AMEN

I have heard a poem that talks about the dash. It is the time that you live. When they put the date you were born, then a dash, and then the day you die on your obituary... that is what is important - the dash. What did you do between the day your were born until the day you died. I have made it to 51 years of age. When I look over my life I am coming to understand that the only thing that really matters is love. Did I do my best to do what was right for Jesus Christ? Do I love others as Christ loves us? When he looks at my dash, will he tell me "well done good and faithful servant?"
That is my prayer this night... that my dash will be approved by the Holy One. I pray that we might all find our purpose in this life and live accordingly. Lord, be with me tonight as I go to sleep, help me to pray for myself and others that all will come to know your saving grace and love. AMEN
P.S. Thank you for my friends and family!

VICTORY

Ralph Ferdinand Meyer my grandpa. I wish I could get the story behind this picture...
We have a family reunion for the Meyer's on July 1st this year.
Perhaps someone there will know about the war he fought.
About the young man he was that became grandpa to so many.
I hope the shadows were his friends.
and as I look at the top of the tents, it seems cross's appear down the line.
I hope they all came to know that the victory has been won!
Thank you Jesus for my family and friends...
Thank you for the cross.

TREES

I really enjoy tree's. We have a double lot in town, with an addition to our house and all of my tree's - the double lot isn't very doubled anymore. In the back yard on our patio we have a line of bushes that get red berries on them. I have no idea what the name is - I just know they were on clearance in the year 2003. They are now full and healthy making a beautiful natural hedge dividing our patio from the neighbors drive way. We have a fern like tree that gets purple in the spring, 3 bridals veils, 2 lilac bushes, a miniature hydrangea, and a healthy wisteria that needs a hair cut at least two times a year. Providing privacy between our patio and the road is 3 HUGE pine trees that were planted in approximately 1997, and 2 mock cherry blossoms. They provide a natural habitat for many birds whom also like to eat the berries after they blossom. In our front yard providing shade is a "whispering aspen" (or a friendship tree as I call it) and a large maple tree with split bark. All of these tree's have a memory for me...

"Whispering Aspen" - is actually a "Quacking Aspen". The yellow boots and family's were up in Grand Marias and we were at the Fisherman's picnic. I could hear a sound and I had no idea what it was. It was a beautiful melody, a whispering of nature. I realized it was the trees and that I would one day have one on my yard.

"Wisteria" - I saw one in a magazine growing over an arbor. I knew I would one day have one on my yard.

"Miniature hydrangea" - Robin and Carol bought it for me for my 49th birthday... then we took a picture of us in our yellow boots on the patio. And I thank my friends that I have one on my yard!

"Bridals Veil" - I have always loved these in bloom. One time on the way to south Dakota I saw a home that had a whole hedge of them in bloom - it took my breath away and I knew that one day I would have some of these on my yard.

"Purple Fern" - I went out to Bienfangs one day after they did some landscaping and they had one of these in full bloom - it was amazing and I knew that one day I would have one on my yard.

"Pine Tree's" - When mom lived in the house she wanted 3 pine trees planted in the back corner of her yard. A man in town was digging up all his baby pines. We dug some holes and planted them - knowing that someday it would be my yard.

"Maple tree" - We lost a big shade tree in the front yard. To replace it we got a friend who got us a deal because it had a crack in the bark. I liked the idea of saving the tree, the crack being a sign for all of us. Out of our pain it seems great beauty grows. I am happy to have it's shade on my yard.

"Willow tree" - I don't have a willow tree yet... but I love them. So I bought one for Missy to put on her yard, I also bought her a whispering aspen and a maple tree. It seems to make me feel better to plant trees and she has more room on her yard.

I think now of my Grandpa Meyer, I don't remember a whole lot about him except for he was a quiet gentle man with 10 kids. He worked hard and we were always welcome at their house when we went to Lavern. He loved his wife, children, grandchildren, wood working, and coffee.

AND HE HAD A LOT OF TREES ON HIS YARD!!

YELLOW BOOTS

I think of this name we captured for ourselves many times. Who would have came up with such a clever name? All the rage is "red hats"(people 50 and over) or "pink hats" for those under 50... but not us, I'll be darned if we are going to be the usual red hat ladies...
Instead, Carol bought us each a pair of yellow boots and coined us the name.
So, we sat on the front steps and pretended we were drinking wine.

The photographer

Here is my brother, Jeffrey Alan Meyer. The sweet innocence of a first born. Look how cute my mom had him dressed. I can almost see the man taking the picture and mom and dad standing by - getting him to smile, to sit still for the moment. And life has a way of doing that...
you smile,
flash,
and a life time of memories is before you in one single picture.
I wonder if the man who took this picture understands the quality of the person he captured here on film? I wonder if his life was filled with joy and happiness, mixed in with some trials and pain like ours. If I could find him...
I would hug him
and tell him thank you for loving this little boy at this very moment.
You might wonder how I know the photographer loved this boy.
I can tell by his smile... and I know the people who stood by as he clicked the camera.

GRAMMA'S GLASSES

As you can see our Nola Jean is growing into quiet the little lady. She loves when you give her something to try on and say " go and show them how pretty you are". She will walk to the person and touch the item you gave her... it is especially fun if she starts clapping for herself, waiting for you to laugh so she can laugh too. When you laugh she laughs.
Isn't that one of the best parts about being a grandparent?
You see in this child - yourself.
You remember all of the good things and feel the love that is given you from God for these children. Sometimes you love them so much you can't contain your joy. When you look at them and see yourself with reading glasses...
you realize deep down in your soul...
that God really does love you.
It could be no other way.
How else could something like this happen?
Where you are standing in your mom and dads house taking pictures of your baby and wondering where your glasses are.

It can be nothing else -
THE JOY OF THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH! REJOICE OH MY SOUL.

I BELIEVE

When I saw this picture from Lindsey's wedding I had saved it to my downloads. I didn't know what for sure I would do with it but I really thought it was so pretty. Tonight as Lindsey and Josh get ready to celebrate their 1st anniversary in marriage - I write.
Marriage is such a beautiful thing if you let it be. It helps you to grow and learn about relationships, family and most of all love. And when our time here on earth is done...
I believe...
we will find this waiting for us.
Oh how I love you all so much!
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

POPCORN CAKE

My favorite brother turned 54 on April 14th. He loves his birthday, wants everyone to be there. I am always so thankful that my yellow boots have included him in as their brother and go out of their way to be at his birthday, every year! Through the years his birthday parties have become famous for "popcorn cake". It is a cake with no eggs in it and Jeff can eat it on his diet. We have made jokes, waiting for the day when that wonderful cake will once again be sitting on the table! This year it was at Red Lobster. My mom is so clever, so creative and she loves her son very much. I am so thankful that she is the gramma yellow boot and takes such good care of us all. Enclosed in this blog is the recipe for "GRAMMAS FAMOUS POPCORN CAKE", and a "up close, and personal interview" with Carol Lee Hacker.

"Carol, can you tell me how you came to love this special cake so much, and just what you thought when you first saw it?"

Carols answer: "I am not sure where the first cake showed up, or what we were celebrating... but, one thing is sure... when there is popcorn cake - there is Jeff. It seems they go together like love and marriage, horse and carriage. I remember the first time I saw the cake, well, I was a bit apprehensive. After all, there was no chocolate, no thick frosting delicately decorating this cake. It was different looking- white with pieces of color through out. Well, I have never eaten any thing of Doris's and been disappointed - I thought I better be polite and give it a try. I reached over on Du's plate and had a little nibble...
hey, not bad...
so I took a little snippet...
wow, this is really good (this time I had a spice drop and peanut in my bite - and Du kindly brought me my own piece!)
I finished of the piece of cake...
man, this is really great - I reached over and took myself another piece of cake and when I looked up it seemed as though people were looking at me...........
I just smiled, and said... CAN I HAVE THE RECIPE FOR THIS CAKE!!"

POPCORN CAKE

Pop a bowl full of microwave pop corn.

Add in spice drops, peanuts, m&m's if you want

Mix it around in the bowl and set aside

Melt in microwave bowl one bag of marshmallows

Add on stick of butter and mix well

Pour over the popcorn mixture and mix together with a wooden spoon.

Pour mixture into an angle food cake pan and press tightly.

Let set and

ENJOY!!

With love, Gramma Doris (friend of the yellow boots!)

"UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN"

Never leave anyone without letting them know how much you love them. Touch them and feel them next to you, their heart beating strong. We only are on this earth but a short time... And then the Jesus that you see in his eyes becomes real. The faith that he has lived out for so many years with you is now being lived where you can not see. But, you have your memories, you can still feel that heart beat of when you last said good bye...
and it will be your inspiration.
Your inspiration to live life in such a way that eternity will be yours.
And I think now about this beautiful man in his 90's. When my son in law was born this man was the age I am now (51). I see what an impact he has made on Chris's life. I love them both so very much...
I have only meet with him about 6 times...
but, I see his grandson and how he treats my daughter and grandchildren.
I see the face of hard work and care giving.
And I can not help but know that love extends through all generations
It takes us by the hand...
and gently kisses us on the head before it says "until we meet again".

"CRUSING"

I have a friend at work who turned 60. She informed me that her husband has no intention on going on a "cruise" with her when she retired. I jumped at the chance to let her know...
"when you retire my friend, I am going with and we are going on a cruise!"
For Christmas this year Lacey found her a wonderful set of wicker luggage. Told her on the note to "get packing"!! So it is, we are slowly gathering things for her and her retirement.
Today at work on Lacey's desk layed the best card I have seen in a long time. I had taken a peek at it over the week-end and it reminded me so much of me!
So, she hands it to me today and says she thought of me when she saw it.
We decided right there and then - in our office - that it was LaRue and I...
after she retires...
and if she doesn't retire?
Well, what the heck, we are going on a cruise anyway!!

The Canadian Border

I wonder if Emily ever expected way back when that she would have such a wonderful family way up there!!
After a 7 hour drive through tribal reservations, Chris and Emi and their 3 kids arrive in Roseau. When you see the pictures, it is easy to understand why they take the drive. There is so many memories stored up there. So much love. Through the trials and victories of family...
you look at yourself and see exactly where you came from.
And you see Jesus in the eyes of the grandma and grandpa that are there to be with you and your family...
and you are no longer afraid of where you are going!

GLORIOUS DAY

CHRIST THE LORD IS RISEN! HE CAN NOT BE HELD BACK! THE VICTORY IS WON! THE GRAVE IS OVERWHELMED. GLORIOUS DAY!!
Easter fell on Sunday April 7th this year. Lila is home in Winthrop, Ann is in Green-Isle, Chris, Emily, JaciAnna, Conner and Jordyn are in Roseau, Lacey, Kryztoph, Nola Jean are in Illinois...
and Curt, myself, Jeff and mom went to spend the day in Blaine, Minnesota. The drive there went well other than the fact I needed a rest room and there were none available! We did find a spot... before it was to late!
When we arrived Lindsey Kay and Joshuah had everything ready to go. The house is beautiful with the table set for a King! So, we sat together and welcomed Jesus our King and then ate the most wonderful Easter meal ever!
They had made:
Egg bake
French toast bake
Cream cheese pastries
Fresh fruit bowl with dipping sauce
Special hash browns for Jeff
and Marita's (unsure of spelling - but it is orange juice and champagne! who would have ever thought?) for our refreshment.
We all ate a wonderful meal and then sat down to some nice family conversation, watched the wedding DVD and gramps played with Baxter.
Tonight when I got home I again heard the words to the song "Glorious Day" by Casting Crowns. How fitting a way to end a great day!
Thank-you to Lindsey and JOsh for hosting our Easter!
In living He loved us
In dying He saved us
In raising He carried our sins far away...
OH GLORIOUS DAY!!

Camel Hair Soup

Conner came to spend the extended week-end with his family here in February. I picked him up on Thursday and he stayed until Sunday. It has been a beautiful winter in Minnesota, unseasonably warm and NO snow!! On Saturday the plans were to go to a "Game Feed" in Lafyette at Dave's place. Conner and I went and got some groceries, it seemed we couldn't find any wild game but decided to use some camel hair and make soup.
At the kitchen counter:

One bag of camel hair
One can of camel broth
Sixteen ounces of camel meat shaped into balls
Two camel hoofs
Garlic and pepper
First we boiled the camel hoofs and hair. We let that simmer for about 3 hours. As it was simmering we told stories about our families and friends. Then we took a bath and got all spiffed up for the evening. You just never know who you might meet at these gatherings, what if crocodile Dundee were there?
Next we added the broth and let that simmer with the garlic and pepper for 3 more hours. While that was simmering we told some more stories about hunting for wild game...
about what is in the woods behind Conner's house. We wondered a loud if crocodile Dundee would be there.
The last thing we did was added the camel meat. Now, let that simmer until we go...
It is time to go and Conner is looking great. He falls asleep right before we get there. When we woke him the happiness that was there was gone. He was not himself. We held him for the first hour while all our friends gathered. Robin, Al, Carol, Duane, Nick, Heather, Addison, Miranda, Jeremy, Evelyn, Ann, Jeff, Curt and myself. Then came the unvieling of the CAMEL HAIR SOUP. Everyone raved about it and Conner's disposition cleared as he once again began to tell us all stories and used his hands to explain just how things work in the world of a hunter.
Oh, what a wonderful night! I hope I remember it forever. Thank you to all our friends and family, what a great time we have when we gather together! And thanks to Mr. Dundee for bringing the bear meat.

Reflections

I look at this picture and it gives me courage. It gives me the grace I need to look over my life and come to the place I am at now. I realize that not everything I have done is as beautiful as this picture. I understand that because of what He did for me at the cross, I can lay my sin down and pick up wisdom.
I reach my heart out into the atmosphere and ask God to fill me with Himself.
... and I realize that the reflection I see in this picture is none other than God Himself, showing me unconditional love, filling me.
I hear her soft voice calling for the fish on the other side of the glass. I can smell the soft baby scent of her skin. I can feel her curls wrapping around my fingers...
as her eyelashes softly brush my cheek
I hear Him say "you are a reflection of who I am, I have made you in my image, you are beautiful,"

Letting Go...

They climb onto the seat, position their feet on the petals, and hold on tight to the handle bars.
"Don't let go" they say as they push off the sidewalk and start to move.
"I'll be right here with you" dad and mom assure them. "We won't let you fall.."
And as the days move ahead there will be times when you show your children balance, when you run alongside them. It seems you will always be there to hold them, and yet there are times when you have to let go again and again and again.

Beautiful things on the way to Roseau

When the Harren family was here over March 31st - April 1st...
I learned something.
Daddy Harren was sitting on the couch, his only son (our only grandson) sitting right next to him... he began with his strong voice telling me a good story. This man has the capability within him to make me laugh.
He has the ability to melt my heart.
His story had me doubled over in laughter and when I stood back up, I noticed his little boy looking at me with the most beautiful smile...
Conner learned something.
He learned that it is good to make people laugh. That laughing is good medicine for the soul...
and his smile melted my heart.
Tonight Conner's family is on their way to Roseau to see a great grandpa that is very sick. It is a long ways to their destination - 7 hours of non-stop driving makes it difficult to find things to smile about...
and Conner says "dad, Sawyer says that there is vampires, do you think there is?"
Daddy Harren sitting in the drivers seat says "no, Conner there is not any vampires"
and his son answers him "that's right dad, because God only makes beautiful things right?"
Daddy Harren learned something.
He learned that it only takes a moment of listening and you can find out what is in the heart of a child.
And this story of my little guy, melted my heart.
Driving to Roseau, 7 hours in a van, we all learned something.
There is no more precious gift that one can receive than the unconditional love of a child. Thank-you God for making my family...
You only make beautiful things!