Adorned themselves

These two lovely people are my husband’s grandparents.

Both of whom have left a legacy to those privileged enough to know them.

Their characters are still spoken of with warm regard.

Although, I only met her twice, Grandma was everything I’d been told.

Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, I Peter 3:3‭-‬5 NKJV

She definitely applied these verses to her life.

Not only did they raise ten children, she cared for Grandpa when he developed ALS.

His development of the disease was slower than the average and she cared for him for many years.

After his passing she continued to be involved in her children and grandchildren’s lives.

It’s an example I want to follow, an inheritance I want to honor, a legacy I want to continue.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for these dear people who are my husband’s grandparents. Lord, please help me to adorn myself with trust in You, submission to You, Your Word, and my husband. Lord teach me how to wear love, bringing honor to my husband and children. Please show me how to put on a gentle and quiet manner; how to be hospitable, generous, prayerful, and applying Your Word to my soul. Lord, please help me to follow in the footsteps of other godly woman who have left a legacy of glorifying God to their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Thank You, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Grandpa John

I had a dream last night.

My mother’s father was in it.

He smiled big, laughed with joy, and hugged me tight.

My husband and our children and grandchildren were there, too.

I was so excited to introduce each one to him.

But before I did Grandpa just kept one arm around me and looked into my face.

We were both enjoying getting to see one another.

Then, with a smile, he spoke, “You know, you are a real beauty.”

This caught me by surprise.

It also made me feel treasured.

I smiled back.

“Grandpa, of course you would think so. I look like my mother, your daughter, and she looks like her mother, Grandma Ruth.”

He laughed and squeezed me.

I went on to introduce him to our family.

When I awoke this morning, my heart felt rosy with love.

Because I didn’t grow up with grandparents.

My mother’s family are from Michigan and we’ve always lived on the West coast.

My father’s mother died when I was four, I have no memory of her.

My father’s father traveled a great deal and I can’t remember a single conversation he ever had with me.

He died when I was in highschool.

So, this dream was sweet for me.

Although, my memories of my mother’s father are fuzzy and less than the fingers on one hand, I remember him laughing and hugging me.

I was pretty small, small enough to sit on his knee.

But last night’s dream brought me a new gift.

I know it’s from God.

If I can feel blessed by a dream of my Grandfather’s kind words, what an impact my words can have in real life to those I love!

My grandchildren (I love saying that!) are an incredible opportunity.

To love them for Jesus, to teach them about God’s Word, what a wonderful heritage!

The same is true for my own children.

To love them daily, to make sure I am speaking words of encouragement.

To lovingly speak words of truth, and to stir up righteousness in them.

To pray for each one, lifting them before the Lord, that I might be centered on Christ’s will for them instead of my own ideas.

The legacy I can pass on does require being purposeful.

To be open to the LORD’s leading in the day-to-day things so I don’t plant weeds but seeds of life.

But I can’t think of anything more worthwhile than leaving a legacy of following Jesus.

I praise God for this dream of my grandfather.

It has reminded me of my value to Jesus and my opportunity to value others.

Our soul waits for the Lord ; He is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in Him, Because we have trusted in His holy name.
Psalms 33:20‭-‬21 NKJV

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You so much for this encouragement. Thank You for reminding me of the truth, that I can pour into others as You pour into me. Lord, thank You for loving me more than any person on Earth, because it is in You I find myself, a child of God. Lord Jesus, please help my husband and I to be honorable parents and grandparents. Help us to live with integrity and humility. Please shine through us into those around us and our loved ones. Thank You so much for placing us near our grandchildren. We are so blessed to be a part of their lives and the lives of our children. Lord Jesus, may we bring honor and glory to Your name. Amen.

Grammy…again!

Yup, it’s a baby bump!

When our daughter and her husband told us we were going to be grandparents, the first time, we were thrilled.

It wasn’t until later that we realized we needed to pick out names.

I know it sounds funny, but our granddaughter has ten grandparents.

Our son-in-law’s parents, his grandparents, us, my mother, my husband’s parents, and his grandmother.

So, just going by Grandma was going to be too confusing.

And no I couldn’t just add the last name, that’s what my husband’s grandmother goes by.

So, we began to look for names.

My husband’s search ended quickly.

The men he worked with just started calling him Poppy.

And it stuck.

Poppy he is.

Well, great.

What goes with Poppy?

Grammy! (Of course.)

So, Grammy I became.

And I love it.

Not because I care too much about the name.

But because I care so much about our granddaughter.

She’s a delight.

And now we are looking forward to the next baby.

This one is due in August.

I’m so thankful to God for these little blessings.

I’m so humbled by the opportunity to get to be a part of their lives.

I already have so much I want to pass on to them.

My heart yearns to transfer all the love and lessons Jesus has taught me.

Of course, they will have their own.

No one’s walk with the Lord Jesus is exactly the same.

But, I’m so thankful I get to be a part of it.

Training up our children has been such a joy!

Now, I’m getting to help train up grandchildren.

What a wonderful opportunity and gift!

I praise God for His incredible blessings.

Psalm 127:3 NKJV — Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward.