Norm

A card came today. It had only one name on it. I expected two.

One is no longer here. And I didn't visit them recently and I didn't know. And people don't live forever on this earth. Life is a vapor. Even if it's 90 years or more. It passes too quickly.

Norm Danielson is no longer here. And I'm sad about it.

I bought a 1990 Lincoln Continental from Norm in 1997 and he was a friend for life. Everytime I had car trouble (even with subsequent vehicles) he told me to come to his house and he would grab his cane and check my fluids and make sure that all was a-ok. Later, he would grab his walker and check my fluids and make sure everything was a-ok. And we would talk for an hour or more in his office.

He had three daughters and he always said to me everytime I saw him and everytime we spoke on the phone, “Kori, you are just like one of my girls.” There is no greater compliment in the world. I am thankful.

I tried to visit a couple of years ago but it was not an ideal time because Norm was in a wheelchair and the house was being renovated to accommodate his wheels. And I never was able to stop by and catch him after that. But I should have tried harder.

I always worried that Norm would die and I wouldn't know about it. And that's just what happened. Sweet Norm has been gone for a year. And I found out today. And I am sad.

I love this Norm Danielson, and am so thankful for his presence in my life.  

Kindle.

Caught this in Springs in the Valleys today and it is the prayer and mission of my heart. 

"Thou thyself art…a light of them which are in darkness."

~Romans 2:19

We are kindled that we might kindle others.  I would like, if I might have my choice, to burn steadily down, with no guttering waste, and as I do so to communicate God's fire to as many unlit candles as possible, and to burn on steadily until the socket comes in view; then to light in the last flicker, twenty, thirty, or a hundred candles at once, so that as one expires they may begin burning and spreading light which shall shine until Jesus comes.

Let me burn out for Thee, dear Lord,

Burn and wear out for Thee;

Don't let me rust, or my life be

A failure, my God, to Thee.

Use me, and all I have, dear Lord,

And get me so close to Thee

That I feel the throb of the great heart of God,

Until I burn out for Thee.

(Bessie F. Thatcher)

~Springs in the Valleys,

Mrs. Charles E. Cowman,

December 18

The words of pilgrim William Bradford, the governor reelected 32 times to the Plymouth Plantation, come to mind:  "Thus out of small beginnings greater things have been produced by His hand that made all things of nothing, and gives being to all things that are; and, as one small candle may light a thousand, so the light here kindles hath shone unto many, yea in some sort to our whole nation; let the glorious name of Jehovah have all the praise."

Yes.
Be this.

Thanksgiving…is never late.

I spoke for a Thanksgiving dinner at my church a couple of weeks ago and wanted so much to have some time to really think…  To think through Thanksgiving.  But, responsibilities, family, church, life keep me from any moments of deep thought, lately.  Honestly, some of the obstacles are my own wasted time.  Life is full and I am glad, but I never write and this blog is way unattended.  I guess my decision to address it now is futile.  After all, it is Christmastime.  I have a rehearsal in 45 minutes.   Life goes on.

I did have "posterity" on my heart and, as a result, had much to talk about regarding a generational perspective and the whole "it's not about you" issue, so all was well.

I danced this weekend for a local Christmas program at our community theater.  It was really enjoyable.  An honor to worship the One I love yet again.  Thank You, Lord, for the opportunity.  At least He is somewhat welcome at a Christmas show.

So, I back up a couple of weeks to Thanksgiving.  I read an article in AFA Journal titled "Blessed, or Spoiled?"  Enjoy: http://www.afajournal.org/2013/November/112013thankful.html

Some excerpts that specifically caught my attention.

"America's government has been consistent for well over 200 years.  In that time it has been tested and tried. Sometimes it has walked away from a situation with a black eye, but other times it has stood as tall as the Statue of Liberty."

"Freedom is one of the easiest blessings to take for granted.  Typically, one generation fights for it, the next treasures it.  The following abuses it, and the next loses it."  Guess which generation we are in.

And this:

10 blessings easy to overlook

• Clean water: 884 million people lack access to clean water.
• A bathroom: 40% of the world does not have a toilet.
• Electricity: 1.6 billion people live without any electricity.
• Shelter: 2.5 million in America are homeless and 640 million children worldwide do not have shelter.
• Food: 28% of children in developing countries are estimated to be underweight or have stunted growth.
• Your stove: 2.5 billion people use fuelwood, charcoal or animal dung to meet their energy needs.
• Regular income: Most of humanity lives on less than $10 a day.
• Education: Nearly 1 billion people cannot read a book or write their names.
• Health: 2.2 million children die each year because they are not immunized. Annually there are 300-500 million cases of malaria including 1 million fatalities.
• Freedom to worship God: More than 400 Christians die for their faith every day across the world.
From J. Lee Grady’s column “10 basic blessings you should be thankful for.” Read the full column at charismamag.com

This Christmas, my mom handed the boys a catalog from Compassion International and asked if she could get the boys something from there this year.  "For the cost of a Lego set you could buy a family clean water,"  Grammy said.  Si replied, "What's more important: plastic or life?"  Si chose water.  B chose a goat for milk.  I personally find this a hilariously appropriate choice since B's favorite thing in life is milk.  His favorite animal is a cow because they produce milk.  He's very practical.  ;)

I know.  Nothing mind-boggling or life changing.  I am out of practice on my writing.  But I like to record what is on my heart and mind and rarely have the time to do it.  Have a great week.