Common Threads in Spiritual Growth

Last Sunday 9 people got baptized at Westwinds Church -- 4 of them were kids.

all of the kids had either their mom or dad baptized them
all of the kids said that they love Jesus and want to follow him
all of the kids have been or are currently involved in wwKids (or student journey)

What powerful stories these kids possess. That Jesus loves them, that Jesus makes a difference in their life, that Jesus has healed their family and restored wholeness. The kids stories are different but have two common threads. Both parents and community (the church) are actively involved in guiding, nurturing and demonstrating to the kids what it looks like to follow Jesus.

Parents, you MATTER in your kids’ lives. They look to you for guidance and direction when it comes to spiritual matters. And wwKids leaders, we MATTER in our kids’ lives. We may not always see direct results, but what we do MATTERS in helping shape and guide our kids.

Never, never give up on our kids!

Meaningful routines

The “fall switch” was turned on and school has started, the leaves have begun to change, the weather has turned cooler (most days). I finished physical therapy and will continue it on my own. September has come and is almost gone. In the midst of this transitional month I too have begun to re-integrate some meaningful routines into my life.

I am getting a solid, restful 6-7 hours of sleep a night.
I am getting up early and enjoying the morning quietness and solitude.
I am taking brief walks with my dog.
I am doing silly things like sitting outside in the middle of the nite, listening for owls, sensing God’s presence.
I am baking and cooking more.

These activities are not just ordinary things that I fill my day with, they are life-giving, soul-sustaining moments that drew me closer to God my Father. As I draw closer to God I find that I am more generous, more gentle, more kind, and more loving towards others.

Celebrating Tong Min Min's Bday

We celebrate the birth of our second child, Tong Min Min, aka Allison Min-Joy Tate on September 20.

Records indicate that a "baby girl with black skin was found in a box with a blanket and dry milk" was found on September 29. She was taken to an orphanage in Tongling. She lived there until she was adopted on May 23, 2005. (Pictures: Min Min's playground at the orphanage; Chicks in China at the White Swan hotel, Deb Morse (my sister), me and Allie, Chelsea Mero (my brother's daughter))

Today Allie turns 7 years old and is a first grader. She has the sweetest smile, a giving heart and she is "stinking stubborn" (I think my dad used to describe me that way as well). She loves to laugh and tease people. She adores being tickled. You can tickle her for a hour and she still asks for more. Allie doesn't walk much these days, rather she moves from place to place doing cartwheels. Allie loves to sing and watch Avatar: The Last Airbender. Her favorite line is "and I believe that Ang can save the world!"

I am always humbled when Allie thanks God for her family. It's like she innately knows that having a family is not just a given, but truly a gift. She always lists us, mom, dad, Jeff and Jake and Joey (the dog and cat).

One day after listing us all, she said to me that she has a China momma. I affirmed that she was right. Then she asked, "Do I have a China daddy?" to which I also replied "yes." She was quiet for a moment and then asked, "Do I have a China brother?" I paused for a moment and said, "I don't know, you might." Then silliness set in and questions and list continued, "Do I have a China doggy? a China kitty?"

Allie's generous and thankful heart is gift our family. I can't imagine a day without one of her hugs or smiles.

The Voice of My Beloved - III

As my relationship with my Beloved has grown, His voice becomes clearer. What began as a personal desire to know the voice of my Beloved has expanded to guiding and directing my kids in discerning God's voice. One thing we do is play the "quiet game" in which I encourage the kids to be still, close their eyes and listen; simple become aware of their surrounding.

On one occasion after a few minutes of quietness, I asked Jeff what he heard. He replied a motor boat and birds. Then I asked him, "If you did not have ears, could you still hear God?" Jeff paused and thought for a moment and then replied, "Yes, because I hear Him in my heart."

Louella passed away years ago, but there are very few days that I don't think of her and thank God for what she taught me.

The Voice of my Beloved - II

My encounter with Louella changed my life forever. Her simple but profound words set me on a quest to know and recognize the voice of my Beloved.

Fast forward 12 years. I'm married now, have a 5-year-old son and have been regularly practicing centering prayer and slowing learning to recognize my Beloved's voice. Ironically the earlier I got up in the morning, the earlier my son got out of bed. To be honest I was a bit irritated and frustrated that my son frequently interrupted my "God time."

One summer morning as I sat still, I heard my son's footsteps. At once I felt frustration swelling up within me but almost immediately I heard a voice say, "Invite Jeff to join you." As the footsteps approached my frustration melted away and when Jeff appeared around the corner I invited him to cuddle on my lap. As we sat quietly together a peace washed over me and the Spirit showed me that these quiet moments with my son were holy. God my Father was smiling at this mother and child, madonna iamge. At that moment, my "God time" paradigm was shattered and my understanding of what was holy deepened.

The Voice of my Beloved

It's been about 15 years since, my friend and film maker, Len and I interviewed Louella Thompson. She was this beautiful, middle-age African American woman who had opened a soupl kitchen out of her home. It was named, "Feed the Hungry." When I asked Louelle how her ministry came about, she simply said, "One day I heard God say, open your house, feed whoever comes in. Don't ask questions, just feed them."

I was younger then, just out of seminary- what I'm saying is I was arrogant and naive! - so I asked her, "How did you know it was God who said this to you?"

This gracious, Godly woman looked at me with her beautiful brown eyes. Then she turned to my friend and asked, "Len, are you married?" to which he replied "yes". She then asked, "When your wife calls you on the phone, do you ask 'who is this?'" "Of course not," Len replied, "I recognize her voice." Louella looked back towards me and said, "I know the voice of my Beloved."

Things I've missed

This summer has been odd. It seems like plans and schedules were tossed out as my family all focused on my hip replacement surgery and my recovery. I am two months post op and feel great. As I have slowly gotten back into the flow of normal family life, work and routine, I realize all that I have missed.
- the early quiet mornings alone
- seeing the sun rise
- the morning sounds as a new day appears in the eastern sky
- cooking breakfast for the family
- gardening
- baking bread
- shooting photos
- composting
- walking back to the pond with the dog

In the absence of all the things that naturely feed my soul, I've noticed a certain dissatification in my soul, a discontent or restlessness. Sometimes these feelings can be a sign of positive movement, pulling me towards God. But I don't sense that.

Don't get me wrong. I have certainly felt God's presence during these past months. My family and I have been loved and cared for in so many ways. My surgery and healing time has been miraculous. Seriously I feel great, I just need to continue to strength my muscles.

I'm looking forward to this new season. Getting back into a routine with the kids and back into the daily activities that nourish my soul and fellowship with My Father, God; his son Jesus and the Spirit.