Another day of remembering......

I'm not sure exactly when I started to remember my sister's death on the wrong date, but today is actually the day.... in 2007.  I decided to use the picture above because it was such a big day for me and both Karen and Roy look so happy.  This picture was taken at the rehearsal dinner the night before Ken and my wedding in 1974.  I actually spent some time looking for a different picture but when I found this one, I knew it was the right one.  I was thinking a lot today about how much I missed Karen during the final years of my mom's life.  I know last year I mentioned how hard it was on my mom to lose Karen.  

As I was sorting through some pictures, I really began to remember all the different ways that Karen blessed my mom. Karen and Roy visited often and were instrumental in helping mom find the exact right apartment to make her home, when she could no longer care for her townhouse.  Karen made sure that mom got to Lake Maud every summer and often spent weeks with her there.  When they visited her they arranged to take her to visit old friends and relatives that she rarely got a chance to visit.  As a matter of fact, there was one year they drove her to her birthplace and found the house, church and cemetery where many of her relatives are buried.  They took her to visit the church in St. Paul that was her dad's first church.  When my Aunt Bee, my mom's sister, was having problems living on her own in Florida, they took my mom and helped her get Aunt Bee settled into a care facility.  And this is just a snippet of all that Karen and Roy did for Mom.

On the way home from my small group this morning, I was thinking about Karen's laugh.  And I can just hear her on the phone "Say Lyn......."  Yes, I was missing her today.   I have been so aware of all of the ways that my past generations have sown into my life and left imprints that have effected who I am.  Today I was remembering Karen's incredible voice.  And then I was thinking of Gwen.  Most people know that Gwen has that incredible voice that you don't forget, once you hear it.  Karen felt a connection to Gwen.  I know it.  I felt it.  She was very proud of the adult that Gwen became.  Yes, I am having another day of thankfulness, even though it is mixed with remembering and a bit of sadness.

We did a lot of talking at my small group, about the conference that we all just attended.  It was really a time of being in the presence and also, hearing a new sound.  We got to talking about all of the past conferences that we have attended and some of the regular Sunday night meetings of the Chicago HUB.  I found this in my journals from June of 2013 from a regular HUB meeting  ..... 
It is raining His reign, we have a piece of His peace, we need to wait for the weight of His glory, and the best present we can get is His presence!  
Isn't it interesting that all of these things that I noted in 2013....came to pass at this conference last week.  I am so thankful for those wonderful gals in my group.  It is so interesting that these "sisters" I have found mean so much to me, especially when I am missing my sister.  I am thankful that my sister Julie and I can talk often by phone and I am also grateful that I will be seeing her soon.  But on a day like today, it is good to have these special ladies in my life.

Yes, the current very exciting new "thing" in the spiritual realm is a long awaited and much prayed for happening.  This was another reminder today that sometimes our idea of timing is not what Jesus has in mind.  The things that have been sown into our family through out our generations, may seem hidden or may even be forgotten by us.  But those seeds of relationship with Jesus, seeds of His presence and power, are not forgotten by Jesus.  They will spring forth, sometimes when we least expect them.  And when we are missing those special people in our life, Jesus will put people right when and were we need them.

Jesus, thank you so much for my family - my sisters and brothers and my parents.  Holy Spirit you bring comfort and peace through friends.  Jesus, thank you for reminding me of all of the words spoken and all the prayers that have been setting the stage for the current powerful presence that we experienced.  Bring the people to places where your Word is being poured out and your presence in being felt.  Jesus, continue to reign down the rain of your presence and power.  Keep us all aware of all that come to us through those who have gone before.  Amen

When memories are thrust upon you!

Early this morning I was rushing around and getting the kids ready to leave for the bus stop.  I sat down on the couch to help Zeke with his shoes and Anna walked up and pushed this in my face....

This is Gwen's "Pretty Lamb"!  She actually got this stuffed lamb in 1982 as an Easter Present from her Grandma and Grandpa.  It was her first really "important" stuffed animal.  She carried it with her for years.  She loved this fluffy little lamb....with a bell in it's ear.  And the bell still rings.  

Anna was quite happy to hug this no longer fluffy, kind of crummy looking and not so pretty lamb.  Yes, it was one of those times when memories were right there, in my face!  I was thinking about all the love that little lamb has gotten over the last more than 30 years.  Yes, I was glad that I kept these precious objects.  

Last week, Gwen was telling me that Zeke has declared his future occupation.  Now, remember that he is still 3 years old (but he will tell you that his birthday is very soon and he is very excited).  Zeke has declared that first he will be a daddy and for his job he is going to build waterfalls for God!  Now as a point of clarification, all fountains are waterfalls.  He loves to see any kind of water display that includes water shooting up.  So I have been thinking about this.....even during the time I was at the conference.  When Barbara Yoder spoke, she talked about old hymns and the depth that is contained in the words of those songs from the past.  Tonight as I started to write this blog, the following song came to my mind....

          

I have come to the Fountain of Life

	I have come to the Fountain of Life, A fountain that flows from above; I have passed from the waters of strife And come to the Elim of love; I have drunk of the heavenly well, In the depths of my being it springs. No mortal can measure or tell The gladness the Comforter brings.
	Oh, come to the Fountain of Life, The fountain that never runs dry; Oh, drink of the boundless supply,   For Christ is the Fountain of Life.
	I have come to the Fountain of Blood That for guilt and uncleanness doth flow; I have washed in its sin-cleansing flood And my garments are whiter than snow. I count not my righteousness mine— ’Tis Jesus that lives in my soul. I partake of His nature divine, And in Him I am perfectly whole.
	I have come to the Fountain of Health, A boundless and endless supply; ’Tis a secret man’s wisdom or wealth Can never discover or buy. But the secret my Lord hath revealed In the fountain that flows from His side, In the stripes by whose pain we are healed, In Himself as He comes to abide.
	I have come to the Fountain of Joy; His joy is the strength of my heart. My delight is unmixed with alloy, My sunshine can never depart. The fig tree may wither and die, Earth’s pleasures and prospects decline; But my fountains can never be dry— My portion, my joy is divine.

All I was remembering was the chorus that I highlighted above.  But, boy this is a great song about a fountain - Zeke's waterfall.  

And here is Zeke enjoying a waterfall.....on a day when we went to a small indoor waterpark.  He does love water.  I know that there is a call on this little boy - a destiny and a plan for Jesus.  So I would not be surprised if sometime in the future, we look back on this and say, "yep, Zeke knew exactly what he was talking about... he IS building fountains for Jesus".

Now I am sure that you are wondering what in the world I am getting at today.  This does seem like a disjointed and meaningless blog.  But here is the "punch line" to this.  I believe that there has been a spiritual shift happening.  I felt it at the conference this last weekend.  There is a new sound, a new thing, a new way coming that will change everything.  Yes, it is a revival... but it is not like anything you might think of when you hear that word.  It is a move of Jesus and it is all about being in His presence.  I am so thankful Zeke and Anna and Ellie and Lia (like so many other children) are being prepared for this new thing!  Zeke is already hearing from Jesus.  But it is also important to remember that this new thing would not be happening if it were not for the past.  Gwen has certainly poured much more into her children than "Pretty lamb".  But it is a great reminder that we all are connected to our past generations.  That song I remembered actually was written in the mid 1800's. The idea of the fountains of Jesus was alive in the spirit of Albert Simpson when he wrote the lyrics and music for that song.  Even though this is a "new thing", it is good to remember that God never changes.  He has had the plan in place and we are getting the revelation as we walk on.  

Tonight I am thankful for all that I saw, felt and heard at the Chicago HUB conference.  I am thankful for memories and the connection between the generations.  And I am thankful for old hymns that speak to us today.  The new sound .... this new thing...... it is real and it is here.  I can't wait to experience more of Jesus in the days ahead. 

Jesus, thank you so much for this past weekend.  Thank you for memories and reminders of how connected we are to the past.  Thank you for speaking to Zeke and giving his ears to hear!  Holy Spirit, give us peace and expectation about this new thing happening rather than fear and anxiety about the future.  Jesus, thank you for your great plan!  Amen