Our hotel,

 

Have to have my feet in

 

Marriage

In light of the fact that my computer refuses to let me upload pictures lately and because looking at the eclipse in the middle of the night (what a magnificant sky!)has brought to my mind so much joy and I can't quite go back to sleep, my mind has turned to the high concept of the sacrament of marriage. My friend and our mission center pres says that every sacrament is an act of repentance. In other words, a turning from one way of life to another. In the case of marriage it is turning from focusing on living mostly for myself to deciding to live for the sake of someone else. For example, choosing to sacrifice my wants and desires each day, to considering what is best for my spouse too. Of course, there are many who choose not to make that covenant in a marriage ceremony and some do quite well. But I like the ceremony because, like other sacraments, it is an outward sign of an inward commitment. The ceremony itself is a time of community. It is a time, when those who come can enter, if they choose, into covenant, also. For the sake of the couple and the community, those who come (and those who don't but commit in spite of their inability to attend) can make a commitment also, to support and uphold the couple in their new covenant. It is true, I think, that a couple would find it very hard to remain together without the help of community. When the couple is struggling, the community can either say, "Oh, well, it's not that important anyway. Find someone else who is easier, cuter, whatever." or they can say, "You made a commitment. Stick to it. In fact, we will help you if we can. We think your relationship is important."(or some such words) Or, without words we can just make an inward commitment to support and uplift marriages. One lady we knew years ago continues to send a card to us every anniversary.
And the couple can commit to the good of the community as well. In the sacrament they can say, "We not only commit to our own union, but to the union that is for the good of you, as a community. Our covenant will strengthen the community and we want to do that." Very early in our marriage we heard a man speak of marriage. He said the purpose of marriage is to glorify God. Of course, that is the purpose of all of life so that made such sense to me. It took me out of myself and let me see that if I made more effort in my marriage God would be glorified through it and the community would be enriched. I have not always done that but it is a good goal.
When you've just been looking into a beautiful night sky, you can believe all things are possible.

 

 

 
 
 
 

Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee

Strict Jews avoided th4e city of Tiberias because it was built on a graveyard.
But after the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D.70 many religious Jews settled there. It was where the Mishna, the oral Jewish tradition was completed about 200AD. It was where vowels were added to the Hebrew text. But to Terry and I it was where we first saw the Sea of Galilee. Our hotel room overlooked the Sea. To wake up in the morning to the sun rising over the place where so many of Jesus's life stories took place. It seemed to us, a place of peace. It was smaller than I had imagined. You could see the other side so easily so that many of the stories made sense. The picture where Terry is standing in front of a sculpture of the Sea shows the shape of it. There were young people fishing and kayaking near the edge. We walked there and I had to put my feet in it. Right next to the hotel were the remains of an old church.
As we looked across the Sea we were able to see our first glimpse of the Golan Heights where the Jordanians fought the Israelies. It is a crucial point in defending Israel. It seems like everywhere we went there was a mixture of peaceful stories with violent ones. I treasured that time on the Sea of Galilee. It seemed to me that the time there must have been a time of preparation, training of disciples, time alone with God, really, a peaceful time in many ways.

 
 
 

Arab/Israeli/Arab/Israeli/Arab/Israeli...

The guides pointed out to us the communities along the way. If they had minarets they were Arab communities. If not, they were Jewish. Every community was distinguishable in this way. Ami (may not be spelled right), who was our guide for most of the tours, was at least a 3rd generation Hebrew. He, of course, had his own prejudices. But, he was convincing. He pointed out that the Jewish communities were neat, taken care of, finished properly. He said, "The Arab people just have a different way of looking at things." He also showed us that the homes of the Arabs were often not finished. To be finished meant that there was glass in the window holes. The law in Israel is that if you have windows finished you pay taxes on the home. The way it works is this: If you get married, you build the first level of the home. When your children get married, each family adds to the top level. But they don't believe in borrowing/mortgages so they only build when they can afford it. Hence, the reason for much unfinished property. The guide pointed out that we might like to abide by those rules in the US referring to our recent banking crisis. Point well taken. He also shared that, in spite of what CNN reports (they call CNN "certainly no news") the Arabs and Jews live next to each other amiably.
I remember reading in Golda Mier's book that many Arabs left Israel and fled to Jordan. Some stayed. Our guides said that those who chose to stay are very happy they did because their circumstances in Israel are much better than those who fled to Jordan.
Even as we got into Jerusalem the same communities or neighborhoods stood out. Little villages of people belonging to one or the other, Arab or Jewish.

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

Tel Aviv

TelAviv encompasses the old city of Joppa. Acts 10:5,6 tells of Peter dwelling in Joppa with Simon, the tanner. TelAviv is the largest all Jewish community in the world. It's history includes the Canaanites as far back as 1800bc; the Philistines who held it until Solomon's time; Soloman made it a port city that served as a gateway to Jerusalem bringing the timbers for the temple through there. And on and on...
We left the city quickly and drove to our hotel in Tiberias. The following pictures are on that route. A fairly dry, ugly route. We noticed that many times our guides spoke of the beauty of Israel. There were some pretty spots but we figure they have put so much effort into making it green and growing that to them it seems so lovely. Surely they have not been to Montana.

 
 
 
 

Arriving in the Holy Land

I wanted to take pictures over and over but it was rude to be so "in the face" of people. I never saw so many different people. The Orthodox Jews were the most interesting with all their different hats and locks and costumes. We were told to be prepared for an unusual flight. That people would be up and about all the time on the plane and that when we got close to Israel it would get quiet, an almost holy silence, and then we would hear cheering when we landed. It wasn't quite like that. People were up a lot, just to stretch but it wasn't party like. Excitement was definitely in the air and our seat mate, a lady from Indiana talked alot. She was a widow who had come with a group from Indiana where Lester Sumerall had his ministry. I'm ahead of myself. Anyway, when we landed in TelAViv people did clap. Looking out the window, seeing the coast of the Mediterranian was a thrill for me. Of course, it is just a modern city now but it is the coast where Paul traveled with other wonderful history. We landed into another adventure in our lives. And, boy, was I thankful to be getting off that plane! Hello Jet Lag!

 
 
 
 

Travel Companions

"It doesn't matter where you go in life, it's who you have beside you." I would have never made it to Israel if it hadn't been for Gayle. He and Kathryn invited me to go along with them last spring. Terry told them I would go before he asked me because he knows it's been a lifelong dream of mine to go. NO! He was not interested in going with me. OK, I said I'd go. But then I thought about guns, Iranian bombs, etc and decided I really wanted to leave this earth with Terry if that should happen. (purely selfish I know) Terry said he wasn't afraid of getting any diseases, he was afraid of lead poisoning. But one night I talked him into going with me. It was a great decision and one he does not regret the twisted arm. Once he decided to go, his love for history took over and he got more excited than me.
Being with Gayle and Kathryn was an added treat. Though we see each other a lot we really don't talk much or do much together, something I really miss. Terry said they were the only people he would trust to send me off to Israel with. That says a lot right there. Trust. That word describes our relationship with them. People of integrity, sincere faith, goodness and love. Terry and Gayle worked together for almost 25 years before they signed a contract with each other. Not necessary if you have trust. When we formed an LLC the law made us change that. We probably have very different views on many things but I totally trust that they are trying with all of their hearts to follow the Christ. For me, that's what matters most.
Their lives have impacted ours probably more than anyone else besides our own parents and kids. They have been my mentors for years and I admire them greatly. Our time with them was peaceful, restful, fun and deeply meaningful...Thanks, Gayle, for once again affecting the course of my life.

Israel

When I leave a great camp or reunion, for months I think back on parts of it that were so meaningful for me. I am experiencing that type of wonder now, following our trip to Israel. So I'm going to write about it- not because I want to share it with others though I know others will read but because I want to re-remember each event and bathe in the beauty of the experience. I want to write for myself and then I hope to put it in a book.
Speaking of books...before I went to Israel, for the past few years I've been reading books about the middle east and the Israel/Arab conflict. Books like Kite Runner, Blood Brothers, Time to Betray, Exodus, My Life, The Late Great State of Israel, the Haj, Zion Chronicles, ... well, others too but can't think right now. Most are heavily pro Jewish authors simply because I happened on them. I don't regret that though I would like to read some positive stuff about Arabs. Just haven't found too many. I like historical fiction but some non-fiction, like, My Life by Golda Meir (used to be prime minister of Israel)were so interesting that I couldn't put it down. Anyway, I'm so thankful to have read, esp. that one since it made so many things in Israel so interesting, understanding the "behind the scenes" better. So...here goes...

Fear

I hold the hand of my greatest enemy yet I won't let go. I am afraid to because her name is fear.
Some opposites of fear are love, faith, confidence, smile, great accomplishments.
I am greatly impacted by the life of Greg Mortensen who wrote Three Cups of Tea and Stones into Schools. He has done great things for the least and lost because he has refused to let fear stop him. Instead he loves children and goes into the most dangerous places on the earth to help. He is my new hero.
I was laying in bed thinking about fear
Fear is the enemy of a good marriage. It keeps us asking the questions that hurt a marriage like, "Will I loose myself?" "Will she take advantage of me?" "Will I have to do more work than him?"
When I was afraid I did my worst parenting. Instead of being confident, hopeful, happy. The "what if's" killed me.
Fear keeps a gun under the pillow instead of a prayer in the heart.
Fear keeps me from forgiving my brother or sister or husband or friend.
Fear builds walls of division between people naming them democrats, republicans, liberals, conservatives, baptists, catholics, mormons...men, women, gay, lesbian...
Fear of rejection stops me from being my best true self.
Fear of failure keeps me from trying something new or using my gifts to bless the world.
Fear of loss makes me less generous.
Freedom from fear...imagine a world without it! without the need for it!
In the 70's many old people died in Kansas City because it was extremely hot and they were afraid to open their windows to let air in at night.
Do we need it?
Anger is always a secondary emotion. The first is often fear.
"Love is Letting Go of Fear". "Perfect love casts out fear"
Maybe instead of focusing on not fearing I should focus on loving, believing, hoping, trusting, faith...
Or the applause of God.
I'm afraid it's 5 and I won't make it through this day unless I go back to bed.

Another great day!

ok, so I don't mean to be mushy or anything but today was just the best day! It's the day we use for Sabbath so we try, on wednesdays to, as Terry puts it, "Do sabbathy things." Like we don't usually do things we "should" do. We try to "cease" which is what Sabbath means. And we try to have "holy attention" toward God. On the weeks we stick with this it is such a blessing for us. Sundays are not very sabbathy for us because we mostly have responsibilities and, though I don't suppose it should be that way, we get stressed about them. It's been quite a journey for us. Definitely a learning thing. Anyway, back to today... We were in charge of Pizza church and we'd decided on a thanksgiving type dinner (pizza church is seldom pizza). So the day began with me working out while watching "Enjoying Everyday Life" with Joyce Meyer, followed by Creflo Dollar. both were good so that started my day right. Then after a breakfast of eggs and toast we cleaned up for the day. I started the rolls raising and the apple pies I'd frozen earlier in the week baking. We did our devotions and prayer and then had some intimacy time together. We had a good visit with Terra. Then Terry went to the doctor and had some questionable things taken off of his face and got groceries while I formed the rolls, peeled potatoes as I listened to "Stones into Schools". A great book by the guy our church is honoring at the peace colloquey. I made jello and Then we both took a nap. After our nap we started the ham and turkey baking and we loaded up the 4 wheeler and drove to the ranch. On the way we mailed our tax checks and dropped some of my lovely sweet peas off to a woman who had a 4 wheeler accident yesterday. At the ranch we rode up into the hills with Zip. It was so silent and it looked like no one had been in the hills for a long time. The grass is so tall and things are relatively green for a September afternoon. We gathered a few lovely rocks for my rock garden. When we got home our new neighbor was outside so we went up to meet him and his family. They seem so nice. 3 girls and their Mom is the new special ed teacher. Then we went into definitely not sabbathy mode, cut up the meats, boiled the potatoes and mashed them, made gravy (got mad because I forgot to make cheese grits), warmed up the beats, cooked beans with onions, loaded the car and went to church. Sometimes when you work really hard on pizza church only a small number show and you have huge leftovers. Tonight there were loads of people and appreciated our efforts and ate well. Jonathan Haacke hugged me and said how thankful her was to see me (he's in high school). His Mom snuck in and did all the dishes for us. A definite plus. People shared so well and 3 of my brothers came and we had our highs and lows and then sang "Happy Birthday" to Kerry. I realized sitting there how very much I love our congregation. One new couple told us they wanted to join our marriage support bible study that we'll start soon and also wanted a parenting class. he's fresh out of prison and wanting to do well. I'm so proud of them. No one seemed to want to leave and it was just a great evening. So now we're home. We cleaned up the dishes and Terry's playing solitaire and I read Travis's blog which is just always a treat. So...who could possibly have a better day? It just seemed like God was just right close to us all day.

5 big buzzards sitting on a fence

 
 
 

 
 

today

 
 

Today

Today I am thankful for...large white moon against a purple evening sky; the smell of sweet peas blooming in a bunch; 2 gladiolas finally blooming reminding me of Grandpa Sacry and my wedding day; lavendar that lived; several deer playing in the field; Zip looking silly as he watches a stray cat; a respectful, tender, caring husband; laughter; crisp, almost fall air; new mowed lawn; memories of a beautiful summer with Grandkids; Spencer's chuckle, Rachel's sweet tears and Michael's business-like manner all in the same day; cell phones; the Holy Spirit's assurance; devotions lead by T; Ken's helping Dad and Marlene; Carla's encouraging comments; Pray-as-you-go; Phillip Yancey; a finished quilt; a helpful, non-judgemental husband when Zip locked the keys in the car; that I remembered to exercise; a new well cover finished and painted; grandkids, grandkids (in the bible if it's said 3 times it means it's really important), both Terra and Logan calling today, siblings, nieces and nephews...why am I so blessed. Yes, Karen, I am rich..

Dinky

For as long as I can remember both my parents, on occasion, called me "Dinky." I really don't know why. When I asked them they said because I was so little. When I look at pictures of myself and my closest siblings I don't appear to be so little.
I also grew up feeling like I was pretty and very sweet. But when I look at pictures of me when I was small I see that I really wasn't that pretty and I especially was not pretty compared to Susan who was only 18 months older than me and strikingly beautiful. Or Dennis, for that matter, who was very pretty for a boy. I was, in fact, kind of ordinary. So I wonder... I grew up believing I was very special, very loved and lovely and that my parents were so grateful that I was alive. What a priceless gift!
I've recently had opportunity to be around all of my grandchildren. I am frankly amazed at how unique, special, charming, intelligent, loving, talented they each are. Each one is completely different from the others. I look at each one and my heart overflows. I cannot make my eyes see any other way. One of my favorite times in life is when I have one of them to just BE with.
I believe God is the same way with each of us. We are loved because we are God's creation, a part of God. God's eyes cannot (oh, dear! Can I say "cannot" about anything when referring to God?) see it any other way. I wonder if God has a special name for each of us. "Precious", "Treasure", "Delightful"
The name "Dinky" can not necessarily be taken as a good thing. But I took it that way. I suppose it was the way it was said. Or how they said it when they wanted me to know they felt warmth and a special attachment to me. I'd like to hear God's voice. I'd like to just really know. But, I suppose for now, I'll just have to believe.

Joy

Today I am jealous of Diane. I just looked at her facebook and I felt an overwhelming jealousy. Her beautiful children are home and my house is empty.
It is the first day that everyone is gone. Part of me has enjoyed this day so much. I've cleaned campers to return, washed sheets, made stacks of things to return, written a few thank you's, mostly organized. My fridges are now clean and organized. It feels so good to be catching up. I wonder if I ever caught up when I had kids at home, especially when they were little. And, having Terra's family here for a month I wonder how young parents ever accomplish anything but just keeping up with the kids. It reminded me of when Matt was a baby and nursed for a half hour every 2 hours. I called Mom to complain that I wasn't getting anything done. Her response was, "What do you have to do that is more important than feeding Matt?" I couldn't think of a thing. And, today, when I'm missing all my grandkids so much I think she was definitely right. I've loved the last 4 weeks. Each day had it's difficulties and it certainly wasn't easy. But if any of my kids said, today, "We need to spend a month in your home." I would definitely jump for joy. I could spend this whole blog writing all the things I enjoyed. So many hugs every day, laughter, creativity, reading with them, jumping on the tramp, swinging, listening, mostly listening - yes, that's the favorite. It feeds my soul. Thank you God for creating families and for letting me have part of mine near for a bit. A treasured gift.

beyond words

Today, Terry and I played golf in Three Forks. It was an overcast but lovely day. I love that course because of all the birds and wildlife around. The clouds were tremendous. I was caught up in the beauty of the scenery. Walking to one of the places to tee off I passed a man. He looked more like a mountain man than a golfer and as we passed each other we spoke a friendly greeting and a few words.
Ok, this is the beyond words part. I just understood how precious and loved by God this man was. And I understood how much God loves our diversity. Don't ask me how I knew that. I just did.
I had an experience like it before once when I was walking in the Philadelphia airport. Packed with people and I knew in a way I can't explain that God deeply loved every one of them individually. I knew I could only "get it" a little bit, certainly was unable to fathom the completeness of His love but even that little understanding was a wonderful thing.
I don't know why God gave me that understanding. But I treasure it and I hope I never deny it.

Timeless

The day Jamie was born was a wonderful day. Mostly because Jamie was born and if you know Jamie you love him and know he is a delight in a number of ways. But the day of his birth was a testimony to me of God's goodness, love and power. Having had difficult births 3 times I was not looking forward to this last delivery. Some weeks before his birth I received from Nancy a scripture from 2nd Timothy. "God does not give us the spirit of fear, but of love, power and a sound mind." She was thinking about my delivery and felt this might help. The day after Jamie's due date, a Sunday evening after Terry's parents had gone home and Mom had arrived my water broke (the only one of my children who made my water break.) I went to the hospital with Terry since he was on call, sat in his room and watched Jaws during the first couple of hours and then went to the labor and delivery room. During the first part of the labor I used the word "love" as I panted. L-o-v-e It wasn't too bad. During the next part, as it got worse I used the word "power." P-O-W-E-R (definitely needing power) And during the worst part I used the words "sound mind" S-O-U-N-D M-I-N-D since I was loosing mine. I was totally focused. I knew Terry was there for me but I really was so totally determined and intent that I put out any other thought from my mind. I had to.
People around me wondered about all the spelling. It was not easy but I made it through. And now I have Jamie as a great reward.
This morning my pray-as-you-go was about that scripture. Only the version of scripture they used used the words, love, power and self-control. And they used the word "timidity" instead of fear. And that is exactly what I am needing as I prepare for directing reunion. I am always amazed at how good God is and how quickly God blesses us in just the right way. And how wonderful scripture written long ago is a blessing to us even now. Timeless.