Almost Finished ~ To What End ?

Since last November our family has lost 2 beloved parents/grandparents.There has been a lot going on with family gatherings, and as most of you know, daily life still requires the dishes get done, the house is somewhat in order and clean, bills need to be paid.Since I do have a flock of sheep providing me wool with which I make items to sell to buy hay for the sheep, I am always finding myself going from project to project. I have quite a few Wee Little Sheep almost finished.

 

I have a lot of yarn being spun up, waiting to be dyed, and much more wool I am excited to begin spinning. The yarn is almost finished.

I have also set aside quite a few wool felted balls I made from the fleeces of my sheep to embellish with needle-felted designs, such as these ...

...and these. The bright flowers make me smile.The wool felted balls are almost finished. Two lockerhooked rugs are almost finished.

Of course, all my wool projects depend on wool from my flock of Jacob sheep, and several of my ewes are due to lamb anytime from now until mid-April. New lambs almost ready to be born.( this is a picture of a pair of my lambs born in 2011).

Tea time in Blog-Land is a delight for me too. I love Tea Time Tuesdays with all the tea blog parties,and love to participate in them.Lately I have been hit & miss with so many aspects of life I take delight in. That seems to happen when families come together during the extended illness or death of family members.All of a sudden, the routine and taken for granted aspects of our days are changed because more important things require our time and attention. Now though, there is a bit of respite. Time to again clean the house more thoroughly. Time to clean the animal pens and  plan this years' gardens.Time to work on projects needed to maintain order, earn money, or keep up a home . Time to sit with loved ones and simply enjoy being together, because we can. Time to take tea with maybe a cookie or two ( or three?).Time to reflect on life, it's joys, sorrows, blessings, and how fleeting it is.Each of us can truly say our lives are almost finished,even if we have another few decades.If I remember to live my life knowing I could die today, maybe I will be more careful knowing should I die today, any memories of myself I leave my family will reflect the values I exhibited in my day to day life. Will my almost finished projects and doings be all I leave behind, or memories of leaving the busy-ness of this life when it mattered to tend to more important things? Oh that I would be able to say "But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, in order that I may finish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God." Acts 20:24

Jacob Sheep Emboidered ~ Thank-you Kathleen !

 I received this beautiful piece of embroidery in the mail this past week from Kathleen.* It made me cry because of her thoughtfulness, and because the embroidered verse is the cornerstone of my faith.."the Lord is my shepherd." Psalm 23.

This embroidery also arrived just before we buried our beloved father, grandfather, & great-grandfather. He is also our brother in Christ and we know we'll be reunited with him in heaven because of the promise given by Jesus Christ the Son of God in John 3:16. "For God so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

Faithful Husband,Godly Father,Beloved Grandfather

The burial service of my father-in-law was simple. He was buried next to his wife in Tahoma National Cemetery, a veteran's cemetery. His burial was serviced with military honors by the U.S. Navy, and the Patriot Guard.

Seven grandsons were pall-bearers.

These three of the grandsons were/are U.S. Marines ( no such thing as an ex-Marine I am told), one still in active duty. The oldest family Marine is shown in the background, taking a picture, his son is one of the Marines, our oldest son is too.

Another grandson was the pastor officiating at the burial.

The flag is properly folded,

 Taps is played, making me cry.The sound of Taps seems so final.

 The flag is presented to the oldest son of David Bjorn Burnson.

 Seven grandsons then escort the casket of my husband's father to the vehicle that will carry it to his final earthly resting place.

 Patriot Guard motorcycles,

 Patriot Guard mission.( Thank-you Steve & fellow guards.)

A daughter & granddaughter of my husband's father at graveside,

as we watched the grave dug and the casket buried.

Just some of the family standing graveside.

Our oldest son looks back at the final resting place of his grandfather's remains. This son is named after his two grandfathers who served in the U.S. military in war ; one in the Navy, the other in the Army. This son served as a U.S. Marine in 2 tours of duty in Iraq .

David Bjorn Burnson ~ Faithful Husband, Godly Father, Beloved Grandfather. February 12, 1927 ~ January 16, 2013.

My father-in-law's favorite Bible verse was John 3:16. This verse contains the promise, assurance, and hope for eternal life for all who "believeth in Him".

Saying "Good-bye" ...For Now

My husband's father died this past week. Here he is pictured hugging our youngest grandchild after the burial service of my husband's mother just this past November. My husband's father  knew even then he was dying. ( His name is David,I always called him "Dad".)

This is a hard time for his family because although we know David is in Heaven, he is already greatly missed. He was a man who had a solid faith in Jesus and unwavering love of not only Jesus, but his family. He welcomed me into this family when I married his oldest son and made it clear I was then a beloved daughter. I never doubted his words and he showed me over the years his words were worthy of trust, and true.

My husband's father was the one who cried at weddings, cried at the birth of grandchildren, cried at the sorrows his family suffered, cried at the joys in their lives. He made great effort to be at all the grandchildren's sporting events, my children's fair competitions, and he rejoiced in the accomplishments of his many great-grandchildren.He prayed for any & all of his family during any tribulations.

My husband's father was born at home in Tacoma in 1927, and in the same neighborhood he had a home built ( by his brother) for his family ~ a wife and 6 children. In this very home he and my husband's mother raised their six children , celebrated and enjoyed life, and died ( she died November 2012), lovingly attended by their 6 children. Their 4 daughters (my husband's sisters) were the primary care-givers.What a blessing, to be able to die in your own home, cared lovingly by the children you raised.

I do not have adequate words to express my love for my father-in-law. I already miss him terribly.He was a humble man who gave all credit for his children being godly to God. As I sat by his bed while he was dying he spoke non-stop about Jesus. He said John 3:16 was his favorite verse. He held my hand, and he seemed more concerned about his family than himself.What an example of all that is good and right because of Jesus. 

"Grandchildren are the crown of old men, and the glory of sons ( and daughters) is their fathers." Proverbs 17:6 ~My father-in-law, the father of my husband, the grandfather of my children, the great-grandfather of my grandchildren exemplified this.God is so good to us, praise Him !

Spode Rosebud Chintz~ Thank-You Aunt Ruby & Cousin Christine

My Aunt Ruby and her daughter, my cousin Christine, generously offered to me this lovely set of Spode china .I love it. I am already planning to use this china for two luncheons this month. I can't wait.Thank-you Aunt Ruby and Cousin Christine !

"Copeland Spode, England. Rosebud Chintz"

Are you taking time to nourish your soul in this winter season, this beginning of a new year? Stop your busy-ness, sit a spell. Sip some tea from a favorite teacup or mug. Reflect on the many blessings in your life. No matter the problems and distresses this life has given you, there is at least ONE blessing ? Stop the frantic actvity and worrying and take time to thank God for His mercies. Ask Him for His wisdom regarding your problems and worries. Rest in Him. He does answer prayer." Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." I Thessalonians 5:16-18

"One reason we are so harried and hurried is that we make yesterday and tomorrow our business when all that legitimately concerns us is today. If we really have too much to do, then there are some things on our agenda which God did put there. Let us submit the list to Him and ask Him to indicate which items we must delete. There is always time to do the will of God. If we are too busy to do that, then we are too busy." Elisabeth Elliot

Soakin' Up The Sunshine Squirrel Style

 Look at this squirrel, balanced on the birdhouse in front of our porch. He did not care that I was taking pictures of him washing himself and soaking up the sunshine. Just days later his personal sun-bathing place looked like this...

....brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr !

You're Here At This Time By Design, Not Chance !

 Just think ,you're not here by chance,

but by God's choosing.

His hand formed you

and made you

the person you are.

He compares you to no one else-

you are one of a kind.

You lack nothing 

that His grace cannot give you.

He has allowed you to be here

at this time in history

to fulfill His special purpose

for this generation.

Roy Lessin ~ DaySpring co-founder 

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1
Happy New Year ~ 2013