Summer Weddings

Posted on July 20, 2010 by Lynn

“Were we ever that young?” I asked my husband as we watched the young couple exchange rings.  Daniel and Sarah looked into each other’s eyes and they smiled.  Their vows exchanged before God and those assembled signifying the start to what we hope will be a long and happy lifetime together.  Do they have any idea what they were getting into?  I’m not saying it negatively.  Thirty-one years with my husband gives me some credibility to share some insights into wedded bliss.  It is not always blissful, (sorry Daniel and Sarah), but it is a huge adventure!

I married my best friend in a tiny Presbyterian Church in Sooke B.C. on June 2, 1979.  Just before I arrived to the church, Charles was sequestered with Rev. Lin in the Pastor’s office that was located just to the left of the podium.  I have it on good authority that just as I was coming up the church steps, one of Charles’ army buddies ran up to the door and pounded on it yelling, “Run for it!  There’s still time!”  (Thanks, Mike 🙂 )

Luckily, Charles did not “run for it” but smiled at me as I came down the aisle and vowed that through sickness, health, love and sorrow, he would be faithful to me alone…and he meant it!  Now I know a lot of young people who have exchanged those same kinds of vows and meant every word they said but then when the testing came (as it always does), they crumbled under the pressure.  Vows were forgotten and promises broken when everyday life put obstacles and challenges in front of the couple.  They discovered that marriage isn’t easy.  “Run for it!” seemed like the only way out.

Thirty one years have seen Charles and I face job losses together; infertility, crisis pregnancies, adoption, financial crises, household moves, deaths of parents, depression (me), work challenges, and life threatening illness (me).  We didn’t get through those times on our own strength.  It would have been easy to “run for it”, instead we journeyed through those times together hand in hand, and remembered the covenant we had made to each other before God on our wedding day to “love one another until death do us part”. I balk at those that say, “Love means never having to say you’re sorry”…Love means “saying sorry” a lot and meaning it!  It’s admitting we’re wrong or at fault when we mess up and we need forgiveness.  It’s crying and saying “sorry” and then forgiving one another and then saying “I love you” and really meaning it!  (Kind of sounds familiar, doesn’t it?  Sounds like the kind of love that the Father has for His children.)

Bailey and Erik exchanged their vows only weeks after Sarah and Daniel.  Once again I turned to Charles and asked him, “Were we ever that young?”  Another ceremony, another young couple looking lovingly into each other’s eyes.  I can’t get over how many of the young people we have known for years at our church are now walking hand in hand to the altar to be married.  I remember teaching them in Sunday School!  Surely I haven’t aged that much…have I?  Bailey looked radiant in her gown, her dark hair cascading down her shoulders.

I couldn’t help but flashback remembering the vows Charles and I spoke to one another thirty-one years ago.  Did we have any idea how poignant those words were?  Did Charles think about the significance of those words: “I will love Lynn in sickness and health”, when twenty-two years later he was shaving my head bald after my hair started to fall out in clumps after my first chemotherapy treatment?  Love is not spoken in words, it is spoken in action.

I pray that Sarah and Daniel, Bailey and Erik, Robbie and Robyn always remember that.  Oh, and remember too that  God is control.  He will never leave you or forsake you.  Promise each other that you will never “run for it”, no matter what, but that you will stay the course…hand in hand…always and forever.  Amen.

“In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.”  Proverbs 16:9  (Charles and my life verse).

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The Student Has Become the Master…

Posted on July 8, 2010 by Lynn

As a Sunday School teacher, VBS leader, children’s and youth leader at church, one of the most rewarding things I have been blessed to do over these thirty years is impart some of my “wisdom” to a child and then see that child take that little nugget and run with it on their own.  It’s like watching a child try to run with a kite.  You don’t know if they’ll have the stamina or energy to get that kite off the ground and then it suddenly leaps out of their hand and soars higher and higher in the sky, going to even greater heights than you could ever have imagined.

I have had the awesome privilege of being around long enough to have diapered the bottoms of babies and toddlers in the church nursery to watching those same “babies” graduate high school!  I have been blessed to be their Youth Sunday School teacher and then weep with emotion when they preached their first sermon!  I have laughed at their hair styles, tongue piercings, tattoos, and crazy clothing.  I have tried to understand their music through these many years and I even like some of it… or at the very least I have managed to tolerate the beat!

I can count some of the dents in the walls and carpet stains in the church that were caused by children and youth.  I remember the water fights and the tracked in mud.  I suppose those are the necessary casualties when a church prizes its’ children and youth over a building.

Many of the young people who now teach alongside me at Vacation Bible School (VBS) this year, were once my students!  I remember the girls as kindergarteners with lace and curls, who have now grown into the teenage beauties and sports stars today who wouldn’t be caught dead wearing frills and lace.  I watch as they interact with their class, teaching the same stories I once shared with them.  I want to just drop to my knees and say, “Thank you, Jesus.”  I watch some of the youth boys and remember when they were the ones who loved to interrupt me as I tried to tell a Bible story in class and then would refuse to do anything else except play with the blocks and small cars.  Now they are the tall and lanky leaders who tirelessly give piggy back rides to squealing preschoolers and assist small hands to make crafts and wipe up spilled drinks… (ahhh, add yet another stain to the church carpet).   Again, I lift my eyes and whisper, “Thank you, Jesus!”

My heart absolutely bursts with joy to see those youth growing in Christ.  I have been present at their baptisms, and I have heard their testimonies.  I have prayed for them, wept with them, and rejoiced with them.  Many of my “kids”, as I call those I have been fortunate enough to call my students over the years, are adults who now serve on the mission field, or are going to seminary or are serving on a church staff.  Several of them are accomplished speakers, ministers and authors.  Many are married and raising families of their own.  “Thank-you, Jesus!” I say again.

I passed a little preschooler today at VBS who ran up to me unexpectedly and he gave me a huge hug and a high-five and I smiled.  I couldn’t help but picture him running with a little kite…

Psalm 78:1-7
“O my people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter hidden things, things from of old – what we have heard and know, what our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done. He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our forefathers to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.”

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I’m a Rookie

Posted on April 23, 2010 by Lynn

When I wrote my first book, “Shoot the Wounded” I had no idea about editing, publishing, book signing, book talks, book reviews or marketing.  Basically I sat down at my computer and typed out what I thought was a good story and then life got in the way and well…I sort of forgot about it…for ten years!  I suppose I had a good excuse for leaving the little gem all tucked away on my computer’s hard drive for so long: I battled breast cancer, I went back to school to get my Master’s degree, I was working at my church part-time on staff as Children’s Minister, and my oldest daughter got married…

It sort of seems weird seeing ten years of my life encapsulated like that but as they say, “That’s the facts, Jack!”

One day I was going through my “old” files on my computer and something beckoned me to reread the  “Shoot the Wounded” manuscript that I had haphazardly written ten years previously.  At the same time I could almost hear a voice telling me to “Finish this!”

The feeling nagged at me for several weeks and finally I called an author friend of mine to see if she would meet me for lunch.  While we chatted over our noodle bowls at a local chinese food restaurant, I grilled Connie about the “publishing biz”.  Connie is a renowned author and a gifted speaker and I have valued her friendship and mentorship for years.  She said, “Writing a book is relatively an easy thing, it’s getting the word out there and promoting it afterwards that takes the time and effort.”  Then she proceeded to scare the living daylights out of me when she suggested I think about going on a speaking tour with her after my book was published.  (Read my blog entry entitled “I have a domain” for more details about my fear of speaking in public)….needless to say I am still “thinking”, Connie!

Anyway, our conversation rallied me into taking some action, so I started “fine tuning” my manuscript and I asked my daughter, Laurelle to start proof reading the book.  I don’t know how other authors handle it but I don’t much like criticism.  I’m a people pleaser.  I remembered Connie saying during our lunch conversation that book reviewers can “make or break” a book.  Knowing that, I was very trepidatious about what Laurelle’s reaction to reading the book would be.  “She’s my daughter!”  I thought.  “She won’t trash it, she’ll be encouraging because she loves me!”  So after sending her the sixth chapter, I finally mustered up the courage to call her on the phone and ask, “What do you think of the story so far?”

I could tell by the long silence that she was choosing her words carefully…she was probably thinking that her inheritance was on the line here!

“It’s Okay.”

Now I know what a balloon feels like it when it loses air and makes that sputtering “phthlutzzzz” sound as it spins around the room and then plops onto the floor deflated and useless.  Luckily she collected herself in time to realize that her name being struck from my will was a distinct possibility so she sputtered out quick encouragement that gushed panic.  The damage had been done.

For weeks I left the manuscript alone.  I fretted and moped about the house, indecision getting the better of me.  My confidence in myself and in the book had been shattered.  In fairness to Laurelle, she continued to diligently proof read the manuscript and even though her comments were more and more encouraging as she continued to read, I refused to believe her sincerity.  Finally my dear, sweet husband came home with a bouquet of flowers and a card that read: “Lynn, sometimes the most special thing about a card is the person who receives it.”  Love, Charles and he wrote: “Let’s publish your book!!”

Charles had never even read one word of my manuscript but that didn’t matter…regardless of my “okay” writing he believed in me!  If it had not been for his encouragement at just the right time, “Shoot the Wounded” would still be a word document filed somewhere on my computer and nothing more.

I literally (haha) attacked the manuscript with rewrites and more rewrites.  Then I summoned up the courage to send it to Word Alive Press and their professional editor attacked the manuscript with bold red lines and strike outs.  When he trashed my second chapter the first time saying it was “tedious and painful to read”, I didn’t crumble as I thought I might.  I rewrote it until I not only got “thumbs up” from the publisher but also from Laurelle, who continued to proof read for me.

Since “Shoot the Wounded” has been published, I have been humbled by the rave reviews and the accolades the book has received.  Connie, bless her heart, brings copies of the book with her on her speaking engagements to give away.  I have author friends and fellow bloggers who are “fans” and help promote the book.  Sales of the book are going well.  Truly, I am at times overwhelmed by it all!  I’m learning all about editing, publishing, book signing, book talks, book reviews and marketing, and I’m even learning to take criticism better.  I’m still a rookie but God continues to direct my path and He has opened doors in ministry for me as a result of my becoming a “published author”.

I am working on the sequel to the book, “Heal the Wounded” and I can’t wait to send it off first to Laurelle to have her proof read it.  I’m actually looking forward to her initial review.  I’ve discovered through this whole process that of all the people who read my books, I value her opinion and criticism most of all.  Her comments have made me a better writer.  I went from writing just “okay” stories, to writing stories worthy of her praise.  What a blessing!  oh…and she’s still in the Will so it’s all good!

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