Soon we may be driving….flying…..somewhere, to greet family, friends and loved ones. Faces may show up at our door, or we may be the shining faces others greet. We come, we go. Hoping for a respite from our whirlwind of activity, our day to day stresses. We hope to lay our heavy burdens aside for awhile; hopefully we lay them down.

May we pause, knowing that we are all traveling hard journeys, going through hard things. May we meet each other right where we are, and in the midst of this may we be the recipients and the bearers of Christ’s love. While we stop the madness for awhile, may we be able to leave our pack by the door, at rest at least for a time.

May we help each other lighten the load….and not add to the burden.

This Thanksgiving may we look around at all the faces we see, and say a prayer of thanks for each and every one, and what they have meant in our lives.

“Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32

“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! Matthew 6:22,23

The eyes are truly the “windows” to the soul. They can mirror all kinds of things and just one look from someone can send all kinds of signals without a word ever spoken. They can welcome or rebuff, set us aglow with peace and well-being, or send sparks flying into our soul….They can wound and wither us, but they can also warm us to the very depths of our soul with their reflection of kindness, love. God knows that the eyes reflect what is truly on the inside. Haughty eyes get top billing on the “seven things God hates” roster! Haughty eyes see themselves as “superior” to everyone else.
Proverbs 6:16-19
16 There are six things the Lord hates—
no, seven things he detests:
17 haughty eyes,
a lying tongue,
hands that kill the innocent,
18 a heart that plots evil,
feet that race to do wrong,
19 a false witness who pours out lies,
a person who sows discord in a family.

I am trying to be a kinder person. Too often my eyes reflect many things other than kindness. Impatience, irritation, admonishment, anxiety. Too often my eyes have been rejecting and not welcoming; eyes of judgement meant to send someone to a cold lonely place. But Lord, help my eyes more and more be a reflection of You. Help my eyes be a safe place to rest upon for someone else. Not haughty eyes, but eyes like those of a child, pure and guileless, open and innocent as Heaven.

Ever felt like your mind was over-full but empty at the same time? Sometimes I feel like one of those 8-ball things you used to shake up and then different messages float to the “magic window.” Seems like every kid in the neighborhood had one, along with our barbies, GI Joes, skates, board games, and record players; YES record players, not CD players, not I-pods, not I-phones that play music. You remember that little plastic thing you had to plug into the 45s? My Mom still has them all in the original hard carrying case with the squeaky handle.

Not long ago I was back home visiting and we got them all out. Some of the neighborhood folks came over and had a great time listening to those old scratchy songs. Us “older” women squealing like girls remembering Bobby Sherman, David Cassidy….Mixed in with Beatles, Peter, Paul and Mary, and Alvin and the Chipmunks, and the Legend of Wyatt Earp. I am feeling nostalgic alot more lately. I am feeling more and more like my folks. Maybe it comes with turning 50 as I did this year….The years are passing at an ever-increasingly alarming rate. I am more accutely aware of the passage of time than ever before.

A charming little film is out right now that addresses this issue of the passage of time from one man’s perpective. Really, God’s perspective as it is lived out by one 75 year old man. “The Secret life of Jonathan Sperry” is one of those little films that sneaks up on you after you see it. In a sea of polished, sophisticated, slick movies filled with action and noise, it is a calm, peaceful movie about what really matters in this life according to God; and what can happen when one person stands up and dares to live what they believe. How one testimony of faith and forgiveness can affect others in a powerful way. It slows you down a bit; makes you want to go out to a graveyard, talk to God and take stock of your life. I heartily recommend it.

“Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” James 4:13,14

Many thanks to my best friend for the beautiful cake.

The cake on which broadcasts the number that I can no longer deny. I have been asking myself as this day has drawn near, “How do you feel turning “GASP” dare I say it out loud? FIFTY. Half a century. I have lived more years than I have left (I think) although, that number rests with God. I guess I feel extremely grateful and thankful, to all who have made my life so good, filled it with such beauty and meaning, you all know who you are, and of course God, who breathed the breath of life into me as I entered the world at 3 pounds, 3 ounces and determined that I would live. The words that best describe it are in the opening lines of a song by Andre Crouch, written years ago.

My Tribute

How can I say thanks
For the things You have done for me,
Things so undeserved,
Yet You gave to prove Your love for me.
The voices of a million angels
Could not express my gratitude.
All that I am and ever hope to be,
I owe it all to Thee.

My wish for the next half of my life is that I will love better. Yield to God much more than I do now; instead of constantly wrestling the reigns away from Him who knows what is best for me. To love myself more, see myself as God sees me. To not look into the mirror and see what I want to change, but what I am grateful for! To forgive myself for things long past so that I can be more forgiving to everyone else I meet. To love God more and more, so that that light may shine in me to others.

Lori

I am back from my visit with family and friends in Lodi, California. What a great time I had. Here is all the news from the hometown:

Attended my folks 62nd High School reunion, after that we went here:

We sat and listened to Kim Nejak at the Wine and Roses Country Inn lounge play request after request, she was amazing and played everything we threw at her with the most gracious, warm and friendly manner from classical to broadway. Her Uncle came and sat with us too, it was like an old fashioned family reunion. Once Kim found out my Mom sang, she invited her to sit with her at the piano and sing some songs. What a special evening it was. I remember getting married there years ago, and though my husband has been in Heaven 22 years now, the place holds very wonderful memories for me. I am so glad I went. The Inn is doing very well now and has gone through some major renovations over the years, but it has retained its victorian charm while adding beautiful touches of elegance and style. I heartily recommend it to anyone traveling through the Lodi area.

All the kids started school, including my niece Lauryn who proudly had a new uniform and haircut for the special day. We were all worried about her having such a long day and getting back in the routine for school, but PRAYER WORKS because she didn’t even mind when we left the second day. She is usually very resistant to change, but she breezed right through it. (Kind of blurry, click to enlarge)

One night I met up with an old high school friend and we went downtown for Farmer’s Market. We had a great dinner at the Rosewood Grill outside where we watched all the people strolling by, many with their dogs. A band was playing, old friends greeting one another, a very relaxing way to spend a gorgeous summer evening. I actually ran into my Sunday School teacher I had in high school and his wife, what a nice surprize to see them!

I spent some time one day at Lodi Lake, a little lake right in the middle of town that the Mokelumne River feeds into. It has been a hangout since my Mom and Dad were in high school, where teens used to cruise the lake to see and be seen. Nice to know that families are still enjoying it, although the geese are plentiful. You have to watch where you walk and swallowing the water is not a good idea. I had a great time watching Lauryn swim and together we made “sand cakes” on the beach.

I got caught up with everything that is happening on Glenhurst Drive. My folks live in a very unusual neighborhood. The neighbors actually know each other! On summer evenings all the kids are out in front, as well as the parents and grandparents, just like we used to do years ago. Many times they end up in my folks yard because of the swing out front, and the picnic table that my Mom insisted be put in front because as she says, “everyone in America hides out in their backyard.”
Many times an impromtu barbeque will take place, with grills firing up, many times my brother at the helm; other times George or J.P. with all the women bringing sides, desserts and staying out front until after dark laughing and catching up on all that’s going on in the neighborhood.

I never know exactly what time it is at my folks house, because they don’t sync all the clocks. My Mom knows exactly which ones are accurate and she will be quick to tell me! Also, I learned to be careful with my Mom’s dryer. She is the only one I know that has a dryer that doesn’t stop spinning when you open the door. In her words, “I just turn it off when I get the clothes out.” She is the hardest working woman I know, and at 80 years of age, I don’t know of many 60 year olds that could keep up with her. My Dad hardly sits down, and at 81 he is a marvel to all their friends.

He and I got to stroll downtown one day and visit Tom’s Used Books, below. It was a beautiful day, green trees all along the street stirring in the breeze. The downtown area is close to the train tracks, so usually you hear the mournful whistle every half hour or so, trains laden with fruit and other goods from the packing sheds. We escaped with one book apiece. Neither one of us needs another book, but they were cheap so it was justified.

Glenhurst Drive has the same mailman they have had since I can remember. George still walks the route, hand-delivering door to door. If you happen to be outside while he comes by, he will usually stop for a moment and chat being the friendly guy he is. No impersonal gangboxes here; What a novelty…….

And then there is the mystery of the ottoman. Stephanie and her husband had a garage sale for a couple days. They live across the street a few doors down in the house that my brother bought and rents to them. Shelly and J.P. (Stephanie’s parents) live across the street from my Mom and Dad. I noticed an ottoman at the garage sale and it looked antique. Something about it looked vaguely familar, and I thought about buying it. My brother swears up and down it was an ottoman from my Aunt’s house of many years ago. My Mom can’t imagine how they got it, but it didn’t sell, so later on that day, J.P. carried it over to Sandy’s house because she said she would take it. So the ottoman that started out at Shelley’s house, next went to Stephanie’s house, and now is at neighbor Sandy’s house. My Mom is still not sure if it was her sister’s, but my brother is. My Mom is going to ask Sandy about it, so maybe then we will have our answer…..

That is all the news fit to print from Lodi, California where there is a church on just about every corner and the Lodi City Council still opens the sessions by praying in Jesus name, though it may not be for long go here for story.

Andy is a news correspondent who served in the Army National Guard, here are his thoughts….I thought it was appropriate as we celebrate our Independence Day today.

How I Found Patriotism, by Andy Ryan

What it took for me to find patriotism was a war thousands of miles from home — Iraq.
What I found in Iraq were people cherishing the things I had taken for granted: a farmer rejoicing that his village was liberated and he could now drive his produce to market; the little boys and girls giggling during school recess yet eager and anxious to return to the classroom to absorb knowledge; and medical personnel thankful for the opportunity to set up a clinic so they could care for the ill and less fortunate.

Just about every Iraqi I spoke with asked me about America and what it was like. When I told them about magnificent things in the U.S., they always turned the conversation. They were fascinated and awestruck by the mere ability to freely travel and enjoy such places. In the Diyala province, I met a teenage soccer phenomenon who entertained us with his skills every time we visited his home. During a few discussions, I learned that his teammates had been gathered up and executed. All he wanted was an opportunity to freely play the game he loved without the treat of death lingering nearby. Needless to say, I returned home a changed person.
As a political science major, I always loved what our forefathers created; but as a citizen, I never fully appreciated the freedoms that I am allowed from living in this country. The things I experienced in Iraq helped me become a patriot — someone who loves and cherishes their country not only because of what it stands for, but for what it allows me and others to do.

It has been a year since my return from Iraq, but I still look afar to remember what I have at home and why I love this country. Amazing things have happened in other regions of the world this past month: Iranians protested what they found to be unjust and Iraqis rejoiced at the idea of being able to stand up, defend and call their country a sovereign nation. These are principles that were once unfathomable to our colonial ancestors over 230 years ago; and today, living without these principles is unfathomable to many U.S. citizens.
So on July 4th, I am going to stop by a park and watch people walking, talking and freely enjoying the beauty around them. And although I cannot sing, I will be humming an appropriate song,