Mother's Day 2015

I have been thinking all weekend about some of the most important things that my mom taught me over the years.  She has been in Heaven for many years, but is always in my heart.  I am grateful to have been her daughter.  Things mom taught me . . .

Love God - Life didn't always treat my mom "fairly" but she never lost her unwavering faith in God.  She taught us well that the most important thing in life is to love God and trust Him first.  I was 4 when mom and dad knelt with me next to a kitchen chair after Sunday dinner to ask Jesus to be my Lord and Savior.  Never diminish the decisions that children make.  I have never forgotten that day and it is the truth that has been the constant of my life all of these years.

Laugh - My mom had a great sense of humor.  I don't think I realized it so much when I was home, but I often think of things she would say and do and she was a hoot.  I guess she had to have a sense of humor with six children and a very busy life.

Laugh at yourself - Mom wasn't afraid to make a mistake and laugh about it.  Sometimes you just can't take life too seriously.

Welcome Strangers - It was not unusual when we lived in Indiana to have someone who needed a place to stay for a time to live with us or when we moved to California to have extra folks share Thanksgiving dinner with us.   I remember one man in particular in Indiana that would play the saw.  I was mesmerized by it.  He would also play spoons.  I guess if it is in your heart to make music that most any instrument will do.  Speaking of music . . .

Love music - There is nothing that will calm my anxious heart than to listen to music.  Mom taught herself to play the piano by ear when she was young and often played for special programs while in school.  She ended up going to college to major in Pipe Organ (I just found that was her major yesterday.  I just thought it was a standard music degree).  She loved to play the piano and organ.  My favorite times were sitting at the piano with her while she played and I sang very biblically - "make a joyful noise unto the Lord . . ." 

Crowd control - Mom had to do some of that with all of the children coming and going from our home, but she also ran Vacation Bible School many years, helped with summer camps and led women's groups.  One of my favorite things she did was camp cook.  Mom was an awesome cook.

Make the day about someone else - Mom always made our birthdays special. They were not elaborate, but she did something to make it just about us.  She always said, "what do you think it is your birthday or something?"  My sister's birthday was always the week before mine.  Hers would be on Monday and mine would be the next Monday.  We were 2 years and 1 week apart, but mom never celebrated our birthdays together.  Our birthday was the day that was just about us.  I loved that.  One year she had a string waiting at the front door for my older sister to follow through the house to find little presents along the way.  I couldn't wait until the next week for my birthday.  I had a clue at the front door and followed the clues to find little gifts.  It ended with a pearl ring hidden in the refrigerator.  It was a special day!

Love surprises - Mom planned a great birthday surprise for my 18th birthday.  Our family was about to have some major changes in the next few months and I am so grateful for that wonderful birthday.  I had no idea it was going to happen.  She did a good job of keeping it a secret.

Be creative - Mom loved creativity.  She wrote music, arranged music into cantatas, sewed, painted, loved ceramics, and more.  I often wonder what she would have accomplished if she wasn't so busy taking care of children.

Love being a mom - She loved being a mom and made us feel loved and cherished.

Proverbs 31:29:  "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."

and I will give you rest . . .

Goodbyes are always hard!  Our son and his family headed back to the mission field on Monday.  It was a tough day.  We are so proud of them, yet my heart is still a bit sad at their going.  But, I had the joy of spending Sunday afternoon with our granddaughters.  We were enjoying the sunshine when I showed the girls how to use my camera and asked them to take pictures of their favorite things.  Our 3 year old, Sofi, chose these rocking chairs as her first try.  I love it!

I have always loved rocking chairs.  I remember as a child sitting at my mom's feet as she rocked my younger siblings.  I so wished I could still fit on her lap with the others.  Mom remembered that night, too, as we spoke about it years later.  She told me she could see the longing in my eyes to crawl up in her lap and was sorry there just wasn't a bit more room.  There is something so comforting about crawling up in the arms of another and gently rocking worries and hurts away.

As I was driving home from work today this picture came to mind.  One of Sofi's favorite things is also my favorite thing.  I was also reminded of Matthew 11:28, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."  It says to me, "Come, sit on my lap.  There is plenty of room.  Rest your head against me and relax.  I am taking care of your children and I am taking care of you."

I am sitting in my rocking chair for a bit tonight and am grateful for the hours spent there holding those I love.  I sit here grateful that my Heavenly Father calls me to come rest.  I am sitting here thankful!

 

Do the next right thing!

 "Live today to the fullest because tomorrow is not promised. What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others....."  Author unknown

This has been a week to once again remember how fragile life can be.  I met a woman, Jill, a couple of years ago in a Bible study who was full of life and joy.  She had a successful career transforming run down houses into beautiful homes.  She lived life with anticipation, love, thoughtfulness and flair.  Her smile lit up a room. 

When I met her she slowly walked into the room dependent on the cane in her hand.  An illness had taken her once active life.  It took great effort for her to get out of the house to go anywhere, but never once did I hear her complain.  She was hopeful and loved spending time with others.  In one of our Bible studies we were talking about the times of difficulty when it seems we do not know which way to turn.  We talked about the days that we just get up and do the next thing uncertain of what the day really holds.  Jill spoke up and said, "We just have to do the next right thing."  It was a phrase that stuck with all of us.  We were reminded that we have choices every day to complain and feel sorry for ourselves or do the next right thing.  This young woman who truly had challenges every single day lived life with expectancy.  She invited me to come and sit on her porch to visit anytime I could.  She loved opportunities to talk and spend time with others especially since she wasn't able to get out on her own. 

I heard recently through a mutual friend that her health had taken a turn for the worse in the last few weeks.  Although, she still enjoyed friends coming by.  One of our friends would go and help her with her make-up and hair.  Jill firmly believed in looking her best at all times.  I intended to go and visit.  In fact, had planned to contact her to see if she was up to a visit last weekend.  There were reasons why I didn't contact her - her sister was in town - I had a lot on my plate - etc.  etc.  I let another weekend over the course of many weekends go by without taking the opportunity to spend time with this delightful young woman.

I texted her Tuesday to see if she would be up to a visit in the next few days.  I received a message from our mutual friend that Jill was declining.  The next morning I received a text from Jill's phone number letting me know that she had passed away in the night.  I knew she was free of pain and rejoicing in Heaven.  She had been set free from this mortal body and could walk and run and dance with joy once again.  But I was sorry for myself.  Sorry that I didn't take an hour to go and sit and have tea with this delightful person who had made such an impact on my heart in the brief time that I knew her. Sorry for . . . . Sorry for . . . . Sor . . .

I can think of a myriad of things to be sorry for, but that was not how Jill lived.  She would say, "Carolyn, learn from it.  Do the next right thing."  I think she would remind me to live the moments of life and not let the days slip away.  I am grateful for this woman who chose to weave her life into the lives of myself and others.  She made a difference. 

Now I must go and do the next right thing . . .

Pickles and Prayer

  

  

Hard to believe it has been about 4 years since my last post.  Thoughts come to mind and I think I am going to sit down and write about it and then I let life get a hold of my moments.  Well, actually, it isn't always life.  Most often it is Facebook and TV.  But today I sit down and share my thoughts.
   Our son, Pete Jr., has always loved to cook.  I remember when he was in 6th grade that he wanted to make crepes.  Crepes!?  I had no idea how to make crepes.  Pete got out a cookbook and went to work and he did a fine job.  He has made some wonderful dishes since then and we have taken great pleasure in eating what he prepared.  Cooking and entertaining has been something that he has enjoyed since childhood.   It was wonderful that he married a young woman who shares his love for entertaining.  When God called them into missions it never crossed my mind that their gifts of hospitality would be part of the call.  They moved into an old European town to help an established church, as well as a church plant. 
   Pete and Renee have used their love for cooking to reach out to the locals.  They had to find substitutes for ingredients that are readily available here, but not in Bulgaria.  They did not let that dissuade them.  Pete made zucchini bread for folks in their community one year.  Renee has made beautiful sugar cookies for neighbors, teachers and friends.  They have had youth in their home to make American pizza and the list goes on.  Pete and Renee's landlord has enjoyed sharing some of his specialties like sour cabbage and homemade pickles with them.  For the past two years Pete has asked to learn how to make the pickles.  Recently, their landlord told him what they would need and Pete was ready for the task.  His landlord ended up not being able to help but he sent his brother.
   While they were in the midst of preparing the cucumbers Pete sensed that he needed to talk to this man about Jesus.  He silently prayed, "I do not know how I am going to bring this up so I am trusting You to open the door."  It wasn't a few minutes later that this man began to talk about church and how he believed all faiths worshiped the same god.  The door was opened and Pete stepped right in.  He was able to share Jesus.  He offered the man a Bible but he said his wife probably already had one.  They talked some more and the topic of Jesus came up again.  This time the man asked if the Bible was written in his language.  Pete assured him that it was.  He said he thought he would like to take it home with him to read.  The rest of this story has yet to be written, but I will be waiting to hear more.
   I was reminded, once again, how difficult we make sharing our faith.  One of my pastors said that evangelism is often like picking fruit.  We share our own faith story and let the Holy Spirit do the work.  When the Holy Spirit has softened the heart we have the blessing of picking the fruit.  I am so thankful that God gives us gifts and abilities that we really enjoy that can be used by Him.  I hope that when I eat a pickle I will remember to pray for those around me who need Jesus.  Pickles and prayer - a great way to share the love of Jesus.

  

Random Thoughts on Ending Well (for Brad Ray)

I started to write this post over the weekend and entitle it "Epitaph." That sounded a bit morbid so I didn't continue, but it is on my mind this week. I think my trip to NYC left me in a daze as I saw thousands of people hurrying here and there. I wanted to stop them and ask where they were going, what they were doing and what was important to them. Ask my children about it ~ they were not impressed. :-) I am reminded of it again as my nephew, Brad, turns 21 today. Turning 21 is quite a milestone. It is one of those rites of passage - now considered an "official" adult, many previously unlegal things are lawful to do. But that is such a superficial passage to adulthood. I remember being asked when I was in my 20's what I would want my epitaph to read at the end of my life. I love to walk through old cemetaries and read the epitaphs written on stone. They often speak of a life well lived and a person well loved. One of my favorite gravemarkers is in the town where I lived until jr high and it is the[place I still refer to as "going home" when we visit. In Covington, Indiana there is a stone decorated as a watermelon that simply says, "Sam." It is not hard to figure that Sam sold watermelons (which are especially delicious in that part of the country along with the muskmelons [ like cantelope]). There are others that say "loving wife and mom" "served his country well" ~ you've seen them. Ummm ~ what do I want my epitaph to be?
I heard a sermon as a young adult that really got my attention. The preacher asked us to tell him what we thought about when we heard the names of these people from the Bible ~ Rahab (harlot) - yet she is listed in Hebrews 11 as a heroine of faith ~ David (Bathsheba) - yet he is listed as someone close to God's heart ~ Moses - (Red Sea, leading children to the Promised land) ~ yet he is not allowed to enter the Promised Land for disobeying God when he struck the rock. There were many more mentioned but the preacher's point was that we are often remembered for the choices we make when we are young (i.e. Rahab and David). It challenged me to make wise decisions as a young adult.
My desire is to have lived a life that makes a difference. I will never be one whose name is well-known outside my circle of influence, but I can still be someone who strives to make a difference. I want the time spent on this earth to mean something. So many look at their years as a time to "grab all the gusto" because then we die. But the truth is that we have eternity ahead of us and a very short time here on earth. I still want to write a book, see other parts of the world, encourage young people to choose a life for Christ; but most of all I want to just make a difference in the lives I interact with each day. Seems somewhat benign in words, but when I think about it a passion wells up in my heart.
I have a quote at the bottom of my emails that pretty well sums up the idea of making a difference. I apologize to the author ~ when I read it no name was attached. "Live today to the fullest because tomorrow is not promised. What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others....." Hey, that wouldn't be a bad epitaph, would it!? One other quote from a show called "Brooklyn Bridge" that was on several years ago, Marion Ross played a Jewish grandmother. She told her grandson that "one can make a difference, but two can make a miracle." I am always looking for others to join me in making a difference. But, that is probably best saved for another journal entry.
Brad, hope you have a wonderful 21st birthday and that today is the day you choose to live YOUR life making a difference.

Home

Home ~ it is good to go away because coming home reminds me of why I love home. Home for me is not the house we live in. Home is sitting down at the kitchen table with a glass of iced tea or a cup of hot coffee and talking with Pete and/or our children. The topics of conversation vary from our family to the farm to what needs to be purchased at the grocery store as well as a myriad of other topics. I love to learn what they are thinking and planning and dreaming. Pete and Renee came in today for a visit after getting home last night from their month long trip to NYC. We looked at slide shows on their computer and talked about their plans for Bulgaria. We talked about God's work in our lives and the lives of others. I cherish these conversations. I would briefly think of "this or that" that needed to be done today and then remind myself that the "this or that" would be there when I got up from the table, but these precious conversations could not be recaptured. I often think of the passage in the Bible where Mary goes to speak with Elizabeth and after their conversation the Bible says that "Mary treasured all of these things in her heart." I have many such conversations treasured in my heart. Ummmm ~ home ~ it's just good and today was very good!

New York City

Visiting New York City has been a somewhat surreal experience.  It is something that I have dreamed of doing since I was a young girl.  It is funny to visit a place that has only been experienced through newspaper, TV, films, and my imagination.  There are those feelings of having been here before but realizing the deja vu was from a picture or movie. Taking in all of the sights, smells and sounds of this overwhelming place is unfathomable.  This is home for millions of people.  The Statue of Liberty is something they see everyday and a trip to the MET or Central Park can be a Sunday afternoon outing.  For me it is all magical.  It was so fun to see the minutemen at F.A.O. Schwartz and the big piano from the movie "Big" with Tom Hanks.  A ride through Central Park in a horse and buggy was thrilling.  Walking from Times Square to Central Park and back again left my feet sore and blistered but worth every "ouch."   The day spent beginning at the Statue of Liberty, then Ellis Island and finally Ground Zero stirred emotions that were unexpected.  Meals in Flushing and Little Italy ~ delicious.  A morning up at 4 a.m. and to Rockefeller Center for the "Today" show with my kids was too much fun and the surprising free coffee and bagels before the show appreciated.  We were second in line.  We brought home bags with towels, hats, etc. from Expedia.  Handshakes with Matt Lauer, Hoda Kotbe and Kathy Lee Gifford and standing next to Lenny were memory makers. Yummy baked goods from Magnolia Bakery ummm ummm good ~ the smells in the bakery were as delicious as the muffins.  Shopping, shopping and more shopping (not buying) from H&M, Toys R Us, 9 story Macy's, and on and on and on.  Subways, street peddlers, hot dog stands,  Harlem Music & Jazz festival at a nearby park, quiet reflections in the courtyard on Sunday, a "soft" pretzel from a stand that immediately went in the trash (dry, cold, yuck), NY style pizza and garlic knots, a wonderful hamburger at a place called "Toast," time with our children and friend, bus rides, different languages everywhere, crowded streets, throngs of people, unfamiliar sights and sounds, friendly people, distant people, people, people and more people.  So proud of these (our) grown children who are passionate about their faith, their family and their country.  Great times and still a day and a half to go!