June 30, 2005   We had a busy day yesterday... doctor appointments and tests and returned home safely to find that the cherry order had arrived and many boxes of Bing and Rainier cherries were waiting for us on the porch.  Many families had been here to pick up their cases and some remained to be picked up. 

So, yes... today, life is a bowl of cherries! And tomorrow will be... and the next day...  So, it looks like the work's cut out for the next several days... and the raspberries are coming on nicely, and so it's time to begin making raspberry preserves and freezer jam!  Every year we seem to run out of raspberry jam well before the season arrives again!  I think the favourite snack in the world for our boys is fresh potato rolls with raspberry freezer jam eaten while standing at the sink!  (I finally got some pics downloaded to my computer so now have pics---Joey's and my mom's birthday party!-------scroll)

Concerning the "good old days,"  Kathryn just now came to me and asked me to look up a verse, [Ecclesiastes 7.10]: 
 "Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this."

 

 une 29, 2005   I poured over pictures late last night... hundreds and hundreds of images of the last four years---and I marvel, knowing that in many of those days, the pictures don't adequately reflect the reality of the day; and then I considered that my perceptions of those experiences were often as limited as one frame of film could capture.  Sometimes, all I could see was the small square right in front of me---totally missing the enormous scope all around me and behind that frame.  

As I brushed through to the ends of her hair, I thought: four years' growth.  All the while, I was seeing images of days gone by.  All dressed up in the polka-dotty dress and bloomers, little pink shoes and jacket... skipping out the door to go on the birthday-breakfast-date-with-daddy.  It's... tradition(!) for each child to go on a birthday-breakfast-date-with-daddy.  So they drove off (after pictures, of course).

Today we celebrate our 'baby' Amelia's fourth birthday...  I don't think I had any idea that day, four years ago,  that she'd likely be our last baby.  I suppose along the way, I've known, Wes has known, and the family has known that she's quite unique---being the "last baby" and all.  So this little child's the only one to have stayed in our bed as long as she did, she's the only one to have had thousands of pictures snapped (okay, so they're digital pics), and she's the only one that's gotten the abundance of attention since the first few babies.  I didn't keep the first babies as babies any longer than their abilities indicated or independence demanded.  The first few babies held positions much like the last baby---lofty positions and huge amounts of love and attention, praise and admiration.  But I think, even they, did not garner the benefit of the unique arrangement of her life.  I loved them---adored them, but I think I didn't value things I highly value now.  I couldn't---I had little experience, no frame of reference and didn't understand the consequence or finality of decisions and days and actions.  I thought I understood when people would say *these* are the good old days.   Now I know... *these* *are* the good old days and those were the good old days.  Every day is a gift...

Several things written on the calendar for this day---just checked mail and wanted to finish this blog entry.  A friend's email was really timely to read before I leave for some appointments.  I know, I am abundantly blessed when I read mail such as that and then when I mull over the scripture verse she sent, I am encouraged more and more.

 

 

June 28, 2005  We've been working about; the dailies seem to consume a great deal of time no matter how many great systems we set up or how many time saving appliances we buy.  Sometimes I think that all the marvelous, time saving appliances are doubling the work load!  Even still... before I go to bed at night I tell my girls in the kitchen: thank you... now go to work, I am going to bed!  And they do... my girl, the washer;  my girl, the dishwasher; my girl, the dryer.  Now, I can't get some workers to do what they're employed to do. 

Take the cats, for example.  In the middle of the night I heard this creepy munching sound.  Immediately, so as to share the experience, I woke Wes and calmly told him a mouse (!) was eating things in the bathroom. So, we got up and as he went to check the cabinet, I ran back and jumped in bed so I wouldn't get in his way.  As I woke to the scratching sound in the morning, I realized that the mouse had to be under the floor or whatever and we were not going to actually be able to catch it----we, I always mean Wes.

Well... the mouse was never found and the cats brought no treasures to the porch, so I now think those cats are more useless than ever.  I contemplate nature and the food chain and wonder who the next participants will be... especially knowing that there are lots of animals out there at night.  That's my mantra to them... eat or be eaten by passersby and don't let mice chomp around under this old house! We have a bunch of sets of these cats... and I'm thinking they'd be very nice for someone else's home.  

For some reason, I keep having problems with this page... some strange corruption and can't figure it out.  Sometimes, I think it's the enemy trying to toss me off track or thwart efforts to post something about the persecution ---which I am planning to do today.  I find that the more I see and read about the atrocities around the world, the more I wonder if all who are signing on to the "One Campaign" or the "Make poverty history" campaign ever read about the sickening conduct and acts of violence around the world.  It may be said to be occurring in the United States as well---but only on a much more tame, seemingly civilized level.  Here, organizations are ousted or people are fired for Christian beliefs---but in other parts of the world, torture and death is common.  I wouldn't know much about this were I to rely solely upon American media for news and information, but fortunately, or unfortunately (as my self-centered sorry soul takes cover), mission organizations, and VOM, the persecuted church, tell the stories that need to be heard and make known the harsh realities of evil tyrants and dictatorial governments and their practices.  I guess this is why, more and more, I find the work of those who seek to free those who are oppressed by their government to be an arduous and perhaps impossible task---especially when the government supporting the effort is dismantling its own platform brick by brick.  Our country will very soon end up in the same place... unless the LORD intervenes.  But, when a nation turns its back on God, the consequences are dire, and our nation surely steps day by day further from the Truth.  "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." Hebrews 10.31

It's commendable for the President to beseech the nation's patience, especially given the number of successes and the great price of freedom in Iraq, but it's increasingly difficult to unwaveringly support the campaign against terror.  I keep wondering what the real solution is or what "the end"  of this war will be or how will it be measured.  Is there a point where US forces leave or when enough is enough?  And considering the atrocities in other nations, how long will Iraq remain top priority?  I can't see it.  But---this is from an outsider--a bystander who daily reads mixed views and journals of current events. 

I shall not be surprised at anything after this past week's decisions by the US Supreme Court.  I'm baffled by the double-speak of the Ten Commandments decision(s).  And then the decision regarding private property(!) in the States... wow.  We already see that money talks when it comes to development of land, but now, the taking of land for money's sake gives property ownership a whole new definition.  I guess it's only a matter of time before a total revolt occurs in this nation.  Taxpayers will only take so much or be taken for so much, rather, before they snap.   I don't know how serious this piece is, but regardless, it won't be long before more people build buildings like this just to make a point... and all it takes is money.  Lots of money.

And finally....
Every now and then, a story comes out and I find myself wondering: how would I handle that?!?  I want to tell my children about it and then another part of me wants to keep it quiet so they aren't alarmed *or instructed* about something they never knew about.  I think fear paralyzes us parents lots of times---especially if we've had a prodigal or a child who's caused great grief.  So, needless to say, I talked to the children and decided to tell them the whole deal so that they'd be aware of the consequences of trying something that they might be told is totally cool and totally harmless.  Now, at this point in our life, our children aren't in any "youth groups" and don't hang out with people who stupidly attempt to lead them astray.  We talk and talk and talk and talk.  We hang out together and we work together.  We plan together and then we talk some more.  But I'm not naive and I don't live in a fantasy world with a belief that bad things can't/won't happen.  They've happened before.  I pray they don't happen again.  They happened before *in church* and so I am not deluded that isolation or  insulation prevents sin.  Anyway... so instead of canned whipped cream, model glue, aerosol pan spray, or some other parent's prescription drugs, now teens might be getting into canned air---and calling it "dusting."   I wonder... are we guilty of showing them things when we do things like inhale the helium from helium balloons or squirt whipped cream into their mouths.  Dust-Off, used to save dear computers just might be the source for death in dear lives.  And just like the argument that virtualsex is not real, or that there are degrees of sin or whatever.  Doing a little more reading about "dusting," I discovered that apparently, teens who know that "huffing" is dangerous are saying that "dusting is not huffing."    As I read, I immediately grieved for the parents of teens who get trapped this way.  I immediately thought of our sons and how I would handle such a tragedy and then I went to talk to them...

 

June 27, 2005  Last night, before and after  I wrote the following a couple of paragraphs, I was so troubled by the wellspring of activity and emotion being poured into the perceived plight of Africa.  I wrote the following, knowing that the world is being deceived---but also knowing that there are *many* who know the truth and the true condition in and of Africa.  So then, when I came to read mails this morning, I was comforted by a sister in Christ---who sees what's going and has firsthand knowledge...  (I will post her note at the end of what I wrote last night.

As I continue to mull over (and over and over!) the implications of financial and nutrition intervention in Africa... I don't have to look far to see why such intervention will not work or will not result in relief.  It takes very little examination of current events to see the evils and atrocities being committed  in various countries.  Just consider Robert Mugabe, president of Zimbabwe.   A long history of atrocities at his hand.  "It is estimated that in less than one month, Mugabe has destroyed 25 percent of the Zimbabwe economy. "  This, from Worldnet Daily.

It is thought that the G8 leaders have it in their (so called) power to "alter history" and to end poverty.  I wonder about this over and over.  Christian leaders are involved.. grassroots campaigns are springing up all over.  So the debts are cancelled... so the aid is doubled.  What of the tyrannical leaders?  What of the political corruption?  Will one percent more aid to these poor nations cause the corrupt leaders to cease their evil regimes?  Unless these nations turn to the LORD, they will in no wise change----perhaps they will receive *some* benefit--- but the proposition for eradicating poverty will not have lasting results if the powers that be remain as they are today.  The "One Campaign" makes incorrect assumptions... or infuses false hopes.  And this, from someone who ardently supports world missions and economic and nutritional relief---in the name of Jesus and for His glory.  Media has tremendous power... power to sway, power to shape.  Repeated often enough and with proper proportions of emotion and "fact," the media's resulting impact is staggering.  Consider the stated reasons for poverty and the solutions offered.  Those who seek to help are missing what the African people need the most... and they can't give anything of value until they have it themselves... they need Jesus.  The African people need Jesus.

Dear Pamela
 I share your thoughts on the Campaign to make Poverty History. I lived in South Africa from 1973 to 1986. My husband is South African, born in Durban, Kwa Zulu Natal. In those early years, many people, black and white, feared God. In every single town, no matter how big or small, there was at least one church ~ usually more. Over the years, we've watched Africa's people turn from God. A country rich in natural resources. So much so, that when the "world" instigated sanctions against South Africa, they feared not; they were self sufficient! Independent! In this very independence, they became independent of their Creator. We believe that this fact has now taken it's toll..... Many country's are following likewise. It's just time..... We don't believe that the world's help will reach the needy people directly (Robert Mugabe, PM of Zimbabwe is testament to the fact that real, practical help never reaches the people. Farmers of Zimbabwe ~ some who have owned land for generations and are now homeless are proof of greedy dictators, who care not for their own people. Africans have been driven from their homes, told that their shanty towns in Zimbabwe look too unsightly for "image-sake"). I still have two brothers in major cities in Africa. Recently, one had his family held up at gunpoint. The other brother trains people in the "art" of handling a gun for their own protection. Africa doesn't need glamour. Africa needs Jesus. Blessings! Helen

June 26, 2005   In less than a week the world will experience a media extravaganza of epic proportions... the heroic effort to make public the plight of Africa---to educate, influence and persuade world leaders to do what it takes to end poverty.  Impoverished people in a country very rich in natural resources. 

Every time I hear of the One Campaign, Or make poverty history I have this nagging thought and I can't articulate it... but it's a thought of anguish---anguish for the lost and anguish for the guides.  All the efforts sound sincere... so marvelous... so great, so charitable, so right.  But... I don't know.  It's a magnanimous effort, a marvelous gesture, really---but it's not the right one, I believe.   Ending poverty---for how long?  When the lights go out and the next big break comes for any of the musicians or 'stars' or 'religious leaders' or political leaders... will they remember?  Is the poverty a result of disaster and will this enormous bandaid allow for the healing and restoration of the country's poorest?  No... it will only look good, feel good for the dynamic force gathered, the impressive line-up of mega stars and mega-church leaders and will catapult the world into a frenzy of judgment against who they will be led to believe are the mean, prosperous countries who have been stingy with all their excess and have the power and money to end the problem that's causing the depravation, hunger and oppression of the poor.  Forgiving the debt is quite a high moral proposition.  Ending world hunger, a magnificent endeavor.  But will those two efforts actually help the very people suffering the most?   Is God using this whole drama to bring attention to the deeper needs of the world?  Is God allowing this massive problem and the enormous exposure it is receiving for His glory?  Will He be glorified in all of this?  Will people begin to once again call on the Name of the LORD?

I'm grateful to all the missions organizations and missionaries around the world who are and have been making a real difference for decades---saving a life at a time.  Bringing life giving bread and living water... setting people free from the bond of sin and death.  While an enormous outpouring has and will generate huge sympathy and a deluge of financial support, there is more to "world hunger" than lack of food and  money---those are symptoms of a horrific problem of sin and corruption.  The pitiful dear souls who need help the most will likely not get it---or the genuine help they need will be temporary.  Not really... I think just like the so called war on terror, the enemy is not understood.  The corruption and disease of government powers has been shrouded or undetermined----the power of the enemy has been misjudged and the consequence of sin and ignoring God has been underestimated.

The world hated Jesus...
and yet,
He is the only One who can save it.

An amazing line up for the campaign to make poverty history.  I'm sure I would be emotionally involved and stirred to a different action were I to be steeped in the Live 8 concert or the One Campaign or the Make Poverty History.... I pray God will hear the prayers of His people, I pray for repentance and obedience to the LORD... only then will there be genuine peace.

 

June 25, 2005   Today's Naomi's half birthday.  So, Halfy Birthday to you, Halfy birthday to you, Halfy Birthday, dear Naomi, Halfy Birthday to  Youuuu.  Six months from today will be Christmas.  Naomi was thinking about the things she’d like to have for lunch tomorrow… said she was “considering teriyaki chicken and rice and that salad with the cheese and croutons… not the spinach type, but the other type of salad.  That, or ---I know it’s too expensive, but… steak.  I’d really like steak...”  So… well, we’re not having steak. 

Had an IM chat with Timothy this morning.  ‘Said he was doing fine.  It was a blessing to be able to chat with him---I’m grateful for tech. that allows this---but I am realizing deep down that this may not always be the case as there will likely be places where such contact might not be possible.  Where he currently is in Mexico, the communication is good, however, nearby it might not be so.   

Timothy was happy to receive email from a friend of our family who is overseas.  We so admire him and so I know, for Timothy to hear from him, it was a great boost---I marvel at the great blessing of communication---the great privilege it is to be able to instantly communicate with people regardless of location in the world. It’s a marvelous time to be living---not so much for some of the extremely negative consequences of technology, but for the benefits of such.

All the planes taking off and landing here at the little airport alert me to the fact that it’s a lovely day and not much flying gets done in the hangar, so I need to get bizzy buzzing around here before I miss what could be done!

 

June 24, 2005    Some of my most favourite books are old classics and many out of print books.  We were blessed to receive many hundreds of books from Wes's parents---as a pastor and missionary, his dad's library was extensive.  My mother-in-law, also, has supplied me with numerous valuable books and study tools over the years.  One of the great blessings of the "electronic age" is the availability of great classic that can be downloaded to individual computers. 'Course, there is *nothing* like holding an old book in your hands... or the musty smell of hundred year old books... but when you're looking for great encouragement and Bible applications,  Esword offers tremendous volumes of works by great men of the faith.  All you need is... space!  :-)

There have been two fires nearby our home in this past week----until the smoke cleared, we couldn't tell the extent of the damage of the fire across from us.  As it turned out,  it was the shop, and not the home, that burned.  Then a couple of nights ago, we again heard the sirens whirring through town and looked west and saw there was another fire.  This time, the flames were significantly greater and higher.  So, Wes asked who wanted to go see --- you don't have to ask me twice if I want to go check out a fire --- so Wes, Kathryn and I hopped into the van and took off toward the fire.  We thought it was much closer than it turned out to be.  As we drove across the flats (the farmland here in the valley), we could see that it was one of the old houses on Lowell-Larimer Road.  We knew (as we always know) that we weren't going to be able to see much, but that's part of the great thrill only people who jump at the chance to chase fires know.  I don't even know why I always want to go check out the fires---I always cry when I see the devastation and I always have that foreboding sense that the next fire could be our own.  Nonetheless, when I hear sirens, my first impulse is to grab my keys and head for the van.  Our children know that I will do this...  and I'm always profoundly aware that I need to find a roundabout way or an out of the way place to view the fire so as to stay completely clear of the routes used by Fire or Police or  EMT's dealing with the fire.  In this town, there are some interesting buildings of historical value and I suppose that that's part of the apprehension I feel when trying to pinpoint the location before leaving home. I never chase sirens, though... only fires.  I guess what sirens indicate hits too close to home and I never want to see the end of that line... I know too much about what might be there, I suppose.

I sort of watch for "Christian headlines" and who's making the news.  I think it's going to be interesting to watch in the days ahead what's going to happen to "Christian Leaders" and their activities in light of what other Christian leavers are doing.  When mega "churches" do something that "works" then the trend is followed by others who want to have a piece of the mega-pie.  When one writes a mega-book then other mega books come along to unseat the first.  So it will be with trends... not much is falling out now, but pretty soon the feed the world mantra will dominate and the fight for literacy will will the space that personal purpose once filled.  All the while, many in the world will be searching for someone to look up to... someone to thank and many,  someone to blame.   A few names come to mind... we'll see how it pans.

I was perusing the news.... More apologies are being demanded from senators who couldn't bring themselves to apologize for their own similar actions and sends up red flags for what smokescreens must surely be present. Then, there's the unending defense of Michael Jackson and relentless commentary regarding treatment of prisoners at Guantanamo.  As days go by, it seems that more and more, we're being inundated with such a glut of  "media waste."   For example, (and I now can't believe that I took the time to read it) a line caught my eye and I read a transcript of the dialogue between Matt Lauer and Tom Cruise---what amazed me was the amount of time spent saying nothing.  I guess we all do that, though... spend a lot of time telling people we're passionate about something and yet tell them little or nothing specific about that thing we're so passionate about.  Sad truth is, lots of times when we do share what we're passionate about, many couldn't care less about what we think or say because they're more concerned about defending their own passion.  So, in the end, we find ourselves rather alone in a state I've often quoted: "I have no mouth, and yet I must scream." 

 

June 23, 2005   So that happened... For over a month, the calendar seems to have been filled with doctor's appointments for various members of our family.  Today Hannah and I went to the eye doc.   When asked about the last eye exam, I replied that I couldn't really remember but that it was not too long ago... maybe 10 years or so.  Okay... so maybe it was 15.  A little more time has passed than I thought.   Well... so, both Hannah and I both went through the routine... better? how about now? One... and two, and one and two.  I was sitting there... thinking no, wait: I think one was better----or was it two?  So she consoled me by saying that at my age (!) this is to be expected and then the decline in vision would level off...  My decline will level off at some point, for certain.  I hope I live long enough to see it.  So we need to get glasses... Hannah and I attempted to make a selection while at the optometrist, but I couldn't really see the frames all that well and then when told the price of the progressive lenses, I thought: Omy, I'd better go home, make a mocha and think it over.  The eye doctor said one of the neat (!) features of progressive lenses is that the tell-tale-age-related bifocal line in the glasses is hidden(!).   Well, suchadeal.   I sort of nodded---my eyes already glazed over.  And then I considered my tell-tale-age-related hair colour just might be a dead give away that I'm not going to be celebrating number 29 on my next birthday, either.  I had yet another temptation to go out and make friends with Miss Clairol.

Hannah was gracious to walk with me out to the van while I was wearing the attractive cardboard and dark plastic sunglasses and very lightly blurred vision from having my eyes dilated---I really could see pretty well to drive but this sunny day was extremely bright!  Returning home, I couldn't wait to run upstairs to Wes's office to show him my new glasses... he was working intently on his computer and turned around to see me in my cool new shades.... he smiles and says, nice; very nice.  He took my picture.  My normally brown eyes are a deep black today.    Wes said he'd take us tomorrow to make our choices... you know, for those youthful progressive lenses.

I've been tagged... book-tagged, that is!  So... here goes:

Tagged by Carla
Joys in the Journey- http://www.joysinthejourney.blogspot.com
Homespun Homemaking- http://www.praiseherinthegates.blogspot.com

June 22, 2005    I think I know where I'd like to be this morning.  I'd like to be curled up in the chair beside Barbara's desk... taking in her tremendous view or looking on as she types away and maybe taking up that (June 22 '05) conversation with Sophia.  I guess I'd take up that conversation with anyone willing to have it---and I suppose most people who read this blog would be echoing the refrain that children are a gift of the LORD... and the people who reject that probably won't be reading this either.

We have the conversation many times in our home.  Not so much about gender selection, or even abortion but about determining family size or setting limits on God.  It seems to come up each time the next child comes to an age of reasoning and understanding that *they* were born into the family *after* many were already here---and that had we not allowed God His authority and sovereignty over the womb---and that does not mean we set out to have "as many "kids" as we could have," either,  because in our minds, that would also be attempting birth control.  Invariably, over the years, our children have also commented that they're glad we had them, etc., etc.   O, I've been jumbled humbled many times over the years as I have considered what life would be like had given into fear, or had we listened to the critics or had we believed the media and the anti-family rhetoric and the diatribes of those who live only for themselves and can't or, rather, won't trust the LORD for His ways.  This probably sounds gruff---base, maybe, about such a delicate topic---but is God's sovereignty such a delicate topic?  Is His Lordship over the womb a sensitive topic?  Or is is maybe a topic that strikes a nerve and that's what's sensitive about it.  Whatever the case, the Bible's clear on what God thinks of children and regarding His opening or closing of the womb.

When Kathryn was born (we had two sons already) ---people, well-meaning people, I suppose, would say: O, now you have your girl---now you can be all done.   I can hardly breathe when I think of what we would have done---who we would have missed---what lives would've been cut off had we not yielded to the LORD and had we given into fear or the overconfidence of the flesh.   Had we listened, we would have missed Timothy... and the next one, and the next one, and the next one, and the next one, and the next one, and the next one, and the last one... and more than that, we would've missed the Way and Will of the LORD.  Do you ever think about the things or ways you've chosen and considered or asked how the LORD would have used you had your whole life been yielded to Him?  I think about this and it is sobering, to say the least.  Where would He have taken me had I totally yielded my life to Him from the start?  I stagger.

I know He's exaggerated our family size for His purposes---I often do not know why He's done what He's done---and I surely do not see how.  But I trust Him to keep writing the story and lighting the way.  And this I know: God *is* truly and utterly faithful and all His ways are good.  We do not have these children through any merit of our own or through any unique plan---it's all because of His mercy and His doing.   All that He has done compels me to love Him more and more and to serve Him more and more.  There is no place I could be where His love could not keep me and nothing could happen to me that His grace would be insufficient to cover.  I think of the news piece about a  little child just born with three legs and the hardships that child and that family will necessarily endure---was that a mistake?  Did God shift His gaze?  Of course not and surely not---I pray that the mother will see the Righteous Right Hand of the LORD in her life and trust Him for His work and walk with Him through the valley.   What blessings does the LORD have in store for that family?  Countless times we've seen the LORD work in marvelous ways on our behalf---you've seen this too in your life if you've walked with Him awhile.  "There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD."  Proverbs 21.30

 

 

On a totally different note --- or line, as the case may be, here at our house movie lines make up 50% of some conversations.  There was a time, many years ago, that Wes had to practically "ban" movie lines from dinnertime conversations---'bout drove him crazy, poor guy!  Anyway, considerable restraint was exercised after that... at least at the dinner table.  Over time, I've come to see that movie lines served a very useful purpose and if I was going to *dialogue* with the children, I was going to have to come up to speed *or* bring *them* up to speed regarding what they were saying or what I was saying to them.  Different one-liners sort of form a cohesion around here and sometimes, the levity is needful.  I know... this has nothing or little to do with anything---but everything has something to do with something, I suppose, and so, in our home movie lines are bandied around or set up and lobbed back and forth like a volleyball game.  Each child having a particular line or series of lines from a particular movie and each delivers the lines with practiced perfection.  Where'd I come up with this line of thinking today??  O, it was in the news: Top 100 Quotes From US Films.   Sometimes our children will read a quote in the paper and wonder what movie or book it came from---sort of an innate sense that the line wasn't an original---not with them, anyway.  When it's time to get busy or have the boys do something... "Carpe diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary!"

Some lines that stick with us are used to finish sentences when we don't know what else to say... or to signal understanding: "I got da chipper paht" ("I got the cheaper part"- a line from father of the bride) or sometimes:  a nod and "grasshopper."  Or, if we want someone to stop immediately: "Don't eat it miss Stacy!" (Anne of green gables).  When asked where the treats are:  "I'd tell you but then I'd have to..."  Many lines come from movies never personally viewed... they're often from our older boys who probably misquoted or restyled the quote to fit the situation and that's the quote that stuck.  Whatever  the case...

 

June 21, 2005  The first day of summer and it's ........... stormy and earlier, all over the Puget Sound, we saw flashes of lightening and heard the rumble of thunder.  The rain and stormy weather sort of matched the mood as we drove away from Sea-Tac airport where we left Timothy at the C gates entrance. 

Because of the long lines, we were glad to have arrived early at the airport so that there'd be plenty of time to get Timothy checked through in time head over to his gate.   I was so glad he didn't have any troubles with ID, passport or tickets.  And so his bag was easily checked through. Our family was sort of huddled together as we watched him wind his way through the corded lines heading to the baggage scan and metal detectors.  We were watching with tear welling up in our eyes---still trying to smile and look encouraged for him as he moved through the line.

We noticed a woman in line several rows behind him had slipped out of line and we realized that she was heading over to talk to us.   Smiling, she inquired if we were part of the church....... and we smiled and said yes---we are believers in Jesus and we follow Him.  We told her that we met with other Christians in homes and that it had been about a year since we had been part of a Baptist church.   She then shared that she immediately noticed our girls' dresses and could tell by the way we looked and "how sweet the children were all standing---so well behaved" together that we just had to be believers... and she didn't want to miss the opportunity to say hello.  Turns out, she was visiting her parents here and was heading back to Texas where she works with Homestead Heritage.  She asked if I was familiar with An Encouraging Word and Skeet Savage... and I replied, yes, of course, as I had just received The HomeSchool Digest last week.  Well, turns out that they are friends and so that was an encouraging word.   It was a pleasant interruption to the moment... and after exchanging names, she returned to the ever lengthening lines. 

I've often commented, you never know who you're going to meet and what divine appointments you're going to experience.  I guess I consider that part the living out and of the meaning of the verse: 1Peter 3.15 "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:"  Meetings like that make me all the surer that Heaven is going to be filled with beautiful music... for the lingering music of meetings the LORD's orchestrated has surely been sweet.

So we traveled a little bit and Wes answered the sniffles in the van with a question:  Who'd like fish 'n chips?!?!  Since the ever practical Timothy was on an airplane and not in the van, there were no dissenters and the unanimous I  dooooooo's convinced him to carry out his plan to stop by Alki Beach for their famous fish 'n chips.  Though the rain was now beating against the glass of the restaurant, by the time we split five 'specials' and were very full, the tears for Timothy had subsided a bit!   When we got to the van, 'melia said we ought to go back to the airport to pick up Timothy.  We told her we couldn't do that and she said okay and carefully enunciating every syllable: could we go to Guad--ah--la--harrrra, then?   Awwww.

Timothy has a seven hour layover in LA and then flies on to Jalisco to Guadalajara and will arrive in the morning at 6:30 and then will head to Tonala where he will have more language study and a soccer camp.  He was happy to be going again and was thrilled for the way the LORD is working on his behalf... showing Himself Strong and Mighty.

 

June 20, 2005   The days are moving so swiftly or I am moving so slowly that I cannot keep up with what I need to do---let alone finish the unfinished business of yesterday.  I'm beginning to see that once yesterday's gone... just be done with it.  There's no such thing as getting back to something anymore.  I used to go back and finish things or be able to walk out of a room and come back in to finish a conversation or whatever.  I'm not so adept at doing that anymore and ohmygoodness, I am beginning to understand why women my age slow down or stop having babies... not only would we set them down and forget where we put them, but when the youngest child starts saying mommy-gramma...

Yes, we had our grandchildren here Monday evening and it was nice to be able to spend a little bit of time with them and to have friends visiting, too, who had children about the same age.  I marveled as we stood in the kitchen... our family and theirs and between the two families, we have 23 children and 7 grandchildren.   Timothy will leave for Mexico tomorrow and so... we had today.  My husband prayed for our meal and evening together and as we stood there, I was staggered by a thought---O, LORD God, It's a marvel to me how the LORD has been gracious and so merciful to this pitiful vessel.  I don't share that to elicit sympathy or compliments---I say it bcz I am and was so humbled at the love of God... I consider my favourite hymn:  The Love of God... I consider the words I've loved so much they've become my own refrain.

That beautiful hymn resonates and echoes in my mind as I consider the wonders of the LORD, His matchless grace, His unbounding love and mercy in our lives.  We cannot begin to fathom what He's done for us. I marvel as I have been considering Job.  The book of Job is an incredible book---in gaining a right view of the Righteous and Holy God---above which there is no other.  Imagine Job---it's thought to be the oldest of the Bible books---and consider the honour and the humility and the right perception of the LORD.  I do long for a long walk with the Saviour... I long to know Him in that way... "Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him..."  I long to know Him and will praise Him more and more.  He is the potter.  I am the clay.

 

Earlier that day...
When I was writing last night about the day we'd spent, I guess it might read strange.  It was just a very surreal day.  A day I am treasuring and "pondering in my heart."  Since many of the families we ordinarily meet with on Sunday's had different plans, we had decided to meet on Saturday instead---and we did.  So, that left yesterday to unfold as it did.   As I share about the oddities or the 'first's' or whatever, I share because it helps me get a better handle on what it is to be the body of Christ and what it is to be the church and what it is to be a believer traveling the journey in this way---that, and invariably, I will write about something that's the very thing someone else is going through.  It's not the way I grew up... (not in church) and it's not the way Wes grew up (always in church), and it's not the way we spent the first 25 years of our marriage (very involved with the churches we 'attended') and yet, now I see how God was preparing us for "such a time as this."  Trusting Him fully in all that we do, resting in His promises and waiting on Him as we walk with other believers. 

Yesterday was an important day as we reflected on what God is doing, how He's leading and seeking how we might be an encouragement to others.  I think the thing we've been praying about the most is unity---unity in the body of Christ and the need for believers to be candid with one another and before the LORD.  It can be real easy to live a life void of transparency and yet still be 'going to church' and doing all the stuff.  I came to realize that it's pointless to attempt to explain what we're doing and why and why we are "out" of the church (denominations, etc.) and it serves no good purpose to attempt to validate churches meeting from house to house----------------for the one will always attempt to justify and the other will always have to defend.  And that, to me, falls right in line with the enemy's strategy to "keep 'em busy" so they have no time to serve the LORD.  If we are so busy defending what we do... then, what we do will be compromised.

June 19, 2005   We have a new phrase here... this blog's now my autoblography.  So... here's today's writing of my autoblography.

If you don't read much else today, take a moment to read Amy's blog... It's great... I'm referring to her Father's Day blog.  Her writings never disappoint --- and this one is no exception.  I miss those "guess what, honey" days and the sweetness of anticipation of what the LORD was doing.   I miss the early years... I surely did not have what Amy has today---and perhaps never will have the tremendous advantages she enjoys: walking with the LORD with great encouragement, insight, training and inspiration that is so evident.  But... one thing we share is sweetness of the "guess what, honey" days... hers now... mine, then.

We did have a sweet Father's Day... another "first" in our life.  This was the first Father's Day that we didn't spend at a church.  Wes played tennis with Kathryn as I prepared a surprise breakfast for when they returned.  It was a blessing to be quiet together.  Quiet.  Home.  It was a blessing to just be home.  We spent the day together and it was a precious time.   Precious, for many reasons... it was Father's Day and all that means, it was Sunday and all that means, it was a beautiful day here and it was peaceful through and through.  I don't know if I have ever been to a hardware store on a Sunday morning---but this morning we went... I wondered if the LORD would go to a hardware store on Sunday.  Would He buy wood?  Would He repair and  build a deck?   On Father's Day?  Would He?  Well... as the family was swimming and playing, daddy built a deck.  As the family sunned and played, daddy built a deck.  As the family weeded and played, daddy built a deck.  As the family loved the daddy, the daddy smiled.  As the family commented many times how nice the day was... and how fun it was to have daddy home... daddy built a deck.  After reading to the family tonight, and after everyone went off to bed, daddy smiled.  Happy Father's Day, Daddy.  You're the best.

 btw, more later.

Happy Father's Day
Every day is The Father's Day
for every day is a day that He has made!
and this weekend, we celebrate and honour our earthly fathers
and we pray that God will indeed bless and equip them for the tremendous responsibility that rests on them as heads of homes.
For those who have abdicated their role we pray that God will work in their hearts, that they will turn from their foolish ways and selfish ambitions and give their hearts to the care and tender training of their children and to being the attentive, loving heads of their homes that God designed them to be---may He be their strength and guide.

May God bless fathers this father's day.

 

My life is but a weaving between my Lord and me,
I cannot choose the colors He worketh steadily.
Oftimes He weaveth sorrow, and I in foolish pride
Forget He sees the upper and I, the underside....
The dark threads are as needful in the Weaver's skillful hand
As the threads of gold and silver in the pattern He has planned.
(Author unknown)
(Thank you, Bessie Joy for sharing this poem)
 

It's coming up to Father's Day...

       Most all the plans I ever had seem to have been unraveled by the LORD and then have been rewoven by Him in a perfect way.   When in faith I began to weave with no visible thread, it was my Heavenly Father who provided all that was needed and only now can I look back and now have a beautiful tapestry that for years I could not see.   Even those parts that I don't particularly care for have been used to form the background---the dark parts that make the light parts even more significant.  So, this Father's Day, I celebrate what He's done.   I trust Him for who His is, what He's done and for His merciful, steadfast kindness to me.  No matter what earthy fathers have done, my heavenly father has picked up all the threads and has woven them into place so that they all are used to form the fabric of my life.  The coarse threads give me strength today; the broken ones have been blended with His cords of three strands and now are the strongest of them all and the black ones define the areas He's worked to conform my character into His image and all the glittery and glossy threads are for His glory---for He alone is Worthy.  I praise the LORD today... as I look to celebrate Father's Day, I celebrate the great gift of my Heavenly Father who sent His Son to be my salvation, my High King of Heaven, my LORD, my Jesus: my all in all. 

     I'm not all I ever hoped to be, but praise the LORD He didn't leave me where I was or with the plans I had.  I don't have what I prayed for (praise His Name!) but I have more than I ever dreamed... and amazingly, I never knew I wanted what I have today --- I have the LORD and in Him I lack no thing.

Nothing I have today could ever be replaced by anything I'd love more.
Happy Father's Day, all.


Happy Birthday to Thumbkin and Pinky

 Pictures of Joey's and my mother's birthday!