Lost in Translation

My suitcase apparently decided that it would like to do some more traveling around the U.S.  The last I heard it was visiting the Mormons in Salt Lake City, and might possibly head on over to Reno or Las Vegas before returning to Denver.  At least, that's what I THINK the guy in India said during the 45 minutes we spent together on the phone as I tried to figure out how a guy in Mumbai can help me find my suitcase:

India:  Hello, this is United Baggage Service.  My name is Rathmankanduskiingininda.  How can I helping you?

Me:  Ummm, Hi Rathmann...somethingorother.  My suitcase is missing.  It should be at Dulles, since my flight was cancelled yesterday.

India:  Wery good sir, I am sure ve can be of helping to you.  Can you please giving me your name?

Me:  Jim Myers

India:  Very good Mr Tyres, Let me just to be checking this for you.

Me:  No, it's MYERS

India:  Oh, golly gosh - so sorry Mr Fryers.  Now, do you have the POWOB number?

Me:  No, its not Fryers, its..... oh never mind.  Yes, the number is KD533P.

India:  OK, please being patient Mr Mypers.  Oh yes, I found it!  Your suitcase is living in Salt Lake City!

Me:  But I don't live in Salt Lake City.  I live near Denver, Colorado.

India:  You don't live in Salt Lake City?  Then why is your suitcase there?

Me:  Look, Mr  Rathmanuselessinformation, can you just send the bag back to Denver please?


India:  Thank you please Mr Calypers.  I will see what we can doing for you. (pause)  So, you are wanting this bag in Salt Lake City, correct?

Me: (very frustrated)  Can you just transfer me to the baggage claim desk in Denver.... please?


India:  So, so sorry Mr Fruitloops, I do not have that number.  In the meantime, I have sending a message to have your suitcase sent back to Washington for you.  Have a nice day.

July 23, 2011

It was probably the grace of God that my flight to Denver was delayed until this morning.  I’ve had time to think and pray about how to respond to my daughter after her accident two days ago.  My first reaction was anger:  I’ve told her more than once that she drives too fast, as has her Mom.  She tends to be overconfident in her driving abilities, and she pushes the limits when she’s behind the wheel.  I was also angry because this accident, for now, reduces us to a single vehicle.  The damage to the Blazer seems to be mostly superficial, but replacing the hood and two side panels will more than likely cost several thousand dollars.  This is why I wished that she could learn her lesson without costing us – her parents – an arm and a leg (not to mention the increased insurance liability).  I didn’t really ask the Lord for His thoughts yesterday, and I went to bed early since I hadn’t slept much at all on the long trip from South Africa to Washington.

I’m in the air now on my way to Denver.  There was a moment there this morning when it looked like yesterday’s delays would be repeated; just after we pushed back from the gate the Captain announced that one of the engines wouldn’t start and we would have to return to the terminal.  “Not again!” I thought, as I imagined another day sitting in Dulles airport.  Thankfully, the mechanics quickly found and corrected the problem, and we left only an hour late. 

Now that I’ve had time to think and pray, the Lord has started to speak to my heart.  He’s reminded me that while the accident is certainly an inconvenience, I should be grateful that Karine didn’t drive over the edge of the mountain.  Instead of a minor logistical hassle we could be arranging a funeral today.  He also took me back 26 years to the summer of 1985 when I spent six weeks in Kenya.  I was helping with the logistical arrangements to prepare for the CCC summer project in the North of the country, which involved ferrying supplies to various towns in preparation for the arrival of several dozen American college students..  I was young, cocky and ready to tackle any assignment.  The project Director asked me to drive up to the town of Maralal, along with a Kenyan staff member named Raphael, to deliver some foam mattresses and other supplies.  We drove an old, green Toyota Land Cruiser, and I’ll never forget Dave’s (the owner of the vehicle) last words to me as we were about to pull out: “Be careful.  This is my only means of transportation.”  Ha, who did he think I was?  Some young, inexperienced driver?  Nothing could possibly happen to me. 

We delivered the equipment and supplies on schedule, and we were on our way back to Isiolo when it happened:  I was driving way too fast on an unfamiliar dirt road, and rounding a sharp corner I lost control of the Land Cruiser and we rolled several times before the truck landed on its side.  After the terrible sounds of breaking glass and crunching metal, there was suddenly silence.  I looked around me, but couldn’t see Raphael.  When I called his name I heard a muffled voice coming from beneath me – I had fallen on top of him (no seatbelts).  We climbed out and evaluated our injuries:  I couldn’t lift my left arm, and Raphael had some deep wounds on his arms that were bleeding profusely.  Thankfully, we had a basic first aid kit in the truck, and I was able to wrap his arms and stop the bleeding.  We were in the middle of nowhere, so we lay down in the shade of the truck and waited for help to arrive.  Long story short:  we caught a ride back into town, and tried to call our colleagues in Isiolo to tell them we’d had an accident.  They eventually flew to Maralal in the ministry plane to pick us up, passing over the wrecked truck on the way.  Typical of African telecommunications, the person who took the message to them said that we’d had an accident, and we were both seriously injured.  This was the news that reached my folks back in Nairobi – leaving them to wonder what shape I was in. 

Here’s the point that the Lord reminded me of this morning;  when I think back to that experience, I don’t remember my parents ever chastising me for driving too fast, or for the amount of money it would cost them to repair the truck .  I don’t remember if Dave had insurance or not; all I do remember is that my parents paid to replace the hood and both doors on that truck.  I was a broke college student at the time so there was no way I could pay anything towards the repairs.  I had learned a hard, valuable lesson about my over-confidence in my driving abilities, and Mom and Dad seemed content to leave it at that.  They demonstrated God’s grace to me in a manner I’ll never forget – paying for MY foolishness because I couldn’t pay it myself.  That experience changed the way I drive forever. 

Fast forward to today.  Once the initial anger and frustration subsided, I began to hear the Lord speaking to my heart.  My parents’ response to my own foolishness 26 years ago was a living example of His grace.  How can I respond to Karine any differently?  As I’ve been sitting here listening to my Ipod, one of the French choruses we used to sing started playing:  “Ta bienveillance, O Eternel, vaut mieux que tout ce que j’ai vu…” (your loving kindness, O Lord, is worth more than all I’ve seen) – and my heart became overwhelmed with a sense of God’s kindness and mercy towards me.  I still don’t know what I’ll say to Karine when I arrive in Denver later this morning – but I know it will be different than what I would have said yesterday. 

Stuck in Washington

We ate our meals on the church stage

My room was the second from the end

I am on my way home from a business trip in South Africa, and my last flight from Washington to Denver was cancelled.  Every other flight today was overbooked and had a standby list, so I opted to get a room at the airport Marriott and fly home tomorrow morning at 6 (I hope).  After 20 hours of travel from Johannesburg I was really looking forward to sleeping in my own bed tonight - but it wasn't meant to be.  When I called home to tell Daphne about the change in plans, there was a long pause on the other end.  I could tell that she was debating whether or not to tell me something, and she finally spilled the beans:  my eldest daughter had a single car accident yesterday evening, which means we're down to a single vehicle until further notice.  Karine's OK, and I'm grateful for that; it could have been much worse.  Still, don't you wish your kids could learn these hard lessons without it costing us anything as parents?  I guess that was part of the deal we signed up for when we had children.

I was in Johannesburg under the auspices of my company - Storm Guides International.  A small mission agency based in Namibia asked me to come train their country directors in crisis management principles.  It's was a good week - although the nights were freezing cold.  South Africa - being in the Southern Hemisphere - is in the middle of their winter. Since Joburg is a mile high just like Denver, the temperatures drop dramatically at night.  All the buildings at the Baptist conference center where we met are built of concrete blocks without any insulation.  I used four blankets to stay warm, and as long as I was snuggled in my "cocoon" I was fine.  There was only one problem:  the bathrooms were four buildings away.  I was tempted to keep an empty bottle in the room at night just for that purpose... but ended up making the long walk anyway.  I did learn after the first day that I should take my showers at night when the bathrooms were empty and the water was hot. 

I think it was an eye-opening week for the participants, none of whom has ever had any training in crisis management.  This particular mission group had considered investing in the services of a Dutch risk management group, but just the retainer alone would have been $30K a year.  I may not be able to boast of contacts within the Mossad or FBI, but I do bring 28 years of living overseas to the table.  The wife of the Director said to me yesterday, "You're different."  When I asked her what she meant, she said that I came and just seemed to "fit in", which I guess was not her expectation.  I can only say that I know what it's like to be a missionary, and I've lived through and managed a lot of difficult crises.   Hopefully that counts for something.  Besides - to hire me costs them a fraction of what they would have paid to the Dutch group.  


The day before I left, Daphne's Aunt told me that three of their friends were shot in an attempted car-jacking, at 7 in the evening on a busy residential street.  They had just arrived for an evening cook-out at a friend's home when four armed men pulled up behind their parked car and jumped out brandishing pistols.  They demanded all their jewelry, wallets etc while holding guns to their heads. When they did not comply fast enough, the thieves shot three of them - one in the leg, another in the hand, and the third narrowly escaping death when she turned her head to take off her earrings and the bullet grazed her scalp.  It was ironic because in the training we had just been discussing the rise of violent crime in African countries ( South Africa being among the worst), and this incident was a case-in-point.  Thank God all three survived, although the emotional scars will take much longer to heal.  


Well, time to get some dinner and an early night's sleep.

The X-Factor

It's been raining on and off most of the day today.  We need it on this side of the Divide.  I could never have imagined how different the weather can be on two sides of a mountain range; this past winter, most of the resorts to the West of the Continental Divide had record years for snowfall (Copper Mountain had 400 inches - second highest since 1972), while the front range had a record LOW year for moisture.  In any case, the rain this week will drop the risk of fire for another few days.

I am preaching again at The Journey this weekend for the next installment of our "God in the Movies" series.  Only one problem:  it looks like we'll get rained-out tomorrow (Friday).  So, how do you preach a sermon about a movie no one has seen?  Hmmm.  This will be a challenge, especially if I don't want to give away the whole story for those who've never seen "Secretariat".  I enjoyed watching Secretariat for the first (and second and third) time this week, and true stories always capture my attention.  Of course we all know that "based on a true story" only means that some of the content of the movie has any resemblance to reality - and the rest is thrown in to add more audience appeal.  In any case, this movie is just as much about a woman's will to never give up as it is about the big red horse himself.  He was a truly amazing animal, and his track speed records at the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes have never even been approached by any horse since.  In doing some research for my message, I came across an interesting fact:  during the necropsy following Secretariat's death, it was discovered that his heart was enormous - weighing approximately 22 lbs, which is 2.5 times that of a normal horse.  No wonder he could run as fast and as far as he did.  An extremely large heart is a trait that occasionally occurs in Thoroughbreds, linked to a genetic condition known as the "x-factor". 

This got me to thinking about how some people seem to have their own "X-Factor" in life - the will to keep going against incredible odds.  Perhaps only a small percentage of men and women have been blessed with an enormous heart (figuratively speaking) that gives them an almost unfair advantage over other, "normal" people when it comes to courage, stamina and inner-strength.  That would certainly explain why only a small percentage of the population ever reach true greatness in business, or politics, or religion.  Or there's another possibility.  Perhaps the "Secretariats" of this world were not necessarily born with disproportionately large hearts, but their hearts grew over time as they overcame one obstacle after another until they became men and woman of greatness. 

I personally believe that God provides every one of us with innumerable opportunities to grow to higher heights - through trials, tragedies, set-backs and disappointments.  I don't believe He has created any human being for mediocrity;  we choose that road ourselves.  Our greatest enemy is fear, and fear will keep us bound up in our own little world of self-pity and timidity.  God is great, and He's destined us for greatness wherever He has planted us; it all depends on our willingness and ability to hear His voice and to follow His lead.

Daphne and I have had what feels like more than our fair share of hurdles to overcome in the past three years, and discouragement and fear were always by our side waiting to tackle us and knock us out of the game.  But God had always placed people around us as cheerleaders to give us strength and to remind us of who God is.  The choice has always been ours alone - to give in to fear and doubt, or to press on in faith even though all the 'evidence' seemed to be against us at the time.  And when no one was around to lift up our arms, His Spirit would come and whisper: "Keep running!  I won't let you go!  We'll get through this thing together."  And we always did.

"I'm Letting Go"

Who can ever predict the twists and turns our lives will take.  We reach a place of impasse or what seems to be a dead-end, never knowing what God has in mind just a few turns around the corner.

I've been sitting on my deck weeping this morning.  It dawned on me about an hour ago as I was finishing the preparations for my sermon that it was two years ago today that I hit the wall and reached the point of saying to Daphne "I'm done".  Two years ago today.  Burnout.  Leave of absence and two months of counseling in Colorado.  The decision to resign from my job as Director of Operations, then to resign from the organization and from ministry.  Wondering where in the world we would end up, or how God would provide for our needs.  A move to Conifer, Colorado where the only person we knew was Bob our realtor.  And here I am sitting on my deck, watching the sun rise over the mountain... wondering how in the world we ended up here? 

It is the Irony of God that I'm preaching today, and that the last point of my message is about yielding our lives to God because we can trust Him.  Wow, that is the understatement of the century.  We are a living testimony to God's faithfulness through times of doubt and darkness.  He never let go of us, never gave up on us, never stopped loving us.  I gave up Christian ministry to move to Colorado, then I gave up crisis management consulting to follow His leading to become a pastor at Journey.  And now I realize that He gave it all back to us - a role in ministry AND crisis management too.  I leave in less than two weeks for South Africa to lead a crisis management training for a mission group there, and in October I will be training one of the largest churches in Denver - and I have done absolutely nothing to gain these two training opportunities.  He has proven to us yet again (as if He needed to prove anything) that He is God and we can trust Him.  He will not leave us or forsake us.  All He asks of us is our TRUST. 

The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away; blessed be the name of the Lord.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your path straight."  Proverbs 3:5,6

Opinions on Everything by Nobody

I have a friend here named Mark.  One of Mark's talents is writing, and although he's often thought about putting his "musings" into print he's never actually taken his craft beyond the writing stage.  I enjoy his writing style, and while I don't necessarily agree with him on every point I find that I have more in common with him than where we might disagree.  I'm trying to encourage him to write more and explore the idea of publishing, and I suggested to him that one step towards this goal might be to start a blog.  So, I offered to put several of his short essays on my blog; if you enjoy his writing style please leave a comment on the blog for Mark to see.

___________________________________________


Opinions On Everything by Nobody - by Mark Ryan

Seat Belt laws and such…

Creating new laws seems an endless project doesn’t it.  We’ve been creating new laws for several hundred years – both federally and in each state of these “united” states….yet, every year we surely seem to need a few hundred, or a few thousand more. But who’s counting?  Righteous, pious, overacting legislators from sea to shining sea feel the need to rant and rave about something, so that they continue to look important and be of utmost value to us lowly, uninformed, incapable masses.

On this note, I wonder how the evolution of law making has progressed.  I imagine, the early laws (such as murder, theft, etc…) derived from the concept that in a good, free, civilized society, there should be rules about how we treat others.  Violate those rules, you no longer belong among us.  Seems like a sound concept to me.  Protect me from the bad guys…I get it…THANK YOU!  

But then, somehow, somewhere along the way, these wise protectors of the masses began creating laws to protect me from...well, me!  What?  When did that become their job?  I thought that job began with my parents when they told me not to run across a busy highway, or not to put my hand on the hot stove.  When did these overzealous orators decide it was their job?  Well, whenever it happened, they surely did welcome the task.

A good example is the seat belt law.  YOU MUST WEAR A SEAT BELT IN YOUR CAR…IT WILL PROTECT YOU IF YOU CRASH!  Ok…they are probably right…it’s a good idea…it’s probably the intelligent thing to do, but is it necessary to make it a “law of the land”…to protect me from being so foolish as to risk my life by driving without a seatbelt?  Sort of seems to me that if I want to behave as a moron at a risk to no one other than me (the moron)…I oughta have that choice.  How “free” is “freedom” when they start telling me I can’t risk harm to myself? 

How ‘bout parachuting out of a perfectly functional plane…that’s seems a tad risky, but apparently it’s not as bad as DRIVING TO KING SOOPERS WITHOUT YOUR SEATBELT!  Jumping from a plane is perfectly legal…as is NASCAR, Drag Racing, Hockey, Rodeo, Bungee jumping and a myriad of other activities in which you may injure yourself.  How do these ever-so-intelligent people differentiate between which activities they must protect me from and which ones are just “good fun”?

Now, now folks…I can hear your “comebacks” already…relax….I’ll address them in a minute.

Now, I actually agree with requiring minors to be protected by a seat belt when riding in a car…and the baby seat thing…GREAT idea.  You see, those requirements are protecting someone not yet granted the legal definition of an adult who is supposedly able to decide what is good for themselves.  No problem there!  If I’m an irresponsible guy who is putting people riding in my vehicle at risk, then I have no problem with a law which requires me to protect THEM.  My problem once again, is a law which protects me from me!

Now the greatest opponents to my position usually say one of two things:  1) it’s no big deal, just buckle up; or 2) but let’s say you get injured and don’t have insurance and then tax dollars are going to be used to take care of you…so there it is man…we’re all paying for your stupidity!  Let me take one at a time, ok?

1) Its no big deal, just buckle up.

I agree with you there…it truly is NO BIG DEAL and honestly, I DO BUCKLE UP…I just completely disagree with being REQUIRED TO BY LAW!  Educate me as to the risks and then #&@*ing let me decide.  That’s all there is to that one….

2) The “we will all have to pay for your stupidity thing”…

 There are certainly other ways to handle this issue.  For example, we could have car insurance companies (private companies with decisions to make as to how they run their business) include a clause where you are denied coverage if you are in an accident and not following certain guidelines…like, not wearing a seatbelt.  I tell you what people; more people would wear a seat belt fearing loss of medical coverage than would ever wear one fearing a $92 ticket.

Some of you may say that seems like the same thing….what’s the difference between the government telling you to wear it and the insurance company telling you the same thing?  Well here it is folks….the government telling me is a law with penalties; the insurance company telling me is a “choice”…that’s the difference AND my friends, it’s a big one!

Maybe we should just make it that you will not be treated at any medical facility if you should injure yourself while driving without a seatbelt.  Sorry dude, bad decision….can’t help you…you are dead.  I know that sounds harsh, but really, at least then you have a choice to be an idiot instead of being required to protect you from you…

Ok, I know we aren’t gonna just say, “your dead” in this country…I was exaggerating.  By now, you probably have seen my tendency to do so…but how about this choice:  If you wear a seat belt, your insurance will pay for your care in the finest medical facilities in the country – no holds barred.  If you “CHOOSE” not to wear it, you are left with whatever care is available at the local welfare clinic?  Then it’s a choice for a reasonable person to make…not a law telling me how to protect me…from me.

I could go on and apply this same argument about motorcycle helmets and life vests while in a boat, but you get the idea…

Give it some thought…is it the governments job to protect “you” from “you”?

Smoking in Public Places…

For the record, I don’t smoke.  Well, maybe an occasional cigar with my brother or during a friendly poker game.  But for my purposes here, when I refer to “smoking”, I mean cigarettes, ok?  Also for the record…I HATE the smell of smoke; the lingering odor on my clothes after being in a smoke filled room; the burning redness left in my eyes, the potential risk to my health, and all the rest of the things that come from second hand smoke.

With all these things in mind, I am completely, fundamentally, positively and unequivocally OPPOSED to these newly enacted laws prohibiting smoking in restaurants and bars.  What?  Did you read that right?  Yeah, go ahead and read this again…and yep, I’m opposed to these intrusive, Un-American laws.

You may be wondering why a non-smoker, who hates the smell and effects of second hand smoke is not standing up applauding my ever-so-efficient government and their efforts to make my life more pleasant.  Simple folks, it’s about freedom.  It’s about entrepreneurship.  It’s about free enterprise.  When you get right down to it, it’s about being free.  We preach a lot in this country about being free, but it’s becoming increasingly difficult if you really think about.

Follow me on this one.  You are a budding entrepreneur.  You decide to open a little bistro of your own.  You create the menu.  You develop the recipes and the menu.  You borrow several hundred THOUSAND dollars.  You sign a multi-year, several-thousand-dollars-per-month lease.  You buy the kitchen equipment, the tables, the glasses, the chairs, the table cloths and everything else you need to get started.  You don’t have enough personal funds to accomplish all this, so, believing in your dream, you borrow money from EVERYONE and every institution you can (mortgaging your house as collateral).  You risk your entire financial existence on this venture.  (If you think I’m exaggerating, you’ve clearly never started a business…try it sometime…) 

By the way, you are also risking your marriage and family because it takes an immense amount of time to get a business up and running and sometimes, that amount of time and effort away from the family is, well, just too much of a strain.  (Trust me on this one…I’ve seen it first hand)  But, with all the odds against you, you forge ahead – nothing will stop you in pursuit of your dream.  It’s America and you are staking your claim to the American Dream.

Whose decision should it be as to the menu?  Whose decision should the style of décor be?  Who should decide on the color of the table cloth?  How about whether you just serve dinner…or add lunch service as well?  Of course, you are thinking, these are all decisions of the owner, duh!  It’s his business after all, right?  And, you’d be correct.

BUT….who’s decision is it whether to allow patrons to smoke?  NOT the owners…at least, not anymore.  Isn’t that absurd?  Our governments have decided it is THEIR job to dictate to the person who has risked EVERYTHING whether to allow patrons to enjoy a PERFECTLY LEGAL activity in their own business.   Am I the only one thinking……..HUH?...What?

For a minute here, let’s pretend the government actually left this difficult, deeply complex issue to the “people” they are so eager to protect.  Question:  If I know of a restaurant that allows smoking….and yet, I hate second hand smoke…can I, as a free American decide NOT to give that restaurant my business?  Seriously, am I allowed that freedom of choice?  OF course I am!  And TAA-DAA…that’s the free enterprise system at work! 

If I, and enough other patrons, choose not to give a certain establishment our business because we are opposed to their smoking policy, then one of two things will “naturally” happen; 1) they will go out of business or 2) they will shift their policies to attract new customers (and past customers).  It’s simple.  The problem takes care of itself through an almost forgotten concept called “free enterprise”.

How about if I AM a smoker…and I consider it very important to my dining experience to “light one up” after my meal.  If I find a restaurant, whose owner allows it, what is the immense and great public interest in having our government “over-ride” the decision of the entrepreneur and ruin my dining experience?  I simply don’t get this one.

Oh, yeah…I remember one of the arguments now…

It’s about the workers who are “forced” to work in these smoke filled environments.  (If anyone is about to say it’s about the enjoyment of those who don’t smoke…you oughta stay quiet on that one…if you don’t like smoke…DON’T GO THERE!).  Whew…back to these workers.

If I wanted to be an elected member of our government, I could surely “sell” this law.  I’d talk about a poor single mother whose life and very health are at risk due to restaurant patrons “poisoning her”, at no fault of her own.  She’s just trying to get by…and is being “forced” to endure this health hazard just to put food on the table for little Joey.  I’d be elected…and then I’d be just as insincere and pandering as the rest of ‘em.

Come on…no one in this country is “forced” to keep a job.  If this entire issue was left to the “choice” of business owners, I have to believe it would all work out fine.  Enough restaurateurs would “CHOOSE” to be non smoking (to encourage those who wish to dine in that environment)….AND FOLKS, enough restaurateurs would “CHOOSE” to allow smoking (to encourage those who wish to dine in that environment).  AND…there would be jobs AT BOTH TYPES of establishments.

I mean, isn’t this all ridiculous.  We all have a choice of where to spend our restaurant and entertainment dollars…let’s leave it up to US!  I find it ever so insulting that our legislators feel that we are incapable of these decisions on our own.  What’s next… deciding that a restaurant shouldn’t serve fried chicken because deep fried foods might be unhealthy….?  A little personal responsibility would eradicate this issue – you CHOOSE where to spend your time and dollar – the business owner responds in a way to try to encourage your patronage….simple.

Now…with all that said…I actually agree with the non-smoking policy in buildings where I am REQUIRED to go.  When it applies to public buildings, such as Government buildings where I MUST go to simply comply with the ever-so-growing amount of laws and regulations, I GET IT.  I have no “choice” to go to these establishments…I have to get my new car safety sticker and registration…I have to apply for my marriage license, etc…

So, I have no problem there…in PUBLIC buildings where I MUST go to simply survive in this complex bureaucracy, fine…protect my health…and make the workers and patrons smoke right outside the entranceway where I have to walk through a nearly impenetrable cloud of smoke to enter the building…I appreciate your thoughtfulness.

But when it comes to a PRIVATE business owner…with his proverbial ASS on the line…let him or her make his own damn decision.  The free market and personal choice will determine what happens.  Government…stick with issues where you are needed… here…quite frankly, you are not!

Anyway…give it some thought…who’s choice should it be in a “free” country?

 

Movies in the Meadows

Last Friday night we organized the first of our Movies in the Meadows series, and it was a great hit.  I think we stopped counting at 346 people, and we had to find parking for over 140 cars.  We'd put up the screen and mowed a big section of the meadow as advertising a couple of days before the event, and it must have worked.  The movie only started after dark (around 8:45), but people were arriving as early as 6:30 to claim their spot on the field and to play frisbee golf, or get their faces painted, or just sit and chat.  The meadow was still pretty soggy so we couldn't use it much for parking except for 4x4 vehicles.  The rest we parked along the road that winds up through the property and eventually to the house and barn.  I was directing traffic down by the entrance to the driveway along with one of our church members who's a cop and was in uniform.  Amazing how much better people behave when there's a policeman on duty!  We really didn't have any problems to speak of - a couple of angry people who didn't end up staying very long, but everyone else had a great time.  Hopefully the Word of Mouth advertising will work it's magic and we'll

We even had a not-so-angry Llama on hand!

have a bigger crowd this weekend.  The weather report says thunderstorms today, tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday... and 0% chance of precipitation on Friday... hmmm, almost seems like there's someone in charge of things :)

I will be preaching on Sunday, and I'm supposed to find the spiritual analogies in the movie True Grit (the new one with Jeff Bridges).  Mike spoke about this last weekend - how we can find truth anywhere in life because all of life originates with God.  Truth is truth, wherever you find it - and there are plenty of great lines from this movie that can be tied to some Scriptural truth.  As I was thinking about preaching on Sunday, it occurred to me that the last time I spoke on a weekend was a year ago and that the church has grown by 100% since then... no pressure!

Movies in the Fridge

"Mom, is there any particular reason why the Netflix DVD is in the fridge?"  This was Jacqueline's question to Daphne a few mornings ago, and although Daphne didn't have a clue how a DVD ended up in the fridge she didn't have to wonder long: Papa.  Seriously?  No one's ever told you that all DVDs have a "Refrigerate after opening" instruction on the label?  All joking aside, while I do not have a memory of putting the movie in the fridge, there is little doubt in our household about who the true culprit must be. For the past few weeks I've been going through one of my cycles of sleeplessness due to insomnia and restless legs. The morning after the DVD incident, I woke up at 12:30 am to find the entryway lights on and the front door wide open.  No one else will own-up to it, and I have no memory of opening the door - but more than likely I was sleep-walking, or possibly sleep-watering the flowers on the front deck.  As amusing as these nighttime incidents can be, there's a very scary reality that I could actually leave the house at night and have an accident.

The Lord and I have had many, many conversations about my chronic suffering due to restless legs, and to date He's never given an answer to my countless pleadings for healing.  I know my brother John can relate to what I'm about to say, but after trying countless home-remedies (even as bizarre as placing a bar of soap at the end of the bed at night), vitamin supplements, massage, acupuncture, etc I have become a true skeptic when someone calls me or writes with the latest RLS treatment.  I have an appointment with a local chiropractor next week who's absolutely sure that he can provide real relief: what can I say?  I'm tired (no pun intended) of getting my hopes up only to have them come crashing to the ground with the next sleepless night. You know what the hardest part of all this is?  Not being able to remember the last time I didn't feel tired.  None of our friends here in Conifer have ever known me when I was full of energy and gusto for life.  Even my daughter Nicole said yesterday that she can't remember life without her Dad always being worn-out.  I can probably count on one hand the number of times I've driven after dark in the last five years;  That role always falls to Daphne, because it's simply too dangerous for me to get behind the wheel.  Don't get me wrong: I'm truly not complaining.  I love our life here in Colorado and our new church family at The Journey, and I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.  I just find myself longing for the days so many years ago when I was mentally alert, engaged and full of energy.  

On a lighter note:  tonight is our first "Movies in the Meadows" event for the community.  A bunch of us spent the morning yesterday clearing out a spot to put up our big screen - even though it now looks tiny when you step back and look at it from a distance.  We'll be showing "Ironman II" tonight, then on Sunday Michael has the challenge of finding God in the message of Ironman.  I'll be paying attention, because I have to do the same thing next week with True Grit and the week after with Secretariat.  The weather report is for clear skies tonight, so we should have a grand kick-off for Friday Night Fun.

20 years

Glen Eyrie Castle in Colorado Springs - now a beautiful B&B

 20 years ago (June 8th) I nervously walked down the aisle of Randburg Baptist Church in Johannesburg, South Africa to start the adventure of a lifetime.  Neither of us were particularly young (Daph was 30 and I was 29), nor did we have a clear idea about the challenges of cross-cultural, international marriage. But who thinks about any of that when you're in love and eager to start your new life together?  20 years, three continents, three countries and three children ago  -  what an adventure this has been!  It hardly seems possible today, looking back, that at one point during our engagement I got cold feet and actually wanted to back out.  I would not trade my life nor my marriage for anything now - Daphne and our three girls make my life complete.  We love living in Conifer, but in all honesty it wouldn't matter where we were living because we're a family, and wherever we are, together, is HOME.

Daphne had no idea what I'd planned to celebrate our 20th anniversary - all she knew was that we were going away for the night.  One of our friends unwittingly let the cat out of the bag a couple of days beforehand - but since Daphne's never been to Glen Eyrie it did not ruin the surprise for her.  We arrived at Glen Eyrie last Thursday,  just in time for the 1:00 Castle Tour (part of my very clever planning).  The tour included the fascinating story of the building of the castle in the late 1870's by General William Jackson Palmer - who also founded the city of Colorado Springs.  Palmer was undoubtedly a genius, as his castle was a showcase for many modern conveniences that were literally decades before their time - such as electricity, a central vacuum system, and a built-in fire protection system throughout the castle.  He even conceived of a centralized intercom system to communicate with the castle staff and with his family wherever they might be within the castle walls.

Tea of Two... so posh

After the tour we sat down for a real English Cream Tea in the "Music Room" (do I know my wife, or what?), complete with scones & Devon cream.  I resisted the temptation to drink my tea with my pinky in the air ;  I was too busy scarfing down the scones and cookies.  Most of the patrons were well dressed, which made me feel a little self-conscious in my shorts and Auburn T-shirt.  But who cares, right?  I was with my bride, and that's all that counted for me.

After the Afternoon Tea we decided to hike up to the waterfall that's about 1 mile above Glen Eyrie in the canyon. Since the castle is built literally next door to the Garden of the Gods,  the rocks all around the Glen are beautiful.  We were hoping to see some of the big horn sheep that hang out in the canyon and down on the grounds, but they weren't cooperative that day.  When we got back to our room we started looking on the internet for some places to go for dinner, and one of the first ones I found was the Flying W Ranch only 10 minutes away.  I'd never heard of it before, but apparently it's a working cattle ranch and a replica old-tyme Western town.  They do a western dinner show each evening, with a "Cookhouse" dinner of beans (reminds me of the movie Blazing Saddles), steak, baked potato and apple sauce. 

These 5 cowboys had awesome harmony and great senses of humor

The Western Show consisted of five singing cowboys who all have day jobs (apparently) working on the ranch, and then do the shows in the evenings.  There were four guitars and one fiddle, and man could those guys play!  We enjoyed a great evening of country-western music, and got to meet a Greek Orthodox priest and his wife from New Jersey who'd come to Colorado to attend a pastors' seminar at Focus on the Family.  Amazing how quickly you can get into a deep, personal discussion when you meet another believer.  This guy shared how he'd gotten so disillusioned with the politics in the church that he'd been on the verge of leaving the ministry altogether.  They both thoroughly enjoyed the seminar and they looked and sounded refreshed and ready to head back into the fray.  A great testimony for Focus on the Family.

The next morning we drove literally next door to the Garden of the Gods.  The park covers a pretty small area, but the rock formations are out of this world.  I cannot imagine how they were formed sticking vertically up out of the ground - gigantic, thin wafers of red rock.  We saw a couple of climbers making their way up one of the faces, and I took a few pictures.  I love to climb, but these guys were in a whole other league.  There's a sign down below that says, "If you're not a technical climber using proper gear and a permit, STAY OFF THE ROCKS!"  I was pretty surprised that they let anyone climb, knowing the damage that it does to the rocks.  It also looks fairly dangerous, as the rocks seem to crumble easily.  No Thanks.

The  rest of the pictures are of the park.  Who knows how many millenia it took for these rocks to end up in the position they're now in?  One more reason why I'm an "Old Earth Creationist".

Our first graduate

It was a packed house on the football field

 It was a beautiful day in the mountains - sunny but not too hot.  A perfect day for a graduation ceremony.  One down and two still to go!  Karine's plans are to work here in Conifer for most of the summer, then I'll probably buy her an inexpensive car and drive her to Alabama. She plans to live with my brother Bill and his wife Sandy, get a job and get involved with the singles ministry at their church.  I think a year away will be a great growing experience for her.

Jacqueline the movie star

Karine and her best buddy Jessica