TRADITION

Our family's Christmas tradition is a funny picture-- Front row--Heather, Noah, Chris, Bobbi; Second row-- Samantha, Andrew, Jessie, Jessica, Jennifer; Back row--Natalie, Jes. Photo by Heather.

Family togetherness can be enhanced by Christmas traditions.  In my growing up years I enjoyed attending a candlelight Christmas Eve service with my family. In my mind we always sang "Joy to the World," as it was the only Christmas carol I knew the alto to. My relatives in San Diego have a "Christmas Adam" tradition.  It takes place on December 23 as Adam came before Eve. Cousin Becky explains it --

Thats the Jack Horner Pie. Something our family/ancestors first started doing when they were crossing the country on the Oregon trail. It started with a big milk pan and the family would each make small xmas gifts like corn husk dolls etc for each other. Then tie a string to it with the receivers name on a tag and put all the gifts in the pan with a pretend pie crust and black bird vent in the top. The family all takes their tags up and then recites the poem. "Little Jack Horner sat in a corner eating his Christmas Pie. He put in his thumb and pulled out a plum, and said what a good boy am I" And then everyone pulls out their gifts all at the same time. Just a special fun event everyone looks forward to each year.

Other countries have interesting activities for Christmas. In a Christmas Eve sermon Pastor Andy Lewis of Mitchell Road Presbyterian church in Greenville, SC told about some of the traditions around the world for Christmas.  If you would like to hear them click here to listen. 

Traditions can comfort us and cheer us; but the most important tradition in the world is remembering Jesus who being God came to earth,  was born a baby,  grew up to pay the price for our sins, and defeated death, so that we may live forever with God.  When we see Him we will be like Him as we will see Him as He is.  

II Thessalonians 2:13 But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. 14 He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

 

Nostalgia for Christmas includes "White Christmas" and the beat of the Drifters from 1953.  Love this one.  Click on the You Tube to see and enjoy.  Merry Christmas!

HOSPODEE POMEELEEY

 

Groveton High School 1961 Symphonic Choir--First row left to right: Bev Barret, Rita Wyatt, Dawn Davis, Karen Vest.

Second Row: Carolyn Christmas, Sharon Johnson, Marion Carter, Marie Arnette.

Third row: Louisa Frank, Joni Heller, Shelly Ballard.

Forth Row: Louise McGee, Suzanne Morgan, Nancy Trenary, Mary Ann Beach.

Fifth row: Barry Morf, Kathy Fowler, Kathie Drake, Nancy Mangum

Sixth row: Lindsey Florence, Richard Babb, Sam Vaughn.

Seventh row: Bill Lyons, Jim Weedon, John Lafley, Jack Tidwell.

Eighth row: Jerry Bramley, Bart Frye, John Turner, Louis Boas

Last night we attended our granddaughter's last high school Christmas concert.  She is a senior this year and will graduate in June. We enjoyed it so much.  It brought back fond memories of my days at Groveton High school.

The Ridgeline High School choir sang a composition in Latin.  This brought to my memory the pieces Miss Holstein taught us which were sung in Latin back in 1961.  I loved singing in Latin--  I just couldn't actually translate the words. 

Last night the Ridgeline Band performed a Russian Christmas song. It brought to my mind the Russian work "Hospodee Pomeeley" or "Lord Have Mercy," which was performed by the Symphonic  Choir at the Groveton Easter concert in 1961.  

I began to think of this day and age with our celebration of Christmas coming up. Our poor old world needs the "Mercy of God."  Have you read Revelation 6 lately?  I think we are in a mini tribulation-- verses 1-2 talk about conquest (war?); verses 3-4 talk about people killing one another; verses 5-6 talk about inflation; 7-8 are about hunger; 9-11 the martyrs are asking "how long?"; The sixth seal or verses 12-17 haven't happened yet.  That is when God rolls up the sky. 

But there is hope-- We can enjoy the Charlie Brown Christmas story or other encouragements of the season.  World Podcast shared Christmas stories which are fun -- click here and here and here  to listen or read. 

Luke 2:14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

BEAUTIFUL FIJIAN RUGBY SONG

 

In little known news I thought you would be interested in this "Breakpoint" podcast.  During last year's Olympics, the Fijian rugby team won the gold and captured hearts by unashamedly and passionately singing a stirring hymn of praise after their victory.  Click here to read or hear the podcast.  Above is the video of the team singing.

   Psalm 100

1 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!

 2 Serve the Lord with gladness!

    Come into his presence with singing!

3 Know that the Lord, he is God!

    It is he who made us, and we are his;

    we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving,

    and his courts with praise!

    Give thanks to him; bless his name!

 

5 For the Lord is good;

    his steadfast love endures forever,

    and his faithfulness to all generations.

I LIED

 

Library of Congress reading room

I could never run for office.  My past would catch up with me. OK, I confess;  I'm guilty of lying to the guard at the Library of Congress, and then, after I was married, to forging my husbands signature.

The story is this--   When I was in high school my best friend, Nancy, suggested we go to the Library of Congress in Washington D.C. to do research for our term papers.  She had been there with her older sister and had been admitted to the venerable library.  Back in those days one must be a high school graduate or 18 years old to gain entrance. Now they have changed the age to 16.   It was our senior year at Groveton High school. My friend Nancy and I would not turn 18 until after graduation. Nancy didn't see any problem -- but after a bus ride from Alexandria and a walk along what seemed like miles to the library the guard at the entrance asked for proof that we were 18 or high school graduates.  I lied and said that I had left my ID at home and I didn't have a drivers license.  I don't remember what Nancy said.  The guard let us in.  

Then when dealing with depositing checks made out to Chris into the bank or credit union, I just signed his name and made the deposit.  He never seemed to have time to do it himself.  So I'm a forger also.

What made me think about libraries and lying was that in my day certain books, only suitable for those 18 or over, were kept behind the librarians desk.  One must request them.  Some tried to lie.  Now those books have gone mainstream and are available to anyone including children.  There is a divide in thinking on this.  Some parents want to supervise what their children read.  There are a few books that are helpful for those parents. Here is a podcast describing what is available.

It is true that all have sinned--including me.

Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

 

"Can she bake a cherry pie Billy boy Billy boy, can she bake a cherry pie charming Billy?"  Pie is one of my favorite foods at Thanksgiving.  My mom could make a wonderful pie with a perfect crust. So could my mother-in-law.  My daughter in law and her mother make wonderful pies also.  And now my granddaughter is another great pie baker of the family.  So even though many have tried to teach me to make a pie crust I have never succeeded.  My roommate in college, Doni, tried to teach me to make bread.  I never accomplished that fete either.  Now my husband makes the pie crusts and the bread!  So I'm thankful that I will have pie this Thanksgiving.  My many other blessings are infinite.  What are you thankful for this year?

Psalm 118:1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.

SCOTTISH ENGLISH

 

I believe this book belonged to Grandma Isabel

Grandma Isabel would teach us Scottish words very rarely.  She knew a few as her parents were born in Scotland.  I thought of her when I heard this podcast about Scottish English.  You can either listen or read the transcript.  Click Here.

Isaiah 66:20 And they shall bring all your brothers from all the nations as an offering to the Lord, on horses and in chariots and in litters and on mules and on dromedaries, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, says the Lord, just as the Israelites bring their grain offering in a clean vessel to the house of the Lord.

THE CHALLENGE OF THE CHALLENGER

 Jay—1940-2005.  American communications specialist.  Recipient cash prize Army Security Agency Incentive Award Committee, Taiwan.  Served with United States Army, 1964- 1967,  member of Ames Amateur Radio, Moffat field.  EWU graduate. 

Today is Veterans Day-- a day to remember our veterans.  In Spokane we have a new memorial.  See the You Tube above.

In remembering our veterans I thought about my brother, Jay.  He was very interested in space.  After the tragedy of the Challenger 30 some years ago he wrote this poem:

"The Challenge of the Challenger"

We saw the mighty Challenger "shatter" as a toy
But the Universe above is ours to claim with joy.
We left those footprints on the Moon, the cost was never free 
Greater steps must follow soon 
Because there's GOLD on Mercury.
High metallic content means there's tons. 
To pay off U. S. savings bonds, 
And raise some research funds.
With plenty of space in which to be hurled,
The cost per Ride SEEMS out of this world.
But that's a bargain for what we pay,
To Ride to school and work each day.
Telerobotics would save enough gas,
To pay for babies on Mars real fast.

____________________________________

Now Jay would be delighted to hear that we had two years of staying home and commuting by Zoom.  We saved a bundle on gas!  Also he would be interested that some of the pieces of the Challenger have been discovered.  See the You Tube below.

There are many more mysteries of the universe to discover.  Jay would be thinking outside the box!

Proverbs 25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal things,

    but the glory of kings is to search things out.

ART AND THE ARTIST

 

As a first grade teacher I vowed to never criticize any art work done by my students.  The reason for this was that in 4th grade, after I had changed my mind about a picture I was drawing for art class, I unfortunately was more concerned about not using extra paper, so I scribbled over the old picture in an attempt to draw a new picture.  The teacher held my creation up and told the class to not do what I had just done.  

Art is in the eye of the beholder we are told. Maybe my drawing was "modern" art. Many years later my mom took an art class at EWU while I finished up my bachelors degree and planned a wedding.  After she drew birds like this 

she was given an A for the class.  Why didn't I think of that!

This all to say that there are many types of art.  Recently we watched "Babette's Feast," a Danish film with subtitles.  It was all about choosing a simple life style but in the end even simple people could enjoy the work of a great artist.

 

Revelation 19: 9 And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”                                                                

ALL SAINTS DAY

 

All Saints Day is November 1st.  I was going to write something about Halloween but instead I will link to an article and podcast about All Saints Day.  For the history of the day click here.   After I did a search for a picture from my family photos about Halloween or All Saints Day I came up with photos of our relatives Mary Lee and Bruce Saint. 

Mary Lee was the youngest daughter of Archie and Mary-- Grandma Isabel's brother and sister in law.   Mary Lee was a good cousin to my dad, Dave.  She would show up at family gatherings from time to time.  I remember clearly how she attended my Uncle Hollis's memorial service and then later a reception at my cousins Janet and Alf's home.  Mary Lee was the musician of the family.  She played her organ many years at the "Flamingo Room." I believe the restaurant was located in one of the downtown Spokane hotels.

  Apparently Grandma Isabel and Grandpa Claude attended Mary Lee and Bruce's wedding ceremony and took photos. 

 

Here is the newspaper clipping provided by cousin Linda Clark from her uncle's scrap book.

So to celebrate All Saints Day I'm remembering Mary Lee and Bruce Saint.

Matthew 27:52 The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised,

The rest of the story-- Apparently Mary Lee and Bruce were divorced in 1969.  She married Elmer Brueschoff (Breezy) in 1969.  Marriage license from cousin Linda:

OCTOBER DREAM

 

My sister, Evy, would have turned 75 on October 17.  I still miss her.  But her daughter, Jennifer, turned out beautifully.  Evy would be so proud of her.  When I saw the picture about loving not camping I thought of Evy, Grandma Isabel, and me.  We enjoyed the "good life." Grandma and I have lived through some house flipping projects much to our chagrin.  I even think Grandma lived in a house for a while with only 3 walls and the 4th wall was a tent or something like that.  

Evy, and I, as far as I know, took after Grandma in some ways.  Not liking to camp may have been one of them.  My dad loved camping and I think my mom did too.  R Ranch in Hornbrook was camping only.  Evy and I only visited Hornbrook for the sake of the kids because they liked it.  

While remembering Evy this month I thought once again of this dream that Wayne had back in 1997 around the time of her birthday.   Here is his October dream:

RULES FOR MOCKERY

 

I'm not on social media.  After some strange people contacted me on Twitter and on Facebook I got off those platforms.  I haven't been tempted to go on to tiktok or Instagram.  I hear it is a jungle out there.  People are tearing each other apart.  But some cooler head will prevail occasionally.  

I was interested in the following podcast which included a mention of  Blaise Pascal, a 17th century  mathematician and Christian apologist. See the You Tube above. In his 11th Provincial Letter, Pascal included a surprisingly thoughtful defense of Christian mockery.  Here is a link to the transcript.  

Proverbs 29:11 A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.

 

JESSICA FLETCHER AND ME

1961 Groveton High Thespians — Front Row– Judy Lindberg, Susan Szadokierski, Susan Goggin, Belle Richey, Janice Hardy. — Second Row– Roberta Stowell, Bette Barttelmes, Sarah Dickinson, Denise Kogelman, Susan Zimmer. — Third Row– Alice Howzdy, Tony George, Lisa Dunn, Eileen Seidell, Pat Holmes, Janet Gilmore.– Fourth Row– Barton Bean, Lynn Craven, Tommy Harris, Bill Lyons, Susan Remington.

Angela Lansbury died last Monday. Her character Jessica Fletcher on the TV show, “Murder She Wrote,” was my hero. Well, I’m no Jessica Fletcher. I don’t have the type of mind needed to teach English, write novels, solve mysteries, and to help others. I did some acting in high school. (See the pictures above.) But because I had difficulty acting like a mother I lost the part of Elwood P. Dowd’s mother in “Harvey” to Janet. I did play the part of the daughter Murtle May. So my ambition at this stage in my life is still to write novels, solve mysteries, and to help other people.

Colossians 1: 24 Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. 25 I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— 26 the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. 

SHINE

 

Glenkirk Church Camp 1960.  Don't remember any of the names.

My friend Nancy and I attended church camp together when we were just 15 and sophomores at Groveton High.  My memory is foggy but I seem to remember 2 church camps.  The camp we went to had a lake which we rowed boats on.  The other camp was a new camp called Glenkirk.  Our church helped to build it.  Nancy remembers that I invited her and two boys, one was Jimmy Schall, to work on building the camp.  I don't remember that but it sounds like me.  I thought I was being an evangelist to invite boys to church activities. My goal in life was to please Jesus by shining for Him. I remember 2 scripture verses --

Matthew 5:16  In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

and Philippians 2:15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,

My shine is a little dimmer these days but with God's help He will make me to shine more.

My brother Jay got me involved in the Bible Club at Groveton.

My friend, Nancy, got me involved in the Westminster Fellowship Club at Madison College

NO FEAR

 

Joan (pronounced Jo Ann) and Walter 50th wedding anniversary dinner.  Photo by Chris.

Years ago, while living in Lake Forest Park, our neighbors, Walter and Joan, invited us to their 50th wedding anniversary dinner.  They were transplants from Texas.  She was a retired school teacher and he had retired from Boeing.  When we heard Walter's stories about WW II and how his legs were frozen in the Battle of the Bulge we were amazed at his bravery.  But he had a job to do and he did it.

I think about today and how so many people live in fear.  They think about the "what ifs."  We've had brave men and women defending our freedom from the Revolutionary War to WW I, WWII, Korea, Vietnam to Afghanistan and Iraq.  Where did they get their courage?  Well, they had a job to do and they did it.  Maybe they were fearful like I would be but they did what they had to do.  We can learn from these brave ones.  We can look to God and cling to Him and do our jobs.  This hymn came to mind today.

1. I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord;
   No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.
   • Refrain:
     I need Thee, oh, I need Thee;
     Every hour I need Thee;
     Oh, bless me now, my Savior,
     I come to Thee.
2. I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby;
   Temptations lose their pow’r when Thou art nigh.
3. I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain;
   Come quickly and abide, or life is vain.
4. I need Thee every hour; teach me Thy will;
   And Thy rich promises in me fulfill.
5. I need Thee every hour, most Holy One;
   Oh, make me Thine indeed, Thou blessed Son.

GROWING UP AND MOVING OUT

 

Wayne 1956.

In the summer of 1956 my parents helped me run away from home.  I felt there wasn't any room in the 32' trailer we were living in at Woodley Hills trailer Park in Alexandria, VA., for Dad, Mom, Jay, me, Evy, Davy and Wayne.  We may have added the alumo room by then so Mom could have her piano and cedar chest.  I don't remember if Grandpa Roy was visiting us at that time.  I would turn 13 in July so I determined that I should go visit Grandma Grace Belle, Grandpa Roy, Grandma Isabel, Grandpa Claude, Uncle Hollis, Aunt Jeanne, cousins Richard, Janet and Bob in Spokane.

1956 Grandpa Roy with Mom and Davy by alumo room.  I think she was pregnant with Wayne then.

Spokane 1954 Richard, Uncle Hollis, Aunt Jeanne, Bob, Grandma Isabel, Janet, and Grandpa Claude.

Spokane 1958 Richard, Bob, Janet.

1950 Grandpa Roy and Grandma Grace Belle.

My Wisconsin relatives--  Aunt Emily, Uncle Ernest, cousins Kit and Rinda would be driving from Eau Claire to Spokane that summer.  It was arranged for me to take the bus from Washington D.C. to Eau Claire and hitch a ride with them the rest of the way. 

Uncle Ernest and Aunt Emily 

1957 Rinda and me.

1957 me with Kit.

Mom and Dad had no idea that I would have to change buses in Chicago.  Fortunately for me I looked young enough that nobody tried to "pick me up" at the Chicago bus terminal.  Also I had become bus sick and my dress may have been smelly. A soldier asked me if I knew where to get the bus for Eau Claire.  I didn't.  He pointed me to where I should wait then he took off to go to a bar. 

Meanwhile, at the same time, Jay left for Mexico to visit a family who we knew through Aunt Emily and Uncle Ernest-- the Benitez.  His letter to us follows.

1956 letter from Jay. 

Sounds like Jay had a wonderful time.

On our trip from Eau Claire to Spokane I remember one lunch Aunt Emily prepared for us which we ate as we drove.  She took hard French rolls and filled them with deviled ham.  The best sandwich I had ever had up to that point.  Kit and Rinda read quite a bit as we traveled.  I had never been able to read in a car without becoming sick. As I studied them I was tempted to read.  I picked up some of their reading material and started reading just as we entered the Badlands of South Dakota.  Aunt Emily instructed me that I was missing the Badlands.  I was shocked.  All this time Kit and Rinda had been reading and just as I started reading I was singled out.  I was not happy with her.  My angry retort was, "I've already seen the Badlands." ( I didn't take correction well.) My family had driven west through South Dakota many times.  Our family stopped at Mt. Rushmore one time.  I remember the buffalo steak served in the restaurant.  It was delicious. (We had roast buffalo at R Ranch and it wasn't as good.)

When we arrived in Spokane I asked to be dropped off at Grandpa Roy and Grandma Grace Belle's farm.  Unfortunately my aunt and uncle had planned for me to accompany them and my cousins to Walla Walla.  So after a few letters flying back and forth I joined them.  After that excursion I was dropped off at the farm and my Aunt Evelyn and cousins Dorothy and Richard arrived just then.  

The highlight of the summer was a birthday cake for me provided by Aunt Evelyn. Trips to Natatorium Park and Liberty Lake were special memories for me.  (My cousin Kit tried to get me to scream on the ferris wheel when he would turn our enclosed cage upside down.  I refused to scream.) I hated shopping but Aunt Evelyn thought I didn't like to shop because I had no money.  She gave me some money but I still despised it.  (My daughter and my husband shop for me now.) Grandma Grace Belle was a good cook.  We had steak, potatoes, and from the garden--  fresh peas, beets, carrots, and salad. We had icecream with strawberries on top for dessert.  She kept a watermelon in the refrigerator for anytime we would want a slice. 

There are several letters from me to my folks that summer saying that I wasn't coming home until they bought a house.  I believe I was under the influence of Grandma Isabel as she had much to say about us living in a trailer. They did buy a house and I went home.

I was informed by one of my correspondence writing teachers that my story about my trip cannot be published as a children's story because there is no plot.  Nothing bad happened.  So I leave it here for the family to read.

Psalm 91:11 For he will command his angels concerning you

    to guard you in all your ways.

 

G.K. CHESTERTON

G.K. Chesterton

“We shall soon be in a world in which a man may be howled down for saying that two and two make four, in which furious party cries will be raised against anybody who says that cows have horns, in which people will persecute the heresy of calling a triangle a three-sided figure, and hang a man for maddening mob with the news that grass is green.” G.K. Chesterton 1905

STATE FUNERAL OF QUEEN ELIZABETH II

 

On Monday, September 19, 2022, Queen Elizabeth was laid to rest.  If you would like to see any of Queen Elizabeth's State Funeral service go to the You Tube above.  Joel Rosenberg wrote about the service in his newsletter.  If you would like to read it go here. 

LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR

Me with Heather and Jes in 1991.  We are on a ferry with the twin towers in the background.  From a video by Chris.

On our visit to New York City in 1991 we never imagined that people we had welcomed into the United States would turn out to be terrorists in 2001.  They were our neighbors. What could have been done differently to save all of the lives that were lost on 9/11?  Maybe by loving our neighbors well enough that we legislate strict immigration policies?  Israel's policy may be a good example to follow.  

Now in 2022 our immigration policy still does not work well.  We are hearing news that may be true or false.  What are we to believe?  We see "everyone doing what is right in their own eyes,"  much as in the day of the Judges in the Old Testament.  God raised up presidents and congress to help our nation but it seems our country is embattled in fighting each other instead of the real problem of evil. 

Here is what Justice Sonia Sotomeyer said about what the people of the United States should do to get along: 

SOTOMAYOR: With every single person that I meet, particularly if I disagree with them, I try to find the goodness in them. I try to find what part of them can we communicate with together. And so I may have used and I have used as an example, my relationship with Justice Clarence Thomas, I suspect that I have probably disagreed with him more than with any other justice. That we have not joined each other's opinions more than anybody else. And yet, Justice Thomas, is the one justice in the building that literally knows every employee's name. Every one of them, and not only does he know their names, he remembers their families names and histories. He's the first one who will go up to someone when you're walking with him and say, Is your son, okay? How's your daughter doing in college? He's the first one that when my stepfather died, sent me flowers in Florida. He is a man who keeps, cares deeply about the court as an institution, about the people who work there. He has a different vision than I do, about how to help people, and about their responsibilities to help themselves. I've often said to people, Justice Thomas believes that every person can pull themselves up by their bootstraps. I believe that some people can't get to their bootstraps without help. They need someone to help them lift their foot up so they can reach those bootstraps. That's a very different philosophy of life. But I think we share a common understanding about people and kindness towards them. That's why I can be friends with him. And still continue our daily battle over our difference of opinions in cases. But you really can't begin to understand an adversary unless you step away from looking at their views as motivated in bad faith. And so, yes, I have friends of all backgrounds, and friends have all political views. And I will continue to do so because that's important to me. Understanding how I can make the best pitch, long term, to achieve the goals that I think are important.

May the people of the United States listen!

Luke 10:27 He answered, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself'".