Celebration Week - Friday

Terry and I were working on a time-line for Teri last night (You all will love the powerpoint she has put together) – Looking back at all the various happenings in the past 12 ½ years was certainly a revealer of all our Father has done in this time.  We have had a wonderful past and a glorious future awaits us!!!!

Tomorrow and Sunday are going to be one of those events in the history of our church family

The words “day of preparation” have been in my mind these past 24 hours – so I did a search and saw that it was mentioned in each gospel as the day Jesus was crucified –.  I have been seeing this week as a preparation time. 

It was also time to ready themselves for the Sabbath –to honor and give glory to God.  The Israelites had their special yearly festivals and every now and then had a Jubilee!!!   

Josh7 – They were told to consecrate themselves in preparation for tomorrow ( a special event that God was going to perform)

Let’s think of today as a day of preparation – let’s ask for those wonderful memories of all HE’s done in our lives – let’s reconcile relationships and ask for HIS love to flow through us.  Let’s spend time in prayer.

.  I think one of your greatest joys this weekend will be watching the kids play on our property.  It was for me on Sunday as we worked another clean-up day –watching  the Jenkins and Rays kids playing and helping all afternoon in HIS beautiful park –

 I’m including a picture of last night’s Kids’ Univ. beginning their garden – they had a blast in this park!!! 

My mind has gone back to several verses this week that guided and sustained us during this 12 year journey . . .

Deut 7:7  The LORD did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. (THAT SOUNDS LIKE US)

8  But it was because the LORD loved you and kept the oath he swore to your forefathers that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt.

9       Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands. (THAT’S ALL THOSE THAT WE ARE PREPARING THIS PLACE FOR)

AND . . . .

Deut 10:17  For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes.

18  He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing.

19  And you are to love those who are aliens, for you yourselves were aliens in Egypt.

20  Fear the LORD your God and serve him. Hold fast to him and take your oaths in his name.

21  He is your praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes.

Can’t wait for us to celebrate together all weekend!

Love you,

Jan & Terry

Celebration Week - Thursday

We shared some memories yesterday from past years of this Spiritual Journey we’ve been on with God these 12 ½ years . . .

This was a favorite verse that strengthened us along the way –

—  BLESSED ARE THOSE WHOSE STRENGTH IS IN YOU WHO HAVE SET THEIR HEARTS ON PILGRIMAGE.  Psa. 84:5

And this one always comes to my mind and spirit when the schedule is packed with lots of last-minute details to prepare for

"He is before all things, and in him all things hold together," (Colossians 1:17 NIV).

It’s going to be a wonderful Celebration weekend – it’s Palm Sunday and in preparation for Resurrection Sunday – Reflect on HIM before Saturday and read about all he did and taught his last week on earth. HIS was a packed week just like we’ve experienced.

Let’s remember why we are part of a Church Body in the first place – to be HIS hands and feet and mouth to a dying world. . . to be HIS hands and feet and mouth to West Tulsa -- This weekend we get a chance to do that.

Love you so,

Jan & Terry

Celebration Week - Wednesday

While we were still at our South Tulsa Campus – we trekked along with the Israelites on what we termed “Alltogether” Family Nights – we compared our journey to this place with those of God’s People in Egypt.  We watched them as they traveled and learned from their lives --  We had pivotal lessons that we saw as parallel to the times we were in as a Church Family.  We “floated boats on the Nile”  “endured the plagues”  “had a contest to create burning bushes”– “tried to get water from the rock” –“tasted something like manna” -- celebrated a Passover Meal and built shelters as we celebrated the Feast of the Tabernacles together.    

These were verses we committed during those Exodus Lessons

—  Lord YOU have been our dwelling place throughout all generations –Psalm 90:1

—  I have been with you wherever you have gone.  I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed.  1 Chron 17 :9

—  I will establish them and increase their numbers, and I will put my sanctuary  among them forever.  My dwelling place will be with them;  I will be their God and they will be my people. Ezek. 37:26

We praise God for the journey of Life we have traveled up to this point – Lord, we are so blessed to come to this point – we are so very blessed to be Family together.  Thank you for all the sacrifices each and everyone has made.  Thank you Father that we are a FOREVER FAMILY.

Jan & Terry

Celebration Week - Tuesday

This week -- Terry and I are calling Celebration Week and yesterday morning
shared the verse below from Deut. 8

The Israelites had so many Celebrations and feast days -- it was always
important that they prepare themselves right before their festival for what
the Lord was going to do   Guard your heart -- protect your relationships
and above ALL celebrate our God all week long as we get ready!!  We've
prayed for your health and the health of your families!!!  We're praying
for many to come.

These verses I think speak to what we have witnessed and what we will
experience --

Deut 8

 Observe the commands of the LORD your God, walking in obedience to him and
revering him. 7 For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land—a
land with brooks, streams, and deep springs gushing out into the valleys
and hills; 8 a land with wheat and barley, vines and fig trees,
pomegranates, olive oil and honey; 9 a land where bread will not be scarce
and you will lack nothing; a land where the rocks are iron and you can dig copper out of the hills.

We are where we are because of HIS mighty works and the help of all those
who've partnered with us through the years to bring us to this place!

Thus far the LORD has helped (led) us!!!  and He called the Place Ebenezer.  1 Sam 7:12

We love you all so very much and are blessed to partner with you!
Jan& Terry

Weekly Favorite - Campbell's Telling her Babies What to Do. . .

C told her baby  "SAY CHEESE, BABY" before this photo shoot!


She's also been heard saying   "PRAY, FROGGIE!" to one of her bedtime buddies.  

BTW, she's teaching this baby bedtime prayers.

Colorado High Country

We hadn't been to Denver in over a year and so we wanted to have some time with Marshall - since his research schedule is more flexible right now.  We headed out on Friday afternoon, spent the night in Salina, KS and got to Denver about 4 on Saturday afternoon.

A lunch stop at Wendy's in Goodland KS was a special "God-moment" as the guy ahead of me in line ordered 14 Frosties for a bunch of college kids he didn't even know.
Before they left, they circled up with the man and his wife -- the place got quiet, they prayed -- I cried.

We had a little hitchhiker with us 

on the trip --We're doggie-sitting Bethany and Mat's two dogs while their house is on the market and their  little dog Dirvey (a special needs dog) couldn't stay behind with the other three dogs -- so we packed her up and put her in the back seat -- she was a trooper and soaked up all the TLC she got from Terry

Marshall planned a trip to Colorado Springs on Sunday and we were able to take in a lot of the sights that were important to Terry when he lived there as a kid.

It was fun being with my two guys and we caught up on Marsh's newest ventures in research and were able to see his lab and the high tech equipment he uses to operate and analyze his data.

On Monday T & I found some community gardens to research for Kids' University Garden this summer.

 

While Marsh worked, Terry and I were able to make two side trips -- Golden on Tuesday and 
Evergreen  on Wednesday.

Stream running right through center of town

Golden CO

Lunch out at Lupitas - M's favorite Mexican breakfast hang-out by the hospital --

Hiwan Homestead - 17 room log cabin from the early 1900's

Marshall worked a long night in ICU night -- came home yesterday morning exhausted we said our goodbyes and hit the road for Tulsa --after 11 hours --  home never looked so good.

Energized

 Maybe it was the way that she went nonstop until she dropped last  weekend or perhaps it was the sound of her little feet running down the hallway upstairs -- to see Papa -- or the fact that the whole weekend for her was an EXPLORATION -- (yes she does seem more and more like Dora the Explorer) -- but Papa and I found ourselves grinning and giggling all weekend with each new adventure.  It's like what happens when you plug in your cell phone when the battery is almost dead and all of a sudden the charging light keeps getting closer and closer to 100%

She spent the longest time playing in the fountain in our garden room

If I only had half Campbell's energy. . . (of course wouldn't that be weird -- a nana running 90 mph)
              She's growing up so quickly  -- what a miracle to watch her play --
                       She has such a curious nature and her days are summed in her songs she sings to herself and to her little critters.


Campbell mimics everything she sees and likes to repeat what she hears -

I found a lot of her songs includes "Papa" in them somewhere!"

Her biggest accomplishment was learning to use the doggie door and found if you back out of it you can quietly get yourself into the wide open spaces of the backyard -without the adults dogging your every step!

What a fun weekend,
We were pumped! 
We were ENERGIZED!

Tony

My cousin, Tony Neese went home to his Jesus 
this past Tues. night.  

He was lovingly cared for by his parents and brothers, and they would tell you they were blessed to have Tony in their lives.  His big brothers were home to help their mother care for him in his last weeks.

His sweet Dad in the latter stages of Alzheimers was given the news on Wed.

I've thought about his life a lot this week -- 

He never realized all the goals that some count as success -- 

He never married and had a family -- 

'never traveled, except for the rides in the pick-up truck with his Dad back and forth to his group home -- He had a favorite spot he would anticipate on the trip where he would stop to get a doughnut. 

His family sacrificed to help him achieve the most he could developmentally -- so that he could live independently. Aunt Neta became his advocate as she navigated the myriad
of agencies to help those who are disabled. 

Tony never wrote a book or started a company or learned how to surf the web -- but he was someone that was loved by his family. 

Despite numerous challenges and being unable to speak - there were certain things he let others know he wanted and liked-- 
He was very attentive to his Aunt Vera who struggled with muscular dystrophy --  
and he loved going to Church.

 He made friends -- caregivers loved him -- 

He impacted all our lives --
 

Jesus spoke about him when he said,

"Except you become like a little child . . . you can't enter the Kingdom of Heaven".  

As they celebrate his life today at his memorial -- A former special education teacher now minister will speak -- My Aunt Neta tells me that he's going to read this poem:

A meeting was held quite far from Earth,
“It’s time again for another birth,”
Said the angels to the Lord above,
“This child will need much love.”

“Her progress may seem very slow,
Accomplishments she may not show.
And she’ll require extra care,
From folks she meets way down there.

She may not run or laugh or play,
Her thoughts may seem quite far away.
In many ways she won’t adapt,
And she’ll be known as handicapped.

So let’s be careful where she’s sent,
We want her life to be content.
Please, Lord, find the parents who
will do a special job for you.

They will not realize right away,
The leading role they’re asked to play.
But with this child sent from above,
Come stronger faith and richer love.

And soon they’ll know the privilege given
In caring for this gift from Heaven.
Their precious charge, so meek and mild,
Is Heaven’s very special child.”

He's in his new spirit body --

 he doesn't have those limitations any longer -- 

 He's free --He's home

Weekly Favs

My Favs from the Week

Breakfast with my favorite Uncle this morning in Denver.

Heart Stuff

 Yesterday was a full day -- Youth Alive -- no planning period and launching Kids' Univ. at Life Park last night.  I felt overwhelmed as I started the day.  .  so I prayed -- prayed for ALL KINDS of help and creativity b/c I knew I was going to NEED it.  Here's what HE gave me--

First lunch, one of our  young ladies with lots of challenges asked to share her testimony . . . I was hesitant -- not sure what she would say, yet  knowing we really didn't have much planned, I told her to ask our student leader who was in charge.

In her message, God had one for me -- 

She had brought several of the members of her class with her (they all love to come eat in my room and buy all sorts of things that I sell for lunch)  They got a table together by the door with their student Mentor and were there to support her.  She started, realized she had food on her face asked for a napkin and they rushed to help. 
She spoke about her conversion -- she told us that she'd been listening to a preacher on her computer last April and said his words made her cry -- so she asked Jesus into her heart.  She said she knew she was saved.   She then mentioned how watching the Passion of Christ later touched her heart.  She beamed because of her salvation.  Her friends were so proud!!!


She had bravely witnessed to 43 people. 
 
 I was reminded of Jesus words, "except you become like one of these you can't enter the Kingdom of Heaven."  I know God grinned -- NO --beamed with pride at one of his precious ones.

Had I put her off until next week or later -- I would have missed something so powerful that HE wanted to remind me --  "Hey  -- that's the heart I'm looking for!"

Then during 2nd lunch one of my Youth Alive gals who lives her name "Sterling" shared with the teens there about finding our purpose  from Jeremiah the prophet-- How many kids today know where the book is in the Bible or even connect with this man -- the weeping prophet -- not somebody that most young people today are drawn to.  She talked about how he was called from his birth and related that most people who did great things for God were called and began to be used by Him at an early age like their's.  
A young woman very much in love with Jesus, she said her recent week had been spent looking for God's purpose amid all the senior projects and deadlines.  She didn't feel like she'd been hearing as much from God in recent days, and then went on to say that she realized that when she's not hearing from Him, she needs to look at what she is  listening to.  ( i.e. music, the message of the movies or books she reads.)

She quoted a verse from Jeremiah 15:19 & 20  that struck a chord with me --in her words,  "extracting the precious from the worthless". 

 In other words, I might add,  turning away from what doesn't feed our souls. Looking for truth in all the noise of our day.

Launching Kids' University was a testimony of God's faithfulness.  Everything that could go wrong did -- lost phone thought I might have to drive back to Owasso -- slow checker at Wal-Mart -- every one running late -- BUT GOD --

         Sent the best interns to assist,
                Sent just the right number of kids for the pilot project's first night
                     Gave just the right words 

HE does good work!!!!

 

Getaway Time in KC

It was an easy decision a couple of weeks ago, to take this weekend off, and head up to Kansas City, since none of us really got to spend much quality time together during the Christmas Flu Scourge.  We mentioned to the kids we'd like to give them a whole 24 hours away -- to which they gladly accepted and started making plans.  We hurried to get there Friday night before Campbell went to bed so we could enjoy some quality time with her and stretch out our visit as much as we could.  She had been waiting at the door for 10 minutes in her green rain boots and been looking for her beloved "Pappa" all day long. 


 She puts everything into sentences and chatters non-stop, sings her favorite songs and dances up a storm.  In fact "Dance Party with Daddy" is a major hit of the day we discovered.


I have learned I take second place to Pappa.  I walk into a room without him and she looks at me and emphatically asks, "Where's Pappa?"  All of us in the family have come to accept the fact that next to him, we're all chopped liver.

Don't get me wrong, I had my sweet times with C, too -- she loves to cuddle after a nap on my lap with all her bed buddies, and two blankies . This morning she came in the bathroom, pulled back the curtain plopped in the dry tub, threw in her toys and played while we chatted and sang for the longest time.


She knew she was with two doting g.p's (grandparents) so she sort of taught us the ropes -- she doesn't like to have to sit in her high chair to eat a meal -- And She loves the dining room table top -- it's a great view 

and when she can sneak it in, she pushes buttons on the tv and plops down to watch  She'd love to do it ANY time she chooses BUT (Mommy has limits of only a very short time of Dora once a day after nap) --

"Dora Time"

An especially sweet time for me was sitting with her at her little table yesterday after her nap snacking on an apple and singing to her.  She looked up at me with this beautiful little face and sung back  this precious little song in syllables I couldn't understand and a tune I didn't know but a perfect little melody -- It was the song of an angel!!!

"Just give me Jesus and the light from HIM gets me home."

I came across this reading through the notes on my iphone.  I don't know where I read it --I believe it expresses my sentiment behind our newest banner at Life Park.  "Light shining out of darkness".

Too Good to Miss . . . .

Campbell now has a new bedroom because her's became too drafty this winter. This weekend they finished the move as her Daddy got her bed set up.

My Favorites from the Week

"Whew! I thought I'd never get outside -- I can't believe Mom was insisting I put my shoes on first -
After 15 minutes--she won"

A Facebook status I read by Angela Murray, "I wish Heaven weren't so far away -- I'd love to take the kids and go for the day!"

A Youtube link that one of my YA gals shared with us yesterday by Eric Ludy  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWHJ6-YhSYQ  It redefined my mission for the coming months and years!

Something I found in my morning e-mail a few days ago from Women of Faith that spoke to my heart in this stage of life --I'm putting it here on my blog to remember (and so I won't lose it :-) 



Finding Perspective
by Dale Hanson Bourke
Here’s what I am learning: God wants us to spend the second halves of our lives worrying less about what we do and more about who we become. He wants to turn our lives upside down and use us in magnificent, unexpected, world-changing ways.


He is calling us to step up to the challenge and to leave the past behind.
God is calling you to build spiritual muscle, to develop a resume of soul work, to find peace and joy like you have never known. God wants to take you on an adventure unlike anything you have ever dreamed.
A second calling isn’t about something you do but about someone you become, it is the belief that the best is yet to come, and it will probably look very different than anything that has come before. It is faith that God’s call is not just for the young but for the faithful. It is the confidence that what we can do through God is more than we can imagine accomplishing on our own. Your second calling doesn’t necessarily build your resume, but it builds your soul.

 Shopping is so much more fun if Mom lets me stand in the cart and flash my gorgeous smile at everybody!

 Can't wait to give the kids some time away and keep this little shopper -- don't think we'll brave Target, though.

My Man

One of my students, an office aide, walked in grinning during the last class period today with a beautiful plant from my hubby -- I was caught off guard -- totally surprised.  Terry drove all the way up to Owasso to deliver it himself to my school.  He'd already left a couple of gifts in my car last night that I found this am.

Reading the card I explained to my students that today was our 39th anniversary - they uttered such phrases "uh that's a long time" or "39 years??" -- twice their age -- you could tell they wondered how or why people  stay together that long when their dating relationships last only 6-10 months at best.



One word -- G R A C E --


or maybe that word is . . .                         

R E S P E C T --

or --

U N S E L F I S H N E S S             

or --

A C C E P T A N C E


  or --


K I N D N E S S -- or ---

Anyway, my man exemplifies all of those.  He's the one who gives me the benefit of the doubt -- who excuses away my crankiness -- or unpredictability.  He looks out for what I'm going to need next -- and does the little things -- that go a long way.  He's the one who believes I can do anything -- and encourages me to do so.

 He's the one who comes up with the most unusual gift ideas -- like the time he went to a recording studio and recorded our favorite song for our anniversary one year.  He makes me videos for special occasions -- and creates  the most wonderful anniversary celebrations when it's his year to do the planning.

When he shops for gifts,  he always buys something I wouldn't dare buy for myself -- but I end up liking ever so much.


He puts my needs ahead of his own and works so very hard -- despite the discomfort from his rheumatoid -- to make sure that I am well taken care of.

Wedding Day 1-20-73

Terry Bell -- you're God's answer. 

Too Good to Pass Up -- Is She Good or What???

OK, OK I know I posted all kinds of Campbell pics yesterday but this one was too good to miss!

My Recent Fav's from KC

We love our daily Campbell Updates.  I txt'd Mat yesterday after he sent a cute video and said I was going to miss these little video updates when they moved here and then remembered -- Oh, wait -- we'll have her with us!!

Shopping with momma is hard work!

If I hide in here long enough, I might not have to take a nap

The Trip . . . Going Home

We went back to my hometown yesterday to a surprise 40th anniversary party for my life-long friend, Charlene Bandy and her husband Larry.  I say life-long because we were friends before we knew how to be friends since my parents moved next door to her family when I was two years old.  Charlene is the one who really "got it" with how to be a friend.  She's the one who remembers all the special days with a card, she's the one who kept up with our high school friends even 40+ years later. She's the one who makes the calls first on special days.   She is one special friend!  And SHE'S  the one who makes special times for other people.

But yesterday was HER special day so Terry and I drove to St. Louis to surprise her.  When we walked in the room, she shouted at the top of her lungs, "Jannie's here" -- her kids and husband came over and excited to see us as well.    Terry said, it was worth the whole trip to hear Charlene shout that one phrase!  It was HER party but she made a fuss about ME.


We couldn't stay long --and as we were heading back to Tulsa, I got all teary thinking about how she loudly yelled my name as I walked through the door.   I found myself thinking . . .
that's how it's going to be when we get to Heaven.  It's HIS party, but I think that Jesus and all our loved ones are going to yell our names and make a big hoopla when we arrive!" It's HIS party -- but the fuss will be about US.   .  . We're gonna KNOW  the trip was worth it!!!

A Special Thank You to My Sweet Hubby for this Video Presentation For Today's Communion Meditation