whenever you wish (part 2)

We want to share some excerpts I just read the other day from Kevin's blog, http://thehomelessguy.blogspot.com/ . . . We know God hears what the poor have to say. If we listen, too, it might help us be of Christian help . . .

"There is indeed more to homeless people than being homeless.

Don't give money to panhandlers. More than likely they will use it for drugs or alcohol. If you want to help a homeless person, panhandler or otherwise, take the time to get [to] know the person and what they really need - and what will really be beneficial for them, and provide that instead.

Not all panhandlers are homeless, most homeless people do not panhandle."

In another place, Kevin says, "What can you do, fairly quickly, and cheaply, without much commitment to help the homeless? Read this post: Gift Bags for the Homeless," http://thehomelessguy.blogspot.com/2005/12/gift-bags.html

One day, we're going to really start putting God's Word into practice, serving others face to face rather than our mirror selves. " . . . doers who act--they will be blessed in their doing." James 1:25

jason (the mirrorman)

A needy plant

Can anyone help me save this plant. I need to know:




a) what kind of plant is it?
b) what does it need?

When we bought it...it had three stems. It now has just 1 healthy one (with significantly less leaves than it started with).

I know I need to repot it asap - but any other help would be appreciated.

And just for the record my other indoor plants are thriving!

whenever you wish

But Jesus said, " . . . you always have the poor with you, and you can show kindness to them whenever you wish . . ." (Mark 14:3-9)

I always wondered what rule Jesus was telling us to keep with this. "Before you extend generosity to the poor make sure you don't have an opportunity to anoint me." Or maybe this was the rule: "Don't worry about trying to help the poor; they're too far gone; it's useless to try; just wait until I come in my Kingdom; then I'll take care of them."

Recently I realized Jesus wasn't the first one to make this observation about the poor always being among us and to give instructions on showing kindness to them. Apparently, Moses taught all the children this instruction/command. "Since there will never cease to be some in need on the earth, I therefore command you, "Open your hand to the poor and needy neighbor in your land."" (Deuteronomy 15:11)

Because the poor will always be with us, we need to keep our hands open. There is no 'if' the needy meet certain conditions . . . or 'only if' they are legitimately poor. Moses and Jesus make the statement that the poor are with us and our hands are open. Understood?

In actuality, however, the poor are actually quite distant from me. Also, my hands are closed. And I avert my eyes from the few who make it into the periphery of my vision.

I heard today that love is the expression of authentic human attention. If so, by ignoring those in my periphery, along the margins of my life, I am denying Jesus' clear command to love my neighbour.

The good news, though, is that the command is a promise that I will receive authentic human attention even though I don't deserve it. I thank God for those of you who have proven this promise to us.

Greetings from Abilene

We enjoyed our trip from Memphis to Abilene. The weather leaving Memphis was rainy and stormy. We were glad to leave that behind once we entered Arkansas. We spent the night in Greenville, Texas and then finished the drive to Abilene on Sunday morning. It is good to be here and be with Jason's family. We are able to relax and enjoy being together. Today we played tennis at ACU. So far Stephen is the champion. He is more resiliant to the dry Abilene heat than us Memphians. Ok...I am speaking for myself...the husband loves heat of any kind - dry or wet! I have become quite a creature of comfort since my Japan days. I can not forget laying on the futon and breathing mist or the ice on the bathroom floor in the winter. Nor the oppresive heat and humidity of the summer months (relentless from morning till night). I can't decide whether to call it a blessing that we can be so 'comfortable' in this country. I guess I wonder what the (longterm) costs of such comfort will be. That's a whole other tangent though...

We have also enjoyed time with Steven, Wendy and Matthew Gist. We were fellow AETS in Mito. It is wonderful to reconnect even after many years. Matthew is so cute and full of energy, and the Gists will soon welcome twins into their family! We really appreciate their friendship and their gentle, humble spirits.

Stay tuned for more on the Abilene Open and other happenings from the 'Big Country'.

Jonathan Alan Grizzle

Pictures: New Grizzle family; Grandma and Grizzles; Grandma and Nina; Jason with child ;-)

Jonathan Alan Grizzle was born yesterday, June 15th around 2:30am. Sara and Jon are proud parents for the second time. And rightly so. Jonathan is a good looking little boy, and Nina, now a big sister, is as cute as cute gets. She is full of personality and we anticipate that Jonathan will bring equal joy to those around him.

Still "green" at only 25 days old, Jonathan Alan will have passport in hand, and be on his way to Australia. Please remember the Grizzle family in your prayers as they adjust to being a family of 4, as they prepare to make this trip, and as they travel. Pray especially for the health and strength of Mom and Baby.

Welcome Jonathan Alan and Congratulations Grizzles!

Looking Back...

There's something so sweet about being reunited with friends. Jared and Jenny arrived safely from Oklahoma on Saturday night and we greatly enjoyed their company. Without any planning on our part, our apartment was a hub of activity all weekend. We're so thankful for our visitors! We shared many memories of Japan together, along with Rusty and Rachel Woods who have just returned from Mito, and who now live just two doors down from us. Those who have not lived in Japan might well have heard more than they ever cared to know about our time there. But it was good to laugh. And we laughed hard. I don't think the memories from our schools, apartments, church, language blunders and every day life in Japan will ever fade. I hope they will never be just 'distant memories'. Thanks Jared, Jenny, Rusty and Rachel for taking us back and making those memories so vivid. And thanks to the others who endured the stories and even laughed along with us!




I often regret not staying just that one year longer as AETS in Mito. For some reason, Jason and I, newly weds at that time, were eager to take on the world in a capacity outside of being an AET. I had been in Japan for three and a half years, and Jason for two. We left Japan 'wanting more' (of Japan). (which I still say is better than wanting less!). And after 3 months of visiting family and friends in Queensland, New South Wales, California, Oklahoma and Tennessee, we found ourselves back in the 'normal' world...looking for jobs and a niche. We didn't find it where we were looking and so set out for Tennessee drawn by the Campbells, the Graduate school and Park Avenue Congregation.



Three and a half years down the road, the pain and regret of wishing we had stayed 'just one more year' is lessened by the rich friendships we have formed since August 4th 2002, and by the continuation of friendships we left behind in a physical sense. We can't imagine our lives without those experiences and friendships from Japan. The same goes for our lives pre-Japan. Ditto for Memphis. And I have a hunch that we will look back and say the same for each place God takes us from here.

Thinking ahead...

A month from now, we will be somewhere over the Pacific Ocean...about ready to touch down in Sydney, Australia. We will miss out on July the 10th entirely. Mass transportation always strikes me as kind of strange. People from all over, in one place, going somewhere, for some reason - and wanting to be there yesterday!

I love flying into Sydney. The view of the harbour is spectacular. The Aussie pride swells in my heart when I catch a glimpse of the Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. Its a beautiful city. One day soon we'll be calling this part of the world 'home'.

Its going to be a wild ride between now and July 9th. This weekend we will welcome Jared and Jenny into our home. It has been about 3 years since Jenny and I saw each other and will be the first time for Jason and Jared to meet. We are so looking forward to catching up with them before they make their journey back to the Northwest.

Next weekend we will take a road trip to Abilene to spend time with Jason's family. We're looking forward to seeing them and celebrating together Mother's and Father's day, our birthdays and Mom and Dad's 35th Anniversary. Thanks to Melissa, I have a feeling we're in for a great time of celebrating! Stephen has us lined up for a game of tennis and we might even have time for a movie or two.

A month after we get back from Australia, I will head to Vancouver for a 7 night Alaskan Cruise with Celebrity Cruise lines. It is a northbound cruise ending in Anchorage (Seward). A highlight will be a stop in Juneau where Shawn, Rachel and Carly Phelps live. We were neighbours and friends in Japan - I am so excited to see them again. Unfortunately Jason can't go because of school - but Christi Howard (a friend from Australia - who now lives in Georgia) will join me. Watch out Alaska!

Tampa, Florida is the destination for mid September. Our office will attend the Carlson convention there. It will be a short trip but will (hopefully) include a day at Disneyworld.

And then....(drumroll, please)....will bring October, and the much anticipated vacation for Jason and Nicole to Jamaica! We are SO excited. We hope to stay at a Sandals resort. The air is free! I don't get summers off like those lucky (and hard working) teachers...but I sure am thankful for these travel agent perks. They're really kicking in!

In between all these trips, I am hoping for some mega sales! :)

We had a wonderful weekend being able to relax with friends. Our team met on Monday for a cookout and meeting. We ate, and laughed, played games, and read stories. It was a good day.

Things are in high speed planning for our survey trip. We have so many things we would like to fit into 8 days - including our day of arrival. Please pray for our scheduling. We need wisdom to know what must be done, what can wait, and will need strength to accomplish all this while dealing with jetlag.

We have been blessed by the generosity of our home congregagation and another congregation in town. We are so humbled and thankful.

'Now to Him who is able to to do immeasureably more than all we ask or imagine...'