Nancy Beach

The Same Language?

     The first time I went to Australia, 18 years ago, a woman who was driving me around told me that I had "left my jumper in her boot."  I had absolutely no clue what she was talking about - for those who don't know, I had left my sweater in the trunk of her car.  I was reminded many times in the past 11 days with the Aussies how many words we say differently, or words that simply mean nothing to the other's culture.  The people I was teaching laughed at how I pronounced the word "leisure" - apparently, they think it should rhyme with "pleasure."  They call diapers "nappies", and want to throw something on the "barby."

     All of this makes me wonder how the same language morphed and changed in different countries - along with our accents.  It's really great fun to see how we miss in communicating to those we think should understand. As I sit in the lounge at the Sydney airport, waiting for my 15 hour flight to Los Angeles, I'm looking forward to returning to a place where people don't think I sound funny, and where I can ask my husband to "pop the trunk" open, and he won't be looking for some kind of boot!  Home sweet home is coming soon...

A Lovely Surprise in Adelaide

     I've been spending more than a week now in Australia.  My most recent stop is in the central city of Adelaide.  As I was driven from the airport, I had no idea that our hotel would be perched right on the gorgeous coastline.  What a gift to be able to run on a path that borders the ocean!  With all the teaching I've been doing, and missing home, I received this gift from my gracious heavenly Father with much joy.

     I have to say...I love the Aussies.  They have been unbelievably hospitable and kind.  The journey has been a mix of teaching on the arts, speaking at weekend church services, and leading workshops for women in leadership.  Each stop has been blessed with holy moments, for which I'm so very grateful.

     However...I'm getting weary of the sound of my voice!  So glad that today and tomorrow are more about travel (on to Perth) and just a few dinners with leaders.  All of us can only offer so much output without getting filled back up and refreshed  That's as clear to me as the sound of the waves out my window, coming to the shore with a distinct rhythm of back and forth.  My inner rhythm is telling me it's time to be quiet and still, getting refueled for the next opportunity to teach.

Preparing For A Long Journey

     I have that odd combination of melancholy and excitement as I prepare to leave for an 11 day trip to Australia.  Melancholy because I really love being HOME and find myself missing it more and more when I'm away.  And excitement because I really love visiting the Aussies and look forward to some wonderful opportunities to serve there.  I am heading to two cities I've never been to before - Adelaide and Perth.  My ministry time will include investing in a church near Brisbane for several days, teaching about our Sunday gatherings and the use of the arts, and also teaching women leaders.  I have several friends there who will take good care of me.

     So tonight I'm making my family one last home cooked meal (I've never been good at leaving stuff in the freezer).  They will get along fine with take-out.  The cat litter will get very little attention, but I hope at least she will get fed.  My daughter doesn't like the way her Dad prepares breakfast - I guess it's nice to be missed even if it's for the little things!  

     I will return on the last day of May. At that point I hope to point to how God used me in some ways as I breathe in the most wonderful smell of all - the smell of home. 

Divine Appointments

     I'm marveling these days at the outrageous goodness of God.  He is most definately a God who provides out of his glorious riches. And I do believe that He orchestrates divine appointments.  Here's one example from a few days ago...

     There's a forty-something bagger at my local grocery store named Gary.  Gary has some challenges, including a speech impediment.  I've gotten to know him over the years, and he is a part of our church.  Sometimes Gary forgets my name and calls me "Linda", but he always asks about my girls and my husband.  Gary walks to the grocery store over a mile from the house where he lives with his parents.

     So a few days ago I ran into the store for some last-minute items - I am a terrible meal planner, and probably go to the store every other day for something!  Gary was apparently finished with his shift, and his arms were full of many liter bottles of soda pop.  I asked him if he was hosting a party, and he said that his prayer group would be coming to his house.  Gary's arms were totally overloaded with grocery bags and he was planning to lug all of that home!  I finished checking out, and then felt that whisper from God that I should offer Gary a ride.

     The interruption to my day only required a total of maybe 15 minutes.  But here's what I wonder about. Did God see that Gary was going to have a tough walk home in the rain?  Did God time my visit to the store at just the right moment? Did the Holy Spirit prompt me to step in and offer the ride?  I think the answers are all YES.  It's a mystery to me, how all this kingdom stuff works.  But I rejoice in our Providing God who loves his children so much that he gets involved in the details.  I hope not to miss too many of these divine assignments...Let me know if you've had a divine appointment in recent days.

Getting Ready for Prom

     My younger daughter, a junior in high school, is getting ready all day for her prom. The process of her invitation to prom was more elaborate - by far - than my husband's proposal of marriage.  Of course, the bar is pretty low there!  But she received a single flower and a note/clue for two weeks straight.  Then, because the theme of the prom is "Under the Sea", the young man was carried into the school lunch room by two of his friends rowing in a kayak.  He carried a full bunch of beautiful flowers and asked Johanna to the prom in front of hundreds of students.

     So today was the appointment for nails, and right now her older girlfriend is upstairs fixing her hair in an updo and doing her make-up.  I know when she puts on the stunning blue dress and the silver jewelry and shoes she will look about 25, and I'll be overcome with that sense that she's all grown up, all too soon.

     My job will be to tell her how gorgeous she looks.  She heard that indirectly from her father who left a lovely note because he's in Zambia.  I will also be the official photographer as she gathers with a group of 22 - those will be fun shots to take! 

     These markers of childhood are filled with joy...but also bittersweet.  She is my younger daughter, and before I know it, high school will be over in our home.  Every season with these children has ushered in a new set of joy and relationships.  I know the future, as well, will hold some brand new adventures that I cannot currently see.  But for today, I will savor it...the wonder of prom and the bright shining eyes of my little girl I once called "Bitsy."  

LAUGHTER ON MOTHERS DAY

     I enjoyed a Mothers Day brunch with extended family at my older sister's home.  Only about half of our group was available yesterday (my own husband is in Zambia), so the gorgeous round table filled with fresh flowers was surrounded by only 10 of us. My own mother is 87, in fairly good health and blessed with a sharp mind and wonderful sense of humor.  What I will remember most about yesterday was the laughter.  My brother, sister, and I got going on family memories, especially about pets that mysteriously disappeared (a bunny to a farm, that we later learned became part of a stew, and a mentally challenged dog who supposedly went to another family).  The stories we told would not likely make others laugh, but we were overcome, wiping our eyes at times as the stories escalated.

     Later as I reflected on the day, I was grateful for the gift of laughter. Our family is far from perfect, and we have known our share of heartache, poor communication, and secrets.  But just for yesterday, all that was set aside for a time, and we rejoiced in our bond and lay aside our differences.  We usually do best when we avoid the subject of politics!  I looked around the table, at my 89 year old father, my niece and nephew, sister-in-law and brother-in-law, my own daughter and, of course, my mom. I am blessed to be a part of this goofy group known as "family."

     I sincerely hope you had a blessed Sabbath and a wonderful Mothers Day...and that you too had the opportunity to laugh.

A Few More Thoughts on the Sabbath

     After teaching on the Sabbath this Sunday morning, I actually experienced one with a great nap, time feasting with my extended family, and NO WORK.  I am still feeling the delight of being far more intentional about the practice of a true Sabbath every 7 days.  Our Creator knows this is what we need to function best, to be filled with joy, to have a healthy soul.  Yet we fight it and so often think we must be the exception to this need.  I am seeing how humility is required for us to trust enough to cease our striving and know that He is God.

     I have already had several conversations with people from our church community who are rethinking their approach to the Sabbath.  This is hugely encouraging to me.  As I said this weekend, I have no worries that the Willow folks know how to work and how to serve.  This is evidenced by their outrageous sacrifice in our Celebration of Hope campaign to serve the under-resourced.  I am still stunned by the generosity of our congregation who packed 500,000 seed packs for Zimbabwe (this required over 16,000 volunteers) and who sacrificially gave, over and above the regular offering, $2.3 million dollars to the campaign.  God poured out a miracle before our eyes, and the applause when the congregation heard this report gave me goosebumps.

     If we can learn the rhythm of work and rest, God will sustain us and allow us to be fruitful for a long time.  So let's all get on board with the Sabbath.  I"m already anticipating my next one...on Mothers Day!