letusgive!

Yes, I understand that this time of year everybody seems to say that they are thankful. I am. Truly, I am thankful.  For life, a warm (or cool) house to live in, friends that care, family that bugs me (!)and at the same time are very good to me and the ability and freedom I even have to write this.  Thank you to those in my life, past, present, little, lots…thank you!    You are treasures.  When I was 20 I was diagnosed with ankylosis spondylitis. Sounds crazy right?    It’s arthritis…specifically tied to the HLA-B27 gene. Of which, my Dad also has. 6-8% of the population has this…I’m lucky like that.    It has taught me a lot actually. Pain management, empathy for others who move slowly or painfully and a reliance on God. He walks with me in this, definitely thankful for that.  So when I was 20…I remember saying ‘if I feel like this now, what will I feel like in my 50’s?!!’    Apparently in my mind, arthritis was a thing all 5...

Summer time is the best.  There seems to be a vibe that I like.  People take time.  Time to work, time to vacation, time to swim, time to picnic, time to gather with family and friends.  Time. Over the past few years; I feel heavy that I have NOT taken time.  To be with people, to listen and just to enjoy those around me.  I'm not sure if that is 100% true but that is what is in my heart so to me there is truth in it.  Forgive me.  The past two weeks; I have been wrapping up some work that I've been doing remotely (and a bit locally in Sacramento) for several years.  And as much as it hurts to be 'done' with all of it; there is some release to it as well.  So no more remote work for Europe or onsite in Sacramento as of July 31 (today).  I already miss the people and connecting weekly but I know they will find others to do the work and move it all forward as it should be.   My heart and mind needs to focus - focus on God, o...

I’m on a plane!     It’s almost like saying ‘I’m home!’     Crazy right?    One year and 79 days since my last flight..when I was coming ‘home’ to California. I had an English Bulldog and 3 bags to my name then—and it was good.  I struggled that first month—re-entry after living in Budapest for 6 years was a bit rough. But then I got to travel to a few churches and share what I had been doing, and the ministries I was honored to be a part of and it was therapeutic. Verbal processing—it helped!   I came back to Sacramento and life resumed—in COVID normal. My early mornings were on Zoom with my remote work in Europe followed by work here in California. All good—and we got into a rhythm of sorts. The expected return trip to Europe for summer camps, work etc pretty much disappeared.  Summer brought heat and a routine check-up for my heart murmur I’ve had since birth. The cardiologist said we probably needed to get a second opinion, possibly ...

I DON'T KNOW Do you ever play Jeopardy with Alexa?  I must admit I’m not that good at it. However, I do NOT like to answer ‘I don’t know’ . When I do, it makes me angry actually but I guess I am the one that could improve my trivia knowledge so it’s within my control. Up to me... But I’ll tell you what—control is what most humans want. The instinct is so strong...even toddlers want to ‘control’ their world...their toys, the food they eat and nap times (preferably no nap) etc. I feel like we are NOT in control of this COVID-19 — China may be coming out of it but I don’t think ‘the world’ has control of it.  Leaders are not big fans of ‘I don’t know’ either. Have you heard any leader say those words?  Variations perhaps such as ‘not certain at this time’ or ‘yet to be determined’, but we like CONTROL!  And even more, most humans take comfort in the fact that somebody is in control. Unsettling times and yet.. I find myself fascinated with what is to come !  Actua...

Tuktuks, checkered headwear, beautiful saree dresses and more! Let me just say this—India is a trip. Sooooo many people. I was fortunate to be there last year for a conference but didn’t get ‘out’ much. This year fortune repeated itself and I was able to experience a bit more! I met a local guy in Delhi and we had adventures galore!    We went to see palaces...one guide said it would be 40 minutes....TWO HOURS later...:). We listened and learned.  I wanted a train experience in India so the next morning we got up way too early and headed to Agra where we saw the Taj Mahal. The King of the time had 14 wives..his 14th wife died and he built this as a tomb for her. She never saw it!    Sad. It was ah.maz.ing. Very beautiful.  As we were taking an Uber to ‘the Taj’...the driver offered a full day...he would take us everywhere...3 sites plus lunch and to the train station to return. Ok...easy...$25 deal!   So we did..Taj Mahal (my ‘guide’...

December 29, 2019 I have no idea as I’m writing this the last time I posted to my blog. A long time. I usually say—and will again life is good but God is way better. Still true in my mind, heart and life.  But today I’m thinking of my Mom. On this day 4 years ago my Mom passed away. I was there. I can hear the sounds, smell the smells and taste the salty tears like it was yesterday.  I see and hear of other people’s grief. And all I ever know to say is my heart hurts and that it is numbing. We are human after all and we die. Those that die...go on. At least I believe strongly in heaven and hell. Those that stay on this earth...go on somehow. Walking numbly through stuff that needs to get done. It kinda sucks.  And then I go back to my beliefs and I do have hope. I do have hope in tomorrow, in God being right next to me—walking, talking—even carrying me sometimes. When I’m numb, maybe He isn’t carrying me but sometimes I break and then He carries me....

Some people ask what a ‘normal’ day looks like for me.     Not sure I know how to answer because the last 3…no, almost 4, months have flown by me- crazy!     I’m not quite sure if I know who/what/when/where – but I DO KNOW that life is good, and God is waaay better. So – today – woke up really early because Dude decided he was hungry at like 4:00 in the morning and he sounds like a baby dinosaur when he’s in my room and cannot get out (door was closed due to guests being in the house).  So, I fell back to sleep on the sofa after he settled down.  Not so bad…got up eventually (not a morning person) – checked emails, breakfast, read etc…9:30 SKYPE.  That’s a big part of my life over here…SKYPE.  We live and work all across Central Europe so our main communication is via technology….a beautiful thing J .  That SKYPE created a few things that had to get done administratively so I took care of those and then left to ...

Time to step back a bit…Life is good and God is way better…and how do I know that? Advocacy – I have found that I have many advocates.  I have had many in my lifetime…many, of course, have been through work.  I can name several people that have advocated, had my back, went to bat for me – whatever terminology you want to give it – but it’s awesome and it’s a privilege.  Not everybody has advocates. I was sitting in a hospital room in Krakow, Poland – visiting my Dad who was just about going crazy being there. He had some bad days but was healing and ready to be released.  But…in the other beds of the same room – people didn’t have visitors or people talking to the doctor/nurses like my brother had been for the past 14 days. Did they have as good of care?  I tend to think not – but it broke my heart really.  I’ve had a few occasions in my lifetime being in a hospital and not feeling so good…heading outside for fre...

January days...life is good, God IS way better! I’m sure I’m missing something but here it goes... --what a wonderful Christmas/New Year season it was! Family, fun, food, friends, fellowship - perfection! —flying in a plane that notes how far and which direction Mecca is on the flight map. At the same time noting how much time until the next prayer —flying on a plane that starts the safety announcements with the travel prayer from the Koran  —learning to bring my hands together and a little bow to show gratitude and greetings (learned from others in this culture which brought tears as they greeted me) —experiencing a ride on what I call a tuktuk but correctly named an auto rickshaw.  —riding in the ‘auto’ the wrong way on a major street..horns blaring at us until we could cross.  —eating with, singing/dancing with and just being in gatherings with amazing, kind, thoughtful and giving people from 67 different countries (out of 195 in the world) —roomi...

Giving Tuesday—really giving every day but it’s good to be focused for a day:). I’ll just start by saying life is really good and God is really waaaay better:) It’s been a while but I must say—this fall season has been amazing. A few new places, experiences and even new people!   I just continue to be amazed at opportunities. The street work—yes, it’s heart-breaking but also humbling for me. The two women I go to the streets with are cream of the crop. Leaders in their organizations and a heart for these women, men, pimps and most importantly a love for Jesus.  And another opportunity is to be in actual classrooms, during class time, in. Hungarian school teaching English. Brilliant kids, gracious teachers and English is ok for me:)!! So as I sit here on a plane headed back to Budapest; I’m excited. Excited for this holiday season with my Dad and brothers family coming to Budapest!  Not completely sure of the new places, experiences and/or people awaiting me but ...

I’m constantly amazed at the world—its languages and cultures. Mostly, I’m thankful English is the ‘internationally’ accepted language. I can speak, read and understand English:).  However, the past month has brought varied experiences with other languages and I have enjoyed those VERY much! 1. Sitting in a hotel conference room in Albania listening to English but the ‘murmurs’ all around the room of translation (many wearing headsets) into Albanian, Arabic, Bulgarian, Hungarian, and Romanian!  Beautiful, humbling and music of a new kind.  2. Riding in a bus to a volleyball game with a team speaking Bulgarian, Chinese, English and Hungarian in the back.  Then with the driver telling stories in Hungarian and a bit of Russian to an American understanding just the Russian but smiling and nodding his head for a solid hour. Classic - yes, but beautiful music.  3. Walking the streets reaching out to the women working there and their ‘boyfriends’ driving...

What do the following items have in common? —Going in a Salvation Army van to two streets in Budapest known for prostitution on a VERY hot day and offering cold tea, water, cola and snacks. Remembering and being remembered by the girls on the streets.  Words?...none...just broken-hearted prayers —Visiting a dear family in a tiny, hot, stuffy apartment in Budapest who gifted me for my birthday. Dad had a massive stroke 7 years ago—lost everything and listening to the 14 year old daughter tell how much the whole experience has taught her..about prayer, life, love, community and God.  —Sitting around a table in Poland with several men who have been left for dead due to addiction(s) and hearing their story of redemption and being SO thankful for a chance to simply be alive and second chances.  —Gathering outside for a Friday night bar-b-que with Syrians who have been granted asylum and are grateful for life. Families separated but left due to persecution and/or ...

7/18/18 - Happy birthday Patti! I’m not sure I can make this one short J   My heart is breaking and full at the same time – is that possible? ·       Life is good, God is waaaay better. ·       My heart breaks – going on the street to offer a smile, kind word, snack, chocolate, tea, or whatever to those ‘working’ on the street.    I am grateful for the chance to do such things but praying it is fruitful somehow or someday it will come to good in just one life. ·       Another rough week in Serbia.    This time not personally, but hearing many languages new to me, some sharing their stories – those are rough. Walking many, many miles and want their paperwork to show the actual city they are from instead of the one the police officer knows – because it makes a difference.    An city/area is a statement – it matters.    ·       To se...

Random thoughts at 2:30 in the morning Budapest time but 1 hour and 15 minutes away from landing at San Francisco Int’l airport.   So begins the process of adjusting my internal clock. ·       Whistling is nice and pleasant…but not advised when you are trying to light a match.   Cracked myself up the other day trying to light a gas burner on the stove and I guess I was in a good mood since I was whistling J ·       Once again it was confirmed in my life; when moving, you are guaranteed to have the hottest day so far in the year.   Moving is not my favorite thing; friends and family helping in many ways definitely are a favorite! ·       People are kind; truly.   In my lifetime there have been many people showing kindness.   I enjoy that and am quite thankful. ·       Life is good, God is way better. Would you like an email each time I post a blog?......