A Little Heaven on Earth

There is a wonderful scripture that most church goers have memorized early on in their spiritual journey. It goes something like this: "Give us this day our daily bread, forgive our sins as we forgive the sins of others .... Your Kingdom come on earth as it is in Heaven. Yesterday, my daughter Jael sat on the floor holding Lily. She looked up at me and asked: "If I go to Heaven, when can I come back?" I gazed at her and said: "What do you mean?" Jael looked back and said: "I would like to see Dakota and then come back to be with Lily." (Dakota was our 13 year old golden retriever who died last September). After a brief theological discussion about eternity Jael explained: "I want to tell Dakota that Lily is here now."
"Your Kingdom come on earth as it is in Heaven." Lily is a little bit of Heaven come to earth for our family. She is evidence that God cares about even the smallest details of life. He cares for us to love and be loved. He authors the sunsets, paints the flowers and gives personality to every living creature for our enjoyment.
Lily inspires me to live the scripture... and bring Heaven to earth for those around me.

New Arrivals

Do you remember when you were a kid and it took forever for things to happen? Now I feel like life whizzes by and I barely absorb one memory before the next one is being made. On Thursday night Isabelle, Jael and I drove to the airport with great expectation. Jael (3) fell asleep before we pulled out of the driveway. Isabelle on the other hand sat in the back seat asking the same question over and over: "Are we there yet?" At one point she said: "Mom why does it take so long for things that you want to happen? It was a great question.
Lucky for her, the hour and half ride to the airport was uneventful and we arrived with out delay. Upon pulling into the arrival gates, we all peered out our windows hoping to catch a glimpse of our new arrival. Then at gate 6, we saw her. Grandma opened the door to the backseat of the car and laid the most precious 20 pounds on the girls lap.
Lily lay across their laps amongst giggles, sighs, and other joyful sounds. What a wonderful memory... very worth the wait.

The Most Important Things!

A few weeks ago, I was faced with a choice. I was offered a puppy? This opportunity to replace our family pet launched me into a much deeper conversation. The question: "What is really important to me?" Our family dog died in September, 2009. He was 13 years old. Dakoda had lived with me for one year before I got married. He moved with me five times. He guarded the crib three different times when our new babies came home from the hospital. When he finally passed away, he was crippled and disorientated. It was one of the strangest losses I had ever experienced. My husband and I decided to wait through the winter to replace our pet. It was mostly a pragmatic decision, since the thought of house breaking a puppy in the Wisconsin snow, didn't sound fun! In March we were offered a puppy, the runt of my friends litter of lab puppies. I remember looking at the picture and thinking this is a great thing. I also remember wondering if I could do it. I am already so busy - managing our family, work, ministry and my volunteer commitments. I guess my heart won, when we accepted the gift and began to plan for her arrival.

It amazes me that just the thought of the new pet brings so much happiness and excitement. The choice to accept Lily was also my choice to accept "new life." Just the idea of a puppy brings joy, freedom and new life to our family. Lily is the name that she comes with, but our family feels it perfectly depicts her story with us. She is our Easter Lily... our sign of hope for the future.

What does "Touched Twice" mean?

Over the years Perry and I have been introduced many times as the directors of "twice touched." It always makes me laugh - it almost sounds kinky or like the white coats are coming. So first of all, the name of the national ministry is: Touched Twice. This name was attached to the work of a band of idealistic twenty-somethings who all believed they could make a difference. We believed that by sharing the gifts and talents God had given us, we could enrich the lives of others. So, back in 1996 we pooled the resources of an optician, nurse, social worker and a musician. We shared what we had in a tiny church in downtown Louisville, KY. Over 300 people showed up and received vision screenings and recycled pairs of glasses.

There are countless stories of what it means to be touched twice. But conceptually, the first touch is meeting an individuals most pressing need. For many who can not see to drive, to work, and to properly care for their families - a pair of glasses is a gift that words can not describe. The second touch is love. It is Jesus with skin on. The most remarkable aspect of Touched Twice, is that the server inevitably is touched as dramatically as the one being served. It is an unbelievable turn of events.

In closing, when I think about the state of health care in the United States now in 2009, I am amazed. Back in 1996 vision and dental care for adults was the greatest need. Today millions of Americans have limited access to affordable general medical care.

Could the concept of sharing what we have with our neighbors really work? Could we have neighborhoods and communities transformed through service? What would it mean if each of us touched our neighbors twice - first with a loaf of bread, second with the healing message of the Gospel? That's far from kinky. The concept of Touched Twice is life transforming!

God's Wisdom Ribbons!

It is so cool to read the Bible and have it make sense. God makes good sense when He says: "Guard my teachings as your most precious possessions. Tie them on your fingers as a reminder. Write them within your heart." Proverbs 7:2-3 I read this verse the other day and instantly got a mental picture of red ribbons attached to my fingers. Each one reminding me of God's wonderful truth. Each red ribbon connected to one of God's promises for me.

The message version says: "Do what I say and you'll live well. My teaching is as precious as your eyesight - guard it! Write it out on the back of your hands; etch it on the chambers of your heart." I read this verse after feeling overwhelmed by a situation. I had asked God for wisdom because on my own I just did not know what to do. I read the verses in Proverbs and I realized very clearly that God's word gives us wisdom, clarity and peace. It's when I try to figure it out myself that I get overwhelmed. With his words tied to my fingers, written on my hands and hidden in my heart, He will show me what to do. It's really not that mystical. If God is Love than his words will guide, protect and provide peace. I was sharing with a friend that I resort to writing things on my hands when I don't want to forget to do it. What if I wrote God's precious word on my hand - so when I begin to feel overwhelmed, I was instantly reminded of HIS truth?

Is Hope for real?

So, we have all heard a lot about hope lately. I got really caught up with the HOPE for our nation and HOPE coming with change this year. There was something disarming about the Obama Presidential Campaign. I really don't know anyone who isn't looking for hope.

About a week ago, I was feeling very discouraged. It seemed like everything I have had faith in economically was in flux. I felt like I couldn't make a difference and that things were set into motion a long time ago and no matter how fast I ran, I could not catch up.
In the midst of my crisis of conscience, I looked down at my kitchen table and saw a bookmark peeking out from one of my books. The word HOPE caught my eye. I grabbed the bookmark and read: "May the God of HOPE fill you will all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13

I sat back in my kitchen chair, sighed, and felt peace that that was true HOPE. It was a vertical reminder that the horizontal remains in God's control.

Have a hopefilled week! Andrea