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Dear Reader
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Summer, 2008 Dear Reader, I hope you have been enjoying your everyday, ordinary lives this summer. It can certainly be a challenge these days. There are lots of trials and tribulations in this world, for sure, but the Apostle Paul gives us another way to look at and to endeavor to live life. Remember? I've used this scripture in the epigraph of one of my books "Raise Up A Child" and it is -Romans:12:1-2 (The Message - bible in narrative form) This is how it goes: "So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary lives - your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around-life - and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you." Fun stories Matt and Franziska live in Rome with their two little boys Peterle - 5 and Sam -2 and they had a couples shower for a couple upstairs who are expecting their first baby (baby boy!). They were giving them, as part of their gift for the baby, my book "Raise Up A Child" (RUACH). Another gal, who had also received that book from Franziska, shouted out: "I love that book, we read it almost every day. It makes you feel so good about being a parent and it's so inspiring and encouraging!" Note: Franziska writes daily e-mails about their everyday lives in Roma and their travels - Father's Day is being spent in Stockholm, Sweden. Mother's Day was spent in Naples for the Roma Johnsons and she and Matt send photos with their e-mails. We do the same thing back to Roma. We all jump in with notes and photos back and forth - even the Colorado grandkids write e-mails telling about good things, saying: "I had so much of God's favor, today..." while also commenting on the news in the e-mail they just received. You will see photos of our family celebrating life both here and abroad along with examples of family e-mails later in this article. It's a good thing to practice, commenting on others challenges and accomplishments on their hard work as they attempt to live the life God prepared for them. You see, the world doesn't inspire or encourage us, doesn't share much, if anything, about a good family life. It shares the troubled/dark side of life, the one filled with problems and seemingly no real solutions to any of the problems. It seems to be getting worse out there. I also see goodness on the increase, too. It's quite prophetic, actually. Mary, my daughter-in-law, shared it with me last night after reading Joel Osteen’s daily message (a famous television evangelist and best selling author). Here's how it goes: “Whatever is true, whatever is honest, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is kind, if there is any virtue, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8). There is another way to practice thinking and speaking and it's all about "How God would like us to live the life, he's given us. I always say: "God's way is challenging, but not burdensome." When I read what Franziska's friend said about my book and how it inspires and encourages, I'm encouraged! Franziska's friend and what she shouted out, says IT ALL to me. And, speaking of choices, Franziska didn't have to share that story with us, and she certainly didn't have to give that book again. She had to choose to share it and her friend didn't have to praise the book in front of everyone, saying: "I love that book, we read it almost every day. It makes you feel so good about being a parent and it's so inspiring and encouraging!": Oh, I love what she said: When I love something, I often say: "It just tickles my heart", or "God's favor for sure!" It's just like that :-). It catches on, too! Paula, a childhood friend, wrote that phrase "God's favor for sure!" when describing her 2nd honeymoon in Cancun with Billy, her husband of 46 years in an e-mail to me just a week ago. We all have choices in what to think, dwell upon, speak, etc. I'm more careful about my words and have been practicing speaking things that edify, because, eventually, what you speak will come back to you. I'd like some good things coming back to me, how about you?! You see, the bible says that God has planned good things for us and, in Jesus, he has given us life, life and more life. How do we know what his plans are for us? It is also written in the bible that his plans are good for us and that he wishes for us to prosper in all ways even as our soul prospers (3 John). I believe that what the bible says is "The Truth" and so I loved that spontaneous statement that Franziska shared with all of us here in CO from her friend in Rome. The rest of the Colorado families and Franziska, Matt and the boys are endeavoring to become "practiced" at sharing good things that will lift and inspire. Speaking of good things to share :-). Here's "the birthday girl" pictured with my husband (Ed) of 45 years this June 22, 2008 and we are in front of our home in Colorado! I love Gardenias - note caption- "gift from the kids." There were 10 of us in our home that evening and 14 counting Matt, Franziska and the boys - always with us in spirit, even whilst sleeping in Roma :-)! Yes, we celebrated at our home and at the Coors Field - home of the Colorado Rockies. We often get calls from Rome on our cell phone during events like this :-). There are two pics (one of home celebration of Ed and me; and one of all of the Colorado Contingent at our night at the Rockies - winning 7-2 over Milwaukee Brewers)! Goooooooooo, Rockies! Who took the photo of us all at the baseball game? Answer: Ken, another birthday celebrant there with his wife and two kids. He took the photo with his camera and e-mailed it to me. We met when he noticed me showing my family the Tide Stain Stick Pen. I felt a friendly tap on my shoulder, and he asked about my Tide Pen and mentioned that he had ketchup and mustard stains on his shirt saying: "Do you think that would work on these stains?" It was meant to be :-) and with much coaching and help from my husband Ed in working that "pen", we could see the stains on Ken's shirt disappear before our eyes! By the next inning you couldn't even find where the stains had been! It was nice! I helped him and he reciprocated by volunteering to be "our photographer" for my birthday event and to send the photos to me." This is just one of the photos Ken sent of all of us. I absolutely love it and the entire story behind it. Fun, huh!
I'd also like to thank another person, who I've come to know even better over the past months. Her name is Deb and she is a West High Wildcat -1962 graduate - like me. Remember my story about Paula and her husband Billy, earlier? Well, she is a 1962 grad, too. The West High Wildcat list goes on and on. My husband Ed graduated from West High in 1961, my sister Susan - 1965 and my brother Dr. Pete and his wife Gerri - 1968! There's a lot of history and fun memories for summer reunions in this family when you combine friends with family who have graduated from West High School in Bremerton, Washington. Deb and I have been writing e-mails back and forth because she is in charge of planning this 1962 reunion. I've so enjoyed these e-mails with her. She touched my heart and also "tickled it" with her remembrances and stories, more than once, in what has transpired in her life and the lives of her family (grown son James) and others. She told me one story in particular (something personal to me) - a story of my dad from years past when I was still in high school 1958-1962 - and it touched me in that tender place where you feel "a God-like touch." I didn't realize my dad was her milkman while I was in high school, or that Deb knew "her milkman" was "my dad." It's something we never talked about; and by what she shared, I think she might have still been wondering after all these many years: "Is Martha's dad our milkman?" Now she would ask me that question in a recent e-mail: "Was your dad a milkman?" and said: "I think he was our milkman." and continued on to share this tidbit: "I think your dad was our milkman...It went on..." "... well for some reason (uniform, milkman,??) our dog, who was a very nice Dalmatian on most occasions, would get his hackles up, growl and bark from under our house at 'the milkman' and your dad would try to make friends by offering him cottage cheese..." she went on to say:"...he showed no interest in the cottage cheese until ‘HE’ was gone!" Deb didn't know my dad loved dogs and tried to figure out ways not to get bitten by them, whilst delivering his milk. Note: My dad delivered milk to Helen and Axel Johnson's home (my husband’s parents) and he'd go right in the front door in put it in their fridge - so many stories like that... Those were the days when your milkman, especially a friendly charismatic one like my dad, who loved people, would be like a member of your family :-). You can see the "other memories" that "her memory" of my dad brought back to me. Yes, Deb's story was priceless to me. When I told her that, she responded: "Most people don't think that it is of any importance to share such a small thing (a tidbit) in their remembrance of someone's loved one..." Continuing on she said: "I've made a habit of sharing these little things that I remember and I knew you'd enjoy it." We will not be at the reunion but Deb showed me what she wrote, via e-mail (lovin' the e-mail!) and that she is including my two books (Raise Up A Child and Christmas Time In My House) and "our Raise Up A Child Website address, along with my Dear Reader Column link in her "history" of me. She didn't have to do all of that but she did; and she is also doing a DVD with photos of everyone who sent her their photos. I sent her some photos, so we'll be in that very special DVD. Deb ended "the written history part" about me with a quote from me: "The best is yet to come..." In one of my e-mails I said something like this: "Deb I have a word for you", it just came to me as I was typing this e-mail and it's a lyric from a song: "The best is yet to come...!" Once again I was touched in that special place that God fills with himself, if we’ll let him. I found that Deb remembered what I had shared in an e-mail to her and that she took the time to share that word for her and quote it for all the others in our class. What we share matters. See you back here (Dear Readers) in the Fall, with much love sent to all. Marty PS: Martha (Bernier) Johnson was the 1962 West High School Home Coming Queen and cheerleader for four years for the West High Wildcats from Bremerton, Washington - Goooooooooo Wildcats! I'd love to hear from all you :-)! More fun! Examples of family emails: Franziska’s e-mail: June 17, 2008 8pm (Roma time) / 5am (Colorado time) Hi everyone, Franziska here, we stayed up to watch Tiger win, we just had to, it was about 10:30 when he made that final put, so not too bad and soooo exciting!!! This morning we saw the interviews, fun to see his adorable little baby girl and his pretty Swedish wife, plus he is so articulate and eloquent in the Interviews, way to go Tiger! And how exciting that your title is in, Ed and Mary!!!! Congratulations! Thanks for the great photos also, the "God's favor" coyote shot, and then the cutest two girl cousins EVER with their darling art work!!! Thanks for also getting Ben and Daniel into a shot, those handsome boys/young men, even with the faces a little dark, we can see those great smiles! Love it! Peter is back in school today, he was sooo excited to bring his best friend Jack the little viking ship he had picked out for him ("Mommy, I forgot to get a present for Jack!" was what he said our last day, so we shopped at the airport and found the perfect little viking ship, got one for Sam and Peter too!), Peter had wrapped it in tissue and he decided to put it into Jack's tray and let him discover it like a treasure. We had also bought a bag of Swedish candy to share with his class and he loved handing that over to Mrs Wotherspoon. We also got the end of year report card today, which is so fun to read, it's very detailed about every area and all the things he's mastered and learned. This is what Mrs Wotherspoon says in the summary comment: "Peter always arrives at school in a positive frame of mind and settles happily to a self chosen activity. I have really enjoyed experiencing his imaginative input and enthusiasm. I am very pleased with his progress this year and wish him continued success in Year One." Such a fun report to receive! I'll read it to Peter tonight, he'll love it too. And Sam sure enjoyed being back into the routine today, getting Pizza Bianca on the way home and getting to play at school and with one of his little friends, another sibling called Marco. Sam calls him "ah-oh", he has a little bit of the "bri-ish" accent in him leaving out some of the consonants :)! It's been a nice sunny morning, then a shower moved in, but hopefully it'll clear out again this afternoon. GSO picked up the construction hut today that was still in our playground, so we should have a fully functioning playground by the end of the day! Baruch Ha Shem! Good things are going to happen to you today! Lots of love from Roma, Franziska Mary’s e-mail: June 17, 2008 9:30pm (Roma time) / 6:30am (Colorado time) Hey everyone, Mary here. What a fun update Franziska. I love all of the news with Peter picking out a little viking ship for his friend and Sammy back into the pizza bianca routine! Peter's report card is FABULOUS!! Fun that you will be back and action at the park! Here was Joel's message for today! Romans 12:2!!!!! Transform Your Thinking Today's Scripture: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2). Today's Word from Joel and Victoria: You life will move in the direction of your most dominant thoughts. You can choose to think according the world’s system or according to God’s system. The world’s system says to “look out for number one,” to do whatever you can to get ahead and make yourself happy. But in God’s system, you find happiness and blessing by serving and putting others first. God doesn’t want us to have an attitude that is self-centered, or jealous, or greedy. He knows that those thoughts end in destruction. God wants us to live a blessed and prosperous life. That’s why the scripture tells us to renew our minds, or transform our thinking. We have to make sure our thoughts are the same as God’s thoughts. Just like a computer, whatever you allow into your mind is what will come out in your attitude and actions. The more you meditate on God’s Word, the more you will transform your thin king to be like God’s thinking. Choose today to focus on the Word of God and allow your mind to be renewed. As you focus on God’s thoughts, you will see your actions become more like Him, and you will see His hand of blessing in every area of your life. A Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father, I submit to You all that I am. I ask that You renew my mind by the Word of God so that my thoughts are Your thoughts. Transform me into Your image. In Jesus’ Name. Amen. I'm off to make Ed a D/M (dopio macchiato) . I work from home today. Daniel is going golfing with Nana and Papa. Abby and I are laying low today..will go to the library mid day. Abby will nap before tennis practice that starts at 4pm. SGIGTHTYT! (Something good is going to happen to you today!) Love, Mary Sue’s e-mail: June 17, 2008 12 midnight (Roma time) / 9am (Colorado time) Hi,Sue here, How fun that Peter was excited to go back to school with a toy for Jack and treats for the class and Sam loving to get back into the routine. It will be nice to have your playground back too. Mary, thanks for sharing the word from Joel. It's always a good one. Nana and Papa you will have a great day for golfing with Daniel. Love the coyote picture from last night . I think we are going to the pool for a little while then taking naps. Ben has baseball practice at 7:15 at Northridge elementary school. We are also dropping of a bunch of stuff at goodwill from our basement clean-up and depositing the DFL checks. Sue
Breaking news! Matt is coming to D.C. to train and will also visit us in Colorado over the weekend. Abby’s e-mail: June 18, 2008 9:30am (Colorado time) Hey everyone, Abby here, I'm SO excited for Uncle Matt's visit! That's going to be GREAT! We'll see you soon Matt and we might even go to a baseball game! Go Rockies! I'm also super excited about getting my spoon from Sweden! Thanks guys! My tennis team is in 3rd place out of 8. Two people on our team won and one lost. I hope my team does good next week because I don't play that week. That's all for now, Love, Abby (Abby is 12 years old) Daniel’s e-mail: June 18, 2008 11:00am (Colorado time) Hey Everyone Daniel here, I just wanted to say how excited I am for you to come to Colorado and visit the family!! We will have lots of fun times together when you are here with us Matt!! I can't wait to see you and spend time with you. I will see you on the 26th!! Whoo!! I am very excited!! Cya then! Love, Daniel (Daniel is 14 years old) Ed’s Sr.’s e-mail: June 18, 2008 12:30pm (Colorado time) Hey all, What an exciting morning. Matt called to fill us in on the exciting news of his visit!!... While we were talking to Matt more "miracles/the blessed" news happened. My cell phone rang and it was Abby calling from Evergreen where she is with Auntie Sue, Ben and Camille. She had spotted a herd of Elk on the golf course at Evergreen. God's favor. And then sue called saying there was a delay in renting the paddle boats because of lightning being detected on the radar and there would be a half hour delay. So they thought they would walk to get ice cream. They started out and looked back and they were launching the paddle boats. Sue and the gang turned around and went back and got their boat. They called from the middle of the lake. They switched over to a canoe. Why you asked? Because they can. While we were talking to Matt Sam asked Matt to play his favorite card(musical). Which Matt did "you ain't seen nothing yet." This song came from a birthday card Franziska received in Tel Aviv from nana and me. Sam then got on the phone and said hello nana and hello Papa. By the way Sam is now known as "THE 30 POUNDER!" Then he played "You can't touch this!" Father's Day card from Nana and me to Mattie. As Nana says: "Mattie's coming to town!" This e-mail may not be capitalized or punctuated correctly but it is written. IT IS A MIRACLE/The blessed. We are the blessed, indeed! Love from Nana and me, Papa Ed, Jr.’s e-mail: June 19, 2008 6:30am (Colorado time) I sent you an email yesterday but didn't include everyone. We are excited you are coming to Denver! See you soon! Ed |
