Just so they know...

     I come from a small family.  I was not blessed with dozens of cousins, like my husband has (63 on  his dad's side alone!)  No, my dad was an only child, and my mom was one of three children, one of which, my dear Uncle Paul, didn't marry until later in life and did not have biological children.  Aunt Lorrette had three children:  Sharon,  Geoff, and Michele.
     Some years back, I'm thinking 1997, Sharon came up with the idea of celebrating what we call "Cousin's Weekend" where we meet at a location, which varies from year to year, and spend two glorious days and nights just being together.  This included me, my sister, Barb, our two cousins, Sharon and Michele, and our dear sister of the heart, Linda.  You would not believe the number of words that are exchanged (in the good way) during that period of time!  Oh, we like to shop, swim, have a few Mudslides, but mostly we just talk and be together.
     Sometimes, we extend the Cousin's weekend to include our daughters and granddaughters.  That is when it really gets fun!
     This year it will just be us Senior members.
     So this is written for you, Barb, Linda, and Michele.
     I want you to know, dear ladies, how much you mean to me.  Who would have thought that 1999 up at Green Lake would be our last weekend with Sharon?  She was the real fireplug in our group, and none of us will forget her!  I wish she could be here one last time.  In many ways, it is Sharon that keeps us having these weekends--however costly and inconvenient that can be at times, and I wouldn't miss them for the world.  Sometimes this is the only time we see each other.
   Michele, you were my playmate, when we were little, and the one I admired when we got older.  You are an amazing wife, mother and grandma.  You have come through many hard times in your life without giving up!
    Linda,  you came into our family many years ago, and unfortunately that marriage did not last.  But our friendship did.  You are so precious to me--I know I don't tell you enough.
    Barb, I feel that God gave me the best sister there could ever be.  I know I've told you before, but I will say it again:  I could not have made it without you.
    Sharon, thank you for being the person you were, the story-teller, the listener, the advisor, and strong woman.  We will see each other again some day!
                             ____________________________________
   To those of you who are reading this who have cousins or sisters or friends, take a few minutes to acknowledge your love and affection for them--just so they know.
     

A letter to Pat

Pat,

  It's the 23rd of October 1976, and I am going to the altar of marriage one more time.  One thing that is different this time:  I am not going in fear that it won't work.  When we were sitting in Mike and Linda's Mercury it never crossed my mind that I could be making the same mistake that I had made three times before;  I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt, I was doing the right thing, with the right person.
  I was listening to my favorite country radio station, and they played a song by The Nitty Ditty Dirt Band, titled, Modern Love Old Fashion Pain.  You and I have both experienced this in our lives, and we understand there are ways to avoid the pain of modern love.  In our union of 37 years there have been pebbles, rocks, and mountains that we have gone through, but we know that The Lord can remove all that could have destroyed our testimony of Faith in what Jesus did for us at the cross.  Even when there could have been times that divorce would have been the answer to some of the mountains, the word never crossed our lips.  You still remembered the old fashioned pain, and so did I.
  It wouldn't be fair not to talk about how great a mom, and grandmother you are.  Oh there are times that the children may think you are a wee bit strong, but just as you have been a wee bit strong with me at times, it's for their own good.  You aren't a selfish person, but a concerned mom when it comes to our kids.  You only want the best for them;  you have always been a protector of the innocent.  Not that you believe they are always right, but you know they aren't wrestling with flesh, and blood, but rulers in high places.
  I can't even tell you how much it means to me that you have a devotional life.  I am so glad that you live in a love affair with Jesus.  When I first met you, you were sharp, and to the point.  Since you gave your heart to The Lord, you are still to the point, but not sharp, and you base your beliefs on The Word of God.  As a husband I couldn't ask for more out of you.
  Pat you have taken on the role of what God intended wives to be, a help mate.  I don't mean you do the cooking, and cleaning as many think that is what a help mate is, but a true help mate.  A true help mate is one who keeps me, and our children, and grandchildren on the Biblical path:  if it doesn't line up with The Word of God, you tell us,  and if we don't listen, you pray for us.  Kids (children and grandchildren) we have been given a true gift from God in my wife, and your mother. He knew just what we needed and supplied our need in her.
  Pat,  I know when you read this you will cry as you always do, and you will never see yourself as the picture I have painted with words, but it's true and inspired by the Holy Spirit.  Not only I see you in this way, but The Lord also sees you this way.
  I was going to buy 37 rose's I still may, but take this flower of love, and cherish it when ever you are feeling down and smell the love that The Lord has given to me, and smell it forever.  I don't know if I will be here for year 38, and you don't either, but we have today, and that's what counts. I love you, and happy anniversary. Love, Del.
                           ____________________________________________________
   Wow!  What an awesome anniversary gift, inspired by an awesome God!  Thank you, Lord!
And thank you to the wonderful man who is my husband!  I am so blessed!
   And, just so you know, he did have roses sent to my office--I had to have one of the guys carry them to the car for me!

       

His eye is on the sparrow

  It's been a year since we started our blog, and lately I have been a bit despondent, and had a feeling of despair.  Sometimes I feel as though I am worthless to The Lord.  We serve a Mighty, and Glorious God!  "His Eye is on the Sparrow" was based on the Scripture Matt 26:10.  When I feel like a failure God,  always shows up, when I feel like a success God always puts me in my place.  How Great is the God we serve?
    The 22nd. of October just another day, and I awoke feeling a little lower then a earthworm.  Another day of the same stuff, but a different day.  In South Dakota it was a wee bit chilly, and I wanted to find out the temp.  I went to my phone and pulled up the weather, but I wasn't connected to my server.  This presented a problem, so I called my phone company and the person who answered was Marcus.
   Marcus is that you? "Delmar is that you?"  It was the 26th of Sept 2012 that I first met Marcus;  he was the person who helped me set up what we needed to start our blog spot.  His first question was,  "How is the blog working?"  Fine I said.  "How is your wife?"  She is doing well.  I was having a time with The Lord, and asked what do you want me to do?  In just a few seconds He answered my question.  Keep spreading the Gospel through your writings.
  When we feel that all has come to a end is when The Lord always shows up. He knows what we need, and how to make much out of little.  I want to encourage you today if you are at a place in your life when there are more questions than answers,  just ask The Lord what do you want me to do?  More than likely we need to remember this:  "Trust in The Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.  In all our ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your path."  Prov. 3:5-6.
     If you want to really be inspired, go to YouTube and listen to Whitney Houston sing, "His Eye is on the Sparrow."  With all of the struggles this young lady had, you will know, in your heart, that she was not defeated.  Despite all the problems, she loved The Lord with all her heart, and The Lord loved her.  I believe he gathered her up in his loving arms and brought her to be with him.
     His love for us is just as great, and it all depends upon our belief and trust in a crucified Christ.
   

The treasure of old friends

     When I was a kid I lived in a neighborhood with lots of kids.  Up on the next block, there lived a little blonde girl, just my age.  I had heard of her because her dad had passed away suddenly when she was, in, like  3rd grade, and then about the same time, her kitty also died. This made an impression on me bcause my mom had died when I was little, and, oh, by the way my dog. Rascal, had also died.
      Gretchen and I became friends when we were in 9th grade.  We began hanging around with two older girls, Ginny and Jan.  (I think they were the ones who led us astray.)  We spent our summer evenings sitting outside, Gretchen strumming her ukelele, and all of us singing along.  Seriously.  It really happened.  We had lots of fun together--we shared a sense of humor.
     Gretchen had this way about her--for example she always referred to my late dog, Rascal, as Roscoe, and my boyfriend, Doug, as Darwin--and it still pretty much cracks me up.
     We had so much fun together but we also went through our teenage angst together.  We spent many hours, one or both of us depressed, hating our moms, talking about boys, listening to Simon and Garfunkel and eating wafer cookies.
     After graduation we both went to different colleges and went through our own trials and turmoils.
We kept in contact, but didn't see each other often.  Then, about the same time, through very different
ways, we both came to know Jesus as our savior, and put our trust in him!
                                               --------------------------------------------

Dear Gretchen,
     Your friendship is truly a gift from God!  He gave us to each other to share those troubled teenage years, and he knew all along that we would both give our hearts to him and that we would share that as well.  Thank you for your hospitality last weekend--it was like water to my soul.  (And chocolate chip cookies to my tummy:)  I love you, my dear friend!