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.

A Couple of "Firsts"

Time is marching along...I can't believe it is September!  We had a couple of "firsts" this week. Faith started at a new school, and we had student/parent orientation. It is a very different atmosphere from her previous school, one more relaxed and, hopefully user-friendly! Time will tell as we explore the new options and classes, get to know the teachers and students. I am really looking forward to more time together, learning about each other and how we relate to each other. Communication skills should grow, and respect and enjoyment of each other as well. At least...that's what I am hoping for! :-)  Time will tell.

The second "first" is that I sent a box to Hungary. I bet not too many of you can say that! I really enjoyed sending little boxes of love to Heather when she was in England. Little sillies, some things to make her feel cozy, a Turkey pin for herself and her friends for Thanksgiving. I expected to have as much pleasure sending to Hungary.   It was funny doing all the research online, speaking with people at the Post Office, and  finding prices for the box. Now, it's not a large box.  It only has a few necessities and a few oddities, maybe one or two items designed to bring a smile. The charges I got left me reeling! One company wanted over $300.00, the other one over $250.00!  You would think I was mailing the crown jewels in a 6 pound box!  Thankfully, the United States Post Office is still in business! I was able to send my box for a fraction of the cost...now to wait and see how long it takes to reach her! I have heard it can take up to a month. This is the part of the call to stay home that I am honored to do. The Lord has provided the items to send, the finances to pay for the mailing, and a sweet sense of fellowship with Him as I imagine her opening the package. You see, HE is there with her. HE guided my purchases and sent me to a very patient gentleman at the Post Office to send my box through. He goes before me and will oversee this package. Nothing is too small for my God's notice. I rest in that in so many things. HE is faithful.

Necessary Tools

Well, here I am again. I find myself in familiar territory while at the same time, feeling as if it's the first time.

Heather has flown away to Bible College. This picture is from the Los Angeles Airport, just before she went through security to places we cannot follow. We just aren't equipped with the necessary tools.

The Lord has been equipping Heather for this moment since the day she had to return from England. She wanted to stay then, longed and begged to be allowed to stay: it just wasn't the right time. She has been seeking the Lord for His timing, His plan, His will in her desire to be in Europe getting her bachelor's degree. I love that the Lord waited until she was content to serve wherever He called, then He called her to Himself for what I call a "4 month Retreat." He has been equipping her this whole time for this time, this place.   I sit back in awe at how he has moved so many obstacles. HE is an amazing God!

The familiar here keeps catching me unawares. How often I find myself thinking " Heather isn't here to do ______."  For example: my fashion consultant is now in Hungary, 9 hours ahead of me.  My late-night movie buddy is now without a TV (or movies, since we couldn't find room in her luggage.)  My Bible Study discussion person is  learning the book of Genesis - we're in the New Testament.  My computer expert is asking ME to google info for her - that part is really funny!  There are many occasions she will miss here: Faith's first concert (oh my...),  birthday party planning (oh my again!), and so many other events. I think it's grand that the Lord is showing me what a large part of my life she has a part in, and how much I enjoy her company and creativity.  I know that part of taking her there is to remind me to depend on Him even more than I do. In a  big way, He is drawing me closer. I am thankful for the reminder that I am not alone.

I would have loved to have walked Heather through the security check point. To have shielded the eyes of the person who did her body scan at the airport. I would have loved to accompany her on the plane, and walked the hallways of the Belgium airport during her 8  hour layover. I love to travel, I like airports, I am curious about many things.   Again..I am not equipped. I had no ticket, no passport, no money, and most importantly: no call from the Lord to GO. My call is to stay. Stay here, persevere in prayer, love on my family from close up, and and love from afar the one far away.  I will be faithful in my call, because it is the place of blessing, and I know that God is faithful in His part.  I rest in that, rejoice in that, and completely commit Heather in it.

Family Date Night

I think this says it all....We went to a Padre game and worshiped with MercyMe (Field level for the concert part, thank you very much) and the girls went to dinner and hung out. SWEET!

I find it remarkable that we can sit in a major league baseball park, and sing praises to our God. In so many places, just naming the mighty name of Jesus is cause for great bodily harm, censure, even death. I rejoice that I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation. I rejoice that last night I got to meet a new sister in Christ, Marie, and share part of my testimony with her. I got to learn of her, and lift our voices together in worship of our King. Where else can you meet someone new and already consider them part of your family? God is amazing!

It was rightly done, that as we all filed back out of the ball-field, we believers found ourselves singing still, as a worship song played as we exited. For while the band was done performing, we were still worshiping our King.

Thanks for a great night, MercyMe. You set our hearts to worshiping, you set our minds on sweet fellowship, you lifted up the name of Jesus. I look forward to the day when we all get to do it to His face.

Thank you, beloved husband, for sharing the experience and walking this path with me. I am a blessed woman.

The Harvest is Plentiful

Time flies, whether we blink or not. It's been a busy few months - not with major accomplishments or huge dramas, just the day in and day out business of life. My youngest just finished 6th grade, with a great amount of confidence learned and applied, and faith tested and found to hold. She ventured to 6th grade camp - teary eyed and boxes of Kleenex emptied she boarded the bus. Glowing, dirty and calm she returned 5 days later. A lesson on God's faithfulness and love learned in the sweetness of friends and counselors.



We planted seeds this spring. Seeds of fruits, of vegetables, trees blossomed and vines grew. We planted in hope. In expectation. We also planted in certainty that something fruitful, something good would return to us. We watered regularly, we watched out for predators and pests and dealt with them when they inevitably appeared. And now, we are seeing the fruit of our labors. Our trees are growing weighty with fruit. Our tomatoes are reddening on the vines. Our blackberries are ripening by the bunches and boysenberries eaten by the handfuls. I am ready to pick the first crop of nectarines from my tree, as the birds have proven the fruit is ripe.




There has been another type of harvest in my life, one in which I am most blessed and in awe. Seeds had been planted years ago in this precious one. Pests had been picked off this lovely plant with counsel and prayer. Weeds had been tended, sometimes in mumbles and sometimes in raging. Water was poured out over her, time and time again. I must admit that hope had grown dim. Then came that glorious day when the fruit had ripened and was ready to be harvested. She accepted Jesus as her savior on Mother's Day. Oh, how sweet! Hope deferred was hope received. The wonder of God's timing! It was such a great reminder to me to never give up. To persevere in prayer and to continue to water that seed until it grows. God's word never returns void!

What this summer will bring, the Lord knows. We have ideas of activities, thoughts of rest and play. I want to be useful. To redeem the time until the Lord returns, or takes me home. The harvest is plentiful, may I be useful to the Master of the harvest.

Hope

It's John 3:16 day!
"For God so loved the World that He gave His only begotten son, that whoever would believe in Him should not perish but have eternal life." AMEN!
3 years ago today I sat with my father-in-law, watching the sun rise after a night of heavy rain, as he went home to be with Jesus. Wow. What a wonderful picture of hope and healing. God does all things well, and that morning was especially beautiful. The cold rain had left tiny icicles on the leaves of trees and blades of grass, on windowsills and posts. These were lit with stunning colors from the incredible sunrise AND rainbow the Lord chose to send to give us peace and, joy. Yes, joy. We knew he was home.

I miss my father-in-law. He was a man of many gifts. He was a man of great intelligence, which belied his level of schooling. He was a man of many jokes, some off-color but always meant with humor, not hate. He was a strong man, full of honor and a sense of courtliness. He treated women with respect. He loved a good debate, which he seldom lost (that he admitted to, anyway :D) He had a strong sense of country and family. He seldom said "I love you" but always showed you in every way that he did, in fact, love you very much.

I am glad to say that this verse was one he believed in very strongly. I know that I will see him one day in glory, because he lived out his belief. He wasn't a typical, outward Christian, but one that lived each day knowing where his future lay. Even through the cancer, the pain, the setbacks, he knew where he was headed.

I hope you have this hope of heaven, and healing. If not, please consider this verse. It was said, for YOU. So you, too, would have joy.