The Hard Part about Following God's Lead...

is leaving. The time is approaching quickly, too soon, really. Our final day at SLWC is May 18th. As much as we are certain that God has released us, it doesn't make it any easier to leave. Bittersweet is a good description of letting go and moving on. Although we find ourselves grieving what we will leave behind, the past two Sundays have been such a blessing to Dennis and I - a wonderful celebration of the last 11 years.

Too many people gave us hugs on Easter Sunday (not saying that's a bad thing), along with endearments like, "We're going to miss you next Easter," or "Can't imagine church without you guys." We feel so loved, but it sure makes it hard to leave.

Today we combined our two venues for one service in the main auditorium for baptisms. If we thought Easter couldn't get any better, this service may have well been just as rich a celebration. If Jesus' resurrection power didn't change lives, where would the Christian faith be today? Nothing excites me more than this! We witnessed just over 40 people declare their faith in Christ through baptism, with many sharing their story of transformation. There is no explanation, except for the fact that God's Spirit entered in and that has made all the difference! I only wish everyone could know the stories behind each individual.

Besides the fact that we will miss Lake Michigan, walks on the beach, Coast Guard fireworks, pier walks, dune hiking, haircuts from our dear friend Jill, The Pointes Café (and Sally), breakfast at Morning Star, Prueblo's, our home for the past 11 years (and the season of our children's lives during that time); much greater than all that will be saying goodbye to dear friends, a great team, a great church, and missing out on the continued journey of people discovering Christ and watching them change and grow through his transforming power. It isn't like we won't gain new friends or ever be a part of those finding new life in Christ, because we will. It's just that we've had 11 years to see the amazing journey that many have traveled and that's been one of our greatest joys.

That's the hard part.

Coronations and Executions

Some time in the past year I slid a book off my shelf that has been with me since my late teens, one that I've read numerous times, each time revealing fresh insights into God, Jesus, and humanity. In the mid-70's Calvin Miller wrote three narratives he entitled, The Singer Trilogy - The Singer, The Song, and The Finale. Luci Shaw, editor and writer, describes Calvin's book, The Singer, as "a powerful extended metaphor of incarnation and redemption."

I found it fitting to read again this week between the days we recognize in history the shouts of "Hosanna" as Jesus road into Jerusalem on a donkey and the day the crowds cried "Crucify him!" and sent him to a cross.

Jesus is the Singer who sings his Star song - the Song of Love - but is in constant battle with World Hater who only wants to destroy the Song of Love.

On this Good Friday, Miller's thoughts that preface the chapter of Jesus' trial caught me like never before: "Humanity is fickle. They may dress for a morning coronation and never feel the need to change clothes to attend an execution in the afternoon. So Triumphal Sundays and Good Fridays always fit comfortably into the same April week."

Humanity is fickle, nonetheless the Singer, Calvin writes in his poetic way, "felt the agony of dying, the multiplied pain of a hundred thousand men all dying at one time."

Humanity is still fickle . . . but the Singer still sings the Song of Love.

Three of our favorite pastimes . . .

Over the past two weeks Dennis and I had the opportunity to spend time doing what we like to do best . . . well, at least my three favorite pastimes . . . seeing our kids, Evee, and soaking in the sunshine (Dennis may differ on that one). In a period of a couple weeks, we were able to visit all of our kids from Pasadena to San Diego to Indianapolis, and all the while the sun was beaming brightly down in temps that ranged from 60 to 80 degrees.

Here are some pictures (sorry, none of Josh and Kari as our camera battery died when we were with them):

Dennis & I enjoyed a walk by the ocean during
vacation time in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Mike and Joni - their beloved Grand Am died and they are very excited about their 95 Volvo station wagon! Mike graduates in May and accepted a FT position in Youth Music at EastLake Church where he has been serving PT while in college.

What can I say... Evee (with Mommy),
the sweetest and most content little girl I know!

Like I said . . .

Being silly in Grandma's high chair.

With Clint's recent acceptance to Princeton Seminary, they will be heading to Princeton, NJ for grad school this fall.

Jamie, Julie, and Evee came to Spring Lake for the weekend.
We were delighted to have Rachel with us - Julie's friend, who's like family!

Auntie Julie with Evee

Papa and Evee cuddling

We came back to sunshine in Spring Lake and less snow. Spring is coming! Blessed Easter to you all!

Dreaming . . .

Dennis and I have been doing quite a bit of dreaming these days.

Wondering about God's purposes and plans and how they intersect with who we are - our gifts, abilities, strengths, and passions.

My husband's strategic mind came forth the other night when we were dreaming of what could be. Over a couple of deluxe burgers and fries at Culver's, Dennis gave me one sheet of light green cardstock and a post-it pad. Okay, what do I do with this? I ask. I don't consider myself to be a strategic thinker. He proceeded to explain that I was to list out his gifts, abilities, and strengths on individual post-its, then I was to prioritize them on the cardstock . . . kind of like a Christmas tree, the top being the highest. While I was writing his out, he was doing the same for me. Next we wrote themes of our lives on post-its and prioritized them on the other side of the cardstock.

Dreaming . . . I've always loved dreaming with Dennis and here we are again at another pivotal moment in our lives . . . catching God's vision for the future.

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen