Happy Memorial Day

Here's a great video to remind you of what Memorial Day is all about:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mlE-c3T6fs&feature=player_embedded

Lesson Learned the Hard Way

Never try to swallow a handful of pills without something to drink. You might think your swallowing ability would be the same, but it's not...trust me on this.

And if for some crazy reason you want to try to prove me wrong, be sure you are somewhere where the result of failure can be safely and sanitary disposed of.

What budget deficit?

Amber Gunn did a great job of explaining why we DON'T have a $9 billion deficit in Washington State here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-qUwTJAgYw

Sunshine

What happened to me today is almost as old as time. It has happened to me many times before. But it is still a wonderful thing.

I enjoyed the sunshine.

True, I am sitting in front of a computer and it is only being enjoyed through the window. But it is still a wonderful thing.

Can you imagine what life would be like without the sun? Actually, there wouldn't be life on earth without the sun. It is an integral part of God's creation!

The sun is so important, that in the Bible it is used to help us imagine what life will be like when heaven comes to earth. There will be no need for the sun because of the radiance and light that will come from the presence of Jesus, the Son of God. What a lovely thought.

A New Blog

I've started a blog just for updates on Mom. If you are a close friend or family member, please email me and ask to be added to the list of authorized readers.

A Win for Open Public Records

We pay for government, so we should know what they do. This especially true when they actually come up with cost savings measures.

NPR posted an interesting article on the open public records fight between Governor Christine Gregorie and the Evergreen Freedom Foundation. It was a "win" for citizens and the open public records act.

You can read the background information on the public records fight here.

A Tribute to Grandma Norbo

At Grandma’s House
A Tribute to Grandma Norbo from her Granddaughters
By Juliana McMahan

Grandma’s house is full of happy memories,
Winter, spring, summer, and fall with leaves.
In Grandma’s yard was a children’s swing,
In her house many a play thing.

Along the walkway was a large garden bed,
Her house was white, with blue trim instead.
A compost pile she did faithfully keep,
We dumped table scraps there in a heap.

When you entered the door, fresh bread you might smell.
She made pickles, bread pudding, and cookies as well.
She cooked in the kitchen with a big apron on,
And of testing her baking I was very fond.

She loved to serve popcorn on Sunday night.
She invited in friends to share a bite.
She fed missionaries, neighbors and students, often poor.
She welcomed all who came to her door.

Meals began with Scripture and prayer,
Christ the unseen guest—you knew He was there.
At the table she rarely stayed to eat,
She thought serving us was a special treat.

Each bite of food she did carefully chew,
She’d still be eating when we were all through.
She wore cotton dresses, long hair on her head,
I never saw it down, except at bed.

She loved to hum a little tune,
I heard her morning, night and noon.
She loved pink, roses, and Alberta sun.
She labored long after the day was done.

Chinese checkers she loved to play,
She could beat you night or day.
Oh the stories she loved to tell.
If you were sick, she made you feel well.

The marble roller did entertain,
And well deserved its far-flung fame.
Tiny beds in her closet she’d keep,
For little children, a place to sleep.

Her sense of humor caught some by surprise,
But most things she said were very wise.
She was not afraid to say what was right.
Her words stayed with you when she was out of sight.

Her Bible was well worn with reading,
Verses she’d quote if you were not heeding.
She had lots of sayings about every day life,
How to pick a husband, how to be a good wife.

She came from genuine pioneer stock,
She could pluck a chicken or fix a lock.
If in need, she’d give her last penny,
Or help you some way, if she didn’t have any.

Her letters hand-written in old cursive style,
I knew that writing them took her a while.
She wanted every one of us to know,
When we died, where we would go.

Her hands were stiff and crippled with age,
But she seemed to know it was a passing stage.
Right till the end she had a mischievous smile,
She’d show it to you if you stayed a while.

But most of all, night or day,
Grandma, for family and friends would pray.
Walls covered with pictures, to me she did say,
“Reminders to pray along my way.”

She wanted us all to serve and love,
The Heavenly Father watching down from above.
And now as she sits at Jesus’ feet,
These same petitions she does repeat.

As she neared life’s end to me she said,
“Don’t worry for me when I appear to be dead.
For this feeble body is only a shell,
A new one in heaven is where I will dwell.

My blessing I give to you this night,
Be strong in the Lord; make faith your sight.
As long as the blood of the Savior you trust,
We’ll be together, when our bodies are dust.”

And so we do not mourn as those with no hope,
The promises of God will help us all cope.
And if Grandma Norbo you again wish to see,
Know for sure where you will spend eternity.

Grandma Norbo Goes Home

This morning I heard the bitter-sweet news that my Grandma Norbo (my Mother's Mother) went home to be with her Lord during the night.

We do not mourn as those that have no hope. Grandma trusted in the blood of Jesus Christ to save her from her sins, and so we have the confidence of the Word of God that she was welcomed into heaven with her sins fully forgiven. She faithfully served her Lord and Savior for the majority of her 98 1/2 years, and I am sure that she is enjoying a reunion with many family and friends who preceded her into eternity. But most of all she is enjoying the sight of the face of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I am sure she was greeted with those precious words, "Well done thou good and faithful servant." I am very grateful that we shared one last Christmas and New Year's holiday with her just a few short weeks ago.

The Memorial Service will be held next Saturday in Three Hills, Alberta. Your prayers are appreciated.

Door-to-door Snow

Thanks to the abundant snowfall, we had a first this year. We had door-to-door snow for our annual Christmas trip to Grandma's house. When we first got a bit of snow over a week before Christmas, we never imagined that it would actually stick around until Christmas! We certainly never imagined that the snow would continue to pile up for over a week!!!! But it did.

When we left our house we had over 12 inches of snow on the ground. Grandma only had 4-6 inches. That's not the way it usually works. However, Grandma did have much colder weather with her snow. Below zero several of the days we were there. But we had fun anyway.

Here's our Christmas Day photo:


And here's a nice picture of a visit to Grandma:


Grandma is looking pretty good for 98 1/2 years old. She was fairly alert and talkative most of the time (even though we did have to wake her up when we visited). She certainly seemed to enjoy our company!

We also enjoyed visiting other relatives while we were there (two uncles and one cousin in the bottom photo).

The weather was snow-filled winter all the way. We had snow from our door until we got back over the pass on our way home (then we hit rain--standard winter weather for us). The roads varied, but were passable. PTL we hit the pass over Snoqualimie when it was open (it had been closed before we got there and closed again the next day after we went through). All-in-all it was a very nice trip.

My favorite part was getting to spend time with my family! There's nothing like a nice long road trip to encourage fellowship among family members.