Some fun Summer afternoon visits...

So you know how those Facebook ads can be so aggravating?  Well, I was actually quite happy to have seen a couple of interesting exhibits, both really close to my house.  The first was the Frida Kahlo art exhibit which featured original artwork and photos of Frida Kahlo.  I have only recently discovered Frida Kahlo (thanks to the Disney film "Coco"), but Ellie has read books about her and was fascinated with her handmade dresses (always the fashionista).  I offered a trip to see this exhibit to Gwen and all of the kids, but Ellie was the only taker.  We had a great "Grandma and Me Day".  

I love spending time with Ellie.  She is so articulate and really knows what she wants to do in the future.  She is a budding photographer and it made my heart so happy to watch her using Ken's "Walk around camera" to take photos on this trip.  Ken would be so glad that she is using this camera.

The second exhibit that I discovered through a Facebook ad was the Sistine Chapel exhibit.  I was really anxious to see how this digital presentation would look.  A trip to Italy seems unlikely, and even if I were to get there, seeing the Sistine Chapel artwork is done from a distance of 80 feet - looking up.  

The exhibit had some fairly mixed reviews, but I decided to go anyway.  I couldn't find anyone interested in going with me, so it was a solo adventure.  There were several video presentations that gave all the background information on the actual construction of the frescos.  Seeing these descriptions made the actual viewing of the panels up close all the more amazing.  The talent necessary to capture the realistic body shapes.  The Biblical interpretations are wonderful.  I could have spent hours just looking at each piece to take in the details.  One of the facts I learned from the videos is that Michelangelo was the first painter to ever show all of God the Father.  Before this, any artwork only shows a hand reaching from heaven or a golden cloud.  So these full body depictions of God are even more amazing.  Sadly I couldn't stand and look carefully at each panel because it was very crowded.  I did go back through more than one time and saw different things that I had missed on the first look.   I was very happy that I made the effort to see this.  

So, two very different exhibits.  One of a more modern artist, known for being a champion for women's rights and the LGBTQ community in Mexico.  And the other, a world renowned painter and sculptor from 1500's in Vatican City.  But there is much food for thought in both of these exhibits.  Walking through and taking in all the information about both artists helped bring an understanding and appreciation for their work.  Kahlo had a terrible accident in her teen years that caused a life time of pain and suffering.  Yet her work is not all gloom and doom.  She used vibrant colors and embraced her Mexican culture that was evident in all of her pieces.  And Michelangelo didn't even want to work on the ceiling frescos.  He was a sculptor first and that was his passion.  He was bribed into painting the frescos and wasn't happy doing them.  Yet God moved and these panels bring the pages of the Bible to life.  

There are great lessons to be learned from these two very different people separated by hundreds of years, many miles, and very different cultures.  Both of these artists had a Devine destiny - a plan and purpose for their life.  Both faced extreme hardships and ended up being recognized for something that wasn't even their "dream" or "passion".  Frida Kahlo loved her people and her culture.  She went against the social norms of her day and accomplished much more than you would expect from a crippled girl from Mexico.  One of her paintings is now in the Louvre in Paris - the first Mexican artist ever.  Michelangelo's sculptures are also amazing, but he brought us the Bible in art, with true inspiration from God.  Even if it took a bit of convincing for him to complete this project, it was done.  

I came away from these afternoon visits feeling very close to Jesus.  I could hear him whispering in my ear as I walked through the Frida Kahlo exhibit - "Love first".  There was so much love in her work.  She loved well and followed her heart.  So many of her clothes and paintings contained a rainbow of colors. And I was reminded to respond to all the rainbow flags just like Jesus would.... he would love first.  As I walked up close to each of the panels of the Sistine Chapel I could hear the reminder from Jesus that sometimes we need to let go of our "passion" to accomplish something so much greater than we could ever think or imagine.  And when we let go of our own plans, our own desires and the way we think things should go, THEN Jesus can do amazing things through us.   These were good lessons for me.  Loving first - even when we disagree.  Letting go - even when my plans seem so good and so right.  Jesus has got this.  He reigns and He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords!  He does amazing things!

Jesus, thank you for time to gain a new perspective through art.  Holy Spirit, continue to speak to us all as we go about our day to day tasks.  Give us gentle reminders of your direction - especially when we go off track in our own ways.  Jesus you always loved first.  You are love!  Thank you for teaching and leading and guiding us.  Amen

 

Spending time with Grace and James

James just gets bigger and cuter with each day.  I told Doug and Susie that I think he grows so much between my visits. When I look at this picture, he looks so much younger!  It was such a blessing to have time with Susie and the kids while she was off on maternity leave.   Grace and I got to have some sprinkler fun and of course, time at the nearby park.

There were a couple of rainy days, as usual, and Grace and I had fun playing inside also.  This set was actually Susie's when she was little.  This just goes to show that toys really don't change much and the kids still love them.  

Susie and I waited for one of the cooler days to take Grace and James to a nearby spray park.  Grace had never been to an outside spray park and she had a great time.  I had my swimming suit on and got sprayed and dumped on a couple of times.  James was good just sleeping away in his stroller.

 This summer has flown by and here it is, August and the kids are back in school.  We are still being cautious about Covid since Grace and James are not vaccinated, but it is good to finally have some more normal things happening.  Last week Susie returned to work and I will be watching Grace and James during the week.  So I know there is still plenty of time for outdoor fun.  Grace will be starting preschool 4's after Labor Day.  She will be in school three mornings a week and is excited for school to start.  She is a real social girl and has missed being with other kids.  She is so much fun!  Her imagination is wonderful.  We had days of playing "Olympics" which included many races and other "unusual" events that she made up.  She told me that Doug had won a gold medal in the Fishing competition for catching a BIG crappie.  The fish was so big that it bit his finger so Doug killed it and ate it!  Sounds about right, if you ask me!  Grace is a card playing champ.  She loves Uno and we usually play seven or eight hands at a time.  She is learning strategy and often holds on to those wild cards to play and win the game.  We play Zingo and CandyLand and several other board games.  She still loves puzzles and we often do "hard" puzzles that have 50 or more pieces.  Soon she will have outpaced this grandma in the game playing department!   

James has been a really happy baby.  He mostly sleeps, eats and needs diaper changes.  I have just started giving him a bottle when Susie is gone and the biggest problem is that he is always smiling!  The milk just runs out of his mouth with each smile!  I can't wait to see his personality shine!

I am so thankful for these times with the grandchildren.   Ken's death has made me more aware of the preciousness of time together.  Lucas is not far from my mind every time I am with the kids.   Our family has missing pieces and we are always aware of that. I think that I hold each of the grands a bit closer and hug a bit tighter, because of these loses.  I know that our family is not alone.  There are so many who have lost children.  So many who have lost parents at an early age.  So many young widows or widowers now faced with raising children on their own.  For sure, death is a part of life.  Somehow in our culture, we forget this.  It is a subject that people don't want to talk about.  And that is a sad fact.  Lately people have been asking me "how are you?" sort of expecting the answer "fine."   I can tell that many people are almost afraid to talk about Ken.   I have been working on telling people the truth when they ask questions.  The last couple of months have been harder than the previous months.  I don't know why and I can't even explain HOW they have been harder.  Knowing that almost a year has passed without Ken, seems unreal to me.  Some days it seems like much longer, and some days much shorter.   I don't know how people deal with death without Jesus in their life.  Knowing that Jesus is with me, that He is the comfort and peace that I need is what sustains me every day.  Praise and worship and prayer and scripture are what fills my heart.  Holding all of my family close is the icing on the cake. 

If your family, like mine, has some "pieces" missing, know that I am praying for you.   If you know someone who has experienced a loss, reach out to them.  Say that person's name.  Share a good memory with them.  Have an open heart to allow the Holy Spirit to work through you.   You never know when a smile or a hug might make a difference to someone.  

Jesus, thank you for your presence with us every day.  Holy Spirit, bring your peace and comfort to those who are grieving.  Remind us all to speak the names of those who have died.  Give us courage and boldness to reach out and bring you to those around us.  Thank you for summer heat, for refreshing water and the smiles and love of children.  Amen

Being an observer to something really good...

 

It was so good to be able to watch (and participate) in the yearly Vacation Bible School program that is called Bible Boot Camp at Gwen and Tim's church.  I got an extra bonus this year, when there was an opening to help with the preschool kids one day.  It was so much fun!  There is nothing I love more than watching all the kids have so much fun learning about Jesus. 

Gwen and I were talking about the very first time that I coordinated a VBS program.  I think it was in 1987.  I pretty  much made it up as I went along.  We had several dozen kids and it rained all week.  We were doing this program in a really small space and with very little help.  What I most remember about that week is the joy on the faces of the kids.  Although I had been leading the Sunday School program for a couple of years, there is something totally different about a summer program.  A few short years after that VBS, I began the most amazing times serving  the Lord in children's ministry.   

Time spent with children is never wasted.  As a matter of fact I just heard yesterday that the best way to de-stress and relax is to play with kids.  I know that this is certainly true for me.  Every single second that I spend with my grandchildren is life giving.  Whether it is playing cards or games or pretending alongside a 4 year old, it simply fills me and makes me smile.  Sharing God stories and the love of Jesus with children is so much more than just "helping out" or "babysitting.  Over and over the Bible shows the importance of children in Jesus ministry.  Jesus told his disciples that they needed to be like a little child to enter the kingdom of heaven.  In fact, the Bible is filled with stories about children and how God loves them.  Most of you know that God put children on my heart and gave me a passion to see more for the kids than just a couple of Bible stories.  Through Holy Spirit inspiration, I wrote and planned a station rotation Sunday School program that was way before this model became the norm in schools and churches.  There were after school programs, mid week programs, Bible studies, and worship times for even the youngest preschoolers.  I know that these little ones can and will be touched by the Holy Spirit if we just create the atmosphere and expectation for it to happen.  Leaving my time working with children was hard.  VERY hard.  But, I felt God calling me to move into a new areas.  Over the next few years, I began to understand that the message that was so big in my heart - the value of children experiencing a real relationship with Jesus - needed to be heard by the ADULTS.  Sadly, the entire time I was pouring my heart and soul into children's ministry, the leaders - the adults - didn't really see and/or understand what Jesus was doing in and for the children.  As a matter of fact, there were some that didn't want this for the children.  As the years passed, the heart of God for children never left me.  While Gwen had been a part of much of my ministry (mostly as a leader), she was pretty clear that her calling was with the youth.  However, when Jesus has a plan and a destiny, it will be accomplished.  Gwen is now the Next Gen Director at her church.  And this includes ALL the children - from birth - college age.  Watching her accomplish so much more than I could have ever dreamed of brings me to tears.  Even during 2020 and the COVID pandemic, she planned and carried out ministry that has touched and changed families.  Watching the church filled with children, seeing the youth serving and leading, filled me with joy.  I am so thankful that I get to be an observer to all that Jesus is doing.  And it is good!

Jesus, thank you so much for your plan and purpose and destiny for children.  Holy Spirit, help us to hear your plan for each of us.  Give us courage to walk out those plans, even when others don't understand. Thank you Jesus for your love and care for every child.  Continue to pour out creative ideas and give strength and stamina to all those who hear your heart for children.  Thank you for your love for us.  Amen