That 70’s show

I was watching “That 70’s Show” the other night. (OK, I watch it most nights) Since I grew up in the 70’s I thought about my friends growing up. We had our “Hyde” his name is Mark. You could say Steve was “Kelso.” I mean he did jump out his bedroom (second story) window into the pool. It was awesome cause his mom came home right before he jumped and asked where he was and I said, “He’s up in his room.” She goes upstairs just as Steve jumps into the pool. As soon as he pops his head out of the water his mom appears in his window. She looks right at me and says, “I think you need to go home now.” I laughed like crazy. Kelso was always falling off the water tower, so Steve was Kelso. Ed would be “Fez.” Just like Fez, Ed wore black “Angel’s Flight” polyester pants with black boots. (Sorry Ed.) I would be “Eric.” I did have the good-looking girlfriend and she does have red hair, well she does now.
So as I watch the show I like to think back on those days, but the reality is; Steve, Ed and I were all a little bit Eric, Kelso and Fez. We all were a little goofy, nerdy and interested in girls just like the guys on “That 70’s Show.” By the way there is no doubt Mark was Hyde. Ask Ed and Steve and they will tell you the same, I’m sure. So, as I look back, that is how I like to see us. I miss those days. I miss hanging out with Steve, Ed and Mark.
The scary thing is I look at that show and realize that now I’m really “Red Foreman.”
I mean I have kids now and I really do want to nail their windows shut.
I really do miss those days.

Robert.

Running home...

In the midst of the turmoil and battle in our lives I felt a deep desire to run home to mom and dad. On New Years Eve we drove over 300 miles so I could do just that (isn't my husband a good man).

I can't tell you what a good trip it was, we all had quality time with my parents. I got to cry on my mom's shoulder and hug her and tell her I love her. I got to talk with my dad about retirement (he is well overdue!) and slowing his life down, and about our desire to move to AZ. My mom is in chronic pain most days now making travel near impossible. Our hectic schedule doesn't make it much easier for all of us to get away either. Thankfully this trip worked out and was a blessing to all. Kathryn, my mom and I started a puzzle together, sang showtunes and just laughed! I have not seen my mom like that in many years. It was good to have that "unconditional" love that comes from your parents, that no matter what we have done, they still look at us with a deep, unfailing love and see us - not our mistakes. (Hebrews 8:12 "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.") Just the way that God sees each of us; not a list of our sins, not a look of disgust or unbelief but of pure love and grace. (John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.")

The same way I feel for my children when they make mistakes, love and grace. Though they break our hearts time and time again, just as we do to Our Heavenly Father, I will always take them back in my arms. I can't change the consequences they have to go through or the pain, but I can be with them through it all, just as Christ is with us. The battle is not over for us, but I already know who won!

Hard life lessons to learn, but so good to know we can run home to our Heavenly Father...

Liz

Robert Rosa

On Sunday night my son Wayne called me from work, he also works at Knott Ave. Christian Church, and said there was a homeless guy sleeping outside the offices and he wouldn’t leave. He asked if I would come down and take care of the situation. Of course I said I would. Besides I was pretty sure I knew who it was.

When I get there I see Robert Rosa not only sleeping outside the office but right below my office window. Look if I’ve told him once I’ve told him a thousand times you can’t sleep on the property, especially out in the open. He got real mad and started arguing with me. “Why do I have to leave? I’m not bothering anyone.” OK, it really wasn’t a question. It was his way of getting into the “would Jesus kick me out of here” and “you Christians are hypocrites” debate. We have it every time I have to kick him out. If he were sleeping behind the bushes I probably would have let him sleep there. He knew that. Suffice it to say he left with a big smile on his face. He really loves to argue.

Look he knows if I let him sleep there in the open, where he can be seen, then after a few days we would have two people sleeping there, then four, then six, then were a homeless shelter. He knows this he just likes to argue.

That got me to thinking. There has to be more we, as Christians, can do to help the homeless. I just don’t know what that is. HELP!

Robert

Turmoil

Spiritual Warfare hit home this weekend for our family. Without a lot of detail we are in a battle like no other we have faced. It is much more painful to watch your children battle than just yourself. You are helpless and hurt and angry and terrified of the adult decisions they make with their adolescent minds. They do not understand the consequences of their actions and choices, even though we have shared the bible and our own experiences with them. Sin is so far reaching, it never affects just the individual, it affects families, friends, loved ones, strangers.

I was singing in my car yesterday the song by Casting Crowns "Praise You in this Storm."The lyrics spoke to my heart.

"I was sure by now God You would have reached down,
And wiped our tears away, Stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining.

As the thunder rolls, I barely hear Your whisper through the rain"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives And takes away

And I'll praise You in this storm And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried You hold in Your hand
You never left my side And though my heart is torn I will praise You in this storm"



Our family is in desperate need of your prayers right now, please. We need guidance, wisdom and strength to endure.



Romans 5:3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance

...a time to heal...

This past Thursday and Friday thanks to a "free" hotel room Robert and I took a well overdue mini-vacation to Solvang, CA. If you have never heard of it Solvang is a small, quaint Danish town just outside of Santa Barbara in the mountains. There are shops and wineries, an Ostrich farm and one of California's famous Missions. The true appeal for us was a little down time. At home it seems we are always running, Robert has been busy at work with trips and our "Operation Christmas Love" (our church is helping local families who are having difficulty this Christmas by providing gifts for their children). It was nice to have 2 days for just the 2 of us to spend time together. We walked around the town, had sausages and ableskivers (small little pancake balls with powdered sugar and raspberry jam)!! I think we both realize that what the new year has in store for us is going to keep us very busy. A time of change for our whole family. A push on our schooling, starting to fund raise, getting KC ready for graduation, etc. We are taking this holiday season slow and easy, ready to hit the ground running come Jan 1, 2009.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-5
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them.