“Oh beware of thinking that these are beautiful words and images that Scripture gives; they are meant by God as the most downright actual realities for daily life and walk. God has given you such a High Priest that you might live an impossible life, a life above sense and reason, a supernatural life in the power of His Son.” – Andrew Murray, The Holiest of All
Greetings Family and Friends,
This is surely a different season, is it not? At 61, I can definitely remember experiencing some pretty hefty national and/or world trauma. I’ve lived through “scares” where supplies for home were gathered and gas tanks filled. I’ve lived through day-in-day-out earthquake drills at school and hunkering down at home for various widespread threat or safety reasons. But this one’s different, or did we say that every time?
I’m not going to comment on today’s COVID-19; we’re filled with that from many voices. I will say, I’m appreciating my Facebook feed more than ever: so much divisiveness gone. So much beauty rising among people coming together in hope and encouragement. So much prayer and testimony of God’s Goodness. Oh that it would remain on the other side of this current challenge.
In conjunction with present day, my letter is steering a little off normal also. It’s dawned on me over the past few years, that my very brief Easter (long-ago Christmas) updates ultimately serve me as a navigation/journaling of my life. (I have copies of each letter starting as a 20 year old college student.) So even though my desire is to stay in lives and connection with dear ones, this tradition means more to me now in my 60s. Thus – for my own chronicling purposes, a bit of storytelling is in order:
March 28th, 2019, I’m at work – normal day – and I’m overcome by an unusual feeling; I’m kind of inexplicably energized. I’m also hearing, in my mind, the word CHANGE accompanying it. Though I often sense Holy Spirit breaking in my days and speaking, my more familiar experience is of His quiet nudge or voice. This was stand-out. Honestly, I tried to shake it off. Thought if I was having some crazy sugar rush, the feeling would go away. But NOPE. I was feeling this thing so strongly that I was prompted to go out on a limb and tell my co-worker what I was sensing in the moment. She heard me out with a “hmmmm” and we went on with our day. But I couldn’t totally move on. I texted Greg and told him, also, what his crazy wife was experiencing at work. I wanted to document this moment…
And because this story thread continues today, I can’t possibly relay it all without writing a book. Suffice it to say, change started happening around me. Since it wasn’t happening TO me, I was thinking my role was to pray about all that was morphing in/for others. And that was true. But then three month later, my job was eliminated and I was looking at my OWN change, in a big way.
When my employers were sadly conveying that cuts were being made across the board due to low enrollment for the following school year, I was able to confidently say: “I’m GOOD. God TOLD me change was coming!” And I got excited! What I wanted was to go after Him and whatever this whole revelation meant. – My prayer for years and years and years had been, “I want to know You more, Lord. I want to be more in tune with Your Holy Spirit, living in me, - causing me to HEAR Your voice, and benefit the expanding Kingdom of Heaven on earth.”
Welp. It appeared He was giving me opportunity; He was giving me TIME.
This has been the most beautiful season and year; I’ve been able to intentionally prioritize my pursuit of Him daily in broader and deeper ways. God gave me a GIFT and though today looks a little precarious, the past twelve months have been full of His Presence and voice, and I am THANKFUL.
Fast forward to now. The change that’s occurred in the last month is staggering, surreal in most ways. And yet, I have such a sense of Peace. I KNOW Him! Not saying I LIKE the world flipped over as it has, but I’m confident God has a redemption plan. He always does. And I’ve been blessed to participate with Him in prayer more specifically this past year. For all sorts of people, places, situations, and needs. And in fellowship with HIM, I’ve spent time preparing for such a time as this, though never dreaming of a time like this. – Point is, it’s all GOOD.
So as not to shed all the specific highlights since my 2019 update, I’ll mention a few: Last August Greg and I did the dream, eight-day, Alaska cruise. It was an impulse “Let’s GO,” since my job wrapped up July 31st, but it’s something I’d wanted to do for years. Of course it was as beautiful as everyone says; I loved it! We did some on-shore touring at the various stops and enjoyed lots of hours just sitting at the ship’s big picture windows and out on the deck, reading, journaling, - breathing deeply, taking it all in.
We also traveled a couple times in September, driving to CO to see friends (and Phil Keaggy!), and flying to CA where Greg enjoyed car races with his brothers before we rendezvoused in San Francisco to visit his girls. Late Sept brought my mom and sister, Jill, to ABQ for Grandson Arlo’s First Birthday. Such a sweet time and celebration of our boy up in the Sandia Mountains near our old stomping grounds of Cedar Crest!
And, of course, Thanksgiving was spent in Santa Barbara again last year. (Adventures just kept mounting with fire evacuations, mudslides, unseasonably cold temps, and rain splattering our outdoor feast til our plates puddled! Oh the hilarious memories we made!)
On the Fam: Greg is well, although he’s been in much change this past year also. His facilitation/training contract work has been tapering off since about last summer. Of course, nowall face-to-face training is shut down and he’s checking out other options. It’s been nice that we’ve been able to have coffee and Jesus time together, more than usual, but we’re also seeking where Greg is to land next in the job market. – What’s his change?
With Laina, Krista, and Julia, Greg’s daughters, all living in CA, communication with them has stepped up in this season. It’s hard on Dad to have them all so far away. So many unknowns. So far, so good, though; they’re all strong young women and are doing life diligently under these present day circumstances.
My kids are well, too. Since all are basically self-employed and/or small business owners, the economic challenges are real. They’re each attempting to take advantage of grants/loans or alternative unemployment aid and God’s faithfully keeping things together for them.
Levi had a book release and accompanying tours/performances planned for 2020 when the virus hit. Brandi just started a personal training program as a licensed Crossfit instructor. All workouts have shifted online to comply with stay-at-home orders. Chad, fortunately, can work from about anywhere and is still selling his jewelry at his website. His husband/daddy responsibilities are weighing some, however, as Bree’s salon is closed indefinitely since being determined non-essential.
So we’re all in this deal. We’re also aware that our challenges pale to others’ and our hearts and prayers are focused on friends – and the world – IN much deeper than we are. Oh Lord, Have Mercy.
Some truly exciting news: I’m gonna be a Grandma again, #2 for Chad and Bree, comemiddle to late May! A precious GIRL! – The Barelas bought a home this past year about a mile from Greg and me and one of my other joys – with time on my hands - has been to have Arlo a couple days each week when the kids are busy working. Arlo is about the sweetest lil boy you’d ever wanna meet. (And yes, I know all grandmas say that. And we’re all RIGHT!) I love the idea that “Scout” will be about 20 ish months behind her brother, just like Bree was behind Levi. Boy, are we gonna have some FUN!
Due to my typical letter deviation, I’ve gone long and wanna wrap this up. Thanks for those who have stuck with me over the years, both in relationship and in reading through these communiqués. I love receiving YOURS and I love that so many of us have done life together over the long haul. What TREASURE!
The Scripture that seems appropriate this year in closing is John 16:33. “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – Whether it’s big trouble or life-on-the-planet, common-to-all-man changes, Holy Spirit wants to partner with us. He wants to tell us things that impart LIFE. He wants to be IN all things with us. He LOVES us and has truly, forever, overcome the world. Jesus. On the cross.
Hallelujah! He is Risen! And in rising, He’s enabled us to live the impossible life, the one above all sense and reason. There’s nothing better.
Take heart! Peace be with you.
Jody and the Gang