Time Out

Well, life threw a curve ball at me late Saturday night. After a great day at the beach, swimming in the ocean, grilling hamburgers and watching a couple movies on Saturday I got a call around midnight from my sister that my dad had a heart attack. I spent the next little while on the phone with her all the time wondering if I should go home. It was only a mild attack and he was conscious the whole time but it was a heart attack nonetheless and he was taken to the hospital via ambulance. They did an angiogram late last night and found that an artery on the left side of his heart was 100% blocked so they put a stint in. They also found another blockage on the other side of his heart that they would have to deal with later...

I talked to my sister, Jan, just a little but ago and originally this afternoon when we talked dad was doing pretty good. Now they can't keep his blood pressure or oxygen level stable so they are working on that. Also originally we thought he had two options for the 2nd blockage. Either another stint (probably a mediated one) or bypass surgery. With the stint he would have to be on aspirin and other blood thinning meds for the rest of his life. With the bypass it would be risky b/c of his lung disease. But today the doctor clarified that his only option probably is bypass surgery. So they will get him healthy from this round in order to do the surgery. Probably in a couple weeks....

I'm staying put for the time being and am in continual prayer for my dad. I would appreciate yours as well.

Also, today was the first day (afternoon) of COP (Candidate Orientation Program) at Pioneers and so far it's been a blast. I have two roommates, Abbi and Lisa, and we have had some fun getting to know each other this afternoon. Tomorrow is our first full day and we are looking forward to it. We've already been to the pool and hot tub tonight. They said we also could swim in the lake, and we were going to do that, but then they said, "as with any lake in Florida, it does have gators. But they won't bother you." Yeah right....maybe another time!

I've uploaded pictures of our beach day and you can see them here.

Florida - Day 1

I arrived safe and sound last night after a delayed departure in Des Moines. There's nothing like getting delayed in the Des Moines airport. Nothing to do and no free internet. But I had a good time people watching. And the two families who planted themselves by me at the gate both spoke different languages...and you know how that fascinates me! Well, if you didn't now you do!

Bob and Sue picked me up and we grabbed some dinner at a steak place before heading to their house. I so love spending time with them! This morning I got up and Sue handed me a cup of coffee and I went out on the back patio to join Bob with my bible. We began to talk about ministry and Brazil and Sue eventually joined us as we continued talking. And I realized that the more I talk with them about ministry the more excited I get about the day that we'll do it together, with the Latham's, in Brazil! They live in a house on a spring-fed pond and this morning we say Blue Jay's, ducks, turtles, a crane, several gecko's and a snake. Not my favorite thing but Sue likes them and that gave me courage to actually go see it.

Now we are preparing to head to the beach at New Symrna for the afternoon. The cooler is packed with all the fixings for hamburgers and I am suntan lotioned up! I will try to upload pics tonight and tell you all about our beach barbeque day. Did I mention yet that I love being a missionary?

Até logo...(see you soon...)

Changes

If you know me at all you probably know that I don’t like change. I don’t like when things are “shaken up” b/c it makes me feel unsettled. But I’m always grateful for change in the end because I learn new things about myself and how God wants me to live for Him. This is probably not new news to the majority of you who read this blog (however I’ve been wondering lately if anyone but Arlen reads it anymore b/c no one ever comments) but it may be news to someone. In the last several months I have made the decision to switch mission agencies from ABWE to Pioneers. Why the switch? Well, it all started with a conversation I had with Shane Latham, my friend and teammate, back in February and God just took it from there. The best way to sum it up is to say that my philosophy and style of ministry fit better with core values of Pioneers than it does with ABWE. ABWE is a terrific organization and I have several good friends who are missionaries with them. But for me this is just a better fit. Since I began attending Westwind, God has been refocusing my priorities and showing me just how the Body of Christ is supposed to function. And let me tell you it has rocked my world! I have never before seen this kind of unity in the Body of Christ and it’s something I don’t want to lose sight of!! What instantly drew me to Pioneers was that they are nondenominational. And the freedom they give their missionaries to partner with anyone and any organization to fulfill the Great Commission…regardless of denomination or location as long as they believe in salvation by grace through faith. This, in my book, is the only crucial issue out there. Basically, why reinvent the wheel if someone is already doing what you want to do? It’s the one thing I took away from my study of “Experiencing God” several years ago. God wants us to find where He is at work in the world and GET INVOLVED. It’s very simple but we tend to make it way more complicated than it’s intended to be. If God is at work why in the world would we ever choose to NOT be involved in what He’s doing? If we want to send Brazilian missionaries and church planters to Portuguese speaking countries around the world and we find someone who is already doing that why would we not partner with them simply b/c of their denomination? It’s been revolutionary for me! When Jesus said “Go into all the world” He didn’t follow that with “and make (insert religious label here).” He said “Go…..make disciples.”

So change is on the horizon. And today I am leaving to spend a week at Pioneers headquarters in Orlando, FL for Candidate Orientation to “officially” kick this all off. But first, a stop at Bob and Sue in Deltona, FL and a barbeque on the beach tomorrow. I love being a missionary……..

Different Drug Problem

All I have to say is a huge AMEN! I wonder how our world would change if parents still practiced this today? Kids would sure learn that the world doesn’t revolve around them. And that life still goes on even if you don’t get your way. So, thanks Mom and Dad for “drugging” me during my childhood. I’m grateful for the lessons I learned as a result.

"The following letter has appeared on the internet….

The other day, someone at a store in our town read that a Methamphetamine lab had been found in an old farmhouse in the adjoining county and he asked me a rhetorical question, “Why didn’t we have a drug problem when you and I were growing up?”

I replied, I had a drug problem when I was young: I was drug to church on Sunday morning. I was drug to church for weddings and funerals. I was drug to family reunions and community socials no matter the weather. I was drug by my ears when I was disrespectful to adults. I was also drug to the woodshed when I disobeyed by parents, told a lie, brought home a bad report card, did not speak with respect, spoke ill of the teacher or the preacher, or if I didn’t put forth my best effort in everything that was asked of me.

I was drug to the kitchen sink to have my mouth washed out with soap if I uttered a profanity. I was drug out to pull weeds in mom’s garden and flower beds and cockleburs out of dad’s field’s. I was drug to the homes of family, friends and neighbors to help out some poor soul who had no one to mow the yard, repair the clothesline, or chop some firewood, and, if my mother had even known that I took a single dime as a tip for this kindness, she would have drug me back to the woodshed.

Those drugs are still in my veins and they affect my behavior in everything I do, say, or think. They are stronger than caffeine, crack, or herion; and, if today’s children had this kind of drug problem, America would be a better place. God bless the parents how drugged us.

Submitted by a concerned citizen"

The Watch

For twenty-three years
This sailor has stood the watch

While some of us were in our bunks at night
This sailor stood the watch

While some of us were in school learning our trade
This shipmate stood the watch

Yes.. even before some of us were born into this world
This shipmate stood the watch

In those years when the storm clouds of war were seen brewing on the horizon of history
This shipmate stood the watch

Many times he would cast an eye ashore and see his family standing there
Needing his guidance and help
Needing that hand to hold during those hard times
But he still stood the watch

He stood the watch for twenty-three years
He stood the watch so that we, our families and
Our fellow countrymen could sleep soundly in safety, Each and every night
Knowing that a sailor stood the watch

Today we are here to say
'Shipmate... the watch stands relieved
Relieved by those You have trained, Guided, and Lead
Shipmate you stand relieved.. we have the watch..."

“Boatswain...Standby to pipe the side...Shipmate's going Ashore."
“Storekeeper First Class, United States Navy Retired, Departing.”



Navy family...departing



Go here to see pictures and more video. Or just click the link in the right column for "My Pictures".

Retirement

I was not prepared for the emotion of a Navy retirement ceremony. I always get choked up when I see men cry and this was no different. As my brother’s buddies and shipmates, John and Casey, paid tribute to him through tears I could see he was also struggling. It was emotional as the awards were given, especially those presented to his wife and sons who have sacrificed in relative anonymity for the career of "their Sailor". The reading of "The Watch" sent a new wave of emotion. And finally, my brother’s retirement speech and its' accompanying emotion as a he faced the reality of being "piped ashore" for the final time. I don’t know how anyone can get through such an ordeal without breaking down. Thinking back on the ceremony I wonder what range of emotions my brother went through. As his wife and sons were honored for their sacrifice – which made his career possible. I imagine the struggle of mentioning shipmates past and present, without whom he would never have succeeded. Even though that day brought a torrent of emotion and some unintelligible words, it’s alright. After all, the tears said what’s really in my brother, and his shipmates, hearts......the love the Navy. And I, for one, am thankful for their sacrifice.

Where it all started...