Day 52

Scripture:  Ps 118:14-24; Acts 4:13-21; Mark 16:9-15, 20


Scripture standout: Ps ¹⁵ Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: “The LORD’s right hand has done mighty things! 
 ¹⁶ The LORD’s right hand is lifted high;
   the LORD’s right hand has done mighty things!” ¹⁷ I will not die but live,
   and will proclaim what the LORD has done. ¹⁸ The LORD has chastened me severely,
   but he has not given me over to death. ¹⁹ Open for me the gates of the righteous;
   I will enter and give thanks to the LORD. ²⁰ This is the gate of the LORD
   through which the righteous may enter. ²¹ I will give you thanks, for you answered me;
   you have become my salvation

Morning thoughts; Doesn't this just sound exuberant? I'm going to focus on being joyously thankful for life's blessings today. Can't hurt!

The Deed/The Day: Today was another "planned deed," and one that I dread doing but always adore when it's go time: GranadaFest. It's our annual neighborhood party in the park. It sounds like a lot of work when we're planning, and the morning of I always think how I'd rather be sleeping than schlepping. But there is nothing like a neighborhood coming together for a common cause: fun and community. So moving tables and staple-gunning tablecloths and doing last-minute things turns out to be a unifying experience. And I didn't do even half of what others did. I am amazed at how some people give all of themselves for events like this. The woman who plans this is my hero. She is a calm, capable, well organized, mild-mannered and kind woman who gets all this done without fussing, or over analyzing, or over communicating or worrying. It just comes together. I love people like her.


True confession — on the surface I seem calm. But way down underneath I am a fusser, and sometimes a worrier. Would you know I totally forgot to be exuberantly thankful today? I'll give it a whirl before I go to bed, but geez — you'd think I could focus on one challenge and make it happen!


If these folks can do it, so can I. Another example of how the media can share examples of people "doing things right" or filling needs — sometimes I think this is God's way of talking to me. I'm a total news consumer, so he probably knows this is the best way to reach me:


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/42836327#42836327

Day 51 — Headin for a Weddin

Scripture: Psalm 116:1-8; Psalm 118:19-24; Acts 4:1-12; John 21:1-14


Scripture standout: John 21: "² Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. "


Morning thoughts: "Come over, have a champagne breakfast and watch the royal wedding — the fun starts at 4 a.m." The call to celebrate the royal nuptials was definitely not a call like the one Jesus gave the disciples — but it was a call for breakfast nonetheless. Would anyone come? That was my resounding concern. A 4 a.m. wake up call to party is, well, easily ignored especially when it's 4 a.m. The news station showed up as promised at 3:45 a.m. I had all but surrendered to the fact that no one would process to the party, much less in their royal regalia. I slugged a mimosa. This is out of my hands, I thought.  I was beyond relieved when a joyful band of friends and neighbors marched through the front door — more than 20! A real party! Thank God! I may be beside myself with exhaustion, but darn if we didn't have a nice time being girly and nostalgic this morning.


Point? "Come, and have breakfast" is not always an easy call to answer. And sometimes, it's exhausting. But in the end, there's a promise of joy. Say yes to the invitation.


The Deed/The day: So I thought I would do something nice for myself after I cleaned up the party at 8 a.m. I plunked myself down on the couch, crown and royal gown and all with a fresh cup of coffee, and promised myself I could sit there and relish for an hour or two. I even dangled the "nap carrot" in front of myself. Myself was sold — myself was ready to relax, kick back, and focus on me for a bit. Myself thought Me was royally awesome.


Poor Myself. Such plans were not in the cards. The bug guy came over to spray the staircase for moths. Darn moths. Darn bug guy. I had to evacuate with Dot for two hours — geesh! So off went the ball gown and tiara and bling, and I saddled up Beast Master for some errands. Darn moths. Darn bug guy.


First deed, swing by another royal party and be a fun guest. It was my turn, wasn't it? Second deed, recognize someone's birthday with a chocolate cupcake. Now that I have regrouped, it's off to school to be a good mommy and cheer the kids on at Field Day. Then it's back here to get ready for a friend's rehearsal dinner. And then, and then, and then....Rest? What rest? Answering the call for breakfast opens a big 'ole can of worms sometimes.

Day 50

Scripture: Psalm 8; Psalm 114; Acts 3:11-26; Luke 24:36-48 


Scripture standout: Luke 24: "³⁸ He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds?"


Morning thoughts: It's 4:48 and I had troubled sleep last night. Beginning at 2 a.m., I tossed and flipped and floundered. I'll feel better in a minute when RB and I start padding the pavement for our morning run. But right now, troubled doesn't even begin to describe how I feel now. Run over by a truck, might be the better phrase.


I did not sleep well last night because, like the disciples in the story, I had doubt in my mind. My brain was definitely troubled. Yesterday, I tried to share my feelings about a very delicate but important situation with someone. I don't think it went very well. The result? Troubled-ness. Sleepless-ness. Worry-warted-ness. Has this every happened to you? A challenge or conflict presents itself. And what does the brain do? It goes in to hyper overdrive — analyzing data, preparing scripts, researching background and offering narrative. It's exhausting!


Now I will prepare to run it off and ask my "other running buddy," the Big Guy, to take the rather large file folder of data and printouts that my brain produced last night and throw it in the shredder.


The Deed/The Day: Today's deeding was to make entertainment preparations for people I enjoy being around. With any lucky, my neighbors and friends will come to the house at 4 a.m. to toast the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. They'd better come because the news station is going to be here, too. The salon I use ratted me out! They couldn't find anyone else having a party, so our little 4 a.m. soiree will provide some live news feed for the local station. I spent a couple of hours today making the house look "wedding-y" and putting everything out. It's fun to prepare the house for others to enjoy. If no one comes, I will be royally bummed.

Day 49

Scripture: Ps 105:1-8; Ps 118:19-24; Acts 3:1-10; Luke 24:13-35


Scripture standout: Luke 24: "¹³ Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles^[a] from Jerusalem. ¹⁴ They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. ¹⁵ As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; ¹⁶ but they were kept from recognizing him."


Morning thoughts: This story makes me wonder, how many times have I been walking along my path — talking, yapping, wondering, worrying, working, imagining, speculating, planning — without taking notice that I have a companion on my mission. I do this daily.


Last summer, we hosted Hikmat a little girl from Afghanistan. She came through Solace for the Children — an amazing summer hosting program that treats children from regions all over Afghanistan for minor medical challenges. Well, let's just say Hikmat was not minor in any sense of the word. Beautiful, wild and totally uninhibited, Hikmat was a stunning challenge. Her cleft palate repair surgery was about the easiest part of her visit. She was desperately homesick daily. She was not abash when it came to expressing her displeasure over food she was served or activities in which she was participating. Sometimes, she was defiant. And she was often alone in the group because she was such a country girl, and only spoke Pashto. We loved her though and supported her through her visit. But we were wiped out by the end.


She's coming back for the summer 2011 hosting program. She has one more surgery to complete her cleft palate repair. I have struggled deeply with this for the past six months. As her host mother, I wanted to offer ourselves to her again. I wanted her to resume the place she had made in our family. But I also felt daunted by the thought. I worried over whether we could take on that responsibility again. And worried. And worried. And worried some more.


Last night, the directors of Solace came knocking on our door to share news: the identity of our host child. My jaw dropped when I saw photographs of two boys, and not Hikmat's  devilish little smirk peering out from a headscarf. I had no words! And then the relief came — we had two of the easiest cases in the group! Ashrafulla, the sweet young boy who has been here for orthopaedic surgery; and Qodrat, who was here last summer and is returning for a simple eye re-check. They adore each other. They are happy to be here in the United States. And the best news? Hikmat's host family is right up her alley in more ways than one. 


What would happen if I just didn't worry so much? Couldn't I see there was someone else on the journey with me? I am so lame — just like that guy by the gate.

Ps. 105 :⁴ Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always."

Just as I finished that sentence, I picked up the morning paper — always a source for good work that is being done in our world, or areas where deeders can step in and help. I was shocked to read a story in Mark Woods' column today about a friend's daughter who is battling cancer. I didn't even know. We rarely see this family, but I know I've bumped into them during the past year and probably said something trite like, "how's life treating you guys?" They are a beautiful family — always the picture of health and style. And now this. I can't think of a more inspiring example of someone who has "taken up their bed and walked."

There are some clear directions in this article about how to help Ellie. I'm going to check it out. In the meantime, the triathlon Marley's competing in this weekend will definitely have a different persepctive.

Mark Woods: Triathlon not just a race for determined fifth-grader

Submitted by Mark Woods on April 27, 2011 - 1:37amMark Woods' Blog

Ellie

In an age when many kids resist physical activity, it will encouraging to see the frenetic scene at the University of North Florida this weekend.

More than 1,000 children are signed up for the First Coast Kids Triathlon.

There are the triathlon veterans, intent on improving their times. There are first-timers, including 19 kids in a childhood obesity program who spent six months preparing for this.

And there is Ellie Kavalieros.

Ellie, 11, is a fifth-grader at Jacksonville Country Day School, the oldest of Nick and Lisa Kavalieros' three girls. She always has been an active kid. But about a year ago, when her left arm and leg started feeling weak, she ended up in the emergency room.

Her mother remembers looking at the test results, having no idea what the images meant, then looking at the three doctors.

Their faces said it all.

Ellie had Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma, an inoperable brain tumor and one of the deadliest pediatric cancers.

Since then Ellie has been seeing oncologists in Jacksonville, Boston and Pittsburgh. Her treatment includes a series of experimental and painful shots. In December, after a big setback, she was sent home to "get comfortable." And that, her father explains, meant hospice.

"When they arrived with a wheelchair, she looked at me with a scowl and said, 'Don't get used to that. I'm going to walk again,'" he said.

Ellie always has been driven in her own quiet way. When she got a B in a math class a few years ago, she was beside herself, determined not to let that happen again.

So last Christmas, her wish list was topped by walking. She started out taking a few tiny, wobbly steps. But, sure enough, on Christmas Eve she walked several yards. And since then, she has continued to get better, returning to school, resuming treatment and physical therapy.

The prognosis still is terrifying. Which is why last month she was among a group of children who got to meet Tim Tebow at the Dreams Come True office. While touched by the gesture, on the drive home Ellie didn't talk about the NFL quarterback. She talked about another patient who had been there, a boy who talked excitedly about doing triathlons.

"Can I maybe do one of those?" she asked.

She doesn't have full use of her left hand. She walks by kind of swinging her left leg around. But her doctors have given her the OK. And she wants to do this. Ask her why and she says matter-of-factly, "I want to prove to myself that I can run, I can swim, and I can bike."

When I hear her say this, when I think about some other anecdotes about her, I can't help but paraphrase a message a family friend posted on Ellie's website.

She wasn't just lucky to meet Tim Tebow. He was lucky to meet her.

mark.woods@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4212

Funding research

A research fund has been set up in Ellie's name at the Dana-Farber Institute in Boston:www.JimmyFund.kintera.org/Ellie-DIPG.

The Deed/The Day: A small but hopefully meaningful donation to the Dana-Farber Institute done. Sometimes, deeds come with big bold letters that say HERE"S WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP. This one was that way for sure.

Day 48

Scripture: Ps 33:18-22; Ps 118:19-24; Acts 2:36-41; John 20:11-18


Scripture standout: Acts 2: "³⁶ “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” ³⁷ When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”


Morning thoughts: Geez, what should I do? It's a familiar line isn't it? I ask myself this constantly on a daily basis. Marley left her lunch box at home for the third time in a row. Should I enable her forgetfulness? Or teach her a lesson in responsibility? Geez, what should I do? Or... I have a neighbor who acts like a total witch, telling me I need to "open my eyes" to the fact that my children just "run wild" (they don't, btw) and later calling my husband a freak (true story, and by the way, if anyone's going to call my husband a freak it darn well better be me!). Geez, what should I do? Or...I said I would volunteer my time on an important project and now I'm coming up short. Geez, what should I do? My list could literally go on forever.


I mean isn't that the worst when you feel sick to your stomach about something you've done and then frantically worry about how the heck you're going to fix it or get yourself out of it? What shall we do?!?!?! I can't even imagine how these guys felt. If you read further in that Acts story, there is a simple answer — one I never remember to do until I've made it around the corner and back trying to worry myself into a solution: Ask for forgiveness. Could it be that easy?


The Deed/The Day: Our little neighbor friend has been on my mind since this morning. She has strep throat. We know how that is! I had every hope to deliver some soup to her earlier in the day, and maybe swing some by RB's house — she's nursing a cold again. But it seemed like every time I set out to do it, something with work popped up. Then the kids came home, then we left for trumpet and then, then, then — it was dinner time. I only had enough time to make a little soup, but not the masterpiece I'd wanted to create. And it was our little friend's dinner time, actually in the MIDDLE of her dinner time, when Marley and I arrived to deliver the soup. Half-ass soup, late. Not exactly the deed of all deeds. But something? At least it wasn't...in a can?


And that is a hard thing to do — especially when someone calls your husband a freak, believe you me.

Day 47

Scripture: Ps 16:8-11, Ps 18:19-24; Acts 2:14, 22-32; Matthew 28:9-15


Scripture standout: Ps 16: "⁸ I keep my eyes always on the LORD.  With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.⁹ Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, ¹⁰ because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful^[a] one see decay. ¹¹ You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand."


Matthew 28: "¹⁰ Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”


Morning thoughts: I loved the sermon Dr. Cato shared in church yesterday. He raised the question, "Why did Jesus send them to Galilee?" He said that's where there was much work to be done — where the poor lived, where the needy were. Galilee was no Orlando (anyone who has seen "Book of Mormon" on Broadway will appreciate that reference), where everything is perfectly manufactured and hedged and glittering and in good order. Dr. Cato said we all need to go to Galilee. He shared how a professor told him that they would not find God in the Bible, but in places like Galilee. In places where there is a need. And I don't think you necessarily have to go on a mission trip or put yourself out there into the worst corners of the world. There is plenty of of Galilee lurking just down the street, or in the next car over in the carpool line. Maybe even in the Publix check-out line? Maybe we just need to be aware of it, and see where we fit into it?


The Deed/The Day: Birthday wishes — the easiest and lowest of the low-hanging fruit. I got to make a few of them today and Facebook makes it almost too easy. But it is what is. And I think birthday wishes are important. People may say they're not into their birthdays, but let's face it: everyone loves being remembered on their birthday.


Lord, I took Marley and her little buddy to see Soul Surfer today. I about bawled my eyes out! The girls spent half the movie whispering and pointing at me. I'm such a weeper. This movie was about the teenage professional surfer sensation who lost her left arm in a shark attack off the coast of Hawaii. As expected, she came back stronger and better with the "opportunity to hug so many more people than she ever could have with two arms." I needed Kleenex big time.


Thank God there are some serious deeders out there. I read this story yesterday in disbelief. Someone stole a wheelchair ramp from a sick little boy? Who does that? Yuck. Anyway, a company replaced the ramp:

Boy's Stolen Wheelchair Ramp Replaced

7-Year-Old's Family Received Many Calls From People Willing To Help

POSTED: Monday, April 25, 2011

Email

Print

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A 7-year-old boy's wheelchair ramp that was stolen Friday has been replaced, thanks to the Jacksonville community's help.

Cason Lofton, who suffers from a rare muscle disease known as myotubular myopathy and is confined to a wheelchair, was unable to leave for a doctor's appointment Friday morning when his mom, Dana Lofton, realized her son's wheelchair ramp was gone.

"It was disbelief at first," Dana Lofton said. "I was looking around the yard, looking in the house, like I knew it wasn't there, but I just couldn't believe someone would take a wheelchair ramp belonging to anybody, much less a 7-year-old kid."

Dana Lofton said she had to save money for months to afford Cason's ramp, a basic metal ramp that went into the family's van and folded up. The family used to use a bedroom door to get Cason in and out of the car.

Thanks to Fletcher's Medical Supplies, they won't have to revert to the old method. The company brought Cason a new ramp Monday.

Dana Lofton said she received a number of calls from people willing to help replace the ramp after her son's story aired on Channel 4 on Friday night.

"40th Day" Reflection...COMING SOON

When I have a few hours to sit and reflect, I will write the "40th Day" assessment of this experiment. I am waiting for the activities of Easter to pass and deadlines for the May papers.  We print at the end of the week, and then things will seem — sane. At least for a few days. When planning for the interfaith forum and Solace for the Children 2011 hosting preparing for summer is done — my brain might have more capacity.

So please don't forget to check back. I want to give a full report, and that will just take a little time.

The short answer? Morning prayer, silence, scripture combined with a focus (the pressure!) on doing at least one good deed a day yields a closeness to God that is invigorating. Try it. I can't stop.

Day 46 — Easter Sunday

Scripture: Ps 118:1-2, 14-24; Acts 10:34-43; Colossians 3:1-4; John 20:1-18


Scripture Standout: Colossians 3: "¹ Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. ² Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. ³ For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.⁴ When Christ, who is your^[a] life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."


John 20: " ¹¹ Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb ¹² and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.¹³ They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” ¹⁴ At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.¹⁵ He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”


Morning thoughts: I had a nice run this morning, just before sunrise. Several churches in our neighborhood — including the fabulous All Saints — were open, lit and preparing for 7 a.m. Sunrise Easter services. It is a sweet time of the day, sunrise. It's a wonderful time for reflection and quiet and letting all of those pesky, broken record player thoughts dance out of my head.


"Stay with me, remain here with me," were the words that stuck once all the meaningless chatter floated far, far away. I started implementing the words into a chant. With each pant in the first part, with each breath out the last part. Inhale — "stay with me." Exhale — "remain here with me." Pad, pad, pad, pad, pad. Scuff. Scuff (I don't pick my feet up enough, and am constantly scuffing — near tripping many mornings) Inhale — "Stay with me" exhale — "remain here with me." Those are such sad words considering the story of how Jesus begged his disciples to stay up for just an hour the evening before he was taken away. "Stay with me, remain here with me." And they didn't. They slept.


But this morning, those words mean something else: an invitation to continue a relationship. I've definitely felt closer to God during the past few weeks. Morning prayer, silence and trying to read and understand daily scripture has helped establish a better friendship and partnership. I want to stay in this place. I want to remain in this relationship. I want to continue the connection. This I decided during mile three of my glorious sunrise run.


The great thing? That connection is ALWAYS there. We just need to be cognizant of it, and embrace it. I love this story of poor Mary. She's devastated to discover that Jesus' body is missing from the tomb. Dang, she breaks into tears and freaks out! When she pulls herself together enough to peak in the tomb a little more, she sees two angels. Can you imagine! But that's not enough for Mary. She sees these angels, and yet she still weeps and sniffs and snuffs and worries — she is losing it! Boy can I relate! Then she turns around and, wow — low and behold there is Jesus. Right there, saying, "Awww, hey Mary — it's OK, I'm right here." And what does poor, little, freaking out Mary do? Does she run to him and receive his comfort? Nope, not our overwrought, distressed little Mary. She looks at Jesus —"and doesn't realize it's Jesus."


That probably happens to me daily. God probably puts lots of angels in my path and reveals himself in small ways that I never even see. But I am committed to having better vision — to being present and aware and open to a relationship that "sets my mind on things above — not on earthly things." Happy Easter!


The Deed/The Day: Entertaining is a deed, and we had a lovely bit of it today with David's dad, my brother- and sister-in-law and their kids and of course, Grandaddy. There is great joy in inviting friends and family over for a meal or an event (I have a doozie planned for the royal wedding on Friday morning — come if you dare! It begins at 4 a.m.! Champagne is chilling already!). Turn it around for a minute. How awesome is it to go into someone's home and be served? What a relief is it when someone says — 
"don't bring a thing. Just bring yourself." Isn't it grand when your glass is filled, your plates are piled high and removed — and cleaned. I think parties should be about the people there — not the details. I like to make a fuss about little frills and as much as the next person. But I do that so I can focus on who's in my home. I want to be present — not frazzled. That is always my goal. It is hard work, but isn't that how it should be? Entertaining is an act of service. And there's no better day to entertain and be service-minded than on this beautiful day.