Pre-Easter Reflections

Will I lose the wonder of these holidays in all my work?

My work is very busy these days. It's one of those holidays that has religious and secular significance. The Easter Bunny and the Resurrection seem to compete pretty handily. My company is a Christian owned company, so there are a few reminders of the real meaning of the holiday - probably more than most businesses actually. The employees of my store actually joke sometimes about the huge number of crosses throughout the store. Every size and shape and medium are available. There is one aisle of bunnies, baskets and eggs of every size and shape imaginable. Crosses are seen throughout the store. The store background music offers up a variety of renditions of "Christ The Lord Is Risen Today". I'm probably the only employee who even knows the song "Here I am to Worship" when the instrumental version plays. Sometimes my heart about bursts with worship. Hmm . . . maybe there is a bit of wonder as a work?

A dear friend is coming to visit me during the holidays. She will want to spend time praying and talking together. I know the power of the resurrection will be our theme and that God wants to meet us in a special way. Sometimes I worry if He will show up in the powerful ways He's done before in our times of prayer. Issues in our lives impact our praying and discussion. I've worked hard to clear my calendar as much as possible (even though there is yearly school testing, my work schedule and life!) so that we may enjoy as much time together as possible. Will the wonder be there again?

Our pastor will be preaching on emotional "rollercoasters" tomorrow. He's referring to the vast emotional swings those in the real Resurrection story lived. Jesus, His family, the disciples and others each surely had their rollercoaster types of emotions. I know that when hard times hit our lives sometimes we say "just yesterday everything was fine!" We find ourselves saying "what happened?" While Jesus knew what was going to happen, still the faithful written account tells of the emotions He experienced. I can't imagine being in the place of one of those who had followed Him for so long. I don't know that I've ever experienced that great an emotional swing. From "life is great" to "life is horific" to "life is meaningful and powerful" - each point bringing something on which to reflect. At each of those points, participants were working to understand and live. I'm sure they looked back and wondered. History records the actions taken as a result of that wondering.

My heart is singing . . .

"Oh the wonder-full Cross . . . bids me come and die and find that I may truly live . . ."

They're HOME!

The adventure is over! (Maybe it's just begun . . .)

They look pretty good - just a little sleepier than when they left! They have Kansas State Trouper stories - as the troupers were talking over dinner in a restaurant. The boys were listening to them and have some great stories to retell.

They are talking a lot! They are laughing. They are eating my homemade pancakes and eggs. I think they missed home. We got gifts from Gramma and Grampa. Wow . . . how fun is that? Great fun!

I think the middle kid has become a coffee drinker. He will be buying his own if he has! He realized that he can help and really contribute. He helped his Grampa clear out trees from around his pond. He supplied fish for one night's supper. Probably the neatest thing was to see him helping in a food kitchen serving line. He helped serve food for "Abundant Blessings". Pretty neat to see.

Hmm . . . what does a promise ring mean? Sounds like the oldest is getting kinda serious. Yikes! What does THAT mean? It will be interesting to see in the months ahead what it means. Is that like the old time "going steady"? I'll have to try to get the interpretation of that in the days ahead. I think it will be interesting to hear the explanation to folks at church.

Soooo . . . everyone's back home. We'll be trying to get back into the swing of things before my company comes a week from tomorrow. What an interesting time this is in our lives!

Great days ahead!

On the Way Home (through snow)

The kids left Grampa's around 7 am CT. The weather map had snow on the whole route.

Lots of prayer is requested as they travel. I know one of them is tired from an emotional and busy week. That one just happens to be driving!

Starbucks and Mountain Dew will be the "kick" to keep 'em going. The car will be packed with all the "finds" of the trip. Sounds like the youth group will have some new funky lighting. I heard there are two cases (you read it right) of frappachino packed as well. The 13-14 hour trip will need every bit of attention and wisdom they can muster.

For those reading this today, thank you for praying!

Just a Couple More Days

The kids are enjoying their last day of relaxation

before heading home on Sunday.

Last minute fishing and shopping (and saying goodbye to friends) is the plan for today. They have had a great time. Hopefully each has left a path of integrity and compassion in their path. I'll be anxious to hear any and all that they will want to share of their vacation. I imagine there will be some that they will share, but also, those private moments - probably not going to share!

I'm working the 10 hour day to come home to figure what songs we'll sing tomorrow at church. I wanted to have it done before this - it didn't happen. My mind has been thinking around the creation of a website with podcasting abilities. Of all things, on KLOVE news, they were talking about this very thing. I've been reading about podcasting and letting my mind imagine all the places that this technology could be used. I'm about to delve into more of that learning curve I mentioned in previous posts.

This is an awesome time to be alive in the Kingdom of God. Now, that statement could be read with so many meanings! Whew!

Update from the Kids

Both are enjoying their times of vacation!

Cooking and shopping and watching movies seems to be the fare of one while fishing and cleaning up dead wood and watching Sci-Fi seems to delight the other. Reports are in that a good time is being had by all.

They enjoyed church together with old friends on Sunday. They said the worship felt just like home. They were so excited to see the people at the church the attended that they actually beat the folks to the church place. As they waited, they wondered if they had the correct place. After about 5 minutes, familiar people began to arrive. Whew! Right place . . . right people!

Vacation is 1/2 over. We're missing them at home. It's quieter. Hmmm . . . and we've always said it's the ones that were left at home who were the louder ones. I think this is proving that theory incorrect. The cat stands at their bedroom doors and meows. We try to console him. He's quite the pacer in the late evening as he seems to wonder where everyone is!

By the way, those of us at home are working hard - no vacation happening here!

They Made It to Grampa's!

I just got the call . . ."hey there . . . we're here!"

12 hours later . . . Gramma and Grandpa led them to their place out in the country. What did we do before cell phones? Hmmm . .as I recall, we found the nearest town, plugged in quarters (nope . .not dimes) and hoped they were home. They always were.

Two kids will sleep like logs tonight and get on with their plans for the rest of the weekend and next week. There's still lots of driving, but nothing like this 12 hour day. Mountain Dew, Starbuck's, rip roaring tunes and LOTS of talking kept them awake I'd imagine.

Ok . . . now we can go back to our regularly schedule blog topics.

(If I can find them . . .)

(Thank you Father, for keeping them safe on the highways. Let this be an awesomely fun and safe time. Amen)

A Day of First Solo Flights

Both my kids and Steve Fossett

took their longest solo flights today!

Ok . . . not quite the same, but still very eventful nonetheless. Steve Fossett traveled around the world in an airplane on one tank of gas. Our kids will use many tanks of gas, but will share this day of infamy with Mr. Fossett!

It's 6:00pm . . . 12 hours since they left. They stopped for Starbuck's. They have enough caffeine in them to go 12 more hours I'll bet. It looked like the car was doing well. Wonderful! I'm sure this will be one of those stories they will have to tell for a long time.

Speaking of those kinds of stories . . . I remember one I took that was an 8 hour drive when I was 19. I was with a younger friend in her dad's old red Mustang. We pulled into the gas station, filled up the oil and checked the gas! (no kidding!) Oh well . . . that story is for another time. This is the kids' day!

I Hope They Aren't As Sleepy As I Am

It's 1:15pm and they are out of phone range.

They are about 1/2 way on their trip.

I wonder if they are as sleepy as I am?! I just tried to call thinking that I might catch them before they entered the "no call" zone. It kind of reminds me of that area where the astronauts can't have contact with NASA Control on their way back into the earth's atmosphere. I always remember watching the TV and listening . . .listening . . .listening for the voice of the captain of the crew to come on the intercom after very long moments of silence.

I think I'll take a nap and do the call again. It's sure quiet around the house. We aren't getting much schooling done. It's been really exhausting getting those people out the door on this trip.

Ok . . . I'm off. I will return!

Kids on a Cross Country Excursion

We said goodbye at 5:45am . . . .

Yikes! Sending kids to visit Grandpa and Gramma is tough. OK . . now . .just cuz they are young adults . . . that doesn't matter! All they forgot was hair gel and the extra gallon of water! Not bad for packing til midnight last night.

That is . .for one of them!

Two kids . . . one very meticulous and packed a day ahead. Another very"spur of the moment" and packing while walking out the door to start the car this morning. One is very tedious in time management. One is . . .not.

They made it almost 1/3 of the way in 4 hours and called to tell of their triumpant entry (and exit) through the big city. Now they are on the long stretch. I can imagine the music is blaring and they pulse down the road. Mountain Dew guzzling and looking out the window, I'm sure having a great time.

More to come . . . .