Saturday, October 8, 2011

My Favorite Things

'Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things'

Hmmmm.... What are some of my favorite things?

Towering thunderheads and lightning
Vivid sunsets, rainbows and spring flowers
Rain on a tin roof (in Guatemala)
Colorado -Majestic peaks, aspens in the wind, mountain streams, and the smell of pine trees and campfires
Walks around Lake Zorinsky and the Wabash Trace
Summer art fairs and concerts
Saturdays
Heart to heart chats with friends
Fun times with family
Orange, red and yellow leaves in October and crunchy leaves in November
Christmas- shopping malls, wrapped presents, tree and light displays, pageants and carols
Sitting next to a sunny window in winter
Snow days (yes, teachers love them too!) 
Canadian geese flying north and melting snow
Bald eagles and pelicans on Lake Manawa in early spring
Teachable, 'Aha' moments
Children's giggles and unconditional love
Starbuck's iced teas, Zio's chicken pesto pizza, chewy chocolate chip cookies
Music that touches the spirit- Misty Edwards, Rita Springer, Julie Meyers, Kathy Troccoli
Impromptu weekend road trips.
Hot air balloon night glows
Thinking about Heaven
Jesus!



What are your favorite things?

A Step Back Into Time



I went to a tractor parade a few weeks ago.  It was an hour of watching old green, yellow, orange and red and some really old brown tractors mosey by. Now, I know that they all have names but I have to admit that I am not a tractor connoisseur.  This is an annual celebration at the Carsten Centennial Farm in Shelby, Iowa.  My dad sets up his tool display in the barn, my uncles drive tractors and old cars in the parade, and my cousins and nieces join me in getting lost in the corn maze.  


It's a blast from the past- a welcome step back into a time that is no more.  A time that seemed slower and simpler in many ways.  A time without locked doors and security checks.  A time when stores were closed on Sundays, farmers stopped their work in the fields and spent the day going to church in the morning and visiting friends in the afternoon.  We left our phone attached to our kitchen wall and didn't have a clue who called when we were gone.  The only texting we did was with paper, pens, envelopes and stamps.

 Pies and cookies came out of an oven not a package and milk came straight from the cow.  Eggs were nabbed from the chickens' nests and you only hoped that a rooster wasn't there to protest.  We walked beans, detassled corn, made hay, and sowed oats (not the wild kind). 





Here's what I think, 'Back then, life was hard but simple.  Today it's easy but complicated.'  I'm not sure which I would prefer.  It would be hard for me to give up email, my cell phone or Ipod. I would never be on time without the microwave or my hair dryer. 

However, for one day a year, it's wonderful to leave the complications behind, slow down to a tractor's putt and enjoy the simple things of life- sitting with dad in the tool barn, eating homemade ice cream made by the church ladies, trying to keep up with my nieces in the corn maze, catching up with friends and family, and yes- even watching old green, yellow, orange and red tractors mosey by.


Saturday, August 27, 2011

Three Year Old Teachers

I went to Guatemala the end of July for ten days with the hopes of helping as needed at the Home for Life in San Andres.  The days were full and purposeful; however, I felt that I received much more than I gave from three three-year olds.  Venancio, Luisito, and Hermalinda were my teachers for a week. They are teachers that I will never forget.


Venancio

Venancio taught me joy.  He jumps head first into each day determined to live it to the fullest.  Venancio  loves life amid difficulties.  He had a painful hernia when I was with him at the Home of Life; however, it didn't stop Venancio from enjoying each day.  He didn't let adverse circumstances rob him of his joy.   

Lord, thank you for my three- year old teacher, Venancio.  Bless him and continue to fill his life with abundant joy.  Lord, too often I have let circumstances rob the joy you have given me.  Forgive me, Lord.  Like Venancio, I want to freely receive your joy and jump head first into each day that you give me. 
 
Luisito

Luisito taught me about being a warrior.  He always had a stick in his hand ready to take care of whatever was in his way.  The stick in Luisito's hand seemed to get bigger and bigger as the week progressed.  One day he layed the stick down while he was coloring at the table.  When it started to rain, Luisito raced over to his stick, wrapped both hands around it and started beating the ground.  There was no doubt in his mind that he could stop the rain with that big stick.  Luisito lives with determination and courage; quick to pick up his weapons (sticks) and fight the enemy (rain).

Lord, thank you for my three-year old teacher, Luisito. What great plans you must have for his life!  May he continue to grow in your strength and courage.  May he be a mighty warrior in Your army.
In the past few years I haven't wanted to fight the enemy.  Luisito reminded me that we are in a battle and we are warriors.  You give me all that I need to stand strong.  I'll put on my armor, carry the big stick to advance Your Kingdom.


Hermalinda

Hermalinda taught me about receiving the Father's Love. In a few short weeks of her arrival at the Home she transformed from a scared, withdrawn little girl to a vibrant, irresistable three year old.  She has a heart melting smile that innocently lures others to pick her up and love her.  Life gave Hermalinda reason to withdraw from loving hands and hearts.  She had to leave her family to receive the nutrition she needed.  When she arrived at the Home, she didn't know Spanish and couldn't communicate.  However, Hermalinda was quick to trust and receive the love of others. I saw an amazing and beautiful transformation in a little girl who was brave enough to open her heart and receive love.

Father, Hermalinda is such a beautiful flower in your garden.  May she grow and continue to bloom. Send many gardeners in her life to nourish, care for, and love her.  Protect her from the weeds and thorns of life that would want to bring her harm. 

Thank you for bringing my three-year old teacher, Hermalinda into my life.  She gives me inspiration to open my heart to trust and receive your abundant love and the love of others.