Halloween

When I encountered Halloween some 36 years ago, I sensed in my spirit something was not right about it. The bags of candies developed some greedy kids (our's), they did not even want to share their loot with us! That alone did not sit right with me!

I finally read up about it in an encyclopedia. (Now I would go to the internet for information). Nobody was able too tell me what it meant. Why do kids go and beg for candies? Even our Christian friends found it fun for their kids. We decided this was not for us and discussed it with the boys Ron then 7 and Paul 4. I explained to them what I had read and should we participate in that? As young as they were they agreed that it was not a day for us to celebrate.

What would be fun to do instead? Wouldn't you know, they picked bowling, I HATE BOWLING, but bowling it was. To make it more interesting, we would first go to McDonald. To imagine how exiting that was for them, you have to realize that we never had the money for things like that. On top of all that excitement they each got to pick out the biggest chocolate bar they could find. We would also pick up some candy the following day for half price at least they got only the kind of candy they really liked.

This evening guess what, we are going bowling, because Anneka decided that is what she would like to do.

I have nothing much to say today, therefore I let these pictures speak for them selves. These are our grand daughters from the South (North Carolina). Samantha on the merry-go-around and Eliana being her friendly self. Aren't they adorable?

Faith ends where worry begins,
and worry ends where faith begins.

Saying goodbye to our guests

Just a bit of relaxing before boarding the train.

















This is a view of the train, they were sitting in the car behind the dome/dining car. It has been wonderful having them over. For Willy it has been good to be able to make this trip.

Our visitors

Over the weekend we had some guests stay with us from Toronto.
Last July I lost my oldest brother Dirk 84 because of cancer. It has been rather difficult for my sister-in-law Willy to cope loosing her soul-mate. Mind you, I find she is being very brave.

It was a good idea that they, Willy and her daughter Nelly, came all the way from Toronto to stay with us as it gave Willy something to look forward to.

We had a wonderful time. Since they had been married for over 60 years, Willy knew a lot about my family and my parents. I enjoyed hearing some of the stories of my childhood. Willy has always been very dear to me.

Of course it was difficult for her to make the trip back home and coming to an empty house. I promised her I would come and visit her next month.













Of course everywhere we went out came the bag with goodies for the grandchildren! Left my niece Nelly.














Here we are looking at a few letters my Mom and Dad wrote them many years ago. I lost my mother at an early age so you can imagine the letters mean a lot to me. Therefore she brought them with her along with pictures for me to keep.

My granchildren

Our son Ron with Evan (left) and Hudson














Samantha and baby Eliana (North Carolina)














Aila and below Anneka














Then we are expecting a granddaughter in a few weeks.

My grandson

Yesterday we went to visit Ron and Lynne.
We wanted to show Willy and Nelly where they live and also to meet them as it has been quite a while since they saw each other.

While Ron put the boys to bed I also went in to say good night and have a bit of "an Oma to grandson conversation". So I asked Hudson:

Well Hudson, tomorrow is school are you exited?"
Hudson: "Yes."
Me: "You think you will as smart as your Daddy when you grow up?"
Hudson: "Oh yes!"
Me: "And will you be making lots of money like your Daddy?"
Hudson: "Yes."
Me: "When you are big are you going to take Oma out on a date, like going to a restaurant or something?"

Up to this point he had been very agreeable, but the last guestion required some thought.

I continued: "We could be going to McDonalds or Perkins."
Hudson: "I think I like to go to McDonalds."
"You know", I said: "That is a terrific choice, as I like that too, I can hardly wait!"
I patted him on his head and with a very satisfied look he said goodnight.

My life is so rich, the Lord has been so good, after our bouts with cancer we get to experience the lives of our grandchildren.

Willy and Nelly told me, do you realize also how good looking all your grandchildren are?
Hey, tell me about it! In my next post look at the latest pictures.

The following I read this morning:

"Counting your blessings promotes good physical health, according to a study by some US doctors. Volunteers who kept weekly gratitude journals reported fewer aches and pains than those who recorded daily hassles or neutral events.

A "gratitude visit" was developed by Dr. Martin E. P. Seligman to promote strong emotional health. He tells people to think of someone who has made an important difference in their lives. He asks them to write the story of how that person has helped them."


As I thought about this, several persons came to my mind, especially in times of need. (When I was a teenager I lost my mother and my father was so overwhelmed with grief and loneliness he was of no help to me). Then during my adult years I could think of some very special individuals. I was fortunate to be able to thank some of them. But others went on to be with the Lord.

If you think of somebody in your life who has been an inspiration, stimulation or a blessing, how wonderful that person would feel if you'd mention it to them. I certainly plan to express thanks if possible, to the remaining individuals who have helped shape my life.

How about you?

MRI

I had my first MRI done this past week. I had heard a few negative comments about it.

Having a claustrophobic tendency being one of them. (The specialist actually asked me about that). How can I know that, I have never been in a small place before, except for being in the womb, hahaha! How hard can this be?

Again in the radiology department I was asked the same question. The nurse explained that it would be very noisy but I would be getting earplugs for that. I'd be given a contrast about halfway through the test, intravenously.

When I made myself comfortable on the bed the technician offered me a warm blanket, so far so good I thought. She also gave me a squeeze ball thingy in case I got frantic. (I could communicate with her and she with me to give instructions but only in between testst). My head went into a cradle nicely tucked in. Then I was slowly moved inside the cylinder. I kept my eyes closed and figured a golden opportunity to pray. But as the noise started I am sorry to say, I did not get farther than mentioning a name and already I got distracted. I sure hope it is not going to be noisy in Heaven.

The whole test it self took half an hour, but the waiting and having the intravenous put in, according to Ted who was waiting, took over an hour.

Should you be apprehensive about having a MRI done? I certainly don't think so. I found the whole experience well....an experience!

Yes this is October the 12th!!

This is what we woke up to this
morning!













Lucky for me I took some of my flowering
plants inside.














The geese in the field behind our house
must be very confused!














Let's get the heck out of here, hahaha!

How to Get Rid of Your Pastor

Look your Pastor straight in the eye while he is preaching and say "Amen!" once in a while. He will preach himself to death within a few months.

Pat your Pastor on the back and brag about his good points. He will soon work himself to death.

Rededicate your life to Christ and ask your Pastor for a job in the church. He'll die of heart failure.

Pray for your Pastor every day. He will soon become so effective that some larger church will take him off your hands.

This is what I read!

A contender at the 2005 World Scrabble Championship Finals in London said mathematics and a good memory are necessary to win, but not a good vocabulary. A New York Times journalist described the event as "a time when language divorced itself from meaning" because a champion may create a high score using obscure English words such as zobo and ogive without knowing their meaning.

Just in case you are wondering (Ron) what those words mean I looked it up. I am sure the words I make up are somewhere in the dictionary. Hahaha!!

A zobo: is an animal which is a cross between a yak and a zebu. It is bred in Asia for its flesh and milk
An ogive: is a pointed, curved surface used to form the approximately streamlined nose of a bullet, shell, and a missile.

Happy Birthday

to my nephew Tim Decock

Fall clean-up

What a mess, where do I start?

After a couple of hours and four to five bags of leaves and grass cuttings it is looking quite presentable don't you think?

Because I cannot change the people around me.

I plant the seeds that one day will grow.
I water seeds already planted.
I lay foundations that will need further development.
I cannot do everything, and there's a sense of liberation in realizing that.
This attitude helps me to do small things and to be faithful.
And to leave "an opportunity for the Holy Spirit to do the rest."

About Dutch Cheese

Interesting Facts To Know About Dutch Cheese

A few things you did not know about me!!!!!

Click on the pictures to enlarge.

Our Monday

"Hey Oma you want to see my bummy?"
"What a great idea Aila, have not seen one for awhile!!!!"
"Hey Oma I see you up-side-down!"
















We were looking after Aila for the day as Yvonne spent the day with her friend Ronda who lives in Altona. Ted and I decided to do a few errands and I needed a few things from Wal-Mart. Aila fell asleep on the way, we had to wake her up in front of Wal-Mart. Of course seeing the big "M" from her favorite hang-out she exclaimed: "Oma my tummy is QUWOWING", that meant she was hungry.
















Hmmmm, fries, I love them too!















My trick is, go to the toy department give them something to play with while I do my shopping. Yes and they are aware we do not buy them!! I have to admit I almost bought this beauty for myself, but then decided I didn't really need that animal for the same reason Aila did not need one.

Church

I'll tell ye, doesn't church look great for kids?
First picture Aila waving a flag.
Then the four of them, Anneka, Hudson, Evan and Aila, totally oblivious as what is going on behind them.