Easter “Letter to Jesus” Monologue - Peter #2

(Note: Please see Easter Monologue #1
for introduction to this series of posts.)

PETER, THE BIG FISHERMAN AND A DISCIPLE OF JESUS:
A MONOLOGUE FOR EASTER

The tomb is empty! It IS true! I was here earlier this morning after the women brought me the news of Jesus' resurrection but I wanted to come back for a few moments by myself. You see, I am Peter, a close friend of Jesus. I have mixed emotions as I stand here this morning. I am thrilled that He is alive! This is more wonderful news than anything I could ever imagine, but, I also have a heaviness in my heart. I have not been a faithful friend - but let me explain what I mean in a letter I've written to Jesus. There are so many things I've always wanted to say to Him - perhaps you'll understand more clearly after you hear what I have written.

Dear Jesus, my friend;
Three years ago when my brother Andrew came to me with the news that he had found the Messiah, I followed him immediately to you. You asked us to leave our fishing career and follow you so that you could make us fishers of men. I had no idea at that time what was coming down the pike, but the commercial fishing business was getting pretty boring and following you seemed exciting and adventurous. I always liked excitement and adventure! And have things ever been exciting and adventurous since I decided to follow you?!

Do you remember that day when you were speaking to that house full of people and plaster started dropping on your head? We all looked up in amazement as a man on a pallet was lowered into the room at your feet. You seemed undaunted and proceeded to announce his sins forgiven, his body healed and command him to take up his bed and walk which he did. There was also that day when you sent the 12 of us out onto the Lake to cross to the other side. You stayed behind, I believe, to spend some time alone on the mountain in prayer. You later joined us by walking on the water!! I thought I was seeing a ghost so I asked you to make it possible for me to walk on the water also if it was truly you ... it was and you did! That was awesome - until my faith wavered in the midst of the roaring wind and waves I realized were whipping around me. I started to sink. Fortunately, you reached for me and took me safely into the boat. There were so many other things: demons cast out, blind men made to see, crippled people made to walk and even my mother-in-law was cured of her deathly illness. It was always invigorating for me to be with you for those thrilling moments. I felt so powerful as a part of such miraculous activity.

But I have to admit, there were many things you said which I just didn't understand and which seemed so hard to swallow. For example, you said we were blessed when we were insulted, persecuted, and lied about because of you. You didn't seem to understand that that kind of rejection would be so painful. I wondered how it could actually be a blessing. And you said we were to love our enemies, and not retaliate if we were slapped in the face but to turn the other cheek, and even to change and become like little children or we would never enter the kingdom of heaven. All of these things seemed so wimpy to me. I wanted power, prestige, prominence. I am beginning now, I think, to understand what you have been trying to teach me.

You tried to tell me that you would have to suffer and die, but I kept thinking there would be some other way. We were such a dynamic team. I just couldn't imagine that the time would ever come that you would be killed. I wanted the Roman government overthrown and your kingdom put into place. Last week before the crucifixion, I watched in disbelief as my world crumbled. I had given you some of the best years of my life. I couldn't believe all my energy advancing your kingdom had come to nothing.

And now I come to the really painful part - the part that has brought a heaviness into my heart. You remember how you asked several of us to watch and pray in the garden while you also prayed just last week? We were so tired we just couldn't seem to stay awake. And then you were betrayed by Judas and arrested and taken away. That was the lowest point of my life. My dreams were broken, my hope was gone. I felt deserted by my best friend and I felt there was no use in continuing my allegiance to a dying cause. Several people saw me warming my hands by a fire and called out that I was one of your followers. I bristled at the thought - how could I be so stupid as to follow a powerless leader who didn't even resist arrest? So I denied the accusation. I told them I never knew you. Oh, how sincerely I now regret those words. I allowed my moment of pain to crush my resolve and I failed you, my dearest friend. Can you ever forgive me? Please give me another chance? I lied - I do know you. I do love you. I do desire to serve you. As I watched you die on the cross, my heart broke to see your pain. And I began to think that everything I believed about you was false. But, today I know differently. Today I see the truth. Jesus, you are the Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed One, the son of the living God. You were the worthy, perfect sacrifice for my sin, you are now victor over sin and death. Please forgive my faithlessness. I do repent. I give you my allegiance and will always be,
Your loving friend and faithful follower,
PETER

(Remove costume and continue speaking.)
I, too, have written a letter to Jesus....

Dear Jesus,
I can identify with the Apostle Peter. I feel so honored that you have chosen me as one of your friends. You have asked me to follow you and I have tried to faithfully live a life of gratitude for that privilege. How I have wanted to be perfect - to make you and others proud of what I accomplished. I have failed. Too often I have tried in my own strength as Peter did, to be more than you required me to be. I have neglected my family at times - I have given "doing for others" higher priority than being with you or them. That's why this Easter morning is so important to me. Because of your perfect sacrifice, I can be forgiven. Your love for me took You to the cross. Thank you for being the worthy sacrificial lamb by whom the Father forgives me and today gives me another chance to start afresh in my friendship with you. I give you my allegiance and with your help, I'll always be your loving friend and faithful follower.

Mary #1 - Easter Monologue...

My family and I hosted a family reunion weekend during the celebration of Easter 13 years ago. As I prepared events for that weekend, I knew that the Sunday morning worship service should reflect our family's commitment to Biblical truth. I also knew that it would be best if preparation for the service could take place in advance so that our focus that weekend could be on enjoying time with all the family members who would be gathering from all parts of the country as well as at least one from overseas. I pondered the fact that the Bible tells the story of people who actually saw the empty tomb and came to believe in Christ's resurrection and his divinity because of it. But 2000 years later, others believe in Jesus' resurrection based on the Biblical account of the empty tomb.

I decided that our beliefs could be conveyed through a drama. I would compose "Letters to Jesus" written by someone who could actually have gone to the tomb that first Easter to see that the grave was empty. I could also compose another "Letter to Jesus" from a present day person who had chosen to believe because of trusting the truth of scripture.

Members of my immediate family became the actors who portrayed the Biblical character who wrote a letter to Jesus upon learning of the resurrection. The actor read the letter to those gathered, removed their costume and became themselves - a present day believer who also wanted to read a letter they'd written to Jesus in order to convey personal gratitude for what he meant to them.

I selected seven Biblical characters; some of whom I gave a name because their Biblical story does not include a personal name. For our worship event that Easter Sunday morning, we used five performers.

My heart is filled with gratitude as I contemplate the immense sacrifice made by Jesus on my behalf. I am not worthy of forgiveness but my life has been changed because I have received that free gift which was made possible by Christ's death. I will be posting the "Letters to Jesus" on this blog over the next few days. We begin with:

*****************************************************

MARY, THE MOTHER OF JESUS
EASTER MONOLOGUE

The tomb IS empty! It IS true! As soon as I heard the news of the resurrection, I just had to come here and see for myself. I was so afraid it was a trick; someone's imagination. You see, I'm Mary, Jesus' mother. If you're a mother you can probably imagine how I've been feeling since last Friday, what with the crucifixion and all but now - THIS. I could hardly believe it when I heard it. I just had to come and check for myself and see if the tomb really was empty. I want to read something to you. I've written a letter to my son which I hope to give him later today. He is busy with Peter and John and the others, I know, but I'm sure there will be a moment when we can be together for a few minutes. I can't wait to see him and once again give him a hug.
Dear Jesus, my son;
Being your mother has been such a remarkable experience. I have so often wondered why I was chosen for such a blessed privilege. For the past 33 years I have kept a journal and have recorded my thoughts as I watched you grow from infancy to manhood. There have been so many things I wanted to tell you - so many feelings I wanted to express. I have pondered these things in my heart and many of them I have put into this letter to you.
My first recollection is of that frightening appearance by the angel, Gabriel. I was so young and so excited about my wedding plans. And then the news that I would have a baby - how could that be? But the angel assured me there was a way and the baby would be the long awaited Messiah whose name was to be Jesus. Gabriel told me you were to save your people from their sin. I thought of that often. How would you save your people from their sin? Our sin was atoned for through the blood sacrifice of a perfect lamb. This was God's gracious way of offering forgiveness for our sin. Sometimes as my mind considered how you would save your people from their sin, I would be fearful but those moments were fleeting. Your birth was so thrilling. That little stable became so crowded with the anxious, eager shepherds all seeking a glimpse of you. I wondered what it could all mean. And then there was the cross-country move to escape from Bethlehem into Egypt. You were nearly two years old and I had put my roots down in Bethlehem so deeply, how I hated to pack and leave. And just as I was comfortably settled in Egypt, it was time to pack and travel cross-country again to Nazareth.
Those years when you were growing up and your brothers and sisters were being born, I would often be so exhausted and frustrated. I wanted to be a perfect mother and have perfect children but I too often let stress overwhelm me and I would respond unkindly and harshly. How I wish I could take back some of the things I said and did. I wanted to be the best mother possible but I know I often failed. You were so loving despite my frailty. Thank you for being an obedient son - for helping with all the household chores and all your little brothers and sisters and for being patient with me. I may not have always showed how much I loved you, but believe me, I always loved you intensely. I knew the day would come when you would begin your own career. How pleased I was when you turned the water to wine at that wedding feast - you really do love weddings. And whenever I heard of the miracles you performed - feeding thousands, healing sick, raising the dead - my heart nearly burst with pride. But there were other things I didn't understand. I was afraid you were crazy. People would mob you and sometimes you were so angry - like when you found sellers in the temple. I was always afraid there'd be a rebellion and you would get hurt. I really wanted to protect you from pain. But I couldn't. And then I witnessed your death. Every part of my body ached for you. In some ways I wish I wouldn't have been there to see you crucified but I couldn't tear myself away either. I just kept expecting that you would perform another miracle and get away. I watched those evil men manipulate the crowd in front of Pilate and get the people to demand your death and I was sure it was a mistake. It just had to be. You were perfect. You had done no wrong. You didn't deserve to die. I kept thinking, "If they crucify Him, evil will prevail. Right will fail." How I wanted to reach out with some caring touch or word to let you know how much I loved you. I just seemed immobilized. As I knelt below your cross, I recalled Gabriel's words, "You will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." But how would you save your people now? You were dead. You were gone. It was over. My pain was so great.
I've hardly slept all weekend. I just kept thinking "Where is the miracle?" And now I will see for myself. The tomb is empty. You did defeat death. You are alive. Thank you Jesus, for being my perfect son but thank you most of all for being the perfect sacrifice for my sin. I am sorry for all my unrighteousness. Please forgive me. I'm not worthy but I know you love me anyway. I give you my allegiance and will always be,
Your loving mother and devoted follower,
Mom
(Remove costume and continue speaking.) I, too, have a letter I've written to Jesus.
Dear Jesus,
I can easily relate to Mary. I feel so honored to be a mother. You have blessed me beyond anything I could have imagined. But like Mary, I have often failed - I have not always been the mother, wife, friend, daughter, person you wanted me to be. I am not worthy of your love. I wish I could stand before your cross as a perfect person in my own strength but I, too, have sinned. How I would like to go back and undo some wrongs of my life. But I can't. That's why Easter is so important to me. Because of your perfect sacrifice, I can be forgiven. You not only have taken away my sin, but you have also taken away the guilt I have felt. Your love for me took you to the cross and now there's a way for me to be forgiven. Thank you for being the worthy lamb. I give you my allegiance and with your help, I'll always be a loving mother and your devoted follower.

What is an Embryo?

I recently saw some of an interview with Bill Clinton on Larry King Live which was being hosted that evening by Dr. Sanjay Gupta. The former President was asked about the controversial subject of Embryonic Stem Cell Research. He answered by repeatedly emphasizing that this research is done prior to fertilization and therefore does not destroy a life. Over and over he repeated emphatically that the research was done on embryos prior to fertilization so should not be a controversial topic.

I listened in astonishment to his reasoning and his lack of knowledge about what an embryo is. It also seemed incredible to me that the medical Dr. doing the interview allowed such misinformation to be disseminated without correction or question. How many people were influenced by what may have sounded like wise counsel and truth?

That discussion has motivated me to share these thoughts and include the following Wikipedia definition of embryo:

The development of the embryo is called embryogenesis. In organisms that reproduce sexually, once a sperm fertilizes an egg cell, the result is a cell called the zygote that has half of the DNA of each of two parents. The resulting embryo derives 50 percent of its genetic makeup from each parent. In plants, animals, and some protists, the zygote will begin to divide by mitosis to produce a multicellular organism. The result of this process is an embryo. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_embryo

I also did some research on whether or not embryonic stem cells have shown promise related to the purposes they are so often reported as having. There have been no breakthroughs with embryonic stem cells which contrasts markedly with the 73 specific areas in which adult stem cells have brought medical results. Following is information from the website DONOHARM http://www.stemcellresearch.org/

To date, there are still no human patients who have been treated with embryonic stem Cells.
• In contrast, adult stem cells (including stem cells from cord blood) have provided therapeutic benefits to human patients for 73 diseases and conditions.
• Most recently, adult stem cells were used in a trial that reversed multiple sclerosis in 17 of 21 patients; with none experiencing any deterioration in their conditions.

When a human egg is fertilized by a sperm, only time and nutrition are needed for the full development of that human life. To experiment on an embryo is to destroy a life that has been conceived. There are many people expressing their opinions about things but they may not have truth.

It is painful for me to hear false information on this subject be so widely reported. It has reminded me of Jesus' words to "the Jews who had believed him".

Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8: 31b-32

Traveling again...

There has been a break in my blog posting. I returned from VA but had just 6 days to catch up at home and repack for another trip.

My husband and I are now in Naples, FL. We are part of the advance team of employees from the H.E.Butt Foundation who are getting everything in place for a conference which will begin on Thursday. This Forum Conference is held every 2 years for business leaders as an encouragement to them "In The High Calling" of their daily work. It is the passion of the visionary of this ministry, Howard E. Butt Jr., to encourage people in the business world to consider their positions as much a calling from God to serve Him as is the calling received by full-time clergy and missionaries. This forum will include speakers, panel discussions, small group discussions, music and meals.

The advance crew is setting up their on-site office right now and is actively preparing to greet guests who will begin arriving on Wed. - continuing on Thursday.

Enjoying the sun... Enjoying The Son...

Monday 2-16-09 in Richmond...

I'm writing this note while visiting an orthodontist with grandson #2, Stephen, and my other 3 grandchildren in tow. There are so many options for occupying our time while here that we could spend all day I think and still have new things to try. This is the new way to attract patients I imagine. Two children are in the video game room, one is on another computer catching up with her Webkinz and if they tire of those things, there's a video vieweing room. I'm set up with fresh coffee and the computer.

This won't be too long because the appointment is already finished - the broken headgear won't be replaced as Stephen no longer needs to wear it but will continue with constant rubber bands. But he needs a turn to "play" so we'll stay a few more minutes or can we make this last all day? Actually we have piano lessons at 4 so we'll have to leave before then. We'll see what the offer is for lunch here. Maybe pizza or Chick-fil-a are brought in? I had my children a generation too soon.

Later I'll tell the story of the most surprising, amazing, awesome Valentine gift ever I've ever received but for now I'll just communicate that we all survived the weekend and are doing well.

Phillip has fully recovered from the flu and no one else has gotten sick!!! That is a huge praise!!!

Our weekend was a combination of chores - laundry, room cleaning, grocery shopping... - and play. I've been "creamed" in basketball and UNO multiple times. I'm trying to convince everyone that they have inherited all their skill from their Grandma Lee or they wouldn't be so good with their games.

Valentine's day was a sweet time to open a gift that arrived from cousins and later a card and gift from grandparents. The activity sheet I downloaded from the computer and put in the card was a big hit and occupied some good time after dinner Sat. pm.

We enjoyed the DVD I brought with me - SNOWBALL EXPRESS - an old Walt Disney video we watched when our son was young. We all had pop corn, snuggled on the play room sofa and laughed through the antics of the family who has just moved to Colorado from NYC. That was Fri. PM.

Made it to church Sun. AM and included a stop at a Goodwill (my grandchildren's favorite store - mine also) and McDonald's with a play area in the afternoon. With no school today, we indulged in a 2nd video for the weekend and watched FLYWHEEL last evening - good movie.

FLYWHEEL allowed an important learning moment from our afternoon to be reinforced. While shopping at GOODWILL, Phillip located some binoculars. He asked if we could buy them. I decided we could if they were priced right but they weren't marked so I didn't know what the verdict would be. We shopped awhile and then checked out. We were on our way down the street when Phillip asked if we had paid for the binoculars. I thought back to check-out and realized I didn't see them in the items we purchased so I told him we hadn't paid for them so they must not have made it into our basket and into our stash. I told him I didn't know what had happened to them. His response was, "Well, they're hanging around my neck!" So I said, "Oops, we have to go back and pay for those." We headed back, waited in line and then explained our situation. The check-out gal was so impressed by our honesty that she said she'd let us buy them for $.50. We paid and continued our day. In the FLYWHEEL movie, the main character returns money he has dishonestly gotten from his customers and that action brings about an unexpected blessing for him. So without a lecture, our day included an important life value to be taught. I'm thankful.

OK, we better say "Farewell" to this kid friendly zone and head off to the next stop. I'm having fun and feeling very blessed...

Visiting Grandchildren in Richmond, VA...

My flights to Richmond, VA yesterday were smooth and only delayed 45 minutes in Atlanta due to a storm east of there which backed up traffic for awhile.

I have come to Richmond in February for the past nearly 9 years as it's when the annual Chick-fil-a Seminar is held each year. My son, John and his wife, Diane, attend the seminar and I stay with their 4 children ages nearly 6-10. Unfortunately, it has also become a tradition that the children get sick while I'm here. We've weathered stomach flu and colds - this year will follow the routine apparently as Phillip, age 10, was diagnosed yesterday with Flu B which wasn't covered in his flu shot. He's on his 3rd day home from school and still has a temperature nearing 102. I learned of his diagnosis en route yesterday so my husband was able to contact my Dr. and a prescription for RELENZA was ready for me to pick up on my way from the airport to the house. Hopefully it plus my flu shot will keep me from picking up this bug. Prayers are also appreciated. The other 3 children had flu mist and hopefully have immunity to this strain of the flu.

John and Diane will head to LA tomorrow afternoon. I will attend Grandparent's Day with Stephen, Joanna and Lydia at Veritas Classical Christian School tomorrow during their half day of school. Hopefully there will be another time to attend school with Phillip after he has recovered from the flu. I will also be subbing as an aide in a Kindergarten class to cover for Diane while she's away. Should be lots of fun if we're healthy and if I go to bed early at night. My day will get going at the crack of dawn each day.

This is experience #1 on my resume these days. What a blessing to have children and grandchildren plus the health to be involved in their lives. I'll try to keep a post of life here for the next week plus.

A Teacher's "Observation" Experience...

A teacher friend of mine had one of her professional observations today by the school principal. It was scheduled for last Thursday, then moved to Friday but happened today.

Getting ready for these observations is time consuming as well as anxiety producing. Waiting, wondering, anticipating - all add anxiety. And today had the added elements of recovering from a bad cold and being the day for the final review prior to the year's standardized writing exam which will take place tomorrow. So the observation moment was stressful but is over. A couple of the 8th grade students in the classroom decided to pass notes during the lesson which only was noticed by the principal observer as it happened. My friend sent a note communicating how upset she was with herself for missing that action which she feared would receive negative review by the observer. I ached for her situation. I remember well those observations when I taught. I know how easy it is to find things that could have gone better and then to fear the reaction and response of the one required to observe and evaluate the performance of many lesson elements.

I responded to my friend with the following comments and insights.

This is so like something that would happen to me. We just don’t see what’s right in front of us – maybe because we are so focused on what we’re doing, thinking, experiencing, whatever… we just are oblivious to more than one thing at a time. It’s a strength and a weakness – we can remain focused despite turbulence around us but we miss the obvious at times. We can attempt to train ourselves to be different but it’s our default mode so when the conditions change, we can’t respond in the moment. So you were looking at the class as a whole and keeping your focus and stride – the note passing happened and you didn’t allow it to disrupt the lesson and the class as a whole. You will be able to address that action with the specific culprits in a timely manner – appropriate for the crime. Your decision in the lesson was to keep your focus on the whole room and your important lesson material which trumped the front row distraction. You can thank the observer for helping you with distracting, inappropriate classroom behavior and assure her that you are disappointed that a few chose to disrespect you and her at such an important moment and you’ll continue to seek ways to change inappropriate behavior and engage them in the future with acceptable class participation.

Last week when a friend and I got in the car after being in a Goodwill store, she said to me, “There were so many people in line for help. Did you see them?” I replied, “No, where were they?” She said, “They were right by where you were looking at those 3 ring binders.” Well, I remember the 3 ring binders but I have no memory of a line of people. I have no doubt that I completely missed something going on right “under my nose.” It just happens to me and I can’t really figure out the reason – it’s just the way I’m designed I’ve decided.

Sometimes I beat myself up for not “being” something/someone different but I’ve decided that is futile. It’s how I am so I’m choosing to hold my head high and embrace this element of my design and try to figure out a way to understand and accept this as God’s best for me.

In your case, I think Satan knew your point of insecurity and he orchestrated a way to attempt a “sink her ship” moment. But he cannot control and destroy and weaken you with his lies which bring fear and distrust if you don’t let him. You can speak God’s truth to his attempts at espionage. God’s truth says:
Gen. 50: 19-21a Joseph said to them (his brothers), “Don’t be afraid… You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid…”

Josh. 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged for the Lord you God will be with you wherever you go.”

II Tim. 1:7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

Messages from the evil one to us are intended to silence and weaken us so that we are ineffective in the work God has for us to do in His kingdom. We have to face that fact and fervently seek to sabotage Satan’s ammo. It can be done!

Teaching is the front line in molding minds and it is a vulnerable position for attack. But you have armor within to deflect attack and guide you through the mine field at your feet. Real truth is what can help you keep your head high, can help restore weakened self confidence and can give you the hope to continue on even with classrooms full of “toughies”.

I’ll be praying that you will be able to think through your response to the classroom observation and be ready for the follow-up interview with divine confidence and energy. God does not want you to cower in fear but to boldly rest in His power which will “set you free” John 8:32.

Your strong, confident, loyal, cheerleader friend...

Life's Wrinkles...

I had my 6 month's visit to my dentist and the hygienist this week. It's not my favorite way to spend part of a day but it's important and I'm grateful for those who have chosen dentistry as a profession. I had good news - no cavities - healthy gums and mouth.

But the mostly one-sided conversation with the hygienist (couldn't say much while there were fingers and instruments working in my mouth) revealed some real concern in her life. I don't know this gal very well as I've changed dentists fairly recently so have only seen her once or twice before. To the casual, "How are you?" question, she had a rather dubious answer. I asked if there was something she wanted to share about her life since it seemed she was a little uncertain about something. She began to share about the recent discovery and diagnosis of a very rare form of benign tumor which was the size of a baseball. It had been removed but apparently the removal wasn't complete and she was being referred to a specialist who would be doing another surgery very soon. I could tell that she was very concerned and nervous. She said, "I just want it out! I just want to be rid of this! I just want my life back!" As she concluded my exam, she opened my folder to record what she had done. As she leafed through the papers, she found that some of the papers had gotten folded and creased so she tried to straighten them. She was trying to flatten those papers so they would lie more smoothly but they were wrinkled and messy. As I observed this brief episode, I said to her, "Seems like those papers are a little like your life right now - there are some unwanted wrinkles in the papers and in your life."

That subject, the "wrinkles" of life, has been swirling in my thoughts today. Wrinkles come in all sizes and intensity. They come to all people regardless of status, age and gender. A friend's email note today informed me that she has just been informed her employment will end because of the economy this March. This is a huge wrinkle for her and her family. Many people are facing and enduring that wrinkle. Others have broken dreams related to health, relationships, plans... Newspaper headlines report fires, drug busts, ice storms, droughts, foreclosures...

Many of the people whose lives are shared in scripture had serious "wrinkles" during their lifetime. Joseph, Job, Esther, Jonah, Daniel and David come to mind. This subject took me to the book of Psalms. David wrote in

Psalm 9: 9, 10...
The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed,
a stronghold in times of trouble.
Those who know your name will trust in you,
for you, Lord, have never forsaken
those who seek you.

I see three things here which require my attention -

1. know your name
2. trust in you
   
3. seek you

Are these difficult? They do require intentional pursuit and commitment. But what is the promise for those who accomplish these things? The Lord has never forsaken those who seek him. What an encouragement when we are in the midst of life's "wrinkles." There will be troubles as these verses say but we have the Lord in whom we can place our trust as we experience the messy wrinkles of life.

Ending 2008; Starting 2009...

For me and my husband, the past year ended and the new year began at Laity Lodge http://www.laitylodge.org/. We are both employed by the ministry which operates this adult retreat center. My position is part-time; his full-time.

The speaker for the retreat was Dave Peterson, Pastor of Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church in Houston, TX. His messages were engaging, inspiring and challenging. I took some notes and am still thinking about the things he said which have been causing me to evaluate the use of my time.

The theme for his five talks was BLESS. He used BLESS as an acrostic and had a message for each letter of that word:

• Bless someone Acts 3: 1-10
  
• Listen to God John 10: 1-10
  
• Eat with someone (I was working during this message.)
  
• Study God John 1:29-33
  
• Serve Generously Romans 12:1-2
  

Day 1 was encouragement to "Bless" someone as Peter and John blessed the crippled man who begged for alms at the temple gate. The crippled man hoped for alms but Peter and John gave him something far more valuable. They elevated his sense of worth by having meaningful contact with him. They pictured another future for this man than he had for himself. Those listening to Dave Peterson were encouraged to bless someone - help someone think the impossible and take a hand to help them get there. Peter took the hand of the crippled man,

"helped him up and instantly the man's
feet and ankles became strong.
He jumped to his feet and began to walk.
Then he went with them into the temple courts,
walking and jumping, and praising God."

Dave Peterson concluded his talk with this thought-provoking, somewhat uncomfortable question:

"Who will leap and dance because you lived?"

So I'm pondering that question. There are people I know who appear to need alms but perhaps their greater need is for a blessing - the thought of a different future from the "survival mode" state in which they currently find themselves. It will require something of me to make this determination. The requirement is first of all my time and my focused attention. So...

This is where 2008 ended and 2009 began for me. Am I willing to BLESS those whose hands reach out to me as I pass by on my way to the temple? It will cost me something but if "walking and jumping and praising God" is the result, it will be worth it.

Note: I added family photos as a slideshow on my blog site. You may wish to take a few minutes to see some of the special people in my life - children, grandchildren, family, friends - here and abroad. Thanks.

Home From Moldova...

As we checked in at our gate in Frankfurt, we learned that our flight was delayed by 3 hours due to a storm affecting O'Hare Airport in Chicago but we were mysteriously upgraded to 1st Class for the 7-8 hr. return flight!!! It was lovely!!! We arrived at O'Hare too late on Sunday to connect to San Antonio so we spent the night at a nearby hotel and had a mid-morning flight to TX the next day - courtesy of AA. We survived the -4 degree (-35 degree wind-chill) temperature in Chicago but it was pretty brutal for a couple of Texans. So we're home, glad to see husbands and adjusting to life after our Moldova experiences.

This is most of our team which became good friends as
we shared such incredible days for over a week.

The first day in Moldova was one of the coldest while we were there. We're bundled up for the Sunday afternoon loading of the trucks which would accompany each team for the next week carrying the boots and socks we would place on the feet of hundreds of orphaned children there. This truck with the large CERI (Children's Emergency Relief International) sign, was a thrill for children to see as it drove onto the grounds of each orphanage. What excitement and joy we experienced from the delighted children everywhere we went.


A number of the orphanages are for children with physical limitations. This girl was unable to get out of her wheel chair so I needed to kneel on the floor to fit her feet. I was afraid of hurting her as her foot was unable to bend but as I watched her face, she never winced but remained smiling as a new boot was found to fit her foot.


We were both joyful after new boots were keeping her feet warm and dry.

My thoughts often return to my days in Moldova. The opportunity to provide these few moments of attention and love as I gave new boots to many precious children has been a great gift to me. It has made my Christmas extremely meaningful and memorable.

Each participant in this Operation Knit Together trip was given a small card with a creatively composed appreciation message from the CERI Moldova team. I share it here as a word picture of how blessed I have been.

Rejoice
and be glad!!!
You brought good things
of great joy which will be
to all people here in Moldova!!!
We are grateful that on the Christmas
Eve you have put aside time, money and
your family, so that many orphans and poor kids
in Moldova would feel the joy of Christmas. Winter shoes
will keep our kids' feet warm. Your smiles and words of
encouragement will remind them about Jesus and His Birth.
"...and they will call him Immanuel - which means, God with us."
Matthew
1:23
CERI
Moldova
2008