Sadly, we lost my Papa Joe today. I didn't have the emotional energy to blog, but I thought I'd pull out this post I wrote over a year ago.
Joseph Andrew Stoschack: May 19, 1918-June 26, 2009. Rest in Peace, Papa Joe. I miss you already. :(
This blog challenge is brought to us by Joanie!
So the challenge this week is to post a picture of someone you love. It can't be just any picture, it should be one of those pictures that you look at and you really see something about that person. Once you find that special picture, post it in your blog and tell us what it is that makes it special.
This is certainly not the world's best picture. Or even what most would consider a perfect picture. But it captures not just the person I love dearly, but part of who he has always been in my life. Papa Joe and Farmer, circa 2002.
Papa Joe is my maternal step-grandfather. I'm not sure I when I cognitively knew he was a step grandfather, because as long as I can remember, he's the only real grandfather I've ever had. He married my Na-na after her first husband passed away, years before I was born. I'm so glad he did! I can't imagine a better grandfather!
Nevermind the poor quality, this picture captures a part of what made Papa Joe special. I have so many memories of working alongside him on his farm. He taught me how to gather eggs, forcing me to put my hand under that clucking hen, even though I was scared. He sat and fished with me in his pond, which was well-stocked with catfish. He told me stories and was always ready to listen to mine. He put us to work in the fields, and we got to ride tractors and lawn mowers and use other dangerous equipment. He taught me about gardening and how to pull weeds. And he taught me about being kind to animals.
One silly memory I have is from when I was pretty small. Barry Manilow's "I Can't Smile Without You" came on their old, little radio. And Papa Joe, in his not-so-great voice, sang along, serenading me. Every time I hear that song I think of Papa Joe. He isn't a warm and fuzzy kind of grandpa. Oh, there were hugs from time to time, but I never once doubted how much he loved me.
I grew up, got married, and had my own kids. Papa Joe got older. The farm work got scaled back until all the remained was a small garden and lots of grass. He wasn't able to do what he used to do. But when Thomas was small, one thing Papa Joe still did was mow the lawn. And I remember the first time he took Thomas, whom he affectionately called Farmer, for a ride on the tractor. I was scared, as only a mother of a 2 year old could be. Papa Joe wasn't so agile anymore. His memory wasn't so good. What if Thomas fell? What if the mower toppled over?
And then I saw Thomas' face. The complete joy he was experiencing on that lawn mower with Papa Joe! It was worth any anxiety I might have been feeling. And I knew that as long as Papa Joe wanted to take Farmer with him on that mower, Farmer would go.
Papa Joe'll be 90 this month. His memory is going. He's confused a lot of the time now. I'm not even sure he'll recognize me when we go back to the US in December. And that makes me sad. Time has a way of robbing us of things that are precious to us. But it can never take away the memories I have of my time with Papa Joe. And I'm so grateful that my oldest children have some similar memories of this man who might not be related by blood, but is most certainly my grandfather in every sense of the word. I love that man...
Music moves me. I love that I can listen to a song and be transported to a different place, or moved to tears, or filled with joy. At Council last week we sang a song, a modern day hymn, that I absolutely love. Tears streamed down my face as I stood and sang my heart out, declaring the truth about who I am in Jesus.
Here is a youtube video of the Newsboys' version of this beuatiful song. Lyrics follow.
In Christ alone my hope is found; He is my light, my strength, my song; This cornerstone, this solid ground, Firm through the fiercest drought and storm. What heights of love, what depths of peace, When fears are stilled, when strivings cease! My comforter, my all in all— Here in the love of Christ I stand.
In Christ alone, Who took on flesh, Fullness of God in helpless babe! This gift of love and righteousness, Scorned by the ones He came to save. Till on that cross as Jesus died, The wrath of God was satisfied; For ev'ry sin on Him was laid— Here in the death of Christ I live.
There in the ground His body lay, Light of the world by darkness slain; Then bursting forth in glorious day, Up from the grave He rose again! And as He stands in victory, Sin's curse has lost its grip on me; For I am His and He is mine— Bought with the precious blood of Christ.
No guilt in life, no fear in death— This is the pow'r of Christ in me; From life's first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny. No pow'r of hell, no scheme of man, Can ever pluck me from His hand; Till He returns or calls me home— Here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand.
Well, another month has flown by! Where does the time go? I'm currently at the Christian and Missionary Alliance General Council and loving every minute of it! It's been a great time for reconnecting with friends who serve the world over. I've been so encouraged and challenged to press on, do more, and live for Jesus in everything I do.
And I've really been meditating on the scripture from Matthew 6:20-21, "Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven where moth and rust do not destroy and where theives to not break in and steal. For where you treasure is there your heart will be also." The theme for our conference is Jesus Only. I've been challenged on so many levels. I really do live to show the world His love. I hope and pray that comes through in my life.
On a lighter note, thought I'd share a couple more layouts I completed at Spring Thing. Enjoy!
I'm here in Texas at the SS Spring Thing 2009! It's been an absolute blast so far, but I just need to prove that I am actually doing something. I am continuing to learn Photoshop Elements and digital scrapbooking. Here is the latest layout I created. I learned how to create a black and white picture by changing the saturation and hue levels. That was fun!
Finally, warm weather has arrived! Yesterday was so gorgeous, Scot and I decided to take Georgia for a nice, long walk. She had it pretty easy: she got to ride on Scot's shoulders! We hoofed it all over town, including up to one of the highest points: the local cemetery. It was a tough walk~~my legs felt like they weighed a billion pounds each on the way up the steepest incline~~but it was so nice to be out and about! And just so you all don't think I'm a terrible wimp, I'll tell you that my town has some pretty huge, steep hills. We walked one of the steepest. Honest. I'm not that big of a wimp! We ended our walk at a local playground (which happened to be at the top of yet another fairly steep hill, though I'm not complaining!). Got a new camera and tried it out on GK. She was a perfect little model.
We headed down Na-na's house for some running around, fishing, digging up a small garden, and just enjoying the evening. Thomas caught a tiny fish, which he was very excited about. All was well with the world. Enjoy the pictures.
I love to see the triumph of the human spirit. To see someone succeed when all odds are against them. Paul Potts, the winner of Britain's Got Talent awhile back, proved the world wrong and sang with the voice of an angel. And I was captivated. Not just with his beautiful voice, but with the entire performance...his story.
Well, make room for another. I was so moved by this performance...yes, I cried, but that's not unusual for me! If you have time, check out this link and watch Susan Boyle on the very same television show. If you are prone to tears, have some tissues handy.
It makes me wonder how often we dismiss or overlook someone based on appearance who, perhaps, is hiding something wonderful and amazing underneath. I'm so thankful that God sees us for who we are inside and out!
So, the other night I was at a scrapbooking event. My dear friend's 8 year old son was there. He walked up to me and asked, "So, what's been going on?" I replied, "Not too much." His response? "Then why haven't you blogged recently?" HA! It totally cracked me up! He's one of my most faithful blog readers both here and on our ministry blog. Good to know someone reads what I write! :)
So, Zach, this one's for you! ;)
I had the privilege to be part of a ladies' retreat this past weekend. Alliance Women Ministries is a huge support ministry of our church, the Christian and Missionary Alliance. These ladies faithfully pray for us, send notes of encouragement, generously support us financially, "adopt" our kids and send them amazing Christmas and birthday gifts, and just generally show great interest in what God is doing the world over. I feel so loved and cared for by these women, many of whom I don't know personally.
What an amazing weekend! First of all, I got to hang with my mother-in-law! I so enjoy talking with her and hearing her perspective on things. She is a godly woman, and I am so thankful to have her in my life! Many of my friends from my church were able to come, and my sister and bff from waaaaay back were both there too! I was blessed!
When I say it was a privilege to be part of this group, I mean it sincerely. I love to talk--no secret! So, it's just fun to be able to speak to a crowd! But to be able to speak about something so precious to me~~the Palestinian people and all that God's doing over there~~well, that's just over-the-top amazing! This weekend is definitely a highlight of my ministry year!
Add to that the blessing of hearing from my sisters who are working all over the world, and I walked away feeling like my cup was overflowing! Amy, working with Dorcas House in Burkina Faso. Her stories touched my heart and challenged me. Kandi and Chrissy, working in Cambodia. Their stories of God's faithfulness were soul-altering.
It is good to be with godly women. It is good to hear what God is doing throughout the world, to be reminded that He is still in control. It is good to laugh and have a good time and to reconnect with friends, new and old. I'm blessed. No doubt about it.
It's picture day at school and Maggie wanted curlers in her hair for the big day! So, last night, I filled her head with sponge rollers. Georgia Kate decided she wanted curlers too, so I did the same with her. I had no idea that their fine, silky hair would take to curl to well! GK wasn't too happy. She kept trying to brush the curls away. She got used to them! :) We transformed this:
Today was Crazy Hair Day at school. We dyed the kids' hair green and orange. This week has been full of fun stuff in honor of Dr. Suess' birthday! They even got to eat Green Eggs and Ham yesterday! FUN!
So, here are Scoty, Maggie, and Thomas, with crrraaaaaazzzzzzyyyyy hair! :)
I'm so thankful we got to travel to Texas when we did. Uncle Tommy passed away peacefully yesterday morning. He was surrounded by his family and he never had to enter the hospital, which was his wish. It's so hard to believe he is gone....
Papa Joe and Farmer, circa 2002.
