From a Child's Perspective

Julene shared with us that they had talked with their kids about heaven and what it’s going to be like to never say good bye to people. The kids really liked that they would never have to say goodbye to us again. They were told that Jesus is going to come back one day to get us, to which Paeton responded with a question, “Has He started running yet?”
At first I thought that it was an odd question to ask. Then I began to see something beautiful. While I imagine Jesus floating down from heaven in majestic power, he was imagining Jesus running! Oh, sometimes I think our adult minds have lost something very special!

The Prodigal Son Suite

One of our favorite, and most passionate Contemporary Christian Music artists of the 1970’s and early 1980’s was Keith Green. Sadly, he was tragically killed in an airplane crash in 1982. However, his music lived on in our lives and we made sure our kids heard it too! One thing that we tried to teach them was, when listening to music, to listen to the words…no matter how young they were, they needed to know that the lyrics were important. So, we’d be on a road trip and they would get a verbal repeat of the words of the songs we listened to . . . it made for easy story telling. This is one of those songs. The music stirs our hearts like almost nothing else, and combined with this well known parable, it’s a song . . . more like a symphony . . . that just never grows old.
Personally, I can't read these words without hearing the pride . . . the sadness . . . the lostness . . . and the great rejoicing that is felt in the music itself, but I hope that even if you've never heard the music, the lyrics will touch your heart today.

I was done hoeing
Out in the fields for the day.
I was thinking of going,
I had to leave right away.
My life was just fading
and oh,I felt so alone.
The nearest young maiden
Was a full day’s ride from home.

My father was reading
The holy books in his room.
My heart was just bleeding,
I knew I had to go soon.
He smiled and pointed
To and old wooden chair.
I wanted to hold him
But then I just wouldn’t dare.

I said, “Father, there’s so much to know
There’s a world of things to see
And I’m ready to go make a life for myself.
If you give what is mine
I will go if I could have your blessing.
But if you won’t bless my journey,
I’m going to leave anyway.”

“Son, I’ve always tried my best for you
And if you must be leaving home
Then go with the blessing of God.”

Not too many days later,
I was well on my way,
I met a traveling stranger
Who seemed to have much to say.
He told me tales of the city
And all the women he’d had.
I asked him, “Wasn’t that sinful?”
He said, “No, it isn’t that bad!”

And then a few days later,
On an old city road,
We were drowning in laughter
And we had women to hold.
And this went on quite a long time,
My father gave me a lot.
But when my pockets were empty
My friends all left me to rot.

Then a famine hit and drained the land,
Everywhere I looked I saw starvation
And a job was not to be found.
I wandered through the city streets
Competing for the food of common beggars.
Until then I’d never known hunger
But now I wasn’t too proud.

I finally found some employment
Feeding pigs on a farm.
I wasn’t treated to kind,
I had to sleep in the barn.
I had to eat with the swine,
The bread I ate was like stone.
It didn’t take too much time
Till I was dreaming of home.

Oh the servants there are better fed;
If I could only have what my father gives them
I would truly need nothing more.
So I will go and say to him,
“I’m no longer worthy to be in your family,
Will you take me as your servant
And let me live with them.”

It didn’t’ take too long to pack my things
I left with only what I wore
And I prayed that I still had a home.

When I was near home,
In sight of the house,
My father just starred,
Dropped open his mouth.
He ran up the road
and fell to my feet
and cried, and cried.

“Father, I’ve sinned,
Having the shame.
I’m no longer worthy
To wear you name.
I’ve learned that my home
Is right where you are.
Oh father, take me.”

“Bring the best robe,
put it on my son.
Shoes for his feet,
Hurry, put them on!
This is my son
Who I thought had died;
Prepare a feast,
For my son’s alive!

I prayed and prayed,
Never heard a sound.
My son was lost –
Oh thank you, God, He’s found!
My son was dead
And he’s now alive.
Prepare a feast
For my son’s alive!

My son was dead, my son was lost,
My son’s returned in the hands of God!”

The photo is of a Statue of the Prodigal Son,
taken at Crystal Cathedral, Garden Grove, California
(used by permission)

Keith Green's music was digitally reproduced in 1999 by Sparrow Records (Bill Maxwell).
The Prodigal Son is one of the songs in his CD, The Ministry Years 1977-1979 and is available in Christian Book/Music Stores and at amazon.com

Will she Know Me?

I’ve been working on my 2008 scrapbook album. Last night I was working on the the “Good Bye” page, the dreaded day when we packed a family load of suitcases onto the truck and headed for the airport.

The last time I held her she was about 11 weeks old. The photo

reminded me of another photo taken about 30 years earlier

and I just had to check it out.

Yes … the woman has matured, but the baby looks very much the same. Makes me feel somewhat connected . . . like I kind of “know” her. By what my daughter tells me about her, she is so much like the baby I raised. Blue eyes that slit into the brightest smiles, content, easy going, and the cutest rolls on her arms and legs.

But when I step off that plane and reach my arms out to her . . . will she feel that familiar safety in me? Will she just “know” that I’m her Grammy?

Will she be blowing out her first candle and taking her first steps, all the while sensing my pride and joy in her? The way that only a Grammy can feel because she’s seeing it all for the second time.

Prayer for our Nations

Today, as our country to the south - the home of two of our beloved grandchildren - is celebrating the inauguration of a new president, I am reminded of what is says in
1 Timothy 2: 1-2
"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercessions and thanksgiving be made for everyone - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness."

Yesterday I received a forward of Billy Graham's well spoken prayer that commentator, Paul Harvey, aired on his radio program, 'The Rest of the Story.' It reminds me of how God is seeking hearts that humble themselves before Him to pray and seek His face and turn from their wicked ways, allowing God to hear from heaven and heal our land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)

'Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. We have killed our unborn and called it choice. We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable. We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem. We have abused power and called it politics. We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and Set us free. Amen!' (Billy Graham)

I pray that God would reveal Himself and grant wisdom to this new President as he leads a country that has so much power and influence in our world. I pray that, what we have lost as North American nations, would become important again. May we truly put OUR TRUST IN GOD.

Happy Birthday, Kari!

Kari, although you've only been a part of our family for 2 1/2 years, I can hardly imagine life without you. Partly because I always knew that one day Ben would have a special someone by his side and partly because I knew that our family wasn't complete until you came.

I always appreciate your enthusiasm that you put into everything you do and your laughter and cheery dispostion that accompanies you into the house. I appreciate the fact that we can learn things from each other. What I love most about you is the smile you put into Ben's face and the fact that I know that you stand by his side to encourage and pray for him.

Kari, you are one of my three beautiful girls, with definite similarities but special differences as well. You are unique, but you blend in beautifully. Thank you for being who you are. I pray God will bless you on your special day and in this coming year.
Love, Mom (and Dad)

Packing for a Weekend (or week)

Now this is easy! The collage that Julene had on her closet had about 11 pieces of clothing on it, a purse, sunglasses, sandals and flip flops. The only things missing were underwear and pj’s.

The basic wardrobe:
a long sleeved (thermal or waffle) shirt
2 pairs of pants – jeans & tan, cotton
1 skirt
1 dress
2 shirts – one patterned, one plain
1 pretty sleeveless top
1 cute sweater
1 jacket
bathing suit
underwear and pj’s

The idea is that you should be able to mix and match all these items of clothing, ( every top goes with every bottom) that is what makes less = more. A cami for layering, jewelry, scarves and belts will add variety as well.
Now all of this should fit into a carry on size bag. My daughter told me that she used this as a guide when they had to leave their house because of smoke. (their whole town was engulfed in smoke because of burning rice fields and lack of rain) They ended up being away for 6 weeks and she did fine with this wardrobe.
I was somewhat hesitant about this, but I decided to make this “visual” and choose a winter and a summer “collage” for my weekend get-a-away bag.

The above collage gives you a pretty good visual of 9 items of clothing that would work to create at least as many combinations. Instead of a long sleeved waffle shirt, I chose an extra Tshirt.
The swim suit is missing and the jacket, which I would be wearing - the jacket, that is!

In this winter collage, I omitted the dress and added another sweater. Again, 9 items and probably even more options. I added a scarf that ties together the browns and blue/grey colors.

I'm a "little sweater" person, but if you're a blazer/jacket person, take that.

And just to reassure you, your own personal style will totally come through here . . . whether it’s a cluster of bright colors that mix well or neutral colors, doesn’t matter. . . as long as it’s you. This also goes for any style . . . it doesn’t matter if it’s designer or not, a shirt is a shirt.
For traveling, if you don’t mind being casual, wear your bulkier items, such as runners/sneakers (if you must take them) comfortable pants and hoody or light weight jacket.
Keep your toiletries to travel size containers, in a zip lock bag. If you’re staying in a hotel, you don’t need to take shampoo or hair dryer. Choose your make-up carefully and try to stay pretty basic and realistic of what you will need.

With more airlines charging for checked luggage, it's helpful to know that you can carry your belongings with you. No fear of lost luggage and a speedy get-a-way once you arrive. Don't worry about what you may have forgotten, if you are travelling anywhere where there are people, chances are that you can buy what you need. Enjoy your trip!

P.S. As to my trip to Indonesia, I'd only have to double the (summer) amount and I'd have lots! I won't be needing any sweaters and I'll need to keep in mind that women should not wear sleeveless tops in public. We'd be fine with one suitcase for the two of us, but of course we will take advantage of every pound we can take. The less clothes, the more Honey Nut Cheerios, peanut butter, honey, chocolate chips, whole wheat flour, nuts, bacon bits . . . (Yeah!!!)