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!!

Tell Your Face

    Here's an experiment: for one or two days, throughout the whole day, pay attention to your face. If you walk by a mirror, window, or shiny object, glance at your face, and notice what your face is doing. When you are resting, are the corners of your mouth drooping? When are your eyes sparkling like you have something fun in store?
   Some people have a perpetual smile or grin. Others have a "down-turned" mouth.
   I once did a funeral for an elderly man, who was quite positive throughout his life. I got to the viewing before the family arrived and stood before the casket. And I smiled, because the gentleman was SMILING! I had never really seen that before. I thought, "He knows the punchline of the joke!"  Even in death, he was grinning!
   A verse I read this week has brought me to an awareness of what is showing on my face:
"Those who look to Him for help will be radiant with joy. No shadow of shame will darken their faces."  Psalm 34:5 (NLT)
   How's your face today?
   

Oh NO...I'm Addicted!

    Friday night I checked my email before bed...turned off the computer, and then woke up Saturday morning to NO INTERNET! I just returned from church and helping Marvin with lunch, and it's finally on. So from Saturday a.m. to Sunday at 1:15 p.m. I could not get on FB, could not see if my accountant had finished my taxes, could not find out about Sharon and Casey traveling in Guam.
    I can handle being without the internet, but I love being so connected with people when we are so far apart. I count on being able to find out what's happening in various parts of the world --- when our news media is woefully lacking in international information, unless it's where we are fighting a war or the latest natural disaster.
    Sometimes during the Lenten Season, people try to go without something, and many these days are fasting from electronics. I think I'd rather skip ice cream!

Too Lazy for Joy?

   I was tired last night when I got home from working all day in Yakima. After dinner I thought about visiting Marvin, and almost talked myself out of it because it felt so good to sit with my leg up, ice my knee, and rest. But I got up and went...taking our latest Robert Fulghum book.
   He was awake, had done well with dinner and was very alert. We have a deal --- he has to sit with me while I read instead of lying in the bed, so we sat on the love seat together. 
    After reading a couple stories and chuckling together, I said, "Did you hear about the earthquake and tsunami in Japan? Many people were lost." He scrunched up his face which  indicates sadness, his way of crying.
    Then he said, "I want to go."
    "To Japan?" I asked.
    "Yes."
    "What would you do there?" I questioned.
    He held up his hand and waved...and said, "I'd wave at them and say I love you."  Then he started laughing, something he does rarely these days. And we had a great laugh together and a hug. We ended by praying together for the victims in Japan -- he prayed out loud, also a rarity recently.
    Simple joy in the middle of all kinds of difficult circumstances...and I almost missed it because I was tired. Well, maybe it was just lazy.
   

Sharpness and Dullness

    Some time ago I helped a young man who needed money for tuition --- by buying some cutlery from him. Oh, he gave me a great deal, I'm sure. The best part was the vegetable peeler. It is the utensil I value most from that purchase!
     I knew when I bought them, that the knives were very sharp. I keep them in their little cardboard covers when not using them, and I'm very careful. Usually.
     Last night I needed to split open an Vitamin E to put the oil on my new knee scar. I grabbed the serrated knife and was in a hurry. My left index finger is now swathed in 4 bandaids to stop the bleeding!
     I'm doing a study by Anne Graham Lotz and this week it's about going deeper into the Word of God. Today's scripture was about the Word being a "double-edged sword" that divides soul and spirit, and lays bare all the thoughts and attitudes of our hearts. Paul told Timothy to be very careful how you handle the Word of God. Undoubtedly because it's SHARP.
     We value sharp knives --- do we value the Word as well? Or prefer a dull blade?