Labor day weekend has become almost a cherished relic within my family. Described as the four best days of the year, my family along with many friends from our church community travel to West Milton, Ohio for a weekend spent in drafty cabins or dormitories (or even better tents), eating food from Styrofoam plates in a cafeteria whose dinner bell falls down from time to time, playing any variety of sports across the campground, spending time with friends around a campfire or in the old snack bar, and of course meeting God within the "tabernacle" through the worship, prayer, and teaching.
My first attendance to LDFC (Labor Day Family Camp) was when I was two months old and aside from the dark year when my parents choose to attend their high school class reunions instead, I have been in attendance every year since. I have so many fond memories there. I remember being the energetic 5 year old running around with my face painted like a butterfly showing off the crafts I had made in class to any appeasing adult who would listen, I remember spending hours on the basketball court pretending to hold my own against Kent Knapp and then rushing off and changing into my dance outfit making it to the meeting just in time to dance with Debby and the dance team, volunteering in the cafeteria with my best friends, the many speakers who have molded my life through their teachings, the worship, the prayer times, the pranks.... I could go on and on and fill up this blog to the extent that no one would ever want to read it again. But as you can imagine it is challenging for me to realize that for the second time in my life I will not being spending this weekend there.
But it is hardly the end of the world missing LDFC and I find such comfort in knowing that God has brought me to be here in Belgium at this time for a purpose that is continuing to unfold. And my alternative to camp is far from shabby, I get to spend the weekend with the wonderful ladies I work and live with here and of course have the privilege of being Rebecca's "hands and feet". Although we have times such as LDFC that we look forward to with anticipation and look back on with fond memories, we can look forward to each day with the same anticipation because each new day is a new opportunity to know Father more deeply, and we can look back on each day fondly because it has been a day full of experiencing the abundant richness of God's character. When we "huddle" at the end of our day I like to close the day with thanksgiving and in anticipation of the potential the next day holds in knowing God and the richness of His character more.
"and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you maybe be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God" Ephesians 3:19
The amplified Bible says, "That you may really come to know-practically, through experience for yourselves-the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge; that you maybe be filled unto all the fullness of God-and may have the richest measure of the divine Presence and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself!"
May we look forward to each day with great anticipation of a day spent getting to know this love that surpasses all understanding!
Friday, August 31, 2012
Sunday, August 19, 2012
A tumble down the hill
As I write I am digging out dirt from beneath my finger nails, and not because my green thumb interests were suddenly awakened. What brought me to the flowerbed this morning was actually another scenario, it was to pull Rebecca out of the flower beds! Let me rewind....
Rebecca's morning routine always includes her quiet time with God which weather permitting is spent at the bottom of her garden with her Bible, cup of coffee, and slice of toast. As usual Rebecca began to drive her wheelchair down the garden path while I prepared her toast and coffee, once finished I began to follow her down enjoying the garden's morning splendor. Next thing I knew I was watching Rebecca in an effort to avoid the overgrown hydrangea branches drive off the path and topple over the incline into the magnolia bush and flower bed. There she was, face planted in the dirt with her wheelchair on its side and her body half twisted out of it. I can't clearly remember the next moments, it was one of those crisis moments when you go into auto-pilot mode. I know that after confirming that although a bit squished Rebecca was alive, breathing, and talking (all good things) I called for Paul who was with her instantly and then sprinted upstairs to awaken Annie and Naomi for their assistance. Later with half the magnolia bush trimmed away we were able to untangle Rebecca from the chair, bring the chair and Rebecca into a proper position and with the assistance of a neighbor and a sheet lift Rebecca back into her chair and return her to the safety of her bed. Through the entire crisis Paul and Rebecca remained extremely calm, I suppose they are pros when it comes to these types of scenarios.Rebecca's two biggest concerns while laying in the flowerbed (her head at this point in my lap rather than in the dirt) was not being able to have her quiet time and fear of having to return to the hospital. Her concerns towards a hospital visit were put to rest after the doctor visited an hour later confirming that nothing was broken and aside from some intense bruising and soreness Rebecca would be fine (but prayers for her body's recovering are appreciated). We are all amazed at God's protection in allowing Rebeccca to fall into the flowerbed rather than onto the other hard surfaces and protecting her body in a way so that not one bone was broken.
Recently one might describe Paul and Rebecca as Jack and Jill in reverse. Rebecca falls down the stairs and Paul comes running after her and almost 11 years later Rebecca falls out of her chair and literally down the hill and again Paul comes running after. Yet within each moment of crisis those around them hear them thanking the Lord for His goodness. This perspective is well expressed in Rebecca's book (which can be purchased on Amazon at this link Falling Into Grace-Rebecca Petrie) where she writes,
"God is always working for our good. He sees the higher good. In the crises as we look to Him and yield He will work. One, at this time is tempted to be angry and run from Him. But if we can turn to Him, into His arms and love, He will reveal Himself and work good in our lives. Looking back today, what a joy it is to see the goodness of God revealed in our lives"
So if we find ourselves in a crisis situation face down in the dirt unable to move or with things we don't like such as a sore and bruised body we can know that God is always working for our good. We all face realities in life we wouldn't chose and are forced into crises we cannot foresee, but within each situation we can choose to see God working for a higher good and see it as an opportunity to run towards Him.
Already I can see personally how what could have been a frightening experience turned into an incredilbe learning experience. Seeing the depth of Paul and Rebecca's faith and trust in God through the crisis gave me a greater desire to grow in faith and trust in my relationship with God so that when the next crisis arises I can act with confidence knowing that God is always working for our good. And so in another way God is showing and teaching me things here in a way I could never imagine, even through a tumble down the hill.
Rebecca's morning routine always includes her quiet time with God which weather permitting is spent at the bottom of her garden with her Bible, cup of coffee, and slice of toast. As usual Rebecca began to drive her wheelchair down the garden path while I prepared her toast and coffee, once finished I began to follow her down enjoying the garden's morning splendor. Next thing I knew I was watching Rebecca in an effort to avoid the overgrown hydrangea branches drive off the path and topple over the incline into the magnolia bush and flower bed. There she was, face planted in the dirt with her wheelchair on its side and her body half twisted out of it. I can't clearly remember the next moments, it was one of those crisis moments when you go into auto-pilot mode. I know that after confirming that although a bit squished Rebecca was alive, breathing, and talking (all good things) I called for Paul who was with her instantly and then sprinted upstairs to awaken Annie and Naomi for their assistance. Later with half the magnolia bush trimmed away we were able to untangle Rebecca from the chair, bring the chair and Rebecca into a proper position and with the assistance of a neighbor and a sheet lift Rebecca back into her chair and return her to the safety of her bed. Through the entire crisis Paul and Rebecca remained extremely calm, I suppose they are pros when it comes to these types of scenarios.Rebecca's two biggest concerns while laying in the flowerbed (her head at this point in my lap rather than in the dirt) was not being able to have her quiet time and fear of having to return to the hospital. Her concerns towards a hospital visit were put to rest after the doctor visited an hour later confirming that nothing was broken and aside from some intense bruising and soreness Rebecca would be fine (but prayers for her body's recovering are appreciated). We are all amazed at God's protection in allowing Rebeccca to fall into the flowerbed rather than onto the other hard surfaces and protecting her body in a way so that not one bone was broken.
Recently one might describe Paul and Rebecca as Jack and Jill in reverse. Rebecca falls down the stairs and Paul comes running after her and almost 11 years later Rebecca falls out of her chair and literally down the hill and again Paul comes running after. Yet within each moment of crisis those around them hear them thanking the Lord for His goodness. This perspective is well expressed in Rebecca's book (which can be purchased on Amazon at this link Falling Into Grace-Rebecca Petrie) where she writes,
"God is always working for our good. He sees the higher good. In the crises as we look to Him and yield He will work. One, at this time is tempted to be angry and run from Him. But if we can turn to Him, into His arms and love, He will reveal Himself and work good in our lives. Looking back today, what a joy it is to see the goodness of God revealed in our lives"
So if we find ourselves in a crisis situation face down in the dirt unable to move or with things we don't like such as a sore and bruised body we can know that God is always working for our good. We all face realities in life we wouldn't chose and are forced into crises we cannot foresee, but within each situation we can choose to see God working for a higher good and see it as an opportunity to run towards Him.
Already I can see personally how what could have been a frightening experience turned into an incredilbe learning experience. Seeing the depth of Paul and Rebecca's faith and trust in God through the crisis gave me a greater desire to grow in faith and trust in my relationship with God so that when the next crisis arises I can act with confidence knowing that God is always working for our good. And so in another way God is showing and teaching me things here in a way I could never imagine, even through a tumble down the hill.
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| The scene of the fall |
Friday, August 17, 2012
Off Day
Today is my off day which means I am exempt from any care-giving duties for the entire day. It is good to be able to refresh and get a change of pace, but I am always eager to get back to Rebecca the next day. Usually I prefer to use my off days to get out, hop on a train, and explore some part of Belgium. But last week I came down with a nasty cold that turned into a relentless cough (prayers appreciated) so by the time my off day rolled around I was ready for a day of absolutely nothing. I can't remember the last "nothing" day I have had before now, but I do remember almost coming to the the limit of my energy a few months ago.
It was the Tuesday of my last week of classes and I had just finished a day of international law and diplomacy classes and was heading into my 4 pm shift at the French restaurant I worked at. What I had expected to be a fairly standard quiet Tuesday evening shift turned into a server's nightmare. We were understaffed and I was the only server on duty, next thing I knew I was being stretched between a table of six in the tower room a table of nine in the chimney room and several other tables outside on the patio. I sprinted around the restaurant running glasses of Cabernet to one table, extra bread to another, attempting to calm down an irritated customer, and then sprinting back to carry out trays of food for the next table. It was complete chaos and I was running around like a chicken with its head cut off. That wild evening finally came to a close and as I pulled into my apartment God revealed to me how that night at work was not a far stretch from the chaos my life had become. Over the past year or even years my life had been a combination of a 100 meter dash and a juggling stunt. I sprinted between my jobs, classes, studying, Bible studies, family time, and church while somehow juggling in some time for friends and a few dating relationships as well. I am sure this frantic pace is familiar to many of you.
When I sat down with my Dad to discuss and pray over how I was going to choose to spend this next season he asked one question, "Anna, do you feel like you need this year to be one of rest?" My eyes instantly teared up as I realized that the pace of my life had squelched out an ability to be at peace, to hear Gods whispers, and to rest in Him. It wasn't that any of the things I did was wrong or even that my lifestyle was wrong, but I knew I needed a season of rest until I could learn to completely rest in God through the chaos. And that is exactly what I have been given here, a season of rest. Not that everyday is spent laying around doing nothing, but it is here that my soul can be at rest and I can hear God's whispers as I rest in Him. God knows exactly what we need for each season and skillfully coordinates our lives to receive what we need in each season. I am so thankful for this season and know that I can entrust my life to a God who knows better than I what I need in each season. I was overcome with gratitude as I walked through the garden today realizing that God prepares spacious places for us to delight in Him and His creation has He delights in us.
"My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him" Psalm 62:1
It was the Tuesday of my last week of classes and I had just finished a day of international law and diplomacy classes and was heading into my 4 pm shift at the French restaurant I worked at. What I had expected to be a fairly standard quiet Tuesday evening shift turned into a server's nightmare. We were understaffed and I was the only server on duty, next thing I knew I was being stretched between a table of six in the tower room a table of nine in the chimney room and several other tables outside on the patio. I sprinted around the restaurant running glasses of Cabernet to one table, extra bread to another, attempting to calm down an irritated customer, and then sprinting back to carry out trays of food for the next table. It was complete chaos and I was running around like a chicken with its head cut off. That wild evening finally came to a close and as I pulled into my apartment God revealed to me how that night at work was not a far stretch from the chaos my life had become. Over the past year or even years my life had been a combination of a 100 meter dash and a juggling stunt. I sprinted between my jobs, classes, studying, Bible studies, family time, and church while somehow juggling in some time for friends and a few dating relationships as well. I am sure this frantic pace is familiar to many of you.
When I sat down with my Dad to discuss and pray over how I was going to choose to spend this next season he asked one question, "Anna, do you feel like you need this year to be one of rest?" My eyes instantly teared up as I realized that the pace of my life had squelched out an ability to be at peace, to hear Gods whispers, and to rest in Him. It wasn't that any of the things I did was wrong or even that my lifestyle was wrong, but I knew I needed a season of rest until I could learn to completely rest in God through the chaos. And that is exactly what I have been given here, a season of rest. Not that everyday is spent laying around doing nothing, but it is here that my soul can be at rest and I can hear God's whispers as I rest in Him. God knows exactly what we need for each season and skillfully coordinates our lives to receive what we need in each season. I am so thankful for this season and know that I can entrust my life to a God who knows better than I what I need in each season. I was overcome with gratitude as I walked through the garden today realizing that God prepares spacious places for us to delight in Him and His creation has He delights in us.
"My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him" Psalm 62:1
Monday, August 6, 2012
Huddle
"Have you ever noticed how 'huddle' is like a combination of 'hug' and 'cuddle?'" commented Naomi.
One of the many highlights of returning here has been getting to know and work with my co-caregiver and Canadian friend Naomi. Our parents who are long time friends, were so tickled to learn that their daughters would be here together and it has been wonderful to share so many precious moments together. We were able to take a day off together last week and travel to Brugge where we enjoyed a day of exploring the quaint city and eating frites (fries) and waffles while people watching in the city square. It has certainly been a delight to share so many memories here.
Some of my favorite memories have come from our time spent preparing Rebecca for bed. Some nights we get quite hyper and poor Rebecca has to put up with our silliness, but she often chooses to join in :) Regardless of the mood of the bedtime routine we end every night with prayer. We have begun to call it our huddle. With Rebecca settled in the middle Naomi and I position ourselves on either side and both place our hands on hers and begin to pray. In a way it does resemble a huddle by both the traditional and Naomi definitions. We have all of our hands together like a football huddle while also being in a half hug/half cuddle position. These are precious moments as we pause to thank God for our day, release our concerns to Him, and cover the household with prayer for the night and the next day. There is so much peace found in ending the day in precious conversation with our Father.
We continued our Bible study in Ephesians diving into the richness of Ephesians 2. "But God, being rich in mercy, because of his great love...made us alive in Christ. And raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus". Rebecca explained that it was not enough to God to just rescue us from death making us alive in Christ, but that He wanted us to be with him, to sit with him in the heavenly realms, because He wants to be with us. And for Jesus it wasn't enough to him to just die for our sins but that if He is to sit at Fathers' right hand He didn't want to be there without us, without you or without me. We get to be in the huddle with Him and He wants us to be in the huddle with Him. So every evening as we "huddle" before breaking at the end of our days I reflect on the incomprehensible reality that the God of the universe wants me to be in the huddle with Him "in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable richness of his grace" (Ephesians 2:7). How truly blessed I am to be able to look towards each day with the anticipation of being shown the richness of God's grace for today, tomorrow and the ages to come.
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| Naomi and I on our visit to Brugge |
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| In Brugge, Belgium |
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