Happy Birthday Grandma Theda

As I clicked on my Google Calendar this afternoon, I was reminded that today would have been Grandma Theda's 76th birthday. Had I the privilege of being with her today, I would have given her the biggest "lower back slapping hug" she's ever received. I would have sang Happy Birthday to her..."organ hymn style". I would have made her as much food as I possibly could. I definitely would have made her an angel food cake with strawberries on top. I would have made her a t-shirt quilt. I would have raked all the leaves in her yard. I probably would have played a rousing game of "The Quarter Game" with her and the rest of my cousins in hopes that Grandma might tackle me to the floor as she sought out her greatest desire in gamesmanship...a victory!


All of these things only begin to scratch the surface of memories of Grandma. Mostly, though, I would have sat her down and asked her more about her life*. I would have asked her why she served the way she did. I would have asked her how she accomplished so much in a day. I would have asked her how she stored up so much love for her grandchildren. I would have sat and listened to her (and I would have made her stay focused). I miss my Grandma and I wish I could tell her today that I love her.

I hope she knew she was loved. Now, I know she KNOWS she is loved!

*Please take some time today to tell someone you love that you love them. Step away from what can become "our routine" and step into someone else's reality. Ask someone about them. Show them you love them.

Life just happens...

It was raining this morning when I woke up. I sat and talked to my mom about the recent, sudden death of my grandma, her mom, just 3 weeks ago. I hopped in the shower before taking my new suit that I needed for a wedding to a nearby seamstress's home in Syracuse. I carried the suit in, we became acquainted, and I put the suit on only to find that my un-hemmed pants were literally 4 inches too short...not a big deal, but it got me thinking on the way home.

Sometimes life just happens. We can plan, prepare, and perspire all you want, but so often we're left asking, "Really? Did that just happen?" You can think you're on some ordinary errand to get your pants hemmed only to find out you're going to have to spend the next week chasing down a properly manufactured pair of trousers ("pants" are undergarments in Ireland). A simple, unobtrusive example of how life seems to alter its course when we least expect it...

The death of my Grandma has had me thinking often about how I live each day. She was on her way to a graduation open house, simply seeking to encourage and love a graduating senior girl and her family, when she was struck by a car. She was gone in a moment. We weren't "prepared" for this. Grandma wasn't prepared for this...or was she? Can we be prepared for the unexpected that life brings?

I believe Grandma was, because, more than about any person I've ever known, Grandma lived each day as though it were her last. I believe I've heard a quote something like: "Never save for tomorrow something you can/should do today." That's how Grandma Theda lived. And, because of Grandma's obvious and surrendered faith in Jesus Christ's ability to save and redeem, she was living with hope, purpose, and a fueled determination.

So, while Grandma had no idea what was going to happen to her on June 5 (none of us could have), she was, in the most important ways, prepared. And, for those of us left to mourn and grieve, we must seek to live life "prepared" for the things that no can really prepare for because, sometimes, life just happens.

Home...alone.

My family is currently spread across three continents. I am blessed to be holding down the fort (i.e. watering the flowers, mowing the lawn, and chasing the dogs) in Milford, IN. It's 92 degrees and 46% humidity today, yet each member of my family is probably dealing with more of each.

It is humbling to write that my family is all over the world. I realize we are very fortunate to be able travel, see, and experience so much. I understand that many cannot do the same (or maybe have no desire). But, I know that through these experiences we have been changed a lot. We have seen poverty, hunger, filth, hurt, and sin all over the world. Likewise, we have seen beautiful mountains, gorgeous lakes, endearing smiles, hopeful energy, and Christ at work.

We've seen joy. We've seen sadness. All of these things have affected the way we view the world and the way we view people. These experiences have affected the way we view our neighbor.

Hopefully, we will never take for granted these experiences or begin to feel entitled. I know that I am grateful.

If you get a chance today, pray for my family. You can check in to see how things are going in the Dominican Republic and Nepal/Bangladesh at the sites below:

Kory, Alison, Mom, and Dad
Kalyn Marie

May every experience you have to see more of the world alter the way you view your world, your neighbor, your family, your life.

To Gram: A Tribute

While my Great Grandmother may never read this, I must pay her tribute on this, my blog. My voice to masses. About 2 weeks ago my family trekked over to Grabill, IN, home of the Leo Lions as well as several of my dear family and friends.

Our purpose was clear and simple: Hang out with the coolest 93 year old woman on the planet!

Gram Wisner, or "Gram" as we like to call her, has something special about her that just makes you want to sit down and shoot the breeze. I've found myself wondering where the time went as I sat in her sun porch watching the birds and talking about life for several hours. Gram was born in 1905 (or thereabouts). Despite the passing of many years, Gram has a unique ability to relate to people where they are. She is sincerely interested in what I'm doing. She genuinely cares. Often, she'll just laugh at all the travels we're doing or the new gadgets we use. But, she has the ability to remember and care about you. She wants to know what you've been up to, and she's usually just filling in the gaps of things she has remembered so vividly.
So, here are my 10 favorite things about Gram:

1. She loves to laugh.
2. She loves sports.
3. She's gorgeous.
4. She dresses to kill.
5. She loves head rubs (so do I!)
6. She's got a great, witty sense of humor.
7. She loves food.
8. She loves her family.
9. She's lived well through adversity
10. She loves God.

You know those people in your life that you might often take for granted. Sometimes, I feel like I do that to Gram. I don't want to. I can't help but think back to my heritage and realize that she's a big part (directly and indirectly) of shaping me to be the person I am.

SALT 2008

I just got back from West Virginia. For the past 3 years, I've spent the first week of August with around 30 Bethel College athletes learning and growing in the area of Spiritual Leadership. The retreat is called SALT and was started by my dad 4 years ago. I spent the summer of 2006 interning for my dad at Bethel helping to plan for this retreat, so it has become very important to me. I actually posted about last year's retreat here.

I love this week. I love the students that I get to experience life with. This year, I got to serve alongside my entire family which was definitely a highlight. I got to see God use my dad as the athletic director at Bethel in a unique way in challenging these talented athletes to pursue Christ above all else.

Again, the vulnerability, honesty, and brokenness was so visible. There is something very unique about working with college athletes. First of all, any games that take place are all out wars. Secondly, there are unique walls and facades that often build up in the lives of athletes. These were moved and torn down this week. Third, it is so cool to watch a bunch of people who do not know each other well at all unite together and bond so strongly in 6 days. Fourth, my mom cooks so we eat like kings.

My experience could be summed up by the following sentence:

SALT 2008 encouraged me in ministry with college students (athletes in particular), with my family (so cool to do this together), and to my heart (a lot of things going on but I was encouraged).

This is something that I would love to see duplicated at Taylor and other Christian university athletic departments. We'll see if I'll ever have that opportunity. This is not just another retreat. It is a time where God has changed lives. I hope to share some of those stories later.