I am sure that I am not the only one reflecting on the last few weeks and saying, "This is NOT what I was expecting!" This has been an unusual lead up to Christmas for me this year. As a matter of fact, here it is December 29th and my living room is still filled with unopened presents under my tree.
Our family celebration has been delayed until January 1st, because of illness. I know that we are not the only family experiencing the re-scheduling nightmare of trying to find a time that works for everyone. Thankfully, as of this moment, everyone is healthy and it looks like our celebration will actually happen next Monday. All of the grandkids have had great Christmas celebrations with their immediate families. Grace and Jimmy actually got to celebrate with Susie's family also. Gwen and Tim and kids will celebrate with Tim's family tomorrow. So, not what we were expecting, but thankful all of the sickness seems to have ended.
The hardest, unexpected thing of the last few weeks was the death of an old friend. While we had not been close the last few years, there were years that I spent hours and hours every week with her. Kay Fick and her husband Rich Fick had a ministry, Cyrus Ministries International, that I was a part of from 1991-2014. During those years, we worshiped and prayed together, laughed together, cried together, learned together and supported each other. In 2004, I had the privilege of traveling to Kenya and Uganda with Rich and Kay. In the later years, when the ministry moved to Big Rock, IL, I would often be called on to lead the meetings when Rich and Kay traveled out of the country. I accompanied Kay many times, when she was called to speak and lead at Women's retreats. Many, many people came to Big Rock for prayer and ministry. There were many nights of worship, led by Kay on her guitar. I am sure that I spent more time with Kay during those years than anyone except my family. Our kids are the same ages and they spent time together as teenagers. Yes, we had a very close relationship. Rich passed away very suddenly in 2019, a loss that I think I am still processing. Kay's rather quick illness and death will be something that again, takes me a long time to fully work through.
I found these pictures taken during our Africa trip. The first picture of me, Rich and Kay was taken in a home in western Kenya. Kay and I often laughed about this picture. We had both had a really difficult time sitting for this photo. The pastor who owned this home, insisted that we sit for this picture. What you can NOT tell from the photo is that way it smelled in this house! They had just coated the walls, inside and out with cow dung to help waterproof the walls and roof. It was a very, very pungent aroma to be sure!
The next photo is Kay and I with the Women's board of Cyrus Ministries Kenya. These women were so kind to us and although we couldn't speak their language and they didn't speak English, they understood prayer! Kay was a prayer warrior and intercessor like none other. When you had a need, she was in prayer for you. With certainty, I can say that the presence of Jesus flowed through Kay wherever she was and whatever the circumstance.
Jesus, thank you for the hope that we have in you. Thank you for restoring health to all who are sick this season. Give us grace and peace when our plans change. Holy Spirit, bring to mind those people that we need to acknowledge in the days ahead. Give us courage and boldness to step out and share our feelings, even when it is difficult. Thank you Jesus for the joy that fills this season remembering your birth on earth. Keep us in that joy, even in difficult seasons. Amen
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