Its been a lot harder to remember to say it every morning that I had expected.
I've started to let the idea of everyday surprises slip away amidst my busy life.
I feel like I'm losing my drive and commitment to this.
None the less, there have still been everyday ups and downs.
Please God, help me pay more attention. That's my goal for now, and to appreciate the small surprises.
That's all for now.
Jackie Winters
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Monday, February 25, 2008
4 surprises to start week 4
It's been awhile since I've blogged, and there were a lot of surprises that I should have been blogging about ... good and bad, big and small... so I start out with an apology for not being better this weekend.
Surprise 1: I'm still sick. I think that the theme of my Lent this year is sickness. I've literally been sick for a little over three weeks, and I went back to the doctor on Friday and not only did my sinus infection not get better at all, it turned into the beginnings of bronchitus and and an ear infection. I can't wait until God surprises me with hearing in my right ear... it's been weeks! I guess God is trying to tell me something, like, um, I don't know... SLOW DOWN. So I tried to do just that this weekend. Except I cleaned the house on Saturday, and made dinner for four, and hosted a small gathering on Sunday night. I am NOT good at this whole taking it easy thing.
Surprise 2: Mark. Some of you students might know him as uncle mark. He's one of my husband's best friends, and he was visiting this weekend. I hope that when he moves back, some of you get the chance to meet him. He is one of the most thoughtful and kind and wonderful people I know and I always feel lucky to have been in his presence, even if it's only for a day or two. He lives in WI, serving at a Boy's Ranch ... a last resort rehab center for rough and tumble guys before they go to jail or juvie. It's a rough mission and he's about ready to take a break and I think he is going to move back to MN!! Lucky for me and Sam, we have this house that is all empty and now mark can help us fill it!! YEY.
Surprise 3: Bruce, Matt and Laura. I got an email Saturday morning letting me know that Laura Jaeger (wife of Bruce, mom of 9th grader Matthew) died after a long struggle with illness. This surprise was a little tougher to take - and I am struggling with how to comfort yet another student who has lost a parent this year. It never seems good, right or fair to see a student grieve the loss of a parent who died too soon, and too young, and this time is no different. I trust that God is present for the Jaegers, but I pray that God will surprise them with an abundance of grace, comfort and love in the days and weeks and months to come. Please keep them all in your prayers.
Surprise 4. Lespers. My husband and his friends have done their version of "vespers" (a big time worship done at Bethel College on Sunday nights) for a long time... they have less people, less instruments, etc, so they call it "lespers." Most of this crew has long since moved away to WI or other places, and it's been tougher to bring them all back together, but last night was a start. People arrived late, from all over (even hours away) and we lit candles and pulled out shakers and four guitars and ten voices and worshipped together for almost two hours. It was exactly what I needed after being sick so long, and always being a part of the planning for worship... it's tough when you lead worship, so much of your worship is caught up in making sure others can worship... it was much needed to just sit and sing, rock out the egg shaker, and praise our amazing and wonderful God of constant surprises.
With eyes open,
Natalia
Surprise 1: I'm still sick. I think that the theme of my Lent this year is sickness. I've literally been sick for a little over three weeks, and I went back to the doctor on Friday and not only did my sinus infection not get better at all, it turned into the beginnings of bronchitus and and an ear infection. I can't wait until God surprises me with hearing in my right ear... it's been weeks! I guess God is trying to tell me something, like, um, I don't know... SLOW DOWN. So I tried to do just that this weekend. Except I cleaned the house on Saturday, and made dinner for four, and hosted a small gathering on Sunday night. I am NOT good at this whole taking it easy thing.
Surprise 2: Mark. Some of you students might know him as uncle mark. He's one of my husband's best friends, and he was visiting this weekend. I hope that when he moves back, some of you get the chance to meet him. He is one of the most thoughtful and kind and wonderful people I know and I always feel lucky to have been in his presence, even if it's only for a day or two. He lives in WI, serving at a Boy's Ranch ... a last resort rehab center for rough and tumble guys before they go to jail or juvie. It's a rough mission and he's about ready to take a break and I think he is going to move back to MN!! Lucky for me and Sam, we have this house that is all empty and now mark can help us fill it!! YEY.
Surprise 3: Bruce, Matt and Laura. I got an email Saturday morning letting me know that Laura Jaeger (wife of Bruce, mom of 9th grader Matthew) died after a long struggle with illness. This surprise was a little tougher to take - and I am struggling with how to comfort yet another student who has lost a parent this year. It never seems good, right or fair to see a student grieve the loss of a parent who died too soon, and too young, and this time is no different. I trust that God is present for the Jaegers, but I pray that God will surprise them with an abundance of grace, comfort and love in the days and weeks and months to come. Please keep them all in your prayers.
Surprise 4. Lespers. My husband and his friends have done their version of "vespers" (a big time worship done at Bethel College on Sunday nights) for a long time... they have less people, less instruments, etc, so they call it "lespers." Most of this crew has long since moved away to WI or other places, and it's been tougher to bring them all back together, but last night was a start. People arrived late, from all over (even hours away) and we lit candles and pulled out shakers and four guitars and ten voices and worshipped together for almost two hours. It was exactly what I needed after being sick so long, and always being a part of the planning for worship... it's tough when you lead worship, so much of your worship is caught up in making sure others can worship... it was much needed to just sit and sing, rock out the egg shaker, and praise our amazing and wonderful God of constant surprises.
With eyes open,
Natalia
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Wonderful filled days
Today I was blessed to attend church with my whole family. What a joy God has given me to continue to be part of thier lives as they venture onto new and exciting things. I must back track, to the beginning of the weekend. I forgot how busy we can be when all togehter. I was up for anything, but a lacrosse game in Stillwater, at 11:00 pm? sure.....I think so.....why not..........by 9 pm my eyes were already heavy and ready for bed. What have I done, by agreeing to go with to watch, and much less to drive...I can't even see the TV at 9pm...? So I thought I would rest for a few minutes....45 minutes later it was time to go. Splashing water on my face helped to wake me up a little. I knew something would help. SO off we went. To arrive for the 11:00 game which didn't start until 11:45......and yes they are two hour games. So I found my surprise me God moment in the patience I needed...and just took a deep breath and tried to make the most of it. Thier was no way to leave being we had to give a player a ride home. Did I mention that it was being played in a dome blowing cold air.....two hours? My bones were even cold.! God gave me the patience to know that I was their for a reason. I enjoyed the game, and yes we finally arrived home at 2:50 am. I haven't seen that time for years. I enjoyed the bonding experience with my girls....we laughed, we shivered, and we talked. God surprised me with this experience that we will talk about for years. Or at least I will....I made it! The weekend continued with lots of laughs, food and yes even a family nap.! I wasn't the only one exhausted. God has truly blessed me with this loving family, and the surprises I hope will continue to come as they experience and share with Jim and I. Peace Sue
Guatemala Surprise
I recently had a surprise much different from those I have experienced this Lent. This summer I had an opportunity to go with the P.O.P. youth group to Guatemala. It was an amazing experience that opened my eyes and my heart in more ways than one. When I was facebook stalking photos the other day I came across the photos from the Gustavus J-term trip to Guatemala a girl on my floor had been on. One of the pictures was of the mission we worked at in San Lucas Toliman. I went to her room and talked to her about what they did there. They only stayed in San Lucas two days, but they met Father Greg, and toured the women's center, the medical center, and the school the mission sponsors. She asked about the work we did there and I asked if she remembered the red stripe running around the bottom of the women's center and she did! We painted the bottom foot of the building and rooms red and it really made that building stand out as a place of change and not just a structure. I love that even though that red stripe isn't the most important thing of the building or the women's center project, it is part of something greater. It is part of a women's center that is going to help and empower countless people. I also love the fact that we were a part of that our work there is being recognized (and remembered) by others who have the opportunity to go there. It was one cool Guatemala surprise.
-kate
-kate
Saturday, February 23, 2008
SURPRISE!
Unfortunately not all surprises are good. On Thursday I was surprised with a small cough, which eventually turned into a sinus infection last night. Ugh! Oh well, maybe with this sinus infection, God is trying to tell me something.
~Haley
~Haley
Friday, February 22, 2008
Day 15-16
Tonight we are spending time with some long-time dear friends (that doesn't mean that they are old!) in a time-share that they recently purchased. It is their first time in their new time-share and they wanted to share it with Lois and me. Terry E. wrote that many if not all of his surprises were around relationships...God or people. How true...Surprise. These dear friends surprised us with this wonderful time away with them. On top of it all I became aware that they had WiFi...it is little mystical like God...it's there even if you don't see it...Surprise...all you do is open the connection and bingo...you are in touch. Reminds me of this 3-word prayer and God surprises.
On the way here we had a few moments with 3 businessmen from Florida. They had been in MN to set up 85 new Firehouse Sub Stores...they had come to the airport early to try to catch an earlier flight. But only two of the three could go and so two of them started down the ramp to the plane as the third headed back to wait for their original flight later in the pm. When the other two got half way down the ramp they turned around to re-join their friend. They just could leave him by himself. I was surprised how open they were about their decision. They were truly good friends who cared for one another not just good businessmen who worked together. I was reminded of how God just could not leave us alone so he sent Jesus and later the Holy Spirit to be with us. In a few moments we had made new friends and knew more about them than most others we rub shoulders with each day...surprise. Spending time with those around us is so important and it is the place where most of our God sightings take place...so again tomorrow morning I will pray...Surprise Me, God...and keep my eyes, ears and heart open for God's hand in my life.
Pastor T
On the way here we had a few moments with 3 businessmen from Florida. They had been in MN to set up 85 new Firehouse Sub Stores...they had come to the airport early to try to catch an earlier flight. But only two of the three could go and so two of them started down the ramp to the plane as the third headed back to wait for their original flight later in the pm. When the other two got half way down the ramp they turned around to re-join their friend. They just could leave him by himself. I was surprised how open they were about their decision. They were truly good friends who cared for one another not just good businessmen who worked together. I was reminded of how God just could not leave us alone so he sent Jesus and later the Holy Spirit to be with us. In a few moments we had made new friends and knew more about them than most others we rub shoulders with each day...surprise. Spending time with those around us is so important and it is the place where most of our God sightings take place...so again tomorrow morning I will pray...Surprise Me, God...and keep my eyes, ears and heart open for God's hand in my life.
Pastor T
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Surprises Surprises...
So I realized today that I haven't blogged in a while. I've been crazy busy, and doing the prayer every morning is a lot harder to remember then I thought it would be. Still, every now and then I realize my surprise for the day. As far as I can tell, most of mine are still coming through through relationships. Steph, Jenna, and I went out for my birthday. Sam, Eddy, and I are all hanging out, and I'm getting back in touch with people I had lost it with.
My bad surprise:
When my honors chemistry teacher passed around a grade sheet I was bombarded with a whopping 63%. I've never been failing, anything, ever, in my whole life, so that was like my wake - up call that I can't check out of the school year yet and I really need to buckle down. So, its "hell week" for the musical because it starts this Friday and we have rehearsal every night. With that, I'm trying to stay on top of my classes and chemistry is really hard. I suppose there was a glimmer of light through the F though because I'm getting back into academic shape mentally (lols).
Well that's about it I think.
Plus I really need to start my homework before rehearsal starts.
Always ready,
Surprise me God.
Jackie Winters
My bad surprise:
When my honors chemistry teacher passed around a grade sheet I was bombarded with a whopping 63%. I've never been failing, anything, ever, in my whole life, so that was like my wake - up call that I can't check out of the school year yet and I really need to buckle down. So, its "hell week" for the musical because it starts this Friday and we have rehearsal every night. With that, I'm trying to stay on top of my classes and chemistry is really hard. I suppose there was a glimmer of light through the F though because I'm getting back into academic shape mentally (lols).
Well that's about it I think.
Plus I really need to start my homework before rehearsal starts.
Always ready,
Surprise me God.
Jackie Winters
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