Author Archives: Ellen

Another Tuesday Dinner at Moisi and Nadia’s

Conversation between Moisi and Ellen b.

Moisi: “Hi Elyena (Russian for Ellen) you know what mom and me do?” (said with wonderful Russian accent)

Ellen b: “No Pop what did you do?” (plain old western U.S. accent)

Moisi: “We go to Rose Hills and make funeral arrangements.”

Ellen b: “Really?”

Moisi: “We choose Memorial Chapel not Sunrise Chapel.”

Ellen b: “Good choice Pop…”

So there you have it Moisi and Nadia are all set now. I’m sure this is a typical conversation y’all have with your folks, too. My parents not only have taken care of many funeral arrangements for friends and family, they have made their own arrangements so we don’t have to. They are something else…

On a lighter note here are some photos from the evening in Brea…

The four sisters who are off the hook in making the funeral arrangements…

 

Jackson the Great Grandson. (Michelle, I like how you’re looking up at Jack in this photo of a photo…)

Jack again (Hope you see these M. Lou!)

Michelle and Debbee (my nieces)

Oh and the menu… Pineapple Chicken with Basmati Rice, Seven Layer Green Salad, Chocolate Blintzes with Fresh Fruit and a Creme Anglaise drizzled poured on top.

Photobucket is holding hundreds of my photos hostage and that’s why you don’t see the original photos on this post.

In Other Words Tuesday

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in HIS wonderful face,
and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, by the light of His glory and grace.”

~ Helen Limmel ~ 

 In considering this quote from Helen Limmel I thought of one of the first people who laid eyes on Jesus and truly understood who he was looking at.

Luke 2: 25-35 ~ “Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,

“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”

And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

What an amazing experience this must have been for Simeon. How wonderful for him that the Holy Spirit clearly taught him who this was and what an amazing privilege to be the priest that would bless the Messiah. I want to be like Simeon waiting on the Lord, looking to Him, living in His light and prepared for whatever the Lord wills. With the Holy Spirit’s help we can turn our eyes upon Jesus and understand more fully why we so desperately need a Savior and why His sacrifice was the only way for us to be saved. We see more clearly our total depravity and His perfect sacrifice for our redemption. When we understand this we look fully into His face.

We have a new host for Tuesdays In Other Words today so click on over to Lori’s at All You Have To Give to read more.

Welcome October!

 A Song in October

Clouds gather, treetops toss and sway;
But pour us wine, an old one!
That we may turn this dreary day
To golden, yes, to golden!

Autumn has come, but never fear,
Wait but a little while yet,
Spring will be here, the skies will clear,
And the fields stand deep in violets.

The heavenly blue of fresh new days
Oh, friend, you must employ them
Before they pass away. Be brave!
Enjoy them; oh, enjoy them!

~ Theodor Storm, A Song in October
 

October’s the month when the smallest breeze

Gives us a shower of Autumn leaves.

Bonfires and pumpkins,

Leaves sailing down

October is red and golden and brown.

~ Songs that teach

 

The Dean’s Watch ~ by Elizabeth Goudge

I’m not finished with this book yet but I wanted to share this quote from Chapter 7 ~ Miss Montague…

How much more friendly it is when you cannot see, thought Miss Montague, and how much closer we are to Him. Why should we always want a light? He chose darkness for us, darkness of the womb and of the stable, darkness in the garden, darkness on the cross and in the grave. Why do I demand certainty? That is not faith. Why do I want to understand? How can I understand this great web of sin and ugliness and love and suffering and joy and life and death when I don’t understand the little tangle of good and evil that is myself? I’ve enough to understand. I understand that He gave me light that I might turn to Him, for without light I could not have seen to turn. I have seen creation in His light. He shared His light with me that I, turned, might share with Him the darkness of His redemption. Why did I despair? What do I want? If it is Him I want He is here, not only love in light illuming all that He has made but love in darkness dying for it…And she said, I will learn to pray.”

I am so thankful for the bloggy world where I’ve been introduced to two new authors that I am enjoying so much and hadn’t been aware of before, Elizabeth Goudge and Dorothy Sayers. Yippee!!

Have a wonderful Monday walking in the Light…

Heavenly Sunlight ~ Hymn

The hymns I have been choosing to share are ones with reference to the specific themes in the book of the Bible that I am reading. The Book of James was the book I just finished and now I am moving onto I John. I was happy to see this old upbeat hymn that I loved singing at Bethany Russian Baptist Church in Los Angeles. The first chapter of I John is about Light and darkness and living in the Light.

 

Heavenly Sunlight

Words: Henry J. Zelley (1859-1942) Music: George H. Cook

Walking in sunlight all of my journey;
Over the mountains, through the deep vale;
Jesus has said, “I’ll never forsake thee,”
Promise divine that never can fail.

Refrain

Heavenly sunlight, heavenly sunlight,
Flooding my soul with glory divine:
Hallelujah, I am rejoicing,
Singing His praises, Jesus is mine.

Shadows around me, shadows above me,
Never conceal my Savior and Guide;
He is the Light, in Him is no darkness;
Ever I’m walking close to His side.

Refrain

In the bright sunlight, ever rejoicing,
Pressing my way to mansions above;
Singing His praises gladly I’m walking,
Walking in sunlight, sunlight of love.

Refrain

Alternate Name Game ~ Meme

 Another Light Hearted Saturday Post for your enjoyment!

 I saw this over at Lux Venit a while back and decided to play along…

1. MY ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car),
Green Neck Camry
 2.MY GANGSTA NAME: (fave ice cream flavor, favorite cookie),
Jamocha Oatmeal

3. MY “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name),
E-Bay

4.MY DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal),
Blue Hedgehog

5. MY SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born),
Moiseyevna  Los Angeles

6. MY STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first),
Bay-El

7. MY SUPERHERO NAME: (”The” + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink),
The Green G & T

8. MY NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers),
Fedot Timofey

9. MY WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names ),
Feoderovna Timofey

10. MY TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter),
Helms Havana

11. MY SPY NAME: (your favorite season/holiday, flower).
Easter Tulip

12. MY CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + “ie” or “y”)
Nectarine Jammie

13. MY HIPPY NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree),
High Fiber Dogwood

14. MY YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: (”The” + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + “Tour”),
The Reading Sunset Tour

Feel free to copy and do your own.

What Season Are You? ~ A Meme

Saw this fun little quiz at Lisa Writes and Hiraeth and needed something light hearted to do…

Play along too and let me know if you do.

You Belong in Fall

Intelligent, introspective, and quite expressive at times…
You appreciate the changes in color, climate, and mood that fall brings
Whether you’re carving wacky pumpkins or taking long drives, autumn is a favorite time of year for you

What Season Are You?

Overwhelmed and Thankful

I’m overwhelmed and thankful to family, face to face friends, and friends I’ve never seen, who have poured out their support, love, and prayers for my son and our family. He’s doing well and is having follow-up tests. God created us to glorify Him in community and it’s in times like these that we see how beautiful community is. Blessings on each and every one of you. I’m praying that God would return the blessing I have received back to you. Have a wonderful weekend.  Ellen b.

2 Thessalonians 3:16 ~ “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.”

Thankful Thursday ~ Prayer Request

Update: Josh was released from the hospital late last night after a CAT Scan and being monitored for a few hours. They believe he had a TIA. He will be having a follow-up and two more tests in the near future. THANK YOU so much for all your prayers. It is so GOOD to be covered. We have no idea what is wrought by our prayers. Things we might not see here or understand. Never believe the lie that your prayers are unimportant! Blessings on all of you.

While I’m writing this post our firstborn Josh is at the ER in Tacoma, Washington because of an episode of aphasia. His wife Laura is there with him. We’re waiting to hear about his examination and if anything serious presents itself. He and Laura were in Tacoma today attending the funeral of Laura’s new sister-in-law’s mother.  It’s times like these that it makes it so hard being 1200 miles away. So what do I thank God for today.

I thank Him that He loves Josh and Laura and has redeemed them for His own.

I thank Him that He is surrounding them with His love and comfort right now.

I thank Him that our other son Dan and daughter Katie are driving to Tacoma to keep Laura and Josh company at the hospital.

I thank Him that Josh and Laura have been at the side of Laura’s brother and his new wife as they grieve over the sudden death of this new wife’s mother and they were at the funeral today lending support.  (Tacoma is approximately an hour’s drive from their and our homes in Washington).

I thank Him that as soon as I told one member of my family everyone was called and asked to pray! That’s a lot of prayer warriors!

I thank Him that now my bloggy friends will be praying, too.

Pray that this mommy’s heart would be still and trust in Her loving God and Savior. (Pray for the dad, too…)

There are more Thankful Thursday posts here.

Show and Tell Friday ~ Antique Cabinet

 

This was the first piece of furniture Dear and I bought after we were married. We bought it at the Antique Guild on Venice Blvd. in the old Helm’s Bakery Building in Culver City, California. The doors have leaded glass in them.

 The two middle compartments open with cool old keys. One of the compartments opens down to make a little desk. The bottom opens out. We paid $135.00 for it. I think now that I see all the clutter in it I might be doing a little reorganizing.

If you’d like to see more Show and Tell head on over to Kelli’s at There’s No Place Like Home…