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.