The Amazing Pizza Machine

Before Kevin and his family headed off for their next adventure in the Azore Islands, I wanted to get them up to the Children's Museum in Omaha and lunch (and play) at the Amazing Pizza Machine!

What a day! (And scarey, too...when I nearly side-swiped my car on a "merge" on the interstate!) Guess the GPS guy doesn't talk soon enough!

We enjoyed the museum before heading off for pizza...and boy, did we gorge ourselves there! A huge buffet and delicious soft serve ice cream at the dessert bar...makes great root beer floats!

Catch-Up

I've been sadly neglecting this posting...and will try to "catch-up" in the next few days. First of all, the wedding with off without a hitch, as they say. Missing from the great day was Keely & the girls. But, it was nice of her to send her husband (my son) and her son (my grandson) to share this occasion with us. Cathy was so excited to have BOTH her brothers there with her...it meant so much!

The reception area was packed! I think Cathy was overwhelmed with the number of family & friends who came down to the Ice House after the wedding ceremony.

As you can see, the bridesmaids were beautiful! Halle was her mother's Maid of Honor, and she looked so grownup! (L to R in picture is Nichole, Halle, Kendra, & Yvonne)

The guys looked great, too! Kevin, Brandon, Michael, & Austin stood up with Mike. And I got to hold Lukas in my lap on the front row! He was such a good boy!

There had been no rehearsal, but we all met early and Joe Moore took pictures. Everyone was able to talk to Pastor Andy Rubenking, so they all knew what there responsibilities were and where they'd be standing.

When the ceremony began, the groom & groomsmen all came in, then the girls began walking down the aisle.

When Cathy was in the back, ready to come up to the front, Austin left the other groomsmen and went to the back of the church to his mother.

He reached for her hand, then walked her up to the altar and left her with Mike.

I couldn't hold back the tears! I still cry when I think of it now, three months later!

It was a simply beautiful ceremony. Since there was no unity candle or special music, Pastor Andy had Cathy & Mike sign the marriage certificate right there on the altar! It was cool!

Winter Swimming Hole

On Wednesday, Dec 29th, Brandon flew into Kansas City from Maryland. He brought his son, Aaron, with him (much to the sadness of the girls!). Aaron hadn't been with Ethan & Isaac for several years, so this was an opportunity to play with them, plus attend his Aunt Cathy's wedding the following day.

We decided to take the kids to the Lied Center where they enjoyed some indoor swimming. As you can see, it was a hit!

And Kendra enjoyed a good book!

We all met up with Cathy later (she worked until 7 pm that day) for some more food & fellowship! The big day was coming up next, and everything was ready!

December "Hay Ride"

One of the first days of my vacation, I took Kevin, Kendra, Ethan, Isaac, Austin, & Mikie out to the farm where Doug let us do some exploring. The boys had their Nerf guns, and we all tramped down to the creek bed and checked out the firepit & bench, water flowing under the ice, and looked for wildlife signs.

Kevin and Kendra posed for a picture or two, all the while telling the boys to stay away from the water! Then, we headed back up to the house where Doug was hitchin' up the little wagon for a ride around the western corn field.

We all piled into the trailer (which looks like a hay wagon) and took off. Well, actually Doug & Kevin were in the Tahoe, and the rest of us brave souls were riding in the back. The exhaust fumes were starting to get to us, but we survived with all brain cells functioning! Frozen, but excited after our ride, we thanked Doug who warmed us up with some hot cocoa in the farmhouse.

Thanks, Doug!

Lukas is 1!

I'm a little bit behind in my journaling, so consequently I'm going to try to catch up in the next few days.

Kevin & Kendra with Ethan & Isaac arrived in Omaha from Phoenix on Dec 20th for a fantastic THREE WEEKS with the hometown folks! And just in time to help Lukas celebrate his first birthday!

There was still a little snow on the ground that day, and the boys were joined by Austin and built a huge snowball that stuck around for days! The weather temps were a tad bit cooler than what the Cozad family was used to in Monterey, but the guys were real troopers and didn't let a little thing like freezing weather deter them from their mission!

The next day was Lukas' first birthday and we all met up at Cathy's & Mike's for some cake & ice cream. The house was busting at the seams with all the guests. And loud...you can't believe it...and with standing room only...I kid you not!

Lukas demolished his piece of cake, lovin' every bite and smearing frosting everywhere (including up his nostrils!)

Then afterwards he made quick work of his presents with his big brother & sister helping him out! He also had some help from various cousins who were quick to point out the better toys!

It was so much fun for all of the hometown folks to have Kevin's family there, along with Nicki's twin daughters, Molly & Madison!

Definitely a great night & fantastic kick-off for a whirlwind Christmas holiday that included a wedding! But, more about that in the next installment! (I'm learning the art of "cliff-hanging!")

Are There Horses in Heaven?

I've decided to tell you a story. It's a story of faith, or maybe lack of it. It's a story about my human limitations getting in the way. It's a story of faith & a child's need for wise words from his grandma. It's a story about how we need each other...one body in Christ.

Austin and his sister Halle lost their Daddy 2 years ago. Matthew was what I'd call a "horse whisperer". Everything that Matthew knew about horses, I was told, came from his grandpa and his dad. But, you know, Matthew had a little bit more.

He was a natural horseman. As at home on a horse as on his own two feet. Bareback or saddled, made no difference to him. I think he must have understood them on such a level as most of us have only seen in movies, like the one with Robert Redford.

Matthew put Austin on a horse at a very early age. So young that I thought my hair would turn white! But, Austin was a good pupil.

Father and son shared a common bond...the love of and respect for horses. Matthew taught Austin everything he knew about horses, and the boy absorbed the information like a sponge.

This story actually begins within weeks of Matthew's passing. It was not unusual for me to be involved in deep conversations with my grandkids...so, for Austin to actually ask me this question really wasn't a surprise.

He just looked at me one evening while he was working on his homework assignment, and asked, "Nana...are there horses in heaven?"

Now, here's where my physicality and my practicality got in the way. What should I say? I never really thought about animals in heaven. I had spent the majority of my adult life believing that in heaven we would find humans...like me...made in God's image...like people. Animals? They don't have souls, do they? Could there be a place for horses there?

Sure...on earth...grab two of every kind and make sure they've got passage on the ark. But, everlasting life?

So, what to say? Guess I did what every grown up does, who's unsure & doesn't want the child to know it..."Well, Austin," I said, "I just don't know."

He just kinda said "hmmm, I hope so."

I just shrugged it off til the subject came up again with him. We were in the car that time, I think. Probably talking history...cuz I love history...and he's a sponge, like I said before.

"Nana, do you think there are horses in heaven?"

By this time, I'd thought the thing through a little bit more. I knew he thought about it all the time. And I knew he wanted me to say yes. There are those hymns, like "All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small". Right? And then there's "All Creatures of our God and King, lift up your voice and WITH US sing"...that's gotta be a clue...St. Francis of Assisi wrote those words and he surely knew what he was talking about. Right?

You know, I read somewhere that Newsweek took a poll and found that 76% of Americans believe in Heaven...but, why isn't there a poll that answers that burning question about horses in heaven? What do other people think? I needed help...I needed to hear other people's input.

"Nana...Nana...are there horses in heaven?" Oops, sorry...I was thinking.

"Well, Austin...I think there might be...probably...maybe...I don't know."

When I think of heaven, I think of my grandmothers who taught me how to make doll clothes, popcorn balls, hollyhock dolls, and oatmeal cookies.

When I think of heaven, I think of my Uncle Allen who taught me all kinds of stories about the old days and his folks (he was a Methodist preacher...he loved to tell stories! You know, like Apostle Paul said "some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers..."

Well, my uncle was a great pastor. I do remember how he would have us sit in the living room and listen to the tapes of his sermons! But, that's another story...)

But horses? I don't really think about horses...

When I think of heaven, I think of pearly gates at the entrance...gold brick pavers...crystal clear glass walls...

But, horses?

When I think of heaven, I see my friend Cindy...voice of an angel...or smooth caramel, if you will. Cindy sang with me many years in choir right up here...youth choir, adult choir...and high school mixed choir, small groups, on and on and on...We were even in a small folk group in high school for the Cardinal Capers...played guitars...called ourselves the Soph Strummers...we were sophomores at the time! Cindy even helped me name my first born, Brandon...I remember we were sitting on the floor of my apartment, discussing names & meanings, putting them all together with middle names and writing them out on paper to see how they looked! We chose his 1st and middle name so that we could use the nickname BJ (cuz we both had a crush on BJ Thomas who sang "Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head" from "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.") His name means "from the fiery hill"...it suits him. Thank you Cindy, it suits him. Yeah, I see Cindy in heaven. To me, she reminds me of the Pharoah's daughter. You know, she named Moses, Moses because it means "I drew him out of the water".

When I think of heaven, I also see another friend, Diane...who showed us all how to love the Lord, didn't she? Diane delivered a message one Sunday morning on Rahab...mother of Boaz, who would be of the lineage of Jesus. Rahab was a great spiritual hero...kinda like Diane.

But, horses?

When I think of heaven, I see rivers of pure water, a heavenly throne, angels' wings, harps..I see white robes, saints, a heavenly choir...

But horses?

When I think of heaven, I see blissful, happy people...family...I see my Dad...I see my friend, Jay, now a warrior for God.

But, horses?

So, one day at work, I was talking to my friend Vicky about this. "Vicky, you know my grandson has asked me for two years about horses in heaven. And I just don't know...I wish I could say so with certainty...but, I just don't know." I strive always to be honest with my grandkids.

And Vicky, dear sweet Vicky, looked me in the eye and said, "Of course, there are horses in heaven."

"Huh?" (Now Vicky is a Christian woman, and I knew she knew what she was talking about. But, I'd been blinded to this for a long time!)

She said, "Ann, remember...the heavens will open and Jesus will come to us on a white horse?"

Fact...end of mystery!

I think my jaw dropped! God had placed Vicky with me at that moment when I expressed my concern for Austin, and He gave her the answer! God had placed Vicky with me at that moment when I needed help the most!

Awesome!

I have to say that I'd not been so excited for a long time! I couldn't wait to get over to my daughter's house and talk to Austin.

I waited til football practice was over, and called up there. He'd gone to a friend's house in New Market to play for an hour before coming home...Man! I could hardly stand it! My excitement was building for sure! I said, "Please call me the minute he gets home, ok? I wanna talk to him!" Cathy goes, "Huh?" (I think my family says that a lot!) I told her, "You'll see!"

When Austin did get home, she called me...I grabbed my Bible...the passage already marked...and sped up there (well, I didn't speed actually, but I went as fast as I could!)

He knew I was coming...his Mom had told him I wanted to talk to him (I think she assured him he wasn't in trouble! Cuz he didn't look scared when I got there!)

Bible in hand, we walked into his mother's room and he and I sat in the middle of her bed. I held my Bible up in front of me, and said, "Austin, do you believe that what is in the Bible is true?"

"Yes" he said. No hesitation. But, by this time he was looking pretty confused.

So, I quickly read Rev 19: 11-14: "I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean."

Austin was so excited he literally exploded off the bed, running to his mother who was in the laundry room. "Mommy, Mommy, there are horses in heaven!"

Yes, Austin...there ARE horses in heaven!

I have to say that now, when I think of heaven...I see Cindy in the heavenly choir, Diane at the foot of the throne, Jay guarding the gates, Uncle Allen telling stories, Dad guiding newcomers in the throne room, my grandparents in places of honor, and Matthew with the horses...yeah, Matthew working the horses! And I feel such deep, abiding joy for this eternal abode. All who have placed their faith in Jesus...all creatures great and small...have rooms in mansions of shimmering beauty & jeweled foundations.

Yes, Austin...there ARE horses in heaven!

Amen

September 11, 2010

During the Revolutionary War, Congress bestowed upon the Marquis de Lafayette the position of honorary major general. He responded with these words:

"The moment I heard of America, I loved her; the moment I knew she was fighting for freedom, I burned with a desire of bleeding for her; and the moment I shall be able to serve her at any time, or in any part of the world, will be the happiest one of my life."