Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Building a Silver Lining Mentality

If you have spent any amount of time on plant earth, you already know life is filled with unexpected moments. Although when we wake it feels like any other day, at any point it can quickly get off-course. So when it does how do you manage the shift? I have found most people fall into one of two mindsets. They either have a silver lining mentality or are slowly consumed with negative thoughts. Either way the choice is ours to make. 

Today was one of those days, when an unexpected message arrived letting me and my siblings know of a health issue related to our father who is now in his mid-80's. I quickly decided to be by his side. What transpired next  was an afternoon of shared moments filled with stories about his life adventures. I can't remember the last time he and I had a chance to sit alone and just talk so I asked question after question. 

"What was it like, dad, to fight in the Korean war?"

I quickly learned about Waldo, a local who worked at his campsite, who on occasion would forget to fill the oil barrel that kept the soldiers warm at night. U.S. military soldiers were issued 2 wool blankets each. Even so, on occasion, dad went around to the bunks of soldiers on night missions and "borrowed" a blanket. He recanted the night he slept under 8 wool blankets because Waldo had forgotten to fill the oil barrel. He said his impromptu solution brought him one of the best night's of sleep in the midst of war. Although, heed this warning, per my father...NEVER wear wool underwear, even if its standard issue, because it's hugely uncomfortable!

"Of all the careers you could pick in the U.S. Air Force, why cryptologic linguist?"

His response was the best story I've ever heard him tell. He was instructed to take a test without knowing its contents. He obeyed the instructions, executed the test and turned it in to the administrator who then questioned him as to whether or not he was truly done to which he replied "yes". 

The administrator went on to inform him "You just completed a 4 hour test in 30 minutes. How is that possible?". He politely responded "The creator of the test made an error in the last portion of the exam. Allowing me to back into the answer and solve the question, thus breaking the code of the encrypted message."

Later he was questioned by military officials who were certain he had cheated. After answering a barrage of questions, they arrived at a conclusion. He really did complete a 4 hour test in 30 minutes. 

Silver Lining Mentality
Today was just another day in life where both my father and I could have been overwhelmed by what lies ahead. Instead, we chose a Silver Lining Mentality. We found happiness and joy inside the darkness and I will forever cherish the day I spent asking my father a thousand questions and admiring the adventuresome spirit he has for life. 

Monday, September 11, 2017

The Day Devastation Changed Her Face

Early on in life we learn the meaning of the word devastation. We are taught it has the power to bring fear, disbelief, and mass destruction, along with the power to change lives forever. Her images flood our televisions, computers, and smart phones. Leaving us shocked by the destructiveness she possess when she sweeps by. For many of us, we are moved to action after seeing her which is why we witness strangers helping strangers and people donating money so relief supplies can be sent. 

This is my story of how I knew I needed to do more than just send money when Hurricane Harvey hit Texas, although I know the monetary donations my family made were critical I couldn't deny the pulling on my heart that said "Do more, Maria. You have the ability so do it". I offered my services to my church who has sent volunteers and supplies to numerous cities on the Texas coast since Harvey hit and the experience I encountered opened my eyes in ways I never expected. 

Our team of more than 100 volunteers rose under the cover of darkness in order to meet at 4:15 a.m. We loaded buses and headed south to Rockport to join Operation Blessing and Church Unlimited in their clean-up efforts. As I stared out the window, this trip felt no different then the hundreds I had taken before. That is until we crossed the invisible line. Once on the other side life changes and you hold tight as you realize you've just entered a reality you've never experienced before.  A hush filled the bus as our eyes stared at what laid outside our windows. With one glance, a sadness filled me and my eyes welled up with tears. I begin to wonder "How does someone live through this? How do they pick-up their lives and begin again?" But as the day went on the answer revealed itself. 


Multitudes
The streets were filled with volunteers who traveled from near and far. Some skilled workers but the majority of us having but one thing to offer - hard working spirits. There were volunteers to conduct clean-up and there were volunteers to help the volunteers, including making sure we were fed. So many details had to be addressed to pull this one day off. But that wasn't even the impressive part of it all. No, the fact this has gone on for weeks was the most powerful of realizations. Multitudes arriving and multitudes working together to slowly push devastation off her throne. 

Who was this multitude? On the day I volunteered, I didn't know them when we started. But by days end they had become givers of hope I would work alongside any day of the week. Did they come from perfect lives where they had nothing better to do then offer their time? No, quite the contrary. As we shared our stories throughout the day I realized we came from all walks of life. One had lost a spouse several years ago and volunteering was one of the things they loved doing together. "Now I volunteer alone", she told me. While another woman with dark piercing eyes stated, "My father died recently and I'm the only one left to care for my elderly mother. This is the first time I've left her alone since my father's passing". "I'm a missionary who has spent most of my life in South Africa and India", stated a third woman who was only 29 years old. "I'm unemployed and I want my gifts and talents to be a blessing somewhere", I told each of them. So no our lives weren't perfect, but we felt drawn to lay down our pain for a day so we could lighten the load and pain others felt.  

As we arrived at the first of three sites we would visit that day, the shock deepened as we stepped onto the property and begin to pick-up the pieces of what was once someones home - their paradise on earth utterly destroyed. Shattered glass and debris filled the yard. Furniture strewn about, a boat motor left on the side of a dock but the boat itself nowhere to be found. Family pictures faded from being in the rain, which we gently picked up and placed in a box along with other valuables so the owners would find them when they returned home. Downed power-lines made it difficult to clean-up fallen trees because devastation had intertwined them with one another, causing safety concerns for our team. 

As we traveled past neighborhood after neighborhood, the story repeated itself. I couldn't help but notice almost every tree was barren of leaves. As we passed undeveloped land naturally filled with countless trees, the scene resembled a haunted forest from a children's novel. Tall, dark, leafless trees that seemed to say "Enter if you dare". I wanted to ask, "Devastation how cruel are you that you strip beauty from God's green earth?". 


The One That Follows Devastation

So there it was...the day devastation changed her face. Nevermore would I say to her "I see you through the screen". Instead as of September 9, 2017 I would always say to her "I see you right before me, I have touched what you destroyed and seen what you do to man. However, I see and know the one who comes after you. He is strong and mighty, He is kind, He is a fighter and a giver of hope - - - He is Love. He flooded in before you even fully left. He tugged on hearts so a multitude of armies would rise to rebuild what you destroyed.

And although the road before us is long, Love will light the way.  Proving once again, no matter how much devastation fills this world Love is there and He shines bright. Reminding us that together we are stronger, wiser and will always rise again to stand another day. 

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