2010

The Five Remembrances

1.) I am of the nature to grow old. There is no way to escape growing old.
2.) I am of the nature to have ill health. There is no way to escape ill health.
3.) I am of the nature to die. There is no way to escape death.
4.) All that is dear to me and everyone that I love are of the nature to change. There is no way to escape being separated from them.
5.) My actions are my only true belongings. I cannot escape the consequences of my actions. My actions are the ground upon which I stand.

These five remembrances are something that Buddhist Monks say three times each day. While I am a follower of Christ, I think relevance could be found in these "rembrances." I don't deserve long life or prosperity any more than thousands of children who starve each day. I don't have more ownership nor am I entitled to God's love more than the next person. I want to live well, I want to live intentionally. I want to love others fully. I am given a life.

This past year brought a lot to reflect on and be thankful for. Some things I am SO glad are over, and I look to 2010 with anticipation and an inkling of hope.


I am glad that my friend Sarah's Mom is now cancer free.
I continue to grieve with two different friends. One lost her mother in August to a long battle with cancer. ( This is my 5th friend from college to have a parent or sibling pass away in the last 4 years.) Another friend recently found out that his Mom's cancer came back.

Their are multiple stories I hear of each day either globally, or dealing with people who I know well. These situations are messy and in need of healing and restoration.

Yet, 2009 also brought forth gratitude.
My arm is fully healed with a crazy scar!
My oldest brother is doing much better after his near-death bike accident in August.

I fall deeper in love with the community I am apart of each day. They have blessed my life beyond measure. ( friends, family, neighbors, church, DinoMights)

I was hired at the school where I did my student teaching. I look to that with anticipation and hope.

In June I am venturing to Kampala, Uganda until August. It has been my dream to do some type of educational work in the continent of Africa for quite awhile.

"GOD SPEAKS TO EACH OF US AS HE MAKES US, THEN WALKS WITH US SILENTLY OUT OF THE NIGHT. THESE ARE THE WORDS WE DIMLY HEAR: YOU SENT OUT BEYOND YOUR RECALL, GO TO THE LIMITS OF YOUR LONGING. EMBODY ME. FLARE UP LIKE FLAME AND MAKE BIG SHADOWS I CAN MOVE IN. LET EVERYTHING HAPPEN TO YOU: BEAUTY AND TERROR. JUST KEEP GOING. NO FEELING IS FINAL. DON'T LET YOURSELF LOSE ME. NEARBY IS THE COUNTRY CALLED LIFE. YOU WILL KNOW IT BY ITS SERIOUSNESS. GIVE ME YOUR HAND" -RILKE

Grace

I am a bit of a grinch when it comes to Christmas gifts. I enjoy the music, being with family, and I do like the holiday treats. I have not even started shopping yet. I might make gifts for my family, who knows....

As a culture we have desecrated a holiday that is meant for a humble baby born in a manger offering love to this world.

The U.S. spends over 5 billion dollars on gifts. People across the world lack food, clean water, and basic needs.

This baby boy, wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger came for all of us. He was a human being who roamed this earth.

Last week at school one of the girls in the class came with a gift for me. She lives in a homeless shelter with her Mom and three siblings. The woman who runs the shelter gave each kid a bag with a few games, and little trinkets. This little girl came into school with her bag, and held onto it all day saying she would show me what was in it later. At the end of the day, she pulled me aside and said "this is for you, 'Merry Christmas.' " As a seven year old child taught me more about grace, and accepting a beautiful gift in my grinch-like state, may we all remember to love one another... To love amidst the stress, and consumption of our culture. May we remember to see people, to hear people, and to be among each other.