Praise Him, praise Him for...

386. Clear as a bell skies, crisp air, cool breeze and bright sun

387. An unplanned walk with a good friend

388. Another dear friend who generously shares

389. A full day of fruitful work

390. The gift of rest

391. Anticipating reunion

392. Uncertainty, yes, praise Him for that, too. It reminds me that I walk by faith, not by sight

393. A growing, healthy baby!

394. Music in the house

395. The smile of a son when I "read his mind"

In celebration...

of a very special bread baking 32 years ago, I am starting this dough tonight.

I thank God for...

a husband who...

361. Loves me unconditionally and vocally in front of others, especially in front of our sons

362. Tells me how happy he is to be married to me (sometimes I don't know why!)

363. Rubs my feet (true sacrifice)

364. Leads and nurtures our family spiritually

365. Forbears

366. Plays games with the boys (and always played with the kids when they were young)

367. Models discipline in his personal life, in the spiritual, mental, and physical

368. Goes for walks with me

369. Likes my food

370. Doesn't care about appearances

371. Is patient and wise

372. Is faithful in his commitments, even when the going is rough

373. Laughs at himself

374. Loves good books and reading out loud

375. Loves the mountains and goes to the beach for me (though it's not his favorite vacation spot)

376. Loves newborn babies

377. Cries when he preaches

378. Knows his weaknesses

379. Knows my weaknesses and loves me anyway

380. Likes to drink out of my coffee cup, but knows he better not drink the last drop

381. Doesn't mind if I move furniture around

382. I can trust, completely

383. Is willing to bring up hard topics and listen carefully

384. Manages finances well

385. Remembers special days

Coty, I am so thankful for you. I don't say it often enough and I want the world (or at least that little part of it that reads this blog :) to know.

I came home this afternoon to...

Roses!

Celebrating the 32nd anniversary of our first date, September 29, 1977!

On that fateful evening, we baked bread, went for a walk, and looked at slides of Coty's just completed year in Kenya. I was smitten and ready for adventure. Doubts a few months later threatened, but a winter camping trip in the icy beauty of the Shining Rock Wilderness, walking in silent wonder along the frozen Pigeon River - flash of deer on the trail just ahead and more stars than I'd ever seen before in the darkness of a frigid mountain night - those things and long conversations sealed it!

It makes me smile when I think about how E and L met in Cameroon. Who goes to Africa with their missionary family and expects to find a husband? And now I see how J and K are starting out with their eagerness for a life and marriage full of travel and adventure.

But then, isn't every marriage an adventure? An adventure in knowing and growing, rejoicing in the happy times, persevering through the dark times, holding on for the ride, no matter how thrilling or terrifying... and looking in the eyes of that one with whom you've journeyed for 32 years later and saying, "How about at least 32 more!"

Remembering...

and giving thanks...

331. Loving help from many to make this summer's trip possible

332. Coty's long hours of work on my complicated itinerary

333. Safe travel including avoiding quarantine in China! No fever, no sick people seated near me on the plane and smooth sailing through the airport and bus system to the domestic airport in Shanghai.

334. Hearing Michelle's voice call my name at the airport in Xiamen

335. The Sneads - love them! And so thankful for their hospitality

336. Great conversations, playtime with kids, cooking together, fabric market love!

337. Jenn's visit to Xiamen from Beijing. What a sweet weekend of reconnecting

338. A surprise visit to the orphanage, permission granted at the last minute

339. Amazing, patient Chinese workers who love special needs kids

340. God's provision of skilled physical therapists to train the workers

341. Amazing improvement in the lives and functioning of many special needs children

342. Safe flights to India - even with a bomb scare in Mumbai.

343. Mix-up in Mumbai airport cleared up in time, saving me possibly missing my last flight

344. Seeing two special white faces in a sea of brown in the Hyderabad airport

345. A bed to sleep in, food to eat, all provided by others

346. Anama and Marcus - amazing people who love and give, endlessly

347. Time to see, time to sit and draw with little ones, eyes opened again to devastating poverty but beauty and love in the midst of it

348. Coty's safe arrival

349. The RING'S safe arrival!

350. Safe train travel

351. Johnson's loud, urging voice on the train platform in the wee hours of the morning

352. Another bed and cool room - so welcome to tired, hot travelers

353. Children - oh, those children

354. Hepsy and Rahni who fed us so well

355. Surprise opportunities

356. Incredible generosity

357. A new daughter-in-law to be!

358. Getting to know Kathy

359. A chance to visit Vijay and family

360. Worship with Indian believers

In everything...

Give thanks!

311. New grandbaby, sweet Clara

312. Her safe delivery and medical help, when needed

313. Safe travel to NY

314. Healthy new mom, recovering well from C-section

315. Tender new dad who loves his new little girl so much

317. Night-time with Clara in the rocking chair and the smell and feel of a new baby in my arms

318. Boys at home who take care of things so I don't have to worry

319. Sweet relationship with Luke and ease of being with E and L for such a long visit

320. Coty being able to be in NY, too!

321. Amazing, caring nurses at the hospital

322. Loving community of friends for E, L, and C in NY

323. Days of quiet and rest with E

324. Time with Mary B. to walk and talk

325. The joy of reconnecting with other old friends - thanks for the visit, Mo

326. Purple asters, sun-bright goldenrod, rolling pastures, rural quiet

327. Safe return and reuniting with the boys I missed so much!

328. My church family - I missed them!

329. Successful surgery for my mom and continued healing

330. Bapa and Grammie's visit - always so good to have them here!

If you wait long enough...

...your team will win.

Matthew has been a Detroit Lions fan for as long as he has had any interest in football.

Even through the 19 game losing streak, Matthew stayed true. He is one faithful fan, no "bandwagoner" this boy. This year, he started a blog totally devoted to the Lions. He loves his Lions.

Why the Lions? No, we don't live in Detroit. We've never even been there. Well, I think Matthew had a layover in the airport once.

It all started when he was little and his favorite animal was...the lion.

If you were 8, wouldn't you root for a team that had your favorite animal as a mascot?

Today, he watched with Grammie, a Redskins fan. They had to resort to watching it online since the game wasn't televised. Thank you, New England and Atlanta for finishing up early enough for Fox to switch over to the last few minutes of the Detroit/Washington game. We all watched the last Washington drive with our hearts in our throats and were relieved for Matthew's sake when it was all over.

And where is Matthew now? At the park, with Joel, Freddy, and Shawn throwing the football around. He's wearing the first ever Barry Sanders jersey he got years ago. It was huge on him then. It's a tight fit now. Of course, he has on a new Lions logo cap.

I love that guy.

Trying some new things...

in the kitchen this morning.

My soccer guys

I missed a lot of soccer games in the middle of the season while in NY but am enjoying being back again to see my guys play. Tonight's game against Northside was a tough loss, but the guys played hard and Joel scored Covenant's only goal. Very exciting.

I love, love, love watching these two because they play with such energy and intensity. Matthew, as a senior captain this year, has really stepped up as a team encourager. And Joel is ready and willing to play wherever the coach puts him - up front, mid-field, back on defense. I think the only position he hasn't played is goalie.

On the stove...

and in the oven. Find out here.

Morning reflections...

I am making my way through the gospels in my morning reading. Just a few thoughts on this morning's portion, Mark 14:26-72, particularly Peter's denial of Jesus.

When Jesus predicted Peter's denial, Peter replied, as recorded in Mark 14:31, "If I must die with you, I will not deny you." The same verse tells us that all his disciples said the same thing. They were firmly convinced that they would stick with Jesus, no matter what. Peter was emphatic. He said that even if everyone else fell away, he alone would stand firm with Jesus.

Fast forward to the scene in the courtyard of the high priest as Jesus is being condemned, spit on and beaten. Peter, confronted by a servant girl, denies the man he vehemently claimed he would never deny. In his third denial he even invokes a curse on himself and begins to swear. He denies Jesus even more vehemently than he claimed he would stand by Him.

Why does he deny Jesus? To fulfill Jesus' words? Because he's afraid? Because he doesn't want to suffer? Because he knows he will be beaten and spat upon, too? To claim to know Jesus in that moment is to risk the same indignities and pain being inflicted on his friend, teacher, Lord. He protects himself instead.

The question this morning...how often do I deny Jesus? How often do I protect myself and choose comfort or "peace" instead of standing with my Lord to receive the blows? Whom do I fear? People or God?

I am working my way through Proverbs as well and the last verse I read this morning said:

The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom,
and humility comes before honor. Proverbs 15:33

A connection?

In that moment, Peter feared even a little servant girl and what she could do to him more than he feared Jesus. As he was being beaten, Jesus seemed weak and ineffective. Fear him? Be loyal to him? Risk the humility of being associated with him?

I get it backwards - wanting honor and recognition not humility, the good opinion of others more than the instruction in true wisdom that the proverb says is the fear of the Lord.

I should be weeping like Peter.

Home again

It is good to be home. But I miss Erin, Luke, and Clara.

It is good to go to sleep to the sound of owls hooting, sleep in my own bed, and snuggle up next to Coty. But I miss falling asleep to the crackle of the baby monitor, getting up to change Clara and take her to Erin, and Sadie's happy tail pounding when I get up in the night and her quiet breathing the rest of the nightlong.

It is good to wake up to the sound of birdsong. But I miss my morning walk with Mary B. down near the Hoosick.

It is good to look out and see the woods. But I miss looking out and seeing the fields and mountains and farm buildings.

Home again.

One of the first things I did when I got back yesterday, after big hugs for the boys and a bit of catching up with them, of course, was clean out the fridge! Dumped a couple of foul smelling plastic containers of who-knows-what, organized my freezer, put bulk goods in jars, and just generally got my kitchen in order. That felt good.

Today is full of unpacking, settling back in, and remembering all those things I told people and myself I'd do "when I get back." Well, I'm back. Time to make a list.

Gramma speaks...

...with a smile on her face as she bemusedly reads the Facebook comments from her children and others on her grandmother name.

An open letter to my commenters and anyone else interested in the Pinckney grandparent name debate.

Dear all of you,
Thank you for your interest in my grandmother name.

Daryl,
You have the pronunciation perfect and yes, pronounced that way, it is awesome - not grand-maaah (emphasis on the last syllable, no, no, no!) but grammar without the r. Gramma - rhymes with Ala-bama, as I said before - or perhaps even the very southern pronunciation of hammer - you know, drawl it out, hamma.

Andrew,
Where were you when I asked for suggestions way back when???? No prior input, no late date objections. Thank you for not staging a civil war. We can certainly settle this in a peaceable manner. And since when did you think we were democratic in this family? This has always been a very benevolent dictatorship!

Really, Granana??!!! Sounds like a nickname for Grand Banana. No, thank you.

Kandyce,
The Pinckney boys will convince you that they strongly prefer one grandparent name, even if it's not the preferred name of all. In fact, our dear Matcrud's only stipulation regarding my grandmother name was that I only have one. And we all know how intelligent, thoughtful, considerate, sensible, wise, and all around terrific Matcrud is. How could anyone object to his desired outcome?

Erin sweetie,
Thank you. You already know how well Gramma works since you've been calling me that for almost two weeks now. It was nice when we went places together these last two weeks and people said, pronouncing it correctly without any prompting from me, "Oh, Gramma (they probably weren't spelling it that way in their heads, but that's how they said it, New England pronunciation perhaps?), what a beautiful little granddaughter!" Like they already knew me.

As you all recall, I went through the embarrassing situation all through my school years of being called by my first name, Frances, on the first day of class, and having to explain that my name was indeed Frances, but I was called Beth. I was named after my grandmother, who we lovingly called Frannie and I love the name Frances, but explaining how Beth came from my middle name to quizzical looks from my kinder classmates and giggles from the rude boys got rather tiresome over the years. Sooo, it is rather delightful to have perfect strangers come up and call me the right name without even asking. Like they know me. Imagine!!!!

Aunt Laura,
Thank you for fostering communication, as you always do!

All of you,
Thank you for not resorting to having a child out of wedlock in the extreme desire to be the one with the prerogative of naming the grandparents.

And finally,
I do not mind in the future when you bless me with more grandchildren, if you or they decide to add an endearing name to Gramma. Gramma darlin, Gramma B, Gramma Mimzy. Well, maybe not that.

Please note, however, that if any of you even consider calling me Grammafat, you will forfeit the gorgeous handknitted baby items that I am sure you are all now expecting. With six children and God knows how many grandchildren on the horizon, I must now stop thinking about this controversy, make a pot of tea, and begin knitting!

I love you all dearly,
Gramma

P.S. The grandfather aka Coty/Daddy/Monkey Brother has not chosen his grandfather name. Why not shift this quibbling to his corner!

Gramma and baby Clara in her above mentioned gorgeous handknitted items ; )

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO to that little girl and yes, to all of you!

What I do when the baby sleeps...

Little Miss Pea Pod snuggled down on Erin's bed after nursing this morning and slept and slept and slept.

Meanwhile, I went outside and put Erin's little garden to bed for the fall. I pulled out the finished cherry tomato plants and zucchini, dug the beds a bit, rearranged the rock border and enjoyed the glorious sunshine and clear air.

After lunch, while both mom and babe slept, I went for a drive up to the farm for spring water and then headed to the Moses Farm Stand for sweet corn. Along the way, fall is beginning to make it's appearance, a little yellow here and there.

I waited for a long time for a slow train across from the old Eagle Bridge train station...

...and finally got to Moses Farm. The farm operates a well stocked stand in a beautiful spot. I left there with sweet corn, apples, butternut squash, and freshly dug red potatoes.

Then, I moseyed down the road just a bit and turned right on Grandma Moses Road past the Grandma Moses homestead and current home of Mt. Nebo gallery, the studio and gallery of Grandma Moses's great-grandson, Will Moses. I stopped into the gallery shop and had a look around.

On the way home again, purple asters and goldenrod paint the roadsides.

Isn't the view above beautiful? It's just up the hill from Erin's house.

And the farm below, complete with leaning barn is just across the field from her house. Looks like the hay is holding up that barn!

When I got home, I walked out back and picked the last few blueberries from Erin's bushes and then went inside to find...

sweet sleepers.

Just about Gramma heaven

This morning, I worked on a hat to go with the sweater I made in India. Clara slept contentedly on my lap while I knitted and watched Out of Africa. Just about Gramma heaven.

Another newbie

Clara's not the only newbie around here. Yesterday we went up to the barn to see this little guy who was born on Tuesday. It was a bit of a race to see who would deliver first. Erin or mare Lola. Erin's very glad she won that race.

Champion Sleeper

This baby girl is a champ when it comes to sleep. I'm pretty sure she got her Daddy's sleep genes and not her Mommy's since Erin didn't sleep very much when she was a baby.

But Clara, well now! We have to wake her up at night to eat. If we didn't I think she might just sleep all night. Soon that will be welcome. But for now, sweet baby girl needs her middle of the night nursing.

Yet another September birthday!

On 09/09/1990, missing Erin's birthday by 45 minutes, but getting his own rather cool birthdate, Andrew entered the world!

On 09/09/'99, he was 9.

This year, 09/09/'09, he turns 19!

Happy Birthday, Andrew!

26 years ago...

...just about this time of night, I was doing this same thing...holding my newborn baby girl. Just a month before my 26th birthday, Erin was born. At 5 lbs. 6 oz., she was a tiny thing, so beautiful, so perfectly formed. I could hardly believe she was mine. She was born in Nairobi Hospital, in Kenya. When Coty went home that night to call our families stateside and tell them the news, I nursed her and held her in my arms for a few more hours. One of the maternity nurses came into my room later to check on me and was surprised I still had Erin with me. Rooming in, so common now, was not a typical practice in a Kenyan hospital. The nurse urged me to get some sleep and took Erin to the nursery so I could rest.

But there was no resting that night. After an hour or so, lying in bed, worrying that the nurses would give her a bottle of sugar water (commonly done in the hospital in Kenya), I got out of bed and walked down the long corridor to the nursery. A kind nurse pulled a chair up beside Erin's little cot and I just sat, gazing at her for I don't know how long. Baby Erin wasn't sleeping all that time. Much of it, she was peering all around with her newborn eyes. I just sat and marveled.

And now, this little bit of family history is repeating itself. Just six days before her 26th birthday, Erin welcomed Clara into the world. Funny that we both gave birth to our first, both little girls, just before turning 26. I remember feeling so much older that birthday. I think it was because the weight and wonder of motherhood pressed in. I felt really grown up, responsible for a little life whose sustenance for the next few months would come solely from me.

Erin is a great new mom. She is so sweet with Clara, so gentle, so confident and relaxed. Clara feels it and is an easy baby, resting securely in the love and warmth of her mother's - and father's arms. I can't imagine a sweeter way to celebrate a birthday than to see the miracle of birth right before our eyes.

Happy Birthday, Erin. As I was blessed 26 years ago with the gift of you, on this your 26th, you are blessed with the gift of Clara. Oh, God is good.

Bapatla diary 24

Instead of walking back, we took a bicycle rickshaw. I'd been looking forward to riding on one and was glad Grace and Kathy were game!

Enjoy the sights and sounds from the back of a bicycle rickshaw!

Bapatla diary 23

One afternoon, Grace, Kathy, and I walked up to Bapatla town, a 15-20 minute walk from the Children's home.

The garland seller

Bicycle parking lot in the middle of the street

The main Hindu temple

Notice the parrots and dove...yes, they are alive.

Sweets seller - no we didn't buy any - too many flies!

Street side green grocer

Bapatla diary 22

While the baby and mama nap, I go back to India....

We wanted to buy a gift for Hepsy, a thank-you for all the hard work she did to take care of us while we were in Bapatla. She protested vigorously but finally consented to let up purchase a sari for her.

Together with Johnson, we piled into the rented vehicle again and headed to Chirala to another handweaving factory, this one specializing in very fine fabrics.

In the hall way as we waited to be shown into the sari "showroom" we gazed at the vibrant colors of hand-dyed thread, bundles and bundles of it waiting to be woven into fabric.

We sat on the marble floor surrounded by shelves of fabric as the salesperson spread fabrics in front of us.

So many beautiful fabrics to choose from. Hepsy found one she liked and we all went away happy.

Look what they grew this summer!

Those Olsons grow 'em big
Babies and zucchinis!

All wrapped up

Baby knitting

This morning I gave Clara the blanket I've been working on for months. With every stitch I thought of this little girl growing inside her mom, prayed for her, and waited eagerly for the day I could give her the first baby blanket I've ever knitted. She's slept peacefully, cuddled in her soft yellow blanket for several hours today.

One day old

Eyes wide open more today

and we all think her cheeks got chubbier today!