VALENTINE DAYS

A couple of days prior to Valentine’s Day, I heard someone at the door, and was I ever surprised! There was a man delivering to me a beautiful floral arrangement. (I don’t know why I was surprised, since my honey does this all the time – but I was)!!

The card reads: “Happy Valentine’s Day, To Carolyn, My Wonderful Valentine for 45 Years! — Love, Mike

Forty-five years ago November 16th we met, coming up July 17th we’ll have been married 45 years. It is so wonderful to be married to one’s best friend! Then the next day, I purchased a special pizza for us to share with our family.

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I love the comfortableness that we can enjoy our love in which we’ve grown together over the years. That is a very special love, and it has a value that can’t be fully expressed in just a short post. Valentine’s Day is merely one day to observe love (and friendship); however, God has given us 365 days to show love in many little ways – through words, actions, touch, etc. – and we do enjoy those daily ways even more!

“. . . I found my soul’s true love . . .” (Song of Solomon 3:4, VOICE)

One year later . . .

Since February of 2020, so many things have changed! Covid has brought many changes, but primarily for our family it has been with church. In the summer, we met outside – socially distanced as folks wished. Then we had to watch & listen via the internet. We had a period where we met inside (socially distance and masked), then finished out the year back at home again. Now we are meeting again inside of the church, which is the best; because the fellowship of seeing and talking to each other in person is so important!

Unfortunately, my mom can’t really enjoy being at church since she can’t hear or see enough there, so she listens to services via T.V., radio, or the internet. But that doesn’t give her the in-person fellowship much needed! So one thing that helps in that “department” is the weekly Bible study that I lead each week for 2-3 other ladies besides us. We do enjoy a breakfast treat and coffee together before digging in to our Bible study for the day. And especially special ~ we share healthy hugs, which makes Mom very happy!

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  Group of friends having coffee during bible study discussion

One of our favorite times is when our youngest – son – comes with his three children (our only grandchildren)! In September, we celebrated a “Birthday Bonanza” – since we have 4 family birthdays in September (my Mom, my husband, our youngest son & his eldest. And then in the first week of October, our grandson has his birthday. It was a lot of fun, and although we saw them in Nov. & Dec. too, we didn’t get family pictures then.

OUR 3 GRANDCHILDREN, MIKE & ME – PROUD GRANDPARENTI

In order to be able to find time to blog a few times this year – and especially to find time to visit my friends’ blogs, I will close this off with an encouraging quote that I found today.

What’s up (in my little corner of the world)?

I have the privilege to take care of my 95 year old mother. She is one very sharp lady, and so she has me teach her to do things on her computer — mainly on Facebook and Emails. Life changes for us all, especially when our operating systems change whether we like it or not!

She also sends out cards with sweet handwritten notes to “gazillions” of people! Be it birthday, funeral, anniversary, engagement, baby, encouragement, “I’m praying for you,” get well . . . you will probably hear from her if she knows you! And if she says she’s praying for you, she really means it! Oh, and she does all of this with macular degeneration – one eye pretty much without any vision, and the other with just partial vision.

There are many things that she and I like to do together. Since she cannot read lengthy things, or anything for too long, I help her go through her mail, I read to her for 1 to 1-1/2 hour almost every day — and have we ever read A LOT of books, magazines, etc. And we pray together, too. Almost every night we have a snack after we have finished our reading time. One of her favorite ice creams is waiting for her to choose from, and her hazelnut- blend coffee, and usually some baked item I’ve made for her — cookies, blonde brownies, cake, etc… or a doughnut or piece of pie picked up from the store. (My snacks are different, since I’m on Weight Watchers – popcorn, fruit, oatmeal, or occasionally, a small piece of a baked item.)

While we talk and eat and drink, we enjoy some lighted candles — And then when we are done with our evening snack, we blow out the candles one at a time, and watch the smoke rise. She calls this enjoying/living our “childhood” ~ but I see it as even more . . .

When my husband (who is totally blind) was still legally blind (with VERY little eyesight) and I were still in the first year or 2 of our marriage, he came home one day from work and told me a coworker had handed out cigars to celebrate his newborn. He went out on the porch to smoke it, came in and tried to kiss me, and I said: YUCK! You can’t smoke those and kiss me! He immediately said: That’s it! I only enjoyed seeing the smoke curl up; and I can’t see it anymore, and anyway, if I can’t kiss you that is the end of it! 🙂

So ~ this is one thing that Mom can still enjoy seeing: after she blows out the candle, she quickly puts it right under her extra bright lamp, & if the smoke is nice and thick, she loves seeing it! She giggles and squeals with delight, and states how beautiful it is in about 3 languages, & thanks God for this special enjoyment!

³⁰ Charm is deceptive and beauty disappears, but a woman who honors the Lord should be praised. ³¹ Give her credit for all she does. She deserves the respect of everyone. [Proverbs 31:30-31, GNT] — (Although I think she is still charming and beautiful!)

HOPE & PEACE

My parents reared their four children with a love of Charles Schulz’s “Peanuts” — calendars, cartoons, and other things, and especially at Christmas time! At Christmas time, the videos and decor celebrating – “The Gospel According to Peanuts” and celebrating holiday songs sung by Peanuts’ characters all came out.

In honor of the first two Sundays of Advent – “Hope” & “Peace” (this year on December 1 & 8), I thought I would share some Peanuts’ cartoons on those two concepts. Enjoy!

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THANKS-GIVING

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Thanksgiving Acrostic

I’ve been asked to post again. It’s only been 3 years, I believe. But I’ve been keeping very busy with caring for my mom (now 95!) who came to live with us 6 years ago, as well as with teaching, leading Bible study, & other things as well. That being said, here is my Thanksgiving Acrostic.

THANKS-GIVING: Thank GOD daily, throughout the day.

THEOS/ G O D: This is where it all begins! I love reading & studying God’s Word.

HOBBIES: Reading, watching cooking & music contest shows, word games & crossword puzzles, & teaching: A retired teacher, but still teaching in many ways. How I love teaching!

ALL FRIENDS: Including Family – I’m so blessed by so many friends!

NATURE: I am thankful for the beauty of creation – scenery and flora and fauna.

“K I D S”: I have 2 sons, 1 daughter, 3 grandchildren, and many former students (now adults).

S P O U S E: I’ve been married to Mike for 43-1/2 years. I’m so thankful for my best friend!

SAY YOUR NAME -We like it!

The story is that there was a really pretty nurse named Carolyn, who served where my Dad served as a Pharmacist’s Mate, Third Class —  at the U.S. Naval Hospital at Aiea Heights, Oahu, Hawaii.  Dad joined the Navy when he was 17 – so if he looks young in the picture — well, he was!

When he came back to his hometown in Illinois, there was a new lady at his church that caught his eye – she too was a nurse, very pretty, and they fell in love with each other.  She just happened to be the one who would become his wife, and my Mom.  I was their second child, and since they both liked the name they agreed to call me “Carolyn” !  🙂

<a href="https://dailypost.wordpress.com/prompts/say-your-name/">Say Your Name</a>

 

FRIENDS

Friends are such a very special gift! I thought I’d write a little poem to post today.

Friends are special gifts from God.
And so I’d like to say this prayer:
“Thank you, God for each dear Gift,
And bless each one — a Gem so rare!”
C. Justice – 02/03/16

I am posting a collage with pictures of friends doing things with me at variuos times over the past few months (so I’m not in most of the pictures, since I take terrible selfies)!  It’s funny, butal most all of them were taken around tables – where we’d been eating! 

One final collage that I used just last week (I put up a collage daily on Facebook with Scripture and other quotes on varying themes). 

 Have a blessed day … and week. I’ll visit around the remainder of the week. 

Our 2015 is past; here’s to 2016!

Like most of this past year … I’ve been behind (or non-existent here, & other places). Not being one to like to fail, I don’t make New Year’s Resolutions … but I do make goals. So a goal that I have is to be better about coming over here on WordPress – to write some, but especially to see how my friends here are doing. Happy belated – 2016! So – here is the letter that my husband and I wrote this year (& am just now getting out)!

CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR GREETINGS FROM OUR HOME TO YOURS!

Each December is a good time to reflect on the many blessings from God throughout the year as it draws to a close. How appropriate to also observe a day to honor the birth of the Son of God who came in the flesh to be the Savior of all who will believe in him. What a wonderful way to look ahead to the new year of 2016, knowing that the Lord has promised eternal life through grace by faith in His Son!

*Isaiah 43:11 (AMPC) “I, even I, am the Lord, and besides Me there is no Savior.”**Luke 2:10-11 (BSB) “But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.'”

*** 1 John 5:10-12 (NIV) “Anyone who believes in the Son of God has this testimony in his heart. Anyone who does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because he has not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.”

MEDICAL STUFF: Carolyn had another year of dealing with chronic pain, and the left shoulder became a severe problem beginning in February. After having PT and then several rounds of cortisone treatments, it finally resulted in arthroscopic surgery on December 3rd mainly to remove large amounts of arthritis. She also had some additional treatments of cortisone injections for rib pain. Carolyn’s brother Don provided transportation for appointments for both Carolyn and Mom Bonnell, and additional errands throughout the year since Carolyn had limitations on her driving. The excellent health care in Springfield, and the many kinds of help and visits from family and friends brought blessings to us even during times of difficulty.

SPECIAL VISITS: SUMMER – In June, we had a lovely visit with the Shaun Justice family. It was great to have special time visiting with him and the children, while Melissa spent a “Girls’ Day Out” with our Marci. In August – Dear family frends, Jim & Polly Prieto, visited with us all, and shared their musical talents with us. These dear folk date back to our years in the Philippines, and Mom & Dad Bonnell were their “Ninong & Ninang” at their wedding (godparents – who stood with them at the wedding). Through the years they have continued serving God with preaching, music, church planting, and much more. 

FALL – On September 5^th , we made our only “long-distance” travel, since this too is something that causes more pain for Carolyn now. We enjoyed a lovely supper with Marci & Gary in Columbus, and spent two overnights at a nice hotel suite. We were within a half hour from Shaun & Melissa, and so each of the three days (5^th – 7^th) we were able to enjoy some time with them and he grandchildren. In November, Mom’s Grandson Stephen and his younger daughter Kendall (almost 2) – from Maryland, surprised her with a two day visit. We all enjoyed the time they spent here. Later in November – Former students, and still friends 🙂 – Nicole, Sarah, & Lisa came over to visit, dye hair, and enjoy lunch together. 

WINTER – Carolyn had shoulder surgery on Dec. 3^rd, was wearing a sling, and so couldn’t do much for the first two weeks after that… SO … during that period of time friends from church provided meals 3 times per week for us. December 11^th – Nicole spent time doing extensive decorating for Christmas, and enjoyed sharing food and fellowship together. Then on December 18^th, SURPRISE! Nicole, Lisa, & Lisa’s two children came for a visit bearing gifts and lunch. It was a fun time together! December 24 – Our annual family time of celbrating Christmas together. As always, we enjoyed the time with everyone.

ACTIVITIES: Carolyn and Mom Bonnell participated as much as possible in Ladies seasonal weekly Bible study, and in a special fall retreat for the Ladies and guests of Cornerstone. They also enjoy reading lots of books together here at home. Mom surprised us with NETFLIX so that Mike and Carolyn could watch movies on “Date Night!” Mike regularly attends the Men’s Bible Study at Cornerstone, and has added 32 Bible studies to his MPNHome.net website. Carolyn enjoys sharing personal news and encouragement with many friends on Facebook. Mom has a ministry of sending cards to many people for encouragement and for special occasions, and she does a lot of Email communication as well. For all of us in the home, it is very important to be consistently reading and studying the Bible to remind us of our need to lay up treasure in Heaven, and not to be pulled away by the distractions and discouragements of this present world. We want to be patient and trust that the Lord is working out His plans according to his perfect will. Whatever the new year brings, God is in control and Heaven awaits those who have placed their faith in the true and living God.

1 Thessalonians 4:14-18 (NIV) “We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord for ever. Therefore encourage each other with these words.”

Have a blessed year in 2016! 

​Mike and Carolyn Justice

A special day – or 2 or 3

I wrote this introduction on Facebook for a collage and some videos of our special day on Monday, August 10th.

Today was such a very special day for us. We had visitors for a couple of hours this morning. Dad & Mom were the Ninong and Ninang (Godparents) for the wedding of Rev. Jaime & Mrs. Polly Prieto. (That makes them part of our family, and us part of theirs!)

Over the years we have been able to connect here in the U.S. several times, and of course through FB & letters…. but today we had the privilege of sharing hugs, music, prayers, and just wonderful fellowship. I taped 8 songs, plus more which I shall share some of that perhaps tomorrow.

For now, here are some pictures I got of my Kuya Jaime and Ate Polly (mga kapatid — siblings – sign of respect: Kuya = older brother, and Ate = older sister). How we love our precious Prieto’s! They are such godly servants of God, and have begun many churches here in the U.S. & in Philippines, shared their musical gifts, written books, and so much more. Maraming salamat po (Thank you very much!) You made our day!!

The Prieto’s sang (while Ate Polly played her accordion) several songs both in English and in Tagalog.  We even sang along on a few!  Here is one of the songs they sang together. You can see both my husband and my mother enjoying the singing, as I panned the camera across the room.

==== Other Exciting Days ====

For those who have followed me (back on Xanga) over the years since Dec. 2004 or after, you know how I love to share about my three grandchildren.  That baby back in 2004 is now a 5th grader!  Here is her first day of school, her brother’s (& best friend’s) first day of preschool, and 2 year old sister just getting into the picture, too!  

Well, I’m ending this post with the collage I put up tonight, and then I’m heading off to bed.  Goodnight Friends.

ENCOURAGE

I haven’t been doing much by way of blogging, as those of you who follow me know.  Nor have I been around much to visit. It seems that ever since I retired, I don’t find myself  with a good schedule. I need to figure out what I am going to do and when.

Although I am not teaching, I am finding myself learning more about computer. My mom uses computer mainly to correspond, but when something goes wrong, or she forgets something, or needs something downloaded or made more accessible (she has low-vision) … quite often I’m the one to do it, or to try and figure things out to fix the problem. If I really have problems, I call on my husband — or my brother who only lives a few blocks away from us.

Three and one half weeks ago, my husband and I decided to begin dieting. I’ve lost five pounds in the first two weigh-ins, and he has lost almost as much (he has less to lose though). Our decision to get healthier has encouraged my brother to lose weight, too.  It is nice because while we are all working on the diet we encourage each other and share food products and recipes with each other.

Teaching has always been a ministry for me… and now I have a couple of different ministries. One is taking care of and reading to my mom (as well as my husband of course). The other is that I try to encourage people daily with remembering birthdays (& anniversaries when I know them). sharing a collage a day that I put on Facebook, praying for the requests that people share with me, and even sharing some counsel with those who request it of me. So… I will again share with you some of the ones that I have put up the last several days. I hope that you are encouraged and enjoy them as well.

I hope you have a great week, and that I get around more this week.