Our Next Journal Question - Collecting

Did you have a favorite item that you collected while growing up?  I know that later in life Mom had fun collecting clowns and we all had fun buying them for her.

My favorite collection in college was Ziggy dolls and books.  I still have them.  I even had a Ziggy room in our first home.

Right now I'm collecting apps on my iPad!  I love music apps for teaching piano. I have a huge collection of fabrics from all my creative crafting.  I have another huge collection of teacups and teapots to make lamps with.

I'd like to collect responses to this blog post from my family but that's my wishful thinking.

If you are still working on your journal for your children, add this question and answer to it for them.

Jake Goes Home

Our sweet Jake is going home today to see Jesus.  He came into our world on January 18, 1998 and leaves us on January 2, 2014 at almost 16 years.  He is such a sweet and loving dog and we will miss him very much but know that he will be waiting for us at our homes in heaven.  Right now he's gonna go play with Jesus and Sassy.  He'll probably look in on Mom too.  I hope she will welcome him.  I know Mark will.

Jake loved to play frisbee and sometimes would play tug of war with Zack.  He loved to see the animals out our family room window and always let us know when someone was coming.  He played with my students' parents and siblings.  He loves us very much too.  I know he will be checking in on us from heaven's portals.

My Buffet

It's Thanksgiving today.  I'm sitting here typing up some more of Mom's journals and this is what she wrote on Tuesday, January 24, 1995:

"1 Cor. 9:27 – I buffet my body"

My first thought was .... hmmm buffet or buffet? Webster’s Dictionary says buffet used as a verb is to drive, force, move, or attack by or as if by repeated blows. Buffet used as a noun is a meal set out on a buffet at which guests help themselves. Since today is Thanksgiving, I'm choosing the noun. Tomorrow I'll choose the verb!

Weddings

We are on our way to Lake George today. Tyler is marrying Hannah tomorrow. Next weekend Josh is getting married. Our family is growing.

Learning to Drive

How did you learn to drive?

I was blessed to have Driver's Education classes in High School.  We were taught how to parallel park, do u-turns, drive on the highway, etc.  And I passed the exam on the first try because of the class.  The actual practicing of driving was "interesting".  Mom wouldn't do it and Dad was working so Grandma volunteered.  She was great.  Unfortunately Aunt Linda went with us sometimes and she was a nervous rider.  We were on the Northway for the first time and a semi was passing on the right.  Aunt Linda said, "watch out!  You don't want to get caught in their draft."  She was afraid I would go towards the truck because of it's pull and be sucked underneath the truck.  Yeah, right.  However, it did give me an unhealthy fear of passing semi until I was in my 40s.  Thanks a lot, Aunt Linda!! 

I learned to drive in Mom's station wagon.

How did you learn to drive?

Certificate of Promotion

Look what Sandy found for me in Mom's stuff! 
I remember going to church in Hoosick Falls.  I don't remember going to Sunday School.  1965 seems like a loooonnnnggggg time ago...it was!  I was 6 years old. Do churches still give certificates of promotion for each grade? 

I'm glad Dad and Mom raised us to go to church but even more to love God.

I wonder if God has a memory box too where He keeps track of the accomplishments we made that He is proud of?  I think He does.  What do you think?

The Chains Fell

In typing up Mom's journals, I found another poem.  I'm calling it The Chains Fell as she has no title.

I saw the chains fall off as faith rose in her heart.

            Her legs moved slowly at first at the very start.

Then realizing she was really be healed, set free at last.

            The shackles fell and bursting forth from their hold.

She leaped from the bed that she laid on and shouted,

            “I’m healed. I’m healed. Praise the Lord.”

Oh the joy of those set free, delivered from satan’s grasp.

            No fear can hold this one set free, delivered from the past.

The chains fall away as the Master comes on the scene.

            No chain can hold in the presence of the King of kings.