Pilgrims' Home

Running - What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger? I went for a run on Thursday morning at the end of April. I was in West Michigan for a consulting project and enjoying a later start to the day. I left my in-laws house to run a route I enjoyed many years ago. Lindsay's uncle has a home on my West Michigan running route, and I decided to stop to say hello while running. I simply wanted to offer a hug and enjoy some connection. It was a delightful pitstop. I said, "I miss you." He said, "I miss you, too. Come home." His demeanor was energizing and directness a bit unraveling. His words fell distinctly on my ears. I continued running and his words wouldn’t leave me. I kept running and wondering if/how I should tell Lindsay about the encounter. Siri called Lindsay while I continued running. I wasn't going too fast (I couldn't if I tried according to my son). I asked Lindsay, "What if I said when we leave for Bethany we will not be returning to South ...

  The Good News for Madeline! We have been home for a few weeks, and I have considered writing an update several times. The observed reality is that Madeline is doing exceptionally well. She wears "Billy" everyday (Billy is the name she gave to her neck brace). They have become connected (I am not sure they have reached the level of friends, but she is not fighting against it, so we count this as pure blessing).  She restarted school last week (from home) and is investing time each day in her learning. She seems focused and diligent. She seems to have more energy on a daily basis than before. Her symptoms seem significantly less than they were before the surgery. She is doing well, and we are counting this as blessing.  In some ways the lack of detail is a good sign. She is experiencing healing and moving full steam with adolescent sass.... Our current focus is moving to the summer when she can send Billy elsewhere, enjoy the summer at Bethany Beach, and enter the fall re...

Summary:  We do not yet know the next steps for surgery or recovery, but we seem to be okay. Calm, content, and trusting...t here is so much more to write about the body (the actual bodies we have and the body of Christ) but that's another day. For now, we hold our calm, contentment, and trust as a gift from God and God's people who are interceding on our behalf. Thank you. Update:    We've been pastors and professors. We live in a world where questions are constant, where information is supposed to relieve anxiety, and where certainty is the upgrade to ambiguity. But then we became parents; questions are still constant, but information rarely relieves anxiety, and ambiguity is a constant state. The ability to hold ambiguity, if I remember the theologian's quote correctly, is the key to developing humility. (If you want to read an excellent book on humility, visit Daryl Van Tongeren's  Humble: the Quiet Power of an Ancient Virtue ).  These days ambiguity is our ...

We listened to Taylor Swift first thing this morning, which seems appropriate having slept very little between the hours of midnight and 3am. We quickly forgot how the first night post-Chiari is a painful step in the recovery process. When Dr. Brockmeyer came by early last night, he urgently requested the nurses to stay on top of the pain and to keep Madeline comfortable. She is feisty, which is a quality that will serve her well, but it also creates havoc when coupled with pain. Last night was restless. She is sleeping well this morning, and it appears her pain is under control.   Watching children suffer is misery. The journey of parenting is an incredible act of discipleship, similar to marriage and singleness. Each life era has its own suffering. How we navigate it is a special kind of formation. We don't figure this out by reading books or sitting in a classroom but through living and wondering and praying. I'm not sure what it is like for you, but I keep whispering "...

 READER WARNING: The textual authority of hope will not be Scripture in this post. Instead hope comes from a contemporary Psalmist, Taylor Swift. The pre-op nurse had difficulty inserting the IV, so Madeline had the painful experience but was assured they would try again only once she was asleep. The nurse was kind and gentle and lamented the mishap (it happens often). Oddly, Madeline has pierced her own ears (several times) but the idea of IV needles is a real worry.  She tries not to worry, and her doctor is a partner in the practice. He often says, "I'll do my job; you do yours. What's my job again?" Madeline says, "You do all the worry. I just keep breathing." [ Breathe is a Swift song about loss and friendship].  When the anesthesiologist entered the room, Madeline's worry increased. We all began to cry. Dr. Wood could sense the energy and asked Madeline if she wanted some music for the journey from pre-op to the OR. Taylor Swift immediately emanat...

And how blessed all those in whom you live, whose lives become roads you travel; They wind through lonesome valleys, come upon brooks,  discover cool springs and pools brimming with rain! God-traveled, these roads curve up the mountain, and at the last turn—Zion! God in full view!  (Psalm 84:5-7, The Message) We turned left out of the driveway and descended more than 4000 feet over just a few miles. The sun was befriending the mountains and small streams of snowmelt followed us down. Madeline didn't want to leave; I don't think we did either. Like Peter at the transfiguration, "Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” I liked it better at the chalet; there were rooms there, one for us; one for Madeline; and one for our hosts. I get staying on the mountain. Peter was right - it is good to be here.  We drove the switchbacks and began the drive back to Salt Lake City. Madeline asked to ...

I answered the phone this morning, and a student promptly asked, "How is Madeline? We have been praying for her." This is a standing call with the student. The call is to support the student, but today the student was supporting me. This is what I love about education; we have an academic goal but we encounter our humanity along the way.  I could feel the weight of the week come over my shoulders and trickle through my arms with her question. I had side-stepped thinking about Madeline's surgery for the first hours of the day, but my student helpfully reminded me of what is ahead. She was curious and concerned. I was grateful and a touch afraid. We leave this Friday (January 10). My dad (Jim) will travel from Omaha to Greenville to be with Micah and Maggie. He is a renaissance man - able to cook, clean, and drive. I told him that parenting teenagers is largely reduced to those skills. I did mention, however, that just about the point he might feel like a laborer or Uber-dr...

2 Corinthians 9 could be quoted in full as a statement of our experience over the past few days. Our hearts are full beyond measure. " ...God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.... for the rendering of this generosity not only supplies the needs of the saints but also overflows with many thanksgivings to God...." Voca tions in Generosity Our entire professional lives have been made possible by others' generosity. We've been camp counselors and program directors at Christian camps; pastors in Covenant and Reformed congregations; and employees of a seminary and universities. All of these roles belong to non-profit systems. These organizations, and the salaries of those who serve within them, rely on the generosity of others. We feel fortunate to have our lives embedded in such organizations. The work is fulfilling as "return on mission" is more important than ROI.  ...

Lindsay and I have been longing to update our friends and family for several weeks but the uncertainty made it difficult to know what to say. Madeline has been in and out of school with headaches and medical appointments for several months. More than likely we will be thinking of alternative school options between now and the end of the year.  We also recognize we have two other incredible children, who have been kind and patient as we focus on Madeline's health and healing. Micah lives his life as a runner and completed his first sub-five minute mile yesterday (4:52)! Maggie is a true Tween and is chatting with her friends incessantly on FaceTime. We are doing relatively well as a family but can feel the tension of medical appointments; the fear of putting Madeline through another surgery; and the internal pressure to remain faithful to our day-jobs. We are grateful for two incredible places to work - Anderson University and Furman University. But we do covet your prayers. The ne...

         Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.       Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.   Philippians 4 - guarding our hearts and minds   Julie is my incredible colleague and administrative assistant at Anderson University. She walked into the of...

 

  If you told me you walked from Villadesuso to Rendondela, I would scold you. I would tell you to slow down, walk fewer km, and let your soul catch up. I wouldn’t be disappointed but worried. I would wonder what was happening within that you would need to walk so far in one day.   This is what I did on Sunday. I finished the day and didn’t feel accomplished but ashamed. There is no good reason to walk 60 km and 70+K steps in one day. This is easily 2.5 days worth of walking. I keep wondering, a few days later, What happened on Sunday? I went on my way, and the rain began. I took a short bathroom break at a fancy hotel and asked two pilgrims exiting to provide a cup of coffee and a croissant from their bountiful breakfast. They obliged. This is the closest I have come to a character in a Victor Hugo story. I continued on my way along the coast as the rain pelted my body. I have rain gear but the weather was so brutal, I didn’t want to stop to retrieve it. I put the cover on my...