Flexible

flex-i-ble
adjective
capable of bending easily without breaking.
(of a person) ready and able to change so as to adapt to different circumstances.

Flexible was the theme for Glenn and me over the past week or so.  We've learned to be flexible living on the mission field these past 28 years.  It all started with a phone call stating that the new 2 Interns arriving on Thursday would need an airport pickup, some housing and general orientation to Guatemala. Oh, and can you take care of the 5 Guys on Saturday also?

Simple, we just made sure the bunk beds were made up.  We shuffled another single bed into my craft room for Karin B to stay in.  We adjusted our schedule around for Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

On Friday, we had a quick overview of Casita Benjamin, the city Dump and Cemetery followed by a delicious meal at Media Cancha.  We invited Bob H., 40 year veteran missionary, to explain the history of Casita and the dump. He spoke at the cemetery of the lives well spent. H pointed out that on the headstones between the birth date and the date of death there is a dash (-). He challenged all of us by, "What are you doing with your dash? Make it count!"  This also gave the girls a chance to meet another missionary and be exposed to more ministries here in Guatemala.

On Saturday, we incorporated the 5 Guys (work team from KS), with the 2 Interns, Karin from Camino office, and Margaret and Josh (our round the world couple...more on that on another Blog post), to spend 1/2 day in Antigua.  Yes, that is 13 in our van.  Can anyone spend 1/2 day in Antigua and do it justice?

Of course our lunch schedule was somewhat centered around the World Cup games.  We enjoyed watching the Uruguay vs Costa Rica game at Mono Loco.  Have you ever eaten there?

                                                   {Margaret and Josh}
In summary, even though the addition of the 3 house guests (besides already hosting Josh and Margaret) and being involved in some of their orientation was an added event to our already full schedule, I marvel at how the Lord helped us adjust our schedule and things pulled together.  We're thankful that we were able to jump in and help out.

~J

JBU Walton Reunion

Recently, we attended a JBU Alumni Reunion here in Guatemala City.  Nope, we didn't attend JBU, however we served on the John Brown University Parent Council for 5 years.

{President Pollard with his wife, the Lara family and Stoddards}
We invited Josh and his parents to attend. Josh recently graduated from High School and is interested in attending JBU.

Where in the world is Joe?

Alumni from John Brown.  Most are Walton Scholarship recipients.

~J

Thank You Notes

Just as each Friday night, when Jimmy Fallon has "Thank You Notes", I would like to say "Thank You" to XYZ Church. (see That One Phone Call post).

Thank you for calling and seeing how we are doing when we have had challenging health issues.

Thank you for sending us yearly Christmas gifts to our kids as they were growing up.  Our children could always count on something special from XYZ Church.

Thank you for sending us special notes from the XYZ Children's Church, filled with glittered notes, colored drawings and encouraging words.

Thank you for allowing us to tell our story as we shared with many folks during your missions conference in home groups about our ministry in Bolivia and Guatemala.

Thank you for financially and prayerfully supporting us for 16 years, for loving on us, and believing in us.

Lovingly and Thankfully,

~J and G

That One Phone Call

Ever since we arrived on the mission field, 29 years ago this week, there have been 2 things I never wanted to receive.

1.  A phone call saying that there had been a death in the family.  Please come back to Texas ASAP.

2.  A phone call from any of our "XYZ" Churches saying that they are dropping our financial support.

So, far we have yet to receive a phone call about a death in the immediate family.  Praise the Lord! 

However, yesterday, Glenn and I received that dreaded phone call from XYZ Church.  The mission pastor on the other end asked some questions about how we are doing and then said those dreaded words, "We have decided..."

Everything went blurry.  Was I hearing everything correctly?  Words such as "Your ministry doesn't align with what our church believes is valid/correct."  WHAT?  My heart sank.  The tears started to flow.  How could this be?  I immediately started to go through the stages of grief:  Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and finally Acceptance.  (Frankly, I've only jumped back and forth between the first 2 stages.)

These past few weeks have been some of the hardest ministry days we have experienced recently.  I need Member Care.  I need someone to talk to.  Just this week, we have had to face some tough issues with some fellow co-workers, touching on some sensitive areas, and taking on some additional responsibilities.  And yet, we sense God's hand of blessing and affirmation in ever increasing ways. How can XYZ Church say, "Your ministry doesn't align with our focus?"  I feel like the ministry of Pastoral Care is not valued or appreciated.

But then I say, the Lord has given and the Lord has taken away, "Blessed be the Name of the Lord!"  My God is Bigger than this.  He will continue to take care of us.  He will bless us through this storm. He always has and He always will.

I don't want to be THAT

• That missionary who complains.  
• That missionary who never has enough support. 
• That missionary who keeps asking for money. 
• That missionary who becomes bitter over ministry.

However, I want to be THAT

• That missionary who praises the Lord through difficult situations.
• That missionary who answers the phone call with grace.
• That missionary who is thankful for how the Lord is working and will work.
• That missionary who knows how to live with plenty but also with little.

I wonder what my next phone call will be?

Any helpful suggestions or advice?  Any lessons you have learned going through a similar situation?

~J 
Tomorrow's post will be a THANK YOU note.

Pay Up

Here is a friendly reminder that is posted on the bathroom stall door at the market in Antigua.

Fork It Over

 Yesterday, we connected with Lee and Becky from Tyler, Texas.  Although it was raining, we adventure out to the local craft market to do some purchasing.  While we were there we reconnected with Johnny and Maria and their team from Alabama that had just experienced 6 days in Solala working at the camp.

I ate the whole thing. 
 Spinach Ravioli.
  Very good. Doesn't look good, but it is.

We were treated to a spectacular dinner at El Tenedor.  The sharp turns twisting through the mountain road through the fog to get up to the restaurant were breath-taking.  We enjoyed a stroll through the art gallery and the beautiful vegetation and landscaping at the restaurant.

Why the title of my blog? 

 Tenedor means Fork.

When you come to a fork in the road, take it! :)

Dr. Pepper topping

I found this in the Outlet Mall.

Anything Dr. Pepper is GREAT.

This kinda tastes like a Dr. Pepper float.


~J

Blue Bell, Memorial Day and No Internet

Just another day here in Guatemala, however we pause to say "thanks" to those who served and serve in the military for the US.  Thank you!!!

Now if I knew where I could buy some Blue Blue Ice Cream, then my holiday would be complete.

Stars And Stripes Forever

- John Philip Sousa

Hurrah for the flag of the free!
May it wave as our standard forever,
The gem of the land and the sea,
The banner of the right.
Let despots remember the day
When our fathers with mighty endeavor
Proclaimed as they marched to the fray
That by their might and by their right
It waves forever.

I was going to post this on Memorial Day,
 but our internet went out and we were without
 emails, blogs, google, Facebook 
for a whole 24 hours +.
Not COMPLAINING, as it was a nice break.  
I was able to work on some "non-computer" projects such as clearing off my desk and making some more stamped cards.
~J

Losses, Good Grief!!

Losses, are a part of life.  

Normally, when I think of loss, I think of death.  

Grief. 

But there are different degrees of loss.  Yes, there is death.  But there is loss when someone moves away and we don't have that day to day contact.  There is the loss of memory, which I experience when I see my mom's Alzheimer's disease take over.

Recently, Glenn and I have experienced several types of Losses.  We lost a missionary family that relocated back into the USA.  There is the loss of seeing my mother's health and memory getting worse and worse over the course of time.  We experience various levels of loss when friends move in and out of our lives.  A few weeks ago there was the loss of a volunteer who had flown down to Guatemala to help out with our conference by taking care of 4, 5 and 6 year olds, only to find out that soon after he returned back to the US he suffered a heart attack and died suddenly.  Then there was the loss of Ellen's choir director's wife who died suddenly several months ago.

Tarwater Family

Last week, we piled into 2 large vans with their 10 pieces of checked luggage and 19 pieces of hand-carry items and various strollers and drove the Tarwater family of 10 to the Guatemala City airport to say our goodbyes and send them off to their next adventure.  This family had become close to us and our team here in Guatemala.  They're flexible and didn't mind Glenn and I "popping" in on them.  We would steal a couple of kids on occasion and take them with us to run errands.  We would sit around the table to tell jokes.  We loved the spontaneity of the family.  Now, we pray for their new missionary adventure at Rio Grande Bible Institute.  Watch out Tarwater family, we will come and visit you in South Texas.

(get it, Adios Tar - glass of water?)

 
My Mom

My mom was in the hospital last week with some minor challenges to her heart.  She is doing better now.  The doctors didn't find anything.  That is the good news.  But Mom doesn't even remember that she was in Presbyterian Hospital.  I guess that could be a good thing also.  But I feel a loss when I see mom's memory fading and fading.  She still remembers me.  Today that is.  Tomorrow?  I don't know.

Bobby Cantrell 

Bobby and his wife Debby, traveled with a team of volunteers from Lake Jackson, Texas just last month to help with childcare for the 4's, 5's, and 6 year old missionary children during our annual conference.  Bobby was a tremendous blessings to the kids and their families as he and his wife creatively cared for the children.  He got down on the floor and played with them.  He told stores, did crafts and sang with them.  Then suddenly, soon after returning home, the Lord took him to his Heavenly Home.  Our hearts are heavy.  This is a loss for his family and his friends.

Billie Sue Thompson

Ellen and I recently attended the Memorial Service for Billie Sue Thompson.  She was the 'heart-beat' for the WCC at Moody.  Her husband was the choir  director and hundreds of women appreciated her genuine and kind personality.  She was well loved by many.  Although saddened by her 'homegoing', Ellen and I were blessed to attend the memorial service and honor her. 

 Click here for my earlier blog.  

Yet another loss.

In Summary,

I'm thankful for Life. 

For Family.

For Friends.

For friends who move.

For Friends who have impacted my life and the lives of those I love.

I don't like the feeling of loss.  I don't like grieving.  I hate it.  That is the season that Glenn and I are walking through.

~J

Memorial Service for Billie Sue WCC singing Eternal Life

Our sole purpose of this "last minute trip", was to attend the Memorial Service of Billie Sue Thompson, affectionately known as "Mrs. T".  She passed away 2 months ago.  Her husband, Mr. T, was the Choir Director for WCC (Women's Concert Choir) at Moody Bible Institute while Ellen was a student. Ellen sang in the WCC for four years.

The tear jerker was when the current WCC choir members and about 25 former choir members (Ellen included) from as far back as 20 years ago, sang their traditional benediction song, Eternal Life by St. Francis of Assisi.  

Tears flowed!
(sorry camera was shaking as I recorded - tears!)

Thank you Charles Thompson for sharing your wife with so many young ladies through out the years. 
 Thank you for allowing my daughter to sing and be a part of the Women's Concert Choir.  She was blessed beyond measure.  

Praying for you during these days of adjustments.

A Day spent at Moody

Over the weekend, I met up with Ellen and Emily from Nicaragua and we had a quick pre-Mother's Day visit prior to Billie Sue Thompson's Memorial Service.  We stayed with ClarLyn, but we never were able to visit with her, face to face.  We got in late the first night and then were in bed when they returned from their evening dinner. Thanks ClarLyn for a nice place to stay!  

We had a great One Day visit at Moody.

We had a tour of the new Moody Central, where the renovated 2nd floor Culbertson is changed to meet all the needs of the students. There are offices such as accounting, Practical Christian Ministry, etc.

It's been 39 years since I first stepped onto the plaza to begin my freshman year in Chicago back in 1975.  My heart was flooded with dear memories as I thought of the life-time friends that I made and the tough Bible classes that I took.

 Little Emily found the DL Moody Museum where her great grandparents were married in 1951 when it was Massey Chapel!

It was great that Ellen ran into one of her favorite professors, Mr. Clark.

Ellen treated me to deep dish pizza at Ginos!  I packaged it up, and brought some slices to Glenn several days later.  Thank you, Ellen for treating me to my favorite pizza.

Ellen connected with an old friend, Lisa.

 

In Summary, I enjoyed 

• a beautiful 80 degree weather on Moody campus
• looking up our missionary name in the back of Torrey Gray auditorium
• checking in at the Alumni Office
• getting a personal tour of the new Moody Central
• Gino East Pizza - 'nough said
• watching Emily play in the Moody plaza
• drinking a cup of Ice Tea at Joe's (2nd floor ASC)
• wandering through the Moody book store
•  enjoying Ellen walk down memory lane

Ellen, thank you for the great pre-Mother's Day weekend in Chicago!

God bless the School that

DL Moody 

founded!

(tomorrow's post will be about the Memorial service for Billie Sue)

Potted plants

Eating lunch out on the patio last month, I smiled when I noticed how bless we are to enjoy the view.  The view of the city, the view of the volcanoes in the back ground and the view of these potted plants that Juana  takes care of each Saturday.

We are blessed.

Snack for the Day

All in a Day's work

Getting her little "food stand" set up for the day.