Grandpa's Tools

A few months ago we lost Rodney's Grandfather. We know he is so happy to be with Grandma in heaven. He has wanted to be there since she died. Grandpa had not let anything in their house be touched or moved since he lost Grandma. So now that they are both gone the house has been an adventure. Memories galore have abounded as Rodney, Rodney's dad and his aunts and uncle and all the cousins have cleaned up the place getting it ready to sell.

As this process has gone on everyone has gotten to choose a few of Grandma and Grandpa's things to get to keep for themselves. It is a wonderful way to get to bring the memories of Grandma and Grandpa into our own homes.



I am a strange female. I tend to like tools. The more tools the better. I like them more than Rodney does. So I was very excited to get Grandpa's saw and drill. We got the saw just in time to build our garden bed boxes. It was great to feel close to him as we worked. I think he would be proud of what we put together with his tools.

Ancestors give us the tools that make us who we are. They are the foundation of our religious beliefs, they are the foundation of our facial and body features, they are the foundation of our actions, thoughts and deeds. I see so much of Grandpa in Rodney's dad and in turn I see so much of Dad in Rodney.

One of the tools passed on was how Grandpa kept his finances in order even in tough times. The same can be said for Dad. Rodney's Dad became so enamored with numbers that he became an accountant. Rodney and I have had a few tough financial stretches but my man always brings us out on top.  

Grandpa was so generous. If he knew of someone who needed help he would give even if he had to go without. Rodney's Dad is one of the most giving men I know. His whole family has seen that in action, more than once. My husband, Rodney, is generous as well. You never know what wonderful thing Rodney is going to do for you. He thinks of others more than himself, always!!

One of the the tools that is close to my heart about these men is their love and respect of their wives. I know that we wives are not perfect. I am sure even Grandma wasn't all perfect. But the Frieden boys always act like their wives are. We wives are treated like the most important people on the earth. I think more marriages would benefit from this special tool. 

Colossians 3:19

Living Bible (TLB)

19 And you husbands must be loving and kind to your wives and not bitter against them nor harsh

The last but the most important tool passed on was the way Grandpa loved our God in a deep and personal way. He always carried himself around others as God would have wanted him to, and in turn Dad and Rodney are Godly men as well. Rodney has gone so far as to become a minister. His grandparents were so happy about that. 

There was no doubt about Grandpa. He was as genuine and true as he seemed. He was a man that followed this verse...

Luke 10:27

The Message (MSG)

27 He said, “That you love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and muscle and intelligence—and that you love your neighbor as well as you do yourself.”

I thank God for Rodney's Grandfather and hope upon hope that you have a grandpa who is as true and special and who passes his tools of wisdom down the family line too!

Blessings!

Change The World

Rodney and I are at the United Methodist Indiana Conference this week. Maybe I am a tad weird but I just love being here. I can hardly wait to get here every year. I love all of us, with like mind, coming together, planning, voting and getting business done . I take comfort from how we have some of the same rituals every year. Especially where we have a special remembrance service for the pastors or their spouses that have passed away since the last time we met. 

Seeing the thousands of Methodists all together in the same hall, worshiping, gives me chills. 

Our theme this year is "Be A World Changer". As I was sitting there tonight, it struck me that this probably means something different to each of us that were in the room.

Some were probably thinking of feeding the hungry, others were thinking of helping the oppressed, others thought of recycling and being good stewards of the resources of this earth.

I love what Mother Teresa said about change..."I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples"

 – Mahatma Gandhi was quoted as saying this about change..."We must become the change we wish to see in the world."

These two world changers had some great things to say about change but our best teacher on this was our Lord Jesus. Here was what he said in Matthew 5...

Salt and Light

 “Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? 

 “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

Want to be a world changer? You can do it by feeding the hungry and protecting the innocent but most assuredly there is no better way to bring about change to the people of this world than by introducing them to the creator of it all. Let People see God in you as you show generosity with your time, your finances, your love for others around you. He is the one who can bring the peace everyone is is so desperately searching for. 

Go on...Change the world! 

Blessings!