Tribute to My Mom

May 10, 2011
Happy 90th Birthday, Mom!

For 58 years you have blessed my life incredibly! From childhood you taught me what it meant to love God and walk with Him. I have many memories of you and Dad kneeling at your bedside together praying for each of us. I remember you sitting at the kitchen table starting your day with God, Bible open and a steaming cup of coffee on the table.

You demonstrated what it meant to work hard, unselfishly doing kingdom work. The years you and Dad devoted to the camp ministry largely influenced the path my own life would take. You brought me into contact with so many missionaries that I couldn't help but see them as "regular people" serving God in unusual places.

You guaranteed me a good knowledge of the Scripture, passing on your love for the Bible and for teaching it to others. You made me memorize Bible verses through "Hide-the-Word" memory program (even when I didn't want to) and those verses, hidden in my heart, come back to my mind in times of need.

You and Dad sacrificed personal comfort so we could go to Christian schools in our early years and then all graduate from colleges in our chosen vocations. Your sacrifice didn't end at graduation. You supported us throughout our extended training and for years afterwards as we followed your example doing kingdom work.

You have amazing courage. Your trips to see us in each of the places we lived demonstrated that. Even after Dad was gone you traveled to spend time with us. And as a widow you've carried on faithfully giving glory to God these 20 years.

You always put people ahead of "stuff" but we never lacked for anything we needed. And you never complained.

I always felt loved by you and very secure (I still do). You made it easy to come home, unselfishly giving us a "home away from home" whenever we needed one. You extended gracious hospitality to each of our children (your grandchildren) in their growing years. Our 3 each had a room in your house at some time in their lives. When Peter came to the USA for college you remodeled a room for him. Tim soon followed in his steps and he had a place with you. Liz lived four months with you when she was in 5th grade and I never doubted that she was safe and secure with you even though we were far away in Kenya.

It's hard to believe so much time has gone by. Thanks, Mom, for all you did for me and my family over the years. I love you so much and am so proud to be your daughter!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Easter Through a Child's Eyes

Last week we went to a Good Friday Easter presentation. Part of the time our almost 3 year-old grandson sat on my lap, eyes glued to the unfolding drama. He seemed particularly impressed with Jesus. Kale never took his eyes off him the entire time Jesus was onstage. "Where did Jesus go?" he asked, as Jesus exited stage left. "He'll be back," I told him.

Questions continued as Jesus was put onto the cross. "What are they doing?" "Why is she (Mary) crying?" "Is the mean man (Caiaphas) coming back?" And then, as Jesus was laid on a bench to be wrapped in burial cloths, a final question, "He's taking a nap?"

We smile at the responses of children and yet, in many ways they get it! The main one in the story IS Jesus - let's fix our eyes on him! Jesus himself referred to death as sleep. His "nap" lasted 3 days. Then he arose victorious over sin and death! We are supposed to watch eagerly for his return and he WILL be back! Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Happy Birthday, Gladys!

This week I called Gladys. She is an incredible lady, a real example of someone who "walks the talk." In March she fell getting out of bed at night. There on the floor she prayed and asked the Lord to help her, and as she tells it, "He did and I got back up onto the bed and went to sleep. In the morning I was sore but I figured I bruised myself, and I could walk with the help of a walker." But walking became more painful and, sure enough, she'd been walking all week with a broken hip. After surgery for a hip replacement, a stay in the hospital and then rehab in the assisted living unit, Gladys was settling back into her apartment.

We shared news. Then Gladys asked for updates on my family members - my mother and "Peter's mother", my aunts, Shirley and Doris, my brothers, Bill and Paul. She is a genuine prayer warrior who's prayed for my brothers and me our whole lives, my aunts and mother as long as she's known them, and Pete's mom ever since she met Pete last summer. When Gladys prays things happen!

There's a special place in my heart for Gladys. She led my Daddy to the Lord when he was a teenager. And I am so thankful for her strong witness, faithfulness in prayer, and love for Jesus.

On May 1st Gladys will celebrate her 95th birthday with a brand new hip, a host of memories, and the gratitude of a whole slew of people who were impacted by her faith.

Happy Birthday, Gladys! You are loved.

30 Day Challenge

Can it really have been 9 months since I last wrote on this blog? Wow! That's enough time to have had a baby! Don't get excited - nothing nearly that dramatic has happened in the last 9 months.

But here we are nearing the end of another eventful year and approaching the holiday season. I love the holidays and Thanksgiving is one of my favorites! I started the 30 day challenge again - writing down something I'm thankful for each day in November. It's a good reminder to reflect on the blessings God brings into my life each day. The challenge is not to repeat anything in the 30 days. Will you join me in the challenge?

So I thought we had a lot of snow in Kansas. Then I went to Pennsylvania and we got hammered! Know what 30 inches of snow looks like when it falls in one day? Beautiful. White. Cold. The snowstorm shut down airports, the turnpike and the interstate highways. Wind blew like crazy and piled the snow up in drifts.

Inside we were warm and dry. The furnace hummed, the fireplace glowed and mom and I enjoyed numerous games of rummicub. If you've never played you should start. Anyone who knows their numbers can play and every game has unique possibilities.

Maybe this summer we won't have to worry about drought. There should be plenty of water. God is so creative in the ways he chooses to bless us, isn't he?

Well, it's been a long time since we grilled on the deck. Somewhere the sun is shining and someone is basking in the warmth of tropical heat. But here in Kansas the last flowers of summer are long gone and we've been buried under snow -enough to surely satisfy even the most avid snow-lover and waaaaay too much for me!

But one can't help appreciating the beauty in icicles clinging to the gutters and the crisp whiteness of snow blanketing the lawns. And even in the coldest weather the love of God, family, and good friends warms the heart.

First Post

So I admit that this is all new to me. I have decided to try my hand at blogging and see where it takes me.

We are enjoying having my mother here with us for a month visit. She is 88 and we have not had much time together since most of my adult life I have lived 1000 or more miles from my birthplace. Although we have had a wonderful life, and I wouldn't trade any of it, I am so glad God is allowing us this time to be near family.

Wow! Today is a beautiful day - sunny and in the low 70's. Amazing for November! Pete spent the morning repairing the fence out in the yard. We have our patio door open and grilled hotdogs on the grill for lunch. Sun tea brewing on the patio table, football on the tv, and the last roses of summer on the dining room table. What could be better?