" What a day that will be, when my Jesus I shall see..."
...when I look upon his face, the One who died and took my place...what a day, glorious day that will be!! The song re- echoes in my mind, as I go about my work....the setting....a country cemetery, in Southern Ohio.... quiet, peaceful and still....the birds twittering almost silent....the deep grief, the torn, aching and bleeding hearts....Matt Stoll, he was a good man....only because he chose to trust in a God who is so much bigger than us! We to, can make that choice...
Our hearts have ached for Lisa and her children, the Stoll and Schneider families and the Southern Ohio congregation.... and we extend our deepest sympathy.
I will never forget what I was doing, when I noticed a message on my phone! Thursday morning, shopping at BJ'S, everything so normal, so daily....I felt the color drain from my face and Ron came walking and I said, have you looked at your messages....we finished our shopping, kind of in a numb, mute feeling....our lives continue as before....the dailies, but knowing there are lives, which will never, ever be the same...our prayers ascend.
Today, a beautiful spring day in the city! I have the usual laundry... gonna fix chicken Alfredo for supper.....Ron drove to Stew Leonards this morning to exchange a propane bottle and also buy some grass seed for the backyard! It seriously needs some help. Alex, being a lawn/ landscape guy, asked his Dad for suggestions, with a picture to show him. Troy has offered a few things to try and see if a more beautiful lawn could be had!!! Ron is working with it, this afternoon....
Tuesday morning, Ron and I went down town to Chelsea Market. Our morning, for fun things and some relaxation. We dined outside, with tree seeds falling down and all around us! We were at Black Seed Bagels. I had a yummy breakfast bagel of fried egg, cheese and bacon. Ron chose almond butter in his bagel. Did some shopping and came on home! To Lincoln hospital to sing, just 5 of us... Jordan was busy, finishing up the last of his training and got his badge - finally! It was a warm day, so Ron and I sat out on the front steps for a long time, watching people, very entertaining!! Jordan cooked supper, he grilled steak, also had grilled shrimp skewers, green salad and rice.... only funny thing about the rice....he borrowed Elsie's instant pot and didn't get it set right, so when ready to eat, it hadn't started to cook!! He had made 3 cups!!!!!! So into a bag, into the fridge it all went! The guys ended up practicing songs for Wednesdays sing out.
Wednesday evening was Bible study and sing-out...Eric was our only visitor.... Clay and Dana also came....( Talking Clay's, we are excited and happy about the little Shultis joining them and us in November! Will be fun to have a baby in our midst!!) Wade chose a lesson, Joy in the Journey! We had a good discussion! Supper was later, menu was beef barbacoa taco's, toppings, cilantro rice, chips and guac. Cherry crisp for dessert. This was the day, Thomas messaged Papa his exciting news.... getting married to Kaci!!! Wonderful, we are thrilled with him/them!! This was also the day a surprise package came to our apartment....a beautiful canvas from Elsie NE... with a lovely, just right saying on it for the unit house! I absolutely love it! Thanks to the unknown sender!! I tried to find out....but gave up!
Thursday, home for supper, grilled chicken and in the evening, we all went down to the fellowship hall and put together tracts for Bowery Sunday! Up to Rogers for popcorn and kombucha!!
Friday was laundry, cleaning house, made granola and no - bake cookies... supper was stromboli! Guys did their chores in the evening. Ron and I took off for Central Park in the afternoon, wanted to go see the Shakespeare gardens. Jordan and Alex had been there the evening before and urged us, we needed to go see! It was very worth it!!! Beautiful flowering trees, tulips and spring flowers and a castle. Lovely walk!
Saturday.... Jordan's 21st birthday! He walked into the living room, like a walking zombie and we all sang a rather high spirited Happy birthday to him....and it was not well received at that moment!!!! We all laughed....he is NOT a morning person!!! 😉😂 We gave him a black t- shirt with the NYC skyline on it....guys left about 1:30, having fun doing their own thing....Ron and I made 5 batches of Crock pot potatoes and left after we munched a little lunch. We went to Grand Central station, Hudson Yards, Anita's Gelato and Macy's. I did buy a pair of shoes at Macy's, but do I like them? Not really, they hurt my feet!! We met the guys in Queens at a restaurant for supper!! Just as Ron and I stepped out of the subway station, it started raining, huge drops and the a down pour!! We huddled under a awning with 3 other people and then Ron ran back into the subway....to get his rain jacket and umbrella ☔ out of the back pack. Why didn't I have my rain jacket and umbrella along????? 🤪 So we had about 6,8,10 blocks to walk...I'm not sure.... feels like forever in a heavy rain! So we tried to both walk fast under 1 umbrella....avoid the biggest puddles.... stopped now and then under awnings with other NYC humans!! I did have a very light jacket on, which I did throw on the hood! Arrived at Copacabana Brazilian grill, feeling like drowned rats!!! You got to love our boys though....they were already there, each had a umbrella and didn't look any worse for the wear!! But I noticed they all looked up as we approached and in their eyes was a look of...I'm sorry!! We laughed, my hair felt pasted to my head....I could wring water out of my dress hem!!! But oh my the food, it was all so good! The meats from the grill were over the top. You paid by weight, this is the plate of food weights!!!! Enjoyed the supper hour, howbeit the dampness and Ron and I got home, showered and washed all the wet clothes!!! Guys went to Macy's yet!
Bowery Sunday.... awake early....Ron tended to the potatoes in the big roaster and I made breakfast. Fleetwood came....13 youth, 4 couples and quite a few children!!! Like maybe 13 children ... 😄Plus Clay and Dana had 2 couples from Lonetree here visiting them. Jayden and Joelle and Jake and Larissa. Was SO good to see Kansas folk!!! Plus 5 local attendees...plus Poughkeepsie....so we were a lot of worshippers!! 65 or so....we filled up the chairs!! The youth sang 5 songs, opening was by Joel ? from Fleetwood, SS, sermon was Ramon Nolt....he did so well....his topic was The Path of Peace.....it just seemed like it was timely....not for any big reasons, just because. Rueben had closing remarks and prayer. Lunch was plenty of roast beef, carrots and potatoes. Fruit salad, green salad and bread. Desserts, cream puffs, chocolate cake and ice cream and bars. Everyone had a place to sit and eat! Dishes and clean-up. Hurriedly changed clothes and then we all left for the subway station. Got to 42nd station and walked to the tunnel, where we always set up table, tracts, Bibles etc. We stood around and sang the first song.... and noticed 2 police visiting with Wade.... well wouldn't you know...they were very nice about it....but seemingly you can't pass out literature without a permit.... excuse me, we have been for months...and yeah came around that we should stop singing too! So we packed up, and all strolled past these 2 police, and for some reason it seemed like they felt a little accomplished!!!! 😉We took another train to Union Square and in the center there, it was very busy and loud with another form of entertainment... as we were walking to another place...I told Ron, what does God have in mind today?? So we sang in a jut out on the sidewalk.....did we touch a heart? On to Bowery....10 songs and a short message by Tony Unruh from Fleetwood....back to 762 St Nicholas Ave.... tired . We bid goodbye to Fleetwood.... supper by Kaitlyn... Chicken taco's and fruit salad. Brownies and ice cream. Rogers and Alistair also joined us.... turned into a special evening/night...one of the boys needed to talk and unload...so us 3 sat up and talked....we went to bed after midnight, but time doesn't matter, when we are sharing hearts!! Is this why we love what we are doing??
Got another load of laundry to fold, supper to make, I need a few groceries....
So long for this week, love and prayers from me to you, Mama Carol