What Do You Think? - Twins?

My brother Scott is the one in front to your left. His birth name is Bradley Scott.

In this photo, I'm holding Scott's son, Bradley Scott.

On the Road Again - Birthdays!

Like I have often told you, since my family is so large, we are always celebrating someone's birthday. In the years gone by, my Dad and Jan use to celebrate their birthdays together since his was the 25th and hers is the 27th. My sister-in-law Venita birthday is February 20th. S0000, we decided to celebrate both Jan and Venita this year by going to Watertown, WI. Because of weather and sickness, it got put off several times. But finally last Friday with the sun shinning brightly we (Mom, Venita, Louise and I) headed for Watertown. We had lunch at the Cobble Stone.

Great Salad Bar

As you all know, we always enjoy shopping. Since the Cobble Stone is located inside where the shops are, we just had to browse. After looking, we went back to Jans for our dessert.

My sister, Louise had made a homemade carrot cake. Our birthday girls above couldn't wait for us to sing "Happy Birthday" so we could cut the cake. (Sorry that Venita's eyes were shut when this photo was taken.)

I of course, wanted to add some ice cream to my piece. It was so delicious. Thanks Louise for driving us to Watertown and making the cake. It was such a beautiful day! But like all our trips, they go too fast and we had to head home.

A Tribute To My Brother Tim

I've got five brothers. They are as different as night and day. (You can stop repeating "Praise the Lord!") And I truly love them ALL. In the picture above, are Scott, Bruce, Ron(He must be the oldest. He can't even stay awake for this photo.), David and Tim.

My brother Tim is the baby of our twelve sibling family. There are sixteen years between me and my brother, Timothy James. There is a photo I just love somewhere, where he is sitting on my knee. I'm probably about nineteen and he is three. Tim may have told you that we other siblings were adopted and that he is Wayne and Agnes's only real child. Ha!

When I look at my calendar planner that I keep records of all events that happen in my family for March, it's a lot. For instance on March 2, 1983 our dad passed away. Tim was only about twenty-three. You see he was born March sixth. On March 3, 1999, my husband passed away. When that did happen, I believe I heard Tim say something like, "I'm beginning to hate March. I perhaps need to mention that our sister Kathy, who Tim was close to was also born in March. God took Kathy home when she was only forty-five. The picture above is Tim at my wedding ...almost seven years old.

Dave, Mom and Tim
Being the baby of our large family had some advantages and disadvantages. Tim probably knew our dad better than any of us. But Mom had just told me recently that because he was the last one at home, it could get lonely. I'm glad that I was here to attend his high school graduation.

There are many things I love about my brother, Tim. Here are some things: When he married Judi (Good Choice Award.), one day they asked if they could take Ann-Marie out for her birthday. They spoiled her. They both love and wanted children but since it was happening, they took in foster children. Now that another story for another time. But after ten years of marriage, on March seventh, Jeffrey was born. A year later in September, they had another son, Justin. Then several years later on March sixteen, they had beautiful Elizabeth. Last but not least, they adopted a son, Anthony. I must mention one of their foster children they truly consider their son, Steve Crowe...on March 24, 1996 he had been living with them for three years.

Tim like all my brothers is a very hard worker. He has a heart of gold. He truly will do anything to help out. Like if Santa gets sick, he will fill the gap. If you want him to sing at one of our crazy Rehfeldt Christmas Eve gatherings, he'll do that too.

Darryl, Ron, Scott and Tim

Like all couples, Tim and Judi have had their share of trials, but they get up everyday and by God's grace start another day.

As you have read, the month of March has had it's share of sorrows, but tomorrow will be one of it's joys. It's my brother Tim's birthday. Yes we will all celebrate the birth of our youngest sibling.

"Happy Birthday" Tim. Not only from me, but from ALL of us.

Remembering

Memorial Day is set aside for remembering. Well that's what Ann-Marie and I do on March 3rd. We remember and reflect on Robert Lawrence Trotter's life. I love the fact that even on his grave marker it says, "Remembered Always."

While driving to Scandinavian Cemetery on Rural Street, we both made the comment about it being ten years ago that God took Bob home."Ten years. It seems just like yesterday." were my words. "Then there are days it seems so long ago." were Ann-Marie's words. Perhaps it all has to do with our relationship. I was his wife for 32 years, and she was his daughter for 20 years.

There are many things I adore about our only child. She is a lot like her father in soooo many ways, and that has always been a blessing and comfort to me. One that stands out so much for me is her sense of humor. Like the picture above. While I'm taking the picture, she tells me that I can entitle it, THREE GENERATIONS.

As mother and daughter we had a great time together. God has been so faithful to us and blessed us. To even think that He takes one life and then turns around and give us another life in return.

On one of my daily inspiration calendars (yes, I have several) it said for March third, "The world is round, and the place which seems to be the end may only be the beginning."

From the Editor's Desk:

It's all in the Blood!

The other day I referred to myself my using the phrase, "Yes, us Rehfeldts would do that." "But you haven't been a Rehfeldt for a long time." was her reply. Then of course that got my brain working overtime about that comment.

When I got married over 42 years ago to Robert Trotter, I became Juliet Trotter. But that was in name only. When he had a long lost relative dead in Florida that had left no will, the attorneys were looking for blood relatives. Because I was just married to him, didn't make me eligible to receive any money this man left. Bob did receive some money from this man's estate but only because he was in the bloodline.

A year after my husband had passed away, his Aunt Helen passed away. Aunt Helen had left a very nice estate behind. Even though I had been married to Bob for 32 years, would I receive any of the money? No, it would go to our only child, Ann-Marie. Why? Because she is the direct bloodline of her father.

So you see, it really doesn't matter who I am married to. When it come to any inheritance you have to be in the bloodline to receive any benefits. I guess if some long last relative of mine passes away, he or she may leave me some money. But I tell you they have to have either Rehfeldt or Cowert blood in them for me to even be considered.

Can I say with some certainty, ONCE A REHFELDT ALWAYS A REHFELDT? At any rate, it's something to think about.

Baked Spaghetti Dinner!

Thanks to my dear friend Alice, I have been wanted to make her receipe for baked spaghetti. One could said that it makes a boatload. About a week ago, my neice Candice phoned me to see if I could take care of Brielle, while she attended to some business. Anyone who loves children, would jump at this chance. So since I had February 19 opened, I gladly accepted the offer. Then on Wednesday Ann-Maire phoned. She wanted to stop by on Thursday evening and have me pin her new slack for Aunt Louise to hem them. I just said, "Why don't you come by and have supper with us. I've been wanted to make this great receipe that Alice gave me." Well that was the same day that I would be having Brielle and so I just thought, why not invite them to stay for supper too. Then knowing that my nephew BJ loves Italian food, why not invite him too.

As you see from the photo above, BJ would be lost without his toys!! And the guys just look on with interestThe supper went well. Even Brielle stayed in that big chair the whole time. And eveyone enjoyed the spaghetti.

This photo is for my sister, Linda in France who gave me these lovely spoons!

See how much that receipe makes! And it is just so delicious.

I spend the morning making cupcakes with cream cheese frosting! When Brielle came we played awhile before her nap. During her nap, I was able to get the baked spaghetti ready. Then make a tossed salad with only lettuce, tomatoes and cucumbers because there are certain members of my family,who will remain nameless, who can't eat some of those other healthy veggies....like broccoli, green peppers, etc. Oh, and I'm so sorry that I forgot to cut up an avocado. Alice had put some in the salad she served us and it was so delicious. We also enjoyed some garlic bread.

When Brielle went to bed, we played sequence. Hate to admit this but Ann-Marie and Brett were the winners. Candice and I were second. In the last game Gary and BJ won. This was the first time that BJ had played the game. Let me tell you that he was a mean blocker. Candice and I would have tied with Brett and Ann-Marie if BJ hadn't removed one of our chips. Thanks BJ!

It was a totally fun evening. And just think, it all started from wanted to try a receipt. Thanks Alice.

Changing of Churches

At the beginning of this year Gary and I joined Heritage Baptist Church in Roscoe, Illinois. It's just down the road from us. Pastor Jim Wright has been the pastor their for about six and a half years.

In the good old days, a person usually stayed at one church all their life. And today their are still people who never gone to a different church. Of course that may have been for various reasons, like they never moved away to another state...etc.

Having grown-up in Rockford I have been a member of four different churches in the state of Illinois. (This does not include the time that Bob was a Youth Director at First Free here in Rockford and later at the Aurora Bible Church in Aurora, Illinois.)

First of all I grew up in the Berean Baptist Church, under Pastor Melvin Swanson, a graduate of Moody Bible Institute. Under his ministry at the age of eight, I came to know Christ as my personal Saviour. He taught his congregation to search the scriptures daily to make sure what was being said from the pulpit was in- line with the Word of God. Later I would attend Moody Bible Institue to ground me more in the Word of God and of course met my future husband. I will always thank the Lord for Pastor Swanson ministry and its godly influences on me.

Now we come to another church that Bob and I attended along with our young daughter, Ann-Marie. It's Memorial Baptist Church under the direction of Pastor Ralph Martin. Here again was a servant of God who taught us so much about the Word of God. It is here where Ann-Marie attended their Christian school, Rockford Baptist from K-4 through the fourth grade. As a family we got to know and spend time with alot of couples our age. People who we are still friends with.
Just a little side note: Way back then when a church wanted you to teach in their Christian school, you had to be a member of their church. So when Berean Baptist asked me to teach K-4, we ended up going back to Berean. And as a result Ann-Marie graduated from Berean Baptist Christian School. One ministry that Bob and I enjoyed at Memorial was team teaching the junior high group with two other couples.

Are you still with me? You may wonder how or why we ended up going to Windsor Baptist Church in Loves Park, under the wonderful ministry of Pastor James (Jim) Larson. It's a rather long story for another time. But we did make a housing move from Rockford to Machesney Park, Illinois. I'm not sure how it all happen, but I remember when we were in limbo living on Dresden Avenue in Rockford, we had a visit from Pat and Jane Smith who attended Windsor. (By the way, Windsor is a sister church of First Baptist Church in Rockford.) Let's just say we started visiting Windsor and later became members. We truly loved being members. We grew spiritual under Jim's ministry. Bob had a close relationship with Jim. Somethings in life have a bittersweet taste. The dictionary meaning of bittersweet: "Producing a mixture of pain and pleasure." The pleasure was being involved and growing in the Lord there. Bob was involved with Junior Church and choir. Later when asked he did the song leading for the congregation. Bob and Jim would have conversation in Jim's car after a Christian Education meeting. One conversation was about how they would beat the odds of hereditary physical problems. "It's a heart attack that will take me." said Bob. Jim who was a very discipline person was trying to avoid cancer. When Bob got out of the car(I found all this out at Bob's funeral via Jim.) he said, "When I died of a heart attack, you can preach at my funeral and tell them I told you so." Then they both laughed. God took Bob home about a week later, and Jim did preach at his funeral. At the funeral Jim related the conversation in the car and said they laughed because they thought their deaths were a long ways off. Jim died of cancer two years later...the day before 9/11. So you see it became a bittersweet place for me.

How did I become a member of First Baptist Church? Well, after Bob's death, I figure I would remain a widow. God had other plans. Because this is already too long for most of you, I'll give you a short version. A wonderful man, Gary Heilman phoned me and wanted to take me out. I was not ready for that, but eventually we started dating. He was a member of First Baptist Church and I was a member of Windsor Baptist. After we were married, we visited both churches off and on. Finally joining First Baptist under the ministry of Pastor Scott Williquette. Again a wonderful church. Even after moving from Machesney Park to Rockton, Illinois we continued the long drive to First Baptist. And it didn't bother us at all. But eventually two things moved us to make the change. One was when the gas prices went up and truly this was one that bothered us most...asking people to come to our church which would mean a long drive for them. So we started visiting churches near our home. And that is how we ended up joining Heritage.

Whew! I know this has been a long blog. So sorry. Hey, it's my blog and I guess I can do as I please. Ha! Now that sound real Christian.

All in all I'm so thankful that I have never left a church because of a split or ill feelings. In fact, Gary and I got a beautiful card from the people at First Baptist telling us that they will miss us. Now folks, we haven't left the state of Illinois and I know (Alice and others) we will see and fellowship with these wonderful people from time to time. After all we are in the body of Christ. Wherever we attend we just want to be an active member for the Glory of God.