Posts filed under ‘1’
Is Any Day “Typical?”
The heart is easy to see. Maybe you can see in the clouds a face with arm and hand extended? Always look up!
On this grey morning the day after spending 1 hour in the dentist chair, I’m pretty tired. He removed the temporary crown he made, and cleaned out more infection in the roots of a tooth – caused by a poorly applied crown put on in CA last January. The Dr. probed with med filled needles to treat the roots and my jaw bone. The infection caused arthritis in my thumbs and forefingers. (That means I can’t plant my garden.) It’s easy to feel sorry for myself at times. Then this morning…
I opened my computer and saw Karen’s message…PICTURES. I felt led to look, like it was something I needed to see…to cause me to laugh…to lift my spirits. And, sure enough, I was filled with awe at the beauty, laughed at the humor (didn’t God have fun when He set things in motion to make all those shapes!), and was deeply inspired by the last one with the heart on the ocean…and the face with extended arm and hand in the clouds above. (Sorry it came out so small here.)
I don’t know why I am having to endure this illness, with fatigue sometimes that makes it just too hard to think. God will use it to His glory. That’s all that really matters. Meanwhile, I have a mix of lonely hours when I truly know I have no one but God, and days where there is a stream of helpers coming to my aid.
Today, I hope to go to the bank to transfer funds from a USD account to a RON account . (Dan used to do all of that.) I’ve been watching the exchange rate. The USD is up. Had I exchanged funds last week, I would have lost $. After that I will meet with an M.D., PhD microbiologist who is part of our team for natural healing of cancer. At 4 p.m., I have a counseling session. At 6 p.m., Levy, a friend who is a veterinarian and a specialist in plants is coming by. He will put together a plan for making my small front yard into flower beds – herb garden, rock garden, etc. (We’ll see how much of the plan I can afford right now.) And, then, at 7 p.m., the Thursday night English Bible Discussion group meets.
There will be rest times in between. I’m praying that God will give me the strength to do all this. And, now, the sun just came out! — Anne
God's Sculpture - What do You see?
What if you caught one this big???
Hello!
Shhhhh! Don't wake him.
What's that? Oh, "fools rush in where angels fear to tread?" : > )
Have a blessed day. Cloudy or sunny, God is with us. — Anne
Sibiu, Romania – Ancient City
“Everyone” told me over and over, “You must visit Sibiu! It is so beautiful, historical.” So, I arranged to fly to Sibiu on this last return trip. I am so thankful that I chose to do that.
Sibiu was the largest and wealthiest of the seven walled citadels built in the 12th century by German settlers known as Transylvanian Saxons. The Romanians call them Saas. The riches amassed by its guilds paid for the construction of both impressive buildings and the fortifications required to protect them.
Sibiu’s Old Town retains the grandeur of its earlier days when rich and powerful guilds dominated regional trade. Like Sighisoara and Brasov, it has a distinctly Germanic feeling. Sections of the medieval wall still guard the historic area, where narrow streets pass steep-roofed 17th century buildings with gable overhangs before opening into vast, church-dominated squares such as Great Square and Little Square.
You history buffs and lovers of ancient beauty will especially enjoy this city of 170,000 which has been inhabited since 300 B.C. I enjoyed meeting the Lee Skeltons, missionaries, who have a great program going helping people improve their English through World English Institute, and Let’s Start Talking! They took us out to dinner at a cozy Romanian restaurant. Stephanie Skelton escorted Adolf and me around the city. Here are photos from that special day in my life —
One of the ancient gates of the city
Lee Skelton with Romanian businessman who is rapidly improving his English conversational skills
The Great Square escaped the ravages of WW II bombings
Memorial in the Great Square honoring the first man to die in the revolution against the Communist regime in 1989
Memorial in the Great Square - things are buried under this stone for future generations if I remember correctly.
Stephanie Skelton and Anne in front of the Catholic Church in the Great Square
A good highway led us out of town towards the north side of the Carpathian Mountains also known as the Romanian Alps
We drove alongside the Romanian Alps for more than an hour. Such an unbelievably beautiful sight - snow covered mountains 14,000 feet above sea level. And so, we bid farewell to Sibiu as we headed towards home - Sfantu Gheorghe, or Sepsiszentgyorgy, Romania
“The spacious firmament on high,
With all the blue ethereal sky,
And spangled heavens, a shining frame
Their great Original proclaim.
The unwearied sun, from day to day,
Does his Creator’s powers display,
And publishes to every land
The work of an Almighty Hand.”
– by Joseph Addison
Be blessed. — Anne
From Transylvania with Love
Meet Anna and her mother, Zsuzsa
Papa helps Big Brother, Agoston, cut one of his cakes for his 4th birthday!
Readers signing up to read with Rosemarie and Wanda
With horse and hand plow, two farmers plow the garden plot for Gusti & Aranka, my neighbors.
Vasile reads from The Word to prepare our minds for communion.
These mountains wore a coat of white just one week ago. Then, Spring came!
Seasons come & Seasons go, but this Roman wall has led down the mountain side in Sibiu for about 1310 years.
Ancient church still in use in Sibiu (my camera could only get 1/2 of it in the picture.)
If you look closely, you'll see that apple blossoms are about to burst forth on my tree. The birds and the bees were dancing around the 14 fruit trees in my garden today!
Regardless of the season, every morning I am greeted by the ancient church and fortress on another high hill across from my home in the Transylvania mountain country.
“None of us lives to himself, and none of us die to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord. And if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.” Romans 14: 7 – 8
— Anne
From the gutter on the roof to the ground, a sold stream of ice! March 10, 2010! Sepsiszentgyorgy, Romania!
The men honored the Red Cross Women on Women's Day at Covasana County Red Cross Center.
- Anne’s gift of Beautiful flowers say, “Thank you!”
Adolf, Pres. of Covasna County Red Cross, on the left, with the Vice Pres. of the Red Cross.
Mrs. Balasz, former Pres. of Covasna County Red Cross
Maria, Business Degree, 4' 10", Mother of 2 school age children, Adm Asst. training to become our Fund Raiser. She works for me 2 afternoons a week.
Good men, all, Volunteers for the Red Cross, helped honor the Women.
In the Blackest of Nights
No matter how black the night, God is with us.
I was thrown into a most confusing, challenging situation only 6 days after arriving in Sfantu Gheorghe…visa problems forced me to leave Romania. Now I am strong enough to share my thoughts.
“August 24, 2009
I am now on a Romanian/Hungarian Rapid train racing through the blackness of a Transylvanian night. It is midnight. No stars can be seen from the window of my compartment for the sky is covered with black clouds with rain streaming over my window. There have been a lot of firsts in recent weeks…first airplane trip to Romania without Dan, first worship service in SG without Dan, and now another significant one…first train trip in Europe without Dan.
After settling me in my 2 persons sleeping compartment, at 11 p.m. Adolf stood outside my window until the train pulled out of the station. Only then, as I stared into the nothingness outside my window did I feel totally alone. No one, besides two conductors, are in this car. My door is bolted and locked with 2 locks. I am safe. The train is clean…and so quiet. As the emptiness began to challenge me, the Holy Spirit reminded me that God is with me. I am never alone.
Why I am going to Budapest? The visa problem is only what is sending me there. As I fumed about the interruption of my work in SG, I heard a small voice saying, “This is a God appointed time.” Then Nancy wrote me on Facebook that this may be one of those “God appointments.” — confirmation of what had “crossed my mind.” When Zoli and Andi invited me to visit them in Budapest on my way to Romania, I told them. ” I have no plans to come to Budapest…maybe later.” Well, this is apparently “later.” I am amazed at the strength the Lord has given me. Lots of challenges have been thrown in my path the last few days, but God continues to be faithful and work them out. So, I walk by faith…not by sight. Where would the glory to God be if I could work everything out by myself?
The words to an old song Dan and I used to sing keep coming to me, “I am a pilgrim, I am a stranger, I can tarry but a night. Though none go with me, still I will follow….” I’m fine; All is well. I await with wonder what lies ahead for me the next few days in Budapest, Hungary.”
Almost 5 months later, I know the answer. But that’s for another time. One message is that God is ALWAYS with us in all circumstances. — Anne
I Refused to Think about Change
Once upon a time, an acorn fell to the ground on my mountain.
When we were “young marrieds,” Dan wanted to talk about what life insurance he should buy. Just the thought of being without him upset me, brought tears to my eyes. Being young and foolish, I refused to talk about life insurance. Dan brought the subject up several times over the next few years explaining that it was for my protection, so that I’d have income in case something happened to him. Finally, I tearfully agreed, and, yes, we bought life insurance for Dan. Now, I’m thankful we did.
But it is more painful than I had imagined to be without Dan. Some days I feel more like a robot than a live person. Other days, I feel totally alive. I don’t know how one prepares for such a major change in life. And, I really don’t know how one manages such a challenge if they do not have a close walk with Jesus.
My dear friends at the Let’s Start Talking headquarters sent me this birthday card last week…on my 75th birthday:
“Life is change…this much we know.
We plant a seed, we watch it grow.
A caterpillar, small and shy, unfurls into a butterfly.
An acorn falls so it can be transformed into a sturdy tree.
And so we know when change arrives across the landscape of our lives,
We still can trust that it will mean a special blessing not yet seen.”
— author unknown
I feel like the acorn that is decaying in the soil, and beginning to have that first little growth God intends. — Anne
Retreating from the Pain
Suddenly, seeing Dan’s photos was too painful. Opening the closet door where his coat still hangs was more than I could bear…and I began to shut down, retreat from the world and my feelings. However, I knew to reach out for help. A therapy session (on Skype) with a woman, trained in the deep healing therapy that I use, began to pull me out of it. God will see me through this.
The first week in December, I was in Spain with Tim and Claudia and their family. I am happy to announce that while there, we established the Spanish Branch of God’s Children. They have collect many good, warm used clothes that will soon be going to the Covasna County Red Cross. One of their children is heading up a campaign at her school to collect sturdy shoes to send to the children. The other child is going to head up a drive to collect good toys to ship to the children. Also, one of the local banks has agreed to put a “change box” in their foyer for people to donate their change to help the children and elderly in Romania living in poverty.
Charter members of the Spanish Branch of God's Children will spread the news how Spanish people can help the needy in Romania!
Thousands of empty condos are silent witnesses to the economic crisis in the world. They line the Mediterranean that you see in the distance. Yet, people in Spain are going to help the children and elderly of Romania!
I never imagined I'd be on Costa del Sol looking across the Mediterranean to North Africa. God is full of surprises!!!
“…it is God which works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.” Phillipians 2:13 — Anne
Dan Really Is Not Coming Back
His birthday last Sunday was some kind of watershed of reality for me. Even though I was wide awake by Dan’s side for the last 24 hours of his life, a part of me seemed to be expecting Dan to walk in the door any minute.
That expectation is gone now. He did not attend his birthday party. Had he been coming back, he would have surely been here for his birthday celebration. Some will say, “Of course not. What a strange thing for you to say, Anne. You know he’s gone.” I’m just sharing with you what I have been going through after losing the love of my life. Maybe being honest will help some other widow one day.
The little congregation came home with me for a birthday remembrance party on Dan’s 76th birthday. We were all sad, missing Dan. I asked them to focus on the fact that he is now well. God healed him and took him home to live with God. Before the gathering was over, everyone was happy and having a good time. This made it much easier for me to manage the day.
This week was a challenge. Tears came too quickly. The deep pain of loss was ever near. I don’t know what I am “supposed” to feel, but I miss Dan so much. (You do understand that grief and loss are not logical?) I don’t allow myself to think about my loneliness often. I know that I am not alone. God is with me every moment. God has filled my life with good ways to help people. It’s just that sometimes, I’d like to have my Dan healthy, by my side. But, now that he didn’t show up for his birthday party, somehow I know that Dan is really not coming back…and that’s okay. “…my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Philippians 4:19-20. — Anne
Mimi, Mariaora and Camelia made a huge bowl of Romanian slaw - my favorite!
Mimi, Marti, Maria helped make Dan's party a success.
Maria made Dan's favorite - chocolate cake with whipped cream and fresh fruit! (She's taking cake orders from the public now.)
Sebastian, Vasili & Marti let Mimi serve them some slaw. (Sebastian grilled the meat outdoors in the rain!)
9 sat at my 6 persons' table. Stefan used the counter top for a table!
Monica and Raul ate in the living room
This sunrise brought to my mind, "Be still, my soul. The Lord is on thy side."
Beautiful Faces of Magyars
There are many types of Hungarian (Magyar) faces. Here are some by whom I have been blessed. –
Karoline and Arpad were my personal escorts and protectors in Budapest
"Maudie," Zoli and Andi - fed me. Zoli and Andi gave me shelter.
Reka fed me dinner after the signing of the papers. (And gave me food for the next day.)
Released from Exile!
Friday, a 13.5 hour train trip brought me back from forced exile in Hungary to Sfantu Gheorghe, Covasna County, my home in Romania. With both of us exhausted, (Adolf from a business trip to Bucharest) Adolf rushed me from the train to the Notaris’ office for the signing of the papers for the sale of the house. That only took 4 hours! After paying 1/2 of the purchase price, I now own the house. The contract stipulates very specific terms for finishing the house, paying the other half, occupying the house, etc. Some good news – the money to pay for the kitchen cabinets has been provided. More about that later.
“100 Little Thoughts about Man, God and Society”
— thoughts taken from conversations over 49 years between Dan and Dr. Dick van Geet – our neighbor in Utrecht, Holland. Be blessed. — Anne
PEARL
The pearl in the field
Maybe all theology and religion could be summarized in one basic point: is God, the Spirit, present, or absent. Belief means it is there. Charity demonstrates it. Sin means it is absent. Egoism and hate demonstrate this; they are the result. Repentance means, you want to get the Spirit back. Grace means, the Spirit has returned. Etcetera.
PSYCHOLOGY AND RELIGION
A river has to be both wide and clean.
What do we need most, psychology or religion ? Wrong question. Think of a river. (Good) psychology/ psychotherapy could make the stream broader and wider; the waterflow increases. (Good) religion could clarify the water, make it purer. Both are needed, both are important. They are complementary.
REAL MAN
1. Man is the only real, the only genuine temple. The only place on earth where God can really live. But it/he can also degenerate to a ‘house for money-changers.’
2. Man is the landing zone for the supreme, for the highest of all. Alas, it is often pirate planes that are landing.
(to be continued)
God's Children Blog 