Another Good-Bye

After work yesterday I ran to the mall for a brief errand.  As I was walking in, I thought I saw a man I knew.  While I was looking toward him, I suddenly realized that the man I thought he was had actually died a couple of years ago.  Does that ever happen to you, where you feel happy thinking you are approaching an old friend, only to realize it couldn't be them because they are gone?  It happens to me quite a lot.

Through family, church and from my years as a nurse I have known a lot of people.  I don't know how many I've known who are now dead, but the number is pretty high.  The mall was full of people.  I wondered if I'd known an equal number of people who have died.  Maybe.

These are kind of mournful thoughts, I know.  Or are they?  Yes, I miss some of those people a lot.  I wish I could see them again and have a thoughtful conversation with them.   I miss the voice of my friend and patient, Sara.  I miss hearing my Grandma discuss politicians.  I miss seeing Mary in her pew at church.  There are so many people to miss!

I was wondering if I'd bring them back if I had the power to do so and realized I would not.   That would be too mean.  I miss them but I am confident they are having glorious experiences right now.  I am also confident that I will see them again.

Today at church Mike did a memorial service for a charming man.  He was well-loved and will be sadly misssed.  It makes me sad that he is not here, but at the same time, happy for him

Mike's sermon was from a verse in Ecclesiastes.  He spoke of a time and a season for things....a time to be born, a time to die.  Today is the time for sadness and support for those left behind, but it is the season of pure joy for the one who has gone on.

How do people handle death when they do not have this confidence in eternal life?  That is what I am wondering today.

Surprises in My Grandma Bag

Remember yesterday I told you about my Grandma Bag?

 
Well, there is more to the story.  I arrive at church early to sing on our Worship Team so I just put the bag in a pew and when Maria arrives, she goes to that pew.  Eric is on the Worship Team as well but Sam joins the girls.


From time to time I go through the orange bag and trade out the toys.  One of the things I'd put in the bag was a handful of index cards on which Cordelia could draw and color.  One day in July, before Elise was born, I went through the bag and found evidence that either Cordelia is even more advanced than I thought or else Maria and Sam are using the Grandma Bag as well.

What do you think about that?

My Orange Grandma Bag

One day, maybe a year or more ago, I saw this glorious little bag while out shopping with Maria and Cordelia.

The little girl in me was absolutely charmed by it.  The old lady in me thought it would be ridiculous for me to use it as my purse at my age.  But still, I really wanted it.  I just did!  So, I came up with an idea.  I decided it would be my "grandma bag".  I fill it up with fun stuff to entertain Cordelia during church.  Cool, huh?   People may think I carry it because I am a thoughtful Grandma, but I just think I look cool with it.

Now you know the truth.

Funny Face, I Love You

I have taken about a zillion photos over the first

3 weeks of Elise's life

.

Not all of  them were flattering.

I love that little funny face!

How a Walmart Clerk's Smile Changes the World

I was at Walmart recently.  I was rather lost in my own thoughts, shopping as fast as I could as my goal was to be anywhere but there.  I don't generally enjoy shopping; it is just another chore that needs to be accomplished.  Checking out at Walmart is not usually a joyful experience either.  This trip was to be different.

As the person in front of me was checking out I noticed that she really had her hands full.  She had several little people attached to her and she was trying to manage a lot of groceries.  The clerk was being so sweet and actually SMILED at this tired mother.

Wow!  That smile just seemed to ease the tension out of that young mom.  You should have seen the change in her! She smiled back, they chatted a little and then the mother and children left.  I imagined that the mother spoke a bit more kindly to her precious children.  The children would then be more kind to each other.  When they got home, I bet their dog even received a bit of the run-off happy feeling!

As I moved up to swipe my debit card, the clerk gave me a big smile as well.  Even though I'd seen her be so encouraging to the previous customer, I still felt as though I'd just received a special sweet gift by her smile and pleasant greeting.   I noticed I pretty much instantly felt lighter, happier.

As I left, I found myself wondering how many people passed through that clerk's aisle during the course of her shift.  Did she manage to stay upbeat and pleasant with all of them?  I'm wondering now if each of those  customers left feeling more kindly toward others?  Did that mean they were more likely to place their carts into the cart rack, rather than leaving them behind the car parked next to their's?  When they drove away, was there a reduction in road rage?  Were they more likely to smile and nod as they patiently waited for a pedestrian?  Did that pedestrian then help a lost dog find its owner?  Did the dog owner, happy to meet a kind neighbor, decide to bake cookies for her child's teacher?  Did the teacher, happy to feel appreciated, encourage each child with a little more enthusiasm?  Did those children, feeling their self-worth, realize their potential and feel more interested and eager to learn?  Perhaps some of those children will use what they learn to build on, eventually leading them to make great discoveries.

I'm sure you can clearly see where I am going with this.  That young clerk's happy smile more than likely will lead to more happy smiles that will likely lead to cancer cures, a drop in national levels of depression, scientific breakthroughs in sustainable forms of energy, poverty resistance, cleaner water, better care of animals, drop in crime, less bankruptcy, a balanced national budget, fresher air, improved international relations and so on and so on.

Don't you agree?  So go ahead, smile at a stranger!

Week-end Visitors

 

Romans 12:2

Romans 12:2

Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.

New Living Translation 

Where I Belong

Do you have a theme song for your life?  I kind of do.  I think I may be adding another, though.

Let me explain.  As I've mentioned before, I was raised in a lot of places.  A lot of houses were "home" to my family.   I was a "new girl" over and over. While I admit to wishing it were otherwise, especially when I had to leave good friends, I don't think I was particularly scarred by all the moving.  In fact, although I don't recommend moving a lot as a superior way to raise children,  I can see that I've gained a few advantages from it.  For one thing, I believe I adapt to change more easily than a lot of people.

I was thinking about this today and realized that one of the reasons I could manage these adaptations was because I knew very early on that I didn't really belong to this world anyway.  I don't think any of us should feel we quite belong here.  This isn't home.

I don't remember the first time I heard the song, "This World Is Not My Home" by Jim Reeves, but I do remember thinking of it as my theme song.  I really identified with it and even thought it would be a good song to have at my funeral.  Do any of you remember this song?

This world is not my home I'm just a passing through

My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue

The angels beckon me from heaven's open door

And I can't feel at home in this world anymore

Oh Lord you know I have no friend like you

If heaven's not my home then Lord what will I do

The angels beckon me from heaven's open door

And I can't feel at home in this world anymore

This song seemed quite cool to me back then.  But, although the words remain meaningful, the sound of it is rather dated now.  Not to worry!  I have now adopted a new theme song.  Being a person of a loyal nature, I assure you I'm not dropping the first.  I just choose to have two theme songs now.  

I'd love it if you would take the time to click on the link and listen to my new theme song.  It takes less than 4 minutes but trust me, it will be time well spent.  You may even decide that you want it for your theme song as well!  After listening to it and reading the words, tell me what you think.  If you like it, please consider purchasing it.

"Where I Belong"   by Building 429

Sometimes it feels like I'm watching from the outside
Sometimes it feels like I'm breathing but am I alive
I will keep searching for answers that aren't here to find

All I know is I'm not home yet
This is not where I belong
Take this world and give me Jesus
This is not where I belong

So when the walls come falling down on me
And when I'm lost in the current of a raging sea
I have this blessed assurance holding me.

All I know is I'm not home yet
This is not where I belong
Take this world and give me Jesus
This is not where I belong

When the earth shakes I wanna be found in You
When the lights fade I wanna be found in You

All I know is I'm not home yet
This is not where I belong
Take this world and give me Jesus
This is not where I belong

All I know is I'm not home yet
This is not where I belong
Take this world and give me Jesus
This is not where I belong

Where I belong, where I belong
Where I belong, where I belong

Potty in the Park

So, this is day four of telling you about Monday.  It really was a very full day!

I've told you before about Bode's odd reluctance to urinate away from home.  What a weird feature in a boy dog!  Well, he did it again.

While hiking on Independence Rock,

he held it.

While exploring The Sinks,

he held it. 

While following the path toward The Rise,

he held it.

While wandering around the street by the golf course,

he held it.

Hour after hour after hour,

he held it.

So, we rode on to Riverton, Wyoming.

We went to a park.

The lawn was lush.

FINALLY, he went!  

Apparently he needed a well-groomed 

lawn to potty.

What a weird dog.

Mike's sister and her husband agreed to join us for dinner out.  We were glad to have some visiting time.

It was a pretty big day for Bode!

That Sinking Feeling and a Mystery

After we left Independence Rock we headed toward Muddy Gap and Jeffrey City, Wyoming.  As it turned out, we didn't even stop at either place.  It was a lovely drive, though, with lots of space to view.   We talked about how sad we feel for people who don't ever get to see such wide open places.  There is such beauty!

We just kept moving on, enjoying the ride.

We decided to head on to Lander, Wyoming.  We'd been there before but it had been awhile.

Can you see that there is still snow on the very top of the mountains?

As we drove into Lander, Mike spotted a golf course.  I didn't mind exploring for a bit on my own so I encouraged him to go golfing.  Bode and I drove through Lander and then I decided to go out to the Sinks.

"What are the Sinks?" you say.

I was hoping you would ask.

Well, the middle fork of the Popo Agie River, flowing down from the Wind River Mountains, does a very weird thing just a few miles outside Lander, Wyoming...

 it disappears.  I am not kidding you.  It is called the Sinks, and this  is what it looks like:

The river just "sinks" down under ground at that point.

I read that spelunkers had tried to go down into the caverns to get an idea of where the river is going.  Can you imagine?  Who in their right mind would go down into that?  They didn't get far as it quickly narrows down into spaces too tight for humans.

The river resurfaces just 1/3 mile away.  You can follow a trail to where it resurfaces and it takes only a matter of minutes, even walking.  Along the trail is this dry riverbed that only actually has water when there is a water flow higher than The Sinks can handle.  I loved the big boulders!

Where the water comes back to the surface is called "The Rise".  It is a calm, pretty place.

There are a LOT of trout there.

No, they didn't come underground.  

They swam upstream to spawn but

 at that point they

could go no further.

They live out their lives there.

Some have grown to 8-10 pounds there!

The water continues on downstream and looked quite serene to me.

So, what is the mystery?

Well, remember that it is just a matter of minutes from The Sinks to The Rise.

Scientists, using dye, found that the water actually travels for 

OVER TWO HOURS

before resurfacing?

Where is it all that time?

ALSO,

more water comes out at The Rise than goes down at The Sinks.

From where is that extra water coming?

Inquiring minds want to know!

Drama on the Rock

As I was saying, there was drama this week at Independence Rock.  I am not certain I handled my part well.  You be the judge.

After climbing up on the backside of the rock we wandered around a bit, exploring some of the nooks and crannies.  I admit to feeling a bit tense as there we are lots of places that presented dangerous possibilities.

It was so beautiful, though, it was well worth it.  We had no drama at that point.

After hiking back down (I admit, Mike hiked but some of my descent was on my bottom.) we followed the trail on around, leaving it for just a bit.  We took Bode over to a creek for a time of cool down.

It was quite pretty there as well. 

Nope.  The drama did not occur at the creek.

AFTER the stop at the creek we continued our stroll around Independence Rock.  We'd been following the path for awhile when we heard voices asking us if we knew a way to get down.  It took me a bit of visual searching to discover from where the voices were coming.  Finally, we saw two young boys still up on the rock.  I'd guess they were maybe 10 and 12.  Can you spot them in the photo below?

How about this photo?

Now?

They'd been up there awhile and said they were stuck.  They were trying to find a way down from that ledge.    From our vantage point we really couldn't be sure how to direct them as there are so many tricky places up there.  We kept talking to them and found out they were travelling with grandparents, who were back in a camper trailer in the parking lot.  We asked them to see if there was a way up, rather than down.  Our hope was they could get to the backside where the descent was a bit easier.  As they disappeared over the top, Mike headed back to help them down.  I continued on with Bode to get the grandparents if necessary.  I was so very grateful that Mike went back to help them down.  I had a hard enough time getting myself down! 

The plan was for Mike to call me with details from the other side but cell service was spotty.  I paced and debated for awhile.  Should I go get the grandparents?  I worried about getting the boys in trouble but luckily, they were able to get down and soon I saw the three of them trekking back toward the parking area.

It was fun watching them approach as it was apparent Mike had made some new friends!

Happily the story ended well.  They headed back to their camper and Mike and I found a picnic table to enjoy our lunch.  The part that bothered me was wondering if I should have called the grandparents out there.  Like I said, I didn't want to see the boys in trouble, especially now that they were Mike's BFF's.  However, I was wondering what kind of people would let those two young boys go up there on their own and I kind of wanted to let them know they needed to be more careful.  What do you think I should've done?  By the time we finished lunch I noticed their camper was gone so I didn't get a chance to change my mind.

After our lunch we debated what we should do with the rest of our day.  Go home and get some things done or go the other way and explore a bit further.  What do you suppose we did?  Of course, we decided to follow the road a bit further to see what there was to see.  Monday was such a big day, it is going to take me several posts to describe it to you!

A Rockin' Good Time

Yesterday Mike & I did indeed have a Rockin' Good Time!  We both had the day off so we made a trek to Independence Rock.  We packed up a lunch and took Bode along.

Let me tell you something about Independence Rock.  It is one BIG ROCK!

 It is along the part of the Oregon Trail where it intersects with the Mormon and California Trails and actually... well, here, let them tell you...

Can you imagine that?  Out in the middle of the Wyoming Prairie nearly HALF A MILLION people came through in wagons, on horseback and even on foot.  This giant rock became a place of importance because it was so noticeable, easy to see.   Many, many of these people took the time to carve their names into the stone.  People continue to do so.

I love the historical aspect of Independence Rock.  I also love the beauty of it!  Mike and I climbed over much of it, dragging poor Bode along.  The weather was beautiful!

 Mike was especially proud of this photo...

I learned that I enjoy climbing UP much better than climbing DOWN.  It is a lot steeper when you're going down!

Oh, I have so much more to show you and tell you, but so little time.  Tomorrow I will tell you about

Drama on the Rock!  

(I have another early work day so I will again be posting late tomorrow.)