Back in the Big City

Before we headed west again over the Cascade mountains we enjoyed a lovely casual outdoor wedding in Kettle Falls, Washington. Beautiful weather, beautiful views and great food and friends gathering together in a plush yard overlooking the Columbia River.

These are the bride’s great granddaughters who include our granddaughter, Addy.

We have not been successful in finding a home yet but we are not losing hope. We are tired and hope to regroup soon.

We miss this kind of traffic already…

Hope you are all enjoying your environs!

Love Lifted Me ~ Hymn

Matthew 14: 30-33 (NASB)  But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind stopped. And those who were in the boat worshipped Him, saying, “You are certainly God’s Son!”

Rowe and Smith wrote this song in Saug­a­tuck, Con­nec­ti­cut. Ac­cord­ing to Rowe’s daugh­ter:

“How­ard E. Smith was a lit­tle man whose hands were so knot­ted with arth­ri­tis that you would won­der how he could use them at all, much less play the pi­a­no…I can see them now, my fa­ther strid­ing up and down hum­ming a bar or two and How­ard E. play­ing it and jot­ting it down.”

Love Lifted Me

I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore,
Very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more,
But the Master of the sea, heard my despairing cry,
From the waters lifted me, now safe am I.

Refrain

Love lifted me! Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help
Love lifted me!

All my heart to Him I give, ever to Him I’ll cling
In His blessèd presence live, ever His praises sing,
Love so mighty and so true, merits my soul’s best songs,
Faithful, loving service too, to Him belongs.

Refrain

Souls in danger look above, Jesus completely saves,
He will lift you by His love, out of the angry waves.
He’s the Master of the sea, billows His will obey,
He your Savior wants to be, be saved today.

Refrain

Ht: Cyberhymnal

Onward…

Our third container made it’s way to the yard on Monday morning. The sign was taken down Monday afternoon. We spent the night at our kids’ home north west from us. Drove over to the old house to empty out the freezer and hand over the keys on Tuesday. Our agent brought us some nice gifts and we said our goodbyes to the house. We still have exclusive access to our 44′ x 24′ shop till the end of August which is a blessing to us for sure. The heat wasn’t as bad today as yesterday which was a relief. Tomorrow we head to Colville to look at 7 houses. Maybe we’ll be able to put an offer on one of them. Time will tell. Hopefully cooler days will prevail over there, too.

This was a fun photo that popped up on Facebook from my niece Michelle taken at our Pop’s viewing.

My grandniece Avery, our grand Addy and our youngest niece, Hope. Addy really bonded with Hope. When Hope was around I was chopped liver. 🙂 It’s fun to see how little ones light up and enjoy the younger set.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, for all your prayers and thoughts and encouragement during this season of upheaval in our day to day life.

For a Day or a Lifetime…

Besides our mattress (no box springs) these are the only furnishings left in our home for us to sit on. No TV but we still have internet. Today, Sunday, we went to church and said our goodbyes. We went out for breakfast after church since we have packed up all our dishes, etc. After breakfast we put our trailer on “offer up” and immediately got several inquiries on it and sold it within 2 hours. The couple who came to pick up the trailer also took two large “free” items we had on the curb, win win. Less items to take to the dump. We gave a few potted plants and patio decor to our neighbors. Then we made a trip to son #1’s to sit on a couch and watch the Sounders game. We also transported our two top hat blueberry bushes to their patio. We left one of our cars there and came back home via a new hamburger joint in Bothell. We’ll have one more sleep at this old house and then we’ll transfer our temporary residence to son #1’s home.

This was the classic Bothell sign we stopped on the side of the road to climb up to in the 90’s and take this shot for our Christmas photo. Since then a new college has been built on part of this site and the sign was removed.

A new sign has been added recently to replace the old one. I like the old one better. When we moved to Washington in 1988 our first home was in Bothell. Our current home had a Bothell address until the city of Kenmore incorporated in 1998, the year we moved to this old house. We’ve lived in Bothell and Kenmore more than a day but less than a lifetime.

This will be my last post from this old house.

Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us

Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us

Savior, like a shepherd lead us,
Much we need Thy tender care;
In Thy pleasant pastures feed us,
For our use Thy folds prepare.
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus!
Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus!
Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.

We are Thine, Thou dost befriend us,
Be the guardian of our way;
Keep Thy flock, from sin defend us,
Seek us when we go astray.
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus!
Hear, O hear us when we pray.
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus!
Hear, O hear us when we pray.

Thou hast promised to receive us,
Poor and sinful though we be;
Thou hast mercy to relieve us,
Grace to cleanse and power to free.
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus!
We will early turn to Thee.
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus!
We will early turn to Thee.

Early let us seek Thy favor,
Early let us do Thy will;
Blessèd Lord and only Savior,
With Thy love our bosoms fill.
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus!
Thou hast loved us, love us still.
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus!
Thou hast loved us, love us still.

Words: Dorothy A. Thrupp, 1836.

Camping at Home…

We are down to a two person section of our couch and a mattress on our basement floor at this old house. We still have our patio furniture on the deck so we have a table to eat at. It’s like camping around here with just a few essentials for everyday living. Once the TV and mattress are loaded we will move into son #1’s home.

From there we will make trips to son #2 for house hunting.

While we are here daughter and son in law are helping us prepare for our move along with son #1 and daughter in law.

The plus side of our mattress being moved down to the basement is how nice and cool it is down there compared to our upstairs bedroom. Cooler, darker and quieter. We’ve had several days of hot hot weather here in the Seattle area. The hottest day is suppose to be on Sunday. So thankful and grateful for our kids and how helpful they are and for our friends who have helped us out, too. Looking forward to cooler days next week!

 

Adieu to California

Our dear old Pop’s signature farewell to us. He always said it three times. A friend of our niece’s left this sign on her doorstep the day after our Pop’s funeral. Such a sweet thoughtful gift. I think all of us will be having these signs made soon.

Heading home to continue to empty out our home. We’ve got 7 days left. Thank you once again for your prayers and encouragement. I really do appreciate all of you.

When the Day of Toil is Done ~ Hymn

When the Day of Toil is Done

When the day of toil is done,
When the race of life is run,
Father, grant Thy wearied one
Rest forevermore.

When the strife of sin is stilled,
When the foe within is killed,
Be Thy gracious Word fulfilled:
Peace forevermore.

When the darkness melts away
At the breaking of the day,
Bid us hail the cheering ray:
Light forevermore.

When the heart by sorrow tried,
Feels at length its throbs subside,
Bring us, where all tears are dried,
Joy forevermore.

When for vanished days we yearn,
Days that never can return,
Teach us in Thy love to learn
Love forevermore.

When the breath of life is flown,
When the grave must claim its own,
Lord of life, be ours Thy crown,
Life forevermore.

Words: John Ellerton, 1870.

There is More to Come…

Moisi’s kids at his funeral, oldest to youngest, Kathy, Vera, Ellen, Tim, Steve, Lana and Leonard.

The next generation. Moisi’s grandchildren and great grandchildren with spouses.

It was an exceptional day of mourning and rejoicing for the life God gave to our dear old Pop.

When I get back to a place of quiet in my brain I’ll post a complete recap of our laments and our rejoicing.