Community 4:12

Reassurance

"Blessed are those who haven't seen me and believe anyway."--John 20:29.

I wonder if this verse provided any reassurance or comfort for Mother Teresa in her times of feeling separated from God.  It does me!

A Little Secret

I have always admired Mother Teresa (who hasn't, I guess).  But after reading this week's edition of Time Magazine, I admire her even more.  And I feel like I share a little secret with her.  I can't tell you how freeing it was to read about her "spiritual darkness."  I wish I could say I couldn't relate to that, but I can.  In a deep way.  And I feel "sinful" even saying that.  But, I wonder how many others who have committed their lives to serving God can relate to those feelings, too.  No matter how deep the darkness may get, I pray I will do as Mother Teresa did and NEVER give up seeking relentlessly to get out of the dark and FEEL God's presence. 

Medical Marvel

We ended up taking Brian to the ER at our doctor's suggestion for a second opinion and leg xray. Two different doctors looked at him, because the first thought it looked like a classic case of shingles, but shingles never strikes kids--especially this young and who have been vaccinated for chicken pox. In fact I had asked our doctor about that earlier in the week, because that had been my first thought, and he said the same thing--kids don't get shingles.  They called in a more senior doctor who also agreed it looked like classic shingles.  So, they are calling him a medical marvel and took pictures of his sores on his back and legs.  There are lots of things I've dreamed of for my kids---being a "medical marvel" is not one of them! 

There's no real treatment for shingles, and it can take several weeks to clear up, but the biggest concern is that shingles typically hits people when their immune system is compromised. So they are wondering why a kid this young would have that issue, so looks like we will have some follow-up immune system testing.  Of course it would be too easy to just get a diagnosis and then not have anything else to worry about, right?  Maybe God thinks my faith muscle needs a little testing!

Waiting

We are a little tired here at the Strand house . . . and a little worried.  Over the weekend Brian started complaining of severe leg pain and walking with a limp.  Then on Monday he woke up with a weird rash on that same leg and on his lower back.  Off to the doctor we went.  The rash looked like "mite bites," that evidently there has been a recent infestation of around here.  But the leg pain would not be explained by that . . . and the doctor seemed a little concerned.  We've had some tests done and are waiting results, but one thought is that he might have HSP (Henoch-Schonlein Purpura).  He is on prednisone as part of the treatment we are trying and that makes him have terrible insomnia . . . which of course means mom doesn't sleep much either.  Don't you hate those middle of the night places that your mind goes when you aren't sure what malady your child might be suffering?  Let's just say, I'm really hoping it is HSP, because at least that will be an answer and wouldn't be nearly as bad as some of the things I've convinced myself he has!

Celebrating Jesus Together

After days of clouds and rain and humidity, it was a beautiful day today.  And it was especially beautiful from 4:00 - 5:30 when hundreds gathered in McCarty Park in downtown Aurora for a multi-church, multi-ethnic outdoor worship service.  Celebrate Jesus Together was the last thing to happen in McCarty Park before they shut it down for renovations.  It was so powerful to see Black, White, Latino, and Asian churches unite in worship, and it was great to see so many friends there.  Thanks to Randy Schoof at Warehouse Church for his vision and passion for seeing the Church of Christ united!

So Proud of these Boys!

All three of my "boys" went back to school today at Bardwell Elementary right down the street from us.  Scott went back for his second year as a third grade teacher . . . a little more relaxed and confident than he was last year!  And Erik (4th grade) and Brian (3rd grade) went for their first day at their new school in East Aurora.  They were both more excited than nervous, although there was definitely some of that, too.  I was so proud of them as we walked up to the school towards the crowds of kids waiting in line.  Almost all were unfamiliar faces.  And almost all were Hispanic.  I am embarrassed to say that I felt a little uncomfortable.  Lots of stares (and some smiles, too).  But my boys did not seem fazed.  They found their lines and marched up with confidence.  Scott called a bit ago to say he saw Brian's teacher in the hall and she said he was doing great.  Whew.  I was most concerned about him, since he literally didn't know anyone in his class---Erik knew a few kids that had been in Scott's class last year and became friends over the summer.  It's only a half-day, so I will get the low-down in about an hour, but I was so very proud of them.  Not once did they say, "I wish I was going back to Maplebrook this year."  They are fully investing in our new community here.  Thank you, Jesus!

Now that's a Partnership!

This is a great day at CCC!  We've been working with East Aurora, District 131 Schools, for about 4 years now.  And today, all 540 elementary school teachers and administrators from East Aurora are here at Community Christian Church for a pre-school training.  It feels kind of surreal to walk around the building and see so many familiar faces and friends that I have seen at schools over the years.  It's like I have been to their house so many times, and now they are visiting my house!  Their speaker is like a fired-up Black preacher whom they are all loving, and several of us from CCC have had the opportunity to talk to the group about our work in East Aurora and different aspects of our church.  That to me is a sign of a great partnership---we learn about them, they learn about us and we all unite together to work for a greater cause. 

Brady Kids Going Back to School with Supplies!

I keep waiting for the day when God decides not to abundantly bless one of our Aurora community events, but today certainly wasn't that day!  After our school supply collection last weekend, we were WAY short of our goal of 550 school supply kits.  Way short--like at least 300 short.  But over the week, we sent shoppers out to shop with donated money and many, many people brought in kits over the week.  So, today we had over 400 kits and over 150 pairs of shoes to sell at our Brady Back to School Event.  We sold most of the kits and the rest will be sold to families over the next few days.  The shoes disappeared in an hour.  And we went through over 700 hot dogs.  About 50 volunteers worked very hard to come up with on-the-fly plans when rain struck and lines got too long and we ran low on singles to give as change.  What an amazing team--lead flawlessly by Ron Kelso, another phenomenal Community 4:12 leader.  We are still crunching the numbers, but it looks like we will have raised over $3,000 by selling the kits and shoes for Brady to use for school improvement initiatives.  Thank you, God, and thank you CCC, for coming through for the Brady families again!

Poverty to Opportunity Campaign

I had the privilege of attending a community forum in Aurora last night entitled, "Moving From Poverty to Opportunity."  It was sponsored by the Illinois Coalition for Community Services and the Heartland Alliance.  I learned a lot about poverty statistics in Illinois and Kane County (which includes East Aurora).  For example, Kane County has seen a 24% increase in extreme poverty (defined as a family of 4 earning $10,325/year).  And almost 30% of children in Kane County live in poverty (defined as a family of 4 earning $20,650/year).  And the reality is that many, many more families and children, while not living at the federally defined poverty level, are not making ends meet.  Completely not acceptable.  And these organizations are treating this as a human rights issue and are mobilizing average citizens across the state to help end poverty.  There were youth, adults, seniors, Blacks and Whites (unfortunately no Latinos) all sitting around the table brainstorming problems and solutions.  Very cool and I look forward to seeing what more develops.  If you are interested in learning more about the campaign or signing on as an endorser, contact dschenkelberg@heartlandalliance.org. 

Want to Join us in East Aurora?

"There is a time for 'in-you-face' approaches to mission, but there is also a time to simply become part of the very fabric of a community and to engage in the humanity of it all.   Furthermore . . . [you give] the implied message that God actually likes them."  Alan Hirsch, The Forgotten Ways.