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.

Journal Question - Most Memorable Trip

Tell us about your most memorable trip by plane, train, or ship...

I have traveled a lot so it's difficult to narrow it down to one.  The longest plane ride was to Brussels with Keith in 1990.  We had a 10-day vacation in Europe.  When we returned, we both wanted to "kiss the ground".  There truly is no place like the USA.  We are blessed and spoiled here.

I've taken several trips on AmTrak to visit family during Mom's illness.  Most of them I was able to ride business class and have room to myself.  A couple trips I had to go coach and it was miserable...loud, kids, no space to myself.

The best trip ever was by ship.  We went on a seven day bike and sail trip to Maine.  One day we sailed, one day we biked.  We only responded to the ships bells telling us it was time to eat.  Gormet French meals every day which we exercised off on the 15-20 mile bike rides.  One night we stopped at a deserted island and Keith was very happy with the lobster.  I didn't eat it.  Can't remember what I ate but it wasn't lobster.

So there it is, my most memorable trips by plane, train, AND ship.

What God Sees by Winnie Hodges

Written on October 6, 1994 by Winifred G. Hodges

God’s sight is so much keener than mine.

            He sits in a higher place sublime.

God sees what I cannot from His throne.

            He makes me know what I’ve never known.

His ways are so much better than mine.

            No obstruction blocks His view so Divine.

He sees with love what I could never know.

            And leads me in the way I should go.

Lord, keep me trusting your great insight.

            May I always walk in Your light.

Delighting your heart with decisions I make.

            Pleasing You with the paths I take.

One day I will be able to look back and see

            The paths You led were the very best for me.

Grandma Brown

I was typing up some more of Mom's journals today and found this information on Grandma.  She left us July 5th a few years ago but I still remember and love her.

Francis Gail Clark Brown - Born – Comstock May 4, 1917

Grandma's parents - Ada Alice Wimbush & Daniel Herbert Clark

Ada – born Feb in England, married Holyoke MA Feb 1910

Daniel – born Lyon MT died Dec 23 at 94 in NY

Childhood earliest remembrance

Swinging in tire in an old oak tree about six years old. Other kids didn’t want to play with.

On stairs in the hotel where she lived, a voice would call her name. Later knew it to be the Lord speaking to her. Mother just said, “Go outside and play.”

Had to walk two miles to school and home.

Had a BIG yellow dog named Nilly.

Age 4 went to Halloween party. Paper costume, wind blew it off just about at school. Her mom went as a witch without family knowing but when Gail saw her she went running to her.

Favorite place on hill in cemetery to play. Grandmas would sit on old iron bench while they played.

Once a month rode train to Whitehall to get groceries.

Favorite candy – candy covered almonds.

Pulled plug on horse watering trouth, got pattled for it along with Aunt Mollie.

Aunt Alice raised about 500 chickens. House burned. Cons put in crates and brought to Hudson Falls. She, Alice, was 17 years old.

House burned when Gail was 10.

Schoolhouse was one room. Had pot belly stove for warmth.

Summer lay on grass and make stars? Pictures

Trips

Lyon Mt. in old Buick with gas operated lights, no windows. Just glass  izzing? No heat. Took all day to get there late night. Went once a year.

Grandma and Grandpa Daniel Clark. He was constable. Four children lived. Dad, Rance, Ed, and Flo. All born natural.

Played on sand dunes with streams caused from mining ore.

Cousins were Jim and Lesley Tracey – Flo. France and Keith, Uncle Ed

Bears came at night so couldn’t go out. Grandpa Dan was his (Uncle Dan).  Uncle Dan was in Vaudevill. Aunt Myra by marriage.

In England

Aunt Mary (nurse in army) & Uncle Harry Winebrush? Pres. Of Grand Trunk Railway Canada. Two boys – Harrison and Raymond. Raised in military academy – West Point

I'm sure Chris probably has more information but this is what I've found so far in Mom's journals.

Our Journal Questions Continued

I'm continuing to prompt us to journal for the future generations.  I'm using Mom's book Reflections from a Mother's Heart.  Mom didn't fill any of it out except the family tree.  I wish she had so we could get to know her more; but that will have to wait until we see her again.

The next question for your consideration is: Did you ever go camping with your family? Where? Record one exceptional camping experience. 

I remember camping several times when I was just turning a teenager.  We went to the ocean once which I loved.  We went to NH to visit some of Dad's relatives who had a campground.  I remember the swimming pool and diving off the diving board.  I remember Patuckaway but not where it was at.  That's where we took the pyramid picture of us seven kids.  I remember camping some place that I met some older teens who took me with them to get a bottle of pop.  It was the first time I heard soda called pop.  I really didn't mind camping when I was young, but now, no way, no how...not even in a camper.  I'll take a nice, comfy, air-conditioned lodge or cabin, thank you very much!

How about you? What do you remember of camping?

Winifred Gail Hodges 1936-2009

February 2, 2009 Mom left for her other home.  She enjoyed life and Dad while here. Now she's enjoying Jesus and her family.

I'm grateful for the time we had and how much we shared together.  She gave me a love for music and crafts and being a great wife.

But most of all, she instilled in me a love for God and His Word, worship and Jesus, and spending time with the Holy Spirit.

I still miss talking with her but know that some day soon we'll talk again face to face.

Winifred G. Hodges
May 11, 1936 - February 2, 2009