Dancing in the park

Parks in China are a gathering place. There are those playing Mahjong. Those singing or playing instruments. Groups participating in Tai Chi. Kite flying. People watching. But, my favorite public park activity - DANCING! 

I love to dance, though I don't get to do it much these days. I found a group of ladies doing ballroom dancing. One seemed to be the teacher. I jumped right in for a lesson. Ahh, dancing! Apparently, a universal language as it did not require us to communicate with words in order to connect. 

 

When I travel, it is moments like these (unscripted and shared with the locals) that I cherish. Thanks for documenting the moment, Fiona.

just Sheri, danced in the park

you never know...

Last week I was floored by the wonders of technology...and God's provision for our needs.  I received a friend request from a former colleague from across the globe.  He asked if I remembered him.  Of course I did, he was part of our leadership team for a large multi-national HIV prevention effort.  I saw him many years in a row at our annual meeting and a couple of times in the field on one of my many world tours.

I suppose it is human nature to wonder if what we do makes a difference.  I have felt that the time in my old life was cut short, prematurely. I have thought that it just wasn't long enough to have an impact. I needed more time to go deeper in relationships. More time to genuinely share life together - the highs and lows.

Then, unexpectedly, I receive an answer to a question I never asked out loud - was it worth it? Did it make a difference? Did it even matter at all?

It is rare that we get to know the impact of our efforts in Kingdom work...that is unless some kind soul tells us. This week I received that gift. There are lessons this individual learned from my words, and so many more he learned from observation when I didn't know anyone was watching. He told me that he has shared these lessons with many others since then. I had no idea. None. It left me in tears.

Through the wonders of technology, I received a communication from a far-away land that touched my heart and encouraged my soul...and reminded me of something VERY important.

I'm convinced that we can write and live our own scripts more than most people will acknowledge. I also know the price that must be paid. It's a real struggle to do it...It involves living a life of integrity, starting with making and keeping promises, until the whole human personality, the senses, the thinking, the feeling and the intuition are ultimately integrated and harmonized. Stephen Covey (born 1932 ) U.S. author, speaker, consultant, management-expert

Just so we are clear, I have not attained this goal. It is a constant, daily journey. It is a choice and a struggle against internal and external forces that pull in other directions. I share this publicly because I was reminded of the priceless value of a life lived with integrity. There are so many I have learned from, often through observation. I should tell them what the example of their life has meant to me...

What have you learned by watching others?

just Sheri, a work in progress grateful for encouragement

I've got joy

This is the year of audacious joy. Since I chose that as the theme for the year our circumstances have improved, but difficulty and uncertainty have not disappeared. They have simply changed shape, taken on a new form in recent months. My happiness is not determined by these things.

We are living with a LOT more luxury and comfort than we have in recent years. My happiness is not determined by these things.

I have been learning the depths of truth found in Philippians 4:12

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.


This poetic statement was written from a prison cell. I am not living in that circumstance. (thankfully!)

I have noticed many times in recent months joy pouring out from the inside of me. Not because what I am doing at that particular moment is necessarily fun, but because something has changed on the inside. I hope to hold on to this and take it with me wherever I go. I hope it becomes a constant in my life, rather than a sporadic event.

My happiness is NOT determined by circumstances. Neither is yours, whatever circumstance you are facing.

just Sheri, learning to be content

Happiness is...

 A bouquet of fresh garden flowers from the local Farmer's Market.

Perhaps someday I will have a yard and can grow my own flower garden? Perhaps...

just Sheri, enjoying simple beauty

Smart Car

Shortly after returning from Africa, we bought a used car from Craig's List. The owner gave us a fabulous deal - thousands under blue book value...and nothing is wrong with it. In fact, he took excellent care of the vehicle and it should last us for many years to come.

One of the perks of this new-to-me vehicle is a sophisticated information panel in the dashboard. A few months ago it told me that my left, rear light had gone out. Wow, thanks for that information! I likely wouldn't have known until a police officer pulled me over and ticketed me - this was a much better way to find out. My handy-husband bought the inexpensive part and fixed it. The warning went away.

I have been driving all over the county in recent weeks for site visits at work. It has been a lot of fun for me to get out of the office, away from my desk, and be in the community meeting people.

Well, on my way back from a meeting the warning light went off and the information panel said "low tire pressure." I called my handy-husband. He found which tire was loosing air and then found a piece of metal lodged in the tire. We got the problem repaired for a whopping $12.10 by a helpful man at the Walmart tire and lube.

I was (and still am) so grateful for this sophisticated information panel. Why? The two days following this repair I was going to be on the road the entire day - traveling many miles. Kenyon was going to be at work, working 12-hour shifts (minimum) in another (but neighboring) county. What if my tire had blown? Kenyon could not have come to help me and the fix would have been much more expensive. I am told by mechanics that we would have had to replace all four tires because the vehicle is all-wheel drive and the cost would have been nearly $1,000.

That is an ugly alternative.

just Sheri, awed by the wonders of technology

Quotable Quotes: choose happiness

In the year of "audacious joy" I am reminded by a man known for comedy - being happy is a choice, not a product of circumstances.

"I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn't arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I'm going to be happy in it." ~ Grouchy Marx

just Sheri,  choosing joy

Quoteable Quotes: Ben Franklin on joy

Joy is not in things; it is in us.

Benjamin Franklin