Recovering

For the last two weeks in May, I was able to travel to California to be with Cara, Perry, and our two grandsons Zeke and Titus.  Cara had hurt her back and asked me to travel through the Covid-19 world to help them with lifting, doing housework, cooking, etc.  I was glad to go and help.

But it was a great time of healing for me as well.  It is great therapy to sit in the dirt and play with trucks, or have picnics outside, or give belly blowers to a 5 month old.  

After two intense months with my father in the hospital, his death on March 15, and the following weeks of dealing with his estate and the whole coronavirus deal, I found myself exhausted emotionally. 

I have had had a hard time wrestling through everything.  It has hit me harder than I could imagine.  I have been sad about all that has happened.  Part of it may be that we are not able to have a memorial service, or be with family much during this time  I'm grateful for the time with Dad and there are some wonderful memories I will carry with me the rest of my life.  I'm also grateful for how supportive Dayna and the kids were as well.

I'm coming out of this tough time of depression and things don't seem as overwhelming these days.

But I'm sorry I wasn't able to communicate well with you, our friends and partners, over the last several months.  Thank you for your graciousness to us with your faithfulness during a darker time.

One of the first verses I learned after I came to Christ was Hebrews 13:5, 

"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,

            "Never will I leave you;

    never will I forsake you.”

And Psalm 34:18 says

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."

The Lord's nearness and presence are comforting.  I try to remember and acknowledge His presence every day.

No one is untouched by Covid-19.  Whether it has impacted your employment, or your ability to be with family, I'm sure you have been challenged, like we have.  Please let us know how we can pray for you.  I know I covet your prayers for me and our family.  

With thanks and love,

P.S. Despite the pandemic and everything that I just shared, ministry is still happening, and we have been able to contribute well virtually, so I'll try to catch you up on those things next time.  But I wanted you to know why you haven't heard from us for a while.  Thanks.

A Grandson Surprise!

Early on the morning of December 19, our daughter Cara called us from California saying that her water had broken and she was in the hospital ready to have her second baby 5 weeks early!  Aubrey was already at the airport ready to fly out for Christmas, and thanks to no change fees with Southwest, we got Dayna on a plane that left at 9:45 am!  They were both able to be there to help with everything, and Dayna stayed for two weeks.

While he was “late preterm,” he only spent 5 hours in the NICU.  Overall, Titus Matthew is doing well and gaining weight.  We sent Macy out to help for 10 days, and Catelin will fly out for a week this month also.  

Luke was home for Christmas, but he didn’t get to see Dayna because he had to leave before she returned. So, it was a very different Christmas for us, but exciting and happy, and tiring!  As you think of them, we appreciate your prayers for continued growth and health for baby Titus. 

Zeke meets his new brother Titus

Succession Strategies

A couple of years ago, Cru’s Board of Directors asked our Global VP’s for a succession plan,  and I helped create an assessment and process to identify potential leaders.  This fall, the JESUS Film Project director asked me to assist his team in creating a succession strategy, and last month, also because of a Board request, Athletes in Action asked me to help them in the same way.  Will you pray for me this month to prepare a process and tools that can be used by Cru globally? 

I’m also in Dallas this month to continue facilitate Global Aid Networks’ strategy development and team building.   Thank you for your prayers and support in helping us impact Cru and the work we do around the world.

With love and thanks,

P.S.  More baby info:  Cara and Perry have had lot of visitors and help over the last month.  Aubrey and Dayna were there the day he was born, then Perry's family joined for a week, Macy spent 10 days there, and now Catelin is there this week.  It's great to see how everyone has been able to meet Titus so soon!  Titus is now up to 7 pounds and growing!

The Foundations of Trust

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,  not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Philippians 2:3-5

After a talk I heard this spring by the leader of HR for Intervarsity and the director of True Face, I’ve been pondering repentance and forgiveness this year.  I want to share a bit about what I am learning.

Repentance is acknowledging something that we have done which is sinful, or negatively impacting another person or our relationship with God.  It’s the idea of “changing how we see something.”  Repentance also includes these ideas: “to perceive afterwards;” “to reconsider;” “to be very observant;” “to be acutely aware.”  Repentance depends on us taking time to understand our impact on others…taking time to listen and understand.  For all of us, being understood is close to the feeling of being loved.

We are commanded to extend and express forgiveness to someone who has done something that has a negative impact on us.  But to help us forgive for that impact, we need to talk about what was done to us and the consequences and losses we experienced.  And we need to forgive for these consequences as well as the act itself.

What struck me with this is that both repentance and forgiveness require that we consider the impact we have on others, as well as consider the impact of sin against us.  I am not always aware of how my actions impact others.  I’ve been considering “how am I doing at forgiving others?,” and “how am I impacting others?”

One major point of the talk I heard is that these two acts are the foundations for trust in relationships and organizations.  I am trying to take steps of faith in both of these areas.

Thank you!

This month we celebrate God’s blessing to us by setting aside time to acknowledge and thank Him for everything we have.  We cannot do that without counting the incredible miracle and blessing it is to have a team of financial supporters that allow us to serve with Cru.  There is no way for us to adequately express how grateful we are for your sacrificial investment in our lives and ministry.  It is humbling, and yet the whole way this works glorifies the Lord.  It is an amazing to experience the body of Christ working in unity to help fulfill the Great Commission and see others come to experience Him.

Thank you.  We are imperfect people who are are asking God to use us, and He has led you to help us be able to do this for almost 34 years.  It is at times beyond comprehension that he has brought us together to do this.

We are so grateful for you,