Missing Grandfather
I miss Paul’s dad so much. What a kind and fun person to know! He was always upbeat and positive, even when his wife died on Christmas Eve. Here is a picture of John with Chris that Christmas Day after Shirley died, which was also the occasion of his 80th birthday:
Sometime that spring after Shirley passed away, we all went on a road trip to Corpus Christi. We had the best time with Grandfather!
Just look how cheery John looks in this photo (click to enlarge) — I can still remember his “chuckle” clearly. The kids always enjoyed seeing Grandfather.
We had so many memorable holiday meals at their home, and Grandfather took his seat at the end of the table every time. Usually he would slip a little snack to his dog, Laddie, even though he knew he shouldn’t. His heart was just too big to resist giving a little treat.
John, you were one-of -kind — generous, funny, considerate, thoughtful and kind! You are missed greatly!
Missing You Too
I had the best in-laws, and I miss them so much, especially during the holidays. Today I will share some photos of Paul’s mother, Shirley. She passed away on Christmas Eve in 1988 — she, who had cooked so many wonderful meals for us through the years. It was sad to see her go. Here are some of my favorite pics of Shirley.
Chris and Grandmother:
Both of the boys with Shirley:
Grandmother with all three of the kids:
Shirley could brighten any room by her presence. She was always cheerful, generous, playful, loving and thoughtful. I miss you Shirley!
Missing You
I have been thinking about many people that lost loved ones this year, and miss them most during the holidays. I have several on my list, too, and will be sharing photos throughout this week.
My Mother
It’s hard to believe she’s been gone ten years now. She always sent the best gifts for Christmas. She knew what I liked, and took care to discover what the kids were interested in. She was always willing to sit down and play the dumbest games with the kids, even though she wasn’t a big “game person” herself. I even recall playing games with her as a child. She is greatly missed every day. Here are some of my favorite pics:
Jeremy with his grandma:
Chris and Jeremy taking it easy with Grandma:
Two of my favorites of Sarah with my Mom:
This one was taken of Jeremy with my parents at one of his concerts at the University of Wyoming, just a couple of months before she passed away.
I’ve shared this before, but this is probably the last one taken of me with my Mother:
I miss her this holiday season!
Waiting for the Delivery of a Child
In this Christmas theme of waiting, I can think of nothing better to say to sum up all I’ve been saying this week, but a special reading from The Mosaic Bible. Imagine the world waiting thousands of years for the coming of Messiah. Imagine Mary waiting all those months for her child to be delivered. Imagine children in need groaning for deliverance. Imagine “the whole creation…groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan(ing) inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.” Romans 8:22-23
Here is the reading entitled “Anticipation and Preparation,” by Elizabeth Honeycutt:
The time between the conception and the delivery of a child are possibly the longest nine months of any new parent’s life. When I was expecting my two children, the closer the days drew to the due date, the more anxious I became to meet my baby. I washed, sorted, and put away all the newborn clothes. I installed the car seat and tried to catch up on sleep. I laid aside the toys and equipment for when the baby was a bit bigger. Though I couldn’t do anything to make the baby come and I didn’t know when that happy day would be, I did what I could to avoid being caught unprepared.
As a Christian, I’m supposed to long for Jesus Christ’s return. And when the world’s injustice, pain and senselessness bear down on me, I so long for that day. I find myself wondering, How long can you wait, Lord? How can you let us keep going in this mess? I already know the answer. It’s his grace again…giving me time to get my rooms in order, to get my mind and heart on track so that when he comes, I won’t have to regret it. So while part of me cries out, “Come, Jesus!” the other part says, “But don’t rush! There is so much to be done before you’re here!”
Advent is a time of remembering how the world waited–and prepared–and despaired for the Savior to come. One day, he came. The world has never been the same. Advent is also a time of looking forward to his second coming, of waiting–and preparing–and never despairing. What the angels told the disciples on the Mount of Olives so long ago they say to us today: ”This same Jesus will come back!”
How can I prepare for the Lord’s second coming? After speaking to the Corinthians about the next advent, Paul concluded: ”So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless” (I Corinthians 15:58). I can prepare for Jesus’ coming by committing myself to do his work. Even the smallest act is not in vain.
The months of waiting for my babies were forgotten when I first held each child. These were Aha! moments as I met the person to whom I had already committed my body, heart, and soul. When the Lord comes again, “in a moment, in the blink of an eye” (1 Corinthians 15:52), the long-anticipated, prepared-for day will no longer be someday, but today. It’s only a dull picture of the divine magnificence, but, like the babe in my womb whom I knew and loved and yet had never seen, I also finally will see my Lord face to face. Come, Lord Jesus, come! May I be found prepared, even if you come tonight!
–The Mosaic Bible, pg. m36
Merry Christmas! We’ve been given the greatest gift of all — Messiah!
Waiting for Something Different
As I pondered this new Christmas theme of waiting that I explained earlier, I noticed that God gave directions about how to wait for Messiah:
Thus says the LORD of hosts: ”Let your hands be strong…you who in these days have been hearing these words…Fear not, but let your hands be strong.” –Zechariah 8:9, 13b (ESV)
These are the things that you shall do: speak the truth to one another; render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace; do not devise evil in your hearts against one another, and love no false oath, for all these things I hate, declares the Lord. –Zechariah 8:16-17 (ESV)
Everyone was expecting the Messiah to come soon, and they were eager to know whether John might be the Messiah. –Luke 3:15
The crowds asked, “What should we do?” Jesus replied, If you have two shirts, give one to the poor. If you have food, share it with those who are hungry.” –Luke 3:10-11
Then I received a new prayer letter from Mark Hanlon of Compassion International. I was eager to open the envelope, because I had a feeling it would be something about waiting for Messiah. I was not disappointed. Mr. Hanlon’s message was all about waiting, and he brought in new aspects of the topic that I had not thought about yet:
The Christmas season is a time filled with expectation. Just watch a child in the days leading up to Christmas to see anticipation at its height.
This hope for the coming of Christmas translates so clearly into the season of Advent, the weeks in our calendar celebrating the time of waiting for Christ, Immanuel, God with us. God’s people longed for the coming of a Messiah. They could barely contain themselves.
You and I can celebrate this season of Advent, this time of the coming of Immanuel, with great joy — knowing that Jesus came and that God fulfilled his promise. But I would ask that you join me in praying for children who are waiting for something different.
Around the world, thousands of children in our program are waiting for a sponsor –waiting for someone to speak words of joy and hope into their lives. Will you pray for these children in this season of waiting?
And as you read this month’s calendar, you will see many more prayers of waiting — children waiting for healing. Parents waiting for jobs. And ultimately, a fallen world waiting for restoration. The time of waiting can be a difficult one. Pray for peace in this season and for reminders of God’s promises.
–Mark Hanlon, Senior Vice president, USA Group, Compassion International; December Prayer Message
Wow. I have been stunned to see this whole season so focused on this theme of waiting.
Many children are waiting for sponsors — will you sponsor a child today?
Waiting for Messiah
Several years ago someone brought up the idea of asking God to reveal something new about Christmas every year. I have done this most years since, although this year I wondered if there was anything new to ponder about Christmas.
But it didn’t take long to find my new insight. I was reading The Mosaic Bible and this quote caught my attention:
Generations waited for what we look back and celebrate.
– E. John Walford, Mosaic Bible, pg. m20
I had never thought about this before. But think of the thousands of years that people waited for the Messiah to come. People waited expectantly for Him to come at any moment, generation after generation. Children were told that some day the Messiah, the Christ, would come.
I was thinking about this idea, and that Sunday we sang “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” at church and the worship leader mentioned, again, that people had been awaiting the Messiah for thousands of years: ”Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).” Isaiah 7:14 (NLT)
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
I knew I had something new to ponder about this year. I’ve been thinking about all the things we wait for — to grow up, to finish school, to be married, to have children and grandchildren, to travel, celebrate holidays, or have family come home. It seems that we all do a lot of waiting — at stop signs, in parking lots, in doctors’ offices, in airport terminals, in grocery lines.
But just think about it — Israel, as a nation, waited for thousand of years for the Savior to arrive. And nobody waited as patiently , perhaps as Anna and Simeon:
Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. – Luke 2:25-26 (ESV)
And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. – Luke 2:36-38 (ESV)
What are you waiting for?
Oh, And By the Way–
This is the follow-up letter that Jesse sent to his uncle, John Koontz, a few months after he wrote in 1847 to tell him that his father (John’s brother) had passed away. Obviously, since he had not heard from John for a while, he had feared that John had not received the sad news.
State of Indiana, Parke County July the 15th 1848
Dear Uncle I embrace the present opportunity to write you a few lines in answer to the letter received from you which gave us great satisfaction to hear from you all. Though we began to feel somewhat uneasy for fear that you had probably not received the letter that I sent you. But in answer to your reasons for not writing sooner we will have to excuse you hoping that you will wrote sooner the next time. I can inform you that we are all well at present hoping that it may be the will of Divine Providence for these few lines to arrive and find you enjoying the same blessing. I have nothing very interesting to write to you at present but things that are not so interesting to me may prove interesting to you. Our crops last year were very good. We raised four hundred and twenty two bushels of wheat and upwards of fifteen hundred bushels of corn and corn at this time looks well. But our wheat is not very good in consequence of the rust. Wheat is worth from 55 to 70 cents per bu. corn from 15 to 20, oats about the same as corn. Bacon from 4 to 6 cents per lb. Coffee from 10 to 11 lbs. to the dollar. Sugar from 6 to 8 cents per lb. [Note -- something appears to be omitted here --] factory from 8 to 10 cents per yard, iron from 5 to 6 cents per lb.
You requested me when I wrote to give you the particulars of all our interest I will in reply give you as true a statement as I can. In the first place after our fathers death I and Brother Levi acted as administrators and as the estate was but little involved in debt we had no trouble in settling it in peace and friendship without going to court. Father owned three hundred and twenty acres of land 160 acres in the farm that he lived on and 160 acres on Boon County. That in Boon is not improved. But it is good land. Land here is worth from 10 to 15 and 20 dollars per acre owing to the improvement thats on it and there is a fair prospect of it being still higher as we will soon have a great advantage in regard to Canals and Railroad. I and Brother Philip have bought Levi’s share in the land and have entered into partnership in tending the farm & Levi has sold his other farm and bought him a farm of the Rev. Dr. Rudisil near Ladoga Montomery county about 17 miles distant.
Before I close I would state that I have married since I wrote to you last. I was married to Miss Rachel Byerly (daughter of George Byerly) on the 23rd of Dec. A.D. 1847. With the above remark I will close hoping that when our correspondence ceases here on Earth that we will through the Mercies of God meet above where trials and temptations shall be over and where we will sing praises to God & the Lamb for ever & ever. I subscribe myself your obedient nephew.
Jesse Koontz & Rachel Koontz To John Koontz
Does anything strike you as funny in this letter? It does to me. First he apologizes that “things are not so interesting,” and then at the end of the letter, he springs the news that he had been married: “Oh, and by the way — one of the ‘uninteresting’ things that happened since I wrote last is that I was married!”
Something interesting that he could’ve shared would have been to tell how his orphaned little sister was doing. But not so. Still, I like Jesse. He was very kind to correspond with the family in North Carolina in the absence of his father. Obviously, he had a sentimental and emotional side that longed to connect with others.
Jesse and Rachel had four children between the years 1849-1856. They moved by covered wagon from Indiana to Iowa in 1854. The story of Rachel’s parents, George and Leah (Sappenfield) Byerly is interesting. George married twins — first Lydia and then Leah upon the death of her twin. This is a story passed down through the family about George and Leah:
In 1824, George, Leah, and the two small boys and the slaves George’s father had given them, came to Indiana. From North Carolina they traveled westward along the Ohio River to the Wabash and followed its course to the forks of Sugar Creek and settled at Portland Mills, Putnam County, Indiana. There George started a tannery business and was very successful. They lived there many years and during that time eleven children were born to them. The Indiana born children were: Catherine, Rachel, George Washington, William Mathias, Andrew James, Francis Marion, Mary Ann Lucy, Jacob Matthew, Leah A., Lydia C., and Epriam Melancththon. Soon after they arrived in Indiana, George, who did not believe in slavery, freed his slaves. But they did not want to leave him and begged on bended knees to stay and he kept them. He hired them to help him in the tannery business, paid them well and taught them how to manage their money. The Byerlys spoke German almost entirely until their children started to school and taught their parents the English language. However, George and Leah kept their German Bible and continued to read it even to their family. Later, after the children were older, the family moved to a farm in Monroe County near Albia, Iowa. There George and Leah reared their children and lived the remainder of their lives. George Byerly died 24 March 1867 and Leah died 12 February 1878. They were buried at the Oak View Cemetery in Albia, Iowa.
[The Byerlys of Carolina, Vol. 3, pg. 213-215]
But now back to their daughter, Rachel, and her husband, Jesse Koontz. Sadly, Rachel (Byerly) Koontz became a widow at a young age; Jesse died at the age of thirty-four. On a fishing trip, he died while saving a boy from drowning in the Des Moines River. Jesse certainly did have a big heart, as he valiantly managed to save the young boy’s life while losing his own.
Stroke of Divine Providence
Here is another letter from the Koontz family. This one is dated September 2, 1847 and is from Jesse Koontz to his uncle, “Chapel John” Koontz. Jesse was born to Philip and Rebecca Koontz on December 13, 1821 in Rowan County, NC. By the time Jesse was ten, the family had moved to Parke County, Indiana, where the family would eventually be complete with at least three sons and three daughters.
Then Jesse’s mother, Rebecca (Grimes) Koontz had passed away in 1838 when Jesse was only sixteen. Two sisters had died in 1841 and 1844 (as explained in a previous letter). Now, at the age of twenty-five, Jesse writes of yet another sad occurence:
September the 2nd N.D. 1847 Parke County Ind.
Mr. John Koontz, it is by a fatal Stroke of Divine Providence that I consider myself at the present in duty bound to take my pen in hand to inform you of the fatal and melancholy event that occurred but a few days ago. I had to witness the Death of my beloved Father who was called on by divine providence to leave this sad and distressing world. But we have a sure evidence that he has exchanged it for a place in the Bright realms above, Where the wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest. He departed this wearisome life on the 30th day of August last at 7 o’clock A.M. after an illness of but a few days he was taken on the 25th and revived till the 30. Although his mind appeared to be perfectly composed. He was taken ill while going to Porland a little village about 2 miles distant and could hardly reach home. Dr. Dickson was immediately called on who pronounced it a species of cholick but his effort in producing a passage proved to be in vain. When Dr. Slavens was called to assist. When all possible means had failed to produce a passage, he informed them of a lump at the lower extremity of his abdomen on the right side (as this lump had been there before off and on some 10 or 11 years and had not done him any injury he did not consider it to be the cause of his sickness therefore did not mention it till too late) at this critical time Dr. Clark was also called in, on examining him they found that the rim of his belly was broke and that part of his bowels had worked out at that place and could not get back stopping the passage they then tried all possible means to press them back. But to no effect the only possible chance then to save life was by surgicable operation. So by consent of him and the family they cut him open Sunday morning the 29. When arrivng at the bowel that had worked out, they found it was mortified and useless to proceed any further. We can imagine the feelings that must have occurred to him on being informed that Death was unavoidable. He then knew that he had to take his exile from this world. The greatest pleasure to him then was to see his family and neighbors flock around his bed and bid him a last farewell never to see them again in the world of sorrow. Beloved friends, bosom ones seeing our Beloved Father in that situation nor could we have borne it had we not had the assurance that he was going to rest. It is now in our place to prepare to meet him where there shall be no more weeping and wailing. But where all shall be joy and peace. He made no will but left all in our hands to settle to the best advantage that we can. The rest of us are well and we hope that through the mercies of God that these lines may arrive and find you enjoying the same blessing.
I have nothing more to right to you at this time. But hope that you will remember us all till Death shall call us hence. Please hand this to your Brothers and enquiring friends.
In hope of Immortality Jesse Koontz.
Philip was only fifty-two at the time of his death, and since Rebecca had already died, the youngest daughter, Mary Ann, was left an orphan at the age of ten. Her three older brothers were all in their twenties, so presumably one of them took her into his home. In the next Koontz update I will share a follow-up letter sent by Jesse to John a few months later.
Excellent Websites
I want to give a shout-out to some of the best websites concerning Compassion International:
- 10 Charities With the Most Consecutive 4-Star Ratings
- The Compassion Blog
- Missions in Action
- Compassion Family
- Letter Writing Ideas for Sponsors
- Compassion International on YouTube
- Gifts of Compassion
- Sponsor a Child!
Plaids and Dragonflies
Here is the quilt that Robyn and I were working on last summer. I finally finished it — and, I might add, I think I beat Robyn to the finish line. You may recall that the pattern for this ends up with two quilts, so we each have our own, although very different. This is mine:
And this is hers, which has not quite been quilted yet:
What I like most about mine is the quilting, done by Virginia Ohr. Take a closer look at the dragonflies:
This is so much fun. I’m glad I took up the hobby of quilting, and that my sister is able to help me along the way. We had fun with these two quilts and will show them next summer at Quilt Wyoming. We were pleased to hear that the guest quilter for the convention will be Pat Speth, the designer of these quilts! We had gotten these patterns from her book, Nickel Quilts. What a wonderful coincidence!
Singing Teacher
I just found some photos of my gr-gr-gr-grandparents online. How great is that? I never knew these photos existed until now. I did know that this man, Zadock Huggins, was mentioned as the “pioneer teacher of singing” in the town records. Musical skills run deep in our family.
Zadock Huggins was born December 12, 1782 in Dorset, Vermont. He died May 18, 1851 in Marion, New York, having been one of the first pioneers to settle the area. Here is the obituary I found when I was in Marion a few years ago:
DIED, at Marion, Wayne Co., N.Y. May 18th Mr. Zadok Huggins, (father of Rev. M. Huggins, of Havana), aged 68 years. He was born in Dorset, Vt, and spent his childhood and youth under the pastoral care of the late Rev. Dr. Jackson, who was for forty years Pastor of the Congregational Church of that place. At this period, he devoted himself to the service of God. He removed to Marion in 1806, and consequently had lived in that town, of which he was one of the earliest settlers, 45 years. He was distinguished for sound judgment with discretion, connected with great energy to execute his plans. To these characteristics, were united strict integrity, Christian principle, and firmness of purpose. He rests from his labors and his works follow him.
[Havana Journal, Havana, Chemung, NY (now Montour Falls, Schuyler, NY), 23 May 1851]
Zadock married Anna Morrison, whose parents were Joseph and Rebeckah (Eddy) Morrison. All of these family lines go back to some of the earliest settlers of our country. Anna was born August 1, 1791 in Fort Anne, New York and died July 12, 1875 in Dansville, New York. On the day of her death she presented the family Bible to one of her sons. It was obviously her most cherished possession. Here is her wonderful photo:
I was so thrilled to run across these valuable photos this week. I’m glad someone went to the trouble of posting them online. I love this strong legacy of Christian values, along with the musical interests.
Sheep Fold