Below is a letter I found in Grandma Foster’s Scrapbook. It was written in 1940 by Sheldon H. Kinney… the Fosters’ next door neighbor in Pasadena, CA… quite an accomplished young 25 year old. Here is a newspaper article published in the Chicago Tribune about him:
Interesting how they published his parents’ home address, huh? I don’t think we’d see that in today’s press, do you?
While at sea, during World War Two, Sheldon wrote this heartfelt letter to his parents:
How Grandma Foster got ahold of that letter so she could include it in her scrapbook is a mystery. But, it is there… preserved for me to share! I hope you find it as inspiring as I do. Makes me wish I had written something similar to my parents when I was 25! But, did I have the insight at that age to “see my parents as man and woman” the way Sheldon did? I doubt it.
How very precious to read Sheldon’s praise of his parents, and to feel the warmth they must have felt when reading those accolades!
As I continue to sift through the scrapbook’s treasures, I will gladly share others with you. I hope you are enjoying these as much as I am!
Traveling from Ennis to Bozeman along the Madison RiverI happily wait for Bob as he gets a haircutOur “Bonus Daughter,” Laina, has a pretty day in Maryland, too. And DeDe, our daughter in Switzerland, sent a picture of the scene from her balcony this morning. Laina is enjoying time with her grandson…While DeDe is reading to her grandson … so cute!Meantime, Bob’s Diggin’ in to our wonderful lunch at Dave’s SushiDon’t you wish you’d had this delightful Thursday with us?
It was an extra 6 hour drive – stressful in torrential rains, but well worth it to be able to spend time at Carmel by the Sea and experience the Asilomar coast. Sooo beautiful!
We lucked out- a break in the storm!
Don’t know what that white is…
Don’t know what that black spot is!
I know what that smudge on the left is… my thumb!The waves were crashing, the clouds parted , and we marveled at the fresh ocean air and gorgeous vistas. And headed back to our son’s in Placerville, the rain was heavy and the traffic was crazy. There was a terrible accident that delayed us awhile – all lanes closed. But on our way again, God sent this reassurance:A full rainbow with a break in the rain for about 15 reassuring minutes!!
God is good! Now, a safe drive to Sacramento airport early tomorrow- and I’ll see you back in Montana.
Kenny will be waiting for us. But will he want to come home? I don’t know. He’s had a wonderful 3 weeks with his Rover dog sitter. Thank you, Jenna. Happy New Year.
May you experience such love, too!!Bob’s brother Bill and MargeOur love for each otherMy cousin, Adrian DeAngelis & LauraBob’s 1969 wrestling student, Kevin with wife, KimTime with in-laws, the Paynes Contact with our DollyWolly, DeDe, in Switzerland Visit with Bob’s nephew, Bryan, and his sweet wife, Michelle … in their beautiful home Opportunity to attend church at Harvest – such sweet memories here!Christmas with granddaughter Faith and her hubbySo proud of our son, Ty, and the life he is living Ty’s wife, Monika, the perfect partner!Great food and precious Mable, our great-granddaughter Time in CA wine country: life can’t get much better!Thank you, Ty & Monika May your life be so blessed, too!!
Hard to believe! BionicBob is 87 today! Happy Birthday to my dear, sweet husband! I’m so glad he is here, hearing, and healing!!
Great visiting with old friends!
Feeling loved and pampered!
Staying with my dear cousin, Adrian & Laura DeAngelisVisiting former students ❤️👍🏽 Yes, this is Kevin from Bob’s 1969 wrestling program!!Time in Placerville with family … precious!Blessed to have each other!
The following poem was inspired by the message from our visiting pastor this morning, Phil Taylen.
Be anxious about nothing Let your requests be known To God who hears your pleas In you, His love has always shone
Read one chapter of Philippians each day for a week Your life will catch the contagious joy God has a plan for your life He’s sending that message daily through His Boy!
Don’t let your struggles pull you down Lean on Jesus and celebrate His love Behold, the Savior of the world is here God sent His Son for us from Heaven above.
Philippians 2:2 New International Version then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. New Living Translation Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. English Standard Version complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.
Bob’s surgery (the insertion of a cochlear implant) is done. Lots of prayers for him… and they are really appreciated. Thank you, my WordPress friends. Now, the request is for successful healing and a safe drive home tomorrow (it’s 400 miles) and there’s a possibility of snow.
Bob – after surgeryMe… now… just sitting the sit!
And praying for all this to be worth it. Ultimately- better hearing. Please!
The inspired, hopeful scripture and another inspirational Sunday sermon from our dear Interim Pastor, Brian Conklin, yesterday at Madison Valley Presbyterian Church
The Glorious New Creation
17 For I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind. 18 But be glad and rejoice forever in what I am creating, for I am about to create Jerusalem as a joy and its people as a delight. 19 I will rejoice in Jerusalem and delight in my people; no more shall the sound of weeping be heard in it or the cry of distress. 20 No more shall there be in it an infant who lives but a few days or an old person who does not live out a lifetime, for one who dies at a hundred years will be considered a youth, and one who falls short of a hundred will be considered accursed. 21 They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit. 22 They shall not build and another inhabit; they shall not plant and another eat, for like the days of a tree shall the days of my people be, and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands. 23 They shall not labor in vain or bear children for calamity,[a] for they shall be offspring blessed by the Lord— and their descendants as well. 24 Before they call I will answer, while they are yet speaking I will hear. 25 The wolf and the lamb shall feed together; the lion shall eat straw like the ox, but the serpent—its food shall be dust! They shall not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain, says the Lord.
The world seems very fragile Seems everything’s falling apart Between despair and hope we are Wondering how to take heart
Promises and warnings go hand in hand Isaiah speaks of a new world beginning He promises the Kingdom has arrived But Luke reports Jesus’ warnings of sinning
Luke 21:5-19 NRSV Updated Edition
The Destruction of the Temple Foretold
5 When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said, 6 “As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.”
Signs and Persecutions
7 They asked him, “Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?” 8 And he said, “Beware that you are not led astray, for many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’[a] and, ‘The time is near!’[b] Do not go after them.
9 “When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified, for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately.” 10 Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom; 11 there will be great earthquakes and in various places famines and plagues, and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven.
12 “But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. 13 This will give you an opportunity to testify. 14 So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance, 15 for I will give you words[c] and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents and siblings, by relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17 You will be hated by all because of my name. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By your endurance you will gain your souls.
Jesus tells of a world that trembles He encourages us to stand and endure “By your endurance you will save your soul” Dig deep into your heart and persevere
We’re caught between joy and sorrow We’re asked to trust God even when we Can’t see evidence of His promises The Kingdom of God is now and not yet to see
Where you see the church planted, you see Signposts that point to the kingdom to come God’s love wins out over human nature So keep speaking peace over poverty and slum
God’s love holds us together when we feel The world is falling apart at the seams May we see even now glimpses of this New Heaven and New Earth – and know what it means.
