'Tis a gift to --- do nothing.

Computers, Blackberries, Facebook, Tivo, NetFlix, microwave ovens--I'm not a big fan of technology but have to admit I use--and take advantage of--it. Sometimes I feel like a hamster on a treadmill--or one of those desk gadgets that has the silver balls and once you drop one ball to hit another, the balls will continue to force the other balls to move and they, in turn, will force those same balls to move-----you get the picture.

Slowly, I am warping into a new phase in my life. We won't say it's old age--just a realization that SO many things I do are unnecessary and SO much of life is missed as I hurl myself into the human rat race. Let's call it maturity. The #1 contributing factor to this new recognition is Justice. Mi nieta tienes quince meses. All my grandkids are the BEST but I am especially blessed to live close enough to Justice to spend time with her one or two days a week. When I say time--I mean time. Not the hurried, multi-tasking, hell-bent acitivities that too often fill my day. No, this is time in another dimension--the baby dimension. Time that caters to no technology, no schedule (except her naptime). This together-time is all the sweeter because I have to give her my absolute full attention. She's walking and exploring things that I've long ignored but that bring squeals of delight from her, followed by squeals of delight from me! How can dropping the pool table balls into the pool table pockets be so fun for the 100th time? How many times do you flip on and off the lightswitch before it's no longer considered a learning time? From this grandma's perspective, the answer is, "As many times as she wants." I'd much rather watch every nuance of expression on her face and try to figure out what, "Ba-ba," "cu-cu," and "ta-to" mean than listen to the most fascinating lecturer on earth.

I have a new favorite phrase, "Doce far niente." Translated, this Italian phrase means, "The sweetness of doing nothing." The very idea is so antithetical to my nature--the old nature--I should say. With Justice, I can't really say I'm doing nothing but that I'm doing nothing in my usual way--so, truthfully, there IS a sweetness in doing nothing with her.

Oh well, I'm rambling but just so thankful the Lord is giving these special times to do nothing and the sweetness that that brings.

Survived-- no---Thrived! Thanks, FaceBook

Yesterday came and went but, as birthdays go, it was actually special. I not only survived, but thrived! One of the nicest gifts I received was all the well-wishes from friends on FaceBook. This technological cyber giant (FB)usually frustrates me b/c I do not have time to check it everyday and, therefore, am lost in many general conversations at home and work that begin with, "Did you see on FB where ... ?" But, now, I have a new respect for FB. One of the joys of getting older (and YES, there are joys) is having many friends and the memories that go with them. As people bade, "Happy Birthday," on FB, my mind's eye pulled up their faces and I recalled memorable events and situations where our lives intersected. Tons of fun!
Dear Friends, let us love one another for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 1 John 4:7

The Power and Gift of Memory

Two weeks ago, we returned home to Brentwood after spending five fabulous weeks in Costa Rica. I kid you not, there are many times each day when I ask myself if that trip really happened. It seems the only way to answer my question is to pull out the photos (still on Rob's computer) and share with Rob what we remember. We may be "back in the swing of things," here-- full force -- but thank God for our memories of CR. Now, if it sounds like escapism, it is. The power of memory and the sights and stories of places and people we came to love give refreshment to these hectic days. As we sit still, smile, and take deep breaths, our blood pressure lowers and heart rate slows down--sort of Yoga for the mind.
The class I teach in Old Testament Worship emphasizes the power of memory, how God commanded (in loving parent-fashion) that His people remember God's mighty acts done in their behalf (thus the Passover and other feasts). God also tells His people to constantly tell these stories to their children so that they, too, will remember and have knowledge of God's loving care. God gave us the power of memory--a gift that increases in value as I get older.
Count Your Blessings, a hymn we don't sing much any more, is a good reminder to remember all the things God has done for me. Just as photos of CR remind me of wonderful times and help set my present world back in order, memories of God's blessings do the same and even more. Beyond the blessings of this life, we have the promise and hope of eternal glory. Remember that!!

Abundant Life!

Dear Lord, forgive me for any time that I may have rolled my eyes or listened half-heartedly to other Grandma's as they showed pictures and waxed on-and-on about the wonders of their grandchildren. I so completely understand them, now. Thank-you for giving these little people gifts at this point in my life: gifts that add purpose and meaning to existence and gifts that fulfill your promise that we will have life, and have it to the FULL (John 10:10)! My cup runneth over with joy. Surely heaven is filled with precious child-like people, innocent, inquisitive, energetic (well--maybe not that energetic!), sensitive, and loving. Help me to be the SuSu that loves, listens, and gently leads. In Jesus' name, AMEN.

Home again, home again, jiggety-jig ...

With mixed emotions, we arrived in Nashville at 2:30 p.m, glad to see family here--sad to leave new friends in Costa Rica.
The last five weeks seem like a dream, full of experiences we will never forget. Rob and I are truly rested, yet overwhelmed right now. I'm sure we'll be able to put everything into perspective as time goes by. A few lessons we've already learned from this once-in-a-lifetime adventure: we have way too much stuff in USA; we are way too stressed and should not sweat the small stuff; time can be our enemy or our friend--we control it, it does not have to control us, and a 3-mile walk on the beach every morning does a body a world of good!
Lead me, Lord. Lead me in your righteousness. Make your way plain before my face.

La Comida es especial y muy delicioso! The food is special and very delicious!

I know I've blogged about the food here but it bears repeating. Besides loving the rice and beans, beans and rice, and rice and beans, Rob and I disagree on who has the best Nachos and we agree on the best pizza. Most of all, though, we have delighted daily in the fresh--just picked off the trees--fruit. Fresh pineapple is our favorite. Can you believe it costs only $1.30 in the market? We have fresh fruit smoothies every afternoon consisting of just fruit, ice, and water (that is, if we make them but there's usually a little added sugar if we buy them). Yummmmm.

Sunday, we had a real treat. Gabriel, the Hacienda Pinilla tennis pro, invited us to attend a church about 20 miles from here. After traveling down several long dirt roads and fording a small stream, we arrived at La Casa de Sion (The House of Zion). It was open-air (wooden posts supporting a tin roof) with a concrete floor and wooden pews. The time of praise and worship (singing) was led by Latino Christian recording artists on the USB inserted into the boombox. The pastor and his wife, very kind and dedicated people, led worship. Their teen-age daughter, Tanya, encouraged all of us to sing along (with the boombox). There were about 25 people there and two-thirds of them were relatives of the pastor's family. Most importantly, the Spirit of God was there. I was struck by the fact that God hears Spanish prayers, and German prayers, and Fijian prayers, and Zulu prayers ... we are all part of the family of God. What a mighty God we serve!

Love in any language, straight from the heart, pulls all together, never apart.

Fiesta Sabonera!

This coming week is the celebration of the Guanacaste region's independence from Nicaraugra. Many fiestas will light up the nights. Today, we attended our first authentic Costa Rican fiesta sabonera and horse show! The costumes for the ladies (dancers and riders) were magnificent--brightly colored flowing skirts, each one made from boo-koos of yards of fabric. Friesian horses pranced and strutted, proudly carrying their riders. In typical CR fashion (tico time), the event that was advertised to begin at 4:30 p.m. did not begin until 5:00. No complaints here, though. It was a lovely evening, soft breeze and NO RAIN, so Rob and I soaked in the sights, sounds, and smells.

The participants seemed so proud of their heritage and their country. It struck me that they are just as proud of their country, if not more proud, than I am of mine. We've come to love this land and the gentle, kind, peace-loving people of Costa Rica.

This is my song, O God of all the nations,

A song of peace for lands afar and mine.

This is my home, the country where my heart is;

Here are my hopes, my dreams, my holy shrine;

But other hearts in other lands are beating

With hopes and dreams as true and high as mine.

My country's skies are bluer than the ocean,

And sunlight beams on clover-leaf and pine.

But other lands have sunlight too and clover,

And skies are everywhere as blue as mine.

Oh, hear my song, O God of all the nations

A song of peace for their land and for mine.

Music: "Finlandia" by Jean Sibelius (1865-1957)

Words by Lloyd Stone (1912).