The Children Grow Up

Today Michelle and Andrew sang a duet in church.  "Lord, I Need You" is a contemporary Christian song based on the old hymn "I Need Thee Every Hour" (I wonder if Michelle and Andrew know that).  Their voices soared in harmony and their sincerity increased the song's impact on all of us.  But the quality of their "performance" astounded me.  "I didn't know they were that good!!" I thought as I listened to the blend, the tone, the pitch, and their musicality.

This sort of thing keeps happening to us as the children grow up.  Whether Michelle chatters away in Spanish on the phone to her friends in Mexico, or David informs us of chemical formulas and properties of elements, or Joel snags a rocketing softball and completes the throw to first base, and Sarah grabs his throw to get the runner out, I can't believe it.  When Daniel (or Sarah!) (or Philip!!) hits a home run, I'm in awe.  When Andrew lifts heavy weights, I gape.  How can these little whippersnappers accomplish feats that I've never dreamed of?

As our children spread their wings, they prove themselves capable of entering new spheres, reaching new people, and achieving success in new fields.  Our family isn't limited to following in Mom's or Dad's footsteps.  This is a good thing.  Apparently the author Hodding Carter Jr. is the source of the quote:  "There are two lasting bequests we can give our children; one is roots, the other wings."  The roots we trust we've given our children are faith in the Lord and in His Word, security and stability in our family, an ability to overlook offenses and to forgive, and numerous good values and morals.  We see their wings spreading now with all sorts of variety and emphases.  Praise be to God for His many gifts!

Little Blessings

Before Joel's accident, I finished Ann Voskamp's book, "One Thousand Gifts."  Good thing, too, because her perspective has been invaluable through these weeks.  I even preached a sermon at church (at the last minute) on this topic - and now I get to live it to the max!  Basically, she contends that in the Scripture, thanksgiving always precedes the miracle, and thanksgiving produces joy.  In the first week at the  hospital, I started a journal of things for which I feel truly grateful.  When I try, I can find myriads of little blessings in the midst of this great calamity.  I'm up to 290 right now. Here are a few that seem universal:

#6 - Sunshine pours in our window in the morning
#21 - Sarah can drive
#39 - Facebook
#49 - Good Earth tea
#81 - Though I am weak, the Lord is strong
#108 - Whole wheat crepes for lunch
#169 - Daniel hugged and encouraged me when I cried
#202 - A good nap
#224 - Seeing smiling little kids
#254 - Walking at the New Hope YMCA while watching Jeopardy
#288 - Pete got the OK today to walk without limping as possible

Just tonight, while Joel slept after the second busy day in a row, I donned tennis shoes and T-shirt to walk for some much-needed exercise.  I decided to explore the other end of the parking lot and to my surprise, discovered the Three Rivers Recreational Area and its mountain bike trail.  The heavily wooded area could have passed for Sibley State Park; the trail provided comfortable walking; various wildflowers bloomed along the edge, and I ended up in Schafer Park with its own tiny swamp and a bridge over a creek.  What a gem!  Quiet, peaceful (except for bikers whizzing by) Nature, right in the middle of the city.  As I headed into the hospital, two rabbits hopped across the lawn to a peony patch.

Thank you, dear Lord, for your many good gifts.  Help me to be truly thankful "in all circumstances," and to trust You in everything.  Amen.

Norling Christmas Celebrations

We had the Norling Christmas gatherings this weekend. The Palmer Norling family (my dad and his descendants) celebrated on Friday evening at my brother's home, and the Albin Norling family (my grandpa's descendants - he's been gone for 25 years) celebrated yesterday at my uncle's home.

What joy! At my brother's, the cousins had drawn names to buy gifts for each other. I wish you could have seen the grateful and giddy expressions on the little ones' faces as they hugged the cousin who had drawn their names and given them just what they wanted (thanks to the moms for good lists!). And especially the expressions on the givers' faces as they realized what a blessing they had provided. The Thursday snowstorm had prevented my big boys from shopping, so they left work early and found their cousin gifts on the way to the celebration - and did a great job! Michelle had brother Andrew's name instead of a cousin, and she made a poster with candy bars taped to it and a message using the words of the candy to say she'd take him to a coffee shop some time. Very creative!

Of course, the food at both potlucks was superb - ham dinner at one, turkey dinner at the other. At my uncle's, it was great to see my cousin Torry and his family, who moved to Orlando this summer to work for The Jesus Film. We were a small crowd this year - only 60 - because 4 families, totaling 23, weren't able to be there. Why so many, from my grandparents who had just 2 boys? Well, my dad has 3 children and 16 grandchildren (in the picture above), and his brother has 3 children, 18 grandchildren (10 have spouses), and 20 great-grandchildren. We all believe God loves people and wants more of them! Feasting and visiting with fellow believers who share the same values as well as heritage just can't be beat.

Also at my uncle Ray's, he thanked everyone for their prayers. Last year he was diagnosed with 90% aggressive prostate cancer. After treating it with radiation, natural foods, and prayer, it had shrunk to the point where they removed it this last August. They spent 3 days in the lab cutting it up and trying to find some cancer. They found 0% - praise the Lord! Ray knew that over 100 people were praying for him.

My heart goes out to people whose family times are filled with stress, strife, anxiety or bitterness. I pray that they may find a peaceful, loving family in the Church of Jesus Christ.