Phone Numbers and Punctuation

Today I found myself trying to memorize phone numbers! It started at church yesterday. Bill left our church lunch early so David could be home by 2:00. Then, Bill was going to return to church and pick me up. I stayed behind because it was our turn to clean-up after the dinner. A friend asked me where Bill and David were, and I proceeded to tell them. She said, "There's no reason for Bill to return all the way back here. Give him a call and tell him that we can bring you home."

It suddenly dawned on me that I do not know Bill's cell phone number. I'm just used to clicking on the icon that says, "Dad"! I then realized that there are very few numbers that I actually know...I just click! Me! The person that still remembers the phone number that I had when I was in second grade!! Oh the times, they are a'changing! Which leads me to this:

Have any of you seen this new punctuation mark? It's called the interrobang. Actually, it's not new at all. It first was introduced in 1962. Even Remington had a key on their manual typewriters for this mark. Not to be out done, today you can find an interrobang in Microsoft Word's Fonts. Go to Format, choose Fonts, then Wingdings 2. You'll find 4 different versions of the interrobang. Hit the ` ~ key, the ] } key, the 6 ^ key, or the - _ key.

The use for the interrobang is to enable a writer to express both a question and an exclamation at the same time. I think a good use of this punctuation mark could come at the end of this sentence: "Who forgot to put gas in the car." Just wonderin' if it will make a comeback...

Which brings me to my last thought...this time it's the "dash". Last week, on November 12, it would have been my Dad's birthday. He would have been 91! Lots of memories came to mind on that day. Like the time he could hardly walk without a cane and yet he danced with my youngest daughter at a restaurant. Or the time he drove non-stop from Florida to Mississippi just to be with David on his birthday. Or how he surprised me with a brand new car when I graduated from college. Many, many good memories.

But today, there is a marker in the cemetery that reads: Albert M. Rodenhouse 1918 - 2001

The marker clearly state his birth and his death, but it is only a "dash" that sums up the entirety of his life here on earth. A significant life, remembered by some as only a "dash".

That thought brought to mind the saying that is so true: Only one life, t'will soon be passed. Only what's done for Christ will last.

Love you and miss you, Dad!

A Carrot, An Egg, and A Cup of Coffee

This isn't an original from me, but this is a little story worth sharing and passing along...

A carrot, an egg, and a cup of coffee... You will never look at a cup of coffee the same way again.

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose. Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil; without saying a word. In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, 'Tell me what you see.'

'Carrots, eggs, and coffee,' she replied. Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg. Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, 'What does it mean, mother?'

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.

'Which are you?' she asked her daughter. 'When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean? Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength? Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart? Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

Catch Up

Sorry...I haven't been very faithful with this little blog! I guess life has been either busy or stressful and lately I've been a little too content just "vegging out".

My morning job continues to be stressful, but lots of fun as well! I enjoy both of my students, but feel stressed because I am SO out of my area of expertise. Both of the children have learning disabilities and they keep me on my toes. The other day we were learning about the cash crops of the South (we're studying the 13 colonies). When they found out that they grew tobacco, quite a lively discussion began. O was mortified that they grew tobacco, while C said his family uses tobacco almost everyday. "Oh really?", I questioned. "Yup! We use it on a lot of our food. You know, that stuff that comes in the little bottle and it's red?" Um...I think he meant Tabasco sauce!!

David and Bill have both been sick and both are on antibiotics. Some things throw David into a "compulsive" state, and that is what this cold and congestion seem to have done. He would get the least little bit congested and HAD to get rid of it NOW!!! He blew his nose so hard that he broke an artery(?) that might need to be cauterized.

I've become enamored with my husband lately. I mean, I've ALWAYS loved him, but I am in awe of how much he knows about and how much he remembers. He seems to be the proverbial "walking encyclopedia"! Here are a few of our recent conversations:

• We drove passed a restaurant named "Einsteins". Bill, out of nowhere says, "One stone".

"Huh???"

"Einstein...it means 'one stone' in German."

Then he proceeds to tell me when in history we began to acquire last names.

"Some people thought it would be funny to state that they were not nobility. You probably know lots of them. Their last name today is 'Zondervaan' ".

• Last night he went to the symphony...alone. He gets these fabulous tickets for only $15 and he LOVES classical music. Last night he heard music by Rachmaninoff. When he returned home, I asked him about the concert. He then proceeded to tell me the story about when Rachmaninoff debuted the music. It was in Russia. Apparently, the symphony was horrible and the music opened to horrific reviews. It was devastating to Rachmaninoff and he quit writing for three years. And then, my husband begins to WHISTLE the first symphony!!!
• We've always been sarcastic when we banter with each other. The other day he was going on and on about something that I was not the least bit interested in, so I said, "You better save this to talk about with all your other girl friends."

"Well", he said, "you should be happy that I'm getting so old."

"Why?" I ask.

"Because now I'm down to only 80 girlfriends!" he says.

"Yeah, but who do you always come home to at night?" I ask.

"#81!"

• Tonight Narnia came up in our conversation. Don't ask me why, it just did. I innocently asked him about the story that proceeds The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and he prattles off the whole story of The Magician's Nephew and for some strange reason, I realize again, why I love spending time with my husband.

BIG Mistake!

Mistakes...we all make 'em! I never knew that there was a whole website about mistakes that bakerys have made with cake orders. Who knew? This site now has a cult-like following, has spawned a book, and even makes the rounds on the talking circuit! Hey, when is it MY turn?
(Oops! I hate it when my "thought bubbles" pop up and you can read my private thoughts!!!)

Here are just a few of the funny, whacky ways cakes taken a different "twist"....

I'm sure they picked this up and thought, "Pretty cake, love the color, BUT WHO IS LAVENDER!!!"

Okay, who are these people and how in the world do they get a job???

I'm guessing this was a cake for a graduate going to C N U

Too funny!

Aren't those mistakes a hoot? Then why isn't it so funny when the recipient of a mistake is ME???

Yesterday was pay day. I only had to work in the morning, so as I was driving home, I called the salon I always go to to see if I could come in for a quick haircut. Now, I knew my stylist was pregnant, but she was due in December. Imagine my surprise when they told me she had her baby early...VERY early! Okay, no problem, I'll check with a new salon that I've been wanting to try. Yeah!! They can take me at 3:00!

I arrive and I am greeted by these words: "Oh, I'm SO sorry! I accidentally booked you with someone that is not working today. But our owner, Gilda, is going to fit you in. Is that Ok?"

"Sure, no problem" said the innocent lamb that has no idea what is about to happen! So, Gilda starts looking at my hair and I start to feel very adventurous! "How about a new color?" I ask. I've been doing my own color for awhile and decide to try a few highlights again. "No problem!" say Gilda. She suggests carmel highlights because my hair is so dark. Hey, anything that is named after a food is ok in my book! She mixes the color, adds the foils (that always make you look like an alien capable of picking up signals from Mars), washes my hair, cuts my hair, and blows it dry. Houston! WE HAVE A PROBLEM!!!

I start to see the carmel. It looks more like orange! Another food, I know, but I would prefer a carmel over an orange. I start to panic. Gilda starts to panic. Not because of the orange, but because she is now so backed up that she has three people in line waiting on her for their appointments! So what does she do? She has me walk through the salon with my half wet/half dry hair that looks like the next cover of Hair Gone Wild.

I'm am now placed in the competent, but puzzled hands of "Sammy". Sammy has me sit and wait while he finishes up his client. Time passes...and passes. Suddenly I am taken over by some evil woman inside me (hey, maybe those foils really do pick up signals from outer space!!) and I say to Sammy, "I look like cr%*!!! And now I've been patiently waiting for over an hour for you and you ignore me and keep moving on to the next client. Tell me what's going on!!"

I am obviously WAY too much for poor little Sammy to handle, so he passes me off to another person. She says she will just throw in a few more highlights and she trots off to the back room before I can open my mouth. When she comes back, I ask her what color THESE highlights will be and she looks at me like, "Lady, I'm doing you a BIG favor, so zip it and let me do my job!!"

But no, I can't zip it! I feel empowered. I feel strong and brave and courageous! And I open my mouth and...begin to cry! Yup! That's what we empowered women do! (And Sammy is looking at me like he is SO relieved that I am no longer his problem!!)

The woman says, "Oh what beautiful eyes you have! When you cry they really turn blue! Let's just cover up the oran...I mean, the highlights...and go back to dark brown. I mean, it is Fall, you don't want highlights in the Fall! And the brown will really bring out those eyes!" I'm guessing this is hairdresser code for, "Let's get her out of here as SOON as possible!"

She covers the orange, tries to finish the haircut and sends me off. When I go to the front to pay, Gilda apologizes and gives me a gift certificate for a free second visit...yeah, like that's ever going to happen anytime time soon! And that was my Friday. How was yours???

Five Seconds of Fame!

Holland has a wonderful program called "Hello. Good Bye." The crew goes to the airport in Amsterdam and watches people that are waiting for friends or relatives to arrive at the airport. If the person looks interesting, the cameras roll and an interview begins. Often an interesting story ensues and the cameras are able to catch the reunion on tape. Just add appropriately moving music in the background and they come up with a very captivating and emotional piece.

When Alice was waiting for me to arrive, the camera crew interviewed her. They caught our reunion on tape...tears and all. The sound tech ran after us as Alice and I walked off to get my luggage. The girl told us how moving our story was...how she was welling up with tears when she witnessed us seeing each other after thirty years...and would we please sign a release form , giving them permission to use our story. They tape in the spring and show the finished product in the fall.

Fast forward to the fall. Alice visits the States, returns home, and hears from friends that while she was gone, they saw her on tv! Sure enough, they showed us! But for only 5 seconds!!! If you can understand Dutch and want to patiently sit through the entire program, you will see us here: http://www.uitzendinggemist.nl/index.php/aflevering?aflID=10150495&md5=05673553150262bd6d07a0762c3a8b1d

And here are some pictures Alice sent me of our weekend at Trinity.

Steve Bird

Elise

Elise

Steve Bird, Steve Huizenga, Virginia Veldman Van Til

Helen Hoekema Van Dyke, me, and Daryce Hoff

Me, Alice, and Daryce

Alice and I

Me, Alice, and Daryce

Me, sitting at the memorial for our fellow classmate, Albertina De Groot Vander Weele
Elise and Alice dancing the night away!

WHOA!!!

Can you see him? The lizard on the windshield? This happened to me on the way to work yesterday. I had just finished a session with a student that is preparing to take his GED test. My mind was swirling with the many things I had to do:

• sew David's pants
• pick up drycleaning
• buy baking soda and vinegar for the volcano experiment
• pick up rolls for church dinner
• get home on time to bring David to work
• look for cheapest place to fill up with gas

And suddenly, PLOP!! Out of nowhere flew this little lizard and he landed on my windshield! He slowly made his way to the left side of the window and we had a few eyeball-to-eyeball moments. I sort of was hoping he would talk to me like the little green guy on the Geico commercials. When I stopped for a red light, he hopped off.

I couldn't help but think of how often our lives feel like that little lizard. We are just plodding along, going where we need to go to get done what we need to do, and suddenly....out of nowhere, we are swept off of our feet! It can happen with something as simple as a change of plans to something big like an illness or death, but the result is the same. We are suddenly doing something we NEVER planned on doing, heading in a direction we never planned on going, and hanging on for dear life!! Have you ever had that happen?

When it happens, it's good to know the driver of the car on whose windshield you land! I'm so thankful that while interruptions may seem like a wild ride, they really are controlled by a God that is Sovereign and in control of ALL things.

*********

Today I had a cute surprise waiting on my coffee table. I was dusting off a bowl of artificial fruit, when I noticed some teethmarks! I had to laugh. I knew exactly who had tried to bite the apples...my little friend, Mickalah

Here she is! She spent the night and I didn't have pajamas for her, so I put her in one of Elise's t-shirts. It was wwaaayyy too big for her and she kept pulling up the falling sleeves and reminding me that, "Elise's pink dress is too big Mrs. Joyce!!"

I love to hear her call me "Mrs. Joyce". She thinks that is my last name. She calls my husband "Mr. Joyce"!

As you can see, it doesn't take much to entertain her. She occupied herself for quite sometime with the umbrella.

Mick and the "way too big pink dress"

Child Protective Services

Want your heart to break? Go to the Child Protective Services website and look at all the children that are in need of a home.

I went there recently because a woman in our church was sharing with us the fact that CPS is now asking churches to help them. Because of the economic situation in our country, child abuse has risen, while the available homes for children has declined.

Did you know that when a child is taken out of their home because of abuse, if there is no available foster home, the child has to sleep in the CPS office until he/she can be placed? I was appalled! A friend of mine who has adopted several children from CPS said, "Oh, yeah! It happens all the time! The little girl we adopted was only 5 months old and had to stay in a car seat all day in her caseworkers office until she was placed in our home."

I am in the talking stages with our church to begin a small ministry to the caseworkers. If they get a call to take a child out of a home immediately, our church is a place they can call if they need diapers, formula, toothpaste, shampoo, p.j.s, clothes, etc.

If I could, I would take all of these children home to live with me! One little boy that is looking for a "forever home" had this write up under his picture: M longs for a family. He does well in school and loves sports. Despite the fact that all of the toes on one foot have been amputated due to abuse, M still has the will to play football with his friends...

Who would do something that cruel to a child? Please join me in praying for these children. Maybe you can think of ways you and your friends could be of help to these precious little ones and also to their caseworkers. The caseworkers have such huge work loads. I think there is a ministry in writing them, encouraging them, and praying for them as they go into a real life battle zone everyday!

God's love for his children...it boggles my mind. But even though I don't understand the depth of His love, much less the "why" of His love, knowing the love He has for me and that it is based on fact not feelings, gives me a depth of security that no one or no situation can take away.

Whew! That was a pretty long sentence! I think my writing must be getting too much influence from the Apostle Paul...I mean, seriously,have you ever really looked at that guy's sentence structure?

I digress...

When I returned to Michigan after living in Chicago for several years, I returned as a very confused young woman. The "boyfriend thing" that I wrote about a few days ago was a difficult time in my life. I returned to Grand Rapids feeling very lonely, very shaken, very uncertain about my future. It seems funny now to think that at such a young age I felt so "washed up", but that is truly how I felt.

Enter, John DeVries.. He was the pastor at my parents church when I returned home to live. I first met him in Chicago, where I had his oldest daughter in my class. John had a real love for words and poetry. I'll never forget the first time he recited all the words to this old hymn:

The love of God is greater far

Than tongue or pen can ever tell;

It goes beyond the highest star,

And reaches to the lowest hell;

The guilty pair, bowed down with care,

God gave His Son to win;

His erring child He reconciled,

And pardoned from his sin.

Refrain:

Oh, love of God, how rich and pure!How measureless and strong!

It shall forevermore endure—The saints’ and angels’ song.

When hoary time shall pass away,

And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall,

When men who here refuse to pray,

On rocks and hills and mountains call,

God’s love so sure, shall still endure,

All measureless and strong;

Redeeming grace to Adam’s race—The saints’ and angels’ song.

Could we with ink the ocean fill,

And were the skies of parchment made,

Were every stalk on earth a quill,

And every man a scribe by trade;

To write the love of God above

Would drain the ocean dry;

Nor could the scroll contain the whole,

Though stretched from sky to sky.

Often, John would use the last verse of the song as a prayer that concluded the worship service. As I sat under his teaching, as the thought of God's love for me began to warm and soften my cold, confused heart, my life slowly changed and took on a new direction.

Today I received the "ditty" below in an email from my sister Nancy. It's just a little part from a very long email, but this is the part that touched me...that reminded me again - and in a new way - the love that God has for His children. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did...

Is it possible for someone to give 101%??? Think about this:

If:

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Is represented as:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26.

Then:

H-A-R-D-W-O- R- K

8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98%

And:

K-N-O-W-L-E- D-G-E

11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+ 5 = 96%

But:

A-T-T-I-T-U- D-E

1+20+20+9+20+ 21+4+5 = 100%

Now, look how far the love of God will take you:


L-O-V-E-O-F- G-O-D
12+15+22+5+15+ 6+7+15+4 = 101%


Therefore, one can conclude with mathematical certainty that:

While Hard Work and Knowledge will get you close, and Attitude will
get you there, it's the Love of God that will put you over the top!

Introducing Micca

I want you all to meet Micca. She is the oh-so-talented leader that I was privileged to have during the She Speaks conference this past summer. I have been wanting to write about the words from the old hymn, Jesus, Lover of My Soul. Until I am able to get my thoughts together on that topic, here is Micca's take on the infinite love our Savior has for us:

San Diego

Today was absolutely gorgeous...no humidity in the air, no clouds in the sky...only blue skies and fresh air! This weather put a pep in my step and a smile on my face! When I experience this kind of day, I call it a "San Diego" day. Those of you that have had the joy of spending time in San Diego will know what I'm talking about. The weather there always seems to be perfect. It's the kind of weather where the weatherman must have the most unchallenging job in the world simply because the weather is always perfect. If you don't believe me, check out their extended forecast for next week:

Thursday
Oct 29
Sunny
High 68°F
Low 54°F
Precip 0 %

Friday
Oct 30
Sunny
High 68°F
Low 55°F
Precip 0 %


Saturday
Oct 31
Sunny
High 67°F
Low 56°F
Precip 0 %

Sunday
Nov 01
Sunny
High 66°F
Low 56°F
Precip 0 %

See what I mean?

I first visited San Diego during the summer of 1975. How I got there and why I got there is my story for the day....

I had just completed my first year of teaching and in many ways, it was one of the most difficult years of my young life (I was 22 years old at the time). To understand why it was difficult, I have to go back even further...back to 1970. I am now 17 years old. I am a freshman at Trinity. I know no one and no one knows me. At the end of our freshman orientation, my RA walks into my room. She tells me one of her friends that she went to high school with had noticed me and wondered if I might want to go out. Why he didn't ask me himself, I never quite understood. Anyway, I told her I would think about it. I was dating my "high school sweetheart", and while we agreed we could and would date others, I wasn't quite ready for that to take place so soon! The next day "mystery man" introduced himself. He was 6'8", a star basketball player, and yes, I went out with him!

For the rest of the year, we were connected at the hip! We did everything together and when it was time for freshman year to end, I didn't know how my life would go on!! So melodramatic!!

During my sophomore year, at the ripe old age of 19, we were engaged to be married.

During my junior year we broke up. However...the very last day of school, he asked if I would like to have an ice cream cone. Icecream!!! He always knew my weakness!

We dated during my senior year, but it was off and on...and ended up being more off. I tried to move on and even started dating someone else. However, after graduation, mystery man seemed to be fixated on the idea that we were destined to be together. By this time, my feelings had changed quite a bit. But that did not phase Mr. Mystery. He called, he sent cards, he showed up where I worked, and kind of stalked me relentlessly. Finally, one day, he said, "Do you never want to hear from me again?" and my response was, "I think that would be a good idea."

Two weeks later I had a change of heart. I called him. His mother answered and said, "Don't you think you've done enough? Let him go. He just started dating a nice girl from church."

I remember thinking "Um...what am I??? A not "nice" girl???"

I never heard from him again. But during my first year of teaching, I heard ABOUT him all the time. I was teaching in the little Dutch enclave where his family lived. One day, when I had my class outside for PE. his little brother rode his bike up to me and said, "Hi, Joey! Did you hear my brother is getting married?" Insert knife...twist.

I couldn't seem to shake the thought of him marrying someone other than myself...I mean, contrary to what his mother thought, I was pretty "nice". Why didn't he wait for me?? How could he get married so fast???

Devastated, I did what any depressed woman would do...I drove to Trinity and talked to Dennis Hoekstra, the president of the college. He knew me. He knew mystery man. He knew how much we had loved each other. How could this be happening??? How could I go on???

His advice to me was to "get out of Dodge". Go away for the summer. Go some place I had never been before and meet new people in a new location. "Joey", he said, "my brother-in-law is in charge of church volunteer programs. I'm going to give him a call and see what we can come up with for you."

Soon, I found myself heading for San Diego, California. I was in charge of 6 high school students (from Chicago Christian High School) for the summer, and together we did volunteer work for a church in San Diego. We were in charge of youth group activities, Vacation Bible School, and getting out into the community so we could invite people to visit the church. First and foremost on my mind, however, was how I really needed to get back to Chicago as soon as possible and put an end to this wedding nonsense!!

What made it ten times worse was the fact that there was some really tall guy in this church, and I spent many a Sunday looking at this tall man and his family. His two youngest children were always squirming around him, and while he held the little boy in his lap and as his daughter laid her head on his shoulder during the church service, my mind was not focused on the sermon...my mind was focused on how that's what mystery man and I would have looked like with our "one-day" family. I spent many a Sunday with tears in my eyes!!

At the end of the summer, I returned to Chicago and continued teaching. Mystery man was living in Florida with his wife, while I was destined to be some old spinster!!!

My new friends from San Diego invited me to return the next summer. I don't remember the tall man from church, but I do remember his wife. She was very involved in the church and I got to know her better as I worked with her on VBS and sang with her in the choir. She was also the church secretary and when I returned to Chicago at the end of the summer, she made sure she had my address so that she could send me the church bulletins and keep me posted on what was going on with the families from the church that I had grown to know and love.

Years passed. The bulletins gradually stopped coming. I moved back to Michigan. By this time I was deeply entrenched in my life as a spinster. And then one day, out of no where, I receive a letter. It is postmarked from San Diego. How it ever got to me in Michigan, I never could figure out. Even my last name was spelled wrong on the envelope!!

Long story short, it was a letter from the tall man in church...the one with the four children...the one whose wife was the church secretary. He shared with me in his letter the sad news that his wife had passed away very unexpectedly. She had been in the hospital for surgery, developed blood clots that had gone to her lungs and heart and passed away. She was only 36 years old.

I felt deep sadness. I wrote back and shared my memories of his wife. And of all the things I remember of Dorothy, the thing I remembered most was her beautiful smile. Dorothy had a radiant smile!

Turns out, a few years later, I married tall man! And all four children were in the wedding!

It astounds me that God could take such a sad, troubled young woman, send her to San Diego, have her grieve over seeing this tall father in church because he reminded her so much of her old boyfriend, and know all along that someday - in His time- He would lead these two people together.

I have always loved these verses from Isaiah 61:

1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,

2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,

3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of His splendor.

God gave me beauty for ashes. And every day with Bill is a "San Diego day"!

Thank you, God.

H1N1

As you can tell, I'm a little "obsessed" with this swine flu stuff that's going around. Last week I found out that the father of one of my students has H1N1. On Monday, another student called in sick. He went to the doctor today. The diagnosis? Swine flu! Another student just got over a stomach virus that swept through his whole family. And then, to top it off, I received yet ANOTHER asking me to cancel class. They just received a call from school telling them their daughter had to be picked up as soon as possible because of a fever. I feel surrounded by sickness...

As promised, I will share the "How I Met My Husband Story", but maybe tomorrow...if I'm not sick!

Happy Sweetest Day???

What is Sweetest Day and when did this "stealth" holiday surface? I honestly have never heard of it before. I was having breakfast today with friends and one of them wished me a "Happy Sweetest Day". I thought she was kidding. I thought she just made it up. When I came home, I googled it and, sure enough, it really IS celebrated and even Hallmark has special card to remember the day...who knew???

Well, truth be told, I celebrated this day long before I had ever heard of it. Exactly 27 years ago today, Bill asked me to be his wife! Happy Sweetest Day, Bill. And if you asked me again today, my answer would still be "YES"!!!! Maybe tomorrow I'll write about how we met...until then, enjoy this special(?) day!

The "Cliffhanger" Is Over!

Well, that was unexpected! After my last post, I fully anticipated I would be writing Jubilee: Part Two. But...I got sick and so did our computer! I'm glad to report that we are both back and raring to go!!!

Here is a brief synopsis of the rest of my wonderful weekend at Trinity...

Saturday, October 3

Elise spent the night with Alice and I and was NOT ready to get up and "seize the day", so the two "oldies" got dressed and took a walk. Alice and I walked to the Corner Bakery, had a delicious breakfast, and took our time strolling down memory lane. It felt wonderful to relax over coffee and tea and rehash the great time we had the night before.

Once we got back to the room, Elise was still in bed and it took some "Mama-sized" urging to get her rear in gear. We drove to campus and went to the new Communication Arts Center. Once again we ran into old friends. Dave DeJong asked Alice if "little Joycie Popcorn" was with her. Dave is the son of Dr. Alex DeJong, the first President of the college. Dr. DeJong and my father were best friends when he pastored our church in Grand Rapids. He renamed me "Joycie Popcorn" after spending a LONG time in the car with me when I was about 4 years old. I tagged along on a trip from GR to Florida and I guess I must have been a "handful" (that's what they called kids with ADHD back in the day!!!). It was great to see David and recall our childhood memories. When we were about 5 and 6, Dave stayed at our house while his parents were gone. My dad gave David a little doctor's kit and my dad truly believed that he was the reason David became a doctor! Actually, David is a medical doctor AND a lawyer!!!

The infamous Joycie Popcorn...looks pretty innocent...but beware!!

Next, we attended a "Last Lecture" series. Two professors, Dr. Seerveld and Dr. Mike Vander Weele shared with us what they would talk about if they knew this was their last lecture. Before Dr. Seerveld spoke, I shared a few moments with him. I told him the story about how our family went through Katrina. One day, when I returned to our "rumble", I noticed a spiral notebook. I picked it up and paged through it. It was my Philosophy 101 notebook from 1970! There I was, standing in a place that looked like a nuclear bomb had recently detonated, and amidst all the rubble and trash was my perfectly preserved notebook. As I read over the pages, I could hear Dr. Seerveld's voice, and I was reminded of the rich words he used he used in class - words like "gegenstandt" and "a priori" and "sphere sovereignty". He taught me to never teach in a box, in isolation. Because of him, when I taught high school students American Literature, I also reviewed what the historical times were like for the writers, what the culture was like. Why? Because those were the things that influenced the literature. When I taught about the poetry of the Puritans, I taught my students about the religious views that molded the writers. It baffles my mind that I could stand in a public high school in Pascagoula, Mississippi, and explain how these Puritan authors saw everything "through the lens of Scripture". I was glad I could share with Dr. Seerveld the fact thathe, without ever being in Mississippi, had left his mark on hundreds of developing minds in Pascagoula!

Dr. Seerveld doing what he does best!!!

ALice and I then ventured off towards our old dorm...which, by today's stands, really does look OLD! We knocked on the door, but everything was locked. Wait!!! Someone answered the door! It was the Provost and she graciously let us come inside and snoop around. She even unlocked the door to the suite that Alice and I shared in '73-'74. Today, these are offices for the professors.

Me standing in my old room. If those walls could talk...
The two of us in our old bathroom

Next, we took Elise and her boyfriend, Tommy out for dinner. We went to the restaurant that I worked at during my senior year in college and the summer after graduation.

Alice and Joey...just like in the good old days!

Elise and Tommy (the pitcher of the baseball team)

All four of us

On Sunday, Alice left for Canada to spend time with her family. I went to the Chapel service and heard Elise sing in the choir...beautiful! We hung out the rest of the night together, she slept with me at the hotel, and Monday morning I took her back to campus. When she was done with classes, we rode together to the airport and said our farewells...leaving me to savor wonderful memories.

Trinity's Chapel

My Mother and I after a day of shopping with my college buddies...standing in front of Dorm Two way back in 1970

Sunday Chapel Speaker

Jubilee!

As I have mentioned often in previous posts, this year Trinity Christian College turned 50 years old! Last weekend I was privileged to be able to attend the festivities. Here are just a few of the fun highlights of the weekend:

Thursday, October 1
I flew into Midway Airport at 10:20. My dear husband drove me across town while it was still dark so that I would be at the aiport by 5:30. Thank you, dear Bill! After landing, I went directly to the Hilton. I was certain that I would have to kill several hours before I would be able to check into a room. but the nice lady at the desk let me check in right away! I was exhausted and dove right into the bed. At 1:15, my college room mate, Alice van der Hoek, called me. She was downstairs and wondered what room I was in...that's when the fun began!!!

Alice and I just saw each other this spring when I stayed with her in Holland...but I can't get enough of this special woman!!! She keeps me in a perpetual laugh. My ribs ached when the weekend was over, just because we laughed so much! If she was always around, I swear I would have abs!

The phone rang again, and this time it was Elise. She drove over when her classes were done and delivered her car for us to use while we were in town. I couldn't believe I was introducing my college buddy to my baby girl! It was so much fun hearing her impressions of Trinity. She also told us about her boyfriend, Tommy. Alice was in awe of all the things Elise shared with us...she kept saying, "My girls would NEVER do that!" Truth be told, I know there are A LOT of things Elise doesn't share with me, but I'm happy and thankful for the stories I do get to hear about!

Phone rang again and this time it was a nother college friend, Daryce Hoff. Daryce lives in the Chicago area and teaches music. She came to the room and kicked the laughing up to an even higher level. We went out to eat at an excellent Chinese, Japanese, Thai place and all shared our food with each other. We dropped Elise off at campus and called it a day.

Friday, October 2

Alice and I met Elise for chapel. Rev. Arthur De Kruyter, one of the founding fathers, was the speaker. He shared fascinating stories about the early stages of Trinity, back when he was on the study committee to research if it was even feasible to have a college in the Chicago land area. Many, many people were against the college, but each each apposition that was raised was overcome and it is an amazing journey that the college went through in those early days...a story that has God's fingerprints all over it!

After chapel, I had an Alumni Board Meeting. I met up with Alice at 3:30, we got ready for the celebration at Navy Pier and headed downtown by 4:30. All of Chicago was on pins and needles that day, waiting to find if they would have the honor of being the host city for the Olympics. It was a big disappointment to the people of Chicago, but I personally, was thankful they didn't get it because if they had, everyone and their brother would have been heading into the city the same time we were, and we probably would have missed much of the party. We tried our best to get their by 5:30 so that we could be there on time to practice with the choir. We were the last ones on stage, but we made it!

After rehearsing, we went upstairs and mingled. It was fun to see old pictures of students over the decades. It brought back a lot of fun memories as well as names and faces that we hadn't seen or talked about/with in over 30 years!

The Grand Ball room was magical...and so was reconnecting with many old friends and professors. At the end, we had so much fun dancing with music through the decades. After our trip home, we had a drink in the lounge that just about put us under the table! We were exhausted!!! Too tired, in fact, to drive Elise back to Trinity, so she slept with us that night.

More tomorrow...until then, here are a few more pictures...

Dancing the night away...Elise is behind the woman in the gray dress
(So am I, but you can't see me!)

Some of the former presidents of the college
Friends from the class of '74 - Steve Bird and Steve Huizenga
Dr. Arthur De Kruyter

Happy Birthday, David!

Today is a special day in our home. Our son, David, is celebrating his 25th birthday! We just returned from a fun dinner at Outback. Happy birthday, David! Make God continue to bless your life as He leads you and guides you in the days ahead...we love you!!!

Many of you may be wondering why I haven't written in a while and why there are no new pictures. Patience, please! I should have time to sit and write soon. I got home late Monday evening and have been running non-stop ever since!! Until I get a chance to write about my reunion weekend, here are a few pictures I stole from Trinity's site...my camera was giving me fits the whole time I was in Chicago. These pictures are very small , but you can go to the college website and see them in a better size.

This is the entrance to Navy Pier. They had large signs welcoming Trinity. It was a cold, wet evening outside, but warm and welcoming inside!
This is the Concert Choir and the Alumni Choir. I got to stand right next to Elise on the risers.
This is my Philosophy Professor, Dr. Seereveld. During my stint in his class, I was in awe and terror of the man. But this time around, we had a wonderful conversation followed by a kiss(European style, three times on the cheek, right, left, right!)

Inside the Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier. We had more than 1,400 guests attend. It was a magical evening and I felt so privileged to be at the celebration.

Great News!

Trinity was named "One of the best" in U.S. News and World Report!!!
Navy Pier

I am thrilled to be able to type these words: I FEEL BETTER! My throat is so much better and the constant burning is a thing of the past. I followed daughter Laura's advice and tripled up on Advil. That did the trick! Thanks, Laura!

Today was my first day back at work and everyone was doing great! It was a fun day teaching and I'm thankful I could talk again.

Tonight I gather my stuff and pack for Chicago. I leave the house at 4 am and should arrive by 10:30. I have one stop in St. Louis. Elise will meet me when her classes are finished and has kindly offered me the use of her car while I am in town. Later in the day I will hook up with some old friends from college and then get ready for the big day on Friday. I hope to attend chapel Friday morning. One year ago, I was the speaker for the chapel service. And after that service when I spoke, we served birthday cake to everyone on campus to celebrate Trinity's 49th birthday. On Friday, Trinity turns 50. No birthday cake will be served this year because of the big celebration at Navy Pier on Lake Michigan. I have Board meetings until 3pm and then need to head downtown. We will have a brief choir rehearsal, and then I will sit at a table to welcome the alumni from my graduation decade...should be a fun evening!

And now, I'm off to pack! Bye!!!

Sore Throats amd Toilet Paper

Had to stay home from work again. I literally can not talk. I spent most of the day trying - in vain - to find something to relieve the pain in my throat. It doesn't hurt only when I swallow. It is sort of an ever present burning feeling. I hope and pray this will clear up soon so that I will be able to go to Chicago. I leave on Thursday.

Chicago - that's another thing that has been foremost in my mind - a close second to my obsession over my throat!!! But I'm not very proud of my thoughts. Instead of joyfully looking forward to seeing people that I have not seen since college, I'm fixated on the fact that I have "nothing" to wear. This is probably going to be a fancy event and I don't own any "fancy event" clothes. I'm really upset with myself for letting these silly thoughts enter my mind. I know that once I'm there, I'll be fine and could care less what I am wearing, or for that matter, what any one else is wearing...I just want to have a wonderful time catching up with old friends.

How about you? Have you ever had an experience like this? I still remember the embarrassing situation that happened at my 10 year high school graduation. I wore a beautiful off-white knit skirt and sweater. I thought I looked sooooo hot! I was amazed at how many heads I seemed to be turning. Then I realized WHY so many people were looking at me. While waiting in line in the women's restroom, there was a full length mirror. To my horror, my slip was bunched way up around my waist and my beloved thunder thighs were very obvious to all through the sheer knit skirt! Not a pretty sight! Yeah, it's funny when it happens to someone else. Like the time Elise and I doubled over with laughter as the cute little hottie from the cosmetic department walked her way down the department store aisle, waving , winking, smiling, and flirting with every male she came in contact with. Little did she know that she had a long trail of toilet paper coming out of her skirt! We could have pulled it off or told her to check her skirt, but we were having too much fun laughing! Isn't that terrible???

I hope I've grown a little since then! I hope I don't become self-absorbed. I want the focus - my focus - to be the reason why we are all together. I want to give thanks for Trinity and the four wonderful years that I spent there. Those years were life-changing for me in many ways. And God used those years to bring me to the place where I am today. I hope I can thank the professors that played such a key role in helping me form and shape my views on God, education, theology, and how I fit into this vast cosmos.

I seriously hope that what I'm wearing will be the last thing on my mind on Friday night...and if it's not, I just might need to be humbled by some well-placed toilet paper!!!

A New Way to Look at Suffering

Every morning I receive a devotion from one of the writers at Proverbs 31 ministries. They are always wonderful. Some of you may want to go to their website and request the daily devotion, which they will email to you everyday of the week.

I've written before on this blog about the inspiring weekend I spent with the Proverbs 31 women at the She Speaks conference. Today I would like for you to experience the writings of my group leader, Micca Campbell. She wrote a beautiful devotional on suffering. I hope you can take the time to experience just a taste of what she shared with us as our group leader. And Micca knows what it means to suffer...she lost her husband in a tragic fire and she was left to raise her little baby alone. Here is the web address: http://www.proverbs31devotions.blogspot.com/

Yet Another Symptom!

Well, you must be getting tired of me writing about how sick I am. Me too!! Just when I thought I was on the road to wellness, another symptom popped up! I couldn't work today because I have the worst sore throat I've ever experienced. If there was a contest for sore throats, mine would be the winner! One thing I'm learning - I never realized how many times I swallow throughout the course of a day. Each and every swallow is excruciating. And I'm NOT over exaggerating...I am in serious pain!!!

I called the doctor and, thankfully, they had a cancellation this morning. I was certain I had strep throat. The doctor and I were both surprised when the culture came back negative. She thinks I have thrush. She thinks it's caused from the inhaler I'm on to help me cope with bronchitis. And you know what is almost as painful? When you "Google" thrush, it says it often appears in babies and older adults!!! Give me a break! I'm now on another round of antibiotics and some yucky medicine that I have to swish around and swallow. How's everything with you????

Countdown to Chicago

Trinity Christian College 1970

On Thursday I will leave for Chicago. My Alma Mater, Trinity Christian College, will be celebrating her Year of Jubilee. Trinity turns 50! Many fun activities are planned for this exciting milestone, and I am looking forward to participating in as much of the excitement as I can! As I look forward to the big event, I do so with eager anticipation but also with a little fear and trepidation. Why? Well, for one thing, I don't look as good as I did in college! I hope people will be kind to this one-time-cheerleader who, today, could not do the splits if her life depended on it! Actually, come to think of it, I probably couldn't do the splits back then, either!

Here are a few of the things I'm looking forward to:

• Going to chapel on Friday I always loved going to chapel at Trinity. Back in the 70's, chapel was held in the clubhouse of the former golf course. It had a huge stone fireplace, beamed ceiling and grand piano. Hymns never sounded as good as they did when we sang in chapel. And our professors had inspiring and wise counsel to share with us, helping us to discover what it meant to be re-formed by God.
• Meeting former professors Many of my professors were there from the very beginning. I hope to see Dr. Bergsma, Dr. Seerveld, and Dr. Diephouse. Some of them will be participating in a "Last Lecture" series, sharing what they would want to lecture about if they knew it would be their last time to teach. One professor that I will miss is Dr. Bos. She passed away a few years ago, but I know her presence will be sensed. She had to be one of the finest English professors this world will ever know.
• Singing with the Alumni Choir I sang with the choir for two years. During my freshman year we traveled to Denver, Colorado. When I was a sophomore we went to Grand Rapids...guess what trip I liked the most??? Today, my daughter, Elise, sings with the Concert Choir. It will be fun for me to be sharing the same risers!
• Seeing old friends I hope that I will be able to see old friends and get to catch up on all the things that have transpired since we rocked the campus. My former room mate is flying in from the Netherlands! We are sharing a room together for the weekend...just like old times. But I don't think we will stay up til the early hours of the day playing cards and listening to Cat Stevens...but then, you never know!

And here's what I hope people see when they see me again:

It’s no longer all about me.
I’ve come to prefer authenticity over sizzle.
I’m way more comfortable with myself.
I’ve come to value meaning over money.
I’m in touch with the fact that I’m not going to live forever.
I no longer care about what people think...most of the time!
I think about how much I am blessed.
I’ve experienced some painful, challenging times and have come out stronger.
I’ve learned to trust myself more.
I’ve taken some big risks and survived.
I’ve learned that being true to myself is more important than security.

I hope that we can look beyond who does what and who lives where and who drives what car and who has held up the best over the years. I hope, instead, that we can savor the wonderful reality that, for a brief moment in time, we were all students at an outstanding little college, where our professors tried to prepare us for our time to make a difference in this world. They trained us well. They taught us, in every class, to examine the things of this world "through the lens of Scripture". I hope we can joyfully share with each other what we have done with what we learned. I hope that our hearts will be full of thanks for the way God used Trinity in each of our individual lives to shape us into who we are today. And I hope we will leave with a strong commitment to see this college continue into the future...and to realize that it is now our turn to give back to the college that gave so much to each of us.