I love Buzz Lightyear. The Buzz Ride is my favorite ride at Disney. I feel satisfied at the end when the high score on my laser gun proves that I’ve defeated the evil Zurg–all while encouraging a four year old, holding a toddler and smiling for a camera in the dark. Like Buzz, I can relate to wanting to save the world. “To infinity and beyond” doesn’t seem so far fetched and unrealistic. I was like this as a child too.
Besides wanting to save the world, I feel so endeared to good old Buzz because he is a Space Ranger. I have always been in awe of the Space Program. I remember exactly where I was when the Challenger exploded–in the cafeteria in 6th grade eating lunch. I can see Mrs. Corn’s face and smell the smells when she announced the tragedy. I loved visiting the Johnson Space Center in Houston. Until I realized how nauseous I might really get, I actually considered what it would take to be an astronaut.
But my favorite reason by far for loving space is that two of my favorite spiritual mentors are Apollo astronaut, Charlie Duke and his dear wife, Dottie (please see www.charlieduke.net). Growing up in our little Episcopal church in Texas, Dottie and Charlie prayed me through my teenage angst and were always so loving and encouraging of me…and still are. I just loved Charlie and Dottie so much that although I knew that it was a big deal that Charlie was an astronaut, I didn’t really get it until I had three little boys (and one big boy).
My boys are totally into space. They have astronaut outfits for dress up, and when they were included in our lunch with Grand Duke and Dottie in January, they fought over who got to sit next to them. So imagine my joy today (enough to finally sit down and add to my blog after four months) when after almost exactly two years of living in Florida, we finally saw a Space Shuttle launch. We’ve made numerous attempts that were foiled by weather and other acts of God. But thankfully, today at 5:02 pm surrounded by a huge crowd of people, the Streets heard the countdown, felt the trembling rumble, and saw the shooting fire. Even little David knew that something was special. He kept pointing to the sky and “talking.” I couldn’t help but cry.
I think it will take me a while to process what I experienced today. I am not gifted in science and all things mechanical and technical. What I saw today was mind blowing. I just can’t comprehend what it takes to launch people into space. It’s all wrapped up for me in Buzz’s mantra “To infinity and beyond” which has such radical spiritual implications. The launch and subsequent space adventure has illuminated for me that it is all so big out there. I can’t get my finite mind around my infinite heavenly father. Thankfully, I’ll have “infinity and beyond” to ponder…
We had a birthday party for Jesus on Christmas night. I’d forgotten to purchase birthday candles, so we used real candles–big candles–in the cake. Surrounded by my parents and sister, we cracked up as the boys used their new air cannons to blow out the candles after we sang Happy Birthday to Jesus. While we were eating cake, my sister asked Joseph if Jesus was living in his heart. He said, “No. I’ll ask him when you leave.” Joseph has been asking a lot of questions about Christ lately, and we’ve made it really clear that it’s his choice. He knows that we can’t choose Christ for him, but when he’s ready, he can ask him to live in his heart. He’s told us several times that he wants to ask Jesus to be with him forever, but he always has a funny time in the future that he’s planning to do it. Imagine our utter SHOCK when my sister says, “Why don’t you ask him right now?” to which Joseph replies, “O.K.”
Rich asked him a few clarifying questions to make sure that he was really serious and that he really knew what he was doing. Joseph was definitely serious and asked if I would be the one to pray with him. So, my sweet Joseph prayed with me, in the middle of Jesus’ Birthday Party, and asked the God of the Universe to live in his little heart. I couldn’t have scripted it better.
That night he called Rich’s parents and told them the wonderful story. They were fantastic. I wish that I had a tape recorder to remember forever the sweet things that they said, rejoicing with him. The following Sunday, I brought special cookies to his Sunday School class. His teachers made a really big deal about his decision, and the whole class sang Happy Birthday to Joseph while munching on their Wal-Mart Bakery fudge and snickerdoodle cookies. It was truly a sight to behold. Our Christian Education director sent him a wonderful card. We’re still excited, and it’s been a fun celebration all around.
I’ve already noticed a special change in him. Prior to December 25th, he would not tell people that he loved them. Now, he’s told his brothers several times, “Rich, I love you. Sharky, I love you.” I point to his heart and ask who is living there. He beams and says, “Jesus.” We’ve told him that this year, he gave Jesus his favorite birthday present. I think we’re right.
This is my blog. So many of my friends have gotten the “blog bug” that I wanted to give it a try. I am busy raising 3 boys, homeschooling and leading a small group with 25 returning missionary kids. I hope that this blog will be a great place to share some of my adventures.
This picture was taken this summer at our Staff Conference with the big boys and my dear friend, Amy Petersen. Amy is one of the first Missionary Kids that I ever met. She grew up in France and just moved to the USA where she is a Freshman at Michigan State. I met Amy at her Baptism Celebration when she was 12 years old. Starting the next year, she came to our home weekly for our Girl’s Group Bible Study. Amy’s entire family is dear to us, and we miss them terribly.
I’ve been privileged to watch Amy grow up the last six years. Last month, I used frequent flier miles to visit Amy at school for a long weekend. Her transition to the life in the US is remarkable. She is involved in Campus Crusade and working at a coffee shop in addition to making great friends and grades. We spent the weekend talking, watching lots of movies, drinking lots of coffee, going on long walks around campus and decorating her dorm room.
Besides being with Amy, it was wonderful to experience Fall. The leaves were beautiful, and I loved wearing sweaters and my jacket. The first afternoon, Amy was in class, and I had 5 hours to kill. I scoped out an antique mall that I thought was about 15 minutes away. I ended up lost in the country with a great Christian radio station. I rolled down the windows, sang out loud, and was overcome with thankfulness for my life. I finally ran into a policeman who pointed me back to the antique mall, which was actually only about 5 minutes from where I ended up. I piddled for the rest of the afternoon, and then headed back to campus to find Amy.
It was definitely a weekend to remember, and I’ve decided that as long as we live in Orlando, I’ve got to have an annual long weekend of Fall.
