Saturday's Scribbles

Good Saturday to you from our corner of Iowa where Spring is playing hide and seek with the Upper Midwest. Rain, snow, wind, and more wind arrived Thursday.  Today it is supposed to rain with serious accumulating snow forecast for tomorrow!  It is mid April and we are in a winter storm watch......What?

Thursday Joel decided to ride, even with very blustery winds.  As he bundled up and got his bike ready, we suddenly had snow.  Swirling blizzard like snow!  It was brief enough he could wait and try again just a few minutes later.  The sun would be shining one minute and the next it would be snowing!  Strange.  He did manage 10 miles in 36 degree weather with winds steady at 22 mph and gusting to who knows what.  Cabin fever had him ignoring the elements and heading out into the weather!

This has been another shelter in place week.  We did venture out for my eye injection and I wrote about that on Wednesday.  I had to use a bandanna and rubber bands for a mask!  Otherwise, we stay within the four (or more) walls of our house or 4 corners of our yard except for walks and bike rides in our association.   We have started cleaning and purging one room at a time.  The office was first ~~ one down and 8 rooms to go!  Joel is thrilled about it.......(grin)   It is nice to have clean curtains and ceiling fans, etc.  We are trying not to gain the "15 quarantine" pounds I have read about on Facebook,  I wonder how many people are eating more........or drinking more?  We don't drink alcohol, but we do eat!

This past Monday Joel was drilling something in the garage and was distracted, forgetting to clamp down the object he was drilling.  The object moved and the drill slipped and ripped into his thumb.  He lost a chunk  of the meaty part of his thumb!  It bled a good 18 hours and then began to heal.  No stitches needed since a wide patch of thumb is just plain gone.  And no way he was going to an ER or Urgent Care at this time!  That was enough drama for the two of us!

Speaking of drama, our world continues to be so unsettled as the Covid-19 virus continues to ravage our country.  I often find myself whispering, "Lord have mercy"......There is a bit of hope rising from the ashes and we hang on to that knowing what happens on the east and west coasts eventually comes to the center of the country.  The good and the bad.  We continue to shelter in place with social distancing the name of the game.  And here we are in the midst of it all, attempting to focus on Holy Week.  Holy Week and Easter are a wonderful time to reflect and renew.  We have continued to watch church livestream but last night chose TBN's Chris Tomlin worship with pastor Max Lucado.  It was a blessing for us both.

Of course I have been thinking back on when our home was filled with kids.  Easter weekend was always a very busy time.  On Saturday everyone's clothes had to be ready for Sunday and with raising up to 8 kids, that took time.  Then there were the eggs to get boiled and decorate.  With so many of us, we boiled several dozen to dip and dye, using wax color crayons to write and draw on them the names of those we loved and cared about. We also baked and decorated an Easter Bunny cake and prepared for our traditional Cure 81 Ham dinner ( I am from the hometown of Hormel!) which always meant a spiced cherry sauce topping and a few other special dishes.   Of course once the kids went to bed the Easter Bunny would always ask for our help to fill and hide the baskets for our household. They would be filled with candy, gum, eggs, and books.  In the middle of this Joel was busy getting through Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter services.  Sometimes for three churches, a couple of times for two  and a few for just one.  It just depended on where he was serving. Yes, Easter was a very busy time.......of course that has changed over the years.  The kids grew up, left home, created families and traditions of their own.  We are used to being alone for most holidays now, but this year is unusual to say the least.  We try to remember, it is not forever, but just for now We are blessed to be able to worship from home!  Celebrating together through technology that Christ has risen! 

On this unusual Easter weekend, we look back on so many places we have worshiped with family, friends, parishners in Illinois, New Mexico, Utah, Montana, The Philippines, several places in Minnesota, and now Iowa.  Tomorrow Easter churches may be empty, but Easter celebrations continue.  We pray your Easter is filled with the joy of knowing Jesus!  Oh worship the King!!!

Sunday's Coming!

I woke up about three this morning with this thought popping into my head. "It's Good Friday.....but Sunday is coming!" Every time I woke up after that the same thought would present itself.  I think God was trying to get my attention.

 Of course it is not Good Friday yet, but in some ways we have been living in a season of Good Friday now for quite some time.  Darkness, despair, suffering, death....our TV's, newspapers, and phones are filled with it and even though stories of hope are presented to us to try to balance some of the reality brought into our lives through the Covid-19 crisis, it cannot be avoided.  Our world is a mess. It looks bleak when we focus on it all.  But just like when Jesus died on the cross......it was not the end.  Sunday was coming!  And Sunday will be coming again for all of us concerning this pandemic, too.

Yesterday I headed out for the first time in three weeks to get the eye injection required for me to keep the vision in my left eye.  The doctor comes to our city every Monday and Tuesday to take care of patients in north Iowa.  They usually see an average of 80 each day!  My first appointment was set for 2:50 pm, but on Monday they changed it to 12 noon when there would be few patients.  Then I received a call yesterday morning asking me if I could come in at 11 am instead because they had a free slot.  When Joel and I went into the Retina section of the clinic we were the only people their besides the staff.  No one was scheduled for that time before lunch so they wanted us to come in to protect me from possible exposure.  Can you believe it?  How nice of them!  I am sure they did this for others too.  What a blessing!  It was surreal to be in that big clinic and not see anyone but staff in scrubs and masks.  We were in and out of there quickly and home within an hour.  Today it really stood out for me that in a season of Good Friday days was a Sunday is Coming moment!  We saw the sun peaking through the clouds....the SON Himself was made known in the grace and kindness of a staff that was concerned and caring.

We all have our "Sunday is Coming" moments we can think on and share with others.  Moments where we see the light at the end of the tunnel.  Moments when we know deep within this too shall pass and we will see Sunday come!  Moments when the goodness inside of all of us comes forth and shines a beacon in the darkness and uncertainty of our lives.

In the midst of Holy Week, we focus on our Lord Jesus and His journey to the cross.  We remember His death and the tremendous suffering He endured to save us all from death and destruction.  In this dark time, we hold close to us what we already know to be true.....Sunday is coming!!!!  Sunday is coming. 

When we wake each morning we are faced with the new reality that our world is shaken to its very core.   It can feel as dark, hopeless, or endless as Good Friday, but we are all called to stand firm and hold on to the hope that Sunday is coming!  Sunday is coming!

Saturday's Scribbles

Good Saturday to you from our corner of Iowa where winter returned on Friday after temperatures hit 65 degrees on Thursday!  What a roller coaster ride.  We had ice and then snow on Friday, with a high of 36 degrees that kept dropping throughout the day.  This "April Fool's" weather should not stick around too long as temperatures rally next week!

Speaking of roller coaster rides, it seems to be where we all find ourselves as this drama called life continues to unfold with the coronavirus.  For days I would wait for the news conferences to be held, both at the White House and in our state, but I soon realized it is not just words I can rely on, but the actions taken.  It is difficult to fathom an end to this as the daily accounts of infections and deaths and the staggering job losses rise.  It all continues to shock our systems, doesn't it.  What I take hope in is seeing that states are turning somewhat to each other for help and support, just like people are.  Not everyone is hoarding toilet paper or disinfectants or pointing a finger at each other.  Many people are making homemade masks for friends and families besides medical personal to wear long before the CDC decided it would be helpful.  People are stepping up to the plate to do what they can to help others.  States are sharing ventilators, etc.  One way we, in the general population, can help each other is to stay home when we can and social distance when we go out.

Speaking of going out, last Saturday we took my laptop to a neighboring town so Joel's colleague and friend could check out why it was acting so very weird.  It was in a state of rebellion and we needed help with it.  Joel set it on the front deck and he and his friend S. talked a bit from a safe distance.  S. spent precious time fixing my laptop and came back with it Sunday afternoon, once again setting it on our front porch.  We chatted with him through our big glass storm/summer door.  Joel wiped down the laptop with alcohol swabs and we let it sit for a day before I used it.  In this day of not touching things or people it is amazing to realize how much we do use the sense of touch!

Monday we decided Joel needed to grocery shop.  He went early to one store and then went to Target because we had my two prescriptions to pick up.  He was amazed at how some people did not respect the social distancing need.  He wore gloves and when he came home he put everything on the long counter in our garage.  From there he wiped down and disinfected things for the freezer and fridge, leaving the rest of the items in the garage for 5 days before wiping them down and placing them in the cupboards or on shelves.  It is definitely a lot more work to grocery shop now!   ** If you noticed I am not touching anything outside the house that is not disinfected......it is my hubby's rule!

Another example of social distancing?  Joel got a second flat tire on his recumbent bike!  He called is bike store in a neighboring town and asked if they had one, which they did.  This was a blessing in itself as he wanted a specific tire that would be stronger at holding up against sharp rocks, etc.  The owner of the shop asked if he was okay meeting outside and Joel told him he preferred it.  So he came out with the tire, wearing gloves, and he changed the tire for Joel from a distance of 6 feet.  Joel wore gloves bringing it and taking it home where he wiped it down.  We were so grateful it could be fixed so easily!  Biking has become Joel's getting out "go to"....making sure he social distances of course.

Thought I would share a little update for those who have asked me how I am doing.  I am doing well. As far as chemo effects, I still struggle with some neuropathy, but less than before.  My nails are still brittle and toe nails painful at times, but again less than before.  My hair is coming in good everywhere but the top of my head!  And it is curly~ unruly is how I describe it.  With radiation effects what is most obvious is the pain I feel in bones/ribs when I try to lay on my right side and some tightness in my skin.  The aromatase inhibitor I am on has its own fun side effects.  Mainly for me stomach pain at times and a boat load of muscle and joint pain and stiffness, some headaches and dizziness at times.  We are truly grateful I am tolerating it  as it is vital for keeping the cancer from returning.  I am walking 15-20 minutes a day, cooking, cleaning, and have little horizontal time anymore during the day!  So, thank you for your asking, for your continued prayers and for your encouragement.  In this current climate we are grateful for each day in too many ways to express.

My older sister who raised me for several years of my childhood will be 87 the end of this month.  Her daughter Janelle brought her a beautiful plant to enjoy, delivered from her favorite nursery.  Love this picture of her!  She has had many health issues the past couple of years and due to the coronavirus has not left her apt for weeks.  Now someone in her building for Seniors has the virus so she definitely is staying inside and not venturing out into hallways, etc.  There are so many elderly in her position.  We are praying for her and so many others to avoid this terrible sickness!

My mom would have been 110 this week and we have a granddaughter turning 17 today!  I am so glad my mom was not hear for all this craziness.  And pray our granddaughter G. will be stronger at the end of it!

Today Joel and I will be trimming each other's hair.  I have cut his hair for years and years, and he used to cut mine when I had Lyme Disease.  I need a bit of a trim only because it is so much longer on the sides and back than on top where it is slow growing.  Just one more way to adjust to social distancing and our decision to shelter at home.

Speaking of sheltering at home, does anyone else forget what day it is?  With no appointments, no places to be, I sometimes have to think..........hmmmm what day is it??

How are you spending your time?  We still watch quite a bit of TV, are reading a non-fiction book out loud together that makes us laugh, playing cribbage and scrabble, cooking together,  and the chairs are now on the front porch for "porch time".  Joel and I have been sorting and purging the office (which is mainly his 40 plus years of ministry and financial paperwork).  We both like to write and read and I have been doing chair yoga and he does weight training.  There is a puzzle on the dining room table waiting for us, too.  Of course we have been talking on the phone more to keep in touch with friends and family.  We would love to hear how you are keeping busy if you are sheltering at home!

Enjoy your weekend!

What is Our Job Right Now?

When our children were young Joel would tell them that being in school and doing the best that they could at the time was their "job".  They went to school to "work" on getting an education.  We all had our jobs to do and their job was going to school.

In the way my mind works, what Joel told our young kids came to mind when I thought about what is happening all around us.  Obviously, our world has changed, and each governor has issued instructions for their states to follow to attempt to stop this virus from infecting and killing large numbers of people, thus overwhelming our medical communities.  Most people are compliant with what they are being told but others, for reasons beyond my understanding, choose not to comply.

So I have been asking, "What is our job right now?"  How do we do our part from the confines of our home where we have chosen to stay?  My response to my own questions is, "Our main job right now is to take this seriously.  Stay home when we can.  Self-isolate.  Act like the virus is in us or all around us and stay a safe distance from others.  We live less than an hour from Minnesota, here in northern Iowa.  Minnesota has issued a stay at home, shelter in place order, only going out for essentials.  Our governor is not putting any stay at home policy in place as she feels Iowans are smart enough to do on their own.  One of only a few states who have NOT requested residents stay safe and shelter in their homes.

Our job right now is to make good choices for ourselves, protecting ourselves and others in the process.  God gave us faith to stand on, and He also gave us wisdom.  We need both right now as a nation, so we are following the Minnesota guidelines and have been sheltering in place for 15 days.  Recently, the scientists have given us some pretty gruesome data to digest, and it affirms our decision to shelter in place.  Most people we know are doing so if they can.

Those of us staying home and not on the frontlines, feel helpless when it comes to "doing something" to help.  Of course our first line of defense is to pray.  It is vital to reach out to God at this time and pray for others.  Some still have to go to work, our two sons are on that list.  Our medical workers, first responders, etc. are doing all they can to serve and save lives.   Others are shopping and checking in on their elderly or health compromised neighbors.  There are many who are making homemade masks to deliver to hospitals and nursing homes at their requests.  Social media is lit up with people sharing their musical abilities online, and there are many church services and Bible studies available on your phone or laptop.  There are more cute and funny videos out there to make us smile and laugh at than ever before.  Laughter is good medicine.   People want to do something to help and connect as we live in cocoons, practicing social distancing and self isolation.

So, as I reflect on what Joel told our kids decades ago, I am applying it to myself, to all of us. It may not be what we want to do right now........but may I suggest that social distancing and self isolating is our job.  And doing our job cuts down on the risk and the work loads our medical people, police and first responders have to do.  Staying strong in our faith is our job right now. Remembering and touching base with those we love and care about is our  job right now.  You may have other things to add to your job list.

As each of us "do our jobs right now", doing the best we can in the process, we lift you in prayer.  Prayers for our family, friends, loved ones, our neighborhood, our community, our city, our state, our country, our world.  We will get through this.

Saturday's Scribbles

Good Saturday morning to you from Iowa where the skies are releasing a Spring rain that helps everything turn from drab brown to several shade of green.  The weather forecasters are actually saying that 4 letter word again....s.n.o.w.  I am choosing to believe it will not happen.  Nope.  Spring is here to stay.

This morning Joel and I went for a drive, since neither of us have been out and about our fair city.  I do get out for walks and Joel now has 130 miles on his bike.  It felt good to go for a drive, but the streets were mostly empty except for dog walkers.  So strange.  We stopped at a place in the park that has a locomotive on display that is surrounded by a high fence.  My thoughts............this is the only kind of traveling we will be doing for a long time!  On a train to nowhere............

Selfie of us with a bit of the train and fence in the background

Speaking of biking, yesterday Joel got a flat tire on his way home.  He walked the bike past our neighbors who were outside.  Since this whole family are competitive bikers, Joel asked S. if he would check out his bike and see what the tire needed.  S. asked Joel if he had jumper cables he could borrow because their cute VW 1979 convertible would not start.  We had them so Joel took them down and told them to keep them since he never uses them.  Meanwhile S. actually drove to the bike store, bought a new tube and put it on the bike!  No cost.  So nice!!!  His kind gesture is at the top of our gratitude list.  Along with the Facebook message I received from another neighbor K. who wanted us to know that if we needed anything they were willing to help us.  She sent her phone number we certainly tucked it away for future use.  Another kind gesture we are grateful for!  Last night a friend who is from a former congregation and has done a lot of work on our house for us called and wanted to know how we were doing and see if we needed anything.  Yet again, another gesture of kindness!  So grateful.

As I said, Joel is getting in quite a bit of biking and we walk 1/2 mile outside for my exercise when we can.  Otherwise I walk around our main level 15-20 times since one time around takes a minutes. We do what we can, right?!  Last time we were walking a woman came with her dog and I quietly said to Joel, "Ok, what we do now because we will be right next to each other".  Soon after that she moved off the path and self distanced from us til we passed.  It is the right thing for all of us to do.

So how are we filling our days besides biking, cooking, and walking?  We cleaned the whole house in two days and thought, okay, now what?  Ha.....I'm still trying to talk Joel into purging and cleaning closets!   (giggle)  Joel is editing his book again and adding another chapter.  I am writing here and reading a fiction book.....and attempting "chair Yoga" from a site an old friend sent me.  Also talking more on the phone.  Joel and his colleague group got together via Zoom this week.  It was not the same as being together face to face of course, but they had a good chat for a couple of hours.  I know some of my siblings are face-timing and using Zoom to connect with their kids and grandkids.  Isn't technology great?!!!

Joel will venture out into the world on Monday to grocery shop for us, hoping to pick up what is now getting to be a long list, but realizing some things will not be on the shelves.  I will need medications filled so he will head out to Target after getting an early early start at HyVee.  We have done well executing a plan to shop every two weeks but we run out of bananas and that is something we like to eat every single day.  Sacrifices are being made.....ha......but we still have blueberries!  Really, just grateful we are able to put food in the fridge and freezer with no worries of how to pay for it.

As our world continues to unravel, it is more important than ever to reach out to others we love and care about.  Today as we went for our drive we went by my sister and brother-in-law's house.  I called her to tell her we were driving by and we honked and waved at each other....she from her living room window and us from the car window.  It brought tears to my eyes, yet I am grateful I could see her face and connect from a distance. 

As the numbers rise our praises can rise too.  Worshiping God and giving thanks for each and every blessing.  One of my blessings is to connect with friends and family here.  Enjoy your weekend!
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Do You Have A Need To Feed?

This morning as I was quietly meditating, Jesus came up to me in my mind and held my hand.  He said to me, "I've got a hold of you."  He then took His finger and made the sign of the cross between my eyebrows and on the bridge of my nose, saying, "Fear not."  I told Him I do not feel His presence with me lately and He responded with a question for me....."What are you welcoming into your home?"  I knew exactly where He was going....

I won't go into detail again, but since I was a young child circumstances kept me feeling unsafe so being safe became mighty important to me. To the extreme.   I also wrestled with the need to stay alert and informed because information is knowledge and I believed that knowledge kept me safe.  It is not completely faulty thinking but God has to stay in the middle of the equation.

So, here we are in a pandemic that is at this time turning our world, our corner of the world upside down.   Like many of you, I have had a hard time staying away from the news.......on TV especially, but also on Facebook where every scroll down the page is filled with headlines.  Granted there are many things that are positive and helpful too, but my eyes were drawn to what was written in the bold print.  And lets not forget those daily press conferences on TV that are filled with mixed messages.  As the numbers of cases and deaths rise it is hard to stay calm. I try to balance it out with remembering and focusing on our Lord and His Word and HIS promises, but often anxiety is sneaky, and becomes my unwelcome companion.

I confess I have not been doing a very good job of keeping the balance I spoke of.  Today Jesus let me know.  And when Jesus asks you, "What are you welcoming into your home?" I know I better pay attention.  He knows me so well.  He knows my inbuilt need to be safe, to be informed, to be alert......and He knows how poorly my body responds to stress after the past 18 months.   In His infinite love and patience He let me know fear is not my friend.  He reminded me to keep my home a place of peace and healing.   He truly knows us all well, and wants what is best for us.

Recently I heard one pastor talk about a difficult circumstance in His life and how he asked the Heavens, "Do the three of you (the Trinity) get together to discuss things up there?"  The present pandemic feels a little like that doesn't it?!  Do you see what is going on here Papa, Jesus, Holy?  Are the Three of you having a conversation about this?

With no room for theological discussion, I will insert here that in no way, shape, or form do we believe God caused this to punish His creation.  Nope.  Jesus came and redeemed our sins.  He suffered and died for us.  He IS the new covenant.

Today a long time friend called and shared some news that is turning their world upside down in the midst of this already topsy-turvey universe.  She shared a quote that she is holding on to.  "God feeds our faith and starves our fears.  When we turn to the One, our Papa God gives us a Peace that is not like any other.  His Word feeds our faith and His peace starves our fears.

Before God spoke to me, I was "limiting" myself to news 3x a day because things were changing so quickly.  And then there was Facebook.........and............and.............  Don't get me wrong, we need to have some understanding of what is going on in our world, but to be awash with the latest and the worst is going to take a toll on all of us.  For many of us, our need to feed ourselves Co-Vid 19 information will cause us harm if we let it.  Somehow friends we have to find a balance in this topsy-turvy world. Jesus reminded me of this.  We all need to make a decision to let God feed our faith and starve our fears.   That will look different for each of us.  People are stepping up and reaching out.  Just look at things people have placed on social media will make us laugh, smile, and encourage us to respond with hope.  Let us feed our souls.  Jesus is waiting to do that for us as our Friend, Protector, Encourager, Healer, Savior.   Shalom, friends.  Shalom.