Psalm 19 (ESV)

The Law of the Lord is Perfect

The heavens declare the glory of God,
    and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
2 Day to day pours out speech,
    and night to night reveals knowledge.
3 There is no speech, nor are there words,
    whose voice is not heard.
4 Their voice goes out through all the earth,
    and their words to the end of the world.
In them he has set a tent for the sun,
5     which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
    and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
    and its circuit to the end of them,
    and there is nothing hidden from its heat.

7 The law of the Lord is perfect,
    reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure,
    making wise the simple;
8 the precepts of the Lord are right,
    rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure,
    enlightening the eyes;
9 the fear of the Lord is clean,
    enduring forever;
the rules of the Lord are true,
    and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold,
    even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
    and drippings of the honeycomb.
11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
    in keeping them there is great reward.

12 Who can discern his errors?
    Declare me innocent from hidden faults.
13 Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins;
    let them not have dominion over me!
Then I shall be blameless,
    and innocent of great transgression.

14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
    be acceptable in your sight,
    O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Summer Escape

We crossed the great divide (The Cascade Mountain Range) and will be spending a few days with our Eastern Washington kids.

It’s hard to come empty handed. Or better put, it’s easy to come with some gifts packed in the car.

I found this little workbench at Goodwill and with my “special discount” it cost me under $6.00.

Rayna is trying to prod me into petting her by putting her paw on my foot. “Come on lady, you’re just sitting there”.

It’s nice to get caught up with this little ones new skills. I’ll be running all weekend and I hope to get some stills of Addy but she’s always on the go. I’ll be one tired Baba at the end of each day.

Happy Weekend and last day of June to you all. Happy Canada Day weekend to our friends in the North!

May the friendship between our two countries last forever.

Summer Company

Our first summer visitors arrived in Western Washington on Tuesday June 19th. I know it wasn’t technically summer yet but they are all on summer vacation from school year responsibilities. I’m Great Auntie to Jack and Avery.

Our kids love their cousins. Our niece, Michelle, is my eldest sister’s firstborn daughter.

The girls broke away from the backyard to a local nail salon to get a fresh pedicure. It’s hard to see Avery’s glittery nails.

Time to stoke the fire and warm up the toes.

After our time at Josh and Laura’s on Wednesday, Laura took the Southern California crew for a few hour tour of Whidbey Island on Thursday. That tour ended in a ferry ride back to the mainland and we all met up at our local Mexican restaurant for dinner and a stop at our home. Avery was very sad that we are selling this old house. She’s made memories here over the years.

Before they visited us they made a stop at Dan, Jamie, and Addy’s home for a night. Addy enjoyed their visit.

Meanwhile in Eastern Washington, Addy has finally decided she enjoys spaghetti. Today is Addy’s mommy and daddy’s 3 year wedding anniversary. Happy Anniversary Dan and Jamie. So glad God brought you together.

We have made our flight arrangements to Southern California for our Pop/Dzeda’s funeral which we postponed to July 19th and 20th so that all the out of towners could get reasonable prices for our trips. Our pop will be buried next to our mom at Rose Hills Cemetery in Whittier, California. On Thursday evening, July 19th, we will have a viewing and on Friday July 20th at 11:00 am we will have the funeral at Rose Hills followed by a lunch/reception at Brea Baptist Church in Brea, California.

Moisi Timothy Bagdanov (1923-2018)

Our dear old Pop was ushered into heaven on June 24, 2018 in the late afternoon. He was 95 at the time of his death.

This is a post I wrote about Pop in 2016.

 

These two…always the best when they were together. Together for 70 years before our mom died. My Pop has been fragmented ever since our mom died on their 70th wedding anniversary, September 13, 2013. They could communicate well in Russian with each other. None of us kids are fluent so he’s lost that aspect of his daily life. We’ve all tried to support him in his sorrow. He would love to be reunited with mom and His Savior. But…until then we try to keep him looking up and staying in the light. Can you imagine sharing life together with someone for 70 years and then trying to live on your own?

pop lana melissa

Pop lives with our oldest sister’s family now. God bless her and her family for being there daily for our Pop. He has a special buddy in our dear niece Miss on the right in the photo above. Our sister Lana tries to visit regularly while she is in Southern California. I love the photo above of the 3 musketeers.

 

My Pop loves eating breakfast out but nowhere fancy please! He likes Denny’s or a similar spot where he can get his 2 eggs sunnyside up, with hashbrowns, sausage links and a cup of coffee. Oh yes…white toast only!

 

For lunch if you are going to take him out he enjoys a hamburger at the Habit. If you order or bring in a pizza he does not want thin crust healthy nonsense. Bring on the dough and all the good toppings, please.

 

Our best purchase ever was this recliner that he tells me every time he sees me in person that he loves. Thank you Lyena for my chair.

more of Ellie 012

His sweet great granddaughter Eleanor. He thinks she’s the best.

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No birthday cake just bring him a cherry pie!

mohai32His last sibling that is alive today. Aunt Anna and Pop live a few miles from each other. She lives in a senior care home. (She now lives with her granddaughter) They talk most every day for about 30 seconds tops. That’s another thing about Pop all you need is about 30 seconds a week to stay connected. He does not talk long on the phone!

 

These are some of Pop’s grandchildren with some of their spouses. He has many others and a very cool thing I’ll share about my Pop is that up until a few months ago he would get down on his knees every night and pray out loud for each of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

14102866_10210003724114352_4882991501142410829_oMy niece captured this image of our Pop on his knees praying. Although my Pop and Mom had a language challenge in communicating with us children and grandchildren they showed us all love in different ways. My mother expressed her love through her cooking and preparing meals for us. Our Pop expressed his love in working hard all his life to provide our basic needs. Both my Mom and Pop prayed for each of us every day. These days if our Pop feels his bank account has more money than he needs he gives us some extra cash. My parents always lived with the bare necessities. Another thing my Pop would want you to know is that he was a sinner like the rest of us and that he has been saved by grace. He’s wasn’t perfect but he loves God and is grateful for all that God has done for him.

I wrote this post when my Pop was 93 in 2016. We thank God for Him and how God has blessed him and kept him all these years.

In 2010 my Pop said this to me on the phone after he was released from the hospital for a heart incident. “You know Lyenah last night when I was awake I was thinking, I’m so thankful, so thankful for all these years and God never let us down. For whatever God did…all His blessings and guiding, for all my children, I’m so thankful. I cannot complain. I love you Lyenah. I love all of you. When God calls me home I’ll say Ok…”

Pop meeting his great granddaughter, our first granddaughter, Addy. This was in February of 2018.

Our Pop has been in hospice care for several months at my sister’s home and was ready to leave this earth. We are thanking God that Pop was ushered into his Savior’s presence peacefully as he slept. We are so thankful to my sister Kathy and her husband and dear niece for the day to day care they blessed our dear pop with these last several years.

Past posts about Pop in random order for my own record keeping.

Fatherly Hodepodge

Moisi and Anna

65th Anniversary

My Pop

Mom & Pop 1950’s

Brunch at Mom & Pops

Mom (hospital)

Addy meets her great grandfather

Baba and Dzeda

Joe and Hannah’s Wedding

Vera’s Open House

Nadia

Mom’s Funeral

Katie and Andrew’s wedding

Five Hats I’ve Worn

History and Heritage

Gathering the Moments

Molokan Cemetery

Persia

Pop at 93

Moisiisms

Thinking of Retiring?

Father’s Day

84 Years Old

Some Facebook condolences I want to add here, too.

Josh’s Grandpa was ushered into heaven tonight. Our hearts are heavy at the loss of such an important part of our lives, but we rejoice too. He is fully restored, and is with his Savior and beloved wife. What an honor it was to know, love and be loved by him. Love you always, Deda

So very thankful for the legacy of faith this man left behind, and am privileged to call him family. We didn’t get a chance to introduce Ruthie to her Great Dzeda, but he loved her and Ellie so much. We love you and will miss you, Dzeda!

You should have heard the thunder and lightning last night!! Felt like the Lord was saying “HE HAS ARRIVED!” He is with the Lord & the Lord was exclaiming it last night ! What a amazing thought.. he is with our Creator!

Your dad was such a wonderful and strong man of God. So sorry to hear of Dadya Moisei. Please accept our condolences and apologies in not being able to be there with you during this time as Mike and I are in Australia.

Friday evening Bible Studies at Bethany! He impacted my life! He taught me so much! Will miss him!

He was a shining example of faith. Love you

I miss you already, Deda…I love you forever

So sorry for your families loss.
He left an incredible heritage that is rich in love. So beautiful!
May our Heavenly Father comfort you all and bring you His peace during this time.

My sweet Deda, Moisi Bagdanov, is Home with his Savior. He has fought the good fight, finished his race, and kept the faith…and now that faith is sight! The same God who answered my Baba’s prayer of 20 years and used him to bless many has ushered him into Glory. Thank you to those of you who have faithfully prayed for and loved my family during this time…we love you all!

“Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels descending bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long!”

Our dear old Pop is with his savior. He just wasn’t happy on this earth without his dear Nadz. Peace at last…

As Deda is now with Jesus and Baba in heaven three things keep rolling over and over in my head. 1.) His inherent work ethic passed on to his children and grandchildren and I am sure greatgrands as well. 2.) His passionate prayers mostly in Russian and partly in English. 3.) His “I love you, I love you, I love you”’s always in 3’s. It is an honor to be your grandchild, I will love you forever.

Home to eternal glory! Your dad’s godly legacy lives on in his dear children and grandchildren! Oh to be present with the Lord! Love you all and share your sadness and joy!

So sorry to hear. What a blessed life. A man of God and a man of integrity. Our love to you and all the family.

Absent from the body, present with the Lord. But also absent from those who loved him and cherished his love for them. Joy, washed with tears. God be with you and your loved ones, Ellen (and Greg and family)

So happy that your dad is where he has wanted to be for a long time! He leaves behind an amazing legacy and will be missed by so many whose lives were touched by his love!

Much love to all the Bagdanovs! Heaven looks sweeter all the time especially now that sweet Moisi is there. Blessings. 💜✝😢

Always such a sweet, kind couple. They’re together again.

Your parents were so dear and such a blessing. They made a mark on my life. Always giving of their time to care for their family and still others. Full of hospitality and warming others in. So thankful for our good Lord who brings us to our new home. Praying for all of you Ellen Bagdanov Bayles, your family is a great reflection of the God your parents trusted. big hugs

Psalm 115:16. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. I am happy for your dad, but I am sad for you. Love, Hugs and Prayers.

Praising God He is at Peace with Him & His Nadz, Praying for you and the whole family!,
Please let us know how we can help & support you! xoxo

Ellen…to you and all your family our thoughts are with you…..We know death is coming, but is still hard.

I’m so glad I got to meet them , such a sweet endearing couple, & all why I feel your loss, a tiny fraction of yours. Sweet Peace & Comfort to you & your family. Xoxo

Oh Ellen- I am so sorry. I know how he loved you and your family. And, how you loved him. My prayers are with all of you.

Love and condolences from Steve and I , to all your family.
Gone physically from this earth but now joyfully with his beloved. In that Heavenly Kingdom. What joy that brings to hearts, knowing the peace he now knows. Love

Praying for you and your family during this time, but knowing that your Pop is with his savior and rejoicing, is so awesome. May the Lord continue to comfort you and give you peace.

Promoted to glory!!

So many Saints have been swept up by Jesus Angel’s recently. And now your father and what an amazing reunion they are having. I’m sorry Ellen. You had great parents. **

Praying for you, Lana, and the whole family with love at this time of loss. And thankful with you for the rich legacy your dear parents left. How happy your dad must have been to walk through the gates and what a joy-filled reunion!

Oh Ellen. I’m so very sorry. Your parents have been such an inspiration for so many. Hugs to you and your family. 💗

Aching and rejoicing and praising God for the beautiful smiles, prayers and welcoming words I was privileged to enjoy, gifted by your precious Pop through more than 4 decades.
Love to you all.

I will always remember your parents with fond memories when we were in junior high and high school. They were always so dedicated to their family. I feel your pain Ellen. I know you take comfort in our Lord and the fact that your parents are reunited once again. 🙏🏻🙏🏻

From Instagram:

I’m reminded of the words to the hymn that he likely walked down to at the crusade when he gave his life to Jesus…. Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bid’st me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come! I come!

Ellen, hugs to you and your family! I know heaven had been your Dad’s desire! I look forward to meeting him in heaven one day. And I will always remember his love for the Lord, his family and jigsaw puzzle. Prayers and hugs to you and your family! 💕✝

At peace, and with your beloved mother. May eternal light shine on him and may he rest in peace. What a man your father was. What a legacy of faith and courage and determination he had left for you and your children!

 

 

Our family will be trying to figure out the best time for all of us to have Pop’s memorial service and funeral. There are a lot of us. The funeral will be at Rose Hills in Southern California which means some of us have to travel from Washington State and Texas.  We’ll have to weed through all that is going on in our lives to choose what’s best for most.

 

 

I Cannot Tell ~ Hymn

I Cannot Tell

I cannot tell why He whom angels worship,
Should set His love upon the sons of men,
Or why, as shepherd, He should seek the wanderers,
To bring them back, they know not how or when.
But this I know, that He was born of Mary
When Bethlehem’s manger was His only home,
And that He lived at Nazareth and labored,
And so the Savior, Savior of the world is come.

I cannot tell how silently He suffered,
As with His peace He graced this place of tears,
Or how His heart upon the cross was broken,
The crown of pain to three and thirty years.
But this I know, He heals the brokenhearted,
And stays our sin, and calms our lurking fear,
And lifts the burden from the heavy laden,
For yet the Savior, Savior of the world is here.

I cannot tell how He will win the nations,
How He will claim His earthly heritage,
How satisfy the needs and aspirations
Of East and West, of sinner and of sage.
But this I know, all flesh shall see His glory,
And He shall reap the harvest He has sown,
And some glad day His sun shall shine in splendor
When He the Savior, Savior of the world is known.

I cannot tell how all the lands shall worship,
When, at His bidding, every storm is stilled,
Or who can say how great the jubilation
When all the hearts of men with love are filled.
But this I know, the skies will thrill with rapture,
And myriad, myriad human voices sing,
And earth to Heaven, and Heaven to earth, will answer:
At last the Savior, Savior of the world is king!

Words: William Y. Fullerton, 1929.

Weekend Roundup “Y”

It’s time for Tom’s Weekend Roundup “Y”.

The prompts:

Starts with “Y.” 

A Favorite. 

Yellow. 

Starts with “Y”.

Yellowstone National Park with it’s yellow stone walled canyon.

The real view of part of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone with the Lower Falls and an artist rendition below with the yellow stone enhanced.

This artwork is displayed in Cody Wyoming at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. One of my original posts about Yellowstone can be found here.

A favorite:

A yellow budding water lily and it’s reflection in the water.

Yellow:

A yellow fire hydrant in Coupeville, Washington. Looks like a little robot…

Joining Tom with a parting shot…

A bush filled with yellow blooms. Sorry I don’t know the name of it.

Have a wonderful first weekend of summer y’all.

 

 

Hello Summer Hodgepodge

1. Summer is upon us this week in the Northern hemisphere. Tell us three things on your summer bucket list.

No real bucket list type items but things that we need to have happen this summer…

1. Sell our house. 2. Buy a new house. 3. Complete our move to the new house. In the midst of all of that, spend time with our growing granddaughter, family and friends.

2. Something fun you used to do as a kid in the summertime?

In the 50’s we would go camping in the mountains close to Los Angeles. Big Bear was one of our favorites. As a child this was a fun experience. I’m the one with the buster brown haircut. The other thing we would do was spend time at the beach with our cousins and usually we’d choose Newport Beach in Southern California. Besides dodging waves and digging for sand crabs, the kids would walk around and collect empty soda bottles to take into the little convenience store to redeem the deposits. With the money we’d get by doing this we’d buy a popsicle or candy bar. So thrilling for us young ones! What wasn’t fun about the beach was coming home with horrible sunburns and having to have cold rags dipped in vinegar put on our backs to ease the pain and heat. Ouch. My dear mom was the one who would minister to us.

3. Rooftop or backyard? Why?

I’ve never really lived in an environment where I have to rely on a rooftop to be outside. A yard is still important to me. More importantly a covered deck is my preference with a view of greenery all around and some privacy. If you have a rooftop space you could invite me over to experience something different!

4. Do you read food labels? Place importance on them? Make an effort to find out/care about where your food comes from?

My label reading life has evolved over the years. Growing up we were part of a religion/cult where pork products were taboo so we made sure the salami and hot dogs we bought were an “all beef” product. My family left this group in my later teens and I am free to enjoy bacon and other pork products. MSG was the next item in an ingredients list that we avoided and still do. We avoid anything with aspartame and saccharin or any fake sugar. No diet soft drinks at my house. I can only hope the food I buy at the local grocer is okay…another good reason to pray over the meal you are about to consume.

5. A song you’ll have on repeat this summer?Philip Philip

Summer, Fall, Winter and Spring the songs I mostly have on repeat are Christian worship songs and hymns but here’s one that is somewhat appropriate for our move…

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Our son is threatening to get our little grand girlie a huge hamster ball so they don’t have to deal with this scenario. Yikes, she climbed up on that bar stool and hoisted herself up on the counter. She’s a strong daredevil.

Here she is with her Uncle. This looks a lot safer!

Linking up with Jo From This Side of the Pond for Wednesday Hodgepodge. She asks the questions and we answer…

Open House Road Trip

On Saturday we set out to the Northern end of Whidbey Island with Fort Ebey State Park our destination. We had to be out of our house from 1 until 4pm so a drive was a good option for us.

Set on the western side of Whidbey Island, Fort Ebey was constructed as a coastal defense fort during the Second World War.

The bluff trail overlooks Admiralty Inlet and offers peek-a-boo views of Point Wilson Lighthouse across the bay. Douglas-fir and hemlock provide shade along forested trails sprinkled with pink big-leaf rhododendrons in season.

We took a short loop that took us to Lake Pondilla and were rewarded with a viewing of this bird. Is it a Golden Eagle, a young eagle, or some kind of hawk?

Next time we visit we’ll take the Bluff trail to the Gun Battery.

From Fort Ebey we drove the 5 miles to Coupeville and Penn Cove which are set on the Eastern coast of Whidbey Island. We enjoyed some Penn Cove Mussels and these views.

Our Discover Pass expires the end of the month so we’ll have to take advantage of visiting some more Washington State Parks.

Summer officially begins this Thursday. Do you have any special summer plans?