Welcome to the Family, Bristol!

Here is a story of hope and joy in the aftermath of deep sorrow over the loss of a child, written by my dear friend, Susan Blount, to her newest grandchild. Motherhood (and Grandmotherhood) comes at a great cost, but it is one of the purest forms of love on earth. I pray that all of you who have had the great privilege of birthing a child into this world will have a very Happy Mother’s Day this Sunday.

                                                                                              January 8, 2024
Welcome to the family, Bristol Palmer Wall,

We’re so glad you are here safe and healthy.  You are God’s surprise bundle of joy, but your journey to get here has kept us on our knees.  Your mom had years of combating Lyme disease and Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy that gave everyone concern.  Many decisions had to be made to give you and your mom the best chances of a healthy delivery, as cholestasis can raise the chances of a stillbirth.  God was near, as He always is.  I can’t wait for you to get to know Him.

God chose this day, and no other, for you to be born.  He knew this before the world began.  Imagine that!  As the day grew closer I found myself feeling more anxious.  This song from my childhood kept singing in my head:  I will trust when I cannot see – when I’m faced with adversity – and believe Your will is always best for me – I will trust when I cannot see.

Your sisters, Hope and Alana, got a stomach bug just a couple of days before this.  Thankfully, your mom didn’t get it!  God was merciful. 

Only God knew what the future held for you and the family who already loved you. We all knew what we wanted, but I knew what God had seen us through in the past.

It seems that Mom’s Lyme disease has been partly responsible for some of her pregnancy struggles.  Then, thirteen years ago, your older sister, Ivana, died just prior to her due date.  We have never experienced a still born baby in our family and the shock was almost more than we could bear.  God was near, then, too, as He always is.  He saw us through, though the memory is still very raw.

I thought of Ivana often during your delivery today.  She never got to meet us, but it’s a comfort to know that she knew the love of your mother, and the sounds of her family before she left for the perfections of heaven – safe in the arms of Jesus.

In October of last year, Aunt Crysten and I were rejoicing with our friend Kelly who was expecting her second baby, a boy who would be named Noah.  Like your mom, there were some concerns for the safety of Kelly and Noah so they planned to have her induced.  Sadly, things didn’t go well for them. 

These were the stories that played like a background noise in the days leading up to your birth.  God was using them to stretch my faith – to trust in Him for the things I could not see or understand.  Our God is great, you’ll see.  

My prayer that morning wanted to beg God to make everything perfect, but I knew He already had a plan and I needed to be willing to accept whatever it was.  I knew it would be for our good no matter what happened.  So, I prayed that we would know peace and that the caregivers would have wisdom. 

God’s continual presence is real, but I wanted it to be more than good theology… I wanted it to be tangible… and He did not disappoint. 

Before leaving for the hospital your Great Aunt Judy sent me this: “In my quiet time this morning Psalms 145:18 “The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, all who call upon Him in truth… He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him: He hears their cry and answers them.”   It was God’s way of reminding me, “Fear not, I am here.” 

When Mom checked in to her room, they discovered right away that she was already 3 cm dilated at 36 weeks.  This was the second confirmation that God was in this and moving us toward the outcome we desired.

He prepared a nurse, named Kassey, who was the perfect fit for Mom and our family.  She was homeschooled, homeschools her children, had a home birth and seemed like someone we had always known.  A woman who understood where we came from and embraced some of our favorite things in life. 

Homebirth midwives have such a different philosophy than medical doctors, so it was comforting to have a nurse who would know the difference and help your mom to move things along in a non-intrusive way, as much as possible.  She was patient and calm.  Just what was needed.  God was near. 

She introduced us to a technique I had never heard of called Spinning.  Spinning Babies^® has become a new view on childbirth created by midwife, Gail Tully.  The technique helps create room in the lower uterus so you could rotate into a more ideal position for birth.  You seemed to like it and it may explain why you shot out of there in only 40 minutes.  😊

We certainly didn’t want a C-section because the recovery for your mom is so much harder and longer.  But, if you had shown any signs of distress, they were ready to do that to save your life.   Your mom wore a heart monitor the entire time and your heart rate never dropped or gave us any concern.  God was near.  Even in low risk births, the heart rate can drop some as the head gets lower in the birth canal.  Your heart rate was an encouraging sign that the C section would not be needed. 

The first procedure used to get things started was to strip your mom’s membranes.  She did feel some contractions during the morning, but they were weak and not very often. 

“What can we try next?” she asked Nurse Kassey.  She suggested pumping some milk. She quickly went to get a breast pump and got your mom started.  “I’ll be back in 15 minutes,” she said. 

It didn’t take long before your mom filled two bottles with colostrum and experienced some good strong contractions – the kind she couldn’t talk through.  It was more encouragement that this delivery would happen without surgery. 

Nurse Kassey answered Mom’s call button and couldn’t believe how fast she filled those bottles.  “I’ll put them in the fridge for later.” And it was a good thing she did. 

I wondered two things: 1.  Has your mom used up the essential colostrum that would be needed in a few hours? And 2. If needed, how would they get the save colostrum into a breastfed baby?  God was near and He had an answer for both of my questions.

(When babies are born early, their blood sugars are often unstable.  Nurses keep checking for about 24 hours and yours were dropping.  You wouldn’t wake up to eat and the saved colostrum helped elevate your blood sugars.  They used a dropper to get it into your mouth.  God was near… as He always is.)

Once Mom stopped pumping her milk, the contractions continued but not at the same pace.  Your doctor came in to discuss the next step – an infusion of Pitocin, a synthetic version of oxytocin, the naturally occurring hormone that the body produces to signal the uterus to birth its contents.  We hesitated to go that route because we would be asking Mom’s body to do something it might not be ready for, and the contractions are much more intense. 

Dr. Abbey said she would just do “a squirt” every half hour and would stop whenever your mom said to. 

With the contractions getting stronger, I suggested your mom might want to get in the tub and she agreed.  Warm water was drawn and she slipped into it, groaning with contractions. Your dad hovered over her in case he was needed.   You were tolerating everything well.  The Pitocin seemed to be working. 

The time was 6:50 PM.  Before long, Mom yelled that she thought you were coming.  Dr. Abbey rushed in and said, “Melissa, you have to get out of the tub.  We’re not allowed to deliver in the tub.”

Mom couldn’t move.  “I have to push!”  “Don’t push yet,” Dr. Abbey said.  But you can’t stop a fast moving “train” and as the water was draining out of the hard porcelain tub, out you came!  It was only 7:28 PM!

You came with an attitude and that was very comforting because preemies often have weak lungs and your cries confirmed yours were strong and getting stronger with every crying breath.  God was near . . . as He always is.

You were a short 18.5 inches long and a round 6 lbs. 5 oz.  Very good size for a “preemie”, born at 36 weeks.  There were no extraordinary measures needed (no NICU) to secure your health.  Sing Hallelujah!  All is well.  We see God’s plan now, and in all circumstances, He is worthy of our praise. 

I can’t wait to do more life with you, Bristol.  You’re one of a kind and perfect, a thumb sucker (like me when I was little), and your snuggle is real.  All is well, lift up your voice and sing Hallelujah, all is well.  Thank you, Jesus. 

Welcome to the family.  We’re so glad you’ve come. 

With hugs from a very grateful Nana who loves you a bunch. 

“ . . . and give to my children a perfect heart to keep Your commandments, Your testimonies and Your statutes, and to do them all . . . know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever. If your heart is blameless you will not be ashamed.”  (1 Chronicles 29:19; 28:9-10; Psalm 119:80)

Susan with Bristol

Savory Thai Soup

This recipe is inspired by the wonderful pot of soup Susan brought to our high tea. Great flavor, and she said it’s “simple” to make. I added a couple of extra veggies to “own it” for myself, but you can also make it with just green onions.

Savory Thai Soup
Serves 12

In a blender, add:
1 quart chicken broth
3/4 cup nutritional yeast
1/3 cup soy sauce
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup toasted sesame oil
1/4 cup red curry paste
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon Cayenne pepper (or to taste)
Purée for a few seconds (which helps emulsify the sesame oil).

Transfer to a large crock pot or Dutch oven and add:
1.5 more quarts chicken broth (or water plus chicken bullion)
12 oz. rice noodles
2 (12 oz) cans of chicken meat (or 3 cups chopped, cooked chicken meat)
1 cup chopped carrots
1 cup (8 oz) chopped fresh or frozen green beans
1 bunch green onions, chopped
Simmer over medium heat for 20 minutes.

This can be kept hot and served hours later, or served immediately. I almost like it better reheated because the noodles pick up so much flavor, but (of course) the veggies lose their brightness after hours of simmering, so there’s a trade off! Both ways are excellent!

(Note cheery bowl of cilantro close to the Dutch oven filled with Thai Soup)

If you like cilantro, you can provide some fresh, diced cilantro in a bowl as a garnish.

“The whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen” (Luke 19:37— that’s us when we get together 🙂 ).

Leaping or Limping?

Happy Leap Day!

The weather has been really unusual this winter, although—in truth—weather is predictably unpredictable and therefore “unusual” most of the time in Michigan.

After a glorious January blanketed in heavy snows, our weather took a long turn for the warmer, and we had many grey days of heavy fog and dripping eaves.

It’s hard to walk through deep snow, but I think it’s harder still to navigate mud season.

Despite my love affair with the outdoors, during mud season I retreat to my elliptical where the footing is secure and the impediments and pitfalls few. However, once the roads aren’t too icy and the potholes more obvious, my heart aches to feel the free again.

It was in such a mood and on such an occasion I went out for a jaunt. I was making good progress when all of a sudden my left leg just sort of gave out. Something about the juncture where my bionic hip unites with my femur. Not sure why, but I can get unexpected, sharp pain if I push too hard. When that happens, I have to stop and rest for a few seconds, which seems to give my leg time to “reset,” and then I can walk again. But, sometimes I walk with a limp. Limping when I’d rather be leaping!

This happened while I was considering that 2024 is a “Leap Year,” where February has an extra day. Do you know this old mnemonic rhyme?

Thirty days hath September,
April, June, and November.
All the rest have thirty-one
Except February. To keep up with the sun,
It has 28 days for three years straight
Then leaps to 29 on the fourth to not be late.

Well, I might have changed the last four lines, but you probably remember the first two. Why have a leap year? The most commonly used calendar in the world is the Gregorian calendar, which was developed in 1582, but it requires a recalibration every fourth year to keep up with the solar year, so they add a day. In truth, even with this improvement, the Gregorian calendar is 26 seconds less than a solar year, so by 4909 A .D. the Gregorian calendar will be a complete day behind the solar year. Should we be worried?

No! Should we be worried about limping rather than leaping? Well, if we’re over 70, we might be wiser to accept that we’re inevitably going to be losing a little more muscle mass year by year. That doesn’t mean to stop exercising; that means to have realistic expectations. BUT, there’s good news! The psalmist reminds us, “My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever” (Psalm 73:26). This sentiment is echoed by Paul in the New Testament: “Though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16).

We may not have the strength physically to “run through a troop” or “leap over a wall” anymore (Psalm 18:29), but Jesus calls us to “rejoice . . . and leap for joy” spiritually when we are persecuted for standing against evil (Luke 6:23). So, any of us can still be leaping in our spirits no matter how young or old if we’re standing for Jesus, who is the epitome of good: “Who being the brightness of his (God’s] glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Hebrews 1:3). Does it get any better than that? Jesus—God incarnate—came to earth and died for our sins, then ascended again to God the Father!

By the way, if you find yourself limping spiritually, take heart! God loves you and is patiently waiting for you to trust him fully. I love this reflection by Anne Lamott: “My coming to faith did not start with a leap but rather a series of staggers from what seemed like one safe place to another. Like lily pads, round and green, these places summoned and then held me up while I grew. Each prepared me for the next leaf on which I would land, and in this way I moved across the swamp of doubt and fear.”

If you’re not sure whether or not there’s a spiritual world to explore, please take a small step toward God by reading the “Coming to Christ” explanation at the top of this page. People say that believing in Jesus as our Lord is like taking a “leap of faith,” but once you sense His hand of love is reaching out to save you, it stops feeling dangerous. It’s really leaping into the everlasting arms of love! It’s “rebirth” from the womb of darkness into the Light of the World. Will you leap to Jesus and joy?!

“The voice of my beloved! behold, he cometh leaping upon the mountains,
skipping upon the hills” (Song of Solomon 2:8).

Happy Valentines Day

I hope you have a truly happy day today and feel very, very loved!

Although we don’t often ponder the roots of this holiday, it has a rich, ancient heritage dating back to a third-century priest and physician who ministered to Christians being martyred during the persecution of the Roman Emperor, Claudius II. 

For his compassion and good deeds (as well as his faith), Saint Valentine was eventually arrested, beaten, and beheaded on February 14, 270 AD.

He was buried near Rome on the Via Flaminia (Flaminian Way), which was a famous road between Rome and the Adriatic Sea (marked in blue in the above photo).

View of the Flaminian Way in modern times

Pope Julius 1 (333-356 AD) built a basilica at the site to preserve St. Valentine’s tomb (which has since been destroyed, although archeological evidence of his tomb was found centuries later).

Porta del Popolo by Giuseppe Vasi (1710-82); Public Domain
(aka “The Gate of St. Valentine” in the 12th Century)

To this day, you can walk along the Via Flaminia and remember the great physician priest who died for love of his fellow believers.

“Jesus Christ Crucified” by Diego Valázquez, circa 1632
(Public Domain)

What love, to sacrifice one’s own life while ministering to the needs of others! Yet, St. Valentine was following the example of Jesus Christ, the great high priest and physician who loved every person in the whole world so much that he laid down his life for us (Mark 2:17; Hebrews 5:9-10). “Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).

The pure, holy, undefiled son of God—Jesus Christ—died in our place so we can have forgiveness for our sins and become children of His Father, God . . . so Jesus can become “the firstborn among many brethren” (Romans 8:29). Jesus loved us before we even existed or ever understood his love: “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). This is the greatest expression of love in the universe! It’s God’s gift offered to us (Romans 3:23). Jesus’s “valentine” if you will. So, whether you give or receive any paper valentines today, please know that Jesus has sent you a valentine of sorts—His love letter to you, inscribed in the Bible! Will you reach out and accept His gift of love today? If you do, you will feel very, very loved and know that true happiness comes from being known, accepted, and loved by God!

“Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us:
and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren” (1 John 3:16).

Hope for the New Year

As we open our new book—2024—filled with 366 blank pages, my prayer is that we grow in grace and that each page will be bright with the radiance of God’s hands upon us . . . molding us into His image of holiness, erasing ugliness and replacing it with beauty: replacing fear with faith, hatred with love, sorrow with joy, war with peace, despair with hope. We make resolutions and desire to improve ourselves, but God is truly the One who can transform us from self-centered creatures into Christ-centered works of art! Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Whether you’re on top of the world this morning or feel buried beneath waves of sorrow, this is the song my heart is singing to God for you. May our journey together through this year be one of learning to love Jesus more and more. May we walk closely beside our Great Shepherd and find fellowship and contentment as the sheep of his flock.

“O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker. For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if you will hear his voice, Harden not your heart” (Psalm 95:6-8a).

Merry Christmas, 2023

“Grow old along with me!
The best is yet to be,
The last of life, for which the first was made:
Our times are in His hand
Who saith, ‘A whole I planned,
Youth shows but half; trust God: see all, nor be afraid!'”
—Robert Browning (1812-1889)

Alan and I celebrated 50 years together this year. Well, fifty years of marriage, although we’d known each other for another ten before that, having met on the first day of eighth grade. It’s been an amazing, wild ride, but who could ask for anything more?

We’ve been celebrating all year, and there have been so many highlights I can hardly count them, but our anniversary is in February, so we started with a trip around South America and to Antarctica.

Antarctica was the only continent we hadn’t visited, so it seemed appropriate to go when I noticed an offer for a 22-day trip on a 5-star ship for $200 per person. Was it a typo? It wasn’t, and we got the last room. Furthermore, when we boarded, we received two $200 gift cards, making the base price exactly $0.00 per person. It still just makes me laugh to consider God’s amazing grace to us!

Antarctica is other-worldly. It is gorgeous, but it was hard to wrap our minds around a silent, frozen continent larger than Europe where nobody can live or survive alone. (See how small a large cruise ship appears at the base of the clouds hovering over the ocean?)

We returned home to something even more amazing than anything we saw in all the vast wilderness of Antarctica: our youngest son’s first child, and our twenty-first grandchild!

Well done, R+J, and praise God for this incredible new bundle of joy!

(Visiting the Church of the Resurrection)

In March Alan went on a special retreat to Israel with two of our sons and our oldest grandson plus some other men. In the fall, Alan and I “should have”/”would have” been in Petra and the Middle East, but we canceled that trip due to the war between Israel and Palestine.

In April, we had a special celebration for Easter.

By then, our annual Easter egg hunt through the woods was a little bittersweet, because we knew Mike’s family would be moving in the summer, and none of us wanted to have to part with them again. 😦

In May, my two older brothers helped us celebrate our 50th by coming to visit, then we all went to the east side of the state to visit my sister, Annie, and her husband, who were also celebrating their 50th. Between the four of us sibs, we’re now celebrating over 210 years of marriage!

For the past 10 years I’d been dreaming about getting all our kids and grandkids together for a 50th celebration, but it was not to be, so we celebrated in two waves.

Our two oldest and their families gathered in time to create an hour-long production of Hamlet, which kept everybody inspired for weeks of filming and (for Eowyn) months of editing.

Nothing like a good project to keep cousins busy

and the brothers a little extra free time to hang out!

Michael’s family also organized a feature-length neighborhood performance of The Hobbit with a bunch of their closest friends in Kentucky. (I had the honor of being the film crew for this one.)

Not sure how they do all they do, but somewhere in there they also prepared for their move to Tokyo, where Michael has become commander of the army’s dental clinic.

It sounds like Japan suits them well, although we miss them like crazy!!

Jonathan’s family is now living in Germany, and they couldn’t come visit last summer until school got out for the girls.

So, our next two oldest decided to convene for a reunion during the second half of the summer.

(Our five youngest going up by age from left to right)

Stephen also flew up from North Carolina to be with us.

(A rainy tour of Stephen’s new campus in Raleigh, NC)

Stephen and Anthony bought a home this year, and Stephen took a job teaching music at Shaw University. He and Mike are the only two with job and housing changes in the family this year.

The cousins had no end of fun and especially enjoyed the two new babies!

The two youngest girl cousins are getting to be good buds too . . .

Well . . . maybe . . .

While Jon’s family was visiting we took some time for a trip in the “camping wagon” (as the kids call it) and went up North.

They spoiled us royally with a fancy dinner for our 50th,

and we visited lots of our mutually favorite places—like the Soo Locks, where Alan and I spent many happy hours walking and talking together as kids.

We know the Lord is using them in Germany, but it tugs at our hearts to have them so far away!

(Girls against a magnificent Lake Michigan sunset. Jon said it was unlike anything he’d ever seen, but it was also the night of a terrible tornado in our area.)

(Jon and Alan working to clear uprooted oaks blocking our lane after the storm.)

We look forward to whenever we’ll get to see them again in sweet Michigan, although this fall we were able to spend a couple of weeks with them in Germany, where we took some tours “In the Footsteps of Luther” and saw many memorable German cities and sites.

In the fall, we also celebrated more by meeting up with Kathryn, Stephen, and J’s families for a camping trip at Fort Wilderness.

The camper came in very handy during rainy days,

and we had no end of fun with Baby J, who’s amazed us by being very content to let us hold her!

(J’s first swim at the Meadow Swimming Hole)

Thankfully, there were also lots of sunshiny days at Disney too!

While we were there, we were able to celebrate R’s birthday with lunch out at the Contemporary.

Kathryn and Carl also treated us to a “Not So Scary Halloween Party” with them at the Magic Kingdom. Talk about getting spoiled!

In fact, the spoiling lasted all year long! My two prayer partners and their husbands took us out for an unforgettable dinner at a Japanese restaurant where the food was flamed table side

and then had us over for dessert and a “trip down memory lane” to commemorate our friendship for nearly 30 years.

With five of our seven scattered across the country and continents, we feel unbelievably blessed to still have two families in the same community with us where we can see them often!

Another photo of Baby J

We also “lucked out” in that both of our daughter-in-laws are professional photographers!

As a last 50th anniversary surprise gift, Brianna took a set of photos for us!

We are so, so thankful for every day we get to walk hand-in-hand with Jesus, each other, and our beloved family and friends. I look forward to the gift and adventure of getting to grow old together.

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me” (John 15:4).

Braided Cinnamon Twist Bread

This rich pastry has become a highly prized addition to our Sunday School class’s annual November potluck, thanks to Pam Hackney’s energy! She used to make it by hand, but she’s found a bread machine recipe (kudos to Kathy Herich) that helps makes her labor of love a little less labor with no compromise in the love or taste! 🙂

Thankfully, Pam was willing to share her recipe with us, so now any enterprising soul can bake one of these luscious loaves to brighten up her (or his) holiday table.

Cherry Pecan Cinnamon Twist
(Makes 12+ ample servings)

In your bread maker, place:
13 oz. ( or 1.5 cups) warm milk
2 large egg yolks
2 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons softened butter

On top, add, in this order:
4.5 cups sifted white flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 packets (or 4 teaspoons) dry yeast

Set the bread maker on “dough” and let it run through the cycle (approximately 1.5 hours). Remove and place on a lightly floured counter top, using as little flour as possible and keeping it as sticky as you can while still working with it.

Roll the dough into a long rectangle, about 16″ by 11.” Spread 4 oz. softened butter over the dough.

Mix together:
1 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Sprinkle evenly over the dough, then distribute over the surface:
1 cup crushed pecans
4 oz. candied cherries

Roll into a log shape from the longer side (as if you’re going to slice it up for cinnamon rolls). However, instead, cut the roll in half from one end almost to the other, reserving about 2 inches at one end as the stabilizer for the braid. Twist and intertwine the two halves, keeping the cut sides up so they don’t lose all their filling. Tuck the ends together and let it rise for an hour or more, until it’s doubled in size.

Bake in a preheated oven for 325°F. for 30-35 minutes, until the outer edges are starting to turn a crusty, golden brown.

Remove and allow to cool for 10-15 minutes, then frost with this glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar
1.5 tablespoons milk or light cream
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 teaspoon almond extract

If you want more color, arrange another:
4 oz. candied cherries
4 oz. crushed pecans on top

Serve warm with butter. This is not only a “perfect” contribution to holiday potlucks, it can make a very satisfying breakfast treat for a family on a holiday morning!

“Praise ye the Lord. I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation” ( Psalm 111:1).

Giving Thanks for the Jesus Revolution

Speaking of high quality entertainment, are you looking for a good movie to watch over the Thanksgiving break? Jesus Revolution came out last February, but it took us until recently to “discover” and watch it. (PG-13, 7.1 IMDb rating and 99% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes!)

It’s based on the true account of the Jesus Movement as it occurred during 1968 to 1972— the exact years Alan and I were in college. If you’re a Baby Boomer or have parents in their seventies—there is so much cultural history worth knowing even apart from the spiritual awakening of those days. I was a “square” Jesus Freak, and Alan was a confused rebel. Both are realistically portrayed in this story of the joyful collision between hippies and Jesus during those years.

According to Stan Zagorski’s report in Time magazine, the Jesus Revolution began in Southern California and transformed many young people from countercultural hippies into a movement that helped spark the greatest spiritual awakening America has ever seen.

Hundreds of young people were baptized almost daily in the Pacific Ocean

“Jesus is alive and well and living in the radical spiritual fervor of a growing number of young Americans who have proclaimed an extraordinary religious revolution in his name” (Stan Zagorski, Time).

In many ways, the Southern California revival started with Lonnie Frisbee, who later (1980) helped start the Vineyard Movement. His part is played by Jonathan Roumie (who plays the role of Jesus in The Chosen). When asked why he took on this role, Roumie responded, “They didn’t have to pitch me on anything. The era was fascinating. The script was phenomenal. Lonnie’s story was amazing and heartbreaking and beautiful, and a testament to God’s grace.”

The movie also tells the story of Chuck Smith, a straight-laced preacher whose openness to welcoming in hippies eventually led to organizing the Calvary Chapel Association of non-denominational churches, which according to a recent article in The Denver Gazette now encompasses more than 1,800 churches.

Jesus Revolution also replays the sweet love story between Greg and Cathe Laurie, founders of Harvest Christian Fellowship.

Harvest Church is an evangelical Baptist church with a weekly attendance of over 14,500.

Worldwide, millions of people have heard the Gospel through Greg’s ministry with Harvest Crusades.

When I was a teenager, rock’n’roll was strictly taboo. “Love Song” was one of the first bands to combine Christian lyrics with the popular music of “kid culture.” Today, even conservative churches like mine include many modern hymns and songs that spring from the heart of Hillsong and other passionate Christian groups.

And, the work continues, so the revival has had an enduring impact.

Although the movie, Jesus Revolution, only touches lightly on the intersection between Billy Graham and these evangelists, Billy Graham had been preaching and teaching in Southern California since 1949, and thousands were coming to Christ before hippies “woke” to the realization that genuine love and truth are found in God, not drugs.

It was directly through hearing the gospel at a Billy Graham crusade in Washington D.C. that my sister became a Christian in 1962.

She, in turn, brought me to a Youth For Christ rally in the spring of 1963, where I first heard the gospel and practically flew down the aisle when given the invitation to repent and receive Jesus as my Savior.

That was the best day of my life, and from that day to this, I have been thankful for Christ, whose life, love, light, death, and resurrection have overcome not only my heart but the hearts of billions around the world. In fact, the Jesus Revolution has overcome the world with a spiritual kingdom, and for that I am eternally grateful!

“To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, 
dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen” (Jude 1:25).

A Fourth of July Blessing

Last night we had a dinner and birthday party for our dear friend, Tom, who was born on the Fourth of July . . . some years back. 🙂

Tom with his wife, Brenda, who was my kindred spirit growing up

Tom grew up on a farm south of GR and in his day was a true football hero. He still holds records at Caledonia (and in the state of Michigan) for 445 yards of rushing and 5 touchdowns in one game! Brenda and I never saw anything like that while we were growing up together in Michigan’s rural Upper Peninsula. 🙂 All this to point out that he is big, strong, and brawny.

Tom loves God and his family whole-heartedly, and he extends his huge heart to love everybody around him too!

He must also be in the celestial Hall of Fame for being one of the world’s best grandpas, and that is where this little vignette really gets started.

Last night their family (including kids and grandkids) watched the fireworks at Sand Lake. In West Michigan, we have to stay up pretty late to see the fireworks because we’re far west in our time zone and far North geographically. The kids had a wonderful afternoon playing in the lake and doing all the special things families do together, but by the time the fireworks started to go off, his youngest granddaughter was tired and frightened by the loud sounds. She climbed up into her grandfather’s big, safe, lap. He cupped his hands over her ears so she wouldn’t be too scared, and before long she was excitedly calling “More!” as she waited for the next explosion. Fireworks don’t last too long, but before they were over, her little body relaxed and her eyes closed. She fell fast asleep.

So like our heavenly great, grand Father, who is our eternal refuge. He takes us up in his everlasting arms and protects us from every fear, even muffling the terrifying din of commotions around us! In Him, we can rest. No matter what the trouble, we can know that He is there for us, with us, holding us, and watching over us with his almighty love. May we rest in His peace, not only after we die, but while we’re living!

“And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.”
(Mark 10:16)

“The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms:
and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee.”
(Deuteronomy 33:27)

“I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep:
for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.”
(Psalm 4:8)

Cookie Sundae Bowls and Skillets

When Alan and I go to Mackinac Island or da Yoop (the U.P.), we love to stop at the Tasty Treat in Lake City. It’s about halfway to the Mackinac Bridge and truly does serve the biggest (and we think the best) sundaes in the north (probably in the entire state of Michigan).

I think they have it right to say that money can’t buy happiness, but there’s definitely something to the idea of an ice cream sundae putting a smile on somebody’s face when the weather’s hot, and it was in the 80°s last week!

As we were passing through town, we noticed something new— cookie dough bowl sundaes. Have you ever had one?

We hadn’t, although we’re definitely fans of cookie dough, especially chocolate-chip cookie dough!

Just a few days later, we celebrated Alan and Brianna’s mutual birthday. Brianna is famous for her cookies and made us a “birthday cake” giant cookie in a skillet.

It’s a brilliant way to make a batch of cookies for the busy mom. Just a little thicker batter and baked a little longer, but you can use your regular chocolate-chip cookie recipe (or any other type of cookie you want).

Brianna and her energetic daughter, Elanor, shared the decorating responsibilities! 🙂

The same idea can be used to make cookie-dough bowl sundaes, which you can do by putting large scoops (like an ice-cream scoop) of chocolate-chip cookie dough into muffin tins and half-baking them. If you’re concerned about raw eggs, try this vegan recipe for the cookie dough:

Vegan Cookie Dough
(Makes 2 dozen cookies)

In your mixer, cream together:
1 cup (8oz or 2 sticks) soft, plant-based butter (can use regular, but then it’s not vegan)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup oat or almond milk (or your choice)
2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda

This is a basic cookie dough, but if you want chocolate-chip cookie dough, add:
12 oz (1.5 cups) chocolate-chips (vegan if you’re trying to make this vegan, although if you’re simply trying to avoid raw eggs, then regular chocolate-chips work fine).

Blend into a big ball. If you’re simply making vegan chocolate chip cookies, place them in 24 large spoonfuls on a cookie sheet bake them at about 350°F for 10-12 minutes or until they’re just beginning to look done (or a little under done). Take out of the oven and cool them on the counter for another 10 minutes so they’ll be firm enough to remove from the cookie sheet to the counter.

However, to make the cookie dough “bowls” for sundaes, divide into 24 scoops in muffin tins or other festive, oven-proof containers, and pop them into an oven preheated to 350°F. Bake for 8 minutes.

Remove them from the oven, and let them cool slightly. They will be warm and gooey in the middle. Fill each with a scoop of ice cream. If you want them to be really special, top them with hot fudge sauce and whipping cream. Something old and something new!

“It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed,
because his compassions fail not.
They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.”
(Lamentations 3:22-23)