Stopping to Take a Breathe

I had the wonderful treat of writing a guest blog for my good friend Sue Tell this week. It was a joy and an honor. I think that you'll find that so far my year has been loaded with lessons. I would urge you to stop by Echoes of Grace at suetell.com and read what I shared and some of the other insightful blogs that are posted there. Here is the link.

http://suetell.com/stopping-take-breath/

A Different View of the Flag

Today is Flag Day! With Memorial Day just past and the Fourth of July approaching quickly, I don't usually give June 14, Flag Day, much thought. But this year I've had a different view of the Flag and an opportunity to think about the day that commemorates the adoption of the Stars and Stripes as our national symbol in 1777. The idea of a day to honor our flag was first conceived in 1885, but wasn't officially adopted until 1949 after World War II and......after Pearl Harbor. It was this place, and a new view of our flag, that has caused me to think more deeply about this day and the great cost for the freedom to fly that flag.

The Arizona Memorial at Sunset

You see, last week I was in Hawaii and had the rare opportunity to tour Pearl Harbor and visit the Arizona Memorial in the quiet of the evening. We were a small party on a private tour with some very knowledgeable guides. I'd been there before, but this time repetition sunk in and new facts struck home. December 7, 1941 was a horrific tragedy! The carnage and destruction were great.

The attack by the Japanese occurred suddenly and catastrophically. Words cannot begin to describe the awful horror and shocking devastation of that morning that pushed the United States into World War II.


It would take too much time to tally the complete toll. but four of eight battleships were sunk along with numerous other vessels, 188 aircraft were destroyed, 2,400 Americans were killed and 1,178 others were wounded. Many of those who died still lie in watery graves below, entombed in several vessels that remain in the harbor, the greatest number in the Battleship Arizona. Much of Pearl Harbor lay in ruins after that fateful day.

The Battleship Utah

The destruction and loss were great; but there were also tales of valor. Many of the commanders were not even aboard their vessels at 7:48 a.m. on a Sunday morning, so many decisions and a great part of the valiant defense of Pearl Harbor was due to the efforts of the younger soldiers who made their home on the ships. And it was only by God's grace that a third wave of devastation did not take place, a wave that might have completely destroyed the ability of the Pacific Fleet to enter the fight and win the battles that were so crucial to ending the war.

Once again I was reminded that freedom really is not free! We hear that all of the time, but it is so true and it is something we need to be reminded of as the last of the survivors of that day pass away. (Only five now remain.) We live in an increasingly dangerous world in which terror has taken on a new and even more devious form. The Stars and Stripes still fly. But there are several things that we need to remember on this Flag Day. Our freedom was won at a terrible cost, and we must be aware and prepared for a time yet future when others will undoubtably need to join those who already are defending that freedom.

Those Who Died on the Battleship Arizona

Also, God cannot honor a nation that turns it's back on Him. Am I saying that we should not show love to or care for those of other faiths? No! Christ taught us to love our fellow man. But we must remember that evil exists in many forms and only by honoring the God of heaven and earth and living by His Word can we expect His continued blessing on a country that was founded upon His promises.

This Flag Day may we respect this symbol of our freedom, be grateful for those who have given so much to preserve it. And may we also live in a way honors the godly principles upon which this nation was founded.

                                                                          

 If my people who are called by my name

 humble themselves and pray and seek my face 

and turn from their wicked ways, 

then I will hear from heaven and will

forgive their sin and heal their land.

II Chronicles 7:14

Waiting for the Unexpected

Life is full of the unexpected, sometimes more than others. If I were to write a book about the last 18 months, I would title it Unexpected Surprises. For a small town girl from Boonsboro, Maryland, life has been full of travel, adventures and opportunities to do things and serve in ways that I never expected. 

Who knew that marrying a guy who wanted to be a university professor would take me to the four corners of the earth? (I thought that professors sat in their ivory towers and wrote lectures.) Who knew that I would spend part of my life having a blast singing and even doing some acting (Oh how I love comedy!)? And who know that my home would become hotel at times and a shelter for those in need at other times.  And, in between all that I've been able to experience motherhood, grandmotherhood, being a mentor, Bible teacher, cook homemaker and on and on and on.

What's next? In less than two weeks we leave for Berlin. What a joy it will be to visit our daughter, son-in-law and three of our sweet grands! (Until then I'm just trying to hold on through 12 of the busiest days I've ever had.) Gary will attend a conference there, spend a day with family and then fly home. I will stay on. I'm looking forward to extended family time and seeing German friends who are becoming my friends too. We'll even take a day trip to Poland.

Beautiful Haifa , In Our Hearts!

Then the adventure begins. I'm off to Israel by myself! While visiting on Skype with a friend there a number of months ago she repeatedly requested that I come for a visit to Haifa. She said that I could be an encouragement to friends who have had a very trying year, suffering through many unexpected trials. The call seemed clear so I booked flights, rented a car and then with more than a bit of trepidation asked, "Did I really just agree to go to Haifa by myself?"  It's a bit of an unknown. How can I help? Gary and I both felt that God had called. Gary's comment was, "I think that you've just had a call to Macedonia." I've let a

Driving in Israel takes
a bit of Chutzpah!

few friends know that I'm coming, but don't know what the week will look like. I know that I'll see Olga and stay with her parents (who I don't know) in their flat. I"m looking forward to seeing Margi and catching up with her. I'll go to church at our beloved Bethesda Assembly. But other than that I don't know how to be a help. Trust!

Will I serve? I'd love to! Or will the Lord sit me by the Mediterranean or the Galilee to hear His voice. I'm glad the call was clear. Now I must trust that He has a plan and will show it to me. Another adventure, I think so!

Always In the Hand of God

Traveling On (As Soon as I Take a Break!)

Grape Vines Growing in Morgan
Hill, California

Enjoying Breakfast at the
Bayside Skillet

My life lately often seems to be a series of trips.  I do love to travel but this Summer is especially packed with adventure. Right now I'm preparing for trip number three of six that we will take before the end of September. So far we've been from California to the East Coast oceanside and back to home base in the Midwest. Soon we'll be off to Germany for both business (a conference for Gary) and pleasure (a visit with family in Berlin). And, in between it all, there have been house guests to entertain and the 4th of July to celebrate along with some rousing World Cup Soccer games to be enjoyed. Wow my life and my house are busy!!!

The Paddle Boat Cleaning Crew

Since I often require a bit of quiet and reflection, occasionally I slip off to hide when things get too noisy or I just need a break. A few nights ago it was just a retreat to my room while the younger crowd watched an action packed movie, today it was an hour grabbed on the patio of one of my favorite coffee shops and most mornings it is at least some time in my favorite chair in our Sun Room. You see, it often takes some rest, reflection and listening to God's Word to keep things in balance and prepare one to meet the challenges of life.

A Pair of Rabid Soccer Fans

Jesus certainly had that philosophy. Over and over again in the the gospels say that Jesus "withdrew" from the crowds to be alone and to spend time alone talking to the Father. If that was the pattern of my Savior and the God of the Universe, how much more do I need that time. How much more do I need to be sitting at the Savior's feet listening, listening, listening........Then I will be ready to travel on.

Looking Down over the Sea of Galilee
As Jesus Might Have Looked.

Soon It Will Be
"Up, Up and Away!"

Trust

It has been a long time and I realize how much I miss writing. This began with Israel - How I miss it and wish that I were there in Haifa, in our flat on Margalit Street. A bit of my heart will always be there and I will write about it again. But life continues and certainly is not lacking in adventure. 

Sunrise at Bethany 

 Each New Morning - An Opportunity to Trust 

I am sitting on the balcony in Bethany Beach, Delaware - the annual family beach trip. I love my time alone on this balcony, time to think, to study to listen- and, right now to trust. This is a summer full of travel - the East Coast with family, Germany, a Minnesota cabin, cruising up the East Coast in fall and, finally, a gala celebration in Washington, D. C. as my wonderful husband is inducted into the Academy of Engineers.  I am fortunate to be able to have so much adventure in my life.

But I'm missing home right now and having to trust God with a someone I love very much and travel plans that are in limbo because of it. The travel plans are a worry but the one that I love is much more important. It's a choice to make - trust.  "Be still and know that I am God...."  (Psalm 46:a) That is where I am. Not a bad place to be. I will trust!

Waiting for the Hush!

Tonight the week before we celebrate our Savior's birth begins and so does the hush in our lives. The weeks have been busy - nursing a friend who had been injured in an accident, two trips to the East Coast, a trip to Germany, a trip to Denver, a crowd for Thanksgiving with Gary's parents and other family for most of a week. music to prepare for Church programs, Gary's Lab students for dinner (there were 30) and keeping two adorable grandchildren for the past four days…..and life keeps going and going and going……….I might add that Gary's Fall has been much the same too. Some Christmas preparations still lay before us I might add

But this year we have a new tradition after 41 years of marriage. We will not climb in the car and drive 750 miles to the East Coast to visit friends and family. We will not run from place to place. We are staying home for Christmas! And I'm ready for a new Christmas hush. We will still have our children and grandchildren who are here over on Christmas Eve going to church to remember our Savior's birth right in the middle of the evening. And we will spend Christmas day with just six of us: Katie, her husband of less than six months, Alan and Alan's parents Margaret and Frank. (It's a wonderful thing to enjoy the in-laws as friends too!) We will miss our family in Berlin and, hopefully with spend some time on Skye.

Christmas Day will be quiet with puzzles, games, a movie or two and the family tradition of quiche and blueberry muffins, etc. to eat. There are
reconnections to be made in the time before and around the celebration of God come to Earth to redeem us. Who is that man that I share our home with?  We've missed each other and hope to spend a lot of time together. And I crave more time in my Sun room, hopefully looking out at the snow with the Lord of the Universe who, marvelously, miraculously wants to visit with me and came to earth and gave Himself for me that that might happen.

Christ came as a baby to die as a man on a tree for my sins. He rose again to prove that the debt for my sins, for your sins had been paid. I look at the Christmas Creche as the hush begins, thinking of that. Do you know Him? Have you asked Him to apply that earned forgiveness to your life? If you haven't please do, then enjoy the hush and the peace that can follow your life even in the busiest of times, knowing Him, the Savior of the World. This Christmas I will enjoy Him and life in the hush

How silently, how silently,
The wondrous Gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of His heaven.
No ear may hear His coming,
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive Him still,
The dear Christ enters in.

God's Time and Turns

I took a God's Hand from Israel  to
one of my friends in Colorado and she
incorporated it into her Thanksgiving
centerpiece. (More about that later.)

Exactly two months ago my life took a turn that I never expected. God sent me a job to do as I took in a friend who was badly injured. Since that time she has experienced and continues to recover. It changed my Fall as I never expected, yet it was a joy in getting to know her as she recovered and continues to recover. Since then, she has moved out, I have been to Germany to visit my dear family who live there and to Denver with my husband where I visited with two dear friends. (You probably will hear about both.)  Where to begin?  And will I ever return to my thoughts on Israel?  (I know that a piece of my heart still lives there.)

In  the coming weeks I must host family and friends as we celebrate our American Thanksgiving. And we will spend the first ever complete Christmas time that we have ever spent here in Central Illinois rather than traveling to see family on the East Coast. We will miss them, but it is time.

Some early birthday and Christmas celebration with
my family in Berlin

God sends His turns into our lives; and life changes. I am thankful that He is in it all! I don't have to approach it "Willy Nilly" but can trust Him with all of it's it's twists and turns. So life goes on and I am back.

    

Thanksgiving thoughts of a six year old in Berlin.
Apparently they do not have root beer there. Fun!

A beautiful church in Berlin, but so many
of the churches there are almost empty.