Sermon Dec. 21 (Ref. to Ethiopia)

I’d like you to take a moment and hear the words of introduction to our Gospel reading for today “Luke makes clear that God comes with good news for ordinary people (Mary) from little-known places (Nazareth). This king will not be born to royalty in a palace, but to common folk in a stall.” In the midst of a gospel including angels, a virgin birth, and prophecy, I think we tend to lose sight of the ordinary that is intermingled with the extraordinary. The entire story of Christ’s birth has miraculous elements—a savior coming to earth in the form of an infant, multiple encounters with angels…in our western, modern eyes, shepherds, riding on a donkey and a baby surrounded by animals has a bit of a mysterious, glowing, Disney like quality to, doesn’t it? But this Gospel, this extraordinary good news, is for ordinary people from ordinary places. For Christ coming as Emmanuel, God with us, places God among God’s people. Not above, in some far off kingdom, but not mystically below people either. If you will indulge me, the reason I emphasize the “ordinary” in this extraordinary story comes from a radical shift in the way I have come to view Jesus’ birth since our last trip to Ethiopia to bring home our son. Before the trip, I focused on the extraordinary. But in a small hut about 2 hours outside Addis Ababa, in the midst of shepherds and subsistent farmers, I encountered Emmanuel, God with us.

In order for newly adoptive parents to gain a better understanding of their child’s birth country, we take a day trip south, to see the countryside, the people, and the type of homes our birth children lived in before they came to care. Along the 3 hour bus trip, we passed literally thousands of round wooden, thatch roof huts covered with clay. Every week, the group of newly adoptive parents stop at one of these huts and are invited in by the family. We are able to take pictures, look at the crops, and experience, for a brief moment, what life is like for those living in rural Ethiopia where most of our children were born. I imagined how strange it was for this family. A bus full of mostly white, westerners pulls up to their home every week, gets out and starts taking pictures of their ordinary life. Though I’ve seen cows and goats before, I have half a dozen pictures of these animals. I know what a pot and pan look like, but I even photographed these items. The group of 20 who have descended upon this ordinary home are welcomed to touch the walls, take pictures and basically walk around the farm for about 20 minutes. The whole experience was wonderful, but a bit bizarre. What are the Ethiopians thinking? If someone came to my home and started touching my walls, I would think them a bit strange.

The homes are about the size of my HTLC office and house an entire family or extended family, perhaps 12-15 people? live in this hut. One section of the round hut has a kitchen area, another corner is a sleeping area, though there are no beds. A fire pit is in the center of the hut. But, on the other side of the home, the cattle and sheep lay in their stable--grazing, living, providing for the family just as animals did in Jesus’ day. This was a family of shepherds. The little boy held his lamb, and other sheep grazed on grass outside the hut. These were not decrepit conditions. The people took great pride in their homes, painting designs on the outside, and creating beautiful pots which doubled as art work for the walls. I didn’t feel pity, or despair for this family, and I’m not telling you this story to evoke pity or despair from you. I felt Emmanuel, and knew what it meant for GOD to be truly WITH US, among the shepherds in a small Ethiopian hut.

For the first time, I wondered, “what is it like to hear the story of Christ’s birth if you are born in a situation similar to his, when a manger isn’t a last resort, but commonplace?” How different this story is for me as I humbly consider that my son was born in conditions not to different from those we read about in the Gospel. Emmanuel…Today, at the end of 2008, almost half the world’s population lives on a dollar a day. TODAY, half the world’s population will hear (not READ, but HEAR) the story of a baby born in a manger, visited by shepherds, to a young, scared, newly married girl, and hear the ordinary. TODAY, the shepherds living in a small hut in Ethiopia have a deeper understanding of what it was like to live in Bethlehem in Jesus’ time than we ever could.

Consider then, the story of Jesus’ birth in Jesus’ time and place. Ordinary. Do we really believe Mary was the only pregnant woman riding in on a donkey to Bethlehem that night? How then, do we hear this story and marvel in the ordinary? How do we reside with Emmanuel? How do we reconcile that justice come out of such places, born among cattle, sheep and shepherds? A dark, seemingly hopeless place springs forth hope for the world? How do we respond to an Emmanuel who dwells among a proud people who love and value their children, yet can not raise them? God’s SON, sent to a world that can not hold Him? A world that will reject Him? Yet from the simple place where cattle graze, hope is born? Christ coming as a simple boy in a manger isn’t a sign of Him lowering Himself below us, to an awful, sad place, but rather being born as so many are and were born. How different the story is to those also born among grazing cattle.

That night, I went back to our guesthouse to sleep in my bed, but I couldn’t sleep, thinking of the huts, the hard ground and cattle as I lay in my bed. I touched, cried, and prayed with members of the family of God, knowing they would go to sleep on a dirt floor that night. Our tears were the same, our sadness the same, our GOD the same. But I slept in a bed, fully aware that Emmanuel slept on a similar dirt floor next to shepherds. Knowing that Emmanuel STILL lays down next to those who sleep on dirt floors. That Emmanuel hasn’t left the scared, pregnant teenager. That Emmanuel is WITH US. In the midst of the extraordinary, let us not overlook the ordinary, the Emmanuel who unites His people, the people who were scattered in the darkness, in the wilderness, but are now joined together as the body of Christ. His light will not burn out, but shines equally bright for all the deserving, the undeserving, of every tongue and creed, every tribe and land. Emmanuel IS justice, the only justice in a barren, beautiful, broken, holy, splintered, whole, unjust, just world. Emmanuel IS the ordinary, extraordinary light that shines among us in the darkness, in the wilderness, in the barren, hopeless and hope filled places of our lives. Out of the wilderness, we hear, “Prepare the way of the Lord.” Emmanuel is here. AMEN

Panda Nebulizer & Normalcy

Samuel got a new nebulizer this week. A nebulizer is a machine that dispenses a mist of medicine to protect the lungs. Well, our last nebulizer looked like a piece of medical equipment. Our new nebulizer looks like this:

It's a creepy panda. The kind that stares at you, even though it's plastic. I don't trust the thing, it looks like it could come to life. And attack you in your sleep. Like a gremlin, from Hardee's book 3 (1986, remember it? we had to remove that book from our home). Yeah, i have a gremlin panda in my house, and i'm afraid i may have gotten it wet...and the darn thing messed with my clocks, so now no one is safe.

(an apology for those who are not children of the 80s and don't know what gremlins are. And my apologies as well to those who think I've gone nuts and fear a plastic medical device....)

Things are going well on the home front. Last week Shahra and I had a "mommy party" and went shopping in Indy. I bought shoes, and we had lunch with friends. For the first time in over a month, I felt like things may one day feel normal again. We could just be mommy and daughter, shopping and eating lunch. Though it sounds small, it was such a hope fulled moment, because I really didn't know if things would feel normal again. It gave me hope.

Today, we had some more "normal" moments, and I appreciated them so much. (to back up for a moment) the first sign that something was wrong with Samuel involved speech, or the lack of it. As soon as we got home, I noticed that Samuel was making gutteral verbalizations and wasn't making any sounds from the front of his mouth. This is the opposite of normal speech development (thanks Prof T. and Linguistics 301). Babies should make sounds (like ma ma ma) using the front of their mouth first, then work their way to using other parts of their mouth to make sounds (like Geee, which he was doing).

Anyway, this was a sign of his problems. This week, we had a wonderful, happy, normal moment: Samuel started making "mama ma" "mba mba" and "ba ba" sounds, (using the front of his mouth). It feels SO good to hear him doing what he should.

We also had Dr. appointments today with the lung and stomach doctors--everything looks great. We'll follow up in 1-2 months. We've been told someday, in the not to distant future, this will all be over, and now I really believe it.

A word on grace and Christian love:

My congregation has shown all of us an amazing level of love and support during this time. For various reasons, I was really worried how people would be about Samuel's illness, my illness and the missed days of work. How would they REALLY react to the broken place we were in? Would they support us, or question my abilities?

The gestures of support, from meals, cards, gifts, and prayers have been humbling. I've talked before about the vulnerability and subsequent trust this experience has built for me, but here are some moments that showed me what grace really is:

When someone from the synod visits your child in the hospital and you're wearing monkey slippers and haven't showered in 2 days, humility hits you like a ton of bricks. When you're so sick you have to miss church (as the minister) and a couple drives 30 minutes to your messy, messy home with a meal 30 minutes after the service, you feel humility and love. There was no judgement about the mess, no anger about my inability to be at work, just concern for me and my family.

I asked the rhetorical question during my sermon: "some people may wonder where that light of hope has gone, because we don't see it, do we? My voice broke, and tears began to flow. You expect people will think you've lost it and can't do the job. After, I was greeted with 75 hugs and assurances "I'm praying for your family." I have experienced grace. It is in our most broken, uncontrolled, frightening times when we are finally forced to trust those around us, to allow them to do for us, and to experience the love they have to share.

I'll end for now. Thank you all for your love as we continue to return to "normal"

Tracy

Sermons

For those who like reading my sermons, here are my preachings from the last 3 weeks...thanks to Rebecca for more than a little inspiration on Christ the King Sunday. Updates about the kids are below this post. Enjoy.

ADVENT 2

Perhaps you’ve watched the TV show “Survivor Man” on the Discovery Channel. On the show, our fearless host Bear Grylls takes us on adventures to far off places all over the world. He shows us how we would survive if we were lost in the wilderness, with only a knife, a jacket and our wits. He’ll demonstrate how you can live on native berries, bugs and rodents, start fires and get out alive. This former British Special Forces agent will lead you, over glaciers in Iceland. You do have to suspend reality, as you ponder, why would I be lost and alone on a glacier? Another day, Bear treks through the Amazon rain forests, and takes you on an adventure in the Sahara desert, and. But, our inventive British friend does sometimes have good, practical advice for us. As he walks through 120 degree heat in the Sahara, he tells us about mirages. On the salt flats of the desert, heat radiates off the ground and will create an illusion that an oasis is to your left or your right. Bear explains “if you chase these mirages around the desert, you will never find water, and you will die. You need to keep your eyes straight ahead, to the mountains. That’s where you will find an oasis.

Maybe none of us will get lost in the Sahara and need advanced survival techniques to get us out alive. But, I think we all may have times in our lives when we are wandering through the wilderness. Times when it feels like we are weakened by the barrenness of our surroundings and need to hear the promise that we will find an oasis and not simply a mirage. Have you ever felt you were lost, running to your left and your right, only to find when you arrive, the answer you hoped for was only a mirage? The promises that you thought were real, are only illusions, your dreams evaporating into the hot desert sky? Even though you know you need to go straight ahead to find relief, you keep going off in any and every direction, getting more lost and thirsting for an answer and never finding an oasis? Hope can’t come from the wilderness, from a barren place where nothing survives….

To often we think only despair can come out of the wilderness. We think the parched, dry places of our world can never bear fruit. We buy into the lie that the wilderness of our own lives will never bring forth a living stream. Deserts don’t bear fruit. Our personal pain can never provide us with a drink of living water. Our Gospel tells us different. Mark 1:3 proclaims “prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight!” IN THE WILDERNESS, John the Baptist’s promise breaks through telling us Christ will give us relief. The people of Jesus’ time who were hearing this message were not that different from us. They never expected to find a living stream in the desert, a place full of mirages that leave us thirsting. However, out of this barren place comes the promise of a Savior. John the Baptist tells us to make straight the path—he guides us to the oasis. Keep moving forward, towards the mountains, and you will thirst no more. John proclaims “I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” IN THE WILDERNESS hope, that not only will our thirst be quenched, but our souls will be washed clean of all sin.

Last week, I reminded you how we are coming up on darkest days of the year, how the sun’s light is falling, how some people, in the midst of the joyous holiday season, may feel separated from the light. We remember that hope can come to us in dark places, This week, we hear John the Baptist’s promise, that the light is coming to us. We don’t have to chase mirages in the middle of the desert, but instead we can keep moving towards the mountains. The source of our light, our living water, our life is in Christ. There will still be difficult times, but the bread of life and the cup of salvation we receive every week at this table will quench our thirst. We aren’t LOOKING for an oasis, Jesus, our permanent oasis stays with us.

I’ll leave you with one final thought—people never expected a voice like John the Baptists to come out from the desert. A simple man, eating wild locus and honey prepared the world for the coming of Christ. When we, as God’s people, are in our desert places, feeling like we’re in an episode of Survivor Man, with little more than a jacket, a pocket knife and our wits to keep us alive, what messages can we proclaim? When we are in our desert places, knowing an oasis is not far away, what strength will we find the strength to share the good news of Christ’s coming? When we are in our desert places, knowing the light of the world surrounds us, comforts us, empowers us, what love will we share with others who are still chasing mirages? Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight the pathways of our God. Amen.



ADVENT 1

Perhaps you already know, but we are coming up on one of the darkest days of the year. December 21 is the winter solstice, a time in which we have the shortest amount of sunlight during the year. Today in Muncie, sunrise is at 7:42 am and sunset at 5:17. The people of Nome Alaska will notice the lack of sun a bit more than us, with sunrise at 11:18 am and sunset by 4:21 pm. It seems a little odd to be talking about dark days at the start of advent doesn’t it? We are awaiting the birth of Christ, the light of the world coming to our lives. As we hear in the Gospel reading for today, it tells us that before the Son of Man comes, “the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light.” Before Christ’s birth, God’s chosen people experienced darkness, despair and sadness as they waited for the Messiah to come. Today, as we prepare our hearts in this Advent season, we still experience darkness, sadness, and pain, don’t we? In a season when it appears everyone is happy, everyone is joyous as they prepare for Christmas, the days are getting shorter, and darker. And we know that darkness and sadness are still present in people’s lives. We look to our own congregation this week after experiencing the loss of R* and D*. It very well may feel like the sun has been darkened, and the moon is not giving forth its light. Some of us don’t need proof that the days are getting shorter, the nights longer. Others may be experiencing uncertainty due to the economy, wondering how dark it can get. For families who are in the midst of brokenness, or illness, this season of anticipation may just be a reminder that the world isn’t as it should be, things aren’t the way they used to be, and it may feel like a thief has come in the night.

So, perhaps this reading, with its reminder of darkness, of images of thieves coming in the night, really is appropriate as we prepare our hearts for Advent, for the coming of the Christ child. Now, no one knows for sure, but Jesus probably was not born on December 25 on a cold, snowy hillside in Bethlehem. But for various reasons, it was decided that Christians would celebrate the birth of Christ in the midst of winter, right after the winter solstice. During the coldest, darkest part of the year. We are constantly fighting darkness and trying to bring light into the world, aren’t we? The nights get longer, and we need to turn on more lights. Our hope dims, and we need a sign of hope. We read in our Gospel today that the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give out light. But this is not all that we hear. “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my WORD will not pass away.” God’s word will live on. When you look at the Greek translations for WORD, you find it has a variety of meanings, any of which you can place in this passage and find hope. Here are a few examples “my LIGHT will not pass away.” “my TRUTH will not pass away.” “CHRIST will not pass away.” So even as heaven and earth fade, even as it seems that darkness is winning out in our lives, we hold on, know that our HOPE, our WORD, our CHRIST will never pass away.

For some people, this may not be a dark time in their lives—you may not be experiencing the loss of a loved one, worries about the health of your family, job security or other woes. And for you, we light the advent wreath. For you, we light the first candle, to remember the prophets who first told of Christ’s coming. The light shines brightly for you, in the midst of winter, to remind you of the hope that we await in the birth of the Christ child in a manger. The light shines brightly as you await the birth of your savior.

For others, this IS a dark time. Many are mourning R* and D*’s deaths. Some are mourning the brokenness in their homes and families, which is only magnified at this time of year. Others are worried about what 2009 will bring. And for you, we light the advent wreath. For you, we light the first candle, to remember the prophets who first told of Christ’s coming. The light shines for you, in the midst of your darkest days as a sign of promise and hope. It is to remind you that heaven and earth will pass away, but God’s WORD, God’s light is with you always. We light this candle as we wait with anticipation. In times of light, and in times of darkness, we may find comfort, knowing that Christ is with us, and the love of God will never leave us.

CHRIST THE KING

“I’ve never heard of a king helping poor people. Whenever some news get published about poor people asking for help either from diseases, or children's conditions or others, they just turned a blind eye.” These are the words typed on a blog written by a young person who escaped from Burma. It seems there are a lot of times that our earthly kings let us down. Doesn’t it? There are countless stories from history, past and present, about kings slaughtering the masses, denying them food, justice, peace. I’m sure YOU have wondered if a “king” or leader was turning a blind eye and ignoring the pain in our world. This was certainly the case in Jesus’ time when Roman authorities reigned and those outside the royal circle were left to fend for themselves. And then, Jesus speaks these words: “I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these, you did it to me. Those who did not do it to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.” There will be punishment for those who do not follow Jesus’ command. But this isn’t a text telling us that the only way we get to heaven is by doing. Instead, it begs the question: What does it mean to have faith in Christ?

Is faith just an intellectual belief that something is true, or is faith something more than that? Does faith mean we sit idly by while God does his thing, or is faith actual participation in God’s Kingdom? Does faith mean that we ignore the things that were important to Christ, or that we take up our crosses as Christ commands? Do we live our lives for what we see, or do we live our lives in faith—faith that Christ has not only redeemed us from our sins, but that God actually wants us to be a part of His Kingdom? That we aren’t just observers in the Kingdom of God, sitting on the sidelines not playing, but that we are active participants in helping bring God’s kingdom to earth? And God has invited us and said, “YOU can help!”

If you go back and read Genesis, you’ll God did not create us to be slaves. We aren’t some accident. He created us to partake in “kingly” duties. Not only does God hand creation over to us to care for, but it says God created us “in his image,” and part of God’s image is the image of a King. Because a king, while yes, is a ruler, is also a servant. Luther described a Christian as being “Lord of all, servant to none; servant to all and Lord of none.” This is what Christ is saying: those who have faith in my kingdom will also be a part of bringing my kingdom about. And in my kingdom – we clothe the poor, feed the hungry, and work for justice.
Because the problem is, when we stop partaking in being a part of building God’s kingdom, we forget who our king is. We forget who we belong to. It’s for this very reason that Christ the King Sunday was instituted.

Christ the King Sunday is actually a fairly new “holy day” on the church calendar. It was started by the Pope in 1925. Now you have to realize what was going on in Italy in 1925. Mussolini became Prime Minister of Italy in 1922 and by 1925 had declared himself the “supreme leader” of Italy. During Mussolini’s reign, he committed unspeakable atrocities against his fellow human. The King of Italy turned a blind eye, however, because he was fearful of Mussolini and his party. Christ the King Sunday was an attempt on the part of the Pope (who lives in Rome) to make a statement—CHRIST is the supreme King of us. And they remembered that their King was not a tyrant—but a servant. Their king was a king who entered into the depths of hell rather than causing it. Their king was a king who invited them to partake in helping bring heaven to earth. Their king was a king who didn’t seek to escape the harsh realities of life. In fact, their king did the opposite – he entered into those harsh realities—even to the point of death. Their king was a king who didn’t turn a blind eye to the suffering and unpleasantness in life. A king who did not worry about what the rulers of this world were going to do to him. A king who did not seek to save his own life at the expense of others. In fact, he handed his life over in order to save others.
Now this passage naturally instills a certain amount of nervousness in most of us—because we begin wondering, have I done this?—am I going to be a sheep, or a goat? Have I done enough? While this judgment seems terrifying—let us also remember the nature of our judge and King… the one who rules with love. Instead of ruling from a distant Heavenly throne, he enters into the “hell” of being human. Not only does he enter into the sometimes hellish human experience, but look at the throne he rules from: a cross.

thus a passage like this is both a warning, and a promise. A warning that our king commands us to care for those in need. It is also a promise, that we have heard of a king who cares for the poor. The poor sheep and the poor goats.

I need Africa more than Africa needs me

This is the newest viral video about Africa that I have fallen in love with...very powerful. If the link doesn't work, go to Youtube and type in the title of this blog.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAB-zJPsJjs

1 week at home

Well, it has been a week since we left the hospital. if we make it another day, we will have set a new record for days at home and out of the hospital!!! Samuel continues to do really well, he is getting used to his G tube and is much happier without the NJ tube, the tape on his face and the tube in his nose. We are working with PT, OT, speech etc to keep Samuel on track. With weeks in the hospital, Samuel's ability to play and explore were very limited. At this point, Samuel is able to do most of the things he should, but is having trouble with tummy time and rolling over due to the tube in his stomach. However, even in this week, he is getting stronger, is able to sit up, and is almost able to be on all fours. We have a big appointment with the GI and Resp. Drs next Thursday, so we are hopeful these are uneventful appointments.I have gained so much empathy for folks who have children with an illness. I worked as a hospital chaplain and think I was pretty empathetic, but this life changing event has given me a new perspective on everything. How earth shattering a "minor medical crisis" can be. How everything you planned for, all the hopes you had for the coming months can be taken in a moment. But, the grace and love we have received from our forum family, from church family, friends and others has shown me I am not in control, I can't be in control, and I can rely on others--this was HARD!! I really like to plan and be in control, and I HAD to let go, because all control felt like it was taken from me.Thank you all for your continued prayers and support. This is NOT how we expected to spend our first two months home, and I long for "normal" times again. But, I'm trying to take all this in and appreciate the love we have found from those around us. Thanks again __________________

Samuel Is HOME!!!

Just a quick update for everyone that Samuel came home from the hospital today!!!! His surg. went well on Wed, and we are adjusting to his new feeding schedule with his feeding tube. If all goes well, Samuel will be able to have some time each day off the feeding pump. This will give him a chance to play, practice rolling and just be a kid without being hooked up to a machine. The doctors said Samuel will probably be on the feeding tube for 3-6 months. During that time, he will continue to receive care from a speech pathologist at home. Due to his condition, his voice box and muscles in his throat/mouth are a bit weaker than they should be. The speech path. assistant will help him to begin speaking and using his muscles. We'll also be seeing a heart/lung dr. to keep an eye on his lungs--the aspiration issues did impact his lungs some, so we'll have to give him breathing treatments for a while. A GI (stomach) dr will also follow him and monitor his progress and feedings. Samuel will still be at increased risk for lung/breathing issues, so we will continue to pray that he stays healthy and out of the hospital, free of breathing problems. Thank you all for all your prayers, calls, messages and gifts. We couldn't get through this time without all of your love. Bless you all!!
Tracy, Jeff, Shahra, & Samuel

Wednesday Update

Hello All Samuel came through surg. and has his G tube. He is doing ok and resting now. He did have some problems with Oxygen stats during the surg. They believe this was due to the anesthesia, but they will be watching him carefully over the next 24 hours to make sure his levels don't drop again. Right now, they are checking his meds and seeing what he will have over the next 24 hours, which will include extra breathing treatments and extra monitoring. They were also unable to secure an IV line, so they will start feeding him using his new G tube in the very near future. That's about all we know for now, looks like we'll be going home Friday if things go ok. Tracy, Jeff, Shahra and Samuel

Tuesday, November 20 something

Hello all-- Not to much to report today. Samuel had his swallow study today, and he didn't do so well. He wasn't able to swallow food that was "thin" or "honey thick" any foods he eats will have to be pudding thick. They aren't sure why he isn't able to swallow more foods at this point. To be sure there isn't anything major wrong, they are going to run a brain scan this evening. This will make sure there aren't any tumors, or developmental problems that we need to address. The RN I spoke to said they do this for everyone who gets a G tube and not to worry. They also did a EKG (heart scan) because his oxygen levels did drop a bit during yesterday's procedure. We'll know the results of both of these test tomorrow, though we aren't to worried about either. Samuel's surg. will be at 1 pm tomorrow, and should be a straight forward G tube placement. If everything goes ok, he'll be in the hospital a couple more days to be sure he has time to heal, etc. We're looking at going home on Friday??? or Saturday?? (no one has actually said these days, but based on what they say about recovery, that is my educated guess). My mom has been staying with Samuel and has learned the ins and outs of our children's hospital. She has even seen the various iron statues of nuns which occupy the halls of the hospital and found her way to the basement cafeteria (not an easy task). That's about all. We got good news that Samuel's friend from the care center "Little M" went home from the hospital today. Samuel and "Little M" had cribs next to each other at the care center in Ethiopia, and "Little M" was in a different hospital for a different problem all week. "Little M's" mom and I decided to take about the kid's black berry privileges for a while...we SWEAR they are conspiring together to worry us all to death :) In any case, "Little M's" homecoming was good news. OK, we'll update you all tomorrow!
Tracy, Jeff, Shahra and Samuel

Samuel to have 2nd Surg. Wednesday

Hello all-- Samuel had a procedure today in which 2 drs. used a scope to look at his lungs and stomach. It showed a normal stomach and digestive tract. The top muscle of the stomach closes pretty well (not perfect, but good enough, this means we can control the spitting up without having to stitch the top of the stomach shut). The lungs and airway show that Samuel does have tracheal malasha (spelling?? his airway is floppy, leading to loud sounds when he breathes and increased risk from aspiration). The airway also showed signs of aspiration, meaning liquid has been getting into the lungs. This was expected. The drs. decided to do the swallow study tomorrow to see how bad the aspiration is, but Samuel will have a G tube put in either way, so he'll have another surg. on Wednesday. For now, they don't think they need to stitch the top of his stomach shut, and they don't think they have to put a tube into the intestine (both of which would have made the procedure much more complicated). so, that's where things are. Samuel is looking at surg/procedure #2 for Wednesday and will be in the hospital until AT LEAST Friday. No much more to say than that. Samuel is in good spirits, though he has an IV in the hand he usually sucks on, so that makes him a bit unhappy. Thanks again for all the prayers, and a HUGE shout out to Erin and Ryan who came and sat with my mom while they did the procedure today and brought lunch and dinner. They ROCK!!! (Jeff and I had to work, so we weren't there until the late afternoon) Thanks again to everyone.
Tracy, Jeff, Shahra and Samuel.

Sunday, Nov. 20 something

Here is the latest:

Samuel IS NOT spitting up! Very good news.

The next step: the Drs. will be doing a scope tomorrow which will look at Samuel's Stomach and lungs. This will see if there are any problems that would indicate he would continue to have feeding problems that would stretch into the next few months. if the scope shows that there are problems, the Drs. will put in the G tube right away. If the doctors don't see any problems, they will not put in the G tube, but instead do a swallow study on Tuesday. The Swallow study will tell them if Samuel still aspirates (swallows fluid into his lungs). If he aspirates, he will have another procedure on Wed. to put the G tube then. If he doesn't aspirate, they will try to keep Samuel on the NG tube (a tube that goes from his nose to stomach rather than all the way to his intestines). The reason this is better than the NJ tube (going to his intestines) is we can replace the NG tube if it falls out. So, to review, below are the possible outcomes we are looking at:

1) Samuel has a scope which shows he will have swallow problems for a few months to come. G tube goes in
2) Samuel has a scope which shows no immediate swallow problems. He gets a swallow study Tuesday.

Tuesday's swallow study:

1) Samuel still aspirates and needs a G tube, which requires another procedure.
2) Samuel doesn't aspirate, and he gets a NG tube, which we can replace at home if it comes out.


So, there are many possible outcomes, each with benefits, drawbacks and risks. I guess we're just praying that this all becomes clear soon.

Thanks
Tracy

The day after November 20 something

Hello all--
We have an update and some specific prayer requests. Samuel was on an NJ tube (tube from his nose to intestine). At this point, the Drs, have pulled this tube back to his stomach, (so it is now an NG tube). The reason they pulled the tube back to the stomach is to see if he can take food in his stomach without spitting up. IF he is able to keep food in his stomach without spitting up, the Drs will be able to do a much LESS invasive surg. to assist him. If he CAN'T, the surg. will be much more extensive. The next 24 hours will tell us alot, and if this goes well, Samuel could have surg. as early as Monday. The surg. will be the insertion of a G tube. This is a "simple" procedure with 2 drs doing a scope to make sure Samuel's organs look good and inserting a tube into his stomach which will be used feed him. Only a small amount of tube will be out of his stomach and no tube will be in his nose any more. If Samuel spits up, he will need the top of his stomach stiched shut for a while OR the tube will have to be snaked down to the small intestine. These are rather extensive procedures, that have bigger risk for complications, require bigger cuts, more recovery etc. We will keep you updated. I (as ministers often do :) have to work all day tomorrow, so I won't be at the hospital at all. Jeff is with Samuel all night and tomorrow. My mom made it safe today and will also be with Samuel and Shahra. We are doing as well as we can, and my mom's arrival is a much needed addition. Thanks to all! Tracy, Jeff, Shahra and Samuel

November 20 something

Hello all Samuel was admitted to the hospital last night. He pulled out his NJ tube on Sat. afternoon, which we had replaced at the ER. Then, Tuesday night he did it again. The Dr. suggested we try to feed him normally, but he is not getting enough liquid and is dehydrated, so we had to take him to the hospital. The Dr. replaced the NJ tube AGAIN for now to rehydrate him, but it appears this tube is not our answer. We will probably be facing surg, to place a tube in his stomach or intestines (directly into his stomach, rather than through the nose). We should know some more this afternoon, My mom is coming to stay with us and help out, so this is a huge relief. I have also had the flu and had been unable to work from Sunday until today, so life is pretty chaotic right now. We so appreciate your prayers,cards, emails, etc. even if we can't get back to you right away. Keep us in prayer.

Samuel Update (ER visit)

Samuel pulled his NJ tube out today, which meant we made a trip down to St. V's to have the tube replaced (we were there for 6 hours). At this point, the Drs want to continue using the NJ tube, which goes through his nose and into his intestines. If this happens again, we MAY have to consider a feeding tube that goes directly into his stomach. This would be a surgical procedure, so we're praying we can avoid this if at all possible. We appreciate your prayers, that Samuel won't have to endure any more procedures. The "good news" is that we found out a hospital closer to home "might" be able to put the tube back in if it falls out again. This would save us a 40 min drive one way, but, the closer hospital doesn't have a peds ER like St. V's....

That's all the info we have for now, thanks for all your support and love.

Pictures

Here are a few pics of Samuel and ET, will write about the trip when i can complete sentences.


An Ethiopian Hut, similar to Samuel's birth home.













Samuel lifting weights!!! Sing with me: "It's the Eye of the Tiger...."

Why do adults insist on putting hats on kids??

Tummy time

For those who have traveled: the church near the old care center. they have been remodeling it for at least 3 years and many of us have watched the progress via photos of fellow travelers. It's done!

The new guest house.

How the Dutch adorne their airport (note the "Say cheese" logo on the GIANT cheese wheel behind the painted cow)

Tracy in the MPS airport (so, we flew from Indy to MPS to Amsterdam. there were NO direct flights from MPS the last time we did this...so the second time we travel, we fly BACK to the place we lived in 2005...irony)

A Happy Post

Ok, I think we all may need some happy kid pictures, and some happy updates on the blog!!! I declair this post free and void of all things medical!!!

Halloween: Samuel was a Lion, Shahra, a self declaired "Mermaid Princess"

Funny Shahra story: Now that Obama has been elected, Shahra is seeing alot more of him and his family on TV. She says "Sasha" SO cute!! (ok, it's a stretch, but it's the best

I have right now :)

Funny Samuel story: Samuel's new favorite toy is a little stuff "webkin" (think beany baby for the 21st century) It's a cross between a lion, tiger and sea otter...odd looking little creature. We call it his "liger" (think Napoleon Dynamite) He grabs it, snuggles it to his face, sucks his thumb and falls asleep. FOR CUTE!!!

Tracy Story: My office has a "fall theme"--as some of you know, I LOVE fall, and the best part is it lasts more than a week in Indy! I have leaves, fall candles and other nature themed decorations. It smells like pumpkin candles and apples. This is a pic I took while on a trip with coworkers last fall in Brown County (for those who don't know, Hoosiers HAVE to make a yearly pilgrimage to Brown County to look at leaves and buy jam made in Indiana...ya know, it's kinda like MN folks goin' to "da lake" in the "da summer" :)

Jeff Story: Jeff couldn't come up with a good funny Jeff story, but he is teaching his students to question authority with a new project. The students work in groups and write an email asking univ. officials about a problem or issue on campus. Last time several deans etc came to speak to the class during a night forum. It's very cool, by the end of the semester, he'll have them singing "I fight authority, but authority always wins" :)

That's all for now, hope you enjoyed the pics and posts. Thanks for all your prayers, food, texts, calls, emails, facebook posts and all you have given the family in the past week.

Tracy

Samuel Update

I wanted to update everyone about Samuel. He's been at the Hospital (the one I used to work at) in Indy all week. We got home today, here are the details:

Dear Friends, Family, and Loved Ones, Tracy has updated you earlier about Samuel's entrance in the hospital. We have so many of you to contact that we thought it best to send out this group email. If you have questions, feel free to email us. Just know our access to email is limited, so we may not be able to get back to you immediately. For the couple of weeks, we've been working with Samuel regarding a couple conditions. First, it appears that he has tracheomalacia. Basically, this means his trachea is softer than usual and constricts when he breaths, making it a bit more difficult for him to take in air. The other condition is that he aspirates slightly when he eats. This means that he has a some difficulty cutting off his trachea when he eats and a small amount of fluid enters his breathing airway. Both of these conditions, which can be related to his low birthweight, They are manageable and children generally grow out of them. Samuel will probably do likewise. Unfortunately, the combination of these conditions has caused him problems. Since he aspirates when he breathes, he pulls fluid into his trachea that irratates it. This is exacerbated by the fact that he already has a trachea that restricts when he breathes. The irratation got bad enough that he started to have coughing fits, which irritated his trachea even more. All this is exacerbated further by the fact that he spits up a lot, which means that after he eats, he could be irratating everything even more when he refluxes. Otherwise, he is a strong, healthy little boy who is right on track with his physical and mental development. He has good lungs, so he is managing to pull in a safe level of oxygen on his own and doesn't need a breathing tube or oxygen. But he has to work a lot harder to breathe and his feeding problems make it worse. In all, he has an inflamed trachea that needs to heal if he is going to breathe more easily. So we have decided to have him treated with an NJ tube. This is a feeding tube that runs from his nose, down his esophagus, through his stomach, to his small intestine. Since it enters through his nose, there is no need for surgery. The NJ tube will allow us to feed him without his needing to swallow. This in turn will eliminate for the time being any aspiration that occurs from swallowing. Since it goes down to his small intestine, it should also eliminate or greatly reduce spit up, so that his reflux will also no longer irritate his trachea. All this is intended to give his trachea a rest and allow it to heal. Hopefully--and with the aid of good doctors, God's help, and your prayers--we'll be able to remove the NJ tube in a few weeks and find a regular feeding regime that will prevent the aspiration. So many of you have sent us words of encouragement. We appreciate it. Continue to remember us in your thoughts and prayers as we manage this difficult but surmountable challenge with Samuel's health.


My post about the hospitalization:

TheDrs decided to place a feeding tube through his nose in order to helpwith healing his airways. He has had so much trouble with spitting,trying to swallow and aspiration, so the drs decided it would be bestto give him body a break, make sure he gets calories etc. I'm a bithesitant about this whole thing--I've to often seen NJ tubes be thestart of other issues and I'm always for "comfort" rather than"aggressive medical care"...I'm hoping this is indeed what needed tobe done.It's VERY frustrating to be on the "other side" as a pt advocate.Even being someplace I trust, it feels like I'm the last to know andreally don't have a clear idea of the plan, etc. After some"aggressive mommy communication" with the Dr today, I feel I have abetter sense of our goals etc. I feel much more sympathy for pts andtheir families--very helping learnings. We'll see how things go.
I appreciate all your prayers, text msg, and calls. I'm sorry I can'tget back to all of you who did call, but it's still appreciated. I'msending these updates as a way to keep you all informed.Very tired--

Going to Ethiopia

Hi all!

Tracy and I leave for Ethiopia tomorrow and will arrive in Addis Ababa on Thursday. We are excited, impatient, a bit stressed, and waiting in anticipation to hold our son. We'll be unable to get more than a brief email or two out once we're there, so I wanted to send this message before our departure.

Thank you for all your questions, support, and prayers, during our wait. Please continue those prayers during our time in Ethiopia.

Tracy and I each send our love to our mother and father, and to our mother-in-law and father-in-law. To my sisters and to Tracy's expansive family living throughout the United States as well. And to our friends, where they may be.

Sometime after the 10th, await our next post, including pictures - Samuel and Shahra, Mom and Dad, united as a family.

Sermon Sept 28

Well, from what I hear, it’s that time of year again. The air is about to get crisper, the sun is going down earlier, the birds are beginning to fly south. Everywhere, eager students have settled into their desks and teachers have prepared for what has become a yearly right of passage…the start of school? NO, not the start of school, I’m talking about something that makes students groan more than the ring of the bell on the first day. Something that causes teachers more stress than a class full of crying kindergarteners. I’m talking about ISTEP. Yes, every September, our 3-8th graders and 10th graders settle into their desks, grab their #2 pencils and demonstrate their knowledge. Now, I’m not getting into the politics of the test—whether this is the best way to find out where students stand on science, math, English and other skills. But, I think we can all agree that these tests make for a long week at our local schools, am I right? I know I never liked taking tests myself. From elementary school (we had the Iowa Basics) to grad school Greek & Hebrew exams, I would study, and worry, and do many of the things our ISTEP students are doing. The problem was, I just didn’t have the answer key! Right? Does anyone else out there feel they would have done a lot better on tests if they just had the answer key? Many students think they’re done with tests once they finish school…but sadly, I’m here to tell you the testing continues. Our lives are FILLED with tests, and some are even longer and more challenging than the ISTEP.
In our first reading today, we see Moses has been put to the test. Actually, the entire people of God are being tested. In chapters before Exodus 17, the people of Israel have been rescued from slavery, they sang a song of praise to God, they’ve receive manna from heaven to nourish their bodies…and now they need water. How quickly they forget how God provided for them in the past as they accuse Moses of taking them into the desert to die, and Moses is afraid he’s going to be stoned! But, it’s a STONE that provides for Moses, and water sprang forth, and God provided for His people. A rock, a firm foundation, will provide for those who thirst in the desert. God could have simply told the people of Israel that He would provide, but they would not believe. It is a test of faith.
In the Gospel, Jesus is being tested and questioned by the elders of the church. They ask “by what authority are you doing these things?” But Jesus, He KNOWS this is a difficult test, because there is no right answer. The elders are putting Jesus in a no win situation—if he answers “from God” it would be considered blasphemous, and they would not believe. He can’t say “from man” because it would not be true. So Jesus puts the leaders to the test, and asks about the baptism of John…did it come from heaven, or from men? Jesus is asking them “what is the source of the healing waters?” What ROCK will provide for those who thirst in this desert?
The doubts of Israel & of the elders aren’t examples of God testing His people…we’re testing ourselves, aren’t we? Israel and the elders run into problems with the test because of doubt and fear—real human emotions that keep us from believing God is with us. God isn’t the one placing road blocks for His people in the desert, God doesn’t cause doubt in the hearts of the elders. It’s the pain of living in our broken, sin-filled world that causes us to lose our way. But, these passages are a gift…when you read them, you receive your ANSWER KEY for the test. Do you know what they answer key says? That God will give us water. That we receive forgiveness and renewal from a Rock that is not from this world, but from another. The Bible is FILLED with examples of people being tested due to their own doubts, due to the brokenness of this world. No one is spared—we know Jesus receives the ultimate test, as he suffers and dies for our sins on the cross. All of our failures are removed, we are made whole through this sacrifice.
So, now we have to ask, now that we have the answer key, what do we do with it? Because we know that each of us will continue to be tested by our own doubts, and by the doubts of others. We need to cling to the rock—Jesus. We all know that this answer key has sustained us, and provided for us in the past, but we see others who are in need of the rock—we need to share our rock with others.
HTLC held its first confirmation class of the year last Sunday. The youth were asked to think about their personal beliefs, who supports them as they come to understand what they believe, and how they will use the gifts God has given each of them to spread the message of hope and love to others. This isn’t just a challenge for our young people, it is a challenge for all of us. We know from the depths of our hearts that we have the answer, that we have an eternal hope in God, who will sustain us through any test. What are we going to do with it? Knowing God will never fail us, does this change our individual, day to day activities? Knowing we are a community of believers, does this change how we spread the Gospel, and show the world God’s love? Because no matter what we do, there are going to be more tests in our personal lives, in our families and in our life as a community. No matter how we answer that question, we can have the assurance that our Rock, the one who holds the answers to all of our fears and worries, is with us. No test, no trial and no sin can separate us from the love of God because Jesus’ death and resurrection has provided us with THE ANSWER. We have passed the test.

Introducing Baby Samuel!!!

After 18 months of planning, we are happy to introduce

Samuel Peter Sitota Johannes!!

Born: May 26, 2008

Birth Place: Mudula, Ethiopia.

Earliest weight & height: 5.5 lbs 19 inches

Lastest weight & height: 9.5 lbs 22 inches

(you can also call him SPSJ, as a former coworker calls him :)

We travel Oct. 1-10th to Ethiopia. Shahra will be with mum-mum and gimpa in MN. These are the only pics we have of Samuel, but we wanted to share with you all! I PROMISE lots of ET pics when we get back.

Shahra's Birthday

Shahra turned 3 on Sept 11. Wow. Here are some b-day pics.

(The pic above with the 2 cuties is from our MN trip. Shahra got to see her good friend Ella (Shahra is on the left...they look alike, don't they??)

Summer 2008

It's been quite a while since I've updated the blog. We've been pretty busy this summer, with travel, planning for Samuel and changing jobs. So, this will mostly be an update with pictures (since, I know most of you check this blog for pics of Shahra anyway :) But, here are a few updates about the summer:

Travels: Shahra and Tracy went to Maine in late July for cousin Marie's wedding where Shahra was the flower girl. She had a wonderful time and did well traveling. We spent a week in MN visiting family and friends in Aug.

Work: Tracy completed her year long contract at hospice on Aug. 15. I so enjoyed my time and have made some very good friends with some of the hospice staff. It was so incredibly difficult to leave, but after working in Indy and Muncie for 8 months, it was time. My work with hospice was the most fulfilling and rewarding experience I have had--we'll have to see where this passion leads to in the future. The summer also gave me a chance to explore the impact of medical ethics and patient rights in the healthcare industry. This knowledge has certainly enhanced my ministry already and I look forward to seeing how it impacts me in the future.

New Job: Tracy started full time at HTLC and is getting settled in. I'm sharing ministry duties with the senior pastor and doing a lot of work on the education programs at the church. We are also working to have a more sophisticated web presence and share our ministries with the community.

Jeff's Job: Jeff is back teaching at Ball State this fall and is enjoying his freshman. It's always amazing to watch new students every fall--we get older and they're still 18!!!

That's a very short list of our summer activities. Now, for the pics.

Sermon Sept. 14

How many of you have heard of the word “apologia”? Perhaps some who studied Latin, or a few of our friends in the rhetoric department may be familiar with it. Apologia, according to Merriam Webster, is “a defense, especially of one’s opinions, positions, or actions.” In some ways, it’s an apology, or at least an explanation for one’s actions. Businesses use apologia all the time, and are often criticized for not being sincere. You can get a MA in rhetoric and focus on apologia. These scholars analyze the effectiveness of a company’s apology to determine how it will be received by the public. Learning about the correct and effective ways to offer an apology is not limited to academics. Music, books, and movies show the reconciliation that occurs when someone offers a sincere apology, and, what the consequences are if one is not offered. So, you can get a MA focusing on the art of apology, you can turn your radio on and hear dozens of songs addressing the topic, you can read books to learn how to offer a solid apology. This is because apologies are important. Learning how to humble one’s self before a brother or sister and say “I was wrong, I’m sorry” is challenging, but necessary to maintaining and growing relationships.
But what about the recipient of the apology? I don’t know of any MA programs that focus on the science of forgiveness. There aren’t a whole lot of pop songs that say “I’m so glad I’ve forgiven someone.” We don’t focus much on giving forgiveness, do we? But Jesus commands us to look at things differently. The Gospel for today doesn’t focus on the importance of offering an apology, but instead on the importance of forgiving over and over again. In Matthew 18:21, Peter asks Jesus “how many times should I forgive someone who wrongs me? Up to seven times?” You all remember Peter, don’t you? Peter is the Rock on which Jesus will build His church, but will eventually deny Jesus. Peter, who declares Jesus is the Messiah, only to be told “get behind me Satan, you’re a stumbling block?” Well, in this reading, Peter is once again trying to show Jesus how loyal he is. He thought he was being generous with this whole idea of forgiveness. In Jewish tradition, it were not required to forgive. When Peter suggests forgiving someone seven times, he thinks he’s being generous. Peter was coming from a tradition that placed the burden on the one who did wrong—sounds a little like our modern world, doesn’t it? You are to seek out the mercy and forgiveness of anyone whom you have wronged. No one was obligated to offer forgiveness unless they were asked to do so.
Jesus offers a new, radical answer to this question. “not seven times,” “but seventy seven” or, in some translations “seventy times seven.” He commands that our forgiveness never ceases. Instead of focusing on apologia, or the ways in which or neighbor comes to us, we are to focus on offering forgiveness. It intimates that we should make it our constant practice to forgive injuries, and should accustom ourselves to it till it becomes habitual.
But this lesson tells us something else—that we can never pay our debt of sin to God. Like the servant in the parable, our debt is so great it will surely envelop us. Instead of holding us to this great debt, God offers us forgiveness, over and over again. Therefore, if God is willing to forgive a lifetime of sin, we to should forgive our neighbors. Let’s be clear—Jesus isn’t suggesting that our pain doesn’t matter, or that we should forgive and stay in hurtful situations. Abuse, neglect, mistrust can all damage us in deep ways. Jesus isn’t saying that forgiveness means we should stand passively by and allow others to victimize us. Instead, God commands us to forgive so we can fully be free of the pain and the burden that we feel when we hold on to hurt and anger. He is setting the oppressor and the oppressed free through this command.
The repeated, selfless forgiveness Jesus speaks of can often impact those beyond those directly involved. You probably remember the 2006 shooting at an Amish school which took the lives of five girls. But from this tragedy comes one of the most striking examples of forgiveness I have ever heard. On the day of the shooting, a grandfather of one of the murdered Amish girls was heard warning some young relatives not to hate the killer, saying, "We must not think evil of this man."[17] Another Amish father noted, "He had a mother and a wife and a soul and now he's standing before a just God."[18]
A Roberts family spokesman said an Amish neighbor comforted the Roberts family hours after the shooting and extended forgiveness to them.[19] Amish community members visited and comforted Roberts' widow, parents, and parents-in-law. One Amish man held Roberts' sobbing father in his arms, reportedly for as long as an hour, to comfort him.[20] The Amish have also set up a charitable fund for the family of the shooter.[21] About 30 members of the Amish community attended Roberts' funeral,[20] and Marie Roberts, the widow of the killer, was one of the few outsiders invited to the funeral of one of the victims.[22] Marie Roberts wrote an open letter to her Amish neighbors thanking them for their forgiveness, grace, and mercy. She wrote, "Your love for our family has helped to provide the healing we so desperately need. Gifts you've given have touched our hearts in a way no words can describe. Your compassion has reached beyond our family, beyond our community, and is changing our world, and for this we sincerely thank you."[22]
As forgiveness is offered and accepted, healing can begin. May the spirit of forgiveness be in your hearts on this day, and may the power of Jesus’ forgiving word carry you through your darkest hours. Amen.

Sermon August 31

“Take up your cross and follow me.” I’d like to introduce you to Keith Wheeler, who on Good Friday in 1985 heard God’s voice calling to him. He took a 12 foot cross, and began walking, through the streets of his hometown of Tusla OK. God’s voice beckoned him “keep walking.” And he kept walking, through the US, then he went to Europe, and he carried his cross through the former eastern bloc, before the fall of Communism, when Christianity was outlawed. But God’s voice continued to beckon “keep walking.” He kept walking, through Africa, to Bosnia and Rwanda. Through the Middle East, Iran, Iraq, to the little town of Bethlehem--carrying the cross through the town during the standoff at the church of the Nativity. “Keep walking” God called. He traveled to Tibet, even China, in all Keith has walked 18,500 miles through 180 countries. Along the journey, he’s been arrested, beaten and left for dead alongside the road. “keep walking” And Keith is not alone.
In Sydney Australia this summer, pilgrims carried a 12 foot cross in procession as Pope Benedict arrived in the country for a visit. Every year in the Philippines, faithful Christians take up crosses and go through the streets to remember the crucifixion of Christ. “Keep walking, take up your cross, and follow me.”
But, carrying a 12 foot cross over thousands of miles isn’t for everyone, and I don’t think Christ is asking each of His disciples to carry a physical cross. Many of us aren’t able to do that, are we? Not because our physical strength limits us, not because family of job commitments keep us here, instead of carrying a cross around the world. No, my friends, some of us cannot carry a 12 foot tall wooden cross on our backs because we are carrying a much heavier, but invisible weight. A weight no one can see, a weight of burden, and doubt, of worry, and sin. But we are encouraged, and hear the whisper “keep walking.” Does anyone else out there have this weight on their backs? And we know this weight is heavy, and carrying day after day is hard, and we know that it hurts. We want to cry out “Lord, I can’t keep walking!” What weight is on your back today, that stays with you as you walk your 18,500 miles? What is the weight that has beaten you down, left you for dead, alongside the road? “Keep walking”
In our Gospel reading today, the disciples learn of the heavy burden Jesus will carry, and, in turn, the burden they too will carry as a result of following Him. Just before today’s Gospel reading, in Matthew 16:13-20, Simon Peter declares to Jesus, “I believe!!! You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jews had been waiting for the Messiah since the days of Abraham…the Messiah was to come, as a king, and care for the people of Israel. The Jews had been carrying their own heavy burden for centuries—oppression, slavery, forced to be a wandering people, without a homeland. This earthly burden was to be lifted when the Messiah came. The centuries of burden was to be lifted from them, finally, they, the chosen people of God, were to have peace!! And just as Peter reveals who Jesus truly is, the promise they had been waiting for centuries, Jesus tells Peter “keep walking.” Peter hears “the Son of Man would suffer at the hands of the leaders and the leading priests and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, and he would be raised on the third day.” AND, the chosen people of God, who were expecting to have their heavy weight taken from them are told: “you must take up your cross.” Is there no relief from the suffering? God’s people are to trade centuries of oppression, slavery, and pain for a cross?? God calls to us “keep walking.” Peter doesn’t hear the good news, when Jesus tells him that the Son of Man will be persecuted, and that all followers will take up a cross and follow Jesus. Jesus doesn’t tell Peter “the race is finished.” Instead, Jesus tells Peter “Keep walking, and I WILL WALK WITH YOU.” Jesus knows the world won’t accept Him, He knows that sin, and pain, and oppression will still exist. But, our LIVING GOD chooses to walk with the disciples, to walk with us.
Jesus does not promise that the Christian life will be one free of pain, of doubt, of sin. But, when we feel broken down, left for dead alongside the road, we can have a promise and a hope, as the voice beckons us “keep walking, I will walk with you.” As death closes in, we sit in the silence and allow the darkness to envelop us. Surviving this time is possible because we can always see the ray of light and hope in Christ—we know Easter is coming. It is impossible to have the resurrection without the cross; it is impossible to truly live if we are unwilling to look at death. God wails with His people. God cries out with and for them. But God goes farther than we ever could. God takes on each person’s grief as HIS own. For Christ faced His own death and now faces death with each of us. Christ is a savior who submits Himself to the pain of the world, a savior who also lays down alongside the road, next to us, left for dead. But we know death does not overpower Him. We know that HIS death, and HIS suffering will raise us up, that the weight on our backs will be released, as we trade our sin and the ways of the world for the cross. A cross that WE NEVER CARRY ALONE. “Keep walking, I’ll walk with you.”

Aug 3 Sermon

This morning, I’d like to share with you the story of Alex Scott. Alex was born in 1996 and suffered from cancer throughout most of her young life. In 2000, when she was 4 years old, Alex told her parents she wanted to have a lemonade stand in the front yard. Soon after this announcement, her parents learned what she wanted to do with this lemonade stand. She told them that she was going to help her doctors. The 4 year old wanted to raise money and give it to her hospital so her doctors could find a cure for other kids with cancer. With the help of her brother Patrick, Alex opened “"Alex's Lemonade Stand for Childhood Cancer" on their front lawn in July of 2000. A little girl with cancer with a few lemons and some sugar.

For the next four years, despite her deteriorating health, Alex held an annual lemonade stand to raise money for childhood cancer research. But it didn’t stop in Alex’s front yard. The little girl made national and international news, inspiring others to open up “Alex’s Lemonade Stands” around the country. By 2002, Alex had gained international attention and stands were opened in all 50 states, France and Canada. Churches, schools, and businesses began to participate as the media attention grew, and Alex’s family announced they wanted to set a seemingly unachievable goal for a little lemonade stand—to raise 1 million dollars for pediatric cancer research. This little girl didn’t tell her story or open lemonade stands because she wanted to be cured of cancer. She told her story, using a few lemons and some sugar to because ALL children should be free from cancer. These cups of lemonade would nourish people in ways Alex could not imagine.

In our gospel reading for today, we see another simple human being with a message and a goal. To feed some strangers with five loaves and two fishes. This wounded healer was having deep, searing pain of his own when the crowds gathered around him. Earlier in Matthew 14, we read that Jesus’ dear friend, John the Baptist, had been beheaded in a gruesome spectacle to appease Herod’s daughter. One of Jesus’ dearest friends was gone, the one who declared “prepare the way of the Lord!” All Jesus wanted to do was be alone, so he withdrew. He went out on a boat, to a “lonely place” to grieve the loss of his dear friend. Empty, tired, broken by the death of John the Baptist. But the crowds came…there were sick who needed healing, thirsty who needed drink, hungry who needed food, strangers who needed to be welcomed in. The disciples tried to protect Jesus, telling Him they would send the crowds away. Jesus had a message to share. A savior, with a few loaves and some fishes. Jesus fed the crowds, not because 5,000 people needed to be fed, but because THE WHOLE WORLD needed to be fed. Because friends, Jesus knew that those loaves and fishes would nourish people in ways they could not imagine. That bread would only fill the stomachs of those people for a few hours, but their hearts would be on fire. Jesus, in his weakened, saddened and broken HUMAN state fed the 5,000 so they could feed others. Jesus gave a slice of bread not to fill the stomach of one hungry follower, but to tell the WORLD others needed food. Alex gave a cold cup of lemonade not to quench the thirst of one person, but to tell the world that others were thirsty.

The weak—a simple man, mourning the death of His dear friend, and a child, stricken with incurable cancer reached out their hands to give us a taste of bread, and a cup of lemonade. Why? Because WE are hungry, WE are thirsty. Aren’t we? WE are a part the world, a world that needs to be fed. Because, once WE are fed, WE can FEED OTHERS. Once realize the power that can come from a few loaves and fishes, or a few lemons and some sugar, WE can take the bread of life, the cup of salvation and share it with others. The food isn’t just for us, Matthew 14:20 says “once the crowds ate and were satisfied, they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over.”

So, this begs the question: how are we to use the fishes that feeds our souls? What are we to do with the broken pieces of bread in our lives? How do we hand out nourishment to others, when we are weak, when we’ve just lost a loved one, when we’ve been given a diagnosis, when our lives are falling apart? Each of us will have to answer that question in our own hearts, but I can tell you this—that bread and those fishes aren’t reserved for people who lived 2000 years ago. That bread is at THIS table, and we are all welcomed to take and eat, to take and drink. To receive the nourishment that sustains us, nourishment from our broken, yet risen Lord. That nourishment lives on in those around us, when we hear the stories of people like Alex, when we are given a cold cup of lemonade by a child.

On August 1st, 2004, Alex died peacefully at the age of 8, but her story and legacy live on. To date, the foundation has raised 20 MILLION dollars for pediatric cancer research. As Christians, we are not given a promise that suffering or death will pass over us. We are given the promise that EVEN IN THE MIDST of suffering and death, the peace and love of Christ will live IN US, that we will be fed, and that we are always welcome at the table. Amen.

Mexico in May

Hi All,

As you might know, we all travelled to Cancun, Mexico, in May. We had a relaxing time, as you can expect, eating good food, swimming, reading by the ocean shore, and doing some shopping.

We noticed that, except for the pesos, the Spanish, and the Mexican souvenirs, one could confuse Cancun for any US coastal city. Much of Cancun is designed make tourists comfortable, including making sure they have access to McDonalds, Starbucks, and designer stores. We vacationed in Puetro Vallarta a vew years ago, and although Puerto Vallarta certainly had its share of U.S. comforts, it was also easier to "get away." In Puetro Vallarta, we were within walking distance from a little Mexican village and as many Mexican citizens vacationed at the resort we stayed at as did folks from the U.S. and Canada.

Even still, it was a fun, relaxing vacation, and we'd be happy to have the opportunity to do it again. Shahra loved the pool and spent as much of her days as she could in it. To get her to leave the pool, we had to ply her with 7-Ups and the promise of "Cinderella" or "Mermaid" cheeseburgers. (Not sure what she was looking for here, but we found that if we called the food "Cinderella" this or "Mermaid" that, she was more likely to eat it.)

Below are some pictures from our vacation. Hope you've all had a fun summer so far!