Mr. Hillman

...He was one of my favorite people, but I am not the only one who felt that way. This was evidenced today by the sheer number of people who came to say good-bye one last time and mourn as well as rejoice with his family.

Mr. Hillman in direct and indirect way impacted my life in tremendous ways. I might have done some pretty dumb things were it not for the Hillmans...

Every Tuesday night for at least 3 years I went to the Hillman's house for Bible Study, fellowship, and chili dip. Though the numbers of people ebbed and flowed over those years, I kept going because I loved the Hillmans. I was always greeted with a hug and kiss on the cheek by Mr. Hillman. He could tell the best stories about stuff that happened during the day. He had charisma and a welcoming spirit. He loved Jesus and everyone that knew him knew he loved Jesus, but it was never obnoxious or overbearing. It was real. It was genuine.

I watched for years as he poured out his heart into so many young people's lives -ice hockey players and young adults from the church. He gave his time and loved us. In loving us, you either were introduced to the love of Jesus or you learned to love Jesus more.

Its hard to think of him not being on earth anymore. Hard to think of him not beside Cathy. Hard to think of his 3 grandchildren not getting to know their Poppy like we all got to know him.
But when I think of him with Jesus and how utterly happy he is in heaven smiling that smile I loved, I can't help but be excited.

Because you know, I been to a lot of funerals for people who were really "good" people... but you don't know for sure where there heart was with Jesus. I know where his heart was -as did everyone else.

I saw so many people today that I haven't seen in years. People I cared deeply for or were deeply touched by. Years fall away as you embrace and cry together. While old friends were united to remember you, I think you, Mr. Hillman are up there running into all the people you haven't seen in years that went before. And someday will meet up again -maybe in even enjoy some chili-dip!

Welcome

Gerbera daisies are such a friendly flower. This old wash tub I have adopted as a home for these welcoming flowers. They usually bloom all summer long. It just so happened that all the flowers died off at the same time so for a couple of weeks I just had lush green leaves. But as you call see they are back to blooming again... welcoming us home each day and greeting our guests with bright hellos.

Find out more on gerbera daisies... http://www.plantfacts.com/Family/Asteraceae/Gerbera.jamesonii.shtml

Sounds, Smells and Tastes of Summer

The Sounds

A new family has moved in with us. Because they are small birds I call them house wrens because to me all small birds are house wrens! I really have no idea what they are but they are cute. I was able to catch a photo of them urging momma to hurry up with breakfasting by their persistent chirping. I did think I might be taking my life in my hands... I got the idea momma was watching me closely and was ready for a fight if need be!

The Smells

My roommate and I were in the yard one evening looking at our mimosa tree. She told me the story of how when she first moved here she was so intrigued one night by the fragrance that she ended up walking right into a mimosa and the sweet smelling blossoms tickled her nose. It's not hard to see why. They do have the sweetest scent and I simply love the leaves of this tree; their just as airy as the flowers. My own funny story with a mimosa tree is this... I was talking to my college boyfriend's dad and suggested that he smell the mimosa flowers I had been rolling around in my hands but he said, "No, I haven't been able to smell in years." I sure felt dumb!

The Tastes

For the past few years dad and I have gone to pick blueberries at a small farm in town. We tie an old coffee can around our wastes and lose ourselves and sometimes each other in rows of blueberry bushes. I do so love the sound of the first few berries plinking into the can. For $5 and about 45 minutes of time we come away with approximately 12 cups of blueberries. My favorite recipe is a blueberry buckle or crumble... basically blueberries baked till bubbly with some butter, flour and sugar crumbled on top. YUMMY

picture from http://www.food-info.net/uk/colour/anthocyanin.htm

Bedlam

Today, I was expecting bedlam. Instead everything went smoothly! Why does that surprise me? After all I prayed a lot about this particular day and the challenges I knew I would face. Moving the office, 10 Chinese Scholars visiting, not to mention my regular duties.

Still I was surprised that I got everything done I needed to at the Post Office and the Chinese Food Restaurant and the van rental place. I even managed to print, fold and stuff 40 letters despite being surrounded by many boxes. And we got things straightened out with EZPass! A major scratch off the list!

I guess I am the worst case scenario girl. I always think the worst and then can't believe it (and yet also relieved) when it doesn't happen.

I had the chance to spend a little time talking to an older lady tonight who reminded me of many answered prayers. Today was proof that God is in the small details and he does answer prayer.

He smooths things out to prevent bedlam - sometimes. Perhaps this is because he knows sometimes we'll appreciate his goodness and love toward us in the smoothness of things rather than us having to smooth out the bedlam.

I am not sure what expect tomorrow bedlam or smooth sailing but goodness and love will be there.

Reminds Me of the Wardrobe... in Narnia

We'll be moving into our new office suite next week Right now, I am surrounded by boxes and volunteers. They are eager to help, but they leave me flustered as I am not a good mover, packer, or delegater. And I don't like to be rushed.

I have seen a lot go into this building as the skilled workers came and went and did there thing.
And now that it is almost finished I have been able to go from one building to another with great ease... now that the wall between the buildings is a doorway.

To get to the new building you have to go through the supply closet and each time I open the door and go through the dark closet full of paper, envelopes, boxes and a refrigerator I am struck by what a strange sense of delight it causes. I get the sense that I am like Lucy or Edmund climbing through the Wardrobe into Narnia. I am walking through confusion and dusty boxes into something new and kind of unchartered.

It won't be this way for long... soon the closet will be demolitioned, but for now I will hold on to that bit of wonder each little trek through the closet to the new building creates.