!THGIN SDRAWKCAB OT EMOCLEW

In case you are wondering about the title, you are invited to our Family Night!   Oh, it was last night.  Sorry we forgot to tell you ahead of time.  But anyway, I'll try to recreate it right now for you.  (at the end of the post, I'll give some planning tips.) Now, back to the Family Night...At 5:00pm last night, Our California grandchildren were assembled on the front porch with their parents, and my parents to read the sign. 

After everyone found their way around to our BACK door, and made adjustments to their clothing, backwards name tags were created.  

 

Some used the bathroom mirror, 

some made several attempts, 

and some got help from parents, but everyone found out this is not so easy...

We had an "inside-out" braid, Great-Grandparent participation and some "disturbing" alien-like sightings...

Of course, DESSERT must be served first, so Dinner began with Ice Cream Sandwiches.  What kid, (or adult) wouldn't like to do THIS!  Well, this was only the beginning.  After all the tummies were nearly full, from the sweets, it was time to come to the table.
It didn't take long for the kids to get into the spirit of things.  One of them said, "I am so sad I am not invited to this very terrible party."



Someone noticed the wacky centerpiece, and then the excitement level really went up as the kids noticed the place settings.  We ate out of baking pans and serving platters, and drank from sauce pans, tea pots, measuring cups, and flower vases.  The utensils were whatever crazy thing I could find.  Measuring spoons, ice cream scoop, salad tongs, etc.

BREAKFAST 

IS 

SERVED

!!!!!!

After dinner, the kids and their parents were asked to supply the entertainment.  They had 15 minutes to prepare a play for us, based on the well known fairy tale:  ALLEREDNIC

THE RULES:

• 1 prop per person
• Must reverse roles, such as a boy must play a girl's part, or a child must play an adult role
• Scenes must be in reverse order.

To begin....a bow!

 

Allerednic at left, ready to dance with Prince Charming on right

Fairy Godmother gives Allerednic some "smelly slippers"

Poor Allerednic must clean the floor.

AND A TERRIBLE TIME WAS HAD BY ALL!

Seriously...If you ever want something fun to do with your kids, grandkids, or anyone you love....how about a backwards night!  Gary used to say "Eat dessert first because life is uncertain!"  Sometimes at dinner, when the kids were young, we would take turns "being the person on our left".  This was fun and very revealing!  Sometimes TOO revealing, but we had lots of laughs...We all need an excuse to do something crazy once in a while.  It doesn't take much effort at all, just get an idea in your head and run with it.  It doesn't have to be perfect, just fun! 

WE LOVE COMMENTS...you can leave one below....

Watercolor Journals - Humongus

One of the reasons I love working on these paintings is the concurrent daydreaming.  My mind seems to wander to wonderful places.  The choice of a peach colored hibiscus for a couple who were going to be celebrating a special anniversary in Hawaii, was sentimental for me, because we had a number of these in our own backyard.  Before the days of the internet, Gary, had stacks of catalogs, and used to mail order for unusual plants.  He had one hibiscus that was as big as a dinner plate.  These blossoms didn't last very long and couldn't be tucked over your ear, but WOW!  And the cool thing is the plant would die back down to nothing in the winter.  All that was left was bare dried up stems.  Then every summer up it came, with the huge blossoms!  
I couldn't resist including a couple of examples from his garden...

Practical Joking 101 - Templeton

For those of you who are "humor challenged," fresh out of ideas for practical jokes, or just want to have a good laugh, keep an eye out for "Practical Joking 101."  Lately, I've been reminded of some of Gary's antics.  I decided to include some of them here on the blog.

Kathy wrote:  Hi Laurie, I read your post and the line about Gary having a practical joke up his sleeve made me remember the time I called him to come rescue me. Ric was out of town or something and I was 8 months pregnant with Jordan. While reading "Charlotte's Web" with Templeton the rat, I found a real rat at my feet! My 3 cats killed it but wouldn't take it outside. So I called Gary for help. So Gary and the girls came over and were laughing at me because by this time I was sitting on the top of the couch. So Gary picks up the rat by the tail, walks into my kitchen (and I can't see him by this time) and turns on the garbage disposal, and says, "Is this OK?" I vowed to call someone else the next time I was in trouble!  By the way, he didn't really put it down the garbage disposal!

  TIP:  It's not what you ACTUALLY did, it's what they THINK you did.

Agape Love

We go to a large church, but that doesn't hinder love.  On Sunday morning, while seated in our Fellowship Group, several men came to Gary and greeted him with a kind touch.  There would be no handshake or eye contact from him.  No visible sign that he even noticed.  These men received nothing in return, and in fact risked looking and feeling a little silly.  "Hi Gary, it's great to see you today!"  "Hey, Mr. Price, Good Morning to you!" Some of these guys are in our smaller group Bible Study, and have spent some time around us.  Some are new friends that we have met since the dementia, so they fall in to the short term memory loss time period.  A couple of them have known us for a long, long time, and remember Gary from before, a clever guy, who loved Escatology, and always had a practical joke up his sleeve.  In fact, one of these guys used to meet with Gary for discipleship.  Now, when Gary looks at them, if he does, it's not clear if he recognizes them or not. But it doesn't matter how long we have known people, the body of Christ, reaches out to us.  A new friend offered to come visit Gary last week, and ended up looking at photo albums with him.  Gary was more interested in how the album opened and closed (a 3 ring binder) than reviewing the photos, but our friend sat with him to give companionship for an hour while I had an appointment.  Another friend spends time with Gary during our monthly A.D. ministry meeting at the church.  This Saturday he took him for a walk, with his arm around Gary for support, talked about the things they saw, chatting and joking away, while Gary said nothing.  Gary may or may not be understanding, but he is hearing a man's voice, and spending time with men.  It is awkward to talk to someone who does not respond, but these men, who love Jesus, love Gary because Jesus loved them first.  They are offering a cup of cold water in Jesus' name to "the least of these".  I have never been so grateful!

Be Still

Did you know that the most frequent command in the Bible is "Don't be afraid"?  I never heard that until today.  I would have thought it would have been something like "Love God", or "Repent." Not that one command is more important than another, since God expects them all to be taken seriously, but "Don't be afraid" really hits home right now. During the last couple of weeks I have been greatly impacted the incident when Jesus calmed the storm.

Storm on the Sea of Galilee by Rembrandt

From Mark 4 "On that day, when evening came, He said to them, 'Let us go over on to the other side.'  Leaving the crowd, they took Him along with them in the boat, just as He was; and other boats were with Him.  And there arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up.  Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion, and they woke Him and said to Him, 'Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?; and He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, 'Hush, be still.' and the wind died down and it became perfectly calm. and He said to them, 'Why are you afraid?  How is it that you have no faith?'  They became very much afraid and said to one another 'Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?'"

"Hush, be still."

When the storms rage and threaten, I am like the disciples.  I am prone to panic, even though Jesus is right there with me.  It's so easy to forget that Jesus is the maker of the earth, the seas, AND the weather.  He can stir up a storm or quiet it down just as easily.  When my eyes are on the difficulty instead of my Savior, fear grips my heart.  "What will I do?  What if...?  Oh no!"  I am sure that God wants us to cry out to him when we're in trouble, because He promises in the Psalms that he "inclines His ear to us and hears our cries".  "He will call on Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him." Psalm 91:15  But how would I have woken Jesus up in the boat that day?  From a heart of panic, or a heart of trust?

"Why are you afraid?  How is it that you have no faith?"

Years ago, when our little daughter feared an approaching hail storm in the desert, Gary said "Don't be afraid."  He knew that we were in a safe place, and the storm was not big enough to hurt us.  More than once, when a splinter had to be removed from little hands, I said "Don't be afraid, it's alright."  I knew that an infection could develop if left alone.  We comfort our children with these words because we see the bigger picture.

How am I able to obey this command?  If someone says "Don't be afraid." I want to know if that person can be trusted.  Do they know what they are talking about?  Do they understand?  Do they know the big picture?  Are they in a position to control the outcome?  Do they have my best interest in mind?  In other words, who's saying it?  If I'm laying on the gurney waiting for cancer surgery, (which I was, 9 years ago) it might be a kind gesture, if the linen delivery girl says "Don't be afraid",   But when my surgeon says it, THEN I am comforted.  I trust her abilities.  Why?  I have learned of her experience, her "track record", her knowledge of my illness.  She is calm, not nervous like me.  She has done this before, many times.

Jesus doesn't want us to be scared.  He want to soothe and comfort us. He loves us with tenderness.  He experienced all the things humans do.  That's why he was asleep in the boat after an extremely busy day ministering to so many.  He understands us because he lived a human life. Yet, he calls us to exercise our faith.  I love what J.C.Ryle said...

From Holiness
"But what if your heart be right with God, and yet you are pressed down with a load of earthly trouble?  What if the fear of poverty is tossing you to and fro and seems likely to overwhelm you?  What if pain of body be racking you to distraction day after day?  What if you are suddenly laid aside from active usefulness, and compelled by infirmity to sit still and do nothing?  What if death has come into your home and taken away your Rachael, or Joseph, or Benjamin and left you alone, crushed to the ground with sorrow?  What if all this has happened?  Still there is comfort in Christ.  He can speak peace to wounded hearts as easily as calm troubled seas.  He can rebuke rebellious wills as powerfully as raging winds.  He can make storms of sorrow abate and silence tumultuous passions as sure as He stopped the Galilean storm.  He can say to the heaviest anxiety, "Peace, be still!"  The floods of care and tribulation may be mighty, but Jesus sits upon the waterfloods and is mightier than the waves of the sea.  Psalm (93:4)  The winds of trouble may howl fiercely round you, but Jesus holds them in His hand and can stay them when He lists.  Oh, if any reader of this paper is broken-hearted, and care-worn, and sorrowful, let him go to Jesus Christ and cry to him, and he shall be refreshed.  "Come unto Me,"  He says, "all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."  (Matthew 11:28)

That great storm on the sea of Galilee had a purpose.  It taught the men in the boat that Jesus was God. It is teaching me that God is together with me in the difficulties of life.  He has the power to shut down the storm.   He wants me to trust Him so I won't be afraid, but I can't trust someone I don't know.  It's a call to deeper intimacy with my Savior, to take Him at His word, and live with a peaceful heart.

Watercolor Journals - The best is yet to be

11 X 14 Custom Watercolor

A 40 year marriage and a wife's love for her husband prompted my most recent painting.  She loves him and understands, that each year's lessons build on the experiences of the last.  In the consideration of "Quality vs Quantity", it seems to me that quantity gives opportunity for quality to happen.  A lifetime commitment to keeping one's vows provides a delightful garden where love can really grow and mature.  Trust, respect, truth, confidence, wisdom and peace come from many years of sharing life with the one you love.  She chose an excerpt from Robert Browning's Rabbi Ben Ezra, as a way to celebrate a very special anniversary.  Their garden is filled with hollyhocks, and I'm sure their home is filled with abounding joy.

While painting, I enjoyed thinking about the "last of life, for which the first was made".  For 36 years, Gary and I have walked through life together, with each year's experiences building on the years before. This project has provided me with pleasant thoughts of the past "happier" days, mingled with peace and trust as we hold hands through the more challenging times at hand.  I'm thankful for the opportunity to "age" with my own husband knowing that God is trustworthy and I have nothing to fear.  Thank you, Patti, for entrusting me with this project and for the great reminder.

Watercolor Journals - Autumn Crisp

I'm looking forward to the crisp mornings, and clear skies of Autumn, as the trees put on their finest colors, and the school year begins.  Parents and kids are already lining up at Walmart to buy school supplies, and even though the summer fun is coming to an end there is an air of expectation and fresh starts.  This painting will be a gift for a special teacher.  I was reminded of the coming fall colors, limited though they may be in Southern California, AND the wonderful teachers that go above and beyond, to teach our little ones.   Proverbs says, "A wise teacher makes learning a joy."  I am glad to have a part in celebrating Mrs. M's contribution to two little boys who truly enjoyed being in her class.  Thank you Teachers, and "Happy Autumn" everyone...Onward!

Gary's Prayers - since being diagnosed with Alzheimer's in '07

August 2009

"Thank you for raising Jesus from the dead on our behalf.  Let us glorify You in the line of duty, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in our lives."

(After listening to a Dr. Jack MacArthur sermon on Revelation 20)

"Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years." Revelation 20:6

"Don't seek to add years to your life, but rather add life to your years."

In honor of Gary's birthday today I want to share some of my happiest memories.  We are here on Planet Earth for such a short time, in light of eternity.  Some of us have the privilege of sharing some of those years with a spouse.  I pray we would ALL seek to find joy in the good things God has given us, and not waste time with a critical spirit, or wishing for something we do not have.  God gives good gifts to each of his children.  May we be grateful for them in the present.

Happy Birthday, Gary!

H - Happy - "For he will not often consider (much remember) the years of his life, because God keeps him occupied with the gladness of his heart." Ecclesiastes 5:20.  Our pastor, Jon Rourke, said on Sunday morning, that "The most blessed man is the not the one who has the most, but the one with the capacity to enjoy what he has."  Gary learned to savor things.  Cinnamon rolls, moss, and steel drum hymns. 
A - Arguments -When our daughters were about 6 and 4, and they decided to argue with each other over a toy, or whatever kids argue about, Gary instituted "5 minute hugs."  The timer was set, and the girls had to hug each other for the allotted time.  What began as miserable intolerance, always ended up with laughter, and cooperation. 
P - Proper Manners - Table manners were HUGE at our house.  For some reason, Gary, even though a construction worker by trade, would not tolerate talking with food in your mouth, interrupting at the table, reaching across the table for the serving bowl, forgetting to place your napkin in your lap, or worst of all making "mouth noises" while eating.  The girls, (and both Gary and I as well), would be warned one time, then "thrown out the window".  Fortunately, we had a window, that was low to the ground, and one could be lowered down, but the first time Gary said, "If you do it again, I'm going to throw you out the window", it was met with big eyes.  Especially when we had guests over for dinner.  When we remodeled and changed the windows to the type with screens, the consequence morphed into going outside and counting to 100.  I confess I too have spent some time on the front porch during some meals.
P - Practical Jokes - Smoke bombs wired to honeymoon get-away cars, sink faucet spray nozzles wedged to spray the victim when the water is turned on, "Bedwetting" treatment ads left on the windshields of friends in the church parking lot.  The list is long.  Gary's friends also knew how to "pay him back".  He once got a call from the local Marine Sargent Recruiter because he had "filled out a card inquiring about enlisting." One time, on the first night home from our vacation, we were awakened at 1:00 am to strobe lights and sirens in our bedroom, coming from the a/c duct, coincidentally right after our friend, John had been house sitting for us.  The trouble with practical jokes is that they often overflow on to innocent wives!   
Y -Yucky Tomato - One of our daughters, who shall remain nameless, hated tomatoes, and still does to this day.  The rule at our house, was that if you didn't "care for" something, you needed to at least have a "no thank you" serving, and taste it because you never know when your tastes will change.  When this daughter was about 4, she decided she would not even taste her BLT at Sunday lunch.  This became the typical "battle of the wills."  Gary said, "That's fine, you can have it for dinner and nothing else except juice until you try the tomato."  So out it came at dinner, at which time she ate the Bacon.  Still refusing to taste the tomato, she received the sandwich again at breakfast at which time she ate the Lettuce and some of the Bread.  Hunger had it's effect and at lunchtime on Monday she decided to take a bite of the tomato. 
B - Beautiful - I can't remember the exact context, but will never forget that Gary said "You can make a woman beautiful by how you treat her."
I - Imagination - Gary's imagination often led to inventions and a garage, crowded with "someday I'm going to" projects. One that everyone's familiar with is the stone self portrait, high above the driveway, on the fireplace.  (see photo below)  He wanted to "keep an eye on his work truck."  I assume it is still there, keeping an eye on our former house. 
R - Reconnaissance - Our friend Tim, whom we served with at the USC Bible Study recently reminded me of a lesson he learned from Gary, "one of the only things I really remember about being a husband and father in situations like this was Gary's comparing it to being a scout. As a man, you go out and search out a situation and make sure that it's a good one for your family. Are there provisions? Is it safe? Where are the dangers and threats?" That helped me to see what my role was and how I could be a blessing to my family. 
T - H2O Therapy - Our friends, Greg and Diane, called it his "Water Therapy".  Gary's first activity upon arriving at home from work every day, was watering the front yard.  Even after he installed sprinklers, he would unwind in this way.
H - Haircut Joy - When I began to loose my hair from the chemo therapy 9 years ago, Gary helped me get it over with, and all shaved off.  But this dreaded event, became a cause for laughter, because of his fun attitude.  Out came the buzzer, accompanied by sympathy and a hug, and then he proceeded to make me laugh.  First he gave me a mohawk, and then a military cut, and then away it all went.  "Blip-ti-de-Blip...Blip-ti-de-Blam!"
D - Dump Antics - In the 70's, Gary had a 1953 1-Ton Flat bed pickup truck.  He had ordered tool boxes for it, and in order to have them installed, the flat bed needed to be removed.  He drove the truck to the dump, and pulled up near the piles of trash, got out, removed the bolts holding the flatbed to the frame, got back in, 'gunned' it, and sped away, which immediately removed the flatbed.  One of the "trash-pickers" called out to him, as he drove away, "Hey mister, you lost part of your truck!" 
A - Automobile Showroom -Gary often told young men who were getting involved with young women, while still in college, "What you're doing is like hanging around the new car lots, when you can't afford to buy a new car?  You need to be ready to support a wife, AND family, before you get involved in a dating relationship.  Until that time, spend time with girls in groups, and don't get serious until you can do something about it.  It's not sensible, or fair to 'tap dibs' on a girl and make her wait for you to get your act together.  Do things in the right order." 
Y - "You bettcha" - This was his most common response whenever I asked Gary to do something for me.  Requests ranging from "Can you unload the groceries from the car?" "You Bettcha!" "Can you find a way to hang rice paper lamps all over the back yard for April's wedding?" "You Bettcha!" "Can you make footprints in wet cement leading to the fishpond for our upcoming murder-mystery party?  Oh, and we'll need a corpse too."  Gary disappeared for a while and down he came from the attic with the mannequin, again...

Gary would be the first to say he is not perfect, and he probably wouldn't be thrilled with all the attention he is getting lately, but birthdays are a time for celebrating.  I celebrate my Gary. 

Keeping an Eye on Things

 

The Parentals Head West

Right now in Springville, Utah, my very sweet, elderly parents are enjoying their breakfast.  They are at the mid-point of their road trip to California from Bozeman, Montana.  This time their car is loaded with more than suitcases, for they are moving.  The moving van is on it's way, and the documents have been signed.  Everything has been done.  It may sound simple, but there are so many required steps to a move like this, and when you are 88 or 93, the details are overwhelming.

None of us, including my parents thought they would ever leave the Big Sky Country.  They have loved it for nearly 30 years.  But the winters, and the distance from family finally proved too much for these adventurous dear ones, and they decided to put their house on the market.  So, a couple months later, here they come.

I am tempted to make a list of how many answers to prayer that our family has experienced over the last few months regarding this "move."  I'll limit myself to two; a "Macro" and a "Micro" example.

Prayer for wisdom, and direction in what home to buy:  We all wanted them to join us in the Friendly Valley community.  It is "safe", beautiful, and convenient.  I've been watching properties here for some few months as they come on the market, and sell, or sit there.  When the time came for Mom and Dad to make an offer, there was only one house in our immediate neighborhood, that was a viable option, and it happened to be directly across the street from us.  God's providence is the explanation.  We couldn't have planned this any better.

Prayer for resolution of a potential problem with document signing:  Wednesday night, after the moving van was loaded, the floors vacuumed and the doors locked for the last time, while at Mom and Dad's friends', getting ready to eat dinner, and spend the night, they realized that Dad's wallet, containing his Drivers License was accidentally loaded into the moving van.  He would need his photo ID Thursday morning to sign over the deed, at the closing, as this is a notarized document.  Well, it was determined that the van was already 2 hours away.  After many phone calls and discussions, and contingency plans, we all decided to go to bed, and pray for a solution.  Turns out an affidavit can be filled out and witnessed that my dad is actually who he says he is.  When getting ready to leave the "closing", Mom asked about the affidavit.  The escrow officer said "Oh, I know these realtors so well.  If they say this is Bill, I believe them.  No problem."  I can't help but think this would not be such a simple solution in Los Angeles.  All I can say is: "Much ado about nothing."

My parents have said two very important things this week which I will always remember.  When asking my dad how things were going, he said, "We couldn't have done it without all the help." (referring to friends and neighbors)  When the problem with the missing Drivers License was resolved, my mom said, "Every time there is a road block, the Lord solves it and says, 'Will you trust Me again?'"  These two comments sum up so much of what the Christian life is about. Trusting God, when we can't see around the corner of the wall in front of us, and then accepting things as they unfold.  Doesn't Romans 8:28 say "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."

What if the offer was not accepted on the house across the street?  What if the documents couldn't be signed without that Drivers License?  Would God be any less good?  Less powerful?  Less loving?  I have frequently prayed for things that would seem good, for others and for God's glory.  Like healing Gary, for instance. The answer is sometimes "No" or "Not yet".  When Jesus saved me, He brought me into his very own family.  I inherited "Every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places." (Eph.1)  Why would I, a fallen, weak, sinful creature, argue in my mind with my Creator?  How foolish would that be!  I am not perfect, or strong or able to understand everything that happens, but that is because God is God, and I am not.  We are not like Him.  Even though he makes us his sons and daughters by His incredible gift of salvation, He is not at out beckon call.  He is not Santa Claus.  BUT, He very graciously listens to us.   

"He set my feet upon a rock, making my footsteps firm.  He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear and will trust in the LORD.  How blessed is the man who has made the LORD his trust..."  Ps. 40: 3-4  I am not strong, but God is.  I don't know which way to "go", but God keeps my feet secure.   My glad heart is because of Him.

"He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?" Romans 8:32  That's it!  Once our eternal salvation is taken care of, which is the impossibly hardest thing ever done, why would I doubt that all other things are in His tender care as well. 

Right now, my parents are in His tender care, and I am eagerly awaiting their arrival.  Yes I am praying for them because God is listening to me.  I am His adopted daughter.  If something "goes wrong", that is not because God wasn't paying attention.  He will use it to accomplish His purposes in all of our lives.  It is to God that we look, for it is in Him that we "live and move and have our being." Acts 17:28

Our new neighbors.