Arriving at the Divine

In memory of Jeanne McBride who passed away early this morning

My times are in thy hands. - Psalm 31:15

Today is a mix of emotions. To me, Jeanne's life was an example of love in its purest form. Always compassionate, always loving and never judging. A true follower of Christ.

There is no way I can convey the loss we all feel, but today Rev. Blanton from First UMC in Appleton summed it up for me. Those of us who knew Jeanne were so impacted and spiritually invested in her teaching and listening, that the loss feels much greater than expected. Not only did we lose a friend or family member, we lost a role model and an example of who we strive to be.

Thank you Jeanne for all we realize you have taught us and all we will later realize you were trying to show us all along. We miss you, we love you and we look forward to seeing you again someday.

McBride, Jeanne Elaine
Appleton

Age 56, died Monday September 24th, 2007 at Cherry Meadows Hospice after a 6 year courageous battle with breast cancer. Jeanne was born April 3, 1951 in Madison to George and Elnora (Bemis) Wilson. She graduated high school in Madison and then went on to U. W. Madison where she received her B.S. in Sociology. She then attended Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky where she received her M.A. in Religion. She also was awarded a M.S. in Guidance Counseling at U. W. Stout. Jeanne was very active at First United Methodist Church in Appleton where she was a Stephens Minister. She was a Certified Spiritual Director and Founder and Co-Advisor of Kaukauna P.R.I.D.E. Youth Programs. Jeanne spent her life enjoying many of God’s creations through hiking, swimming, backpacking, and camping. She will be sadly missed by her loving partner Jacki Jensen, Appleton, her 2 daughters: Jamie (Nick) Coenen, Westfield, WI; and Kelly McBride, Fort Collins, CO; Her son Timothy (Abby) McBride, Panama City, FL, 3 grandchildren: Samuel McBride, Hannah McBride, and Leah Coenen, her parents George and Elnora Wilson, her sister Ellen (Roger) Miller, Oklahoma, and brother Dan (Beth) Wilson, Madison. Jeanne was preceded in death by her brother Tom Wilson. A Memorial Service for Jeanne will be held 6pm on Thursday September 27th at First United Methodist Church, 325 E. Franklin St. Appleton, with the Rev. Doyle Blanton and Rev. Grace Cajivat officiating. Friends may call directly at the church on Thursday from 4:30 until the time of service. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established for : Pine Lake United Methodist Camp, W8301 CTY Rd M, Westfield, WI
53964.

If you have memories or want to write a message to Jeanne, please add a comment to this post.

Dazed and Confused

I am very proud of my girls. They did the apple sauce process from start to finish.
They canned 20 quarts and started on dried apples

Kelly is hoping to have lots to take back to Colorado to supplement her diet and late night studying.

I have come to some conclusions about this cancer in my body. It is more ready than ever to take over. It doesn't want me remembering things, even the simplest things. The pain meds are also in want of a fight. Give them the simplest thought and there they are saying "oh, ya, bring it on, I can take you." Confused and doubting myself. Thank you for you prayers.

Appleton Apple picking, sauce and dried apple making party sponsored by the McBride Appleton picking party women, was the project of the day. First we hit Star Orchard and picked mostly Gala's ( a very sweet apple).
Taste taster no 1 gave the ok on the galaness of the Gala.
Tree top picker no. 1 gave the Ok on apples from the top.
Frisbee catcher number 1 gave her Ok on the Frisbee field.
Baby catcher number one had the number 1 say on Leah catching.
Apple tree alert, Oh how Gala it was.

An interesting thing happened to me today. Some friends wanted to come over and play games. I found how really drugged I am. I couldn't remember numbers. I am so out of it. I am having trouble remembering most short term things. I need to sleep alot. Doing my blog is getting to be a stretch for me.

Blessings

Yapples

The family went out for supper last week, on the Fox River. It is such a pretty time of year.
Leah has been spending hours in front of the dry erase board. She is going to figure out this baby fantasy foot ball, if any body can.

My Companions in Christ group came over this afternoon. We spent the afternoon working on a new quilt. for each of us. It will have each others hands embroidered on it. When we are finished we will be in each others hands, holding each other. It is an awesome concept.

Poor Jacki has a cold, I wish I could give her some of my sleep. I do an awfully lot of it.

Jamie and Leah are coming tomorrow to pick apples and make apple sauce. Kelly is getting back from Minneapolis. It should be a nice little apple party.

kona and her frisbee

Kelly is really proud of her puppy Kona. She has taught her how to catch her frisbee instead of just running at it and flipping over head first in the grass.

Harp

So first I get lazy, then my computer has a breakdown. Then they get real busy at the computer service department. I really missed my computer while it was down. I didn't realized how much I used it.
This is Bard Leah bringing us music from the old country.


I spent this weekend on a woman's retreat with church. We were at a friends cabin. We shared our hearts with each other. I am so thankful for these women. They are my soul companions, my midwifes for my death. They will be there for me through my process.

Love them Kids

My three Children. All together in one place. They are so happy. I am so happy just to have them around me. It is so hard to describe the richness of this blessing.
So which child has the best baby belly going?

Today's verse in Jeremiah talks about the clay in a potters hand is like we are in God's hand. As we yield ourselves, God Molds Us.
Yield - t0 allow access to yourself. To open ourselves up so God can have total access.

I am afraid the drugs in my brain are getting in the way of me being able to express myself. Anyway I appreciate God wanting to have total access to me.