Monday, August 13, 2012

Completeness

In this fallen world -

Where drought crumbles all hope of fruitful harvest. . .
Where some would just as soon cruelly kill a life as save it. . .
Where epidemics eliminate entire populations. . .
Where orphan hearts ache. . .
Where everything is incomplete. . .

What does it mean to be complete in the middle of all of this?

Complete - Definition

  1. Whole - having all the necessary parts, elements or steps - or everything that is wanted
  2. Having reached the normal or expected end, to be fully carried out - a complete period of time
  3. Absolute - being the greatest degree of something, highly proficient
  4. Perfect - having all the necessary qualities or abilities for a certain role
  5. Insect metamorphosis - characterized by the pupal stage between the motile immature stages and the adult



How can a human live in completeness?


And He said to me, 
"My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Corinthians 12:9



". . . A life centered in God is a life of completeness." 
p. 41 Education

Sunday, August 5, 2012

My Grandma


When I was little - I most strongly associated my grandma with good books. Mostly because she would always bring books for us grandkids every time she visited! Through the years I have learned more of the dimensions of her character and beautiful heart. And this is just a little glimpse of one of my favorite people. . .

(photo by my mom)

My grandma is adventurous, fun-loving, and the most practical and hard working person I know. I love listening to her incredible stories of God's provision in hard times. Some of my favorites coming from the years she and Papa worked in Brazil. This next picture is when we were walking down an old road out in the jungle together. A wonderful memory in which we walked with multiple Blue Morpho butterflies floating their iridescence down the trail.



Her name is Ardis Opal - and she is
an organizational genius.
Prepared for everything.
And can mend or fix anything!

She really enjoys playing softball.
She really doesn't like broccoli.
She likes the color purple.
And she loves time with her family!

I love -
Her neatly written lists for everything and spotlessly scrubbed house.
Her marked up Sabbath school lessons filled with good notes.
How she underlines good magazine articles and cuts them out to share.
How much fun she and her siblings have when they get together!

I love -
Listening to her sing - because her heart has walked the words.
Meandering along footpaths as she points out different bird calls.
Listening to her chattering along in Portuguese with an English accent.
And her little intonations of delight when she sees something she likes.

I love -
That she would rather finish a meal with something salty than sweet.
Her canoe camping pictures from Canadian wilderness treks.
Our relatives in Brazil - who are family because of her big heart.
Her steady faith through each stage of life - even widowhood.

I love -
That God bloomed surprise for her in an unexpected place and my grandma fell in love - head over heels in love! And that this past April she married a wonderful man. Their journey together this year has spilled beauty over into the lives of all around them.


I love you Grandma!

Saturday, August 4, 2012