Yesterday, Today, Forever-

Every December a tiny house on the side table in the living room of our humble apartment in Germany, held our fascination! When mother lit the first advent candle on the wreath, it meant there were only 24 more days until Christmas. The three of us, my younger brother and sister and I, now had to memorize a short Scripture verse every day, which was printed in each of the 24 tiny windows of this fascinating cardboard Advent house. A small electric light shone through these tissue paper windows. It was so exquisite and charming! It was a quieter time when I was child. No one was rushing around in materialistic hustle and bustle. Each day after supper was a time for family devotions, carolling and reciting the newly learned verse. Times were tough; food was scarce; but we had Jesus and a huge extended family and that meant everything to us. To make things festive a small, fresh spruce Advent Wreath adorned the table. Each Sunday another candle was lit until there were four. As Christmas...

Angela was a beautiful baby! Forty years ago today God gave us a perfect little daughter who is now, thanks be to God, an amazing, talented, compassionate, kind and beautiful woman – a loving wife and mother of two of our grandchildren. Happy Birthday honey! We love you! May the next year bring you awesome adventures with the Lord!

Back in the fifteenth century, in a tiny village near Nuremberg, lived a family with eighteen children. Eighteen! In order merely to keep food on the table for this mob, the father and head of the household, a goldsmith by profession, worked almost eighteen hours a day at his trade and any other paying chore he could find in the neighborhood. Despite their seemingly hopeless condition, two of Albrecht Durer the Elder's children had a dream. They both wanted to pursue their talent for art, but they knew full well that their father would never be financially able to send either of them to Nuremberg to study at the Academy. After many long discussions at night in their crowded bed, the two boys finally worked out a pact. They would toss a coin. The loser would go down into the nearby mines and, with his earnings, support his brother while he attended the academy. Then, when that brother who won the toss completed his studies, in four years, he would support the other brother at the ac...

Painting by Gustav Semler, a dear friend Thank you for the robin's song That sings so sweetly in the trees. Thank you for the warmth of sunshine The light caresses of each breeze! Thank you for the bright blue sky The soothing green upon the hill! Thank you for all the fragrant flowers, The babbling brook down by the mill. Thank you for golden fields of grain that started out from tiny seeds. Thank you for such abundant harvest! Thank you that you meet all my needs. Thank you for the love of family, Abundant joy, each morning new! Thank you for the joy of friendships, All good things, God, come from you! Thank you that you send upon us Awesome blessings every day! Thank you that You are my Father! You'll never leave me, come what may! Karin Ristau

My child, have LOVE even for those who despitefully use you, not just for your chosen few who are very close to you. Let words from your mouth be fountains of JOY , singing my praises day after day even if all is not going your way. Bring PEACE to those who live in turmoil and strife, whose heart is full of discontent. It is to those you have been sent. Have PATIENCE with those who do not think like you, who are so different, who have some weakness, who frustrate you, who cause you stress. My child, show KINDNESS to everyone. Be no respecter of color or creed, but show my love in every kind deed. Let GOODNESS be what you're noted for, Goodness that reflects ME in you, In everything that you choose to do. FAITHFULNESS shows even when you've been rejected again. Never give up when the going gets rough, And in temptations really hang tough. Let GENTLENESS be there for someone who's weak, where you are strong. Be there to guide, encourage, and cheer those who need your ass...

In this fallen world, we will always sin, No one is righteous, no, not even one. In all situations, we do know what’s right, Yet why does the right thing so seldom get done? Why do we teeter at the edge of temptation? Inclined to loose ground and almost fall in? Why don’t we stay as far away as we can? Why must we toy and play with each sin? Often we’re faced with dilemmas of choice! The decisions we make reveal what’s within. Anyone then, who knows the right thing to do, And fails to do it, is committing a sin. What this world needs is a strong moral center! Where can we learn what is wrong, what is right? GOD gives HIS POWER to do the right thing! HE gave the Light to fight the darkness of night! When you do the right thing there is great satisfaction! There’s a deep joy and a clean conscience too! Do the right thing! You will make a difference, In all that you think, that you say, that you do! Karin Ristau

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HONEY! You are the love of my life! Opa, as he is known to his nine grandchildren, is seated here holding his youngest - Aidan!