man, that first step is a doozy

we have taken the first step in this new journey and it was a big one.  the fog rolled in and the path is completely obscured.  but we walk in faith.

the day after i arrived in PA, my father in law passed away.  we are moving here to be close to our in-laws and to other family, so this was a big shock.  we are confident that this is God's plan for us and that this is His timing.  He is the giver of life and the only one who knows the number of our days.  Life is in His hands.  So we give Clayton back to  him and rejoice in the knowledge that we will see him again one day on the streets of gold. 

but in the meantime, we struggle with sadness and grief.  the fog threatens to overcome us.  we are distracted and confused.  we are human.  yet we know that our family needs us in this hour and we are thankful to be among loved ones and offering love and support.  Deryck and the girls will arrive on Saturday and we will be together for the funeral and some family time. 

thank you all for your love and prayers.  we are sustained by your prayers and lifted up.

Ringing in the New Year

2011 is a year of new beginnings for our family.

A new job for mom, a job hunt for dad, a relocation to a new city, a daughter who will graduate and go off to college, an empty nest for mom & dad, hopefully a new house.

One of the early challenges will be finding a new church where we can feel at home and also plug into ministry using our gifts.  A church of just the right size and one that is Bible based.

I'm excited about being close to a major city and all the arts, culture and recreation available.  Walking and biking along the Schuylkill.  Climbing the Rocky steps on a warm day. Visiting Germantown and its historic homes. Someone suggested The Barnes House.  I hope to go see the cherry blossoms in D.C., something I've always wanted to do.  Go to the Smithsonian.  Maybe go to NYC for a day to visit museums.

For those of you we haven't yet had a chance to connect with personally, you may wish to know more of the story ... we have been wanting to be closer to family in order to spend more time with them.  As the end of one stage of life approached [kids at home], we began to explore opportunities.  I found a job rather quickly at Eastern University, just 15 minutes from family.  I'll be starting in January.  Gen will stay in GA until she graduates mid-May.  Deryck will stay until then or until he finds a job in PA, whichever comes sooner.

We are sad to be leaving AIM.  It's a great ministry and our time there has been wonderful.  Our boss wrote a nice tribute to us on his blog yesterday.  Our lives have been enriched by our association with the great people at AIM.  Deryck will continue on part time there until he makes the move.

Ringing in the New Year from Rhode Island this year ... started off with a sunset drive along the ocean, a nice dinner, a movie marathon, some games, and a midnight drive down to look at the harbor.  Heading for a New Year's Day Brunch and then perhaps a walk.

Happy New Year!

Two Roads Diverged in a Wood

'and I, I took the one less traveled
and that has made all the difference'

Our family is beginning a season of transition. It's exciting and scary all at the same time.  We are following God in this journey called life and faithfully taking the next step... 

... which leads to Philadelphia.

Beginning in January, I will be working at Eastern University.  I'm excited about a new job, a new city, and the chance to be closer to family. 

This new chapter in life will be hard and yet I think that God has good things in store for all of us.

Saying goodbye to AIM and my wonderful friends there makes me feel a bit sad.  It is a great ministry and I will miss it.

But I look forward to what is around the bend in 2011.

Happy New Year to all!

Autumn

My daughter posted this on Facebook recently:  "Everything about today hinted at fall. The woodsmoke smell, the crisp cool air, the few scattered leaves on the ground, the rustling of wind in trees and the taste of hair blown into my mouth. Each lingers teasingly in my sensory memory."

Autumn is beginning to reach Georgia now.  The sky is so blue.  As I sat under the shadow of some pine trees today I was struck by the beautiful contrast between the deep evergreen and the azure sky and also by the gift of the senses that God gave us.  As I enjoyed the feel of the breeze in the cool air, I smelled that distinctive smell of sap from the trees and enjoyed the intricate variety of God's creation.  

The ability to form pictures from words is a gift given to some, but enjoyed by many.

Stop and Smell the Roses

This could be a philosophy of life, but today I just want to talk more about the particular smell of a particular place.  On my bike today I stopped to look at all the boats moored in the bay and noticed the smell of honeysuckle, beach roses [rosa rugosa], salt water, and seaweed on the rocks.  I think even the sand of this island has its own distinctive smell.  The trees themselves smell familiar.  Each house has its own fragrance.

So often in life we don't take time to notice our surroundings, let alone the smells.  God gave so many sensory clues to remind us to "Be Here Now", to live in the moment.  I'm currently reading Love at Last Sight which is about building stronger relationships.  In it I am confronted with my habit of only half listening as my daughter talks to me.  I need to slow down, stop and focus on what she is saying, look her in the eyes.  When I look at her she knows how much I value her and love her.

On my way home I saw something completely random; there was a man fishing in the field beside the elementary school.  A peaceful spot, but the bay was teeming with fish just 1/2 mile away.  I suppose he was practicing his casting, or perhaps trying out some new rods.

Places: Lighthouses, Small Towns, Farm Stands

"People need to know where their place is, and lighthouses acknowledge a sense of place that resonates in a real primal way." said Jennifer Radcliff, president of the Michigan Lighthouse Fund in an interview for the New York Times.  There is something about place that pulls us. 

Yesterday I walked down to the bay and visited a small organic farm stand before walking back through town.  How I miss that small town experience where the gal at the farm stand called my mother by name and chatted with all her customers.  Last night at a fund raising dinner, my dad knew many of the donors and guests.  Today watching a boat race, he could identify various boats and their owners.  Mom has cousins here, dad spent his summers here growing up; everyone knows everyone else.  Yet, they are open and friendly. 

There is only one blinking traffic light in this whole town.  Yesterday I went for a bike ride and enjoyed the warm sun even as I struggled to peddle into the wind.  There is a familiar smell when I return to this town and so many memories associated with being here.  The views and fresh air are invigorating.  The sun sparkling on the water, the breeze rustling the trees and picking up to create white caps.  I feel alive in this place.

Worldview

Del Tackett says, "Our personal worldview is the total set of truth claims that we have bought, consciously or subconsciously, which drive our emotions and what we think and so in unguarded moments - reflecting what we believe to be really real."  We all have a set of ideas about life and the world in general, but many of us hardly give it any thought.  We take for granted so many things: consumerism, the sunrise, life itself. 

Our worldview affects the decisions we make and how we choose to live.  Our worldview can be passed on to our children, and I feel we should be intentional about this, thinking through our beliefs and helping our children to understand our point of view.