TRIM

Here is a pic of my TRIM group - minus one. We were unaware that Tim was downstairs on the phone when we took this. Sorry Tim. :(

Some Quito Pix

I learned how to put pix in my blog, so here are a few from Quito, Ecuador.

Dana Beth and Leah from the walkway

around the Virgin de la Panecilla

Basilica del Voto Nacional

Virgin de la Panecilla

The "main religious symbol in Quito" according to the guide book

Built in the late 1970's.

Building on top of building

Quito from our hotel room.

I feel the weight of life...and almost death today.
Dear people in need and others saying, "No."
Violence on the church doorstep.
Anger and verbal abuse outside my door.

Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.

And yet, I see God's mercy.
Survivors of major health problems and surgery and a wayward daughter's "stepping up to the plate."
Survivors of shootings and the response to a man's appology for getting blood on our church door and interrupting our "church", "What better place for you to come?"
Quite and stillness in my office.

"Mom, you really have to work hard to see your kids."

10 hours driving time.

16 hours flying time.

10 hours of layover time.

2 hours of security check-in time.

4 hours of dizzy diahrea.

2 days of "No hable español."

5 days with one/both of my girls.

Its worth it.

Good things

I have been busy with class work, but it has been a good busy. There is so much information out there that I was ... well, while not unaware of, not "alive, alert, awake, inthusiastic" about. I told B, however, that after learning what little I have, I see how actually doing "biblical study" changes the way we look at scripture. It is a good thing.
B & I leave today for Atl, then to Quito Thurs am to see Leah. I am very happy that I am going to get to see my LeLe. I have missed her. I know it is a possibility that our girls may never live near us and it is a little heart wrenching, but then, it is also good to know that it is possible. It is a good thing.

You are the love of my life...

...you are my inspiration.

Tonight I traveled back in time to my "young" adult, teen and pre-teen years thanks to the band Chicago. All that was missing was meeting Carl, Nancy and the rest of our "gang" at Pizza Hut after the concert.

Rock on!

"set your seal upon my heart and live in me"

"honor and cherish what you have learned, but keep before you the questions..."

Jonathan Shively said this to my TRIM orientation group as confirmation that what we have experienced is an important part of who we are and what we are to become; caution to not consider education/knowledge the answer; encouragement to always seek that which we cannot see.

In considering his words, I have realized that they hold true for me as one who is seeking knowledge to assist me in whatever ministry God puts me in rather late in my life. They are also true for those who are much younger, are completing their formal educations and are also seeking their ministry in God's world.

Beth puzzled over her spending time in school instead of being out there - getting her hands dirty - actually serving and doing something. I puzzle over entering the world of academia and leaving some of the doing behind. I supposed that if we saw time through God's eyes instead of our own, perhaps we could make sense of it all. Since we can't, we will just have to be thankful for and listen to those Jonathans sent to remind us.

In the morning when I rise

having someone fix breakfast, snow on trees, the sound of geese

seasoned veterans sharing, old friends encouraging, new friends confirming

prayer, song, silence

loud obnoxious laughter and sincere raw emotion

Take oh take me as I am
Summon out who I shall be
Set your seal upon my heart
And live in me

Along life's narrow way

Tuesday

smiling retirees popping in my office to say "hello," getting some of the clutter put away, finding what I am looking for, getting jobs done....and the quiet, relaxed space in which to do it all

Your family has grown!!!

21 people gathered round the table at The Homeplace, Mike D's magic tricks, Sam and vanilla ice cream, embarrassing Katie D with our version of "Happy Birthday"

Nothing but blue skies

coffee and crochet, silence

I do enjoy some silence now. I also enjoy being alone sometimes. Will I always be so content with those things?

Blue skies smiling at me

Willie Nelson valentine cards, Michael R's unbridled excitement over bread making, new crochet stitches, coconut cream pie

baby it's cold out there

the wonderful gift of communication technology that actually works and allows me to stay in touch with my girls, naps on the couch, rob's spontaneous eruption in celebration at a Hokie basketball win

Let your love shine on us

knowing when I need help, clean empty space, hugging B when she comes in, house full of family

Peace

newly finished floors, being inside when the wind is blowing snow outside, complete prayer shawls, new blankets

He walks with me and talks with me

the way the sky looks when it is clear and cold, hearing Leah's voice on the phone, finishing a written assignment

Make me a vessel of your peace

faux Zorbo eggs, surprise gifts, hearing passion in the pastor's sermon, Sue's guitar accompaniment, having Sam and Mary Frances back

Thanks for the Christmas gift Rob...

Camp Bethel, good salad, cookie dough brownies, seeing Little Big Town, Sugarland and Frank Beamer all in the same room

"OOOOH, yeah, the K hook." "You should try the H!"

being prepared early, lobster and REAL butter, learning how to really read again, 20 minute dozing, crocheted inspiration, friends who ask about my girls, not having to clean up

Whatz up?

I find that when I don't put entries on my blog, it is mainly because I don't have anything positive to write. This is totally against my reasoning for starting the thing to begin with. Hopefully I can do better.