Live in Peace

 Love must be completely sincere. Hate what is evil, hold on to what is good. Love one another warmly as Christians, and be eager to show respect for one another. Work hard and do not be lazy. Serve the Lord with a heart full of devotion. Let your hope keep you joyful, be patient in your troubles, and pray at all times. Share your belongings with your needy fellow Christians, and open your homes to strangers.

 Ask God to bless those who persecute you—yes, ask him to bless, not to curse. Be happy with those who are happy, weep with those who weep. Have the same concern for everyone. Do not be proud, but accept humble duties. Do not think of yourselves as wise.

 If someone has done you wrong, do not repay him with a wrong. Try to do what everyone considers to be good. Do everything possible on your part to live in peace with everybody. Never take revenge, my friends, but instead let God's anger do it. For the scripture says, “I will take revenge, I will pay back, says the Lord.” Instead, as the scripture says: “If your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them a drink; for by doing this you will make them burn with shame.” Do not let evil defeat you; instead, conquer evil with good.

Romans 12:9-21 Good News Translation (GNT).

I’ve been reading the book of Romans during my nightly Bible reading. This was last night’s chapter. Once again, God is good. He has got things covered. We just need to turn things over to Him. He will dole out justice. It’s not up to us to judge, condemn, or take things into our own hands. Instead, we need to pray and put our trust in God. It’s tough to do, but it’s the only way to peace.  

Aunt Helen's Story

On my blog post this past Sunday, I mentioned that it was my mom’s birthday and then it dawned on me that it had been Aunt Helen’s birthday on the 22^nd. She would have been 100 years old!

I’ve blogged about her before, my mom’s sister and best friend. I was just as close to my sister Pat, and when we were young, I imagined us each getting married, having kids the same age and raising them together, as Mom and her sister had. And then Pat and I growing old together. That wasn’t God’s plan at all, but I guess we have to take it as it comes.

Just as my favorite aunt did.

 Her husband, my uncle Bob, was diagnosed with Huntington’s Disease, when I was just a kid. I don’t remember him ever not having it.

Also called Huntington's chorea, it is a debilitating disease with some similarities to Parkinson’s, the common symptom being uncontrollable movement. I could delve into the whole neuroscience of both of them, but let me just say that they are both horrible diseases that I wouldn’t wish on anyone.

One bad thing about Parkinson’s is that, even if there are certain risk factors, you really don’t know if you’re going to get it. Huntington’s is totally inherited, if one of your parents had it there is an approximately 50% chance you will get it. 

Which seems like a no-brainer. If one of your parents has Huntington’s, don’t have kids of your own, right? Unless you are faced with that decision, you don’t have a clue how difficult it is to make. Life is never that easy, and you know it.

Anyway, back to my aunt’s family. Huntington’s seemed strong in her husband’s side of the family. I could look at his family tree and count the members who had it, but just let me say there were a lot. And every member’s story was as sad as the next. 

My aunt and uncle had four kids, the first three right at the same time as my parents were having my brother and oldest sister. The family pictures I have of those times and the stories that have been shared down the years! 

But as those years went by, Uncle Bob’s symptoms got worse. He had to quit work, he became confined to bed, he lost weight. The constant – I mean – CONSTANT movement made it difficult to impossible for him to do much more than thrash on the couch. My dad made them a sturdy day bed that they put in their living room as no store-bought bed could stand up to the abuse.

He eventually ended up in a nursing home, passing away in 1977, at the age of 63. Wow! I hadn’t realized before how young he was; he always seemed so much older.

First one son, then another, then their daughter each started showing symptoms, were diagnosed and eventually died, at ages 59, 47, and 71. The only blessing in any of that was that my aunt only lived to bury two of her sons; her daughter managed to outlive her.

They always say that the hardest thing for a parent to endure is the death of a child. How about two? 

My aunt was tough, though. So tough that in December of 2005, at age 85, she had an appointment with an agent to discuss changing something with her life insurance. And then she passed away, while sleeping in her recliner, later that day.

Reminds me a little of how my mom died, but that’s her story. This one is Aunt Helen’s.

God-incidences

But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and that he will stand upon the earth at last. And I know that after this body has decayed, this body shall see God! Then he will be on my side! Yes, I shall see him, not as a stranger, but as a friend! What a glorious hope!

(Job 19:25-27, Living Bible)

Honestly, it’s any wonder I ever get anything done that I want to. As often happens, when I sat down to write this, nothing at first came to mind. Then I remembered these great verses from the book of Romans that I read a few weeks ago, which really spoke to me and I was hoping they would speak to you, too.

When I finally started writing this post, the first thing I did was type the date, and then I went, “oh, goodness, it would have been Mom’s 93 birthday.” So, I had to, just had to mention her here once again.

Her favorite hymn was “I Know that My Redeemer Lives”, by Samuel Medley.

I went back to my blog to see if I’ve written about that hymn before (sure that I had). The first time was six years ago, also Memorial Day weekend, the day after my mom’s birthday. The second time was February 11, 2017, a mere four days before my mom died.

At the end of that post, I attached a video of a church choir singing it, which always reminds me of Easter morning. I mention that, because, as you all know, not many of us got to attend church this year on Easter morning.

All of this points to one of the beliefs my mom always had – there are no coincidences, only God-incidences. Which leads me back to the very first thing I wrote on this post and the conclusion that, with God’s help, I get done what I’m supposed to. 

Thank You, God, there’s really nothing more I can say. As always, You have got it covered. Amen.  

It makes me sad that I have very few decent pictures with my mom. I thought this one was appropriate though as
Mom's sister, my aunt Helen, had a birthday two days ago as well. I couldn't remember what year she was born,
so I just looked it up and was reminded of the sense of humor God has to have. Aunt Helen would have been 100!
I should have written a blog post about her!

Welcome to Summer

As is often the case, I had several ideas to blog about this morning, but the laziness took over, and I wrote about none. This weekend is the official start of summer, and with it, I would like to think, a time to take advantage of the occasional laziness.

Have a great weekend and a fantastic summer. Get outside and enjoy the fresh air. Take deep breaths, relax. We will all get through this.

Spring in my Yard

      It’s been a while since I have shared the random pictures of my life. My yard has seen a flurry of activity this month. I suppose that is normal for this time of year.

This year, though, we’ve had a bit more than usual. We lost a pine tree in a storm last year (two storms, actually, the first one knocking him into another tree and the second storm bringing him to the ground). The tree guys finally came out two weeks ago to clean them up.  

 What a difference it made in our side yard. 

 I put a fair amount of sweat into that dirt, mixing it with the grass seed.

  I can’t wait for grass to come up.

 Then there was snow for Mother’s Day. Better, I guess than the foot we got on Easter, but it makes me wonder what Memorial Day will bring.

 We get a mallard in our swamp every spring. He doesn’t usually hang around long though, as the swamp usually dries up by summer. 

 This lady has been hanging around our yard for years now. She and her two-year-old child have been always coming around together, until the last week or two, when she finally sent junior packing. 

 In anticipation, I’m sure of the baby she’ll be having soon. Ok, never mind. Believe it or not, just as I was typing this, the momma and her two-year-old came through the yard. Too dark out for a picture. 

 And then there’s this.

Though I am the one to take all the pictures, Hubby called me to the kitchen the other day while he was cutting up cauliflower and asked me to take a picture of this. 

 He asked, “what does this look like to you?”

Covid cauliflower. We just can't escape it can we?  

Only God has the Answer

   Lot reached the village just as the sun was rising over the horizon. Then the Lord rained down fire and burning sulfur from the sky on Sodom and Gomorrah. He utterly destroyed them, along with the other cities and villages of the plain, wiping out all the people and every bit of vegetation. But Lot’s wife looked back as she was following behind him, and she turned into a pillar of salt. (Genesis 19:23-26, New Living Translation)

This past Wednesday, my state’s supreme court ruled that the extension of our stay-at-home order issued by our governor’s administration was "unlawful" and "unenforceable". With that order overturned, our stores, restaurants, taverns and churches were allowed to open, with recommendations that they follow CDC guidelines as far as social distancing, including only allowing a certain number of patrons into each business and requiring them to wear face masks.

Driving home from work that day, as I passed our area businesses, I noticed that the parking lots of all our bars were full. I don’t think any of them were following CDC guidelines. There was a picture on the internet of a tavern that was packed with customers.

I felt like I was driving away from Sodom and Gomorrah and kept telling myself, with face mask still hanging from my neck, don’t look back, don’t look back.

Now, don’t get me wrong. There’s nothing wrong with going down to the local tavern and throwing back a few brewskis with your friends. But we still are in the middle of a pandemic.

Also, I don’t care what the Republicans or the Democrats are saying. Both parties are filled with more than their share of jerks (ok, I had to say it, sorry, Lord, excuse my sin of badmouthing people who deserve it). And it makes my blood boil that they are turning this into a political war.

But whoever you believe, whoever you follow, there are still people being infected with the coronavirus, some are getting really sick and the health care system only has so much capacity to care for them. Yes, I get it, the economy is spiraling downward at a crazy rate and people have to go back to work and businesses have to find a way to stay afloat.

I don’t really have an answer, but how about if everyone sticks to the middle ground for a change instead of swinging so far one way or the other.

I don’t know. I didn’t want to go down this road. I didn’t want to get on my soapbox.

I just picture Lot and his wife and daughters running for their lives, trying to leave the city before God destroys it because the sin had gotten so bad there that destruction was the only solution.

Then I picture myself running as well, running from the news, from social media, from the spitefulness on all sides, but running to where I’m not sure. The safest place is into the arms of my Lord and Savior.

LORD, God, Heavenly Father, be with us all during these trying times. Grant our leaders the wisdom and the humility to make decisions that are in the best interests of all. Help people to see that sometimes the best solution is to compromise. Guide people to realize that they should put others before themselves. Shower this earth with love and understanding, kindness and peace. In Jesus' name. Amen

I have a lot of pictures, but none of a pillar of salt. This picture of a diatomite mine in Kenya,
which my daughter took in 2010, is the closest I have. 

On My Mind This Week . . .

No words needed for you to know what's been on my mind this week  . . .

Strong Women

    You may have heard of Psalm 31 before, the Bible’s description of the Good Wife. I don’t think I’ve posted it here before because I don’t want anyone to think that I come even close to having any of these characteristics. But being as it is Mother’s Day, I thought these would be appropriate verses to read today.

 It is hard to find an excellent wife.

    She is worth more than rubies.

 Her husband trusts her completely.

    With her, he has everything he needs.

 She does him good and not harm

    for as long as she lives.

 She looks for wool and linen.

    She likes to work with her hands.

 She is like a trader’s ship.

    She goes far to get food.

 She gets up while it is still dark.

    She prepares food for her family.

    She also feeds her servant girls.

 She looks at a field and buys it.

    With money she has earned, she plants a vineyard.

 She does her work with energy.

    Her arms are strong.

 She makes sure that what she makes is good.

    She works by her lamp late into the night.

 She makes thread with her hands

    and weaves her own cloth.

 She welcomes the poor.

    She helps the needy.

 She does not worry about her family when it snows.

    They all have fine clothes to keep them warm.

 She makes coverings for her bed.

    Her clothes are made of linen and other expensive material.

 Her husband is recognized at the city meetings.

    He makes decisions as one of the leaders of the land.

 She makes linen clothes and sells them.

    She provides belts to the merchants.

 She is strong and is respected by the people.

    She looks forward to the future with joy.

 She speaks wise words.

    And she teaches others to be kind.

 She watches over her family.

    And she is always busy.

 Her children bless her.

    Her husband also praises her.

 He says, “There are many excellent wives,

    but you are better than all of them.”

 Charm can fool you, and beauty can trick you.

    But a woman who respects the Lord should be praised.

 Give her the reward she has earned.

    She should be openly praised for what she has done.

(Proverbs 31:10-31, International Children’s Bible)

 Here are just some of the strong women from my family. 

My maternal great-grandmother, Anna Wagner Steinbach, with her husband and four oldest children, circa 1902. 

My maternal grandmother, Lena Steinbach Jahn, on the far left at the logging camp where she worked as a cook, also where she met my grandfather, circa 1910s.

Grandma Lena Jahn with one of my cousin's, circa 1951.

My paternal grandmother, Emma Buchen Loehmer Segebart, her passport picture from 1924. I'm not gonna lie, if this photo doesn't scream "hard life, strong woman," I don't know what does. 

Grandma Segebart with my sister Pat and me, circa 1966. 

My mom with her family - my dad, my brother, my two sisters, my oldest niece, and me, 1968. 

what we should think about instead

 For a while now, I’ve been wanting to write about comparing COVID19 to HIV/AIDS. I know that just writing that might have people going, “What? There’s no comparison.”

So why does an internet search of that topic come up with way more hits than I thought it would? Am I on to something?

I hope not, coz I don’t want to be.

I just remember back in the mid-eighties, when AIDS was starting to make an impact on all of our lives, what an impact it did have. Shoot, before that, back when I first started working in the medical field, we gave injections and drew blood without wearing gloves, without even thinking about being able to get any sort of disease from exposure to someone else’s blood. Man, does that make me feel old.

In reality, at this point, yes, there may be more differences between HIV and coronavirus. I’m not sure how that pans out when you look at the microbiology or virology of them both, but that’s not what I’m thinking of.

What I’m thinking of right now, is that when you hear that someone has tested positive for COVID19, you wonder if that means a death sentence. We knew that was the case initially with HIV, but now people are surviving that diagnosis. The odds of beating a COVID19 infection have always been better than beating AIDS.

We knew early on how to prevent the spread of HIV, yet people remained fearful of it, paranoid of what it meant. For sure, there’s no such stigma attached to COVID19, but the fear and paranoia are still there.

But the bottom line is that fear and paranoia aren’t going to get you anywhere. Just read Matthew chapter 6, verse 27 – “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”

No, of course not. Quite the contrary. Worry will only shorten our lives.

So what do we think about instead? Puppies and kitties, sunrises and daffodils, laughter and baby’s toes.

Have a good weekend, everyone, get out there and enjoy your world. 

Another Falls and Other Places

   Last Friday, Hubby and I took another ride, this one a little further than the week before. We crossed a couple county lines, and actually, while we were two counties from home, Hubby saw on his phone that there had been the first confirmed case of COVID19 in our county. I need to stop letting this take over my life. That’s why I wanted to go for another ride last Friday and look what happened. 

  Anyway, our first stop was in Manitowish. At this park on Rest Lake.

 Across the dam, is Vance Lake. 

 Pretty place, but I had another body of water in mind. This one in yet another county, Iron.

 

 Where Hubby and I didn’t practice social distancing. Shame on us. 

 The Falls at Lake of the Falls. 

  One of the prettiest places in the state, I think. An easy drive and an easy walk to get to. Like, really no walk at all. 

I’ve been here a couple times with my sisters. One visit was a long, somewhat melancholy story.

 Where I camped one time with both of my sisters,   

 before they put up this sign. 

 And no ride is complete without a picture of some wildlife. Even though I have more deer in my own yard, I had to capture these four.