Dear Friends,
My sister, Judy, and brother-in-law, Gerrit, drove from Visalia, with my mom, to visit on my birthday this past Saturday. My sister needed to pick up two books in downtown Oakland before 3:00 p.m. That was our only deadline. So, we were faced with the big decision – what to do for the day? Gerrit wanted to see nature rather than buildings. So, drive to the top of Mt. Diablo? Done that…. Muir Woods? Nice but not really on the way…. Golden Gate Park? Maybe….
A quick glance at the map showed that we can get to Oakland the back way and that would take us through Redwood Regional Park. Never heard of it! My first thought was that it was probably like the name of my housing development, “Oak Hills.” The only oaks within miles are the stunted versions that struggle in a few front yards! Redwood Park near Oakland? Right!
With adventure and optimism on our minds, we drove through Lafayette, around St. Mary’s beautiful campus, past an arm of San Leandro Reservoir, and to the Redwood Gate of the park. Yes, Redwoods! Evidently the area was covered with redwood trees that were cut in the late 1800s to build San Francisco and Oakland. Fortunately, there is a limited grove that remains that has grown in the last 100 years, ancestors of the old growth forest that once blanketed the area. We parked at Canyon Meadow and walked the mile to Trail’s End. Grassy areas of verdant spring green gave way to mysterious redwood groves. Wild flowers were everywhere. It was a glorious hike under blue skies and each of us felt renewed. My mom, who is 86 years old, almost skipped on the trail.
After our hike, we drove over the ridge past Skyline Drive and into Oakland, only minutes away. How is it that I have lived in the Bay Area for eight years and never knew about a redwood grove that is just minutes outside of Oakland? I’ve been to Chabot Science Center but never made it over the hill! I’m guessing that I’m not the only one. Here is my suggestion to you: In the next three weeks before the grass turns brown and the wild flowers fade, take the family to Redwood Regional Park. Have a picnic. Walk among the trees. And thank God that the name of the park actually has meaning.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Friday, April 16, 2010
Barbecue
Dear Friends,
During the Easter break, Pat and I flew to Grand Rapids, Michigan. Our main goal was to help our daughter Jaci prepare for her wedding on June 5 (in Grand Rapids), a back yard / garden event. We did - and my credit card got a work out…. Ryan and Emily are at Calvin College. Ryan invited us to a house barbecue with his fantastic room mates. Of course we said “YES” and I offered to help.
In reality, it was the B.J. Huizenga show. It turns out they don’t have a grill – so I bought one on sale at the local thrift store. Unfortunately, Ryan had to work while Pat and Emily were dress shopping, S0 – I went grocery shopping and planned the menu for the evening: B.J.’s Special Burgers (ground beef patties mixed with onions, green peppers, and seasoning; quality buns crisped on the grill; and every condiment one can dream of – including olives of course!); a variety of salads; sun and corn chips; and a smorgasbord of drinks. I bought disposable plates; glasses and plastic ware to minimize clean up. After $150, I lugged the groceries and “grill in a box” to Ryan’s duplex by 7:30 p.m. The event was scheduled for 8:00. I was hoping for some help to get ready in time. There was no one home. Eight young men – and not one was there! And, can I say that the kitchen was less than sanitary (college boys, remember)? I sat down to begin the assembly of the barbecue grill and quickly realized that I would not be ready until midnight! I was a bit panicked – and a little resentful. Have you ever felt that way?
At 7:45, the cavalry rode in. Four of Ryan’s housemates arrived, totally surprised that we were having a barbecue (was I supposed to send out invitations?), but excited to help. I assigned two to assemble the grill (one an engineering major), and two to clean the kitchen and start the coals while I chopped onions and green peppers to make patties. Ten minutes later, more boys showed up and I sent them to set up the tables and lay out the feast. By 8:00, the hamburgers were on the grill and the rest of the twelve attendees showed up. Did I say twelve? I was expecting twelve. 25 showed up! Evidently a party and free food at Ryan’s house was too good to keep a secret! No problem, I had bought enough hamburger to feed the neighborhood. Ryan entertained the guests while I worked hard at the grill. I emerged from the patio at 9:00 to a room full of revelers – to a standing ovation!
A good time was had by all! At 11:30, a remnant went down to the basement to play Rock Band (Beatles version). I taught them a lesson! Pat and I drove away at midnight with a smile. Life is good!
Things don’t always go as planned, but that barbecue was one of the most enjoyable evenings I can remember! Why? Because Ryan and Emily are surrounded by friends who know how to have good clean fun. They’re happy and they still want to have their parents around! I am blessed!
During the Easter break, Pat and I flew to Grand Rapids, Michigan. Our main goal was to help our daughter Jaci prepare for her wedding on June 5 (in Grand Rapids), a back yard / garden event. We did - and my credit card got a work out…. Ryan and Emily are at Calvin College. Ryan invited us to a house barbecue with his fantastic room mates. Of course we said “YES” and I offered to help.
In reality, it was the B.J. Huizenga show. It turns out they don’t have a grill – so I bought one on sale at the local thrift store. Unfortunately, Ryan had to work while Pat and Emily were dress shopping, S0 – I went grocery shopping and planned the menu for the evening: B.J.’s Special Burgers (ground beef patties mixed with onions, green peppers, and seasoning; quality buns crisped on the grill; and every condiment one can dream of – including olives of course!); a variety of salads; sun and corn chips; and a smorgasbord of drinks. I bought disposable plates; glasses and plastic ware to minimize clean up. After $150, I lugged the groceries and “grill in a box” to Ryan’s duplex by 7:30 p.m. The event was scheduled for 8:00. I was hoping for some help to get ready in time. There was no one home. Eight young men – and not one was there! And, can I say that the kitchen was less than sanitary (college boys, remember)? I sat down to begin the assembly of the barbecue grill and quickly realized that I would not be ready until midnight! I was a bit panicked – and a little resentful. Have you ever felt that way?
At 7:45, the cavalry rode in. Four of Ryan’s housemates arrived, totally surprised that we were having a barbecue (was I supposed to send out invitations?), but excited to help. I assigned two to assemble the grill (one an engineering major), and two to clean the kitchen and start the coals while I chopped onions and green peppers to make patties. Ten minutes later, more boys showed up and I sent them to set up the tables and lay out the feast. By 8:00, the hamburgers were on the grill and the rest of the twelve attendees showed up. Did I say twelve? I was expecting twelve. 25 showed up! Evidently a party and free food at Ryan’s house was too good to keep a secret! No problem, I had bought enough hamburger to feed the neighborhood. Ryan entertained the guests while I worked hard at the grill. I emerged from the patio at 9:00 to a room full of revelers – to a standing ovation!
A good time was had by all! At 11:30, a remnant went down to the basement to play Rock Band (Beatles version). I taught them a lesson! Pat and I drove away at midnight with a smile. Life is good!
Things don’t always go as planned, but that barbecue was one of the most enjoyable evenings I can remember! Why? Because Ryan and Emily are surrounded by friends who know how to have good clean fun. They’re happy and they still want to have their parents around! I am blessed!
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Easter
Dear Friends,
I talked with two friends (parents at CCC) this past week, one whose father is in his last days, another who recently lost her mom. When a loved one dies, everything changes. Emotions are frazzled, routines are shattered, priorities are upended, and the rest of the world just doesn’t matter much anymore.
All of us can identify experiences in our lives that have produced either emotional highs or lows, whether a death or a birth, a promotion or a pink slip. Did you ever hit the game winner as time expired – or did you fumble the ball out of bounds? Have you watched your child profess her faith in Christ- or watched her make painfully destructive choices? We are changed by these experiences.
One emotional experience in a week is difficult but how about two or three? Wouldn’t that be too much to handle? Perhaps. Yet Christ, and those around Him, endured many similar experiences during Easter week. The delirious exhilaration of Palm Sunday soon turned to humiliating horror on Good Friday. Only days later, Christ’s resurrection provided triumph and hope. Three earthshaking, mind-blowing, hyperemotional events -all in one week!
Our celebration of Easter awakens diverse emotions in each of us and some of us will relive personal highs and lows. But for the Christian, we are left with one final emotion that supersedes all others – JOY. The triumph and joy of Christ’s resurrection pervades all of life and we carry it within us to moderate the highs and lows that we face.
For my two friends, and for anyone who is shackled by emotional trauma, I pray that the joy of Christ’s resurrection will carry you through the “dark valley.” And for those that are “on the mountaintop,” I pray that the joy of Easter will always be there… Happy Easter!
I talked with two friends (parents at CCC) this past week, one whose father is in his last days, another who recently lost her mom. When a loved one dies, everything changes. Emotions are frazzled, routines are shattered, priorities are upended, and the rest of the world just doesn’t matter much anymore.
All of us can identify experiences in our lives that have produced either emotional highs or lows, whether a death or a birth, a promotion or a pink slip. Did you ever hit the game winner as time expired – or did you fumble the ball out of bounds? Have you watched your child profess her faith in Christ- or watched her make painfully destructive choices? We are changed by these experiences.
One emotional experience in a week is difficult but how about two or three? Wouldn’t that be too much to handle? Perhaps. Yet Christ, and those around Him, endured many similar experiences during Easter week. The delirious exhilaration of Palm Sunday soon turned to humiliating horror on Good Friday. Only days later, Christ’s resurrection provided triumph and hope. Three earthshaking, mind-blowing, hyperemotional events -all in one week!
Our celebration of Easter awakens diverse emotions in each of us and some of us will relive personal highs and lows. But for the Christian, we are left with one final emotion that supersedes all others – JOY. The triumph and joy of Christ’s resurrection pervades all of life and we carry it within us to moderate the highs and lows that we face.
For my two friends, and for anyone who is shackled by emotional trauma, I pray that the joy of Christ’s resurrection will carry you through the “dark valley.” And for those that are “on the mountaintop,” I pray that the joy of Easter will always be there… Happy Easter!
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