A WALK ON THE WATER...

Last week, during worship, Cody asked us to share w/each other (be vulnerable). Okay friend, I'm sharing with you and guess that leaves me a tad wide open. Bear with me, okay?
M and I celebrated our 59th wedding anniversary a week ago. Oh wow...how things have changed. Here we are retired and drawing Social Security. What's going on...our president and the major political parties aren't nearly as congenial to each other these days or so it seems...grrr! A power struggle is really in high gear; seems power and money go hand in hand much of the time, don't you think?

I suppose most citizens are a tad anxious or even fearful. We seem to be surrounded by the deafening clamor of angry voices, doom and gloom, fear and all that goes with it. Wouldn't it be great if 100% of us put aside all the pettiness, complaining and downright meanness...as a way of life? Do we have it in us to do it?

Marcus Aurelius said, "Dig within. Within is the wellspring of Good; and it is always ready to bubble up, if you just dig." Okay, so what about this?

I've been doing some digging on my own and I believe it's a good thing to 'get out of the boat' so to speak. Oh yes, it's safe and comfy (in a sense) to stay in the boat...but I seem to remember someone walking on the water. Only drawback to that is...if I want to walk on water I've gotta' get out of the boat...takes faith. That isn't an easy thing but once you get the hang of it? It's, well...it's a 'walk on the water'.

Some of the time that activity is full of obstacles...and Satan can really do a number on us, right? Like? His family at South Main has been in a holding pattern since January. Much has happened and much hasn't happened...things seem to be standing almost still.

But wait...our seven shepherds are asking us to step up w/important decisions about the future. That means me and you...me? I can sit on the fence, in the middle of the road...in other words 'sit this one out'. Aah, but I cannot, cannot do that...sure, it's risky but then He never told us our road would be a super freeway!

Eighteen months ago, the building program was just getting underway; M and I emptied our savings. Four months later M was diagnosed w/a very rare, incurable, fatal disease. People don't last long w/it...it usually takes years and years to even be diagnosed. Michael discovered it by himself...God work.

One month later an ENT surgeon took a biopsy of it...sent it to the pathologist.  Amyloidosis is only identifiable by ONE test (Congo Red Stain). Most physicians and pathologists don't tumble to it because it is soooo rare...our pathologist did the test...God work. We went from discovery to diagnosis in 5 weeks rather than five years or more.

So, here we are...eighteen months later with Father holding our hand as we're water walking. Not only does Michael continue maintaining his status quo, we find his condition is yet another very rare part of this rare disease...it is localized...God work.

We are enthusiastic about what God is doing at South Main. Let's face it, God gives and gives without restriction; He loves and loves without restriction. How can I do otherwise?

I've not written this to grandstand...I believe you know the two of us better than that. We simply have the desire to encourage.   Did we regret what we gave after discovering M's diagnosis? Never once. We figured we were in good hands no matter what. And what's super is that since then, we've managed to save half of what we gave 18 months ago...God work...He has given us the opportunity to do it again.

Susan Rabin said, "Enthusiasm is contagious. Be a carrier." Nothing's much warmer than a loving, caring, united family; that's an example for the world and who knows? Hmm, it might catch on. And remember..."Don't be afraid. Just believe."

So here I am...Vasca...an open book...vulnerable, unafraid and believing...trust me; trust Him. 

From my heart.....

RICH, RICHER, RICHEST...

Much of the time when a large number of people are asked about their goals...the popular answer seems to be 'successful in business' or 'make a lot of money'.  All depends on who you're asking, right? 

Once upon a time a thousand dollars was a fortune...thousands was jacked up to millions...now millions are jacked up to billions and trillions (governmentally speaking).  Wanna' be a Bill Gates or a Warren Buffett.  Oh boy...everyone in the world would give their eye teeth or...would they?  Would you?  Would I? 

Here's something for you to think on:

 

Lord, Make Me Rich'

I prayed this prayer. Lord, make me rich.

Oh, it wasn't totally selfish. I wanted to be able to give my family nice things.

We got bids on a sprinkler system for our lawn many years ago. Too expensive.

God's answer: drag a water hose around the yard.

We got a dog, and another, and another (in succession as each died).

I have become the designated dog walker. Can't afford to hire a pet sitter to do it for me.

Lawn mowing service? Can't afford it.

So, I mow it, enlisting my three sons to help.

House needs painting. Can't afford to hire it done.

So, we are doing it ourselves (all family members).

My wife needed new brakes on her car.

I got filthy with brake dust (that stuff is like printer toner).

So, what about the prayer. God said no, right?

Yes, but...

I have discovered the joy of caring for a yard with my own hands.
Mowing, watering, sweating over it, pulling weeds, is great relaxation therapy, and gets me closer to nature and closer to God. And encouraging my boys to help teaches them the same joy.

Walking the dog gets me exercise and I have lots of talks with God while we walk.

I also talk to my dog. She's a good listener.

Painting, I have discovered, is something I love to do.

And fixing cars gives me a TON of satisfaction, and I always learn something new.

So, if God told me "no", why do I feel so rich?

That, friend, is just how God operates. I don't understand it. I just stand in amazement at HIM.

Father, thank you. In Jesus' name, amen.

...by Jeff Beall 28 June, 2011

M and I will celebrate 59 years of marriage on the 8th of July.  We had zip money then...but we were rich in love...we became richer with four wonderful sons...a little richer with four daughter-in-laws and ten grandchildren...more about this richness in the next post.

From my heart...

POWER STEERING...

Tell you what...I need GPS in my feet.  Talk about clumsy?  Aah, that's me w/a capital C.  For instance, yesterday we walked through our back gate and what d'ya know?  Somehow (don't ask 'cause I don't know) got my feet tangled in the gate and fell sideways into our rock house wall...oops!  Didn't fall down mind you...and didn't scratch or hurt me in any way.  Didn't even dent the house...wow!  I am a klutz. 

In China, my feet liked M's feet so much they reached over to visit and I fell into a stone wall...not so fortunate this time; I broke my collarbone...ouch.

I try my best to walk carefully; I really do.  My co-ordination skills are a fiasco; my feet ignore my brain...top to bottom is a great distance for me.  Deciding how to direct my body is a challenge; but here's the flip-side. 

M and I have hiked and camped all over the Gunnison National Forest in Colorado.  I didn't trip, stumble or fall...now how can that be?  I even walked what I'd call a 'tightrope' path which could've ended my wonderful life...wow!  Probably I am so fleet footed there because I love the mountains...I'm eager to get there and drag my feet upon leaving...aah, fresh and breezy life...love it.

Dr. Seuss wrote, "You have brains in your head.  You have feet in your shoes.  You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.  You're on your own.  And you know what you know.  You are the guy who'll decide where to go".

Oh yes...I can tell my GPS where to go but I make mistakes...don't always like to follow directions.  Fortunately Father has my back and is my power steering.  When I fail to include Him, I can't steer well.  At times, my spiritual self is like my clumsy feet; it gets totally misplaced and trips me up or down (ha, speaking for my feet...they even fall up stairs).

Another Dr. Seuss quote, "You're off to Great Places!  Today is your day!  Your mountain is waiting.  So...get on your way!"  Okay, what's the main point?  My mountain is now...my get-ups a'goin'...my feet are locked into the GPS and God's steering....way to go!

From my heart...

KNOCKING DOWN DOORS...

Michael and I live in what many have dubbed "Little Alamo"...others call it "Little Fort".  It's definitely different...constructed of red rocks/stones, petrified wood and fossils.  Unique?  Yes.  And so loved.  Okay, it's small...a tad over 900 sq. ft.  but it has many rooms...and guess what?  It has only one inside door and for those who visit...that is the bathroom door!   Whew, huh? 

Frankly there is no room for doors so, being a loving husband, Michael removed the doors and hung curtains for me (hey, couldn't have the world seeing my messy closets). 

M surprised me one day when he said, "Standing in one certain place, without moving, you can see into every room in our house"...now that's something.  Two bedrooms, a bath, hallway, dining room, living room, kitchen and last but not least...our combo utility, office and bistro.  Every inch is utilized and enjoyed...now that the obstacles have been removed.  Obstacles tend to hamstring us...don't you find that to be true?

"When you take a step of faith, obstacles are removed and doors are opened. Do not stand there wondering if you made the right choice, but keep on moving as your destiny lies ahead"...Dayon Anteko Pitter.

Sometimes obstacles overpower me and faith is hard to come by...talk about Noah, Abraham/Sarah, all the many faithful in The Book...I wonder...am I like that?  Should be...but it's those nagging doubts about the choices...such doubts!

After M's second retirement we were sort of lost as to what our future held.  We wanted and prayed to 'be used'.  Word of caution...pray carefully...very carefully.  Father had big surprises up His sleeves...whoa.  I was rather like Sarah and thought it was a joke...at first.  But jokes don't make you sob your heart out for days...moving to China?  You're kidding God....ha, ha, ha???  Oops...wiped that smile off my smug face 'cause He wasn't laughing...not even a little bit.

Next came one of my many 'wow' moments; I had no idea I was capable of what it took...but I did it...we did it together.  God, Michael and a very serious Vasca.  No idea of where in China we were going; just told them to use us wherever...needn't worry...'they' weren't the ones in charge...HE was and what a number He did on/with us!  You know lots about that, right?   
"When a door closes...look for an open window...but it may take a while to feel the breeze"...unknown.

At times, Michael and I have faced closed doors (some slammed in our faces) but we found & continue finding open windows.  Believe you me, God opens windows whenever & wherever He pleases...no need for doors with Him around.  And oh my, such  a 'fresh and breezy' life.

From my heart...



GET ALONG ~ GET ALONG...

Theodore Roosevelt said, "The most important single ingredient in the formula of success is knowing how to get along with people." 

I 'spose moving all my life should have been a giant plus in how to get along in life.  It would have helped if I hadn't been totally shy...I didn't like meeting people.  But, having 'a Michael' in my life changed all that.  Something about him must have rubbed off on me...imagine that.  I think he had 'the formula for success'.  He's always been dedicated to whatever he was/is involved in...100%. 

However...and this is a biggie...we are total opposites in most traits.  He's neat; I'm messy.  He plans ahead; I wait 'til the last minute.  Here's the other side...we're never late...we get things done...and we know how to get along w/people...people of all kinds!

I love Jim Henson and his Muppet's...talk about lovable things! He died young but left a mark on society. He said, "My hope still is to leave the world a bit better than when I got here"...Kermit, Miss Piggy, Sesame Street...I think he did, don't you?

That's my hope...I've been working on it for several years now. It probably began when we moved to Greece (my first flight overseas)...and we lived on the floor about our Greek landlords (Kyriakos and Yolande). Moving on to Germany...we shared a four story home with Herr and Frau Weggermann.

M has worked w/Koreans, Japanese, Turks, Greeks, Dutch, Germans, Vietnamese and Ethiopians. I worked in one room w/three men...a Pakistani, an Indian, a German, plus a militant woman from D.C. and two other American women...aah, variety. 

As the world turned M & I got along...with people. The biggest test came when we packed up/stored everything, left family & friends and moved to China where we lived in the middle of millions of Chinese.

We got along swimmingly, even though we didn't read, write or speak Chinese. Our smiles & nods spoke volumes and they loved us...as we loved them. Why else would we have eaten such delicacies as dog, monkey, camel, jellyfish and only God knows what else?  Ignorance is bliss...you betcha'.

Our four sons missed out on the Chinese food tasting...that came after they were on their own; however, some of the other moves honed their people skills. M and I are greatly pleased with their abilities (from their earliest years) to 'get along' with people of all ages, babies to the oldest of us.

Here's a last quote for this post...from Beverly De Angelis. "No matter what age you are, or what your circumstances might be, you are special and you still have something unique to offer.  Your life, because of who you are, has meaning."

There you have it...I am special, I am unique, so are you...and it doesn't matter that Michael is older than dirt and I am dirt. We mean something; we have something to offer and those somethings are about representing God and getting along with people.
Time to pony up; how's your 'get along'?  I'm gallopin' right along...Hi-Ho Vasca!

From my heart...

DIRECT HIT.

                  

Early in life, I learned about 'the pain index'.  Having a leg being used as a pin-cushion at ten and eleven years of age makes for lots and lots of grit.

I doubt if a 'little' pain ever hurt anyone.  Erma Bombeck said, "Being a child at home alone in the summer can be a hazardous occupation.  If you call your mother at work thirteen times an hour, she can hurt you.."  Oh boy...that's for sure.

"Where does it hurt?" is often asked...your mom wants to know!  "Where does it hurt?" asks the doctor...where, where, where???  Not quite so difficult when one can see it...it's those inner pains that are difficult, if not impossible to see and treat.

                                                                                                                             Michael Michael tells me of a commercial he's seen that's relevant to the paragraph above.  It shows people of various ethnic backgrounds being examined by a physician.  The doctor says "Let's have a look-see"...okay, let's.  But wait...instead of the physician, there's a sonogram-like snoop that does the looking...wow!  Modern technology strikes again.

                                                                                                                             

Hurting someone who truly cares about me can leave a hole in their heart that only love will heal.  My loved ones know that...I hurt them.  I punched holes...but love patches work.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

My sweet dad and my most lovable youngest brother were born w/heart defects...those holes were mendable due to awesome medical advances...did you know hearts leaked?

                                                                                                                                  

Aah, I had a different type of leak...one I care deeply for made a hole but that same one loved me enough to also heal it...another successful patch job.    

                                                                                                                                  

Pain index goes up and down...down and back up again and again and again!!!  Cry a little, laugh a lot or is it laugh a little and cry a lot?  To me, it depends on when and how it hits.

                                                                                                                                  

You know...I know... friends, families who are in such pain...leakage of the heart or is it flooding?  I want your pains/my pains to either go away...be eased...or be understood.  Seems less painful if we can understand.

                                                                                                                               

Steve Vogl gave us another direct hit last Sunday morning.  He's been talking about Peter 'walking on the water'.  He used this phrase "Help In Time Of Need"...I won't forget that...it's the love patch that holds forever.  That's God's promise to you and me...never, ever doubt it...focus on Him and like Christ said, "Don't be afraid, just believe".

                                                                                                                                  

Last night I was sound asleep and having another weird dream.  Here's the conclusion:

Michael walked in to save me from certain destruction...so handsome .in his white dress uniform.  He put one foot on the rung of a stool....took off his cap, smiled as he leaned toward me and in his most loving voice said "Hello, little girl". 

                                                                                                                                      

I woke up and wondered what jolted me from my dream.  Aah,  suddenly I knew...oh yes, I knew.  I heard and felt God knocking on my heart...it was a direct hit.  Out of bed and here's the hit...this love patch is all yours.

From my heart...              

UPS AND DOWNS...

"Life's ups and downs provide windows of opportunity to determine your values and goals.  Think of using all obstacles as stepping stones to build the life you want"...attributed to Marsha Sinitar.

One year at a Gunnison art festival, Michael bought me a small replica of a hot air balloon to hang in a room.  I had been in a series of accidents (none of which were my fault) so my sister gave me a tiny doll who could be contorted in any shape.  The balloon w/the doll in its basket now hangs in my bedroom...I love it...the balloon and the collapsible lady.

I was painfully 'bent out of shape' when  a lady ran a stop sign (in a tank-like Olds), smacked my little Olds on the passenger's side...knocked me 48' landing me/car between two big trees...broke the axle...my forehead broke the steering wheel...double ouch.

Hey, accidents happen...everyday, everywhere...to anyone!  What to do?  If possible, pick up the pieces...hopefully put me back together again.  Right?  Forget goals and that stuff, I hurt 24/7 for a very long time...enter addiction to pain medications...temporary UP...13 year DOWN.  Windows of opportunity?  Hardly.

I am amazed, I am thankful that God never gave up on me...nor did my family...never!  Why didn't God, why didn't they?  Simple...they loved me; God must've had a plan and me?  I hadn't a clue...okay, I had values again but no goals.

I felt like Humpty-Dumpty who sat on a wall, had a great fall...I was a mess of disjointed mental pieces...oh my, was I ever.  Oh well...oh well, what?  Would I ever be put back together again???

Fast forward and a window opened; it was clear and bright so when God put down my first stepping stone...I stepped...it was a Wow moment.

I understand His purpose for me...not a doubt.  The window of opportunity enables me to encourage others who identify w/my struggles, experiences and hopefully some wisdom accumulated along the way.  Or perhaps they know others who need a life...up...up.

I learned the hard way that my so-called perfect life wasn't perfect at all...I forgot what HE said about perfection...and now I get it.

Here's something worth remembering:
"Nobody's perfect.  Every one slides here and there, and they have their ups and downs.  When they are down, that is not the time to step all over them"...Neil Scham.

"All the King's horses & all the King's men couldn't put Humpty together again"...but God can and does...trust me, I know what I'm writing about.


From my heart...