HOME IS WHERE YOU HANG YOUR HEART

Our 4th house 1984. Sold in 1989.

We've moved again.  This time to a "Senior Apartment."  We hope this will be our last move.  Our married life has been a roller coaster ride because of all our moves and all our adventures on the high seas. This was our choice as we wanted to live an unconventional life.  God blessed us with these opportunities. But now I see my cousins, who stayed in the same houses, having their travels now.  Maybe they have chosen the better way.

As a child I was uprooted at least five times.  My mom taught all of us that Spokane was God's country.  So in the back of my mind it was my cousins in Spokane I envied.  They lived in one house and stayed put.  At that time I thought I would settle in Spokane and stay there.  But as a college student, and thinking about marriage,  the thought of a white picket fence, grass to mow, flower beds to tend, and housework, I was sickened.  ( My genetics call for minimal responsibilities.) When Chris proposed that we live on a boat I was intrigued.

Over the last fifty-four years we've experienced living in houses, condos, apartments, and boats.  None is or was perfect.  We were looking for a better place-- (Hebrews 11:16  But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.)

It is true that where your treasure is, there your heart will be also, (Matthew 6:21.) Our real home is where we hang our hearts and store up our treasures. So some day, for Christians, we will be where our hearts are-- Heaven.  The street is gold there.

Revelation 21:21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each of the gates made of a single pearl, and the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.

LET YOUR HEART BE LIGHT

Our first house 1966. Photo by Chris.

Chris has fond memories of Santa, Christmas trees, and many toys from his childhood Christmases past.  After we were married his mom continued to give him a toy each Christmas until we had children. Then she gave the kids toys.

Chris with Santa.

The highlight of my childhood Christmases was when my folks gave me a HopALong Cassidy wrist watch for Christmas. They respected my dislike of girly things.

Photo by Bobbi.

Now our Christmases have been enlarged with our grandchildren.

Sammy and Natalie. Photo by Bobbi.

Sammy and Natalie.  Photo by Chris.

Samantha, Andrew, Natalie 2019 Christmas. Photo by Bobbi.

As they grow we downsize.  

Our small Christmas tree. Photo by Bobbi.

So my thoughts on big and little Christmases I relate with this story-- One year, right before Christmas break, I was in a Bible Study Fellowship discussion group.  A member of the group was bemoaning the upcoming chore of making tons of corn tamales that her family liked for Christmas.  My comment was, "God loves a cheerful giver. If you can't do it cheerfully then don't do it."

   

 (II Corinthians 9: 6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully[a] will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.)

Later that year I saw this gal in the grocery store and asked if she had made the tamales.  She hadn't, but she thought she would be up to it next year.

So sometimes we need to give ourselves a break.  Through rest, prayer, and some lighthearted times we can keep up the pace later.  

In our family we have decided to downsize our Christmases.  Again this year we are limiting gifts to $5.00.  Our meal will be a brunch shared in the Courtyard Lounge at our active senior community.  Decor consists of a Nativity scene, a basket of greens, and our musical miniature skating rink complete with skaters. 

Photo by Chris.

Photo by Chris

Whether we are the creative types who love to shop, decorate, cook a big dinner, and have a "big" Christmas, or we are the types who prefer a simple Christmas, "Have yourself a merry Christmas," whether big or little. May our hearts be light and let us seek Jesus -- The Light. 

BE ANGRY

Big sister opening little brother's birthday present.

Sometimes is is good to be angry.  For instance the Psalmist declares:  My eyes shed streams of tears,because people do not keep your law. Psalm 119:136.  Lot is spoken of In II Peter 2:8 (for as that righteous man lived among them day after day, he was tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds that he saw and heard);

But God will take care of the wickedness as stated in Isaiah 28:17 "And I will make justice the line, and righteousness the plumb line; and hail will sweep away the refuge of lies, and waters will overwhelm the shelter.”  And again in Romans 13:3-4  For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer.

So when we are righteously angry we must speak up--  first to God, and then to those in authority.  Little brother must speak up when big sister commandeers his birthday present.

But what if our anger is unrighteous?  Everyone, except Jesus, has been angry because of their own selfish interests.  Cousin Alf couldn't believe that our friend Ralph had ever been rebellious.  He was such a pleasant and kind man.  But his wife, Nan, explained that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.  So even if we have never been aware of any failing by Ralph we know that at some point in his life he had missed the mark of perfection.  Only Jesus lived the perfect life.

In God's word we learn that we will become angry but we are to not sin.  How are we supposed to do this?  My daughter's small church group studied a book about leadership.  In one chapter all emotions were listed.  She found the emotion of "annoyed" was related to anger.  Getting in touch with our emotion of anger could give us a clue.  Why are we angry?  Is it because we have been resisted, inconvenienced, worried, fearful, proud, etc.?

Or are we angry because God's laws are not obeyed.  Jesus had zeal for the "House of the Lord." When He saw that the money changers had turned God's house into a den of thieves He was angry --  but self controlled.  He prepared a cord and proceeded to drive out the wicked.

Another time when the Jews would not believe that He was the Christ He said in John 8:44 -- "You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies."

When we are angry let us ask ourselves these questions-- Is this spreading the gospel and making disciples?  Will our attitude somehow build the Kingdom of God?

Ephesians 4:26  Be angry and do not sin; 

DON'T BEAT YOURSELF UP KID

1958

When I was fifteen I got this thing in my head that I was the only one in the family who could take care of everybody.  I felt that I had to take care of my parents, my three brothers, and my sister.  It was up to me to do something great so that I could help my family. I had no talent or abilities that were outstanding.  So this thought was overwhelming to me. I had placed on myself an impossible task.  

 What I didn't know at the time was that I was proud.  I thought too highly of myself.  I was taught in my family we wanted to be humble.  We believed that bragging was wrong.  Jesus said, "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth."  We wanted to be meek.  Unfortunately some of us went about it in the wrong way.  Instead of bragging we would put ourselves down.  Our family friend, Nan, said, "Don't put yourself down kid.  Everybody else will do it for you." 

This led me to the conclusion that either bragging or putting your self down is actually pride-- conceit or inordinate self esteem.  When we call attention to ourselves, or are self involved, this is pointing to ourselves in a prideful way.  Instead we should look to God to help us.  

Then after studying the Bible for many years God opened  I Corinthians 1: 26- 31 up to me:

26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards,[c] not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being[d] might boast in the presence of God. 30 And because of him[e] you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 

So it wasn't up to me to do something great--it was just necessary to be open to what God would have me to do.  He would use me in some way even if I had no talents.

Those who believe and trust in Jesus have self esteem because we can trust God completely to do His work in us.  We can forget about ourselves and keep our eyes on Jesus.

WOMAN TO WOMAN

Mom 1957

In the Christian religion we are told in God's word, the Bible, that the older women should teach the younger women.  Fortunately, I had a mom who was a Christian.  She taught me everything she knew up until I left home at 18.  Because I moved 3000 miles away from home it was too difficult to go to my mom for advice. So God put some incredible women into my life.

The second Christian woman who had an impact on my life was Evelyn Christenson.  She came to Spokane to lead a Sunday School teacher work shop.  She had us form groups of 3 or 4.  Then she instructed us to go around our circle and say a one sentence prayer.  I had never prayed out loud before but I did manage one sentence.  

BSF luncheon

Next I joined Bible Study Fellowship and had many wonderful group leaders pour into me. I was asked every year to lead a group but I turned that opportunity down because it required a commitment of 2 days a week. Dealing with my chronic pain would make that too difficult. 

College and career Moms in Prayer

A few years later Fern Nichols started "Moms in Touch", now "Mom's in Prayer," a group who prays for their children and schools. I joined a group and I learned to pray Bible verses back to God and to pray of one accord.  One mom would pray about something on her heart and anyone else who has something put on her heart by the Holy Spirit would pray about the same subject.  My prayer life grew by leaps and bounds.

After attending a women's retreat and meeting with the speaker one on one, she recommended that I work through Myrna Alexander's book, "Behold Your God." In studying the attributes of God all problems tend to grow smaller in the light of the greatness of God.

Nan and Heather 1994

The next mentor I had was Nan.  Her husband was a close friend of my dad's.  His mother was my dad's first Sunday School teacher. Nan was about 15 years older than me.  Even though we weren't living in the same town I could call her and opine my troubles to her.  She was empathetic and a woman of prayer. 

2004

Then we moved again and began attending the church we had been members of years before.  Two of the older women had started a prayer group to pray once a week for one hour for our families, church, the government, and many other topics.  I joined and loved praying with them.  After each move to a new church I followed their example.

Kay 2012

When we began attending a different church I met Kay.  She was 92 and still going strong.  I asked her if she would pray with me every week.  We prayed together for 6 years.  Kay invited me to attend Precept Bible study with her.  A move was necessary so I lost that connection. 

At my new church I signed up for Precept Bible study.    The class had some of the most Spirit filled and intelligent women I have ever met in a Bible study.  

But I longed for a group of ladies to pray with.  It seemed difficult to do in a big church.  It was then that I signed up to mentor a young woman who wanted to be mentored through our church's mentoring program.  God had nudged me out of the receiving group and into the giving group.  I was very nervous but I figured somehow God could take what I gummed up and make it work for good.  I committed to one hour a week which I thought I could manage and not cause my chronic pain to flare up.

Me with Deb

So I met Deb 6 months ago at a dessert meeting. Through all her problems she has learned the same thing that I have learned--there is no where else to go but to Jesus.  Only He has the words of life!  So after talking to Deb, and hearing her concerns, I recommended that we work through, "Behold Your God."  The process has seemed slow to me as we have only gotten through 1/2 of the book.  But looking back on all the years I have had mentors nurture me I shouldn't be impatient.  So we will keep working through the workbook and God will keep growing both of us to become the women of God He wants us to be.

Proverbs 31: 28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:

GRANDPA SHOT A BEAR

Grandpa in Jennings, Montana 1904

It's all the fault of my paternal grandmother that I'm an indoor sort of person.  She preferred attending movies, Canasta parties, and club meetings over hiking or camping in the great outdoors.  I believe that my mom, dad, and younger brothers enjoyed camping, through all the states in the Union. (They stayed in a hotel in Hawaii though.) My youngest brother missed out on camping in Alaska because that was before his time.  As for my older brother and sister -- I don't recall them relishing a good hike.  My sister did enjoy swimming though.  

So when my son and daughter-in-law traveled to Orwell, New York and looked into the genealogy on that side of the family they discovered that my grandfather shot a bear and sent his mother a bear rug for Christmas.

Apparently he was quite an outdoorsman.  He was also a wonderful gardener.  I didn't inherit that ability or interest at all.

I was glad to read this article which tells us that outdoors is good for the brain.

Another thing that is good for the brain is meditating on our Creator.  Isaiah 26: 3 says:

You keep him in perfect peace

    whose mind is stayed on you,

    because he trusts in you.

If we keep our eyes on God through prayer, Bible study, Christian fellowship, and not looking at the circumstances, we will have considerably more peace. 

BETRAYED AND ABANDONED

I wonder if everyone believes that they were born at an inoppertune time? I believed that my summer birthday was the worst time to be born.  My family was usually on vacation or traveling cross country to visit relatives.  I remember visiting Abraham Lincoln's home in Springfield, Ill. when I was just turning 12.  We were on our way to visit relatives in Spokane. My mom picked up a pen with a feather on the end at the gift shop and handed it to me over the back seat of the car as we sped down the highway.  At least she had acknowledged my birthday!

But when my daughter was 15, my son was 9, and my husband was working long hours I awoke the day of my birthday to see nothing going on.  No cake was being baked.  When my daughter told me she was taking her friend out to lunch at Taco Time I objected.  "It's my birthday," I said.  It made no difference to her.  She left.  My son was playing with legos and didn't notice anything was amiss.

As a result I was feeling sorry for my self.  I pulled down the shades and crashed on the couch.  When my daughter came home she was shocked to see me in this condition as I was usually busy most days.

When my husband arrived home from work he was amazed that there was no dinner ready.  I said, "It's my birthday and I'm waiting for my cake." He went into the kitchen and baked me a cake!  

From then on my daughter always made sure I had a cake for my birthday.  Years later, when we were living on our boat in Roch Harbor in the San Juan Islands, she drove up and baked me a cake on the boat.  My husband had them announce over the loudspeaker during the evening announcements that I was turning 29 on the 29th. ( I have instructed my family that I turn 29 on the 29th every year.)

These feelings are nothing compared to what Jesus suffered when He was betrayed by Judas and abandoned by all the disciples, even Peter.  But God had a marvelous plan.  I remind my self about this when I'm feeling abandoned and betrayed.  One verse I cling to is Psalm 37:8-9-- 

    Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.
⁹ For the evildoers shall be cut off,
    but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.

If I continue to live steadfastly before the Lord some day He will make everything beautiful! 

THE REST OF THE STORY ON CLIMATE VARIATIONS

Jay 1948

My brother, Jay, wanted to have 12 children.  Sadly he wasn't gifted with any children in his 64 years of life on this earth.  He wanted to obey God and "be fruitful and multiply."  So I am saddened by what some teens are thinking these days.  Some are pledging to have no children.  Here is an article which tells us that having children is one way to combat climate variations.

Dominic Green tells us the rest of the story on Greta Thunberg.  Click here to read the story.  

My dad, a meteorologist, attended weather variation conferences years ago.  I'm sure he would have wise words to say about this.

American Meteorological Association sign

So what is the truth?  The only way we can walk a straight path on this issue is to trust in God and do good.

Genesis 1:28  And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

OPEN DOORS

Last month my family lost the last of my parent's generation.  She was my Aunt Ruth, my mom's younger sister.  Born in 1926 in Spokane she was immediately adored by her two older sisters. The above picture of her was taken in 1927.  She lived a great life which included marrying, rearing three children, singing with her beautiful gifted voice, working as a nurse, living as a widow for many years, keeping up with friends and family, and mall walking to name a few things.

God blessed Aunt Ruth with every spiritual blessing and many natural talents.  Her parents valued music. She was fortunate to take singing lessons from the same voice teacher who coached Patrice Munsel.  Her voice was even better than Patrice's according to her teacher.

Flashing back to my first meeting of her--I was a few months old--at  Grandma and Grandpa's farm-- I was already doing the high kick and attempting to run away.

Aunt Ruth would graduate from North Central High School while living with us in Grandma and Grandpa's town house.  She recalled having to tie the bathroom doors shut so Jay, 3 years old, would not walk in on her.

After WW II my family settled in Burbank, California.  Aunt Ruth lived with us, before she was married, while she worked as a nurse in a local hospital.  She told me that both she and my dad worked shifts and that with only a 2 bedroom house, and three kids, she did a thing called "hot bedding."  That meant that if someone was at work the other person would sleep in their bed.   

Uncle Jack, before he was Uncle Jack, would visit us in Burbank.  One favorite memory of Aunt Ruth and Uncle Jack was when they sang, "I Said My Pajamas And Put On My Prayers," for me.

I was able to serve as a flower girl in Aunt Ruth and Uncle Jack's Spokane wedding.  After our move to Alaska I wore the flower girl dress in "A Tom Thumb Wedding" put on by my school.

Aunt Ruth was one of the few people who sent me a gift for my high school graduation.  It was a manicure set which came in very handy.

In 1965 Aunt Ruth and Diana traveled to Spokane to participate in Chris and my wedding.  Aunt Ruth sang and Diana was our flower girl.

After Chris and I were married and on our way to live in Santa Barbara we stopped by Aunt Ruth and Uncle Jack's.  After a sight seeing trip to a glass blowing gallery they gave up their king sized bed for us to sleep in, and slept with their kids that night.  

Jes recalls that Aunt Ruth and John attended one of his concerts when his college jazz band was touring California.  Another memory he had was, after his graduation from Whitworth, he showed Aunt Ruth around the campus, as it was also her alma mater.

One of my favorite pictures is of the 3 sisters taken in 1997 in Redwood city.

Ruth, Grace, Evelyn

One time, on a visit to my Aunt Evelyn's family in Seattle, she attended church with us.  At the end of the service all the senior women were trying to recruit her for the senior group activities.  She was such a good looking and friendly lady. 

She was the only one in her family to achieve an undergraduate degree.  She carried on the tradition of her ancestors on both sides of the family by working as a nurse.  Two of the great grandfathers worked as medics in the Civil War. 

God opened many doors for her and she went through!  Click here to read her obit.

Revelation 3:8  I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.