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!