My work is done, or is it?

Yesterday I retired, again. It wasn't my decision, the business I was working for told me that after 11 years my contract would not be renewed. Purely a business decision, I am told. I'm not surprised but I am saddened. Each of us likes to think we are in control of our lives. Haven't I learned this yet after all the plans that have been changed, delayed, interrupted by unexpected events in the last 10 years?


My thoughts are everywhere on this. Yesterday was an absolutely beautiful day in MI, as I drove to work. I asked myself if I would rather be at home in the garden, walking the fields, drinking coffee on the porch or be in the basement windowless office at the workplace.
It's like God is giving me a beautiful gift and I'm saying I'm not sure I want that gift. I wouldn't have made the decision to leave the work I do if it hadn't been made for me. I think God has other plans for my life and is not waiting for me to get on board, like a parent that knows what is best for a child so God knows what is best for me.


A local business sells its fried chicken in buckets that say, "Just one life, will soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last." I've been thinking on that sentence today. As I cleaned out my desk these past two weeks, I realized that much of what I had developed in the first years at this business is now obsolete, they have changed policies, now have computerized records, and new drugs and standards. Nothing lasts or remains the same. Since the work I have done there will also be out of date, did I leave behind joy, kindness, thoughtfulness, compassion, love, patience, friendship? My work will not last but how I treated others will last for my life time and theirs.


My co-workers took me for lunch and breaks and showered me with gifts, flowers and chocolates. I will remember their kindness and caring and kind words, always.

Now I will rest in the life of family and service and wait on the Lord to direct my path.

Jack in July

A couple weeks ago Kim enjoyed a weekend get-away to visit friends in DC. So Tom and I kept Jack and Chris company. We had a productive weekend. Chris and Tom tackled the dead wood in the apple tree.

The tree limbs came down pretty fast but cutting them up into small enough pieces to put into the recycling bag took hours.

My time was focused on the littlest member of the family, Jack. He is a busy little guy and always on the move. So here are a few pictures of him being Jack. He's a short napper but sleeps 12 hours at night and wakes up happy.

I love his little chair, and its easy to sweep up all those food particles that fly off his plate.

This plant is just irresistible! That bright red flower drew his hand like a magnet.

I love this picture because it shows how he is trying to keep his balance, so typical of a new walker. It amazes me how babies persevere at learning to walk when they continually fall. If only we would remember that something worth doing takes a lot of tenacity.Time with grandma is fun but daddy and grandpa's stuff is more interesting.

Jack did get away from home to visit the farmer's market, a few neighborhood stroller rides and going on the swing at the park. He played in the church nursery and had breakfast at Sally's. All and all a good weekend for daddy time and grandpa and grandma time.

Morning Walk

I took these pictures over a month ago but have been too busy to post them. Our lives are hurried and seem to speed by, maybe that's why we need pictures and blogs to help us recall the days of our lives.

When I take the time to walk in the fields, time stands still. The quietness with only the sounds of birds and the wind blowing quiets my soul. I sing, pray and quote scripture. The moments I spend in walking the land opens my mind to the blessedness of being alone with God. He speaks to me through the land and plants and sky. The Bible says that we are placed in God's timing on the earth "... so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us." Acts 17:27. When I deliberately seek God, I sense his presence.

These plants, growing without cultivation, give a simple beauty to the land.

Often I see them grow out of a mass of tangled briers and vines. So much like life, that has troubles and challenges and yet God provides a way out. He gives simple beauty with his peace that brings us contentment.

When we take time to think on what we see in nature it teaches valuable life lessons. The above picture is of a vibrant green plant. It can grow leaves the size of dessert plates and a vine as thick as a cable. Beware! All we see as healthy is not good for us. This is poison ivy.

I'm thankful for a place close to home where I can walk and pray and "make a joyful noise." No one to laugh at my singing voice and no one to discount my sometimes foolish concerns. I hope those who read this post will find a place to be alone, to walk in our beautiful world and be at peace.

Birthday Boys

Cooper and Tucker celebrated their first birthday on June 12 and June 13. After all, when you have two boys having a birthday, it seems only right to have two birthday parties.


Of course, Claire and Hudson with their cousin Hazel were big helpers, taste testers.

Mom and dad are so thankful for all the blessings and joys, giggles and laughter that Cooper and Tucker have brought to the family.


Now its time to bake the cakes and tie the balloons and open the gifts for the one year and one day olds.


Yummy, birthdays are fun!! Love you Cooper and Tucker!

Birthday Weekend

It's really hard to believe that it has been a year since Jack was born. He is such an active baby and reminds me of his dad at a year, but he looks a lot like his Grandpa Klok.

This picture of Kim and her folks will help you compare Jack to Grandpa Klok

It was fun to watch him climb on the small slide and swing set, crawl everywhere and he also learned how to maneuver the one step from our dinette to the family room.

Jack really enjoyed his birthday day. After church and playing in the nursery, he took a short nap while his family gathered.We really missed all of you who couldn't come to celebrate!

Jack helped open his gifts before the BIG EVENT - HIS OWN CAKE!

And then its bath time.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JACK - WE LOVE YOU!!

Childish Wisdom

I love to watch the grandchildren. In their innocence and youthful curiosity and imagination they unknowingly teach us how to live an unencumbered life.

Claire is a child that loves to wear hats and most recently dresses. Who would think to match red ski boots, a black helmet with a Sunday dress and backpack? She has her own taste and is not afraid to express herself.
Hudson is not intimidated by the pink kitchen set. The meals he fixes on the pink stove taste just as good as on black or stainless steel.
Cooper and Tucker have been sharing space now for almost a year. They often play with the same toy and take it away from each other without a cry. I do think they wonder sometimes how it got into their brother's hand.
When was the last time you waited for the garbage man? Hudson and Claire sit on their tricycles and patiently wait to see that large truck with the big arm pick up their garbage pail and dump the trash. Oh, to see the world as a child. To wake up excited about a new day and happy to see mom and dad. Sharing, exploring and pretending. Taking time to notice an ant crawling on the deck or furry seed pods on a tree, a bird sitting on the house and the beauty of the dandelions. Being able to cry when you are sad or hurt or saying what you mean. To marvel and appreciate a fire truck, dump truck or snow plow or folding paper that looks like a butterfly. It's freedom!

Kalamazoo Easter Sunday

Yes, Im a little late with Easter pictures but I just got them off my camera and surely want to share our sweet Conley. We took the same pictures of her a year ago in almost the same poses. What changes a year can make in a little one. We had a wonderful dinner with Conley and her mom and dad.


To us Easter is the biggest celebration. We remember Christ's amazing love for those he created. My little mind can't comprehend that the creator would sacrifice for the created. He gives us the gift of eternity and all we have to do is accept the gift and believe. We are told by Jesus himself to tell others of this wonderful and awesome gift and live according to His example. He loved sacrificially, had compassion on the poor and spoke the truth. That is hard and difficult since we really want our own way first and more easily judge than show compassion. Oh, but the truth should be easy, really?