean"... growth is obvious every time you see her! They have now made their first home up in Mpls., Mn. It is a very nice apartment indeed. It is the 3rd floor of the old Sears building which has been reconstructed into apartments and the "Global Market". The last time Nola was home Lacey was reading that she should be having a "favorite toy" by now... Nola's interest in toys up to this point was pretty much zero. I told Lacey she should write a new page that says "my baby does not have a favorite toy yet, however, her favorite color is red and she is learning to spell it." But, sure enough the next day I got a TXT from lacey saying "Nola has been batting the toys hanging on her swing all morning... a new favorite toy?" Isn't it funny how yes, most kids do things around the same time... but not always and that is okay too. I love the song to Jesus about
..."In His time, in His time, He makes all things beautiful in His time"
...our little Nola will do things in His time - and that is okay with us!! Even if she really can't spell red yet! We will wait patiently and love totally as she grows into the life that God has planned for her.
...and I almost forgot... Nola is waiting for a new little girl cousin to be born in January,2011.
...and maybe by then she will be ready to "borrow out" her favorite toy!!

Grandparents

..................."The history of our grandparents is remembered not by rose petals but by the laughter and tears of their children and their chilren's children."

ooohhh la la!!

This is another picture from Miranda's wedding. Lindsey and Owen are dancing... he was quite smitten by her and spent much of the night dancing, talking and looking at her. Before this picture was taken... Owen came to our table and stood by Lindsey and said "I want you to know that you put the ooohhh in ohhhlala" and winked at her! Well one thing I must say is this young man sure knows how to find a dance partner! May God continue to Bless Owen in his life... and when it is time for him to attend his own wedding I pray that his life's dance partner puts the "ooohhh" in "ooohhh la la!"

Baxter comes to NewUlm

Well, as long as I am blogging here - I need to get in a little story about our newest granddog... Baxter Johnson. He flew in an airplane from ? to Mpls. Yes, Mr. Baxters first night in Minnesota was spent in NewUlm at the Microtel! He is an English Bulldog starting weight...20. Average weight 75#!! He was met by all the other grandchildren - they took to him right away and had lots of fun, Chloe (our other granddog)... appeared to think he would be an okay member of the family also. I don't know if I am partial but Baxter is already trained, can sit and stay, and can hide his bones with the best of them... I would tend to think he is advanced for his age! So now at age 4 months he is doing wonderful in Circle Pines...
...and I am thank-ful I only turn 50 one time! (see blog on "Chloe gets kicked out of Foley")
P.S. What is that shining on Lindsey's left hand????

A fathers love

I needed to write a short little blog for this picture. I love this picture, it isn't because it is a real clear, professional photograh... but, I was there the moments before it was taken and I know the story. I know that there was some disipline given. They were on the elevator, not sure of details and it doesn't matter anyway... all that matters is that this picture shows the true color of a "daddys love"... sometimes you just need to hold them and let them cry... and when the tears are all dried up... just keep on holding them
...until you can no longer tell where your little girl starts and you end
...you are one
...and she can peek over your big strong shoulder and see that with you by her side the world isn't such a scary place.
And my prayer for this would be that all little girls will have an earthly father with as much love as Chris has - and that they will learn of their Heavenly Fathers love because of it.
...and when JaciAnna is big enough to go out into the big ole world that she will remember "The Fathers Love." Amen

30th birthdays

This picture was taken the Sunday after Miranda's wedding. We were all at the "Microtel Motel" in NewUlm. Upon waking up there was much excitement about the great wedding the night before. We had so much fun, dancing, singing and socializing with friends and family. And now today there is more excietment... today is August 8th! Something wonderful happened on August 8,1980... now it was 30 years later... YES! Emily Jo's 30th birthday.
...Conner Dallas was in our room and I helped to get him dressed up. We were going to the pizza ranch to all eat together as a family for her birthday. It was over 100 degrees outside so the idea for a reminisce picnic at Flandrau was caboosed.
...We took off the shark pj's and replaced it with new blue jean shorts and a nice crisp cotton shirt. We combed his hair, washed his face, brushed his teeth and I was thinking to myself that he looked mighty sharp. Curt was laying on the bed watching TV.
...Conner looked at himself in the mirror and then looked at Curt laying on the bed and he smiled and said "Papa, I look just like you!" then he climbed up and layed by gramps on the bed.
...If it wasn't for that blond hair and brown eyes... I don't know if we could tell them apart!
What a wonderful week-end it was indeed.
Thank you God for weddings, little boys, grandchildren and 30th birthdays!!

Puffer

Mom and I took a trip to Willmar on Tuesday September 14th,2010, for a little Meyer family gathering. All of my dads brothers and sisters that are living were there. Here is a list of them who met in Willmar.
Pauline Haugue - the oldest at 87
Dorothy Sherburn - Dorothy from Topeka Kansas!
Maxine Prahm - the one that was closest in age to my dad and always had his picture taken with her.
Marilyn Munns - the baby of the family that goes to SunCity, Arizona for the winter
Dick Meyer - my dads brother that lives in Lavern in the nursing home
Gene Meyer - the gathering was at his house - he is the youngest brother - coming right after my dad... and his wife Rosie
Doris Meyer - My mom married to Dallas
Lois Meyer - My aunt married to Uncle bob

Those who were remembered this day:

Joy Meyer - died at 87
Betty Iveland - died last year at age 80 something
Bob Meyer - died at age 59
Dallas Meyer - died at age 60 in 1994

There was a sprinkling of some of my dads cousins there and then a couple of the cousins that drove the elders to Willmar! We had done this last year also - everyone getting together at my Uncle Gene's house before winter sets in. With everyone's age and the fact that Marilyn leaves for the winter we thought it would be nice to do again.
.... My favorite part about these gatherings is the conversation. The only problem being that each and everyone of those sisters has a story to tell and they all like to be talking at the same time. Good thing I am young enough that I can listen to two conversations at one time! I did want to take the time to write down my favorite story that was told by my Aunt Maxine...
...There is a picture of my Uncle Gene and Aunt Marilyn and at their feet is laying a big ole black and white dog. This dog had managed to come into their lives one day, just showed up on the farm and the kids all loved him. They called him "puffer", she couldn't remember fore sure... oh ya, they called him puffer because that is how he was breathing (Then Maxine starts PUFFING like the dog did). She was talking on about what a wonderful dog Puffer was and how they all loved him and he followed them to school one day.. (which was against the rules). Their dad was giving them a ride in the wagon and all of the sudden the dog got hit and was laying on the side of the road... DEAD! With much crying and yelling to dad to "STOP THE WAGON!!"... Their dad just kept driving and the kids all went to school with the vision of Puffer dead on the side of the road. Not a good day for the Meyer kids. When their dad picked them up he was somber and the kids were quiet... they got home and started getting out of the wagon and I'll be if it wasn't ole "Puffer" who came to meet them, smile on his face, tale wagging,
...back from the dead
PUFFING!!!

Monkey Bars

She gracefully pulls her self along the high "monkey bars". Her little body swinging down from her dainty hands that are wrapped tight around each bar. She lets go with one hand and swings it forward to the next bar... then the next hand - this repeats until she has made it all the way across and has her feet planted on the landing. I watch with a fear and yet a wonder. My little JaciAnna, my angel is a monkey and I can feel it in my bones - that the Lord will take her many places, she will swing along life's path... she will move forward one rung at a time... slowly gracefully asking the Lords guidance through out her life... and my prayer will be that she will always have her feet firmly planted on His landing.

miss you so bad!

Our Conner Dallas has a very active and animated imagination. This has been confirmed by his Dr., whom Conner very lovingly calls "big ole Dr. Ogar". When he went in for his preschool checkup he was looking at a picture on the wall and proceeded to tell his mother this story about big ole Dr. Ogar going out in to the woods and pulling out animals and monsters that he had to kill. When he finished the story in fine detail he asked his mother "so mom what did you think". "Well, I didn't really like that story as I don't like scary stories about monsters and killing"
... he looked at her and said "oh come on mom!"
...after his check up he did indeed start preschool and his momma started teaching her kindergarten class also. When they got home after their first day of the new routine he said to his momma " So, you are going to be a teacher now?" His momma answered him and said "Why yes Conner, your mom is a teacher" and he said with a definable tone
..."well, I don't like it one bit!"
... you see this summer he had his momma all to himself and they got to share many stories. One of my favorite is when the neighbor girl had been to her grandma and grandpas house and she was busy telling Conner her gram-pa did this and her grandpa did that... Conner listened to her and then proceeded to tell her that his grandpa ate raw skunk! What in the world? Where does a three year old learn about raw skunk and how can he figure out that his grandpa eating raw skunk would "one up" the other grandpa?
...He also had a friend named "Brokery" that lived in the woods behind there house with his family. Sometimes Brokery would go places with Conner and his family and sometimes his behaviors prohibited him from travel...but, he did remain his friend for most of the summer and Conner shared many of their adventures with his mom.
...and today - what every kindergarten teacher wants to hear their 3 year old talking about in preschool... he informed the teacher that when you are in school you can not poop on the floor!! (so, does the teacher think he poops on the floor at home now?) Good thing that story ended with Conner saying to his momma "If you wouldn't have to teach I wouldn't have to miss you so bad!!"

Grammie Pammie gets a new knee!!

So much has happened this summer and I have blogged so much in my mind - to sit down here and actually type... I am thanking God. You see...
.............................................Grammie Pammie got a NEW KNEE!!
I had surgery on Thursday, August 19th, 2010. Done in Waconia by Dr. Christopher Meyer. Was he cute? Well, yes, as long as you ask... he is very handsome. That would certainly not be reason enough for me to go through what this has been... great pain after a days work, and not sleeping at night due to pain are what brought me to point where I actually would let them cut out my old knee and put in a new metal one. It was not a decision made lightly and took lots of prayer. Today is the first day where I have been able to sit here at the computer and actually not think about the pain of the chair pushing into the back of my leg. So I wanted to take this time a blog a little about the surgery so that I don't forget for future reference!
"and, why are you here today ?"
...."total left knee replacement"
"and, what is your birthday?"
...."july 6th 1960"
I was asked these questions at least 50 times and indeed we did get the left knee replacement.
The first night I had the pain of muscle spasms in my calf so bad that it made me cry... to top it off I needed to go to the bathroom every two hours. So, up out of bed I would get - pee - and then try to get comfortable again. I remember dozing off for a little why asking myself "what have you done!".
Day two was much better... the nurses worked with me all night until they got the pain under control and then it stayed pretty good my whole stay at the hospital. Also as long as it had been 24 hours already sense the surgery it would be time to go to therapy - where we would bend and flex our new knee... you can imagine the fun can't you? 13 metal staples down the middle of your knee, swelling so tight it feels like it could burst... but, we rooted one another along (there were 6 other people there that had surgery the same day, 5 knees and 1 hip)... and soon we were doing what was asked of us - two times each day - until we got to check out on Sunday.
Sense that day I have continued therapy at the Arlington Hospital 3 times a week. It will be 4 weeks this Thursday and I am beginning to see some light at the end of the tunnel.
I believe that God has used this time to give me more compassion for people who are in chronic pain. It is really unbelievable what pain can do to the mind, then you take the pills to get over the pain and they work on the brain also ( not to mention the bowels!) Until you feel like you just don't want to do anything other than sit and feel sorry for yourself.
So, I dedicate this blog to those in chronic pain... and I pray to our Lord that He will have mercy on those suffering and that they will be brought to the right doctors and that the Lords hand will be upon their lives. And, I give thanks to my Savior that I am coming around the corner of pain and it is being replaced with an understanding of the human body that I have not had before and may I be able to help someone who is hurting as I have been helped by family and friends and the medical community through my time of pain. Thank-you to each and every person who has been a part of this battle with me... you are so appreciated and I love you!
....and when they turn on the music and you see someone is out there dancing
....it just might be me!!!