One of my birds flew from my nest today

We just got our daughter off to YWAM this morning, so did two friends drop off their sons from Atlanta.

Also this morning, I heard the Keith Green song, "Asleep in the Light".
Not that this was hard, but it brought tears to my eyes.
Keith Green, I understand, was partially responsible for beginning YWAM. He helped cast the vision, I believe.

Back to the song. Have any of you heard it? It's about caring about the lost vs. being complacent as a believer. There's a pretty large group of youngsters about to care for the lost, lonely, hurting. The song never fails to challenge me and to break my heart.

Please pray for these young people.

Some of them have come from 1/2 way around the world--first time away from home.
My daughter shares a room with 5 other girls. Iron will sharpen iron. Hopefully lovingly.

I believe God had me hear that song. I'll see if I can look up and post the lyrics.

here they are:

Asleep in the Light

by Keith Green

Do you see, do you see
All the people sinking down
Don't you care, don't you care
Are you gonna let them drown?

How can you be do numb,
Not to care if they come?
You close your eyes
And pretend the jobs done.

Oh bless me Lord, bless me lord
You know its all I ever hear
No one aches, no one hurts
No one even sheds one tear

But he cries, he weeps, he bleeds
And he cares for your needs.
And you just lay back
And keep soaking it in.
Oh can't you see its such a sin

'Cause he brings people to your door
And you turn them away
As you smile and say,
"God bless you, be at peace."
And all heaven just weeps,
'cause Jesus came to you door.
You've left him out on the streets.

Open up open up,
And give yourself away.
You see the need, you hear the cries,
So how can you delay?

Gods calling and you're the one.
But like Jonah you run.
He's told you to speak,
But you keep holding it in.
Oh cant you see its such a sin?

The world is sleeping in the dark.
That the church just cant fight,
cause its asleep in the light.
How can you be so dead
When you've been so well fed?
Jesus rose from the grave
And you, you cant even get out of bed.

Oh, Jesus rose from the dead
Come on get out of your bed!

How can you be so numb
Not to care if they come?
You close your eyes,
And pretend the jobs done.
You close your eyes,
And pretend the jobs done.

Don't close your eyes.
Don't pretend the jobs done.
Come away, come away, come away with me my love...
Come away, come away, come away with me my love...

Last Week

My daughter's last week at home. Then she goes to YWAM.

It's the end of an era. Bittersweet. Melancholy.
Necessary to her personal growth, at this juncture. Exciting, in a way.

I can tell you this:
My husband absolutely delights in her, so I'm concerned about how he'll take this.

She helps keep me the house straight after hurricane younger brother hits (1 year younger). Now I'll have to, clean up a lot more, get after him a lot more!

Our family time will feel completely different.
Erma Bombeck once said that to be a mother meant having your heart walk around outside of you for the rest of your life.
Boy, did she nail that one. Looks like my heart is going on a world tour. God bless and protect her.
God bless our last week of this precious era. In Jesus' name.

Fred's Friend

Today, I officially became a "Friend of Fred's" for the Fred Thompson campaign. Politics are interesting, but I have to confess, I don't 'live' in them, the way that a football fan loves football and lives in a football world.

So, if I'm not all that political, why did I become a friend of Fred's?

I like him and he seems trustworthy and solid.

Likability is largely underrated and it's too bad because the trait of likability has tremendous merit. It doesn't belong to just anybody. Likability is like a fruit from a tree. A bad tree can't bear good fruit, so it is with the intangible goodness in Fred that I want to see modeled for my children.

Fred reminds me of Ronald Reagan. He displays his same affection for people, deference to elders, to those who deserve our respect. I like the way he treats women, and I like the way he treats men. I like the respectful way he treats opponents: graciousness without compromise.

He possesses the civility I'd very much like to see restored in the political arena.

He's well-spoken and can think on his feet. All of these traits combined make him a good representative for our country both domestically and internationally. And the next president is going to have to be good in both arenas.

He has small children.
And there's something about raising small children that makes you a better person: you think about the future, and how your actions impact generations to follow. You're living beyond yourself, sacrificing for their good. You care more. I'd love to see a young family in the White House again.

Like I said, I'm not political. But, I think Fred is worth supporting in order to insure a better future for the next generation. I like the values he embodies, and the style in which he embodies them. He's got more of what's been missing in Washington.

So, I'm posting a link. He'll need prayers, money, encouragement, helpers.

Here's how to donate funds. Every little bit helps:

Donate to Fred's Campaign



Also, here's his campaign website where you can learn more:

Friends of Fred's

A Summer of Transition

Some of my children's friends are already married, already parents. Within a month, both of my kids will be legally able to vote. I watch my daughter unknowingly turn heads when she's out in public. I watch my son assemble a bunch of bookshelves, and handle himself like a man. He's already deep into his college major, while in high school. Our daughter is about to move out and spend a year serving and traveling.

Excuse me, but when did this happen? Didn't I just get them out of diapers and teach them to read? Wasn't it yesterday that they were running down the stairs in their pajamas, with the sole aim of getting up on my lap? Didn't Holland just accidentally throw her retainer in the trash at the mall? When did all the toys on the floor disappear?

I'm not sure when all of that passed. How could it happen right under my nose, yet catch me by surprise?


In a recent conversation with a college friend who is expecting twins, we observed the obvious, "Children enter your life, and completely change it." She could say this with great conviction as she has built a wonderful law practice and is now beginning her family.

But, children also change your life tremendously when they leave your home. We're about to let one go for a while: our daughter. So far, we've all had our moments. So far, they haven't happened all at once.

My last moment involved a piano and the sheet music to Butterfly Kisses.
I am going to miss her. But, I would not rob her of this opportunity to go learn and mature.

I can't imagine life without her. She's been around 19 years. Almost 20, if you count the pregnancy.

I'm going to miss her and I wonder what it's going to be like.

I'll keep you posted.

Wow, God!

A couple of days ago, I was getting dressed for the day, when I thought, "This is the 20th year since college graduation. It's too bad, God, that we all lost touch with all of the NROTC guys. You'd think that this day and age with the internet, someone would have the savvy to get us all reunited. Can you help us all get reunited?"
I've prayed that prayer before. This is group of people who never wanted to lose track of each other.

For the last twenty years, we've all been getting married, raising children, building businesses, fighting wars, serving in the military, getting ahead, staying afloat, moving around, and just doing. College feels like it was only yesterday.

This morning, I slept in a little. We've been getting up at 4:45 to get to the gym by 5:00 am. Today was a day off, so believe me, I slept in. Until 7:30. Though I was grateful for the rest, I knew I'd miss our morning routine, especially the prayer.

So, we prayed quickly, right after Michael got dressed, while I was still in bed. Among other prayers I thought to say, "God, would you surprise me in a wonderful, unexpected way today?"

I actually forgot I had prayed that, and set about cleaning and doing laundry, etc.
At about 8:30 this morning, I checked my e-mails, and there was an anonymous post to my blog. Someone who was looking for Michael, from the NROTC unit from Boston.
It was our friend, Shawn.

Long story short, after 20 years, thanks to a few good men, God, and the internet, we're all in touch again. The e-mails are flowing, we're going to the reunion, and the phones are ringing. What a great group of people! Talk about happiness! This is a group of people who really enjoy each other, and shared some great years together in College. It looked as though we'd never get reunited.

This is just a post to say, "Thanks God. Thanks an awful lot. That was unexpected and wonderful. We can't wait to see them. Please bless the reunion, and everybody's comings and goings. Please make it possible for people to be found and to make it to Boston this summer. "
In Jesus' name.
Amen!

Some Things in Life are Too Easy to Miss

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/04/AR2007040401721.html
This story pained me on a number of different levels.
I feel pain for the people, for the beautiful musician, and just for us all.
I know there are a number of explanantions as to why the following happened, but I still experience it as a sort of cultural tragedy.

I haven't been able to stop thinking about this article.
At first, I was just struck with the beauty of the music, but that settled into a kind of sadness.
I wish we weren't in such a rush.
I think it's sad that we don't have time for beauty.

The Brazilian shoe shine lady in the article said that a thing like this would never happen in Brazil. I think it wouldn't happen in most countries. I know we're into productivity in this country, and yes, I know that context does matters, but this is sad.
If there was one thing I could change about our culture, I would slow us down and have us 'live' more and be less harried.
In a slower paced world, we'd recognize this kind of treasure, and we'd take it in. We, ourselves, would produce more beauty.
Sigh. I truly am saddened by our driven, harried
state that has rendered us senseless to beauty.
We're WAY out of balance. (And I am rarely dogmatic).

Paradoxical freedom

My friend Carla and I were having another one of our "so this is life and truth" discussions, and I decided I would blog about it.

We were both raised in the 1970's and early 80's, and like almost everybody, we unquestioningly ingested some of our culture's values, some good, some anti biblical. Those particular teachings can be very costly. So I am attempting to write, in the current vernacular, something that the Bible teaches.

"They were submissive to their own husbands, like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are her daughters, if you do what is right and don't give way to fear."
1 Peter 3:5-6

I guess many women in this day and age struggle with dismissing this verse as being antiquated, and think,"For then, certainly not for modern times." We aren't going to find encouragement to be submissive to your husband out in the world. It's become almost a hidden truth.

The first and most obvious objections to submission would be, "I don't want to be controlled. I am my own person."
Or, "He doesn't have the wisdom to lead me." I could think of more objections, but, my point is that I understand that this is a hard and counter-intuitive concept.

But, if you will allow me to put it in a nutshell, so as to make it more understandable in this day and age, I'll teach it like this:

What do we women crave? Security, peace, freedom from fear, our husband's admiration. The world teaches that we should go our own way, even in marriage, and that rob us of all , of the aforementioned desires.

How can following an imperfect man, who can lead me where I don't want to go, be God's plan for me? I mean, why did God bother giving me a personality, if it was going to boil down to this? (For the record, I am not talking about an abusive, dangerous man. In those circumstances seek help, shelter, wisdom.)

God knows what we need, and he knows how to give it to us. But, first we must realize that His ways are higher than our ways, that he often works in unexpected ways, and that His wisdom always sounds like foolishness to our natural minds. Those things alone explain our dilemma!

So, what does it look like, what happens when we take God up on that particular verse?

Well, first of all, submission begins with some sort of conflict of interest or disagreement.
I mean, otherwise there is agreement and therefore no need to submit. We're already doing as we wish.
So suppose your authority figure wants something you don't. What of your hopes, dreams, and desires? God said we'd be Sarah's daughters if we didn't give way to fear.
So, we can rest on the fact that the Word acknowledges that we'd face fear at this juncture. Of course, we cannot imagine how God could create harmony and work a thing out for our good, when all we can see is the fact that we're walking a road we certainly would not have chosen.

That's where many of us drop off. And that, friends, is giving way to fear: the fear that God can't or won't work it out or that we don't matter to God --that he's somehow forgotten us.

This is a difficult subject to distill, but in the movie, Braveheart, William Wallace modeled the needed attitude best, "The Almighty already knows I want those things." What spectacular trust! What faith in God's ability to do anything, and work anything out, even when we don't see a way.

We can say the same thing! When we're following our husband's leadership, and it perplexes us, of course we can speak up! Submitting doesn't mean you can't share your ideas. It means that in God's established order for the household, the husband has the last word. If you've shared your concerns with God and with your husband (after all, you are in a relationship), how can you be sure that this isn't the road to fulfilling those desires? God often uses the unexpected. (See Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. See fishermen becoming fishers of men. See his incarnation coming in the form of a lowly infant.)

How can we keep from giving way to fear? One way that works for me is to realize, that in times of following in submission, I have to look beyond my husband's back and unto whatever the Lord is doing through these circumstances. God is already working in that situation, and we can have confidence in him by remembering what Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

Remember that marriage is an earthly depiction of God's image and that Jesus, himself, submits to the Father. A great picture of this is in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus dreaded and despised what laid right ahead of him in his execution. He pleaded with the Father that that cup be removed from him, but he also knew the wisdom of submission and the utter trustworthiness of God, so he said, "Nevertheless, not my, but thy will be done."

Where would we be now if Jesus would have given way to fear? The word says he was tempted in every way, so it's a safe bet that he was tempted to fear. Jesus' trust of the Father, led to death at the moment, but ultimately to a resurrection and gloriously, to our redemption.

My point is, We may feel a petite death when we're going against the grain of our personal preferences. But, God can move in unimaginable ways. He can bring a thing about, and he can purify our desires. Obedience can lead to life and freedom and into knowing God better. I'm learning to look beyond the authority figure, to the one who placed him in authority. I can also now say that I'm grateful for the challenges of faith presented to me thus far. They can be hard to live through, but they bear such priceless fruit.

One neat outcome? You get to see God work in a way that you couldn't have forseen. Your trust in him increases, and then the next disagreement doesn't seem quite as frightening. You'll know to look beyond the immediate and even become excited about what God could be doing in that circumstance.

The paradox? The very fearful circumstance becomes the vehicle that helps increase our sense of security. Our husbands appreciate our respect and our quiet trust in God and it becomes a means of building them up, as well.

I share this because it's freedom. And because I really haven't heard much relatable teaching on this subject.


Be blessed.
Evelyn

PS.
We can't do it in our own strength, but we don't have to. God helps us through.

Young Adult or Old Child?

My children are young adults.
It took me, and it took them a while to realize it.
But, I am very gratified to see them grow/grown, and I do enjoy their increasing maturity.

My friend Carla and I talk fairly often about our growing children.
Often, moms are the last to know that their children have grown up.
We remember the baby days and toddler years and tree climbing as if it were yesterday. It might even have been yesterday. Our lives have been wrapped up in our little ones' lives all these years. so naturally we're reluctant to let go.

Being the parent of adult children takes some adjustments. It takes acceptance and it means releasing them into God's hands. Young adults still require mentoring, but they cannot be treated as children. As one wise mom said: "God and I have a deal: I won't take all the credit and I won't take all the blame."

Of course, the young person has some responsibility to make this a smooth transition.
First, they must decide that they're really not a kid anymore, and be willing to embrace the new weight of responsibility and accountability. They must realize that their parents have been raising them from an egg, and that parents need understanding, too.

But, I think the most essential change is that both parent and child need to go to God with each other. In other words, both need to trust God more. An adult child feels affection and gratitude towards his parents, if all has gone right. But, at times will feel challenged trying to honor and respect them. At those times, they need to remember that they are treating their parents gently, out of love for God; and that God is pleased with that sacrifice of pride.

Conversely, parents need to still mentor, but go from being their child's external conscience to being their prayer warrior and sideline coach/cheerleader. When both parent and offspring understand the unique challenges inherent to the other in this transition, then it becomes easier to help things along and give grace where needed.

Both parent and offspring need to conclude: my child is no longer a child, but an adult or "I am not an old child. I am a young adult." Once that is established in the heart and the mind, the new phase has begun!

Growing in Freedom, part 1

I'm going to take the next few days to share some thoughts on adulthood and freedom with some of my younger readers. Older readers are free to read as well, and I welcome comments. But, I do moderate them, so they won't appear immediately after you post them.

I'm going to share a little from my life.

At 19 I went to Boston University, right after my stint in the Army.
At that time in my life, I was revelling in my freedom and loving the fact that I was free to make my own choices. Perhaps it was the military service, or maybe it was my early degree from the School of Hard Knocks and Bad Choices, but I had reached a point where I only wanted God's plan for my life. He must had given me the discernment or wisdom to realize that His was the path to true freedom.

I'm going to keep this short and then expound a little in the next few days. But, I knew I had entered adulthood at that time. I knew because of what I did and didn't want out of life. I knew because of the deeper questions of choices and destiny with which I was wrestling. I tend to be a bit of a noncomformist, naturally. I was probably born that way. But this was different. Like never before, I had absolutely no interest in running with the herd and following the crowd. I was perfectly content to swim upstream and stay focused on my goals. The herd was just peropheral scenery. I had learned to want what God wanted for me and I knew it was what was best. I certainly wasn't being contrary, just focused.

In those days, I filled my journal with thoughts and tomes about freedom. I don't think I wrote anything earth-shatterlingly profound or noteworthy, but I was taken with the concept. I was tasting true freedom and I knew that "free" was something I always wanted to be. I also knew that freedom wasn't cheap. Staying free had to be a deliberate choice. Bad choices impeded freedom, and so did any lies or misconceptions I was laboring under.

It was a dynamic time of learning truth and clinging to it. I thought it was fun because I knew it would lead to a great life.

One thing I love/loved about God was that He was absolutely willing to lead me into freedom. People think God is all about rules and taking our freedom. But that's totally wrong. He's all about freedom: getting us out of all sorts of bondage and giving us the truth. The Word says, "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free".

That's it for now. Keep checking in.

Pink Tuesday and blooming crocus.

I'm so glad yesterday is over! Some yesterdays are like that. One thing I love about God is that His mercies are new every morning! I love it that He allows U-turns, and that He's perfect. . . but not perfectionistic. How happy and blessed I am to be His daughter.

Speaking of daughters, I just had a wonderful conversation with a daughter in the faith. She is quite a mature and lovely young woman. I don't think she'll wrestle long with the question, "Am I a woman or a girl?" because I think I'm beginning to see the beginnings of a truly wonderful work that God is doing in her life. It's a work that will require maturity. As someone who has known her most of her life, I feel joyous and excited.

Some in this next generation of young adult believers will be called upon to live lives that are essentially and radically different than what the world lives. Last year, the census bureau discovered that there are now more unmarried adults than there are married adults in the US. Also, I've heard older adults sternly counsel the younger ones to wait until they are 26 to marry. That definitely has it's pros and cons, but it can said, in all fairness, that readiness for marriage has much more to do with maturity than with chronological age.


This gal is bright, intelligent and promising, and beautiful. And she's God's. She will hear, and has heard many divergent voices of how to spend her life, her youth, and her many different expressions of beauty. We all know the options : career, school, military service, missions, an active dating life, marriage. But, in her case --and I'm so proud of her for this-- she wants what God wants. Whatever that may be.

That's great. A lot of people say that. But, in some cases it can be quite costly. Take Mary, when she was a young virgin. She said "Be it unto me as thou hast said" and behold! She was left to explain to her parent's and relatives that she was pregnant, via divine overshadowing, with a holy child.

Other girls around her were, no doubt, also sold out to God, and wanted his plan for their lives. But her calling was radically different, and came a little sooner than she expected. Still, after one or two questions to the angel, she consented.

Now, my children, and my young friend may not have a calling as radical as a virgin birth. But, going counter-culture at a young age can be about as daunting. One thing that helped my daughter in the faith was a talk bolstering her up as a young woman vs. an old child. Too many young people have this struggle: 'When am I an adult?'

She has long reached the age of reasoning and accountability. She might find herself in a courtship in the near future as she has captured the imagination and notice of a remarkable young, godly, twenty- something man. Courtship at her age is counter culture. But this seems very right and very peacable to her.

What an interesting prospect. I do counsel young people who are considering a relationship with the member of the opposite sex to look, look, look and pray before they leap. But sometimes, like a crocus as a heralder of Spring, we get to see a wonderful early work of the Lord that was hidden, but bloomed early.

The Most Depressing Day of the Year

Well, it's Blue Monday, what experts have termed the third Monday in January because they figured that this was the most depressing day of the year. By the third week in January, we will have faced up to our credit card debts accrued over the holidays, and we will have come face to face with our failure to carry out our New Year Resolutions. (I don't do those normally.)

It's a little strange to live out the year's most depressing day. Ironically, it's grey and overcast and drizzling rain here in Central Florida. How does one commemorate a "holiday" such as Blue Monday? Should we be sad? Reach out to a depressed person? (Not a bad idea.) Fight the blues? Embrace them?

I guess we could have some fun with it and do up a blue table, with blue plates, salad with blue cheese, play the blues, and have blue jello for dessert. (I think I will.) I'll even do place cards on blue paper, written with a blue marker.

Why not?
Red, White and Blue is for Independence Day
Red and Pink is for Valentines Day.
Green is for St. Patricks Day.
Red and Green is traditional for Christmas.
Blue alone doesn't have a holiday to grace.

Should this be?
Is this fair?

I, for one, will do my part in granting this poor color equal time.
It might lead to a prayer time for someone we know who needs a boost.
Maybe God will give us an idea of who to invite for dinner.
Who knows?

The good news is that we get 2007's most depressing day out of the way early. The other remaining 343 days are bound to be better -- according to the experts.
The day is almost half done!

Here's to a happier tommorow!

By the way, one of our goldfish died. It turns out that he wasn't cute and chubby like we thought when we purchased him, but bloated and very ill.
:-(

Hello 2007!

Dear Readers,
THANK YOU for not giving up on me while I was busy being a holiday hostess! I'm still at it and I'm going to miss my crowd. We're having such fun. The holidays, to me, are what tax season is to a CPA. It's my 'high season'. I'll have to be careful not to fall into a slump of despondency once it's all over. Fortunately, I have a friend who wants to fly out to see me in mid-January.

One thing I have enjoyed most is the interaction between generations. I kept thinking, "One generation serves the other." (I know this is biblical. . . a concordance will give you the reference.)
We cooked for each other, cleaned for each other. We stopped and listened and spoke to each other and our lives are all the richer for these interaction.

A snapshot memory I have is the younger generation's first act of the New Year. They sat around our little fire pit by the pool, talking in a circle. We'd peek out at them every so often, because they made such a nice picture. At midnight, they led out the happiest, most robust cheer and held up their champagne glasses of sparkling grape juice. But, before they did that. They opened the New Year asking God for His blessing. What an encouragement those seven young people are to us. We love them so dearly. . .

I feel that I have been surrounded by all sorts of love in this past week. There is thoughtfulness and fellowship all around me; the last two remaning slices of my friend, Susan's, apple cake, dishes on the drying rack that I didn't wash, games waiting to be played once again, the dustpan (not put away after the last use). Our kitchen now boasts two new goldfish in a one gallon aquarium that our daughter gave her Daddy for Christmas. He loves it. There's so much to be thankful for.

In a few moments, they will all return from their errands. They're travelling en masse.

But, I promised a cyber friend a recipe. He ordinarily hates spinach, but is willing to give this hors d'eurve recipe a try.

(Jim U, I got this recipe from a friend I made when my husband was stationed in Okinawa, Japan with the USMC. They were a hit at the get-togethers)

Patrice's Spinach Puff
(this recipe can be halved, but I've never done it, because they freeze so well.)

2 pkgs. frozen chopped spinach, cooked in microwave, and squeezed dry.
2 small onions, finely chopped
1 8oz pkg Pepperidge Farm herb stuffing
1 C of melted butter (2 sticks)
1 C grated Parmesan cheese
1 T garlic salt
1 T black pepper
1/2 t thyme
6 eggs, beaten

Mix all ingredients together (you'll probably have to use your hands to work all of the ingredients together evenly).
Shape into 1" balls.
Bake 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

*to freeze:
Do not bake.
Lay wax paper on baking sheet.
Roll balls and space evenly.
Put tray in freezer and freeze.
Transfer into a gallon freezer zip lock bag.

To bake:
Take desired amount out of freezer, placed on ungreased cookie sheet and allow to thaw a little.
Bake according to instructions.

Bon appetit, jim U!

More later.
Love to all.

From a believing soldier in Iraq. A prayer request.

Hello Friends,

I'm part of an online blogging/discussion community: Worldmag blog. The following is posted by Brad. He posted the following in frustration, but then went on to ask believers to pray through his post asn treat it as a prayer request.

Please join us. If you click on his name, you can send him an e-mail. --- Evelyn.

A grievance from a "boot on the ground":

Forgive me for griping.

I have little respect for the civilian politicians here in Iraq. They seem to want the perks/prestige and pay but NONE of the responsibility. The Gov of Diyala Province came here. He came in to greet wounded iraqi troops. We were going to send them to the local Baqouba Gen Hospital. "Oh they cannot go there. It's not safe." Excuse me?? You're the territorial governor. If some place isnt safe you should be able to assign a security detail or battalion for that matter to protect the hospital. [Terrorists walk right in and shoot Iraqi doctors or "finish off" wounded Iraqis.]

The Iraqis claim they cannot do anything with their forces without American approval. Well I'm one American who is now giving his approval for them to defend themselves. Grow a backbone and step up to the plate.
In 2003, 2004 a PA who was here then told me that the Americans provided health care to one and all. The military hospitals and physicians were more or less medical missionaries--albeit with weapons and identical uniforms. Now our ROE (rules of engagemt) wont allow us to see folks who are non-life threatening diagnosis or whose injuries were not caused by us.
We had a LCN (local civilian national) and base employee show up at the gate with his kid. The kid has an infected foot injury or so the report said. We had to send the Dad away. I wonder if he's still proUSA or now siding with the terrorists.
The people we get present with odd wounds. One guy had the back of his shot out. At close range. Powder burns on the skin. One toe amputated. He was obviously the victim of torture. His tormentors left him to die and he was eventually taken to the local civ hospital and they in turn had him brought here. He required about 4u of blood! I think his leg will be amputated above the knee. And all the kids we've had with gunshot wounds to the head? I thought those were just unfortunate victims of stray bullets but now I'm not so sure. I suspect the rebels/terrorists/insurgents threaten the parents by shooting or harming the kids with the hope that it will make the parents cooperate with them.
I'd rather walk into a room with 10 wounded adults than even one child with a bullet wound. We had a call about an incoming 2 yr old with bullet to the head. I dreaded seeing that one but mercifully the child died enroute to us and went directly to the morgue

Yall, what's to be done?? If we will stay here until the local govt and military "stands up" I dont see an orderly withdrawal coming for several years if even then. This nation needs draft horses instead of lazy show ponies.

Posted by: Brad at December 23, 2006 02:11 AM

Still Bustling

Howdy all,
It's 17 December, and I'm home. Not a creature is stirring here at home, except me. The rest of the creatures are watching an Eagle Scout ceremony, where some friends are becoming Eagle Scouts and another friend is speaking. Needing to stop and rest this sabbath, I couldn't attend. So here I am, blogging in my pj's with a hot cup of peppermint tea, feet up.

School lets out late this year! I remember the wonderful, long Christmas vacations I enjoyed as a kid. Some years, school let out as early as December 17th. It was wonderful, because you had time to play, travel, visit and prepare for Christmas. If I wasn't a stay-at-home mom, I don't know how I would have managed this year. School lets out on the 20th, and in some cases on the 21st. That leaves only four days to shop and travel and bake and rest. Ugly trend. I hope this is the worst it ever gets.

Our son wants to be a Navy Seal, and is aggressively working towards that goal. If God grants him this heart's desire, this will be our second to last Christmas with our family as we have known it. Our daughter is laboring toward acceptance at Covenant College. We know, this year, that we need to enjoy our time together, because we may not always have it.

My life-long buddy, sister-like cousin from the Chicago suburbs arrives this week with her family. Our presents are all wrapped and under the tree. My husband has wrapped my birthday present in birthday paper and displayed it on it's own. I took the time to prepare and freeze food that I'll pull out for my visitors. I'll make and freeze hors d'eurves early this week. One of my dearest friends here in Florida baked for me her apple cake that she knows that my family loves. It too, will be frozen and wait for guests. Happy prospects this December!

Yesterday, I spent the morning with two girlfriends helping prepare for a sit down dinner Christmas party with friends. Scratching his head, one of their husbands asked, "Do you all know the meaning of 'simple' and 'austere'?"

Huh?

We just looked right back at him in reciprocal open curiosity, shared a laugh, and continued to bustle. At the party -which was a huge success- we played The White Elephant Game with 23 participants. I brought a fruitcake (which people either love or hate) because I knew it would be something people would either want to unload, or want to hold on to. As it turned out, a fruitcake lover 'stole' it from a fruitcake hater. Perfect ending. We sang every Christmas Carol we could think of. We didn't leave until after midnight. That's a six hour party!

This year, I'm enjoying the planning just as much as I'm enjoying the actual events. Middle age has it's privileges, and slowing down and savoring the moment is one of them. So which shall I wish on you this Christmas: middle age or the ability to enjoy the moment?

Enjoy your moments.

Thank God He Remembers Me at Christmas

Hello and Merry Christmas, so far!

When last I checked in, I was busy decking every hall I could get my hands on, near and far. Finally, I ran out of poinsettias and had to stop (until I could procure some more). All the while, as promised, I was ruminating on how best to remember Jesus this Christmas, praying that God would help me and my family with that. He sure has so far!

The first thing that happened was this: On Divine prompting,I reinstated the standing prayer meeting that I had cancelled for the month of December to give moms a chance to Christmas shop, bake and decorate their trees. What a blessing that meeting was! I love all the lights and decorations and sips of hot cider, but there was something very settling and grounding about stopping all the bustling and sipping, being in an undecorated prayer room and being with God, quietly.

In that place, I experienced some of the exquisite simplicity of the manger. Don't you just love God? He is enthroned in majesty, He created the world and hung the stars; there is none higher than Him. Yet, He chose to come to us, naked and helpless as a baby in a lowly manger. He met with us so meaningfully in the spartan little prayer room that night. We emerged all the richer for the experience. It would have been so easy to cease meeting, because, after all, what mom couldn't use a few hours while her family was otherwise occupied? There is so much to do. It even seemed neccessary. I'm so thankful for God's faithful promptings: It was one of the most special times I've had with Him in a while, and I almost cancelled it!

The second thing that helped my family remember Jesus this Christmas season was that we went to see The The Nativity Story.http://thenativitystory.com What a beautiful movie! We all loved it: It was truly breathtaking. The movie makers got out of the way and let the story speak for itself. Aside from the fact that they didn't fill the whole sky with angels in the scene of His birth, it was accurate. It was even deeply romantic. Joseph and Mary's humility, earthiness, bravery and obedience both convicted me and brought me to tears.

I've always objected to Joseph being depicted in art as the guy in the background, leaning on a staff. After all, once the angel appeared to Mary and she consented to the immaculate conception, all further angelic communications were directed at Joseph. He led, sheilded and protected Mary and Jesus. What an awesome calling. This movie showed Joseph in action. It was beautiful to behold. Joseph is a fine example of godly manhood, and this movie showcased that fact.

Mary was humble, earthy, beautiful, courageous, virtuous. It seemed an honest portrayal. She was shown in the context of her family and community. Her upbringing and personality showed. But so did the love and hate around her.

Something profound, yet almost inexplicable happened to us as we watched the story unfold. We were left in awe of God's ability to accomplish His will, regardless of who tries to thwart it. We're still marvelling that God acts in ways that man just can't expect. I think we're just floored by His majesty, strength, humility and power. WOW.

I hope you go see this movie. My prayer is that it'll intersect you the way it did me and my family: it didn't leave us satiated but rather, longing to know this magnificent God of ours better.

Enjoy.

Decking the Halls , Aching Feet and Remembering God

My feet have been aching for just under a week now, but I can't really blame bad shoes or arthritis or even bunions (I don't think I have any). My feet ache because I've been on a non-stop Christmas decorating spree, at my own house, for the church and for others.

Why can't I do that on a small scale? You know: less is more? Where does all of that go for me over the Holidays? Why is it that I must see pointesettias and nutcrackers and snowmen and nativities in every room? Why is it that late November and all of December meals need to be eaten by Christmas tree light? (I've got three main ones this year: one in the living room, one in the dining room and three in the kitchen. But, they're a grouping so I'll count them as one unit).

I can't apologize for it. For all I know, this could have been God's idea: after all, all of my occasions land between the week of Thanksgiving, all the way to New Years. As you already know from a previous article, we just had our wedding anniversary. My mother's and one of my sister's birthdays are in early December. Mine is right before Christmas. I have a few parties I usually attend, and one I always throw when I'm in town: My Christmas Open House. This is my time of the year!

The weather is wonderfully agreeable this time of year almost everywhere. I love Christmas music; I collect nutcrackers, buy Christmas ornaments wherever we may travel, love Christmas cards, holiday photos, Christmas china, Christmas cookies, hot cider, and hot cocoa. Aside from all of the expense, and the aching feet, what's not to love?

When else can you wear bright colored sweaters and Christmas ornament earrings, play the gift exchange game and sing along with friends? No. It's defintely the best time of the year. Except for one thing... usually my birthday gets completely lost in the shuffle of holiday doings.

Last year, I complained about it to God in prayer. "Lord! I always feel like my birthday gets forgotten in the holiday whirlwind." I stopped and sighed.

And then distinctly heard Him reply to me (not audibly, but better) , "I know what you mean!"
I'm sure He does!

So, the challenge for me is how best to celebrate Christ: the incarnation. For now, I'm going to leave that question open ended for you, gentle reader, to ponder this point.

I do pray, meanwhile, that we will all have a meaningful, God-honoring, relationship-building holiday season this year. May He show us how.

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!

I feel great! And for me, that's saying something. I have struggled for years to be able to say that.
I had gone to doctors, over the past two decades, who were unable to help me. But in recent years, God has led me directly to the people who could help me recover my health. And, like I said: I feel GREAT!

Alleluia!

Feeling physically great has helped my perspective in other areas. This Thanksgiving, I'm overwhelmed with feelings of gratitude that I was heretofore, too run down to experience.

I want to praise and thank God for the following things. This won't be an exhaustive list.

1) I've recovered my health after a long season of assorted, non-permanent, yet hindering and debilitating health issues. I feel fantastic, and I'm grateful to God, my doctor, my husband, my parents and the medical community in Cartagena, Colombia and everyone who helped put me on my feet.

2) I'm grateful for my marriage to my best friend, Michael.

3) I'm grateful that our children are still with us, and that we can enjoy the holidays together.

4) I'm grateful for the completion of homeschooling and that I'm now enjoying other pursuits, like this blog.

5) I'm grateful for friends who are like family, and family members who are like friends. Also, I have many, many nieces and nephews, and a few 'sons' and 'daughters'

6) For my children's goals, which they are very excited about. I'm grateful that they have them, but also that they're working towards them, having faith that God is with them. That's exciting to us as parents. They're not only dreaming, they're putting feet to their dreams.

7) For experiencing God through easy times and through trials. I know he'll never leave me or forsake me.

8) That our parents are still among us. I have friends who have lost parents. We know how that changes a person's world. We almost lost one recently, and so we're grateful to still have them.

9) A recovered ability to concentrate. Bible reading has become exciting again!

10) For mentors, teachers and prayer partners.

I'll probably add to this list throughout the day. Those are my initial thoughts.

19 years of Marriage

Happily, it's finally cold enough in Florida to see your breath. So this morning, my husband, Michael, and I found ourselves in a warm, huddled mass at Five a.m.--the time his alarm clock rings. Ordinarily, I try to ignore it and sleep a while longer. But today, he greeted me with "Happy Anniversary" and "I'd do it all again". So would I.

19 years ago today Michael and I tied the knot. To my delight, he proposed right after college. Not believing in long engagements, he set the date for late November. We knew that at that time he would have completed his Marine officer training in Quantico, and had a few days before he had to report to artillery school in Ft. Sill. My mother had to work hard and fast to pull together our wedding by November. About 25 years earlier, my parents put my grandmother through similar stress when they gave her a week's notice. (You reap what you sow...) Both mothers performed admirably, and I'm happy to report that both weddings were beautiful, joyful celebrations.

But on this anniversary, I'm not really thinking about the proposal and the wedding day. Instead, I'm marvelling at the journey. The nineteen years -21 if you count our courtship. I'm left in awe of God's plan and provision in uniting us. Who else but God could devise such a beautiful mystery? Who else could take two people and make one, easing their aloneness while refining them?

Ideally, in marriage, we grow up and we grow together-- despite our natural tendencies. It sounds simpler than it is. Where to begin?

Initially, there was a certain need to detox from Hollywood depictions of marriage and to embrace the biblical model, instead. In the early years, we learned what we're still learning: Love is not a feeling. It's a commitment. The rapturous feelings come and go--we all love it when they're present-- but the commitment is part of the glue God uses to cleave us. It's comforting to know that Michael is still committed to me on bad days, bad hair days, and days when I'm less than loveable. I know he's comforted that I'm with him in plenty and in want,and I don't mean just money. Sometimes it's time, attention, etc.

I think we enter into the covenant thinking we're always going to be loving and loveable. But, in the daily walking out of it, we are sometimes myopic, critical, distracted, self-centered and mean; in other words, less than loveable.

Ironically, that's when we learn to love: not when it's easy and enjoyable, but when it's hardest, when we're giving and receiving grace. It's when we look back that we realize that our love deepened not because of our perfections, but because of our commitment and for the way we dealt with our mutual imperfections.

I remember being married for a pair of months, when an eager young woman who was soon to be married asked me, "What advice can you give me?" I don't know where I summoned this sagely wisdom, I can only claim divine inspiration, because "Go into marriage poised to forgive." came out of my mouth.

Both she and I stopped to consider the importance of those words! Of course we have to forgive. Spouses are only human. As our ideal of them gets replaced by the realities of selfishness and conflict, we either forgive, or keep our love from growing. It's when we're offended, and we choose to love and forgive that love blooms. Forgiveness allows for fresh starts, new growth and the strengthening and beautifying of the marital bond.

We have also learned and are learning how to stop in our tracks, think about how we're effecting the other and say things like; "I'm sorry" , "Please forgive me", "Let's just sleep on it", "Why don't we pray", "Let's discuss this a little later" and "Let's try that again".

Of course, we wouldn't know how to do that if we hadn't been for the work of Jesus Christ; who paid for our sins so that we could be forgiven. We love him because he first loved us. That principle holds true in marriage, too. We can love, because God first loved us. We can forgive, because we've experienced God's forgiveness in our own lives. Our 19 years have been, in large part, fruit of what he did on the cross. We both know that it is God who has held us together and equipped us for togetherness. Thank God that none of us have to face the flesh alone; neither ours nor our spouse's.

Our 18 year old daughter wonders which romantic way we're planning to celebrate our anniversary. This year, even though we'll probably go out to dinner, our gratitude is our celebration. We said, "I'd do it again." and we meant it. Thank You, God for what you did and are doing for us through Jesus' Christ.

O.K., This was funny

I read that Jay Leno said this the other night about the current Play Station 3 craze. I loved it:

"People are waiting in lines for that thing.
There’s been pushing, shoving, riots – this is the most exercise most of these people will ever get."

Laboring to Share from the Heart

One of my very favorite movie scenes is from A Walk in the Clouds. In the movie, Keanu Reeves is an American on his way to marry a girl from a wealthy, aristocratic Mexican family. Their relationship is too tangled to explain now. So I'll simplify it: They get into a fight and are sadly estranged from each other for a time. Anthony Quinn, who plays her grandfather, steps in and gives the young American the following advice from his Latin heart:

'Words are a waste of time. Men and women cannot talk about their differences. Women, are creatures of the heart. I know just what you need.'

He proceeds to enlist musicians, ply the young man with wine and teach him a Spanish love song with which to serenade his lady. He knows that this will soften her heart. (By the way, the strategy works). The old man, tipsy from too much wine, tries to share the Spanish heart to the American. He can only do that by percentages. Keanu tries to absorb the meaning while the Mariachis sing the love song.

The old man, almost in tears cries, "Have you ever heard anything more beautiful in your life?" (I love this, because I get this way often)

The song was beautiful, like so many aspects of Latin-American culture. I found myself wishing that the young man could experience it more deeply.

As a passionate Colombian-American married to truly wonderful Irish-American, I often long to REALLY share my culture with him. Recently, while grieving the emptying nest, by playing a beautiful bolero and crying; my husband, Michael, wanted to understand. So,I played the ballad for him, and tried to impart it's full meaning: I SO wanted to share its beauty with him. But I knew that the literal translation wasn't reaching him.

So yesterday, I undertook it's interpretation. It truly was a labor of love. Communicating the full meaning, emotions, imagery, and meter seemed too daunting a task. (I'd never tried it) The fact that I accomplished this feat was nothing short of miraculous.

Here's a link my sister found where you can hear the melody. The lyrics varied a little from the version I know. http://blip.tv/file/98496
I offer you it's rendering in English, from my pen. In Spanish it's called 'El Camino de la Vida" I think I've captured its full meaning, let me know.:

The Byways of Life


Swift like the rushing wind,
The days and nights passed
That marked our infancy;
While God prepared us.
An angel watched with care,
While we grew ready
For all that lay ahead,
on this life’s journey

And then we entered youth;
A time of learning
The games, the friends, our school,
Our hearts’ first yearnings,
Ours soul began to show,
What we were made of,
Our hearts began to dream,
and form a vision of
Our life’s ambition


chorus
And springing forth as from a brook,
The honeyed days of our first love,
Our soul just soared not knowing that
Illusions tend to disappear
And we sadly and resignedly, discovered
That our lives are made of ,
Happiness and sorrow.


And later when we joined as one,
Together, living for our cause,
We formed ourselves a nest of love,
A refuge that we called our home.
Thus began another season of our lifetimes:
A woman and a man, united by their faith,
And their ideals.

The fruit, born of our love,
When Heaven blessed us;
Brought joy and happiness,
With just their presence.
For whom can you love most?
If not your children?
They are the legacy,
Of our existence.


And later with our hearts,
and with our toil,
We work to give them all
that life requires.
So when they come of age,
They will to heights rise.
And have the happiness,
Security and bliss,
So dearly treasured.


chorus
And springing forth as from a brook,
The honeyed days of our first love,
Our soul just soared not knowing that
Illusions tend to disappear
And we sadly and resignedly, discovered
That our lives are made of,
Happiness and sorrow.


And later, when they leave the home;
Some leave and never say goodbye,
The coldness of our solitude,
Weighs painfully inside our hearts.

And that’s why, my treasured love that I must ask you
The way I ask the Lord,
That if we reach old age,
You’ll still be with me.



What a song!
Have you ever heard anything more beautiful in your life?