Five or More from August…

Early in August the Mennonite Girls Can Cook had our book launch celebration at The Mennonite Heritage Museum in Abbotsford, B.C. The turnout was beyond our expectations. We all read from our stories or devotionals in the new book which was the scary part for me but I made it through without shaking too much. Our new book is called Bread for the Journey.

Mid August we took a trip across the Cascade mountain range to Dan and Jamie’s to help build a new pump house. The old smaller one had to be demolished which included getting rid of some significant wasp and hornet/yellow jacket hives. They are nasty and aggressive. My part in this project was to keep the dog occupied and bring out cold beverages. I also was able to escape for country drives, a farmer’s market, antique/thrift shopping, and Jamie and I participated in a Bubble Run in Spokane while the guys continued their project.

While we were in eastern Washington Josh and Laura were in the Los Angeles area and my pop was thrilled to get a visit from them. My pop turned 93 in May and he lives with my oldest sister’s family.

We finished our attic project, adding floor space, carpeting the floor and organizing our bins.

This past Sunday our family was together to celebrate our friend Dave’s life on this earth and to support the Dickinson family in their grief. Beth, Dave’s wife and our dear friend just sent me this photo of her with our son Dan.

dan-beth

Thanks for sharing this photo Beth!

There also were some recipe triumphs and failures during the month of August. The ones that worked have been or will be featured on the Mennonite Girls Can Cook Blog soon. The ones that flopped will just be forgotten.

The bottom right photo is an indoor picnic not a recipe and it never fails us. It’s nice to put a tray together with Charcuterie (cold cooked meats) cheeses, fruit, pickled veggies, roasted veggies, with crackers and a baguette.

So I’m thankful for:

My friends in Canada and our new book.

Our journeys to help our kids and to enjoy new scenery created by God for us.

My dear old pop and our kids honoring him.

That we can still work hard and improve things at this old house.

For the lives of dear friends who are resting in Jesus.

The bonus of good food along the way.

I’m going over the top and joining in with

Amy for Five on Friday

Susanne for Friday’s Fave Five and

Rattlebridge Farm for Foodie Friday and Everything Else

We have had some steady rain showers now that September is here. It’s nice to get a good watering done without a hose. We are low key here with one celebration planned for Sunday dinner with a cousin from California that I babysat many many years ago. I hope everyone has a good Labor Day Weekend.

David Pinkerton Dickinson

On Sunday our family traveled across the Puget Sound on the ferry Walla Walla to Bremerton to attend Dave’s celebration of life. We became friends midway in Dave’s life so it was good to learn some things about him we never knew. One of the things that struck us right away was his middle name, Pinkerton. We could have had some fun with that detail. I think it’s a real cool middle name.

As part of Jamie’s tribute to his dad he read from second Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV)

¹⁶Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. ¹⁷For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. ¹⁸So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Jamie also fulfilled a promise to his dad to play “Spirit in the Sky”. The story goes that Jamie and Dave were driving in Dave’s truck one day and this song came on the radio. Dave turned to Jamie and said “Play this at my funeral and play it really loud” I’m sharing some of the lyrics below. This made me smile as Dear in the past has requested this song be played at his funeral, too.

When I die and they lay me to rest
Gonna go to the place that’s the best
When I lay me down to die
Goin’ up to the spirit in the sky
Goin’ up to the spirit in the sky
That’s where I’m gonna go when I die
When I die and they lay me to rest
Gonna go to the place that’s the best

Prepare yourself you know it’s a must
Gotta have a friend in Jesus
So you know that when you die
He’s gonna recommend you
To the spirit in the sky
Gonna recommend you
To the spirit in the sky

Norman Greenbaum, lyrics.

The tributes that Dave’s brothers, sons, and nephew spoke were all good to hear. It was very evident that Dave coached people he loved on and off the field. I know our sons were blessed by Dave’s coaching.

Sarly and Jamie worked hard going through a lifetime of photos of Dave with many tears and joyful laughter as they prepared a photo tribute with songs that had us all laughing and crying. So thankful for the boxes of tissues on each table.

At the end of the open microphone time this little one above wanted to pray for her Papa. I don’t remember her words exactly but she took the microphone and assured us that her Papa was okay and she loved him. (this photo was from Thanksgiving 2012 so Rae is almost 4 years older now)

Dave’s Uncle closed this time in prayer and we had time to fellowship with Beth and her sons and other old friends.

Our sons with Jamie and little David Daniel, named after his grandfather and our son Daniel.

Beth and our son Daniel.

Our whole family including my sister Lana and hubby Steve.

Our sweet smiley little warrior, David Daniel…triple D!

Dave’s brother Bob, correct me if I’m wrong, came up with these center pieces along the theme of golf since Dave was passionate about this sport.

Gold Mountain Golf Course was a beautiful setting for Dave’s Celebration of Life since he spent many hours on these grounds with his golfing buddies.

Dave would want you to know that he had a friend in Jesus who saved him. His hope in an eternal future with Jesus carried him through. This same hope will help Beth and Dave’s sons , daughter in laws and grandchildren walk through their grief while they remain on this earth. I hope that you dear readers have prepared yourselves for the inevitable and that you, too, have a friend in Jesus who died for you so that you might have life with Him and peace with God. We’ll see you later dear Dave Pinkerton!

“Prepare yourself you know it’s a must
Gotta have a friend in Jesus”

The Journey…

Dear and I packed up early on Wednesday morning and headed across the line to Canada.

We found our way to Central Heights Mennonite Church to attend the Celebration of Life for Kathy’s (one of the Mennonite Girls Can Cook) dear father. After the service Dear and I headed to Bakerview MB church and found the other Mennonite Girls and their spouses for the reception. One of the things we learned about Kathy’s father Helmut during the many tributes expressed about him was that he had the “gift of encouragement” along with other “gifts”. We think our Kathy has received this “gift” and learned a lot about how to share this gift because of her dad. Here’s an email from Kathy’s dad to his kids after he learned to use email in 2015.

“Let’s remember that , ‘Godliness with contentment is great gain.’ We are totally dependent on the Lord for life and breath and the service we are to render to our family members and other folk. One of my challenging verses that JESUS gave us is recorded in Mark 10:45. ‘For the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve and give HIS life as a ransom for many.’ Let us be faithful servants, managing our time, talents and resources well. God help us to be good witnesses for HIS glory. Love you all lots and pray for you daily. Dad/Helmut”

What a treasure to have a legacy of a faithful father to pass on. We know you will miss your dear dad, Kathy, but that you also rejoice because he is home with his savior.

After the reception Dear and I found our way to Anneliese’s home where she and her dear H treated us to a nice dinner before we headed to our next big event.

We followed H and Anneliese to the Mennonite Heritage Museum in Abbotsford, B.C. where our newly released book, Bread for the Journey, was to be dedicated and launched.

We were met by two bouquets of flowers lovingly and thoughtfully sent by friends of the MGCC girls. Thank you so much Richard, Dorothy, and Rosella.

Under watchful eyes Anneliese prepared for the Zwieback demonstration.

Judy and Lovella’s hubbies maned the parking lot helping our guests find a place to park.

A wonderful crowd appeared and watched carefully as Anneliese showed her method of making Zwieback. Lovella helped with the narration.

Each of the seven of us who could be at the museum had our part to play. Some of us read from our family stories and some of us read one of our devotionals.

I made my confessions and read a brief story about my family’s “Movement” from Russia, to Iran and finally to the U.S.A. I’m not going to lie, I was happy when my “spotlight” moment was done.

After we were done with our stories and devotionals we had a special treat of music. We were blessed with Father’s Daughter singing “Little is much when God is in it”. Wonderfully musically talented family.

Here’s what Lovella had to say about these moments caught in the collage above. “I wanted to read the dedication at the end before Gerry prayed but just couldn’t even get it out. My heart was so full. Gerry couldn’t read it because he didn’t have his glasses so he borrowed mine to read.” Lovella was hoping someone captured these moments and Bev’s husband Harv did so I borrowed his photos.

The dedication reads: “We dedicate this book and our royalties to orphans and widows who face each day in need. Our prayer is that they would see the love of Jesus extended through caring hands, one home and one heart at a time.

After reading the dedication with Lovella’s glasses, Gerry prayed a prayer for God’s blessings on our book.

We signed books for anyone who wanted us to while the great crowd that attended enjoyed coffee and Zwieback.

We were surprised at the number of people who showed up and also surprised that the museum store was soon sold out of our book.

At the end of the evening we took some group photos. We always wish the 10 of us could all be together for these special events but miles and life events have a way of keeping some of us away.

All of our hearts were full from the beautiful blessings we enjoyed on this day in Abbotsford.

Some of the photos in this post were taken by Bev’s husband. Thanks for sharing Bev. Some were taken by my Dear and myself.

Dear and I crossed the border into the USA at 9 pm and were home in bed before midnight. We are generally early to bed people. Today is a day of recuperating for me and I have another confession to make and that is that I am still in my robe and it is the afternoon already! Oops! I running upstairs now to get ready for the rest of the day!

The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b.

To honor and encourage

Tag Archives: Celebration of Life

Five or More from August…

David Pinkerton Dickinson

The Journey…