May 26, (year confidential)

Today… on this day… during an undisclosed year… my best friend in the whole wide world was born!

She’s the first person I run to (or skype to, I should re-phrase) when I need ANYTHING: love, comfort, advise, stress release, family news, encouragement, and to just plain talk.

She’s MY MOM!

She wasn’t always my best friend, in fact, we’ve had our ups and down (enter teenage years); but when I finally grew up and realized what a jewel I had in my midst it all changed.  Now we love spending time together (when I’m home on furlough) doing mother-daughter things and also friend-friend things.

This past home visit my mom lost her mom.  Though it was extremely difficult for all of us, and I was also losing my grandma, I think the hardest part of it for me was seeing my mom lose her mom.  She is the only girl with 4 brothers, and I know she had a very close relationship with her mom, just like I have with her.  My mom and my grandma share so many amazing qualities, but most importantly they are STRONG WOMEN OF GOD and they love they families with the same love that God loves us: UNCONDITIONALLY.

One day I pray and hope that I will be a mom too, and when that day comes I want to be a mom just like mine. I want to instill in my children all the morals and values that she imparted in us.  I want to make her proud to be not only my mom, but my best friend.

I LOVE YOU MOM!!! Though I’m not there to see you blow out your (undisclosed number) of candles, you know that I’m sending you a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY hug your way….

our favorite pastime when I was a child 🙂

Christmas w/my mom and sisters

Show my mom some birthday love today….. 🙂

Our Generation

I was skyping the other day with my childhood friend, Jodi, who just had her first baby… which led us to the topic of raising children… which led us to reminiscing about our childhood.

We both agree that we were soooo lucky to have been born when we were, still the “simpler” times, but leading into the “technology” era. Kids today have NOOOO idea what it was like without cell phones, email, SMS-ing, X-Box.. etc.  And while all those things have made our lives a bit easier (and lazier) we couldn’t resist wishing that our children could experience childhood as we did:

• When EVERY kid either walked to school or rode a bus… no parents driving them to and from school.
• Running home after school to ride bikes with your friends around the neighborhood and play kickball in the yard, until you knew it was time to come home for dinner.
• Rollerskating in the garage, pretending to be at a roller rink, with music booming from a boombox the size of a tire.
• Spending your Friday night at the actual Roller Rink.
• Making tents in the backyard out of blankets draped over the clothesline.
• SPUD. (if you don’t know that game, you definitely didn’t grow up in my generation)
• Spending 2 hours of your night out, driving around looking for your friends, because there was no way to contact them once your left the house. (but having a blast while you did it!)

While I could go on and on with my memories, the point is that even though we are only one generation away, we are truly WORLDS away… and while technology is a great thing, and I LOVE it, I also long for the simpler days of the past as well… when we got all our exercise from just living and being kids! 

Here I am feeding the ducks in the park with my dad (who will just LOVE that I posted this pic!), my grandma, and my aunt. (Or are we being attacked by them?!?)

Any special childhood memories of the simple times??? 

In Remembrance….

While I was home on furlough, my family experienced the loss of my grandma.  I can honestly say this was the first time I’ve ever walked through the loss of a family member, and I’m still trying to deal with the emotions accompanying this loss.

While I was sitting at the funeral service with my family, certain things kept popping into my mind…

• how my grandma always called me “Mer-ee-nie” instead of Maureen. (I don’t think I ever heard her call me anything else)
• all the emails she would send me when I lived in Brasil and Africa…. besides my mom, I don’t think anyone wrote me more.
• the spiritual influence and encouragement she displayed.
• she ALWAYS encouraged me to write!  She would tell me time and time again how proud of me she was and that one day she would be reading a book that I wrote.
• her unconditional love for her family!

I really wanted to go up and share all these things, but I knew I wouldn’t be able to get through them… so I sat and listened to what others had to say… and they said it all! My grandma’s legacy was built on the love and belief she had in Christ and everyone sitting in that room knew it!

My grandma was the spiritual leader of her family, intercessor beyond a doubt, and a faith warrior! She was an encourager, a stander-on the Word and a worshipper!  She was a faithful wife, mother, grandmother, and most importantly of all, a servant of the Most High!

I love my grandma so much, and she is already greatly missed here on earth… but one thing is CERTAIN:  Now she is singing and worshipping in heaven, and I’m pretty sure she’s finally walking along-side the most beautiful creatures in her eyes…. her beloved giraffes!

My grandma and grandpa at their 40th wedding anniversary...

Saying Goodbye gets harder every time!

Tomorrow’s the day!  I am leaving the comfort of my family and friends in the US and return to the craziness of Israel….

I’ve been on furlough for the past month: spending time with my family, visiting friends and loved ones, sharing about my work in Israel, and mourning the loss of my grandma.  From Atlanta ✈ Kalamazoo ✈ Dallas ✈ Detroit ✈ Minnesota ✈ Wisconsin Dells ✈ New York… its been a whirlwind of traveling and emotions!

Usually after an entire month of being Stateside, I’m MORE THAN READY to return, but I’m just not there yet.  Maybe its emotions of losing my grandma and having to say goodbye to my family again that’s tugging at my ❤, so I’ll have to hang on to the memories from this trip even tighter…

Here are a few from my wonderful time at home:

Caribou Coffee ❤

Star Wars Monopoly with my mom and nephew

Mom and sisters

My nephew.... the big time skiier

The earmuff brigade

Cross-country skiing with my dad

My sister and I with our grandpa

The whole family at my grandma's funeral

Thankful, Week 4: Thanksgiving

That’s right, I’m thankful for Thanksgiving!  Being an American while living in other countries and cultures can quite often lead to loosing some of your own culture and traditions and adopting others.  I’ve actually done this a lot in the various places I’ve lived, but the one thing that does not change or alter one bit is Thanksgiving!

No matter where you are in the world, or who you are with, on Thanksgiving there is probably a 99.9% chance that you are thinking/dreaming/longing for Turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberries, Yams, and that oh-so-coveted PUMPKIN PIE!

It’s the one day of the year that all Americans come together, near and far, and celebrate our Thankfulness via a huge FEAST. Everything about Thanksgiving day makes me happy (and run to put on some sweat-pants), and if you’re like me and from Michigan, then there’s the bonus delight of watching our beloved Lions loose yet again 🙂

Ode to Thanksgiving…. the only holiday that makes me remember I am actually an American (which I tend to overlook 364 days of the year), and reminds me that I have SO MUCH in life to be truly thankful for!

NOW GO STUFF YOURSELF SILLY…. and remember not to wear jeans to the dinner table!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Thankful, Week 1: My Family

I’ve noticed many people are taking this month to blog about what they are thankful for, each day.  I could easily fill up 30 days of being thankful, but realistically, I don’t have time to blog throughout this whole month without missing days, so I decided to do it weekly.

Each week I will choose something I am extremely thankful for, starting with Week 1:

MY FAMILY

There isn’t a day that goes by where I’m not thinking about them and missing them even more!  My family means EVERYTHING to me, even if I only see them once every 1 or 2 years.  They are my best friends, my most loyal supporters, my confidants….. my family!

I am beyond thankful that throughout the years, during the good and bad times, the fights, the tears, the joys, the sorrows, all the family games and holidays…. no matter what happens they will ALWAYS be my family, and I love them!

I am thankful for our skype times, our facebook chats, and the emails of love and support.  This week I am THANKFUL for them: My Family!

What are you thankful for today?

Our Tasha

This past weekend my family experienced a tremendous loss, our family dog of 12 years, Tasha, passed away.  For those of you who know my family, you know how amazing she was!  We got her as a family Christmas present back in 1998.  She was a tiny little thing as precious as could be.  A few days ago my mom and I were crying together over skype, remembering that time when we would have to shovel a path in the backyard from all the snow, she was just so tiny.

As any family with a dog knows, your dog is a part of that family.  She’s there throughout all the trials and tribulations, waiting at the door or end of the driveway when you pull up, always so happy to see you.  Tasha would always wag her little tail every time anyone would pet her… she LOVED everyone!

Each year, my nephew would make sure Tasha always got a present at Christmas, some flavored bone or doggie biscuits. As I was saying to my mom, I just can’t imagine coming home without her there!

Since most of my life has been living overseas and away from my family, I wasn’t there for the day to day living like the rest of my family, especially my mom and dad; BUT, it never mattered to Tasha, cuz the minute I arrived home there she was so happy to see me… like I was never gone at all.  It was always one of the first things I did when I came home, make sure to see Tasha and give her a huge hug and pet her.  She would get so excited and start sneezing each time.

Even though she was old, and we were expecting it to happen at any time, you never quite realize how it will affect you when the moment comes.  I know there have already been many tears shed over the weekend, and I’m sure the moment I return home for a visit they will flow again.  It just wont be the same hearing my dad jump on his riding lawn mower, without Tasha barking and trying to herd him…. or when we are trying to play tennis and she is barking every time we hit the ball over the net…. or taking her on walks around the pasture and seeing her slow down on the way home because she’s not ready to return.  Her presence will be missed everywhere, and it will take time for it to really sink in.

If anyone has seen Marley and Me, then you have an idea how we are feeling at this moment.  My nephew literally grew up only knowing life with Tasha.  It’s incredible how much joy and happiness a dog can bring into your life….especially one who has been there for 12 years!  My heart is already feeling a hole in it from where Tash’s paw held her place.

I really hope its true…. Do all dogs go to heaven???

Game time!

I love games!  One of my favorite things to do when I go home to visit my family is play lots of games.  We’ve always been a game-playing family…all the way back to when I was little.  Taboo. Spoons. Trivia Pursuit. Sorry. Life. Scene It. Scategories. Apples to Apples. Uno. Rummy. Mouse Trap (remember that one?) It’s how we roll.

I haven’t really played that many games since I moved to Israel, but I’m hoping that will change soon.  One thing I want to include at the youth center is games.  I want to teach these kids all the games that I grew up playing.  I want them to experience the joy and laughter that come from getting together during game time.  I’m hoping it will help build relationships.

So here’s my challenge for anyone out there that loves games as much as I do:  If you have any games you don’t use anymore or have outgrown or just plain got sick of, please consider sending them my way.  They don’t have to be in perfect condition, or even brand new (though I would hope all the pieces would be there), just able to be enjoyed by others. I understand shipping can get expensive, so even anything small and light would be amazing. Something is better than nothing.

I will send my shipping address to anyone who is interesting in helping….just let me know.

Oh, and by the way….. what are some of your families favorite games???

When the Saints Go Marching In…

I think most of us grew up learning the “old school” version of this song, especially if you were ever in band.  I remember when I was in 4th grade, my mom put together a composition of this song for me to play my trumpet to, with my friend, Ang, on the flute… harmony and all.  We actually played it for the talent show that year.

I also think most of us think of Saints in terms of Catholicism, such as St. Peter, St. Andrew, St. John etc.  but really, who IS a Saint?

According to the dictionary, there are many ways of being a saint:

1. a person who has died and gone to heaven.
2. an extremely virtuous person.
3. any of certain persons of exceptional holiness of life, formally recognized as such by the Christian Church, esp. by canonization.
4. a founder, sponsor, or patron, as of a movement or organization.

That sure does leave a lot of possibilities, as far as what EXACTLY a saint is.

Sara Groves has a wonderfully, unique take on the ancient term that for me, pretty much sums it up.  There are a few lines that speak to me, and each time I hear it, I think “thats exactly who I want to be marching in with“.

I see the long, quiet walk along the underground railroad,

I see the slave, awakened to the value of her soul,

I see the young missionary and the angry spear,

I see his family returning with no choice of fear,

I see the long, hard shadows of Calcutta Lights,

I see the sister standing by the dying mans side,

I see the young girl huddled on the brothel floor,

I see the man with a passion, come and kicking down that door,

Oh When the Saints, Go Marching In, I wanna be one of them……

So, who do you want to be marching in with you???

I really miss my family!

There is a Barlow Girl song called Here’s My Life that pretty much sums up how I feel every time I finish furlough and go back on the field.  For many reasons, this past furlough has been the most difficult time to return, so I find myself re-listening to this song and reminding myself why I’m here.  Here are some of the lyrics, and I put a link at the end if you want to hear the song in full…. Its good stuff!!!

Once again I said my goodbyes, to those I love most

My heart feels that familiar pain, as I long for hope

Cause this road is hard, when I feel so far

God, I’m crying out tonight

Cuz I’ve given you my life

But I’m tired, and I’m missing what’s behind

So once more, here’s my life….

(For the complete song, click here)

Volcano Taco Eating Contest: The Rematch!

I know you have all been dying to find out what happened with our annual Volcano Eating Contest while I was in the States.  Well, wait no more….here are the pics and results of the rematch (the 1st contest I won hands down, here is the recap in case you missed it) We started with one taco, and moved on to the Ultimate Volcano Nachos.  The jalapeno peppers they put on there were a killer, plus we added lots of HOT sauce to spicen-up the contest.

But in the end, after the last nacho chip was eaten, we had to declare it a tie!  We both lasted without water for quite a while after.  I guess my little Micheal (who isn’t so little any more) has managed to catch up with me FOR NOW!  I’m determined to win back my SOLO TITLE of CHAMPION… I guess we will just really have to add some super spicy extras next round!

WII Testing

Thanks to everyone who donated money for the WII Fundraiser, the dream has become reality.  I picked up the WII when I was over on the east side of the state earlier this week, so we decided that we just HAD to test it out before I take it back over with me. Here are some pics of us playing ping-pong and bowling… I can’t wait for the kids to start playing!!!

The Final Countdown

The wait is over.

My bags are packed.

I’m on my way.

I’ve been waiting for this day for over a month now… as the anticipation has grown, so has the list of things I am looking forward to during my visit.  My flight leaves today, and after 12 hours in Paris, I will continue my journey back home.  Here is my Top 10 List for What I’m Looking Forward To Most:

10. Fall! The colors of the leaves, smell of the night, and a bit cooler weather (though not too cool, I hope!)

9. American Football! There’s nothing like college football games on a Saturday afternoon.

8. Mexican food! Enough said.

7. Speaking of food….The sequel of The Volcano Taco Eating Contest with Micheal, my nephew!  I’m giving him another chance to redeem his loss from last year. (in case you missed it the first time around)

6. Riding my mom’s horses with her!

5. Not having ANY Hebrew classes for 3 weeks!

4. Taking LOOOOOONG, Hot showers! Not having to worry about the water crises and going beyond our limit.

3. Caribou Coffee! (or Starbucks as my backup)

2. Pumpkin Spice Latte’s! (or anything Pumpkin for that matter)

1. Spending time with my FAMILY! This is what I want MOST!

When it rains, it pours!

As my mom said today, in the beginning of her email…

When it rains, it pours.

Well, its pouring!

…I’ve recently started up knitting again, and for anyone who knits (or knows the process) pulling on that single string can unravel the entire project.  I feel like at this moment someone is pulling on my family’s sweater string, and we are slowly losing the shape of what looked like a beautiful, close-knit sweater.  As fast as I try to knit the stitches together, its just not as fast as the rate of that string being tugged….

So The Time Has Come.

In the OT, people fasted for various reasons: 

•  Distress/grief (David for the loss of his son… the 7-day fast after the death of Saul)
•  Repentance/Atonement (The Ninevites after Jonah’s warning… and even today in Israel on Yom Kipur)
•  Spiritual Preparation (Daniel before receiving the revelation… Moses before receiving the 10 Commandments… and even Jesus for 40 days in the desert)

I have decided that I, too, must begin the journey.

I don’t know for how long I will fast; but I do know that like those before me, I am expecting a BIG breakthrough. As hard as I try, I can do nothing on my own.  I need His help! I am holding God to HIS promises.  I am praying for the future and well-being of my family, the people I love most in this world.  I am taking back what the world has stolen from us, and I’m not letting go.  It won’t be easy, but nothing of true value is gained with little effort.  

Therefore, if you would be willing to remember us in your prayers and keep me accountable to follow through, I would be eternally grateful!  

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord….plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with ALL your heart.

I’m on my way…. home, sweet home

I am sooooo completely happy at this moment, because from September 23-October 7th I will be HOME!!!

My housemate found this amazing, incredible deal online for airline tickets from TA to the States…and when I say incredible, I mean INCREDIBLE!!!

I wasn’t planning on coming home anytime soon, but with this offer I just couldn’t pass it up!  Its been pretty much a year since I’ve been back; and if I didn’t go now, it would be probably another year before I would have the opportunity again.  

So, to all of you over there who want to see me 🙂 …. here’s your chance! (I don’t know when the next chance will be.) If you want to hear about my work in Israel, Africa, Brasil…..or even just want to get a cup of coffee (oh, my goodness: I’m sooooo excited for Starbucks again) I’m totally up to anything!  I feel like a giddy child on Christmas day right now…..I’m just TOOOOOO HAPPY!