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!