Memories…

It was just a few weeks ago that we said goodbye to a very beloved sister-in-law and friend after two years of struggle with ALS (Lou Gehrig Disease). Since the news of her parting was told us, I have been flooded with memories of special times spent with her. Robi was a very special, very gracious and giving person who always made you feel welcome and wanted. Family and friends were very important to her, as was her love for the Lord Jesus Christ, her Savior. She lived what she believed.

Living many years “overseas”: Austria, Canada and Hawaii (I know, Hawaii isn’t overseas, Canada for that matter, but in ministry it’s like being overseas…), I didn’t have a lot of family time. Thus, my time on the mainland, always included a few days with Dean, Robi and their kids. It was a time I looked forward to and cherished. Robi is home now: No more pain, sorrow, or struggle with her next breath. She is home and I will see her again, one day. In the meantime, she will be greatly missed.

As I write this, I am sitting at my window looking out at the beauty in front of me. The woods surround me and little, gray squirrels are scurrying around, searching through the fallen leaves for food. The sun is shining on the slowly fading colors of Fall as a slight breeze loosens more leaves from their high perch. Fall is such a beautiful time of year; my favorite season. Off in the distance is a peaceful pond surrounded with lush, green grass often lively with large flocks of Canadian Geese and ducks. Buildings can also be seen through the trees, buildings belonging to Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF), Headquarters here in Warrenton, Missouri. Tim and I are here for the week, in our traveling home, as volunteers. Since it is the weekend, we don’t know what our responsibilities will be, but we are greatly enjoying the time with our dear friend Sharon.

Sharon and I go way back. LOTS of memories there as well. Whenever I was on furlough, Warrenton was always a must, even if there weren’t special meetings going on that I needed to attend. CEF Headquarters was a “home away from home.” Sharon and her family would help make my time here very special. Though many of the CEF family here have come and gone, Sharon is still here. Along with her other duties, she is still doing what she does best: Making visitors feel right at home, encouraging and helping them any way she can. She has such a servants heart!

As she and I walked around the Farmer’s Market at Winghaven (Lake St. Louis) this morning, we talked about memories. The dictionary defines memories as “something remembered from the past; a recollection.” Another defines it as “the mental capacity or faculty of retaining and reviving facts, events, impressions, etc., or of recalling or recognizing previous experiences.”

Memories are a powerful thing. As I sit here writing this, I have memories of Austria, Canada and Hawaii fighting for my attention. It’s easy to get lost in memories, of days gone by, especially if, under Covid circumstances, we may not return to those places for a very long time, if ever. But as I told Sharon, if we clung onto memories of the past, we could miss out on making new and just as wonderful, even if different, memories of the future.

For example: I am here at CEF Headquarters no longer as a single missionary, but married. A lot of my ministry before was done alone, without even a team to help me. Now I am still in full-time ministry but have a partner in crime. Well, not in crime, but in ministry! Someone likeminded who is not just a team member but a lifetime partner. With him comes a whole new set of memories: Another family to call my own. I wouldn’t have had that if I had clung to the past.

This last week and a half we spent some special time with part of that family in Minnesota before arriving here. First, we spent time in Madison where Tim’s brother Bob lives. We spent a few days with Bob and Wendy and even saw Malia and Leighlonnie (Bob’s daughter and granddaughter).  Leighlonnie showed us a pumpkin patch where the pumpkins were almost as big as her (just a little exaggeration)! That is also where we were attacked by the No-See-Ums. Then we drove over to Kerkhoven, not only to preach and sing at a supporting church, but to spend time with Tim’s Uncle Larry and Aunt Nancy. They spoiled us while we were there and we spent hours just sharing stories. Furthermore, Tim got to ride his first combine machine while the farmer was harvesting soybeans. Tim’s cousins gave us a handful of pumpkins to aid in our Fall decorations. Furthermore, Lord willing, we will meet up with Tim’s folks a week from now and go RVing together. New and cherished memories.

Memories are a wonderful thing, especially as we grow older and tend to forget… what was I writing about? LOL. How many of you DON’T struggle with memory?

I may forget many things, but one thing I hope I NEVER forget whether difficulties or dementia becomes overwhelming: To say with Job, “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth; and after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God (19:25-26).” I belong to HIM. Not by anything I have done, but because He drew me to Himself. Jesus shed His precious blood for my sins and I believed and put my trust in Him. I couldn’t have even done that if it wasn’t for Him! Job goes on to say, “whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold and not another. How my heart yearns within me (vs27)!” Now that’s a future memory to look forward to!!!

Blessings, Mari