Jun. 8, 2007
Show and Tell
I have promised Mary an Emotional Show and Tell over the last few weeks. I love reading all the "Grandmother" Show and Tells. I so want to be that kind of a Bubbe to my sweet grandchildren. I have seven, live by six of them. The seventh I have only seen once. Oh how I long to know her and have her know me. I have Grandmother Memory books that I am not great at filling in, but I do try. I try because we gave one to my Beloved's grandmother and upon her death it was returned to him, EMPTY! I will never forget the wonder as he held it and the heartbreak as he opened it. Mine will not be empty.
What I love to write in and share with my Grandchildren is my Joshua Basket. It sits prominently on my bookcase so that any little hand can reach it and bring it to me so I can tell the story of the rock.
I write the story of each rock in this journal so they can recall all the wonders God has done in our lives. The Rocks are numbered with a Sharpie and chosen with great care. The size the shape and the experience all come into play when chosing the proper stone.
Most of the rocks are highly polished, some are rocks handed to me by a grandchild as we walk along a path. The one for Hurricane Andrew has a white swirl in the center of a very black rock. Rocks that mark the birth of a child are chosen with great care, taking even their names into consideration. We have rocks that mark when hearts are given to the Lord, rocks for Ordinations. We have rocks for my son while he was in the Air Force , rocks for Marriages and rocks for new Homes. We have loss rocks as well, dark rocks for broken hearts of miscarriages because every milestone needs a stone. Life isn't perfect and neither are all the stones.
A Joshua Stone Basket comes form Chapter 4 of Joshua. Well, the stones do, the basket is just convinient! Joshua 4:6-7 says We will use these stones to build a memorial. In the future, your children will ask, 'What do these stones mean to you?' Then you can tell them, 'They remind us that the Jordan River stopped flowing when the Ark of the LORD's covenant went across.' These stones will stand as a permanent memorial among the people of Israel."
Joshua 4:21-24 says Then Joshua said to the Israelites, "In the future, your children will ask, 'What do these stones mean?' Then you can tell them, 'This is where the Israelites crossed the Jordan on dry ground.' For the LORD your God dried up the river right before your eyes, and he kept it dry until you were all across, just as he did at the Red Sea when he dried it up until we had all crossed over. He did this so that all the nations of the earth might know the power of the LORD, and that you might fear the LORD your God forever."
It is important that our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren know that the Hand of God moves in our life and in their lives. This was a tangible way for the Israelites to do this. The rocks still stand. Altar stones became the mile markers on our present day highways. Remember where you are, what God has done and tell your children so they do not get lost. This is a Tangible way for me to do this. Stone by stone, blessing by blessing, Miracle by Miracle, Jesus is Lord.
Comments
Jun. 8, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Canadagirl
You are such a blessing Bobbie !
You are such a inspiration to me waaay beyond you will ever know. You know how it mentions in the Bible for the older women to teach the younger women.( not saying you are that much older (0;) You are that for me. I want to learn to do things like this for my boys and future grandchildren. I want to create hooks to hook memories to and connections to the Lord on. This is one way for SURE.
I have said it once and I will say it again. I love you my friend and you are so dear to me. Even though we have never met face to face. ((hug))
God Bless my SSiC
In Him<><
-Mary
Permanent Link
Jun. 8, 2007 - diamonds
Posted by Anonymous
Hi Bobbie,
What a wonderful idea! There have been so many times when I WISHED I had kept a record of some great act of God in the life of my family... he has provided for us miraculously at times. My memory is so short :o( I may have to make the effort to implement the Joshua Basket. Heaven knows we have enough rocks around here, lol!
Thank you for sharing!
Sally
Permanent Link
Jun. 8, 2007 - Nice
Posted by Kinley
Those are precious memories that you're building.
Kristy
Permanent Link
Jun. 8, 2007 - That rocks!
Posted by jenn4him
Oh that is just awesome! What a neat idea. When did you start this? Do the kids like to ask about the rocks and then have you tell about them?
Jenn
Permanent Link
Jun. 8, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Tiany
OK you win the prize!!! You just about had me fall off my chair with this post, what an amazing idea, really truly awesome!!! I want to do a black flip and run out to find rocks!!! What a sweet sweet way to share these times, truths and stories with your grandchildren. I have that book that you gave your Dh's Grandmother but mine is for mothers to fill, so I fill it out little by little with all of my growing up days stories. Bobbie thank you so much for sharing this, I am going to link to this post if thats ok. This idea is so special I would love for others to see it too.
Permanent Link
Jun. 8, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by MiryClay
I came over to say thanks Mom! LOL. I do disengage the blades before leaping from the mower. ;o)
I love this post. I've read that verse in Joshua many times, but never would have been clever enough to think up a Joshua basket. I'm going to start one now. My kids are still farely young. (13 & 15) Thanks for sharing this with us.
Blessings,
Lori
Permanent Link
Jun. 8, 2007 - Awesome Idea!
Posted by stearnsstephanie
I thought it was great. I showed it to my husband, and he thought it was wonderful too.
Permanent Link
Jun. 8, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by sahmto4orMore
I haven't kept up my Joshua basket. I am ashamed of myself. I must go dig out that journal and get back into making those memories. My children really adored it when we did it in the past.
Yours is so pretty and prominent. I never did find a basket i really liked for mine, maybe that's why it went by the wayside.
Permanent Link
Jun. 8, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by ThreeLittleLadies
Bobbie,
Thanks for sharing this wonderful idea. I'm not sure I could pull it off, but I might try. Your table is so nice and attractive too.
Blessings to you.
Carol
Permanent Link
Jun. 9, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Keri
That is absolutely beautiful!
What a great way to remember and share events.
Permanent Link
Jun. 9, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by sharity
I LOVE that! Thanks so much for sharing!
Blessings!
Sharity
Permanent Link
Jun. 10, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by mycrazylife
Bobbie,
What a beautiful way to remember the events in your lives! I am so impressed with this idea! Thank you for sharing it!
Blessings,
Hallie
Permanent Link
Jun. 11, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Tracy
What a beautiful way to build memories, just precious.
Tracy
Permanent Link
Oct. 15, 2007 - I LOVE THIS!
Posted by OldPathsMom
DiamondsintheRough pointed me this way. What a wonderful idea! I hope you won't mind if I link to this post of yours. Others should know about this as well!
Permanent Link
