Delaware Grammy

(This is for www.xanga.com/forthemastersuse)

Do you give refills?????

That has to be the best fruitcake that I have ever tasted!

Thanks for thinking of us!

(But I haven’t been sharing it with Visitors of the Village!)

Also, thanks to all of you for all your prayers and good wishes.  I am feeling pretty good this morning. That good night’s rest really did me alot of good!  And Nettie is sleeping in this morning, but she had a pretty good night.

(I will bless the Lord at all times . . . “)

T’was a good Sunday, indeed.

But then I came home last night, happy and contented with such a good day.   And Nettie took it upon herself to throw up and be miserable, indeed.  So that necessitated a trip to Wal-mart for gingerale and Mylanta — which is what her Standing Medical Orders says is all she can have for upset stomach.  I had thought that I would sit in my La-Z-Boy with my feet up for a spell, but it wasn’t to be.

So, I got the offering processed from the weekend, and ready for the bank.  Kept checking on the Nettie girl, and sorted some laundry.  (Not exactly Sunday activities, but —)  And finally went to bed considerbly after midnight.

And then this morning, my Sweet Mama had an appointment in Lewes at the eye doctor at 8:45.  I had pretty much promised her that I would take her.  She needed her pupils dilated, and she hasn’t been sleeping very well.  I didn’t trust her to get there and back safely.  The question of scheduling was becoming critical.  Middle Sister has been involved in a great saga of hospitals and doctors and her Middle Daughter who has been getting progressively worse with no diagnosis and no hope or help in sight, so I knew that I couldn’t ask her to take Mama.  So I called Youngest Sister, and she graciously agreed to take our Sweet Mama to the doctor.  This took care of one immediate, pressing concern.

Mondays are always wash day.  And it is also the day that Nettie has to have blood work to keep track of her one medication.  But this morning, she was really not doing too well.  In addition to her stomach virus, the season seems to be producing some depression.  And by the time I got Cecila on the bus, Youngest Daughter was complaining that her throat was really, really sore.  And she was really, really tired.  And did she mention that her throat was really, really sore?  And that she was really, really tired?  And that if she went to school, she could probably not make it.  But if she didn’t go for at least two hours, she couldn’t go to basketball practice.  But her throat really, really hurt.  And she was really, really tired.

And then Nettie messed her pants and got it all over the floor, and all over the toilet, and all over herself.  And it took the grace of God to gently reassure her and clean everything up.

Thirty tries to Youngest Daughter’s doctor finally got an answer and an appointment for 1:00 in Seaford.  Five tries to Nettie’s doctor got an answer and an appointment for 11:00 in Millsboro.  It was now 9:30.  And there was still bloodwork to get done in Milford.  And Youngest Daughter wanted to go to school for two hours.  So, it was off to Lab Corp with Nettie.  Who was walking slow.  Talking slow.  Feeling awful.  (But if she didn’t get the blood work done, her phychotropic meds could not be filled, and then we’d have more trouble on our hands!)  This is the first time we have ever gone to LabCorp and there was no one in the waiting room.  (“If it had not been that the LORD was on our side . . .”)  They took her straight in, drew her blood, and then I stopped by home and picked up Youngest Daughter, and we went to Greenwood to school by 10:15.  After that, Nettie and I headed for Millsboro and her 11:00 appointment.  We pulled into the parking lot with maybe five minutes to spare, but when Nettie went to get out of the van, she began to wail.  She stood on the black top outside our white mini van and hugged her middle.

“I have to go to the bathroom.  I can’t stop it.  I’m messing my pants!  What am I gonna’ do?  What am I gonna’ do?  Wa-h-h-h-h-h-h!  I can’t walk!”

“Nettie, just take it easy, girl.  Let’s get you inside to the bathroom.  We’ll get you cleaned up.  It will be okay.”  (“Dear Lord, what am I going to do.  I don’t carry extra clothes in the car for this sort of thing.  Help me to think of something, please!”)

“I’m all wet!  I messed my pants.  I can’t go in there.  What am I gonna’ do?  I feel bad!”

“Come on, sweetie.  We’ll get you cleaned up, and I will run to the drug store and get you some pull-ups.  It will be okay.  If I need to get you another pair of slacks, we’ll do that.  But let’s get you inside.”

So we trudged in, straight through a very crowded waiting room, (while a most distinctive air surrounded us) to the (thankfully) empty bathroom.  It was a sight, (and a horrible stench).  There were no rubber gloves.  There was no air freshener.  Nettie pulled her slacks carefully off, and they were in decent shape.  I washed out the undies in the sink, and scrubbed her down with antibacterial soap, and then scrubbed my hands thoroughly.  She pulled on her slacks without any undies, and I returned to the receptionist.  The stench followed me like a cloud.

“I’m sorry.  We’ve made quite a smell in there, and I need to run out and get her some pull-ups.  But I don’t really think you want her in this waiting room.  She’s been vomiting, and she has this uncontrollable diarrhea.  I know that she is contagious.  You can do what you want, but I would strongly advise that you put her somewhere in a room away from everyone else, and I will be back as soon as I can.”

Glory be!  They wanted to put her into a room by herself.  I fled to Happy Harry’s and procured rubber gloves, pull-ups, antibacterial spray, antibacterial hand cleaner, baby powder, and huge personal cleansing wipes.  I got back to the unbelievable scene of the Physician’s Assistant already examining her and giving her undivided attention.  (Something that rarely happens in that office, I might add.  The MD there has been known to spend over an hour with one patient, while people wait four hours for their turn.  It is inexcusable, but Nettie likes this MD, and this office KNOWS her, and SHE HAS HER RIGHTS so I don’t get anywhere when I want to switch doctors!!!)  I had a most pleasant and informative conversation with the PA while I got Nettie into clean underwear, powdered and disinfected and much more comfortable.

And yes, she does have vicious stomach virus.  We went to the drugstore and got what we needed and came on home and now I am trying to get something constructive done.  (This isn’t it!)

And Eldest Daughter took Youngest Daughter to her doctor appointment, and there isn’t any strep.  And he doesn’t think she has Mono.  He did order some blood work that we can get done tomorrow, and hopefully all will be well there, and maybe a good night’s rest will do her the most good.

But guess what!  My stomach really doesn’t feel very good.  I have been taking anti-nausea medicine this afternoon and trying to think wholesome thoughts, but I am really feeling queasy.  Maybe a good night’s rest will do me good, too.

And that is the lament of an untoward Monday

“I will bless the LORD at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul shall make her boast in the LORD;
The humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
O, Magnify the LORD with me,
And let us exalt His Name together.
I sought the LORD and He heard me,
And delivered me from all my fears.”

Psalm 34:1-4

We just received the following (I might add “most welcome”) message from Angela Maust,

The team has arrived safely. The following is an excerpt from a short email from Daryl & Karen: “We finally made it. That was a long trip, but we all handled it very well. There wasn’t anything to exciting about our trip down here, all our flights went ok and were more or less on schedule, so that was nice.”

Continue praying for the team as they adjust to the Nepali culture and head out on their first prayer trek! We praise Him for a safe travel and arrival!

. . . And Raph’s Daddy and Mama give grateful praise!

 

Eldest Son

 

Eledst Son reads the Christmas Story in our
family’s “Little Christmas” celebration.

This morning, my heart is torn in many directions.  Eldest Son left for Columbus, Ohio at 8:30.  On Tuesday, he flies to Nepal.    I have dealt with this whole thing pretty much “his way” — not talking about it, just not even thinking about it.  This morning, I can no longer just not think about it.  He is gone, and unless something happens that I really don’t want to have happen, we won’t see him again for six months. 

How thankful I am that Raph wants to serve God.
How thankful I am that God has chosen to use him in the Kingdom.
And How I pray that there will be people in Heaven someday
. . . Because He went to Nepal.

 

The Village is done!!!

This is the East end of “Daniel’sVillage”

(He actually has a sign that says that right down in front!)

This is the West End of “Daniel’s Village”

 

And this is a look at the middle section. 
(My flash in the window almost looks like a winter moon!)

We are delighted that it is finished once again.  He works so hard to get it done, but we all enjoy it so much.  If anyone wants to stop around to see it, feel free!

Have a Blessed Christmas Season!

Certain Man has started his Christmas Village!

It must be almost Christmas.

UPDATE:

Certain Man is making progress —

 Making a village is not all fun and games.

 

Sometimes it is just downright inconvenient!!!

 

And this is the telling of the secret —

       Yesterday afternoon, (Monday) I was so tired, I could have almost dropped.  And Certain Man came home for a late lunch with enough time to hook up the gas range that we recently purchased to serve as my second stove.  I still had 20 loaves of bread to go, and was thrilled with my good fortune.  But there were great struggles, and Eldest Son was home and he lent a helping hand, and finally almost everything was done.  It was around 2:30, and in the midst of looking for a power plug, that the phone rang.
       “Uh, Mom-”  It was Youngest Son.  We were eagerly looking forward to his arrival home on Tuesday.
       “Yes, Son!  How are you?”  (“It’s Lem!” I mouthed over the receiver to Certain Man.  He didn’t comment.  He was occupied.)
       “Uh, Mom, I have a problem.  I kinda left all my money back at the dorm, and I wasn’t going to tell you this (cause I wanted it to be a surprise), but  we got out early today, so we are on our way home, and I don’t have any cash so I was wondering if it would be okay if I put some food on the credit card.  Don’t say anything because I want to surprise everyone.  Especially Raph!   I wouldn’t have even told you, but I need to know about what I am supposed to do.”  (Actually, there were a few more things to iron out, so I quietly got into another room and finished the conversation, and hung up.  But how was I ever going to keep this information from Certain Man?)
       In the meantime, Certain Man had gotten his feathers ruffled over the lack of electrical equipment, and had proceeded to march about looking for an extension cord.  Until the situation got resolved, he had forgotten all about the phone call.  (Whew!  Got by that time!)  And Raph hadn’t even noticed that his bro had called.  No one else was home.
       But the news was electrifying to me.  It seemed like it was a dose of energy and optimism, and even though it seemed like I would never get done, there was at least a goal in mind.  Later in the evening, when it seemed like our offspringin’ needed some encouragement, I hinted that I knew a secret that they would like to know, but I wasn’t going to tell.  This was met with great wheedling and cajoling but for once, I wasn’t going to tell anybody in the house anything.  If they hadn’t heard by the time they left the house in the morning, I would tell them.
       Along about 10:00, the bread was baked and bagged, much of the laundry was finished, and we were just about to call it a day when Certain Man discovered that we were totally out of milk, and headed off to fetch some.  I took the opportunity to slip out and call Youngest Son.
       “Hey, Lem!”  I almost whispered.  “How long before you will get here?”
       “Not for a little while yet.  Why?”
       “Because Chris and Jess are here, and I would like to keep them here until you get here if I could.”
       “It won’t be for quite a while, yet, I don’t think.  I probably have another hour and a half.”
       “Well, Lem, can I tell the rest of the household what is going on?  I won’t tell Raph, (he is gone) but I would like to tell Dad and Chris and Jess and the girls.”
       “I guess I don’t care if you tell them, but DON”T TELL RAPH!”
       So I got to tell the homefolk around 10:15, and their responses were gratifying. 
       And then he got home around 11:30, locked his keys in the car, and had some bonding experiences with his dad over getting them out.  They were finally procured, everyone duly hugged and then Certain Man and I betook ourselves to bed.  We really wanted to be awake when Raph walked in, but we could not stay awake any longer.
       Along about 12:30, the driveway monitor went off, and the kids knew it was Raph.  Lem got behind the refrigerator and waited.  When Raph came into the kitchen, suddenly, right in front of his face was his younger brother!
       “DUDE!  YOU’RE HERE!  YOU SAID YOU WERENT COMING UNTIL TOMORROW NIGHT!” 
       “And then,” reported one of his sisters, “There were many exclamations, and huggings and slapping on the backs and accusations of ‘You LIED to me!’ but you could tell they were really glad to see each other.”
       How sweet it is to have our sons home again.  It won’t last long, but I am glad they could spend this many nights together before Raph leaves for six months.  We are preparing our hearts for separation day, but none of us really want to think about it.  Sometimes a good Secret can help us make it through.
       So now you know.  My secret was that Youngest Son was coming home to surprise us a full day early.

When you know a wonderful secret –

And nobody in your household knows but you–

(But when they find out, they will be overjoyed!)

It can help you bake 30 loaves of bread,

Do 12 loads of laundry,

Work at straightening up the house,

Take Nettie for blood work,

Do a smidgen of shopping,

Talk on the phone-

And some other things besides —

All on about 3 hours of sleep.

What’s my secret???

You’ll just have to wait and see – – –

 BTW, Eldest Daughter, you don’t know this secret either, so nobody get any ideas.

 

Church Cleaning, 2006

We scrubbed the benches – –

Dave and Daniel work at the stubborn black marks.

Robert uses elbow grease to get his benches clean.

Tammy and her helper scrub benches, too.

Kathy came along behind and polished

[deleted image]

So did Thisisloretta, but she tried to play “keep away from the camera!”

EDIT***  I’m really sorry for this unflattering picture, but I didn’t want anyone to think she wasn’t there.
She WAS!!!  She worked very hard!!!  She and her husband and grandson were the last to leave!!!
She really doesn’t usually look so glum!  (I love you, Loretta!)

(conscience-stricken, the owner of this xanga site folds under pressure and deletes the unflattering picture of her friend)

(I still love you, Loretta!)

Joel cleaned the lights.  No one tried to take his job.

Gokum swept and swept and swept.  And then she swept some more.

Emily was a big help, but she did need a break to play with her “balloon.”

You can’t see him very well, but this is Mr. Jones of the big black hat in the previous post.  He lugged the stepladder around and helped to clean windows.

We lugged buckets and cleaning supplies.  Loretta looks tired,

We re-arranged bulletin boards and took down the out of date stuff.
Mrs. Jones is quite capable organizer

Youngest Daughter drove to fulfill her drivers ed requirements from 7-9 AM this morning, then came and helped to clean.  These windows were only a fraction of her jobs.

Loretta B and Wesley are ready to go home.  It was hard work!

Is there such a thing as “Music to clean church by?”
Yes, indeed, and Caleb and Eldest Daughter found some.

The last thing to be done was to clean the outside lights. 

James and his son, our Beloved Son in Law, did the honors,
Assisted by Certain Man and Eldest Daughter

Almost Done!!!

 

12:30 pm, and it looks like everything is finished.
What a job!!!  But what a satisfied feeling.
And we didn’t need to do the basement, because it was already clean.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for wonderful help, willing hands, and a beautiful day.
Thank you for a clean church house once again. 
But may we be more concerned about clean hands and a pure heart.
And may your Holy name be exalted in our church, in our families, and in our lives.