Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad

 
 
 
Today is my Mom and Dad's anniversary. They have been married for 62 years...(and they said it wouldn't last!)
Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!!

Something happened here in 2008

 
 
Maybe nothing happened on this site in 1897, but something certainly happened in 2008! This is (was) one of our favorite places to go for lunch. The hotel is Landol's castle near Amish country. We happened on it by accident. We could never afford to stay there...the price is anywhere from 200.00 to 450.00 a night. But, the restaurant was wonderful. We loved sitting in the dining room looking out over the grounds. It was the most beautiful setting. A friend from California was visiting not long ago and I called the restaurant to make reservations for lunch. I was informed that the restaurant had "burnt" to the ground. A very sad day indeed. When asked if they would rebuild, they just said "we don't know". I think it had just happened and they were still in shock.

God is Good!!!!!

I prayed for a wise judge. Why am I so amazed when God answers my prayers??

We are so relieved. Steven is to retain full custody of the children.
Of course he is. God is looking out for those dear ones. So, why are we surprised? Shame on me.

I know none of the particulars, only that Tracy's visitation is less than she has had for the last 6 months. The judge said she had caused her children much mental anguish. Peter is to be nowhere near the children when they are with her. The judge said he couldn't make it a "law" but it will go very badly for her if she has Peter around them. (And can you believe that Tracy and Peter were sitting in the courtroom together.) After a while, her attorney said something to Peter so he left and didn't come back.

Thank you to ALL who have been praying for us through this ordeal.

God is so GOOD!!!

This is the Day

After a very long time; I can't believe it's been 7 months for us, but much longer for Steve; this is the day. Everything that can humanly be done has been done. Now it is in the hands of the judge and attorneys. I am praying that the judge will be clear thinking and wise. (There must be a wise judge in California). I am praying
that this wise judge will be able to see through all Tracy's lies and have the best interest of the children at heart. I am praying that this will be the last day of heavy hearts for all concerned. I was sharing with a dear California cousin how I really believe that God is in control, but in my humanness I still worry. He sent me very wise counsel. "We worry because we aren't sure that things will come out the way we desperately want them to turn out. But regardless of how they come out, God will ultimately work out everything for good. But we are human and when things don't work according to what we are sure is best, it becomes a real test of our faith to believe that God is still going to bring good things out of what we consider a bad situation. So, no matter what happens, those children are in God's hands, not Tracy's." Niles, I am really hanging onto this...thanks!

My new favorite song, which talks about the Providence of God is "In Christ Alone".
It says...

NO GUILT HAVE I
NO FEAR IN DEATH
THIS IS THE POWER OF CHRIST IN ME
FROM LIFE'S FIRST CRY
TILL FINAL BREATH
JESUS COMMANDS MY DESTINY

NO POWER OF HELL
NO SCHEME OF MAN
CAN EVER PLUCK ME FROM HIS HAND
TILL HE RETURNS OR CALLS ME HOME
HERE IN THE POWER OF CHRIST I'LL STAND

So...I'm standing...

Happy Birthday Jacob

 
 
 
 
Today Jacob turns 9 years old. Happy Birthday Jacob!!

A Father and His Sons

We have 2 sons. They are as different as night and day, as anyone who knows both can attest. They are wonderful sons and they are wonderful fathers. I believe that they are wonderful fathers because of the dad they have. He is truly a role model. While most dads were busy making money, "this dad" was busy making memories. I know these 2 sons have many memories of growning up in a house where there was always (well, usually) laughter. I know they remember the nights when their Dad, even though he might have been tired and wished he could just sit and relax, would sit and talk with them and read "Leading Little Ones to God". Friday nights were always special as they were growning up. Friday was "their night". They would come downstairs with stacks of games for us to play because they knew they could stay up as late as they wanted. I can remember many times when Steve would be invited to do something with a friend, and he would always say "no", because he didn't want to miss out on the fun at home. I know they remember the nights when the 3 of us would sit watching out the window of BOB'S BIG BOY waiting for their dad's bus to drop him off on the corner. We would hastily eat our meal and then drive back down to the church for Awana. (This was because we were down to one car for a while...remember Todd?) I know they remember the ski trips, the Yosemite trips, the trips across country to Ohio or North Carolina. I wonder if they remember the time we went to see "Chariots of Fire" and loved it so much that we bought tickets on our way out and went right back in to see it again? I'm sure they remember the times we sat on the ground outside the Chinese Theater, eating pizza while we waited to get in to see Indiana Jones. I'm sure they remember a lot more than I can.

It's been wonderful to see these 2 sons grow into the men they have become. I am ever so grateful to my husband who deserves the "Dad of the Year" Award for being such a wonderful example. Now, we not only have 2 terrific sons, but 5 wonderful grandchildren who are growning into adults who love the Lord.

Not Much New to Report

I haven't said much about what's been happening with Steve and Tracy on this blog lately. Things are happening, but I'm not at the liberty to say very much right now. I never know who might look in on this and I don't want to give out too much information. The kids have had their meetings with "their attorney", once with Tracy and once with Steven. Everyone survived and things are calm for the time being. Next week on the 18th will be the next court hearing; this will be with both parties, their attorneys, and the attorney who will speak for the children (she told Steven that the kids do not have to be in court for that. "She will be their voice". I'm glad that Elizabeth and Jacob don't have to sit there...it could be unpleasant.

If anyone reads this, please remember to keep them in your prayers. Those of us who are in Ohio will be on "pins and needles" till the evening of the 18th. Thanks to all of you dear people who have been so encouraging to me.

Sisters

I have 2 sisters. One lives very close to me (after a separation of almost 35 years) the other one still lives in California. Some day, she will see the light and move back home to Ohio.

Today is my California sister's birthday. I was thinking about her this morning and remembering the day she was born. She and I are almost 4 years apart, so I don't really remember the day she was born, but I recall seeing pictures of very soon after she was brought home from the hospital. In those days, new mothers had the luxury of staying in the hospital for close to a week. So I stayed with Grandma while our mom was in the hospital with a newborn. I was the oldest of the grandchildren, so I had Grandma's undivided attention for the whole time. I don't remember, but I'm sure I loved it! The earliest pictures I can remember of us showed Grandma and our parents holding you. I was in the picture also, but I did not look very happy. In fact, I looked pretty mean, and not nice at all. (hard to imagine, eh?)

Well, I just wanted to tell my sister "Happy Birthday" and I'm very sorry for all the years that we were not close. I'm not proud of the big sister I've been to you, but you've been very forgiving and for that I'm grateful. I adore you and I am so proud of the person you have become!

Doing Business...Ohio Style

Well, this was the fastest and easiest transaction ever. No sooner did I hit the "submit" button on Craigslist, than the phone rang (I'm not kidding it was less than 1 minute)..."Is this Cherie? I'm calling about the Jeep Wrangler". I said "Are you kidding...I just now posted it". Anyway, this morning he came, he saw, he liked, he went to the bank for $$$ and he drove away with it. I was kind of sad to see it go, but now we have the fun of looking for something a little more practical for a couple of seniors.

A sign of the times

A very sad thing is happening. We have a jeep. We have had a jeep for 10 years. We have loved our jeep for 10 years. We thought we would always have a jeep. Jeeps do not get great gas mileage. At least 10 year old jeeps do not. We are selling our jeep. I am very sad. Neighbors on each side of us are driving a Toyota Prius hybrid. I think we are going to have to do the same. Maybe not a Prius, but a hybrid of some kind. (It's very hard to get a Prius right now...the wait is about 3 months) I'm very sad, indeed.

A Little Update

I updated my other blog, but thought maybe I should do the same here. Monday was the day that Tracy was to take the kids to their first meeting with "their" attorney. They were all primed for it and waited and waited for Tracy, but she didn't show up to pick them up. So, Steve had to call the attorney to let her know that the kids wouldn't be able to make it. They were disappointed. The next day, Tracy said "she'd had a brain malfunction" (those were her words, no one else's) and that "hey...everyone can make a mistake". My brain gets foggy when I try to think like her.
So...it looks like if everything goes as planned...today will be the meeting. Thanks again for any prayers!

I think later today I'm going to look for some really fun pictures to post of our little vacation to New England last summer. That seems like a veeeeeeeeeeeeery long
time ago!

Happy Birthday Catherine!

Today is Catherine's 10th birthday!!! Catherine, these pictures are for you! I wish I could be there to help you celebrate. I will be thinking about you!