My Visit to the GRAND Canyon

 

Arizona heat lessens as we drive north. I’m skeptical. Will the picture-perfects from Facebook and travel brochures steal the grandeur like a spoiler robs the surprise of a movie? Our car approaches the rim. People walking, traffic crawling, buildings block my view. Then, a brief first-sight glimpse! One sharp breath, my eyes sting, as the vastness slams into my senses. Heights stage contrast with depths, shades of colors collide, and my stomach flipflops seeing land give way to bottomless space. I whisper worship. Later, we hike downward and then watch a sunset from the top. It's second-rate, for love-at-first-sight has ruined me.

Random Musings

 I'd like to do better about writing every day. If I had assignments and deadlines, I would have structure and goals. Being disciplined without those borders is challenging. Anyway, here is the writing for today. I followed a prompt and this is the result:

“At the end of the day”,
Became a buzz phrase to say,
From pundit to preacher,
It doesn’t go away.

 

I pondered, what did we use to say,
To mean the same thing in another way,
All in all… or when
all is said and done…
Or it boils down to…
Or when you stop and think about it…
 
Catch phrases come and go,
What makes one popular? I don’t know.
I feel either apropos saying the trendy words,
Or resist what feels overdone and absurd.
 
All in all, what is now lit,
Will fade and something new will fit,
When all is said and done,
Now will be then and lose its fun
 
It boils down to keeping in touch,
Choosing to use it, or not so much,
When you stop and think about it,
If it helps understanding, why quit?
 
So at the end of the day,
What more can I say?

Untangle Their Hearts

 

I'm coming unannounced as I walk into their driveway. The fenced yard has a gate right next to the garage. A couple of bungee cords are crisscrossed through the handle and through several links in the fence, making a maze I have to untangle. This time a flat board dolly of some kind, on wheels, is parked in front of the gate, and the bungee cord winds through the handle of the dolly. I thread and pull the cords like yarn from a mixed-up, knotted skein, hoping I can put it back together correctly when I leave.

I had tried to call but no answer. I knock on the door several times and almost conclude they aren't home, or worse, one of them is in the hospital. Then I hear sounds behind the door, and it soon opens. Richard, a grey-moustached man, greets me. He doesn't say why he didn't answer my phone call earlier, but he is friendly, and we begin conversation. I'm bringing a pretty, variegated red and white poinsettia to brighten their Christmas season.

We talk for a while. Judy emerges from downstairs, and we chat some more. Our church theme this year is One for All and All for One. Names were written on puzzle pieces of the "ones" we want to invite to know Jesus this year. Richard is on my piece. We've built up a connection through their dog, Dolly, who greets me when I exercise walk by their place. I don't know where they stand with Jesus, but I want to show them His love.

I leave, securing the gate the best I can.

Lord, please untangle their hearts and minds from any mess the enemy has knotted into their thoughts and beliefs. Prepare them to receive your love and salvation. Give me your heart to care and ways and ideas to bless them. 

 

Summer Lingers

 

The cool fall air hangs out in the shade, giving summer one last day to heat the sun-exposed areas with too-hot-to-sit-in temperatures. I sit halfway between the two in my long-sleeved shirt and jeans.

Leaves still dress the trees in summer green, although many have nodded to Fall, donning red-tinged garb. Windy, gentle gusts loosen some. These drift across the yard to end their existence in decay, their final gift to the earth. The wind dances the leaves still clinging to their flexing branches and makes a rushing sound that crescendos and ebbs in pleasant rhythms.

Bees buzz and bob close to my head, but find no sweet fragrances to fixate on. I easily swat them away. A neighbor’s wind chime jangles pleasantly.  Another neighbor's wind flag moves like a hero's cape in action. A songbird tweets timidly as though uncertain its voice is welcome in the changing of seasons. White seed specks drift with the wind, released from an unseen pod.

Summer, I’ll hold you while you linger. I don’t want to let you go. Fall is approaching and will chase you away. I’m comforted to know you’ll be back next year.

In a chaotic world of competing politics, tragedies and injustice, it’s good to know the seasons can’t be controlled or stopped by human whim and decision.  Planet alignment or what the weather will bring can’t become a tool government can manipulate for advantage or revenge. Thank God for the absolutes of His creation!

An Ode to the Pleasures of Goodness

 2 Thessalonians 1:11 TPT

...we constantly pray that our God will empower you to live worthy of all that he has invited you to experience. And we pray that by his power all the pleasures of goodness and all works inspired by faith would fill you completely. 

I pray God will empower me to live worthy of all He has invited me into. I am privileged to have been invited into a good marriage, a job I enjoy, the lives of children and grandchildren who are wonderful people-each with a unique personality and purpose of life, and into the reality of being invited into the Kingdom of God.

What gifts, what privilege! I do want to live worthy of all of that.

I also want to be empowered to be filled completely with all the pleasures of goodness and works inspired by faith.

The pleasures of goodness for me include cool early mornings sitting on our deck watching daylight make its slow, but overpowering-darkness-debut. Sometimes the sky greets the daylight, decked out with a suit of pink and orange, as though prophesying a day full of color and happiness.

I listen for the first bird to awaken and give voice to the new day. A deer steps out of the woods, cautiously, and stares at me, unsure of my presence in this quiet morning. I hear the soft whirring buzz of the hummingbird approaching the feeder. I watch his needle-like beak dive into the tiny opening to slurp the syrup inside. His wings beat so fast, that I all I see is the motion they make, like not being able to make out the blades on a spinning helicopter propeller. 

As I open my Bible the pleasures of the goodness of his wisdom and insights do fill me. The Psalm I read invites me to sing along with the worship and praise the psalmist expresses. 

I ask now, my God, that your power would fill me with works inspired by faith. I've already offered works of prayer. I look forward to the other works you've planned out for me today. My heart is full of gratitude for your abundance and generosity. 

Hail to the King! May your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it's done in heaven! 

Happy July 4th, 2024!

 

Our Family Gathers

The family of four arrive first,

Back doors open, out Rowan and Wes burst,

Hugs all around, then into our home,

The familiar, the new noted as they roam.

Off to the next-door park to swing and slide,

Then home again for Nana’s surprise.

Her Pinterest finds keep them busy for awhile,

She turning an ear to adult talk, meanwhile.

Games chosen that the youngest can play,

A snack and a kiss end the day.

Next day a trip to recall former days,

Mom and Dad’s college romance phase,

Driving by houses they once occupied,

This Valparaiso small town appeal hadn’t died.

Later that night, when all were asleep,

Nana and Papa picked up the next peeps.

Welcoming the Florida flyers, five in all,

Standing on tiptoe to hug the most tall.

The next two days were fun galore,

Hometown restaurants, games and more.

We lost count of visits for ice-cream stand treats,

The cousins connected never missing a beat.

A July 4th stop at Great Grandma’s small suite,

Later, tin-foil dinners and corn, oh, so sweet.

The last two family arrived that night from OK,

With dog Wriggley along for their stay.

After dark, fun fireworks in the driveway,

Then Nana projected slides that viewed sideways.

Would old, sideways slides fascinate the young grands?

Their exit before the end of the show proved, no, and not fans!

How pleasant the time spent at Chupp’s resort,

Fishing, boating and swimming-the day was too short.

The family from O left from there, deciding it was time,

Our number dwindled from 13 to nine.

Unexpected passing of a very close friend,

Time out to celebrate Del’s life, many hearts left to mend.

Sunday the clan proudly filled up one church row,

Then off to Evil Czech for brunch all in tow.

Monday included thrifting and biking,

Only Schrocks played some serious Scrabbling.

Tuesday was golfing for some,

The rest rode to Shipshe for fleamarket fun.

That last night together we played games and ate Pad Thai,

We memorized faces knowing it would soon be good-bye.

Early morning to the airport to drop off the flyers,

Later after a coffee shop chat, last hugs to the riders.

The house now stands quiet, routine is back,

I’ll drink in the peace, yet feeling the lack

Of the fun and the chatter, the hugs and the loud,

The messy and busy, the love and the crowd.

The memories will linger, the cleaning, too,

Then we’ll meet up again, can’t wait ‘til we do.

Mephibosheth 's Handicap Wasn't His Attitude!

 

Imagine growing up, crippled and unable to walk, all because a nursemaid dropped you as a child when you were five years old. Mephibosheth was probably raised by his mother in a very modest existence since his father, Jonathan, and grandfather, Saul, had been killed in battle. Saul had been the king and Mephibosheth would have had a promising future. But when Saul and Jonathan were killed, the rest of the family had to flee fearing a takeover of the kingdom by David, who Saul had considered his enemy. It was in this effort to escape that Mephibosheth was dropped.

There isn't much said about Mephibosheth's early years, until King David's heart of kindness and desire to honor his deceased friend, Jonathan, brings Mephibosheth into a whole new set of circumstances. We do know that M fathered a son, Mika.

As David asks whether any family of Jonathan is still around, Ziba, a servant from Saul's household tells David about M. Ziba brings M to David, not knowing why he was being summoned. David declares that for the sake of showing kindness to Jonathan, M will now receive everything that belonged to Saul and his family, and M will eat at his table. Ziba and his sons and servants were to farm the land which would provide for M. There's a parenthetical comment in the text that says Ziba had 15 sons and 20 servants. I wonder whether this was giving Ziba and his household a lower ranking. Had they just assumed Saul's property was their inheritance and now it was given to Saul's crippled grandson? All the members of Ziba's household were now servants of M, and M lived in the capitol city, eating at the king's table like one of his sons.

This story has always impressed me. David's kindness to a crippled man changed his whole life! 

 I reference this story in another blog post I wrote earlier. I include a link in that post to a song by Leeland entitled, Carried to the Table. A very beautiful expression of this story.

https://randomlyruthful.blogspot.com/2012/02/carried-to-table.html

In my reading in 2 Samuel today, Ziba and Mephibosheth are mentioned again. When David flees from Jerusalem because his son Absolom is staging a coup, Ziba meets him with donkeys and supplies for David's fighting men. David asks about M and Ziba lies, saying M stayed behind because he thought Saul's Kingdom would now be restored to him. David then declares that all that belonged to M would now be Ziba's. Ziba appears to humbly accept this transfer. I think Ziba took advantage of the situation to get back what he had before David favored M.

But the story doesn't end there.

As David returns from the war and the whole kingdom is now his, Ziba, his sons and servants show up to let David know they will serve his household and do whatever he wishes. Mephibosheth somehow gets there also, very unkempt, as he probably had no one to tend to him during the time he stayed behind. David asks why he had not come earlier to join David.

 
M shares truthfully that Ziba had betrayed him, but he would not make any appeals to the king. M said, "All my relatives and I could expect only death from you, my lord, but instead you have honored me by allowing me to eat at your own table! What more can I ask?”

 
“You’ve said enough,” David replied. “I’ve decided that you and Ziba will divide your land equally between you.”

“Give him all of it,” Mephibosheth said. “I am content just to have you safely back again, my lord the king!”

What a humble man of honor! He had feasted at the king's table, staying in gratitude and not entitlement, and when he was betrayed by Ziba, David's kindness was enough. He was willing to give up everything to have his king safely back again. Out of contentment and gratitude he chose forgiveness over gaining possessions and harboring bitterness.

Mephibosheth's attitude is in sharp contrast to the world's thinking and reactions today. We are children of the King of kings, sitting at his table, and our inheritance is rich and sure in Jesus. Should we respond in anger when things of this world are taken from us, or our rights are violated? M was content to be loved by the king and his allegiance was unwavering.

Lord, may my heart be always full of gratitude for all you've done for me and for all you've given me. Don't let me be pulled away into bitterness and greed for what's mine, because someone mistreats me or betrays me.

May my contentment in having you as Lord, Savior, Friend, and Generous Giver of every good and perfect gift always be enough.

James Study

 I recently signed up for an online Bible Study of the book of James with Margaret Feinberg. Here are some of the highlights I want to remember.

James, the brother of Jesus, mirrors Jesus' Sermon on The Mount in what he says. I hadn't heard how they were connected before. Here are a few examples:

James: Consider it pure joy when you face trials of many kinds 

 Jesus: Rejoice and be glad (when people insult you and persecute you...)

James: Every good and perfect gift is from above coming down from the Father... 

 Jesus: ...how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him

James: My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. 

 Jesus: By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles.?

James: Above all...do not swear--by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple "Yes" or "No". Otherwise, you will be condemned. 

 Jesus: But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven...or by earth...or by Jerusalem...All you need to say is simply "Yes" or "No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

Margaret shared a video of five sessions for the study.

1st: How You Respond to Hardship Matters   

            Practice joy, and it will produce faith that has power to endure

            Don't give up and turn to your own desires for satisfaction

            God will give grace and wisdom --Just ask!

            "Always let his word become like poetry written and fulfilled by your life."

2nd: How You Respond to God's Word Matters

            Hear & DO! This command is the word Shema in Hebrew and means that hearing IS doing

            God has your best in mind

            This applies me!

            Receiving and responding to God's word will bring blessing to me and to others. 

        "You wake up 

            every morning, pregnant with the possibilities of God!"

            How to DO: Believe the word is for you. Act quickly on your best intentions, pray -"God what

             are you calling me to do today? Who do you want me to reach out to?

"We must create margin in our lives for this."

3rd: How We See Others Matters

            

            Regard everyone with dignity.

            Favoritism is a lazy way to view people because we are judging them by outward appearance

            which allows us to cling to bias.

             

            Favoritism reduces people to transactions. We relate to others hoping to get something from

            them. This dehumanizes them and us.        

                          

            Favoritism dethrones God in our lives. We are on the throne showing preference or 

            discriminating.

                                

        Are we showing more allegiance to the wealthy or socially successful people online than to the

        everyday people in our lives? We overcome favoritism by practicing the mercy              

        shown to us. It's meant to flow through us.

*Let's get rid of anything that makes us more judgmental. Maybe they are things we're reading or seeing online that makes us less kind or merciful.

*Surround ourselves with merciful people

*Pray- who is your favorite for me today, God? I can't see who this is unless you show me.

4th: What We Say Matters

        "You are not just an image bearer, but a syllable carrier"

             My self-talk determines my negative response to others. I need God's lovingkindness to

            saturate me so that it will drip out of my life, my words.

            I will choose to reflect before I react.

            I will look for opportunities to speak life.

"As Jesus followers, we have the best assignment ever!--- 

to bring life into other's lives. 

We have the power to speak love, strength and courage."

5th: How We Live Matters

        How did we become wealthy? Luxury isn't about a price tag, but about a way of living. Do we

            buy to self-indulge? We're bombarded with the world's enticements to accumulate things. 

                      

            Do I need to set boundaries in spending? How do I use what I have for other's and God's glory?

"We're not valued for what great quantities we consume;

 our value is in God's love and desire to give us 

every good and perfect gift from him."

           

Walking in Faith to the Miracle

 "Please come and heal my boy!" (Gentile government official)

"Do you have to see a miracle before you believe?" (Jesus)

"Please, please, I'm desperate. He is about to die." (official)

"Go back home. Your son will live." (Jesus)

(John 4:43-54, paraphrased)

The man believes Jesus and starts back home. I wonder if his thoughts were mostly hopeful or mixed with doubt the farther he walked. He received Jesus' word and acted on faith. He was willing to believe before he saw the miracle. How long was he in between the word of faith and hearing that his son was healed? When he discovers the boy was healed the exact time Jesus spoke the word, his faith is rewarded, he and his whole household believe in Jesus.

Will we act towards faith when the Holy Spirit gives a promise? How will we respond in between the promise and seeing the results? Will we keep walking when the way seems long? Maybe we'll even forget about what was promised. We have other things to turn to for help.

The story of the man who falls off a cliff comes to mind. On the way down he grabs a branch and hangs on. He cries for help and God's voice says, "Let go." He considers the instruction for awhile. Finally, he says, "Is there anyone else up there?"

Are we placing all our trust in God? Do we find his instruction too scary, too difficult, too unreasonable as we wait for the answer? Is there an action I need to do to "walk towards faith"; towards the promise?

How are we responding to these words of Jesus? 

You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. (John 14:14)

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. (1 John 5:14)

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. (Matthew 7:7)

Lord, increase my faith. I want to believe you as the ruler did who believed before he saw the miracle.

Be My Witness!

 January is a time for reflection, not to the past, but to the future. Our church calls us to a 21 day of prayer and fasting. This year the theme and emphasis is-BE MY WITNESS.

We're daily asking the Holy Spirit to show us areas we need to surrender to him. As he fills us with power we can obey the commission to go make disciples. It's exciting to think about what God has in store for a people who are committed to seeking him for more passion to share Jesus with those who don't follow him. I was reading through some of my pervious blog posts tonight and found one that retold a story about an experience Lee Strobel had shared at some point. I'm using it again because it fits so well with our theme this month.

Lee Strobel (a pretty prominent Christian apologist) came and talked to us a couple of weeks ago and told a story about how, a couple of years ago, he was wanting to share his faith with a co worker that he had known for a long time.  He knew the guy was an atheist but he really felt like God was telling him to go invite this guy to church on Easter Sunday.  So Lee walks over to this guy's cubicle and asks him to church.  Of course the guy was like why would I want to go to church?  So Lee starts laying out a few things about Christ and the reasons for believing, but this guy is resolute in that he is not coming to church.  So Lee walked away from that meeting like, great God, that was awesome.  Why'd you have me do that?  Lee said, "That guy is still an Atheist to this day and he never did come to church.  So a little while ago, I had finished preaching and I had a man come up to me that I had never met.  The man said, I just wanted to share my story with you, a couple of years ago, I lost my job.  I was having a really rough time and was trying to find work wherever I could.  I didn't know God and was just trying to make it on my own.  I was hired by a local business to do a random tiling job that had come up.  The owner was taking pity on me and you don't know this but I was tiling in an office and was stuck down behind a cubicle when you came up and started talking to a guy about coming to Easter Service at your church.  I heard what you said and I called my wife right then and said honey we've got to go to this church!"  Lee called that ricochet faith and I think that even if we aren't technically evangelizing, whatever interactions we are having with people, if we are being mindful of our faith and trying to share God even in just being friendly, God uses our interactions regardless of the responses we get."

BE encouraged. Our God is full of surprises. I want his love to guide me. I want to stay open and listening for his direction.  

"Lord make me aware of who you are setting me up for. May I see everyone I meet as a beautiful person made in your image."

Promises

"His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 

1 Peter 1:3-4

I awoke this morning considering these verses. I live in this reality! I am participating in his divine nature, and I've escaped the corruption in the world. I still am effected by the corruption, just by being here, but I can choose to allow the Holy Spirit to give me God's desires and live in divine glory and goodness. How awesome is that!

When I consider my daily life and habits, my emotions on any given day, my responsibilities that might seem overwhelming at times and the sorrow of others around me, I count on God's promises being true and giving me all I need to live a godly, purposeful, and peace filled life. For instance:

- I feel alone: I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS

-I've messed up, let someone down or forgotten something: EVERYTHING WORKS TOGETHER FOR GOOD TO THOSE WHO LOVE GOD

-I've been unkind or complacent or rebellious: IF I CONFESS MY SIN, HE IS FAITHFUL AND JUST TO FORGIVE AND CLEANSE ME

-I'm worried or keep obsessing about something I've done or didn't do, or need to do, and if I give it all to Jesus and ask him for help, HIS PEACE WILL KEEP CONSTANT GUARD OVER MY HEART AND MIND

-I feel neglected or uncared for: HE CARES FOR ME

-I don't have something I feel I really need or long for: THE LORD BESTOWS FAVOR AND HONOR, NO GOOD THING WILL HE KEEP FROM ME

-When I wish my circumstances were different or it seems others have more freedom and opportunity than I do: YOUR BOUNDARY LINES HAVE FALLEN FOR ME IN PLEASANT PLACES; I HAVE A DELIGHTFUL INHERITANCE

-When I wonder what the future holds, and I'm past the prime years of life: I HAVE GOOD PLANS FOR YOU, TO GIVE YOU A FUTURE AND HOPE

-I realize how prone I am to failing and stumbling: HE IS ABLE TO KEEP ME FROM FALLING AND TO PRESENT ME FAULTLESS BEFORE HIS THRONE

-I wake up feeling blah and insignificant: MY MERCIES ARE NEW EVERY MORNING

-I'm tired and have too much to do: JUST COME, I WILL GIVE YOU REST

-I feel inadequate. MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR YOU.

-from Psalm 23 I find a host of promises: I LACK NOTHING, I HAVE FOOD AND WATER, MY SOUL IS RESTORED, HE GUIDES ME IN THE RIGHT PATHS, I FEAR NO EVIL EVEN IN THE WORST OF LIFE BECAUSE HE NEVER LEAVES ME, HE GIVES ME DISCIPLINE THAT BRINGS COMFORT, MY ENEMIES WON'T KEEP ME FROM FEASTING WITH MY SHEPHERD, I HAVE MORE GOODNESS THAN I CAN CONTAIN, GOODNESS AND MERCY ARE FOLLOWING ME!

I could probably spend all day and not be able to list all the ways God's promises make me aware that I have access to a divine realm where his Glory and Goodness are constant companions. I am living his abundant life, an incredible gift!

Jesus, I love you. Thank you for coming to earth and making all this possible. I am thankful I can live with you always. I celebrate your advent now at Christmas and look forward to when you come again.

Hawaiin Wedding

 Cody, our grandson, and Yahdira, his fiancé, picked the place for their wedding and how could we not go on an exciting adventure to Hawaii to celebrate with them!

I had only dreamed of visiting Hawaii, but now it was becoming reality. The flights were secured at a fairly reasonable rate and within the next month, we had reserved a place to lodge where most of the other family was staying, Resort Lahana Kai on Maui. Next, we chose several excursions to make our trip memorable. Since we had just celebrated our 27th anniversary we decided to buy a catamaran sunset dinner cruise. For a more thrilling adventure we dared to try a bike ride down Haleakala, a 10,000-foot volcano. Our last planned event was a bus tour around the island of Oahu, the second island we would visit in our last few days before flying home.

We arrived in Maui, June 27, found the tram from the airport to the car rental, and lost a chunk of unplanned money in reserving the car. The agent had a foreign accent and paid little attention to the reservation I had previously made online. We waffled on whether we needed additional insurance and decided we did which wouldn't have been necessary, and when we had signed the agreement it was much more than the online reservation had indicated it would be. Our lack of experience was taken advantage of, but hopefully we've learned from the experience. From there we waited in the rental garage about an hour for our names to come to the top of a long list of renters and then, for a car to be returned for our use. The first available car for us was a red Dodge Challenger with a Hemi engine. We agreed to the bright sporty vehicle, feeling the euphoria of driving something we would never own and yet realistically counting the added dollars of gas we'd be using in the non-economy car. Adding some sweetness to our long wait was meeting up with Kira's parents who had landed in Maui about the same time as us and ended up in line with us at the same rental garage. 

Our condo unit was spacious and well equipped with a lanai that gave us a side view through some palm trees of the ocean. We were on the second floor and across the inner courtyard from the  unit where Josh and his family were staying. Sandy and Marvin, the other grandparents, took us to Walmart where we purchased some food for the meals we would eat at "home". (Kira's parents had been to Maui numerous times so they showed us around the town of Kehi, where we were staying.)

The second night after our arrival we sailed on the dinner cruise. I loved the time with the wind and spray of the ocean on my face, drinking a glass of wine and watching the sky cloak itself with the colors of sunset. The buffet displayed excellent food, a bit lukewarm, but tasty. I met a couple from California who had previously lived in West Lafayette, IN. and enjoyed connecting with them. (You'll notice my pronouns are personal rather than collective. Unfortunately, Kevin got seasick and missed out on enjoying the beauty and fun of the ride.) Besides the sunset, we witnessed a beautiful rainbow spanning the sky with each end visibly touching the horizon, and nothing to block the view.

The next two days before the wedding, we had time to do some visiting with the family over meals in town, beach hopping to some beautiful coastlines where we watched kite surfers and visited shops for souvenirs. 

The wedding happened at sunset on a Kehi beach. Each set of parents and at least one set of grandparents from each side, along with siblings attended. Cody and Yadira were beautifully dressed with traditional garb and married by an officiator they had secured online and had never met before. He was an older gentleman and a bit comical in his native Hawaiian outfit, carrying a shophar and bag around his waist. He conducted a lighthearted ceremony making us all laugh as he instructed the couple what to say and how to say it, sometimes with loud lilting voices and fun-filled ways to say the solemn vows. He often invoked prayers in his native language, but we all understood the Numbers 6, Biblical blessing, he spoke over them at the end. There were skads of pictures captured afterwards, and as dark approached we were on our way to a steakhouse about 30 miles away where we all celebrated with a matrimony-worthy meal.

Our best adventure began about four hours later. After trying to get some sleep, we cruised through the dark in our sporty vehicle at 2 am, toward the biking company. Inside we donned wind breaker jackets and pants. After all the other adventure seekers arrived, we received instructions for riding and then boarded a bus for the hour's ride to the 10,000-foot top of Haleakala. We stepped out into 40 degrees weather, huddled along the railing facing the volcano base and watched the sky just beyond for the first rays of sunrise. Worth the early morning wake-up! As the day brightened, we marveled at the view, signed certificates in the gift shop to mark our visit and then hiked a short walk downhill to flat-topped ridges with good backdrops for picture taking. The bus then carried us to our next stop where we straddled the bikes they had unloaded for us and started coasting down the section of road with switchback curves. Thrilling and exhilarating! We had full control of how fast we went. I briefly cast my eyes from the road to the amazing view over the edge of the volcano. Amazing! As the road began to level out, we rode into a small rodeo town where we found a coffee shop and a place to breakfast. It was a short distance from there back to the bike company. Definitely a highlight of our Maui visit!

After seeing the Jesus Revolution movie earlier, I had looked up churches that Greg Laurie pastored. Besides several large campuses in California, I knew he had one in Hawaii. I googled the location which was only 45 minutes away from Kehi. We headed north Sunday morning to take in the service. The drive took us along the west coast of Maui with gorgeous scenery of ocean and mountains. The worship at Harvest Chapel was familiar, and Levi Lusko was the speaker via satellite. After the service we purchases sandwiches and chips at a grocer and found a spot along the drive back home to eat and take in the gorgeous ocean view. 

That afternoon we went with Josh and family to Lahaina, an historic town just north of Kehi. We had dinner and shopped and took pictures by the huge, old banyan tree in the center square. How sad to hear a month after we returned that this town was destroyed by wildfire!

July 4th, Kevin and I flew to Oahu for a two-night stay in Honolulu. We strolled Waikiki beach, found a brewery downtown for supper and the next day took a bus trip to tour around the island. Our guide shared interesting facts about Hawaii, and we enjoyed seeing the tourist sights-Diamond Head, Waimea Falls, Blowhole, a Macadamia Nut Farm, Dole pineapple plant, Chinaman's Hat, Turtle Island and drove by a section of celebrity houses. Our stop for lunch was at a roadside stand that served shrimp dinners. We sat picnic style on benches and observed mongoose coming out from the bush to snatch pieces of fruit thrown down for them. The tour was a great way to experience the island. We flew back to Maui Thursday afternoon and spent the night at an Airbnb close to the airport where our flight home took off Friday morning. (The flight was delayed because of a bee in the airplane!)

I am so thankful for the privilege of seeing the most beautiful place on earth that I've experienced. Mountains and oceans were visible all the time and the climate is perfect. Someday I'd like to go back, but just to have been there once, was truly satisfying.

African Adventure, February 2023

 

Cory Captures This Awesome Moment!

Visiting Kenya was an unexpected blessing! We were invited, by our pastor, to visit, MpM, A Place of Life, a mission that rescue babies, run by Dave and Jen Bell. Traveling there involved a nine-hour flight to Istanbul, three hours layover and then a six-hour flight to Nairobi. Long flights were tolerable as we had movies to watch and books to read. We arrived early morning in the Nairobi airport. Since Kevin and I had our vaccination cards we were waved through while others in our team had to bribe their way in. Dave and John (Dave’s long-time employee) met us in Land Rover vehicles, and we rode 19 miles, but about 90 minutes, south to the mission in Kitengela. The main road had speed bumps and rumble strips every so often, to keep traffic slow. The path from the highway into the mission, was chock-full of potholes and craters the size of kitchen sinks, making for a jarring, choppy ride.  The mile and a half stretch took forty minutes in drive time.

The Compound and Our Team

Jon and Cathy Reese greeted us in the team house and showed us our bedroom with our own bath down the hall. Breakfast was waiting for us. The kitchen and dining area became our main hangout during our stay. We soon learned not to use the water for drinking or brushing teeth, and how to wash dishes with bleach water.

Our teammates on this mission were Jon and Cathy, Scott and Emme, a father daughter duo, and Cory, Amanda, Elijah, Lucas and Abi Witmer. We learned to know each other as we worked and played together. Cory led us in a team meeting every evening. The Bells-Dave, Jen, Ethan, Selah and Shaddi-would join us for the evening meal. They resided across the compound in their own house.

The first two nights we were extremely tired but enjoyed exploring our surroundings. The mission is on seven acres, gated and fenced in. Besides the crops planted, the property includes a tilapia pond, a pool for baby therapy and four houses. Great Dane dogs stand guard but were very friendly to us.

The Bells-Shaddi, Dave, Ethan, Selah and Jen

Our Work

The first project we tackled was harvesting some 500 fish to fillet and freeze. Everyone had a job, either entrapping the fish with a net, scraping off scales, filleting or getting the fillets ready for the freezer. Other than childhood memories of fishing with Grandpa, Kevin and I are like, well–– fish-out-of-water when it comes to handling slippery, flopping, dying creatures so, we contributed to the day’s event by helping Amanda in the kitchen, feeling for, and then cutting out any overlooked bones in the now lifeless, closer-to-edible-like fillets. The fillets were then vacuum-sealed and frozen. Fish is a great source of protein for the babies starting to eat solid foods. Supper the next evening was a delicious cookout of fresh fish, breaded and fried just right by Dave.

Our biggest job was to tear down a deck and move it from one greenhouse to another where it would be reconstructed to service the pool. While the strongest among us did the heavy lifting, the rest of us painted. I think we did some painting almost every day we were there. Besides the deck, Kevin, Lucas and I painted a hanging swing. The paint was oil based, hard to work with, and even harder to clean up, but we finished the job during our stay.

In between working on the deck, baby time was scheduled for a few hours every morning and afternoon. We took turns going to play with and feed bottles to some of the 16 babies that were housed in their own building. It was quite an operation to observe as Jen, and the four Kenyan women the Bells employ, juggle infants at feeding times, give baths, and keep the older babies occupied during play time. What precious little people! What an opportunity to bless them and even pray for them as we held them close.

Bathing the Babies

Our Play

Dave made sure we had play time, too! Three days after we arrived, we packed clothes for two nights and drove five hours south to the Kalaguni Lodge in the Serena resort area with acres of uninhabited countryside and unpaved roads to drive through. Our time there included four excursions in Land Rovers, with roof extensions, so we could see out above the vehicle allowing us to watch for animals.  Awesome to see giraffes, elephants, monkeys, zebra, several kinds of antelope, a variety of birds, ostriches and wildebeest! Creator God provided the show for us. The lodge accommodations were pampering and the dining hall buffets had an abundant array of food. From the balcony of the dining area we enjoyed watching animals come and go to a manmade watering hole.

Watching the Mission in Action

The Bells had planned a fun day for families who had adopted their babies over the years. They gathered in a small amusement park for free rides, a luncheon, photo sessions and workshop opportunities, where social workers taught on issues pertinent to families who adopt. Our team helped fasten wristbands, take pictures, and park cars. The Bells were beaming with pride as they greeted parents who had made a family for their babies, and to see the children thriving in their environment.

The Bells work closely with another orphanage, Seeds in God’s Garden, who take any of their babies that are not adopted by two years old. We enjoyed visiting this ministry and all the resourceful ways they generate income and care for the children.

Dear to Mama Bell's Heart

God's Presence at Work in the World

Another outing involved going to a church in Nairobi where the Bells attend. The service was in English with an international attendance and contemporary worship. The songs were familiar, except for the one we learned in Swahili. Afterwards we ate out in a restaurant serving American food and did some shopping in a grocery store, where we found most of the items similar to what we can buy in the States. The market, however, was a new experience of haggling with the vendors to agree on prices. Here we found typical souvenirs like carved animals, tongs, fabrics and hats. We also bought coffee and nuts in the grocery store to hand out when we got back home.

The time passed quickly, and two weeks later we were headed home. We said our goodbyes to the Bells, realizing how isolated they are and how, especially the kids, would miss Emme and the Witmer kids. The Bell children are home schooled, so they don’t have contact with a lot of other youth.

In Istanbul we had a planned 18-hour layover. Because of the recent earthquake in parts of Turkey and Syria, the feeling of grief hung heavy in the airport and city. We carried prayers in our hearts for those who were suffering. The airline gave a free three-hour walking tour of the city and even included a Turkish meal in a restaurant. During the tour, we had a few minutes in the Old World Bazaar to buy some Turkish Delight and a Turkish towel. After our 80-90 degree weather in Kenya, the 40 degrees in Istanbul was quite an adjustment, especially since we only wore sweatshirts.

Istanbul Mosque

Istanbul Vendor

Old World Bazaaar

Safely Home

It was good to get back home and to savor the memories of all we had experienced and seen. This is only a summary of the highlights. The Bells are serving the least of these, and God has blessed their ministry. We are thankful to have been a small part of MpM on this trip.

Known by God

 Summer in Elkhart County, IN, brings the 3rd largest county fair in the nation within walking distance from our house. We frequently get asked if fair week is a nuisance because of traffic, noise and other distractions. Since we can walk to the fairgrounds, traffic isn't a problem getting there. If we're careful about when we drive away or return to our house that week, we experience little inconvenience. Yes, you can hear the screams of carnival ride-goers, music from the big stage performers, and the roar of tractor pull engines. Sometimes a waft of greasy fair food reaches our property as well as the faint sounds of animals lowing in their stalls. For me, it all breeds a feeling of excitement, busyness, and a once-a-year allowance for unhealthy eating. 

Our church gets involved with opportunities for fund-raising with various tasks during the week. Last year I volunteered to work a shift in the ice-cream booth. This year 750 hours of peoplepower went into cleaning the eight sets of restrooms on the fairgrounds. Our church's nonprofit earned a nice amount of cash for our labors. But I've closed my chapter on that job; I'll serve in other ways.

Our church entered a float in the Sunday parade this year. The entry advertised an upcoming sermon series on Godly messages garnered from featured movies. The float had giant movie concession objects and a ticket booth. I was scheduled to walk behind the float, but the day before I had spent five hours of helping someone move, followed by five hours of cleaning toilets, and I needed to give my feet a break.

I decided to view part of the parade, timing my arrival to see our float pass by. I didn't realize several of my grandkids were walking with one of the fire department floats. As they approached where I was standing, I waved my arms until one of them spied me and yelled, "Hi Grandma!" A friend was sitting on another wagon and my flailing arm caught her attention and she called out a loud hello. Finally, our float arrived. I scanned the walkers looking for Kevin. He saw me first and waved. Someone else called out my name.

In the midst of strangers, I was one face among many, yet without saying anything I had been known and acknowledged. It was a moment of connection that no one else around me in the crowd could participate in. 

God says his eyes scan the whole world to strengthen those who are committed to him with all their hearts... 2 Chronicles 16:9 (CEB) No matter who I'm surrounded by, or how many I stand among, God sees me and finds me. His look strengthens me and makes me feel loved. I am never lost from his view. 

I had relationship with those who could pick me out in the crowd. In this case, a look was worth more than a thousand words. Thank you for always seeing me, Father, and for knowing me because I belong to you. Help me to acknowledge those who are vying for my attention. May many be strengthened because we lead them to you, who loves them and sees them.  

Family Trip to Nashville

 It was a long-time coming. Our first attempt to collect the family for a vacation together failed because of Covid. This month, three years later, we eagerly gathered at a VRBO booking in Nashville. Four townhouses side-by-side about five miles from downtown provided our accommodations. Everyone graciously accepted their pre-determined sleeping arrangements; most in a queen bedroom with a private bath, while some cousins slept on pull out couches. Out of 26 members, we only lacked 5. The oldest grandkids were preoccupied with their other-than-parent's lives, and one family had a work conflict which kept one spouse tethered to home.

Each carload arrived around checkin time on Friday; some going straight to lodging, some meeting up at a nearby restaurant, some attempting to join the restaurant group, but abandoning the idea because of busy downtown traffic. We unpacked in our designated houses and flitted in and out of all the other houses to satisfy our curiosity. One house was deemed our gathering place (GP) for evening activities.

Martin's BBQ was the first night's eating choice. The food was great, the conversation spotty as we tried to hear each other in the crowded restaurant. Back at the GP we discussed plans for the next day, and cousins wasted no time in checking out who-brought-what gaming systems and connecting them to the GP TV.  

Breakfast on Saturday was each to their own, although Grandma offered monkey bread and shoo-fly pie at her house. Dan's family had made plans to zip-line, several families went to the zoo and the rest checked out the huge farmer's market downtown. What fun to hear about the adventures at the end of the day! Dan and his crew loved the zip-lining, and one grandkid came back proudly announcing she had overcome her fear of heights. Zoo visitors had petted a kangaroo and experienced a small zip-line ride. After comparing pictures, the "real" zip-liners were quite adamant that the zoo ride was not zip-lining!  

We had pizza delivered for our meal that evening, followed by card games and visiting among the adults. The place was quite a buzz with cheers of winning and electronic noises from the younger crowd huddled around the TV, jerking controllers. 

We finished off the evening with a visit to the Milkshake Bar. The mountainous concoctions were fun and filling!

After a slow wake-up Sunday morning we headed to The Big Bad Breakfast restaurant for brunch. We spread out around three tables, mixing families and kids. (a server's nightmare, but they did a great job). Our next planned visit was the Opryland Hotel and Gaylord Retreat. The inside courtyard there is enclosed and showcases beautiful foliage, waterfalls and paths to wander on. It became the backdrop for family pictures-individual families, Kevin and I with grand kids, the whole group, Kevin and I with our kids and various other combinations. 

Opryland Mills Mall was next door and most of us enjoyed visiting shops, buying souvenirs and killing time-(there were a few who petered out soon after we arrived). Papa/Grandpa Kevin made popcorn when we got back, and we filled the counter of the GP with an assortment of snacks, a group contribution. Then more games and visiting and a before dark Boce game among the men--serious competition when the tape measure is called for!

We visited between houses July 4th morning, enjoying the AC. The weather was hot and humid. but the connecting porches of the houses allowed for some shade when visiting outside. We said goodbyes to Austin and Rowan who left for home in Ohio. After finding a place to park in town, most of us set out on foot to site-see some of the building murals the city is known for. 

The tech savy among us shot a panoramic photo of all of us standing against a long guitar mural. Somehow Kira began the exposure, handed off the camera to Emmanuel while she quickly ran to the end of our line-up so we were all visible in the final snapshot. 

We had called ahead for seating at a restaurant that advertised "hot" chicken, a specialty of Nashville that we didn't want to miss. The place was able to seat us all at one table. The waiter explained the degrees of hotness they offered, and we ordered according to our comfort level. The "mild" chicken on my salad was almost too spicy. A.J. and Auron went for the hottest. We enjoyed watching them sweat and tear up as they struggled to finish their meal. We split up and did various activities after lunch, meeting up again at the GP for leftover snacks and subs from a local Publix. Dan's family had enjoyed another mall trip and showed us their purchases. Nashville boots are the best.

Nashville advertised an elaborate fireworks show downtown, but we weren't interested in crowds and traffic. A bridge overlooking the city was within walking distance from our lodging and we headed that way just as it was getting dark outside. The view was perfect and the display was awesome. The show was 30 minutes of grand finale quality. We weren't close enough to hear the loudness, but saw the colorful balls explode above the skyscrapers. 

Most of us wanted an early start traveling home. Houses were cleaned, luggage packed and we said our goodbyes Tuesday morning. "Let's do it again in 2024!" Kevin and I visited with Josh and Kira awhile longer as they weren't scheduled to fly home until afternoon. We had decided to visit The Ark in Williamstown, KY., spending the night in an Airbnb nearby to celebrate our anniversary.

Arriving at the Ark around 2pm we had plenty of time to roam the three levels of the Ark and enjoy a virtual reality show. The structure is impressive, and the exhibits helped us imagine how the experience might have been for Noah and his family. The Ark is a museum with an abundance of information to read. We found it interesting that the Ark can't be seen from the highway or even from the parking lot. After parking, a bus takes you to a building with shops and an auditorium and only after walking out on the other side of that building do you see the large "boat". I'm glad we can say we've been there. Our night's sleep was in a small cottage in a little village of similar cottages. The little "house" was like a hotel room, with a bed, bath, microwave and small refrigerator. Very innovative and cute.

We had planned on leaving in the morning and stopping for breakfast along the route home. By the time we got serious about stopping we were past lunch, getting closer to home and decided to eat at the Boat House in Winnona Lake. It was a great ending to a wonderful vacation.

Kevin and I reflected on the trip home about how grateful we are for a family that enjoys each other, gets along, values their faith, and has meaningful lives. God has been good to all of us in many different ways. We look forward to our next get together! In the meantime, we'll keep relating, even though not in person.