In our church we have what we call “snow birds,” folks who leave for the warmer climates when the snow falls. These are mostly the grandparents of our congregation. Then we have the SBMI teachers like Val and Leroy who take their families with, and also some students from among our young people who leave us for a term or two. We miss these folks.
I think it was after teaching school that first year that I started a tradition. I would come home for the summer and spend an afternoon or morning with some of the church ladies. It was a good way to catch up and just be together. Now living up here I try to do this with the “snow birds.”
A few days ago I took my newly acquired sister-in-law Jen (well a year has gone by so fast!) and Wayne and went over to Norma’s for the afternoon. The guys came later then with the rest of the children at Norma’s invitation and we had supper.
I told Japheth last night, “There’s something special about going over to the “older” ladies homes. I think it’s the mothering thing. Sometimes I get a bit worn out with having company, being hostess or in charge of functions (I am on the food committee at church) and just being Mom. It feels so good to sit down and relax and let someone “mother” me by bringing me a cup of hot tea and chatting.”
I love hearing too the stories and advice of those who have gone down this road before. Maybe it’s just a God-given instinct for me to desire to be taught by the older women like in Titus two. I feel I have much to learn from them. I look up to them . . . especially now that I’m finding out all that is required of a wife, mother, homemaker, hostess, etc.
Titus 2:3-5 The older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanders, not given to much wine, teachers of good things – that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.”
Sunday, October 30, 2005
Saturday, October 29, 2005
God Loveth a Cheerful Giver
In reflecting back over these five years of being husband and wife, a part of the wedding song “The Battle Hymn of Love” keeps ringing in my ears. “I’ll forsake my rest for your happiness, till my death I will stand by you . . .”
I’ve been convicted lately of not forsaking my rest for my husband’s happiness. At times I grudgingly stay up with Japheth and am not a cheerful companion when my heart’s desire is to go to sleep or I put off getting out of bed to take care of my babies’ needs and let him fuss for awhile in hopes that my husband might get up this time or that the baby just might decide to sleep some more.
II Corinthians 9:7 “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver.
And this is what he says next. “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every
good work.”
I’ve been convicted lately of not forsaking my rest for my husband’s happiness. At times I grudgingly stay up with Japheth and am not a cheerful companion when my heart’s desire is to go to sleep or I put off getting out of bed to take care of my babies’ needs and let him fuss for awhile in hopes that my husband might get up this time or that the baby just might decide to sleep some more.
II Corinthians 9:7 “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver.
And this is what he says next. “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every
good work.”
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Days go by . . .
I thought I’d have more time this winter . . . . maybe it’s still coming. Sitting down a bit with the boys to work at learning to read for Japheth Jr. and learning the letter sounds with Jeremiah takes the little extra time that being inside the house gives.
I did have a major accomplishment a few days ago (the house looks like it!) I finished a dress for our anniversary date. This year we aren’t celebrating in a big way though it is the five year mark.
We’re having revival meetings with Keith Daniel the first few days of this week. Then the ladies of the Stauffer guys are getting together to sew. How much will I get done? . . . probably not a whole lot with keeping the children out or the way of everyone else.
Friday hits the five year mark. So a quiet dinner out just the two of us!
Saturday it is my turn again for cooking for the Stauffer Clan.
Last Saturday we had eighteen International students out here at our place. They were friends of our “girls,” mostly Malaysian. We deep fried a turkey, grilled some chicken and brats, had fried rice etc. The game “Swat” with that many you hardly know is quite a challenge, but at least you come away from it with a better grasp on their names. - Pray for them. Here’s a few of their names: Wah, Macko, Fanilla, Fei, Ven, Chen, Nicholas, Amanda, Kassib, Natasha, Christopher, Suchin, John, Huey, etc.
I did have a major accomplishment a few days ago (the house looks like it!) I finished a dress for our anniversary date. This year we aren’t celebrating in a big way though it is the five year mark.
We’re having revival meetings with Keith Daniel the first few days of this week. Then the ladies of the Stauffer guys are getting together to sew. How much will I get done? . . . probably not a whole lot with keeping the children out or the way of everyone else.
Friday hits the five year mark. So a quiet dinner out just the two of us!
Saturday it is my turn again for cooking for the Stauffer Clan.
Last Saturday we had eighteen International students out here at our place. They were friends of our “girls,” mostly Malaysian. We deep fried a turkey, grilled some chicken and brats, had fried rice etc. The game “Swat” with that many you hardly know is quite a challenge, but at least you come away from it with a better grasp on their names. - Pray for them. Here’s a few of their names: Wah, Macko, Fanilla, Fei, Ven, Chen, Nicholas, Amanda, Kassib, Natasha, Christopher, Suchin, John, Huey, etc.
Monday, October 17, 2005
My Story, Part 5
There really didn’t seem like too much preparation for our wedding as we didn’t have to make food and wonder if it would be enough, or line up waiters and waitresses and lay out the order of serving and such. Dad didn’t want the bother and work of making the food ourselves; He wanted it done at a restaurant. God knew I didn’t need the stress and strain of that on top of other things. Yes, truly God orders our steps. He knows the way we should take.
The decorations for the tables were simple, just little pink (or green) candle and a small dried flower arrangement that I had made up myself. The bridal table was small just for the two of us.
The bridal party consisted of my Mom, Matron of Honor and Sylvia, my bridesmaid. (I had formed quite a bond with her while staying at her home when I taught school in MI.)
Sometimes I almost regret not having my old schoolmates Krista and Cheryl in the party. There is something special about old friends from way back that go with you through life!
Japheth had his one and only brother, Jonathan as best man and his best friend Delmar Shelly as a groomsman.
Dad gave me away as the quartet sang, “For all that You’ve done I will thank You, for all that Your going to do . . . “
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
My Story, Part 4
After we were engaged I faced probably the hardest thing in my life. On one of our phone conversations Japheth asked me to go back and become a member again of the church I’d left earlier that spring. I cried for days.
No church is perfect . . . yet when is it right to leave a church? So I saw some inconsistencies, yet that didn’t make my response right. Submission to ones authorities is a vital thing. I had a long talk with my Dad. Finding out that he thought returning to the church would be the right thing to do, meant a lot to me. I hadn’t known he felt that way . . . In fact, to be honest, I felt that some of the attitudes I had developed, had grown from some of his responses to the authorities there. Yet that still did not make it right for me to feel that way and move on it. The church I attended while teaching school in Michigan was also struggling and about to split over similar issues. I had come to think the world of the family I stayed with, and felt their support in leaving my home church. In all this I struggled with what it meant to stand firm and be loyal. So now I was in a MESS.
I was not a member anywhere and that greatly concerned my husband-to-be, and the pastor (Japheth’s dad) of the church up in MN. Would I listen to my leadership there and do what was right? For a brief moment I considered what would happen if I did not go back, but stubbornly hold on to my decision leave there. I quickly told myself I cannot even consider that. God knew what it would take for me to listen and obey.
I look back now and marvel at God’s plan. Sometimes I think of how quickly we were engaged and wonder at the wisdom of it all. Yet, then I reflect that this was where God needed to bring me, for me to heed this request. If it wouldn’t have been for Japheth, I don’t know if I could’ve done it. He so wisely counseled me over the phone . . . it was the right thing to do, yet my heart could not go along. But in spite of that I did humble myself and ask to be taken back to as a member at McGaheysville Mennonite Church. It was an experience I never will forget.
I’ve regretted so often that I left in the first place. Can God make beauty out of ashes? I know He can. . . yet at times like this I tend to let the doubts assail my soul. What good can come out of this great failing? I especially remember feeling the eyes of the young people on me several years younger and down. Some of them I had taught in Sunday School. What kind of an example was I now?
I am so glad though, that I was obedient to follow the whole thing through. I have been blessed abundantly through it. When I go back to visit, there isn’t a wall up like there was. I can walk through those doors and feel welcome and clean.
There isn’t a better feeling in the world than being at peace with God and man, having all the turmoil and doubts taken care of. We’ll have all of eternity to rejoice that we made things right!
Like the Psalm 107:15-22 says “Oh, that men would praise the Lord for His goodness and for His wonderful works to the children of men. For He hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder. Fools, because of their transgression and because of their iniquities are afflicted. . . . Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble and He saveth them out of their distresses. He sent His Word and healed them and delivered them from their destructions. . . and declare His works with rejoicing.”
No church is perfect . . . yet when is it right to leave a church? So I saw some inconsistencies, yet that didn’t make my response right. Submission to ones authorities is a vital thing. I had a long talk with my Dad. Finding out that he thought returning to the church would be the right thing to do, meant a lot to me. I hadn’t known he felt that way . . . In fact, to be honest, I felt that some of the attitudes I had developed, had grown from some of his responses to the authorities there. Yet that still did not make it right for me to feel that way and move on it. The church I attended while teaching school in Michigan was also struggling and about to split over similar issues. I had come to think the world of the family I stayed with, and felt their support in leaving my home church. In all this I struggled with what it meant to stand firm and be loyal. So now I was in a MESS.
I was not a member anywhere and that greatly concerned my husband-to-be, and the pastor (Japheth’s dad) of the church up in MN. Would I listen to my leadership there and do what was right? For a brief moment I considered what would happen if I did not go back, but stubbornly hold on to my decision leave there. I quickly told myself I cannot even consider that. God knew what it would take for me to listen and obey.
I look back now and marvel at God’s plan. Sometimes I think of how quickly we were engaged and wonder at the wisdom of it all. Yet, then I reflect that this was where God needed to bring me, for me to heed this request. If it wouldn’t have been for Japheth, I don’t know if I could’ve done it. He so wisely counseled me over the phone . . . it was the right thing to do, yet my heart could not go along. But in spite of that I did humble myself and ask to be taken back to as a member at McGaheysville Mennonite Church. It was an experience I never will forget.
I’ve regretted so often that I left in the first place. Can God make beauty out of ashes? I know He can. . . yet at times like this I tend to let the doubts assail my soul. What good can come out of this great failing? I especially remember feeling the eyes of the young people on me several years younger and down. Some of them I had taught in Sunday School. What kind of an example was I now?
I am so glad though, that I was obedient to follow the whole thing through. I have been blessed abundantly through it. When I go back to visit, there isn’t a wall up like there was. I can walk through those doors and feel welcome and clean.
There isn’t a better feeling in the world than being at peace with God and man, having all the turmoil and doubts taken care of. We’ll have all of eternity to rejoice that we made things right!
Like the Psalm 107:15-22 says “Oh, that men would praise the Lord for His goodness and for His wonderful works to the children of men. For He hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder. Fools, because of their transgression and because of their iniquities are afflicted. . . . Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble and He saveth them out of their distresses. He sent His Word and healed them and delivered them from their destructions. . . and declare His works with rejoicing.”
Friday, October 07, 2005
Just Joking
You just might have too many children when you get a babysitter and still take one or two along to town.
You just might have too many children when your idea of a restful morning is Grandma keeping one boy and your husband taking the other on his town trip and you spend the time organizing your recipes while caring for the toddler and the baby.
That’s what’s been happening here lately. I must’ve used up too much energy. Several days now I’ve been trying to take it easy while waiting for my body to get back some zip. The house feels like a disaster . . . Last evening I would clean up one area, having the boys helping me only to find Loraine in the next room, making a big mess. So we start on that one forgetting to make sure that little girl was still out of trouble. Oh, no, I give up!! To Japheth, “I’m going over to your folks to deliver a phone message (since their phone was tied up) and hopefully I will stay away long enough for you to have the children all in bed till I return.”
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
My Story Part 3
. Proverbs 3:5&6 “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths.”
Many times I questioned myself, “Why am I here?” One day at a mealtime, Bob (Japheth’s dad) asked me outright, “Aimee, why did you come?” (Gulp) I didn’t really know how to respond, other than “I’m not sure.” Somehow I knew he wasn’t asking the obvious reason I came, but something deeper
One evening I got a spurt of energy and as Juanita and I were out for a walk we came by the neighbors round hay bales all in a row. Well, we ended up sprinting back and forth across them. I paid for it. I just have a hard time reconciling myself to the fact that my energy isn’t almost endless as it once seemed to be. Oh, to be wise and self-disciplined and pace myself!
A lady at church asked me the second Sunday, “So, how’s it going?
“What?” I asked. I didn’t know what she was talking about.
“How’s it going?” (I guess she though I couldn’t hear her the first time.)
“What do you mean?” I asked this time, and as I said that it began to dawn on me!
“Well, didn’t you come up here to visit Japheth?”
“Uh, no” I replied as I felt my face warm up a bit. Oh, boy, I hope everyone else doesn’t have the same ideas. This is rather embarrassing!
That same Sunday morning tears were streaming down my face . . . I couldn’t sing for my emotions. The rest of the congregation sang, “My body is yours for anything, Lord. I’m satisfied now in Your love . . . “ It was sometimes a daily struggle to rest in God trusting Him that He knew best with my lack of energy. I had been facing trials in the past year that were new and tough for me. God knows so well what to touch in our lives.
Monday, July 17, 2000 dawned as any other day. Yet, it was to become one of the most precious days in my life! After that phone call I was a bit dazed! (If you don’t know what I’m talking about go back and read Japheth’s Love Story) Japheth really was interested in Me?! I couldn’t believe it! I just had to praise and thank the Lord!
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and cometh down from the Father of lights . . . “ James 1:17
Many times I questioned myself, “Why am I here?” One day at a mealtime, Bob (Japheth’s dad) asked me outright, “Aimee, why did you come?” (Gulp) I didn’t really know how to respond, other than “I’m not sure.” Somehow I knew he wasn’t asking the obvious reason I came, but something deeper
One evening I got a spurt of energy and as Juanita and I were out for a walk we came by the neighbors round hay bales all in a row. Well, we ended up sprinting back and forth across them. I paid for it. I just have a hard time reconciling myself to the fact that my energy isn’t almost endless as it once seemed to be. Oh, to be wise and self-disciplined and pace myself!
A lady at church asked me the second Sunday, “So, how’s it going?
“What?” I asked. I didn’t know what she was talking about.
“How’s it going?” (I guess she though I couldn’t hear her the first time.)
“What do you mean?” I asked this time, and as I said that it began to dawn on me!
“Well, didn’t you come up here to visit Japheth?”
“Uh, no” I replied as I felt my face warm up a bit. Oh, boy, I hope everyone else doesn’t have the same ideas. This is rather embarrassing!
That same Sunday morning tears were streaming down my face . . . I couldn’t sing for my emotions. The rest of the congregation sang, “My body is yours for anything, Lord. I’m satisfied now in Your love . . . “ It was sometimes a daily struggle to rest in God trusting Him that He knew best with my lack of energy. I had been facing trials in the past year that were new and tough for me. God knows so well what to touch in our lives.
Monday, July 17, 2000 dawned as any other day. Yet, it was to become one of the most precious days in my life! After that phone call I was a bit dazed! (If you don’t know what I’m talking about go back and read Japheth’s Love Story) Japheth really was interested in Me?! I couldn’t believe it! I just had to praise and thank the Lord!
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and cometh down from the Father of lights . . . “ James 1:17
Sunday, October 02, 2005
My Story Part 2
July 6, 2000
I don’t know why I showed him that picture except that he was a tease and treated me like family. I loved that. My two brothers are both younger than I and there never was much interaction. In our youth group at home, most of the girls stayed away from the guys and vise versa. Otherwise you might be considered a flirt.
July 7, 2000
Juanita and Judi were going to be cooks for the Ropp Family Reunion today. Since I was tired, I was told that I would have to “stay home.” I agreed knowing I couldn’t be of much help there and would probably be in the way with all the family congregated there.
So for supper that evening we had a picnic, Japheth grilled hamburgers for us in his backyard. Although Bob and Doris had invited Leroy and Clara Mae Yoder, it still felt funny with the girls not there.
Yes, Japheth had a back yard. His father, who is a very wise man, advised him to start building a house as he has time and money instead of spending it on cars or stereo etc. So at eighteen he had started building a “daughty” house in the back corner of his dad’s property. But we ate there because it has the best view of Popple Lake.
After supper, to help make conversation, I was asking if they go canoeing and how do they ever get out there with all the bulrushes and marsh. I guess Japheth took that as a hint although, I certainly didn’t intend for it to be. In fact if I had known where it would lead I wouldn’t have said anything. Just like my coming up here, if I’d have know HE was here I wouldn’t have come. I didn’t want a relationship to start because I did something to make it happen. I wanted God to bring it about. But He did lead me here in innocence. And my words that evening were innocent too.
“Would you like to go on a canoeing?
“Sure” So off we went, I following Japheth as he went to get the canoe and life jackets and paddles.
“I don’t mean to be forward or anything, would you rather wait until one of my sisters can go along.?
“No, I don’t mind.”
We had an enjoyable time. I coming from a family of few words, often find it hard to know what to say or how to say things. Japheth was easy to talk with. Actually, it was a bit thrilling, it’s not every day that I spend time talking to a guy.
As I prayed for God to guard my heart, He did just that. Yes, I did think Japheth was a Godly young man and would make someone a fine husband, but I didn’t dream that it might be me. I rested myself in God and His will for my life. Truly, He did answer my prayer, many times thoughts went through my mind and then out again. For example, like why was Japheth not hardly sleeping at night? What was the matter with him? If God hadn’t heard my cry, I would’ve caught on that Japheth had special interest in me, but I had no idea that that was the case. God can do anything!
I don’t know why I showed him that picture except that he was a tease and treated me like family. I loved that. My two brothers are both younger than I and there never was much interaction. In our youth group at home, most of the girls stayed away from the guys and vise versa. Otherwise you might be considered a flirt.
July 7, 2000
Juanita and Judi were going to be cooks for the Ropp Family Reunion today. Since I was tired, I was told that I would have to “stay home.” I agreed knowing I couldn’t be of much help there and would probably be in the way with all the family congregated there.
So for supper that evening we had a picnic, Japheth grilled hamburgers for us in his backyard. Although Bob and Doris had invited Leroy and Clara Mae Yoder, it still felt funny with the girls not there.
Yes, Japheth had a back yard. His father, who is a very wise man, advised him to start building a house as he has time and money instead of spending it on cars or stereo etc. So at eighteen he had started building a “daughty” house in the back corner of his dad’s property. But we ate there because it has the best view of Popple Lake.
After supper, to help make conversation, I was asking if they go canoeing and how do they ever get out there with all the bulrushes and marsh. I guess Japheth took that as a hint although, I certainly didn’t intend for it to be. In fact if I had known where it would lead I wouldn’t have said anything. Just like my coming up here, if I’d have know HE was here I wouldn’t have come. I didn’t want a relationship to start because I did something to make it happen. I wanted God to bring it about. But He did lead me here in innocence. And my words that evening were innocent too.
“Would you like to go on a canoeing?
“Sure” So off we went, I following Japheth as he went to get the canoe and life jackets and paddles.
“I don’t mean to be forward or anything, would you rather wait until one of my sisters can go along.?
“No, I don’t mind.”
We had an enjoyable time. I coming from a family of few words, often find it hard to know what to say or how to say things. Japheth was easy to talk with. Actually, it was a bit thrilling, it’s not every day that I spend time talking to a guy.
As I prayed for God to guard my heart, He did just that. Yes, I did think Japheth was a Godly young man and would make someone a fine husband, but I didn’t dream that it might be me. I rested myself in God and His will for my life. Truly, He did answer my prayer, many times thoughts went through my mind and then out again. For example, like why was Japheth not hardly sleeping at night? What was the matter with him? If God hadn’t heard my cry, I would’ve caught on that Japheth had special interest in me, but I had no idea that that was the case. God can do anything!
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