A Beautiful Place

They say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I am sure that is true. Gracias, Honduras is a beautiful place in my memory. It is beautiful to view, the friendships are unique and beautiful, my visits are spiritually beautiful and our work among the poor is a beautiful expression of Christ's love.
I know that our motivation to serve the poor and the disadvantaged is not always beautiful. Sometimes we go on these trips for the fun, to be in warm weather and have an adventure. I marvel at how God can take something not so pretty and accomplish something beautiful. He can take our selfish ambitions and make it God glorifying. He can take a lack luster Christian and change a heart to seek Him earnestly. Here is a picture of God's shabby servants that He is using to bring His joy and love to those He has chosen for us to serve.

What a privilege to be used by God! Paul describes God in Acts 17 "...God made the world and everything in it...He is Lord of heaven and earth...He gives to all life, breath and all things...." It is clear that God does not need us to accomplish anything but in fact, that is His way. We would not choose to serve the poor in Honduras if not for the motivation put in our heart by God, for we are selfish. He provides the means for each of us to work in Honduras: God gives us health, families who encourage us, time from the workplace, money, freedom to leave our country and safe travel. It is not only for the good of the people we treat but also to renew and strengthen our faith. We experience daily team devotions, prayer with our Honduran friends and patients and prayer with a church in Gracias. The entire experience is a respite from USA politics, world calamities, television and radio. We enjoy fellowship and beautiful vistas of a not so developed country.


Although we don't speak the Spanish language, we communicate with our eyes, smiles and touch. We become friends through our caring for them and certainly their care for us. They entertain us with songs and games, cook our meals, translate our words and clean our surroundings. We are grateful and safe in their care and love.




The simple beauty of Gracias brings contentment and peace. We seek endlessly for the latest technical marvel or luxury. When in Honduras I'm aware that our pursuits separate us from God. We must learn to rest in His providential care and follow His leading and not our own. In Matthew 7, Jesus says we are not to worry about what we eat, or drink or what we wear but to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.... Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil or spin...

Thank you Gracias for teaching me about beauty. May all who read this find Christ's beautiful plan for your life in walking in His good and perfect will.

Good-bye Gordie

All my life, I have known my brother, Gordon. He had lived a life of an only child until my sister was born when he was twelve, then two years later I was born and a year after that our little brother joined the family. Boy, did his life change!

Obviously, my mother needed some help with dad sailing the Great Lakes from March until December and no other family in town. I never heard him complain that his teenage years were busy helping mom watch all these babies.

And that is the constant memory of Gordon Tremaine Burke. He was not a complainer. He worked hard by following in his father's footsteps and sailed the freighters on the Great Lakes for 39 years. The last 15 as a ship's captain. Those who came to visit us at the funeral home told us of their respect for him and his easy manner even as the chief officer on the ship. It couldn't have been easy sailing in those November storms.

Gordon was the father of seven children and his wife Doris' brothers each had at least seven. Their home was a sea of children running in and out the doors, laundry, dishes, diapers, toys... everywhere. It was a house full of love and action. My sister, Kathy and I were often recruited to babysit our nieces and nephews, a little payback for when we were young.

Gordie loved to have fun. He and Doris always had a house full of family and friends. There was always room for more. Always a warm greeting, hug and a kiss. The kitchen was busy from morning until night for whoever showed up had a ready meal or snack. Evenings at the lake around the camp fire brought out stories of great and fun memories.

When Gordie's wife Doris became sick, he cared for her and was by her side until the end. His second wife also became sick and he was there to supply every need. He and are brother Mike took care of dad on the night shift when he was near the end and gave Kathy and I a report as if he was still the Navy Corpsman of his youth. He would drive hundreds of miles to support and help those he loved. His children and siblings could count on him and they did. This is a picture of his children.

Gordie's last two years were different than all the rest. He pretty much stayed home, gave up driving but continued to read his mysteries, watch TV and listen to Garrison Keillor on Prairie Home Companion. Friends and family came for visits and he would go out for birthdays and holidays. He slept and ate when ever and what ever he wanted. He never complained of being lonely or discontent. I called him the day before he died and when asked how he was doing, said, "I'm fine."

Gordie was fine, even though he knew his life would soon be over. I don't feel so fine as I write this because I will miss him, miss his kindness, miss his hugs and I love yous. I thank God for Gordie's life and for giving me a brother who enriched mine.

Quick Trip

Some of the most fun times are unexpected. A few weeks ago, Tom and I flew to Denver and met up with Dan, Angie, Hudson, Claire, Cooper and Tucker. It had been several weeks since we had seen them so a visit was way over due.

We wondered if the Sportsman's Show at the convention center would interest the children and we were not disappointed. How fun for each of them to try out an all terrain vehicle.





We watched fly fishermen compete for accuracy, and bow hunters shoot arrows at moving targets. The children tried to fish and release, but the fish were not biting. Claire and Hudson gave the rock climbing wall a try and surprised us with their strength and courage!


Hudson didn't quite reach the top but he sure climbed high up the wall.

A sport I had never seen and found fascinating was watching dogs run off a deck after spotting a float in the water. Their owners helped them focus on the float that was in a pool of water and backed the dog up on the deck to give him a running start. My picture is of a dog just after he hit the water and is swimming to the float.


So fun to watch!

Well this was quite a thrill, seeing a Golden Eagle so close!


After walking through some pretty cool campers and tents we headed back to the hotel, after all we didn't want to miss the Broncos/Steelers game! It sure was fun being among Bronco fans with this big win! It' surprising how quickly you can become a Tebow fan!

Before we left, we had a visit from a very special person in our grandchildren's lives... Lisa! Lisa spent a lot of time caring for the children when she lived in the mountains and is now living in Denver. They were thrilled to see her and her, them.


One of the nice things about staying downtown Denver is riding the bus down the mall. One of the stops lets you out right in front of McDonald's, always a favorite. We were so glad to have Lisa with us to keep the ordering accurate.

Now here is a true western shot, riding a bull in the sun of Colorado on a winter's day.

Celebrate

Christmas was easy this year.

Not having snow made it easy to cut evergreens and dried flowers for the outside decorations.


Conley helped me decorate the tree and she really was a big help. Thanks, Conley.


I slowly put decorations around the house and shopped early enough to get packages sent out on time.



We attended two of Conley's Christmas programs and Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services at church. The music and prayers and meeting with others who love the Lord and celebrate in their spirit the birth of our Savior touched our hearts and souls. This was a peaceful and a thankful Christmas.

We had an hour of Christmas Skype in Colorado and loved seeing the grandchildren and Dan and Angie open gifts we sent and showing our excitement for the gifts they sent us. And for the first time, my sister and I visited and opened gifts with Skype on Christmas Eve.

Chris, Kim, Jack and Natalie came to town Christmas night so Mike, Joy and Conley came for brunch and gifts the next day.



It really is all about the little ones. They know we are celebrating Jesus birth and yet they have no conflict with Santa bringing gifts.



While I fixed Christmas dinner, Tom took Conley and Jack to see Santa's reindeer. Jack asked where Santa was and why the reindeer were lying down.



We even had a Christmas miracle. Joy brought her dog over Christmas night and left her outside. She is an old dog with arthritis and moves pretty slow and rarely leaves their yard. When they were ready to leave, the dog was no where in sight. They searched for an hour in the dark of night for this black dog, calling her name with no success. Conley was pretty upset that her dog was missing as they left for home, so they stopped and prayed that the Lord would watch over CC and keep her safe through the night. Mike decided he should turn the opposite way than the route home and a half mile down the road was their lost dog. Such a relief and a reminder that God hears our prayers.

Well like all visits the days go by swiftly and its time to leave. Jack can't keep his eyes off our dusting of snow.



The house is quiet now but we have memories of love and laughter. Jesus is the reason for the season and I am so thankful for His love and care over us and our family.

A Family Gathering

It's been two years since our sons and their families and Tom and I have been together at the same time. Chris and Kim opened up their beautiful new home for our reunion!



It's as if we have never been apart, the grandchildren are instant playmates and loved seeing their cousins. Everyone had toys that scattered everywhere and everyone shared! The only shy one was Monty, the cat who climbed to a high window ledge.

Now this is pure joy! A night time story with the grandchildren, priceless!

The big event was a pumpkin land in the countryside of west Chicago, somewhere. Everyone enjoyed rides, pig races, tractors, mazes, cotton candy, train rides, junk food, and even what Angie called a "corn box." So here we go...



First stop - getting an all family photo and all grandchildren photo. That "cheese" thing we do for smiley photos looks painful!
Now lets try out some rides...






and slides....


So what would a farm be without at least a tractor? Hudson who always likes to figure out how things work is interested...

Natalie walked, walked, walked and the pumpkin field drew her in like a magnet.

Such a surprise that corn could be so much fun:





It's come to this, Tom and I ride the rocking chair!


What a wonderful time we had together, but it's so true for those times we look forward to for weeks, they seem to fly by in moments. This is life, love and family. We are so blessed.