From Grandma's Rocking Chair

Meet Our Newest Grandchildren!

2009-04-01T11:32:00.000-07:00

My husband and I had the unique privilege of meeting and holding two new grandsons born recently within two weeks of each other. Holding them felt like being given a second chance to hold our own two children when they were newborn. We wish that they lived close enough so that we could see them more often. We plan for our prayers to follow them throughout their lives.

I think the Lord's words in His John 17 prayer would express my desires for my relationship with our grandchildren: "I have glorified Thee on earth (vs 4)...For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them (vs8)...I pray for them (vs 9)...And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth." (v19)

Zachary Malachi Johnson came into this world on February 20th. His parents are our daughter Heather and her husband Dave. Little Zachary looks a lot like his two brothers Matthew and Daniel and they love him a lot. His name means something like "I am sent from God to remind you that He remembers you."

Titus Alexander Emslie was born on March 2nd. His parents, our son Tim and his wife Kim, chose a strong name for him because they want him to be very manly. He has been gaining weight and strength very rapidly. His two sisters think he is great.

A Godly Heritage

2009-03-02T14:03:00.001-08:00

"Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord..." I think this includes grandchildren too! What a joy it is that God has given us not one...not two... but three beautiful little granddaughters! I consider it a great privilege to be able to have a part in nurturing our two oldest granddaughters, as our beloved "daughter" (in-law) has entrusted their care to me, two times a week while she teaches.

This is not only an awesome responsibility, but I see it as an opportunity to put into practice what the Lord has taught me since raising our own children.

I love the times when I can share with our oldest, Mykaela, why we do or do not, do something. I so enjoy being able to tell her what God's Word says about each situation. Because of how young she is, when I quote a verse to her, I also explain what it means. I pray each day that I will be the Godly example that my granddaughters need in their lives.

As I "mature", I spend time evaluating my life more and asking myself why I do certain things that I do? Why do I work in our church's Christian School three days a week and then come home to watch my granddaughters? A lot of reasons come to mind. Yes, I do want to be a help and blessing to my son and "daughter", but mostly, I want to have a part in spiritually nurturing them for eternity. It's like God has given me a second chance to do better than I did with the raising of our own two boys.

I wasn't raised in a Christian home, therefore, I want to give my grandchildren something I never had. I want to be a Godly example to them by showing them the love of God in every situation that comes up. I want to model for them, God's forgiveness, grace and mercy.

The message that I'm trying to get across, is that the main goal of my time spent with my granddaughters, is to show them such a Christ-like spirit, that someday, as they get older and begin to understand spiritual things, that they too will want to know my Wonderful Lord! I want to be like Christ and maybe they will want to be just like "Nana".

The Blessing of Being a Grandma

2009-02-02T09:40:00.000-08:00

Being a Grandma for the very first time is the most inexplicable thing; however, I hope that I might be able to share what happened in my life when I learned that I was to be a Grandma.

Of course, the initial news was a heart-touching moment. My daughter-in-law, Ashley, showed us a photo of what their child might look like at only a few weeks after conception and it took me a second to grasp what she was saying. Tears flowed, and joy overwhelmed me, but it was nothing like the moment when I saw my first born, Chad, holding his first born. He was standing there in a pink t-shirt holding his little girl.

Kami brought depth to our lives. She bonded our families closer together as we now were sharing this little person whom we were all related to by blood. We became Co-Grandparents with the Ashley’s parents, Mike and Belinda, and we loved that thought. This family that was related by marriage is now closer to us than ever before! We praise God for the Blewer family and love each one of them!

There was also a depth in the way we viewed our children, both married and unmarried. Our children took on new roles as parents, Aunt, and Uncles and we could see that they were responsible men and women who are completely capable of leading others. As they make mature decisions, I try to picture myself making the same decisions at their age, and must admit that they are doing a better job. I find myself blurry eyed when pondering over how much God has blessed us with our children. We have five children that I consider to be friends, and can look upon each one of them with great respect. There are distinct and admirable qualities in every one of them and they have great potential for the future. I envision God using these precious individuals for His glory, (and perhaps filling my life with even more grandchildren…and even another daughter-in-law!)

I find myself playing with my little granddaughter and enjoying every new thing she comes up with. She is quite a character to say the least. She is a quick learner, and I find myself dreaming of the times that we will share learning new things together. She is already helping Grandma with her piano skills. (I am learning to play on the ends so she can “improvise and embellish” the song in the middle.) I am comforted in knowing that she is being raised in the best home possible, and that there is no worry or concern for her physical, mental or spiritual welfare. There is the knowledge that I am not responsible for raising her, only loving her and being the support that her parents deserve. I get to be her fun, loving, nurturing friend, and build an enjoyable bond. No spanking or grounding! WooHoo!!!

Finally, being a Grandparent has brought depth to our marriage. Mark and I can see generational curses and blessing in our parents and grandparents that have been either ended or passed down. We realize that our relationship to God in our marriage matters much more as we see our children raising their children. We can both say we are undeserving, but so incredibly thankful that God has been so merciful to us. We do not take for granted the biblical teaching that we have been given and see God’s handiwork in the face of our beautiful granddaughter, Kami Dean.

A Secret for this New Year!

2009-01-03T09:05:00.000-08:00

A new year is here! As I look back on the year just past, I must ask myself a question. Am I more faithful to the Lord now than I was a year ago? Has my love for the Lord and His church deepened, or have I allowed Satan to cause me to become careless?

After so many years of ministry with my husband and in watching my own personal journey toward holiness and Heaven, I am reminded once again of Bible truth.

Lamentations 3:22-23 "It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness."

In looking back over 2008, I see God's mercy to me. Every day He gives me another chance to grow in Him. I have never been one to make new year's resolutions, but I do like to set reachable goals for every day, for every week and for the year.

The year ahead will no doubt bring its burden of cares, sorrow, disappointments and unpleasant circumstances, but God's Word and its promises are always right! I need to just trust them and I will have the promise of a happier new year. Just trusting in Isaiah 26:3 alone can contribute to my own happiness in this new year! "Thou wilt (that's a promise) keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee."

Remember: Everything that carries with it a tendency to depress, can be cast upon the Lord, "for he careth for you"! I Peter 5:7 If you have trusted the Lord for salvation, forgiveness of sin and everlasting life...surely He can be trusted for daily living in this life. "If God be for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31

We need to set our minds on God's promises and precepts. Do you really want to be happy in 2009? Set your mind on His Truth! Not a wandering mind or a confused mind but a mind totally resolved to think on proper things, Biblical things, Philippians 4:8 things!

Every one of us have the choice of living here with a confused and frustrated mind or one that chooses to think on Philippians 4:8. Since our Heavenly Father, our Master, our reward, inheritance and our best interest, are all in Heaven, then it should seem comparatively easy to set our minds on heavenly things. Paul was as "heavenly minded" while making tents as he was in writing epistles or preaching. He could write about food, raiment, shelter and books as well as the unsearchable riches of Christ! In everything we do, the direction of our life should be toward the heavenly.

Is this how you live? It will be if you want to be happy?

There will be a lot of roads open to us in this new year, but if our heart and mind is set on heavenly things and we are led by the Spirit of God, God's will shall be done on a straight road in the land of uprightness. You will be happy! God's Word promised it!

The secret to a happy new year, is in believing and simply trusting God's already revealed-promises and then obeying them. As Psalm 143:10 reminds us...."Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness."

The secret is out! Want to be happy? If you're not.....now you will know why.

One ship goes east, another west - by the self same winds that blow. 'Tis the set of the sail and not the gale, that determines the way they go. As we voyage along through life; 'Tis the set of the soul that determines the goal, and not the calm or the strife.

Ladies, lets make the choice everyday to say, "Thy will" not "my will". Praying that you will enjoy true happiness this year. Happy New Year!

The Blessing of Being a Grandma

2008-12-03T06:32:00.000-08:00

Grandma Sharry:
"To me being a Grandma is a very big responsibility. I strive to be a more Godly example to my grandchildren, than I ever was with my own children."

Grandma Belinda:

"I looked forward to being a Grandma. God gave me a love for children and to have a granddaughter now just fills me with joy. When you hold your child's child for the first time, it is an incredibly awesome thing! You are overflowing with prayers for their health, safety and soul. When Kami first called me Grammie, I cried tears of joy. To watch your child and their spouse raise that child for the glory of God is something you can't even put into words. I look forward to having many more grandchildren. This Grandma has a large quiver!

Grandma Donna:

"Time with our grandkids is an opportunity from the Lord. We try to provide a haven from the world. Jordan always asks if we can read Bible stories and Karissa always puts the flannel pieces on the board. We want the children to be able to see Christ in us."

Grandma Lorraine:

"Every minute I spend with Gracie is very precious to me and each minute is not enough. I savor every day and thank God for giving me another day on this earth to be with my husband, children and grand child. Every person that God gave me to love, is a very special gift from Him and I don't deserve them. I am so blessed. It's hard for me to understand why He would give me so much when I am so undeserving."

Grandma Ginger:

"With grandchildren, there is a special connection from their eyes to your heart. They see you with recognition and excitement and your heart is theirs forever... Oh, what joy! Oh, what love!"

A Quiet Mind

2008-11-07T16:45:00.000-08:00

As I poured a cup of my delicious, peach, green tea this morning, I started thinking of all the healthful benefits and antioxidants that are found in green teas. They are not only soothing but full of healthful qualities.

My next thought was to toast an English muffin to go along with my tea! With that thought, my Grandma mind began a trip back through the years to when my children were little... When my children had upset stomachs or other ailments, the "tea and toast treatment" brought better results than juice and toast and I remembered that they would get better quicker if I put a little honey on the toast.

Then my thoughts went back to me, and why I wanted to sit down for a cup of hot tea... Worry on my mind, caused me to fix that cup of tea. I had a concern about a particular thing that was coming that day. I realized later that I had turned my good emotion of "concern", into the sin of worry. How often we feel we have to worry! Worry is not a necessity. I had to admit my concern had turned into worry. I was leaving God out of the picture and Satan was getting his victory in my life.

Worry is a sin, because it shows our lack of faith in God. (Matthew 6:25-34) God forbids worry (Philippians 4:6-7). Worry also helps destroy the body, causing many health problems. It hurts us mentally, emotionally and spiritually too. Here I was, wasting my time and energy relying on my feelings and not remembering to just think Biblically! My worrying would soon be affecting others too. How selfishly we can act ! My heart told me that my only hope was to replace my worry with right thinking....Biblical thinking....and to concentrate my energy in a productive manner, on the day before me.

We must live "today" trusting God!

I can plan for tomorrow and then submit my plans to God--leaving the outcome entirely to Him! He will....and promises, to direct our paths. James 4:13-17 I cannot tell God what He has to do. How God must laugh at us when we tell Him our plans! God, help me to live, not my will, but YOURS today.

Quite often I go to one of my favorite passages of scripture found in Philippians 4:8-9, where Paul describes Biblical thinking and encourages us to follow right thinking and right actions. "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you."

The end result of right thinking and right actions is PEACE ---- knowing that the Lord knows everything and I can trust Him. In this troubled world of today, we must all claim the promises of HIS WORD.

As I poured more hot water into my tea that was growing cold in my contemplation, I asked the Lord for forgiveness and for His direction. Yes, the "tea and toast" treatment still helps in the healing process! I even added a little bit of Alyssa's apple jelly and honey! Yum! My imaginary worries were calmed! When I stay still long enough and allow the Holy Spirit to work, God's Word will act as medicine and will always dispel my fears.

Let's determine to spend more time in God's Word....staying close to Him and practicing Biblical thinking. We have a Great God and when we claim His promises, He will take us through every trial.

A Quiet Mind

I've many a cross to take up now,
and many left behind:
But present troubles move me not,
Nor shake my quiet mind.

And what may be tomorrow's cross
I will not seek to find;
My Father says, "Leave that to me,
and keep a quiet mind."

From Grandma's Rocking Chair,
Grandma Silcox (Audrey)

Hollyhock Dolls

2008-10-03T15:02:00.000-07:00

I have always loved dolls. The Lord blessed me with a daughter and two (so far) granddaughters, so I have had dolls around me all of my life.

As a child, my mother and I made a special kind of doll from hollyhock flowers. Last Saturday my granddaughter spent the day with me and I had the special privilege of sharing some simple old-fashioned fun with her, blending my past with her present and forming a bond of love and establishing a relationship that can last a lifetime.

We chatted as we played Ring Around the Rosie with them. They became table decorations at lunch. The dolls can be made start to finish in about two minutes with a minimum of materials.

Instructions for the dolls:
Use and inverted bloom, nipped at the bud, for the doll's skirt. Then, a couple of closed buds, speared with a toothpick, attached to the skirt, form the doll's bodice and head. Spear an additional toothpick horizontally through the bodice to serve as the doll's arms. Use a small bloom or a single petal as the doll's hat if desired.