The Five Month Hymn

It was 22 February 2010 ,when I left the Czech Republic and my job, my pets, my bike, my pubs and my friends.

Since that day, I have had a number of nostalgic moments, grieving moments and lonely moments. I've missed the meaningful relationships and the fun of the city. I've longed for the Prague ham roasting downtown and a chat over a crisp cold pivo sitting outside at the local pub. I've been extremely sad, shed tears and let them flow freely.

Since that day, I have reconnected with a very loving family. I've learned what 'coming home' feels like. Friends have embraced me and allowed me into their lives. I've gorged on the wonders of the all-you-can-eat buffet and visited and swam in the most beautiful Lake in the world. I've been extremely happy, shed tears and let them flow freely.

It is 22 July 2010 - I have an apartment, a car, a dog, a fridge with yummy food, a comfy bed and an enjoyable job.

Truly this God of ours moves in mysterious ways. Mr. Cowper, I understand your words. Thank you.

God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs
And works His sovereign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.

Blind unbelief is sure to err
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.

Mary, Martha and Joshua

This past Sunday afternoon I finished reading my latest pick from the Kent District Library "The Year of Living Like Jesus" by retired local Grand Rapids pastor, Ed Dobson.

Not a specimen of literary art, some sections I skimmed and others I ashamedly skipped. I would take up issue with some comments he made and others I would applaud loudly. However, overall it's a book that I enjoyed and very much valued reading past the ink on the page.

Due to this book, at the forefront of my mind has been the concept of living like Jesus. Not like Dobson did with growing his beard (good thing!) and eating kosher foods, but according to Christ's teachings and his values as we read them in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John of the New Testament.

I, therefore, found myself unexpectedly in the midst of a Kingdom moment this past Sunday.

Four year old Joshua lives a few apartments down from me. Early evenings when he has not disobeyed his grandma, his mother allows him to play outside with his bike, tee-ball equipment, bug catching kit or any other toy he's recently acquired. He's ever knocking on my patio door or calling from a few yards away "Nessa, come and watch me." "Hi, Nessa, whatcha doing?" "Nessa, look what I have."

Some days I've joined Josh as we collected insects, chased toads and searched for ducks. Other days I'd greet him cheerily, step outside for a few words with his mom, then hide inside from the mosquito army camped outside my patio door.

Sunday, I had planned out my afternoon in a timely way and had little room for extra curricular activities. Following church, I'd prepare my weekday lunches, clean up dishes, do a bit of laundry, dress for a birthday party and leave. Then I heard my little neighbour's voice call out, "Nessa, are you there?" I peeked out from my kitchen without thinking. He saw me. I was caught. "Come and see how fast I can go!" In formerly white ankle socks, red shirt and shorts, Josh was out with his bike riding around in the the dirt.

I had no time for Josh today. To placate him I'd poke my head out every few minutes and call "Yes, I see you." "Oh my, that WAS fast!" "Do that again, Josh!" Hoping my responses were appropriate to what he was actually doing and allowing myself to finish the dirty dishes in the sink.

Whilst scrubbing a greasy pan, Dobson's book came to mind. I then saw myself living the "Martha and Mary" story of Luke's gospel. Martha busied herself with the household chores and Mary sat with Jesus listening to him and enjoying his company. Jesus appreciated and honoured Mary for her friendship and communion and wished Martha would join them.

My mind then jumped to the teaching of Jesus calling those who love him to welcome these little children, and in doing so, we welcome him.

My little Jesus was calling for me to come and watch him, to love him and to value him. He soon appeared again at my screen door to show off his bike helmet. I put down the dish cloth and told Joshua to wait one second. I ran to my closet, retrieved my bike helmet and joined him outside. We compared helmets and he was impressed that ours had the same 'buttons' to latch and unlatch them. He hopped on his bike, I leaned up against the tree and timed his riding from his patio to mine and back.

I went to bed that night still with a laundry basket of dirty clothes and I was a few minutes late to the birthday party, but for at least for a small section of my day, I remembered a commitment made long ago to live like Jesus and spent a valuable couple of minutes with him playing in the dirt.

Greyt Show

Daily I receive an e-mail from Allies for Greyhounds of West Michigan. It includes greetings and updates from others who've adopted greyhounds, questions and answers regarding behaviour of their pets and upcoming animal friendly social events.

I was pleased to find that this Saturday was a 'meet & greet' at a local Farmers' Market, so I was happy to cart Si along as I filled my bag with cherry plums and green beans. Seeing two ladies hiding in the shade with 5 or 6 greyhounds swarming around them I surmised this must the Greyhound corner. (Quick, I know).

The following day an e-mail with this excerpt was distributed:

"Well our first meet and greet at this location went greyt. It was a little slow at first, but picked up later. … Vanessa stopped out with Silas, formerly Lonesome Hawk who is looking wonderful and entertained us all with his funny ears and nonstop tail."

Yep, I was proud of my little showman, who after greeting the others immediately laid down, as clearly the ten minute trip around the market wore him out.

Take Your Work Home

Today I purposefully took my work home, as I had my boss and his young family over for a taco-fest. Stories of bike rides around West Michigan, silly dog antics, international adventures and varying church practices filled my apartment as we shared in table fellowship together.

You may disagree, but I want to take my work home with me. I want to know my colleagues more and allow them to know me. I want my work to come home and sit around my table. I want my work to see Silas as he lazily does nothing all day. I want my work to kick off their shoes, put their feet up and tell their stories while not constrained by the timeclock.

I want my work to see photos of where I've been and who has formed me. I want my work to tell me stories and make me laugh a full belly laugh. I want my work not to need to watch their "p's and q's" in my small home.

Today, is the first of hopefully many 14 hour 'work' days which begins in the office in Grand Rapids and ends around my table in Grandville.

Dog Days of Summer

Some photos of the last two weeks with my new roommate...

(attempting a tooth-brushing session)

(taking over my bed)