Wish list

Here are things that I would like to either happen or like to have happened already - that haven't - and perhaps never will. This wish list is self-deprecating.

1. I would like to have been a great pianist who could sight read the most difficult piece of music with ease, even in a key with 7 sharps, and make it sound like I made it up as I played. I would have like to play with feeling and emotion that made it sound like I was bearing my soul and that the music and I were one.

2. I would also like to have been a naturally gifted singer with a 4 octave range, who could sing in any style (sans opera- don't care to be an opera singer) and move people to joy and tears in the same song.

3. Although I can play many instruments, I can't play any of them well. I would like to have the ability to play them all, in all genres and styles, with ease and feeling, and play in front of pros without feeling inferior.

4. I want to write an exciting adventure/mystery/inspirational novel.

5. I want to afford a live-in housekeeper who will keep my house clean and neat. I also want someone to organize my house and decorate seasonally.

6. Even though I believe that God heals and that He doesn't wish suffering of His people, I want to see miraculous healing as everyday occurences. I want healings to be so common that they aren't considered extraordinary anymore.

7. I used to write songs. I want to write songs - 35 years later, and have them be relevant, contemporary, and interesting. I don't want to write bubblegum songs or one note/3 chord boring songs.

8. I want to produce a Musical or a Play - is it too much to ask to Produce on Broadway? The only thing in my way is my lack of wanting to give everything else up to dedicate my time and energy to do this. Sure show business is just that - business. I am exposed to that end of the business every day. What I am talking about is the creative energy that producing a show would churn in me.

9. Yes, it's true. I want to read without reading. I want to touch a book and know what is in it. I want to experience the pleasure and emotion of reading without having to actually read. No, I don't mean I want to see a movie. I must have ADD because I start reading and just want to get it over with - but also know what was in the book, what the characters went through, and how it ends.

10. I want to know God. Can we ever really know God? I am not trying hard enough.

Nov. 15 - Fires in the OC

This is really devastating! I'm watching KNBC and have been most of the the afternoon. Most of the sky is full of dust, debris, and smoke, and I'm at least 15 miles from any fire. It smells of burned wood and is very smokey, outside.

Homes along the 91 freeway east of the 55 have been destroyed by fire. These aren't even brush fires - they are homes on fire! I watched an entire apartment complex of 250 units go up in flames over the last 1.5 hours. It was along the 91 freeway! They first called it the Corona Fire, and then the Yorba Linda Fire. It then spread to Brea and then to Anaheim Hills. It's all the same fire, sparked by burning embers.

When my family moved to a new home (new to us) in Gardena, in July, 1958, the Signal Hill fire was burning. I remember that the sky way off in the distance was black. It smelled like it does today, burning wood. Today, in Signal Hill, many don't remember that there was a fire there, and there are many homes up there today. That would be devastating but it could happen again! The fires today are fast-moving and are unpredictable.

But when we see fire in residential communities along a freeway, it really hits close to home. What's to stop it ? The news just said that a home 3 miles away from the closest fire just went up in a blaze. It's windy outside and those burning embers travel far. My car is full of ash.

The news reporter just said that someone opened their garage door, got into their car and started it up and the car went up in a blaze.

Last night, there was a fire that started in Sylmar and the San Fernando Valley. It went through a whole mobile home complex, with hundreds of homes going up in flames.

I am praying for the safety of the firefighters, for the people who live in those fire-torn areas, and all those who have lost their homes. It is just a horrid picture of devastation.

PWPs Unite!

We PWPs are getting ready to face the monster. The monster is the unknown, the dark behind the door, the noise in the other room in the middle of the night, the crashing glass and the wind blowing outside the window.

BUT yes, we have no fear of the unknown - we only have anticipation, because we know that the Lord is lighting our way and will go before us with a mighty sword.

Our group is going to Japan next year, and we are preparing. One could say that the unknown is how our ministry will be received in Japan. The Lord, though, is making it clear that we are needed, to bring hope and inspiration to the Christian women who are being prepared for our arrival. Even though at this moment they don't even know we are coming, the Lord is softening their hearts as he is giving us hearts for them. It will be a divine appointment and we will be ready.

When we look back, we realize that God has been preparing us for this trip for several years. Our little group of 6 women have been fishing buddies for a while, and we have set out to catch the big one each year, forging our way onto Crowley Lake, near Mammoth in the Eastern Sierras, each May. It has been a time of bonding, of fun, and of faith. We each bring something different to the mix and the blend is just right. Little did we know that God had something larger and more important in mind.

Our leader, Ruth, got a direct vision from God - that our group should take what we have and minister to the Christian women in Japan. She then set out to ask each of us if we were interested in this. Immediately, each of us committed to the vision that came as a result of Ruth's attending the Leadership Summit this past Fall, held by the Willow Creek Association. It could not have been clearer to her, and when we each individually said YES to the call, it was a confirmation to her. The wheels started turning and went from first gear to third gear very quickly. Pretty soon we will be in overdrive and heading out across that ocean.
God has plans for us. We don't know what they are, and there are a few hurdles to jump, but this is a God thing and we aren't in control - He is. So we will just hang on for the ride and hope to glorify God as he blesses our ministry.

Who knows, this could lead to other groups heading out on missions from our Church - Cerritos Baptist Church in Cerritos, California. We expect miracles, as God's Kingdom reigns here over all the earth.