Yesterday, Today, Forever-

 It was in this courtyard that she enjoyed  gardening her very own raised flower bed. Erna Klara Laser was the seventh of eight children born to Theodor and Pauline Werner, a German family living in West Prussia. She went to school from age 7 to age 14, learning German and Polish.  At age 14 she became apprentice as sales clerk in a dry goods store. Erna supported herself with this day job in the Hohensee Family business, while attending night school.  Her dream to become a teacher was never realized, however, due to the war years. At age 14 she attended special evangelistic meetings at church with a very dynamic speaker.  Through his powerful messages, she recognized her need for a Savior and came to faith in  Jesus Christ and was baptized. This was the most important decision she ever made in her life! When WWII broke out, it was the Hohensee family who took her with them to the countryside, to escape the turmoil in the city and be mo...

Erna Klara Werner Laser August 17, 1919 - May 17, 2010  Until I have a chance to write my own story about my mom please read  A Tribute to my Oma and Opa by our son Ken over at his blog. Thanks Ken!

Betty, from A glimpse into midlife ,  did that Random Dozen again and I thought I would answer the questions as well. Thanks Betty for the idea! 1. Please share one memory of your high school graduation. Pics would be great! Well, folks, I hate to break it to you, but I didn’t graduate from high school. First of all, my folks didn’t encourage higher learning. What for? A girl just gets married and has children. Why would she need school for that? Then when I was in Grade 11, father had a major heart attack. I had just finished the school year and had to immediately find a job to support the family. Because I could type and spell very well, I got a job as transcriptionist in Medical Records at the Children’s Hospital where I already worked evenings and week-ends in the Dietary Department. What wonderful support I received from all the managers of the various departments! They saw the skills I had, and those that could still be developed, and encouraged me every st...

Decided to pull this out and repost, hopefully as encouragement to those who are going through present difficulties.  ~~~~~~~~~ Disappointment? His appointment To show you what He can do! His face shines upon you in love every day. He’ll never leave you, but make a way through. The things you had hoped for did not come about. What you held so dear is now gone. Incredible hardships have knocked on your door. The past can’t be changed; it is over, it’s done. In this world, Christ said, we will have tribulation. We’re not exempt from the pain of each fight. There will be many a trial and many a testing, Yet we’re walking by faith and not by sight. These disappointments that have come your way, are blessings that God has selected. In all of our trials God works for our good And in love gives us then much more than expected. God’s showing the others a picture you see, In how you handle things He’s sent your way. Your trusting obedience, your submission to ...

 Thanks Irene for use of the photo Academy Florists Lift hands in prayer for new and younger mothers As they train toddlers in the way to go; They need great patience and sweet tenderness, Let God’s great love through their heart overflow! Pray fervently for mothers of our teens; That they raise godly offspring in each family. The most important calling they could ever have; Guiding with warmth and wisdom, wit and sensitivity. Fold hands in prayer for older mothers, Whose children have all grown and left the nest. For that’s the time a mom is needed in a different way; She built their firm foundation; may they now call her blessed. Thank you, our dearest Father, You bless the generations Of mothers who are faithful in serving You and others. As they are yielded to Your plan and purpose in their lives Lord, may Your favour rest each day upon all mothers. Karin Ristau

Vessels  at Evi's house!   I took a piece of plastic clay And idly fashioned it one day, And as my fingers pressed it still, It moved and yielded at my will. I came again when days were past; The bit of clay was hard at last, The form I gave it still it bore, But I could change that form no more. I took a piece of living clay, And gently formed it day by day, And molded with my power and art A young child’s soft and yielding heart. I came again when days were gone; It was a man I looked upon; That early impress still he wore, And I could change it never more. Author Unknown Thank God we have been made in His imagine and have His stamp upon our lives!

Link for photo In the operating room of a large, well-known hospital, it was the nurse’s first day on the surgical team.  She was responsible that all instruments and materials were accounted for before completing the final steps of the operation.    She said to the surgeon, “You’ve only removed 11 sponges.  We used 12 sponges, and we need to find the last one.” “I removed them all,” the doctor declared emphatically. “We’ll close the incision now.” “No,”  the rookie nurse objected, “we used 12 sponges.” “I’ll take the responsibility,” the surgeon said grimly.  “Suture.” “You can’t do that, sir,” blasted the nurse. “think of the patient.” The surgeon smiled and lifted his foot, showing the nurse the twelfth sponge. “You’ll do just fine in this or any other hospital.” When you know you’re right, you can’t back down.

 Image from the internet - here's the link to the song based on this poem. Thanks Doris for the idea from your blog post on this topic! 'twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer thought it scarcely worth his while to waste much time on the old violin, but held it up with a smile; "What am I bidden, good folks," he cried,"Who'll start the bidding for me?" "A dollar, a dollar"; then two!" "Only two? Two dollars, and who'll make it three? Three dollars, once; three dollars twice; going for three.." But no, from the room, far back, a gray-haired man came forward and picked up the bow; Then, wiping the dust from the old violin, and tightening the loose strings, he played a melody pure and sweet as caroling angel sings. The music ceased, and the auctioneer, with a voice that was quiet and low, said; "What am I bid for the old violin?" And he held it up with the bow. A thousand dollars, and w...

The rain that falls on top of the mountain  does not stay there to nourish the ground.   From there it flows down into the valley.   That's where the growth and the fruit is found.   So it is with God's showers of blessings!  If you set yourself high,  up on a mountain,  much higher than others you know, you will get wet, you will get rained on  but you won't grow.