25th Anniversary

NO it's not our 25th wedding anniversary. That was a LONG time ago. But it is a 25th anniversary of something quite important to us as a couple. Can you guess? Probably not since to others it would not mean a great deal but to us it is reason to celebrate. Before I uncover the mystery let me ask you the question that served to prompt this thought: "What material item has truly been a gift from God in your marriage?"I know there are as many answers to this question as there are fish in the ocean.

For us the answer is simple: Tandem Bike! We have been riding a tandem bike for 25 years! In 1993 we bought our first tandem. It was a black Trek 1000. I could not find a very good photo of it but it was a lovely bike that carried us over many a trail in the midwest and eventually was shipped to China in 2000 where together we explored all the back alleys of Beijing China. When we returned to the states the bike was included with our household belongings and continued to motor us around. But we missed the excitement of exploring another culture. How could we again travel overseas and take our "friend" with us? The answer came when we realized we needed to purchase a new tandem, custom made with couplers to take it apart and fit the pieces into luggage. Would we have at least 10 years of fun left in our legs to warrant this big investment? This year-our 10th on the Co-Motion bike proves God's goodness to us in allowing us so much time together on the bike. The adventures Hunter and I have experienced on the tandem bike could fill volumes! But more than just the adventures I see a material object that has helped to cement our marriage, bringing us happiness and a common goal as we traveled a multitude of roads.

Now, as I currently struggle with Parkinson's Disease, I once again look at the tandem as a special gift from God. When I sit behind Hunter grasping onto the handle bars with my legs steadily going around and around I actually feel as though I do NOT have a disease. My hands don't tremor, nor am I anxious or off balance but feel 25 years younger with  Hunter's funny banter causing delicious laughter. God is so good to give us the desires of our heart, if they match His desires for us. I do believe He continues to smile seeing us enjoy loving each other and experiencing life together on our bike outings.

If you are a husband/wife team what material possession has God gifted you with and if nothing comes to mind why not try a tandem? I once heard it said that a tandem bike would either grow a marriage as you have to trust one another or cause major conflict as you must submit to one another in your prospective "roles" on the bike. Honestly I believe the former is more true than the latter.
You only have one life to live so live it well, doing what you enjoy with your mate, creating memories that last and stories to share with the next generation!

Lessons around the "family style" meal

Have you ever thought about the style of your family meals? Are they smorgasbord buffets where each individual picks their choice of foods from a variety of left overs or whatever is currently on the stove?
How about the "on the run" meals where everyone grabs something on the way out the door to their various commitments. Is that you?
Are they "up and down" affairs where there is a constant path back and forth from the table for each individual to satisfy their own desires for seconds and thirds?
Maybe you do not even have a "together" time for a meal but rather an "everyman for himself" type of meal service. Open the cupboard, open the box, open the microwave, heat and eat!
While "babysitting" three of our grandsons recently we discovered there were many lessons to be learned around the old fashioned "family style" meal. Remember the big bowls of food circulated around the farm table? My husband and I decided to resurrect that eating methodology for a short trial and have been pleased with the results for three grandsons.

Lessons to learn:

1. self-control-kids come to their place at the table facing an empty plate and quietly and patiently wait until everyone is seated, the prayer is said, and the food is passed to satisfy their hunger pangs

2. cooperation-kids learn to pass each bowl to their neighbor on their right ("littles" quickly learn the difference between right and left) after they dish up their portion as well as passing bowls during the meal at someone's request

3. conservation of food-kids learn to take ONLY what they can eat so as not to waste food and to allow everyone to enjoy each yummy dish

4. manners and healthy conversations-because everyone is seated around the table, not jumping up for various reasons, manners can be taught and conversations can be had that teach such concepts as waiting your turn to talk, listening and asking appropriate questions, being considerate of others

There is order at the table and a platform for fun conversation that has the ability to knit the family close together.
If you have not adopted this "eating pattern", especially with children in the house, try it. I think you will begin to reap the benefits.

What do you do well?

Once upon a time there where two newly weds honeymooning on a small lake in Nebraska in a quaint cabin complete with a sky boat. On the first day of their honeymoon the groom skied "circles" around the frustrated bride. On the second day of the honeymoon the groom bowled high scores while the bride threw gutter balls. This pattern of the groom "performing well" in most anything he attempted while the bride seemed always to fall short has continued for 40 plus years. The reality of this truth runs the gammit of all paddle sports, water activities, cards, board games, mind games,  even a recent attempt at darts!. God has gifted the groom with extreme coordination and logic and analytical skills that serve him well.
So where does that leave the bride? In a constant state of searching for what she does well. That search, spanning years, has unsuccessfully dipped into the "bins" of quilting and various sewing attempts, small crafts, such as card making and scrapbooking, playing musical instruments. Even time spent in the kitchen baking, which is fun, doesn't qualify as something she "does well" because most anyone can follow a recipe!
The phrase "doing something well" can be interpreted in a multitude of ways but for the bride it means winning at a game or two, or creating something to be admired, or just knowing you are "doing well" at a chosen activity-feeling a sense of accomplishment in meeting someone's needs, even if it is only your own.
After the last game of darts, which caused the bride to quit in frustration, she decided to take this "thorn in her flesh" to the Lord. Guess what He revealed-a prideful heart that needed confession but also something she could do well-prayer! That is something we can all do well. After all we are admonished in 1 Thessalonians 1:15 to "Pray without ceasing." When you do something unceasingly you will obviously improve. So now, when feelings of failure in "competition" creep up, she immediately defaults to prayer. In fact she has become more aware of the joy in praying at all times, learning to embrace who God has called her to be- not a champion "pickle ball competitor" but a prayer warrior!

The Ordinary vs. The Spectacular!

Sadly I must admit I am a bit disappointed that Hurricane Lane did not actually "hit" the Island of Oahu and our little town of Kailua with the expected high winds and torrential downpours!  Is that heartless, perverted, sadistic or what? What is wrong with me? I have been thinking about this strange feeling all day. I guess it boils down to being an "adventure" junkie. I love new experiences. Just making the preparations carried with it a sense of anticipation. What was actually going to happen? Sometimes the ordinary is just blame boring. I am often discontent with the status quo. I do a poor job of following Paul's example in Philippians 4:11
"I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances."
 Rather, I find myself often searching for the next thrill, the next "spectacular" challenging event. But life consists of more ordinary than spectacular and it is in the ordinary, the boring that one can slow down long enough to hear God whispering. He is trying to teach me that He meets us more intimately while serving Him in the trenches of life, the routine schedules, the daily tasks and familiar relationships than on the occasional spectacular mountain top.  
I am truly thankful for the prayers of others concerning safety through the possible storm. And my selfish self knows to rejoice that we were spared the possible hurricane damages. We were and continue to be blessed. So I will look elsewhere for my next "adventure fix". Ha!

Preparations for a "face to face" encounter with Hurricane Lane!

I have never been in a hurricane, although growing up in Iowa necessitated many trips to the cobweb infested farm house cellar! In fact three tornadoes converged on Oelwein, my hometown in 1968, my senior year of high school,  destroying a large section of the town including the roof of our high school building. My senior year came to an abrupt halt with no prom, celebrations, or finals-memorable indeed!
Back to the present. In less than two days hurricane Lane, a level 5 hurricane,  is tracking to hit Honolulu, on the island of Oahu. We are staying with Rebecca and her family of 6 on this island north east of Honolulu in a town called Kailua. Since we are not certain of the exact trajectory of Lane we are taking as many precautions as possible.
First of all, we have been shopping a number of times, as have thousands of others. Costco was a battle zone as was Target and the navy commissary! Checkout lines snaked through crowded isles from front to the back of the stores. Shelves were quickly emptied as carts bulged with everything from cases of water to bread and paper products.
How long we need to "hold out" against this force of nature no one can really know but the army is suggesting a stock pile of 14 days worth of food and water as a good gauge. All ports have closed and the fear is power outages, which could last a week or more. Therefore we have approximately 1 gallon of water per person for 14 days as well as a good quantity of dry and canned goods, noodles, boxed foods, etc.
Next we have spent the day securing anything that will "fly" with the winds, storing toys, chaining down kayaks, dismantling patio furniture, etc. We also filled two large garbage cans with water and will fill both bath tubs tomorrow with water so we are able to flush toilets.
Finally we made a library "run" and came home with movies (if the electricity holds) and lots of books, if it doesn't! Oh and we did not forget the extra batteries for flashlights, propane for the grill, and stocked first aid kits!
Have we covered all our bases? Who knows but we feel reasonably prepared.
 My Bible verse for today is found in Joshua 1:9 and is most appropriate:

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go (and whatever you encounter)!"

There is a contemporary Christian song written by Ryan Stevenson titled "In The Eye of The Storm"
The chorus is as follows:

In the eye of the storm
You remain in control
And in the middle of the war
You guard my soul
You alone are the anchor
When my sails are torn
Your love surrounds me 
In the eye of the storm


We rest in the fact that God is in control!

WE ARE READY!

The Weight Vest

I have osteoporosis in my family and I would like to avoid this malady. Unfortunately my long and tall physique with thin bones combine to make me the perfect candidate. Medications are out of the question, my choice, but I also dislike lifting weights. I eat a healthy diet packing in a bundle of veggies and fruits every day. But a vegan lifestyle might be "light" on what is necessary for strong bones. A dilemma, until a recent discussion with my oldest son produced a solution. Since I do enjoy walking, even with bone spurs in my feet, he suggested I look into walking with a weight vest. Studies have proven in order to strengthen bones there has to be some kind of resistance. After a search on the internet we came up with a weight vest especially created for women. This is the website if any of you are interested http://ironwearfitness.com/wospveahebrm.html

I now walk several mornings a week, from 30-60 minutes at a time, wearing this vest carrying an additional 8 pounds. My goal is to add 12 extra pounds-10% of my body weight. Today, I realized the vest not only is a benefit for building bone strength but serves other purposes as well: it helps me focus on balance, and a longer than normal gait, which is often a problem for Parkinson patients. In addition I am working my voice muscles as I sing with the praise music, probably a pain for those in earshot!

My vest is quit snug and while wearing it I have a sense of security and purpose-like what I am doing will improve the condition of my body and hopefully prevent broken bones in the future.

In the spiritual world I could compare this to being "yoked" to Jesus. Jesus says in Matthew 11:29-30
"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yolk is easy and my burden is light."
A yoke is a wooden beam normally used between a pair of oxen or other animals to enable them to pull together on a load when working in pairs. 
Being yoked to Christ I know "we", Jesus and I, are pulling together in life. That knowledge gives me a sense of security, guidance, comfort, support, strength and most importantly close and intimate fellowship with my best friend and my redeemer.
Consider being yoked to Jesus. It is the ONLY way to live life!

"Living on the Edge" AKA-Taking Risks

Recently my husband and I were on the big island in Hawaii with some of our children and grandchildren. We had the opportunity to view the molten lava spewing out of fissure 8 from the Kilauea Volcano. My daughter and her husband viewed it via a long difficult boat ride in the early morning hours, resulting in a close and magnificent view. It was definitely risky as proved by a serious accident occurring from the same company two days following their ride! The only other option for viewing flowing lava was a helicopter ride, which my husband and I chose due to several factors, two of which were sea sickness and "grandchild sitting" needs. Yet the helicopter ride, for me, was "living on the edge". We rode in a "doors off" four seat helicopter. Since  I don't "do" roller coasters one would wonder why I would even attempt this event but my desire to actually see the hot, runny lava was so great that I decided the risk was "worth it". I am happy to report, it was! To see another of God's powerful creations was truly magnificent.

In reflecting on my life in general, due in part to my upcoming 50th high school reunion, I would say I have taken a number of risks:

Wild escapades on a barn bag swing] as a teenager
 Iowa farm girl marrying a man from New York-(my parents thought that the biggest risk ever-Ha)
Riding in a hot air balloon
Living in and negotiating the cities and backroads of China for three years
Tandem bike-riding in China, Holland, Germany, Italy
Zip lining in the jungles of Costa Rica
Scuba diving on a multitude of islands including the cenotes of Mexico (so scary!)
Living 6 years full time in an RV and traveling the country volunteering at camps

I know each one of us can list risk-taking experiences in our lives that have changed us. Yet true change, resulting in spiritual growth, is in spiritual risk-taking, which could be defined as hearing and responding to the call of God through the whispers of the Holy Spirit.

The Bible is chock full of spiritual risk-takers. Here are but a few:

Abraham asked to sacrifice his son.
Moses asked to approach the Pharaoh of Egypt and demand the Israelites be set free from slavery.
David approaching Goliah, the giant, to do battle with five small stones and a sling
Rahab hiding Israelite spys in her home.
Ruth leaving her country and moving to the country of her mother-in-law
Esther entering the king's chambers to plead for her people
Peter entering a Gentile's home (Cornelius) and sharing the truth about Jesus with his family
Paul preaching in a multitude of Jewish synagogues and proclaiming Jesus as the prophesied Messiah

These giants of faith were no different than you or I. They were just obedient, even when obedience meant stepping into the unknown. I have to now ask myself when have I stepped out into the unknown spiritually and obeyed and what were the results? This is not such an easy list to compose. I won't bore you with what God has done through my meager attempts at spiritual risk-taking but I do challenge you to take a look at your spiritual journey and see if risk-taking is an intricate part of your "road".
You might be asking what exactly does this look like? Here are a few examples:

-filling that children's church vacancy by teaching those squirming little toddlers an hour a week.
-taking some cookies across the street to new neighbors.
-volunteering time at a homeless shelter
-visiting the lonely senior citizens at a nearby Senior Center
-cleaning the yard of an ailing neighbor
-being part of a short term missions trip or even answering the call to go on the mission field

On and on it goes-millions of ideas just waiting for the risk taker to grab hold of and shine the light of Jesus to a darkened world.