“For the believer, peace is not to be found in the ease of life. Real peace is only ever found in the presence, power and grace of the Savior, the King, The Lamb, the I am. That peace is yours even when the storms of life take you beyond your natural ability, wisdom and strength. He is in you. He is with you. He is for you. He is your hope.”
Peace seems quite elusive as days turn into weeks, months, and almost two years of our pandemic ridden world. Contradictory beliefs, reports, statistics, advice, protocols, and professional voices undermine our confidence, elevate our fears, and divide our communities. “Unprecedented” is overused, leaving all of us wondering if we’ll ever resume our “precedented” life being unmasked, without having hand sanitizer as "standard operating elixir", and standing physically close to one another.
We’re left wondering how we can experience peace when chaos surrounds us not just globally, but within our own homes and relationships.
Paul David Tripp challenges us to stop wondering and to remember. “My peace I leave you . . . not as the world gives . . .”
These last two months have been full of reminders that a lack of peace remains a constant context for many. Failing marriages, fractured families, judgmental positioning, division in churches, and an overall lack of confidence in the integrity and honesty of those with the loudest voices are symptomatic of our flagging hopes and lack of unity.
If our hope is in the politicians, the scientists, the doctors, the vaccine, or the system “getting it right”, peace will continue to elude us.
As Tripp reminds us,
“Real peace is only ever found in the presence, power, and grace of the Savior . . .
He is in you.
He is with you.
He is for you.
He is your hope.”
Amen.
Fortunately, there continues to be much good and many silver linings as we reflect on the past two months in these waning days of summer which are now ushering in the splendor of fall in New England. We celebrate God’s goodness and faithful in the midst of the Hard.
These beautiful hydrangeas were brought to us by a dear friend, who cut them from her garden.
Backing up to mid-July, we were delighted to be a part of a number of significant celebrations, including graduations, weddings, and babies. It was so good to gather, following a year of artificial gathering via computer screens. The contrast between screen-to-screen and face-to-face interaction affirms that as image bearers, we were designed for community, for relational connectedness. Virtual meet-ups are certainly better than “a kick in the head” (to quote my dearly beloved Mama), and when nothing else is possible, they are truly a gift. But it’s been so good to be with people in person in real time.
Aiden graduated from both high school and community college and is off to UMass Amherst as a pre-med student. It was great to celebrate his accomplishments with an outdoor bbq and homemade ice cream!
Kyle and Karen Becker tied the knot at their beautiful wedding in Maine mid-July and it was good to celebrate with them their commitment to a Christ-centered marriage.
A special joy of the Becker wedding was reuniting with many dear friends from our family ministry days at Grace Chapel.
We headed to California for a couple of weeks in late July and early August and were able to spend time with some of our favorite mentors/friends, as well as with our favorite middle daughter.
John and Grace Tebay continue to have such a profound impact on our lives. How grateful we are for their over 50 years of influence on Paul (46 years for me) and for this sweet visit with them in late July.
Though it will never seem “normal” to be with Carol Kraning without Bob, we had a lovely evening with her over pizza.
After our time in California in late July and early August, we “took” Lisa home with us and spent a week in the most quintessential New England way: vacationing in a summer home, on the water, in Jamestown, RI. Thanks to the generosity of very dear friends, our second annual Jamestown vacation renewed, refreshed, and recalibrated us. We swam, hiked, found sea glass and shells, ate great meals, read, took naps, played games, watched sunrises and sunsets, and thoroughly enjoyed being together. It was pure gift.
We hiked the Cliff Walk in Newport on a hot, beautiful day.
The rising sun . . .
The setting sun . . .
Before Lisa boarded that plane back to California, we took in a Red Sox game, and it was everything we had hoped for. A big win, “Sweet Caroline,” a Costco hotdog and peanuts, and “souvenirs” from the park, the result of our scavenging efforts post-game. It. Was. Perfect.
What’s not to love about a perfect, late afternoon, summertime game at Fenway??
Towards the end of August, we drove to the Johnsons’ home in Fairfax, Virginia, and after a quick visit with them, we flew to California.
Ready for school, Nathan and Rachel are thoroughly enjoying in-person school this year.
We were privileged to speak at “Date Night” for Gabe and Kari’s church plant, New City Church—Oakland, on August 28. Though they haven’t officially “launched” yet (that date is coming Oct. 17), they wanted to build into the DNA of the church their commitment to strengthening marriages and decided this would be one way to put feet on that. They were thrilled to have 17 couples for this event, across the spectrum from engaged couples to young marrieds, old marrieds, and unmarrieds. Goody bags with sweet treats and reading treats (New Morning Mercies and The Marriage App) were given to each couple, yummy desserts were served and coffee was available, and we spoke.
Two new couples in attendance have since attended the NCC preview service held two weeks later.
We all felt it was a great launch for this important focus.
Kari and Gabe Garcia launch Date Night for New City Church Oakland by welcoming all attending.
Gabe and Kari did a great job hosting the evening and we were all very thankful for how the evening unfolded.
The next day, August 29, was Paul’s and Brandon’s birthday. Duly celebrated by special meals, a vigorous hike, and delicious strawberry cream pies, they enjoyed traditions which have been a part of the many birthday celebrations they’ve shared through the years.
“Papa” and Brandon mark another birthday together.
There have been many postponements of important events over the past year, and a significant one for us was the inaugural “10th birthday rite of passage” with Gigi and Papa. Last year, well ahead of his 10th birthday, we told Brandon that he could choose any destination at which to spend a week alone with us for this inter-generational experience. He chose spending a week in Washington, D.C., touring the Smithsonian Museums. Admittedly, we were somewhat surprised by his choice, but we began making plans to fulfill his desire.
The Covid-closed museums finally reopened this summer and the trip was on. After the birthday celebration in Oakland, we took Brandon to Washington, D.C. for 8 days.
The trip was everything and more than we had hoped for and envisioned. Using Derek and Julie’s home as our base of operations, each day started and ended with Happy Cousin Time as Nathan and Rachel maximized this very special treat of getting their oldest cousin to themselves. The three of them had a blast playing, creating, jumping on the trampoline, etc.
In between morning and night, Brandon selected the Smithsonians he wanted to visit, which included both Air and Space museums, Natural History, American History, the Holocaust Museum, the National Gallery of Art, and the Contemporary Art gallery. We also made it to the top of the Washington Monument, and visited the Jefferson and the World War 2 memorials. The National Zoo was our outing on Labor Day, and along with all the Johnsons, we had a perfect day. The animals were lively and the weather was perfect.
What a treasure we have in the Smithsonians!! Besides being reminded of many things we’ve forgotten related to history, science, art, etc., it was very insightful to have this one-on-one time with our oldest grandson as we experienced all of this through his eyes.
We were so blessed that on top of everything we could control going well, everything beyond our control also went well. The weather was perfect, with no humidity or excessive heat every day; the daily drive in and out of DC was virtually traffic free (it seems everyone is still working remotely), and parking for each museum was easy and convenient. All of these bonuses made such a positive difference.
The best part, of course, was spending so much time discovering more about the inner workings and thinking of Brandon. He was delightful in every way, an opinion held by many more than a prejudiced Gigi. This art loving, athletic, voracious reading, kind, sensitive young man made the trip easy and memorable in the best sort of way. We’re grateful and blessed.
Brandon and Papa with the Jefferson Memorial in the background.
Brandon invited his cousin Nathan to join us for the day at the Natural History Museum and no one was bored.
At 5’3”, Brandon managed to touch the top of the Washington Monument.
The American History Museum had so many fun and interesting relics of days gone by.
The cousins had the best time together and were all very sad when it came time to say goodbye.
A special evening out, courtesy of my sister Laura and her husband David.
Eight full days later, Brandon and Gigi made the return trip to California. Memories, pictures, and journals will prompt stories of this excellent adventure for years to come and all will fill our hearts with thanksgiving for the gift of this time.
Brandon’s 5th grade teacher made this a distance learning project for him by making a worksheet of questions for each museum visited. He put together a slide show for his class after returning to wrap up the project.
After a very brief 22 hours in Oakland, I took a red-eye back to Baltimore on Thursday, the 9th, arriving early the 10th so we could speak at a marriage conference for Crossroads Church of the Nazarene in Ellicott City, Maryland, that weekend. Dan and Nan Jeffries, hosts of the weekend, had heard us several years ago on a Brant Hansen “Oddcast” and have followed us since. Most recently they attended the marriage conference we did at Immanuel Bible Church back in early May and after that, invited us to their church. We really “clicked” with them at Immanuel and were so glad when the conference took shape.
We were thankful that all went well. Nan and Dan did a great job facilitating it and the very responsive crowd seemed to really appreciate our teaching. We enjoyed interacting with the conferees and were especially appreciative to have Gabby and Rob Warren spend Saturday at the conference, “manning" the book table. A leisurely lunch with the Jeffries, the Warrens, and us followed and great conversation backdropped a yummy bbq meal. We left with full hearts (and tired bodies).
Nan and Dan Jeffries hosted the conference at Crossroads Church of the Nazarene, Sept. 10–11, and in this photo, they are opening our time in prayer.
Rob and Gabby Warren, Nan and Dan Jeffries, and Paul and I stand behind the beautiful sign Nan made for the conference.
We rounded out the weekend with a 60th birthday celebration for my youngest sibling and only brother, Frank. Sister Laura made a five-star brunch and we all mused that when our parents turned 60, it seemed old. Not so much now. Funny how that works!! Sweet time with all the east coast sibs.
Four of the seven siblings were together to honor Baby Brother Frank on his 60th.
Frank’s birthday brunch was followed by a late afternoon/early evening dinner with Rob and Gabby at their new home in Dunkirk. The Johnsons and we had a great time along with being served a fantastic Venezuelan meal. We’re so thankful that though the Warrens have moved from Bedford, Gabby is still working for us remotely as our admin. She’s worth her weight in gold.
The Johnsons and Warrens enjoying appetizers prior to the Venezuelan dinner.
Gabby’s H.I.M. office in their new home in Maryland.
We’re thankful there have been so many peaceful moments these past weeks, in spite of the chaos all around us. We hold on the hope and promise of the words I opened this blog with:
“For the believer, peace is not to be found in the ease of life. Real peace is only ever found in the presence, power and grace of the Savior, the King, The Lamb, the I am. That peace is yours even when the storms of life take you beyond your natural ability, wisdom and strength. He is in you. He is with you. He is for you. He is your hope.”
All praise is His!!
