Happy Hemstreet Birthday month

Happy Earth Birthday . . . if you celebrate in heaven

Tomorrow is my sister's birthday.  It seems strange not to go pick out a card for her, not to call, etc.  But I want to do something to remember one who has gone on ahead to our heavenly home, and who now resides in the presence of our Savior in glory.

My heart still is aching with the loss of her though I have had to go on as many duties call.  But I wanted to post this picture of Melody in her youth, with Gil and Bob, enjoying our Irish setter and her puppies.

Happy Birthday, Mel, if you celebrate God's bringing you into the world when you're in heaven.  We miss you.

Athletic Melody

As I have been taking care of Nanny Wunsch for almost a year now, I came across a  small photo album in which were treasured photos of her grandchildren from years ago.  There I came across pictures of my athletic sister in her younger days leaping and flying through the air as she competed in high jumps at Takayama.  In the background of picture # 2 are the authenic caves in the cliff which we used to admire and wonder about as to how they might have been used in wars of the past.

Since some of you may wonder how I have the time to put these up, I will tell you.  Nanny has been in the hospital for 5 days after having fallen a couple of times.  The second time we decided to have her checked out as she seemed to be a little more hurt than the first time.  However, she was released to a nursing home today--mostly well, but after 5 days of not walking in the hospital, she may need some rehab to get on her feet again.  We shall see what will be.  Hope to bring her home again soon.  But in the meantime, I have plenty to do getting ready to move Mom Z. in with us and clean out her apartment.  Last week and the week before Norene Z. was there and helped sort and throw out a lot of papers etc. doing a lot of prep work for me.  I am sooo grateful as I have enough paperwork of my own to sort and deal with. ( I guess I am a true Zinke, still struggling with these things.)

Dad is at a nearby nursing home for a couple of weeks at least so I can move Mom and take care of financial and legal matters more easily.  Then we will see what will be next as far as he is concerned.

I am glad we know the Lord who knows the future and whom we can trust to lead us day by day.  Our love to all who read and are praying through these difficult days for us.

A thankful spirit

As I have had very close interactions with my parents the last 9 months and have observed their daily life and interactions with others, one thing I have seen is great attention paid to expressing thankfulness.  When people visit Dad or send a card, Mom follows it up with a note of thanks as much as she is able.  Little kindnesses do not go unnoticed.

As the year and a half anniversary of my sister Melody's homegoing draws near, I am also very aware of the thankful spirit she exhibited.  She never seemed resentful or angry with God that she had cancer.  She just was mostly thankful for the kindnesses of others who visited or brought her goodies.  In her younger days, she used to send cards which often had in them an expression of gratitude for some kindness she had received.  One of her favorite verses which she sought to inculcate in her teaching and example was "In everything give thanks. . . "

A pinch of thankfulness added to our daily food might dispel much wallowing in discontent and disappointment with the ups and downs of life.  Thankfulness and praise to God please the Lord, and cause His fragrance to exude more powerfully from our lives.  Let's give thanks and enjoy this day which God has given us.

On Your Wedding Day

To Lloyd:

If I were your mother, I would be so proud of you today--standing there confident and earnest, ready to take to you a bride, Kristina, to be your very own wife.  I would reflect on all the conversations we had had leading up to this day, and wish for you a lifetime of intimacy with your wife, unhindered by occasional bursts of pride or thoughtlessness; kept guarded by humility, covered with blankets of love, protected by confession and apologies where necessary.  I would desire that your heart would be guarded from lust without and within, constantly watered by the Word, and led by that Word in paths of righteousness.  I would desire that your heart would overflow with love for your God-given bride, and that next to God Himself, she would be your greatest earthly treasure.  I would desire for you a life of service for the Lord, beginning with your newly established home, and reaching out from there.

As your aunt, these are my reflections for you.  Have a great wedding day--- and a wonderful life serving our Great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Love and best wishes to you both,  Aunt Beth