Life as a Yowler

This past weekend was spent with my dad’s side of the family. I can’t even articulate how much my heart needed it. Sometimes in the busyness of life, I get caught up in survival mode. I’ve always struggled with being a Martha instead of a Mary. I have a really hard time just sitting. I do what I need to, but get stressed and burned out along the way. I had reached a point of being burned out and not feeling a lot of joy or refreshment. I wasn’t taking time to see blessing or goodness that was around me. I was discouraged and exhausted.

What happened this weekend was I allowed myself to relax and enjoy some of the people that I love the most. It’s such a shame we don’t see each other more often. I love that we can all pick up where we left off. We spent time laughing and telling stories. We shared memories. So many childhood memories came flooding back to me. Some of my best memories were when my Pennsylvania and Ohio cousins would come visit every Summer and every year at Christmas.

The Gerald and Edna Gascho family will reach 70 people the very next child born(not sure who that is yet at the current moment). There are 4 boys…Dwight, Wayne, Arlis, and my dad Lyle. I’m to the point in my life now where I’m getting old and sentimental. I appreciate the rich family history I come from. I appreciate the Godly roots so much. . The fruit that I saw in my grandparents I also see in my aunts, uncles, and cousins. All glory and praise goes to God. He has been so good to us and blessed us so much.

I saw 2nd cousins laughing and playing together. I saw bonds formed that will now never be broken(as our kids are getting to ages where they will remember each other). I saw people getting emotional saying goodbye to each other, as we are genuinely sad to see this reunion come to an end. Caed got extremely sad and emotional and told me he doesn’t want to wait another couple years to see everyone again. I saw Isla clinging to new friends she made and enjoying all the attention and love. She even got to form a special bond with the Esh’s, as they drove her from Ohio to Michigan (since Isla was in Ohio visiting her aunt and needed a ride back). I saw Brielle boldly volunteer to help play the tambourine during today’s church service. I saw Joah keeping up pretty well in a basketball game with older cousins. I saw boys tear it up on 4 wheelers and create the same amount of dust and sand that’s in the Sahara Desert. All of our vehicles suffered, but the kids definitely didn’t suffer. They all had a blast.

My uncle Wayne shared in today’s church service about a major life trial that happened to their family growing up. The family barn burned down in the 60’s and this was devastating to their family, as they were farmers. At that time it was so hard to understand God’s plan. My grandpa Gerald decided not to rebuild the barn, but rebuilt a chicken coop instead. The chicken coop is now used for the business(Gascho furniture). At that time, the boys had no idea of the future of the furniture company being at their family farm. What used to be their farm is now Gascho furniture. It was started by my dad, Lyle, and is now a big operation. Sometimes God’s plan is unknown. The future can’t be seen. Trials can feel so difficult, but God always has a plan.

My takeaway from this weekend is not to let my life trials cripple me to the point of dispair. I want to look for and see God’s goodness. I want to relax and enjoy my family and friends. I want to rest and heal from some of the last couple year’s trials. I want to focus on what really matters…God first, people second. I’m thankful for so many great people in my life. I’m thankful for family. I’m thankful for friends. I’m thankful for my husband who gave up the last couple weeks to prepare for the arrival of my family. He completed a project that’s been put off for awhile (the boys treehouse). By completing the treehouse, we cleared the garage out. I’m thankful for my loud kids. I’m especially thankful for this weekend. It was very much needed and very much appreciated. It came at a much needed time.