Wednesday, July 19, 2006

Josh & Lauren tuning in!

We are excited to join the blog! This is new for me (Lauren). We wanted to share a tiny bit of what is going on in our lives. Without taking up a mile of space here, briefly the past month or so: Josh turned 25 on June4th, I reminded him that he is now half way to 50 years (he was ecstatic to hear that fact :). He and I and our friends Seth and Cathy went down to Seneca Rocks, West Virginia to camp and do some rock climbing. It was tons of fun, the weather perfect, and just nice to get away.
We too a few fishing/camping trips this summer so far. We have our work schedules nicely arranged so that we can take long weekends every so often. (I really wanted to have the pic of me and my big fish, but it's still in the camera, so maybe later).
Josh is headed out to WI today for some fishing with dad, time with the family, and a friend's wedding . (this is my weekend to work at the hospital, so I'll be hanging out here at home).
We will both be heading out to WI for the family camping trip in August. We will be stopping in NY for my 5 year WWC reunion, then heading out there. We are very excited!

Thursday, June 22, 2006

The hand of "Grace"




It really is.... the hand of Grace, my Grandmother, Grace. It is also the hand of God's grace, showing "the incomparable riches of His grace, expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus." Eph. 2:7 Grandma Grace is 93 years old and her life has changed dramatically in the last year, from married, independent, living on the farm to being a widow again and now living in a skilled care nursing home.

She has now become one of the many who sit in their wheelchairs in halls or lobbies of nursing homes sleeping, waiting. I never wanted that for her. But, when she sees me, smiles and says, "Well, Brenda. How nice to see you!", I rejoice that she remembers my name. I am so grateful to God for giving us more time with her. She is living beyond what was expected by the doctors - it is in God's time. We speak mostly of the past - her past. Although she does ask about the family. But, I'm not sure if she remembers who they are. I cherish my time with her.
I have so many memories of spending time with her. Staying overnight while in grade school and sleeping in a tent with her step-daughter, chasing cows in her field, eating hot oatmeal, hearing her say, "Brenda! You've never made homemade bread?!!", having coffee in the farmhouse kitchen and her open invitations to stay for dinner.

Her fingernails are now polished and beautiful. I'm not sure that she ever had that in years past. Now someone does it for her, no more garden dirt under them. Just idle hands waiting... waiting for God's timing.

Tuesday, June 20, 2006

Getting Started















I'm embarking on a new endeavor that I hope will help us keep up with
what is happening in our families. At times there are so many interesting things going on, that I think all of us would enjoy seeing and reading about them. Whether it's Josh and Lauren in Ireland, Zach's music updates or whatever the Lindau & Whitman families are up to, my goal is to keep us informed. I hope that you will add your news and pictures, or e-mail them to me to put on the site for us all to enjoy. If you haven't received an e-mail from me yet just mail me and I'll send you the info. This could be a regular stop on your computer time. I'll provide links to your blogs or websites also. I enjoy reading what's going with family and I hope that you will also.