Thankful Thursday

The top picture is of me, my oldest daughter Lisa, and her daughter Bailey. We took this shortly after they picked John and I up from the airport on Monday, when we returned from our Arizona trip. I loved their bright colors they were wearing that day so I asked John to take their picture...and grandma decided I should get in the picture too.

I am so thankful that they live close to us and we can always count on them to help out when we are out of town. They check on our house...especially if we are expecting a package while we are gone. (I don't want packages to be sitting on the porch while we are out of town.) It makes us feel better to know that they are here in town to check on things and in case it storms they can get in to see if our sump pump is working. Our son-in-law Brad is always willing to help us...and he is a blessing. Lisa is always glad to drop us at the airport and pick us up...and I can always call on her when I need help. They are a busy family, but they always take time for us.

Bailey is soon to be 18 and she mows our yard for us. She mowed once while we were gone and a couple of days after we returned. Grandpa pays her and he is glad to not have to work so hard. He does go out and weed whack while she mows sometimes, but in the hot summer months it is too much for him to do it all. Bailey does a great job! She enjoys being outside, and likes to get some exercise...as well as pick up some extra spending money! (:>)

Today is Thankful Thursday so I thought I would say that I am thankful for the Beets family who are great blessings to our lives. Thanks Brad, Lisa and Bailey!

Our Friend Max Poem

We recently got back from Arizona where we went to a memorial service for our friend Max. Several people have requested that I post the poem that I wrote and read at his service. So here it is. I hope it gives a glimpse of the amazing person our friend Max was. We loved him a lot!



Our Friend Max

Maximilian… Frederick… Steinbuchel… the third
Was a cheerful man with character…and a man who kept his word

He was often very mischievous… with a twinkle in those dark eyes
When he’d tell us all his stories…sometimes whimsy in disguise

Oh he’d try to pull your leg sometimes…but most of them were true
You see our Max was very wise…and he’d share his wisdom too

Teaching others was his game…in the school that we call life
He taught his daughters… sons-in-law,… Ethan…and his wife

He was always reading for enjoyment…took a book on every trip
One of his favorite pastimes…mostly fiction… sometimes quip

He kept current with the news… stocks, and real estate, and prime
He knew something about everything…even how to stretch a dime

He was oh so very generous…and his heart we all could see
Especially with Ethan…when he’d make him squeal with glee

Yes ole’ Poppy loved his grandson from the day that he was born
And he was proud of both his daughters…to his girls his love was sworn

To his friends he pledged his loyalty…always helping where he could
The Max that we all knew and loved… was sometimes ornery…sometimes good

He did his job with dedication…working hard to do it right
Often burning both ends of the candle… and burning oil into the night

He could run with the… great…big .. dogs… and play so hard at life
And playful banter… I remember… with the girl he made his wife

Oh he loved to tease with most of us…that’s the way he showed he cared
He’d inquire about our families and listen while we shared

He had such a spirit of adventure… just like a little kid
We loved to join him on vacations…and had a ball each time we did

We could sit and watch a movie, pass the popcorn in the bowl
Or eat out in a nice restaurant and let the conversation roll

Max and Toni they loved game time… usually Max got stuck with me
John and Toni played as partners… and won the games too easily!
“Sorry Max” I’d always canter…but he didn’t really care
He would smile…his eyes would twinkle… as he sat there in his chair

This man was strong… and he endured much… especially this past year
But his faith in God didn’t falter… and hope replaced the fear

I keep seeing him in heaven as he walks and jumps with glee
No more canes for Maximilian…no more pain with bended knee

Yes, he’s hanging out with angels…spending time with Jesus too
Taking in the awesome beauty…and waiting there for me and you

How do you say... “I love you”… when our Max has gone ahead
By remembering him fondly…all he said… and all he did

By standing by his family…loving them…and being there
Honor Max …and love his Toni… keep his family in your prayers

By Linda Hogeland
September 2010


After the service we went to a reception in his honor, and when we were leaving this is what the sky looked like. I had to snap a couple of pictures to remember how beautiful and peaceful it felt!






I am joining in on Wednesday's Walk today. If you would like to add a memory with us just click on the button and Jenilee will tell ya how to join in.

I Went To A Miche Bag Party!

Our sweet friend Jami has moved back to town!!! Yay!!! And we got to see her at her new house, because she was hosting a Miche Bag Party. WELCOME BACK JAMI!

Last night I met up with my daughter Lynnette and my granddaughter Abigail and we went to a fun Miche Bag Party! Have you ever seen them? They are so cool! You purchase the base bag part and then you purchase the shells that go on the outside, and this makes it possible for you to change purses in like... 30 seconds!...without taking every little item out of your purse! Maybe you carry a neutral bag most of the time but on occasion you feel like jazzing it up a bit...well they have an array of bold and beautiful...funky and fun styles, along with solid color ones...and they even have jewelry accessories to add to the bags to add a little bling. I love purses, so this was right up my alley (as "they" say)!!!!

I liked so many of the purses that I decided to have a party...and that's a good way to get more of what you want at discounted prizes...sooo, I can't wait!

Jami is so much fun! I know several of my followers remember her from when she was blogging. I am thrilled to have her living close by again. (Jami is the gal in the brown top holding the red bag in the bottom picture. She is standing next to my daughter Lynnette Dancing Barefoot On Weathered Ground


Why not click on Jami's site and check out her fun purses.


Jami's Miche Bags

Six Word Saturday: Friendship Is A Gift From God!

Friendship is a gift from God! These are my six words today.
We are so very thankful for our 30 year friendship with Max... who went to be with Jesus recently. We will miss his dark twinkling eyes, and his wonderful smile and great sense of humor. He had a zest for life!

We enjoyed vacationing with he and his wife Toni and have done a lot of fun things together over the years. And we also love his daughters Julie and Kerri and their husbands Jason and Bob...and his little grandson Ethan! They feel like part of our family.

These kinds of friendships seem few-and-far between, and we will always treasure the years we enjoyed with Max and his family. We will continue to be a part of his family's lives and we will meet up with him in heaven before too long.

Friendship is indeed a gift from God and we are thankful. We love you Max!

Proverbs 18:23b "...a real friend sticks closer than a brother" NLT

My Oldest Grandson Turned 20 Today

Twenty years ago today I became a grandma for the first time. I was blessed with a little grandson named Jared Kyle...and I was on cloud nine! I had three daughters but no sons, so I was so excited to discover what it was like to have a baby boy around.

I was such a crazy grandma....crazy in love that is! I wanted to be with that baby ALL the time. It was so much fun to experience all of the "firsts" in his life. First time I saw him smile, first time I saw him roll over, first time I saw that he could sit up, first time he could move around in his walker, first time he discovered he could crawl...and those first steps etc. It was all WONDERFUL!

I lived for the moment he could say "Grandma". Those were words that thrilled my very soul. Jared was such a good baby. He was a joy to babysit, and I enjoyed each time I got to be with him.

As he turned into a toddler and then a little boy, the fun just got bigger too. I loved playing with him...and watching him explore life. He could memorize scripture and do little actions as he recited. He would copy the dancing that Dick Van Dyke did in Mary Poppins...and he would always be role playing like he was Hook or Peter Pan, or one of the characters in Muppet Treasure Island.

He always enjoyed music, and for his 7th birthday I bought him his first soundtrack...and soon he started collecting scores and soundtracks, and now he has too many to count.

Jared plays the piano beautifully and has had many lessons and recitals and performances over the years. Now he is the teacher and he enjoys helping children learn to enjoy piano.

Jared is also a composer...and it is his passion. He would love to compose movie scores. He has met Brian Tyler and has had contact with other composers and some of them have critiqued his work. He is very good....and I believe he will realize his dream someday soon. He has many completed projects under his belt already, and is building quite a resume.(Click on his name and enter his site to see what he does and sample his work.)

One of the best things about my grandson is his great love for the Lord. He accepted Christ at a very young age, and he has followed him faithfully, and grown so close to his Savior. He has a heart for others and a burden to see people come to the Lord. And he loves people just as they are... and does not judge people. He knows that God sees the heart and does not look on the outward appearance.

Jared has gone through great trials for a young man. He has lost two baby brothers and also his 6 year old sister. He and his family have moved from the depths of pain and sorry, to peace, and great joy, through their constant faith in God.

I know I sound like I am bragging...but I am just feeling so blessed to have this fine young man for a grandson. It is exciting to see how God is working in his life and how he is following God's lead. He has a special lady in his life, and she is musically gifted too. I can't wait to see how they will make beautiful music together...and how they will serve the Lord with the talents and gifts that God has given them.

I am praying for God's direction, and of course for His blessing in Jared's life.

So Happy 20th Birthday Jared Kyle! I love you so much!

Five Question Friday

Rules for Five Question Friday: Same as always!! Copy and paste the following questions to your blog post, answer them, then c'mon back and link up (on Friday!). If you don't have a blog, but wanna play along with the coolest blog hop in town, feel free to leave your answers in the comments below!

Questions for Friday, September 10th: (Special thanks to Minivan Mommy, Chrissy, Lily, Lil' Momma, and [inspiration] from Sandy for their question suggestions! If YOU would like to be linked in a future 5QF, c'mon over to my community and offer up your best question suggestions!)

1. Do you feel guilty spending money on yourself?

2. How well do you know your neighbors?

3. What age are you looking forward to being?

4. Do you get excited when the mail comes? Why?

5. What is your earliest childhood memory?

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1. Do you feel guilty spending money on yourself?

Not as much as when my three girls were living at home. I always tried to put their needs first...and didn't like to spend money on myself. But now with just the two of us we both do a pretty good job of buying what we want and need...and not feeling guilty!

2. How well do you know your neighbors?

We live in a new housing area and there is no house to the south of us...but I have to confess we only know a couple of neighbors and not very well. I think all of them work...and we hardly ever see anyone outside these days.

3. What age are you looking forward to being?

I just turned 60...so I can say that I am just looking forward to having each and every birthday from this point on....because if I don't that means I have passed on! ha!

4. Do you get excited when the mail comes? Why?

I still look forward to seeing what's in the mail. And I always love to get a card or letter from a friend or family member.

5. What is your earliest childhood memory?

I have memories of my crib...and being in it! But that's only because they used to call them 5 yr. cribs....and you continued to use it as a bed when you just left the side rails down. Ha! I think I slept in that until I was about 3 and then my brother was born and he was in it after he left the bassinet. It was a white wrought iron crib.

And another memory is at age 4...going to the Pomona fair in Southern California, with my mom and her friend Doris Day. (Not the actress) We drove through some hills to get there and we stopped at a quaint little cafe and had pie and chocolate milk, and then went on to the fair. It was a fun day for me.

And when I was 5 I was chosen to be the "Nap Fairy". When the teacher gently tapped me with the the silver star wand and let me be the one who went around tapping everyone else one by one who was resting well, so they could get up from their nap.

So those are some memories from when I was 3,4,and 5. Can't wait to read yours!



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Today is Six Words Saturday...and my six words are:

Remember 911 And Pray For America

My Hope Is In The Lord

My Hope Is In The Lord

My hope is in the Lord...who made the heavens and the earth
I'm going to hold on to Him for everything I'm worth

Sometimes the trials are just too much...or that's the way it seems
I cry out to the Lord above...with all my wails and screams

He hears me, and He comforts me...and soothes my crazy fears
He whispers, and embraces me...and even dries my tears

Do I deserve His kindness?...NO...yet His grace He freely gives
Encouragement, and hope, and peace...because my Savior lives!

He lives because He conquered death...the victory is won
Yet sometimes I feel defeated...and my life feels so undone

His hand is stretched out toward me...bidding me to hold it tight
And He tells me just to follow Him... as we face the darkest night

He doesn't force me...it's a choice... that only I can make
Sometimes I choose my own way....boy is that a HUGE mistake!

When I try to do things my way... I always slip and slide
When will I learn?...surrender means...to swallow stubborn pride!

He gives me faith to trust Him...He provides all that I need
Why do I often struggle...when I hear my Savior plead

He asks me just to...trust Him... and to lift my hope on high
So today I'm going to hear Him...and to his plead... reply

My hope is in the Lord...there...I said it right out loud
Do you also need to call on Him?...Or are you just too proud?

Oh I feel so much better now...that my hope...in Him I place
I feel free... and so much lighter, since I traded fear for grace

My hope is in the Lord...say it...try it...trust in Him
Nothing at all to lose my friend...and everything to win!!!!!

By Linda Hogeland

Receiving... and Passing on the Sunshine Award ...To Kristin!

My friend Yvonne, said some nice things about my blog and gave me a Sunshine blogger award...and I feel so honored. (Thank You sweet friend!) I am glad that she feels encouraged and uplifted when she visits here.

I enjoy her blog and so many others that I read on a regular basis. She said to pick at least one blog that I enjoy and pass the award along. Well I immediately knew who I would pass it to...My sweet friend, and adopted blog daughter Kristin, who blogs every week about what she learned at church. It is always encouraging, most of the time challenging, and always God honoring! So you might want to visit her blog and hopefully catch one of her weekly sermon updates. I'm sure you will be blessed. If you don't know her tell her you are visiting from Linda's blog.

Life is hard sometimes and we all need encouragement don't we? Last week our Auntie Amy passed away, and also our special friend Max who we have known for over 30 years. Our hearts are hurting and we are so sad for their families. But we have the assurance that both of them are with our Lord and they are now experiencing the splendors of heaven!

Just imagine the most beautiful things here on earth that the Lord created...they are so wonderful and we all enjoy seeing the ocean, the mountains, the trees and the flowers...the sunrise, the sunsets, waterfalls, and the beauty of the 4 seasons. Now just try to imagine the wonders of heaven being even more glorious! It will be so much better than anything we can imagine I'm sure. And the best thing is the Lord God is there!!!! With all of the Christian loved ones that have gone there before us. THIS BRINGS ME GREAT PEACE!