Getting Older

When one is young it feels like you can do anything and do it whenever you want. Playing or working all day and then staying up all night, no problem. The body responds well to more abuse than it should. Eat those nachos and finish off with a big bowl of ice cream with hot fudge sauce and no heartburn. Work in the yard or play a game of tennis and the sore muscles are back to normal in a day.

But then one begins to age and slowly it dawns on you that you can't do anything and surely not at anytime you want. What you eat and what is in that food becomes much more important. After all, we now need to watch saturated fat, sodium, fiber and sugar content. Work in the yard for very long and we're in need of a massage and at least a three hour nap. The thought of staying up all night, well, it isn't even a thought. We begin to think of how to finish life well. Retirement creeps into the conversation often and how will we live on a what was once a flourishing 401K but now has tanked with the economy.

Life has changed and I'm not always sure I like the changes. But just when I'm feeling the most frustrated with getting older God gives me the most amazing gift -- Madeleine and soon-to-arrive, Josephine. Grandchildren are God's gift that comes only to those who have lived past youth. The perspective of age brings new insight to the miracle of babies. There is great joy in watching Jon be a father to Maddie. Julie is a wonderful and loving mother. Experiencing Heidi's pregnancy and the joy of her anticipation of Josie's arrival is amazing. There is great joy in seeing my children as parents.

I look forward to sitting on the floor and playing with Maddie and Josie even if my muscles do complain. Playing games, eating pizza and staying up all night sound good if it means I'm enjoying my grandchildren. Praise God for grandchildren!!

We're Here

Some time yesterday late afternoon we arrived in Yekepa. The seven hour drive here was the bouncyest ride of my life. Del drives quite fast for roads liberally speckled with deep potholes and then the dirt roads were even worse. We made it safely here in a timely manner and I guess that is what counts.



It is hot and muggy, really hot and really really muggy. The idea of showering, in cold water, every couple of hours sounds appealing. However, there is work to do and everyone is busy doing what they can. Doug and I spent most of the day trying to figure out the computer system for cataloging the library. We're still working on that. Everyone else was actually working in the library; James was hanging lights, Caleb was wiring for the computers, Brad was helping both as needed, Dad was supervising.



It is about 8:00p.m. and we had some hard rain early this evening. There is actually some cool air coming in. Heavenly!!



Being on the campus of ABC University is exciting. Seeing the library coming together is also exciting. This is a great tribute to mom and her love of ABC and the teaching of the Word. It is also a needed addition to the school. The students and teachers are eagerly looking forward to it's completion. I am grateful to be here and be part of this project.

Liberia

Early tomorrow morning, really early, we leave for Liberia. I'll be up at 2:00 a.m. to shower and do my hair. It is a good thing to begin a long trip clean. We will arrive in Monrovia Liberia Sunday evening, spend the night and then the next day begin the 7 hour jeep trek to Yekepa. We have about 10 full days in Yekepa to accomplish what God is sending us to do. Although I understand the trip is more about people than work, I would like to see the actual compleletion of the library.

There have been moments, some of them long moments, when I've wondered how I was talked into going on this trip. But God has been at work on my heart. I find I'm excited about the trip. The long travel time and the hot humid weather don't excite me. Being with Del and Becky, seeing ABC University, interacting with the Liberians, these things excite me.

God has good plans for us and ABCU through this trip. With God's help we will be able to finish the library and have it usable by the time we leave. We will have time with Del and Becky and I pray we are an encouragement to them. Then, we will also be working with many Liberians on this project and there will be students to interact with. My pray is for God to use me in a special way in at least one person's life. I also pray that I will be open to what God wants to teach me through this journey.

Pray with me for God's plan to unfold in our lives and the lives of those with whom we interact.