"It's Too..."

My dear Customers, Chicagoans and Americans,


Do you know that each year, there are four seasons?

Do you know that each year there will be a summer, fall, winter, and spring?

Do you know that each place on the map has a unique climate, that though it is not specifically exactly the same, summer will be similar to past summers, fall will be similar to past falls, winter will be similar to past winters, and spring will be similar to past springs?

Do you know that we even have people's who's job it is to look at current weather patterns and give us a pretty good idea of what to expect for the next few days -even down to hours? 

Do you know that you have a choice as to what clothing you wear during these  seasons?

Do you know that you have a choice to move if you do not like the current, or coming season wherever you are living?

Do you know that you have a choice in how you respond to the weather around you?

Do you know that you can respond well to things that aren't your favorite or things you simply don't like?

Do you know that all these questions are rhetorical, and the content found within is true?

If you did not know these many things, you do now!

Expressing yourself is one thing. Complaining is another. Complaining about what you cannot change doesn't change it. But it often changes you, and eventually our relationship.

"Its too..."  Let's think about that phrase. The person using it, is saying that they are the judge as to what is good, bad, hot, cold, colorful, happy, rainy, etc. These are adjectives, meant to describe, not to be a standard set by each individual. If you don't like it, admit it, and own your own likes or dislikes. 

The issue goes deeper. When giving up the phrase "it's too..."  a feeling of control is lost. No longer is the speaker in control of what should happen. They are now a bystander that is being affected by something. From the very beginning, people wanted control, to know and judge what is good and bad. It is a bit unsettling, even scary to not be in control. Even a twinge of fear comes in when we acknowledge we are not in control -because aren't we supposed to be in control of everything according to culture?

No. We are not made to be in control. We are made to have responsibility and authority. We have a God who is sovereign over all aspects of life. That means He is all loving, and all powerful, and together, He does only what is best for the overall glory of His name, which is the best thing in the world. We don't need to control things or people; He can do that if He needs or wants to. It is a hard truth to swallow, yet it releases a freedom from fears. Fear of not being in control, not measuring up... and even fears of not enjoying my day because of lots of rain, or lots of hot sun.

So, if God wants it to be cold a lot in a specific part of the country and then really hot and you don't like the cold or the heat-then move your attitude or your location! It's not snowing or sunny too much in a place if that's how much God wants it!

And please, purdy please don't tell me that it's too hot on the first warm days we have, when all winter you've complained about it being too cold, too snowy, and too dreary.  

Love,
Laura Lei Lou


~This author continues to not enjoy unasked for complaints about the weather from customers as she makes their lattes, cappaccino's and frappuccino's.

The Present Story: While Gazing at a Little Tree

Outside of my garden-apartment window, a tree stands. A small tree, yet sturdy little thing. From my haven, I look at it all year long. It is a tree that transports a person out of the city, into a quiet place. A quiet place of the heart. It doesn't change. Same location, same size, same branches, same tree. And yet, it does change. It can tell a story, the story of the last few months of my life in Chicago, as I have sat peering at it.

My tree, from my haven

December found it waiting. The radiance of summer joy and trips, gone. Coloured leaves fallen, branches shivering in the cold, it stood there, waiting, waiting for something to happen. During this time of waiting, a Bible study Monday mornings, brought together by God, became a source of refuge, strength, and accountability, as we met and talked together, over the book, Idol Lies, by Dee Brestin.

January found this tree covered in white -to busy to notice and shake the snow that covered its branches, or the cold wind that silently chilled its heart. Applications submitted to grad schools took precedence, daily taking time and energy. Weekly French classes and volunteering at a local homeless shelter in the administrative offices commenced, beginning several new journeys. Especially the French journey.

Ice skating with a roommate in downtown Chicago

February, this cold tree had multiple visitors look at it from my haven. Family friends from Oregon, parents from Kansas City, and a college friend from Texas, brought joy and energy. I gazed many times at the tree as I sat preparing Adult Bible Learning (aka adult Sunday school) lessons, covering God's plan through the whole Bible, from creation, the fall, and His story of bringing full redemption and restoration to the world in order to live and be with us, as His new creation. It never was really about the characters of the story -it is about the Author, and a much bigger plan that He had in mind.... and he used characters to make His plan, and promises reality. Full Redemption of all relationships. I can't wait! Plus, February brought some fun into life, including ice skating, a French tutor, and learning lots of French verb conjugations. :)



With hints of warmth coming in March, I enjoyed looking with hope at this bare tree, wondering where and when the first buds would come out. Waiting for grad school responses, I continued co-teaching ABL, singing or running tech team for worship services, and simply being in friendships...and cooking fun, new things!

Steak, baked mini-potatoes, and roasted tomatoes

Cinnamon rolls...

...Became an Easter basket

Vegan double-chocolate cake.
(Bike transportation: NOT recommended... ;)

April finds me looking at a spindly, still-grey tree, above soft green grass! It is spring! And new life and plans are coming into focus. Usually when I'm staring at my tree, counseling grad programs, planning a summer weekend bike trip, and organizing a vacation back to where I grew up, fill my thoughts. Warm weather (above 40 degrees) brings biking and running back into weekly life, giving time to think ahead and pray about trusting God with the future. He's got a much bigger plan, and I look forward to someday in heaven understanding how I fit into it. :)

Until then, I wait with hope! and with my ever-growing flower garden!

Using Gifts

Where have my creative juices gone? 

"Don't worry, they're still there" is what is said...but in reality... are they? They just can't be seen, because they're hidden. 

• It's safer. If someone saw them, then they might be used, criticized and become an object of ridicule.
• It's easier. If no one knows of them, they won't be called to on to be used. Besides, they won't bring joy to anyone else.
• It's calmer. If they were used, when would "necessary" things done?
• It's more comfortable. If used, they'd have to stretch. They'd be pained.

That sure makes it safer, easier, calmer and more comfortable...here in the present. 

But that's not what God called us to. Safe, easy, calm and comfortable were not in Jesus' vocabulary for life. He gave us gifts to use, to enjoy! 

• It is risky: But perfect love casts out fear; and He is abounding in love.
• It is hard: But using what we have uses the gifts we have, which DOES bring joy and encouragement to others through our gifts.
• It is turbulent: But God brings peace when He is the focus, though the storm may not subside.
• It is painful: But out of suffering comes joy and character -gifts we can re-gift back.

Psalm of Praise

All willpower used
But change refused
Condition: less than empty
Dank is my mind
Everything's blind
Failing: my propensity.

Grasping His hand,
He leads toward His land
I follow: my only choice
Joy wells up inside
Kneeling to abide
Listening: for one small voice.

Magnify the Lord, our LORD Redeemer-Provider
Nourishing saved souls, the LORD Almighty, esteem louder.

Outspoken: His sovereignty
Presence: for eternity
Qualities only He possesses.
Respectful: The gentleman
Shepherd: till time will end
Tenderly holds and caresses.

Uplifting: His Essence
Veilings: His lessons
Wisdom He offers the World
EXudes: peace beyond measure
Yokes broken: His treasure
Zealous child at His feet, is curled.

Gains = Losses

God, are losses okay?
Is the pain along with the loss okay too?

I read someone else's blog today. I rarely do actually. But this one was specifically sent to me through email, and it caught my attention: "15 Things I want to Tell My Third Culture Kids." As she wrote her heart to her kids, she showed something few have. She writes to her kids, using memories, pictures, and words of what she sees and knows to be true. She tells them what they need to hear.

She has a gift of seeing the truth of what another person is going through, acknowledging it, and then being open to hearing what they have to say about it. I was caught off guard. How many parents acknowledge that their choices have both positive and negatives for their kids? What parent then wants their kids to see, acknowledge, and comment on how those choices have affected them, both the blessings and the hardships? Not many.

For every person, there are blessings of where we grew up, went to school, the culture whether it be urban, suburban, rural or foreign, jobs we've held, etc. Then there are the challenges of those same things. The gains and the losses all come together. When we gain something, we lose something.




The gains need to be recognized.
The losses need to be recognized.
Acceptance of both brings healing.
Contrasts, create deep beauty.





If we only recognize and admit to the gains, we do not handle life clearly. There is a shadow side that demands attention. If stifled, it will come out in other "acceptable" ways, that are not healthy.

This author sees both the positives and negatives in the lives of her kids. What courage to face truths that are "not nice." And what healing it brings to the child to hear the one caring for them, acknowledging that there is pain in their lives. She sees what they need, a listening, caring, ear, even if it hurts.

I needed to hear those words. We all need to hear those words. Life, and particularly are childhoods have deep positive memories that are unique to each of us. It also contains some deep painful memories. It is okay. Out of losses, our character grows.

God gained a world by Creating it.
God lost a Son to Save it.
God gained a world to Relate with.



(and for those who care, this is somewhat chiastically structured ;o)

Sole Surrender

When I recently was not offered a job that seemed perfect, it hurt. Yet out of the pain and sadness due to that and several other things at the same time, my soul has begun to start softening. There is One who cares, and has shown His providence. And I just want to share the elementary and profound truth of what He's been teaching me.

As I now apply to different universities for education in counseling and social work, I have been asking myself what I want to do in life. To answer that, I then asked myself what I wanted to do with my life.

 And that is where I realized I'd been asking good, but wrong questions.

Two very similar, but different questions. One asks about actions and doings; the other asks for the purpose and reasons for those actions. But there is something even deeper that impacts those struggling questions.

Both get answered when a different question gets answered. 

Who Owns my life?

• Psalm 146:6 "[The LORD] is Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them --He remains faithful forever."
• 1 Chronicles 29:11-12 "Yours, LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, LORD, is the kingdom; You are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from you; You are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all."
• Deuteronomy 10:14 "To the LORD your God belongs the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it."

Everything.

Is.

His.


Including my life's journey. If it is His, and we let Him have control of it, He will show us what "it" is; Then He will lead it, guide it, provide for it, nurture it, be with it, and get the glory from it eventually.

-I still don't know where I'll be going to for school or what exactly. But!

My perspective on what I do in life is changing, as a result of why, as a result of Who. Praise the Lord!

Good Gifts

God is a good Father. Not only does He support and be with a person through hard times, but He will, what seems like random, give fun gifts!

I had one of those random blessings just fall into my lap. I work at Starbucks, talk to customers and know many of them beyond "Hi. Here's your triple, half-caf, grande, 2.5 pump vanilla, 3 pump chai, nonfat, extra hot, no foam, vanilla latte." (for the record, that order is fake, but they do get ridiculous sometimes.) When you think about it, 30 second conversations can't get very far, even if they happen nearly 5 times a week, in the same context.

But then there are exceptions.

Two weeks ago, I started French 101. :D Yikes! Understanding the gist of conversations and speaking are two VERY different things! It all makes sense, it just takes time and effort to practice to make it flow fluidly.

A reason to learn

Back to Starbucks. Lo and Behold, one of my customers found out, and offered to meet with me on her own time -a native French speaker and teacher herself! She did not have to do that, yet here she is, teaching and helping her barista study French! :)

Wow God! :D (or should I say "Merci Beaucoup, Monsieur!")

And here I adjourn to study the depths of "etre" and "avoir" verbs...