Follow me!

In January, my husband Brad and I headed for one of the most beautiful and relaxing spots I know -- Alta, Utah. While others wish for beaches in the dead of winter, I crave deep powder and the opportunity to ski, eat, sleep, and repeat -- little else. Alta is not a "foo foo" ski resort area. Serious skiers (no snowboarders allowed) who want great snow without all the trappings of spas and shops and high-end restaurants go to Alta. We ski all day and sit in the lounge pretty much each night and eat pizza, feeding the crust to one or more of the "lodge dogs" who befriend us -- as long as we have food. I love the place!

Anyway, for this long weekend get-away, we packed up our brand new skis and boots and headed west. We had agreed that this time we would take a ski lesson the first day. Both of us are run-of-the-mill blue run (intermediate) skiers, but went with the desire to perfect our skills in order to ski steeper parts of the amazing Wasatch mountains.

Brad and I ended up with different instructors. Bob was my teacher. He is 75-years-old and has been a ski instructor nearly 50 years at Alta. Bob is tall and fit with a big yellowing-toothed smile. He met his troop of five adult students with exuberance. Bob was psyched for teaching us new skills.

We took the chairlift to a mid-mountain point and Bob pulled us together. He spoke of the freeing nature of skiing and how fun it can/should be. He addressed our issues and fears. He spoke words of specific instruction, and then he took off down the slope shouting, "Follow me!" We did. We had to, because Bob was becoming smaller and smaller as he floated away from the group.

We repeated this pattern over and over -- to the bottom and back up many times. One of the most valuable things Bob taught me was how to balance my skis perpendicular to the slope and allow myself to slide sideways while under control. The value of this move is that when a skier finds herself in a tight spot where it seems too steep or narrow to turn safely -- she can slide slowly by flexing the skis until reaching terrain that's within her comfort zone. Bob preached "practice and patience" as I got the hang of the technique.

Unfortunately, about half-way through the lesson, my new boots were causing me great pain. My left calf muscle was cramping so bad, that while skiing I'd often have to lift that leg and ski only on the right in order to find relief. That was a trick Bob hadn't taught!

So the last time up the mountain when Bob said, "You are all ready! I'm taking all of you to the top (where the "big boys" ski the steeps)," I nearly cried. My leg hurt so badly I knew that going to the top was not an option for me. I was certain I couldn't get down safely given the boot issue.

Bob understood -- but wanted me to have the "summit" experience so badly he offered to skip his lunch break and take me back up after I'd taken the boot off and stretched a while. It was a gracious offer, but I didn't accept it. Instead, I asked Bob if he was available for private lessons the next day. That way he could take both Brad and me to the top and offer instruction and encouragement. He said he'd love to, but "tomorrow" was Sunday, and on Sundays (for his entire adult life) he never teaches because he takes his wife to church and spends the day honoring God and with her.

"Awesome!" I said. "I completely understand and respect that."

He handed me his business card and said, "If you feel better by lunchtime, call me and we'll head up. You're ready."

With that, Bob and my four classmates boarded another lift for the summit. I skied down in pain and found a coffee shop.

I had learned alot, but felt defeated and literally hobbled by pain. I didn't/couldn't ski the rest of the day. A technician tried to adjust my boot -- but with little improvement. I was truly depressed.

The next day dawned with a beautiful sunrise. Brad and I had agreed to take it slow and test out our new skills. He had an injury to his shin from rubbing against the boot that was limiting his ability as well.

I prayed and sang praise songs to myself as we made our way to the lift. We went up to the half-way point and discussed taking the next lift to the summit. But standing there and watching the skiers come down from the top, I became truly scared. It was steep! The runs were narrow! I was still hurting! Yikes!

We skied down from where we stood and discussed options. "Let's do one more run from here and see how we feel," I suggested.

So up we went back up to the familiar halfway point.

"We have to just go," I told Brad while heading for the lift to the summit. He followed, and soon we were on the chairlift. No turning back.

At the top, we stood for several minutes just taking in the beauty. We could see in all directions from truly the top of the world -- at least in that area. But our awe turned to fear again as we realized that the trails marked "easier way" were still significantly steeper and narrower than any terrain we'd ever skied.

I looked at Brad and said, "We have to just get started. Pick a point to stop at and regroup. We'll take it in sections."

Bob's words were very present in my head, but I did wish he'd been there to physically guide me. So I went through his mantra out loud: "Relax - feel the skis - let 'em run - control your turn with patience -- balance with your upper body." Soon we were down a ways and still upright! At that point, however, we had to take a sharp turn down a narrow trail to avoid the steepest of all terrain.

"I can't do this," I thought (and probably said). But having no real option other than rolling down the mountain like Bullwinkle as a snowball, I started the controlled slide Bob had taught. "Patience -- the skis will do what you want -- let 'em slide -- don't panic -- wait to turn at a good spot."

It worked! I negotiated the tight turn and grew more confident as we made our way down section by section.

We did it without falling or giving up! We overcame the fear and embraced the experience. Bob would have been so proud.

Back at the lodge that afternoon with boot issues still limiting us, I began to think about all that had transpired. Bob's teaching style became suddenly familiar.

He engaged me with his passion. He instructed me with wisdom and experience. He asked me to imitate him through practice (Follow me!). He encouraged me. He extended himself to serve me; yet he had boundaries on what he needed to prioritize. His words were with me even when he wasn't.

Bob was modeling Jesus.

I was doing my part, too. I was teachable, accountable, and faithful -- despite the fear.

God is so good to us in so many ways. At Alta, he was good to me by showing himself through Bob. When Jesus said to Peter and Andrew (Matt 4): “Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people” they dropped their nets and followed him.

He was calling them to a mission -- to hook people for God's glory. My mission of skiing from the top of Alta certainly isn't profound as an achievement, but my witnessing and participating in bringing glory to God by modeling his ways IS profound -- and edifying -- and encouraging -- and wonderful!

Thank you, Bob!

A Fruitful Fast

I don't know how you feel about fasting. Let me simply say that I respect those who do fast and pray to find spiritual breakthrough. Don't ask me to join you, however, because I get that "If I hold my breath long enough, mom will give me the cookie" feeling when asked to join someone else's fast.




But I started a 30-day fast February 28, and the results are already proving powerful.

I'm fasting from my right to be right.

Of late (as even my blog posts reveal), I've felt attacked, maligned, and marginalized in a number of venues. But as I read a book on Joseph of the Old Testament, I became acutely aware that my persecutions are mild compared to his or, perhaps, most people's. I have had a really difficult time not taking "things" personally and reacting in a way that's either defensive or labels my attacker as clearly unaware or even stupid. I've justified my judgments by claiming I was right.

Interestingly, I MAY be right in many cases. But as the book pointed out: "Greatness is rarely determined by a person's achievements, but always by his (her) attitude."

I want to be one remembered as having a great attitude -- a Christ-like attitude -- not as one who was "right." So, the fast began. And immediately -- as though I'd given up potato chips -- I was given opportunity to indulge on a feast. I have, through God's guidance and power, resisted those opportunities. And you know what? When I wanted to defend myself but remained silent, someone else stepped up to speak on my behalf. When I've wanted to make a point of being "right" -- I've let my need go and the feeling passed quickly.

This laying down my rights thing is an on-going story/need in my life, but I'm seeing -- and liking -- the fruit this time. God is my defender. He is with me and for me. I don't have to fight; just obey. Keep reminding me, Lord!

When is forgiveness complete?

For us mortals, forgiveness by God was complete once-and-for-all when we accepted Jesus' gift of forgiveness of our sins, which he paid for with His life.

But what about forgiving one another? When is my forgiveness of one who's wronged me complete?

Well, I was speaking with a wise woman today concerning this topic. My end of the conversation went something like, "I don't wish (them) ill will -- I've let them off my hook..."

My friend said delicately, but directly, "Ann, if 'they' are still taking up space in your brain over what's transpired -- or might happen in the future, you haven't fully forgiven them and you are, in fact, judging them."

Ouch! The truth hurts -- but it's sooooo good.

God, free my mind from thought of those who have wronged me and open my heart to true forgiveness that depends not at all on their behavior (past or future) -- but on Your grace.

Amen!

I will praise you in THIS storm

Are you familiar with the Casting Crowns song, "Praise You in This Storm"?
It's a a beautiful message to God that, "You are who you are no matter where I am."

I've clung to that verse through many literal and figurative storms over the past several years.

I'm particularly struck by one seemingly subtle lyric. "I will praise you in THIS storm" -- not "I will praise you in THE storm."

The difference is striking because praising God in THIS storm means two things -- I will praise Him in the middle of the current storm, and...there will be more storms.


Here are photos of my friend Mike's destroyed home (see previous post for his story).

In that specific and horrific "storm" -- as it was happening -- he was praising God for His provisions. The photos are frightening. The attitude is amazing. God is the bridge between.

Yesterday, I spent 18 hours traveling to beat the pending blizzard home from Salt Lake City. Long day...airline delays...rude travelers...really bad roads home from Chicago...I caught another cold...

I can't say my attitude was purely praise, but as I white-knuckled the car down I-55 from Chicago to Bloomington, Illinois, the song I've referenced kept cycling through my head. It helped -- because it's truth.

We are bracing here today for 15-20 inches of snow. I will stock up on food (and videos for the boys to watch) and listen to Casting Crowns on my Walkman to keep my attitude in check.

Let it snow! I will praise Him in THIS Storm!

Irony and Perspective

With my head out of the funk for the most part, yesterday was an "enlarge your heart" day. I reached out to a number of friends with simple, short messages. One such message was to my college buddy Mike Keller. Mike is an awesome person who I had "found" again after 25 years thanks to Facebook. We've chatted online about life and how God is the singular most important force in our lives (not the case in college).

Anyway, I hadn't heard from him since last fall, so I sent a very brief Facebook message:

"Happy New Year...a little late"

Little did I know the irony and truth in those words. Last night, Mike replied. The following are excerpts of his message -- posted with his permission. I can add nothing to the brilliance of this irony and perspective...

Thanks for your message! So, do you have a moment? Well, I can't tell a short story especially comes to a story where God is AWESOME and does incredible things in the midst of less than . . . well, happy circumstances. Mind you, unhappy circumstances don't have to mean that they aren't full of joy because . . . I guess that will be apparent in a bit.

What were you doing December 30? I had the day off. My aunt was coming back from Louisiana, so I got up early to pick her up at the train station. As is my custom, I fixed the fire in our wood-burning furnace and emptied the ashes into an ash bucket which I put on the concrete patio. That was about 6 a.m., and I took off about 7:30.

About 8 a.m., Ruth (wife) woke up because she smelled smoke, but didn't think much of it as it was an extremely windy day and sometimes the smoke backs up through the furnace leaving a whiff. It happened again about 10 minutes later and again she rolled over and went back to sleep. A little while later, she heard a pop and went downstairs to investigate. This time the smoke smelled like there was some plastic like substance burning. She went outside and found the pile where we keep the wood to be burned afire. The fire had gone up the outside wall of the house. She called 911 and drug the BBQ grill with its butane tank out of harm's way. She then grabbed her purse and backed the car out of the garage and far from the house. The firemen responded fairly quickly, but the fire was already engaged on two-thirds of the back of the house and had gotten into the attic. From there it just went crazy, consuming the attic, the roof and started working its way through the rest of the house.

Meanwhile, I am in St. Louis when Ruth calls me. By the time I get home, the roof is down and it is a pretty spectacular site. People are coming from everywhere offering assistance and the firemen are incredible in their sensitivity, their professionalism, and their overall dedication and concern. The fire is considered "out" by early afternoon, but we are warned that there will be hot spots which could flame up again. We stay for a while noticing that some smoke is increasing in intensity. We call the fire chief and he sends out a team who find a live fire amidst the rubble. They put it out and soaked down the area.

In the midst of this, I am amazed again by how many people have come out to support us and just be there. Ruth doesn't have shoes or a coat and the neighbors bring a blanket and slippers. My cousin "couldn't stand being at work knowing what was going on" and spent the entire afternoon with us. She brought a whole bunch of Kleenex. Another cousin brought toilet paper. I found myself joking and laughing with people and despite the circumstances (which also brought more than a tear or two) found that I was actually full of peace and joy. My sister came and as we hugged and shook together I had to ask her if she was laughing or crying cause I was laughing -- joy, joy, joy. She couldn't help but laugh a bit too.

We went to my parents and my nephew, who came down with his wife, brought things like toothbrushes, toothpaste, a razor, shaving cream, and other essentials. Then, they went and got the essentials for Gracie our cat.

Kayla (daughter) was at a friend's sleeping over and Byron (son) was in Champaign. My niece called the Red Cross who came and gave us a credit card to use on food and clothes. It was amazing.

That night before bedtime, we prayed together and commented on how much we were at peace considering the circumstances. Sleep wasn't particularly restful and at 3 a.m. Ruth's sister who happened to be on vacation in Ireland called. It seems it was becoming an international incident. At 3:30 a.m., a neighbor called and said that he had called 911 as the remainder of the house (the garage and a good portion of the kitchen had remained) was now engaged. By the time I got there, it was all gone. Oddly, the room that was least affected was our bedroom. Incredible.

So, let me give you some numbers. I have written 70 thank you notes, in addition to the ones that Ruth and Kayla wrote -- and not counting the e-mail I sent thanking the almost 30 people at work for their support. My boss drove 40 miles to be there when he heard. We have received more gift cards than there are stores and restaurants and enough contributions to pay off the debt of several Pacific nations. No one got hurt. And in the end, nothing significant was lost. How's that? Kayla and I have agreed, that we can't think of much of anything in that house that meant even a tenth of what all of those well wishers and supporters mean to us.

Memories? Yes we lost some photos and other things; but the crazy thing is we haven't looked at them in years and there is a good chance we never would have. It's all stuff -- and if you don't mind me saying -- nonsense. There are things we need, but nothing NOTHING is more important than relationships: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength and, mind you, love your neighbor as yourself for when the end comes and all burns as it surely will, those are the only things we have!

Funny stuff:
- On the morning of the 31st we didn't ask "What should I wear today?"

- We went to Panda Express and the fortune cookie said, "Health and prosperity will come to your door". We don't have a door.

- My sister was tempted to bring marshmallows. Her husband stopped her.

- We all had thoughts prior to the fire (Ruth, Kayla and I) that we never discussed amongst ourselves that basically went like this: What are we ever going to do with the extra junk we have in our house? God has a great sense of humor.


Right now we are living in a two bedroom house. It's furnished down to the dishes and the bed linens. The insurance company has been amazing and today we received checks for more money than I have ever had in my possession at one time. And in a couple of months, when our prayers are answered, we are going to have a new house (almost in time for our 25th wedding anniversary) that we can use to bring glory to God's name for the things He has done for us.

I have to tell you that the casual way we say "God is Good" doesn't come anywhere near what God truly is!!!

So that's about all for now. Hope your year is going half as well as ours, because we have been blessed beyond measure and we have been used to allow others to follow where God leads in order to do what He says: love. And the crazy thing is, He even tells them the correct method to do that in accordance with His formula, plan, and gifting.

God bless you my friend!!!! It's chow time . . .

God is bigger than our intentions

I've been neglecting this blog -- on purpose. I haven't felt as though I've had anything inspiring, profound, or edifying to say. It's been a month or two of hectic, even stressful "stuff."

Through this blog I wish more than anything to encourage others to see and seek the beauty, wisdom and truth of God -- his grace. So while I'm feeling less than encouraged myself, I haven't wanted to say anything (If you can't say anything nice...)

Then, God showed up big time to straighten me out on Sunday.

A little bit of back story...
It's been a challenging time in ministry for me. I'm struggling to figure out my "fit" and all the when, where, how questions. So to simply clear my head, I intended on attending my church Saturday night and going to hear a friend preach at a different church on Sunday. But, I was sick Saturday night and stayed in. Sunday was still rough physically, and I faced a dilemma. Should I go to "my" church Sunday (where my "sister" Sue was being interviewed during the service -- and where I wanted to see all the people), or should I still go hear my friend preach?

Despite a wave of guilt, I made the choice out of an overriding need to be encouraged. I really wanted to hear my friend preach because at his church I'd be a guest -- an observer -- able to just "veg" and maybe walk away more filled. So the family headed to his church -- to meet my need.

About half-way through the sermon he spoke his heart about a season of discouragement in ministry he is struggling through. He spoke of a powerful love for God and the church, but of discouragements as well. He spoke my heart. As I do, I cried.

I left broken, but also strangely encouraged knowing I was not alone in this place of struggle.

Then...that afternoon, my friend sent me this message:
Ann, It was a very pleasant surprise to have you and your family at (church) today. Your life, witness, prayers and interest gave me a needed boost today. Thank you for following your inclination to come. I'd love to have you preach to our group again sometime soon.

I had gone there TO BE encouraged -- feeling like I had nothing to give and with no intention to give of myself. But my friend HAD BEEN encouraged by me just being there.

Wow.

It is in these moments of surprising and sustaining grace that I know more clearly than in any other that there is in fact a God -- a great God -- who IS in control -- who does have a plan -- who does meet our needs -- who uses us to meet others' needs...even when we aren't trying to.

That is the best encouragement of all.

Lesson learned: I don't need to have the right plan or even the right intentions to show and share God's love. I just have to show up. So, friends, I'll be showing up here a lot more often.

Alligators everywhere!

I've had "one of those" weeks.

You know what I'm talking about -- the kind of week where your good intentions are taken wrong, your good efforts are criticized, your attempts to be proactive leave you no where. It was one of those weeks where even my Beagle was giving me "dirty looks." That's bad!

I don't count myself as an overly sensitive person, but enough is enough!

As I struggled through a land-mine-ridden day, something happened this afternoon that improved my mood.

A letter from a recent participant on a sales incentive trip that I helped host appeared in my in-box. It was a thank you note for the sincere hugs I gave him and his wife as they left to return home. If you know me well, you know I'm not a natural "hugger." I like hugs and to hug, but I'm very selective in that show of affection. In this case, Larry is preparing to retire from a long, successful career. He was recognized in front of the group on the trip (to Mexico), and that meant a lot to him. But his kind note not only indicated his gratitude for the recognition, but a special thanks for a presentation I gave to the group about "keeping your load and your limits in balance." It was a God-powered message to a business audience. Larry got the message. Larry appreciated the message; as did his wife. His bear hug was acknowledgement of a shared commitment to excellence in life -- not just business. Too cool!

His letter adjusted my attitude. I realized that no matter how many alligators are swimming around me, they can't stop me from being a voice like Larry's in someone else's life.

I'm off to do that now. I feel much better!