Dear Shawn

Today you are 31 years old. Can it really be? Thirty-one years is a long time, but if I close my eyes I can see that tiny baby boy that dad and I brought home from the hospital and it seems like yesterday. We were so excited and proud!

On the day before you were born, we had planned to go to the Harrisburg Farm Show with Gene & Rhoda and Carrie. You were still 2 weeks away from your due date and I really didn't give it a thought that you might come early. However, when I woke up that morning, things didn't feel "right" and so we canceled our plans to go to the Farm Show. It was a good thing we did, because later that afternoon we headed to the hospital and you were born early the next morning.  It was love at first sight and we named you Shawn Deron. Dad had worked for a farmer who had a son named Shawn and he always told me that if we had a little boy he wanted to name him Shawn. He got no argument from me, because I personally love the name as well. I wanted your middle name to start with a D since my maiden name was Denlinger and eventually we settled on Deron.

Dad and I didn't know a whole lot about babies but that didn't matter to you. You were such a contented and happy little guy that you made our job easy. I remember how your huge brown eyes would follow me wherever I went. I would put you in your little seat on the kitchen table and you would watch me. If I left the room, when I came back your eyes were glued to where you had last seen me and you were patiently waiting for me to return. When I appeared, you greeted me with a big smile.

You talked so early and your pronunciation was perfect. At a little over a year old your vocabulary was amazing. I remember it was hard to keep you quiet in church, because you didn't understand the concept of whispering and you just talked out loud about everything you saw. Some of the things you said could be kind of embarrassing, like the time you exclaimed loudly in church, "I just passed gas!"

You loved riding along with your daddy in the big truck and you soon learned how to operate and "fix"  machinery as well. Many a time, you would come in from the shop covered from head to toe with dirt and grease because you were "helping" dad repair something. At around five years of age, you started mowing the grass and soon you were driving tractors, skid loaders, cars, and by twelve years old you could even drive the manure truck!

Sometimes I look back on those times, and wonder that we survived them without serious mishap. Remember the time the lawn mower caught fire while you were mowing and I was in the shower? You came screaming into the house and to the bathroom door. I debated about running out of the house stark naked, but decided that since you were obviously okay, whatever the problem was could wait until I threw on some clothes. Thankfully Grandpa also heard the commotion and had already come up to help before I got there. I'm sure you also remember the time your jeans caught fire from a spark when Dad was welding and before you or he realized it, you had a very severe burn on your leg. I am so thankful it wasn't any worse, but I know you have a nasty scar from that.

One word I would use to describe you is dependable. You were such a hard worker and if there was something to be done you did it. As the oldest child, you were so helpful with your siblings. I always felt comfortable leaving you in charge if Dad and I went away and left you children alone. I know that your brothers and sister looked up to you and I want to thank you for being such a good example to them.

I don't think you ever particularly cared for school, but you didn't complain. You did well enough and probably could have done better if you had really wanted to. You endured those long bus rides and it was a wonderful day when you got your driver's license. It opened up a whole new world and made life easier for all of us. You were able to chauffeur your siblings to school and best of all you could legally drive the big trucks on the road.

Before I had children, I always used to dread the teen years, but I want to thank you for making them easy. You were a sensitive and caring teenager who didn't get into trouble and who was a lot of fun to be around. You joined the church, made good Christian friends and enjoyed having a good time, but you always took being a Christian seriously. I always felt that you made good choices and for that I am extremely grateful.

The years flew by and you were still in high school when you started dated Melissa. In a few short years you were married and together you began attending Living Light Mennonite Church. Both of you bring a lot of talents and gifts to the congregation and I know that they are appreciative of your commitment to them.

And now you are the daddy of an adorable, sweet little boy. You and Melissa are wonderful parents and I have loved watching you interact with Awstin as you adjusted to having a baby in the family. My wish for you, is that your son will bring as much happiness into your life as you did to mine.

I am so blessed to call you my son.

Love,

Mom

Year End Review

Well, here we are at the last day of the year, and I believe I said that I would check in and give an update with how well I was doing with my empty-nest goals that I set in September.

Read through the Bible.  I am still working on this. I got a little behind with all the excitement of our trip and the holidays but I am trying not to be too hard on myself. I will continue on and what does it matter if I don't complete it in a year. I will still have read through the Bible and if it takes me longer than a year, so what.

Clean my Upstairs. I did manage to get one room cleaned out and organized. That leaves me with two to go if I don't count Megan's room. I think it would probably be a good idea not to touch her room. I'm afraid she takes after her mom a little with the thought, "if no one can see it what does it matter." Anyway, I hope to continue on and clean out another room, but it does get a little difficult in the winter because we don't heat those rooms and so I always have the excuse that it is too cold to work at it. And believe me, if I have an excuse, I use it!

Lose some Weight. This is probably the goal that is actually going the best. I have now officially lost 18 pounds and I was delighted to shop for new jeans and find that I had gone down a size! I was also pretty happy not to put on weight while we were on vacation. Thankfully we walked a lot and I think that really helped me.

I plan to continue on with my goals as the new year starts. I would like to lose another 15 - 20 pounds and I would love to reach that goal by summer. I will continue to read through the Bible and I will conquer my upstairs. Some other things I hope to accomplish are to make a digital scrapbook of our European Christmas Market trip and to make a homemade soup once a week this winter. I had made soup once a week last winter and Steve, Josh and Megan loved it and I actually found that I enjoyed planning and making the soup so I want to do that again.

I believe I will stop there and not make any more goals, because sometimes they are hard to keep and then I feel like a failure. However, I think a few ambitions that seem manageable are good for a person. It helps me feel a little bit organized and motivated in an otherwise chaotic world.

As I reflect over the past year, it was a good one and I am thankful for my family and friends and for a job that I enjoy. I am looking forward to 2014 and I hope and pray that it will be a year filled with plenty of laughter, love, and peace.

Happy New Year!

PS. I just had to share this picture of my family. We tried really hard to get a family picture this Christmas and this was the best one. As you can see, even though the end result isn't what you typically see in a family picture, it is obvious that we were having a lot of fun!

My Christmas Angel

Well we are back from our trip and it was a wonderful, relaxing time but it didn't start out that way. Let me tell you about it.

We were on a European Christmas Market Tour with TourMagination which is based in Canada. The plan was for Steve and I, Bob and Julia and the tour leader's stepmother, Anna Blanche Martin, to catch a small plane from the Harrisburg Airport and then connect with the rest of the group at the Toronto airport to fly over to Munich, Germany.

The morning of December 9 dawned snowy and cold. The first thing we found out was that our 10:40 am flight to Toronto had been cancelled. The tour leader booked us on a 4:40 pm flight instead. This would make it really tight to make our connecting flight which flew out of Toronto at 7:45, but as long as everything went smoothly we would be able to make it. Of course things did not go smoothly. The flight was delayed and then delayed again. When we finally left Harrisburg it was 6:10 pm. We were losing hope that we would make it on time.

We landed in Toronto at 7:25. We had no idea where we were supposed to go but Steve took off ahead of us to try to find someone to help us. Bob, Julia and I and 80 year old Anna Blanche walked as fast as we could down a long endless corridor that seemed to go on forever.  We finally caught up to Steve who had asked an airport personnel for some help and he had pointed us to the desk where we had to declare if we were taking anything out of Canada to Munich.  The man behind the counter slowly looked over our documents as we waited impatiently. After a while he looked at the flight we were scheduled to go out on and commented calmly, "This flight is leaving in a few minutes." Duh! We assured him we knew that and asked where the gate was that we needed to board at. He told us to just follow a certain hallway. We began walking as fast as we could and although we thought we were going in the right direction there was always the feeling that we weren't. Several times Steve and Bob tried to stop a shuttle going the other direction to see if they could give us a lift but they always said they couldn't turn around! We felt lost in the huge airport and were desperately afraid we would miss the flight. Suddenly a man appeared ahead of us. I'm sure he had heard us talking and it was obvious that we were flustered and hurried. He asked where we were going and when we told him we needed to catch Flight # 745 to Munich, he said "I know where that is. Follow me." And follow him we did. He walked briskly and we matched his strides. For an 80-year-old, Anna Blanche was amazing. She kept up with the rest of us. The man brought us right to the gate where are tour director was anxiously waiting. All the passengers were boarded and our leader was pleading with the airline to wait for us.

We were so happy and relieved to have made it, that I am not even sure if we thanked our "angel" who guided us to our departure gate. I have no idea who he was, but he was not an airport employee. He was just dressed in casual attire and I believe he was carrying a briefcase. After entering the airplane and settling into our seat just as the door was closed behind us, I wondered if he was an angel sent to guide us.

We had a wonderful time with our tour group enjoying the European Christmas Markets. The Alps were truly magnificent and sometimes we could only gasp at the beauty of them.  God certainly made a beautiful earth for us to enjoy. I am also grateful that he takes care of us by sending "angels" to us when we so desperately need them.

Have a blessed Christmas. Enjoy this brief video of a band playing Christmas carols in the square of Oberammergau, Germany.

Happy Birthday Melissa!

Today is my daughter-in-law Melissa's birthday. Melissa and Shawn have been  married for almost eleven years and have just welcomed their first child, Awstin, into their family this summer. Over the years, I have come to deeply appreciate Melissa and here are just a few things that I love about her.

I love her laugh. Once she really starts laughing, it turns into a deep belly laugh and comes bubbling out of her and if she laughs hard enough, the tears will come gushing out of her eyes and she tries vainly to wipe them away with her hand as they just keep coming and she keeps on laughing. Just watching her laugh, makes me laugh.

I love her creativity. Melissa is so incredibly talented. She beautifully decorated their home that they bought and renovated. She chose colors that I would never have been brave enough to try, and put them together with other colors that I would have been afraid of and the result is spectacular. I love to walk into their house because it is so warm and inviting. Another way that she uses her creativity is through scrapbooking. I love looking through the colorful and creative pages that she puts together with pictures and journaling.

I love the way she treats animals. If you have been reading my blog, I have introduced you to her dog Indy. Indy adores her and she adores him. She also loves to show dairy cows at the local Lampeter Fair.

I love her work ethic. Melissa is a hard worker. She works for Quarryville Herd Health and I am not sure of everything she does for them, but I know she vaccinates and dehorns calves and does a lot of lab testing for them. She also milks cows for a local dairy farmer over the weekends and some evenings. I have noticed that she likes to be busy and she isn't afraid to get her hands dirty.

I love watching her interact with Awstin. Having a baby after 10 years of marriage was a major world upheaval for the two (3 if you count Indy) of them and Melissa has handled it amazingly well. She is a good mother and Awstin is absolutely thriving. Of course, Awstin is still really little, but I love watching the way she talks to him and seeing Awstin's response to her.

Most of all, I love that she loves Shawn. As a mother, we always want our children to be happy and what more could we wish and pray for then a spouse who loves them. I am incredibly thankful for their love and dedication to each other and to the Lord.

I am blessed to have Melissa Kay (Charles) Lehman as my daughter-in-law. Happy birthday!

It's That Time of the Year

Well, here we are at the busy time between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I usually never feel settled at this time of year for a number of reasons. Although I absolutely love Christmas music and beautiful lights and the significance of Jesus' birth, I always have the feeling that there is something that I need to do, and someplace that I need to go, and something that I need to buy, and that somehow I never quite do the whole Christmas season as well as everyone else does. I suppose it is just too much looking at what everyone else is doing, how beautifully they are decorating, and how many dozens of Christmas cookies that they made etc, that makes me feel inadequate and think that I don't do this time of the year justice, and that my poor family suffers because of it.

This Christmas season is either going to be even more stressful or else (as I hope) more relaxing then any other. On December 9, Steve and I, and his brother Bob and wife Julia, are taking a one week vacation to Germany and Austria. We are traveling with TourMagination on what is called their European Christmas Market tour. This will leave me with less time at home to deal with the pre-Christmas stuff. I am hoping this will be a positive in that there will be things happening while we are gone that we obviously can't attend so I won't feel so overwhelmed with rushing around to this and that. However, I am smart enough to realize that getting back a week before December 25 will put a lot of pressure on those few days before Christmas. I am trying to persuade Megan that putting up the Christmas tree and decorating might be something that her and Jeremy would enjoy doing while we are gone, but I'm not sure I have convinced her.

As I jet across the Atlantic Ocean and back again, I want to keep in mind how blessed I am and  I am going to try to keep this wonderful season of the year in perspective and enjoy it to the fullest and to remember that Jesus came to earth as a tiny baby for ME! Why should I stress out about little things that don't even matter?

In my last post I mentioned things that I am thankful for. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving and here are a few snapshots of our family time together.

Thanksgiving Eve

Jay and Steve chatting while Awstin grabs a quick nap

Checking out a You Tube video. Notice all the Black Friday ad papers on the table. The children love to look through them and discuss what they will buy although usually they never actually make it to the store.

These two have been really shy about getting their picture taken together,

but I persuaded them to pose for me.

We spent the Sunday after Thanksgiving with the Lehman Family at the Kauffman's. I am so blessed to have these people in my life!

Sofia and Alaina

l-r  Krista, Nancy, Gina holding Brycen, Anna holding Katrina

Jennifer and Brendon (Judy in background)

Tasha and Zach

Mom

Julia (she is taking a picture of me)

Joel

Dan and Bob

Cheryl, Mom, Marie (Mom's sister), Doris

Zach & Brycen 

l-r Andrew, Megan, Joel holding Brendon, Dad

It's the most wonderful time of the year! :)

Thanksgiving

Here's a Thanksgiving acrostic of what I am thankful for this season:

T - Trees that put on a spectacular display of beauty this fall before dropping their leaves.

H - Hardworking and loving husband.

A - All my children and grandchildren.

N - Nice, warm home.

K - Kind, thoughtful co-workers.

S - Salvation.

G - Godly heritage.

I - Incredible times of fun and laughter with family and friends.

V - Vacation that is coming up in 2 weeks!

I - Ill-fitting clothes (this means I lost weight!)

N - New Hope Community Life Ministry (where I work)

G - Grass that is not growing so doesn't need mowed.

Come, ye thankful people, come, raise the song of harvest home;
All is safely gathered in, ere the winter storms begin.
God our Maker doth provide for our wants to be supplied;
Come to God's own temple, come, raise the song of harvest home.

 

 

A Helping Hand

Years ago, when our children were small, a friend sent us a $500.00 check in the mail. We hadn't asked for it and he had no idea what a godsend it was. He just sent it with a note that said, "I figured you could probably use this." Ever since this, we have at times tried to do acts of kindness to others as well. Usually we have no idea whether what we give comes at "just the right time" or if it is just viewed as a special blessing that was given to them. We try to be sensitive to where there might be a need but we can't really know because people in our circles don't generally verbalize when they are hurting and could use some help.

Recently, I received a Facebook message from a woman asking me if I knew anywhere that she could receive help with food and clothing. *Cathy* was someone who had attended our church's community day and her daughter had come to our Kid's Club program a few times, but I hadn't heard from her in a little while. I knew that she was having a hard time finding a job and sensed that she was in desperate need of a helping hand.

I made a few phone calls and was able to connect her with a thrift store that gives out free underwear and socks as well as allowing those who qualify to pick out a few outfits from the store for each member of their family. I also called the food bank that operates in her area and after the manager of the food bank talked with me and with Cathy, she is now signed up to receive food twice a month from them. That very day a coworker told me about a local church that operates a "Kitchen Cupboard" out of their church basement for the community. Instead of providing groceries, they supply the things that one can't usually get on food stamps but that are necessities such as laundry and dish detergent, soap, trash bags, cleaning supplies, toothpaste, toilet paper, razors, deodorant, shampoo, etc.

I took Cathy to the thrift store and she received new underwear and socks and picked out several outfits and coats and shoes for her and the other members of her family. I also took her to the Kitchen Cupboard and she got those needed household items that she just couldn't afford to purchase. She will be able to return every six weeks for as long as she needs to. On Wednesday, the local Food Bank will deliver groceries to her door and that too will continue every other week until she can get back on her feet.

Most people would consider that I was the one giving the blessing and it is true that I did make the initial contacts so Cathy could receive some much needed help. However, by doing this act of kindness, I received a blessing as well. What amazed and  blessed me the most, was just realizing that there are people and organizations that do genuinely care for those who are hurting. It is because someone cares that families are going hungry that a Food Bank gets started. Someone cares that people can't buy basic necessities and that is how a "Kitchen Cupboard" becomes a reality. A thrift store wouldn't have to give out free underwear, socks and clothing, but because someone cares that there are people who can't afford to clothe their family, this service is offered. We hear so much about how everyone only looks out for themselves and how the whole welfare system is abused but I was touched by the ministries that were available to my friend when she desperately needed them. It made me appreciate how many people are working behind the scenes somewhere to lend a hand to those who are having a hard time.

Cathy was so grateful for the generosity that was bestowed on her. I hope and pray that someday she can be the one passing on a blessing to others. There are times in everyone's life when we could use a helping hand. We should not be ashamed to ask if we need help. I have found that usually both the giver and the reciprocate receive a blessing. Perhaps the greatest satisfaction came when I messaged Cathy and asked her if there was anything else specific that she needed at this time. She responded, "Thank you again for today. I think we have everything we need. Thanks!"

"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat...I needed clothes and you clothed me..." Matthew 25:35,36