They lined both sides of the road. Old, young, families…carrying flags, but no signs that we could see.
We had passed the small local airport a few miles out of town with more than usual security near the entrance.
There was a group of brass musicians near a museum waiting expectantly.
Law enforcement was everywhere, even mounted police, and firefighters with their trucks from many different towns.
Scores of motorcycles were congregating many carrying flags, but no signs.
They were getting ready for someone, but who?
We searched our phones as we slowly made our way out of town.
Marine LCpl Rylee McCollum was coming home today. My sister, Nancy’s voice broke as she explained to my granddaughter that he had been killed in Afghanistan and was receiving a hero’s welcome home. The date was 9-10-21.
This isn’t how he expected to come home to his wife and soon to be born baby.
“No one has greater love than this; to lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13
I ran across a 4 minute video clip of Alistair Begg on Youtube this week. There is a link to it below. I urge you to take the time to listen to it. It is a powerful message that we all need to hear.
In my quest for discovering old hymns, I’ve been collecting old hymn books. My sister, Nancy, who was supporting my endeavor, recently brought me an old Lutheran Hymnal that she had picked up at a garage sale. She had put a bookmark with a note on one of the pages.
It was a song our Dad used to sing to us in German when we were children. I imagine his mother sang it to him as well. Sometimes he would play the tune on his violin. Since I had never heard the English version I didn’t know how sweet the words were that he was singing to us. Below you will find the song with German and English words.
Sometimes simple is best. This is one of those times. I hope you enjoy it.
(In the first line there should be an Umlaut over the word Lasst and erlosen. I simply can’t figure out how to type it. Also, please forgive my very rusty German pronunciation.)
God Loves Me Dearly
Gott ist Die Liebe – by August Rische (1819-1906)
Gott ist die Liebe, lasst mich erlosen, Gott ist die Liebe, Er liebt auch mich.
Drum sag ich noch einmal: Gott ist die Liebe! Gott ist die Liebe, Er liebt auch mich.
God loves me dearly, Grants me salvation, God loves me dearly, loves even me.
*Therefore I’ll say again: God loves me dearly, God loves me dearly, Loves even me.
I was in slav’ry, Sin, death, and darkness; God’s love was working to make me free. *
He sent forth Jesus, My dear Redeemer, He sent forth Jesus and set me free. *
Jesus, my Savior, Himself did offer; Jesus, my Savior, Paid all I owed. *
Now I will praise You, O Love Eternal; Now I will praise You all my life long.*
P.S. This is dedicated to my six grandchildren. Ashlee, Arianna, Aidan, Emerson, Will and finally Jase who was born 7-6-2021.
Henry Francis Lyte was born in Ednam, Scotland in 1793. He went on to be a poet, musician, and preacher. “Abide with Me” is probably his most famous hymn. It was published after his death. The following song is also his. The words have been set to a new tune by Bill Moore.
Henry Lyte (1793-1847) / Music Bill Moore (modern)
Jesus, I my cross have taken, All to leave and follow Thee.
Destitute, despised, forsaken, Thou from hence my all shall be.
Perish every fond ambition, All I’ve sought or hoped or known.
Yet how rich is my condition! God and heaven are still my own.
Let the world despise and leave me, They have left my Savior, too.
Human hearts and looks deceive me; Thou art not, like them, untrue.
O while Thou dost smile upon me, God of wisdom, love and might,
Foes may hate and friends disown me, Show Thy face and all is bright.
Man may trouble and distress me. Twill but drive me to Thy breast.
Life with trials hard may press me; Heaven will bring me sweeter rest.
Oh, tis not in grief to harm me while Thy love is left to me;
Oh, twere not in joy to charm me, Were that joy unmixed with Thee.
Go, then, earthly fame and treasure, Come disaster, scorn and pain.
In Thy service, pain is pleasure, With Thy favor, loss is gain.
I have called Thee Abba Father, I have stayed my heart on Thee.
Storms may howl, and clouds may gather; All must work for good to me.
Soul, then know thy full salvation. Rise o’er sin and fear and care.
Joy to find in every station, Something still to do or bear.
Think what Spirit dwells within thee, Think what Fathers smiles are thine.
Think that Jesus died to win thee, Child of heaven, canst thou repine.
Haste thee on from grace to glory, Armed by faith, and winged by prayer.
Heavens eternal days before thee, God’s own hand shall guide us there.
We had hiked a lot the day before so we decided on a short hike that we could do quickly.
(Note to self: Short doesn’t always mean quick.)
We found the trail head and “steps” leading up the side of the rocks.
My daughter was carrying her three-year old on her back, which made it more challenging. We wondered out-loud about the difficulties in going back down. A passing hiker told us there was a simpler way down and gave us quick instructions. We made mental note of it and continued our ascent. The views were amazing. Once we reached the top, we followed the ridge for a while.
We thought it was time to start back down when it started raining. The thought of climbing down slippery rocks with a three-year old on her back was not an option for my daughter, Anna. We sent My husband, Bill, down the shorter way with the three older grandchildren.
I agreed to find the easier route with Anna. In case she had trouble I didn’t want her wandering alone on the mountain.
We retraced our steps and repeated what the hiker had told us earlier. We were to make our way down the opposite way until we got to the railroad tracks and then follow them back to the parking lot. Seemed easy enough. There was a big sign post that said “You Are Here”. It also had several trails marked. We took what we thought was the correct one and tried to move quickly. It was raining harder now. After the first 30 minutes Emerson, the three-year old, fell asleep. It was easier to have him sleeping than have him squirming to get down. It was dangerous for him to walk on his own.
We plodded on.
We could see another sign that said “You Are Here”…only it wasn’t where we expected to be. It had taken us North when we wanted South. We made corrections and took what we thought was the correct choice out of three. The trail seemed to be turning when we didn’t think we should be turning.
We plodded on.
We kept finding “You Are Here” signs and each time they were a disappointment. Either the signs were wrong or our map reading ability had seriously deteriorated with the rain and fatigue. I was glad I hadn’t let Anna go on this trail alone. The two of us were discouraged, but I couldn’t imagine being on this trail alone with a three year old on my back.
We felt like crying, but we spent a lot of time laughing. It is almost always better to laugh when you have a choice.
It was raining harder now and we were wet to the skin. In my desperation I prayed out loud. “Father, you can do what you want, but it would be wonderful if you would just stop the rain.” The rain continued, but it seemed to get less and less.
Suddenly we saw the railroad tracks through a break in the trees. It was far below us. We felt somewhat hopeful. If we could just get to the railroad tracks we knew we could find our way back to our car. Thirty minutes later, (or was it an hour), we were on the same level as the tracks. Then the reality of our situation hit us. We were at the North end of the lake when our car was parked at the South end. Since Anna had the only set of keys to the car we couldn’t call Bill to come get us. Our only option was to hike the 3 miles back to the North end. Again, we chose to laugh instead of cry. I won’t tell you what we talked about. We were imagining different scenarios. The three-year old continued his nap.
An hour earlier I had gotten a text message from my husband Bill.
“We are back”, he texted.
“We are not”, I texted back.
I was too tired to say more than that.
About 20 minutes later Bill asked where we were. All I could respond was. “Railroad”
By now Emerson was stirring, not quite awake, we let him be.
When we finally made it to the trial head there was the rest of the family, somewhat dry and playing games under a shelter. We felt like crying, but we laughed when we saw them.
The rain had all but stopped. The rain which we had found so discouraging as we hiked had kept us from overheating as we steadily made our way down the mountain.
“Thank you, Father, for giving us what we needed, not what we asked for.”
“…for your Father knows what you need, before you ask Him” Matthew 6:8b
“…For He gives to His beloved even in his sleep.” Psalm 127:2
(Location – Devils Lake State Park, Wisconsin – USA)
Last but not least are the youngest students. They were the most talkative and most enthusiastic. They were also the most anxious for class to be done so they could run around outside. Organization was my best friend with this class. If I wasn’t ready for them all was lost.
I was proud of the ideas they came up with on there own. They didn’t always want to “stick with the brief”. Which, in art, is a good thing. You should be proud of them.
The Swing after Jean Fragonard (Romantic Period) – Mixed MediaWatercolor ScarecrowsColor Wheel Fish – Mixed MediaSunflowers after Vincent Van GoghTempera PaintWatercolor Salt Painting with Snowflake CutoutsAbstract Art after Victor VasarelyWorking Machines – Tempera PaintGolden Cats with jewels after Gustav KlimtFront & Profile Portraits after Pablo PicassoShanty after Georgia O’KeefeShaking Dogs after Iris Scott – Tempera PaintRaccoons after Charley Harper – Mixed Media
We didn’t quite finish this project, but they were too cute not to show you. Parents, I would be glad to spend a few minutes with each one putting the finishing touches on these. (Chalk lines and stars)
You all did a wonderful job. Sorry we had to go virtual with the art show this year. I enjoyed having each of you in class. These are all better in person. My photography doesn’t do them justice. – Karen
The Swing after Jean Fragonard – mixed media (One of these is missing. It was photographed with the younger class by mistake.)mixed media owls after Claire WestMixed Media – Tempera Paint and Oil Pastels – Learning to mix our own colorsWatercolor Portraits Front and Profile View after Pablo PicassoWatercolor with black markerTree of Life after Gustav Klimt – Metallic Paint with jewelsChalk Pastel Landscapes after Georgia O’KeeffeIris after Claude MonetAbstract Castles after Paul Klee