There comes a time in every rightly constructed boy's life when he has a raging desire to go somewhere and dig for hidden treasure.

Mark Twain
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

Dinner

Imagine having dinner with Jesus. Around the table with Him and His friends, these place cards would say real nice things like:

Tax Collector; Thief; Liar; Prostitute; Quitter; Captain Fails-A-Lot! Basic Loser

We're looking at Matthew 9 tonight in Sunday School and talking about how to show honor to people who've been overlooked. Jesus, the Most Honorable, leads by example in showing others how valuable they are.

Check this out!

The place to be this summer is Portland City Fest 2008 -- With Luis Palau! I'm going to be there -- are you?!
www.portlandcityfest.com

The Love Boat

Actually, this post is not about The Love Boat.

It's just that back when I was a kid and watched channel 12 for several hours every day in the summer (no, I do not recommend this type of life!) I saw this one episode of The Love Boat where someone asked this pretty girl how she lost so much weight and she replied something quaint like, "Well, I realized I could either go out and live life, or settle for watching others live it on TV!"

Hmmm....great irony in that line. Especially since as a kid I was learning about how not to watch TV...by watching TV! Whatever! It can get so confusing sometimes!

To sum up, the reason I don't blog so consistently in the summer is 'cuz:

"I can either write about life, or go out and live life!"

I thought Dave summed up this post nicely when he said, "Oh, you mean you are a lazy blogger!" ...thanks Dave!

overdose

... I have a friend who overdosed night before last. Don't really know how he's doing. To say I hope he'll be alright is an understatement. Do I pray for him? Of course!

To sum up a big 'ole jumbled mess of thoughts and emotions about my friend, I can only say it is really hard to watch someone do this to themselves and to us who love him! And yet I still have hope.

It's not that I hope because of who he is (how bright and how promising, even though this is true about him) and it's not that I hope because I'm a "hopeful" person (not really prone to optimism with Jesus' help) but I hope because of who our Savior is -- kind, life-giving, the One who sets the captives free!

Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.
(John8:36)

authority

Interesting thing authority...

We just had the most amazing week of "Super Summer Spectacular" (which you may know as Vacation Bible School) and part of what made it amazing was the dedication of hundreds of volunteers. There were all these great people sharing in worship, dance, film, games, crafts, and Bible lessons shared by a drama team that really pulled out all the stops.

Behind the scenes was this incredibly organized group of volunteers known as "Security." And they did a great job of making the church a safe, fun place for children to have the time of their lives!

It started months ago with a background check of every volunteer who wanted to work with the kids...even in non-kid related things like cooking and cleaning. As a Mom I really appreciate that kind of detail. It amazed me to think of the kind of planning that went into last week -- things like flow of traffic; doors that could/couldn't be used; bathrooms that couldn't be used by adults & others that couldn't be used by kids; hallways & stairways that couldn't be used ; etc; etc all to keep the children safe -- and you know what? MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

I felt kind of bad when one of the hard-working security guys confided in me that the only people who gave them any kind of hassle were the volunteers...unfortunately the reason we were even talking about it is because I was one of those people. Yikes! I confess. It was Wednesday night when I ignored this friend's authority and went in the wrong direction...isn't that a great definition for sin?: Going in the wrong direction!

It's amazing how easily we get keyed up, you know -- all worked up about our "rights." I mean, hey, I just wanted to go get my purse, it was late, what's the big deal?! But it IS a big deal, more about His authority and our heart than about anything else. But on the way home that evening I got the "big smack down" from God. He totally convicted me in my heart all the way home.

I sensed Him questioning me: Who placed that young man in the doorway to make sure the kids were safe? (gulp, You God?) Who expects you to be respectful to all people whether you understand or agree with what they're saying? (bigger gulp, You Lord, I know, I blew it) Who expects you to go back tomorrow night and ask for forgiveness? (Really, won't he think I'm weird? Do You mean I don't get to just say to You that I'll do better next time?...Yes Lord, I'll ask him for forgiveness tomorrow night)

It was an amazing week with over 700 kids and everyone had fun, made friends, learned about Jesus, and were SAFE! With the grateful heart of a Mom and a volunteer I thank the "Security" team for all their hard work!!

your burden

At the end of Matthew 11 it is written:

At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.

All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."


Sometimes when I get hooked into striving, the Holy Spirit reminds me of these verses. There is nothing in the entire world more healing than the words of Jesus Christ.

We tend to see sin in varying degrees -- you know, this one is worse than that one...and another easy tendency is to "punish" ourselves. Jesus offers forgiveness, but sometimes we think that we need to go to great lengths to absolve ourselves. For some people it's as if they think their sin is too great to accept His grace -- they feel the need to suffer.

But His word to us is, "...For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." So if we're struggling under a hard yoke, and heavy burden -- what's going on? Who put it there: The enemy? Other people? Ourselves?

If it goes against His word, than it's NOT from Him.

loss

When I was still single, I attended an awesome group at church. We didn't have a cool name like the "Uprising" group at our church does -- we were simply the "college and career" group. Same thing though: bible studies, serving the community together, fun get-togethers, missions.

In one of the year-long bible studies we had I made some great friends who really challenged me. After a year of meeting together you get to know each other pretty well -- and I got to know my best friend's little brother Max. (not real name, of course) Max has a long family legacy of Christ-followers, and yet he always had this "angst" in him. I like angst, it's so raw and honest. I always appreciated Max's open demeanor, and his struggles with God and the way He wants us to live. (you know, things like in Colossians 3)

Then, back in '93 Max openly walked away from a life with Christ...he had already joined the service, had some family struggles, real life stuff that we all can relate to. During the last several years God blessed Max (that's the way I see it) with a best friend in the service named Rob. Their families were close, they were close. And this week Rob died. Killed in Iraq. Roadside bomb. Very frustrating. Very sad.

So, now what about Max? Will he become even more bitter towards God? Will he turn to Jesus who still stands at the door and knocks...waiting for Max to open the door again. As of yet this story has no conclusion, yet I know how I would end it if it were in my power. Now you know the kinds of things that occupy my thoughts and prayers for my friends.

problem with mascots

I mentioned before that Dave has a problem with mascots! Just look at this photo! See what I mean?!
(Thanks Dennis!)

Dunked!

I was dunked by my own son! Today was field day at the kids' school and I volunteered to get into the dunk tank! You should have seen how big T.Michael's eyes got when I climbed up into the tank -- He didn't know I was going to do it. (Heck, I didn't even know I was going to do it!) What a kick!

Champions!

Yesterday T.Michael's baseball team won the championship game for Centennial Little League! Congratulations THUNDERBOLTS!

God's Inner Artistry

Dave's boss has assigned him a new book to read called, "Confessions Of A Pastor; Adventures in Dropping the Pose and Getting Real with God" by Craig Groeschel; Multnomah Publishers, Inc. 2006

Like all good wives, I like to sneak a peek into what is going into my Hubby's great mind -- it's like having secret access to a really great library! Right away I found a fun story about the author's encounter with Chuck E. Cheese (page 111). It caught my eye since, as some of you know, my man also has had the occasional conflict with mascots! (A great story if you haven't heard it yet) But the really good stuff I found on page 191 when Pastor Craig talks about failure:

"Are you struggling against failure right now? Does a recent failure linger painfully in your memory? You thought you were creating the next Mercedes, but you got a Pinto. What do you do now?

Look for what God's teaching you. What's happening to you is not as important as what God's doing in you. Maybe He's shaving off some pride, or teaching you to depend on Him, or building some undeveloped character trait. Look past the painful outward circumstances and embrace God's inner artistry. Whatever you do, don't give up. If you hang in there, you'll eventually succeed God's way and on God's timetable (see Galatians 6:9).

So you've been knocked down. Get up. Again. And again. Learn and move on. You'll face another fight tomorrow--and when you do, you'll be stronger and wiser than you were today."


Galatians 6:9

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

A New Chapter

This weekend marks the end of a great chapter in our Proehl-family year. A few of our changes include:

Our exchange student completes school tomorrow and heads back to Korea on Saturday. Our son is playing in the baseball championship finals, and baseball season ends this weekend. Also, in a couple weeks he will be a 2nd grader! Our daughter had a dance recital last night and will soon be a 5th grader! There is more, but those are the biggies.

It's like we are ending a chapter and starting a whole new book!

at the movies

...the absolute BEST part of seeing the movies with the 4th Grade class (continued from blog below) was watching little Rosa wait hand and foot on another student named Alyssa. Alyssa moves around in a motorized scooter and it was interesting watching the dynamics of how the children interacted with her. She's a solid part of the class, popular and has her share of friends.

However, on this field trip there was only ONE person that walked along side of Alyssa, made sure the door stayed open for her scooter, made sure she made it up the ramp to the special space left open for wheelchairs, sat alone with Alyssa when the other children in their excitement took two steps down to sit in a row that Alyssa couldn't possibly reach, and then proceeded to take initiative to occasionally kneel in front of Alyssa (so as not to block her from seeing the movie) to give her popcorn and hand her drink to her (as the drink holder was too low for Alyssa to reach from her scooter) and that person was Rosa.

Watching Rosa was like watching grace in motion. The other children were "kind" to Alyssa, but Rosa was serving, giving, watchful. I'm sure that Rosa herself didn't even know she stood out in the crowd with her humility. This is just how Rosa lives, it's in her nature, it's who she is and how she was raised. This is a demonstration of her beautiful, rich Mexican culture that she unknowingly shares with us.


(all the names in these two posts are made up)

Narnia!

I had the privilege of going along with my daughter's 4th grade class to the premier of the Prince Caspian - Narnia movie and it was so fun...of course I'll have to go again when I can focus a little more on the movie but those kids were so much fun to watch!

Oh the POWER they seemed to feel, walking up to the counter and actually getting to choose what they want -- like a small candy and small drink for about fifteen bucks! (okay, really it was $8 but it felt like $15!)

Then there was R. and T., obviously year-long buddies who had to go to the bathroom twice since the "small" drinks are about a gallon each.

At one point I enjoyed watching a little guy in the front row turn around during the movie and scan the crowd with the biggest smile on his face. His eyes were big, and he looked totally taken with it all. Obviously a future movie director!

Two of the girls in my group kept getting up and walking to the aisle then sitting back down -- I asked them what was going on and it turns out they were just throwing away their trash! They pick now to be meticulous?! Still, I admire their sense of duty.

And then the classic kid-movie moment: The kids were totally grossed out when there was a very small kissing scene. "Gross!" "Sick!" "Yuck!" Their judgements were clear and quick. The adults not with the school group laughed.

...poor adults not with the school group...hope you saw more of the film than I did!

Mothers are...

In our "Club 56" class (5th & 6th graders) at church Saturday night, we played a game to see which group of kids could list the most things about Moms in a couple minutes. The following lists are what they came up with:

loving; fashionable; nice; bossy; caring; grumpy; helpful; needs coffee; smart; loves chocolate; kind; comforting; good cook; loyal; carefree; fun; beautiful; awesome; spectacular; funny; entertaining; creative; compassionate; Driver; Friend; understanding; merciful; stupid; cooking; giving; lovable; house cleaner; crazy; weird; First Aid

(published with their permission)

around the table

My sister hosted a brunch in for my Mom on Mother's day. It was so fun getting our family together with the kids and even a new grandchild!

Us "older" ones seemed to prefer a table to sit at to eat, and at one point we laughingly realized it was the same table and the same group of us (Mom, Dad, my sisters and I) eating together! For a tiny moment it was a throw back to about 25 years ago...and it was good!

my hero

I want to brag about Super Dave again! When we were flying home from the East Coast there was a Soldier at the airport ticket counter in front of us. It turns out the young man's bags were so many pounds over the limit, and the person behind the counter "helping" him wasn't, um, very helpful. We were doing what any travelers in line would do at this point (eavesdropping!) and it turns out the Soldier was going to have to make other arrangements and fly out the next day -- cutting his 21 days leave down to 20 with his family. And so Dave, my hero, walked over and paid the fee. Super Dave!

Cinco de Mayo in Portland, OR

To say we enjoyed the Cinco de Mayo celebration would be an understatement! We had the best time as a family, and with our friends the Popescu's -- what a day! We all had our favorite parts:

For me the dancing from Guadalajara where I lived and studied!
For Dave it was the tacos and pepper-covered mango!
For the kids it was the rides!
For all of us it was spending time with good friends.
For all of us it was being in the sun. Finally!
For all of us it was enjoying the Mexican people we have come to know and love!

they got me wrapped around their little fingers!