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!