Blessed Memories 4

Dear Terry,

We prayed for you today, not just once, all day really, but Schey and I did special prayers on your behalf. I called too just because I desperately wanted to hear your voice once more. It actually makes me smile thinking about it. It's funny. It's not a "soft gentle" kind of voice it's a very no nonsense kind with the soft and gentle implied :) And the laugh, very contageous and real.

I called today but the morphine was winning at the time. I wasn't able to call back because it was Micah's 8th birthday and he was having an extra hard time due to the very early rising of our other brown boy (2:45 am!) But I thought of you and prayed for you throughout the day, thinking of what your body and mind must be going through right now as you "prepare your garments". There were moments I had to fight back the tears and other moments I just smiled a stupid smile as I recalled moments with you.

That just reminded me of the story of Jordan, I think it was Jordan, who would jump into the deep end at the pool before he could swim and you would fish him out and paddle his bottom. But he kept jumping in, not minding the discipline he would receive as a result of his actions. That is one place you certainly can NOT allow for natural consequences :) Finally you asked him why he kept jumping in and he replied "because I know you'll jump in and get me".

Right now the water must feel like it is closing in around you as you have jumped (or rather been pushed) into these deep waters. But not only is the Lord jumping in to save you, He is in the process of teaching you to breathe under water! He will hold your hand as you learn to breathe in His country. His perfect country.

John 14: 1-4 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.”

I hope we can speak one more time. But even if we can't speak this side of heaven, I will for my whole life, praise my God every time I think of you. And please, once you are with the Church Triumphant remember and pray for this struggling Church Militant.

I love you SO much my dear friend!!! May the Lord's peace rest upon you!!!

 

Blessed Memories 3

Dear Terry,

It's exciting that it is week 15! I pray there will be many more weeks and months! But I hear something in your post, or I imagine I do. It sounded hopeful, but not as hopeful as when the chemo was first helping. You sound thankful not only for each friend who visits or event that you can be part of but also for each moment spent with that friend and each second you are able to soak in any given event. It's kind of like scrapbooking. You are carefully pasting your experiences into your heart. Some you'll share with others and some you will keep to laugh over (or cry over) by yourself. What a collection you must have by now. I've read and heard of SO many people eager to come to your side. Some of the people who come may be challenging, but your scrapbook wouldn't be the same without them:) Others come and provide some comic relief and some are better than medicine with the emotional or spiritual comfort they provide.

2 Corinthians 4:16

Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.

Did you see that? Did you see what God did right there? He spoke to you. He is telling YOU that the weaker you feel the stronger you are becoming in Him! When I was little and coming to Mount Hermon, when those little houses were where the climbing wall now lives, I remember dressing up one day during the week for a themed BBQ. There was one relay I remember so clearly because the children had so much fun. Each team was supposed to pass a certain number of people over their heads to the front of the line. I remember being lifted and jostled as over the heads of strangers. It was fun and terrifying at the same time. Now, it wasn't one person handing me over to the next but several all at once supporting my head, body and legs. That is what your friends are doing for you! You are finding it hard to walk that narrow path yourself and we are here to support your head and body and legs. Some poke and some are so gentle but all have one hope...an extremely painful hope...and that is for you to pass from our "hands" into the gentle perfect hands of Christ renewed and ready. And do you know what? You are learning to let go and keep your hands open to your savior.  It's the same for us.  We can only pass you along the line if we keep our hands open as well.

Do not lose heart my friend!

I love you SO much!!!

Blessed Memories 2

Dear Terry,

"What rain is for seeds tears are for those who are afflicted" -St. John Chrysostom

Oh how hard and wonderful it was to cry with you. Letting go of you at church on Sunday was one of the hardest things I've ever done in my life.

It is hard to plan out "memories" to make for the future. I remember hearing about Scott Halverson having to make his own recordings for his children. I remember him saying how sad he was not to be the one giving Becky away at her wedding or escorting Daniel into manhood. I think of your own fears regarding this and all I have are two verses that give me great hope.

1. Isaiah 55: 8-9

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.

It may not make sense to us why He allows what He allows, but it makes sense to Him. He is not surprised by your diagnosis or that the future you had planned for you family is going to be different than you intended.

2. Philippians 5:6

Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

This verse is not only true for you, but for each person you love...each person you hate the thought of letting go of. When you let go they will not fall, they are (and always were) in the hands of Christ. You are opening your hands so they can fit more securely in His. He's not surprised by who is going to be taking care of your little boys. He already knows who He will call to help bring them up in His ways until that "good work" is completed in them as well..

His ways are higher than our ways and He will see you safely to the end...and the beginning.

I love you,

Blessed Memoies 1

I hope you don't mind, but over the next few days I'm going to share some notes a sent to my dear friend and godmother when she was dying. She went to be with our Lord October 5, 2012.  Since we are approaching Thanksgiving I thought I would let you listen in on some of the last "conversations" with someone I am truly blessed to have known

It's a Corrie Ten Boom kind of day.

I say it's a Corrie Ten Boom kind of day because you have been called to do something very special and difficult and terrifying. Your story is in the public's eye as well. I love her story because she was honest and never knew how she was going to respond to each situation, but she, like you, was willing. Willing to take each step. Willing to crawl through despair. Willing to admit that you are, and always have been, powerless and the Lord really does hold the whole world (YOUR WHOLE WORLD) in His hands. I remember that Corrie and her sister Betsy found things to be thankful for...even the fleas in the barracks because the fleas kept the soldiers out so they could have at least a little peace.

It sounds like the Lord is giving you little bits of peace. It is amazing to read what you are accomplishing for one so sick! Today someone said something about your struggle being an amazing gift to all of us (here I go with another "Ihope this doesn't hurt your feelings or make you depressed" thing). We are all walking to the arms of Jesus we just don't know when we will meet Him. Your journey, now more than ever, is showing us all how to walk that walk. Of course with all that is in me I want you to be well and I don't want you to have to carry this cross. I wish I could help relieve the weight of it! But what I see is you hefting that cross up on your back and taking each step. I see you perfecting your "technique" through the strength of Christ. Sometimes you have to rest, but you never put it down.

‎"Worrying doesn't empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.” ― Corrie Ten Boom

Thank you for blessing us all with the example of strength for today and "bright hope for tomorrow". Thank you for accepting the Lord's faithfulness no matter what it may look like.

. 

Blessings in a Mason Jar

ALMS: "Any thing given gratuitously to relieve the poor, as money, food, or clothing, otherwise called charity."

My children are privileged.  They live in a house.  They have food to eat EVERY SINGLE DAY!  They not only get one meal, they get three...plus snacks!  They have clean water on a consistent basis.  They overeat at times and feel sick because of it.  Many of our "poor" still have computers and cell phones in this country.

This is the time of year when we receive requests to make an end of the year donation to one charity or another.  Some requests are from foundations trying to stamp out hunger, others want to provide school supplies for needy children here or abroad.  Animal focused charities want help so they can provide food and the necessary care for abused or neglected cats and dogs.  Local organizations are trying to raise awareness about the homeless dilemma and the need for warm clothing on these bitingly cold pre-winter nights.  From now through Christmas we remember the poor, the sick and the suffering. But almsgiving isn't just for the holidays.

How can we participate in the commandment from Christ to love Him and to love our neighbors as ourselves?  How can we help our children to become doers and not only hearers of the Word by giving to those in need? 

This week I took a canning jar from my cupboard, made a slot in the lid and duct taped around the rim so as to discourage any of my boys from being tempted to pocket the cash.  I then made a list of 12 charities.  Our jar if for spare change or any money they may want to contribute and at the end of each month we will count up the "willing donations" and give them to a charity. 

Here is our list:

IOCC: IOCC, in the spirit of Christ’s love, offers emergency relief and development programs to those in need worldwide, without discrimination, and strengthens the capacity of the Orthodox Church to so respond.

HOGAR RAFAEL ORPHANAGE GUATEMALA: Orthodox nuns caring for over 100 orphaned, neglected, extremely poor children.

FOOD FOR THE HUNGRY: Food for the Hungry (FH) is a Christian organization serving the poor globally since 1971. We reflect the love of Christ in short-term emergency relief  and long-term work  to end world hunger.

COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL: Compassion International exists as a Christian child advocacy ministry that releases children from spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty and enables them to become responsible, fulfilled Christian adults.

VOICE OF THE MARTYRS: The Voice of the Martyrs is a non-profit Christian organization dedicated to assisting our persecuted family worldwide.

WORLD VISION: World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. Motivated by our faith in Jesus Christ, we serve alongside the poor and oppressed as a demonstration of God’s unconditional love for all people.

CATHOLIC CHARITIES: "As the charitable arm of the Archdiocese of Denver, and inspired by God’s love and compassion, Catholic Charities extends the healing ministry of Jesus Christ to the poor and those in need."

ALPHA CENTER: is a local Christian medical clinic that serves our community by providing free services and education related to sexual health. We have served the Larimer County area since 1985, so we are uniquely qualified and experienced to understand what you are going through. All of our services are free thanks to the generous support of many individuals, businesses and churches in our community who recognize the need for a safe support system for individuals making important decisions related to their sexual health and unplanned pregnancies.

SAINT INNOCENT’S ACADEMY: St. Innocent’s Academy is an alternative educational program for young men of high school age and older.  It encompasses both those considered “at-risk” and stable young men alike. The purpose of the Academy is to help them know themselves and to act as men created in the image and likeness of God, to foster their sense of human dignity and worth, and to help them develop life skills which will prepare them to take advantage of a wide range of opportunities as adults.  

ST. PAISIUS MONASTERY: To support themselves, the sisters make prayer ropes and maintain a well-stocked bookstore, and in the future will sell olive oil and pomegranates from their orchards. From its inception, the sisters have maintained numerous publishing efforts, concentrating primarily on themes chosen to support the Christian home and the struggles of Christians living in the world. With this aim, over 50,000 copies of akathists have been printed.

GLEANINGS FOR THE HUNGRY: Gleanings for the Hungry is a Christian, non-profit organization. It operates as a mercy ministry arm of Youth With A Mission. Our mission is to help feed the hungry of the world both spiritually and physically. In the summer, we sun dry peaches and nectarines. We also produce a dried soup mix from bulk dehydrated vegetables. We have provided much needed food to approximately 100 countries around the world.

FOCUS North America: National movement of Orthodox Christians, united in faith and joined by a desire to provide action-oriented and sustainable solutions to poverty in communities across America.   

These are just our ideas.  There are SO many opportunities to give year round.  It may be the gift of time at a retirement home sitting and listening to stories our elderly friends want to share.  Perhaps you have older children and can "go" and "do" unlike those of us with little ones.  Making homeless bags to pass out or making cookies for someone in the neighborhood who is having a difficult time are wonderful ways to give.  Whatever the act of kindness, or whichever charities you choose to participate in, know that you and your children have the opportunity to be the very hands of Christ as you serve others. 

And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury,  and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. So He said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all;  for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.” Luke 21:1-4

Let us give without reservation.  Let us give much if we have great abundance.  And let us give joyfully if we have only a little for the God of the universe can multiply even a small offering as a great blessing to His people.

To God be the Glory.  Amen!

 

To Abolish Religion

There is a Youtube video someone shared with me called Why I Hate Religion but Love Jesus.  The idea was to suggest that Jesus came to abolish religion and the important part of Christianity is believing in Jesus and that's enough.  Well, I'm here to tell you that's not enough. 

I'm not talking about "works" based Christianity.  I don't think that if we love Jesus and prove it to him by the list of good deeds we do we'll earn our way into heaven.  I'm also not talking about "rules based" Christianity.  I don't think that if I dress the right way and speak the right way and have the most beautiful church that I'll be able to charm my way into heaven. 

Jesus made it pretty simple; Love God and your neighbor as yourself. James 2:19 (NKJV) says
^"You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!"  Is it enough to believe in Jesus? He tells us that if we love Him we will do what He says. 

When Jesus commissioned the Apostles to go out into the world and make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit He was establishing the Church.  The Apostles went out and taught people about what Christ had done and showed them by example, and through their writing, what to do, how to live, how to worship, how to pray and how to be true followers of Christ. 

When someone decides to join the military they pledge to learn, act and live within the terms and conditions set up by whichever branch they serve in. Barring a draft, no one forces a person to join our military, it is free will.  Once a person has made that choice no one argues and says, "well, I really don't think I need basic training so I'll pass on that part.  I also don't want to do certain types of patrols or work late nights.  By the way, I'm going to have to insist on weekends off."  That would be crazy and our armed forces would not be organized enough to accomplish anything.  Why do we think in Christianity that we can make our own rules?  Why do we think we get to pick and choose what it means to follow Jesus?  He tells us it will be hard and that the path is narrow and that we may be made fun of and possibly even killed. He doesn't force us to follow Him, He leaves that choice entirely up to us. 

There was an article someone posted this morning from Huffington Post called, WWJD: What Would Jesus Do?  Do You Really Want to Know?   In this article the author tells a story about a mother who gave her son a bracelet with WWJD on it and encouraged him to look at it before doing anything so he could make good choices in living a Christian life.  In obedience, her son then went and hung out with prostitutes and "sinners", bought a round of beer for some drunk guys, trashed the church bookstore, drove out the pastor with a whip and stood with women who had just had an abortion calling out to the protesters, "You who are without sin, throw the first stone!"  This mother then gave her son a WWAPD bracelet instead. This stood for What Would a Pharisee Do?  This son became a model "Christian" and tithed, was a public prayer warrior, condemner of sinners, etc.  Is this author suggesting that having a bookstore and a pastor in a church automatically means that church is corrupt and that anyone who tithes, prays in public and upholds the commandments is a Pharisee?  There is more to it than that.

Jesus tells us many things.  He tells us to LOVE all men, but He does not tell us to condone what all men do.  He tells us to HELP the poor and broken without judging (or glorifying) how they got there.  In John chapter 8, He tells the men who brought the adulterous woman before him,
“He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first."  And to this precious woman He says, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”  He didn't defend her actions, He loved her and encouraged her to live a better way.  Jesus says in Matthew 21  “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer, 'but you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’”  He was not condemning the religious services and worship that were taking place in the building but the commercialism/consumerism. 
Jesus did not come to "abolish religion".  He came to show us a better way.  He did not come so we could pick and choose which parts of His message we like best, He came to bring healing and life.  He came to redeem us.  He came so that we could have RIGHT FAITH and HOPE in the resurrection and the world to come.  Humans have made bad choices inside and outside of "religion".  James 1 says "Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world."  We are to love unconditionally, give without expectation of anything in return, and keep the "world" from setting the standard in our lives.  We are called to live and die for Christ and uphold the faith He established through His Apostles. 

In the Divine Liturgy the prayer before communion says, "I believe, O Lord, and I confess that Thou art truly the Christ, the Son of the Living God, Who camest into the world to save sinners, of whom I am first.  As Christians we are called to live in repentance, humble ourselves and serve others.  We should ask ourselves WWJD.  Jesus called sin sin, he accepted sincere offerings, he loved the unlovely, but he also told them to live differently so they could have life everlasting.  Christ calls us to follow Him, let us embrace the true faith.







 
 

 

Radio Theater

For those of you who think homeschooling keeps a mama busy, I have to tell you, running around dropping off and picking up is making me run ragged!  My middle son was concerned when we decided to have all 5 boys in school this year.  He thought I'd be lonely with all the time I'd have to myself.  I'm still waiting for even a portion of "all that time"...

I plan to start writing for my blog again and I'm sorry for the long silence.  We currently have the most medically fragile baby we've ever had.  She three different oral medications 4 times a day plus an injection each night.  Staying on top of that and speech, OT, PT and social skills therapy takes up a lot of time.  PLUS I have a 13 year old...nuf said ;) 

For the past year we have been working on an Orthodox radio theater production.  My kids grew up listening to Focus on the Family Radio Theater and many many audio books.  They remember almost all the stories and enjoy listening to this day. 

This production is Narnia-ish.  The main character enters another "world" through the icon of Saint Nicholas and then spends time in Jericho with Rahab arriving when the two Israelite spies appear.  As the walls of Jericho begin to crumble, she runs back into the house of Rahab to retrieve her cross necklace but finds herself in the story of Ruth and Boaz.  This continues all the way to the birth of Christ in Bethlehem.  It's a really great way to make our history come alive for our kids.

We have put together a Kickstarter "campaign" for any and all who would like to participate in making this project available to kids and their families.  It has a full cast of characters, sound effects and original music. This performance will be available in both CD and digital download form.

The way Kickstarter works is a project must be fully funded to be considered successful.  If you make a pledge you are not charged unless the project is successful.  You can contribute as little as $1, and every little bit counts!

If you would like to check it out or contribute click on the link below:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1648980762/adventure-to-advent

Talk to you soon!