Should old acquaintance be forgot?

Sometimes I miss people when I am sad. Sometimes I miss people when I am happy....this is one of those times.

For 8 months I have been working on the Fred Smith, Sr. Leadership Symposium at Dallas Baptist University. It seemed unreal at the beginning --- just an idea. Oftentimes, I would leave a campus meeting and marvel ---"this is really real --- this is really going to happen." The pieces came together so well.

Now, I am two days away and we are nearly there. This afternoon the speakers start arriving.

But, this morning in the quiet time I love so much I want to share the good news and I automatically think of two people: Dad and Dave Nelson. But neither has an earthly address. Dad went to heaven in 2007 and Dave in May of 2009. Both understood the "Chatty Cathy" side of my personality when I am excited and bubbling over with my stories. Both knew when and how to respond ----I miss them both.

Dave was like a younger brother who encouraged, cheered, and supported me in my business pursuits. He always knew I could do it. Even though 15 years younger, he had great wisdom. I wish he were here for his beautiful wife and 3 children. I wish he were here to share their stories and excited tales of success.

"Rejoice with those who rejoice." Sometimes that is much harder than the "Weep with those who weep" part of the verse. I am thankful for parents, friends, and family who love me in manic mode!

Breathing Celestial Air

"Just think of stepping on shore and finding it heaven..." So starts the poem. Those words have been adapted to a song frequently used in funerals. My friend, Jerry Johnson, and I had a deal ---- if I went first he would sing that for my service and if he left first, I would play It Is Well. I got to play before he got to sing.....much sadness.

This afternoon, those words came back to me as I heard my sweet friend, Kaye, left her physical pain behind and took in deep breaths of celestial air. I don't know what that means --- I don't know where heaven is, but I do know she is with God.....the Father God she loved so very much. Each time we talked, she smiled and quietly said, "We have a GOOD Father!"

Right now I don't want to picture her playing golf, running merrily, or even singing. I want to see her whole and sitting with the Father she so loved. My heart hurts right now because I won't see her again. My heart hurts because the last time I kissed her bald head, I somehow knew it was the last time.

But, I knew she knew I loved her. I knew she knew what a mark she left on my life. That is good.

Her husband is a man who will miss this precious one, but he will find comfort in the hope of eternity. We can create charts and memorize time lines, but when death comes, all that takes a back seat to the hope that our Hope is real. We have literally put our lives into the Hands we cannot see, but believe.

Goodbye, Kaye. Thank you for sharing your life with me and letting me get a better glimpse of this GOOD Father you loved so much. "See you in the morning, Kaye." There is a brighter day coming when all the saints in Christ will rise. You will soar past me singing the Ohio State fight song! Go Scarlet and Gray!

Knock, Knock

Sorry --- no pic for this one. Carole's pic with Peter will have to do for awhile.
When I young, I loved "knock, knock" jokes. They were so obvious, but they tickled me every time. "Knock, Knock" ---- "Who's there?" "Sam and Janet" "Sam and Janet who?" "Sam an Janet Evening."
Frequently, my friend Daryl includes "Some Enchanted Evening" in his repertoire when he concertizes (isn't that a great word?) I smile to myself as I begin the introduction, secretly saying, "Knock, knock....."
"I hear you knocking, but you can't come in" was a line from a rock and roll song from my far away past.
"Knock and the door will open to you."
All different forms of knocking.
Sunday when I will speak, I will probably have knocking knees.
But, today, the Lord used a friend named Janet who gently said, "Knock, knock" and opened my heart's door. She simply asked questions and waited. She listened and told me who was there....it was Jesus.
I love Sam an Janet Evening, but I am deeply grateful for friends named Janet who listen and make faith real.
When you prepare a talk on hope, it is easy to suffer the pangs of hopelessness. Friends in Jesus point to the real answer.

He Touched Me

On Wednesdays I go to C. C. Young Retirement Center. Such a simple sentence, but oh --- what deep emotions support it.
Yesterday was one of life's highlights.
I asked Bob and Delores to pray for me as I prepared to deliver the Sunday message at my church on Baptist Women's Day. He took the opportunity to teach the women about anointing and laying on of hands. At the conclusion, he asked me to sit in a chair and invited the women (age 84-99) to come around me and put their hands on me.
I looked into the face of a woman who is nearly 100 and was overcome with her expression. I saw my Mom in her face ----
Several prayed, several told me they loved me, several wanted to hug.....WOW!
No matter what happens on Sunday morning, I know I have been blessed by these precious ones.
To end the time, Bob Fenn took anointing oil and made the sign of the cross on my forehead. Ironically, it was Ash Wednesday. For this Baptist "girl" (that's what you get to be when you are 65 in that group!) it was a strange sensation. But all day, the oil remained on my face and I knew what Bob's touch meant. He was being Jesus to me!
"Pray for one another" ---- another simple sentence, but one filled with meaning and emotion. I hope the Lord never lets me forget those hands in mine, on my shoulders, back, and head. I hope He never lets me forget His touch of grace, mercy, and love.

Wash My Feet, Too!

Who is that lady with Jesus and Peter? Why, that's my friend Candy (oops, she is now Carole!) She is in Dallas for awhile looking for the leading of the Lord. That may sound a bit over-spiritual, but that is exactly what she is doing.
She hopped around with me on my Ministry Wednesday and one stop was Dallas Theological Seminary.
We moved to the center of the campus and stood by the Preach The Word admonition firmly planted in the ground....then we stepped over to the emotional statue seen here. As she embraced Peter, it seemed shocking at first. But then, in looking at the pic, I realize Peter looks like he is gaining strength from her caress.
I seem to hear "Jesus loves you, this I know....."playing all around. Doesn't it make you want to put your feet into the bowl and beg, "Me, too, Jesus.....me, too. Wash my feet, please, and make me ready for your service."
What more perfect place for Candy to declare her commitment to Him?
My feet so often feel soiled by the world's dust ---- how desperately I need the Master's touch.

Snow Day

Sometimes it is wonderful just to look at a picture in silence. Here is my house in the 30 year snow storm. Funny, but I figured it out and I won't be alive probably for the next one. Glad I enjoyed this time!

Aerobic Telephoning

Millie Cooper, of the Cooper Aerobic Center, spoke last week about fitness. Dad used to talk about grabbing his donuts, parking his car on Willow Lane outside the Cooper Center, and happily munching away while watching the people run the track. I don't know if he ever did that, but it is a funny image. She spoke passionately about the need for life change and good habits. OOOH ---I felt convicted.

So, where is the exercise in my world? The swimming pool is closed until Memorial Day (and my abdomen is way too poochy for public exposure) and the weather is a bit nippy for walking (when you live far from a Mall you have a better excuse for avoiding winter walking).

My friend, Gerry, has the answer: CALL BRENDA ON HER LAND LINE AND WATCH HER RUN! As you can see from the pic, I have a perfectly good telephone. It only has one fault ---it rings at will (its will) and spasmodically. "How can it take you 10 rings to answer the phone?" "It only rang twice and I raced across the house to answer it," was my irenic (one of Dad's favorite words) response. "Do you only have one phone?" "Yes." "Have you ever thought of putting them in other rooms?" "No." Then, it dawned on me. This wasn't just poor thinking ---- this was brilliant strategy. I don't have an ill-working, misplaced phone ---- I HAVE AN AEROBIC SYSTEM! For when I don't get to the land line, he will invariably call me on my cell which is always at the other end of the house, so I run madly to the kitchen just in time to pivot masterfully and head for the TV room, or office, or ....... wherever the cell happened to land. This irritating little piece of equipment is now an irreplaceable tool in the war on flabbiness. Get a new phone? Nah ---- the exercise is making me lean (and definitely mean).

Hello, Barbara

Last Saturday morning I packed the car (again) and headed for Dallas. My daughter, Heather, was chair of the women's luncheon at her church. Each year the ladies transform the gym into a room full of laughter, good food, and much love. Heather began her remarks by commenting on the absence of Barbara Crandell --- the original "mother" of this luncheon idea. It started with 20 people and has grown to nearly 170.
Barbara is currently staying with her daughter after a stroke and time at a rehab facility.
"Okay, I am going to take three pictures to get the entire room in. Smile and wave to Barbara!" We did as we were told and Heather captured the group sending much love to our friend.
Do you ever feel like God is waving at you? Or at least his angels? I often speak of God hugs, but sometimes it is like a wave ---- a "Hey, there --- I see you in the race and I know you need to know I am here."
The Bible speaks of the great cloud of witnesses that cheers us on. I kinda like thinking they are doing the heavenly wave as they watch me. There are many days when a cheer is needed, aren't there? And there are many days when we need to be the cheerleader for the rest of the team. So, today ---- considered yourself waved to! Keep on going.