I think I’m just gonna start calling it “Missionary Survivor”

We like to watch that reality show Survivor…

DVDs of different seasons are oft requested “gifts” for Christmas or birthdays. We’ve been known to spend hours downloading seasons from iTunes or elsewhere on line, hanging out at the Rec Center with its satellite TV hoping to be able to watch it… or reading word for word the synopsis of the most recent episode even when we don’t have access to watch it.

We enjoy the actual surviving stuff… the unique competitions intriguing… and we find comments about not eating chocolate for three whole weeks downright amusing.

We watch the show as a family and we use it as a teaching tool with our children – a basic intro to many aspects of American culture. It also gives us some amazing and great opportunities to talk about relationships… how what we do, what we say, who we are, the choices we make can all impact immensely how we get along with others and in general, our dealings with other people.

One section of every episode is sure to garner lots of questions and discussion from our tribe: tribal council. One comment repeatedly uttered at my house while viewing the final tribal council of a season is that those people on the jury are making decisions and pronouncements and judgments about things that they aren’t really qualified to judge… on things that they’ve got no real right to pronounce… and deciding, not for legitimate reasons, but rather based upon knee jerk reactions: “Who do I like better?”

Sometimes, life on the mission field feels like one unending tribal council, especially when some short term folks arrive in a place.

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Take a gander on over to A Life Overseas to read the rest ~ 

flashing hope signals

...or perhaps you call them fireflies? I grew up calling them lightening bugs... but I think I've switched to fireflies in recent years.

I've been thinking about fireflies lately. Maybe it is because we've spent many nights sitting outside, hoping the electricity will return for us to sleep with the comfort of cooler, moving air. Maybe it is because I'm homesick for a Michigan summer... or a summer anywhere but this hot, dusty, tenuously holding onto peacefulness land. 

Whatever it is, my mind keeps drifting back to the very end of our last furlough, not long before we were scheduled to fly back to Niger, we were driving home late at night. I was crying - we'd probably just said another goodbye to someone. "See ya in three-four years," no matter what side of the ocean I'm saying it, looses any remote aura of palatable after a so many times. Oh well, as I said, I was crying and probably staring out the window, trying to hide tears from both children and hubby so I wouldn't have to talk or answer any questions. And we drove past this field, literally shimmering with blinking, glowing, flitting fireflies. Breathtakingly beautiful, I asked Tim to pull over just so we could watch and drink in the sight. It filled me with hope.

That's why as I muddle through yet another season of goodbyes, I keep mentally drifting back to that memory ~

And then I read this blog post. Jeanne Damoff has become one of my favorite bloggers. She doesn't post all the time; when she does? Wow!

For fireflies will forever be something I love about furlough years. I’ll get to see them this summer and they will continue to fill my heart with hope. They will once again remind me that grace and mercy always glimmer somewhere, even when it seems so dark. 

And best of all? 

I don’t need to trap them in a jar to enjoy the hope, peace and joy they can give. I can watch them from a distance. They can be few or many. Perhaps they are only a shimmering recollection from the past. But thinking upon fireflies makes my heart to smile, even during seasons when all feels heavy and the tears are too ready to fall.

G R A D U A T I O N ~ B R E N D A N , 2 0 1 3

First photo was taken by my friend Shannon Maxwell. The others were taken by Brendan's grandfather, except for the one he was in. I think that one was taken by one of Brendan's class sponsors.

Five Minute Friday ~ Fall

"Be slow to fall into friendship; but when thou art in, continue firm and constant."

~ Socrates 

Isn't there another quote that goes something like it was the best of times, the worst of times? That is kinda how a high school graduation feels - at least my first time through as a parent. 

Maybe you'll find my reason surprising...

It really has nothing to do with nostalgia about my biggest one growing up and moving on to the next adventure in his life, although that certainly is happening. He's ready, he's become a wonderful young man, and I'm only excited to see where God takes him... the places he'll go, the things he'll accomplish, the godly man he will continue to become.

Last night, speeches and conversations echoed full of emotion and excitement... but also   danced around a melancholy wistfulness. I hear people committing to keep in touch and come visit when the opportunity arises. 

Good intentions. 

But sometimes? Life just gets in the way - and, I think, deep down, that truth is already recognized even as people say those words. It is hard to stay "close friends" when you live on different continents, when your lives are diverging along diverse paths, when really, the only thing you have in common is that you attended the same school and have now graduated in the same year. It might be different if these kids all lived in the same town, were staying here to get jobs, get married, raise families ~ but not a single one voiced the intention of remaining. And practically? While Facebook or Twitter or whatever the newest, latest social media rage may be are great tools for keeping distant tabs on people... 

It isn't just my graduating one, either. All eight of these kids and their mama and papa are saying goodbye: at the very least, for a spell... perhaps for much longer. There are acquaintances - and in saying that, I have no intention of demeaning or diminishing the value of or impact made by those acquaintances as our paths have crossed for this season in our lives. 

But those with whom the covenant of friendship is entered ~ that's going to take work, commitment  persistence, sacrifice and those are just the tip of the iceberg ~ 

~ to cultivate a friendship that endures for the long haul.

You wanna hop in and join the fun, don't you? Here's how to play (or check out the instructions directly @ Lisa Jo's: 

"...set your timer, clear your head, for five minutes of free writing without worrying about getting it right.

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.

2. Link back here and invite others to join in.

3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..."

Hope to see you've linked up!

The night Gammie and Gampy arrived ~

What was the first thing these girlies wanted to do (well... after hugs and Oreo cookies, of course)?

All five girls gathered around their grandfather's ipod... 

to watch their other grandfather's wedding...

one of those "costs" this life sometimes costs.

That first photo was with the flash.

These next ones are a lot more accurate representations of the actual moment -  

we've not had electricity more than we've had it most of the last two weeks?

Well, don't get me started on the frustrations of trying to prepare for final exams, grade final exams, wind up classes, figure grades, write reports...

...all by candlelight and all while the papers stick incessantly to my sweaty arms and hands.

I must say, the Oreo cookies did help, at least with attitudes!

And everyone was excited to see Grandpa Gene and Grandma Susan's wedding video.

After the video was over, we sat outside by the fire, enjoying the light breeze off the river, until it was time to head to bed.

That also helps save on candle usage... especially when we've been burning through a package a night. 

Just chalk that one up as free advice from a misso 

on how to survive long nights without electricity.

. G R A D U A T I O N . B A N Q U E T . 2 0 1 3 . (...shhhh... It's supposed to be a Wordless Wednesday post...)

8 kids, at least 10 carryons (probably more), 20 suitcases, 1 stroller and a pile of paperwork

...and if our oldest daughter gets her way, at least one czar-ish black cat.

I don't think that's gonna happen.

Hopefully I won't misplace the husband or the grandparents in all of the craziness.

...or the passports or the residence permits or the plane tickets.

Speaking of plane tickets, did you know we qualify for group rates when we travel (although it isn't always the best deal), we often...

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Join me over at Missionary Mom's Companion, where I posted yesterday- 

the last in a series of posts about preparing to transition our family 

from life here in Africa to life back in the States 

(at least for a season). 

I'd love for you to hop on in and join the conversation!

Non-missionaries welcome, too!

Encountering Jesus - Jesus speaks with the Jews in Charge

Today, let's look at more specifics 

from one of Jesus' first showdowns with the Jews in charge!

Painting: "The Pharisees," by Karl Schmidt-Rottluff, painted in 1912.

So, because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jewish leaders began to persecute him. In his defense Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.”  

For this reason they tried all the more to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God. 

Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed. For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it. Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him. Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life. Very truly I tell you, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man. Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned. By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me." 

“If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true. There is another who testifies in my favor, and I know that his testimony about me is true. You have sent to John and he has testified to the truth. Not that I accept human testimony; but I mention it that you may be saved. John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light. I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to finish—the very works that I am doing—testify that the Father has sent me. And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent. You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life. I do not accept glory from human beings, but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts. I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? But do not think I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, on whom your hopes are set. If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. But since you do not believe what he wrote, how are you going to believe what I say?” (John 5.16-47)

I taught this as a Bible study at our local church several years back. It was one of the more difficult studies I taught, mainly because I struggled preparing, which is not the norm. Preparation time is something I love... I enjoy the time with the Lord, the opportunity to really dig into His Word and the challenge of preparing to share with women from such a different world a lesson that already touched my heart. This week, that lesson, however, it was a struggle the whole way. Finally figuring out why was a light bulb moment: the Jesus encounter preceding it, with the lame man... and the Jesus encounter immediately following it, the feeding of 5000... are both event centered. This section of Scripture isn't. Jesus has a discussion with the "chief Jews." I wasn't sure how to teach that passage to illiterate women. A "story" is much easier to make concrete and memorable - so my original plans were simply to summarize and move on to that next concrete, more action-y story. God had other plans that week four years ago, because it became very obvious each time I tried to work on this Bible study that I was working only in my own strength, relying on my own "intellecutalism" and striving. And it wasn't coming together the way it should.

Once I gave up, returned to the second half of John 5 and Jesus' words to the Jews, I immediately sensed the Lord's presence helping me, clarifying things and giving me some ideas. I immediately discovered that the Lord had two lessons for me in all of this: 1) Trying to prepare to God's work in any other strength than His is pointless; and 2) I have a lot more in common with those chief Jews than I care to admit.

As I began to prepare on Friday afternoon, I read the following words: 

The purpose of the Bible is not just to convey a message but also to reflect an image. The images of the Bible are presented primarily through the lives of its characters. These images are not only to be hung on the wall like a portrait to show me what I should look like, but also like a mirror, to show me what I actually look like. If I do not see myself reflected in the bible, then its value to me is greatly diminished or lost entirely.... I need to take a closer [look] at the Pharisees [or the chief Jews in John 5] and at myself, but not to ridicule them and pat myself on the back. I think Jesus wanted there to be no mistake about His attitude toward external religiosity. Unfortunately, the Pharisees are often so scathingly caricatured that I cannot bring myself to see myself in them. If I see myself only in the noble or semi-noble characters of the Bible, perhaps I do not really see myself at all. the Spirit of God prevents me from being too harsh on the Pharisees for I am potentially more like them than anyone else in the entire Bible!" (Tom Hovestol, p. 12-13 of Extreme Righteousness, Seeing Ourselves in the Pharisees).

And just like that, the Lord gave me a way to approach this more abstract and difficult passage of Scripture.

I printed out the following image and took it to Bible study to show the ladies. It is a caricature of Tim and I, as well as a "portrait."

After several giggles (Go ahead... we do look pretty silly! *smile*), discussion centered on the difference between a caricature and a real picture or photo - focusing on which could be more like what we'd see in the mirror. Obviously, the mirror is more accurate. 

With that as the basis, it was easy to make the following conclusion clear and understandable. When I only take bits and pieces, no matter how prominent (or not) of the people I study in the Bible, I end up with a caricature. If I only compare myself to those bits and pieces, I will always end up looking better than that caricature. Thus, I need to see a real picture or portrait of the people I am studying so that when I look in the mirror of our Bibles, I can accurately compare and see where I am doing well, where I am making progress, and where I need to change.

Most familiar with descriptions of the Pharisees and chief Jews as:

self-righteous, 

legalists, 

judgmental, 

prideful, 

hypocrites 

(look up the translation of self-righteous in French - "pharasaïsme" is there), 

fools, 

"whitewashed tombs," and 

"brood of vipers." 

At the same time and according to Tom Hovestol (in the fore-mentioned book), taking a closer look at these men reveals that they were ALSO:

"trying to reclaim the identity of the Jews as the people of God's Word," (p. 26) 

they believed fervently in one God and one way, 

they advocated Biblical education, 

they fought against the Hellenic and sinful culture of their time, 

much of their doctrine was affirmed by Jesus, 

they wanted all aspects of their lives brought under the authority of God's Word, 

they strove to live, work and worship righteously and purely 

(holding tenaciously to traditional values in a world where lifestyles/norms were rapidly changing)

&many Pharisees were among the notable first Christians 

(Paul, for example). 

Whoa, wait up and hold on for just a minute. I want ALL those things to be true of me. The lesson of the Pharisees is that in my desire for that second list to be true, I often find myself falling into the pitfalls of the more commonly known characteristics listed first.

Ouch!

With this as the background, and knowing that I am to be an imitator of Christ, I need to look carefully at the things that Jesus said to the chief Jews in John 5.16-47, and come up with questions to ask myself, requiring that I look intently at the Biblical mirror and see what the Lord wants for me to see.

1. The Jews were angry with Jesus for breaking their Sabbath traditions - what are different ways that I can keep a day holy and set apart to the Lord, a rest from my regular routine so that my neighbors see the difference? Do I keep the Sabbath rest for selfish reasons, or for God's glory?
2. "...the Son can do nothing of Himself..." : Are there things I try to do of my own initiative, instead of being led by God?
3. Do I try and imitate God's manner when relating to others... truthfully, lovingly, mercifully, unself-servingly?
4. Am I transparent with my co-laborers and fellow ministers regarding my goals and plans?
5. When I "judge" others - their actions, motivations, etc., I steal honor from Christ; the Father himself limits himself and has given all judgment to the Son so that Jesus will be honored. Do I realize the gravity of what I an doing?
6. "I can do nothing on My own initiative." : Again, am I acting and ministering because it is something I've decided to do, and not because I've been directed by the Father?
7. Are my motives pure, seeking only God's will or is there a hidden agenda?
8. "You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life." : Do I search the Scriptures looking for revelations of Jesus... or am I searching looking for things I want to find, for reinforcement of my preconceived ideas?
9. Am I looking for pats on the back and accolades from men, or for God's pleasure in me?
10. And... any honest listener who professed to love, follow and obey God would have to be asking him/herself: Do I seek to have this same sort of relationship with God that this man Jesus has with the Father?

Cartoon by Dave Walker, www.cartoonchurch.com/content/cc/

Pointing the finger at the "Pharisees" and chief Jews is so easy - but maybe so much about this group was included in the Bible so that I could hold up a mirror and look at myself ~ and recognize my tendencies to substitute rules and religion for true relationship (after all, relationships get messy), and to warn me of the danger of placing any confidence in my capacity to be righteous and to earn God's favor, outside the power of God.

What do you think?

- edited post from 

the archives

this week's gratitude list

(#'s 3879 - 3904)

profitable yard sales

classes finished

on line classes almost finished

grad banquet coming up this week

fun dinner and nice conversation at the end of the year staff party

one surprise last weekend with some of our friends from the dorm

french toast, yogurt, apple sauce and mango crisp for a Sunday brunch

pizza parties for the Wrightlings

appreciating anew the luxury of a cool night's sleep - 
or at least the privilege of moving air

a mostly empty fridge coinciding with Nigelec's current rash power cuts

starting the final pack

Gammie and Gampy flew in last night!

Sahel's yearbooks arrived with the grandparents

still no chickenpox

people who've prayed for no chickenpox

tests finishing TODAY

grades completed and mostly in the computer

play dough cathedrals with their very own flying buttresses

hearing that my boy wasn't interested in joyriding around town in the middle of the night with his buddies - because right now especially, that seems a really poor choice... gives me some hope for decisions he'll make next year when he's off at school

anticipating hugging the necks of some dear friends, numbering the days

crazy big sty (actually a cluster of them) on my eye finally gone - no antibiotics needed!

emptying the cupboards

empty action packers

suitcases packed, weighed and stacked

tickets for the banquet sold, reservations made... all that's left is to dress up and enjoy the event with our boy

that things didn't get worse over the weekend

Ten most recent posts in this series: 

• When He asks for a drink...
• Jesus encounters just do that!
• The Capernaum Nobleman (I)
• Meeting Jesus Changes Parenting Priorities - The Capernaum Nobleman (II)
• An Amazing Afternoon Hanging out at the Pool
• When Jesus asks me, what is my response?
• "Arise..."
• "...take up thy bed and walk!"
• Jesus Encounter Take Two
• It's the beginning of a showdown!

Click here for all of the titles and their corresponding links in the Encountering Jesus series.

"...mercies in disguise"

"Blessings"

by Laura Story

We pray for blessings, we pray for peace 

Comfort for family, protection while we sleep

We pray for healing, for prosperity

We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering

And all the while, You hear each spoken need

Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

'Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops

What if Your healing comes through tears

What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near

What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom, Your voice to hear

We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near

We doubt your goodness, we doubt your love

As if every promise from Your word is not enough

And all the while, You hear each desperate plea

And long that we'd have faith to believe

'Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops

What if Your healing comes through tears

What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near

What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

When friends betray us

When darkness seems to win

We know that pain reminds this heart

That this is not,

This is not our home

It's not our home

'Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops

What if Your healing comes through tears

What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near

What if my greatest disappointments or the aching of this life

Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy

What if trials of this life

The rain, the storms, the hardest nights

Are your mercies in disguise

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I wonder when... 

if... 

this beautiful, convicting song will ever stop stepping on these toes of mine...

"That's all anybody with a disability wants. Don't sum up the person based on what you see, or what you don't understand; get to know them."

Mother's Day... a few weeks ago. I picked up a book that had been laying around for a few weeks. I'm not even sure why I checked it out of the library to begin with, but I'm so glad I did and I'm so glad I went ahead and read it.

The basics of this story by Wendelin Van Draanen? Jessica is a runner with a great future - until on the way home from a track meet, the school bus transporting the team is hit by an out of control vehicle. One gal dies. Jessica loses her leg due to the physical trauma she sustains. And her life massively changes. She's at first bitter and angry - but she has a supportive family, a great best friend, a couple of amazing new friends, her trusty old jogging partner... and she is determined.

What happens next is a lovely story of possibilities and potential - of persistent friends pushing and encouraging, of new perspectives and growing, of hard work, sore muscles grim determination and lots of perspiration, of perceiving beyond and deeper than how things simply look to understanding what really is... 

And (as you can read from the quote I used to title this post), it addresses profoundly, IMHO, issues of disability and handicap - about which I feel deeply.

In many ways, it is another better-than-normal-but-typical-teen-coming-of-age story - but when is one of those not beautiful and moving, especially since I've got so many of those "becoming" in my own house, at this very moment!