Flying

Faith got a new bird today. We've not had birds as pets before, so I'm not really sure how this is all going to go. I do know a dog who thinks this may be an intriguing new toy. Hmmm.  Faith has been assuring us that she is ready for this new responsibility - I love that word as it joins her vocabulary.  I think this is a growing season for her.

2013 has begun with a bang. 1st bang of flu thanks to Heather. And..since we have temperamental plumbing, it decided to quit when we most needed it. As soon as she recovered, Chuck got the flu.  THEN we were able to fix the plumbing. Of course, not to be outdone, one of the the dogs needed an urgent appointment to the vet with pancreatitis.  If this is any indication of how the year is going to go, it's going to be an eventful one!

On another note, our dear Heather is praying about a return to Hungary. She has been asked to go for a 13 month commitment as an intern. What an honor! It has been cause for many prayers, and some wonderful conversations on the mysteries of the Lord and the marvelous ways He works to keep us dependent upon Him alone. I have rejoiced to pray with Heather, wept many tears at the thought of her long absence, and tried to be a good confidante and prayer partner. I am delighted to watch the way our Lord loves on her, stretches her, and completely understands her frame. We don't know what next week will hold (she would need to leave in the middle of next week) but we are so much more sure that God holds us in the midst of whatever will come. Whatever will be, I know that she will have to stretch her wings and fly.

I am so pleased to see how my family is growing and changing. Mind you, I'm not crazy about change myself....but the Lord is gentle and always surrounds me with His presence as He ushers it into my life.
 
Psalm 121:3-4  He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber.  Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

My Mother In Law turned 90 years old yesterday.  What an amazing thing to say!  I have been reflecting on all the changes she has seen in her lifetime: from out-houses to high flush commodes, telegrams to smart phones, walking country roads to jets crossing the Atlantic Ocean. She has lived through the Great Depression, picked fruit for wages, washed clothes on a washboard and tub, seen presidents rise and fall, country borders change and the Berlin Wall come down. She has seen American pride rise with the return of war heroes and the fall of the Twin Towers. She is truly an icon of America. She is a sassy lady full of family honor, strength and endurance. She has worked hard, loved richly, and given much. I really admire her.

I wonder what can be said of us when we turn 90?  Did we love with all our hearts? Did we protect and provide for our families? Did we watch our for our neighbors and friends?  Have we learned how to honor those whose lives we have touched, and made the best of whatever the Lord has provided? Have we done more than withhold evil - but returned good?   I want a name that says I have lived in a way that honors my Lord and my family.. I want to hear "well done" when my time here is through.

What would you have said about your life?

14 Years and Counting

Today is Faith's 14th Birthday.  Another milestone - for both of us. I can't help but relive those moments prior to and including her entrance into this world: they were amazing.  Full of what-if's, questions and concerns, and the ultimate statement I had been waiting 7 months to hear: she is a miracle.

Here we are, 14 years later. Lots of lessons learned, and lots more to come. We are both relatively healthy, with much to give God glory and thanks for. Really, that's what I am feeling the most: thankful. This child is a delight to discover as she grows and makes her personality more visible. She has a wonderful sense of humor, a warm heart, a deep love for her close friends and family, and a genuine gift with small children. Her gifts will increase, and develop as she grows - that is the way of things.

I am looking forward to all the future will bring: high school, first date, first prom, first job...the list goes on. It will be a joy to continue to watch her grow, and share in those special moments only Moms get to have. We have such a special part in our kids' lives - we help form their character with our words, our actions, our reactions. I pray that I have, and will continue to prepare her for her life with words of wisdom from the Word of God, with actions that say I believe those Words, and the surety of a Savior who loves her more than anything.

We were blessed with a lovely Skype date with Heather from Hungary.  We had a special breakfast of a cheese omelet and fried potatoes (which the dog helped himself to when her back was turned). We shopped for her special dinner: pot roast, mashed potatoes and cooked baby carrots, with a wonderful peach cobbler for dessert. Then: at her request, we broke out the Christmas decorations and began the mad mess that makes up Christmas. It was a great day, one of sweet memories and little details that make life so sweet. I especially loved the hug and kiss before bed :-)

Redeemed

My brother went home to be with Jesus today. I felt the song above was the only appropriate declaration of his life.  That which he is now, and that for which I am most thankful for.

I am sad, and at peace. I'll probably grieve for a while...but I am thankful I chose to go see him when I did. I got to look in his eyes, pray with him, and make him laugh and smile.He knew who I was, and we reminisced about some sweet times. The last time I saw him, he had fallen asleep with a look of contentment on his face. It was enough.  I know I'll see him in heaven one day - he prayed to receive Jesus as his Lord and Savior while I was there. It gave him peace, helped him rest, and something positive to focus his thoughts on.  I am very thankful for that.  He's my little brother. I'll miss him.  BUT...I will see him one day.  He has been redeemed.

Salt

I recently traveled to Kentucky, and Alabama, to see family. I wish the reasons were more cheerful. Normally, when I think of going back there it is because of a vacation or holiday. Christmas or New Years at my parents is a delight! Summer in Alabama is beautiful - a stark contrast from the desert of San Diego.  This trip, however, was sparked by a very different motivation.

It all began with a packet of salt. A few weeks ago, as we were studying the Beatitudes in Matthew 5, our pastor taught about being salt and light. He challenged us to pray about being salt to the unbelievers in and out of our lives.  I thought at the time that I really don't run into many unbelievers. My life is filled with Christians I know from my church family, my own relatives, and those I know in places I frequent.  I took the salt packet, put it in the pocket of my purse, and decided I would be looking around during the week to see whom the Lord may put in my path to minister to. The week went by, I was able to share some encouragement with someone, and thought maybe that was all there was to it.

2 weeks later, I received an email telling me my youngest brother was in the hospital in Kentucky with complete liver and kidney failure, and doctors had requested any family members that could come, should do so as soon as possible.  I have to admit, I didn't think of the salt packet at first. At first, I grieved.  I grieved for a young life that was wasted with poor choices. I grieved for the loss of a young man with children, that would never see them have families of their own.  I grieved the miles that had separated us for so long, and the baby brother I used to lay awake with on Christmas Eve while anticipating the crinkle of paper and feasts the next day.  But mostly, I grieved because I had no assurance I would ever see him again in heaven. There was no outward sign of a life surrendered  to Jesus as Lord and Savior. No speech to indicate even the smallest desire to want God in his life. No hint of peace.  And as I thought of these things, the message was brought to life. With tears in my eyes, and determination in my heart;  I booked my trip.

I was met by my parents at the airport in Kentucky. We knew our time was short, the doctor's message had made that clear. I won't go into the details of that visit - it's just too personal right now. What I do want to say, is that when we left a new soul was destined for heaven and angels were rejoicing. It was bittersweet: bitter because it took so many years of wasted pride before he was willing to surrender. Sweet, because we know without a doubt that the Holy Spirit prepared our hearts and his, for the work He wanted to do.  We had 15 minutes of perfect clarity, unity of the Spirit, and joy and peace evidenced on all our faces. I know that I will see my brother again - eternally. What joy there is in that assurance!

As I flew home, I happened to reach into the pocket of my purse for my phone. Underneath it, was a tiny salt packet. Still intact, still white, purposed there for me to find. I took it out and sat in awe at what it symbolized: God preparing my heart, the trip, the purpose He had when He placed those wonderful words on my Pastor's heart. I wrote my brother's name and his new 'birth date" on it. I wanted to give it to my Pastor: evidence of fruit from a  loving Father and His obedient servant.

Time Passing

Firsts here have made way to seconds. Faith went on her first "teen" outing: a concert at House of Blues.  We were truly blessed as a close family friend was able to give up her time and eardrums to take her. This precious soul is an extra blessing, as she is truly vested in Faith's well-being and spiritual growth. She has really helped ease the ache of missing a big sister.  Faith hasn't been a big music lover until now - now she is experiencing the joy of listening and following her favorite artist. It's funny to me how the times have changed. When I was a teen, we only knew of our idols from listening to the radio, buying albums or 8-track tapes, and occasionally listening in if a friend happened to be graced with a special ticket to a concert. Nowadays, you can follow your favorite band on Facebook, Twitter, and their own private blogs and webpages. You can go to concerts live, or via the web. And yet....things remain the same. The same giggle, the same glow, the same fantasies in a youngsters heart over a man who makes music. Times don't really change all that much, do they?

I am getting ready to send my 2nd box off to Hungary. The first one took only 6 days to receive, and the letter I sent 7 days, so I am feeling very confident!  I have considered many times what should go in, how much room I have, how much money I should spend...all the joy of my heart in anticipation of the look on her face when she receives it. I love a little surprise tucked in with the practical.  Heather did send me a list of necessities, especially with her outreach coming up the middle of October. I have been watching the weather there and trying to anticipate needs. Oh! the fun a little box can bring.

A second month is ready to begin over in Hungary. It seems so strange to say that she has been gone a whole month! I know that things are settling down into the "new normal' for her. The calls to and from there  are less, the hours of sleep are more, familiarity has helped ease the distance from those we love.   There is lots of humor, new languages to learn, and trips to plan for from this new base of operations. What a tremendously loving and comforting God we have, to make this transition with and for us!  For I see Him stretching us on both continents. In different ways perhaps, but always with the same goal: conforming us into the image of Jesus. He is a faithful God, good and kind. I am excited to see what else He has for us to experience.

Autumn is coming here, for while the weather is still  hot I can see the change in the lighting. We're getting some moisture in the evening, the light is a little more golden, the days are beginning to shorten.. I am really looking forward to some frosty mornings, rain dancing on leaves, and wearing a sweater from time to time.  It's just another way to say: God makes everything beautiful in it's time (Eccl. 3:11)

The world is a little smaller

 

This is what Europe looks like when you view it on a map. It seems large, distant, and the names and places seem so foreign when you are sitting in California looking at it.  I know...I look at the map on the wall in Heather's room often. I try to imagine what she is seeing at that time of day, the people she is meeting, and the things the Lord is showing her. She can seem so very far way.  Then: a wonder happens. She calls me on Skype, and her voice and face fill the room. Her laughter brings smiles, her trials bring tears, and the amazement of all the Lord of the universe is speaking to her fills me with awe.  The world in not so small after all, when we can connect with the loved ones that are there.

Now that Heather lives in a foreign country, I am getting exposed to all kinds of new things.  Roommates from Brazil that chat about their families and the God that brought them to this new country.  I hear stories of a girl from Syria, called by the Lord but who couldn't arrive for an extra week because her government was in uproar.  I hear the sounds of a new language, trying to form familiar words spoken here.  I learn of a country full of fragrant flowers, raindrops on leaves, 'wellies' and raincoats, tea parties and homework, and I realize how very small this world is after all.

It is a wonderful thing, this map. I find that it unites me to peoples I have never met. It makes me compassionate towards the needs of people I may never meet until we are all in heaven. It makes me realize afresh, how sweet it is to embrace God's plans. For, while I know He is working far away in Hungary, I also know He is working here, on my side of the map.  What a small world, when it is held in the Father hands.