...a word from Kathy

F ive or six years ago, they begin to meet every Sunday night in a campus building for Bible study.  A  dozen students would gather.  Students that had absolutely  NO knowledge of God...many of whom had never heard of Jesus. (as an aside, it's a thrilling moment to help a person learn how to pronounce this name...Jesus).  A month later, a few dozen more students joined their meeting.  Soon dinner after the meeting was suggested.  Sunday worship services including transportation were offered and accepted.  The numbers continued to grow and grow and grow.  Before long, English classes were started, field trips planned (blueberry picking, American restaurant visits, museums) road trips scheduled (Braves baseball, beach trips, shopping trips to Atlanta), pre-game parties, Halloween parties, more Bible study, and more and more and more.  Seven days a week, they are meeting with students and serving and loving them to Jesus.   Hundreds ...

W e met in the main student building on campus.  It's a building that has constant activity: meetings, Starbucks stops, food choices, banks, student services of all types.  As we walked into the building, we were surrounded by Parent Summer Orientation groups.  There were hundreds of parents and students, information booths in every space.  I see worry and fatigue on the faces of many moms, perhaps it's just that I'm remembering those early freshman days!  But my friend and I slip into the building unnoticed.  We are but two among throngs of people.  We're kinda strange looking in that we're a middle-aged woman and a young Asian male....but nonetheless, unnoticed. As we find a quiet place to have our English tutoring session, my friend exclaims to me that he passed his mathematics comprehensive exam; therefore, he is now able to begin his research project in order to complete his PhD.  Oh my.  Does this dear man realize how very poor my mat...

  B ack in the day, I remember Saturdays spent shelling peas and butter beans.  It was the worst of Saturday duties for me.  I wanted to be out and about.  I can still feel the cold pan, full of beans, wedged between my legs as I peeled purple-hull peas.  My fingers turned purple and became sore long before I reached the end of my pan of peas.  And I can still smell those fresh peas, there's really nothing like that richness.  My parents weren't true gardeners until my daddy retired and I had left home for college.  Daddy only had a small garden but it bore much produce which meant picking, peeling and "putting up" the fresh crop. We have friends in Tuscaloosa who have a large garden plot.  They work the soil, fight the deer, water, weed and love the work and effort and reward!  I love the spoils of their hard work.  (I've been promised fresh veggies and in late summer....Fig preserves!!! Oh my!) And then, there are other...

L ubbock, Texas was my destination last week.  The trip held excitement, a family united, joy, astonishment and love.  We were all gathered to celebrate a rebirth.  My beautiful son, Nick celebrated his third year of recovery.  There were dark days during the prior years of this journey and actually the darkness was so very black and ominous and scary.  But last week, we were washed in bright light.  I've learned that it's only in fully experiencing the dark that we truly appreciate the light.  Now, for our son there is a newness, an eagerness to share what he's learned.  He leaves for Africa in just a few days...going into the world to share hope and recovery and redemption. Austin, Texas is my destination next week.  The trip holds excitement, joy, astonishment and love.  I'm going to help my beautiful daughter, move into her summer place.  This sweet girl was brave and courageous and left a safe community to move 730 miles aw...

P ondering is alive inside me.  I find that I ponder quite a bit.  Perhaps it's in these recent years of difficulty with my children that I find myself pondering a bit more.  Most recently I've been pondering Jesus' last week of life on earth.  I've been reminded of Jesus' complete surrender which became our complete satisfaction....ponder that a minute.....I've also been thoughtful of Jesus' last words, "Into your hands I commit my spirit".  My question to myself is, have I done that?  Do I live my life in complete submission to Jesus? Am I actively seeking this Jesus that came to seek and save? I have some friends who are seeking Easter. 1.  I had lunch last week with a visiting scholar from China.  I've been friends with this young Ph.D student for over four years.  We've learned English together, went on a retreat to Memphis, shared lots of coffee, laughed, discussed the possibility of mermaids and many more topics.  We've talke...

T here is a woman I have only known for one year yet she changed my life.  She taught me meekness as she sat across from me during our Tea Party gatherings.  She was quiet and often would not speak unless a direct question came her way.  Her English speaking was unpracticed but her understanding was quite good.  She would smile demurely at me.  Her eyes laughed. Even with communication being so very difficult we somehow knew what the other was saying or intending.  We talked of marriage, love, Jesus, salvation, daughters, sons, marriage concerns...we talked of life. Last week, I said good-bye to this wonderful friend.  We met in her apartment for our final Tea Party.  The table was laden with fruit, chocolate, steamed buns, nuts, banana bread, and potato chips...And as always hot tea was being served in beautiful, antique china cups.  We laughed and told stories as we celebrated our friend's time in America.  The minutes ticked by un...

W ho am I?  This is a question that has haunted me for as long as I can remember.  What is my mission?  Why was I born?  A partial list of answers: I am a child of God (John 1:12) I am a branch of the true vine, and a conduit of Christ's love (John 15:1,5) As a child of God, I am a fellow heir with Christ. (Romans 8:17) I am a new creature in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17) I have been set free in Christ (Galations 5:1) I am God's workmanship created to produce good works (Ephesians 2:10) I have been made complete in Christ (Colossians 2:10) And yet, Lord, here I sit.  Once again, wondering who I am?  What's my purpose?  Are you tired on me asking these questions?  You've answered and I still find myself not hearing.  For my whole life I've had a purpose: Go to school. Finish school. Get a degree that you love. Get a job. Get out on your own. Rent an apartment. Work hard.  Build a career.  Make a difference. Fall in lo...