May Garden

• Jun. 14, 2008 - Our Dear Friend

I have been missing my dear mentor in the Lord, Mrs. Beulah Lewis. She will be 93 this fall and has been serving the Lord for over sixty years. She established the first Christian bookstore in the city of Sylvania, Ohio . Her shop served most of Toledo in the earlier years as well. I had the privilege of living with her for several years after her late husband went to be with the Lord.

She has been a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church of Toledo, Ohio for nearly sixty years.

She was instrumental in my Christian growth and I will always love her deeply.

We now live an hour and a half away and simply don't go to Toledo but a few times a year.

I am hoping to visit her before our new baby arrives in the fall. I know I will not be traveling until the Spring.

Here are some pictures from our last visit. Beulah thought Sophia was Lina most of the time we were visiting as she'd never met Sophia until that day... Beulah was never truly elderly until she had a battle with cancer in her mouth at 89-90 yo. Unfortunately the surgery that successfully removed all cancer left her scarred.

Timmy was almost born upstairs where we lived as a young couple for one year. Both boys spent time with Beulah when they were infants.

I would like to write more about this amazing woman in the near future.

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• Aug. 12, 2007 - Visit with Grandma!!!!!!!

Posted in Extended Family

We were able to visit my dad's mom yesterday.

It was such a blessing!

She is getting older but seems to be doing great despite aging and having recovered from a stroke in the last couple of years.

We were able to introduce Sophia and Lina to her and she was able to see our boys, a little more grown up, as the last we'd been in each other's company they were something like two and a small infant!

We stayed twice as long as I expected to but it took time for everyone to warm up to each other. And Luke and Timmy were invited to swim in the pool so that made the visit extend into dinner and beyond.

It was good and I think everyone was satisfied by the time. And no appeared to be tired of us.

Another aunt lives right down the street from where grandma lives with an older aunt so we visited with them too. Three almost grown boys greeted us! and the fourth was away in his first longer term in the national guard.
They had counted that grandma now has 22 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren. And one great great grandchild on the way!

And although we didn't speak of it directly it was pretty clear that we were planning to allow more children in our lives! SO we will be adding to that great grandma count! So a grandma that had seven children is truly blessed with many to care for her and many to love.

Luke, Timmy, and Lina gave big hugs and proclaimed I love you grandma!! with out prompting as we were leaving!

This was especially touching because they really haven't had much contact with extended family to teach them to be loving, courteous, and kind but they were so.

I was very proud of them!

Sophia especially warmed up to one aunt. The mom of four big boys. She still has the touch.

This visit has gotten me thinking about family more....

I do pray that in our elderly years our children will care for us in their homes. I think it is done less and less but it is the ideal! And that was neat to see how this family welcomes that and does it out of love.

The older aunt has started out as one of seven siblings to be her mother's helper, raised four children of her own, is a wonderful grandma to her grand children, and now is being blessed with a great grandchild. She also is there for her siblings when they need support. And the main one that grandma will be living with from now on.
I like that! I think it is very admirable.

Recently Mike has gotten on the subject with Luke and Timmy about how he was adopted as an infant and they seem to understand the concept pretty well.

I took time to explain this week that I lost my dad when I was a preschooler. And that cars can be dangerous we should all be safe and avoid being reckless in a vehicle! Never get into a car when we are upset. But ultimately the Lord is the one who is in control and allows or protects us from danger.

Anyway, we've had some good discussions on family and think we will continue to. There are pictures I want to pull out and show them.

Unfortunately, I don't have my album of my dad anymore. I still pray I can get it someday!

We don't have contact with our living parents anymore for several good reason's but, we still care for them, and pray for them, and want good things for them.

Someday when the children are older we will probably reassess the situation and consider making contact with the family we don't see right now.

Sometimes we need to make HARD choices to protect young minds and hearts!

I am so thankful that we have been able to show we care for our extended family and let the children experience some great visits.

This spring we were encouraged by a visit from my mom's sister and her husband! It was great the kids just ate up the attention and had so much fun. We were showered with gifts and had walks, park fun... that included flying kites, laughing, playing catch, and a nice lunch together before they parted.

I saw Michalina really warm up to that aunt it was priceless!

The uncle was an old pro with the boys knowing the fun stuff they like! And really getting active with them.

It's always hard to say goodbye especially knowing we won't see each other for a long period of time.