Saturday, April 12, 2014

Spring Hodgepodge

I believe Spring has finally decided to stay! The flowers are blooming and the birds are singing. I love this time of year!







What a bitterly cold winter we had...lots of snow and ice, which meant some of our school days were canceled, which means they will have to be made up! Unfortunately, our Easter break will be shortened this year. Most everyone wanted to use Easter week rather than go later into the summer...eight weeks 'til summer break! :-)

My last remaining grandparent passed away last month. She'd lived with Alzheimer's for about 15 years. It was hard seeing her like she was for so long, and I'm so happy she's finally in heaven where she longed to be. She loved to play her guitar and sing in church. It seems just about every time I saw her, she had her guitar with her. She had very few material items on this earth, but she was rich spiritually. Her life was a wonderful testimony that left no doubt that she truly walked with Jesus and depended on Him for everything. I'm looking forward to seeing her again! Her funeral service was very nice, and it was good to see family and friends I hadn't seen for many years!

One of the men in our church has been diagnosed with cancer. He has the sweetest family, and I know they would appreciate your prayers on their behalf. One of their friends is having a benefit yard sale for them next Saturday, so I've been gathering up some items to donate to it. I had been collecting some things to give to Goodwill, but I'd much rather donate the items this way!



I briefly mentioned this book, Stepping Heavenward, in a recent post, but I'd like to say a little more about it. This really is one of the best books I have ever read. I recently ordered the study guide that goes with it, and have been getting a lot out of it! I also have a notebook to write about things that I wanted to remember, but wasn't part of the study guide.
This is much more than just a fictional diary. It was written in the 1800's, so the language isn't really 'up-to-date', but it's fairly easy to understand. The study guide helps to bring out the many spiritual aspects of the book. The page numbers don't match up since the two books are from different publishers, but I'm changing the page numbers in my guide as I go.

While I was researching the author, I found out that she wrote for the Youth's Companion, a popular magazine published in the mid to late 1800's. I thought I remembered that name from the Little House book, The Long Winter, so I went and got my book, and sure enough, it was in there! I just thought that was a neat connection. :-)

I believe this book would be a true blessing to you. If you've read it, I'd love to hear your thoughts on it. Please let me know if you decide to read it!

Well, I'd better get back to my housework.  Hope you're all doing well and enjoying the sweet springtime! Thanks for stopping by!

Take care,
~Melanie

6 comments:

  1. I am so sorry about your grandmother. Mine passe away about 10 years ago. The book sounds so good. I am still slogging through "The First Phone Call From Heaven." Just a bit boring, but I want to know how it ends.

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  2. Sorry to hear about your grandmother. Glad she is with Jesus though! I only have one living grandparent yet too-she is 92, I think.

    Hope you have a wonderful Easter--do you still get a little break? I hope so!

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  3. Well I am sorry about your grandmother too. That is a long time suffering with AD though. Does it usually last that long? A horrible thing and I am thankful she is in Heaven too.

    Have a good spring break.

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  4. I think I told you how much I loved Stepping Heavenward! I wasn't aware there was a study guide. I'll have to check into that one. I know that I will end up reading it again and again. I had this book in my home for about 15 years before I finally read it. Even Jordan loved reading it when she was younger.

    I'm so sorry that you miss your grandma. Mine suffered through Alzheimer's for many years before passing. All the more reason to long for heaven.....

    Enjoy summer!

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  5. ¡Que bonitas Melanie! Te felicito.
    ¡Feliz Pascua de Resurrección!
    Un abrazo.

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  6. Melanie, I am very sorry to hear about your grandmother's passing. What a comfort to know she now waits for you in Heaven with a sound mind! YES, I love this book, too!! I had read it a long time ago, but have been in the process of re-reading it for the 2nd time over the past several weeks. It is a book that definitely motivates to a deeper consecration to God and a denial of self. I didn't know there was a study guide to go with it, so that is really neat to find out about. :)

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