Sunny, warm family time, reflections on the past year and looking ahead!

 We all got together at an incredible park, half way between the Johnson and Rowley homes.  We have great difficulty finding a time that everyone is available to be together.  So this day was a special treat to help me celebrate my recent birthday.  This park was extra special with something for every age from Jimmy all the way through the adults.  We had a short break to have some snacks and the kids all enjoyed a special treat of freeze pops that Doug and Susie provided.  It was over 80 degrees so that was a welcome cooling and hydrating snack!  The kids climbed, ran, played tag, and all of them (except Jimmy) went down a really cool long metal slide placed into the side of a big hill.  These times together, are especially good when the kids leave tired and ready for the ride home.  

These last two years have really gone by quickly.  At times it feels like a very long time since Ken died.  But then there are those days that it seems like he was just here.  One of the things that happened in the last weeks was an unexpected needed repair to my home.  The ceiling drywall in Ken's camera room cracked in several places and began to fall.  It was open to the attic in several places.  Thanks to Doug's quick actions, everything was moved out of the room.  I was able to get a local handyman to come within a few hours.  Apparently, when my house was built in 1977, they used nails instead of screws to hang the drywall.  And after years, it just dries out and the nails give way and the longer span of drywall begins to fail.  This handyman was able to support the ceiling with temporary bracing and came back two days later to make the permanent repairs.  I am incredibly thankful that we have mostly cleared out and stored all of Ken's camera equipment so nothing was damaged. The two years seemed more real after these repairs were made. 

Last week I shared some Instagram posts that I wrote as a special writing project.  I am making an effort to write every day in this next year.  I have a large project that I have been working on for several years and I would like to complete it by this time next year.  I don't want to stop blogging, so I will be (hopefully) posting a bit more regularly that I have been. Blogging has seemed overwhelming in the last few months.  All of a sudden, it doesn't seem quite as daunting to me!  So get ready for more words from me!

Today in church, we sang  Revelation Song It was such a great worshipful experience, one that I much needed.  I will most likely have this song on repeat over the next few weeks. Being in this place of worship is a great place to begin a new year for me and a good place to end this blog. Join me in worship by clicking on the song.  

Jesus, we are filled with wonder at your name. You are the breath and the living water that sustains us.  Thank you for family times and wonderful times of worship.  Holy Spirit, help us to stay in this place of worship as we go into a new week.  Amen

Going from zero to sixty in just a short time!

 I've certainly had one of those seasons where I was "less busy" than at other times of my life.  Covid certainly had a part in this.  But that wasn't ALL of the reason that I seemed to be treading water - just staying exactly where I had been.  Some of it related to the season since Ken's death.  Again, it was expected that there would be time to adjust. Then, as I mentioned in my last blog, I did a 31day prayer focus journal.  I am here to tell you that when you pray, things happen.  When you expand your prayers to include the world, you are thrust into the world.  When you pray for people near to you, people you have lost contact with, or people you see every day, prayers are answered.  

I visited Uganda in 2004 at the same time as I was in Kenya.  Since then, there was always a place in my heart for the people of Uganda.  I included Uganda in my prayers for the nations of the world, during this 31 day prayer focus.  I should not be surprised that right in the middle of those 31 days, I was approached to be on the board of a Ministry called Sunbeams Uganda.  This followed closely with the answered prayers that reconnected me to my friend in Kenya.  It was clear that Jesus is doing something here!  So over the last few weeks, there has been much learning on my part.  I have been captivated by getting to know and understand the heart and the vision of this ministry to bring real change to a small village in Uganda. I have spent hours networking with various organizations and also meeting some wonderful new friends that also share a connection to Uganda.  Sunbeams Uganda has already brought clean water to the village by digging a well.  The next focus is to help the village build a primary school so that their young children don't have to walk 4.5 Kilometers each way to the closest school.  To get a look at some of the faces of the children in this small village, click on this link SunbeamsUganda.org.  It is a bit of a daunting task to consider the amount of dollars necessary to make these big changes for a small village.  But Jesus said to "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." (Luke 13:16) These pictures are from my visit to Uganda in 2004.  

I noticed these two boys while I was speaking to the children.  They couldn't understand why I would want to take their picture!  This photo always comes to mind, anytime I am thinking about Uganda.  It was if Jesus was saying to me that he was connecting Chicago, USA with the children of Uganda. And now, years later, I have been presented with another opportunity to bring the love of Jesus, as well as practical help to the children of Uganda.  So, for now, I am just holding on tight as my not so long ago somewhat dull life, has now transformed into a rapidly developing, fast moving, calendar filling adventure.  

For years I was quite content to sit in the back pew of church and pray for those "special" ones who decided to be bold and actually GO and serve.  Not everybody has to travel around the world to do what Jesus is asking of them.  There are so many opportunities, even in our neighborhoods, our churches, and with so many other organizations.  And, as I have just been reminded so clearly, prayers really matter and things happen when we pray.  My encouragement to you, no matter where you are, no matter what season of your life, be open to making a difference for someone else. Come and join me on this wild ride!

Jesus, thank you for your plans for us.  You know exactly what we need in every season of our life.  You bring opportunities to us and connect us to others when you know the time is right.  Thank you for your plan and purpose for every child.  Holy Spirit, keep us all open to the new things that you might be placing in our path.  Give us courage and boldness to reach out and take those risks that are placed before us.  Thank you for answered prayers, for reconnection with old friends and wisdom to know how to move ahead.  

This week went "swimmingly"...

As you might expect, the middle of July was plenty warm.  It was perfect for some swimming.  Anyone who knows me well, will know that I love to swim.  The water, being in the water, being by the water, listening to the water, walking by the water, is my happy place.  It was an incredible blessing for me when Gwen and Tim got a swimming pool.  I have been able to swim more than any other summer.  Now that their kids are older, it is especially fun for me.  This past week, Gwen and Lia were off at the National  Youth Gathering from their church.  Tim was home for this one, so I was just needed during one day to be with the younger three kids.  While the day started off raining and storming, the sun came out in the afternoon and we had a wonderful couple hours in the pool. These kids swim like fish and they spend a lot of time underwater! I managed to snap one picture while they were (mostly) above the water!

During my regular time with Grace and Jimmy, I set up their small "splash pad/pool" in the backyard.  This is the perfect size for Jimmy since you can walk right into it (a wading pool has to be "stepped" into and most times little ones fall or step on the sides and let the water out).  

As you can see, Grace brought over her small slide and it made a perfect splashdown in the small collection of water in the middle of this splash pad.  Needless to say, it provided lots of cooling fun for Grace and even kept Jimmy mostly occupied for over an hour.  I put my feet in the water spray and enjoyed just sitting in a chair, watching them splash around.  

Another way this week went so well, was an unexpected email I received.  During the month of July, I am doing a 31 day intensive focused prayer program.  Part of the program includes spending time each day praying for countries around the world.  I began the program praying for any county that I had a personal connection to.  As I have blogged in the past, I met and befriended a very special Kenyan woman named Lucy in 2004 when I visited Kenya on a Mission Trip.  I lost touch with her somewhere around 2013 when her ministry really expanded.  She is a radio host, founder and leader of a large Ministry, has an orphanage that she founded and oversees.  I have continued to follow her (from the internet) by watching some of the weekly Facebook events that she posts.  Most of the time, they are not in English so I don't understand much of what is said.  But for me, it is so good to see just how far the Lord has taken her and her family.  After just a week of praying for Lucy, I got an exciting email.  Lucy was trying to connect with me and had lost my contact phone number.  We have exchanged emails over the last week and I am certain I will be speaking with her soon.  Isn't prayer amazing?  Jesus can really do seemingly impossible things for us, if we just ask.  So for me, this 31 day prayer program has taken on a whole new feeling.  I am much more connected to my prayers, to Jesus and my faith has grown.  I am believing to see many miracles from this 31 days!  I am sure you will hear more about it in the weeks to come.  

Spending this July swimming, being with the grandkids, helping out my kids, being outside in the sunshine, and concentrating on prayer, has made this a truly wonderful summer.  I have been working on my 2019 scrapbooking.  As of now, I have only printed pictures up to Easter.  It has been sort of bittersweet to actually "see" from the photos, how Ken's illness was progressing.  Hindsight  tells me I should have been more aware, but I also know that we were just praying for his health to settle down.  I am just so thankful for all of the photos I have as well as all of the places and people we visited.  My encouragement to everyone is to stop the busyness and see those friends.  Go to those places on your bucket lists.  Plan those trips, in spite of the gas prices.  Take the time and GO SWIMMING!

Jesus, thank you for the sunshine and the warm weather.  Holy Spirit, remind us that people are more important than things.  Keep our focus on you, Jesus.  Remind us to pray when we lose sight of your plan.  Give us all the ability to have fun.   Remind us to live each moment knowing your provision for us, and your plan for our life.  Thank you Jesus for summer days filled with laughter.  Amen

 

Fourth of July marching by.....share your story!

Doug and Susie invited me to their local Fourth of July parade again this year.  Ken and I came to this parade two years (prior to Covid).  This was my second "solo" year and It was as much fun as always.  This hour long parade provided a LARGE amount of candy for Grace and Jimmy loved the entire thing.  He didn't even flinch when the fire trucks came by.  He was just enthralled with everything passing by. 

We had quite the set up perfect for watching the action.  The "grands" in the back row! We all appreciated the "Freeze Pops" that were passed out - even Jimmy!  It was hot but there was a great breeze.   My favorite part of the entire day was Grace proclaiming "This is the BEST day ever!"  

Holidays are interesting when you have lost your spouse.  Even though it has almost been two years, I was surprised to be missing Ken on this day.  I would not have expected this, but because this was something Ken loved so much, I really felt it. 

 

 2018

2019

The passage of time really is odd.  In some ways it seems like these almost two years have flown by.  But in other ways it has really seemed like a long time.  The thing about grief is that it sneaks up on you.  You know that certain days will be hard but then, out of the blue, the missing hits you.  I am so thankful for my family.  Being with the kids, being included in these activities, really helps. I have been making plans to visit some of Ken's favorite spots. There is always joy when I find that perfect "photo" spot and think, "Ken would love this".  There are so many favorite spots, it will be a busy summer! 

I've just started a new Bible/prayer study that is 31 days of prayer.  While I always journal, it is really good to try something new and have a new direction for my quiet time.  I have also been motivated to begin writing again.  I have been working for years on a book, but it has spent a lot of time "on the back shelf".  I am so thankful for this burst of inspiration and am hopeful that it will continue.  My friend recently gifted me this table decoration.  It has become an inspiration for me. 

I have begun to realize that everyone has a story to tell.  Unfortunately Ken's story was much too short.  He used photography to show his inner thoughts to those around him.  He loved order and beauty.  For a long time, different architecture was his passion.  Bridges, barns, buildings and towers filled his frames.  But as he got more and more unwell physically, he turned to flowers and all living things of nature.  The solid, never changing buildings had sort of dissolved into drab, fallen down barns or ancient ruins which then led him to the growing, colorful, alive plants.  It was as if he was desperately trying to hold on to the life that he knew, deep inside, was being cut short.  So I have taken "Embrace your Story" to heart and begun writing in earnest.  All of us have a story.  A testimony of how God has been with us - even if we didn't think He was.  Our children and grandchildren need to know our stories.  The people around us need to know our story.  The world needs to hear our story.  Take this phrase to heart, Embrace Your Story.  And then share it.

Jesus, you have told us that people will know who you are through our testimony.  Holy Spirit, give us courage and boldness to share the good and the bad times.  Thank you for family and friends. Provide opportunities for us to reach out to those around us.  Open our eyes to the needs of our community, our nation and our world.  Thank you for times of celebration.  Amen

A whirlwind week with the kids - being a missionary to my own family!

 I spent last week with Ellie, Zeke and Anna while Gwen, Tim and Lia were on their yearly mission trip.  It was a super fun, busy, and yet very relaxing week for me. While I am actually spending the week as a fill in for mom and dad, I always feel as if it is my own mission trip.  I have a daily reminder to pray for the students and adults who are with Gwen and Tim and I love knowing exactly what they are doing each day.  The kids take the prayer time we have each day very seriously and some very specific prayers were shared.  I especially know that these times with my grandchildren are precious.  So many memories are made.  The time actually flies by and I can't believe when we come to the end of the 8 days.  

Over the eight days we visited 4 playgrounds, 1 skatepark, 3 stores, 5 fast food restaurants, 1 breakfast restaurant, a nail salon, an outdoor dance program and art show,  and 1 bowling alley and the favorite ice cream place - the TeePee. We also played so many rounds of Hues and Clues and also Disney Trivia.  Ellie had three dance practices and we all swam every day but the last day (which was a very cool 72 degrees).  There were so many crafts, thanks to the daily gifts that Gwen prepared for the kids.  We did beading (which was much harder than you might think), decorated bird feeders, magic art (which was really magic), did some detective decoding, made some origami animals, did some fashion designing, and colored some sun catchers.   I tried to get these photo collages with pictures from each day and they are pretty close. Here is the fist Saturday.

And then Sunday.  After church we stopped at the store and picked up some treats for the week.  And we also played lots of games. On Monday we went out for ice cream and we also visited the Dollar Tree for some treats. Tuesday and Wednesday were HOT! I was so thankful for their pool and we spent lots of time in the water.  

 

On Thursday we all had a pedicure.  Gwen had tried to get me in for a pedicure before this week but they were booked!  So I decided to take all of the younger kids - including Zeke!  It was his first experience and he loved it.  He said his feet felt really good.  It was only Anna's second or third time for an actual pedicure experience so it was lots of fun. We visited the "Big park" (as the kids call it) and the Skate Park before having our pedicure and finished it off with Culvers for lunch.

On Friday we ate breakfast at a restaurant, visited another playground (my favorite). Eating breakfast out was Ken's favorite thing to do and we had started taking each of the kids out by themselves for a special treat. Sadly because of Covid and then Ken's sickness, Anna never got a turn.  But this reminds me of those special times. In the afternoon we went bowling.  I USED to be a really good bowler.  Sigh.  I never came close to 100.  Zeke was pleased to win both games and both Ellie and Anna did really well.  It reminded me how much I miss bowling!

Our last day together started off watching Ellie dance in an outdoor performance for the local Art Fair in Grayslake.  The Spotlight group shared some of the recital dances. It was a wonderfully cool 72 degrees and actually nice to sit in the sun and watch the show.  Ellie did such a wonderful job and I am always so impressed by the quality of these performances.  This studio is amazing.   After the show we stopped at Burger King for lunch and the kids got crowns!

One of the last things I did was help Anna hang her bird feeder on one of the many trees in their backyard.  She was delighted that a bird found the feeder and was eating some of the seed.  I was enjoying the cool breezes in their sunroom when Gwen, Tim and Lia got home.  I was sad to leave, but also glad to be home.  

The kids have all grown up so much.  I had as much fun as the kids at all of these activities.  It was so neat to hear the kids play "Concentration" in the back seat of the car.  And I learned about a new finger game called "Sticks".  (This game actually has a math component so the kids are adding and subtracting while they play! It is really cool).  We had many great conversations and I am amazed at the depth of their thinking, the creativity of their ideas and just how thoughtful and kind they are.  I am so proud of them.  

On Sunday morning I had the opportunity to teach in the Rock Kids program.  There were 10 younger kids (3yrs -Kindergarten) and we were teaching the story of Ruth.  Now this is usually a very hard story for kids to really understand.  But this curriculum is just fantastic.  The kids were "gleaning" yellow feathers from the ground after the "harvesters" had left some of the feathers for the "Ruths" to pick up.  From this story the kids learned that God gives us hope even in bad situations.  We talked about kindness and caring.  And the kids made a basket to put some "wheat" in.  So much fun.  

It is a wonderful thing to feel like a missionary.  Being able to bring the message of the Gospel to those around you.  When I was adding the bird seed to Anna's birdfeeder, I was thinking about all of the seeds that I had been able to sow into Ellie, Zeke and Anna during this week.  What a blessing to be also have sown some seeds to those kids in Rock.  More importantly, I heard the message loud and clear.  There is hope in Jesus. In every circumstance. We all need this message today.   So much more happens during a mission trip than just whatever activities are planned.  Relationships are built.  Stories are shared.  And then people learn about Jesus.  It really is a time of being the hands and feet and the "skin" of the Gospel.  I was so blessed to be a small part in this mission time in my family.  So, so blessed.  

I ended the week filled with hope for the future.  When you see children and youth so on fire to serve Jesus and to share and care for others, your hope for future of our country soars.  I encourage you to look around and find the ones that are marching out into the darkness around us with the light of Jesus.  The world doesn't look as bad or as hopeless then.  I don't think there is anything that shines brighter than a faith-filled child.  Be like them!  Let your light shine!

Jesus, thank you for filling me with hope and joy and peace.  Holy Spirit, remind all of the children and youth and adults touched by this past weeks mission experience that Jesus loves them.  Keep them close during these next weeks as they go back to their normal life.  Jesus give us courage and boldness to shine our light into the darkness around us.  Thank you Jesus for your love.  Amen

  

Celebrating a 16th Birthday and a 1st Birthday!

Lia's 16th Birthday happened over Memorial Day weekend - of course!  She was born just minutes before midnight the day BEFORE Memorial Day, so she shares her day with a holiday most years.  She had her "friends" party on the day of her birthday.  I didn't actually get together with her to celebrate until a week later.  But it was a really fun event for this Grandma!  If I gave you a list of the gifts that this girl was thrilled with, you would be surprised!  There were several "car" items (Think a brand new licensed driver!) including a car trash can.  And then there were many "organizing" items for her room.  

One of the most surprising items (to me) was a Lego Architecture set that she had mentioned wanting a while ago.  Yes, Lego's are still a great gift, even when they are 16!

In a rather back to back fashion, Doug and Susie had Jimmy's 1st birthday party.  It was a beautiful, cool day that allowed everyone to be outside.  Doug and Susie had decked out their back yard with plenty of tables and also lots of activities for all of the kids.  I loved this opportunity to snap some pictures of the grandkids all together.  Lia at 16 and Jimmy at 1 are the bookends!  And their birthday's are just 4 days apart!  

It was so fun to see everyone after two years of no gatherings (thanks to covid).  The kids had a wonderful time and the cake was a real hit!  

Jimmy was a bit unsure and actually cried after the singing but with a bit of encouragement, finally dug int the cake.  The funniest moment was when there was an attempt to remove the cake at this point.  And Jimmy was not happy!  Needless to say, they brought the cake back.. 

We ended the party with some photos inside and just a bit of family time.  It was a long day for Jimmy and for the rest of us!  I don't think anybody is used to parties anymore!  I was tired by the end of this day.

I jotted down some of my thoughts about being 16, in a short letter to Lia.  I realized that she is just at that point where it feels like there are some "big" decisions on the horizon and I am sure that can cause anxiety.  I wanted to remind her that you never know what life will bring your way and that the best plans just might not work out.  And the bigger thing is that God has a plan and purposes for each of us. Even if our journey is not a straight path, Jesus can always get us to where He wants us to be. It is unfortunate that somehow our young people today seem to think that they need their entre life figured out before they leave high school.  There are many kids spending hours playing sports, hoping to get scholarships to the best college for those sports.  Or agonizing over which major or career choice they should make.  I bet if you asked 100 people there would be very few who actually ended up in the exact place that they had in mind while making these choices as a 16 or 17 year old. But most people would say, somehow they just ended up in the best place for them. I know, through the many twists and turns of my life, Jesus was gently guiding and arranging opportunities, to get me just where He wanted. And he is still urging me onward! 

There was a song this morning in church called Becoming by Jason Gray that really spoke to me.  This is the last bit of the song.

It's progress not perfection, not arrival, it's direction

It's the living and the learning, not the finish line but the journey

I'm becoming,  who I am

I'm still becoming.  I'm always becoming

This is a good message - even for me at my age!  I am still becoming!  I am always becoming!  These are hope filled words for sure.  We can always change and grow.  We can totally turn around and go a different direction.  We don't have to be perfect, we just need to keep on, keeping on.  Those words I penned to Lia have been in my mind over the last weeks and now I understand why.  It's because I am STILL becoming!  I don't have to try to figure out what is ahead for me in this new season of my life.  And it's a great reminder for all of us, with Jesus, we are always becoming.  Until the end of our days here on earth, we are in progress.  Jesus can and does continue to challenge us to be His hands and feet and voice to the world.  Whether we are 1 or16 or 67 or 99!  Celebrating birthdays can really make you think.  And sometimes that is a very good thing.

Jesus, thank you for celebrations that bring us together with those we love. Holy Spirit, continue to challenge all of us to be bold to show Jesus to the world around us.  Jesus, remind us that you are always with us on the journey.  Thank you for the hope you bring to us each day.   Amen

A very busy May.... remembering Ken, birthdays, dance recital and more!

Here it is, already the end of May.  I can honestly say that I don't know where this month has gone!  Today, on Memorial Day, Doug and Susie invited me to have breakfast with them to remember Ken for his birthday.  This was his very favorite place to go for breakfast. With Covid, and then Ken's sickness and death, I have not been here since early January of 2020.   Imagine my complete surprise when our favorite waitress Terri ran up to me and gave me a big hug.  Of course, she was sorry to hear about Ken and said she has been wondering what happened to us.  I can't believe that she is still there after all this time and the closures with Covid.  It was a very bittersweet time, but I kept thinking that Ken would be so pleased!  It was a very fitting way to remember Ken.

In addition to Ken's 70th birthday on the 14th, the 18th would have been our 48th Wedding Anniversary.  I went to the Morton Arboretum and renewed my membership and stopped at Ken's favorite spot.  It was a rainy day, but such a nice way to remember him.  He loved the Arboretum so much and spent so much time here.  

Next on my calendar was Grace's Preschool Graduation.  Grace has truly loved this "outdoor" preschool program that is held at Blackberry Farms.  Finishing up this year, she will head to Kindergarten in the fall, ready to succeed!  This was the second year she has been in this program and the outdoor activities were really a plus to this program.  

Next up was Zeke's 11th birthday.  No matter how prepared I think I am, I will never get over seeing how much these kids have grown. He is quite the young man these days. He loves video games (following in the footsteps of his father) and also Lego's.  This special car I gifted him seemed so difficult.  But it was not very long and the car was completed!

Then came the yearly dance recital for Gwen's three girls. This was Lia's 13th recital, Ellie's 7th recital and Anna's 5th. 

I will never get over how professional these recitals are.  Dance Connection in Grayslake does a truly amazing job with these young people.  I was remembering that very first recital when Lia was a tiny Disney Princess.  Watching her on stage this year, took my breath away.  The ballet pointe presentation was amazing.  In fact ALL of the dances were amazing.  Lia danced in 7 dances, Ellie was in 5 dances and Anna was in 3 dances.  After two years of "unusual" recitals (both 2020 and 2021 were held outside in less than wonderful circumstances) it was so good to see the dancers on the big stage in an auditorium.  I especially loved seeing Lia and Ellie on the stage together.  Ellie had a couple of "quick changes" this year and Anna had her first real costume change during a recital.  Considering that these changes not only mean the costumes but also their hair styles, it is surprising that it goes so smoothly.  I can't imagine how many of these "quick changes" Lia has done!   So much more than dance steps are gained in these classes.  Commitment, determination, teamwork, practice, and friendships will stay with these girls for years to come.   
 

Next was Jimmy's birthday.  Can you believe that he is ONE already!  It has really been a whirlwind year and I have loved watching him grow into this delightful little boy.  I took these pictures on the day of his actual birthday.  His big party is next weekend and there will be many more pictures to share after that.  He is not only walking well, he is trying to run!  He loves to chase after Grace and both of them giggle in pure joy.  He has a word for Grace that doesn't sound anything like her name - sort of sounds like "Ga-gy".  I remembered that Doug had a very similar "name" for Gwen when he was this age.  Those "g" names are hard for babies!  

Finishing out the month, Lia just turned 16 on the 28th.  I haven't celebrated with her yet, so expect an update in a later blog.  I decided to include this bonus picture of Lia and I taken 16 years ago.  

Again, it just doesn't seem possible that this much time has gone by.  I have certainly aged 16 years!  

Earlier this month, I was shopping and looking for some craft items.   Suddenly, this package caught my eye and I had to purchase it!

All  I could think when I saw this was, "Ken would be so happy to see these!"   Shortly after Ken went to work at Sanford in 2002, he gave me my first Profile pen.  I instantly loved these pens.  They fit my hand perfectly.  Over the next few years, I grew unhappy with the way the plastic clip would break off the pen.  Ken went to the engineers and talked about this.  Shortly after that, the Profile pen with a metal clip hit the market.  While these were slightly better than the first model, the metal clip still broke off the plastic body after a short use.  When Ken retired they were still working on this project.  I remember that Ken told me that an all metal case was the answer to this problem.  And here it is.  A stainless steel case on a Profile pen. It felt like a very real present from Ken.  

This month has been filled with memories and times to celebrate Ken.  In addition to the events I just talked about, I also spent a wonderful evening with some good friends, Bryon and Pat.  We met at Ken's favorite pizza place, Pal Joeys.  Bryon told me that he went to lunch to remember Ken on his birthday, at the restaurant they often frequented.  It was so good to remember many fun times we had together.

This was a reminder to me that Ken's life (and death) had an impact on more than our family.  Seeing Terri this morning and hearing her talk about Ken, is just another example. Ken's life had an impact even greater than I could imagine. All of the people he worked with over the years.  The fellow photographers that he met at conferences and events.   Even down to the people who might use that Profile Pen that he had a part in changing for the better.  Our children and grandchildren.  What a legacy.

I have been thinking about my own legacy - what I want people to remember about me.  And I know that I want people to see Jesus in the things that I do and the way I live my life.  I want my life to be about love for others.  That is the central focus of Jesus and his teachings.  Love God and love your neighbor.  After this troubling week in the news, once again, there is nothing that matters more than that.  How different our world would be if we all just loved God and our neighbors!  Now is a good time to reflect and act on that.  Let's all make our small corners of the world a better place by changing the way we live.  Let's all love God and our neighbors!

Jesus, thank you for the reminder that you care how we live towards others.  You want us to touch the world with your love.  Holy Spirit, thank you for the reminder that Ken's legacy was far bigger than I could image.  Remind us all to love first before we act.  Give us courage and boldness to stand up for those who can't defend themselves.  Thank you for your plan for families.  Let your love shine especially to those closest to us.  Help us to have grace and patience with ourselves and others when we are stressed or tired.  Holy Spirit give us peace.  Amen