Nancy Beach

Mr. Fix-It

     On Saturday mornings when I'm driving to my Pilates class, I often listen to "Mr. Fix-It" (Lou Manfredini) on the radio.  He chats with people who call in about leaky roofs, sliding door problems, insulation issues, etc.  With great skill and confidence mixed with a strong dose of kindness, Lou dispenses advice for every household problem.  Often, Mr. Fix-It recommends just the right product to do the job.  Every caller seems truly grateful and excited to make the repair happen.  It's a very happy show.

     Now I've never fixed anything in a house in my entire life - I am totally challenged in the fix-it business.  So why do I listen to this show?  I guess it makes me feel good.  There's a problem...and then a nice man solves the problem. It's like my friend who never really cooks but is addicted to all the chef programs. They make her feel good somehow, knowing that there are people who actually whip up gourmet meals that bring great delight.

     Wouldn't it be great if there were a show with an easy answer person top expert type who could address internal problems?  Not your typical advice show where opinions are bandied about, but a kind person who is always right and always offers just the right solution.  That would make life so much easier!  But on the other hand, I guess growing in Christ requires us to wrestle with stuff the hard way, in order to grow. I'll keep listening to Mr. Fix-It and get my Saturday morning dose of happy.

A Touch of Fall

     This morning, the air in Chicago was a little cooler, and my younger daughter went to register for her last year in HIgh School.  I'm definately not ready yet to say good-bye to summer!  However, I admit I've always loved the anticipation of new beginnings, of a fresh start, and of the beauty of autumn in the Midwest.

     Some people have a bucket list of what they want to do before they die.  I don't have that kind of list, but I do have a mental idea of what I still want to experience before the summer ends. That long bike ride with my husband, a trip into the city on the train with my daughter, the annual trip to the local Race Track, a few more books to be read, more grilling on the deck, an evening with our neighbors at our house, and more walks into town...Labor Day will be here before we know it. What do you still intend to do before the Fall?

EXCRUTIATING GOOD-BYE

     After finishing up the stretching and anointed Leadership Summit on Friday, I headed home to continue the preparations for my daughter Samantha to head to Ghana.  She will be studying at the University of Ghana for 4 1/2 months.  We had endless lists of items to be packed, medical needs, paperwork, etc.  She had a terrible time deciding what clothes and books to bring along and was totally unrealistic about how much she can really carry!  But then the time came, Sunday afternoon, for us to drive her to O'Hare airport, get her all checked in, and say our final good-byes.

     What a difficult moment!  I know that many parents have sent sons or daughters off for a year or more overseas.  I've been spoiled by having her only an hour away for her first two years of college...so yes, I'm a wimp.  But to not see her face or have easy phone call access for over 4 months is beyond this mom's imagination.  We are actually going to visit her for Thanksgiving (eating goat, perhaps, instead of turkey).  So when I had my last hug, both Sam and I cried. I could see the look of anxiety in her eyes, and it was oh so hard to let her go.  As we walked away, my husband asked if I had slipped her the envelopes with our two notes in them.  In all the excitement, I had forgotten!  Johanna ran back to the security line and passed them up to Sam...In my note, I promised to pray for her every single day, and I most certainly will.

     I've been imagining her journey ever since, and just 30 minutes ago, to my great joy, I received an e-mail telling me she has arrived and all is well.  It was several paragraphs, and I delighted in hearing each bit of information. One of Samantha's gifts is writing, and she can truly paint a picture of a scene. I look forward to each time she will send me news because she has such a winsome way with words.

     A poem by Mary Oliver captures the difficulty and yet significance of letting go of those we love:

    To live in this world

    you must be able

    to do three things:

    to love what is mortal;

    to hold it

    against your bones knowing

    your own life depends on it;

    and, when the times comes to

    let it go,

    to let it go.

God help me to risk loving deeply knowing that inevitably, times come when I have to let go of those I love the most...

On the Day Before the Summit

     Tomorrow the Leadership Summit begins here in North America.  I have the privilege of co-hosting the event along with Jim Mellado.  Already the excitement here in Barrington is building as many international guests have arrived and the technical and operations teams are full out preparing.  I am so looking forward to the energy that will be unmistakable in the room tomorrow, along with satellite sites all over the U.S. and Canada.  The potential for kingdom impact is truly astounding as I look over the speakers and moments that are planned.  Now we look to the Holy Spirit to do what only He can do - to anoint each minute and to custom design the experience for each individual participant.

     The Summit is only possible because of the faithfulness and gifts of so many team members.  But I personally am especially mindful of the Executive Producers, Corinne and Greg Ferguson.  They are two of my closest friends, and I have watched them prayerfully plan and create for months leading up to these days. They led the creation of two incredible video pieces that I can't wait for everyone to see, along with so many other surprises for each session. Those with artistic gifts understand the load the Fergusons carry, along with our Technical Directors and all of their teams.  Please lift up a prayer for all of them, along with each of the speakers.

     Meanwhile, my older daughter is packing for over 4 months of study in Ghana, so life is very full in the Beach household!