March 26, 2009
This is what we do…..
It is spring in Door County, well according to the calendar!
It does not mean Daffodils, or warm sunny days, or lack of snow. That will all come in time.
Spring to Gills Rock means keeping the snowplows off the truck, but in the driveway, just in case.
It means mud.
It means fewer and fewer fish shanties out on the ice as the DNR monitor the conditions.
It means seeing snowmobiles sitting on lawns until the good sons
( Matthew) come home and get them up on trailers until next winter.
It means sapping, seeing white buckets on trees and afternoons spent gathering, and days of sitting by the fire watching the sap cook down into beautiful rich syrup. It means conversation around the pans, laughter and fellowship, celebrating another rite of spring.
Spring also means ice-breaking to the fishermen.
There is always a question each spring as to who will be the first to bring their boats around from the winter docks on Lake Michigan to the docks on the Green Bay waters. Who will be the “man” is always the joke.
Tuesday was the day. I was teaching Bible study here in our living room when I first heard the familiar grinding of engines that usually means someone is breaking in. I have to admit I at first wondered why I had not had a phone call letting us know what was happening as is tradition. Bible study went on with no phone call.
It was about 2 o’clock that Rick called and said they were going to be breaking in later and that the ferry would actually be coming around the point to help.
The girls and I kicked it into high gear, and when Rick called saying the boats were coming in, we headed to the docks, cameras and hot tea in hand 
We watched as the fish tugs broke in to the ferry dock and then as the Ranger started to break ice heading toward the fishing docks.
Although the ferry had little trouble moving slowly through the ice, the fish tug put on the show that we all enjoy watching.
Jeff would back the tug up and then full steam ahead drive the tug up onto the ice. The thinner ice breaks easy, but the thick hard ice doesn’t give and so the tug ends up bow in the air on top of the ice. There is usually a moment of wait where at times the tug can list to the side, sometimes dangerously, before the weight of the boat causes the ice to give and the boat sinks into the caving ice.
Over and over this is repeated until a path is broken around the harbor. The wind then takes over and usually within 24 hours the harbor is clear.
We walked the dock taking pictures, drinking tea, filming. The men gathered and discussed the scene. Constructions workers who were working on homes around the harbor made their way down to the dock to watch. A few cars held tourists, up visiting this barren land for a change of pace from their city life. They were enthralled by what they saw. Old timers stayed in their trucks where it was warm, remembering their adventures of ice breaking, some even done in wooden boats in years gone by.
This is what we do in spring.
The ferry and the Ranger got the job done. Multiple runs broke the ice up to Jeff’s satisfaction.
As we sat in the car watching the last pass of the fish tug I was struck with how much we are tied to this lake as a fisherman’s family. Tied to the traditions, the seasons, the weather, the people. This is what we do.
As we drove away I commented to the girls that this is a part of their lives. They may never live here as adults, but they cannot remove these memories from their minds. They will always be Gills Rock fisherman’s daughters, Gills Rock girls, Matthew will always be a fisherman’s son. They smiled and agreed, knowing where you come from brings great satisfaction.
This is what we do….
March 25, 2009
March 21, 2009
Snow again—-
We woke up to snow again. In defiance of the weather I packed up boots and started packing away the winter clothes. It has to end soon.
Great week. My dad is doing better down in Tenn. so that is a blessing.
We really accomplished things this week. Good week of school.
The girls got to spend the night at Mandy’s in De Pere last Sunday night which was a real treat. I actually sat down and read a whole book. It was the book about the Duggar family. I was SO impressed with this family and very motivated to sharpen our finances.
The girls had such a great time with Mandy. It is wonderful to have older sisters to have fun with. I picked them up at Mandy’s apartment on Monday and then we headed down to Appleton to see her at work. She enjoyed showing us around her work place and having her sisters meet her bosses and co-workers. She works in such a beautiful place. It is very professional but fun and she fits in beautifully.
The girls have really stayed on top of school and are starting to see the end of their classes in sight. Yeah! We will be able to take off of school when we are in Tenn., which is a first.
The girls also took care of a little boy during Bible study at our house and really made him feel comfortable. They do so well with little ones.
Our church had the second Sunday with an over head and so far there hasn’t been any hug problems. We even had a mistake and no one made a deal of it. I am relieved. Our church is really in a huge transition, God is shaking and moving things and it is a little wild, in a good way. I can not wait to see how this all ends up! I love change, new things, excitement. In a church on an end of a peninsula it does not take much to have change but God had really stirred it up this time!
Had friends call to stop in and visit this week. What fun to catch up on lives in the good and the bad, to see how God has moved, protected and guided. He is so faithful to answer prayers even in the darkest of times. I am always delighted that weeks, months, years later, I sometimes get to hear the outcome, HOW God responded. Not always do I get to know the answers and that is good. Sometimes only the main character gets to know the answer in God’s theater of life. But, sometimes the supporting cast, the prayers and ones who stay beside get to see it also. Otherwise, I wait and trust that the Faithful one is working it out, bringing all the characters and situations together in His timing, and for His glory.
I will be honest, I have friends who’s stories need to be written, they are so full of amazing results to their incredibly difficult times. These stories would give hope to so many who are giving up……. would speak to the power of praying through. Oh to have more than 24 hours is a day!
I want to see these written, but God may have to extend my life to allow me to do all that I desire to do for Him, I need a LONG life!
I am off to finish laundry and listen to Garrison Keeler, to mop a floor and iron a few clothes for Sunday.
Later we will have an easy supper of Mexican food from the meat that has been slow cooking all day. Friends are coming over and we will play games and enjoy the start of our weekend rest and the satisfaction of a week well done.
Blessed
Joyce
Winter walk
We took a walk the other day. Melody and Sam and me. It was a beautiful day and so with sticks in hand we wandered Gills Rock looking for mucky puddles, snowbanks to climb and signs of spring. We made muddy rivers in gravel driveways, checked water filled ditches for treasures beneath the water’s surface. We sat on the bench looking over the harbor trying to decide if the ice will break apart before the fisherman decide to break into the harbor in their steel boats. We discussed how quiet the ferry hill is without the tourist here and how we can’t wait for the ground to be dry on the playground. We wondered if the sap would be running soon and if Charlie’s Smokehouse will get their ice-cream in before summer, and whether God will make it snow again or not. These are the things we wonder about in Gills Rock. It was a grand walk, a good pre-spring walk just a 10 yr. old, 5 yr. old and me.
Melody and Sammy taking a break on our walk. The harbor is still iced over but it feels like spring!
Church Sledding
We are a church that enjoys doing things together. We also have the blessing of having managers of a Christian camp as family. They open up the camp to us now and then and boy do we have fun. After church, a few weeks ago, we headed out to the camp and went sledding and skiing and fire-sitting ( you know, where northerners sit nice and cozy by a roaring fire under the excuse of illness, age, or watching the babies and toddlers of the church). Jerry, one of our deacons, the man wearing shorts below, manned the hill for over three hours! We had fun, Melody, being the brave girl that she is, went cross-country skiing for the first time and did well. I was proud of her.
I went for a walk with a friend and took pictures and encouraged racing down the hill. What a beautiful day God gave us.
March 16, 2009
Blessed Day
Today was wonderful. From the beauty of our worship at church and the family celebration afterwards, to the hinting of spring in the air, just beautiful.
The worship service was a delight this morning, lots of voices loving on God. I do wish that the hymns were not SO stinking high because I do not want to transpose them every Sunday. Our family sang the special music, including Rick. It was fun to worship God together as a family.
Came home from church to celebrate Matthew’s birthday. He invited his long time friend, James, to have an Irish meal. I did 4 pieces of meat because the boys can eat and it is one of our favorite annual treats.
The carrot cake turned out well and we all enjoyed it. I packaged up meat, potatoes, carrots and cabbage for Matthew, James and Mandy to take home with them.
Matthew was a joy to be with as always. He is loved by his sisters.
At 4:30 Mandy left with all her sister to head back to her apartment for the night. They were going to do a girls night out together and then I will pick up the girls tomorrow morning after my endocrinologist appointment. It was fun to surprise Kristi, Annie and Melly with the news of this get way, a special treat for our girls. I am thrilled that Mandy and Jeni are such great big sisters to the younger three. I have always wanted our daughters to love each other and be close as sisters, and they are.
So, there was supposed to be a dinner at church at 6:00. I was to bring food and help with my serving circle. The problem is that I laid down as soon as the girls left……… and I woke up at 6:15! OOPS I guess I was more worn down than I thought……. sometimes sleep is more important :)
Rick and I are alone for the night……. I was reading in the living room, all by myself, in perfect peace and quiet. It was strange……. I am sure I could get used to it in about 20 years!
I am going to get a cup of tea and read some more of the book I bought about the Dugger Family who are on TLC Tuesday nights. Very good book, encouraging and a testimony in doing things God’s way. They are very transparent in the book. What a beautiful family.
Then I will stare into my sweety’s eyes and have a heart to heart time, that is, unless I fall asleep first. This sinus infection is dragging me down. 
Blessed
Joyce
March 15, 2009
Past Week
I am hiding in my bedroom at the moment. THat is not a bad thing, it is just that there are a bunch of teens and young adults in our living room and my husband in praying with a friend in our back area, so, that leaves me with the bedroom or a freezing schoolroom . I chose warmth.
Yes, last week we did have church (see last post). It went very well for the first time of my being completely in charge of the service. God is so good. Our church is going through a change in many ways and the music is one of the changes. I believe and have had enough folks confirm to me that this is a good thing and God is wanting things different. So, I am asking Him for guidance. This is new territory for me. The deacons met with me after the service last Sunday to pray for me and to express their support. This is a great adventure! Whoever says the Christian life is boring has not told God they are willing to serve. He will use anyone wiling and take you on the ride of your life!
What a week. After fighting an on again-off again cold for two weeks, I started to really feel bad and under my husband’s orders I went to the doctor. Sinus infection. I have meds which are slowly starting to work.
School went very well this week despite my being under the weather. THe girls where troopers as always and took care of me and meals and the house. I am a blessed woman to have such support.
My Dad has taken a hard hit with an infection this week. We are all concerned. It is hard to be so far away. It is hard to see my Dad suffering. He is my hero with his spirit of faith. I know when he cannot come to the phone, that he is not well, as was the case this past week. We are trying to figure out how to go see him and what timing is the best. My sister Laurel is there and is checking out how things are and helping our Mom get some rest. It is always so good to petition God on behalf of someone we love. it is good to hear the precious prayers of my children for their grandpa. Life is precious.
Yesterday Rick and went to Sturgeon Bay so he could have an eye check-up. He has the most beautiful blue eyes and I want to keep them healthy. They have to treat his eyes with drops and he can’t drive afterward so I get to drive him home which is a big deal! He is a total Gills Rock Man and they all claim that their longevity in life is due to NOT letting their wives drive them anywhere!!! HA HA HA It is always an interesting trip when I drive, to say the least.
We woke this morning to Mandy being home, which is always evident by her stuff all over the house! SHe is a riot. We were having coffee this morning when our youngest came in and said that Mandy invaded her double bed instead of the couch. THat is SO sweet.
After pancakes for breakfast, I headed to a laundry job that I had to do at the local laundromat. I caught up on some letter writing that I needed to do. I returned home later than expected, who knew it would take over and hour to dry a down comforter? The girls were all leaving as I returned, heading out to town for coffee and visiting friends with Mandy. Rick and I cleaned up and headed down to a wedding reception back in Sturgeon Bay. WE had do much fun seeing friends whom we have not seen in years, catching up and sharing the latest family news. What a great time.
I spent some time with Melly this afternoon, working on her poetry. She gave a late birthday gift to Mandy this morning which was a framed poem she had written for Mandy. She also wrote a poem for Matthew and framed it for his birthday gift. I will get them posted tomorrow after the party. She is quite gifted with her poetry and loves to create with words. She is not the only poet in our family but is the youngest to just sit down and put thought together.
I started supper, hamburgers on the stove, and then started singing with my girls around the piano. I thought I had put the burner on low but then we all started to choke from smoke inhalation, just kidding, it was not quite THAT bad! WE opened a few windows and got the fans going and in about 20 maybe 10 minutes the smoke cleared! We did eat and then went back to the piano to teach Rick the bass part for our song. It will be the first time in awhile that Rick will be singing with his girls!
I baked a cake for Matthew’s birthday which we are celebrating after church with friends. Being born on St. Patricks Day, we celebrate with a traditional corn beef dinner. He requested carrot cake for dessert.
Well, Rick just came in as his friend has left and the teens are not anywhere near done with their fun time. I will go remind them that half of them need to be sound check at 9:15 in the morning, that won’t phase them in the least.
Good week,
Blessed
Joyce
March 7, 2009
Saturday
Weekends are made for fun, and as a home-school mom they are always a catch-up day. Last night we had fun, we watched the movie Australia. We are not big Hollywood fans by any means, preferring older movies or films from Christian sources. But, we were impressed with this movie despite the one risque scene in which we all covered our eyes, no nudity I am sure as it is PG13. but there is war violence as it is set in WWII. The movie brings out the issue of racial division leading to disrespect to families which is quite sad but prevalent today as well in many parts of the world. We have never studied Australia in depth so the history shown in the movie was of interest to most of us, as well as seeing the spiritual beliefs of the aboriginal people. I am sure there will be much discussion at breakfast about many aspects of the movie. Did I mention that the scenery is beautiful!
So, today is the start up of one of our business lines. We have a care-taking business that slows down considerably in the winter, Praise the Lord! But, today we start up getting homes ready for April and May arrivals. Most are decent size home with the one today being the largest, as in VERY large. i have decided that I am going to break up the work into a few hours every week instead of 2-3 straight days of overwhelming work and then the loss of school days as well. I enjoy the work, but at the same time I know I will enjoy it so much more in small bites :). Today’s house is on the water and there is something so beautiful about the huge chunks of ice floating in the water reflecting the sunlight. Maybe it’s just pretty to us “northern” girls :) I will take my camera along for the girls to take some pictures.
Of course there is always our own home to clean up and then when the work is all done I am going to teach Melody to do embroidery. That little girl can tackle just about anything and is not afraid of any new task. I am also going to work on a photo album for one of our children and get it finished. I won’t mention which child as it is so shameful to be so many years behind. This is my winter goal and I have 2 weeks left….. better hurry.
One of the joys of having older children and debit cards, wow, that usually would not go together in the same sentence! But is is a joy in our home! This morning Kristi will take the grocery flier and our list and do the grocery shopping for me….. I love it! It is like I can be two places at one time and getting twice the work done, AND Kristi is learning very important marriage skills! After all, the way to a man’s heart is through the fridge, and the food doesn’t magically appear there overnight!
I just checked the weather map and it looks nasty for the next 24 hours and Rick also said that a major storm may hit on Tuesday. WE have not cancelled church ONCE this winter and it would really work well for me, the pianist, music leader, organizer…… if we cancelled tomorrow. I know, that is really bad, but truthful! Half our worship team is gone, we are going to use the overhead/computer words for the first time and I am not sure at all that it is going to be a blessing for a large part of our congregation. Can you tell I am nervous……. bring on the snowstorm!
Blessed
Joyce
March 5, 2009
Sometimes life just turns upside down in a matter of days, ok, maybe a week! Such is the case in our home. We have been praying for a job for Mandy for months, waiting patiently for God to answer and He did, BIG! Mandy had been Mandy sold cars last summer and the experience showed her how much that job is a fit for her. She is a people person and enjoys that aspect of the job very much.
During this time she had applied for other jobs and did get to other offers but they were jobs that would put her in a room alone, just not the best for her! Also,these jobs were offered her with comments about her looks being just what the businesses needed, gross and demeaning, not to mention unprofessional! In my heart I just knew that her training in car sales last summer was not a passing experience and so I kept praying for another job like that for Mandy.
When the dealership in Sturgeon Bay was shut down Mandy’s boss, Missy, was moved to the Appleton dealership which is the high-end place for all of North-Eastern Wis.. Missy loved working with Mandy so when they had an opening at her work she mentioned Mandy and last Friday Mandy was offered the job. Isn’t God awesome!
She is thrilled! On Monday I took a trip to see her and bring her flowers from her daddy and I. She works in a beautiful place with marble floors and a wall that is a giant aquarium! She was out moving a Jaguar when I arrived! What a hoot! We are praying for quick sales for her once she in comfortable with all the info on each car. She is selling Volvos, Land Rovers and Jaguars. We are so thrilled for her. Isaiah says, ” They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength…..” our sweet daughter has waited and God is renewing her. PTL
Jeni and Jason are doing well and will be attending a pre-engagement seminar at their church next weekend. Jeni and I have talked about how a class before even getting engaged is important, maybe more so than pre-marriage. Why break an engagement if you can see issues before hand. We feel Jason is Jeni’s man of God so we are excited for them and what the future holds.
Matthew was up last weekend and is doing well. He was out snowmobiling with a friend and having fun. I am glad that he came when he did as the snow may all be gone by this coming weekend. WAHHHHHHHH. Matthew may be heading to Chicago for a week of training on a specific Cummins engine. Jeni and he will be able to get together during that time.
Kristi is still trying to figure out school issues and where she should be going in the fall. She is not sure and so we are waiting for the Lord to make it clear to her. I do not like to think about it as I will miss her so much
Rick was not feeling good on Tues. night, all night long! Being the tough midwestern man that he is, he headed for work anyway but came home at 2 with a high fever and went straight to bed. I can always tell when he is very ill because he is VERY cooperative with me! He drank lots of water to fight the fever and had chicken soup even tho he tried to insist a hamburger would make him feel better! He woke up determined to go to work this morning but after walking around for a few minutes he admitted that he is just not well and went back to bed. I heard him tell his boss that he thinks he can make it in at noon. I do not think that will happen but I love how hard working he is and the work ethic that he has and models before our children. We will try and keep it quiet around here today.
We have school and cleaning and sewing lined up for today. I talked to my sister yesterday and Guy is finishing his CD today. We can’t wait to hear it, we are so excited. I want a bootlegged copy just so I can say I had it first! OK, I am a brat, but Guy expects that from me!
Off to wake the girls, check on my husband, start the laundry, correct some school work and get this day rolling. It is going to be a beautiful one as I can see the sun peeking through the white birch outside my window. Blessed Joyce
