MMM Part 1 - Garage Sales

MMM (Merry Month of May) It all started on the 22 of May ..Charity and Colleen along with their cousin Isabel came home from TN. Most everyone in our family enjoy going to garage sales. When my sister Kathy was alive here on this earth we went alot. Now it seems to be now and then.

I tried to do these for MMM in order..so you will have alot of reading to do to catch up with me and will know why I haven't blogged for awhile. Here we have our crew..Charity, Louise (in background), Ann-Marie, Colleen, Brielle Candice and Isabella.
As always we have fun looking. Sometimes we find great STUFF!
What garage sale is ever complete without stopping for lunch. This day we ate at Beef-a-Roo.
Here we have Ann-Marie and Isabelle smiling for the camera.

And last but not least...our youngest amongest us..BRIELLE. SO SO SWEET!

Well take your time and read all the MMM and just enjoy this crazy familyevents!

Check out my Slide Show!

MMM Part 2 Family Reunion

MMM ( Merry Month of May) Brodhead, WI



Isn't it crazy to belong to this family??? All you think we do is PARTY!!! Well, it truly is not our fault...it's our parents. (YES I am putting the blame on them...) If I only had one sister or one brother, we would not be having so MUCH FUN!



At any rate I just want you to enjoy this video of our crazy family. Gary, Louise, Bruce and I were able to get things setup on Friday. On Saturday the people and the food begin to arrive. Louise and Bruce provided the Brats and hotdogs. My brother Scott always has something up his sleeve. So this year he hid painted golden rocks for everyone to find. You were suppose to find only one rock (Gary says to me, " I found three"...hum someone wasn't listening.) After you found the rock, you got to claim a prize at the prize table. This is always fun!



Some of the family members were not able to attend and we sure missed all of them. Later, my brothers Scott, David and Bruce were reminiscing about the good old days and had so many of us just splitting a gut as the saying goes. Ask Darryl about it, he seems to be having a great time listening to their wild story when they were growing up.



The younger kids always enjoy the farm animals that we have on the MacBerg Farm. All in all we had a great time...never enough time to catch up with eveyone's life. God has richly bless us with such a wonderful family and we truly love one another.

MMM Part 3 Lake Geneva

MMM (Merry Month of May) On May 25th, Gary and I attended Berean Baptist Church. It was exactly 6 years ago that we were married in that church. However, that is not the reason we were there. Pastor Swanson who lead me to the Lord when I was 8 years old was celebrating 55 years of faithful service to the Lord. What a blessing to see a servant of the Lord still walking with the Lord.

On Monday, Gary and I left for Lake Geneva, WI for a few days to celebrate our anniversary.

Lake Geneva is a beautiful little town..a mini Door County. We had booked a boat tour around the lake. The Rivera dock is where we went aboard the Geneva Boat.
We also signed up to tour the Black Point Estate. It was given to the state in 1999, but it just was open to the public last year. It takes about 2 hours to take the tour and it was so interesting to hear about the owners.
When I first phoned for the tours, the ladies said.."Now you know there are about 120 steps up to the home." Of course I didn't and with my phobia of heights I wasn't sure I wanted to do this. But I decided I would try it and everything worked out fine On Wednesday, Gary and I took a 10 mile bike ride in Springfield,WI (There must be a Springfield in every state...one here right in Illinois and my sister Laurie lives in Springfield, TN) The name of the place was called Pedal and Cup. The weather was great and we had a wonderful time on the path...seeing great wild flowers . After the ride we headed for the Lake Geneva Pie Company..nothing like trying to even out calories...HA HA.The owners of the pie place had just won blue ribbons in a national contest.
Here is the boat we rode on...Geneva Boat. It was soooo cold on Tuesday that only seven people were on this tour along with 2 captains. We had loads of fun because it was a small group. And even at the Estate we enjoyed having a small group. The water was somewhat choppy coming back that perhaps that was more scary than all those steps going up to the Black Point Mansion.

All in All we had a great time...eating way TOO MUCH...homemade ice cream, candies, etc...I think it time to get the bikes out and go another 10 miles...I know, I know, it going to have to be more than 10 miles, but one has to start somewhere.

Check out my Slide Show!

MMM Part 4- Louise is turning 60!!!

MMM - Merry Month of May! Tammy was really busy getting a surprise party ready for her Mom, Louise...it's even harder when you are her only child...just ask Ann-Marie. However, I'm here to tell you that she pulled it off. And that is very hard when someone like my sister Louise is always asking questions ALL THE TIME. Louise who will celebrate her 60th on June 1st was in for a real surprise and NOT JUST FROM TAMMY!



My sister, Linda who lives in France also got an invitation to this surprise party. Linda e-mailed me and told me that her daughter, Anna told her that she should go. To make this story short, Linda begin checking into the possiblities of doing just that. E-mailed dated 5/23/08..."I just got my passport today in the mail..(Praise the Lord!)..so I will be on that plane: Tuesday." Between Linda and I at her suggestion, we decided not to tell anyone she was coming. But since Gary and I already had plans to be away, I needed Dave and Venita's help. So the circle of people who knew about her arrival were Gary, Dave, Venita, Ann-Marie (she told Brett) and of course me. I was going to tell my mother, but brother Dave told me , "Let's surprise her too!" It was so hard not to tell my sisters...BUT I DONE GOOD!



In the morning, my sister Jan came down from Watertown and met Louise and me at my home. We ended up going to a great sub-division garage sale. Jan and I had great fun finding..shall we say "STUFF" we liked. Tammy and her kids met us there. Tammy had to leave early to setup for the surprise party. We had to pick up my mom at Riverbluff. Linda's hideout place was at the Blockbuster's video store. This was located right next to Panino"s where we were going to eat lunch. Linda wanted Louise to have some time and enjoy the surprise that Tammy had worked so hard to acheive. Such a surprise it was when Louise enter Panion's and began to recognize some of her old friends and neighbors (of course family) at her surprise party.



After a little while, I left and walk across the parking lot to get Linda. WHAT A SECOND SURPRISE! The video will show the rest of the story.

Party Girl

I had a hard time with what to title this blog...Showers of Blessings...I't my birthday and I'll Party if I want to...Too Much Fun..etc. May 11, as you already know was Mother's Day and my birthday...so I started Sunday afternoon with a luncheon made by Ann-Marie. She made a delicious chicken crock-pot recipe, fresh salad, garlic potatoes, corn. While we ate in another crock-pot she had a cake cooking. (Yes in the crock-pot). I had brought my camera along, but the battery was so low, it wouldn't take any pictures..sad, sad. They showered me with gifts for mother's day (Yes, one of them was a book.) and then a beautiful black necklace for my birthday.
And of course I got CARMELS.

Then on May 12th, Louise, our mother and I headed for Jan's in Watertown, WI to continue to celebrate my birthday with my sisters and my mother. As sisters, whenever your birthday comes around, you get to choose where you want to eat...I wanted to see the new location of The Upper Crust and of course eat there.
Here we are at the Upper Crust waiting for our food to be served.
For dessert, we went back to Jan's. The Upper Crust gives you a free piece of pie on your birthday. I love Lemon Meringue Pie so that's what I had for my dessert. Coconut Cream Cheese Cupcakes it what I had made for everyone. Jan also had made sugar cookies (plain ones for mom) and some dessert with rhubarb in it. Jan has a scarecrow in their big garden who they have named Wayne (our father's name). So the above picture is Agnes and Wayne...don't they look like a cute pair?
Here I am again...gifts and more gifts. Just bring them on. Jan showered me with bath products...yes I am one of those people who loves to read a book while soaking her body in a nice bubble bath.
After dessert, we went down to the garden and got some rhubarb to bring home. Both Louise and I love to make desserts with it.
Jan had given both mom and me a beautiful corsage. And mom looks just so beautiful in this picture with the corsage, I just had to post it.

On Tuesday, my brother Dave stopped by and gave me a big bag of Mrs. Fishers and wished me a happy birthday. He made my day. If you know anything about me than you know that my favorite chips are Mrs. Fishers... made right here in Rockford on Fulton Ave. In the mail I got a hugh and heavy package from my friend Judy who lives in Appleton, WI. Again I got two books, candles...she must had wrapped over 10 items. When I sent her a thank you note I advised her not to send me anything until I turn 75. Ha

Let me tell you this party is still going on. On Thursday, my friend Linda from Annies took me to the Celtic Thistle in Rockton. After lunch we went to the County Cottage to look and of course buy some country items. It was so much fun. She gave me a really unique gift. When you visit me, I'll show it to all who care to see it.

Party continues....Friday my dear friend Jackie took me to The Elderberry Tea Room in Rockton. Upon entering, there was a sign that informed us that Sunday would be their last day in business. We were sadden. They have good food and Jackie and I enjoyed a Turkey Reuben Sandwich...mmmm it was delicious. Since Jackie had not been to the DAIRYHAUS in Rockton, we had ice cream for dessert (for once I got to do the treating). Jackie know me pretty well too...so I got The Mitford Bedside Companion, PLUS a CD by Fernando Ortega. I call all of this just pure fun. Jackie and I ventured to Shopko in Beloit, WI for some plants that were on special. (Now that's another story for another time)

So perhaps I should have titled my blog SHOWERS OF BLESSINGS. Yes God has given me such a wonderful family and great friends. It's truly not about the gifts..(Now I will enjoy everyone of them) but it is these people who truly are a gift to me. THANK YOU, THANK YOU AND AGAIN I SAY THANK YOU.

Tribute to Pastor Swanson

What Do I Owe?
(by Janice Rehfeldt Sturgill)

On a warm, May, Sunday morning in 1953, four of the then eight Rehfeldt children walked the two blocks from their home down the hill to the newly established Baptist church. A young Moody student, Melvin Swanson, preached on that Sunday morning. Just a few weeks later, Juliet became Pastor Swanson’s first convert at the church. This was the beginning of the debt the Rehfeldt family would owe to this young preacher.

As the years came and went, and the Rehfeldt family grew from the eight children in 1953 to twelve by 1960, there would not be one of them that was not impacted in sundry ways by Pastor Melvin Swanson and the Berean Baptist Church.

Bible School of 1957 was when I was led to Christ by our pastor. I still can picture myself as a little girl standing in the basement speaking to the teacher and telling her that I wanted to be saved. She led me up the stairs and down the long narrow hall to the small office of Pastor Swanson. I vividly see him kneeling next to me by a chair and praying with me. This was the beginning of my new life in Christ.

Time nor attention permits even a few of the many blessed stories that could be told by each of the Rehfeldt children and their “many walks” down the hill to this “sanctuary”. It is impossible to know how many times each of us walked down that hill for church and various related activities: Sunday mornings, Sunday nights, Wednesday nights, special services, Vacation Bible School, or youth activities. There must be a path that is still beaten down from those walks.

How precious it was to have our own Mamma take those walks with us to church week after week where she too came to know Christ. Our dear daddy once walked those two blocks down the hill as well, at which time Pastor led him to faith in Christ.

And what is to be said of this young preacher whom we came to call “Pastor”? If he only had one beat on the drum, it would be “Live in the Book!” That beat throbs within my heart as well as the heart of my husband and now our children every day of our lives. We cannot and would not rid ourselves of this blessed truth. Oh, but so many other marvelous truths we received as Pastor poured into us the knowledge of God’s word that he received in his time alone with God and the Book.

Pastor Swanson, faithful servant of the Lord, we’ve seen you sacrifice yourself physically, financially, and emotionally into the Berean Baptist Church. It would be easy for us to say we owe our very lives to you, but you would not accept such a payment for you would tell us we owe our very lives to Christ, which is true. Yet, you pointed the way, and for this we owe you a debt of love of which we can never repay.

My Mother, The Missionary

Sunday was a fun day for me...it was not only Mother's Day but my birthday. Since my one and only daughter, Ann-Marie had us over for lunch, I had told my mother that I would bring her supper. And at the end of our meal, I would read her a bedtime story. After all, had she not had her share of telling bedtime stories for her twelve children?

About my Mother:

My mother Agnes Theresa Rehfeldt, (Yes, I tell people that I have my own Mother Theresa.) mother died when she was only 16 months old. Since her father could not keep all five children, her youngest brother George and her were adopted by the VanHerren family. (They had no children of their own.) They were hard working farmers and my mother learned at an early age how to run a household. This really became important because she was only eleven when her second mom passed away. As a young girl she had twelve china face dolls....and when she got married, she wanted to have twelve children. God granted my dad and her that desire. My mother was never what one would call a communicator. She told me once that one day my father said to her, "Women talk to me." Mother did communicate not by words, but by action. There is an old saying I have in my Bible: NOTHING LOCKS THE LIPS LIKE THE LIFE. Her life before us and the Lord was one that did speak volumes ...not only did she tend to the daily needs of such a large family, she found time to work in the nursery at church, was involved with the Awana program till well into her seventies, and worked with Child Evangelism for 40 years. Her deepest desire was always to be a missionary. "Mom, God did make you a missionary." I would tell her. "This family just keeps growing and growing...with grandkids and great grandkids you have been a great missionary to over 134 people in this family. WOW that's bigger than some churches I know." Maybe in her mind she felt she was suppose to go to some foreign land to qualify as a missionary. Did you know that she prays for all her children, their spouses, grandkids, great grandkids and great great grandkids by name? And on top of that she sends birthday cards to each one of us! And her daily walk with the Lord includes reading the Bible everyday. And yes we her children rise up and call her blessed as stated in Proverbs 31:28. "Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised." Proverbs 31:30 For my mother to be 90 and still walking with the Lord, is the direction that I always want to be going. As promised, I sat next to her on the bed and I read the book, GUESS HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU by Sam McBratney..illustrated by Anita Jeram. "Sam McBratney's touching bedtime story seeks to measure the immeassurable: the love between a parent and a child." The story ends with those famous words often used between a parent and a child..."I LOVE YOU RIGHT UP TO THE MOON - AND BACK."

Yes it was a wonderful day for a sixty-four year old daughter to spend her birthday with her ninety year old mother on Mother's Day. And yes Mom.."I LOVE YOU RIGHT UP TO THE MOON - AND BACK!!!"

And on his farm he has some....

Everyone in our family loves to go out to my sister Louise and her husband Bruce's home. They live in Brodhead, Wi on a farm. One never knows what new arrivals have taken place. Gary was out on Tuesday and today as we were driving out there he started mentioning all the new animals on their farm. So glad to have brought my camera along. Gary was going out to help Bruce put in some new electrical outlets. I was just going along for the ride and to go to the Bent and Dent with my sister. Now on their farm they had... Black Percherson horses, Miss Misty Jo and Miss Bessie May. It's so funny because Louise was telling me that the man they purchased them from had named them Janet and Janice. Since my sister Jan's name is Janice, I'm going to have LOTS of fun with this knowledge. And on their farm they had some...
Kid goats....5 in all. The big billy goat in front is Cody. Louise's grandkids claim him as their pet.
Bruce helped Gary hold two of the baby goats. Such a handful. And on their farm they had some...Hens and chickens. E - I - E - O!

All in All we enjoyed the day. What beautiful new horses they have added to the farm. And I must say those goats are so000 cute. In May we will have a family reunion there and I know we will all have a great time down on MacBruce's farm.