In high school and college I knew my life choices would not result in the “American Dream.” I was interested in social work, missions, or ministry, none of which were known for their money. I knew that my purpose in life was not to have fancy vacations, accumulate a lot of stuff, nor the large house to put the stuff in. I felt very free knowing material possessions was not my goal or reward. However, as I’ve gotten older I am regularly surprised by my desires for stuff, fancy vacations, and a bigger house. Something inside of me really wants that dream house! When I visit my 3 brothers’ homes (all dream homes) I have to intentionally remind myself that our home is perfect for our family and that a Haitian family of 8 could live in our bedroom alone. We do not NEED more, bigger, better, newer. We have everything we need, and MORE.

I have three beautiful sisters-in-law. Dionne is an amazing decorator. Brooke makes awesome picture scrapbooks for each of her kids and is great about regular Facebook status updates. Tina is super-fit and the youngest principle I know. Am I going to feel jealous or inferior or am I going to celebrate them while being grateful for the way God has wired me?

Do you find yourself making comparisons to others and feeling like everyone else has something that you don’t? It’s part of human nature. Consider Eve-- she could partake of ALL of the fruit in the garden but she wanted the one thing that she couldn’t have. So often in life that is just what we do. We convince ourselves that everyone else has --you can fill in the blank --a significant other, nicer clothes, a nicer car, a nicer body, better skills, etc . The enemy, who wants to steal from you, desires no more than for you to focus on what you don’t have rather than to be grateful and content with what you do have.

Contentment is a state of mind not a state of “having.” Develop this frame of mind now so that you can live a life filled with thanksgiving, peace and joy. Focus on the blessings in your life…even on the positive aspect of what you’re lacking. When it’s time to clean or keep track of our two boys, I’m so glad our house is small! “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:8.

Spring break is here and I have BIG plans! While I’m not going to spend my break with my toes dug in the sand on some beach in Florida, I am spending my break doing something I love… FLYING!

My plan for spring break is to get my Multi-Engine Rating. This will allow me to fly any airplane that weighs less than 12,500 pounds and has more than one engine. There are a few more restrictions than that, but we will keep it simple. Ask me if you want to know more.

(<--- that's the airplane I'm flying)

The place where I am working on my rating is a small, family owned business at a small airport that sits among some houses, apartments and a few other residential type structures. The people there are very much like a family. It’s fairly tight nit, and everyone knows everyone. I have now spent about four days at this airport. Some of this time has been studying while other times have been with my flight instructor. One thing that I noticed was that there is a lot of unwholesome talk that comes out of the mouths of people that hang around the airport.

Yesterday I was sitting on a couch waiting for my instructor to get back from his flight with another student. The owner of this operation, a man who is probably in his mid 60’s sat down and just started to “hanger talk” with me. Hanger talk is basically two pilots sitting around sharing stories and talking. This turned into being a small group of four or five guys sitting around talking airplanes. Throughout this whole conversation there was talk coming from the other pilots that was tainted with curse words and crude and sexual jokes. When you are surrounded by this, it can be difficult to not fall into the ways of the world and let the best become of you with your language and your actions.

Later in the day I was talking with my instructor and explaining to him about my love for flying, as well as my passion for Campus Ministry. He got a little grin on his face and said lets go for a walk. We ended up walking down to one of the maintenance hangers, there I met Paul. Paul is a mechanic who is a Christian. Even more, he is preparing to be a missionary Pilot in Guatemala. Of course our conversation was graced with talk of airplanes. What I found to be even more encouraging than that was how Paul talked about being the only Christian in a predominantly non-Christian/anti-Christian work place. This was made obvious by the “quick” exit by a couple of the other pilots in the room when we started talking about Christianity. Paul and I talked for almost an hour. We talked about the way he felt called by God to return to the airport. He felt God’s calling saying come and be a light there. Paul works daily in a place that is a challenge.

I was encouraged by what Paul was talking about. He talked about some of the opportunities he has been able to talk about Christ with some of the flight instructors, as well as some of the mechanics that he works with. He talked about his struggles that he has by working in a place that can be so negative towards Christianity.

What I really appreciated the most about this hour long conversation was Paul’s openness of his Faith even in a place that is not supportive of his beliefs. Paul, the mechanic, was an example of the words the Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Colossae in Colossians 4:2.

Paul, the mechanic, used his situation at the airport to do ministry on his own field. In what ways is GOD calling you to reach out and do ministry in your field? What may be stopping you?

I encourage you to pray about what it may be.

Old people. Many of you may know that I really really love old people. But what is it exactly that I love about them? First of all, I love their slowness. The sloth- like pace of the elderly is an annoyance to most people, but for some reason I feel giddy inside when I see an old person driving slowly down Lincoln Avenue or snailing through the aisles of Wal-mart. I just love their pace. Because of their ailing bodies and frail hips they truly cannot go any faster than that, so why be bothered? Also, their slowness reminds me not to hurry. Another thing I love about old people is their lack of verbal filter. I don’t know about you, but I usually think it’s hilarious when an old woman is being sassy or an old man speaks his mind. My philosophy is that they’ve lived on this earth for 80+ years and by now they’ve earned the right to unabashedly say what they think. I fully intend to take advantage of this rule when I get old. However, even though I can appreciate some sass or even crass behavior in old people, I also really like it when they are sweet. This is probably my favorite thing about old people. I love having the opportunity to sit down with an elderly person and hear his words of wisdom gained by years of experience in this terrible, beautiful world. It is especially endearing when an old woman pats me on the leg or takes hold of my hand while telling me some of the most precious life lessons that she has learned along her way. Old people, if they still have their minds and you’re willing to listen, can offer you some of the best advice and wisdom. Oh man, I do love the elderly!

But…my love for the elderly probably comes as no surprise to most of you. I know that many of you know how much I love old people, because you tell me stories about your interactions with them, or you send me picture messages of old people when you see them around town. It absolutely makes my day when someone sees an old person and thinks of me. I love that people have begun to associate me with old people in their minds. But even more so, I want my life to be associated with Christ. What I really hope is that when people observe me and look at my life they will say, “That girl loves Jesus!” I want my life to be associated not just with those who are old (or with any other thing that I enthusiastically like), but with the One who is the Ancient of Days. After all, I do love Him more than anything else in this world. Lord, may you transform me more and more into your likeness, so that when people see me, they see YOU in me. May my love for you grow more and more so that through my actions others may see you and love you more.

If you don’t know me very well, this may surprise you, but I am, by nature, pretty much a “loner.” I like solitude. Most of my preferred activities are actually the things I do by myself (ride a motorcycle, fly, target practice, read). But there are times when “another” is so important in my life that I almost cannot find words to express the angst felt when she is absent.

I have been married to Sue since 1974. We have been through a lot together. Great times, good times, mediocre times, sad times, grieving times, terrible times—and back to jubilant times. I was there with her, coaching her during the birth of each of our three beautiful little girls. And I was there by her side at the death of her father, and 30 years later, at the death of her mother. And she stood with me at the funeral and burial of my dad in November, 2010.

She is the most important person in my life. And by “person” I mean flesh-and-blood. So don’t think I put her before God.

It is when we are apart for longer periods that I seem to become most aware of just how much my life is intertwined with hers. Yes, I will confess it openly and boldly—I NEED her. And I really cannot imagine life without her. Last Wednesday Sue left with her youngest sister (and her husband) for a five day trip out to New York State to visit her youngest brother and his wife in their new home. Sue and her sister were really looking forward to being the first siblings to visit Jim and MaryAnne since they had moved from the Midwest to Southern New York State.

She left early in the morning last Wednesday. On that very afternoon our oldest daughter, Rachel, called me with some heart breaking and tragic news about a grievous loss in our family. Coming home to an empty house that evening was hard. And a week spent without Sue provided ample evidence that no matter how solitary I may be in nature, companionship feeds my soul in ways that “alone-ness” cannot.

And it reminded me graphically of what French philosopher, Paul Monet, once wrote… “A man alone is in bad company.”

For the last 4 years I have had one of my sons with me at work. It has been a tremendous blessing and joy for me to have Stanley and Simon with me during each of their first 2 years. I have been blessed beyond reason by the love and generosity of numerous students who have volunteered to spend time with my little one once a week from anywhere from 1 to 4 hours. I have been blessed by the grace of the CCH Board, as well as Roger and Matthew, to allow me to bring the boys and to even transform a catch-all room to a nursery/playroom. I know most women will not have this option. I thank God SO MUCH that I did and for how well it has worked.

Beginning this June the boys will get to stay home with a nanny for summer. No more rushed mornings to get everyone out the door in time. They will be able to relax and enjoy long summer days, enjoying their toys and the yard. In August Simon will join Stanley at preschool/extended care.

I will miss the joy Simon brings to the office. I will miss him screaming for joy while running across the lounge every time he sees me. I will miss seeing the students light up when he enters a room. I will miss seeing students and interns slowly transform from not knowing what to do with little ones to becoming a natural and even offering to babysit. I will miss connecting with girls and guys who love kids and watch my boys whom I otherwise wouldn’t get to know so well! Stanley and Simon have changed me at work. Yes, I have been less efficient, and my office has been even messier than before. But my ministry has been enhanced through these little boys who spread love and encouragement and who have helped me to connect with and love students in a different way.

Thank you Lord for these precious boys. Thank you Lord for this season of ministry.