Remembering Grandma Bea

Valerie with "Gammy" in the dress she made her. The dress got handed down to Vicky, Bea, and Becky.

Dear Children,

I am remembering your grandma--“Gammy” or “Grandma Bea”--in a special way this evening, as it’s been two years since she went to be with the Lord.

You kids have many memories of what a fun grandma she was. These pictures will bring back some memories to some of you. You will all remember the big house in Woodstown and all the fun things she did with you and for you there. What a great time we had when “Poppy” and “Gammy” visited us in Japan! Later they moved to New Hampshire to be near us. After Poppy died she visited us in Alaska many times. I’m sorry I don’t have a picture of her riding Bea’s snow machine on her last trip to Alaska at age 89.

She was a unique, hard-working, intelligent, talented woman; a dedicated mom; a proud grandma; a generous soul. She made life fun for all. She was a friend to all. She loved the Lord with all her heart as she struggled to please Him. I couldn’t have had a more loving and supportive mother-in-law. My gratitude for her has grown as days have passed, and I look forward to the day we will be praising our Saviour together.

Last evening I perused “Mom’s Book,” Teardrops in the Mashed Potatoes—Over 50 years of Lovin’ and Cookin’. From that book, I chose a couple of Mom’s favorite hymns to share with you as we remember her in a special way tonight.

He Giveth More Grace
He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase;
To added affliction He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials His multiplied peace.

His love has no limit, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth and giveth and giveth again. —Annie Johnson Flint

Mom’s version of “What A Friend We Have In Jesus”

What a friend I have in Jesus,
All my sins and griefs to bear;
What a privilege I have
To take it all to God in prayer.

Grandpa Bingham, My Daddy

Dear Kids and Grandchildren,

In my Bible I have a bookmark that reminds me to pray for the newborn son of parents from Castle Rock Baptist Church in Tucson. The prayer is “that God would uphold your son in his integrity and set him before His face forever Ps. 41:12, and that like Job he would be called blameless, upright, one who fears God and shuns evil, one who holds fast to his integrity Job 2:3.” I not only pray that for their newborn son, but I pray that for my sons and grandsons and what examples you have in your father and grandfathers!

Because of the anniversary of Daddy’s death nine years ago at the age of nearly 96, I’ve been thinking about him and thanking the Lord for my godly heritage. On his 90th birthday, your Aunt Mary made a memory scrapbook and had each of his children and grandchildren contribute their memories. The memory book is at Aunt Muriel’s, but I have some of the pages copied, which I’ll share in this blog. Though lengthy, I trust you will enjoy being reminded of him--but not just that, I trust that you will be challenged by his life—especially you boys. What traits to emulate!

Robert J. Bingham March 5, 1904 - February 10, 2000

"The fourth son of five sons and two daughters. Born on the plains of South Dakota in the small claim house. The house moved to the 160-acre claim of government land. Resident required to live on and improve for five years before ownership granted before U.S. signed by U.S. President McKinley. Life was hard with severe days of heat and wind and lack of moisture in growing season. Real cold winters and blizzard conditions in winter with loss of livestock and lives of people." (Taken from his journal)


Marlene’s Page of Memories on the occasion of Daddy’s 90th birthday, March 5, 1994

"The just man walketh in his integrity; his children are blessed after him” Proverbs 20:7.

This verse describes Daddy. Though the spotlight here seems to be upon a man, may I emphasize before penning these lines that it is but by God’s grace that he is what he is, therefore, pointing to God’s glory. God gave him a wonderful helpmeet who has stood by him through thick and thin. They are one. Daddy loves the Lord. He is an unassuming, unselfish, righteous-living honest, humble man with a quiet spirit and sense of humor. His life has been his family. I’m proud to be his daughter. Here are some of my memories capitalizing on my childhood days:

Daddy is all of the following and more:

THOUGHTFUL—bringing Valentines to all of us when we lived in the house on Federal Blvd;
HARD-WORKING—going to work at Remington Arms; going to work at the greenhouse—what fun to walk there to have lunch with him! (I think he walked to work both places);
FUN-LOVING--walking the babysitter home with me at his side, he would give a little sneak backside kick as we were walking along pretending someone else was kicking me;
ENTERPRISING—buying his own food-distributing business from Mr. Stanek—he stored stale goods in the root cellar where the mice enjoyed the stash and I was afraid to retrieve anything from that room;
INDUSTRIOUS—raising rabbits in the garage on 35th Ave. and having a victory garden;
ORGANIZED—doing bookwork after coming home each evening and then falling asleep on the rocking chair and snoring while attempting to read the newspaper;
TIRELESS—working six days a week and never taking a day off unless it was the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year’s;
FAMILY-CENTERED—taking the family to the mountains early on the Fourth of July to beat the traffic and to return in time to spend a good part of the day working on the house; taking us kids by turns on his Thursday mountain route in the summers;
PERSEVERING—taking a side job of selling vitamins to help make ends meet;
DEPENDABLE—borrowing my babysitting money to bank on Monday mornings to meet the wholesale bill and always paying it back as soon as possible;
APT TO TEACH—taking me to school in the truck and giving me driving pointers when I rode with him—“Never follow too closely…”
CONSISTENT—having daily family devotions before breakfast from the time we lived on Bryant St. (and maybe before) until the present;
FAITHFUL—never missing church services and taking us to church in the “nut truck”—we sat on boxes in the back;
DEVOUT—being a deacon; displaying the fruits of the Spirit in his daily walk;
ENCOURAGING—including me in his holiday nut business;
GENEROUS-- letting us girls take the family car to college and with Mother’s help, aiding us financially in college and our family on the mission field;
LOVING—welcoming into his extended family another son-in-law and, in time, our nine children;
CONGENIAL—always being so hospitable on our numerous, though far-between, visits;
LIBERAL—taking in our large family for extended times and our college kids for semesters at a time;
PATIENT—never showing impatience with family, friends, or nature;
LOVER OF NATURE—enjoying nurturing the beauty of God’s handiwork by working in his yard and garden and on campus;
PROUD—in good sense—taking pride in his family and flowers.

Tributes from the rest of our family

Son-in-law Ron
“The fear of the Lord prolongeth days” Proverbs 10:27.

To my father-in-law on his 90th birthday. Modest, patient, slow to anger, honest, plodder, steady, dependable, loyal, principled—all are attributes of my father-in-law. I have not known him to lash out in anger, although I know there are things that make him angry. I have not known him to waver in his commitment to Christ. To my knowledge, he has never been guilty of “evil speaking.” The wise man of Proverbs said, “A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children….” Certainly that has been true for our nine children! We generally don’t choose our in-laws; they come with the territory. But if we did, I couldn’t make a better choice than the one the Lord gave me. Happy Birthday!
Valerie
My earliest memory of Grandpa Bingham is when we visited in Denver, Colorado, when I was five. He let me choose anything I wanted from his candy truck. One of the latest outstanding memories is the time two years ago when at 88 years of age he was out helping me jumpstart my car. Then there are lots of memories in-between that words can’t describe. Grandpa has a lot of spunk and wit! He’s great!
Hudson
During my years as a student at BJU (1979-85), I had many occasions to sit down and listen to Grandpa Bingham chat with me about the past, especially about the days of his youth. I would always listen with fascination and wonder if I would remember the details well enough to pass the story onto the next generation. Grandpa’s stories were of the old days when times were tough, men were men, and it took sheer guts and determination to overcome life’s obstacles. How his father lost the new family home after being cheated by a man he trusted will be a story I’ll always remember. I was always amazed that Grandpa could tell stories that were ¾ of a century old with so much clarity!
Vicky
When I had my fourth birthday, Grandpa opened his “candy truck” and let each of us Blough and Murr cousins pick out a treat. I picked out M & M’s.--Grandpa Bingham is a generous man. When I was ten, I had flu and Grandpa cared for me when everyone went away. He got out a big stack of scrapbooks and let me browse all I wanted.--Grandpa is a kind and caring man. When I was 22, Grandpa met my boyfriend, Kevin Daniels, and said, “We think he’s a fine young man.”--Grandpa is a wise man. After we were married and went to the mission field, we knew that everyday Grandpa and Grandma were praying for us.--Grandpa is a faithful man. We thank the Lord for a wonderful grandpa!
Carey
Noone who has been around Grandpa can disagree that he has dedicated his life to beautifying the lives of others. He has done everything from farmer to salesman to florist and his great spirit and love for the Lord have overflowed to all those around him. Happy Birthday, Grandpa, we love you!
Beatrice
Dear Grandpa, Thank you for all the hours you’ve spent with me throughout my life. I have sweet memories of staying at your house in Greenville. I always look forward to our “flower walk” outside, and I loved listening to the wonderful stories of your boyhood and courtship with Grandma. Your godly testimony is a constant challenge to me, and I love you with all my heart. You’re the youngest “90” I know. Happy Birthday! P.S. I can’t wait to see you here in Alaska. I'm going to take you four-wheeling!
Judson Blough
When I grow up to be 90 I want to be just like Grandpa. He acts like a teenager sometimes. Just a few of the things I admire about Grandpa are his patience, his wit, and the way he works hard. His reputation as a great man and hard worker is left behind him by those with whom he worked. I know, because I work on the ground crew where Grandpa worked for years until he retired at the young age of 87. Happy Birthday, Grandpa!
Becky
The best word for Grandpa is “incredible.” He’s 90 years old and acts half his age. Grandpa impresses me in many ways, but the thing that impresses me most is his consistent walk with the Lord through the years. When I stayed with Grandpa and Grandma in January I had the most special time. Every morning at about 6:15, Grandma would have breakfast ready and the three of us would sit up. Grandma would then read from Our Daily Bread and Grandpa would read from the Scriptures. It was very special for me to be in on their family devotions. The importance they put in daily devotions together is a tremendous example to me as I begin my adult life. It is a memory that will remain with me forever. Grandpa has been a wonderful example to me, and I want to strive to have the sweet spirit, humor, consistency, and hard-working life that Grandpa has. He proves that just because one is old, he doesn’t have to be cranky! Happy 90th, Grandpa! I love you.
Paton
One of my best memories of Grandpa took place a few years ago when I was visiting in Greenville. Grandpa and Grandma were going away for a few days, so they had me mow the grass and water the plants. I watered a couple of them several times before realizing they were plastic. When Grandma and Grandpa came home, Grandpa asked me if I kept the two plants out front watered well like he had asked. I told him that he got me pretty good, and we all had a good laugh. Thank you for all the wonderful memories, Grandpa! Have the best birthday ever. I love you.

ANOTHER MEMORY

I'll never forget how touched Mother was one year when I gave Daddy a card for Father's Day with a poem by Edgar A. Guest, because it so described Daddy. Here it is:

Only a Dad
by Edgar Albert Guest

Only a dad with a tired face,
Coming home from the daily race,
Bringing little of gold or fame
To show how well he has played the game;
But glad in his heart that his own rejoice
To see him come and to hear his voice.

Only a dad with a brood of four,
One of ten million men or more
Plodding along in the daily strife,
Bearing the whips and the scorns of life,
With never a whimper of pain or hate,
For the sake of those who at home await.

Only a dad, neither rich nor proud,
Merely one of the surging crowd,
Toiling, striving from day to day,
Facing whatever may come his way,
Silent whenever the harsh condemn,
And bearing it all for the love of them.

Only a dad but he gives his all,
To smooth the way for his children small,
Doing with courage stern and grim
The deeds that his father did for him.
This is the line that for him I pen:
Only a dad, but the best of men.

Nostalgic Pictures

Tending the beautiful flower beds on the campus of Bob Jones University

Beautifully landscaped home at 16 Shadow Lane, Taylors, SC.

Hudson's Birthday, February 1

Hi Everyone!

I wanted to give Hudson some memories to recall for his 48th birthday (yes 48th!) and so I made a short video from slides I had scanned on to my computer. It took me a while to get it on my blogsite as I'm just learning how to use all these modern technicalities of computers and the cyber world. Lots of quality is lost from the old slides to one digital device and then on to yet another, but at least the memories are captured.

A couple of years ago I was trying to do the same for Judson, and so I have posted that video also. (Becky, I'm having some problems with the one I made you.) I enjoy Joel Rosenberg's piano music so much that I have kept it on autostart but have cancelled the loop so that the hymn plays only once. You'll have to wait until the hymn is finished playing to play the Youtube videos. It's 3 minutes long, so maybe you can go to something else and come back to play the videos. Hope you enjoy them. I have learned where to find public domain music for the backgrounds of the videos.

Hudson, be assured of our love and prayer for you as you continue another year of your pilgrimage here and as you set your eyes on that "blessed hope." We love you!

Mother's Last trip to Alaska

I remembered that I had this picture when Vicky made her comment about her Grandma Bingham, so I am posting it here. It pictures four generations: Me, Mother, Abi, and Vicky taken on Mother's last visit to Alaska--October to December 2000.

As you all know, Grandma Bingham wrote a book about their travels, FROM SEA TO SHINING SEA ON A SHOESTRING. This picture of her on her last trip to Alaska reminded me of the chapter she wrote about that trip. I decided to share it with you here.

Chapter 72 - Another Explanatory Interlude

I wanted to spend time with the Bloughs in Alaska before settling down at an assisted living home in Greenville. My plan was to have Dick accompany me on the flight up and have Marlene come back with me.

But those plans were changed. Marlene wrote that they would come down after me in a pop-up trailer and encouraged me to get moved out of the apartment, thus saving rent, electricity, etc. I had less than a month to break up housekeeping for good! Marlene had come down and helped me move out of our house in November 1998; now she came and helped me move out of our apartment almost two years later. I gave everything away to family and friends, and what no one wanted, I gave to Miracle Hill. When the time for leaving came, there were still boxes left and other stuff. Muriel and Dick took care of all that, and on September 22, I walked out of the apartment.


Chapter 73 - The Trip to Alaska

We left from Paton and Melinda’s home on Saturday morning, September 23, where we had spent the night. Our destination was Ron’s mother’s and sister’s homes in Holsopple, Pennsylvania. It was a beautiful drive, for the fall colors were just beginning to show off. We arrived after dark and found Grandma Blough not as sick as we had been led to believe. We stayed at Ron’s sister’s house, for they were gone. Their daughter Cindy lived very close by, so we saw a lot of that family.

Every day Ron took us on trips through the beautiful countryside. He preached at two different churches while we were there. On the last Sunday we were there, October 1, we celebrated Grandma Blough’s birthday (September 30) and mine, which was that day. She was 85 and I was 86.

On October 2 we left Pennsylvania and headed for Alaska, our destination. Becky and Adam had arrived from Arizona with their two little boys, so they traveled with us the first day and a half. The countryside was beautiful! We stopped the first night in Schenectady, New York, where Adam and Becky had reservations. We parked our van and camper in the parking lot where we spent the night in the camper. It was a new experience for me, but I slept very comfortably. We were able to use the Roland’s facilities to bathe and dress.

The next day we traveled with the Rolands for half of the time, visiting an old church in Bennington, Vermont. Bob and I had been there on one of our trips. Then we said good bye to them and went our separate ways.

On to Alaska for us. I’ve never enjoyed a trip more but only wished Bob could be enjoying it with me. It was unbelievably beautiful and interesting. I enjoyed every day to the fullest. The fall colors were on display. The sunsets over the Great Lakes were fantastic. The mountains were breathtaking. I just don’t have the vocabulary to describe the wonder and beauty of that trip.

We spent about half the nights in the camper and half in motels.

We stopped in Bemidji, Minnesota, where we used to live and went into the store we used to have, now a photo shop. We drove to Solway where we also used to live. Ron was so kind as to take me to places he knew I’d be interested in. We were in Canada for their Thanksgiving Day. I think it was October 5.

We started our trip to Alaska on Monday morning, October 2, and arrived at the Blough’s home in Ninilchik on October 12 having traveled 6,096 miles. Five of those nights we slept in the camper, four in a motel, and one at Judson’s in Anchorage. Our usual routine was thus: we would get up, dress, and start out. After driving for a couple of hours, we would stop and have a good breakfast at a restaurant. Then on we would go until about suppertime when we would stop for our evening meal. We had snacks with us to keep our tummies from growling between meals. After supper, we would travel on, often driving after dark. Then we would find a gas station where we would park in the back with the trucks, or we’d get a motel. One of the highlights of that trip was a stop at a beautiful log lodge that Marlene had picked out on their way down. It was made of very, very large logs.

It snowed on our last night on the road, but Ron had stopped along the way and had snow tires put on our vehicle. So, we arrived safe and sound in Anchorage where we met Judson at a restaurant and ate there. We spent the night with him in his apartment. That was on October 11, 2000.

Before I go any farther, I must write about the not-so-good part of our trip. The heater in the camper didn’t work right. It kept going off. I about froze to death even though Marlene piled covers on me. Poor Ron would get up and work with it. He would get it going and then it would stop again. Finally, we stopped at a place along the way and got it fixed. Another not-so-pleasant event was that I fell while getting up to go to the “bathroom”--a potty-chair near my bed. I knocked my glasses off the table on which I had laid them. I was not hurt, but my glasses were. They were all bent out of shape, but Marlene got them fixed well enough for me to wear and see with them.

In Anchorage we had breakfast at Judson’s, then shopped at Wal-Mart. They put me in a mechanized wheelchair, and away I went. I was making a U-turn between some displays and bumped into one. Down it came! Marlene to the rescue. She got the display put back together, and no damage was done. I haven’t been in one of those wheelchairs since!

We, of course, were duly welcomed as we drove up to Ron and Marlene’s home in Ninilchik. Joanna, Caleb, and Abi were on hand to make us feel welcomed and to make me feel at home. Joanna helped me unpack and put things into drawers they had emptied for me. This would be my home for the next two months. I was glad to be there.
I praise the Lord for that wonderful trip. It was the best of them all.



“Traveling in the company of those we love is home in motion.”⎯Leigh Hunt

Sweet Memories of Mother

Mother And Daddy and their four kids at Hudson's wedding, May 23, 1988

Dear Kids,

I am thinking a lot about my mother today because of the sixth anniversary of her going to be with the Lord. And, of course, along with thinking of her, memories of Daddy are there, too. They cannot be separated. Three years sooner than Mother, on February 10, he met his Savior face to face.

I have been blessed indeed with the most loving, caring, sacrificing, giving parents I could have had. And what a heritage they left us children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren! Can we ever be grateful enough?

Though the majority of my years were lived miles apart from them, yet they were always near. They made it so with their letters and visits--and always their love. There was never reason to doubt that they always wanted the best for each one of their children and grandchildren. Our lives were the center of their lives. They lived for us. I understand that now that you children are out of the nest and most of you many miles away. Your joys are our joys; your burdens and sorrows are ours also. Mother and Daddy wanted each one of us to love and serve the Lord they loved—the same desire we have for each of you and your children.

I have been recalling the last days with Mother. What a joy it was to see her looking forward to seeing her Savior! What a privilege it was being in the inner sanctum! How sacred! How special! And how privileged that all four of her children could be there with her! How precious it was to hear her express concern for each of you, my children, in those last lucid moments.

Mother, though gone, is still my guiding light. Throughout my life I have strived for her virtues. I’m still reaching. And I’ll be reaching until the day I die.

Now, it is our place to strive to be the parents and grandparents that will inspire each of you to love and glorify the Lord. What a responsibility! May we carry on the torch by His enabling grace and mercy.

Lovingly, Mom


Taken November 2000 at our church in Ninilchik

Mother’s Prayer

Family picture taken December 1983

Dear Kids,

The following prayer with tears I prayed for you children and your children the last two days since I found it in The Baptist Vision, Volume 14, Issue 1, page 16. It is by Mrs. Charles Hill Love, 19th Century Pastor’s Wife.

The sentiments expressed in this prayer go along with the message Dad brought to our little group last evening and also in his last Bible blog to you.

"Oh, Thou who hast been my God, my father’s God, my father’s father’s God, my mother’s God, my mother’s mother’s God; I come before Thee now to entreat Thee solemnly to be my children’s God. Thou, all-great Jehovah, and Thou canst save them. Oh, let Thine arms of mercy and love be constantly about them to preserve them from the follies of childhood, the dangers of youth, and the sins of maturer years.

"Thou knowest the anxieties of a parent’s heart, and Thou hast more than a parent’s love for all whom Thou takest into Thy care and protection. Oh, let my beloved children be some of those blessed ones whom Thou carriest in Thine arms, whom Thou leadest gently, whom Thou wilt watch over every moment of their pilgrimage below, and of whom at last Thou wilt pronounce, ‘of such is the kingdom of heaven.’

"Let Thy restraining grace be exercised toward them to protect them from evil dispositions, un-amiable tempers, disobedience, and all outward immoralities. May they love each other and their parents, and learn to take pleasure in denying themselves for each other and for the sake of all who may come within their reach. Preserve them from carelessness, laziness, wandering habits, and improper companions. And oh, great God, above all things, let Thy converting grace enlarge their hearts that their parents may have the unspeakable happiness of seeing them all follow the dear Savior; or, if their mother should not be allowed the blessedness of seeing this great change wrought upon them while on earth, may I be called to rejoice over it in the bright regions of eternal glory.

"Oh, my Savior, take my children into Thy care and keeping. I confess that I am not worthy of the least of all Thy mercies, much less am I worthy to ask Thee for so great favors, yet I would not be discouraged, for Thou hast said, ‘Open thy mouth wide and I will fill it,’ and I do trust that through the merits of the Savior alone Thy sovereign mercy may lay hold of my dear children, and that they may every one, spend their lives in Thy service. And oh, enable me to labor incessantly for their conversion, to pray without ceasing for them, and to endeavor by all the means in my power, to impress the truth of the gospel on their minds and to seek with all ‘earnestness that the Holy Spirit may impress those truths on their minds while they are young.’"

May God answer my sincere heartfelt prayer. Mom/Grandma

Whiter than snow

Dear Kids,

May I remind you of the poem that I would post on our bulletin board each year? It was to remind us the importance of each step we take and that there is forgiveness for the bad tracks we had left behind the past year. Oh, the blessedness of sins forgiven and the challenge of living a life pleasing to the Lord! Here’s the poem:

The New Year lies before you as a blanket of fresh snow.
Be careful how you tread it for every step will show.



In the places we have lived, we have had no want of beautiful snow to remind us that through the blood of Jesus, “though your sins be as scarlet they shall be as white as snow…“ Isaiah 1:18. 23, and “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow” Psalm 51:7.

We wish for you in this New Year of 2009 a constant awareness of these two things: the precious price paid for forgiveness of sin and the importance of a godly walk.

Love,

Mom





The first photo at the top of this post is the view from our home under construction here in Hoonah. The next photo was taken in Ninilchik, Alaska, viewing Mt. Redoubt across Cook Inlet. The next photo was taken on a hike to a glacier near our Haines, Alaska-home near U.S./Canada border. The third photo pictures our home in Littleton, New Hampshire. And can we ever forget our beloved home in Reuke, Japan, pictured in these last two photos?--No lack of snow in any of these places!