My Grandmother, Marian (by Karen)

Valuable lessons my grandma has taught me:
1.  How to make root beer, granola, all kinds of yummy healthy cookies and all sorts of other treats.
2.  To recycle pretty much everything.  She did it before it was the cool thing to do.
3.  She taught me to sew a bit, although I wasn't very good at it.
4.  She taught me to see others with compassion and love, always giving the benefit of the doubt instead of  judging from outward appearances. I NEVER, not even once, heard her speak badly of anyone.
5.  That the best things in life truly are free.
6.  That the single most important thing in life is knowing Jesus.

Every lesson she taught, she taught by doing.  I cherish every summer I got to spend with her as I was growing up. I will never forget waking up to get a glass of water "in the middle of the night" (really around 5 a.m.) and seeing her reading and studying her Bible.  She showed me what it means, not to be religious, but to have a relationship with God and live to please him and be a blessing to others.

Another Day from the Life of Our Mom

August 21,1956---Mother took Martha home with her.  This evening they went to dentist in Bellevue but he didn't have time to check Martha's teeth.

August 21,1957---Sarah went walking!  Everyone jumped up and down and yelled.  Sarah was amazed at the commotion.  Bought girls 3 pairs PJs, 5 pairs pants--Martha 2 pair, Mary a new lunch bucket, 3 towels, 6 wash clothes.  Lois wouldn't go to school.  [Vacation Bible School]

August 21,1958---Bought adjustable bed frame at Bings-$5.15.

August 21,1972---Galatians 5:16 (Living NT)  "I advise you to obey only the Holy Spirit's instructions.  He will tell you where to go and what to do and then you won't always be doing the wrong things your evil nature wants you to."
(Amplified) "......walk and live habitually in the Holy Spirit."

August 21,1980---Psalm 139:16 (Amplified)  "Your eyes saw my unformed substance, and in Your Book all the days of my life were written before ever they took shape, when as yet there was none of them."
(Good News)   "The days allotted to me had all been recorded in your book before any of them ever began."
Malachi 3:16 "......and the Lord listened and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him of those who reverenced and worshipfully feared the Lord and who thought on His name."

August 21, 1980---Helped Lydia do corn relish.  Put 3 boxes of dishes in the attic that didn't fit into the smaller dining room cupboard.  Used space where the oak washstand had been.  Ed and Lydia plan to use washstand for their baby's things.  [Lydia was expecting her first child, Matthew.]

Who gets the quilts?

Over the next few months, we will profile several groups that have received quilts from Mother and Daughters Quilt Ministry.  Several of these groups have an ongoing need for quilts.  If you would like to help with this ministry, whether it is making quilts, providing fabric or however you feel lead to help,  you can email us at:   mdquilts.ministeries@gmail.com

Thanks for checking us out.  

August 11---From My Mom's Journals

August 11, 1956-- "Started supplemental feeding in evening using 2 parts water- 1 Bakers milk....baby was awake every 2 1/2 to 3 hours all nite."

[The baby she was writing about was me, Sarah.  I was 10 days old.]

August 11, 1957-- "There were no church services at the church.  We attended SS (Sunday School) and then went to Beulah Beach.  For the effort involved it was hardly worth it except to see Mary and Charles a little longer."  

[I am not surprised that Mom felt the effort hardly worth it;  she had a one year old, me, and two, 2 1/2 year olds, Lois and Lydia, plus Mary and Martha.  I can only imagine everything she needed to pack for 5 girls, my Dad and her.  There were not fast food restaurants around in 1957!]

August 11, 1972-- " .....the Lord wants to fill our bodies with Himself. 1Cor. 6:13  Living Letters

"Lord Jesus am I withholding my body?  Thank you for giving me New Life.  What is my problem?  Am I afraid to surrender completely to You?  Forgive and cleanse me Jesus.  I know I need you.  Fill me Jesus with your Holy Spirit.  Thank you Jesus"   
Written by Marian Griffin

 Posted by Sarah

Sharing Mom's Thoughts

Growing up, we would wake up, come downstairs, and find our mom studying the Bible at her desk, the sewing center.  She wouldn't just read the Bible, she would journal in her notebook, making notes about what she read.  Many of those journals are still at the old homestead.  Last year, I asked to have several of her journals sent to me in Florida.  It has been interesting to read her thoughts and prayers, and her musings about daily events.  Since she dated her entries, I have decided, when possible, to post an entry from her journal for the corresponding date.  

August 7, 1974:

Psalm 47:6,7  .....sing praises to God---pray
Psalm 48: 14  "For this God is our God forever and ever:  he will be our guide even unto death."
Col. 1:3  "We continually give thanks to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ......as we are praying for you......"
Col. 4:2, 3   "Be earnest and unwearied and steadfast in your prayer life being both alert and intent in your praying with thanksgiving.  And at the same time pray for us also......"


My mom was a woman who prayed; not just for her family but for many people.  She taught us from a young age that prayer was important.  If you are or were in her circle of friends and family, know she has prayed for you.   Lord, bless my Mother in her twilight years.  May she feel your love and presence with her each and everyday.  Amen

Sarah