Even In Death There Is Hope

May has been a difficult month in 2012.

As reported in earlier posts, my sister, Helen, passed on May 5; I know she is free from pain and suffering in the arms of the Lord.

Simultaneously my son’s wife exited their marriage without so much of a second thought or courtesy word of intent to him or us. She left for a two day visit with her family and never came back. I believe there was a manipulated agenda to leave permanently. In retrospect I can see why. There was so much immaturity and naiveté in her life and influence from uneducated sources. I know it takes two but these things overpowered all reconciliatory possibilities. My son is doing well in spite of it all. His “eyes” are opened to a lot of marital issues that led to this parting.

The work environment is still unsettled with loss of employees and lack of replacements. I am just thankful to have a job that satisfies some of my calling.

However, through it all I put my trust in God. New doors of ministry have opened. I will be serving as a ministry coach for seven Journey Groups in addition to being Point Leader with my wife on First Impressions Team. My wife will also be coaching a group. We will be a support system for these groups to be their counsel and encouragers. We are excited about the opportunity to serve in this new capacity.

I am thankful for the grace of God that fills my being more and more as understanding is opened to me. Liberation from men’s traditions and rules is awesome. The righteousness of Christ has been imputed to me! I want this gospel of grace be shown to all who I encounter in life’s journey.

At the family’s request I am in the process of preparing a prayer and few spoken words to give at my sister memorial service. This is no easy task but I know it is necessary. I do not want to be flippant about her living 82 years and it had become her time to leave earth.

To be brief but honoring is my challenge. I must rely upon the Holy Spirit to lead me in my preparation and listen to His advice. She gave value to lives she was able to touch. She was Nanny to so many.

I always want my dialogue to flow in thought and content. Words are not the only expression that comes from the depth of my being. Tears flow as well. I can remember so many instances of goodness that flowed from her. She was a refreshing fountain of provision in many times of my needs.

I pray for guidance and receptiveness of those who hear at the time.

Tribute to My Sister

My family and I said goodbye for a season to my fantastic sister, Helen, on May 5, 2012 at 12:37 a.m. It was bittersweet. She was weary of the weakness of her flesh. We all knew the end was near and she really wanted to see Jesus face to face and said so unreservedly.  I tear up and my heart feels a vacancy as I try to write this tribute which can never tell it all.

She was my second Mom and a grandmother to Micah. Her kindnesses extended beyond family. Many lives were influenced by her love and care. She gave of herself and her substance. She was not afraid of work even when she battled health issues of her heart and lungs.

She was 16 years my senior and according to family accounts, spoiled me. There were the frequent shopping trips to buy me Levis and other clothes from the Boys Store in downtown Visalia after her payday. As an infant I was placed in a banana box at the cashier stand for the market she worked in.

I was very upset as a preteen when she and Lawrence picked up and moved to Santa Cruz. She always treated me as an equal with her own kids. When Mom and Dad were in financial hard times, every payday she would put a check in the mail special delivery to help with expenses when her own family probably could have used the money too.

When I joined the Air Force she was a bit upset that my enlistment date was on her birthday. I remember a humongous box of chocolate chip cookies while in basic and was able to share with the whole flight.  We had to eat them because I had no place to keep them.

In 1973 when our Mom died, Dad and I went to live with her and Lawrence and just became part of their family unit until I married. She had a daycare in the home and worked tirelessly with the babies and toddlers in her care, often usurping the law by having too many children in her care at one time. But she could handle it with a matronly strength that amazes me. After all she was Nanny! With all that responsibility she still took care of Dad and I, preparing meals and doing laundry. I do remember that she made sure my dinner was expedited on church nights so I wouldn’t miss, though she never went.

We would often joke about her naiveté on certain matters. But she never got seriously offended that I can remember. She would get all giddy and embarrassed like a school girl in some of those discussions.

When I got married she wasn’t too sure I knew what I was doing. She was my protective Momma at that time; but through time she had come to warmly and lovingly accept Carolyn as a sister-in-law. In the last few years Carolyn would clip her fingernails and toenails and give her a foot massage. The fact is that a couple of days before she passed she asked Carolyn to clip her fingernails which she did.

Baking and cooking were a big part of her passion. The best of cookies, pies and candies, especially at holiday times were spread on tables and kitchen counters. In her house you were not allowed to go hungry.

The book of Proverbs  31:28-29 says,

Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:  "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." NIV

I would add that her entire family and friends do likewise.

Helen leaves an awesome heritage:  children, grandchildren, great grandchildren. In her final days she prayed for all of them faithfully. Her mobility was limited by the broken bones but her spirit was strong to the end.

Sis, there is no words to describe how we loved you so. We are all happy you are at rest in heaven, free from pain. We miss you here but my plans are to be reunited in God’s time and plan. Please show the angels how to make chocolate chip cookies and we will have a party upon my arrival

Update

A lot has happened since my last blog posting.

A major event was eye surgery for cataracts on my right eye. I entered into the decision to have the surgery with a little trepidation but yet a confidence that I could handle it. Much to my amazement it was the peace of God that made it so easy to go through with it. My vision is so much clearer in the right eye that I can hardly wait for the left to be done. Through the process I owe my wife a debt of gratitude for her willingness to nurse me with the required eye-drops that seem unending.

We also allowed our Journey Group to expire with only a few meetings because of my surgery and low enrollment. Now I have been extended the opportunity to become a coach for four to five of the other group leaders. 

I have also made myself available to teach any of the classes the church is offering for training. These include Discovery and Starting Point classes.

Work has become challenging. A co-worker has left under stress and stressed-out the agency and the remaining employees. My workload is greatly increased, at least temporarily. Funding of our programs is greatly reduced and vacancy replacement is questionable at this time.

This past weekend I did help my son, Micah build a work table. I think it turned out pretty good. A little bit of drama resulted but I believe it to be resolved.

And so much for recent events that I recall . . .