Travel From Houston to Paris to Bucharest...Day 2

We left Houston about 4:00pm on Friday, June 9, 2017 with the 3 Worden girls seated together.  Ahead of us stretched 9-10 hours in the air.  We were comfortable with a screen in front of each of us and plenty of things we brought with us to occupy our time.  Supper was served not long after take-off and that added to our comfort.  I watched a movie, read a World magazine, read my Bible and started writing what would become my first blog post for the trip.  It was not difficult to enjoy the travel time.  Though the plane got dark and was quiet, I did not do much sleeping and neither did my travel buddies.  

First stop for Emelia was this pastry shop.

About 8:00am Paris time, we arrived there - that was 2am for the TX gals and 3am for the VA girl.  As we arrived, we were soon meeting and connecting with more members of our team.  Our gathering time provided opportunity for introductions and afforded Dearing Garner a place to share plans for the week and to answer questions. 

  When all together, we will be a team of 13.  Meeting in Paris we were a group of 11.  We had a couple hours in Paris and then it was off for a 3 hour flight to Bucharest, Romania.

View of Paris...

Travel Preparation in Houston... Day 1

Day 1  Moldova Service Mission Trip June 9-18, 2017

Daughter Sarah and I drove from Kerrville, TX on June 8^th to Houston, TX.  We were timed to arrive there around supper time and fortunately were able to rendezvous at a Sweet Tomatoes for supper with my niece, Kristelle Groves Castiglione.  Her children were away at camp and husband still at work so we had a delightful conversation over supper.  

Sarah and I headed from that stop to our hotel for the night near IAH – Bush Inter-Continental  Airport.  That hotel provides parking during travel with a shuttle to the airport when needed.  

Friday morning we arrived at the airport about 9:30 to meet Granddaughter Joanna arriving from Richmond, VA.  She was due at 10:24 but had a departure delay so arrived at 11:06 instead.  That allowed Sarah and me to weigh our bags and do some shifting of items in order to be within the appropriate limits for checked and carry-on bags.  We were very grateful for the time and space to take on that task.  When Joanna arrived, we were able to do the same with her bags plus add some overage we had with our items.

Our 50th Wedding Anniversary...

John Charles Worden

This adorable little boy...

Linda Louise Groves

                           ...and this adorable little girl...































                                                ...grew up with these siblings....

l-r:  Jim, John and Cynthia Worden

l-r:  Barbara, Linda, Margelyn, James (Jim), and Kathleen Groves

 ...met at the University of Wisconsin in Madison...

...knew each other for 3 years;  

dated for two years...

...got engaged...

Newly engaged couple...

Set the date and got married August 20, 1966...

...at Faith Baptist Church, Madison, WI

Wedding party...  Calligraphy by John M. Worden...

Prayer for God's blessing and leading was essential from the beginning...

John wrote our vows with collaboration from me...

It was such a happy and holy day...

Parents:  James & Edna Groves, John & Linda, Kay & John M. Worden

Grandparents:  Irene Worden, Lady Mae Stiles, J&L, Ludvick & Tillie Matson, 
Amanda & Bill Groves

20 years later we looked like this...

49 years later we looked like this...

50 years later we looked like this at Laity Lodge Family Camp in early July 2016...
1-r back row:  John G., Stephen (16), Phillip (18), James
l-r front row:  Lydia (13),  Diane, Linda, John, Cozzie (nearly 6), Sarah, Joanna (15)

It is impossible to summarize 50 years of life in a brief paragraph.  What I can say is that we are very grateful that we have done life together with the same or very similar goals and ideas.  We have never doubted that the Lord was with us and caring for us even when there were 

• job changes and losses, 
• cross country & cross cultural moves
• parenting challenges, 
• health issues,
• child's heartaches...

We have weathered the ups and downs together and with God guiding and providing.

We don't expect to have another 50 years of marriage but we are looking forward to as many more years as God provides for us.  

And hopefully we will take seriously God's teaching from:
Psalm 78: 4a-7
...we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done.  He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our ancestors to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children.  Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.

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It is our prayerful hope that all the generations of family who come after us will chose to receive God's free gift of salvation and will follow the Lord all the days of their lives 

as they love, serve and make Him known in their families and around the world.

Our hearts are filled with gratitude on this our 
50th Wedding Anniversary.

Josephine, Woman Who Had Bled For 12 Years - An Easter Monologue...

To learn more about the original purpose for writing these monologues, 

see the blog posted on  March 3, 2016.   

JOSEPHINE, WOMAN WHO HAD BLED FOR 12 YEARS

MONOLOGUE FOR EASTER

The tomb IS empty!  It IS true!  On my way to the temple this morning, I learned that something has happened which has created great excitement in Jerusalem today.  It is being reported that there's been a resurrection from the dead - Jesus of Nazareth has risen from the dead!  I decided I just had to come here for myself and make sure Jesus' grave really was empty.  You see, I am Josephine, the woman who was ill for 12 years with hemorrhaging.  He miraculously healed me one day and I just knew he really was the Messiah, the Anointed One of Israel. There have been many things I wanted to tell him, so I have written him a letter.  Let me read it to you.

John, Beloved Disciple, Brother of James - An Easter Monologue...

To learn more about the original purpose for writing these monologues, 

see the blog posted on  March 3, 2016.   

JOHN, BELOVED DISCIPLE, BROTHER OF JAMES

The tomb IS empty! It IS true! I was here earlier this morning after the women brought us the news of the resurrection, but I wanted to come back - to spend some time alone to contemplate the wonder of this day. You see, I am John, the beloved friend of Jesus and brother of James. After being here earlier today, I decided to put some of my thoughts into a letter to Jesus. There are so many things I've always wanted to say to Him.

Dear Jesus, my friend,
I recall so clearly that day three years ago as James and I were fishing with our dad and you came by and called us to follow you. We never hesitated a moment - we were eager to join you, Peter and Andrew in whatever adventure was about to take place.

Eva, Woman Caught In Adultery - An Easter Monologue...

To learn more about the original purpose for writing these monologues, 

see the blog posted on  March 3, 2016.   

EVA, WOMAN CAUGHT IN ADULTERY

The tomb IS empty! It IS true! As I was hanging out my laundry this morning, Maria from across the street came to tell me the good news that Jesus had come back to life. A number of people had seen and talked to him. I was so excited when I heard it. I just knew something miraculous like that would happen to him. But I really wanted to see for myself - to make sure this was not just someone's hallucination. What Jesus did for me, was so remarkable that words hardly begin to express my gratitude. You see, I am Eva, the woman caught in the act of adultery and brought before Jesus. I have always wanted an opportunity to thank him for what he did for me that day so I've written him a letter.

Dear Jesus, my rescuer,
This letter in many ways is not going to be easy for me to write. I am now a changed person but I am a woman with a shameful past. I cannot defend my former behavior but I do want to explain some things and let you know what a tremendous difference you have made in my life.

James, Brother of Jesus - An Easter Monologue...

 To learn more about the original purpose for writing these monologues, 

see the blog posted on March 3, 2016. 

JAMES, BROTHER OF JESUS

The tomb IS empty! It IS true! The news was brought to our home earlier today and mom is so thrilled but the rest of us don't really know what to think. You see, I am James, the brother of Jesus. Our family has been together since Jesus' death on Friday. There have been so many things to talk about, so many feelings we have. This crucifixion has been really difficult for all of us but especially me because I was closest in age to Jesus. I have been trying to be the brave big brother but it hasn't been easy. You see, I have a lot of questions about who Jesus really is. But let me read you a letter I've written to him. There are so many things I want to say to him.
 
Dear Jesus, My brother,
The news came to us earlier today that your grave was found empty this morning. Some are saying that there's been a resurrection; that you have come back to life. Several of the women even claim they've seen you. They also seem to think they've talked to you and some angels. I really don't know what to think. I wish I were able to sort this out in my head and know for certain whether or not you really are the Messiah you claimed to be. I was so positive until this morning that I had the truth about you and now I am completely confused.

Martha, Sister of Lazarus and Mary - An Easter Monologue...

To learn more about the original purpose for writing these monologues, 

see the blog posted on March 3, 2016. 

Dear Jesus, the Raiser of the dead,
You have made such a difference in my life. I can't imagine where I  would be today if it weren't for you and your willingness to confront me about the things that are really important in life. Do you remember that day that you and your twelve apostles were passing through Bethany

Peter, The Big Fisherman and a Disciple of Jesus - An Easter Monologue...

To learn more about the original purpose for writing this monologue, 
see the blog posted on March 3, 2016. 

PETER, THE BIG FISHERMAN AND A DISCIPLE OF JESUS

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?!

Mary, the Mother of Jesus - an Easter Monologue...

Within the past few days, I received an email request asking permission to use the 

Easter Monologues in an Easter service this year which I had written 19 years ago.  

Because of that request, I will again post these timeless monologues on my blog.  

I begin with an explanation of why they were composed originally. 

I am willing for these to be used to glorify the Lord.

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My family and I hosted a family reunion weekend during the celebration of Easter 19 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 week. We begin with:

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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.