Easter: Sheer Joy!

   I texted some friends: "U R invited to an impromptu sunrise service @ 5:30 up on the hill by the barn across from the Outpost (a Shell station, convenience store, restaurant)."  3 of us met up and sat in my van. We pointed the car toward the horizon, drank hot coffee, read the story from Luke and from John, sang "Christ Arose" and "Because He Lives," prayed and worshipped. As we ended our prayer, one said, "Here it comes!" Like she'd never seen the sun before. It actually felt like that: like we'd never seen the sun before!
   Neither of them had ever experienced a real sunrise service...and they were awed.   Our conversation was about the POWER now available to us because God raised Jesus from the dead. "The same power --- lives in you," Paul announced. We talked about how we don't always live in the resurrection power, and how we can.
   Easter is not just for egg hunts, breakfast and dinner. It's not about new clothes or any other trappings. It's about NEW LIFE in JESUS and BECAUSE of HIS DEATH, we can be freed from GUILT! 
   Jesus lives. Celebrate!
  

Working Joy Strength

   There are sheer JOY days and then their are JOY STRENGTH days. When you have to depend on the strength of that reservoir of JOY because something frustrating or tragic has happened...that's JOY STRENGTH.
   Lots of encouraging things have come my way. Then a comment...a criticism...a flash of disdain or anger. It feels like a WHACK across the face. I used to wallow in that and spend days questioning myself, having a pity party, trying to figure out what I could have done differently.
   Not now. The first, the most important thing, is to get into the Word -what's HE say about it? Is it worth my fretting time? Is there something more constructive I could do with that time?
   Fill up the JOY STRENGTH well...to be ready when it's needed.

LOL at Myself

     Okay...what crazy thing have you done in the last 2 weeks that made you laugh out loud at yourself?  Come on...there's something, I'm sure. If I tell one thing, will you?
     My son has never wanted me to color my hair, and I don't care about the gray color, but it is so coarse and hard to handle. Coloring it would soften it and keep it more manageable.
     So I bought some "wash in" type color, medium brown. I discussed it with my good friend, my hairdresser. She gave me some hints, but forgot something...Vaseline around the ears and hairline so you don't have some brown bleeding on your ears and face!!
     So I just got off the phone with my hairdresser (at 9:30 pm!!)....HELP.
     We really must laugh at ourselves. When things are not life and death, laugh! When you humiliate yourself in front of yourself, laugh! When all is not lost only crumpled up, laugh!
     If this makes you smile, that's fine. I've done much worse than this in my day...don't ask.
    

Letting Go Brings Joy

    I'm at a new place in my life...semi-retirement. I mean, I'm still working a lot, and doing many things that do NOT generate income. But I'm no longer a senior pastor. I thought it would be difficult to let go of that position. And honestly some parts of the process have caused me some twinges of pain. It has been another exercise in letting go.
    Because I haven't yet been run out of town, I am able to hang around and watch what else God is doing, and He has been working in some unique ways. Even this week I have seen the sprouting of tiny little plants from the years of seeds that have been planted by various people.
    There has been other fruit from time to time, when people have been so ready to hear Good News --- that they welcome it with open arms and hearts.
    In other cases, the soil has become hardened from years of abuse, pain, and addictions. It takes a long time to get to the bottom and truly, honestly get to know Jesus in a life-changing way. Most pastors are long gone by then, and often don't see any appreciable "fruit" from their labors.
    There's still a lot of work to do with new, young plants. But God is never finished working. He just uses whatever and whomever is hanging around and is willing to let go of our own agendas.
    Lord, help me let go more and more! Increase my joy.

The Trip

    I've been home almost a week, so it's time to reflect on it. It was pre-school spring break in Atlanta, so I went to help with Caleb and Evelyn so Carolyn and Phil could teach, study, and have a little time off. Being in the recuperation stage from total knee replace-ment, I wasn't 100%.

    I bought some of those hospital support hose to wear on the plane, as recommended by my surgeon's assistant, to help avoid deep thrombosis or something! From Phoenix to Atlanta, the plane was packed with golfers attending the Masters in Augusta and I was stuck in a window seat, so I couldn't get up and down a lot. I just kept stretching and moving my feet and legs!

    The first night in Atlanta we had a storm which made the next few days very comfortably cool. Then the humidity and heat picked up again. (I love the Yakima Valley)
    Some highlights:
-- Caleb and I talking at the table, and he was telling me something. Then he said, "Grandma, that's my hypothesis." (He's 4) I said, "Caleb, what's a hypothesis?" He said, "It's something you think is right." He is always able to discuss the solar system and how steam engines work. What grade was I in when I learned that stuff?
-- Evelyn turned 1 the day after I arrived. She is very petite, and talks some, but makes a lot of noises, especially airplane sounds. There is a small, but busy airport near their home, so she's very practiced! She will soon be walking, but is already bugging Caleb when she gets into his drawing papers and colors.
-- Good conversation with Carolyn.
-- Laughing with Phil as we listened to one of his favorite radio programs. 
   I loved being with them...and miss them terribly. I am thankful for electronics so we can see and talk to each other! Enjoy your family. 

   

Crazy Joy!

   After an extremely busy Friday and Saturday, I left after church on Sunday to drive to Portland. My dear friend lives 5 minute from PDX and she and her husband got up before the crack of dawn to drive me to the airport. I left at 5:30 am to head toward Atlanta, via Phoenix (it's just the way it's done!)  As we left Phoenix, we were delayed on the tarmac for about 40 minutes due to turbulent weather headed toward Atlanta. Lots of golfers from Phoenix were headed for the Masters tournament in Augusta, so the flight was absolutely packed.
    Add that up --- 3 hr. drive from Sunnyside to Portland, OR. 2 1/2 hr. flight from PDX to PHX. 40 minutes extra...and then 3 1/2 hrs. from PHX to ATL.  9 hr. and 40 min. of travel...and this while still recovering from knee surgery. (I had to wear those great white thigh-high support hose all the way!) 
    Why would I do that?  Because of the JOY of being with my son, Phil, and his wife, Carolyn, and 4 yr. old Caleb, and 1 yr. old Evelyn. We've gone on a picnic, fed ducks in the pond, spied on a swan nesting with at least 4 huge eggs, gone to the aviation park and watched planes take off and land while swinging, blown bubbles, read books, played games, rocked a baby to sleep, changed diapers, shopped, made food, done dishes, folded laundry. 
     When Caleb yells, "Grandma Karen...you know what?"  Or when Evelyn Grace squeels, "WHEEEEE!" I know this is absolutely CRAZY JOY!!