Assurance of Resurrection

Another funeral. Another graveside service. Our teacher from our early days at Cono died on Saturday, Miss Dorothy Thompson. My sister most adequately described her; I can't add anything to what she said. Today I was able to attend her graveside service. She was buried here in Council Bluffs, so it was an easy drive. After days of subzero temperatures, today was clear and in the 30's. We could really enjoy the worship time there. I told our friend, Andrew, that it felt like a graveside service for Dad since that day was so cold and sleety. We sang two hymns, read Psalms and heard a short talk reminding us of the blessing of eternal life. It is good to be reminded that this isn't all there is, that death is ended, that we will go some place infinitely better when these tired bodies are laid in the grave. "Higher up and further in." as C.S.Lewis says in The Last Battle.

It was good to be reminded of all this after being immersed in the current political campaign. Life can be a burden, but the reminder of eternal life puts things back into perspective.

I'm reading about Huckabee now. From Hope to Higher Ground. It's been good. But I feel overwhelmed by America's problems and the need for change and HOPE. More in another blog!

Read biographies

I decided to learn about these presidential candidates during this election period by reading their books, their autobiographies or some kind of story about them. We gave Will Dreams From My Father for Christmas. Barack Obama wrote it before he decided to run for president and before the popular Audacity of Hope. It helps to see where he came from. (as well as refutes emails circulating the Internet). Another Christmas we gave him Faith of My Fathers about John McCain. (I guess we thought he'd like these political figures. You can tell what year it was by the books we gave!) So we'll have to get ahold of some about the other two candidates. If I can find books written before they started becoming political it seems there would be less spin. Is there a good book about Hillary?
I am reading the Obama book now. It has been really interesting. I'm only up to the part where he started working at organizing the African-American community in Chicago. He wrote in one part about this sermon that his pastor Rev. Wright preached called, "The Audacity of Hope". (I guess that where he pinched the book title!) It was inspired by a painting of a woman in rags playing a harp with only one string while famine and war raged around her. He describes the service, what the preacher said and how the people responded.

The desire to let go, the desire to escape, the desire to give oneself up to a God that could somehow put a floor on despair.
And in that single note-hope!- I heard something else; at the foot of that cross, inside the thousands of churches across the city, I imagined the stories of ordinary black people merging with the stories of David and Goliath, Moses and Pharaoh...stories of survival and freedom, and hope.
"Thank you Jesus..You brought me from a mighty long way" (the choir sang)
"'Oh, Jesus, ' I heard the woman beside me whisper softly. 'Thank you for carrying us this far.'"

The human heart cries out for hope. I think we as Christians need to open our eyes to a world in despair that is aching for hope. Hope to make it to the next payday. Hope to make it home from Iraq. Hope to get through college. Hope for a happy marriage. I think we need to be out there with the message of hope for a lost and hopeless, helpless world. Instead of mocking a message of hope, we need to give hope in Christ. You'll say Obama's hope in groundless, but people still hear him saying "hope" for jobs, for unity, for peace and we need to take up that cry and make it possible. Am I living in hope? The opposite is despair, and we see that all around. How can I offer hope to those around me?

Primaries and caucuses

This has been the year, hasn't it? Our family spends a lot of time talking about politics, for the good or bad. I think we've always been a talking family. So this lengthy primary season has kept the political talk most interesting and exciting. Barak Obama was here in Omaha last Thursday. What excitement! The queue started early and went for blocks. I though I'd go downtown just to get in on this historical occasion, but I hate crowds. Enthusiasm ran high. The mayor even "changed" the city's name to "Obamaha"! *smile* The excitement showed on Saturday when Obama fever swept the caucuses across the state. In our county he won 75%! I guess he didn't need us to switch parties to keep Hillary from getting it.

Seems like every Tuesday and nearly every weekend there's been some tight race. We've been glued to CNN and Fox, switching back and forth between channels to hear who is saying what. I think everyone loves a contest. It's keeping things interesting. Also, knowing that my children are so involved, I keep in touch for their sake.

But I just can't get excited about McCain. How did the Republicans end up with him? It's like Bob Dole all over again. Ho hum. He doesn't spark enthusiasm. He brings all those old dried up guys on stage like Warner of Virginia. "same old, same old" Every election year I guess some party has a boring candidate. Did the Democrats really get excited about Kerry? I don't think so.

It's assuring to know that it is God who raises up "kings" and brings them down. We would never have dreamed this scenario a year ago, that Hillary would be struggling, that Obama would be streaking for the finish; that McCain even would be in it or Huckabee winning states. I mean, it's all so remarkable. Who knows, only God knows what the end will be!

Today I read about the trial and Crucifixion of Christ. These crowds were so easily swayed. One guy probably started yelling one thing, and they all took up the cry. "His blood be on us and on our children." What a horrible thing to say! Did they realize what they were saying? Why bring it on their children, too? A few short years later, Jerusalem no longer existed. What's my point? God's hand was in that crowd, too, for Christ had to be crucified. It was part of the eternal plan. His sovereignty moved the crowd to cry "Crucify" and His sovereignty brought judgement.

I pray that God will give us wisdom to do His will in this season of our country's history.

What's going on?

My fan base is going to dwindle if I don't get on here and post some new blogs. I have been working a lot lately, as you can tell. The only thing about subbing for the local public school is that most of the time the calls don't come in until about 7am!!! Then it's a big scramble to get ready and rush out the door. I do appreciate the pay though. Last week I had two calls like that, both on the snowiest days of the week. This week, though, I got the second call just before 6am. I heard Andrew walk down the back steps to the garage and then the phone rang. It's early, but at least I can get a good quiet time in without rushing about. Today, at last, no phone calls. I woke up hoarse and coughing, so it's a nice break to sit and catch up on the news and write. I have a stack of books, too, but I think I'd better catch up on house work and laundry.

On Monday Andrew met with the friends from whom he wants to buy a house. Sounds like it may work out. He has to make a counter offer and look around for good loans. He has thought things out quite thoroughly. Den keeps saying how much he likes having Andrew around. Of course I like having him around, too. He sort of tempers my erratic personality! Yeah, our kids grow up and leave, and we miss them. That's life....

He Shaved!

Den thought he was beginning to look like an old homeless man, so thought he'd shave off the years! Do you think it worked? When we were first engaged/married, my sisters were still at home. When he would get a haircut, they'd tell him he looked like a little boy, so the moustache helped him to look grown up! Of course being in the military, he couldn't have the beard. Then last year he thought he'd try the goatee thing. He did look like a professor, but by this stage in the game, it was aging him in a way he didn't want!
However, after this experience, and Andrew's and my reaction (yes, reaction, not response!) he's growing it back. Of course it will take him twice as long as it would Will!!!

God's providences and my mom

Friends ask me how my mom is doing so I thought I would post her last email to the family. God is so faithful in caring for her. She is a wonderful, thoughtful lady and it all comes back to her in wonderful ways. I thought my readers (who aren't my sisters and have read all this already) would enjoy hearing her testimony to God's love and care for her.

I thought that this would be a good day to bake bread, made some real good stuff,using the onion potato water. I boil potatoes just to get that potato water for bread. I was just about done baking when our neighbor across the street , Anne, called and said she was coming over with some supper, she had to walk thru that deep snow, well I said I will have something for you too. She had made a beef and veggie pastie and a Danish, long flat cookie with raspberry jelly on it , rich and good. I gave her a small loaf of bread I had put parmesan cheese on it when I rolled it out, also two nice big hamburger sized buns.

Then an hour or so later there was someone at the back door , the neighbor across the other street, Wisconsin St. the Dad and his two boys with shovels, to shovel out the drive, I told them to knock at the door when they got done I would have something for them. I gave them the long loaf of bread with some of my jelly. Now if I had not made bread I wouldn't of had some thing fresh to give them. Our steps are ordered by the Lord.

So I love to write

You can tell that I don't have enough to do, right? Depends on what you call "to do". I suppose I have plenty. BTW, the appliances are fixed.

I was talking to one of my sisters the other evening about writing. I find this sister very interesting and one that is warm, encouraging and always has good stuff to say, but she doesn't like to write! I wish she would. (Now if I was still her teacher, I could make her! *smile*) We're all different, even if we are related. I find the writing of my sister that does blog most stimulating. She uses great words and expressions. She can make things in writing sound just like they do if she's saying them! I'm not as creative as she, but I do love to write.

In my "spare" time I was perusing the blog I've titled "John Piper's blog" it's really a bunch of people's blogs under the title, "Desiring God". I found Noel Piper's blog about writing and thought I'd link it. She gives several suggestions, many that I have used, too.

So if you're hesitant about writing but think you might like to try it, check out her suggestions. We all love to talk, so why not just say it with our fingers on a keyboard. I feel like I can communicate even without leaving my house.