One Month

Wow, the last day in September! The month (and the whole year for that matter) has gone quite quickly. I wanted to take the opportunity for one last blog in September to share a few more pictures of my grandpa, Donald Anderson, who passed away a month ago. The picture above is of my grandpa's parents and siblings. Grandpa is the 2nd from the right in the row of kids.

My grandpa served in the army, and was in the Korean War. He let us grandkids try on this hat and jacket.

My grandparents, Donald and Lorraine, on their wedding day, August 17th, 1954

My grandpa with my mom Chris, on her and my dad's wedding day, June 7th, 1981

My grandparents with their oldest 2 grandkids: me (standing up on the couch) and my cousin Lars (the baby)

My grandparents on their 50th wedding anniversary with my uncles Brian and Arden and my mom, 2004

25 Things

Earlier this year there was a note that was popular on Facebook where people listed 25 things that represented them. I was in Asia at the time that most of my friends were participating in making these lists, so I missed out on most of them. I recently ran across a couple, and this made me think about what I would choose. So, here is my list. I’m not sure if these really capture who I am, and I know some of these things are random, but here they are anyway! :)

1. My relationship with God is the most important relationship in my life.


2. My passion is missions- taking the Gospel to the people who don’t have a chance to hear about Jesus- but I don’t consider myself to fall into the category of a ‘typical’ missionary.


3. I love my family! I consider my siblings to be some of my best friends, and each one has been influential in my life. My parents are 2 of my heroes.


4. Being a good big sister, a responsible oldest daughter, and a worthy role model as an oldest grandchild are roles that I take pretty seriously.


5. I am a Nebraska farm girl, a small town Iowa girl and a big city Texas girl. I pretty much have loved every place that I’ve lived!


6. I enjoy traveling, seeing new places and finding fun things about different cultures, but I get tired of flying pretty easily and I would rather be settled in one place than moving from place to place.


7. My life goal is to worship God with believers on every continent. I still need to go to Africa, Australia and Antarctica (although I am more interested in the first two).


8. I am fascinated by weddings- the dresses, flowers, music, etc. My dream was to be a wedding coordinator but then God shifted my focus to preparing the bride of Christ for the Bridegroom. I still love seeing friends’ wedding pictures, browsing wedding magazines every once in awhile, and popping into the wedding dress shop at the mall.


9. I have always wanted to walk in a parade, wear a tiara, have a book published, be a good cook like my sister, and be influential in someone’s life. Not necessarily all at the same time.


10. I have fallen in love with Starbucks, but because I am poor I don’t go very often. I love to take my Bible and journal, get a Vanilla Latte or Carmel Macchiato, and have some good reflection time.


11. I miss my undergrad college days, and the community of the dorm that I lived in for 4 years. Those were some of the best years of my life.


12. I love hearing “God-stories”, how God has worked in a way that only He can in peoples’ lives. Often these powerful stories will move me to tears.


13. I love listening to the rain, but I hate getting wet. I especially don’t like when my feet or shoes get wet, or the bottom of my pants. I would much rather just be able to watch and hear the rain from inside.


14. I am quiet, and I always have been. I would rather listen to what is going on around me than add to the conversation. I would much rather talk to people one-on-one than in a group. Mostly I feel like other people have something more important than anything I might have to say.


15. I appreciate a dynamic speaker. I get very restless when I have to listen to a speaker who isn’t very engaging. I also get nervous for people who I know well who have to get up and perform. Sometimes I get more nervous than they do!


16. I enjoy going to the public library and reading the Wall Street Journal, or buying it in the airport if I’m flying on the weekends (when it’s cheaper).


17. Throughout my, life my dream jobs have been to be a writer, a journalist, a secretary, a veterinarian, and a wedding coordinator. I guess I am currently a secretary, so at least I have gotten to do one of my dream jobs!


18. My favorite movies of all time are The Sound of Music, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, and Roman Holiday. I love just about any musical.


19. I used to greatly dislike talking on the phone, especially having to make phone calls. But then when I worked one summer at my home church, the pastor asked me to call everyone in the church to remind them about a special service we were having that Sunday. That pretty much helped me get over my dislike of making phone calls.


20. I would much rather write a letter to someone than send an email or make a phone call. I absolutely love getting mail!


21. My primary love language (how I give and receive love) is gifts. The second is words of affirmation.


22. I have a hard time being flexible, but traveling overseas has helped with that a little bit. I like to know what’s going on, and am very curious (which sometimes gets me in to trouble).


23. I greatly dislike games that involve a high level of athleticism or skill. My favorite games would probably be Clue, Spoons and Phase Ten.


24. I love working behind the scenes to help people. Even if I am just keeping the coffee pot filled, I enjoy serving people in this way.


25. I hope to finish grad school, serve overseas, and live my life in total service to God wherever He takes me and in whatever way I can further His Kingdom.

Feel free to share your 25 things with me by email or whatever!

The Role of Women

The topic of the role of women especially within the family has been brought to my attention by an article in our local newspaper about a woman whose daughter graduated from high school with me. The woman has recently gone through a divorce, and is raising awareness of the Quiverfull movement and her escape from this way of thinking. (To read the article go to http://www.norfolkdailynews.com/ and search Quiverfull) I am not really writing this to respond to her in particular (because I don’t think she even knows my blog exists), but because so many things from the article and also reading the woman’s blog have bothered me greatly. In coming out of the movement, she has gone to the other extreme of turning away from anything relating to God. My thoughts will deal more with the Quiverfull movement itself, rather than her actions and reactions.

For a full history and description of the Quiverfull movement you’ll have to do some of your own research, but the movement gets its name from Psalm 127 which talks about the man being blessed whose quiver is full of arrows (children). In an effort to turn away from the feminist uprising of the 1920s and following, this movement strongly opposes the use of birth control and particularly focuses on the role of women as wives who submit to the authority of their husbands and mothers who view their children as blessings from God and who raise them up to change the world.

So, here are some of my thoughts. First of all, one of my big problems with the Quiverfull movement is the extreme nature of women’s submission to their husbands. In some examples of literature of the Quiverfull movement that I found, the woman is said to be the help mate to her husband, to fill his every need, and build him up to be all he can be. Last time I checked, this isn’t all there is to it. Ephesians 5:22 says, “Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord” (New International Version). But it doesn’t stop there. Verse 25 says, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her”. I don’t think submission and respect are supposed to be one-sided. Yes, women are to let their husbands be the leaders in the home, but the husband isn’t supposed to rule with an iron fist. Instead, he is supposed to love his wife, following the example of Jesus, who gave His life for the church. I think a better picture of the marriage relationship-rather than one being dominant over the other- is that both husband and wife are mutually submitting to and loving the other. They are both respecting, encouraging and serving the other.

Another aspect of the Quiverfull movement is the idea that women should stay at home and raise perfect, godly children. This idea, too, has been taken a bit to the extreme. Every parent should train their children to follow the Lord, and some women I think are definitely called to stay at home to do this. Here are two examples of women from my life who really are my heroes but have taken different paths in this regard. My mother chose to stay at home and teach her kids at home. My parents chose this direction because they felt this was what God was calling them to do. My mom has shown me an example of a loving wife and mother. My grandma, on the other hand, worked outside the home for many years as a teacher. Was she dishonoring God by doing this? No, definitely not. My grandma is my other hero, and she has been another example to me of a godly woman. She loved her husband and served her family, and she trained my mom and her siblings to be followers of God. I don’t really think one way is better than the other, and each family should seek God’s direction on what is best for their individual needs.

I personally believe the Quiverfull movement goes against Scripture, or at least misinterprets certain passages, but I also totally disagree with the reaction of the lady from my hometown (read the article on the newspaper website if you haven’t yet). There is still lots to think about, and I hope that dialogue continues to happen in my hometown and elsewhere.

And to end on a happy note, here is a picture of me and my siblings! ;)

Turn Your Thoughts to Christ

For my Spiritual Formation and Worship class I am reading the book Renovation of the Heart by Dallas Willard (and will have to write a paper on it this week). Willard talks about how we are spiritually formed, and how all the different parts of who we are- mind, soul, spirit, body- go through a transformation.

In the chapter on how our minds are transformed, Willard used a quote from Thomas Watson's book All Things for Good published in 1663. I really loved this quote and I want to share it with you.

"The first fruit of love is the musing of the mind upon God. He who is in love, his thoughts are ever upon the object. He who loves God is ravished and transported with the contemplation of God. 'When I awake, I am still with thee' (Psalm 139:18). The thoughts are as travellers in the mind. David's thoughts kept heaven-road, 'I am still with Thee'. God is the treasure, and where the treasure is, there is the heart. By this we may test our love to God. What are our thoughts most upon? Can we say we are ravished with delight when we think on God? Have our thoughts got wings? Are they fled aloft? Do we contemplate Christ and glory? Oh, how far are they from being lovers of God, who scarcely ever think of God! 'God is not in all his thoughts' (Psalm 10:4). A sinner crowds God out of his thoughts. He never thinks of God, unless with horror, as the prisoner thinks of the judge" (quoted in Willard p. 106).

I was really struck reading this quote by how important it is to direct our minds to God. We have so many different thoughts during the day concerning our tasks, worries, relationships, what to fix for dinner, what to wear to work, etc. But I really had to ask myself, how much time do I spend thinking about God? Asking questions, thinking of His goodness, pondering his love for me? This was a good reminder that I need to turn my thoughts more to God, and away from all of the other things that really aren't important.

A Few Pictures of my Grandpa

My grandparents with their first grandchild- me! :)

Grandpa showing me something neat in the pasture.

Our whole family: aunts, uncles, and 15 grandkids, with my grandparents for their 50th wedding anniversary in 2004

Tribute to my Grandpa

On August 29th, 2009, my grandpa Donald Anderson slipped the bonds of earth and Alzheimer's, and went home to be with Jesus. I miss him, but yet I feel so at peace knowing that I will see him again and that he isn't suffering anymore.

As the oldest grandchild of Donald and Lorraine Anderson, I have so many memories of my grandpa. Here are a few things I want to share with you about who my grandpa was, special memories I have, and observations from the visitation/celebration service last week.

- My grandpa always seemed to have a big smile and a joke. He seemed to genuinely enjoy people, and life.

- My grandpa loved his family. He and my grandma were married for 55 years, and lived out the vows "for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, 'til death do us part". He and my mom and uncles would joke and laugh together and you could tell they had a special relationship.

- My grandpa loved his grandkids. One thing that people said to me over and over this last week was, "Your grandpa was sure proud of you". One of his former pastors shared during the life celebration service that when they would get together for Bible study at my grandparents' house, my grandpa would go through each picture of the grandkids on the wall and tell the pastor what they were doing lately. It meant so much for me to hear this from other people.

- My grandpa loved God. He became a Christian later in life, and it changed his outlook and focus. I don't remember his faith being showy or loud, but quiet and steady. He was involved in his church, and loved on the the people there especially the kids. He was affectionatly known there as "the candy man", for always having a piece of candy or bubble gum in his pocket for the kids when the service was over.

- My grandpa had a firm handshake, something I greatly appreciate in a person. :) He also had the ability to eat an entire apple, core and all. This is an art I am still trying to perfect.

- My grandpa served in the army during the Korean War, and he was pretty proud of this. He would salute us grandkids, and then wink at us. I don't remember all of his war stories, but a couple stuck out to me.
***Once when one of the commanding officers was inspecting the soldiers, one of the guys hadn't done a very good job shaving. The officer said, "Next time put a blade in your razor".

***Someone passed around a pack of cigarettes, but Grandpa couldn't get his lit. And he never smoked after that.

- My siblings and I traveled with my grandparents on different occassions, and my grandpa would tease us and tell jokes. He would also sing to us. Our favorites were "Crawdad Hole", and one that had the line, "hair of gold, eyes of blue, lips like cherry wine". When he would sing the latter one, my grandma would turn around all scandalized, and say "Oh Grandpa!".

- Although it was a hard day, the life celebration service for my grandpa was also a precious time. We had more of an informal service, with a picture slide show of my grandpa's life, memories from the immediate family, an opportunity for people who came to share, reflections from two of my grandparents' former pastors, and a very clear gospel message. At the cemetary, the Honor Guard performed the military rites, with the folding of the flag and giving it to my grandma, the gun salute, and the playing of "Taps". I was overwhelmed at that moment with pride for my grandpa and the heritage that he left, sadness that he is really gone, sorrow for my younger cousins who might not have the memories that I do, and joy that my grandpa is in heaven praising Jesus, and one day my family will be there with him!

Donald A. Anderson

This is the obituary that was in our local papers. I thought it really captured who my grandpa was, so I thought I would share it.

Services for Donald A. Anderson, 81, of Madison will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Calvary Community Church with the Rev. Roy Scorup officiating and burial in Fairview Cemetary. Military rites will be by American Legion Post 35, VFW Post 5763 and the Nebraska National Guard Honor Guard. Visitation will be 5-8 p.m. Tuesday at Resseguie Funeral Home.

Mr. Anderson died at his home Saturday, August 29, 2009. Memorials may be directed to the local chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.

Don was born on the family farm on August 8th, 1928, the son of Carl and Edna (Sexton) Anderson. He was raised on the farm and attended rural school.

Don entered the U.S. Army on November 24, 1950. He served in the artillery in Korea, attaining the rank of sergeant first class. He received his honorable discharge on August 24, 1952. Following his discharge, Don returned to farming near Madison.

On August 17, 1954, Don married Lorraine Severa at Trinity United Methodist Church in Madison. The couple farmed northwest of Madison, where they raised cattle and hogs. In his swine operation, Don specialized in purebred breeding stock.

In his younger years, Don played baseball for the Enola Dodgers. He also enjoyed major league baseball and was a knowledgeable fan of football, especially the Huskers. He enjoyed watching all sports on television and going to auctions. Don took pride in planting trees.

Don was an active member of Calvary Baptist Church in Madison. On August 28th, 1977, Don accepted Christ as his personal Savior.

Don served on the Fairview School board and the Fairview Cemetary board for several years.

Don is survived by his wife of 55 years, Lorraine; their children, Brian and Yvonne Anderson of rural Hoskins, Arden and Karen Anderson of rural Chappell, and Chris and Mark Hilkemann of rural Pierce; 15 grandchildren, Sarah Hilkemann, Lars Anderson, Beth Hilkemann, Sven Anderson, Ilene Anderson, Josh Hilkemann, Amelia Anderson, Nels Anderson, Emily Hilkemann, Miles Anderson, Hannah Anderson, Leah Anderson, Matthew Hilkemann, Anthony Anderson and Regina Anderson.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Dorothy Kinkle and Darlene Schmidt; and one brother, Homer Anderson.

Trusting Part 2

This Saturday I met up with my parents in Newton, Kansas (just north of Wichita) to switch cars. Our Nebraska mechanic thought he would be able to fix the brakes on my car for a whole lot cheaper than the quotes I got here in Texas, so I got my sister's car and my parents took mine back to Nebraska. Everything went smoothly on the way up, I had a lovely lunch with my parents and then I was off back to Texas. Unfortunately, somewhere in northern Oklahoma I passed an accident with lots of glass and debris on the road. About 15 minutes later I discovered I had a flat tire! I made it back to Dallas, but I wanted to share the ways that God provided for me on the way back.

The whole way I clung to the promises of Philippians 4:6-7: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Each time I started to worry, I prayed for what I needed, and thanked God for how he took care of me.

Here are some of the specific ways I saw God providing:
- I was able to pull off onto a rest area after I discovered the flat tire
- I prayed for God to send someone to help me change the tire, and He did! A guy came with his daughter, and he knew just what to do to change it. Then a truck and a van pulled in, so I felt safe with so many people around!
- The little spare tire lasted all of the way back to Dallas!
- I could only go about 55-60 MPH on a 70 MPH road, but there was someone either in front of me or behind me going the same speed almost the whole way (so I felt like I had some company). :)
- When I was going through the major cities like Oklahoma City and Dallas, there was a lack of traffic when I needed to switch lanes to exit or whatever.
- I knew that people at home in Nebraska and in Texas were praying for me.
- My parents made it safely back to Nebraska in my car with little brakes.

I wish that I could have had a smooth ride back to Texas, or even not had to deal with all of these car issues in the first place, but in some ways it was really a spiritual journey. I had to cling to God and I saw Him answer prayers in a cool way. So, I praise God for his provision!

Trusting

Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.

This week I haven't done the greatest job of being very strong or courageous. Worries about how to pay for books and tuition for school, trying to figure out what to do with a car with a rusting brake line, feeling very far away from home.

I realized partially through the week that I was trying to do it all on my own strength. Being the responsible, organized, controlling person that I am, this is easy for me to do! I had to stop, take a deep breath (or several), and ask, "God what are you trying to teach me?" I'm still trying to hang on to Him rather stress myself out over all that is going on. I am so thankful that my God will never leave me nor forsake me. He has a purpose in all that has happened this week! Maybe I won't learn all of the lessons right away, but I'm letting go of my own control, and holding on more to my Heavenly Father. What an adventure this will be!

Nebraska Pictures

Here are a few snapshots of my time in Nebraska. Family get-together

Helping out at the Pierce County Fair

My siblings and I