A Certain Woman in Eastern Europe

In Flanders field the poppies blow....

The proud grandma and the new graduate, Ryan Ryan's two grandmother's watching his graduation streamed live Mom was up early on Saturday and wanted to wear her Rensselaer (RPI) sweatshirt as this was Ryan's graduation day. Ryan is my youngest brother's youngest son and mom's youngest granchild. Her dream has always been to live long enough to see him graduate from university. Ryan graduated with a double major of mathematics and psychology. He will be going on to do a residency program and will be a doctor......and grandma is really proud of him! Congratulations, Ryan!

With Chrissy and Katie (photo by Sandy)

As I prayed about the ladies meeting in New Hamshire the Lord kept bringing to mind an illustration from Numbers 17. When the children of Israel were rebelling against the Lord, the Lord directed each leader of a tribe to present his rod/staff before the Tent of Meeting. Aaron's staff representing the house of Levi was laid before the Lord also. The Lord said "the man whom I choose, his staff will bud." The next day Aaron's staff had sprouted, budded, blossomed and had ripe almonds!! How encouraged we all were - that those things in our hand, even if they seemed like a dried stick when laid before the Lord could be transformed.... Could once again (or for the first time!) be beautiful, aromatic and have matured fruit!! Be assured - the Lord chooses you!!!

Here we are. Mom has on her new spring/summer outfit. We are enjoying our lilacs,too.

Aunt Blanche with Jim with Susie and Jimmer Jim & MJ My mom comes from a city about 2 hours northeast of here called Whitehall. These days when she mentions going home she means there. Her "real" first name is Blanche and to all from Whitehall she is "Aunt Blanche" where as in Johnstown she is "Jill". Yesterday she was thrilled with a visit from her nephew and his son and fiancee.

Me and Michael Four generations - Me, mom, Mike and Bryce, Austin and Mikhaila Mom and her "First" grandchild Sister-in-law Debbie and her mom and family: Mary, J.B., Bill, Debbie, Wally, Kari Traditions - The Old-Fashioned ice cream store opened for the season on Mother's Day My sister Kathi and her husband Mike not only joined us for Mother's Day - they cooked and prepared and cleaned up!! It was really a treat for me and delicious food and great fellowship. Company came in and out all day long and mom was bright and sharp the whole day. God is good and I was spoiled!!

Levi making sure Murphy has plenty of watermelon Thanks for all who prayed!! I had a wonderful drive over to Nashua (4 hrs) and great liberty in speaking. My main text was Jeremiah 29.11. I encouraged everyone that God has good plans and future and hope for our lives. Maybe a bit basic BUT what if we absolutely believed Him no matter what we are going through right now. It is always special to spend time with my Berube friends. I got to catch up with Paul and Sandy and their daughters Katie and Chrissy and her husband Jeff and son Levi. Got to bless their "bump" a baby girl due in September and of course, Murphy their dog. Even got to talk with Ryan in Montana. Friends how sweet it is. I am "encouraging" Katie to missionize her vacation this year and come to Hungary in November - that would be a prayer point for you!

Ladies, you are invited to a special meeting.... Step away and "sit at the feet of Jesus" as we enjoy a time of praise, worship and a devotional message of encouragement. Saturday, May 9th from 9-11am Grace Fellowship - Main Street church sanctuary Nashua, New Hampshire Jer 29.11 "For I know the thoughts and plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome." Jer 31.25"For I will fully satisy the weary soul and I will replenish every languishing and sorrowful person." Featuring guest speaker: Mary Jill Callery I am really looking forward to spending Friday and Saturday with my friends at Grace. I will return to Johnstown for Mother's Day and a visit from my Michael, Raelene and the "grands"!

My mom who was a very good cook and baker, was famous for her chocolate chip cookies. Since she can no longer make them I took it upon myself to "try" to perfect the recipe. This is my latest attempt. (Last weeks were enjoyable but not in the running) Two brothers independently rated them at 8.5 out of 10 - 10 of course would be just like moms. This score could even climb to 9 depending on how they taste frozen. Mom often baked at night and would leave "some" out on a plate and the rest hidden in the freezer so they would last longer. Of course we figured that out pretty quickly and now prefer them frozen. You may like yours golden and crispy but there is a secret ingredient in these and a way to bake them that makes them soft and oh so yummy!!

For those of you who were fortunate to receive the e-mail announcing the arrival of the boatyard baby this will be a bit repetitive. For those of you who did not receive the announcement I am sorry but we were a bit busy over the last couple of days and I could not remember everyone’s e-mails. Porter Bradley Roenfanz was born April 24 at 5:10 AM. He weighed in at 8 lbs, 1.3 oz and was 21 3/4 inches long. Our first 24 hrs with baby has been a whirl wind and we are finally out of the hospital and ready to tackle life with baby in the real world. Meaning no nurses to relieve you of parental duties in the wee hours of the morning. However we do have something better....Grandparents who are more then happy to hold baby and help out. :-0

Can't you tell I am not an architect? I also do not own a ruler yet :-)

Aren't they "tweet"?

All the colors are more vivid than here - need to practice more with the camera. The lilacs were inspired by mom's spring tablecloth. This one is a "Matruska" - nesting doll from Ukraine.

It usually means we are experiencing some changes with mom and I am having to adjust my schedule/or lack thereof or I am overwhelmed - once again :-). We now have physical therapy coming in 3 times a week and a nurse checking on mom at least weekly. We were trying to get her built up enough to walk down the 3 front steps so we could get her outside and take her to an adult day care a few times a week. We were recommended for her to try it out. Turns out it was wishful thinking as it is waaaay beyond what she can do. It is taking more and more help to keep her at home but we are getting the help, Praise God. This weekend is supposed to be the nicest weather so far this year. Can't wait! There have been some recent "perks". I ordered HBO addition to our television cable so I could watch the new HBO series "The #1 Ladies Detective Agency". The series is surprisingly well cast and sticks closely to the book series written by Alexander McCall Smith. Imagine m...

Introducing Porter Bradley Roenfanz. His dad is Travis and his mom is Rebecca Duke daughter of my close friends Rhon and Kit in Alaska. I am part of their extended family. Porter is now our newest little "precious". He was born on Thursday April 23 at 5 am (Alaskan time) and he and mom are doing great and should be home tomorrow. He weighed in at over 8 pounds and over 20 inches long. Congratulations to the new mom and dad and the happy grandparents.

You may remember last October when the River Church in Poughkeepsie, NY had a devastating fire. They are currently meeting as a guest of the local Reform Church. These many months later they have produced a humorous, tongue in cheek account of the challenges before them. It is not meant to offend any groups of people (but they are a group on the edge with their graphic creativity!) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uq7prLPop5Q There is a place to comment on their youtube account