Blessings in the Midst of Trials

Lori was buried today.  On March 21, the thirteenth anniversary of my mother's death, the sister of my college roommate breathed her last and went to be with the Lord.  Last night and today, hundreds of people gathered at the funeral home and her church to remember her life, cry for their loss, and support the family.   I was privileged to play the (wonderful grand) piano for the service; it was an honor not only to serve the family and congregation, but also to work with the talented and experienced singers and string players, and to praise the Lord with "Amazing Grace," "It is Well with my Soul," "Blessings" and "Revelation Song."  The personal tributes and the sermon inspired us all to emulate Lori's joy, peace and love.   She knew Jesus Christ in a very real way, and her life reflected His Spirit in her work, play and relationships before her diagnosis, and in her trust and hope through the last five months of illness and decline.

Reflecting on the many small blessings in the midst of this very big trial, several of Lori's relatives and friends, as well as her pastor, declared their confidence that God was present and at work throughout.  From Shelley's ability to quit her job and come three or four days every week to care for her sister, to the timing of Lori's last breath - just days after her husband took a leave of absence from work, and with every member of her family plus friends able to be present - to myriads of little circumstances, they could see the Lord's love and grace in the midst of trouble.

The parallel to a loving parent training a child came to my mind.  There are many "big trials" we have to put our children through - from weaning to walking to driving to leaving the nest, and dozens more.  Sometimes they want to go through the troubles to get to the prize, but often they don't and we have to use some measure of discipline, force or discomfort to get the job done.  When we're good parents, we reassure the children that we are with them - physically and/or emotionally - as they go through the necessary hardships.  But they have to go through them.   These thoughts comfort me when I think about my mother's death; perhaps they comfort others too.

R and R

We enjoyed a short getaway to the Twin Cities last week, celebrating the end of Frankenpastor, the end of Unit 3, spring break, and successful poult placement.  We hoped to leave Wednesday and connect with the Jones family (my sister) and the Coats family (Pete's sister).  The Jones family, however, planned to spend the days here in Willmar while my parents are in town.  Fortunately, I had forgotten the Lenten service on Wednesday evening, which we had to help lead.  So the Jones family came to us on Wednesday, the two oldest boys spent the night with Andrew and Philip, and we all met for a Perkins "crazy breakfast" with the grandparents on Thursday morning before departure.

We booked a mini-suite with two queen beds and a sleeper sofa at Springhill Suites in Eden Prairie, but when we arrived the clerk informed us that they didn't have any suites with two queens - just one king.  That wouldn't work for the five of us, but good old American "the customer is always right" capitalism kicked in and she booked us a two-queen suite at the neighboring Towne Place Suites, also owned by Marriott, for the same exceedingly reasonable rate.  I wasn't too excited about this move, because the new place did not have a pool and we would have to cross the parking lot to use the pool of the old place.  However, when we viewed our upgraded suite, any complaints were silenced.  Two bedrooms with doors, each with a queen bed, closet, dresser and TV; a couch, chair, and table and chairs; and a full kitchen including dishwasher and oven greeted us.  Wow!   We twice crossed the parking lot without incident and used the bathroom in the pool area to change in order to use the pool and hot tub. Fortune smiled on us.  Thanks, Lord!

We watched TV, which we never do at home, because cable had HGTV as a network, and the Family network had "Harry Potter" movies on.  I truly enjoy seeing people's options for purchasing and renovating homes.  The end results are always so gorgeous!  We also purchased an in-room movie, "October Baby," which we had heard good and bad things about.  For what it was - a low-budget film - we thought it was very well done.  It started slow and improved as it went along.  A great message of forgiveness and grace sealed the "thumbs up" rating from us.

The Water Park at the Mall of America provided good fun on Friday.  Body and tube slides occupied my time, and the kids thrilled to body boarding in the "Surf's On" attraction.  The kids also got to play racquetball at the Southdale Y, which they love, and I did a little shopping while Pete worked out.  We also spent two blocks of time catching up and eating with the Coats family, and took Rahila to Sky Zone to jump on the trampolines.  Unfortunately, Sarah sprained her ankle halfway through that adventure.  Why can't she get through a softball season without incident?  Last year it was an appendectomy and she's suffered some shoulder problems also.

All in all, though, it was a relaxing and enjoyable getaway.  The kids enjoyed each other's company, we fed on delicious eats, and everyone felt rested and cheerful when we arrived home late Saturday night.

Lessons from Frankenpastor

The dinner theater has come and gone.  Frankenpastor was a great success; as usual, the Body of Christ at Svea worked together with precision and style to bless the audience for three stellar performances.  In the plot of the musical, the frustrated Loon County Lutheran call committee asks the mad scientist who's renting their basement to build a pastor for them (a la Frankenstein).  When the synod sends investigators to figure out why the church pays its benevolences without a pastor "to guilt them into it," they request a bride for Frankenpastor in an attempt to display "a more complete domestic lifestyle."  Mayhem, romance and the message of God's grace as an agent for change ensue.

Half the cast came down with the flu during the last week of rehearsals and the performances.  "The show must go on!" we declared, and they rose to the challenge.  One of the leading senior guys felt horrible for the last two days, but delivered flawless performances and fantastic energy.

I wondered what the ladies would come up with for decorations - monsters?  Instead, they called upon members who work at a clinic and a research facility, set up test tubes and beakers everywhere, and turned our church basement into a mad scientist's lab.  The servers wore lab coats and had mad scientist hair.  So cool!  It goes without saying that Lois excelled at the set, costumes and props, and that the parents cooked and served a delicious meal.

Every year the second-to-the-last week of rehearsals elicits groans, misery and despair.  The cast thinks the play stinks; they hate the director(s), and they're sick of each other.  Every year the director wonders if this will be the year that marks the end of the Svea dinner theaters.  Then the set goes up, usually the Sunday before Opening Night.  A burst of energy surges forth; people feverishly finish memorizing; we stop picking at every little detail and go through the entire play at each rehearsal; and everyone loves each other once more.   I'm happy to report this happened again this year.  Remember that for next time!