Mopan Clinic, Benque Viejo del Carmen, Belize c1981 (Yes, I know, many of you weren't even born!)

The supper dishes clattered as I washed up cups and plates in the Belizean nurses' quarters after a relaxing Saturday of soaking up some Vitamin D in the bright Central American sunshine and washing clothes in the old agitator washer sans ringer. The local nurses had gone to Belize City for the weekend, and the English nurses were in the adjoining flat, so I was alone for the moment... or was I? 

"Thump! Thump thump!" 




Jan, Jo, and I in Illinois, 1982

Forget the dishes! I skedaddled next door hollering for Nurse Jan who came rapidly to my aid.  We listened carefully, and within moments heard the telltale heart, I mean the thump, thump thumping, thump, thump thumping. 

"It's coming from behind the box of grapefruit next to the frig, " I whispered. Jan began aggressively bashing the box with her foot.  Add kickboxing to the abilities of this woman!

BRRRING! Now I was sure I heard the uncommon ringing of the telephone at the clinic, so I abandoned the valiant Britisher to face the frightening unknown alone. Shrieks and squeaks filled my ears as I returned to find Jan in full battle mode. Armed with a bottle of dettol and a can of roach spray, a hideous dark brown winged creature like a miniature "fell beast" of Tolkien was flopping around on the floor, no doubt feeling as if it'd just met Cobra Woman. A force of energy must have filled the monster, because it suddenly started gaining height. RETREAT!

What to do? We reconnoitered and prepared to advance.  Creeping back into the kitchen armed with an empty box, we captured the vile (and injured) chiroptera and swept it outside. There I slew the beast with a mighty thwack of my trusty staff aka bristle broom. (I think it remains the only mammal I've ever killed, poor little bat!)

Ahhhh sweet memories!
Next week I'll have the opportunity to reminisce in person with my cohort, as Jan will be visiting from England. I would never have guessed that during my time of formal education at Goshen College http://www.goshen.edu/, one of the most enduring, endearing, and edifying gifts of my cross-cultural experience would be a lifelong friendship with this amazing woman. 

We are blessed and honored to have a guest pastor from Germany who will preach on Sunday.  Liesa Unger who is leading the planning for 2015 Mennonite World Conference will be using Acts 3:1-11 for her sermon text and will include some stories as she shares.  Please join us! 

Our friend Craig died on Sept. 25. Craig's mother has chronicled his journey on Caring Bridge http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/craigstoltzfus/journal . I was truly blessed by this wise young man, and I will miss him.  Please pray for his family and friends as we grieve.

This Sunday I hope to be in the Upper Room with you unless I can't find a teacher for junior high! 

You can now listen to sermons. :) http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/

How is married life for all of you newlyweds? :)  Call me if you have any newlywed crises!

Prayer for today:  Great Divine, in your presence we find healing and hope, authenticity and purpose, compassion and grace. "Thank you" seems trite. Grant us courage to truly live our moments as a sacrifice to you, opening ourselves to the flowing breath of your Spirit that love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control exude from our very pores. As you are comfort to Craig's family, let us be your vessels. Some of us are struggling with school and work issues, and we seek your wisdom.  Some of us are struggling in relationships or with loneliness, and we seek your healing and hope. Some of us have physical or mental ailments that need your touch.  Come Kingdom of God. Be done will of God on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus' name. AMEN.

Without question or doubt, you are loved by God, and I love you too!  Call/Text me! :)

Love and Light,
carol

Always remember who you are, whose you are, where you are going, and what you believe, because it does make a difference!  Oh, and don't forget to attend a church of your choice this weekend. "  jd

Chocolate Pudding Love



 My Grandma Moser with Alana

 
 As a little girl I frequently had tonsillitis resulting in treatments of penicillin as well as long cottonswabs dunked in betadine shoved down my throat to coat my tonsils. When Mom had to work, my Grandma Moser was my caregiver,  and she was someone who brought a sense of safety and love to my life.

One time when I was sprawled feverish, lethargic, anorexic, and grumpy in the room with the shelves of books still able to hear the various singing and chirping clocks throughout the house, Grandma entered and said, "I made some homemade chocolate pudding just for you. It will slide right down your throat, and you'll feel better with a little food in your stomach."
"No, I don't want it," I whispered.
 Grandma coaxed me, "Why don't you give it a little try."

I still refused. 

Sigh. If you were to ask me what I regret in my life, I would answer, "Refusing Grandma's homemade pudding that time I was sick."  I really wonder if I was in part just playing the "feel sorry for me, I'm sick" card since I remember so clearly my refusal and the desire for that pudding as Grandma took it away.  (I suspect my sisters might concur!)



Grandma Moser with Great Grandchildren Jenna, Alana, and Nic



Perhaps this story is a bit of a stretch as related to the Sunday morning message, but as I considered how disagreeable and needy I was, I also thought about my grandma's patience, care, and overflowing love in spite of grumpy little me.  My illness was certainly not a case of disagreement, yet, I can't help but wonder what conflicts would be like if both sides of an argument were prepared to offer patience, gentleness, and kindness, while sharing a bowl full of homemade chocolate pudding.  

Brother Mick's message is "That Your Love May Overflow," and his sermon text is Philippians 1:3-11. http://bible.oremus.org/ A question he asks in his presermon notes is, "How do we keep love for the other at the forefront when we disagree?"  Boy, this is apropos as we are in the midst of an election year.  You know, Sisters and Brothers, I have fine Christian friends on both sides of the political spectrum.  Perhaps more would be accomplished and certainly kindness more prevalent if we would let our love overflow and offer each other chocolate pudding as we discuss and hear our differences, agreeing and disagreeing in love which is the MCUSA theme for this Sunday's Peace Sunday.
How good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!  Psalm 133:1

I am looking forward to joining you in the Upper Room this Sunday. :) 

Please keep Craig in your thoughts and prayers. These days are difficult.  http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/craigstoltzfus  His grandparents are back in Lancaster.

The geese are flying, and I've not seen the hummers for a few days.  The cooler nights and crisper days are delightful!

I'm aware that some of you have some serious challenges going on in your lives. Know that I'm praying for you and am here if you would like to get together to chat.  No judgment.

Wednesday evening family nights will begin on Oct. 10 with supper at 6:15 and children/adult programs at 7pm. 

(There must be a scary sound outside because our yellow dog Obie, who is yellow in every way,  is suddenly very anxious!)

Prayer for today:  You alone are the Lord. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens and all their starry hosts, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything , and the multitude of heaven worship you. Neh. 9:6  Lord, the cacophony of our lives swirls and confuses. Let us stop and listen to your voice as you sing to us a song of joy, unity, and love; chords of beauty, goodness, and peace. Grant us courage to join your choir.  Let the healing and hope that comes from you flow through us to our neighbors and enemies today. Come Kingdom of God. Be done will of God on earth as it is in heaven.  In Jesus Name. Amen.

Without question or doubt, you are loved by God, and I love you too!

Love and Light,
Carol

Always remember who you are, whose you are, where you are going, and what you believe, because it does make a difference!  Oh, and don't forget to attend a church of your choice this weekend. "  jd

 



He Looks So Familiar....

(2007) Having had a glorious holiday with my friend Jan in her beautiful English cottage, Alana and I were now on route home.  At Heathrow airport after snagging a welcome cup of Starbucks coffee, we were herded into an enclosed room to await boarding. There is no place like an airport to do some great people watching!  We settled into the over sized, stark seats against the wall, and a man with what looked to me like L'oreal Espresso coverage and a beatles coiffure came up and asked to sit beside us. Smiling, we made room for him, rearranging our travel gear. I wasn't in the mood for small talk so I did not engage the gentleman in conversation.  But there was something... He looked so very familiar, but I'm in London.  There is no way I know this person.  After a few minutes the flight attendant called for first class passengers to begin boarding.  We smiled and nodded at this man as he collected his gear and headed for the plane. 
"He looks so familiar," I said to my daughter.
"Yeah," she said. "He looks just like that guy from the old Star Trek." 


Alana and I enjoying tea with our English friends

OH MY GOODNESS! Where was my brain? I was sitting beside Walter Koenig aka Pavel Chekov and totally missed my opportunity for a personal chat and autograph! The daughter who probably saw him in one, just one, movie recognized him, and I didn't!  Gah! I just lost my status as a trekkie!

This week Brother Nelson will be sharing a message he is calling "Who Is He?" based on Mark 8:27-38. At this point in the gospel narrative, there is a shift from Jesus' ministry of healing and hope to acknowledging the cross as part of the journey. In his presermon notes, Nelson asks the question, "How do we today deny ourselves; how do we take up our cross and follow Jesus?"

There are several opportunities this week for special giving. 

-We will be receiving an offering for MCC work with the Syrian refugee crisis. http://www.mcc.org/stories/news/mcc-seeks-support-ease-plight-syrian-people

-Items are still being received for the food pac program this month: 6 oz toothpaste, bath towels, bar soap, tee shirts.  We also need double-bagged grocery bags for packing the weekly food packs.

-Do you have interest and skill to buy and prepare food for 60-70 people? Factory ministries needs our help. Find more info at http://thefactoryministries.com/wordpress/

The Upper Room will be open again this week. :) I'm not yet sure who will be joining you as I will be at Refreshing Mountain Camp with the senior high youth. 

Check out this week's bulletin for more information. http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/bulletins/current.pdf

Prayer for today: Creator God, You are light- In a world of dark shadows. You are love -In a world that acts in hatred. You are hope-In a world caught in a net of despair.  Come and fill us with your healing spirit; fill us with your hope-full light; fill us with your life giving love that we who claim you will truly love You and love our neighbors. Though the earth give way, and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though nations are in an uproar... Still you, Lord Almighty, will not leave us nor forsake us and are all things good and beautiful. For those reading this whose hearts, souls, or bodies are broken, bring healing and hope. Grant us courage to offer our hands and hearts to your Kingdom work today. Come Kingdom of God. Be done will of God on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus name. Amen.

Without question or doubt, you are loved by God, and I love you too! 

Love and Light,

Carol

Always remember who you are, whose you are, where you are going, and what you believe, because it does make a difference!  Oh, and don't forget to attend a church of your choice this weekend. "  jd

Horses and Hats

Cape dresses, coverings, straw hats, and straight pins rather than buttons; living in Lancaster county these clothing distinctions are common to me as I dwell with the "Plain Folk." Their religious affiliation is obvious, and I am aware of certain bits of their beliefs.  My daughter who works serving summertime tourists has answered more than once "No, they are not actors. This is really how they dress and live."  I recall hearing about people at an airport who asked Amish travellers if they would stand guard over their luggage for a few minutes because they presumed the Amish could be trusted. They were probably right.






 Although as members of Mennonite Church USA http://mennoniteusa.org/ we encourage modesty, we no longer have a dress code and blend quite well with our neighbors. So what identifies me as a believer?  (To be quite honest, I'm finding myself avoiding the term "Christian" these days as many consider "Christian" to be synonymous with  actions and words from professing Christians which are not at all Christ-like.  (Think Westboro Baptist as an extreme example.)

Anyway, are there ways I could be identified a believer by my words and actions?  My son-in-law Michael recently blogged about a situation he witnessed.  Was this person a follower of Jesus?  I don't know, but his actions were Christ-like none the less.
http://28candles.wordpress.com/2012/09/01/it-is-easy-enough-to-be/

This week Brother Mick will be preaching a message "Escaping Notice" with his sermon text from Mark 7:24-37.  Jesus was in a foreign region and even so was recognized and provided healing and ministry to those around him.  http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/

This week we'll return to our regularly scheduled programming with classes beginning at 9am and worship at 10:15.  I'll see you in the Upper Room!

The church picnic is on Sunday at Intercourse Park beginning at 5pm.  Chicken bbq, drink, and place settings are provided.  Please bring  something yummy to share. :)

Craig had a difficult week.  Please continue to pray for him and his family as he faces pain and uncertainty. Pray that he has an increased awareness of God's presence today.  http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/craigstoltzfus

Congrats to Ed and Kaylee on their wedding last weekend!  :) 
Ashlea and Bryan get hitched tomorrow! (Ashlea, somehow "hitched" seems the appropriate word for you!:) Julie and Tyler get married on Sunday!

Pray for our country as politics divide us.  As believers, let's remember our hope and peace is not of this earth, and that we are brothers and sisters with many who think differently, look differently, act differently but are none the less family. (like it or not!) :)

We are continuing to collect items for the food pac program--6 oz toothpaste, bath towels, bar soap, and tee shirts.  We also need double-bagged plastic grocery bags.  You are invited to join us on Monday evening from 6:30-8 for a time of preparation and sharing  regarding this important ministry to the children in our community who "have not."

My prayer for today:  The mighty One, God the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting, God shines forth. With You is the fountain of life, refresh us with your clear waters. Lord God, wash over Craig and his family with your healing river.  Sprinkle droplets of joy and blessing over Ashlea and Bryan, Jul and Tyler, Ed and Kaylee.  As politics divide us, Lord, show us that all believers stand in the same waters of life that come from you.  Grant us courage, Lord, to be bearers of your love, joy, hope, and healing in a world trapped in hatred, despondency, despair, and pain. Come Kingdom of God. Be done will of God on earth as it is in heaven.  In Jesus name. AMEN.

Without question or doubt, you are loved by God, and I love you too!

Love and Light, carol

Always remember who you are, whose you are, where you are going, and what you believe, because it does make a difference!  Oh, and don't forget to attend a church of your choice this weekend. "  jd