FRESH AND NEW

Holy Week is past and Easter Weekend is mostly over. I feel like this weekend has infused an aura of 'fresh and new.' The early spring inspired me to plant seeds several weeks past, and new little pea and onion plants have pushed up through the ground and are reaching for the sun. My father always encouraged us to plant potatoes on Good Friday, and I was too busy to get that done this week; so on Saturday I dug up a plot of ground and planted potatoes. Daffodils are blooming in the front yard of the house, and the grass is quickly turning spring green. In the back yard, I have harvested asparagus spears, and one of the apple trees has blossomed verdantly. Everything feels new and fresh.

When the weather is frowning, and it is not conducive to being outside; I tend to fall a bit into the doldrums and follow a pattern that becomes dreary. The coming of spring and the weather that beckons me outside has infused me with fresh vigor and new hope. It is important that I become 'fresh and new' in the facets of my life that has become clouded and cluttered with cares. I have been sorting out the pains and hurts that have lurked in the corners of my soul, and to examine them in the light of God. I am set in this world, at this place and in this time, for a purpose. If I can focus on that fact and bend my energies toward living my life to the fullest in every way, I will fulfill God's plan for me. He will use my daily actions and interactions to glorify Himself. I can live a fresh and new life each day.

This feeling has spilled over into our work at the mission. A man came into church this morning who has not been there for a few months, and he shared some of his heart with us. We found his reflections very refreshing and enlightening. We appreciate the insight that people share with us.

This afternoon, several children came in for Sunday School and were so attentive during the Resurrection story. After the story, we went downstairs and decorated cupcakes with toasted coconut and jelly beans. They enjoyed decorating them, and some of them ate them immediately; while others carefully carried theirs home with them.

Thank you for your interest in Lower Brule.

EXCHANGE

"Twas battered and scarred and the auctioneer

Thought it scarcely worth his while

to waste much time of the old violin,

But he held it up with a smile.

"What am I bidden, Good folks," he cried,

"Who'll start the bidding for me?"

"A dollar, a dollar, then two, only two?

Two dollars, who'll make it three?

Three dollars once, three dollars twice, going for three..."

But no...from the room far back a gray-haired man

Came forward and picked up the bow.

Then wiping the dust from the old violin,

And tightening up all the strings;

He played a melody pure and sweet,

As caroling angels sing.

The music ceased, and the auctioneer

In a voice that was quiet and low,

Said "What am I bid for the old violin?"

And he held it up with the bow.

"A thousand dollars! And who'll make it two?

Two thousand! who'll make it three?

Two thousand once, two thousand twice,

And going and gone!" said he.

But some of the foolish people cried,

"We do not quite understand

What changed the worth of the old violin?"

Swift came the reply,

"The touch of a Master's hand!"

And many a man with life out of tune

And battered and scarred with sin,

Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd

Much like the old violin.

A 'mess of pottage,' a glass of wine,

A game, and he travels on.

He's going once, he's going twice,

He's going, and almost gone.

But the Master comes, and the foolish crowd

Never can quite understand,

The worth of a soul,

And the change that's wrought

By the touch of the Master's Hand.

~traditional

We had several children in Sunday School today, and they were a blessing to us, as always. We told them the story about Esau and Jacob. We told them how Esau came in from hunting totally starving, and he asked Jacob for some of the stew that he was cooking. I told them that Jacob said, "OK, but I want you to promise me something first." One of the children added what she is sure he wanted, and said that Jacob told Esau that he had to say 'please' and 'thank you' first. LOL I explained that, even more importantly, Esau had to promise Jacob that he could have all of his inheritance and his birthright if he had the bowl of stew. Esau promised this to Jacob, and he gave up his birthright in exchange for a 'mess of pottage.' The childen were rightfully horrified that he would think so little of such an important thing in his life. I tried to explain that we must be careful that we do not exchange the most important things in life for something that does not matter. I hope they understood, as they appeared to comprehend the concept.

The New York Stock Exchange dims in importance when we view eternal choices that are made daily in our lives. The Bible succinctly asks: "What will a man give in exchange for his soul?" I have read about and seen losses-I experienced a coworker who faced the loss of a child this week; and I read about a town in South Dakota that is taking the loss of 1.3 million dollars on a business, and writing it off as paid. These are unspeakable losses, but I must guard against the exchange of my soul with any earthly circumstance or possession.

Below is the button flower gardens we crafted today while we ate popcorn and drank koolaid. The work is very rewarding. Thank you for praying for the work in Lower Brule.

I=IDENTITY

Sometimes my philosophical side runs rampant and it happened to me today after Sunday School while I was waiting for Ray to return after taking the children back home. I started out by remembering the fact that often the children in Sunday School will call me 'teacher' or 'grandma' or just simply 'Charlotte.' I suppose that thought caused me to think about how each child views who I am, and that morphed into the thought of my own feelings of identity. I remembered the nice man who came to the coffee shop and began sharing with me his feelings of a lost identity since he is no longer in the service of our country. Even though he served many years, he shared that he felt lost and worthless since he does not wear a uniform. I also thought of a friend who had worked for many years in a position of responsibility, and who shared her sudden feeling of a loss of identity when she retired from that position. I thought about several years ago when I carried the identity of a 'missionary,' and the changes that have taken place since those days. I, along with you, have carried many identities throughout the years that have changed with time. The interesting phenomenon about these identity changes is that the true "I" has been unchanging throughout these 50+ years, though the identity changes have brought huge changes in my life. Sometimes it seems like we who are human and share this earth place our value on our identity of the moment (I am an important person...I am not important-I am a nothing). I would love to become a person who realizes that my true value as a person is only in my identity as a Creation and Child of God; and this knowledge would be ultimate in my feelings of my identity and value in any circumstance of my life.

I am a daughter

I am a mother

I am a wife

I am a grandmother

I am a sister

I am an aunt

I am a cousin

I am a friend

I am a coworker

I am a teacher

I am the wife of the caretaker of the mission

I am responsible to make decisions that affect the lives of one dozen ladies

My true value is in my identity as a Creation and a Child of God.

"Then said I, Here am I; send me." ~Isaiah 6:8

The true value of each of these adults and children who come to the mission and who live around it is their value as a Creation and a Child of God. Thank you for your interest in them.

Have a wonderful week, and remember that you are a Creation and a Child of God!

THE CIRCLE OF LIFE

The Wind
"The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell from whence it cometh, or whither it goeth; so is everyone that is born of the Spirit." ~ John 3:8

This portion of scripture has taken on a new meaning today, as the winds are whipping by with outstanding velocities. This made the trip back home a little harrowing at times when some of the larger vehicles with which we shared the road were battling the wind.

Just as Jesus referenced in the scripture verse quoted above, we experience the winds of life; coming from some unknown region and circling into some mysterious 'other world,' and we are left wondering 'whither it goeth.' The orbits of the sun, moons, stars, and the earth reflect the orbits in our lives- births and deaths; the metamorphis of relationships: old relationships, new relationships, and lost relationships; beginnings of organizations, plans, churches, and changes in the same that begin a new circle; cycles of the seasons: fall, winter, spring, and summer; and countless other cycles that begin and circle around and begin again. Sometimes, it happens so quickly, we are left breathless and speechless. Other times, it gradually develops and we suddenly stop and realize that we have completed a circle of some part of life; and we stand in wonder and awe as we gaze in retrospect, following with our minds the path that has brought us to this moment.

It appears that winter is beginning to give way to spring, the attendance at Lower Brule is beginning another cycle, the majority of our attendees at Sunday School is cycling to another part of the town, our personal lives are touched with a new life, Ray and I are recognizing that we are 'past the top of the hill,' and life is just simply 'cycling on.' Ray spoke about the life of Joseph in church this morning, and I told the children a little about Abraham in Sunday School-God was faithful to these men, and He will be faithful to us. The faithfulness of God is a circle that never ends. What a thought to hold as we face changing times in the world and in our personal lives!

May God bless you as you "Hold to God's Unchanging Hand" this week and in the cycle of the weeks and months to come!

SMALL TREASURES

Small things--what a difference they make!

A small word

A note of music

A small person

A shade of color

A raindrop or ice crystal

A piece of candy

An encouraging word is lifegiving to one who is struggling to survive in a harsh world. I have received one of those at just the right time, and I want to remember to offer a word to someone else who is struggling (maybe I should just hand one out when I can, as I don't know who is struggling). Sometimes more than one word can become a lifeboat when those words are pieced together and presented in a quilt of comfort and love. Give one or more.

A note of music can stir a hidden chord in the soul, and it can lighten the load a fellow-traveler is carrying. The right combination of notes can make the spirit soar above the drudgery and pain of life. Sing one note, or sing a stanza!

Small people are a balm to life-bruised trust. Children are so honest, open, trusting, and responsive to love. Small babies change the world (ask me-I'm a new grandma this week!)

Watch a child play, interact, hug a child who is close to you.

A shade of color can change a pallette. Sunday was a grayer shade of blue-it was somber and quiet. That shade has its own beauty, too. It has a place in life. It sometimes gives rise to the simplicity of a raindrop or the intricate snowflake or the glittery ice crystal. Accept-yes, welcome the gray days, as they will give rise to beauty that you did not dream would grace your life.

Ah, a piece of candy--one nice peppermint, chocolate, butterscotch, the list goes on. The circumstances under which it is obtained is often the healing touch of another human to you. A child offered me these suckers out of her amazing store this Sunday. Offer a tangible piece of love to someone.

Thank you for your interest in the small work that God has entrusted to us. Please pray for us and the people of Lower Brule.

"LIGHT SHINING IN DARKNESS"

William Cowper penned the following lines:

God moves in a mysterious way

His wonders to perform;

He plants His footsteps in the sea,

And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines,

With never-failing skill,

He treasures up His bright designs,

And works His sovereign will.Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;

The clouds ye so much dread

Are big with mercy, and shall break

In blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,

But trust Him for His grace;

Behind a frowning providence

He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast,

Unfolding every hour;

The bud may have a bitter taste,

But sweet will be the flower.

Blind unbelief is sure to err,

And scan His work in vain;

God is His own interpreter,

And He will make it plain.

While driving to Lower Brule this morning, Ray and I were discussing some of the aspects of our lives that we don't fully understand. We both agreed, however, that God has worked His plan in our lives in ways that we would not have thought; and we are satisfied with His Plan. The path to the place where we stand in the last half of our lives has not been easy; and many times it seemed that the 'frowning providence' and the 'bud ...' with the 'bitter taste' was our destiny. We have found that 'His purposes...ripen fast' if we did not 'judge...the Lord by feeble sense, but trust[ed] Him for...grace.' We have allowed God to be 'His own interpreter' and He has made 'it plain.'

Today was enjoyable, as usual; and we had the morning service and the afternoon Sunday School. Since we do not have too many children some Sundays, I have taught a couple of the little girls how to play some of the songs that we sing in Sunday School. They, of course, love it; and they learn quickly. I tried to video one girl playing a song this morning, but my tech ability seems to have limitations so I cannot seem to transfer it to this blog.

The little guy in the picture below was waiting by the church door to greet us this morning. We resisted the impulse to take a dog home. :)

Thank you for your interest in Lower Brule, and may the 'clouds...break in blessings on your head.'

BEAUTY, BIBLES, AND BROWNIES

Ahh!! What a beautiful winter day drive we enjoyed as we traveled to Lower Brule this morning!

Postcard-worthy scenes greeted us as we drove along. I wanted to stop many times and take pictures, but that is not always wise when traveling the interstate; so I have many 'untaken' pictures. Oh, well-I'm happy to share what I could safely snap.

A couple representing the Gideon's cause came and presented in the morning service, and it is always inspiring to hear the testimonies of those whose lives were changed by reading God's Word. We enjoyed fellowship with them after the service, also. Bible distribution is an important part of our work as Christians.

Several children came for afternoon Sunday School, and they were so good and interactive. They helped to lead the singing, and they sang well. I told them the story about Noah's Ark, and they showed so much interest. I am amazed and happy when they tell me the story from the week before; as I know they are absorbing the material. We made little Arks out of foamies, and we shared some brownies with blue sugar on the top. One little girl told me that she likes to hug, and she gave me a sweet hug. As they were going out the door, they said, "We had fun today!" The children steal our hearts as we spend time with them, and we come home feeling rejuvinated.

Thank you for your interest in Lower Brule Wesley Chapel.