Andrew Paul Beun

Today, 12/30, Andrew Paul was born into Erik and Laura's family, 9:22am, 7 lb and 12 oz.
Help us welcome Andrew into the family!





Allie's first look at her little brother.








"Look, it's my brother!"











Daddy in charge. Notice Allie studying ...














Hey grandson!









Andrew at 6 hrs!

"The Gift" ... love overcomes

Friday, 12/26, we attended the Brickman Homecoming Concert at Severance Hall in Cleveland. Kristi and Adam joined us for the evening. We have enjoyed Jim Brickman's music over the years and our lives have been enriched because of his lyrics as well as the music. See http://www.jimbrickman.com/ We may have the entire collection of Brickman music which you are welcome to borrow. We enjoy it for the wholesome and simple lyrics and music scores which move us beyond the daily cares and stresses which we so often allow to weigh us down.

It was during "the gift" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12YIJEoRa28&feature=related when I was confronted with my prejudices and/or assumptions of the couple seated to my right. They had come after the show started (and the show had been delayed 20 minutes) and their appearance, body shape/size and dress had caused me to recoil at the thought that we would "enjoy" the concert with them. Come on be honest, haven't you ever been disappointed or made assumptions of the stranger who sat beside you at a public event?! OK, so maybe I'm the only fool ...

It was during "the gift" that I noticed he reached into her lap to hold her hand! This man loved this woman, this woman loved this man ... and I wondered, I realized, they must have a wonderful story to tell. My prejudice became my shame ... I will never know how these two people discovered love and know those "all's right with the world" moments.

It was during "the gift" that I began noticing love around me. Kristi had tilted her head back on Adam's shoulder and closed her eyes. I realized my daughter is completely in love, she has chosen to surrender to the wonder of the gift of love! I'm happy for her ... she and Adam are discovering their story.

It was during "the gift" that I marveled in the wonder of the trust, hope, joy and love Julie and I share. I realized again, in spite of my appearance, my short-comings, my failings, my inadequacies, my less than being perfect she has chosen to love me ... the gift. In the midst of the uncertainties and fears of life ... surrendering to the love of my lifelong friend, companion, lover and spouse is something I am so thankful for, I am a better man because of the gift.

As another year comes to a close, as today we anxiously await the birth of Laura and Erik's second child, I am thankful, humbled and hopeful because of the lesson I re-learned at Brickman's concert: love overcomes ...

... the unexpected ...

Merry Christmas!

'twas the day before Christmas
and grandpa was still in his jamas,
li'l Bennett was stirring
Good Christian Men Rejoice
from 'Celtic Christmas' was playing,
into a dance broke gpa and beni
round the room they waltz'd
soon asleep was she ...

Christmas joy comes from the unexpected!

• Mary and Joseph pondering those who visited on those first days
• shepherds hearing, seeing angels
• God coming down to us ... how much more unexpected can it be!

... and the good news continues, God continually seeking to come down to us; the Holy God coming into the muck and mire of humanity inviting us to know him in our day to day life! This morning I say "Merry Christmas" to celebrate the love of God.

My moment with Bennett was caught by Julie, I only intended to still her for a few minutes ... instead she was sleeping at the end of the song. This completely unexpected moment was the start of a wonderful day with our children.

PS: unexpected gift: our children gave us nuvi 205 - we will never be lost again ... if we can learn to trust this little GPS tool :-)

Room for the child

As we prepare for Christmas consider this poem:

This is the irrational season

When love blooms bright and wild.

Had Mary been filled with reason

There'd have been no room for the child.

-Madeline L'Engle -

Today I choose to embrace the mystery of our Creator and Redeemer. How about you?

Change capacity

Among our joys these last several months have been our times with Bennett. Each week we notice changes ... it makes me wonder if we adults have the same capacity for change as children.

We praise the Lord for the progress she and her parents, Brad and Kelly, have made to overcome her colic condition. Today Brad and Kelly became members of Dayspring Christian Fellowship and dedicated themselves to raise Bennett in a Christian home and community. We were touched as Pastor Kent walked around the room explaining to Bennett God's love which will manifest itself in so many ways.

Enjoy this recent video clip of Kristi playing with Bennett:

Just for fun

We were in Grand Rapids and Holland, Michigan for a few days ...

He washed their feet!

Today I shared this "story" in chapel with all our students as we opened another school year:

It was late in the day as he his friends and family gathering in the Jerusalem home of Anna and Heber, parents of young teen John Mark. The excitement of being together again as friends, as family, was obvious with the many conversations in the room. Jesus stood along a wall smiling, wanting to join in with several of the men but content to stand back and observe.

He was pleased to notice that Peter, his noisy, bold and even at times rude friend, noticed the John Mark and pulled him into the circle of conversation. The loud laugh from James no doubt came from the pleasure he took in carefully worded riddles and jokes he tried on the men; his contagious laugh caused Jesus to laugh even though he hadn't heard the newest and latest joke.

The penetrating smell of the specially prepared meat was in the air.The incredible blend of herbs, spices and onions were mouth watering. And then there was the aroma of fresh baked bread – ahh – Jesus closed his eyes and imagined slowly chewing the bread, tasting the grain, enjoying how it would slowly melt in his mouth. They were gathered for a special holiday, the Passover feast.

The platter of fresh black olives, purple grapes, green figs at the dinner table was so inviting; no wonder several couldn’t resist the temptation to grab hand-fulls and enjoy the taste and texture of freshly picked fruit well before it was dinnertime.

Several whistled and hummed the songs that were traditionally sung at this feast; one strummed the lyre while another softly patted the drum causing several to join along in song and dancing to the methodic rhythms.

Jesus moved away from the wall, washed his hands, splashed water on his face The cold water refreshed him after a day of teaching near the temple. He looked around and noticed that the servants were no where in sight. Anna and Heber must have dismissed them from their household duties so they to could join their friends and family for the holiday. Usually it was the servants of the household who welcomed people by offering a clean robe, washing dusty feet and directing them to the table spread with food and drinks.

Jesus wondered, who would be the servant on this occasion? Who would welcome the friends by helping them clean up for the meal and escorting them to seats at the table?

It was a dirty task – carefully washing the smelly, dusty, grimy feet of those who gathered. The temperature of the water had to be just right and of course people expected the water to be clean – so numerous trips to the water warmed in the kettle on the open fire were required. Seldom did anyone say thanks. Often people complained about their feet not being dried right, the wetness between the toes was the toughest to get and of course some grumbled when they should have laughed because their ticklish spot had been touched.

Jesus quietly took off his jacket, prepared several buckets of water, found the towels and knelt down. The room slowly quieted to an uncomfortable silence. Several wondered aloud in awkward whisperings. What was this? Jesus, their friend who earlier in the day had silenced several well-trained rabbis in the temple when he claimed he was the way to the Father, the way to Yahweh, the way to the God of Israel. People had been amazed at Jesus and started to worship him.

Could it be that the great God, the One who had led their ancestors out of Egypt centuries earlier, was now in their midst?

Jesus beckoned each; smiling and quietly called each one by name. He knelt, carefully washing, drying, pouring fragrance and kissing the top of their feet as they laughed and told of memories of days gone by. They hugged and slapped each other on the back as the uncomfortable silence changed to laughter and animated conversations. Joy filled the room as they talked of how they could too might humble themselves and serve others.

They realized and talked of how Jesus humbled himself, forgetting about who he was and with no concern of what others thought of him, to serve and love his friends. They were amazed that the once whom they worshiped knelt, they were amazed that their Lord was their servant.

So who among us will serve? Who will love? Who will "wash the feet" of others?

Today we welcome all back to school. We welcome several new teachers, Kristina Hamsher, Thomas Dunn, Bill Seymour; we welcome Ellie Wiebe from Paraguay and Song Gu from South Korea
We especially welcome 66 new students to our school.

Our commitment is to love and learn as Jesus did. Jesus welcomed family, friends and visitors by humbling himself to serve. My hope and prayer is that all of us will choose each day to humble ourselves and serve. It is when we serve that we are like Jesus! It is when we serve that we discover true and lasting joy!

A Saturday visit to the Beuns

Julie and I visited Brad, Kelly and Bennett for a little while yesterday. We walked in on Brad playing with Bennett (1st picture). Bennett is fun to hold:

• a light rub of her cheeks brings out a smile
• she stretches and yawns with her entire body (I guess that's a lesson for us when we yawn -- no apologies, just enjoy yawning)
• she responds to voice by looking, it was especially cool to see this when Julie sat by me and talked (Julie had visited Friday evening and held her for quite awhile)
• 
  

Bennett update

Bennett Grace came home Saturday afternoon! Kelly and Brad are doing very well with her at home. Bennett is so tiny, petite and lovable; holding her, talking to her, watching her stir as she sleeps in our arms is a wonder of God. I imagine this is what it is for us when we truly allow ourselves to rest in God's presence.

PS: If you click on the slide show keys you can pause the pictures to enjoy ...

Hello from Bennett

Bennett Grace Beun, born 8/7/08, 2:45pm, 5lb 10oz and 19"

This is the child and daughter we have prayed for; we celebrate her safe arrival with Praise God! Kelly and Brad went to the hospital around 2:00am, labor and delivery went as expected and hoped. While tired from a sleepless night both are doing well.



Life is a miracle and gift of God!

Pure joy - a journey, a quest

For a few moments, June 14, around 9:00pm, I saw joy in its pure form!

As Kristi and Adam shared their "next step" (engagement) with us, present in the room, and others, calling long-distance, I was witness to joy without all that may attempt to restrain, constrain or strain it. Their joy could not be contained, it impacted those of us privileged to be in the moment with them.

Joy at its best and purest form is ... well I've been wondering about that quite a bit this past month. Years ago I "claimed" Philippians as my favorite Bible book -- see I need the constant instruction as a believer in Jesus of "joy ... rejoice:"

• I always pray with joy 1:4
• then make my joy complete 2:2
• I am glad and rejoice 2:17-18
  
• rejoice in the Lord 3:1
• rejoice 4:4-7
• I rejoice greatly in the Lord 4:10
• I have learned to be content 4:11

For me, joy doesn't come easy. I fear after a few minutes (OK I'll be generous - several hours, the next day) I squashed Kristi and Adam's joy. How you might ask ... OK, even if you aren't asking, I'll tell you.

The next day I started thinking about how life would change because of their choice to marry. Ah, there lay one obstacle to joy: "I!" When I view life from my narrow, self-centered, limited and selfish vantage point - joy is out of reach. Only when I embrace God's grace in how I think about self and others can pure joy take residence in my soul, mind and life.

Then I allowed fear to set in, see the reality that I must embrace is that Kristi is leaving me to start a shared life with Adam. I should be thrilled (and most moments I am) for her, but the fear of the unknowns as she joins her life's goals, ambitions, dreams and faith commitment with Adam's, cast a cloud of feelings I haven't quite labeled yet. What I'm learning about my struggle with living in joy is that fears can quickly distill, pollute and taint the wonder of joy. John wrote, "there is no fear in love." (I John 4:18) Knowing/living in God's love releases fear and allows me to see joy; loving Kristi (and Adam) in heart, mind and life, permits me to embrace and integrate their joy.

I will always cherish the evening of June 14 when Adam proposed, Kristi accepted and they came down from their mountaintop (quite literally) and shared their joy with us -- I experienced pure joy that evening ... for that gift I will be forever thankful and joyful. While for them it was a beginning and next step; for me it was humbling, instructive, and I hope transforming, and oh it was joyful!

How do you nurture and embrace joy?

The journey of life

During our CO trip we took this picture in anticipation of the journey of life Kristi and her fiancee Adam are on. (In a later blog I will reflect on the joy of the evening of June 14.) For now, as Kristi's father, I "see" several thots in this picture.

First, I'm thankful for the contentment Kristi and Adam have in their friendship and love. What a great thing in the journey of life to discover, nurture and grow in friendship with the person we have chosen, and God has "assigned" as our life partner. I also note they are traveling lightly, little baggage to burden them or hold them back -- maybe that's important in the discovery of contentment.

Second, my "little girl" is on a life-long journey with a Christian young man; this journey requires leaving -- she is leaving Julie and I. While always in each other's hearts, the journey of life requires leaving. Even as I took this picture there was a tear in my eye yet as parents one of the greatest "gifts" we give our children is "permission" to leave.

Third, while they have some understanding and anticipation of what is on their journey -- there is so much unknown on the journey. It is both exhilarting and humbling to know that the journey of life is a paradox of the predictable and the surprise -- in this paradox is knowing and experiencing the presence of God. I hope for many surprises on their journey -- I hope for some of the predictable as well.

What thots do you "see" in this picture?

luxury

One of our favorites in June!

Looking back 30 years ago

Today a lengthy post, below is an article I've written of an event which powerfully shaped me to be who I am today. May God cause it be a blessing to you in some way.

Discovering Comfort!
by Henry Beun
May 25, 2008

The year was 1978; the day: Thursday, May 25. The phone call at about 3:30 that afternoon jarred me awake from a nap; I cocked my ear to listen, curious as to who was calling and why, but hoping it wasn't for me. The soft voice of my wife Julie said, "Hello" and acknowledged the voice of her mother; we were 500 miles from home working as "community workers" in Freeport, Illinois, for the Mennonite church there. The intensity of the next words is still imprinted on my mind: "No, No, it can't be!" She screamed for me to come to the phone. The "news" I received from my mother-in-law was gently stated, yet in a forced tone, the words sounded harsh and cruel: "Your brother Ben was killed in a car accident after school."

Stunned, I mumbled a few words and hung up. My next call was to my parents. My father answered the phone quietly, not with his usual enthusiastic, "Hello!" Words were few. I told him we would make arrangements to come home as soon as possible.

We made a few calls. The phrase was so final, the words, “My brother Ben was killed!” were so hard to utter, bringing tears to the eyes and stammering speech to the lips. Church people quickly offered to take care of our responsibilities. Our neighbor, elderly Mrs. Williams, brought the first sympathy card - her aged faced reflected knowing the pain, the harshness of death.

The 10-hour trip home was a blur. We got supper at a Burger King drive-thru window; they forgot our fries - it didn't seem to matter. Curling up on the seat behind Julie as she drove the van for awhile, I sobbed quietly. She reached back, her comforting touch brings more tears; she asked, “Are you OK?” No response was needed. We stopped at a truck stop in western Ohio about 3:00 in the morning for some coffee; the song on the juke box: "Take This Job and Shove It." How dare the waitress be so cheerful as she sang along?

It was about 6:00 a.m. and the sun was just coming up when we arrived “home” at the family farm. Stopping on the gravel road where the farm property began, I noticed newly planted corn was barely through the ground. We prayed.

We drove down the gravel lane, parked the van and I slowly walked toward the house. My father and mother came out on the porch, as if they had been waiting for us. My father came down the steps; we walked into each other's arms - no words were spoken - tears flowed freely. In the embrace we shared our pain, confusion, shock - there was comfort in those strong but tired arms, those tears, and that embrace.

Finally we were given some details of the accident. Ben had just finished his second-to-last day of school and offered to take a friend, Millard, home. At about 3:15, filled excitement and adrenalin - the school year was nearly over - he got behind the wheel of a sporty-looking, green Pontiac. Ben headed north; in less than a minute his earthly life would come to a sudden and violent end. Flooring his vehicle, he surely felt the rush and force of the power under the hood as he passed another vehicle, disregarding the double yellow line.

Suddenly, as he crested a little knoll just a half mile north of the school, he lost control, his vehicle sliding sideways on the road. Ben was broadsided on the driver's side by an oncoming car. On impact, Ben was killed; his friend Millard survived. A divot in the asphalt remained and became a reminder to me for years to come of the accident, of a moment when metal, which seemed so secure, turned into ugly wreckage. The car was ripped apart just in front of the dashboard. The driver's seat was a twisted mess; pushed into the passenger's side by the driver's side door which was crumpled into the seat – Ben never had a chance! The "security" of a car now stood vulnerably before us, stating the real truth about the laws of physics and the properties of metal.

Time raced the next several few days, unkind to our need to be able to remember. Calling hours were Friday evening; little more than 24 hours before, Ben was alive, laughing. So many people came by, many I didn't know, but they spoke kind words. Standing in line at the funeral, I could see the pain of his friends. Yet there was comfort in the presence of family and friends.

Frau Hooley, German teacher, recalled how Ben had only recited part of Psalm 23 that Thursday in class. He got as far as verse four, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” I’ve always wondered; did he know what was going to happen? Answering this question with a “yes” was comforting.

After calling hours I stood longing to tell my father something I had never told him and now realized there was no guarantee I could tell him later, so I walked over to him, hugged him and in a quiet, broken and tired voice whispered, "I love you." There was no response from him, his youngest of five sons, with whom he had big dreams, had just been ripped away.

Saturday afternoon, I watched from the back of the church; stunning silence was droned out by organ music. I sensed the finality as the lid came down on the coffin, forever "hiding" my brother from the world, and Mr. Gresser secured the lid in place before rolling it to the front of Oak Grove Mennonite Church. The highlight of the funeral service was a tribute read by a classmate of Ben's. It was powerful, honest and painful. She read bravely amidst crying, sniffling and sobbing.

At the grave site I stood with my father and several others in the family until most everyone else had crossed the road, walking away. My father's final act was a greeting he had often used with this, his fifth son, around the farm. He stood erect, gave a military salute and firmly called out "Sergeant" as he snapped the salute. That act sent a piercing, gut-wrenching stab of pain convulsing through my body.

During the family meal after the funeral, I was stunned when I laughed with my three other brothers. How odd to laugh, at first restrained, now it felt good - how ironic – that act of laughing as we recalled memories was most helpful in starting the life-long reality of grief.

Thirty years later, why does one share a few memories? It is a tremendous "help" to be able to admit the pain that now is a part of who I am. This event, this moment, became a threshold to who I am and what I do. Telling the story is a comfort; I feel purged, cleansed when I tell it. I can go on living; I know pain and disappointment are part of life. This moment reminds me that there is light at the end of the dark tunnels of the pains, the difficulties, which we so often try to avoid.

All of us have stories to tell; all of us have moments in time, unexpected detours, which have a significant influence on who we become. When we don’t understand a person’s actions, there may be things we don’t know. We may never know the unknown about others, but recognizing there are unknowns invites sensitivity and a willingness to accept.

It also becomes important to acknowledge many of the experiences of life over which one has no control. Often these have an incredible potential to alter, sometimes radically, the "goals" of life. The best laid plans are, at times changed; the key to life may be in how we respond to the events over which we have no control.

Finally, there is life beyond the grave for the dead and also for those who remain. Yes, our willingness to accept Jesus’ death and resurrection as the way to eternal life and respond with a desire and life of righteousness are important. Heaven certainly is closer to earth because I have family and friends there. But, I also know that when the difficulties that are part of life come, an attitude of “this too will pass” can be a patient, persevering, way of hope and growth. I have known, like so many others, what it means to be carried on “eagle’s wings.” God desires not only for us to walk with Him, but to carry us when we realize our weaknesses. That’s real life. That’s really living!

"You don't know the words"

Last evening Allie was here for supper. She asked g-pa to sing the "sunshine" song:
you are my sunshine, my only sunshine
you'll
.... my mind went blank! Allie sadly looked up to me with her big brown eyes, "You don't know the words!"

You see several weeks ago Julie and I were taking Allie home. During the 20 minute drive we sang You are my sunshine over and over again, we had fun together, there was synergy as we sang together. Yesterday her disappointment in me was palatable! (Julie saved the day by helping me when she got home from work.)

Well, this got me wondering ... Sunday after Sunday we sing the songs, we hear the Word, we express our loyalty to the way of Jesus ... What happens Monday-Saturday? When we fall short ... does Jesus come alongside and say "you don't know the words."

A welcome rain

Has it really been four weeks since I entered a blog entry? Wow, where did April go?

This morning we welcome the rain. I've always been amazed how our creator "designed" rain. Imagine all the ways we might have supplied water to keep the earth green and provide the basic necessity for us to live. For me, at least for starters, God's gentleness is evident in the falling rain.

Today I find joy in knowing God's gentle presence ...

B-day and mens retreat

10 days ago, the 5th, I celebrated my 53rd birthday. What does one think about when blowing out one more candle (OK there were no candles, why there wasn't even a cake specially made for me!) Maybe birthday parties are just for kids and when we reach those special numbers: 60 would be next for me.

I'm hardly complaining though; the highlight was enjoying family at Spaghetti Warehouse Sunday evening April 6 with Julie, Brad, Kelly, Erik, Laura, Allie, Kyle, Lisa, Kristi and Adam. This celebrated what I'm so joyous and thankful for: family time. Each time Julie and I reflect on being with the children, and the families they are becoming, we remind ourselves we must continue to keep this a priority.

Another birthday highlight was spending the 5th with 25 men at the Camp Luz men's retreat. I led the input time choosing 4 different highlights from the Jacob story:
1) deceive theme which threads itself throughout the Jacob narrative (the name Jacob means "deceiver) How we too deceive, manipulate, connive in order to get our way and be in control -- ouch!
2) awareness of God's presence; when Jacob wakes up he realizes he has seen God! What is necessary for us to see God?
3) the joy of forgiveness - Jacob claims to have seen God when he and Esau reconcile. Jesus forgives us - there we see God; Jesus says we are to forgive others and seek the forgiveness of others ... their lies the joy we long for as believers.
4) embracing change because we have seen God. Jacob became Israel, "struggles with God." Can we embrace our struggles with God, and people, as healthy, life-giving and hope.

I was personally challenged through the worship, fellowship and Bible studies of the weekend.

We welcome spring

I love springtime! There is an energizing joy of the anticipation of blooming tulips. I check ours almost daily as they miraculously push through the earth and mulch. Yesterday I "discovered" this poem/prayer:

Astonished and Amazed

like tulips long lying hidden

suddenly springing forth

making beauty out of sunlight

like soil caught and turned

warm, moist, and ready for seed

opening its heart for growing

like spring speaking to the day

about the goodness of the earth

patterning green on every plain

like trickles of raindrops

smoothing earth's rough edges

healing hardened hillsides

like all those quiet miracles

so is the coming of the Holy Spirit

telling of the surge of life

urging me to gaze again

upon my very common days

to look within and be amazed

-- Joyce Rupp

out of the ordinary, p 201

receiving...leaving

This past Friday, before leaving the Eastern Mennonite University campus to return to Central Christian with our 8th graders, I prayed a brief prayer on the bus. I doubt if anyone else can recall the words I prayed beyond "thanks" and "safety for travel." For me, as I prayed, I reflected on what others had left us by taking time to be with us. We were taking a piece of those with whom we had had significant interaction during our visit.

Isn't that how life is? Each day we give a piece of ourselves to others, each day we receive pieces from others. We take others with us on the journey of life and others take us on their journey of life. Last week Mark Risser, EMU admissions counselor, gave generously of himself to the students; he "perspired" with joy, enthusiasm, kindness and hospitality. Unknowingly he left a piece of himself with each of us.

The joy of life is leaving and receiving pieces of each other! The joy of living in Christ is receiving a "piece" of the divine and leaving that "piece" with others each day! I think there is a song about that: "... freely, freely I have received, freely, freely, I give ..." Will you help me finish the song?

A special celebration

We celebrated Julie's 50th with a special surprise celebration on March 19. Kristi had been "appointed" by her three older brothers to plan the party. She did a great job and each of the children added to the evening. A special moment was listening to the children tell of memories of Julie as well as words of appreciation/affirmation for who she is.

We invited family and friends to join us for cake and ice cream later in the evening. It was a wonderful and memorable evening.

The pictures capture a few moments of a warm, joyous and friendly evening.

Finally we're both 50!!

Friday, March 21, was Julie's 50th birthday. Before we left for our birthday date Kristi took several pictures -- clearly we are a good mix: Henry looks older than 53 and Julie hardly looks like a 50 year-old; so we are a good blend.




We enjoyed dinner at The Cheesecake Factory in Beachwood. What a surprise to be greeted by snow after dinner! Julie hit the jackpot at Christopher Banks!! After 30+ years we still enjoy hanging out together -- for that we are very thankful and praise God!




If you are looking for a unique date idea we recommend getting dressed up, going for a drive (great time for conversation) and enjoying a dinner. PS: always share a dessert.

24 hours with "old" friends

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We celebrated Julie's 50th birthday with friends from Davis, Ill -- Jerry and Deb Fortner. The origins of our friendship are our voluntary service days with Freeport Mennonite Church in 1978.

We enjoyed several meals together, visiting, laughing, playing cards (500 and Rook), watching Julie play a practical joke on several ladies (moving their jeans from the womens to the mens restroom), snacking, praying and celebrating the joy of friendships. Six months ago when I asked Julie what she wanted for her 50th it was time with Fortners that was at the top of the list.

An angel?

Two weeks ago, Kristi and I were in Washington DC to visit the sites. It was a wonderful father-daughter time. The pictures are of the two of us enjoying breakfast together as well as a break on a park bench prior to our capital building adventures. Words can't capture the wonder of having 72 hours of just the two of us. I praise the Lord that our only arguing was while traveling and my reluctance to trust the GPS unit Kristi had borrowed from her boyfriend Adam.

While there were many highlights and memories it was a comment from a stranger while we waited in the Metro that has me wondering again about angels ... wondering about hearing God ... wondering how the unexpected may be a word from God. As I took a picture of Kristi waiting for the Metro, an elderly black lady blessed us with these words: "Why that girl must be your daughter, she looks just like you." "You are so blessed to have your girl with you" Girl, you are blessed to be with your daddy!"

I knew the time together with Kristi was special, it was a gift we shared. What I also know and often take for granted is that the friendship the two of us have father/daughter is special. The reality that we could enjoy time together, away from all the busy-ness that at times overtakes us, was blessed by a stranger's words. Today I thank God for sending this "angel" to teach me that my life is rich because Kristi and I are friends!

Living in joy

http://

Several days ago Allie was with us for the evening while Erik and Laura were with their SS class. What a joy to experience the dynamic energy, curiosity and determination of our grandchild. Posted above are some pics of Allie partnering with Gpa!

Forgiveness

As I was preparing for a sermon from Luke 11:1-13 I discovered this demonstration of forgiveness:

This prayer was found in the clothing of a dead child at Ravensbruck
concentration camp. "O Lord, remember not only the men and women of
good will, but also those of ill will. But do not remember all of the suffering
they have inflicted upon us. Instead remember the fruits we have borne
because of this suffering, our fellowship, our loyalty to one another, our
generosity, the greatness of heart that has grown from this trouble. When
our persecutors come to be judged by you, let all these fruits that we have
borne be their forgiveness.

The sermon focus was on the " ! " at the end of 11:13, therefore I omitted this story from the sermon. I share it with you because when I found the story I thought, "This needs an audience!"

Yum!

Sunday noon dinner was a delight, Kristi and Adam joined Julie and I. It is always fun when we try new recipes. Today we share with you Slow Cooked Cherry Pork Chops and Whipped Angel Raspberry Torte. The torte was a succesful idea which Kristi thought up on her own, email her kdbeun@gmail.com for details.

Cletus take the reel

This has been a full week! Every evening we were somewhere.

Enjoy the parody on Carrie Underwoods "Jesus take the wheel," click on this link www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zfs3BJZxKkc&feature=related

The point: isn't it often through friends and strangers enabled by the Holy Spirit, sometimes unaware, that Jesus intercedes.

I need a home!

Dear friends and family of Henry and Julie:

I am looking for a good home, please tell your friends and family! Please have them call Henry and Julie ASAP - thank you for any leads you can give.

Meow,

Bridgette

excerpt from"Mosaic"

I've completed Amy Grant's book, Mosaic; Julie is now reading it. Among the many reflections of living life that caused me to stop was this one:

Loss
The question is "How do we live with loss?" The cycle of investment/loss is manifested time and again in our lives.

We invest in children. They grow up and move on.

We invest in partners, and eventually that familiarity is susceptible to some level of contempt. We invest in friendships, and circumstances change, and loyalties turn to lip service and loss.

Sometimes we're blindsided by it.

The ways I learn to deal with loss might be useful tools for my children. I must remember, "We mourn, but not as those without hope."

God's view of life, of us, is eternal. Loss is temporary. (page 173)

A year ago our sister-in-law Deb was dying; these days we often think of her journey, her loss, the family's loss, our loss ... While Amy Grant's words certainly bring hope to the losses we experience in death of those we know and love, her words speak to the many other losses of life.

A letdown: surgery postponed

Henry was to have surgery today. However, the surgery is delayed because one procedure, the "tongue stitch," is relatively new and has not been done at Aultman hospital. The surgery has been rescheduled for Feb 7.

The postponement resulted in an intriguing dilemma: suddenly two weeks I had blocked out for surgery and recovery "opened" for ... The postponement is a letdown as I had steeled myself for what was to come.

The joy of life are the dynamic paradoxes of each new day. I'm reminded of the saying in Lamentations, "... his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning..."

Jim Brickman concert

The last several years we have enjoyed Jim Brickman's holiday concert; it is a "gift" to each other. Brickman is a "romantic pianist." Joining Brickman were Richie McDonald, Anne Cochran and Tracy Silverman; you can "google" any of these artists to discover their genre of music. Check out http://jimbrickman.com/ for more on Jim Brickman.

Two memories we will carry with us from Sunday's concert:
1) Brickman reflected briefly on "being in the background." He named the variety of "places" he, and his piano music, are in the background: ads, Olympic spots, Delilah show, in the home, in the office, at celebrations, in the life's of couples, etc. Brickman claimed a contentment with being in the background - he even quietly demonstrated this as he shared the stage with the other artists.

The subtle challenge is to recognize all the opportunities we may have to make a difference, while being in the "background," enhancing life for our family, friends, co-workers, and ... This also makes me wonder and marvel: the power of God's love which is in the background of our daily life; may we always hear God's background music. Or is it the other way around: am I to be in the background while God is on the main stage?

2) On a more "romantic" note (ha, catch the pun!). To our right sat a couple certainly their upper 70's. The gift they gave us: enfolded hands as they listened and enjoyed the music. We left further committed to still enjoying each other's touch and hoping we can have that intimacy 25 years from today. Although that moment of touch is sweet ... the reality is that the constancy of our friendship and growth regardless of what ever our life experiences will be necessary for the gentle but deep touch to be a reality.