on June

We moved back into Mexico, back into the 'hood back at the end of May, all sweet, no bitter. I missed this place, these people, in those few months away, missed it all mightily. Of course, memories show themselves nostalgic when you go away from a place. I confess, I forgot about those daily things that I can be so tempted to be annoyed by, like drainage projects that last for years and the roads that these projects destroy and the detours that these projects dictate... (and there I am, confessing how easily I am distracted).

I come back to Reynosa and to ministry and to this life with fresh eyes and a ready spirit. Not much can beat those first surprise greetings by my young friends, hugs around my legs right in the middle of the street, "Kreeeeeeeeeees-teeeeeeeeeeee...." The high-pitched and high-volume voices sing familiar but brand new after time away. The everyday tasks that life in team require don't weigh too heavy. The sweat runs into my eyes many a day while I reacclimate to borderland sun and humidity and for a short time, I just keep blinking. I have to stop for horses in the street one evening on my way home, and just laugh as they mosey along.

One ordinary day turns special when I get to linger over lunch with decades-old friends, all together for one rare afternoon. I have the privilege of playing auntie to my teammates' kids. I sit on the shore with another dear one and watch the waves roll in and out and chase down a fresh fish dinner at the end of the day. I use any excuse, long bridge lines, afternoons too hot to cook, to find nieves and tacos. I sit on a bench in dusty early evening and watch the neighborhood kids play ball. 

All that so very true and real and good, and yet, I can not ignore other realities. The bridge I cross multiple times a week now has serpentine wire strung across multiple lanes. The waits can be painfully long and alter how we receive visitors, even family, but those inconveniences seem very small in comparison to the sufferings of others very nearby. I spend time with girls from an orphanage, separated from their parents for reasons I don't know and they can't understand. I learn of changes in the lives our neighborhood youth and I groan out loud and want to cry out. I cry with a volunteer overwhelmed by the needs she heard and saw in others that day. Day by day I face my own issues and seek His wisdom and grace. I find a new to me hymn and put it on repeat. 

What patience would wait as we constantly roam

What Father so tender is calling us home

He welcomes the weakest, the vilest, the poor

Our sins they are many, His mercy is more

("His Mercy Is More," by Matt Papa and Matt Boswell)

I'm thankful to be back.

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O God beyond all praising,
we worship you today
and sing the love amazing
that songs cannot repay;
for we can only wonder
at every gift you send,
at blessings without number
and mercies without end:
we lift our hearts before you
and wait upon your word,
we honour and adore you,
our great and mighty Lord.

Then hear, O gracious Saviour,
accept the love we bring,
that we who know your favour
may serve you as our king;
and whether our tomorrows
be filled with good or ill,
We'll triumph through our sorrows
and rise to bless you still:
to marvel at your beauty
and glory in your ways,
and make a joyful duty
our sacrifice of praise.

"O God Beyond All Praising," Michael A. Perry (1982)

144/365

God, all nature sings thy glory,
and thy works proclaim thy might;
ordered vastness in the heavens,
ordered course of day and night;
beauty in the changing seasons,
beauty in the storming sea;
all the changing moods of nature
praise the changeless Trinity,

Clearer still we see thy hand
in man whom thou hast made for thee;
ruler of creation's glory,
image of thy majesty.
Music, art, the fruitful garden,
all the labor of his days,
are the calling of his Maker
to the harvest feast of praise.

But our sins have spoiled thine image,
nature, conscience only serve
as unceasing, grim reminders
of the wrath which we deserve.
Yet thy grace and saving mercy
in thy Word of truth revealed
claim the praise of all who know thee,
in the blood of Jesus sealed.

God of glory, power, mercy,
all creation praises thee;
we, thy creatures, would adore thee
now and through eternity.
Saved to magnify thy goodness,
grant us strength to do thy will;
with our acts as with our voices 
thy commandments to fulfill.

- "God, All Nature Sings Thy Glory," David Clowny (1960) (to the tune to Beethoven's "Ode to Joy")

106/365

“See, what a morning, gloriously bright, 
With the dawning of hope in Jerusalem; 
Folded the grave-clothes, tomb filled with light, 
As the angels announce, “Christ is risen!” 
See God’s salvation plan, 
Wrought in love, borne in pain, paid in sacrifice, 
Fulfilled in Christ, the Man, 
For He lives: Christ is risen from the dead! 
- "See What a Morning," by Keith Getty and Stuart Townsend

The girls bought themselves new dresses to wear for Easter- and doesn't it seem right for that day when God the Father made all things new? We put on a clean tablecloth and napkins and let the ham bake. We colored eggs and then shared a meal with dear ones. We broke eggshells over each others heads and had a mini-confetti celebration every single time. And then, maybe best of all, my favorites sat around the table with dessert and coffee and laughed and laughed.

He is risen! He is risen, indeed!

77/365

The golden evening brightens in the west;
Soon, soon, to faithful warriors cometh rest.
Sweet is the calm of Paradise the blest.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
- "For All the Saints" by William W. How (1864)

12/365

My mother-in-law, Sandy Holliday, could mix metaphors better than most anyone I've ever known. "She's one sharp cookie," she told me after our oldest daughter brought home a stellar report card. She loved country music and Elvis. And Christmas. Oh, how she loved Christmas! She loved celebrating Christmas so much that one year she just never put away the tree and it stayed up in her Victorian living room all year long, to this very day. She loved teapots and doilies and the color dusty rose. She loved antique stores and flea markets and craft fairs. She loved her grandkids (there's around 18? but maybe I'm forgetting someone?) and could be so very generous with them, even to the point of allowing different kids to live in their home for a season. She endured the chaos of having her huge clan invade the house for the massive annual Thanksgiving dinner, and was so proud that the tables to fit everyone now extended across the span of the basement. And her dogs! She loved her dogs and treated them like little furry people.

We've never lived in the same place as my in-laws so we have always had to exchange letters and calls and then email and text. For the longest time, every single time we would call, she would answer the phone with "we were just thinking about calling you!" And I really do believe that was true. My mother-in-law never disguised her emotions well and she wore her heart on her sleeve. But as she suffered with chronic kidney problems for many years, she persevered mightily. With incredible discipline, over the last several years she controlled her diet and delayed dialysis much longer than doctors thought was possible. We were all so grateful when she received a kidney transplant in the late spring this year, though we knew our joy came as another family mourned.

And now, much too quickly, it is our turn to mourn, again. Surrounded by family (and I know that she was happy about that because she loved when all her family was together), my dear mother-in-law passed away today. She leaves a hole that will not be filled, but we also have so many sweet and funny memories to share. It's a hard season for my family. Tonight I'm thinking the words of a familiar hymn, and though sorrows like sea billows roll, even so, it is well with my soul. 

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Ever since becoming a Christ-follower, I have believed that the Perfect Storm is when Christmas falls on a Sunday. And no less so this year. 

Early to rise, the day begins- our traditional Christmas breakfast and the every-week-ordinary Sunday routine. Prayer and Sunday School and worship-
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:1-5)

My favorite hymns. The sweet fellowship of our church family.
A present that didn't know how right it's timing would be. 

The ease of lunch with dear friends. An afternoon movie. Talking to far-away family. And finally, the opening of gifts, just icing on the cake, not the meal itself. 

And to finish, a family picture with the self-timer, missing the ones not in the frame so very much. 

A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices
Yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Oh, fall on your knees and hear the angels' voices
Singing, O, night divine
"O Holy Night"

358/366

on the morning run through the 'hood...
O come, O come Immanuel.

297/366

• Often I listen to my wandering friend talk and I think, I am not patient enough. I am not smart enough. I am not enough.

  I am reminded again, He is enough.

  
  

  End of day and I'm still turning over the hymn from worship-

  Underneath me, all around me, is the current of Thy love.

  Leading onward, leading homeward, to Thy glorious rest above.
  - "O The Deep, Deep Love of Jesus"

269/366

Make me like a little child, 
Of my strength and wisdom spoiled 
Seeing only in Thy light, 
Walking only in Thy might
- "Jesus Cast a Look On Me" by John Kerridge

97/366

My God is reconciled; 
His pardoning voice I hear; 
He owns me for His child; 
I can no longer fear 
With confidence I now draw nigh, 
With confidence I now draw nigh, 
And "Father, Abba, Father," cry.

Arise (arise), arise (arise), arise 
Arise, my soul, arise. 
Arise (arise), arise (arise), arise 
Arise, my soul, arise. 
Shake off your guilty fears and rise

- "Arise My Soul Arise," Charles Wesley, 1742

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Abide with me; falls the eventide; 
The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide. 
When other helpers, fail and comforts flee, 
Help of the helpless, abide with me.

Thou on my head, in early youth didst smile; 
And, though rebellious, and perverse meanwhile, 
Thou hast not left me, though I oft left Thee, 
On to the close Lord, abide with me.

I need Thy presence, every passing hour. 
What but Thy grace, can foil the tempter's power? 
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be? 
Through cloud and sunshine, abide with me.

- Abide with Me by Henry F. Lyte (1847), Justin Smith (2007)

296/365

The King of Love my Shepherd is, 
Whose goodness faileth never; 
I nothing lack if I am His 
And He is mine forever.

Where streams of living water flow 
My ransomed soul He leadeth, 
And, where the verdant pastures grow, 
With food celestial feedeth.

Perverse and foolish, oft I strayed, 
But yet in love He sought me; 
And on His shoulder gently laid, 
And home, rejoicing brought me.

In death’s dark vale, I fear no ill 
With Thee, dear Lord, beside me; 
Thy rod and staff my comfort still, 
Thy cross before to guide me.

Thou spread’st a table in my sight; 
Thine unction grace bestoweth; 
And O what transport of delight 
From Thy pure chalice floweth.

And so through all the length of days, 
Thy goodness faileth never; 
Good Shepherd, may I sing Thy praise 
Within Thy house forever.

- "The King of Love My Shepherd Is," Henry Baker (1885-1910)

253/365

Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
- "Great is Thy Faithfulness," Thomas Obediah Chisholm, 1923

167/365

Ante el trono celestial 
Él intercede hoy por mí 
Gran Sacerdote es Jesús 
Quien por siempre vivirá 
Y en Sus manos por Su amor 
Mi nombre ya grabado está 
Y mientras en Su trono esté 
Nadie de Él me apartará 
Nadie de Él me apartará 

Cuando he caído en tentación 
Y al sentir condenación 
Al ver al cielo encontraré 
El inocente quien murió 
Y por su muerte el Salvador 
Ya mi pecado perdonó 
Pues Dios, el Justo, aceptó 
Su sacrificio hecho por mí 
Su sacrificio hecho por mí 

He aquí el Cordero Redentor 
Quién al morir resucitó 
El inmutable gran Yo Soy 
El Rey de gloria y majestad 
Unido a Él no moriré 
Pues con Su sangre me compró 
Mi vida escondida está 
En Cristo Dios, mi Salvador 
En Cristo Dios, mi Salvador 
- "Antes El Trono Celestial," written by Charitie Lees Bancroft (1841-1892)

(photo taken at the end of an amazing sunset in the neighborhood of Aquilles in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, MX)

138/365

Sometimes a light surprises 
The Christian while he sings; 
It is the Lord Who rises 
With healing in His wings: 
When comforts are declining, 
He grants the soul again 
A season of clear shining, 
To cheer it after the rain

In holy contemplation 
We sweetly then pursue 
The theme of God’s salvation, 
And find it ever new; 
Set free from present sorrow, 
We cheerfully can say, 
Let the unknown tomorrow 
Bring with it what it may.

Tomorrow can bring us nothing, 
But He will bear us through: 
Who gives the lilies clothing 
Will clothe His people, too: 
Beneath the spreading heavens 
No creature but is fed; 
And He Who feeds the ravens 
Will give His children bread.

Though vine nor fig tree neither 
Their wonted fruit should bear, 
Though all the fields should wither, 
Nor flocks or herds be there 
Yet, God the same abiding, 
His praise shall tune my voice; 
For, while in Him confiding, 
I cannot but rejoice.

"Sometimes A Light Surprises" by William Cowper, 1779

118/365

Abide with me; falls the eventide; 
The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide. 
When other helpers, fail and comforts flee, 
Help of the helpless, abide with me.
- "Abide with Me," by Henry Lyte and Justin Smith

114/365

I thought about the day and what to write.

Would it be about the delight of young learners reciting their ABC's and playing a simple harmonica tune and telling about their studies of the world or even their favorite toy, or the beauty of young ladies "singing" in sign language?

Or maybe the words to try to express the deep peace of abiding in "be still" for even just a short portion of the day.

Or the experience of crossing the international bridge on a warm and windy Friday afternoon, of the women and children and disabled and perfectly-abled trying to hawk everything under the sun while the cars wait and move at a crawl.

Or how the Mexican vendor yelled at me for not moving along at the pace he thought correct UNTIL he found out that I have the SENTRI pass... and then how he cheerfully exclaimed, "I will help you!" in English and held the sticks down so that I could pass.

Or perhaps sharing some of the sweet comfort and rest that a night at home sitting around the table with those that know you best brings.

Or how the flash and crash and violent bursts of a quickly moving thunderstorm remind you of the very awesome power of our Creator God, and that even so, I am safe with Him.

Rock of Ages, when the day seems long
From this labor and this heartache, I have come
The skies will wear out, but you remain the same
Rock of Ages, I praise your name.
- "Rock of Ages (When The Day Seems Long)," words by Sandra McCracken, music by Kevin Twit.

Resurrection Sunday!

See, what a morning, gloriously bright,
With the dawning of hope in Jerusalem;
Folded the grave-clothes, tomb filled with light,
As the angels announce, "Christ is risen!"
See God's salvation plan,
Wrought in love, borne in pain, paid in sacrifice,
Fulfilled in Christ, the Man,
For He lives: Christ is risen from the dead!

See Mary weeping, "Where is He laid?"
As in sorrow she turns from the empty tomb;
Hears a voice speaking, calling her name;
It's the Master, the Lord raised to life again!
The voice that spans the years,
Speaking life, stirring hope, bringing peace to us,
Will sound till He appears,
For He lives: Christ is risen from the dead!

One with the Father, Ancient of Days,
Through the Spirit who clothes faith with certainty.
Honor and blessing, glory and praise
To the King crowned with pow'r and authority!
And we are raised with Him,
Death is dead, love has won, Christ has conquered;
And we shall reign with Him,
For He lives: Christ is risen from the dead!

"See, What a Morning" (Resurrection Hymn)
Words and Music by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend

21/365

Out of my bondage, sorrow and night, 
Jesus, I come; Jesus I come. 
Into Thy freedom, gladness and light, 
Jesus, I come to Thee. 
Out of my sickness into Thy health, 
Out of my wanting and into Thy wealth, 
Out of my sin and into Thyself, 
Jesus, I come to Thee.

Out of my shameful failure and loss, 
Jesus, I come; Jesus, I come. 
Into the glorious gain of Thy cross, 
Jesus, I come to Thee. 
Out of earth’s sorrows into Thy balm, 
Out of life’s storms and into Thy calm, 
Out of distress into jubilant psalm, 
Jesus, I come to Thee.

- "Out of My Bondage," written by WT Sleeper (1887)