When your past suddenly impacts your today....

This is a picture of a portrait made sometime in the 1850's in Germany.  This couple is Johan Fredrick Tonsing and Anna Elizabeth Tonsing, my great-great grandparents.  And, believe it or not, I was talking about them today at my small group meeting!  Here is how that came about....

Have you ever thought about some of your ancestors and thought, "boy, would I love to meet them." When I look at this picture, that thought is in the forefront of my mind.  I try to imagine what their life was like in Germany in the early part of the nineteenth century.  It is only from the stories I heard from my mom, that I can piece together a bit about who they were and how they lived.  The most important fact I know about them, was that they were willing to send their children off to distant lands, with the purpose of spreading the message of Jesus.  My great grandfather and his brother came to the United States, not only for a new life and an adventure.  They came to start new churches and to spread their faith in Jesus.  At the same time, their sister and her husband set off to minister to the Zulu tribes in what is now South Africa.   Just this past week, I was contacted by an online ancestor search company with information that connects my family tree with an extensive tree from South Africa.  And Marie Elizabeth Tonsing Otte is that connector person.  Marie is the daughter of these people in this picture, who long ago settled in South Africa.

So today, my small group welcomed a visitor, who lives in our area.  His name is George Miller and he is originally from South Africa.  It was certainly one of those divine appointments and we were so blessed to hear a bit of his story.  He has connections to so many of the respected leaders that our group follows, reads, and listens to and he is such a powerful man of God.  He and his wife have been in the United States for 27 years and during those years served with many ministries.  Sadly, his wife passed away about 2 years ago and he is currently in a time of transition.  But when you meet a man like this, you can just feel the wisdom and strength that his life journey has birthed into him.  Many, many times today he shared that his wife had really been the spiritual powerhouse and he just sort of followed along.  I believe that he was really selling himself short with that statement.  After the meeting, I mentioned my family connection to South Africa. We had a great discussion about the power of those spiritual seeds sown in our generations.

I asked George what he was feeling for 2017 and he said two things.  CHANGE and we must CHANGE OUR THINKING!  Isn't that a large chunk to chew on?  Of course the message was that with all the changes happening around us, we must be open to change.  But more than that, we must change our thinking and understand that our thoughts are not God's thoughts.   On the way home from group, I was reflecting on these two things.  And I was thinking about Johan and Anna.  They had to accept change and encourage and allow their children to set off of the "ends of the earth".  They had no way of really knowing what that would mean - for them or their children.  They read and believed the Bible and knew the great commission - Matthew 28:19 -  "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit"   And so they did that, having the mind of Christ.

And then I was thinking about how hard change is for me. Also, how difficult it is being in times of transition - when you just really don't know what is ahead.   It was good to have the reminder today, that God has a really big plan for each of us.  Even if we can't see how the pieces might connect today, there will be a time when we will finally see the big picture. Having George with our group today reminded us that there are connections for each of us that bring us closer together.  It is really amazing when you get a glimpse of how God works, when you hear someone elses story.  It builds your own confidence that your story has a purpose.  Be encouraged today to tell someone your story!  We need each other so much.  Let God make those connections and then change won't feel so scary and so BIG.  Ask Jesus to change your thinking - to add wisdom and knowledge and creative thinking into your day.  Together we can all face 2017 with joy and peace and confidence in Jesus!

Jesus, thank you for bringing George to our group today.  Continue to meet his needs and bless him as he seeks a new path with you.  Thank you Holy Spirit, for reminding me of the spiritual heritage of my past generations.  Give us all courage to face changes and the wisdom to change our thinking.  Thank you Jesus for good friends who stand with us.  Amen

Times of transition..........

On Wednesday I got to watch this fine young man transition OUT of preschool and into Kindergarten!  I really can't believe that this guy is 5 years old already and has completed 3 years of preschool.  Gloryland, the preschool that he attends, is also where his mommy (Gwen) works as a teacher for 4 year olds!  Lia actually started in this school way back in the fall of 2008 when she was just 2 years old.  Part of the tradition at Gloryland is "walking the bridge" at the end of the year.  The kids each transition into their new level as they leave their present teacher at the bridge!

Here is Zeke making that big walk across that bridge.  It was after a wonderful program that included several songs by the children.  The big day finished with lots of goodbyes in their classrooms, some special treats and popsicles!  Zeke's teacher clearly knows those 4/5 year old boys because Zeke's favorite treat was this.....

a "mushstash" pencil!  Zeke thought this was the most amazing thing!  And so did Tim!  He spent some time with this under his nose also!  You just have to love those little boys!  

There were also some little ones who were not terribly happy to be leaving thier special teachers and classrooms.  I saw more than one mom and/or dad with a weepy child. And more than one mom and/or dad with some tissues for themselves!   Because, let's face it, change is difficult!  These times of transition seem to come at us out of the blue.  I mean, we all know that the end of the year is coming.  That those kids are growing up.  On one hand we are so excited to see all the new accomplishments, but the flip side of that is the longing for them to just stay right where they are.  

I mentioned in an earlier blog that Lia, Ellie, Zeke and Anna had been raising some butterflies.  Yesterday was their fly away day......

I got this picture from Lia (taken on her much older phone) but you can see the butterfly on the flower.  Yes, they all flew away.  And the kids were very sad to see them go.  Lia told me that later in the day she actually saw one of the butterflies back in their yard.  It is good for these young ones to begin to think about and understand that change and transitions into new things are just part of life.  

One of my very favorite Bible verses is Matthew 18:3....... "And Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the Kingdom of heaven."  Yes, this is clear direction that we have to change!  And it is interesting that instead of being more grown up, we are instructed to become like kids!  I just love how The Passion Translation says this verse...

"Learn this well:  Unless you dramatically change your way of thinking and become teachable, learn about heaven's kingdom realm with the wide-eyed wonder of a child, you will never be able to enter in.  Whoever continually humbles himself to become like this gentle child is the greatest one in heaven's kingdom realm."  

If that doesn't make you think about changes, I don't know what will!  This is the transition that is the most important.  Notice that what needs to change is our "way of thinking".   When you THINK that whatever that new thing is that is coming into your life will be wonderful, it usually is!  Our way of thinking needs to be from a heavenly perspective.   The good news of that verse is that we just have to become teachable after we change our way of thinking.   Since we know that Jesus is in control and He is leading us on, and will always be with us, change should not bother us.  And when we are feeling unsettled and uncertain as we face transitions, the peace of Jesus is always available to us.  We just have to ask!    

Jesus, thank you for your Word that gives us answers and direction when we need it.  Thank you for your peace in times of change in our life.  Help us to embrace change and remember to see things from a heavenly perspective.  Holy Spirit guide us into that "wide-eyed wonder" and keep us humble and gentle.  Thank you for growth and new things!  Amen

Some things never change!

I just had to use this picture tonight!  I'll let you in on a little secret of our household.  Ken eats lots of Popsicles.....STILL!  As a matter of fact, he was sitting in his recliner, having a popsicle when I came upstairs a bit ago.  Granted that the ones in our freezer these days are "sugar free", but they are still popsicles!  Apparently he has always liked them!  This picture is Ken and a cousin at somewhere around 2 or 3 years old.  Yes, some things never change.

I accomplished quite a number of things today, including applying for several jobs.  It was a very pleasant surprise to receive a call to schedule an in-person interview for Friday afternoon for one of these jobs.  So, I will continue my patient waiting and trust that if this is the job for me, all will work out.  Prayers are appreciated!

I have been thinking about one of those silly Facebook "tests" that so often come up on your newsfeed.  "What career were you meant for?"  I got WRITER!

Just a couple of years ago I would have said that this was ridiculous.  But here I am writing a blog. And in truth-telling, I have had more than one prophetic word and several dreams about writing a book.  And I have written a small booklet (which I talked about in a previous blog).  But actually thinking of myself with a "career" as a writer, seems......well unreal.  I am really mystified by this small exercise that came up with this conclusion after my answers to 13 questions.  If it is just random, it is pretty amazing.  Several of my Facebook friends have gotten "therapist" and more than one of them actually DO that job.  I think it was interesting to me especially in this time of job searching, since I am really not exactly sure where I am supposed to be and what I am supposed to be doing!  

In light of the "title" I put on this post tonight, I guess that a career IS something that can change.  I have been a babysitter, cashier, secretary, loan processor, loan closer, loan shipper, secretary, nanny, and teacher assistant in careers that actually paid a salary.  I have also been a youth leader, Sunday school superintendent, children's ministry director, small group facilitator, and countless other "volunteer" positions in various churches and ministries.  So, looking at that list, my "career" has certainly changed many, many times.    This funny thing about this is that with the exception of my last rather short lived job, I have stayed at my three previous jobs 4 years, 13 years,  and 6 years.  So I am not exactly a "job hopper".  Given the test above (and this blog), I guess I should add writer to my list of "volunteer" jobs.  

All I can think about is Jeremiah 29:11-14a.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me,  and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.  I will be found by you," declares the Lord.

I love these Bible verses for so many reasons.   He knows the plans he has for me!  They are good plans for now and the future.  He will listen to me!  And when I look for Him, I WILL find him.  So I don't have to figure out the best career I should have.  I just need to seek Jesus with my whole heart and He will take care of the rest.  What a great thought to end this busy day.  

Jesus, thank you for bringing me full circle today on my job search.  You are in charge of the details of this and so I will trust.  Holy Spirit, thank you for the reminder that it is good that some things never seem to change.  But also it is good that we DO change and grow.  Thank you for wonderful childhood treats that can still satisfy us today.  Amen

Love finding an old picture and getting some clarity on the present!

Recently Gwen pulled out a large ziplock bag of pictures that she had gotten from my mom in 2010.   I sorted through and took some of the ones that I knew I did not have.  This is one of those pictures.   Ken and I (holding Sheba) and my mom and dad.  This was taken sometime in the summer of 1978.  I assume it was around the time that my mom and dad stayed with us after their house in Elk Grove sold and before my dad's actual retirement date.  It was a wonderful couple of weeks with them.  My dad really loved Sheba.  I was glad to have them staying in our new house.  We had just moved in a few months before and I loved having my mom help me decorate!   The only odd thing about this time was that I was SOOOOOOO tired.  I couldn't figure out why I was coming home from work and falling asleep on the couch! I so wanted to enjoy the time with them before they moved to Minnesota. So a few weeks later, when I called my mom and dad to share some big news, my mom was not the least bit surprised.  She knew I was pregnant before I did!  Aren't mom's wonderful? 

When I look at this picture, I remember how much I missed my parents after their move.   I didn't really expect to feel so alone when they left.   But suddenly, I was far away from all my family.  And to add to it, I was expecting my first baby.   I really wanted my mom!  It didn't help to complain to my sisters.  Neither of them had mom close by when they had their babies.  As a matter of fact, my sister Julie had her first baby just after we left Minnesota and moved to Illinois.   My sister Karen had lived in South Dakota when her first was born and we lived in Minnesota.  So I decided I couldn't really complain about this.   But, none the less, I missed her very much.   And to top it off, my dad was very sick and hospitalized when Gwen was born.  So I couldn't even talk to her on the phone!   And they didn't get to come and see Gwen until she was about 7 weeks old.   I know that this is part of the reason why I am so grateful to have been with Gwen during the birth of all 4 of her children.  And why I feel so blessed to be able to spend one day a week with Gwen and those sweet grandchildren.  

It's good to think about these things.   First of all, it helps to put into perspective events from your past.  And then, it helps to clarify and give meaning to how things are currently.   I love that one picture can help me to understand more clearly why I can't imagine moving away from Gwen and Doug right now (or anytime in the near future! - Sorry Ken).  I am going to really enjoy all the time that I have with my kids and grandkids and take lots of pictures.  That way I'll have lots of reminders in the future!

Jesus, thank you for my family.  Holy Spirit, it is such a gift to realize how much you have guided and directed my life.  Thank you for pictures and memories.   Jesus, thank you for the chance to change our present in ways that effect the future.   Amen   

Some things never change...... and some do!

Today I was thinking about our Christmas and the different years when our own kids were little and then I saw this picture of Ken from the early 1950's.  There he is, in front of the tree with all of his trucks.  And I was remembering  Zeke with this year's special toy from Uncle Doug and Aunt Susie.  It was a battery operated Backhoe that shook and moved and lights flashed.  Yes, it was a hit with Zeke.  There is something about boys and their trucks.

Sadly I didn't get a picture of Zeke with that truck. Or the cars and the ramps that he also received.  What I did get a picture of was this sweet shot of Zeke with the doll and blankets and bed that we gave him.  You know, Zeke is going to be a big brother and with a new baby coming soon, he needed his own "baby".  I love the look on Zeke's face.  He was really happy with this little doll.  I was thinking about how grateful I  am that some things DO change.  When Ken was little in the 1950's, no little boy would have been given a doll.  I am so thankful that in 2013 it is totally okay to let boys learn how to nurture and care for babies.  Actually, Doug had a Cabbage Patch doll in 1985.  I guess when you have older sisters, you expect to be able to have your OWN doll to play with. 

After looking at these pictures I was thinking about how much things have changed in the last years.  I am very different than I was a few years ago.  How I view the world and my life has taken a very different direction than I would have thought.  And I know that it is because of Jesus in my life that my perspective has shifted.  I know that even 10 years ago I would never have imagined I would be working in a daycare center.  As a matter of fact, this would have been the LAST place I would have imagined working.  Yet, I know that in this season, it is exactly the right place for me to be.  I am so thankful for the children and the people that I work with.  The days go quickly and I am grateful for the paycheck.  I know that there are many things that Jesus is teaching me in this season, and things that I am to be doing.  As the year winds down and you begin to think about what the new year holds, it is good to remember that things DO change!   So over the next week I will be thinking about the things that I would want to change and the things that I hope will not change in the new year.  I really think that this is a very different process than making "new years resolutions". Or even setting goals for the new year.  Its all about perspective! The most important step I will be taking is to be listening for the direction of the Holy Spirit as I make that list.  I know that is the only way that I will see the true path for the year ahead.   So right now, I am celebrating that some things don't change and little boys still love their cars and trucks (and so do BIG boys!).  But I am also celebrating that some things DO change when I see that sweet expression on the face of my grandson with his baby.  

Jesus, thank you for reminding me that I need to evaluate the new year from your perspective.  Holy Spirit, thank you for once again, using photos to trigger the thought process that leads me to the subject that you are speaking to me right now.  Jesus, thank you that you want to open our eyes, and ears and our spirits to your direction. Help me to continue to look, listen and be aware of all that you are speaking to me in the days ahead.   Amen 

Getting in the Christmas mood! Wonderful!

It has been a great couple of days.  It seems that the Christmas spirit has finally landed, full force in my heart.  It started on Thursday.....

I was going to wait to post a picture of this bulletin board when it was totally finished, but I just couldn't wait to share.  These cute little green hands represent my favorite little three year olds at work.  The red hand on the right is "Ms. Lyn"!  I love how the glitter names look like a garland wrapping around the tree.  I love how excited the kids were to see their hands making up the tree.  Really, how can you NOT get into Christmas with so much "cuteness" all around??? Wonderful

 

Then, on Thursday night, a good friend invited me to her church Women's Christmas program.  It was so much fun to get dressed up and be with adults!  And to be with my good friends!  And to eat a marvelous meal!  And to see a great program! AND to get to sing Christmas carols!  Wonderful.

 

Then, today I had the day off.  Enough said.  Wonderful.

 

I actually did some Christmas shopping.  The stores were crazy busy, the people were bustling around, and the Christmas music was playing.  Wonderful.

 

I got to have lunch with Ken.  Something that we don't often do.  Wonderful.

 

Then, the capper of the day...Ken and I went to an amazing program at Gwen and Tim's church.  It was a Christmas concert featuring the youth from their Fuse Ministry.  In addition to getting to hold and hug my very precious grandchildren, I got to hear Gwen sing.  And then we heard some really wonderful Christmas music.  I think I have to give this a DOUBLE wonderful!

 

I am so thankful for the current path that Jesus has revealed for me.  I realized today that I have been sort of stuck in a rut for the last 2 or 3 years.  Nobody likes change - especially me.  And it is not comfortable as the change is happening.  Things feel like they are shaking.  In the past, I know my reaction was to turn around and run back to the familiar.  Or to freeze and hide my head.  So I am thankful that with the help of Jesus and the encouragement of family and friends, this time I am walking forward.  Today, for the first time, I feel calm and stable.  And I feel very "Christmas-y"! 

 

So my encouragement to all of you out there is to press on!  Walk on!  Keep on - Keeping on!  Don't run away from change - run into the change.  The faster you run, the sooner the change will be over! 

 

Jesus, thank you for all that you do for me every day.  Thank you for who you are and all that you did on the cross.  Thank you for your love and care and your blessing.  Holy Spirit, thank you for speaking louder when I wasn't listening, for giving bigger signs when I wasn't seeing.  Thank you for my work "little ones" and those sweet green hands on the bulletin board.  Thank you for Gwen and Tim and the way that they live their faith in You.  Bless Fellowship of Faith and the Fuse Ministry.  Amen

 

 



unexpected results of a detour

So what it is about road construction that makes me think that those who plan these projects just don't have any common sense????  Why do they chose to dig up and repair several parallel roads that are main arteries at the same time?  And then throw in, that it is the first week of school and there are many new bus drivers on the road that are struggling with new routes and all of those kids!

Today I had an amazing drive home from work.  That is an interesting sentence!  My drive home is usually painful and long.  After having a TERRIBLE drive home earlier this week, (see paragraph number 1 - road construction everywhere) I decided to take a different way home today.  I have never taken this particular route because, in my head, it seemed longer.  I really thought it was a much longer distance.  But I was wrong!  In spite of the fact that there were actually non-functioning traffic lights at two intersections, I got home in 1/2 the time it usually takes on a GOOD traffic night. 

This has caused me to reflect this evening on what is sometimes so GOOD that comes out of a bad situation or event.  I know that I might never have taken this other route home, if it were not for that road construction.  And now I have a great new route that will save me lots of time and headaches.   I thought about taking a different route home yesterday, but it seemed easier to just go my usual way.  So I was extra tired and frustrated after spending an additional 30 minutes getting home.  

Isn't that crazy?  Why do we do things like that?  I have been thinking of the many times I have chosen the "normal" route or done the same old thing.  Even when I was frustrated and even angry, it wasn't enough to move me to make a change.  Yep, change is good!  Tonight I am going to celebrate making changes.  Instead of just being paralyzed into inactivity I will purpose to find a different way!

Yahweh doesn't want us to be stagnant and unchanging.  He is a great and awesome God that, while HE never changes, his Kingdom is always INCREASING!  And that increase means there are changes happening.  His river of life is not a stagnant pool of sitting water.  It is a life filled river that flows from the throne onto all of us and all of creation.  The Kingdom is on the move! Hallelujah!
And I want to be on the move also. 

Yahweh, thank you for speaking so clearly to me, in the midst of my mundane life driving in road construction.  Jesus, thank you for reminding me that your judgement for us is BLESSING and you have more for us ahead.  Give us all courage to take a new route.  To go a different way and experience new things.  Help us to be bold to step out and celebrate you Jesus.  Thank you for your love and care and concern - even in the smallest things.   Amen