A Word of Encouragement for the Holiday

Nicanor is the long time leader of a ministry in Nepal and Northern India where the work is hard and the persecution real. He wrote a devotional this week to encourage us to keep on keeping on. I wanted to post a portion of it here for you

A man of God called Gregory of Nazianzus  AD 381 wrote about Jesus this way;

He began His ministry by being hungry, yet He is the Bread of Life.
Jesus ended His earthly ministry by being thirsty, yet He is the Living Water.
Jesus was weary, yet He is our rest. Jesus paid tribute, yet He is the King. 

Jesus was accused of having a demon, yet He cast out demons.
Jesus wept, yet He wipes away our tears.
Jesus was sold for thirty pieces of silver, yet He redeemed the world.
Jesus was brought as a lamb to the slaughter, yet He is the Good Shepherd.
Jesus died, yet by His death He destroyed the power of death.

One Year Ago

One year ago:

I did not have a grandson, my mom was buried and Peter’s tour was just completed.

I had visited NYC to see the Thanksgiving Parade from the park near Becky and Mark’s apartment on the upper east side and I was dreading all the hoopla that can be Christmas.

One year ago, Ruthanne was coming home from a semester in Vienna and normal holiday shopping and comings and goings continued. A group heading to Ghana in January was meeting to pray and prepare for service in that part of the world. That was only one year ago.

Then on January 13^th, sixteen met in the Chicago airport for the first time as a whole team from Wisconsin, Michigan and Arizona. Unity and charity were the marks of the day! The team served well and worked hard in the blazing sun. Children were loved and sponsored and hugged. A new church building was begun where a new body of Christ already existed. How good is the Lord God Almighty to give us a glimpse of His activity in West Africa.

Ten months ago or so, Mercy and Faustina got visas to come to the USA. Patience Vormawor experienced a measure of healing and gave testimony of the Lord’s grace in her life. In the USA there were churches visited, gifts shared, hospitality generously applied as we toured Arkansas, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ohio. The roads were well lit, there was water in the taps, and the fellowship was sweet. While I do not remember the count of sponsorships, I do know lives were touched and prayers answered.

When I look at the calendar I notice that haircut, dentist and doctor appointments were made all mixed in with meals shared with friends and travels. My husband was in Costa Rica before joining the throngs in Europe trying to fly home under a cloud of ash. Peter arrived from Kenya and shared his smile with us. His heart for ministry is infectious. How he loves the Lord Jesus!

And I found out a new baby was growing inside my first baby. How can it be that new life comes along with such hope? Weddings and funerals dot the calendar as summer arrived. Birthday celebrations and anniversaries remembered. Staff meetings where we can look in each other’s eyes and draw on the white board. Plans made for the Lord to accomplish.

Almost suddenly, it was July and the last Premier Rally with Joan Horner. Followed immediately with a children’s group bringing quarters for kids in Kibera slum. Perhaps there were seeds planted in those hearts for generosity like Joan’s to grow. That week I found out that a container of quarters worth over $1000 is heavy! And that Peter can be an influence in person and on film.

And so it goes. The baby grew inside of Becky while work and life continued on. Lee went to India, Rody and Teri went to Sri Lanka. And Romania and Turkey and Turkey and Ghana and South Africa. You fill in the blanks for who went which way when.

William Mark Riebesehl arrived, not a day early but right on time. Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto the God who makes it all possible. Every day ordained for me was written in your book.

Comfort and Gifty blew into town with energy and passion for the task at hand. They prayed for more meetings and saw Him provide. They asked You for more sponsors and You heard their cries. They marveled at the gifts that were double or triple the expected amounts. And went home with bags full, fuller and filled to the fullest. Pressed down, and overflowing.

So thank you Lord. For clear roads and safe travel. For warm, open hearts willing to join us in the  ministry. For the miracle of new life and eternal life. For children like Gifty who found hope because someone saw a picture and gave a dollar a day. For the new website and strength to do the hard work. For Thomas and Benhan, Daniela and Martha, for Nicanor and Justus and all the names of those who give and give and give and give believing that You are the source of it all.

Thank you for being able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond what we would even dare to ask or imagine. Even just one year ago.

Neighbors, Funerals, Mice and Friendship

My sweet, kind neighbor died on his 70th birthday. We got the call and watched the cars come and go all day. It was a quiet home-going, but all of us in the surrounding homes are gonna really miss Tom. The funeral last night was a wonderful reminder of his steady, faith-filled life. This morning has dawned as one of the most beautiful of the summer and the private family burial is happening up in West Bend in about an hour. I woke up praying for the family and thinking of how much I miss my own mom.

It has been a year since we knew she would not be with us much longer. The weather and season are strong reminders of the swirling chaos of last August. The ache of missing Patty McMullan felt overwhelming when the door bell rang about 8am. I was all dressed for the day (kind of surprising) and answered the back door wondering what could possibly be up.

Barb walked in all out of breath, we hugged and I cried for missing my mom. Then Barb reported her reason for the unexpected early visit. She had discovered three dead mice in her washer. She was really looking for Lee who had already gone for the day, or Drew (my 23 year old who loves critters of all sorts). Oh well, Drew is out of town and unavailable for mouse removal duty.
Guess who that left for the accomplishment of the job? YEAH... me.

After 24 years as my neighbor, a night of sitting together, sharing kleenex and stories at Tom's funeral, and a myriad of other friendship building experiences, how could I say 'no' to this small expression of care? Barb has bailed me out of many troubles and now it was my turn to do the same. You have to understand that this is one tough lady who faces all sorts of harsh circumstances with incredible resolve. Barb's husband is essentially house bound after a fall in the yard a few years ago. She handles all the demands of caring for him and the house with incredible commitment and tenacity. I can only hope to be such a faithful wife. Barb meant it when she said her vows and she is living it out in front of me. "In sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, til death do us part"

So mouse removal was part of my morning. Their four little carcasses are in an ice cream bucket at the bottom of my driveway ready to be taken with the trash to the landfill today.

When I woke up today and prayed for the Lord to order my steps, give me a heart to follow close after Him and hear His voice, mice in the washer were not part of my plan. Sometimes love in action looks completely different than my lofty ideals.

Thanks for the lesson, Lord.

Matthew 22: 34-39
Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law? Jesus replied, 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind'. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
 

In School

Part of my job, (which is a really great job by the way) is to plan, implement, and follow up on what we refer to as tours. What that seems to mean is that I meet folks who are not from the USA and race with them across the USA to talk to just about anyone who will listen and tell the incredible true stories of what God is doing in their part of His world.  The days run together and the travel can be exhausting, all while the stories go deeper and deeper into my heart.

I recently decided that actually this might be God's way of putting me into just the school He knows I need. I get to sit quietly listening to the stories of faith in action over and over again. I don't think He is grading me, but I do know He is expecting me to be teachable and learn something in the middle of all the meetings. Also I get a great opportunity to ask questions about the truths I am discovering from the folks who are telling the stories of faith. It is an unending adventure in which I regularly discover my own tiny bit of faith being stretched far beyond what I ever imagined.


In March I met my friend Mercy and her translator, Faustina in New York City to being a month on the road. Mercy is a courageous young woman who comes to tell her story about living in slavery for over 16 years in a remote West African village. We have traveled together before and I was so happy to welcome her back to the USA. While planning for our first overnight, my daughter found a great internet rate at a beautiful old hotel that would work for us to find food after the long travel and have easy access to transport the next day. No driving in NYC for me! Going to the Roosevelt in the middle of Manhattan during a rainstorm, I stood dripping wet in the beautiful lobby trying to check into the room. As the desk clerk began the process she commented on how lovely and unusual Mercy's name was. "She is a freed slave who got to choose her own name when she was released," I quietly relayed. Tears rolled down the cheeks of this sweet lady's face. "Let me see about a different room for her" she said looking at the computer screen. Marcia went on to ask me if there was any way to help the fight for freedom in Mercy's part of the world. Oh yes! Over 3,000 women and their children are free but there are many more waiting without hope. That is why I am here meeting the ladies at the airport. We are always wanting to tell of the plight of girls like Mercy, given as an atonement for the sins of the family into a lifetime of servitude.

When I got the keys to our room, rode the elevator up to the 14th floor and saw the fabulous upgraded 2 room/ 2 bath suite on the corner of 45th Street, the tears would not stop. Mercy was not even in the USA and the way was being prepared for her. How lavishly God poured out blessing as this brave soul got on a plane to fly to the other side of the world in order to plead for women and children still caught in bondage. The tour began with reminders for me about His watch care. I hope that lesson went deep into my being!
It is possible to check out this grand hotel for yourself if you would like. I wish I had taken more pictures, but the website has plenty to give the feel of this amazing place.
http://www.hotelbrochuresite.com/ebrochures/roosevelthotelnyc/2.html
 

Just in case I was not getting the message, I had lesson #2. As I got back to the lobby, I was confused about which of the many doors to go out for the fastest way to my daughter's apartment. Remember it was pouring rain, cold and windy. The guy at the elevators in a hotel uniform seemed the most logical to ask for directions. He was gracious enough to give instructions to help me get on my way. As we ended our conversation, I commented that he had a great accent. "Where are you from?" "Ghana" he replied. "GHANA?! I am hear to prepare for some ladies to arrive from Ghana in a few hours at Kennedy Airport. A woman and her translator are coming. She is from the remote Volta region and only speaks her tribal language."
Can you already guess the end of this story? Foster is also from the Volta region, has lived in New York for over 20 years, but speaks the same language and wanted to bring greetings to the ladies. We exchanged phone numbers and although he was not working the next day he called to welcome Mercy to the USA in her own language. Many times as we traveled that month, Faustina and Mercy told the story of their great welcome to the USA.

For many years I have prayed to affirm the promises in Psalm 139. You know when I sit and when I rise, you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. You hem me in-behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. 

 The tour began with affirmation that we were in exactly the place prepared for us before hand. The Lord Jesus who rescued Mercy from the depths of despair was watching over us, hemming us in, preparing the way. Thank you Father for showing it clearly to the one with little faith.
I believe, help my unbelief.

Faustina, myself, and Mercy at a church in Michigan the next weekend. Would you like to hear more? Check out innetworkusa.org
Look for the Trokosi of West Africa link

Short Trip to Ghana: A report

Sorting through the over 3000 pictures from a 12 day trip to West Africa provides a lot of potential for story telling. True stories, mind you, but too many to repeat. Not to mention that the most vivid of the memories cannot be captured digitally. You just can’t get the sounds and smells and sweat onto a SD card no matter how many gigabits you buy. But today I will try anyway to put a bit of it down. Just realize there are limits and expect to hear some pieces again and again.

We met at Chicago O’hare’s airport with all the fights on time and Jim with camera in hand. Introductions were made and Arizona, Wisconsin and Michigan folks were easily bonded. After all, we were going to Ghana! Lufthansa treated us well and we had an easy transition in Frankfurt.

By mid morning we were off to see the fishing villages’ ministry to families at risk. How wonderful to broaden our understanding of the scope of the work first hand. As usual there were many questions answered patiently by the staff. Touring around Accra was next and lunch at the Chinese place was included. The team was starting to get to know each other. “Get to know you” games were part of lunch and the inclusive fun-loving nature of these folks was going to mark the whole week with joy.

No complaining, lots of joking, serious, fun, hard working, open and kind would describe our group. They came ready to serve and learn all that they could this week.

Adidome’s guesthouse managed so well by Edna was ready for us and we had dinner, water and electricity. It was Friday in Ghana, what more could you want?

Saturday: Workday

The team was teachable and wanted to do the most work with their time. Pastor Jacob was our guide all week. Jifa was our construction manager. Seeing Patience in Adidome was a great, happy surprise. We were taken out to see the site and get started. It had been raining so we walked the last mile into the village. Piles of sand needing moving; 5 shovels and one wheelbarrow let us get started in Kanuwloe.

Sunday: Church and Beach

Someone decided we could stay at the vocational school for church. Sweet moments as we listened to worship, shared our names, sang and prayed. One of our team members, John was struggling with eye issues. The messages were on ‘open the eyes of our heart’ and ‘Jesus healing the blind man’. Patience shared with the group about her healing and strength. We asked for prayer at the end of the service for John and the congregation prayed and prayed for him. By evening he was vastly improved and able to work the week. John led the work team and was invaluable to the construction.

We got to meet the staff of the INVTC which included Mercy and 3 of her children. Who could imagine the changes in her life over the last 10 years?

Beach time was the next order of business. It was awesome and so unexpected. We relaxed and played the afternoon away. THANKS!

Monday – Thursday: Work on the church and play with the school kids.

With amazing adaptability, the team shoveled, mixed cement, carried block, played ball, sang, observed classrooms, taught verses and did crafts all week. The routine ended up being leave by 7am to get to the construction before the heat of the day. Then we did rotations through the school. 10:30am break we played with the kids after they ate their lunch. 11-12 we did the lesson and craft with the preschool kids who are dismissed at noon to walk home. There were 70 children of all ages and the location of their class varied every day. Outside, inside, under the pavilion, divided into 2 groups, we laughed and sang and colored and glued with these little ones.

Noon lunch for us and then, 1-2pm, we divided into teams of 2 assigned to each class. Our evenings were spent preparing crafts for the kids and going over lessons after dinner. Ideas were shared and children were loved. One group suggested putting fingerprints for each child in their class on a prayer card, followed by writing a special verse. Lots of pictures, questions and answers were included in our day.

Our theme was Genesis 1 and 2. We sang about the world God made and celebrated the people He created. By Friday we each had friends for life and memories of a lifetime.

Of course the construction work continued and each day team members would comment on the amount of work accomplished because of the co-operation between village, local construction crew and our team. It will be ‘their church’ that we helped a little bit to begin. Blessing.

As we gathered to pray that last afternoon, Jacob reminded us of the importance of a church in each community. Kanolwe has no pastor at the moment, so we prayed for the person God would bring, for the congregation that will gather and the foundation built on Jesus Christ.

Friday: Farming village adventure

We travelled with Silvanus to see the work of the farming project. We met a fetish priest and his 8 wives and extended family, brought greetings and other sundries. Then we had a chance to ask questions about the farming in this part of the world. Cultures collided and we walked away wondering about the future in this sort of place. Silvanus did a great job of listening and teaching and explaining.

As we got back to Adidome, we packed up and got ready to leave early on Saturday am. We also had a tour of INVTC that helped fit together some of the pieces of the puzzle. Fabric and clothes, jewelry and beads were purchased as many felt they wanted to support the good work of I.N. Ghana. From this team 7 children were sponsored, as well as a church planter.

Saturday: Market, dinner and flight

The Ghana staff tagged teamed to make sure we had enough help at the market. Drums, jewelry, soda and cravings were all bought in good order on a hot day in the sun. Walter and Marian, Edmond and Cromwell, and Patience joined us for our last supper in Ghana. We had some adventures flying home but all made it in good time. Again the airlines treated us well and we only were short one piece of luggage, which turned up a few days later.

The takeaways for me are many. I would recommend that each team be multi-generational if possible. Eli (13 years) and Dayna (16 years) added so much to our adventure. Eli loved finding each and every critter, while Dayna had kids flocking to her. Their energy and perspective was so welcome to our team. The variety of life experience worked well as we ranged from 13 to 54 and I was glad to see each team member bring their own flavor and gifts to the group.

I also liked the size of our team. We were able to rotate through the school and cover the construction needs because there were enough of us. Thirteen seems like a large group, but it worked well in these circumstances. Having time to process during our drives and devotions helped too. Each person put effort into getting to know each other and sharing their perspectives on the trip.

There can’t be enough expression of thanks to the I.N. Ghana staff. They make all the difference in a trip such as this. As the USA team learned to trust the ‘experts’ in their home turf, it became a new way to learn and grow. Each encounter with Ghanaians added to the richness of the trip. THANK YOU

Creativity Abounds

New student working to dye fabric at the International Needs Vocational Training Center


My friend Sue has come up with a way to make use of scraps of material created at the vocational training center in Adidome, West Africa. Women here work without electricity over a fire to tie-dye and batik fabric to sell. These are women at risk with very few options to find ways to feed their families. They live in remote, rural eastern Ghana. The fabrics are unique, beautiful creations.



Sue is using scraps of this special fabric to make one of a kind note cards. It is a great recycle/ reuse project for folks who do stamping and scrapbooking. All the supplies are donated from extras that are available and then the cards can be sold at events or shown as ways to use the fabric for sale. Sue has written a sheet with instructions on it about how to make the cards with a short paragraph about I.N. Network USA. All proceeds will got to benefit the Vocational School.


Sue has already recruited several other card makers who are thrilled to offer their talents to this good cause. Every card is unique and each one is more interesting than the other. They will be available in sets of 4, come with envelopes and a sticker on the back with I.N.'s contact information. And I am wondering if this mom of 6 has come up with another way to raise awareness and funds to keep the good work in West Africa going! Sure hope so

Easier

I have decided it is really easier to write about a trip while you are on the trip. Coming home presents a whole new set of issues and distractions. Like jet lag and family, laundry and cooking. Or even snow!
I arrived home from a wonderful trip to Ghana to find my house in a new state of happy chaos. Ruthanne was madly packing to return to school in Minnesota, paint had changed the color of 2 rooms, furniture was rearranged and Becky was coming to visit from New York City. Joyful times indeed, but there has not been much 'process' time. While trying to live in the moment, I am also committed to the remembering. The Lord showed us an outpouring of His grace as our team worked in a remote village. Friendships were forged and memories made. I want to put some of it down in print.
For today, a few pictures will have to do. Can you catch a glimpse of the fun? Life lessons abound.

Ghana

Did I mention that West Africa is next on my travel docket? I am so happy to go with a team of energetic folks to help build a church in a part of the world where no church building has ever exsisted.
When Lee was there a few weeks ago...(I know, why couldn't we go together???) anyway, when he was there, we got to talk over the internet a few times. One day he commented that the dear men and women he was teaching were beginning churches, meeting to worship and teaching new followers of Jesus with very few resources. We are glad to play a very small part in helping a community have a place of worship!
The team is made up of all Americans from Michigan, Arizona and Wisconsin. We are all ready to dive in and make a difference. An hour drive from where we are staying is a village with a school full of kids. We have been asked to take some of the team and spend the afternoons with the children. How many? not sure. What ages? not sure. Do they speak English? not sure.
I just have to say that for plan oriented, organized, time driven over achievers, we will have a challenge. BUT what fun stories there will be to tell.
Stay tuned.

Oldest Daughters

I am the oldest daughter. I am not sure it is an easy spot, but I hear being the youngest or in the middle has its own set of drawbacks. My own oldest daughter celebrated her birthday today. In New York City. Far from me.

Don't get me wrong. We managed to celebrate early while we were there over Thanksgiving. It was a blast to walk the park, see the Macy's parade, take in Jazz at Lincoln Center. But on the actual birthday, now that it has arrived, we are all missing each other.
Becky called sad and weepy from a cold dreary apartment. Drew (3rd born son) called within 5 minutes from sunny South Carolina with a flat tire. Finding help in a new city on a Sunday is not the easiest proposition and he was frustrated. Ruthanne (youngest daughter) then phoned in from Vienna with 102º temp wondering which medicines to take first. It was time to parent from afar. Grateful for the technology that allows the conversations. Wishing I could give a hug in person. Not today...

Instead a cup of tea, fire in the fireplace and football viewing will fill my quiet afternoon. Maybe a bit of present wrapping and follow up texts with the kids. Missing them all is a huge part of this season of my life.

A Grandaughter's Perspective from Vienna

Tribute to her Buppy recorded for the funeral in October 2009
by Ruthanne McKee Heyward


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7ITFPrAfgA

Tribute to a life well lived

Patricia Leary Warren McMullan
3/29/1934 – 10/17/2009

Patty went peacefully to meet her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ after a short and courageous battle with cancer. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband James McMullan; her brothers Donald and Tim Leary; and her daughter-in-law Laura McDonald Warren. Patty is survived by her four dearly loved children: daughter Terry and her husband Lee Heyward (Germantown, WI); son, Bill and his wife, Princell Warren (Newnan, GA), son, Matt and his wife, Beth Warren (Carrollton, GA), and son, Ted and his wife, Louise Warren (Edmonds, WA). She is also survived by her sister Susan and her thirteen cherished grandchildren: Becky (Mark) Riebesehl, Nathan Heyward, Drew Heyward, Ruthanne Heyward; Jerad Warren, William Paul Warren, Jeremy Warren, Jonathan Warren; Paul Benjamin Warren, Jay Warren; Leslie Warren, Samuel Warren, and Joseph Warren. She is further survived by numerous relatives and friends. Patricia May was born to James Donald and Dorothy DeForest Leary in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She graduated from Edina High School and attended Carleton College and the University of Minnesota where she met and married David Warren in 1955. David and Patty had four children: Terry, Bill, Matt and Ted. They enjoyed many travel adventures with friends and their four children. In August 2000, Patty married her second husband, James F. McMullan. With the love of her life, Jim, she enjoyed ministering to people, serving in their church, and traveling. Patty was known to many as a premier quilter and in recent years she shared this passion with many. Each of her children and grandchildren cherish the quilts they received from her. Countless people over the years were recipients of Patty's gracious hospitality as she opened her home to many friends during times of need. Patty loved to visit New Smyrna Beach, Florida each year for a quiet time with loved ones. Worship provided Patty great peace with her Lord and an opportunity to share her gift of song. In recent years Patty enjoyed time with her younger sister Susan and many grandchildren. In May her family gave her the gift of a trip to Ireland in celebration of her 75th birthday.

The family will receive visitors on Thursday, October 22, 2009 at the Carmichael - Hemperley Funeral Home, Peachtree City, GA from 4pm-7pm. A celebration of her life will be held on Friday, October 23, 2009 at Christ the King Charismatic Episcopal Church at 11:00am. A Committal Service will follow at Westminster Memorial Gardens, Peachtree City, Georgia. The family asks that in lieu of flowers gifts be made to Christ the King Church. (www.ctkcec.org).

Surround Sound Happiness

It started out as a sweet plan to get a laptop for Buppy (my mom) to use while she is not feeling too well. Her computer is fine, but old and slow by most standards and we thought a mobile machine might be good. After all she could then skype with those far away. A camera and speakers would be built in and the speed would be great. So the boys (brother Ted and son Nate) left for Best Buy to make this happen.

I think it was about an hour later that they returned with great big grins on their engineer faces! Sorry, Buppy. The Best Buy in Peachtree City does not sell Apple products so we decided to get you a SURROUND SOUND SYSTEM instead. The next hour was filled with giant messy unpacking of boxes and moving of cabinetry, plugging and unplugging of wires and reading of the manual after all other attempts had failed. Mom was worried about figuring out the remotes. Don't worry Buppy, I will teach you all the ways to operate the new system!
My brother Bill pitched in the action until the Auburn football game was going to be on and the tv was still not operational.

I admit I was none too pleased with the turn of events. How do you get from a laptop to a surround sound system? But I have been won over with the arrival of best friend Valerie. As Mom turned up the music to show off her new wireless speakers, Valerie commented, "so you finally got exactly what you have been wanting, Patty".

Exactly what she wanted. Who knew?

I'm so glad.

Car wreck

The news has hit us like a car wreck. At least that is the picture I kept repeating in my head. My mom who has been our greatest support received a devastating diagnosis of lung cancer. What had been treatable pneumonia(in July) now became squamous cell non small cell carcinoma stage IV. Even if you do not google that report, you can tell it is not good news. So everyone has been coming to visit. It is my 3rd weekend in Atlanta in September. During her school break, we flew home Ruthanne from Vienna, Becky came from New York, Nate has made Sharpsburg one of his regular stops and Drew drove the long drive from Charleston. Actually all the sweet grandchildren have come to see Buppy and we are glad for the support and dear expressions of love.

So we walk the walk, pray for direction and peace while longing for answers and cures where none are to be found. Quilting is still happening in the good moments. Sleep and pain medicine are dominant. Chemotherapy begins tomorrow. Each day is too short and too long at the exact same minute. We bought lots of kleenex and we are using it liberally to wipe the tears that our Lord Jesus promised to count and save.

Birthdays

I was not able to be with Nate on his 26th birthday, but I got this picture of him from his grandmother in Sharpsburg Georgia. A quilt to mark the special day. And I have oh so many memories to ponder about this dear boy growing up to a man. He turned 1 year old in Meru Kenya and learned to walk there, played with goats for fun and cried with earaches all night long. His blond hair has turned dark and curly, but the grin is the same. His engineering bent was obvious from the first set of legos he put together. Purdue was the perfect place for him. I just wish he lived down the street.
Happiest 2009 Nathaniel Lee! Thank you for being you!

Mid summer garden

It is so fun to see what was hiding under the snow this winter pop out in the middle of summer. It has not been warm yet, but the wind is blowing and the sun is out. Not enough rain gives me an excuse to water, too. As I stare at the full blooms of stunning color, I marvel that my eyes get to see such beauty. Yesterday I saw a hummingbird chasing a pink bee balm blossom for some nectar. It was bouncing in the stiff breeze but apparently the hummingbird thought it was worth the trouble.

Trainwrecks, laments and heartache

I was talking to a friend today about some hard painful events in her life. Then I got an email from someone asking that her friends give her time to get 'through' some recent tragic events in her life. Another mom wrote of her son's imprisonment and asked for prayer for his wife and small children. These dear women brought questions to mind.

Who has time to listen to our tragedies?
Do we really need to get through these sort of times?
or do we need to learn lessons about how to carry them?
What is it that makes us so uncomfortable with the lament? the ache? the great sadnesses?

When over 2,000 people gather to hear the author of 'the shack' talk of his life, I wonder if it means new conversations are happening now? I wonder if it means some more steps toward healing in the arms of the Father? I hope

Stretched

I read these quotes today. Maybe you have seen them before, but it was fun to see them on a Kenyan pastor's blog. He was challenging his congregation to put their hope in a limitless God. In Germantown Wisconsin I needed that reminder too.

• ‘Airplanes are toys of no military value’ Ferdinand Foch, 1851-1929, French soldier and professor of military strategy
• ‘The mission Columbus has proposed is folly… the Atlantic Ocean is infinite and impossible to travel’ Talevera Commission, 1491
• There is no need for the Patent Office. Everything that could be invented has been invented’ – Head of the US Patent Office in the 1890’s
• ‘Who wants to hear actor’s talk?’ H.M. Warner, 1881-1958 regarding the possibility of talking movies replacing silent movies
• ‘We have reached the limits of what is possible to achieve with computer technology’ – John Von Neumann, in 1959

I am beginning to schedule a visit from an East African young man who works among the poorest of the poor. He will come in October and tell stories of being stretched in his faith as he works with the children in the largest slum south of the Sahara. Do you know anyone who would like to hear? Sometimes I get discouraged that there will be no interest in listening, learning, being stretched out of our comfort zones. Have we reached the limits of what is possible?

When the apostle Paul wrote a letter to believers in Phillipi during the 1st century, he included the often quoted ,"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". What I find fascinating is that he had spent lots of time telling the Christ followers of his troubles, the ups and downs of his crazy, very not-boring life. Stretched beyond limits, we then find the quiet words to say Jesus is enough, He is our strength, He is present in it all. Unlimited Holy God, I want to know this to be true in my life.

Old Friends

Yes, Old. As in lived a long time, almost ancient. Or maybe it is just that we have known each other so very long that our children have grown up together and think we are elderly.

One of those kids is marrying the end of July. And tomorrow we will gather the ladies to give the new bride a wedding shower. Gifts, stories, advice and prayer. It brings back memories of those younger days when we prayed for this baby boy (the groom-to-be) while his mom was expecting him and on bed rest. Our friendships began before the children arrived and we have ridden the roller coaster of parenting together. Old friends.

Years ago I found a birthday card that said, "you know we are old because I can remember when your couch was new".
I know we are old because my husband did the wedding ceremony for the new bride's parents!

And now Jan has come from her life in Kenya just for 3 months and will give the shower at her home in Wisconsin with me. When I met Jan, we had been married for about 2 weeks. It will be 31 years ago soon. Across the miles, across the years, across the canyons of life I have been learning about faithful, precious friendship. What joy to find time on a Saturday to laugh and open gifts and speak of God's faithfulness in our lives. I hope also to find time for a hug and heartfelt thank you.

Communication

Do you ever just wish you could have back the time you wasted being mad about something that did not deserve any of your time, energy or anxiety?

Today I was mad at my dear husband because our 22 year old son, home from college and heading to his job, told me that hubby had plans for the afternoon/evening. I don't really like to hear about schedules through the kids and we had been working on clear communicating of the schedule as the hectic summer begins. SOOOO I was mad, then when I asked for an explanation, ready for a fuss, it turned out to not really true. Actually not accurate message delivery at all.

I should not be surprised. Didn't lots of us play 'Chinese telephone' as kids? I suppose it is not ethically sensitive now to call that game by its original name, but maybe you remember how it worked. Stand in a circle, one kid whispers a message to another all the way around. At the end of the circle the message was NEVER (that I remember) the same as it began. We laughed and laughed and tried again.

Well I laughed today at the inaccurate message delivery at my house, but it did make me wonder. How many stories do I hear that really are not quite right, quite true, quite off the mark? I want to ask questions, do some checking, laugh at the errors while NOT wasting time being upset. Digging deeper for the true message might take a bit longer, but it is sure worth the wait.

Life Lessons

We had a visitor this week. Katie is the 4th born of 5 precious kids. I had the privilege of being there when she was born at home in West Bend Wisconsin 18 years ago. In March we said goodbye to her older brother Ben at a memorial service in Gainesville Florida. I wanted to post a short excerpt from the opening reading as a tribute to our dearly missed Ben.

Benjamin Jon McCollum
May 4, 1987 to March 30, 2009

Benjamin Jon McCollum was born at home on May 4th, 1987, in Hartford, Wisconsin. The third child of David and Tina McCollum, younger brother of Christy, age 3, and Bryan, age 20 months. Benjamin Jon means: “Son of the right hand,” “Jehovah gave.” Deut. 33:12 states, “About Benjamin he said, ‘Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in Him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders.’” At age 6 weeks, Ben was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, a chronic genetic disease affecting primarily the lungs and digestive system. He immediately began receiving inhaled medications and chest physiotherapy three to four times each day to aid his lungs in clearing the thick, sticky mucus it produced and enzymes to aid digestion. Ben and his siblings grew up in a 100 year old farmhouse in rural Wisconsin at a YMCA camp. There was lots of room to roam and many people to meet and new adventures were a daily occurrence. Ben especially enjoyed dressing up and pretending to be a pirate, cowboy, or Peter Pan. The McCollum family joined Northbrook Church where Ben met many of his lifelong friends. Northbrook Church provided Ben and his family with much needed support, especially when Ben was hospitalized. The Heyward family was of particular support and their son, Drew, became Ben’s favorite playmate and friend. At one point, Ben and Drew declared themselves twins. When Ben was four, sister Katie joined the family. He also had a port-o-cath central line placed in his chest to ease receiving IV medications in the hospital and at home during lung infections. Ben was a “regular” at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. His parents and siblings were “regulars” at the nearby Ronald McDonald House.

The service for Ben was a fitting tribute. There was a drum solo in his honor, sharing and music from his many dear friends. We heard truths from scripture and spoke of faith issues. I had the opportunity to read my own musing about my life being different after knowing him. Just thought I would add it here. A Wisconsin summer without Ben's visit is hard. So glad Katie came. So glad for memories, tears and joy in the journey.

Musings on the life of Benjamin McCollum

It started out as a family of 4. Actually two families of four both transplanted to Wisconsin. Lee and Terry, Becky and Nathan. David and Tina, Christy and Brian. The day those McCollum kids toddled into our church meeting in a school gym, I was hoping we could be friends. Drew and Ben soon joined the gaggle and 1987 meant the beginning of a life long, from the womb friendship. Of course three beautiful girls, Ruthanne, Katie, and Meg joined the wild, running crew at camp Wowitan soon enough, but summers and winters in Wisconsin were full. Full of laughter, full of trips to the hospital, full of ministry shared and diapers changed. I would like to share just a few things I learned because of knowing Ben McCollum:
1. It is possible to sit in the hospital for hours and play video games
2. Actually two boys can fit into one hospital bed and watch movies on the vcr for hours at a time. Especially if the movie is Man from Snowy River. Or Barney. Or Jungle Book.
3.Singing loudly in the car is required for all trips in a van full of preschoolers. Either the Donut Man or Raffi, it did not matter.
4. Rabbits can freeze in a Wisconsin winter. Foxes eat chickens and swimming pool pumps break, a lot. And it is possible to play soccor and basketball in an unheated barn surrounded by mountains of snow.
5. I learned from Ben McCollum that no words capture a smile but the memory of that smile can make you smile or cry, depending on the day. Or maybe both at the same time.
6.Most drummers actually start drumming in their highchairs. It drives their mothers crazy.
7. Being super smart and sick a lot and hurt and happy can all be wrapped up into one person. Even one very small, daredevil boy. Ben McCollum could have written the book about strong willed children. He was one of the most tender hearted, deep thinking, spiritual young men I ever met.
8. I learned that zoo visits are especially fun when you hear the same stories over and over and over again year after year.
9. I learned from Ben that it is possible to have a soul buddy, best friend who is loyal and true beyond all the distance and years. After Ben moved to Florida,whenever my son Drew and Ben saw each other it took about 17 seconds for them to be back singing, joking, smart mouthing like there had never been miles between them. It was a joy for a mother’s heart to watch. A rare and precious gift of a life time.
10. I learned to do therapy that included medicine, back pounding and amazing pill swallowing heroics every day, more than once a day with no skipping of any day.

Faithful, loving, diligent care so that one more day could be available for us to learn from Ben about life in the real world. Life with pain and joy all happening at the same moment. Faith and agony all swirling around us as we discover prayer and fear and the actual taking of it all to the Lord’s lap for peace that passes understanding Ben would bounce back, embrace life while looking death’s reality in the face in some measure every day. I learned to clear a port, plug in a nepbuliser, listen better and love from our friend Ben. I don’t want to forget the life lessons. I want to say thank you for them. Thanks, Ben.