Garden of Hope

My friend, Kari, found a place in Covington that's been there for over 50 years, yet most Northern Kentuckians have never heard of it. The Garden of Hope is an historically accurate portrayal of the tomb in Jerusalem that is said to have been where the body of Jesus Christ was lain after His crucifixion. Yesterday, we visited the Garden of Hope with some of our home school friends.

In 1958 Reverend Morris Coers visited the Holy Land and decided to build a replica of it in Covington, Kentucky. There are also stones from Israel, including one from Solomon's Temple. The garden is home to several plants indigenous to Israel.

The Garden is funded solely by donation, so a suggested donation of $2 per person for a tour is a good investment in a local landmark too. The garden is open to visitors year round, but if you want a tour which includes opening up the buildings, you need to arrange it ahead of time with one of the volunteer guides.

The garden would be a peaceful place to spend some time alone meditating or enjoy a picnic with several tables available. It was a beautiful, but cold day and the view of the city is great.

For more information, visit this Kenton County Public Library link and for a map and phone number to arrange a tour, click on this link to a Google plus site.

A Childhood Dream Realized

Last night I was more excited than I've ever been to head out to downtown Cincy to the Aronoff Theatre. Cathy Rigby is in town for one week only reprising her role as Peter Pan. As this poster and all of the promotional material for the show states, "Cathy Rigby is Peter Pan" and after what I saw last night...I believe it!

This show was amazing. Having just turned 60 last year, you'd never know it from the flying, leaping, jumping and gymnastics you'd expect from this Olympic gold medalist 40+ years ago. But she can still play this role...and do it better than anyone else.

I found this photo on a Google image search, but it's from my favorite scene where Rigby shows off her percussion skills too. "Wow" was all I could say.

How is this "A Childhood Dream Realized"? Well, it wasn't exactly my dream...it was Abbey's.

You see, many years ago when we still lived in Indianapolis, when Abbey was about six or seven, she borrowed from the library a VHS tape of Cathy Rigby in this same production...and that was the first musical that ignited Abbey's love for all things Broadway and show tunes. It's become a passion of hers...thus the reason we volunteer at the Aronoff to begin with.

She didn't act that excited when we were on our way, but I think my enthusiasm was just masking hers. I even made her stand outside for the pre-show...mostly because it was her turn to do so...but now I see how much more magical it was for her not to see the cast on stage in street clothes and the set strike and fight scene rehearsal like I did. After the first act, her comments were something like, 'This is so cool. I feel like it's part of my childhood.' I'm probably not anywhere close in quoting her...I was too overwhelmed by the experience to take it all in.

So while her tastes have matured to include much more adult musicals like West Side Story, Wicked, Phantom of the Opera and Les Miserables'...last night felt like a return to the beginning...the "one that started it all". And even though my little girl has grown up...Peter Pan hasn't and still remains the youthful idealism that we all long for sometimes.

Hungry for Change

Yet another movie on Netflix that I watched within the last few weeks that has as its subject matter our food system and why it's broken. This one was much better than the aforementioned Vegucated but again, there's not a lot of how to. I think this may be due to the fact that multiple authors and "how to" people are interviewed so it's not really a platform for any one way to switch.

I first heard about it because I'm a Facebook fan of Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead and Joe Cross has a small interview in this newer documentary. There are a lot of familiar faces in this documentary and they are repeating a lot of familiar words. I wish simply hearing them made it easier to change. But I know too well, it doesn't.

That's why I repeatedly watch some of these health conscious movies...just to remind myself how much better we feel when we do eat well. Watch this one, I think you'll be glad you did.

Vegucated

I recently watched this on Netflix and while it's entertaining, as far as documentaries go...it's not a movie I would go to to actually learn how to become a vegan.

The premise is that the writer, director, producer of this movie challenges three random people to become vegan for six weeks and see if they can a.) stick with it, and b.) have the desire to continue after the challenge is over. She also seems to approach veganism from a mostly animal rights/cruelty standpoint and there isn't a lot of discussion about the health benefits.

One thing that put me off from the beginning of the challenge is that she takes two of the "guinea pigs" (for lack of a better phrase) to the grocery store and helps them buy foods that are vegan but will help them supposedly transition better. Two of the choices are Teddy Grahams and Double Stuf Oreos. Throughout the rest of the movie, we see these two people drinking Diet Coke, regular Coke and even beer. I'm by no means a prude regarding alcohol, I just don't think you can imbibe any of these beverages and get the full health benefit of living a vegan lifestyle.

In the end, the one that seems to not get as upset about harm to animals and adheres strictly to vegan eating is the one that continues a vegan lifestyle after the challenge. She recognized how much better she feels and she also lost the most weight but originally was the one with the least amount to lose.

Again, I recommend you watch it just to perhaps get a different viewpoint on being vegan...but if it's facts you're looking for I'd choose another venue.

You'd Better Mean It!

You know that time in your day when you're all alone with God and you tell Him something like this: 'I surrender my thoughts, my day, my actions to You. I want You to have absolute control because I know I'll just make a mess of things. I want to hear You, see You working. I want to see Your power and Your glory. I want everything that goes into and out of my mouth to glorify You. I want my hands to serve how You want and my feet to go where You lead.'

Well, if like me, you attempt to say some variant of this everyday...you are abdicating control of your life to God (as we should) and in a way, I feel like I'm saying...'No matter what may come today, I'll be ready with You in control.'

Last night I had another reminder that if this is something you're going to pray...you'd better mean it!

Case and point: I meet my friend, Lori, once a month to chit-chat and discuss how we're doing in a lot of different areas in our lives. But...it always comes back to God. Funny thing...as I look back...I'd been sharing with Lori how I feel at a loss for how to serve, where to serve and when to serve. I went on to relate that I feel called to be around the poor and continue meeting with and helping single moms.

But there's no "program" that I feel drawn to. Either because we can't serve as a family, or if we can serve as a family, my children are still young enough that they won't let us serve around their clientele. We were blessed to serve at the Henry Hosea House for a year...but we never met anyone that was served by this ministry. I don't want this because I somehow deserve gratitude. No, I want relationship and to hear the life stories of those with whom and for whom we are serving.

My conclusion to Lori last night was that I need to be more intentional about a few ideas I've already been given and that I just need to take any other opportunities as they arise. Actually, I'm not certain I spoke the second part out loud, but I know I've been thinking it.

Just as a reminder...I've already asked God earlier in my day that He would give me the power, the will and even the words if an opportunity arises and here I am with my friend reiterating in my heart and mind that maybe my service for now won't be structured but as God provides it.

God has a great sense of humor, doesn't He?

The conversation turned and I went on to talk with Lori about my shock at how some of my former co-workers, that I know don't make much money, are also prejudiced against the so-called "Entitlement Programs" that we hear so much about in the news. I guess I wrongly assumed that the working poor would mostly empathize with those that need assistance. And right in the middle of this conversation, lo and behold this 20-something young man walks over to us and said he "couldn't help but overhear part of your conversation."

My first thought was, 'Oh, no...I'm going to get in trouble for being too loud in the library.' (the place where we were meeting...there is a more social atmosphere at this one than most.)

But alas, that wasn't the problem...instead it was that this political science student wanted to set us straight (really just me, since I was talking) about how broken our government is; how we need to overhaul the whole system; how all the ills of society can be traced back to Democrat presidents; and how the economy will absolutely be belly-up by 2020.

Seriously...this was a 10-15 minute conversation that started out on his knees before us and after a few minutes grabbed a chair and joined us. There wasn't much I could say other than state how assistance like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) had at times helped us put shoes on our kids feet, tires on our car and food on our table. Thus presenting my case that some people are working hard and trying to make a living and just need a little help. I also pointed out that the greatest increase and expansion of the EITC was under the Reagan administration. He replied that he knew this and that Reagan was a Republican. So honestly, I don't know where he stood on anything...except that he was obviously angry about the mess he's inheriting.

I even agreed with him on a few points. But after a several minutes into the conversation, I discovered that I was praying. I'd never experienced anything like this. I was praying for God's words and direction and became aware of it mid-sentence. This truly was the Holy Spirit interceding for me when I didn't know how to pray (see Romans 8:26).

In that moment though, I realized there wasn't anything that I could say to change his heart so "God give me just one seed to plant...just one!" I think He did.

I always try to find the humor in everything...it's a gift that God has used richly in my life and last night I believe was one more opportunity. In the midst of this young man's diatribe against our world as we know it, I said, "Then you know what you need to do?" He looked dumbfounded. "You need to be Amish." Blank look for the first time from this brilliant (in his mind) young man and a reply of, "But I don't want to be Amish."

"They pay into a community fund," I added, "not social security, and if someone is injured they go to the emergency room or wherever and ask how much the hospital will except in cash and to write off the rest." He reiterated, "I don't want to be Amish."

But...and here's how my humor is a gift from God...it disarmed him and stopped him to take a breath just long enough for the Holy Spirit to form the thought in my mind and get the words on my tongue, "Well, there is a movement among Christians to start paying into collective community "pools" like this. It's sort of a "social tithe" and they take care of each other when someone has a need. His reply? "Huh. I hadn't heard of that," (the first thing so far in the conversation that he didn't already know, I might add.) He went on, "I kind of like that idea."

[Ahhh...sweet seed of Truth...I have no doubt in God's timing, you will grow! Admittedly, immediately following the conversation, I didn't see any value in it. Upon reflection with God's Spirit, I see there was.]

We had another minute or so of give and take before the library began to close and we all got up to leave. He introduced himself and asked our names, shook our hands, said it was a pleasure to meet us, put his chair back and was off. As we gathered up our things and he did his, he even said as he headed toward the door, "You ladies have a nice evening."

There was much more to this conversation and some of his ideas about how to fix the system were disturbing and honestly, fall right in line with the mentality of Nazi Germany. Sort of a 'if you're not a productive member of society, we'll make you one.' His take on this was forcing medication on those that are bi-polar, ADD, and I'm assuming others that "need" it so they can hold down jobs. This is just one example.

But bottom line, I came away knowing that God is true to what He says.

• It's been decades since I engaged in conversation/debate like this with a non-Christian...yet, I still need to be prepared, because I never know when it will drop in my lap.
• Ask God to show me where He's working and He'll give me the chance to join in.
• Tell Him I want His thoughts and He'll give them when I need them.
• Tell Him that my hands and feet want to serve wherever He leads and the library might turn into one of my biggest battlegrounds.
• Trust in His power and strength alone...because there's absolutely no way I can see all that is going on behind the scenes.
• Trust Him for the results. The seed I planted may not sprout for a very long time...but when it does, the Spirit will be right there watering it and shining His light of truth upon it.

Ask Him to give you opportunity to love and share in His Name...even in a tiny way...and He will...trust me...I know.

Daylight Savings Time

I don't know why this was first instituted and I'm sure I could google it to find out...but my family was doing very well getting up with the sun (when it was actually shining!) last week. One morning, all three of my girls were out of bed by 7:15 a.m. and the boy was up within the hour. This is how our bodies were created. Perfect harmony with nature and seasons also allows for sleeping more in the winter and less in the summer.

But arising an hour earlier for church yesterday and hanging out with their friends the whole afternoon was evidently sufficient cause for all four of my children to sleep-in this morning. The earliest was up at 9:50 and no one else surfaced for about 20 to 30 minutes. For a momma that has an eye appointment in the early afternoon, this means we have a day of school to make up on one of our scheduled break days.

Maybe DST is actually a government conspiracy to throw Christians off from their Sunday morning rituals. Or maybe...like the rest of the intelligent world...next time, we should call it a day off and just sleep in or at least start an hour later. Just a suggestion.

Lincoln

It seems that all I've been blogging about recently is musicals and movies...and on a much-limited budget, they're not newly released movies at that. But I still feel compelled to share a brief review just in case you're debating on whether to see it or not. In regard to this movie...I say "Do!" Go see it or if you have to wait until it's out on DVD, fine...but every American should see it.

I don't think that's on overstatement. After all, if you live in the U.S., this is your history. I love history and historical movies are just the icing on the cake for me! I haven't followed through with it as much as I've wanted, but as my two oldest have gone through United States History this school year, I've wanted to show them a different movie from several significant eras. I've learned a lot from movies over the years...even more than I ever did in textbooks...and have wanted to share this with my kids. I still plan on watching the movies I've selected for them, it just won't be in the order in which we've discussed the history too.

Case and point, the movie that is up for discussion. The kids and I have already passed through the Civil War era, but this was one I definitely wanted them to see. My youngest has also gone through a more elementary version of studying the Civil War this semester and I took all three of them to see Lincoln a few days ago.

Okay, so maybe the kids thought it was boring...but I did not! I truly did not know anything about the premise of the movie. I wrongly assumed that this was a biopic of Lincoln's life. From the opening scene, it's established that this is 1865, which from my knowledge of the Civil War told me right away that this was the last few months of Lincoln's life. Once again, I wrongly assumed most of the movie would be "flashback" to bring us up to speed to where the movie began.

About 20 minutes into the movie...I stopped guessing where it was headed and instead went along for the ride. You see, my history textbooks and even the numerous documentaries, articles, books and movies I've perused over the years never taught me about this part of history...the passing of the 13th Amendment. This amendment freed all slaves in the United States for all time.

I knew I'd probably cry at some point during the movie...I didn't know it would be in the first scene! My kids were teasing me later and the child that didn't go with us upon hearing the content that made me cry...which was the recitation of The Gettysburg Address...couldn't understand why I'd get teary to hear it spoken. I'm sure I didn't adequately put it into words, but here's the gist of it.

I am absolutely fascinated by anything that has to do with the Civil War and World War II, and have been for many, many years. In my limited human understanding, I believe outside of these two eras, there is no other time in "modern" history when the sweeping hand of God has been more evident. If you ever doubt God's existence or His involvement in human affairs, I believe you only need to study these two historical periods to see that even when battle after battle flopped...when there seemed no hope...when evil appeared to dominate and devour...God's will to wipe out prevailing, rampant evil still came through! 

Through foibles, fighting, misunderstandings and miscommunications...imperfect as it may have seemed...good triumphed over evil. This movie is yet one more testimony as to how that occurred.

I thought I was done writing, but two more thoughts rose to the surface:
1. Daniel Day Lewis deserved the Oscar! Okay, okay, I haven't seen all of the other actors' performances, but there were times in this movie when I forgot I was watching an actor. It was, I believe, one of the most amazing performances I've ever seen.
2. Watching this so soon after The Conspirator (regarding the trial of the Lincoln assassination conspirators) was a good complement, one movie to another.

NKU's Legally Blonde

Thanks to the generosity of a friend, Abbey and I were able to catch Northern Kentucky University's production of Legally Blonde. I've heard it's sold out and it only runs through tomorrow, so you may have missed this one, but I'd encourage to check out their shows in the future.

I'm not sure of the size of NKU's theatre department, but they pulled off a great show with over 100 costumes, 25 different locales to represent with scenery and 29 actors and two dogs playing over 80 characters. I can now honestly say I've seen a Broadway song performed while the singers are jumping rope. I know I'm getting older, but there has never been a time when physically I could have pulled that one off!

It was cute. It was funny. And it was done well. But I'll warn you it's not a show for you if you have delicate sensibilities. If you've seen the movie, starring Reese Witherspoon, you'll understand that this is not, The Sound of Music...but still enjoyable nonetheless!