Jordyn Noel's babtism

Some times there is not a whole lot more you can say... you just reach out and touch the image on the photograph... and you remember the day she was held up in church

and you celebrate all that you have been given - by giving her back.  Lord, we dedicate this little life to you... please hold her and love her, keep her safe from the world as you show her how to live here in  your love and peace and cover her with your grace.

MOM

With mothers day fresh in our minds... I thought it was a good time to share this.  My middle baby girl who just turned 27 on April 1st, wrote this for me and we won a prize.  It was written for me about 2009.  I hope some day that her baby girl will enter her in a mothers day contest, and that she will save it and consider it one of her most prized possessions.

MOTHER

My baby girl turned 25 on May 9th.  I thought it was a good time to share this gift that she wrote for me in her senior year at Ridge-water college.  I pray that her little Nola Jean will write to her some day, that she will put it in a frame and consider it one of her most prized possessions.

Green Eggs and Pam

So, here I am with my green beer.  It is mainly to take a picture, to prove that we were all together to celebrate St. Patrick's day in Red Wing, Mn.  Yes, we were there! and YES it was St. Patty's...
Is that green beer in your hand dear Pam?
It seems you should be having green eggs and ham?
Are you drinking it a bowling alley?
Are you trying to start a green day rally?
Was that one green beer or two?
Did you drink it or fake the flu?
It seems dear Pam, dear Sam I am...
That you have green liquid in your hand...
You should never pretend to drink green beer on a hill...
And never ever watch your friend take a spill...
As she rolls over at the end of the alley. after she throws her ball...
It wasn't her fault... not at all!
So hold your beer dear Pam
While I make you some green eggs and ham.

Gram's

I don't know how it happens that a 51 year old girl still has her gramma... but I did.
Lola B. Fisher went on to be with the Lord in Heaven on Wednesday evening, May 9th, 2012.  She was born Lola B. LaBore, on September 27, 1913 on a farm near Bancroft, SD.
On January 1, 1932 she married Charles Edward Fisher.  The couple lived and farmed west of Willow Lake.
How fitting it seemed, that the girls, Conner, Nola and I spent the Saturday evening and Sunday morning on a farm south of Willow that is owned by Charles Fisher's great niece.  Her name is Margie and she was born and raised on this farm, then left to be a renegade in women's ministry.  She sent money home in the early years while in college, her father had passed away and her mom and 2 brothers at home needed money to keep the farm going.  The payments she made to her mother and two brothers during this time... were what eventually paid for the farm.  It was always her dream and vision that one day she would have a retreat center on this farm.  In the early 80's after ministering all over the country - she came back to her home...Willow Lake, SD.  Her mother lived in the home and her and her husband Ray transitioned the barn into a beautiful home with extra rooms that they rent out.  When her mom died and they turned the house into a small retreat center with rooms and a working kitchen.  Eventually there was a church being sold for $1.00 - they bought it and moved it out to the farm. This is now the "Prairie Retreat Center" where we all spent the night.  We had a wonderful time together and came to know Tom the turkey quite well.  He spent the entire time with his feathers in full garb...
strutting his stuff all around the farm...
letting us know that he was definitely the king of the turkeys.
Letting us know he was king of the chickens, the geese, the rabbits, the cats...
and then there was Sadie the basset hound crossed with a hunting dog...
the only one whom it seemed Tom did not phase in the least little bit...
as she rolled over on her back, letting the kids pet her tummy...
while Tom danced around with feathers fluffed...
and I again saw a rhythm to life.
How it all started on a farm near Brancroft in 1913 -
...and now in 2012, with two children, 5 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and 7 (almost 8) great grandchildren... the dance continues...
as Tom the turkey watches over the farm...

while we dry our tears in the hem of family love.

TOM THE TURKEY WATCHING OVER THE FARM!

There is love

  I wonder what was making him so happy? Me busy sucking my thumb... him laughing.  Was it you Mom?  Were you telling us a funny story?  Was it dad?  He always seemed happy to get us kids riled up and then leave the scene.  I remember after I grew up and had children, dad would always say "the kids can come over, why don't you send some clothes they can stay the night."  After they arrived and had some fun together... dad would sleep and mom would take care of the bath, teeth brushing, getting the pj's on and sending them to bed.  I remember how they loved to be with him even if it was just the fact that he was there.  They always saw you as a couple.  Gramps did the "asking the kids to stay over" and Grams did the "taking care of the kids when they stay over".
 ...sometimes there just isn't words.
I know when Jeff and I were growing up that we didn't say "I love you" to each other - it wasn't a bad thing it was just the way of our family.... I always knew we were loved though - It was the way you took care of us, the things you did for us, it just seemed it didn't need to be said.  As we grew we started sharing those words with each other -we now  had permission to say what we knew all along in our hearts... I LOVE YOU!

I don't remember being this small, I don't remember Jeff being this small. But the proof is in the picture.

Once again I must say it...

"THERE IS LOVE"

Isaiah 54:13 - the teacher

This is my third story of my greatest Blessings from God.  Today I will write about my August 8, 1980 Blessing.  Her name is Emily Jo Schmidt.  I have written some other stories about her, but today I will concentrate on one thing (well, okay maybe that isn't possible!?!?)  When I think of Emily Jo what is the first thing that comes to mind?  I think of her contagious laugh, her knowledge and compassion, loving heart, her hair, her feet, her hands and most of all her teaching and story telling.  One of the first things I remember about Emily was how she loved to teach and tell stories.  She always had the neighbor children over and gathered them around the desks that we had in the basement.  She would be the teacher, and the class would begin.  I remember when she would teach kids how to play games - I never knew for sure how she learned to play them - but, she knew and taught everyone else.  It was very important for her to be a good example for her sisters.  She always told me that she would be a good student, not get in trouble, and be very active in school.  She wanted to be sure that the teachers would say "you have a wonderful sister - follow her lead".  I can never remember Emily watching TV... she was to busy being "active" in life, setting herself up as a wonderful role model to other younger girls.  She always loved telling a story or two also.  Emily wrote some stories about her Grandpa Moose that we still have saved also.  Her knowledge of life skills and teaching things to other is a gift from God... something she "picked up on her own" as she was heading through life the first born of three girls.  I see her love for learning.  Emily is the one who you want to send out on an activity with your child.  She doesn't just do it because she has to - she makes everything fun!  "FRIENDS, you two go over there and clean up that area, okay - now, you two over there and see who can get it done the fastest and the cleanest... okay here we go...
"ONE TWO THREE all eyes on me"!!
They say you should never have your dreams that you didn't fulfill yourself - be fulfilled by your children.  I always had a dream of being a leader, being able to share knowledge to help others learn... but I never could.  I feel that inside of me the teacher that never became full grown - was fulfilled through Emily.  She is the one who completed inside me the need for learning.  It is as if I learned everything I needed to know through her.  I am so Thankful for my first born baby - when God made her he really knew what he was doing!
I thank you sweet Jesus for this sweet baby girl.  I ask that you would continue to guide her footsteps as she goes through this life learning and teaching - growing and giving as she discovers all that you have for her.  Keep her mind clear and strong always giving thanks to you.  I pray that you would hold her through any bad times and that her wisdom and teaching love that you have given her will always be shared.  And as I grow older Lord, I ask that I will be able to continue to always grow and learn and that I will always be happy to know that You gifted Emily with teaching for all to enjoy.
Romans 11:29 The gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
ISAIAH 54:13
ALL YOUR CHILDREN SHALL BE TAUGHT BY THE LORD,
AND GREAT SHALL BE THE PEACE OF YOUR CHILDREN.

Isaiah 54:13 - the artist

  I want to continue to write these three stories in succession.  My second greatest Blessing Blog will be for Lacey Lynn Schmidt.  Lacey was born May 9th, 1987.  I have written stories of her in the past also, and told many a story of her birth, but, today I will concentrate on one thing (or, at least I will try!?!?!)  When I think about Lacey Lynn what is the first thing that comes to mind?  I think of her laugh, her great listening skills, her research, loving heart, her hair, her feet, her hands and most of all her artistic abilities.  When I think of art it includes a state of mind.  When you can look at something and see what it could be.  The first thing I remember is when she made me things at school, you could see the thought and love put in to each piece.  She illustrated a book, made a chair out of glass pieces, drew her gram-ma a beautiful art picture for her wall, made a snowman in May, picked flowers and artfully put them in a vase or pressed them in a book, wrote lots of stories and poems and picked up a whole lot of agates!  When she would reach for them... her delicate hands gracefully taking them out of the water... it was as if she could picture the great artist who used the world for his canvas and us for His masterpiece. Lacey's love for small box's and agates has been passed on to her niece JaciAnna... it is like we get to live it all over again! And now as a momma to Nola, she is gently teaching her about Art, how to hold things, and look at them with amazement -  wondering... "just what can I do with this cool whip bowl".
They always say you should never have your dreams that yoU didn't fulfill yourself - be fulfilled by your children.  I always wanted to be an artist, a writer, but never was.  I feel that inside of me the paintbrush that never quite made it to the canvas... was fulfilled through Lacey.  She is the one who completed inside me the need for art.  It is as if I learned everything I needed to know through her.  I am so thankful for my baby - when God made her he really knew what He was doing!  Thank-you Jesus for my sweet baby girl... who just turned 25. I ask that you would continue to guide her footsteps as she goes through life discovering all that you have for her.  Keep her mind clear and her hands busy, finding all the little things in life that are beautiful.  May her gifts given show her love of You inside her.  And as I grow older Lord, I ask that I will be able to continue to enjoy the simple beauty in life.  May I always be happy to know that You gifted Lacey with art for all to enjoy. 
Romans 11:29  The gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
ISAIAH 54:13
ALL YOUR CHILDREN SHALL BE TAUGHT BY THE LORD,
AND GREAT SHALL BE THE PEACE OF YOUR CHILDREN.

Isaiah 54:13 - the musician

Today I want to start a story for each of my greatest Blessings from God.  I will start with my April 1st, 1985 birthday.  Her name, Lindsey Kay Schmidt.  I have written stories in the past, and told stories, so today I will concentrate on one thing (only one thing?!?!).  When I think of Lindsey Kay what is the first thing that comes to mind?  I think of her sweet smile, helpful disposition, loving heart, her hair, her feet, her hands and most of all her singing.   The first time I heard her sing alone was when she was about 5 years old and she sang a solo at the church Sunday school Christmas Program - "The littlest lamb".  As I listened to her sweet little girls voice, it settled deep into a chamber of my heart and has stayed there with me since that moment.   I remember well the day that she was asked to be on the Praise Team at our church.  It was a new thing for our church and Lindsey was young and active in her school.  It would require commitment to be there each week for practice and each Sunday for singing.  She never hesitated and told them "yes, I would like to try".  She sang on the praise team until she graduated and then some!  Lindsey always sang at our Christmas Eve service also, my favorite? "Breath of Heaven".  How fitting that at age 26 she would help me at my work and sing the song "Breath of Heaven" for our concert.  Lindsey has sang for her gramma's retirement, her 75th birthday, church services, funerals, weddings, family reunions, Women United events, concerts, and many times she has sang just for me.  She played piano for other singer's, she has sang and played piano for herself.  They say you should never have your dreams that you didn't fulfill yourself - be fulfilled by your children.  I always had a dream of being musical - but, never was.  I feel that inside of me the music note that never made it to my brain... was fulfilled through Lindsey.  She is the one who completed inside me the need for music.  It is as if I learned everything I needed to know through her.  I am so thankful for my baby - when God made her he really knew what he was doing! Thank you sweet Jesus for my sweet baby girl.  I ask that you would continue to guide her footsteps as she goes through life discovering all that you have for her.  Keep her voice clear and beautiful and singing praises to You.  I pray that You would hold her through any bad times and that her voice will always carry the healing love You have given her.  And as I grow older Lord, I ask that I will be able to continue to enjoy beautiful music, and that I will always be happy to know that You gifted Lindsey with music for all to enjoy.  Romans 11:29 The gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
ISAIAH 54:13
ALL YOUR CHILDREN SHALL BE TAUGHT BY THE LORD, AND GREAT SHALL BE THE PEACE OF YOUR CHILDREN.

AMEN