Opportunity knocks

Sometimes opportunities come when we least expect them. Next week, I will take my favorite character Cheto back on the road, appearing 15 times this winter and spring, Friday mornings at Peters Elementary school.
This will be my fifth year doing the bible club at Peters with Amy Skeie, Wayne, and this year, Keith McIntyre as the roadie. Wayne has made the preparations to all of our road gear, puppet stages, sound equipment, and it looks like we are ready to go.
Next Friday I will begin a 9 part series on the power in the fruit of the spirit. Please pray as we have been given a unique opportunity to share the gospel on a regular basis in our neighborhood school.

Six people who changed the world- Mimi

Last week, 2010 finally came to an end, but not
before claiming Emilie's beloved grandmother, Mimi. Mimi passed away on December 26, and we were actually in Ohio when it happened. That was just like Mimi, to die when we were all there, so no one would be inconvenienced. Though it might sound strange to say, being in Ohio and being with family when she passed was a loving, memorable experience. We are saddened by the passing of Mimi, but again, it was a celebration of a woman who taught us compassion, loyalty, and love. Just like with Popo, Mimi made me feel welcome. She would call Emilie before we would visit to ask what I ate. She was huge fan of Albert Belle, and Manny Ramirez. She had no love for Lebron after he left Cleveland, however! Mimi was Mimi till the end.
She lived a life of obedience to the Savior. She opened her home to missionaries, to family, to Emilie's friends, and even to my friends! Thank you for your life and example, Mimi. I hope my home is a place like yours, and my kids and their friends will always fill my home the way your kids and grand kids and their friends filled yours. We will miss you, but we rejoice with you, as you are finally free.

Six people who changed the world- Cheyenne

Thinking back over the lives of my grandparents has been a truly joyous exercise. Though I saddened by their loss, I can celebrate their longevity and impacts they made the world. That is going to be more challenging with Cheyenne.
The most difficult thing I have ever had to do as a parent was walk into my 11 year old daughters room last July and tell her Cheyenne had passed away during the night.
When we moved to Oklahoma, Cheyenne was Katriel's first friend. Cheyennes house was the first place she ever spent the night away from family. They were friends, played together, got in trouble together, did the things little girls do together. Cheyenne spent the night with us Memorial day 2009, and we enjoyed a day of swimming. It was a fun day, and the last day we would spend with Cheyenne. Later that summer, she would be diagnosed with cancer, and just a year later, she was gone.
Cheyenne was not on earth long enough, but she certainly changed the world around her. That little girl had more spirit than any kid I have ever ministered too or been associated with. She was a fighter. The fight in her, and her unshakable faith inspired all of those around her. One of the greatest nights I ever remember in the ministry was the evening she showed up with Katriel. My 5th and 6th graders had been praying for her, and she comes and for one night she was the old Cheyenne. There was a song on her lips and mischief in her eyes! What a wonderful memory and impact I and all of those kids will carry.
Her life was too short, but her impact will last forever. None of us who knew her will ever forget Cheyenne. We love you Cheyenne, and I know you are waiting for all of us. I hope all of us here can live our lives as fully as you did.

Six people who changed the world- Grandpa Abeyta

I can barely remember my grandpa before his stroke. I believe I was 11 years old, and my grandfather was a very young man, in his 50's, when he suffered a debilitating stroke, almost completely paralyzing him on his left size. A man who had made his living working with his hands his entire life was now without the use of them. When I think about my grandpa Abeyta, I think about strength, unbelievable strength. He did not let his paralysis stop him. Before the stroke, he had always worked full time and pastored churches on the weekend. Now, he would minister full time. He would drive his motor home, paralyzed, 100 miles each way every Sunday to pastor the church at Rio Chiquito in Northern New Mexico. With one hand, he would hitch his tow car to the back of the motor home.
As the effects of the stroke and being paralyzed for 2t years took its toll on my grandfather, his body began to deteriorate. When I would return to visit, he would not always recognize me, or my wife or my kids. Still, it was a shock when he died, days after the birth of my daughter, and exactly 2 weeks later than Grandma Lala.
As I prepared to speak at his funeral, I realized that everything I did before I preach came from him. From the time I arrive at the church to the way I kept my notes, I learned that from him. He's a part of me, forever.

Six people who changed the world- Grandma Lala

Grandma Lala. Just hearing those words as a child would bring joy to my heart. My grandmother was one of the most joyful people I have ever known. She always had a song on her lips, and a hug and a burrito for anyone who came to the house. I cannot even begin to describe what my Grandma Lala gave to me. She worked hard every day of her life. Her house was always spotless. She gave away everything that she ever had. She lived the greatest commandments, love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, and soul, and love your neighbor as yourself. My grandmother taught us all to love for others, that to give is better than to receive. None of us would ever forget the shed, the "casita" in the backyard full of clothes and items for anyone who ever needed them. She fed the homeless, and cared for the widow and the orphan. She was the personification of true religion. To me, nothing will ever showcase the amazing spirit of this woman more than the night of her memorial service. A humble woman of simple means, she died with not much to her name. Yet, her funeral services took place in a beautiful cathedral on a hill overlooking downtown Los Angeles. Even more grandiose than that however, was the fact the sanctuary was full of people who had been touched by her generosity. I thank the Lord I was able to serve her by officiating that memorial service, and the graveside service. When I look at her life, I can honestly say I feel nothing but joy that she is finally receiving her eternal reward. Yes, we miss her terribly, but she was a woman who lived life to the fullest here on earth, and though not a woman of means, she was the richest person I knew. The Lord took one Lala, and gave us a Baby Lala a week later. Now, every day, I will have see my grandma Lala in my Baby Lala, I can only pray she becomes a woman of prayer, kindness and joy as the woman with whom she shares her name.

Six People who changed the world- Maggie

Of the six people in my life who changed the world, Maggie is the only one who is not actually a person. I don't wish to saunter down the theological road which leads to discussions on whether or not animals have a soul. The undisputed fact is, Maggie was an important part of our family, and made an enormous impact upon us.
On February 16, 2010, thirteen year relationship between man and dog ended. Suffering and not understanding what was happening to her enlarged heart, I made the excruciating decision to end her life.
What kind of benefit can an animal bring to our lives, and how does that contribution change the world? In the deepest part of our hearts, we all have a desire above all else to be loved, to be admired. No matter how bad a day I had, or how many people were frustrated or upset with me, when I came home, that dog was there waiting for me, and each day she acted like a king had entered the room! She loved unconditionally. Yes, she was just an animal, but she was placed by God into our lives. We did not idolize her, buy her clothes or treat her like she was really part of the family, but we appreciated her for what she was, someone who brought me joy every day of her life. I miss her just as much today as I did the day she left.
Some may say it is a sign of weakness for a man to establish a connection like that to an animal, but I would worry about anyone who was not capable of sharing love in that way, especially a minster of the gospel. I will always be thankful for the time I had with Maggie, my life was a better when she was alive, and is a little emptier now that she gone.

Six people who changed the world- Popo

While Popo did not actually leave us in 2010, he was the first of our grandparents to pass away in December of 2009. Popo was a man who had a profound impact on the world. From the moment I met him, I liked him. He did everything he could to make me feel welcome in his home. I would enjoy our journeys to Ohio, knowing Emilie and I were going to stay at his house. I waited for him to show me slides and tell me stories about his carpet business and his travels around the world. I remember seeing the Rock of Gibraltar in one of his pictures, and his eyes lit up when I asked him about it. I also remember sneaking away to the East of Chicago Pizza buffet before he got his feeding tube, and him telling us not to tell Mimi about it. What wonderful memories.
He was a great husband, father and grandfather, but so are many men. What made Popo a man who changed the word? From the first moments I met him, I knew this man loved missions. He talked about missions conventions he had traveled to, and his trips to Haiti. This wasn't a man who just talked about missions, but he lived it. He supported it with his money, his time, his heart. He didn't talk about helping people in Haiti, he did it. It cost him something. Popo didn't dream about being able to impact the world someday, he did it. Opening his home to a young Haitian pastor while he went to bible college was evidence of the character and obedience to calling that Popo lived and taught all of us. Popo changed the world around him.

Six people who changed the world

2010 is finally over. It was one of the most challenging years of my entire life. In one tumultuous ten day period, I officiated my grandmothers funeral, received my ordination, missed the birth of my daughter, and spoke at my grandfathers funeral. It was a year full of highs and lows, tearful goodbyes, and new beginnings.
2010 has been a whirlwind. As I made the long drive from Ohio to Oklahoma this past week, I finally had time to reflect upon the people who made the greatest impact not only in my life but in the lives of everyone around them. Over the next few days, I will attempt to reflect on them and honor them the best I can. I am really glad 2010 is over.