My Blessings

The last two weeks have been busy. Hosting bon voyage parties for Emily and Ryan, seeing Amy's volleyball team be inducted into George Fox's Hall of Fame ( I am sure Al was grinning his big smile) and traveling to Forrest and Amy's to help prepare Ephraim's and the new baby's rooms for their new arrival. It is good to be busy.

I titled my blog Blossoms and Blessings because I was starting a new adventure with flowers and because I really wanted to be aware of the blessings God provides me daily. Being busy is a blessing - especially when I am able to serve others. I am thankful that my daughter requested some help readying their little ones rooms - it was good to be with them and work along side each other and thoroughly enjoy the wonder of Ephraim as he "helped" us. God certainly has covered my life with blessings with each of my children.

As I read Colleen's message on her blog, regarding Erik's trip to Kenya, I am in awe of their faithfulness to God's direction in their lives. I have so much to learn from them as I venture on my path. Learning and leaning on the faithfulness of my Father.

Michelle continues to warm my heart with her unselfish desire to reach out to young people and opening her heart to the young girls in the youth group that they too may be filled with Christ's love to truly know and follow Him. Listening to her tender voice sing God's praises is soothing to my soul and fills me with His contentment.

Ryan, even though thousands of miles away, I feel his love for his family through his voice during our phone calls. I miss him very much and yet how wonderful to hear his voice and know of his adventures and when I figure out Skype - to see his smiling face! The blessing of technology!

Each continues to bless me and shows me through their lives how I should be a blessing to them and to others.

The past few weeks at work have been filled with the opportunity to create a lot of floral bouquets...all with different reasons.
Twin bouquets for a new brother and sister duet, lots of corsages and boutonnieres for young, excited teens heading to their first dances, graceful roses for birthdays and just because, but also for so many families who have lost a loved one - some who have lived a long life - yet still so hard to say good-bye and some so very young and so unexpected. Each time I am asked to make a floral arrangement for these families, I am reminded of all the love that was bestowed on us when Alvis died so suddenly. I am trying to be so careful and thoughtful to these families, and my desire is to offer each of them a prayer for comfort as they travel this unknowing road. I pray that I will be a blessing to them.

Letting go

In a few days, Ryan will be heading off to Germany for his new job and new adventures - 13 months. I am trying hard to be uplifting and excited for he and Emily. There is a part of me that is excited for them -remembering all the trips Al and I made together and the wonderful history you felt you were almost stepping back into. It is hard to really believe that there can be cities as old as they are, buildings in their magnificent architectural splendor mixed with families simply living every day as we do. I know they will do well exploring and soaking in the culture yet I would be in denial if I didn't acknowledge how much I already miss them and the opportunities to interact with them daily.

There has never been a job I enjoyed more than being a wife and mother and even though we raised our children to be confident adults, letting go is never easy for me. Auf Wiedersehen!

Christmas Wonder

So I have been a little preoccupied with flowers at the flower shop this holiday season. But I was determined to have some fresh flowers in the house before my family arrived - well at least before Christmas dinner! Our home was filled with the voices and song of all our children and grandchildren, my father and my sister, Peg and her family. Wow! It was wonderful. So much wrapping paper and Poteca (our traditional Christmas morning bread - my daughters actually made three while I was at work on Christmas eve!) and hot chocolate!

Watching little ones open gifts and simply being together was perfect for me. My dad said several times how it was a little like heaven to be surrounded by family. I look forward to the time when we will be together in Heaven as family.

There were a few special memories made - Ryan arranging a guided tour of antique cars owned by the Austins (owners of the Allison Inn) for his Grandpa. We would catch my Dad reminiscing during the next few days about the experience. Amy getting bonked by her son and his new plastic bat as soon as it was out of the wrapper (totally an accident) - he has quite a swing for a 19 month old, little girls twirling in their delightful tutus made by Alie and of course the second swan dives into the Willamette by members of my family. Ryan pulled a fast one - leading them to believe he had acquiesced but he fooled us all!

Another first - not having roast turkey for dinner - instead we had a pork loin roast stuffed with apricots and prunes along with some of our family's favorite traditions: Broccoli Puff and Sweet Potato casserole. We turned into the stuffed pigs.

We did have flowers for the table though - simple cubes with a few roses and Christmas greens and ribbon - a Christmas gift, sort of.






Enough about flowers - my family is the most important part of my life. Thank you all for being here. I love you.