Do you sometimes have sleepless nights? You do everything to get to sleep but it just doesn’t come? What’s your remedy? I take magnesium, because I read it helps calm nerves and relaxes us. There’s  melatonin. I avoid caffeine after lunchtime. Yet sometimes, I still can’t sleep at night. I used to blame it on my situation. I always slept fine until my husband, Bill passed away. After that, I often tossed and turned. But I’m not alone at night any longer and some nights, I still struggle with sleep. Occasionally, I have things on my mind that might disturb my sleep, but not always. So, during those times that I toss and turn, where my thoughts wander about any and everything, I pray. Or sing old hymns. Or quote Bible verses. Sometimes they help me drop off to sleep. But other times, I’m just awake. Now that I’m retired, I console myself that I can take a nap the next day. But at the time, all I really want to do is sleep!

This morning, as I read a devotional, the writer recommended we re-write the above passage in our own words. So I did. Here’s what I wrote:

I wait in hope for you, LORD. You are my hope and shield. My heart rejoices that I can trust in you. May your love rest on me as I put my hope in you. 

It’s pretty simple, isn’t it? We wait. We hope. We rejoice in our trust. 

I challenge you to look up the passage in Psalm 33:20-22 in whatever translation you choose. I chose the NIV, but there are many to choose from–and write out that prayer in your own words.  Then, remember it when you can’t sleep. That’s my plan.

“Lord, next time I can’t sleep, please help me remember to wait, hope, rejoice, and trust in You! Amen.”

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Here’s a song to enjoy–and maybe reflect on when sleep is not there…

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We were on a road trip this week where I had the honor of speaking with women in the southeastern portion of our state. W-a-y across the state and very close to neighboring Idaho, and along the Columbia River dividing Oregon and Washington. The drive is a beautiful one. But the best part was meeting people, often from a different walk of life than ours. When I am invited to speak to the women’s groups, we are provided a host with and a place to stay. The first night, we stayed with a widow named Ardith. She had prepared a lovely place for Jim and me and invited her neighbor, Fred, to join us for dinner. Fred 94 years old, had an interesting past. He was a survivor of Pork Chop Hill, the battle in the Korean War. Fred and Jim sat in the bright living room, that looked out onto a hops farm across the road and Ardith’s beautiful flower beds where bright asters and roses were colorfully displayed. Fred told his story of the terrible battle that he survived. There were 6,800 soldiers of the 67th division that were involved in 1953 summer battles for five days, among them 533 were killed and 1,242 were wounded. Less than three weeks after the Battle of Pork Chop Hill, the Korean Armistice Agreement was signed by the UN, PVA and North Korean People’s Army, ending the hostilities. “How did you get through that?” Jim asked Fred.

“It was only through the Lord that I did,” he quickly responded. His story was published in the book, The Lost Two Years:an autobiography by Fred L. Holland. These delightful individuals, who lived in the same neighborhood enjoyed friendship together, sharing evening meals each evening. Ardith is a writer and wrote Fred’s account of Pork Chop Hill.

Here I am with them, below:

After meeting with the women in the small town of Grandview, we drove to our next location further east and south: Dayton, Washington. It is very close to the Idaho and Oregon borders. Our drive there was beautiful through The Palouse, one of the seven wonders of Washington State.

Aerial view of the Palouse

We stayed in Dayton with Dave and Lois. Lois had prepared a lovely meal for us and a comfortable bed that night. Again, we had wonderful conversation where we shared with each other, our lives and past experiences. From their house, we traveled east to the town of Pomeroy, where I would speak to another group of women. The meeting place was held in a unique building that had been preserved and was now used as a restaurant and church–an old flour mill. The owner loved musical instruments.

During those three days of our travels, we met some wonderful people who loved where they lived and so generously provided meals and accommodations for Jim and me.

I have traveled a lot. Across the ocean to places that have ancient buildings and astounding cathedrals. Mountains and plains. Wonderful people who are happy with where they live. The sights we saw as we traveled more than 400 miles in our home state were beautiful, too.

We are glad to be home once more. To our familiar surroundings and comfortable bed. I’m so blessed I get to see so much when one day, I may not be able to travel.

God has created for us a wonderful world. He has given us creativity in building–from cathedrals to flour mills, to musical instruments. To be able to drive through gorgeous scenery. To hear stories of lives with harrowing experiences of war, and loss.

What stood out to me in this trip were the sturdy people who make up our nation. Farmers, those who served our country, collectors of antiquity, writers who record our past, and those who show hospitality to others.

This morning I read about what God is preparing for those who place their trust in him. What I am looking forward to the most in my future home, is the presence with Jesus. He is waiting and excited to be with us.

When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am (John 14:3 NLT). And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died (I Thessalonians 4:13-14). 

I like it that what I read in the Bible is true:

“Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” (Revelation 21:5) Your eternal word, O Lord, stands firm in heaven (Psalms 119:89). Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear (Matthew 24:35).

We have hope for an eternal home. We are blessed with beautiful surroundings and people.

“Lord, today, help me remember although we live in a beautiful world, You have prepared for us a lovely place and You are waiting for me to arrive. Thank you for the magnificent world You have placed me in and that one day, I will see you face to face in the place You have ready for me. Amen.”

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Enjoy below:

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I’m reflecting on the recent loss of my brother, Roger. Below are the five of us a few years ago in Arizona.

The Quiring Five

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Because I grew up in a pastor’s home, I was in church often. Morning and evening services on Sundays, Wednesday night services. Often my father concluded the morning service with this blessing found in the Old Testament:

“The Lord bless you and keep you;
²⁵ The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
²⁶ The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace” (Numbers 6:24-26 NKJV). 

Hearing those words, then and now gives me peace and assurance. It has been with me when I didn’t know where to turn. When I was lonely and afraid. When I felt my marriage was shattered and wouldn’t recover. When I heard the words, “He’s gone.”

Singing has always given me peace and comfort no matter what my situation is. I loved singing in a large choir in high school. Our director, Mr. Peru, expected the best from us and he got it. Not because he was harsh in his expectations, but kind. We just wanted to please him. We sang many classics, including anthems from the church. I’m not sure if we sang the song I’m going to share with you today, but I pray it blesses you and gives you peace as it did for me today and many other times.

Last week I told you my brother had died. His memorial service is this coming Monday. I want to tell you more about him, but I’m going to wait until next time after my final goodbye.

¹¹ Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you (2 Corinthians 13:11 NLT).

Another passage that has given me great comfort comes from the last book of the Bible. May you be comforted by the words as I have been now and in the past:

 

I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them.⁴ He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever” (Revelation 21: 3-4 NLT).

Enjoy the classic hymn written for a choir or small ensemble. Let the words sink into your soul. Notice this large choir has people of all ages. Perhaps to give us a glimpse of heaven? All creation one day will worship the Lord in chorus.

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We are entering a new season–Autumn. I love autumn. It means brilliant colors. Cooler weather. Harvest. The muted colors of summer are changing into bright colors of red, orange and yellow. In the PNW, the weather is best. Most days, the sky is a brilliant blue, bright sunshine, and mild temperatures. Warm enough to go without a jacket.

Much as I love Autumn, I’m sad today. You see, as everything outdoors are dying, I’ve experienced loss this past week. My brother–my only brother–has died. Just as plants are dying–flowers are getting tired looking, leaves are falling from the trees, my heart is heavy with loss.

It is strange, the numbness I feel. I work with those who grieve, but today I am the griever. I feel detached, unable to do very much. I understand that is grief. I’ve been there before. I have moments of shocked denial and sadness. Moments of hope and peace and sometimes, I feel even a little crazy.

Grief is hard work. Your mind and body sag with the weight. Yet, the only cure for grief is to grieve. As I walk through this grief, I know I am not alone. There is pain in the loss, I am reminded by words from the Bible, my source of strength in joy or sorrow: But God, who comforts the downcast (2 Corinthians 7:6a NIV); Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, ⁴ who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God (2 Corinthians 1:3-4; Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. ² I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust” (Psalm 91:1-2).

I know by experience God will not leave me comfortless. I know I will be comforted. That is why I am telling you about my grief today. I’ll write more about my brother another time. Today, though, I will grieve because a person who has been in my memory as long as I’ve been alive, is gone now.

Sometimes, death brings people to faith–or interest in studying more about God. That happened to Dietrich Bonhoffer, after his older brother died in World War I. Bonhoffer, although a prodigous pianist, decided to become a theologian and minister. It is his prayer that gives me comfort and if you are grieving, I hope it brings comfort to you:

O God, early in the morning I cry to you.

Help me to pray

And to concentrate my thoughts on you:

I cannot do this alone,

In me there is darkness,

But with you there is light;

I am lonely, but you do not leave me;

I am feeble in heart, but with you there is help;

I am restless, but with you there is peace. (Dietrich Bonhoffer, 1906-1945)

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My brother, Roger,  loved jazz. Here’s one of my favorites–and I think it was one of his, too.

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…with God the best wine is always last~Anne Ortlund

What do you think of that statement? Perhaps you don’t drink wine or even like it. I believe Anne Ortlund made that statement from the story of a wedding in a village called Cana. Jesus was there and it was here he performed his first miracle. The host of the wedding ran out of wine but the wedding festivities weren’t over. Mary, the mother of Jesus came to him and told him they had run out of wine. Read the exchange here: John 2:1-11.

Jesus instructed the servants to fill water jars with water and then told them to dip out the water and give to the host. They did as he said and it was changed into wine. Excellent wine! The master of ceremonies declared, “… you have kept the best until now!”

I don’t know where you are right now. Perhaps you’re in a good place in your life. The days are sunny. The nights give good sleep. Or, that is not true for you. There is distress in your household. Someone is sick and not expected to get better. It might be an adult child who has strayed from your family’s nest–their beliefs are different than what you believe is right–and it’s concerning for you. You might have an illness that is incurable and the symptoms won’t ease up. Or the doctor tells you to put your things in order–there isn’t much time.

I haven’t had a doctor tell me to “put my things in order,” but I am growing older and know my time on earth is limited. There are some things I know I won’t accomplish here on this planet. It’s a matter of addition and subtraction.

I don’t know how many days I have left to live, but God does. He says in one of my favorite Psalms, You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. 

Ortlund’s statement...with God the best wine is always last…gives me strength to face the future. I know where I’m going after my life ends here on earth. Seek it out. Explore the scriptures. They are full of knowledge, wisdom, and truth. And hope.

And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ…I John 3:23

I provided the links to each of the passages above for your convenience. I hope you look them up for yourselves.

“Heavenly Father, help me to rest in You. I believe one day–I don’t know when–You will come to take me home to You. I know that the best is with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

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Below is one of my favorite hymns. The words are all about the God who created us. Who knows our days.

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We’ve been home from that enticing journey now almost a month. I was astounded at the beauty in the cathedrals and basilicas. So intricate. Can something like these ancient places ever be built again?

We toured Vatican City and St. Peter’s Basilica. We saw the moving statue of The Pieta by Michelangelo, completed when he was twenty-four years old. The Sistine Chapel ceiling. So many statues.

Rome is old. They call it the eternal city. Many buildings built a generation after Christ.  Much of it still stands.

I’m glad we visited Rome. We most likely won’t return. But if we do, I will once again be awed by the sights and sounds and food.

Some of the buildings and statues were built to focus on what human beings can accomplish. But many were built to glorify God. I am amazed by what man has done. I am grateful for the God who is personal and we can know him through Jesus. In the cathedrals, there are crosses with Jesus on them, telling the story of the sacrifice he made for us. God who gave his life. But I was even more heartened by the painting of Jesus when he rose from the dead outside the tomb where they laid him. He is very alive right now.

“Father God, thank you for creating men and women. With much creativity to draw and build and carve. When you created us, you said it was very, very good. Thank you most of all for the sacrifice you made so long ago. That you rose again to life and offer eternal life to us as well. Amen.”

I’ve told you about my recent journey. Message in the comments below and tell me about yours. It can be in your neighborhood, in your city, another state in our country. They are all rich in beauty and memories.

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Enjoy this rendition with Nat King Cole….

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Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be, the last of life, for which the first was made. Our times are in his hand . . . Trust God: See all, nor be afraid! —Robert Browning

It was a Wednesday morning on a beautiful fall day. The sun was shining brightly. The air, warm with a touch of fall crispness to it. I was enjoying a women’s brunch in lovely surroundings and I saw on my cell phone a flash, indicating someone called and left a message there. I didn’t recognize the number, but noticed it had a “503” area code. Would that be the guy who I’d been exchanging brief emails on the couple matching site? I stepped outside the room to listen to the message and sure enough, it was that guy!

It was two days after Labor Day that September 4, 2013. Thirteen years ago.

I walked outdoors and returned his call. We made arrangements to meet at a Starbucks halfway between my town and his–about fifteen minutes from my house.

I was five minutes late as I briskly walked up to the coffee shop. I saw a man with salt and pepper colored hair, wearing jeans and a  black polo shirt. He had his back to me and I could see he was looking around for a face he hoped to recognize. “Are you Jim?” I asked. He turned around with a smile, opened up the computer on the table behind him looked at it and said,

“You must be Shirley!” He said with enthusiasm.  I must have looked like the photo I shared. We sat down and had that first cappuccino together.

It started with a cappuccino

That took us on a journey we are still on. If you know me, you know the story. How we sat at that table in the noisy coffee shop, ignoring the people around us, focusing only on each other. We told our stories and we still are telling them thirteen years later.

Not to be out-done, eight days after this first date, Jim asked me to marry him. In his hand, he displayed a little box that had a ring in it, along with a speech I’m sure, knowing him like I do now, he prepared carefully.

And today, we celebrate that date. We’ll stop whatever we’re doing, we’ll remember. We’ll drive to that same coffee shop and drink to the success of that first date.

Next year, we don’t know where we’ll be. Will we still be here, alive and well? That is unknown, but if we are, we’ll remember again and celebrate.

Jim was prepared to meet me that day, hoping I would be the woman he’d desired to meet.

I was willing to try–again–to see if this man was the one God had ordained for me to meet.

Our hopes were fulfilled that day thirteen years ago.

Every year, no matter where we are, we sip a cup of coffee together.

My husband Jim and I often say, “We’re standing on the shoulders of our previous spouses,” because our previous marriages have benefited our present marriage. Although not perfect, our marriage is as close to perfection as life can be on this planet.

We both realize that our most important relationship is with our Savior, Jesus Christ. This is the most permanent relationship you will ever have. Our vertical relationship with God outshines and deserves the most attention. It lasts through eternity.

Although we love our spouses here on earth, marital love is temporary. “For in the resurrection there is no such thing as marrying or being given in marriage” (Matthew 22:30 PHILLIPS). Marriage is a gift from God for us to enjoy here. “God gives the lonely a home” (Psalm 68:6 NCV).

I don’t know the future, but I know I can trust my Savior. He brought me through the very hard times I’ve experienced. He is with me in the joyful times too. He is with me when I celebrate birthdays or anniversaries, when I travel with my Jim, when we have new adventures, and when we make love.

Sometimes there are niggles of fear that creep into my thoughts. What if Jim dies? Can I make it without his love and care?

We pray that God will grant us many years together, but we know that our lives are truly in his hands, not ours. We can trust in the God who loves us more than we love each other.

So we do just that. We trust.
And he’ll be there when he takes each of us home to him.

Father God, thank you for inventing marriage with the first couple and smiling on marriages here on earth. We benefit from each other and the strength we give each other through marriage. Help us to honor our marriages and treat them as a precious gift. In Jesus’s name, amen.

Write a prayer of thanks for the positive aspects of your marriage—past or present.

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We think of the song below “our song.”  We’ll probably dance to it sometime today.

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Traveling transcontinental is long and exhausting. With a scant recline on our seat, a meager pillow and thin blanket, we try to sleep. Watch a movie. Try to sleep. The attendants bring “dinner.” “Pasta or chicken?” the attendant asks. We are served a tiny tray of food with sectioned containers, a cold roll, spicy chicken in an unnamed sauce, a square of lettuce and cucumber with oil and vinegar dressing, and a brownie–plus a choice or red or white wine.  The entree, barely warm, we ate some of the food, then tried to nap once again.

As we crossed Europe, we had an astounding view of the Alps.

Somewhere over Europe–The Alps

After many hours, we touched down in Italy. They are nine hours ahead of us and it was nine AM Thursday, their time. Counting back that means it’s midnight Pacific time. We’d been traveling for thirteen hours! Relieved our baggage made it to our destination, we trundled our two bags, back pack and tote bag and our jackets to find our driver.

We walked into our hotel, with the entry next to the street, and met the hotel clerk, a well-dressed woman who spoke quite good English. I was impressed once again at how the Italians dress with such care. The male clerks dressed in suit and ties and wherever we were, the Italians took attention in what they wore.

The ceiling above our bed.

We checked into our room that was small but clean with a view of the street below, and flopped on the bed. Stretching out felt so good.

We decided to take a short nap before hitting the streets of our neighborhood. It was hot outside, but nice and cool in our room. Refreshed after a couple of hours of sleep, we changed clothes and checked out our neighborhood called Monti. A block from our hotel was a church called a Basilica. We learned that Basilicas are named by the pope and in early times, were used for a court or gatherings. There are only four in the world, all located in Rome.  We learned that a cathedral–or duomo is headed by a cardinal; basilicas are appointed by the pope. Regardless of whether they were a basilica or cathedral, they were ornate and beautiful. My photos of St. Mary Major Basilica don’t fully express what it was like, but I’ll share a few.

After we toured the Basilica, we were hungry and attempted to find a restaurant. The desk clerk said there were many good ones nearby. “Just a five minute walk,” she said. We walked the direction she told us and couldn’t find it. Walked back and asked again. Once more, we didn’t see it. We finally asked two workers, chatting at the dry cleaner shop where this particular restaurant might be and they pointed to it, but told us it was closed. We later learned most restaurants are open for lunch until two PM. They close for a few hours and open for dinner at 7 PM. Once more, Jim talked to a different clerk and he recommended a local restaurant–or trattoria–a smaller family run restaurant.  “They have good food, ” he said. At last, we found it. It had outdoor seating and indoors, too. We wanted to sit inside where it was air conditioned. It was very hot–at least 95 degrees even at 7 PM.

The food in Italy is divine. I chose pasta with marinara sauce and a meatball. I ate every bite! Jim had calamari and we ordered a side of focaccia bread, also very good.

Our hotel provided breakfast and it isn’t at all like the American hotel “breakfast” provision.  This was a full breakfast. The butter, milk and eggs tasted amazing.

That was our first day in Rome. On Sunday, before we left for our cruise ship, we attended mass in one of the chapels in the basilica.

We spent two more days  in Rome and I’ll tell you more next time. Walking through the cathedrals and basilicas was a high point of our travels. They are beyond description, really. I appreciate the hours and hours of time the artists took to honor the Christian faith. The soaring ceilings. Gold filigree. Marble statues. I believe the builders were trying to give the visitor a glimpse of the majesty of God.

Today, I read where Christ called Peter and James and John to be his disciples. He simply asked them to follow him. I’m glad we can worship in the ornate cathedrals or even a simple chapel. That God is present at the shoreline of the Sea of Galilee, or even in our own backyard.

One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God. ² He noticed two empty boats at the water’s edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. ³ Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there. ⁴ When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.” ⁵ “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” ⁶ And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! ⁷ A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking. ⁸ When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m such a sinful man.” ⁹ For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. ¹⁰ His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed. Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” ¹¹ And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus (Luke 5:1-10 NLT).

Just as Jesus called the disciples so long ago–not far from Rome, really–he calls us, too.

Thanks for letting me reminisce my trip with you! Next time, I may share about the amazing Sistine Chapel and the Vatican.

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Enjoy the last weekend of summer!

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Today, I’ll focus on one of the days of our trip. We sailed on the Aegean Sea to the largest island in an archipelago string of islands–numbering more than a thousand–produced after a giant volcanic eruption where the the center of the mountain collapsed into a caldera with islands surrounding it, Santorini. To get on the island of Santorini, is a steep trail you can take by donkey, or your own feet–or like us, a tram up, up, up the steep hillside.

For some fun, enjoy a little flavor of Greece–but please come back to read the rest of my story of Santorini…

We booked (or rather our faithful travel agent, Kristy  did) a tour with a young Greek islander named Nikolas. He drove us to different points on the island and willingly took many photos of us at this beautiful place. As we drove, he told us about his island. He grew up there, plans to have his own tour service, marry, and have children here. He spoke excellent English and with the other couple from Florida, we learned more about his homeland.

Nikolas–or Nik–told us most of the residents don’t lock their homes or cars.

The homes are painted white. During a cholera epidemic in the 1930s, they painted the homes with lime as a sanitation measure–and the white lime/paint has continued to this day. The white paint keeps the hot temperatures inside the homes cooler by about ten percent.

The domes of the churches are painted blue. Some of them are private churches, others for all to attend and worship. The people are Christian and are of the Greek Orthodox Church.

We really enjoyed our visit to the island. Nik was friendly and outgoing and took us to the major points on the island. Of course, we stopped at a shop for gelato–Nik had coffee–he said he couldn’t eat sugar all of the time. It was delicious. He dropped us off to walk through the narrow streets and shop in the many stores along the narrow path. He’d navigate the narrow streets further along and  pick us up to continue on our way. He brought us each a baklava that was chocolate covered–I would have preferred no chocolate–it was sweet enough without it. Below are some of the sights on the island.

Our last stop was at the black sand beach where we tucked our toes into the sea. There were families enjoying the evening as the sun began to set.

It was a good day and we returned via a boat tender for a short ride to deeper waters where the ship waited for us.

This morning, finally recovering from jet lag, I read from a devotional about the promise of the presence of the Holy Spirit in the lives of those who trust in Christ:

…Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5:18-20 NLT).

I want to give thanks to God for the enormous gift He gives to those who trust in Christ. It’s a promise that is given to those who believe:

And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago (Ephesians 1:13 NLT).

I’m so grateful for yes, the opportunities I’ve had to travel and explore other countries and cultures. To see their buildings, homes, and taste their foods. But the greatest gift I’ve been given–and you can have as well, is the gift of eternal life and the presence of the Holy Spirit when we believe.

Thanks for letting me share a bit of my trip. I’ll tell more next time…

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDYjn-YdnD4[/embed

See you next week! Will it be Rome? Ephesus? We shall see!

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