Henriet's Blog

Olympic Opening Ceremonies Feature Team USA in Sweaters Knit from Oregon's Imperial Wool

It's all about living your story...

My friend Kristi S. forwarded a newsletter from her cousin, Jeanne Carver. Jeanne and Dan Carver own and operate the Imperial Stock Ranch on the North-Central Oregon Plateau. They have committed their lives to operating their 35,000 acre sheep ranch preserving the land and the way of life. Now they have a chance to be part of an Olympic moment...as part of Ralph Lauren's Team USA sweaters. Here's what Jeanne wrote:

Our Olympic Moment is just days away. On Friday night, Team USA will step out in the Parade of Nations wearing 650 sweaters designed by Ralph Lauren, knit with 5.6 million yards of our Erin Yarn.

When I look at these sweaters, I see American soil. Soil that grows beautiful grasses, grazed by sheep, and converted to beautiful natural fiber to make a parade uniform for the best U.S. athletes, participating in the most prestigious sporting event in the world. When I look at these sweaters, I see an authentic American treasure.

They're also feautured in an article in the Oregonian newspaper. It's exciting to see people living their story well...to tell His story. Thanks Jeanne and Dan!

Opening ceremonies will be broadcast Friday, February 7, 2014.

Genuine Christ-followers—Normal? No we're not!

A while back Susan, a friend in one of the women's leadership discipleship missional communities I co-lead, wrote an email commenting to the group that we're not like her other friends…we're not normal.

Thank God we're not normal!

After a lively exchange she sent the following reply:

No...WE are not normal.

nor·mal [nawr-muhl]

adjective

1.conforming to the standard or the common type; usual; regular

That is what I meant, when I said my other friends are 'normal', and that our missional community of women leaders are not.

We don't conform to the standard, regular way of living. We are trying to live our lives the way God has designed us to.

We live Designer Lives, rather than Fred Meyer Lives :)

Obeying the Apostle Peter's instructions

"As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. … But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."

1 Peter 2:4-5, 9-10, ESV

We are supposed to stand out as a spiritual house, a holy priesthood loving God, loving each other, and loving everyone around us. As his people we should not look normal!

Kathy, another woman in our missional community, wrote back, "Praise God that we are not normal and don't conform to this world. We are supposed to stand out, right? That's what we are being taught in this community."

How about you? Are you normal?

HT: Susan VN and Kathy D

Fall Colors: God's creativity and desire for unity

But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.    1 Corinthians 12:18-20, NIV

Fall colors display God's creativity

While walking the dogs the other day I enjoyed the full sense of Fall. I saw the glorious colors displaying God's color palette. Saying he is so creative is an understatement! The warmth of the sun increased the enjoyment of the colors—especially since I live in Redmond, WA. The autumn glow of the sunglight highlighed the variety. The deep reds, the vibrant oranges, the lively yellows, the array of greens, and the earthy browns formed a collage of colors showing God's bountiful variety. Together they demonstrated the beauty of fall.

I was really enjoying the sunshine, the exercise in the crisp air, the feast of colors and time to think and pray.

Fall colors show we're one body!

As I enjoyed God's amazing display, a reframe of 1 Corinthians 12 popped into my head.

What if the red said to the yellow, "I don't need you"...what if the yellow said to the brown, "There is no place for you"...what if the brown said to the green, "You're not necessary"?

That started me thinking. God made colors for a reason! God's palette of colors makes the change in seasons spectacular. The colors together make autumn beautiful. This picture could be applied to people too. Am I as excited about the variety of personalities and preferences of the people around me—as excited as I am about God's variety in nature? In fact, often when dealing with people I get impatient and think, "why can't the just be normal (like me!). It would make life so much easier." The differences cause friction and often leave me annoyed.

Yet the colors of fall needing each other to create God's showy display is just like the body of Christ. God made us different for a reason! Together we show off God's creativity. The unity of our talents, gifts, personalities, and, yes...even colors, displays God's glory. We need each other with all our variety. What if we looked at the differences in our personalities like we look the fall colors? Wouldn't we just appreciate God and each other more?

As a StrengthsFinder and MBTI coach I work with lots of people. God made each of us different! No duplicates at all. We each are a unique part of his overall masterpiece. Our differences aren't the problem...they're part of his amazing creativity. Together we're as beautiful as the colors of fall.

Let's enjoy the wide variety of God's creation—both in nature and in people!

Honesty: Do People Really Value Truth Telling?

An article on the Harvard Business Review Blog entitled, "Do People Really Want You to Be Honest?" led me to think about truth telling. What's your first reaction when you think about telling the truth? Do you tell the truth? Do you like it when others tell the truth?

My first thought was that most people really do not like it when you tell the truth. The people in the article tell a white lie supposedly to protect someone else. Eventually they tell the truth and in this story everyone feels better. Is that always the case? There were times when I told the truth and it was not appreciated! Maybe I could have been gentler although in the situations I thought about I remember being very careful... and kind! Regardless of great the delivery, people do not always want to hear the truth. Sometimes the truth is unpleasant. Is that a reason to accept dishonesty?

Why should we tell the truth?

In my full-blown people pleasing years, I often managed the truth so that it would be more palatable. I believed the lie that I did not like hurting other people's feelings. That may have been true at some level. However, underneath this magnanimous gesture played the real story, which is that I don't like how I feel when I think that my words or choices may hurt someone else's feelings. What I am really doing is avoiding hurting my own feelings. Warped, right?!

Telling the truth started to matter to me!

In recent years I've dealt with bunches of teenagers. My word to them always was that I cared far less about what they were up to and much more about their honesty. Many times I would choose to believe them only to find out I had been lied to. This only made me more insistent on truth telling. Why? Trust depends on honesty. And good relationships depend on trust. We cannot get anywhere or grow in our love for, or relationship with, each other if we are not honest. Is that what God had in mind?

Honesty for relationship

God thought telling the truth was important enough to put in the Ten Commandments. The ninth commandment tells us,

“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor." Exodus 20:16, NIV

It is listed among the five commandments that govern community relationships. No group of people can live in harmony and peace without trust and honesty. We tell the truth because we value relationships, trust and community. Even when the truth hurts.

How should we tell the truth? In love! That's what the Apostle Paul tells us to do in Ephesians 4:15. Or as The Message puts it, "God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love—like Christ in everything."

Susan Lives Missionally In The Skies And Beyond

"Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples."  Matthew 28:19a

Susan Newland and I have known each other for years. We met at Timberlake in Redmond. One year, I interviewed Susan during a Sunday morning service. What was her story?

You see, Susan's a flight attendant and for years felt guilty about always being gone and not being able to serve "at church." One day, she told me about some of her experiences with passengers and fellow crew members. I asked her if she would share her story on a Sunday. And she did. She shared about how Jesus was using her on her travels. Often while traveling overseas, she would find herself strapped in next to someone who would pour their heart out to her - and she would be able to comfort them with the "comfort she herself had received"¹ - sharing encouragement, wisdom and hope. "Great job, Susan!"

But the story doesn't stop there

Recently, Susan contacted me with another story - following my post on "Jesus Knows What You Are Going Through." It happened in Holland; Susan gets to be there more than I do because Amsterdam is one of her routes. This time she walked in "De Vierdaagse" - a four-day, 100-mile march held annually. This was the 94th Four Days Marches. Susan said that it was the most incredible experience she'd ever had. What she didn't know is that my dad used to walk this many years ago in the late 1940s. So it was very cool to hear that she participated. 

The walk impacted Susan!

"What an incredible experience!", Susan wrote me. "I learned so much about myself and the strength and spirit of humanity. Everyday, when we would be struggling through the last couple of miles, we would enter the streets of Nijmegen and thousands of people would be waiting to cheer us on yelling 'Success! Success! Success!'"  

So what's the big deal? Well, Susan compared it to life on earth and working toward heaven. She wrote, "It made me think that this is what it is like working toward our goal of heaven. We are tired, and hurting, but there are thousands of people just cheering us on through those last painful miles to reach our 'Home.'"

 When I asked Susan if I could share her story, she said "Absolutely! This whole experience was such an incredible gift to me, and I would love for it to be used for God."

Susan said she had to fight off tears often. People would be along the route with signs that said 'You never walk alone.' At other times, the walkers would walk through towns and all of the nursing home people would be sitting in wheelchairs. On the last day, on the last stretch, they walked by hospital patients who were in their beds. Some with IVs hooked to them. They were right on the side of the road under a tent. One soldier had stopped by the patients and was talking to a young teenage boy. Those experience would bring on the tears for Susan and her friend threatened her not to cry - because they'd both be crying and she wanted to finish the walk. 

Telling her story

And to top it all off, Susan was on Dutch national TV. They asked her, "Why did you come all the way over from America?" Well, Susan turned a significant age and she wanted an incredible experience. God gave it to her. I'm sure Susan will be sharing about this life-changing adventure and how there are so many lessons that compare to our life when we follow Jesus with passengers and crew alike on her future travels. 

Susan, you encouraged me. The road of faith is a long road. It's tough. But there are people who cheer us on all along the route and our reward is, well...incredible! 

Thanks Susan, for sharing your story. For walking the Vierdaagse. For reminding me of my dad who I miss very much. And for cheering us on as we follow Jesus.

^{1. 2 Corinthians 1:4}

Semper Vita now on Facebook and Twitter

Now there are more ways to stay current with Semper Vita and to participate with us in the online community. 

Are you on Facebook? Please check out our Facebook page and join the community. 

Love pictures? We posted an album on our Facebook page of our Northwest Ministry Conference launch in March, 2010. Like the page? You can help us out by signing up!

On Twitter? Please consider subscribing to our Twitter feed for the latest on us and our partners.

Do you Twitter? If you do, follow us and we'll follow you back.

An Easter Egg Hunt and Feeding the Homeless on Easter Weekend

How was your Easter? Several of us from Semper Vita joined with partner churches this Easter. It was great! We had fun and we did some good together.

A pre-Easter egg hunt

On Saturday, we joined Life at the Ridge fort their annual Redmond Ridge community Easter egg hunt at Rosa Parks Elementary. We arrived at 8 am on a very cold and somewhat windy morning. We joined Pastor Josh and his wife Tanya and about 20 others from Life at the Ridge. Together we put out 7000 eggs, placed signs, set up the gift tent and prepared the gym in the school for the festivities. Hundreds of Redmond Ridge kids and parents started arriving at about 9:45 am. The Easter egg  hunt activities started out in the gym followed by a kid frenzy in the egg-filled fields at 10:20 am. Those eggs disappeared in a matter of minutes. One little boy in the area I watched, filled his bucket in under a minute. This was race for some kids. The eggs were filled with good stuff too - candy, little stuffed animals (for the little ones), See’s gift certificates, cash and more. Wow! After the hunt and games, the crew cleaned up. Helping out at the community Easter egg hunt was fun!

Easter at Occidental Square

On Sunday, after attending services, a few Semper Vita folks joined Missio Lux at Occidental Square in Seattle for a special luncheon prepared for the homeless population. A great meal of ham, potatoes, salad and rolls followed by cake was served to the men and women who came by. The line looped around the square when lunch was ready. Tables and chairs were set up for the people at Occidental Square. The Missio Lux people and friends joined the locals for lunch and had great conversations with the people at Occidental Square. Great stories are being told of changed lives...Several accepted Jesus as their Savior. One man was healed from his anger and received peace. Others just enjoyed a good meal and conversation. 

It was a different Easter for me but it was great. Instead of the Easter brunch tradition at my mom’s we spent time with people in the community. At the end of the day we shared stories of our Easter adventures as we gathered for our Easter dinner.

Thank you! Our launch was a success

Thank you to everyone who stopped by the booth, staffed the booth and for all those people cheering us on behind the scenes. Also a big "thank you" to all the people who have been supporting us in prayer! The launch went very well.

Tamara showing Laurie Bunnell and Tamara Buchan from Missio Lux a preview of our social software. Cindy is helping a person fill out a card.

Booth traffic and 5 lucky winners

In total we had over 200 people stop by our booth. About 150 people filled out a card for our $500 give-away. We had 5 winners each of whom won $100! We gave away Semper Vita pens and brochures to everyone who came by the booth.

Jeanne accepts her $100. She was the first to come claim her prize.

Cindy hands Dan his $100. He was the last to come claim his prize.

We gave away lots of water bottles.

Additionally, we gave away a Semper Vita water bottle to the first 100 registrants that filled out a drawing card. Our water bottles were such a hit that people were asking for them and offered to buy them. One college student took a dented one just so she could have a “cool” Semper Vita water bottl

All in all, the Semper Vita launch was a hit!

A big "thank you" to our volunteers and others

I also want to thank everyone who helped us prior to the launch. Some of us have put in thousands of hours of volunteer time to get us this far. So a heartfelt "thank you" to: Cindy, Ed, Tamara, Jeff, Ardis, Dina, Fred, and Alex. An additional "thank you" goes out to Jacqui Lott who's designed our look and to Jason Savino who is creating our website application. We could not have done it without you. Thank you for making this happen!

Make It Christmas For Kids In Need

The right treatment can change the day.

Unequal treatment

My front wheels were damaged last week during the snow storm in the Greater Seattle area. One was clipped by a snowplow the other just dinged on a curb. An expense I didn’t need three days before Christmas.

So to make sure I have a car during this season (given that the replacement wheels would take a week), I decided to get all new wheels at a national tire chain. (You know the one that invites you to return your tires if ever you’re not satisfied.) At their nearest location, they didn’t have the wheels and they offered no solutions. I asked for other locations. Grudgingly, they provided me with phone numbers for two nearby locations. (I had to call them myself.)

Before I called I prayed (I tend to pray about most everything) and asked God to lead me to the right place and provide the wheels at a good price. The first number was busy. I tried the second. A courteous manager listened to my situation and offered a solution. He could get the wheels from another location in about an hour. The four wheels were about the same price as the two replacement wheels I had already ordered. So I canceled the first order and purchased the four new wheels. They had an employee drive (about 30 minutes each way) to get the wheels.

The manager told me what time to be at the store - they were staying open till all their customers were helped. Once I arrived, I learned that they had put me in the system at the time of my call – reducing my wait from four hours to two hours. What amazing service. They apologized on behalf of the other location. I thanked them for the excellent service – and told them they were an answer to prayer.

Preferential treatment: You can help kids and teens

So why write about wheels on the Semper Vita blog? Not just because it's a great story about a person who went out of his way to help someone in need but also because it's a great analogy about the plight of struggling kids and teens. Some people see them as necessary inconveniences while other people go out of their way to help them - making a difference in their lives.

I'm including three Seattle-area organizations that are serving homeless or at risk kids. (Not in Seattle, check out your local organizations. Want help? Contact us and we'll help you find the organizations in your area).

Here's three ways we can help kids in need:

• Vision House

Since 1990 Vision House has provided transitional housing with integrated support services to homeless single mothers and their children. Their premise:

1. Kids shouldn't be homeless.
2. Every child deserves a home free from anxiety and fear.
3. Only $26 dollars per night provides housing and services to a homeless child.

There are several ways to help. You can donate to help house a homeless child, help them raise $500 by January 10, donate furniture for new apartments or help out in one of the many volunteer opportunities.

HT: Colleen Nordlund via Facebook Causes.

• Friends of Youth

Friends of Youth delivers a broad range of services to youth and their families to improve their emotional stability and self-sufficiency. "Friends of Youth envisions all youth having every opportunity to succeed."

You can help by donating your time, providing needed items or giving to the great work.

1. Volunteer opportunities include:

• being a parent mentor
• providing childcare at one of the homes
• making dinners
• offering administrative support
• working as a special event or seasonal volunteer
• serving in development positions

2. Want to provide needed items? Here are some things on their wish list:

• personal care items
• bedding
• teen clothing

3. Of course you can always give toward their work through cash donations.

• New Horizons Ministries

"New Horizons Ministries has been serving Seattle's street youth population since 1978. The faces have changed over the years but the nature, heart and extraordinary resilience of these kids remains. That's how we see these youth – as people who are quite extraordinary."

As a multi-cultural organization, they see their mission as follows: "to be in relationship with homeless and street involved young people, serving and loving in the way of Jesus, equipping them to leave street life."

You can help financially, by volunteering or both. To give to the work visit their Ways to Give page on the website. Looking for volunteer opportunities at New Horizons? They range from putting together a building work group, to serving in a food group, providing office help, or working directly with the youth.

Just three more ways to make Christmas special and continue the spirit well into the new year.

As for my car? It was ready after about two hours. Guess what? The wheels look great. Thanks to some great customer service and a caring manager.

Spread Christmas Cheer

It's the season to spread cheer...

It's cold outside. The new snow on my deck measures 10 inches tall. I'm glad I have a home with insulated walls, a heater, warm clothes, electricity and food. I can't imagine being cold, hungry and homeless. This time of cheer is so much harder for our friends and neighbors in need. Everyone of us can make a difference. That's what I believe - it's the Semper Vita premise. Check out these suggestions for making Christmas better for people in need.

Ideas 33 through 37 (out of 46) to make it Christmas every day

        Donate the following to a local food bank, charity or church:

• gift cards to a supermarket for food and/or toiletries
  
• donate clothing with the gift receipt for easy size exchanges

        Call a charity or church (or maybe you know someone personally):

• make a week’s worth of meals for a family in need
• adopt a family for the season and make their Christmas bright
• invite people to your home for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day meals

HT: K. Jason and Kelli Krafsky