Lessons learned from vacation

The song "Summer Breeze...makes me feel fine" is stuck in my head!  Yes, I'm back home in Alaska and there's not always that "Summer Breeze." But, I'm back home.  Maybe a little credit will go to Dorothy off the Wizard of Oz...but there's truly NO PLACE LIKE HOME.

What does home mean to me:
- The fragrance (that's a good thing...mine smells like cinnamon, apples and cloves)
- The layout of my furniture
- The freedom you have to be a bum
- Your OWN bed!!!
- and so much more....

It dawned on me, as I was watching the summer Olympics, our kids will be 17, 14, 12, and 6 the next time they come on.  It's no secret that the summer Olympics come on once every 4 years...but IT HIT ME LIKE A TON OF BRICKS!!!  Braxtyn will be heading out to college when they come on again.

So, with that said, here's my simple and quick lesson I received:
My kids are kids for a quick season.  Yep, that's it!  So much happened this summer that the months FLEW by. Four youth summer camps, 3 weddings, 1 mission's trip, and a family vacation.  And, that's how fast it'll be for the next 4 years.  It'll FLY BY!

So, my house will always need to be cleaned, but my kids will be out of my house before I know it.  There might be constant nagging and arguing, but my kids will be out of my house before I know it.  There might be challenges and attitudes that come my way, but my kids will be out of my house before I know it. There might be 100 times the word "mom" is called out, but my kids will be out of my house before I know it.

Until then, I'm going to model love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, kindness, faith and self control. (Boom-shaka-laka)

Back in the day...

Today I spoke with an 88 yr old former pastor for about an hour.  WOW!!  The stories I heard reminded me of how simple life used to be "BACK IN THE DAY."  Back when a hand-shake or looking people in the eyes could determine honesty. 

This friend of mine left home at age 12 and went farm to farm looking for work.  NO CHARGE, just needed a place to lodge and hopefully some homemade food.  He didn't know much, if anything, about God....but when laying on hay bales late at night, he'd look up, and know someone must have created the moon and stars.  It didn't just happen.  He was right.  And, he met that "someone" at age 22.  My friend ended up pioneering 4 great churches and just recently made the adventurous trek up the alcan.

My friend is a remarkable man and I'm sure there are so many stories he could tell me about, "Back in the day..."  But an hour was all I had.  And, I'm rather grateful for that hour. 

When's the last time you listened to some stories of some of the "older" adults in your life?  They're out there and I'm certain, they'd love to share their stories.

Pastor Fulton Buntain...A life well lived!

"A life well lived....."  Pastor Buntain is the definition of that statement.  Last night, Mark had the opportunity to be apart of the memorial service, "a night of honoring" for a GREAT MAN.  We feel so honored to have worked with him and the Life Center staff from 1996 - 2001.  What a blessing both he and Lorraine were to us.

They took a chance at two "young bucks". I was fresh out of college and Mark was a youth pastor in rural Rawlins, Wy.   He used to make me giggle when he'd tell Mark, "Brother Mark, you better get used to holding Heidi's bags someday....She sounds just like Aretha Franklin."  LOL  His ears must have been going bad by this time, but his compliments meant the WORLD to this young lady back then.  Yes, he gave me a chance!  And, that chance BOOSTED the confidence the Lord had already given me.  But, isn't that what life's all about?  Taking chances and making choices?

The chance you took on us shaped and molded both Mark and I into the leaders we are today.  Thank you to both Pastor Buntain and Lorraine.   

And the GIFTS keep on coming...

Before I start; Yes, I know Jesus is the best gift of all. That's a for sure "given." I simply want to share some other things that tickled my heart's strings.

First, the fact that we got to see our families in Oregon for Christmas was by far amazing!! Everyone is in good health. We had a blast eating, laughing and enjoying the fact God put us all in the same CRAZY family.

We flew back home on Christmas night (late arrival of 1am). We hadn't opened any of our presents from each other, so we decided to open them that night. Thus to say we didn't go to be till 3am....we were all so thankful and pleased with all the great gifts from each other.

I thought we were all done until Braydee yelled, "Mom....I have one more for you!" She ran to her room and brought a bag out. "I made it myself," she said. Anyone who knows Braydee knows this can be interesting. It was a "MOM BOOK" nicely colored with Braydee Zweifel as the author. I had mixed emotions as I read the book. It was 12 FULL COLORED pages of my daughter's thoughts of me. At times, I felt that big lump at my throat (you know...when you're about ready to burst in tears) and other times I was laughing so hard my gut hurt!

My favorite pages were:

The NURSE: it was a picture of 2 hands. One hand was supposed to me mine. Long finger nails painted and my wedding ring on applying a band aid. The other was hers....a little dirty hand with a LARGE slice in the finger. Not to mention the blood drops running down.

The PROTECTOR: A picture of a Pistol gun and a stick of dynamite. (Neither of which I own!!)

But today, Dec. 29th we were doing some bible reading and devotions. I explained to Braydee Jesus' Return (AKA Rapture). Explained a bit about the Mark of the beast (666) and the consequences of receiving it and the consequences of NOT receiving it. Things she never heard before. We continued on the path that no one has to be scared of this time if their name is on the ROLL CALL list the first time. She was so IN TO it!!! We finished the talk and Braydee said, "I want my name on the roll call the first time mama!"

You see...the gift keep on coming!

Christmas 2011 - I'm going home....

It's been over 10 years since we've been able to share Christmas with our families. As I'm typing this, I'm in Tillamook, Oregon. It's beautiful here...but not as beautiful as Alaska. In 4 days I'll be visiting my family in Portland. It's beautiful there, but not as beautiful as Alaska. But, there's nothing as beautiful as being in the same room as loved ones during the holidays. I'll cherish this Christmas season for a LONG time. Who knows, it might be another 10 years before we're able to do this again.

On the way here Mark and I were discussing why so many people feel "sorry" that we uprooted our family to Alaska. Meaning, comments such as, "oh man...it's cold up there," or "Alaska... What made you move there?" We'd like to make something very clear. Although it is quite a climate and geographical change (which might be why we have so many comments), WE LOVE IT!!! Our kids LOVE IT!!! And, God LOVES IT!!! The people and the beauty of this state is like no other place we've ever been. We're firm believers we'll flourish where ever God might lead us. Simply because we love God, his people, and we work hard. However, I'm so thrilled we're planted in Alaska. Especially Anchorage!!! God knows I need a mall and be close to an airport!

This Christmas season love on your family. Love on your parents (if they're still on earth). Love on your siblings (if you can stand it). Love on Jesus for being willing. And last but not least, love on the food. New year's is just around the corner!!

"Speech ...Speech..."

Bill Gates, like him or not; is one unique and amazing person that God designed. Not only did he revolutionize and blaze the trail for the "computer" world (I'm an avid APPLE fan now), but now he's giving speeches, talks, motivational mentoring to student in high schools.

My Aunt posted on her FB how Mr. Gates recently was invited to speak at a high school graduation as the keynote speaker. Words came from his mouth I'm sure either made people ANGRY or it set them FREE.

Hmm..sounds like something I've heard before about speaking the "TRUTH." Mark used to say this quite often, "The truth will either get you MAD or set you FREE!" I'll be honest, there were times it used to get me REALLY MAD when I heard him say it. But, ultimately, he was right.


Bill Gates' speech was entitled, "11 Things They Did Not and Will Not Teach You In School". I want to focus on his FIRST one:

#1 - "Life is not fair, and it's Never going to be".

I've been in youth ministry since I was at Northwest University. There have been great experiences and life truths I would never take back in the last 20 years. However, if there could be any, it would be those times I've had to sit with a young person and hear the "hell and horror" they've been through. The unfairness they've had to endure. Some of them make it and rise to the top (I know personal loved ones who have), and some never get passed it.

Was it fair their dad, uncle, brother, neighbor, friend, or friend of a friend, robbed them of their purity and innocence? Absolutely not.

Was it fair that a hard working man or woman lost their job and security of finances for providing for their family because of their color or ethnicity? Absolutely not.

Is it fair a baby is never given the chance to be born and live the life God destined them to live because a couple got in the "heat of the moment" and can't risk "ruining the rest of their lives" (so to speak)? Absolutely not.

People make choices. Choices will make people.

God never intended to FORCE people in to making choices that involve Him. He desires that people would see His love for them and in seeing and experiencing that, they'd make choices with Him in it. Does that make everything a "fairy Tale" story? NO....but it sure makes life so much easier to cope and accept knowing there's a higher being and calling than this life. But, if I'm going to be living this life (which I am), I'm going to live and breathe it with Him in it.

Control is what He wants from us. Not because He's an overbearing boss or the master of micro-managing. But, when we don't give it to Him...things can get "out of control".

I don't know why bad things happen to good people or vice versa. I've often wondered that. But I know if the Savior of this world could have been "man-handled" so ferociously to the point of death. Fair...isn't the issue. It's where we go from there. It's where those that we love most go from there.

Rise up from the unfairness as He did. All along, this was His plan. I don't know which is better; to know you're going to be treated unfairly, or to have it hit you blind-sided. I choose neither. He chose the first because He loved me.

"Unfair" things will happen. Mark and I are preparing ourselves and our 4 daughters when it/they do happen....He's in control. He loves and knows EVERYTHING about us. He'll sustain us and be our provider. Our hope and comfort in time of need. It's nothing we need to fear for, but rather, prepare for.

Thanks Bill Gates for reminding and possibly for the first time teaching people this LIFE principle. It's not something to fear if you know who "ultimately" is in control.

My Prayer today...

My devotion happened to be on MARRIAGE today. Hmm....Marriage. These definitions come quickly to my mind: wonderful, God plan, soul mate, godly example for others, (Last BUT NOT least), hard work!!!

Don't get me wrong...I'm happily married to my hubby. I'd like to believe the "submissive, gentle, loving wife" comes natural for me....but it doesn't. It's funny....I didn't realize I was stubborn, hard-headed, or selfish .....UNTIL I got married!!

However, on the flip side, I didn't know I could love, laugh, dream, and have such a great friend either.

While reading this devotion and prayer, I realized God has given me a wonderful story to live and play out. And, my co-leading actor in this story happens to be the person God hand picked for me. No, it's NOT my anniversary!! I'm thankful for my guy and this is my prayer for us:

Father in Heaven, thank you for Mark and my commitment

to Christian marriage. As we look ahead, we pray that our future will never lack the convictions

that make a marriage strong.

Bless my husban, Mark. Bless him as provider and protector. Sustain him in all the

pressures that come with the task of stewarding a family. May his strength be my boast

and pride, and may he so live that I find in him the haven for which my heart truly longs for.

Bless me. Give me a tenderness with a deep sense of

understanding, and a strong faith in You. Give me that inner beauty of soul that never fades, that

eternal youth that is found in holding fast to the things that never age. May I so live that Mark may be pleased to reverence me in the shrine of his heart.

Teach us that marriage is not living for each other. It is two people uniting and joining hands

to serve You. Give us a great spiritual purpose in life. May we seek first Your kingdom and

Your righteousness, knowing that You will sustain us through all of life’s challenges.

May we minimize each other’s weaknesses and be swift to praise and magnify each other’s

strengths so that we might view each other through a lover’s kind and patient eyes. Help us

every day to be kind and gentle, more like You. Give us a little something to forgive each

day, that our love might learn to be long-suffering.

Bless us and develop our characters as we walk together with You. Give us enough

hurts to keep us humane, enough failures to keep our hands clenched tightly in Yours, and

enough of success to make us sure our walk with You throughout all of our life

.

May we never take each other’s love for granted but always experience that breathless wonder

that exclaims. “Out of all this world, you have chosen me.” Then, when life is done and the sun

is setting, may we be found then as now, still hand in hand, still very proud, still thanking You

for each other.

May we travel together as friends and lovers, brother and sister, husband and wife, father and

mother, and as servants of Christ until He shall return or until that day when one shall lay the

other into the arms of God. This we ask through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, the great

lover of our souls. Amen.

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