a new perspective...

Sometimes we just need to look at things from a different vantage point...

to see things a little more clearly.

Create in me a clean heart, O God;
and renew a right spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10 KJV

Give me Your eyes for just one second
Give me Your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me Your love for humanity
Give me Your arms for the broken hearted
Ones that are far beyond my reach.
Give me Your heart for the ones forgotten
Give me Your eyes so I can see
Yeah Yeah yeah

These wonderful words are lyrics from a song called 'Give me Your Eyes' by Brandon Heath...a reminder to look at life the way God does.

Sunday blessings...

a new grandson to love...

It's a boy!

He was born yesterday...late afternoon...

November 6th...

and weighed in at 9 pounds 14 ounces!

Kris & Lisa and big sister Ranen are thrilled!

His name is Micah...and it suits him just fine!

I happened to have a little inside information...
and so the blankee for the new baby was in the proper colour.

It just got finished in the nick of time...
with the last round completed as our road-trip came to an end last week.

And as I went to package it yesterday morning...
I noticed yarn ends that still needed to be woven in.

So I did my last minute weaving...

and was reminded of the verse in Psalm 139:13...

For You formed my inward parts;

You wove me in my mother's womb.

We are so thankful to God for our grandson who is 'fearfully and wonderfully made'.

And how special to meet him when he was brand new to the world!

Have a wonderful weekend!

the stones cry out...

Yesterday was a cool but dry fall day...and with a weather disturbance coming our way...we decided it might just be the perfect day to take a field trip. Somewhere out in the countryside of this valley is a small private cemetery...that was opened in 1937 for Mennonite pioneers in the area.

I had heard of it often...but never taken the time to visit. Now it seemed there was an excuse...even an urgency...to make the trip. My great-grandparents lay buried in this quiet and unassuming place. My father has on occasion throughout the years gone to visit his grandpa's grave. He has wonderful memories of his grandfather...who taught by example.

Dad ~ his grandfather

I'll give you a wee glimpse into the background of my great-grandfather. Jacob Wilhelm Baerg was born in Ackerman, South Russia on June 11, 1859. He was well educated...having studied botany in Germany...and was the manager of the government tree plantation, which employed four-hundred men. In 1886 he married Anna Thiessen, whose father was in the grain-exporting business and owned an estate on the Black Sea. Two of Anna's brothers were advisers to the Russian Czar and met with death together with the royal family. Jacob became a successful farmer and blacksmith, and was very innovative. He was the only one is his Russian village to have running water...and also invented a straw blower for the threshing machine. He lived with his family in a village called Grigerjewka, and was the pastor of the church. He came to Canada with his wife and children in 1926...and eventually settled in Aldergrove, B.C.

Jacob Baerg ~ Anna Thiessen Baerg

Anna passed away in 1939...Jacob some ten years later...and both lay buried in South Poplar cemetery...gone but not forgotten.

Earlier this year, dad and a cousin of his went to the cemetery and began reading headstones. They soon realized that their grandfather's headstone was almost illegible...and their grandmother's was nowhere to be found. They contacted the caretakers...who had no record of my great-grandmother's burial whatsoever. How could this be? My father knew approximately where she was buried, but there was no headstone bearing her name. Dad has in his possession papers that show which plot his grandmother was buried in...but it seems the cemetery has some one else in that plot...and a headstone with another name at that very location. My father and his cousin decided that something must be done to honour their grandparents. Their generation would soon be gone...and all would be forgotten. We as a family have pitched in to help with the cost of a new gravestone...and it is now in place.

It was decided that a double gravestone would be placed on my great-grandfather's grave...

...one that would commemorate both him and his wife. I rather like it...including the double ring with the date of their marriage.

Thanks, Dad...for making it your mission to commemorate your grand-parents. Thanks for reminding us once again of our roots...we have so much to be thankful for.

While we were at the cemetery, Dad asked me if I would want to see my maternal grandfather's grave.

He passed away before I was born...and so all I know of him is what I have heard. But of course I would like to see his grave.

I think I will be back one day...with tools to remove moss. It seems we as descendants have not been too diligent in keeping things tidy. Maybe I'll organize another field trip one day...and invite some siblings and cousins to join me.

Cemeteries and gravestones seem to have lost their meaning for many of us in North America today. But I think it is important for us to know where we came from...to remember those who have gone before...who have in some way shaped our lives. Let's tell the stories to the next generation!

Don't expect a post on My Front Porch tomorrow morning...but you might want to check back towards evening.

disneyland revisited...

It's a small world after all!

We brought our family here when they were wee...and not quite so wee...but who would have thought that we would one day return with the grandchildren?

How fun is that?

A few of our favorite attractions from yesteryear are gone...(does anyone remember Bear Country Jamboree?)...but some things have hardly changed at all.

'It's a Small World' is every bit as enchanting for children today as it was long ago. It was so good to watch the kids enjoying themselves.


They met Goofy...who welcomed them to Toon Town...and had a chance to tour Mickey's house.

He made them feel right at home...although Ryder still had his reservations!

They did time in the Toon Town jail...and found it quite enjoyable. All in all...the line-ups were not bad and we packed a lot into a one-day visit. As the sun set, the crowds grew...it happened to be a Friday and many locals came for the evening.

The last attraction of the day was Dumbo...the perfect note on which to end.

Disneyland at night is an adventure all of it's own...

...and we quite enjoyed our walk down Mainstreet USA as we departed.

It's a great place for kids...of all ages! And if you go...be prepared to find yourself singing "It's a Small World After All" for some time.

family fun in the sun...

So what could we possibly find to do for a week out in the desert...at a resort that lies next to a golf course...if we don't golf? Good question. Let me tell you.

We have returned to this same resort on several occasions...and always find it a wonderful relaxing spot to vacation. There are many places nearby to explore...but the days come and go and we barely leave the resort. With large pools...a lazy river...plenty of books....and good company...why not just stay put?

It was fun having kids and grands join us for a week. They found many ways to amuse themselves...and us.

With Uncle Tim's assistance...the girls staged a water circus performance one afternoon. Ryder was happy to entertain cousin Maelyn.

For the most part...the days were about floating down the lazy river...reading at the pool...and eating. It was a good time!

One evening we packed up and went out for supper...

...after all Heidi had a birthday that needed celebrating.

Maelyn's cousins worked on the 'happy birthday song' with her earlier in the day...and I'm sure she sang it for mommy many times over.

After dinner...we stopped by the Indio night market. We were among the few non-Hispanics there that evening...

...but the guys found they could make purchases even if the vendor had no idea what it was they were asking him. An interpreter from a neighbouring stall came to the rescue...and the truck accessory in question was soon in the bag.

Emme and Spencer found just what they wanted...and the price was right.

Never mind that it was hot...they could hardly wait to wear their new boots.

All too soon it was time to bid farewell to our desert oasis...

...as the kids had plans to spend some time in the 'happiest place on earth' before catching their flights back home. I'll take you there soon...maybe tomorrow.

Have a great Tuesday...