Friday, June 19, 2009

Dad

Although its been thirty one years since I've celebrated Father's Day with my Dad,
he lives on in my heart and mind as if it were yesterday.

He was a man who did not know a stranger and befriended many people over the years. Dad was a soul winner and never failed to share the Lord's goodness to those he met. The consummate host, I can safely say that hundreds enjoyed meals around my parents' table! He loved his Lord, his wife, his kids, and his grand kids.

He was simply Bud Thompson,
born December 20, 1902!

number six of fourteen sibs

left home at age fourteen--didn't see his last sister until she was six

by seventeen he was a sheep herder for my grandfather
packing for a summer in the hills with the sheep

catching fish in those mountain streams in eastern Washington

by age nineteen he was in the army
boys will be boys, no matter the generation they are from

still working on the ranch in 1927--check out those boots!

In 1931, by now a manager at Safeway, he married the sheep rancher's daughter, my mother,
who was the love of his life until the day he died.

By 1932, I was born and he immediately wrote to his Mother about this first baby of his...
"Dear Mama and Folks, Well everything is over and we have a dandy girl looks just like Grace only has big blue eyes instead of brown. Grace is feeling fine and happy as can be. She sure is glad its over. I have a dandy family now. I told Grace as we were going in, that I'd just as soon have a girl. Her name is Joan Claire--pretty name, I think don't you? She weighs 9 lb & 6 1/2 oz--just a small baby. Gee, I sure feel funny. Papa Bud?? I could only look thru the window at her. Grace will come home in about 10 days. I sure will be glad. Gee, I love that girl, both of them.............. Gee, Mama, we sure have a nice baby. I sure wish you were here. Grace is getting a lot of attention from everyone as she has so many friends She sure is a dandy....
Well, Bye Bye
from Joan & Grace & Papa Bud


At the time I was born, my Dad was not a believer, even though he had the way of salvation explained to him over and over, he just didn't "get it". In a book that my mother wrote of her life, was one special letter she wrote to her grandchildren. It recorded a day in my Dad's life she never forgot and she wanted the grandchildren to know the story.

She wrote:
"This is one thing I should tell. It was the one event that made the greatest change in our lives. Bernie was 18 months old about. It was Armistice night, November 11, 1935. Mr. Charles E. Fuller came to Baker, Oregon for one night. Grandpa went with me, because I wanted him to go. That night Mr. Fuller talked about the Ark, and God shut the door--Grandpa said he knew that he was not inside the Ark. He accepted the Lord that night, asked forgiveness of his sins and Joan and Bernie had a new father, a new man in Christ. What a difference it made in his life...and ours. He had only one desire for each of you, that you would be saved. I do pray for each one of you every day. I do want you to please the Lord, and live for the Lord, if you belong to Him--Always remember what a real man of God your grandfather was. I always wish he could have been with us longer, because of his influence on our lives, but he was here long enough to leave his mark if we think about it. My blessings on you, and remember, "Only one life, twill soon be passed, only what's done for Christ will last. Your grandmother"

mid life was here before we knew it
the unruly curls of his youth settled into a nice wave


The years passed so quickly. Two more babies would be born to this family, Dad opened his own grocery store in Beaverton, Oregon and eventually became a broker for a large gourmet company, from which he retired.

a vital, busy man until the end

and finally the last picture of him, taken that summer at Manzanita Beach
His love for children never ended. I am privileged to have called him 'Dad,' thankful my children called him 'grandpa', and grateful always, that one night, when I was nine years old, I sat on his lap and he gently and firmly led me to the Lord.

I had a good father, not polished as some are, but a diamond in the rough, a vessel through which the love of Christ shone for many years, and a man, who one morning, after Bible reading with my Mother, without warning, simply left us, at age 75, to enter into the arms of the One he adored, his beautiful Saviour!

I rejoice in the father I was given, not perfect, but he loved us..and the older I get, the more I rejoice and am thankful for all that this father I called mine, provided in my life.

I miss my Dad, even after all of these years. I know I shall see him again--what a precious thought!

And with this very long post, I bid you farewell until fall--please don't take me off your lists--just let me drop to the bottom. Lord willing, I shall return with renewed time and energy in September.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Friendship



I'm back.....and I'm older!!

Some things I learned this summer as I acquired the grand old age of 77.

Its



Wednesday, June 17, 2009

A little "lovey" joined our family today!!

This was a day of blessing, answered prayers, lots of emotions, joy, thanksgiving, and rejoicing as we welcomed this wee little fellow into our hearts and families!

This is Cole Christopher, nestling on his Daddy's chest. He was born at noon today and weighed 7 pounds and 15 ounces! He is 20 inches long and an absolutely beautiful little baby boy!!

Cole and his Daddy.

I have a cute picture of the Mommie, but she looks so weary in it, that I decided not to include it. I will say that she looked beautiful, with wonderful color in her face, and was a sweet picture of new motherhood!


For the ladies who like the details, they got to the hospital, at midnight, (pre-arranged). She was given something to soften things up. She stayed at a 1 throughout the night without contractions. At 6 am her water broke, contractions began at 7 am and by noon baby was here. So I would say that a six hour process was wonderful for her with a first baby.
She never had to have the "pit" drip which was such a blessing!


So....it was a reminder, once again, of the miracle that is called birth.

We rejoice tonight for the goodness of God's hand on this marvelous little boy

and his safe delivery.

His Mommie and Daddy have no idea, yet, what a love affair they are embarking upon!
They are blessed....and so are we!

Friday, June 5, 2009

The Masche Miracles are Turning Two!

On June 11, the Masche sextuplets will turn two. They will also be starring in a new series called Raising Sextuplets on the WE channel. There is a cute web page on the WE channel site with lots of cute pictures, announcements about the new series, and some preview videos of the programs.

This morning the family was on the Today Show. There are some darling pictures, and a video if you explore the site a little. I lifted this picture from the site. (I wonder if that is legal??)
Since Jenny went back to work full time, she has not had time to send pictures like she did for a while. There are plenty of current pictures on the two websites which I highlighted above.

She still e-mails me, tho, with news of the family. They are a dear young couple whose purpose in life is to glorify the Lord Jesus as they raise their little ones in Him. Their reality series will not imitate Jon and Kate! It will be an honest look at two parents raising six little ones in today's world with all of the problems and challenges most young families face.

I am soooo looking forward to watching the series. I've been so impressed with Jenny over the months of cyberspace friendship we have shared. I have fallen in love with those sweet children.
...and for those who know me well, you know there never has been a baby I did not fall in love with!! So.....six of them is pure joy!

Because I did a huge post last year for their first birthday, I get a large number of hits daily on the Masches. So......for all of those looking for news about the sextuplets, I shared this post today so all who are interested can enjoy the new series on the Masche Miracles!!!

I hope the next time I post about these little sweeties, I will have seen them in person, been able to love on them, and enjoy a real face to face time together. ( a trip is in my future, Lord willing.)