Sometimes I Write

My stepdad, Virgil. He recently found out he has a condition with his eyes that can cause blindness. I can’t pronounce it right now, but my prayer is for peace while he awaits more information about possible treatment options. He’s very depressed.

My brothers’ dad, Jack. We are hoping he’ll be released from jail soon because of new evidence in his case. My understanding is that DNA testing has proved he was not the perpetrator in the crime. I hope it’s true.

My friend Angi as she continues to greive her husband Kyle’s death, and move on with her life.

My friend Chris and his youth group as they travel to Mexico tomorrow for their mission trip. They are headed to an area that was hit by the hurricane. Please pray for safety and that they will be an incredible blesing to the people there.

My friend Adam as he goes on his Trek with his youth group. He’s the one with a broken bone in his foot. Pray for complete healing and a successful climb.

All of my y.m. friends that still have mission trips, vbs, and vacations planned this summer. Pray that God will use them to minister to hurting people and be Jesus to them. Pray also that their own lives will be touched in unplanned and amazing ways.

President Bush and the others leading our country. You don’t have to like that he’s president if you don’t want to, but you have to accept that he is and that he needs our prayers!

Dry Bones and the kids that are on the streets tonight. Also for our support raising efforts.

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I swear sometimes I need that shirt that says,
“Help! I’m talking and I can’t shut up!”

We spent a few days with friends in Wichita after camp. I got to sneak away for a bit and hit the bookstore by myself. (one of my favorite things to do) Well, there I was in a Family Christian Store, buying thank you cards and happily chatting with the salesgirl. A woman walks up with a book in her hand and interrupts us. (Strike 1) Her book was something about wizards, hobbits, and something else. I couldn’t read the title, but it looked cool. She asked the salesgirl, who I’ll call Amy – since I don’t remember her name, “Have you read this? I’m wondering if it’s for or against Harry Potter?” I said, “I hope it’s for it, I love those books” at the exact time she said, “I sure hope it’s against it!” Uh oh. If you know me, you know that I couldn’t resist the temptation to press the issue, not that the woman gave me a choice. She gave me a dirty look and started lecturing me on the dangers of witchcraft and sorcery. (Strike 2) Amy started looking really uncomfortable and I did my best to keep a poker face and plaster on a smile. I asked her if she had read any of the books or seen the movies. No. I told her it might be a good idea to have all of the facts before judging a book by it’s cover, or me by my choice of entertainment. She just kept challenging me! Man, Satan knows my weaknesses and he was hammering me! I found myself arguing with this woman over something that wasn’t going to be solved in a friendly manner if she didn’t back off. We bantered back and forth obviously thinking the other’s argument weak even though we both had valid points. Amy even chimed in here and there trying to calm this woman down who obviously had labeled me as hellbound by this time. Then angry woman told me that the world is full of darkness that I must be blind to and if I condone magic, I’m leading people to Satan. (Strike 3) I calmly (atleast on the outside) looked her in the eye and told her something like, “Ma’am, I’m a minister’s wife, I’ve been in youth ministry for 12 years, I work with homeless street kids in downtown Denver, I know about darkness. I’m surrounded by it. I would hope that as a BELIEVER (emphasis added) when you disagree with another BELIEVER on any issue you would do it in love and not be rude and nasty like you are right now. We are obviously not going to agree to adopt each other’s point of view, so let’s just end this now.” (Breathe Niki) She suggested I read Neil Anderson’s book Victory Over Darkness, and me being the dummy I am ALMOST suggested that she read Harry Potter. I guess I had a little bit of self control left in me after being so wound up!

I left the store after a bit more friendly talk with Amy, and went to my van to sulk. Satan had won that little battle. Even though I refrained from being a complete idiot, I had let myself be dragged into a losing, pointless argument. And for what? Just to argue? Why couldn’t I have just kept my mouth shut and let her say her piece without having to throw my opinion into the ring? She was the one who looked like a lunatic to Amy and the other salesman, but I was the one who kept it going by not shutting up and putting an end to the conversation. Why is it that even if people don’t agree with me I want them to atleast understand my point of view? Is that a pride issue or what? Why was I so bothered by her? Probably because I’m so tired of Christians taking a stand on things they know very little about because it’s the “thing to do”. I’m tired of the finger pointing, name calling, and judging done by “well meaning believers” in the name of Jesus. I’m tired of people like angry woman thinking it’s o.k. to bash other believers when they view things differently. I don’t want to be like that.

I have learned to look into stories whether they be books or movies, and find the spiriual truths that await me there. If you go looking for the bad, you’re bound to find it. I prefer to look for the good. I used to be indifferent to the Harry Potter phenomenon. I LOVED Lord of the Rings, and The Chronicles of Narnia. I read a book by Connie Neal, What’s a Christian to do with Harry Potter?, (it’s neither for or against though you know the author’s stance by the end) and saw the movies, and now I love those stories too. I just bought her latest book, The Gospel According to Harry Potter, and I’ve enjoyed talking about it with a few friends who don’t look for Truth in books and movies. Guess what? They will now. So, if you disagree with me, please pray for me and love me for the forgiven sinner that I am. If you agree with me, pray for me anyway that I’ll be wiser the next time I encounter angry woman or those of her kind. Either way, I welcome your comments. And please people…know what you believe and why so you’ll be prepared to defend, teach, or keep quiet when the time comes. I’m still friends with several people who are on the opposite side of this issue. We agree to disagree. It’s o.k. I’m o.k. (Deep breath Niki)

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Remember that show in the 90’s on MTV “Road Rules”? A bunch of young adults traveling in a Winnebago across the country meeting challenges, eating at fun places, and laughing their butts off all the time, except during the occasional drama of disagreements and personality clashes?

Yeah…That’s not us – except for the drama part. Traveling long hours with three little kids stinks! Fun places to eat? Only if there’s a playland and french fries involved. Meeting challenges? How about a potty training two year old who tells us she has to pee about five minutes after we’ve left the gas station or restaurant. Oh, and we’re driving a Dodge Caravan – MUCH smaller than a Winnie! Our laughter for the day came when we heard the five year old in the back seat filming his own “Bounty baby wipes” commercial. Ofcourse we had to pull out the real video camera and have him repeat the whole thing. I wonder if a letter to Bounty is in order? As absorbent as Bounty is…they should make diapers and pull ups for long road trips!!! It was a long drive, but we did have fun singing along with Switchfoot and bobbing our heads and seat dancing with Will Smith. Sorry, no toe-tapping country this trip. Mr. and Mrs. Traveler in the little blue Taurus thought we were amusing!

Camp Cornerstone was great! I was a little nervous about being the head girl’s counselor even though I’ve been doing it for years at the high school camp. I didn’t know what to expect as far as drama/issues from the junior high girls. Except for a few situations, I found it to be just like Zenith. (I loved both weeks.) To me it was a chance to get to know more teens, encourage more counselors, hang out with my youth ministry friends, and learn how to Myachi. (more on that later.)

After camp we spent the weekend in Tulsa with old friends and Benny spoke at their church on Sunday about Dry Bones. It was amazing! The message just flowed out of him with power and passion. It was a Holy Spirit thing! He showed the video of DB from the street kid’s perspective, and everyone was visibly moved by it. What an opportunity! We were able to spread the message to more people, share our need and the ministry needs, and be blessed by this congregation we’ve never met. A few people joined our financial support team, and many more promised prayer covering for us and the ministry. God is amazing in the ways He provides for us. Even at camp we had a few of our ministry friends tell us that they’d like to be a part of our support team.
(Thank you God for putting my fears to rest. Amen.)

Sunday morning was typical for me. I was super busy getting the kids ready for church all the while wondering if what I was planning on wearing would be o.k. First of all, we have three growing kids to clothe and I’m last on the list for new clothing. Second, I’m a northern girl and I had heard that at a lot of the churches in the south women just don’t wear pants. Most of the time I have a “deal with it” attitude, but sometimes I try to please everyone else – you know – when in Rome… The funny part is that here we were sitting in services and the scripture reading up on the screen was,

“So don’t worry about having enough food or drink or clothing. Why be like the pagans who are so deeply concerned about these things? Your heavenly Father already knows your needs, and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the kingdom of God your primary concern.” Matthew 6: 31-33

Benny and I just looked at each other and laughed. A little heavenly reminder I suppose. I have so much more I’d like to share, but my fingers are falling asleep at the keys, and Rome wasn’t built in a day. What’s with all of the Rome references? I haven’t a clue. Good night!

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These are a few of the many beautiful roses growing in my front yard. I wish I could take credit for them, but I can’t. God is amazingly creative and generous with the colors, smells, and variety of ways he blesses my life. The lady who lived here before us blessed me by planting these and many other types of flowers along the front and side of the house. I smile everytime I see them! May something just as beautiful touch your life today!

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This is Kyle. He LOVED fishing and his boat, which Max “helped” him fix up. I believe Angi took this in Canada last summer. Kyle was a funny guy and this picture is sooooo him! The t-shirt he’s wearing is now part of the memory quilt I made for Angi.

This is the t-shirt quilt made from all of Kyle’s favorites. I’m going to see if I can get a better picture of it at camp this next week. My new friend Maudie is standing behind the quilt, on the desk, holding it up for me – it’s not light!

The orange square underneath the NYC 13 shirt is the dedication square. It is the picture posted above with these words below it:

Made with love in memory of

Kyle Allender

Adoring Husband and Faithful Friend

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