Summer

We celebrated the first day of Summer in Key Biscayne, with 15 of our new Orientee's.  We are in the midst of one of two yearly  2 week Orientations, this being our first with Steve in his new position.  We are so impressed with our new missionaries.  What a privilege to get to know and work for such amazing people.  Key Biscayne is the place that we held our weekend retreat, which was at a small, but comfortable motel near the beach.  There was a playground and pool for the children and we were steps away from the ocean. There was area there where hundreds of Iguanas reside.  How strange to have them just feet away from us! 

Despite the heat, we performed several team building activities outside.  Yesterday afternoon was "free time", so Steve and I came home and after a stop at Costco,  I cooked him a steak and myself some salmon and we relaxed in our chairs and napped and watched golf.  The highlight of our day was skyping our children and grandchildren who were at Mom and Dad's house for a pajama breakfast to celebrate Father's Day.  Oh, how we would love to be with everyone on days such as this!  But, alas, we are here and family is there. 

The news is informing us that we are breaking records with heat.  All I know is that upon rising in the morning, the windows are steamed up and when I open the the door to the balcony, the air is so heavy that at times it is difficult to even breathe.  I walk the dogs early, usually about 6:30 am, and take them out quickly for the afternoon.  Evening walks are a little more comfortable the later we go.  Last night I took them out at about 9:30 pm, and then went for a swim in the pool.  You can not believe how warm the ocean and pool waters are.  Of course I am used to warm pool water having living in Arizona, but I am always stunned at the temperature of the ocean when I dip my feet in.  The sand bars go out for quite a ways, so to swim in the ocean is more than possible and enjoyable.  Sometimes the water is as smooth as glass.   Not good for surfing, not that I am a surfer, but great for just swimming and being in the water. This really is a beautiful place to live.  

Stefani came in last week for several days, but it was anything but a fun visit.  We spent the entire time in doctors offices getting her tested for fainting episodes that she has been having over the last few months.  Fortunately the tests have shown her to be healthy, although a Mitro Valve Prolapse showed up.  But that is not the reason for her episodes and there is nothing to be done for MVP.  She wasn't very thrilled with Miami, but then she didn't see much of it either.  Must be strange to visit your parents, and not "go home", but visit them in a totally new environment. I am sure that added to her desire to get back to Phoenix as soon as possible!

So, Summer is here . . . . I am making the effort to see the beauty and the good in all that is around me.  God is teaching me how to be content in all circumstances, in plenty and in want!

 

Unexpected Reunions

Last night was a step back in time for Steve and I . . . . Steve is on a killer traveling schedule this summer trying to fit in visiting many of our missionaries and get to know their ministries, as well as initiating new vision and ministry.  I picked him up from the airport at 7 pm, as he was returning from a short trip to Costa Rica. Despite the lateness of the hour and being tired from his cross country trip, we rushed across town  and met in a prearranged REUNION  dinner for 8 with couples from Argentina, some of which  we had not seen in 18 years.  One of the couples, Jorge and Susanna Ibbarbalz, were part of the group of families that we vacationed with  for a month at the beach in Miramar. Part of the Argentine culture is that during the summer every family takes a month off either in January or February, going to a coastal city in the country or for some, traveling to Brazil or Spain.  Our family has some of the most amazing memories of this time as more than a half dozen families, for three or four consecutive years, would travel to Miramar, spend our days basking on the beach and our nights cooking asado's together, or eating at neighborhood restaurants .  All of our children ranged in age from babies to teenagers and the kids would hang out together sometimes according to age groups, or sometimes in a roving "pack". We played "paddle" (a cross between tennis and handball)  on courts just off the water, sat for hours talking on the beach or sipping mate in each others rented summer homes. Susanna reminded us of one of those summers, when the men decided to prepare a Valentine Day dinner for the women. (Remember, summers are during our winters here in the States!) So the men planned and put together a romantic and surprisingly delicious dinner. There was watermelon salad cut into the shape of hearts, Chicken Cordon Bleu, garlic mashed potatoes; beautifully decorated tables with  candles and  flowers. Steve obviously had a strong influence since that is not very Argentine in either menu or culture! But the women loved the attention and effort and the men thoroughly enjoyed the process and response. And 18 years later we are still talking about it! 

The week previous, Steve and I were in Arizona.

Steve went for ministry purposes, but while there so close to family and friends, he was able to fit in some quality time with both.  One of the highlights of that week was a REUNION with 3 of the kids that he ministered to as a Youth Pastor 30 years ago.  While they are now in their 40's, married with teenage children of their own, they took a morning and went to the lake to ski.  They reminisced about those 2 short, yet fun packed years together.  Much to Steve's surprise, one of them brought up how Steve had attended his basketball games and even once or twice, stayed late to a game and then accompany him up to camp, arriving late in the evening.  He commented to Steve how that had meant so much to him.  Steve didn't even remember doing it!  They talked about how fun and full those years were and how they were some of the best years of their life.  

 I went to Arizona to  support my Mom as her sweet sister, Katy was passing away.  It was a heart wrenching week as Mom, and Melody and Kelby, David and Debbie and their children, waited and prepared for her passing.  Before I arrived, Aunt Helen and Rebecca were there to say their goodbye's.  But while the time passed slowly as Katy was unconscious and labored in her breathing, the family would sit around her bedside, talking, praying, singing hymns, crying, and yes, at times even laughing as we reminisced about our life with Aunt Katy and Uncle Leon and each other.  Many times someone would talk about the REUNION in heaven that Katy and Leon would have and that Katy would have with her Jesus.  It brought comfort to all of us to visualize that, seeing her, seeing them, young, strong, healthy and in each others arms once again.  There was also a REUNION among ourselves as we have such busy lives and rarely get to see each other.  It was good to be reminded of our love for each other despite the little time that we actually spend together.  

I am so grateful for the UNEXPECTED REUNIONS that God has brought our way as of late.  Some were bittersweet, accompanied by tears while others were filled with laughter. But they were all based in RELATIONSHIP that absence and years could not deplete. Among all the feelings that I have experienced over the last couple of weeks, gratefulness to God for my family and friends is at the top. 

In The Garden

Today is my recuperation from passing through several time zones, as I flew home from Arizona yesterday.  I spent 3 wonderful days with family, filling every nook and cranny of time with different people that I love.  It is equally filling and draining, but I am so grateful to have the gift of travel, both in time and airline privileges. Thank you sweet husband for sharing me  and brother Gordon for providing the means!  

Every April we celebrate birthdays for my Dad (21st), myself (22nd), and Mom and Steve (23rd).

Although Steve needed to stay in Miami to prepare for the upcoming Board Meeting, on Mom's Bday we had a garden party and Gordon made us Salmon Taco's that were out of this world delicious.

We skyped Christa and Daniel as well as Steve . . . .  two computers going at the same time!  It was crazy hectic but so much fun to have them participate if even from a distance.  

On one of my evenings I was able to accompany Stefani and Mowee (real name Benito), her boyfriend, as they drove me up to South Mountain and we overlooked the lights of the city. It is such a beautiful spot and hard to believe that in all the years that I lived in Arizona, I never remember going there.  We took a short hike to a craggy rock and just sat and looked out over the sparkling lights of the city for a few quiet moments.  Very nice.

Gordon, Stefani and I ate at one of our favorite "must visits" whenever I am in town, Postino's and Stef and I even got to P.F. Chang's for lunch one day.  A flurry of shopping at known clothing stores, and before I knew it, I was on the plane headed home.  

I am posting a picture I took of The Garden in full bloom . . . . Only once have I seen every rose bush so full of blooms.  It was beautiful!

Impact

Every so often a person, a book an event comes into your life and has monumental impact.  Probably 15 years ago, or so, I heard the name Mark and Jeannie Labberton from my brother Phil and his wife Cindi.  They met and became good friends in England while Phil and Mark were working on their doctorates at Cambridge.  We never had the good fortune to meet Mark and Jeannie, but providence would have it that we have encountered Mark through his new book, "The Dangerous Act of Worship".  I have been "absorbing" the content of this book a chapter at a time over the last 2 months.  I normally consume a book in a matter of hours, and when in stride, a book every week or two.  But with the move and all the changes and traveling going on in my life at the moment, that pace has slowed.  But Mark's book could not have come at a better time.  This is not a book for a quick read as it is full of  deep and thoughtful truths.  I thought I would give you an exerpt from this book so as to possibly wet your appetite for more.  This comes from the chapter "When Worship Talks To Power".

"The realignment of power is fundamental to the cause of justice because much of the twisted soul of injustice is the abuse of power.  Whether the injustice is poverty, bonded slavery, land grabbing, forced prostitution, hunger, rape, or racism, we find the abuse of power.  Likewise, an abuse of power is at play even in more mundane examples of injustice; gossip, manipulation, coersion, lying, deception, or libel.  At the core of it all lies an abuse of power.  Nothing thwarts God's purposes more than twisted power; nothing renews God's purposes more than redeeming power.

Christian worship (and prayer) can and should be one of the most profound and relevant responses to power abuse in the world.  In worship (and prayer) we cast our lives upon the faithful and just power of God.  When we do so, we appose all acts of unjust power.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ is about God's remarkable initiative and grace marshaled to realign power."

"I am stunned when I hear statistics like these:  that more than 25 million people around the world today live in slavery; that 40 percent of the world's population lacks basic sanitation facilities and over one billion use unsafe water; that in the least developed countries over 50 percent of the population is not expected to live to the age of sixty, compared to just over 10 percent in the most developed countries; that the per capita spending on police in India is about twenty-five cents per person per year, whereas in the Unites States it is over $250 per person per year.  And India is better off than countries where no police force even exists, such as Liberia and Chad.  In other countries the local police would be the last place to go for help in the face of injustice, because of graft and corruption.  We assume that the basic protection of law enforcement most in the United States enjoy is more or less present in other parts of the world, but it is not.  Many people in other countries, especially the poor, are exposed to whims of power abuse, and the police are but one example."

It is so easy to find our comfortable place in life, inoculated from the pain and injustices of others with whom we share this planet.  Stepping out of church ministry in a beautiful place to live, I am beginning to reawaken to the real reason that we were called to ministry . . . no, make that the christian life!  It is not just for those called to 'professional' ministry.  It is for all of us that call ourselves Christ followers.  The only true change of injustice is the realignment of power under the grace filled love of the One who alone holds all power.

Birthday Week

Time marches on . . . . This week I turn  54.  What can I say about that ?   Since the joy of turning 18,with all my life ahead of me, and the trauma I experienced, albeit self induced, when I turned 25 and my life assessment disheartened me; married 7 years, 2 children, one of them strong willed and hyperactive, a tough ministry and needed growth in our marriage and spiritual life, all while many of my friends were not carrying the weight of such heavy life experiences and seemingly having "fun". 

I must say with all sincerity that my 50's, so far, have been the best years of my life.  Not that the previous years were  not wonderful in their own right. But I have ceased striving to 'find myself' years ago, and am enjoying the person God made me to be.  I have also ceased trying to make my husband the man I think he should be and and thoroughly enjoying what God has created in him using all the pain, struggle, and unique experiences that we have walked through. Steve is a compassionate, sensitive, loyal husband who has learned how to encourage and protect me.  He seeks the Lord for the wisdom and courage to be the husband, father, and minister that he has been called to be.  Our children are amazing people, each one in their own right.  I am blessed.

Some how the same things that would have sent me into a spiraling depression or an anxiety charged fit, are managed (most of the time) with prayer and an acknowledgement that God is sovereign and has control of our situation and that of our children.  I am not a victim in life's difficult situations, rather a loved child of my Heavenly Father.  

Now, I am watching my children go through many of the same experiences and feelings that Steve and I went through.  Giving them to the Lord, daily, I can be at peace and live and love, enjoying the years that the Lord has ordained for me.

O.K. so I am 15 to 20 lbs. overweight, wrinkles refuse to be 'hidden', and my energy and turn around time are decreasing and increasing accordingly, but in my year 54 life assessment, I would not change anything . . . . God is good and so is life!