August 8, 2007

MEXICO TEAM: 17 college students, 4 families (2 with small kids)

What a great adventure we had. Sue did very well most days; she did have a few harder days when, towards the end of the week the weather got hot. Until then we were blessed with low 80's most days as a high. (Coolest part of the week was when I got a bucket of cold water dumped on me the last day!) Sue's very presence, had she done nothing else but be there, was such a rich blessing to the rest of us, especially the college women.

However, Sue contributed much more than her presence; her deep thinking and great heart for Missions spurred messages for Dana to deliver to the kids who came for Missions Camp (approx 65 kids ranging from 5-15...and they spent the night with us!!!!!!) as well as to the team itself. We had one large room that was decorated to display different religions: Hindu, Muslim, Unreligious, Buddhist, Tribal. Sue's creativity helped us as we draped fabric, hung maps and posters etc for this primary display. One touching moment in this room was when one of our team members found one of the youngest boys standing in front of the Hindu Map with his hand placed on it; with tears in her eyes she said she felt the Holy Spirit might indeed be raising him up as a Missionary for these people.

Personally, from my point of view it was a great week seeing my kids as well as my grandkids deep in ministry. I got to mix in with it all too...first three days I spent mornings shoveling sand into a dump truck for delivery to the Obstacle Course we constructed...didn't give me great biceps but did keep my tan going...also got to help decorating the above mentioned room and there were always times of opportunity to help out in the kitchen, one day in particular when there were several great needs.

One of the very best parts was hanging with the college youth, especially the women. Gene and I were college sponsors for many years when our kids were in school and this was a reminder of how special these young adults are. Also the other adult team members were mostly new to me and they were so much fun...a great blessing to be there.

Thanks for listening...back to CA in four days...that will be good.

Maxine

California Update

Wow...I'm not sure where to start; because there's so much to pray for I'm going to begin by telling you how God has blessed my heart before I tell you how needy I feel today.

The other morning while walking on the beach at low tide God gave me a beautiful word picture. I'd walked my 3 miles on the glistening, hard packed sand and was then walking the 1/2 block of deep, dry sand (maybe wallowing in it is a better description) to get to my car and thinking what a difference in the two.

And right then, God reminded me how alike the above was to walking in the Spirit..I don't tire, it's joyful, I feel like I could keep going forever, I'm not thinking of what's coming next;...versus walking in the flesh, without faith in Your provision for my day and for those I love...it's like walking in that deep sand...I tire easily, I'm more likely to stumble, I'm not too happy with what I'm doing.

And yes, I wrestle with the next thing...leaving it with Him. It's sorta' like Mesquite, our dog, who walks up to me with her ball to play...she wants to have it thrown so she can chase it, but she loves it so much she holds on to it and has a hard time letting it go long enough for me to toss it..Isn't it cool how God gives us such everyday things to relate to about Him and his watchcare over us.

Here are some things I'd love to have you pray for:

• Sue has been very weak...increased energy
  
• Karis and Nick have to finish off summer school work and begin work for next year at AG High (they're both taking AP classes that start them working a month before school starts)
• Appointment with Dr Harris on Thursday, one of the very best Lyme's docs
• Sue and I need to create a medical history since she got sick for that appt and the thought of it shuts her down because of all the emotional pain it brings to mind
• I think I'm struggling more with the emotional aspects here than the physical ones (mounds of laundry are much more welcome than seeing Sue so weak)
• Sue is feeling the weight of the kids needs for school (have I done enough for them)

I was so glad to be reminded in Psalms 121 and 124 this am that the Lord is on our side and our help is in the name of the Lord, Who made heaven and earth..that He will guard our going out and coming in and will protect us from all evil.

Thanks for listening,
Maxine

Good Morning!

I've been out picking raspberries with only a few scratches to show for when I had to reach deeply into the bush to make sure I got all those red, scrumptious berries. It took more time than I'd planned because when I first looked there didn't seem to be that much of a harvest. Instead of stopping after my first round of picking I decided to get down on my knees and see if there were more there, and, sure enough, there were. But I still didn't quit because as I picked I, of course, sampled and decided the effort was definitely worth it. Finally, as a final thought, I spotted a long , stout stick laying nearby (no doubt a left over from our recent grandkids visit) and picking it up, I started parting the bush using the stick to protect from the thorns and voila!...more berries.My perservering yielded me approximately 4 times the amount of berries that I had found on my first foray.

How like our adventures into God's Word. A quick glance through will surely give us something, however, some continued looking, re-reading, thinking through and looking again will give much deeper insights into what the Holy Spirit wants to teach our hearts. It does TAKE TIME, a commodity that seems in such short supply but the pay-off is so worth it.

Now an update on Sue. After a wonderful month's visit they're home again in CA. It was so good to have them here; Sue has wonderful connections with friends and family here and it encourages her greatly through the suffering she is walking through right now. And because she is walking though it God's way (no poor me or why me) she is a delight to be with, full of joy. She commented that one of the things God has taught her this year is you can live with great joy and great suffering at the same time. She's such a people person and her voice has taken a hit now too which makes communication difficult, yet she hangs in there because, as I told her, "relationship" not "Joan" is her middle name...and she does it so well.

She'll have a consultation with another Lymes doc July 19 in Redwood City so please pray for that and also, she would like to go with Dana and the kids to lead a Missions Team to Mexico. That will be difficult but she (and the entire family) have not let difficult change their lives.

Have a great week.

Maxine

TOPSAIL N.C.
Good Morning...as they say, it's a tough life but somebody's gotta' do it and so God is blessing our wonderful family, all 16 of us, with a wonderful week at the beach. The weather is great, a few showers here and there and even those accompanied by some gorgeous rainbows.

Yesterday's highlight was a Nertz Tournament organized by 8 year old Logan plus the annual Cousins's Birthday Party.

Also yesterday, Sue had an unusually hard day; it's good to have them here so everyone can be more tuned in than ever to her needs as we pray.

This morning I was reading in Ezra about the unity of the believers when they were ready to rebuild the temple and I was reminded of the unity of believers who have been praying for Sue and Dana and what a tremendous blessing that is.

Have a great week!

Maxine

Memorial Day Weekend

This first weekend home from CA has been a hazy, lazy weekend..hazy from East Coast humidity, lazy because I was and so glad to be back with my honey poking around the yard, looking at what's blooming in the garden (yum..berries are getting ripe), poppies are through blooming and we need rain for the dry grass and a good book to finish.

Best of all, remembering the sacrifices of our men and women over the years on behalf of their country; when you travel abroad another element of the blessings of this country is added.

We're looking forward to our annual week at the beach, this year ALL OF THE COUSINS will be there...yahoo!

While in CA I had one morning to walk on the beach; besides the great view and exercise there's always something to observe people, their pets, sea critters (sand crabs, sea gulls, pelicans, sand pipers.) This particular morning I watched as a black lab spotted an injured sea gull floating on the waves, unable to fly. The dog didn't actually go in for the final blow and kill it BUT he harassed it by continually barking at it, nipping close to it and overhwhelmingly intimidating the poor gull.

How like Satan's wiles on the Believer; he finds our vulnerability, and then works on us, snapping, chasing, intimidating, to cause fear and immobilize us.

Saw a great movie last night "Facing Giants"; done by a church in GA, with no paid actors; the GA Buldogs coach even has a bit part. It was challenging and amidst lots of high school football presented a great spiritual message/challenge.

Keep praying for energy for Sue for Thursday when they fly. Please pray too for Mark as he bikes 140 miles to the beach while we drive...and that our Ostby week at the beach will be the blessing it usually is.

Maxine

Happy Mothers Day

Belated, Yes! but it's gotta' be this way because I've committed to writing weekly and, had I really done so, I'd have written the day after instead of 2 weeks later. Speaking of Mothers Day I got a great card from one of my kids ... began with "Mom, I know I wasn't always the easiest kid to raise" and on opening the card there sat a 3 year old boy in a highchair with a glass of beer in one hand and a half smoked cigar in the other. I have another son who occasionally calls and wishes me a Happy Mothers Day on his birthday...sound thinking!

My Mothers Days are always great because I can reflect on the goodness of God to me through my kids. I'm here in CA with our kids now helping Dana and Sue get ready to come spend a month on the East Coast.

Sue's health hasn't changed a great deal, lots of challenges with energy, speech, mobility but still much joy in the Lord for all five. Some days are tougher than others, yesterday was one.

Pray for her energy level for the month of June especially as they travel. Also pray for an appt with a Lymes doc, Dr. Harris, who is tops in his field; Sue's current Lymes doc wants her to see him for a one time consultation and I'm having a hard time getting through for an appt. It's one of those places where you never get to talk to a real person. I'm willing to continue being persistent (you know that) but it would free more time for me if they'd just respond!

You moms (and dads) will relate here, one of the toughest things I face is seeing my kids suffer; yet as I was reading in 1st Samuel last week, Hannah made her petetion at the temple for a child and when she left she dried her tears and her face was no longer sad. A good reminder, I can weep with my kids but then if I truly leave them to the Lord, my countenance needs to reflect it.

Meanwhile, I was reminded of a song that a dear missionary, Hubert Mitchell, used to sing at our church:

"He giveth more grace when the burden grows greater,
To every affliction, He addeth His mercy
To multiplied trials, He multiplies peace."

That's one among many prayers I pray for these guys here; as our world is today, they are incredibly busy and I know you can all relate to that.

Thanks for hanging out with me for awhile; my flights were smooth coming and I return Saturday to get ready for our week at the beach.

Maxine

SPRING IN WASHINGTON D.C.

Yesterday I did a quick trip up to D.C. to meet my sister-in-law for lunch and with a few extra hours I re-visited a favorite spot. I'd worked behind the Senate office buildings where there are some beautiful little parks planted with dogwood and azaleas as only D.C. does...over and above.

Just as they were in previous springs it was a picture perfect stroll; a shower the night before had blown most of the petals from the dogwoods in two particular areas so the sidewalk was completely pink...lots of big puffy white clouds overhead and the azaleas in full bloom made it well worth the brisk hike up Capitol Hill. There's a carillon there too and walking around it reading the tributes to men of integrity, wisdom, compassion who had served in the two houses of congress I was convicted to spend my time returning through the Capitol grounds in prayer for those already serving and those who would be elected to serve in the coming elections.

As I continued my walk down Pennsylvania Avenue I was approached by a demonstrator who asked if she could hand me her literature proclaiming we "GET OUT OF GITMO". I told her absolutely not to which she replied "Oh, you're pro-torture"; "no," I said, "I'm pro-American"which earned me a snort of derision as she stomped away.

Well, it didn't ruin my walk but made me grateful for Who walks with me as I saw only anger and bitterness in her countenance and made me very thankful for the hope I have and the fact that Christ not only sees the big picture but, as Colossians says 'holds it all together'.

Sue is still tolerating the antibiotics well but there has been some concern with a possible infection at the source of the PICCLINE so please pray for that to clear up.

Thanks for tuning in.

M.