She set the GPS to Logan, O. and the trip away from the family reunion was underway. How refreshing to travel scenic routes rather than the monotonous freeway! Time was not a great factor, so the pace allowed for frequent stops, enjoying the route. Humorously, one potty-break came soon after a sign for Pee Run Rd. They crossed the Cheat Mountains in West Virginia and she read to him while he focused on driving.
'Destination on left' was announced several hours later and the car was unloaded at the hotel. It wasn't a fancy place to stay, but the money saved went towards the gourmet meal at the log-cabin restaurant later that evening. They spoke of years gone by and dreamed about the future again. Sleep came easy that night after bellies full of food and wine.
Plans to hike the State Park the next day were slightly foiled with rainy weather, but they plowed on over the 4 mile trail anyway. Wet and tired, the anticipated long trip to home seemed formidable. But again, the things to see along the non-highway roads, coupled with snacks to munch on and an inspiring time of voicing prayers for the children, made the time pass rather quickly.
Thankful to be home, they unpacked the car, showered and crawled into bed, the oh, so familiar bed. And that's how the celebration went. They are blessed to have each other and to know God is directing their steps and that each year is a gift from Him.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Families: you can't choose them, but you don't want to lose them!
This weekend, the Showalter family converged in VA for a memorable reunion. While we had plenty of time to sit and relax as a group, we also perused the new store my dad and step-mom volunteer time to. There among the second-hand items we all found a treasure or two. The same outing took us to a farmer's market where we lollied through antiques, a favorite past-time of my sister and her husband.
Back at the house we spread out to visit in smaller groups. Some found conversation around building a puzzle, a group hovered around the Showalter geneology book where Grandpa was sharing stories, and competition mounted among the gaggle playing the family game of Scrabble.
In the background Peeka, short for Peeka Boo, was squawking in his bird cage, hoping someone would pay him mind. His moment came when all gathered around his perch to hear him whistle his repertoire of tunes and imitate Roy's electric razor.
The next day we filled in a whole pew in Dad's church and had a meaningful visit to Mom's gravesite, coincidentally on her birthday! After a scrumptious meal, embellished with fresh tomatoes, cucumbers and zucchini from family gardens, we played some rousing rounds of Dictionary, another tradition we enjoy. Dad makes up the zanniest definitions, while Libby and John seem most adept at making associations with the unfamiliar words that were chosen from the Dictionary. Note: new word I tucked away in my vocabuary was hugger-mugger. Bet you don't know what that means!
Departures and goodbyes were said with some tears and much thanksgiving for the time together. Until we meet again, we'll stay in touch by phone and email. My family, you're the best!
Back at the house we spread out to visit in smaller groups. Some found conversation around building a puzzle, a group hovered around the Showalter geneology book where Grandpa was sharing stories, and competition mounted among the gaggle playing the family game of Scrabble.
In the background Peeka, short for Peeka Boo, was squawking in his bird cage, hoping someone would pay him mind. His moment came when all gathered around his perch to hear him whistle his repertoire of tunes and imitate Roy's electric razor.
The next day we filled in a whole pew in Dad's church and had a meaningful visit to Mom's gravesite, coincidentally on her birthday! After a scrumptious meal, embellished with fresh tomatoes, cucumbers and zucchini from family gardens, we played some rousing rounds of Dictionary, another tradition we enjoy. Dad makes up the zanniest definitions, while Libby and John seem most adept at making associations with the unfamiliar words that were chosen from the Dictionary. Note: new word I tucked away in my vocabuary was hugger-mugger. Bet you don't know what that means!
Departures and goodbyes were said with some tears and much thanksgiving for the time together. Until we meet again, we'll stay in touch by phone and email. My family, you're the best!
Friday, June 4, 2010
Kiss it Good-bye
I've recently been introduced to author Wayne Cordeiro. After reading his book, The Divine Mentor, I want to try keeping a journal using his style. He has a Bible reading plan and suggests writing a response journal at the end of each reading. The entry would follow the acrostic SOAP which stands for Scripture (reference), Observation, Application, and Prayer. Here is my first entry.
Scripture: Lu. 14:33
Simply put, if you're not willing to take what is dearest to you, whether plans or people and kiss it good-bye, you can't be my disciple.
Observation:
In the verses before this one, Jesus had been sharing illustrations of things that can keep us from following him, actually make it impossible to follow him. They include family we need to let go of, refusing to deny ourselves or let go of self, and plans that we would be foolish to go ahead with. A plan to build needs careful calculation before you start so you are not embarrassed by lack of funds before you finish. A decision to go to war only makes sense if you are in the better position for winning; if not you should call a truce. In these cases the letting go is of a new house dream and a glorious victory, both very dear plans to people.
Application:
This reading fits in very well with the teaching I received in Peacemaker Ministries about idols in our lives. Idols are wants or needs we turn into demands that when unmet cause us bitterness and resentment. They can keep us from peace and joy and quickly become our master. How foolish for someone to go ahead and finance that new house without the income to support it or to boast about success of any kind, without the means to carry it out. Isn't that behavior showing a idolatrous mentality? I will push ahead for what I want or deserve, no matter the consequences. Bringing it closer to home for me, what about the times I am preoccupied with assessing or controlling relationships that are dear to me? My thoughts reel dizzily in the spin cycle; thoughts like- have I given enough? Am I loved like I want to be loved?
Prayer:
Jesus, help me to be willing to kiss the dearest things to me goodbye. I don't want to hold onto anything that would cause interference in my communication with the Holy Spirit. This doesn't mean those I love will receive less of me, but they'll have the healthy, undivided me who is perfectly balanced in You.
Scripture: Lu. 14:33
Simply put, if you're not willing to take what is dearest to you, whether plans or people and kiss it good-bye, you can't be my disciple.
Observation:
In the verses before this one, Jesus had been sharing illustrations of things that can keep us from following him, actually make it impossible to follow him. They include family we need to let go of, refusing to deny ourselves or let go of self, and plans that we would be foolish to go ahead with. A plan to build needs careful calculation before you start so you are not embarrassed by lack of funds before you finish. A decision to go to war only makes sense if you are in the better position for winning; if not you should call a truce. In these cases the letting go is of a new house dream and a glorious victory, both very dear plans to people.
Application:
This reading fits in very well with the teaching I received in Peacemaker Ministries about idols in our lives. Idols are wants or needs we turn into demands that when unmet cause us bitterness and resentment. They can keep us from peace and joy and quickly become our master. How foolish for someone to go ahead and finance that new house without the income to support it or to boast about success of any kind, without the means to carry it out. Isn't that behavior showing a idolatrous mentality? I will push ahead for what I want or deserve, no matter the consequences. Bringing it closer to home for me, what about the times I am preoccupied with assessing or controlling relationships that are dear to me? My thoughts reel dizzily in the spin cycle; thoughts like- have I given enough? Am I loved like I want to be loved?
Prayer:
Jesus, help me to be willing to kiss the dearest things to me goodbye. I don't want to hold onto anything that would cause interference in my communication with the Holy Spirit. This doesn't mean those I love will receive less of me, but they'll have the healthy, undivided me who is perfectly balanced in You.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Sunday thoughts that linger
Sunday, Bill Fuller shared at Zion. He has a passion for drawing people to Jesus and seeing them become followers. One of the ministries he's implemented at his church is the Red Bag Ministry. Several of us at Zion were in training on Sat. to understand how the ministry works and is carried out. Baisically, every Sunday now, there will be an invitation given at the end of the service for anyone who wants to begin a journey of following Jesus Christ to come up after the meeting and pick up a red bag. A trainee will ask anyone who takes a bag whether they can unpack the bag with them. Inside the bag are tools to help share the story of God's salvation love work through Jesus, a Bible to get them started on their journey and information of how to connect with the community at Zion.
Bill's sermon shared many inspiring stories of lives changed. He also shared a media clip of John Ortberg sharing on the status of many Christians in America. There's a progression path to Jesus of starting as strangers, then moving to admirers and then followers. Many though, after becoming admirers, end up being users. They use Jesus as a entrance requirement into heaven and then live as they please, with a flair for looking like a submitted Christian. There is a big difference between admirers and followers.
God is doing a good work of messing with our hearts and setting us up to fish for people.
Lord, for me it starts with asking you again, for a heart that sees people as you do, to have your love and passion for those who do not yet know the joy I share with you. My heart is yours. Lead me and I will follow.
Bill's sermon shared many inspiring stories of lives changed. He also shared a media clip of John Ortberg sharing on the status of many Christians in America. There's a progression path to Jesus of starting as strangers, then moving to admirers and then followers. Many though, after becoming admirers, end up being users. They use Jesus as a entrance requirement into heaven and then live as they please, with a flair for looking like a submitted Christian. There is a big difference between admirers and followers.
God is doing a good work of messing with our hearts and setting us up to fish for people.
Lord, for me it starts with asking you again, for a heart that sees people as you do, to have your love and passion for those who do not yet know the joy I share with you. My heart is yours. Lead me and I will follow.
A wonderful man!
What a guy I'm married to! I came home from work yesterday and he was preparing to mow the lawn, which is more like a lush green carpet, due to his TLC. I prepared to wash dishes from the night before. He advised me to wait until later when he could help me. I didn't want him to have to do that so I proceeded to start the task, talking about the events of my day. Rather than interrupt me to go outside he picked up a towel, listened and wiped dishes! (he did get the lawn mowed eventually)
Later that night he retired to bed before I did, and when I got there he had propped up the pillows in my favorite way so I could do a little reading before turning out the light.
And that's just one little segment of a day in the life of being married to Kevin.
Thank you, Father, for a Godly man who is truly a gift from you.
Later that night he retired to bed before I did, and when I got there he had propped up the pillows in my favorite way so I could do a little reading before turning out the light.
And that's just one little segment of a day in the life of being married to Kevin.
Thank you, Father, for a Godly man who is truly a gift from you.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
I came home from work one day and discovered that we had had visitors while we were away. Written to Amanda in an email.
Gma and the Three Bums
So I was returning home from work yesterday and perfected my close
-shave- pull-up-alongside- the- mailbox-routine to collect the mail and
paper before heading into the garage. The mailbox was
uncharacteristically empty, and I suspected someone had been there ahead
of me. Since there weren't any vehicles in the drive I thought it might
have been the daughter who works in town, but I didn't notice any
telling evidence after a quick overview of the kitchen and DR. I looked
for a stack of mail, then noticed an Ibuprofen bottle on the counter,
but still wasn't sure if that had been left there from earlier in the
morning or from the night before. I stepped into the DR. A Ha!
Someone had been playing on my floor and left a black beanie baby bear
lying there, and as I turned towards the counter I saw another beanie
baby bear reclining in the corner under the desk. I was at the counter
now. A Ha! Someone had been using my pen and paper and left two
notes! I explained the situation to Papa when he came in. He opened
the closet to throw away some trash. A Ha! Someone had left a Little
Caesar's box in the garbage! Much later that evening I went upstairs to
settle Shayla down for the night. A Ha! Someone had turned down the
covers and moved the pillows on the bed! From the notes, I deducted
that someones had been in my house and it was you and that little
precocious 2-year-old-grandson of ours who can-already-write-sentences
and the big Bum (just a play on your last name, no negative connotations
intended). :)
So I was returning home from work yesterday and perfected my close
-shave- pull-up-alongside- the- mailbox-routine to collect the mail and
paper before heading into the garage. The mailbox was
uncharacteristically empty, and I suspected someone had been there ahead
of me. Since there weren't any vehicles in the drive I thought it might
have been the daughter who works in town, but I didn't notice any
telling evidence after a quick overview of the kitchen and DR. I looked
for a stack of mail, then noticed an Ibuprofen bottle on the counter,
but still wasn't sure if that had been left there from earlier in the
morning or from the night before. I stepped into the DR. A Ha!
Someone had been playing on my floor and left a black beanie baby bear
lying there, and as I turned towards the counter I saw another beanie
baby bear reclining in the corner under the desk. I was at the counter
now. A Ha! Someone had been using my pen and paper and left two
notes! I explained the situation to Papa when he came in. He opened
the closet to throw away some trash. A Ha! Someone had left a Little
Caesar's box in the garbage! Much later that evening I went upstairs to
settle Shayla down for the night. A Ha! Someone had turned down the
covers and moved the pillows on the bed! From the notes, I deducted
that someones had been in my house and it was you and that little
precocious 2-year-old-grandson of ours who can-already-write-sentences
and the big Bum (just a play on your last name, no negative connotations
intended). :)
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