Tag: Holiday Greetings

This Christmas letter is about going home! We all know, deep in our soul, without exception, death will knock on our door. We do not like to think about it, don’t plan for it, and rarely talk about it. Both of our parents have been gone for a long time. Neither of us has lost a sibling. But now death is at the door of our generation.

I lost a brother-in-law this year. We visited him monthly. We saw the hope for life turn to denial, to resignation, to acceptance, to a wish for the end. I was asked to lead his memorial service. I had known Chuck for forty years and suddenly realized I wished I knew him better. Still, what I did know about him rang true and genuine and authentic. I wished for more time. I was broken.

In September, Jan and I lost a very special friend. Donna was a nursing school friend, Jan’s roommate after graduation. Jan was with her when she gave her heart to Christ. She was Jan’s maid of honor. Donna married Ron who was a friend of mine. As a couple, we were close friends, almost soulmates, for forty-nine years. We attended their family events and they came to our weddings. We went long-distance hiking and cruises together. Donna spent time with us when Jan had her second stroke. She was a sister that I never had. After cerebral encephalitis struck her down, we visited and watched her decline. We never said goodbye. It hit us without warning. I cried.

Many have lost spouses, parents, children, tragic and shocking accidental deaths. I keep the memorial service bulletins that I attend. On average it is five funerals, four this year. In 2016 it was seven. Most of them were older. Many were anticipated. I have been disease and pain-free for my entire life. I can only now begin to appreciate how grateful I am for years of excellent health. This month I had a Lumbar Laminectomy, back surgery for spinal stenosis. Jan just had a total bilateral mastectomy for invasive duct breast cancer to be followed by chemo. Radiation may follow. We do not yet know. The prognosis for both of us is good. Medical issues, however, are now a major conversation. “I will tell you mine if you tell me yours!” We don’t even ask. We just start talking about the latest ache and pain.

Earlier this year I came home from surgery on my shoulder rotator cuff and laid low for several days, largely pain-free, but restricted, with my arm in a sling, I realized three weeks later that I had been feisty and difficult. Jan had been supportive, loving, never a complaint despite the chair I sat in was surrounded with discarded mail, used dishes, scattered food crumbs, an array of half-read books, an anathema in any other situation. I said to Jan, “I think I was slightly depressed.” Her response, “You think!” If I can’t help myself is this mild situation, what will I be like when the end of life arrives?

Jesus knew before he was born what death awaited him, yet he came to our world, not to live but to die… so we could live. He lived with purpose and gave hope to the hopeless. We want to live with the same sense of purpose and prepare ourselves to die…to live forever.

I think that is reason enough to truly enjoy and embrace this season. It is time to rejoice and be glad, to make merry, to worship, to pray, to greet, love and laugh, to celebrate with my friends and family, strangers and even enemies. It is a season of HOPE when the dark of night surrounds us. Every day is a gift… until we finally get home! MERRY CHRISTMAS!

– Lou

This Christmas letter is about going home! We all know, deep in our soul, without exception, death will knock on our door. We do not like to think about it, don’t plan for it, and rarely talk about it. Both of our parents have been gone for a long time. Neither of us has lost a sibling. But now death is at the door of our generation.

I lost a brother-in-law this year. We visited him monthly. We saw the hope for life turn to denial, to resignation, to acceptance, to a wish for the end. I was asked to lead his memorial service. I had known Chuck for forty years and suddenly realized I wished I knew him better. Still, what I did know about him rang true and genuine and authentic. I wished for more time. I was broken.

In September, Jan and I lost a very special friend. Donna was a nursing school friend, Jan’s roommate after graduation. Jan was with her when she gave her heart to Christ. She was Jan’s maid of honor. Donna married Ron who was a friend of mine. As a couple, we were close friends, almost soulmates, for forty-nine years. We attended their family events and they came to our weddings. We went long-distance hiking and cruises together. Donna spent time with us when Jan had her second stroke. She was a sister that I never had. After cerebral encephalitis struck her down, we visited and watched her decline. We never said goodbye. It hit us without warning. I cried.

Many have lost spouses, parents, children, tragic and shocking accidental deaths. I keep the memorial service bulletins that I attend. On average it is five funerals, four this year. In 2016 it was seven. Most of them were older. Many were anticipated. I have been disease and pain-free for my entire life. I can only now begin to appreciate how grateful I am for years of excellent health. This month I had a Lumbar Laminectomy, back surgery for spinal stenosis. Jan just had a total bilateral mastectomy for invasive duct breast cancer to be followed by chemo. Radiation may follow. We do not yet know. The prognosis for both of us is good. Medical issues, however, are now a major conversation. “I will tell you mine if you tell me yours!” We don’t even ask. We just start talking about the latest ache and pain.

Earlier this year I came home from surgery on my shoulder rotator cuff and laid low for several days, largely pain-free, but restricted, with my arm in a sling, I realized three weeks later that I had been feisty and difficult. Jan had been supportive, loving, never a complaint despite the chair I sat in was surrounded with discarded mail, used dishes, scattered food crumbs, an array of half-read books, an anathema in any other situation. I said to Jan, “I think I was slightly depressed.” Her response, “You think!” If I can’t help myself is this mild situation, what will I be like when the end of life arrives?

Jesus knew before he was born what death awaited him, yet he came to our world, not to live but to die… so we could live. He lived with purpose and gave hope to the hopeless. We want to live with the same sense of purpose and prepare ourselves to die…to live forever.

I think that is reason enough to truly enjoy and embrace this season. It is time to rejoice and be glad, to make merry, to worship, to pray, to greet, love and laugh, to celebrate with my friends and family, strangers and even enemies. It is a season of HOPE when the dark of night surrounds us. Every day is a gift… until we finally get home! MERRY CHRISTMAS!

– Lou

I knew it was just a matter of time. Our 80 year old sugar maple split and I found half the tree on our lawn breaking a wood railing fence. What you can’t see are the three milk containers hanging from maple syrup splines tapping the remaining trunk for maple sap. I am trying to decide if I cut the whole tree down or trim it and make a small platform with a zip line to a yet to be dug pond. The old takes on a new purpose or will soon fad away. Meanwhile, a smattering of snow still remains on the ground while the temperature bounces between 50 and 70 degrees in mid February. It is a season of change.

Over the last year Jereme and Natalie have taken over all Business Connect travel. Jereme continues to build our international network. Natalie runs the logistics of shipping like a smooth running machine. I help sourcing resources, nurturing ongoing relationships, and write short reflections and updates. Although Jan and I took a short five day cruise out of New Orleans we are finding it increasingly difficult to travel. Staying home sounds better all the time. As I write, snow is forecast and the fireplace is roaring. I have the grill cranked up boiling the Maple sap and can just start to smell the aroma of maple syrup.

Life is good in spite of the changing seasons. The reason is because of the great people surrounding us. With such people the drama of life and events are quickly put in perspective and we can continue to live in gratitude and purpose. Below are two very short emails received in the last ten days. One story is from Haiti, another from Tanzania.

Just want to send a follow up on the January trip to Haiti and how the Water Filter Project went.

The trip was a success. The medical team of 2 providers and 2 support people saw greater than 325 people.The Water Filter Buckets were distributed to just over 40 people with the remaining systems placed in schools for the children on a daily basis. Junior, a Haitian employed by the organization, was able to purchase NEW buckets w/ tops for $3.70 each. The first day having the people put the systems together on there own was chaotic. The attention span was short and by standers / on lookers created excess noise. But, we persevered through. The 2nd day the buckets were put together by organization staff. The people were gathered in a church and with the interpreter the systems were explained. How they were assembled, how they worked and how to take care of the systems. The people came up three at a time to received their systems and in return demonstrated how to clamp the water flow, clean the charcoal pre-filter, and how to back flush the filter. It went much smoother and was organized.The Solar Lights were a great success with the school children.Thank You so much for your help with the order and your time explaining the system. And, for taking one for the team by carrying the items to my car!I have been in contact with the organization: Sow Hope. Mary Brown is the executive director and is interested in the Solar Light Charging Station. I have passed your contact information on to her – so if you receive and e-mail from her – it was I who sent her. I do still plan to stop by to purchase the book Aid to Trade one of these days. I will let you know prior so we can arrange a time. Thank You again for your help in obtaining the products. Attached are some photo’s for your viewing pleasure and one of the area’s we visited.Beverly JansmaMedical Coordinator Mission to Haiti.

Since 2004, Sisters of Daughters of Mary Immaculate (DMI), have reached out to more than 7800 rural women, microcredit and entrepreneurship programs, 225 trafficked children , and 5500 street children. Sisters are enjoying the atmosphere created in the campus with the drinking water facility with your special support of installing water purifier for the smooth running of all the activities at the center.

Gratitude: We, the sisters of DMI, in the name of all children and staff express our heartfelt sincere gratitude and thanks for your valuable financial contribution to get accessibility to the healthiest drinking water, especially important for children to safeguard their health. The water facilities have enabled our trafficked victims children, sisters and staff to have good health and to engaged in every activity (health care, spiritual, vocational skill training and outreach programs), accomplishing their roles and functions productively and fruitfully within the campus.