When Life Gives You Lemons...

On April 15, Bruce and I unexpectedly found ourselves back in the U.S.  We believe that God’s plan was for us to have stayed in Jamaica for years.  But the proverbial rug was pulled out from under us and we had to quickly decide where to live and what to do next.  We found an apartment in Wayzata, MN, where I grew up.  We have spent eight months struggling with a lot of sadness and confusion.

At the same time, I’m trying to “make lemonade” by enjoying the experiences around me right now, and doing some things I never got around to doing.  So, over the past several months, I:

Shopped at Treasure City

Took an accordion lesson from Bob

Went to the Mall of America

Stopped in to see my son, Ben, at work

Rode with Bruce on his bus route

Learned how to butcher chickens

Have enjoyed worshipping at one of our favorite churches

Ate an award-winning cupcake at "Cupcake"

Kept up with DWTS

Ate fresh trout for breakfast

Enjoyed living on a lake again

Went to the Guthrie!

Visited Iowa

Had fun at the Irish Fair

Learned how to bake artisan bread from Jennie Menke

Learned how to kayak, and chased Loons with Joan

Saw our state flower at the Arboretum

Greeted Mary Tyler Moore

Saw the World's Largest Muskie

Went to the eighth-grade graduation of former students

Visited our old neighborhood (and the neighbor's orchard)

Went to a concert by the Plymouth Rockers, my mom's former choir

Participated in "Revive Twin Cities"

Relaxed at the Salonek's cabin

 Got to be here for Sadie's and Sarah's graduation parties

Practiced with my cousin Scott, who's in a real band

Saw the super-moon at cousin Patti's cabin



Got too close to a snapper

Worked at the State Fair

Declared our eclectic support for Mayer Lutheran, POWs, German music, and roller derby
(thanks to Jim Strehlke for loaning us his van)

Became a classroom teacher again

Cheered at a Viterbo volleyball tournament

Attended a Wayzata City Council meeting

Played on a worship team

Made Christmas cookies with my sister


Looking forward to more opportunities in 2015!


























 

 

The Thrill of Victory, The Agony of Defeat

 

 
For me, the famous catch-phrase from Wide World of Sports captures the year 2014 pretty well.

A year ago, we moved to Jamaica just in time to welcome 2014.  It was the “thrill of victory” as what Bruce and I had planned for for two years was realized.  After a year of interviews and then a year of paperwork, packing, and farewells, we were thrilled to finally be living at the children’s home, ready to carry out the calling God had placed on us.  We were brimming with excitement as we anticipated our future there. 
 
Three and a half months later, we experienced the “agony of defeat”.  We were told, with little explanation, that “our gifts didn’t match what was needed at the orphanage”.  Four days after hearing that news, we found ourselves back in the U.S., in a state of shock and confusion.  Our progress toward healing in these past months has been slow and unsteady.  Frankly, much of 2014 was full of agony.

In practical and emotional terms, we’ve taken some staggering hits.  But here’s the absolute truth:  as bad as it gets, and as low as our situation takes us, the higher God’s glory will be revealed as He teaches, refines, and restores us.

 
We can look forward to 2015 with hope based on faith, not sight.  Christ has already overcome all of the agonies of this world, and He has already won the Victory.  Thanks be to God!

Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— 

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference. 

                       Robert Frost

No offense to the good education I got in the Wayzata Public School system, but it seems like we studied Robert Frost’s poem many times over, and it still never thrilled me.

Right now, however, I’m thinking a lot about the last three lines.  I’m at a fork in the road, I have choices to make, and my choices will make a difference.

We’re unexpectedly back in the US after only 3-1/2 months in Jamaica.  We believe God called us to Robin’s Nest Children’s Home, we don’t believe the decision to send us home was the right decision, and we don’t believe God’s will was honored in this decision.  All of a sudden, we’re dealing with feelings of grief, hurt, and confusion, and trying to find a place to live, furnishings, jobs, and a car.  It’s overwhelming. 

The real questions at this fork in the road:  Is God in control?  Does He have a good plan for me?    

So far, my reactions to this situation have been hopelessness, despair, bitterness, and fear.  In many ways, those are the reactions that would take me on the path “more traveled by”.  Those are the reactions that Satan is expecting.

What if I give Satan the exact opposite?  More importantly, what if I take God AT HIS WORD?  What if I make a purposeful choice to believe everything the Bible says about God’s character:  He is faithful.  He is just.  He is sovereign.  He is love.  He is compassionate.  He is forgiving.  He will give us a hope and a future.  He is our Shepherd.  He sees us. 

I'm going to take that path.  

In some ways, it’s a harder path.  It goes against our nature and against what the world tells us.  There's no logic in it, and we can't see where it's going.  It’s “less traveled”.  

But look at this amazing promise:  For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you:  "Do not fear, I will help you."  Isaiah 41:13  

I will take God, the Creator of the universe, who raised Jesus from the dead, at His word. 

Not the Usual Farewell

Andy, Erin, Ben

Usually it's the kids who move away, but we changed things up a bit!  Ever since we began the application process, over two years ago, our kids have been encouraging and enthused about us following God's call to Robin's Nest.  Even so, leaving them isn't something we took lightly.  They're witty, thoughtful, interesting, kind, and fun, and I will miss each one of them.  I'm thankful for email and Skype, but  not having the option of actually being with them will be a challenge.  I'm looking forward to having them come visit, I want them to watch out for and stay close with each other, and I entrust them to God's perfect care.         

Thank Goodness for the Snake Game!

So, I tripped on the steps Sunday afternoon.  Had hoped my foot was only sprained, but by Monday morning, we figured I needed to have it checked at the clinic/hospital in Montego Bay.
Checked in at 9:45am.
Turns out, one doctor was sick, which left only one doctor to see all of the patients.
Also turns out that Monday was the day the clinic was changing over to a new computer system.
St. Patrick's Day was my lucky day!
At 5:00pm, I was rolled out to the truck by the porter, with my foot in a splint.

What does one do while waiting at the clinic for seven hours, you might ask?
First of all, you must know that the waiting area was a narrow hallway with two restrooms and some offices.  So, in that amount of space, and with time on your hands, you start to get to know the other dozen people waiting with you.

We had an interesting conversation with a postal worker from Kingston.
Listened to a man take his eyesight test at the end of the hallway.  (He passed.)
Learned a lot from a man who was raised in Cuba.
And our favorite incident:  A few hours into the day, a man stepped into the restroom.  Sure enough, just then the nurse came looking for him.  Several people pointed to the restroom.  She quickly knocked on the door and called, "Stop, Mr. Frank!  Stop!"  She needed a urine sample from him.  Alas, too late; he needed to drink some water and try again later.  (Privacy may be overrated.)

As time went on, I counted the vowels and syllables on all of the signage, then tried to make other words using the letters on the signs.  Then it was time to take out Bruce's iPad and play the Snake game; high score:  51.

 

In the end, I got great health care.  I'm thankful that I only needed a splint, not a cast, and it will be removed in only three weeks. 

Navigating the uneven terrain here at the Nest will be a challenge, and there are probably some things I just won't be able to do.  (Can I get down the hill and collect eggs in the coop while using crutches?)

Comic relief at the end of the day:  the orthopedic surgeon asked if I needed him to authorize sick leave from my job...That won't happen, but I have been told that the Lord is allowing this time of recuperation as a Sabbath and to remember that our time here is a marathon, not a sprint. 



I'll have to let myself be on "island time" for a while!

The Prime Minister

The Honourable Portia Simpson Miller



 

One of the children, the 8-year-old, got in trouble the other day (poured a bucket of sand on another child's head!) and I needed to put her in a time-out.  Needless to say, she wasn't happy with me (and not particularly remorseful, I must add.)

She told me I should never have moved to Jamaica, and she was going to talk with the Prime Minister about it.  I told her to give it a try.  (Might as well go straight to the top.)

So I'm waiting for a certified letter or a phone call from Kingston; meanwhile, to acknowledge the British influence here, I'm going to "Keep Calm and Carry On"!  

 



 

Cousins

 

PattiLibbiJudi

 

I grew up in a family of four kids, intertwined with our cousins' family of three girls.  Seven cousins in a ten-year age span.  Tons of laughter, lots of stories.

We went to the same high school.  Took a trip to Florida together.  I wore their (matching, made by my aunt) hand-me-downs.  As adults, we (girls) dressed up as Laura Ingalls Wilder and took a trip to Plum Creek.  I stayed at their house as a baby, while my mom recuperated from pneumonia.  When we're together, we always take a photo, lined up by age, standing backwards. We get each other's humor.  Together we share the unique family memories of "The Firecracker Incident", "The Canadian Boy Scouts Incident", the "Contagious-giggling-while-Uncle-Ed-read-the-Christmas-story-and-said-The-Lord's-Prayer Incident", and on and on.

Others have observed us and commented that this isn't the usual cousin relationship, it's like seven brothers and sisters.  Most people have cousins, but these are my cousins.  "PattiLibbiJudi", always mentioned in order and as one name.

Yesterday we got the shocking news that Cousin Libbi has died.  She had developed Lupus several years ago, and had various health complications from that, but was always able to fight back.  During this hospitalization, too, the doctors weren't expecting this outcome.

None of us can quite put into words how stunning this is; sobering to experience a death in the family in our own generation.

Death was not part of God's plan when He created the world.  Death is a cruel reminder that Satan is at work in this world, slithering around to "steal, kill, and destroy".  With Libbi's death, Satan has had a temporary victory, bringing intense sorrow to her family and friends.  The God-given blessings of family and friends have been suddenly cut off and replaced with pain.

And yet, while we are mourning this death, as Christians we really can also remember:
                    "But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and that He will
                    stand upon the earth at last.  And I know that after this body has
                    decayed, this body shall see God!  Then He will be on my side! 
                    Yes, I shall see Him, not as a stranger, but as a friend!  What a
                    glorious hope!"     Job 19:25-27 The Living Bible

Our family farewell song, sung whenever we part:  "Good-bye, good-bye, be always kind and true," and, "Remember me, I'm the one who loves you." 

We'll miss you Libbi, but we're still the seven cousins!