I am auntieedna

Some of my thoughts on "LIFE"?

2011-02-15T20:00:00.000-05:00

Lately I have been thinking a lot about 'life'....life is many things to many people. Here are some of my thoughts about life.
Life can be wonderful! , it can be difficult, it can be sorrowful :-( , it can be JOYFUL!:-), and the list goes on and on..and sometimes 'on' some more.

To me life is a gift that God gave to me; He not only gave me the gift of life,

BUT the gift of Eternal Life, through His Son, Jesus Christ.
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Life:
as an 8 year old...Mostly fun; girlfriends; paper dolls; reading while eating an apple.Taking piano lessons..(didn't alway like to practise), but my parents made me keep practising tne piano,and I am glad that they did. I started organ lessons the summer before I entered the 10th grade, and have been a church organist for many, many years. Thank you, Lord, for the gift of music in my life..

10-13 years:

playing "kick the can" till the street lights came on, or "hide and seek" ; being able to play outside until it was dark.

14 -18 years-Junior high , then highschool, taking organ lessons. Life was good.......and graduation from high school! I was asked to play the organ for the graduation ceremony.....

That was a 'biggy' for me.

18 till...20..? Received a letter from West Leonard St. Church and they had heard me play the organ at graduation...They asked me if I would like to become the organist at their church.! Another good thing in my life! that was the beginning of my organ playing in church; but really all for the Glory of God.

I worked at Pollyanna Bakery during high school-(only on week-ends); and taught piano the other days. Wish I had kept a list of all those I taught, and also all the weddings I played for.

Now the biggy- A young man came to the bakery to pick up baked goods- which he delivered along with the groceries he delivered for the grocery store he worked for. WOW! I thought he was something, but did not think he would be interested in me...(I was a little older than him)

20-21 years

I was going to go to College to pursue music- and he was going to start college too........HE ASKED ME TO LOCKER WITH HIM!! BIG THRILL!!! LIFE WAS WONDERFUL! That was the beginning of a love that lasted for 56 years. Married 15 months laster. He is now with his Savior, Jesus Christ. I miss him more than I can tell anyone. I could not have had a more wonderful man as my husband.

21 years amd more

The Lord blessed us with 2 daugters, and 6 sons, LIFE WAS STILL WONDERFUL!! and yet life has been wonderful, even during the tough times. He had many physical problems, but the Lord always gave us an abundance of His Grace to get us through

Now, I have been alone for 3 years, and God has given me all the help and grace I needed during the tough times. Life goes on, and 4 great-grandchildren have been added to our family. So as life goes on, and you have Christ in your heart = Life is Good!!

I have a great need for Christ, andI have a Christ for my needs! PTL!

Spring is here!!

2010-05-06T11:24:00.003-04:00

Spring is here, but it is still chilly outside. It's wonderful to look at all the new life on the earth! Tree's in full bloom, those with flowers; forsythia; green grass, and today is blue sky with powder puff white clouds...they look like marshmallows sometimes. God is GOOD in giving us the seasons- Sprin-=summer=autumn and winter......

And so we have seasons in life, too. Our childhood, teen-agers, on into adulthood...then marriage, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

And as we get older, there comes illnesses in our live's, and eventually death will come. With Jesus Christ as our Saviour we get through each season. Some are fun, some are very difficult....and some downright hard. But- with the Lord's help we walk through them all- the valleys, the high places and the in-between places. Thank you Lord, for all the blessings you have given to me....for they have been many.

My friend--

2010-02-05T22:51:00.009-05:00

Today I went to my friend's funeral- a friend for over 50 years. Those are hard things to do; but she is now free from all her struggles with life- she had many many physical problems, and now she if free from them all. She is 'at home with her Lord'; and rejoicing with Him! I am thankful to have had her and her family as 'OUR' friends!! So it was a celebrations, too.

I am reading a very good book- "The Grand Weaver" by Ravi Zacharias....and while reading there was a very nice thing about Psalm 23...It was a new way of looking at it for me....and so now I will write it in here.

The Lord is my Shepherd............that's relationship!
I shall not be in want........that's supply!
He makes me to lie down in green pastures...........that's rest!
He leads me beside still waters.............that's refreshment!
He restores my soul..........that's healing!
He guides me in the paths of righteousness..........that's guidance!
For His name's sake.............that's purpose!
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death......that's testing!
I will fear no evil...that's protection!
For You are with me................that's faithfulness!
Your rod and your staff, they comfort me..........that's discipline!
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.....that's hope!
You anoint my head with oil...........that's consecration!
My cup overflows...............that's abundance!
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life.............that's blessing!
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord...............that's security!
FOREVER...........................that's eternity!
Author of Elaborated Material-(Unknown)
I hope many of you can find comfort in this, too, and I hope and pray that many who read this may have that assurance of going to heaven, when their life is done.
Love, Auntie Ed

Christmas 2009-

2009-12-27T19:54:00.005-05:00

Christmas!! What a wonderful time of the year...to think Jesus Christ was willing to come down, to come as a babe, to be the Savior of all who would accept Him. I am so thankful that He is my Savior, and I belong to Him. As it says in the Heildelberg Catechism,, Q:"What is your only comfort in life and in death?"
A: " That I am not my own, but belong, in life and in death, to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ."
What a wonderful comfort that is, to know that He is "God with Us"; all the time, if only we would remember that during the 'bad times'.

The picture at the left is a wall hanging that my daughter Barb made for me, out of the ties of my husband. Notice the cross, and the dove at the top. Thank you, Barb! I have it hanging in my apartment. What a great memory for me.

Christmas can be a difficult time when you have lost a loved one, but then we must remember that our loved one is with Jesus and someday we will meet Jesus, and all those we have loved who have gone on before us.

But, Christmas is also a joyful time...when we remember the gift God has given to us, and then we can give gifts to those we love, and those who don't have much. There is much joy in giving....

I am thankful that God is in control of the world, of my life, my children's lives, and grandchildren & great-grands...

For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for good and not for evil; plans for a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

Thank you Lord Jesus, for this great gift of salvation, and that you have a plan for all of us.

My Hubby-my love

2009-06-03T20:44:00.004-04:00

Today was a good day- and tomorrow I will go golfing with my friend It has been years since I have golfed....too many. My dear Jerry wanted to go golfing again so much, but he was just to tired to golf. So it was rather bittersweet when I got my golf-clubs out...all dusty; but still looking pretty good considering it has been about 5 years that they have been standing in the garage. Jim and John helped me get them on my golf cart------that was very dusty too...wipe it off, and then get the clubs on. I could hardly remember how that went, because....Jerry and I always used a golf cart the last years we golfed. Then- where are my golf shoes- OH! what a mess they were... cobwebs, dust, etc. but took them in the house, cleaned them up and will use them tomorrow. They cleaned up really well....so now if I can clean up on the golf course, after many years of not playing....course I wasn't that good anyway, but we always had a good time.
It will help me get in shape for Colorado too-----good exercise! Jerry would be so pleased to know that I am doing this....
Tomorrow someone comes to look at my condo- perhaps a buyer? Time will tell......I get a little impatient wanting it to sell, and yet it is still my home. My God will get it done when the time is right. So I trust in Him to take my impatientness away and just TRUST!
God is so GOOD! TO ME!!!

The picture is at Ottawa Beach, a couple nights before he lft for the army. 1953

Memorial Day 2009

2009-05-25T19:08:00.003-04:00

Today we remember all the soldier's in all the war's that have been fought to keep our country free and safe. We also take time to remember those that 'have gone on before us'.......and think about what part they played in our lives. I am thankful for a Christian Mom and Dad, who taught us more by example, than by a lot of do' and don'ts. I am also thankful for my Mom and Dad-in-law, who loved me like a daughter, and also taught my husband by their lifestyle. My own Mom died when she was only 60, and My Mom-in-law took me as her own daughter. The whole family did.

I am very thankful that the Lord gave me a Christian man for a husband. I couldn't have had a better man...he loved me dearly, and I love(d) him dearly too. He went to his Heavenly home 18 months ago, and I am happy for him. He had so many health problems; now he is free from all of that! But, I miss him very much.....So I remember all those who have 'gone on before' today also.

Now is a good time to think about keeping our men, that are fighting, in our prayers too; also for our country and all those who are without work now...

Living by Faith

2009-05-21T19:10:00.006-04:00

The beautiful thing about this adventure called faith is that we can count on Him to never lead us astray. .................................."Charles Swindoll"

This is a beautiful quote- one that we should always remember. Sometimes that is hard to do when you have lost a loved.......not really lost, but has gone on to their heavenly home. But it feels lost to the one left behind. The house is quieter, the 'power' to the TV is in MY hand, no one to bake for except me; and lets face it - I don't need it!! Meals are quiet, devotions are done alone; but then I have to say "Lord, lift me up and help me stand; by faith on Heavens table-land." These are words from an old hymn, and are a comfort. Went to the funeral of my daughter's mother-in-law today, and it brings back memories again. Of course, the memories are always there, but sometimes they are tucked away and that is good. But the memories are soooo good-they keep you going.
Spring has finally arrived, and with a lot of sunshine and warmth- it is Wonderful!! The days are longer, and I must start walking to get in shape to go to Colorado with my son and his wife and two of his daughters. I look forward to spending that time with them, and seeing God's handiwork! I have never been to Colorado and I am looking forward to that, too. A new adventure for me-

Thinking about my younger days

2009-05-06T23:30:00.003-04:00

Well-I should be in bed now, but as I was doing some thinking about my life at home with my Mom and Dad, I thought "How different things are nowaday". All the neighborhood kids could stay out to play after supper until the street lights came on. My girl-friend and I could walk anywhere without being afraid of being snatched up by some screwy person. She and I walked to downtown Grand Rapids and didn't even have thoughts of being scared. Our Mom's gave us each some money, and we would go to the dimestore, either Kresge's or Woolworth's and we each bought a purse. Of course we had to have some of those chocolate cream drops. Then we would go back. home. I have a picture of the 2 of us with our new purses, but will have to find it in order to show you.

Now HIGH SCHOOL DAYS:

But- I will tell you that I walked to Grand Rapids Christian High with 3 other girls. When we got to Franklin Street we would hitch-hike. A man in a convertibile would give us a ride to Christian High. He told us his name was John Paul Jones. Well, we all laughed at that-thought he was kidding. SO>>>>>>>>>>one day I come home from school and there was a police man at our house, ....now what???? I was rather afraid-not knowing what he was at our house for. This man was known for picking up girls, and had a record of some sort (we weren't told what-but I'm sure all the parents were told)-SO- that was rather scary and also it was the end of our hitch-hiking, and we continued walking the rest of the way to school.

The Lord must have been watching over us, because nothing ever happened-and I am thankful for that.

more reminiscing

2009-05-01T20:54:00.001-04:00

Today I was sorting though some things in my sewing machine drawers, and this old,yellowed pice of paper came to my eyes- I picked it up carefully, and found it was a poem my Mom (Grandma Casemier) had cut out....she and I liked to save poems....and I guess this one ended up in the drawer instead of the scrapbook....so I will share itwith you...

TIME TO PLANT

"I plant my watermelons on Good Friday," she said,

"And my peas three days after the full moon.

Iwill have bucketsfullof peas by June,

And wagonloads of melons when July's sun is red.

There is a time to plant she said.

There is a time to plant good habits and ideals

In children's minds. Don't go beyond their spring

Or there will be no fruitful blossoming.

Watch for the hour when reason's first light steals,

and then plant high ideals.

(by Anne Campbell)

_________________________________

I think of my children , my grand-children and great-grand-children and hope they will always have high ideals planted in them by their Dad's and Mom's. I have seen some very good 'shoots' in them already. But they just grow up too fast!

An afternoon of reading

2009-04-06T19:03:00.000-04:00

Today I spent the afternoon reading /finishing the book I was reading. It was a good read-"Home Another Way" by Christa Parish. It was about a young woman who had a lot of anger in
her lfe....she had led a hard and fast life, and had isolated herself from the love any person would try to give her. She said she hated her father- for reasons which she thought had happened (not abuse).....Her father dies, and leaves her some things. There was a box that he had stored a lot of things in, and they were things of her childhood that he had saved during the time that he had not seen her, about 16 years. One of the things in there was a piece of paper- with white handprints on blue paper. They were her hand-prints from when she was about 4 years old. Under the hand-prints was a poem, and I would encourage parents to save the things their children make because it is so precious to read some of them when you (parents) get older..
Here is the poem:

Sometimes you get discouraged

Because I am so small

And always leave my fingerprints

On furniture and walls.

But every day I'm growing

I'll be grown some day

And all those tiny handprints

Will surely fade away.

So here's a little handprint

Just so you can recall

Exactly how my fingers looked

When I was very small.

So all you Mom's and Dad's get those little handprints on a piece of paper, or whatever, and save them for the day you want to think about those years that went by too fast!

Celebration

2009-04-05T16:44:00.000-04:00

Today we celebrate Palm Sunday-..where were all those people who shouted 'Hosanna!'; Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord? ...Where were they when Jesus was arrested? How soon they forgot............
After church tonight I go with a group of people to our annual Palm Sunday Hymn Sing. We have been doing this for at least 50 years. When we started it was all couples, and now there are serveral of us who are widows..You wonder where the time goes..seems like yesterday that we were all there. It's a wonderful time of singing, and of course good food- we all bring something, and that's a big help. What a joy to sing all the songs- old and new ones- We usually end up by singing "The King is Coming"!
Jerry and I missed a few of them, but usually we managed to be home in Michigan to be with our friends and join in lifting up our voices in song!
May this be a thankful time for all of us - thinking on what Jesus did for us!

More on remisicing

2009-03-31T14:51:00.000-04:00

Wellll!!-21 years ago today I received a phone call in Meadville,PA, that I had a new grand-daughter, Rachel Elizabeth. Wonderful news! Today I had lunch with her, and my 2 daughters at Via Maria in Holland, MI. Yummmy!!!

Last week onf my my great-nieces ( and they are GREAT!) noted in FB that she had put her son, Oliver, in cloth diapers for the first time..HMMmmmmm.......I though to myself and noted to her that this was a huge change from when I/we had our babies.

First of all- we had to purchase flannel and we MADE our own diapers. (Grandma Casemier was going to have to go to the hospital , a Saturday, and it was going to be the last 10 days of her life. She said to me "There is $35.00 in the dresser here that I want you to use for flannel for daipers....."I said "I will get it later, Mom" and she told me "NO! you get it now, so no one will be able to say anything." So I took it out of the dresser and bought flannel to make diapers.

So _ I made diapers...can't remember how many, but plenty of them. Our first baby was born, and I used the diapers. (Uncle Jer was in Germany) OK-the baby had a dirty pants, changed them and rinsed them out in the toilet..What a stinky job. Then we put them in the diaper pail, and when that was full we would dump them in the wash machine, which at the time our first one was born, was a wringer washer..I wonder how many of you know what that is?

(This is my first child, Rika, at 1 year old-had burned her hand in someone's coffee.)

Did a complete cold water rinse, in the wash machine, & then had to wash them in hot water with Ivory Soap, wring them out in the wringer to the 1st rinse, repeat and put them through the 2nd rinse. .... Then had to wring them out and HANG THEM ON THE ON THE CLOTHESLINE. Hopefully it was a sunny day, warm and a little windy...then they would dry faster.. Of course, when we took them down from the clothesline we had to fold them in the proper way , so they would be ready to use them -which was quite often; as you know how it is with babies. So all you young mother's- my great-nieces , or married to my great nephews.....don't you think you have it better now? We even hung the diapers out in the winter, (to make them fresher) but they would freeze sometimes, and then we had to get those frozen things off the line, and bring them in to dry in the basement. At least we got fresh air and exercise. I don;t think I had an automatic washer and dryer until the 4th child was born, and that was great! So when you're feeling tired and worn out, just think how tired and worn out we were some 50 years ago.....

But, you know, I think that things were easier in other ways during those years.

Think on these things when changing your little baby----they are grown up so fast....

Hey- I love you all!!!

Reminiscing

2009-03-29T20:02:00.001-04:00

Today I was thinking about how fast the years go by. Unbelievable! After being married for 55 years; I am now alone the last 16 months. I have wonderful memories- and they are very special to me. One thing I know, is that without Jesus Christ in my life, I wouldn't have much. He is my best friend-; my strength, my comforter, my help; not only today but all of my life.
I am going to write down some memories- from when I was a young girl, until now- when I am almost an old lady! Some will be happy or funny, some will be things that I/we had to do when raising our 8 children. (2 daughters and 6 sons! ...) What a different way of living during those times, as you will see later as I write more about that!

I like James Metcalfe's 'verse' - this is a good one.

I Have No Fear
I do not fear the hopes and dreams... That science may fulfill...

For I believe all things must be... According to God's will

If now atomic energy...And search in outer space...

Made possible the whole world... To suddenly erase...

I still would not have any fear... Of total tragedy...

For it could happen only as...God wanted it to be...

If He commanded peaceon earth... No one could interfere ...

Except as man defiedHim, with... The punishment quite clear...

And even then mancould not rule... The wondrous world we know...

For every-thing alive must be... The way God wants it so.
James J. Metcalfe