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.

Happy Birthday to Me

Today I turn 59. WOW!! It used to be that every one I knew that was that age was really old. Now it just seems middle aged. Don't you think that 118 is a reasonable goal.

My grandfather (Ivan Butler, my mom's dad) was blind for the last 10 years of his life. During that time, on birthdays, he would call and recite a poem as his gift to us. Once he died, Mom would call and recite the same poem. She is now in heaven with her dad. I can hear them saying to me today,

Many happy returns
On the day of your birth,
May the good Father,
Prepare you on earth,
For a beautiful birthday in heaven.

Liberia

Having been to Africa three times already, going to Liberia should not be a big deal. But it is a big deal. Liberia is very different from what I've known in Kenya. Actually, all I know about Liberia is from the stories of those who have already gone. And people do tend to exagerate their tales. So, I will make my estimation of Yekepa and African Bible College and Liberia once I've experienced it for myself.

There is no doubt in my mind that this is a trip that has been ordained by God. I don't think we would have pursued this trip if not for that certainty. Doug is still new at his job and it will be hard to be gone for two weeks. If I could choose anywhere to go right now it would be Washington to visit David and Rachel. However, God has other plans for us and it should be exciting.

Working on the completion of the Lois Lindley Memorial Library will be rewarding. To be able to be part of this is a blessing. I look forward to seeing Del and Becky and the work at the college. Education is key to helping Liberia rebuild. Providing a solid Christian education helps Liberia but more importantly, it helps build the kingdom of God. It is exciting to be a part of this effort. I'm sure that when I return, I will have my own stories to tell of adventures in the jungles of Liberia.

Pictured above is our team:

James Domingo, Caleb Weston, Brad Fielder

Judi Hammer, Verl Lindley, Doug Hammer

The Flu

Okay, I'm not very good at posting to my blog but I do have good intentions. Now, here I am talking about having the flu. It's the pits. This is the first time in years that I can remember actually being sick. Sick enough to not leave the couch for three days, not really eat anything, not even shower until today. All who know me well and would be called on to care for me if I was ever truly sick for a long time, should pray that never happens. I make a lousy sick person. I tend to be whiny and grumpy. Please, just take it all away for me. Doug has been wonderful. Although he is the one who gave me this in the first place. He was sick first but seems to be mostly recovered. I am assuming I'm just a couple of days behind him and will continue to get better till I'm fully recovered by the end of the week. In the meantime, I lay on the couch, watch TV, sip tea and wait for this all to pass. (P.S. There will be no pictures to go with this because they would not be pretty!)

A New Year

New Year's Day is one of my most favorite days. It is the quint-essential new beginning. All the things that I did not do well last year, I have the opportunity to do better in the coming year. Nothing is yet written for this year. Only God knows what is to come and I can depend on Him to help me navigate the paths before me. This year I can be better than I was last year. There is much to be learned from what went on before, but there is also opportunity to take those things learned and improve on them. I love fresh beginnings.

Saying that I have been looking forward to a new year would be simplifying my thoughts and feelings. Last year was filled with more emotion and turmoil than I want in any given year. Although last year would have been a great year to have kept a blog, I am starting one for this year and praying that the entries will be mundane and normal, except for the birth of our second grandchild. That's the kind of excitement I look forward to in the coming year.