Dollar Tree memory

 A few weeks ago, after my grandma had died but before we headed to Lynden for her service Merit and I had such an interesting experience at Dollar Tree. It was a day that I especially needed some signs from God and some acts of human kindness. 

 A man was buying $87 worth of frozen burritos and hot pockets! He had walked there and had six bags (at least) to carry home. He was very polite to the cashier and she asked him many questions about his purchase, also about his hip that seemed to be really bothering him. Without the cart he walked with a cane. She commented "you must have a big freezer!" 

He said no, he did not have a freezer and that he left his bedroom window open and stored his food just below it. He said he had a rented room. Granted it was probably 30 degrees then, not 5 like it has been lately. 

He said it was pretty much his source of food and nutrition and he ate four a day! 

She asked him about his hip, noticing he was trying not to place any weight on one side. He said it hurt so much worse in the cold and that he was still hoping to get surgery. 

I turned around two or three times to see the young man behind me in awe of this story and also to see Merit just wide eyed. 

The man left with his cane and bags of frozen burritos and hot pockets, walking very painfully. 

Merit and I got in the car. I suggested we pick the man up. He looked to be late twenties, looked harmless... just as Merit and I were discussing this, the young man that paid behind us ran out of the store and met the man on the sidewalk. I had tears in my eyes. He told him to wait, he would go get his car, and take he and his groceries home. 

The helpful man got in his beat up car ....He pulled into a nearby parking lot and helped the man get his hot pockets and burritos in the trunk. We drove there in our car wished them a Merry Christmas and gave them a little gift. 

Because I am nosey and concerned we learned where the young man with the hip injury lived. Merit brought him a little something last week. I hope we can continue to find ways to bless this man.

Makes me stop

If we have food in our fridge and food on our table, it is something truly to be thankful for. 

Citrus Fruits AND opportunities for giving here

 More feel good stories....

Because we ALL need a dose of positivity!

My nephew Lane was selling citrus fruits for a sports fundraiser. Sumas, along with other areas experienced severe flooding and flood damage not long ago. My sis Tasha asked if people would like to donate citrus fruits to be distributed to flood victims. 

They sold 95 boxes! 

PLUS there was $175 donated to Whatcom Strong!! 

People care!

 And people are generous, it is inspiring.

Here is another giving opportunity! 

New Hope here in town could use our help. New Hope is a domestic violence service here in Moses Lake providing help for people dealing with domestic abuse. 

They can use antiperspirant, toothpaste and toothbrushes, socks, underwear, shampoo, conditioner, washcloths... $20 or $30 can greatly help some of these people in Moses Lake, WA!

WINCO GRANDPA

 A few days after Christmas and I think a heaviness sort of looms. So I am going to take the next week to share blessing stories. Good for my heart and attitude...

WINCO GRANDPA

About 18 months ago, Merit, Willem, and I were in the Winco parking lot and we saw two women start to yell at an old man pulling slowly forward in an older Ford pick up with a canopy. 

"You hit her car!" "STOP!" "You hit my daughter's car!" 

The old man rolled down the passenger window. We could not see his face but quickly realized some confusion had set in. The women's car was only a few down from ours so we sort of waited and watched the strange scenario pan out. 

"There's a mark!" yelled an irrational woman.

She was the mother of the other. 

The man got out and was either a fabulous actor or had no idea he had barely scratched the car and may be had NOT scratched the car. 

They asked for his insurance card. He fumbled through his glove box. We did not get closer than 8 or 10 feet but could not see a mark. 

Say he did hit it, or scrape his door against it....their approach was rude. I have a lot of kind people in my life and a few who go with the "rude approach style" - I suppose  we all do. 

Well, that ruined his day. 

I had just purchased a WINCO gift card... I was not sure for who...

We followed him home. 

We affectionately nick named him "Winco Grandpa".

He lived simply - a mile or so from Winco. Merit and Willem left the gift card on his front porch,

Fast forward many months. We had some extra boxes of Krispy Kreme donuts (a fundraiser Willem did two days after Thanksgiving) I can't remember which boy said "You know where we are taking one of these boxes... to Winco grandpa!"

And we did. 

These boys do things like this on the regular and being in their court, a huge blessing. 

Life mid December

As I do house work, teach, walk through stores, wrap gifts, cook...My thoughts repeatedly take me to my grandma.

I have actually been overwhelmed by this. At moments very sad, at moments also comforted. 

Watching basketball is a good distraction. 

And I do love the game. 

Pictures from last night..,

 

I took this picture last weekend at Stan and Adie's. 

Shelli is a fun "pet" the kids are always wondering about her adventures. 

Oren asked me last week if I could take him to a store so he could buy a Christmas gift for Hazel. He wanted to spend his OWN money - the consideration and thought he put into it was so special. 

Hazel and Oren are so easy to shop for! The big boys are much less easy to shop for.  - But they are always appreciative. 

Wednesday

Merit has finals this week then he is out for Christmas break.

Oren has a wonderful amount of Christmas spirit and such a giving heart. The things he is saying, his writing, the pictures he is drawing... it is all very fun.

Subbing is keeping me distracted, in a positive way. I have felt so much concern for Tasha and just am thinking of my grandma day and night. 

I have been sharing my week with fantastic kids.

4th grade Monday afternoon

Kinder yesterday

5th grade today

5th grade tomorrow

I am so behind on life at home.

I am not behind on life at school.

The Book Fair is this week. Excited children with money burning a hole in their pockets. 

I can teach all day and some how although it is tiring it is rejuvenating too. Yet carrying on a ten minute conversation exhausts me. Teaching allows me to stay "plugged in" but with more of a purpose maybe - 

Basketball last night was entertaining and fun.

Wild Will!

KYSON was quite possibly MVP last night. The varsity guys looked great. 

SYD!

 

Grandma Alma

Grandma Alma and Oren

So so grateful for the memories

Grandma Alma

Grandma, Brielle, and Hazel

Matt and Grandma on Matt's wedding day!

The void feels really big. 

Her kindness impacted us so so much! 
 

Grandma Alma

My heart is breaking as we grieve the loss of grandma Alma. I can’t believe it. I was looking so forward to this Christmas with her. I have spent 44 of my 45 Christmases with Grandma Alma. She was such a gem!!!

My sisters have both had a tough year. Grandma has been a prayer warrior! A rock for them. 

Christmas of 2018 Jill and Jeff surprised Grandma!!

They drove up from Texas! It was such a great Christmas.

 Prayers for this sweet sis appreciated! Her white blood cell count is really low. 

With an upcoming funeral and time with family, things get tricky - the experts advise her to stay in her bubble🙏🙏🙏🙏❤️ Easier said than done. We will cover her in prayer. 

I am not sure how or where we go from here.

Day by day I suppose. 

Sunday morning

 Oh how I love him. This silly, fun boy! 

art, play, cold days,

Play

 

School art project at home....

I love seeing their minds at work...

Connie the Cat

It's fun to find the goodness in 

cold days,

warm friendships,

good reads,

silly cats (Connie) 

art

and play

Duck Tales

I threw out some salami and they were all over it! 

oh these ducks make me smile

Pond life was great! Creek life may be just as good.

 They are almost always together and many times others join them! 

Sunday update

Nellie girl! 

Best dog! 

She did a good job hunting in North Dakota with Vance. 

I love selling stuff here. 

Reunited and it feels so good! 

Our pond is an irrigation pond - we ran dry last week.

Willem - master fisherman over here - saved all but two fish!! 

Our two ducks have LOVED pond life since April. And we have enjoyed visiting them down there. 

Our mallard quickly found her way to the creek (she is a flyer) once the pond was dry. 

Our white peking was lonesome. Crying and hollering. Until two days later she made it down to the creek!! 

What a sight it was when I found the two of them together! 

And now each day a few times, I step out onto our deck and see these two friends, down on the creek together!

We did this after work/school Friday! 

Shopping at the Favored Farmhouse

Our loft has really taken shape and I had fun doing some picture collages to hang above the laundry counter. 

 

Happy Monday

 

5 thanksgivings on this glorious morning! 

1) Children's books! 

My world and many children's worlds have been opened up because of them! Adults too

2) Natasha's RECOVERY!!

3) God's clarity when I remain prayerful!

4) New Recipes!

5) The 2 1/2 day sale I did with friends was a huge success!

Merit had a change in pigment on his torso when he came back two weeks ago. Seemed odd, not too concerning. Saturday he showed me again and it had gotten increasingly worse. I felt pretty worried when I saw it. We have had a hard time finding light heartedness here and I realize we are sometimes guilty of doing more trudging through the day than enjoying. 

Because I have not been light hearted I think I worried more about Merit's skin than I otherwise would have. 

He went to the doc yesterday and it is nothing serious. A fungal thing and he went back to Walla Walla with a prescription. YAY!

The sale I did with Linda and gang drew so many cool people! Friendly people and we sold so so much. It was good company and a good event! 

We also went to Piper Barn this weekend! Oh that barn is amazing!

We had some chicken wrangling happening here yesterday that I will have to touch on next time around! 

Holiday Show

This sale is so fun! 

When a few friends join forces for a holiday sale - great things happen! And great conversation happens! 

The sunrise this morning as I took Hazel and Willem to school! So glorious!! 

 

Happy Friday

 Best of friends!

They miss pond living - but they are still happy

Time is FLEETING!

One of my favorite things: conversation with the kids on the way to school! They are the best. 

Second Grade!

 I LOVE second graders. 

I love their learning. I love their sharing. I love who they are. I love having a second grader in our home!! For a son!!

I was not the best teacher I could be today. I want to have fun while learning and sometimes, I have to put my strict cap on. It came on a minute too late. lol

Leaving the home distracted, I was not the best I can be. BUT there is always tomorrow!

God's mercies are new EVERY MORNING. 

Hymns

 

Hymns are my peace

When peace like a river attendeth my way

When sorrows like see billows roll

Whatever my lot though hast taught me to say 

It is well, it is well with my soul

I surrender all, All to Jesus I surrender I surrender all