Archive for September, 2008

I Did It!!!

Sunday, September 14th, 2008

        Through the glass window I spotted two year old Emily in the middle of her gymnastics’ class with her mom, Anne.  The large room was filled with bouncing toddlers accompanied by parents and grandparents.  Many were being enticed by parents to follow the teacher’s instructions as they circled the room in time to the music.  Their little bodies did not always cooperate, but they tried to follow her.  Her encouragement was evident as she called out each name. 

            Independent Emily left her mom and stood next to her teacher with eyes focused intently on every move the teacher made.  When the class was told to bend over and touch the floor, her tiny hands quickly obeyed.  She tried to kick her feet like a donkey, but they stayed glued to the floor.  Her mom held her at the waist for her to try again.  Her chubby legs kicked into the air a few inches off the floor. 

            Emily stood up, threw her arms into the air, and shouted, “I did it!  I did it!”

            Her confidence and perseverance continued with every new skill.  She would study her teacher, concentrate fully, and perform the task.  When she made it, she would stand up and yell, “I did it!  I did it!”

            Her exclamations were barely heard amid the clamor of 25 toddlers, but she was not doing it for attention.  She was thrilled with her accomplishments and was celebrating that she had succeeded.  Anne and I laughed at her enthusiasm.

            What lessons we can learn from Emily.  When we perform a task, we can learn to praise our efforts.  Often we think of what we can’t do and wish that we were more like someone else.  We might realize that we can’t perform like we used to do and should be thankful for what we can still do even when it seems trivial.

            I may look strange and sound weird, but today I am rewarding myself like Emily. 

                        30 minutes on the treadmill

                        Paid bills

                        Called 4 family members and friends

                        Packed for trip

                        Wrote on my blog

                        Read the Bible and did devotions

                        Went for a walk with Alan

            These are some of the things that I did today.  As I finished each task, I stood up, raised my arms, and proclaimed, “I did it!”

            Alan thought that I was slightly crazy the first time but got used to it as the day went on.  In fact, he even did it too after he finished the dishes.  I guess it is catching.

           

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The Gray Sweater

Wednesday, September 10th, 2008

 

            From the outside, there was little indication that a church was on the other side of the door, but when the door opened, we stepped into a small sanctuary.  It was very simple with wooden benches arranged for us—a waiting area, an eyeglass testing section, a medical zone, and a spot for haircutting.  The pastor, his wife, and a few volunteers welcomed us warmly as we set up for the day.   

            On a line of chairs next to our medical area, I laid out the clothes that we had brought to distribute in case we saw someone in need.  We began our blood pressure and blood sugar checks as a steady stream of people came to see us.  I noticed a lady who seemed cold as she sat on a bench near me so I found a long sleeved turtleneck shirt.  Her face lit up as I handed it to her, and she immediately pulled it on over her shirt. Noticing her thin pants, I scanned the clothing selection and found a pair of pants that I thought would fit her.  Again, she smiled with delight. 

            Later, an older lady waited patiently for her turn while wearing a thin shirt.  Our supply of women’s clothing was dwindling and her size was larger than the clothes that we had, but I spied the sweater that Alan had donated.  He had used the sweater when he was in cold AC at work before he retired and had bought the sweater at the resale shop where my parents work for their church.  When I handed her the gray sweater, she beamed and quickly put it on.  She did not care about the long history of the sweater and did not question whether it belonged to a man or a woman.  It was warm, and it fit which was all that really mattered.  She continued to smile as she waited her turn and gave me a big hug before she left. 

            What we had given seemed like a small thing to us but to her was a treasure.  Often we think that we can’t make a difference in the world because our contributions are small compared to the rich and famous.  To that lady, her new sweater made the difference between being cold and being comfortable which was not a tiny thing to her.  Small kindnesses and a genuine interest in others can mean the world to them as we minister wherever we are.    

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Whatever you do…

Friday, September 5th, 2008

 

            When our mission team to Peru spent time with the grannies, they were thrilled with our company they had few visitors.  After returning home, I thought of the elderly here who live alone and in special homes who rarely have visitors and would love to.   This past summer when I traveled to Indiana, I visited with one of my aunts who had recently moved to an assisted living facility and attempted to visit the other one who lived there, but she was not in her room.  That is where I got locked in and had trouble getting off the floor.  Fortunately, I was able to talk with her at an offsite family gathering.  I was glad that I was able to see where they lived and visit for a while. 

            In Iowa we saw Alan’s aunt in the hospital and later when she was taken to a nursing home for rehab after a fall.  We went to another nursing home so that he and his siblings could visit his oldest aunt who was able to recognize them before journeying back into the past.  Unfortunately, we are not close enough to have regular visits with our aunts, but we can keep in touch with cards, phone calls, and emails. 

            For many of us—nursing homes, hospitals, and assisted living facilities—are not our favorite places to go, but how rewarding it can be to brighten the day for someone who probably did the same for us in previous years.  Residents of these establishments have lost their homes, independence, health, and often spouses and good friends.  Their lives have been totally changed which can be very difficult and frustrating.  Having a short visit from someone who cares for them, can make a huge difference in their outlook and even their health.  It is easy to ignore those who get old because they are tucked away—alone at home or in a facility—from our daily lives.  We have to make a real effort to see them in the midst of our complicated lives.  There are several reasons that people might have for not visiting—too busy, too depressing to see loved ones like that, nothing to talk about, tired of hearing the same stories, won’t know me anyway… 

            A short, upbeat visit can truly brighten someone’s day.  Maybe even the visitor’s.  It also follows Jesus’ teaching, “Whatever you do for the least of these, you do for me.”  How can we ignore that?  If each of us consistently visits those who need a kind word, encouragement, and a smile, think how our world could be changed. 

            As I think ahead, if I become infirm and alone, I certainly hope that my family and friends are not too busy to take time for me.  Shouldn’t I do the same for them?

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My Hurting Feet

Thursday, September 4th, 2008

 

            Pain increased as I tried to push my swollen feet into too tight shoes.  Additional pain radiated from my fingers to my elbows as I struggled to get dressed.  Why were my hands and feet so swollen?  Why was I in so much pain?  I had not planned to just sit during our mission trip to Peru, but it seemed as if that might happen.  I was very frustrated with the situation.   

            Martha, the nurse on our team, thought that I should see a doctor to rule out any serious condition.  I did want some relief but was not keen on seeing an unknown doctor in a foreign country.  Dennys and Gloria checked on doctors and found a newly opened clinic in the area.  Calls were made, a taxi secured, and the three of us were off. 

            We entered the clean, bright waiting room and were welcomed by a young receptionist.  My faithful interpreter, Gloria, accompanied me as I signed in, was weighed, and measured.  I had to convert the kilograms and centimeters to pounds and inches in my head when asked if my weight was normal.  Thank goodness I had taught the metric system to my students.

            After returning to the waiting room, I watched the other patients and glanced at the Spanish language tv show.  Within a few minutes, Gloria and I were escorted into another room where a doctor met us.  He smiled, shook our hands, and spoke in Spanish so I understood nothing.  He inquired about my medical history, symptoms, and medications before examining my elephant like extremities.  After a long conversation with Gloria, she would tell me very briefly what he was saying.  He then listened to my heart and lungs and pronounced that they were strong.  He said that I had been doing too much to my body and needed to rest with my feet elevated.  He also said to take an anti-inflammatory and prescribed a cream to be applied.  As we prepared to leave, he looked at me and said, “I wish that I could talk to you more in English.”  I was surprised and learned that he had studied in English in medical school but was not proficient in speaking it.  He shook my hand and thanked me for coming to his country to help.

            With relief, I left the clinic and thought that I would soon be back to normal but that did not happen.  The next morning I was still in the same condition.  Tears came as I talked to Gloria about not feeling good and wanting to be able to help the team.  She then told me that I had made an impression on the doctor because he could not believe that our team had come from America to assist the poor of his country.  She wisely reminded me that our ways are not always God’s ways and that He can use us when we least expect it.  Who knows what impact was made on that doctor because I needed medical attention.  My pain did not subside because of that revelation, but it did remind me that good can come from adversity.

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