Tuesday's Grace Letter ~ 2

Another two second realization—much like the two second realization that floated through my heart within minutes of meeting my Mr. Right. Thank you Kara for your encouragement to put memories to ink. I knew immediately who I would write a love and appreciation letter to. Please hop over to Kara's words too.

Truly, when Bill and I were introduced to one another, we were students from Hope College attending a weekend Navigator conference in Michigan. The thought floated through my brain I want to marry this guy! Crazy—yes. Prophetic—yes as well. That was May. The following February he accompanied me to my sorority formal (yup, I did the inviting).

It was a year later on Valentine’s weekend that we voiced our commitment to one another.           Romans 15:5 and 6 has been a special scripture in our relationship since. 

Five years (and many stories) later we married. 

fall 2013

To my sweetheart,

Thank you and I love you so much seem inadequate to communicate my heart. You have loved me well. You have walked with me on this journey of life listening, encouraging, believing in me, wiping tears, sharing joys, through our hards always faithful—to God and to me. Tears again, tears of overwhelming joy threaten as I type.

You taught me to love camping. I.was.scared. I remember packing city outfits along on our first camping trip just in case we wanted to escape to civilization for pizza. They were never used. Camping became our family vacation. We never missed a summer. You kept pushing me toward the wilderness. Camping became part of the fabric of our family and the memories punctuate many good conversations.

Hiking in Moab

Parenting with you has been a treat. From your first hesitant walk into the delivery room through the many adventures of two boys to the celebrations we would have never shared if it weren’t for Dave and Jeff, mostly the good rises to the front of my brain. I especially remember the letters you wrote the boys when they graduated from both high school and college. I remember your words to Dave and Hannah when they we married. I remember your words to Jeff when he was ordained to pulpit ministry. Your love and encouragement, your wisdom and hope given to them ministered deeply to me. 

I am honored to walk our Navigator adventure for over 40 years now. “Together with one voice” (from Romans 15:5 and 6) complementing and completing each other has been the tone. There were times I struggled wanting our story to be written differently. There were never times that you did not meet me where I was and gently move me forward. You have changed my story more than anyone because you believe in who God created me to be. Thank you, sweetheart.

The empty nest brings the best of our hearts and our history together. I so look forward to our tomorrows walking with God and walking with each other continuing to do life and make memories together.

I love you!

A Lenten Invitation

Ash Wednesday was yesterday, the beginning of Lent.

Growing up, my Catholic friends celebrated Lent by getting ashes smeared on their foreheads and giving up something. This roused my curiosity and attracted me in a way I can’t explain.

This year I plan to celebrate Lent.

One definition of Lent is it is a Biblically based way to set time apart to refocus exclusively on our relationship with God. Another records, setting aside time for reflection, fasting, and repentance in recognition of the sacrifice Jesus made for me.

It sounds like Lent is a time to offer to God, once again my heart and my listening ear.

“Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; hear that your soul may live;” Parts of Isaiah 55:2 and 3

I am accepting this invitation. Although I didn’t announce it with ashes, I’m sharing it with you. 

Would you like to join me on this Lenten journey and see what you hear?

Following Ruth Haley Barton’s lead in her recent article for The Transforming Center, this Lenten season I’m going to pray the words of Psalm 139:23 and 24 each day and ask God what he wants to say to me.

I’m not giving up something except maybe self-protection. I’m not really adding anything. This scripture is part of my normal devotional life for Lent. I am journaling what I hear.  I’m still asking, God what does it look like to trust you today? And for these next 40 days I am using the words of Psalm 139.

Please, RSVP.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!"                                                                                                          Psalm 139:23 and 24

Other friends have encouraged me on this lenten journey. Click over here for Ruth Haley Barton's words and here for the story of my friend Christie Purifoy. This link will take you to Ann Voskamp's words.

Tuesday Grace Letter

A Reminder to me ...

Although our home stands, the Black Forest fire will forever add texture and bring perspective to who we are. It speaks of our story and marks our now. This past week we viewed a video of the fire. Tears flowed again.

The red - homes that burned to the ground.

It consumed within inches of our foundation when God brought it to a halt and saved our home. We stared amazed with outstretched fingers measuring the much too close. The blackened pine needles next to the normal brown spoke of God-sized protection.

As our new reality unfolded, surprises surfaced that changed our calendar, our relationships (thank you again Kara and Jason for allowing us to make your home our home during the evacuation), and transformed how I think of ten years from now. 

I see our home, our stuff with new eyes. We always desired to create a welcoming space for family and friends. Now more so.

Kara, do you recognize your home?

Last June our son Jeff and his family evacuated with us never saw our home, never sat at our kitchen table, never slept in his old bedroom. We celebrated my birthday at Kara and Jason’s long dining room table. 

My heart is that in ten years our family will still visit Colorado finding our home a place of rest and restoration, that they will eat at our table, and sleep in the guestroom. I hope that The Sanctuary, our small mountain retreat will also offer a piece of heaven on earth off the beaten track for our kids, GRANDS, and friends from near and far.

A home, a cabin, places serving the loves in our lives. 

Terry spent hours creating the quilt that adorns our dining room wall. The pattern perfectly complements Colorado scenery. Terry was already scheming to sew a replacement for us, a HUGE friendship commitment. Oh how I desire that in ten years, God will continue to grow beautiful friendships that know how to give and receive love in generous ways.

Thankfully the inside of our kitchen cabinet held a list of what we would grab if we had ten minutes to evacuate never dreaming it would be needed. My husband Bill used that list last June. My sister Barb quipped, “If you dodge this bullet, I want to add to your list.” She was remembering the wooden high chair a gift from Grammie. I sat in it as a toddler; our kids sat in it; our GRANDS now sit in it. I hope in ten years our family heritage will still be told around the dinner table as a little one sits in that chair.

Carolyn said she couldn’t stop thinking of the wooden sign (below) that hangs under pictures of our GRANDS in our bedroom. She too has bought the same for her home.

When we moved to this home, Mom cross-stitched this welcome sign below for our back hallway. As you enter, your eyes see it right away. Christa and her family visited in the late 90s from Vermont. Since then their family expanded, moved to Germany, and back to Vermont. She surprised me when she mentioned, “I’m so glad your home survived, now I don’t have to find a new welcome sign for you.” Through all her life changes and many years since visiting she still remembered the sign. Wow.

Are the things that make our house a home just stuff—stuff that if consumed by fire could be replaced? My thoughts have changed; my appreciation has deepened. In ten years I trust our home will still hold memories and create welcoming space for family and friends.

Last summer my husband, the one who had only ten minutes to decide what to throw in the back of his pick-up truck, blogged about our stuff here. 

“As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.”              I Timothy 6:17

On Tuesday's I am part of a link up with others writing Grace letters. Please click over to be blessed by others.