Christmas letter 2010

Christmas 2010 (including 2009)

Dear family and friends,

I apologize for the absence of a letter or card last year. We had a crazy year, as those of you on Facebook know since I posted my brother's letter on there in place of my own. He was better about getting things out.

To start back in 2009, we had very little going on until about May when Dad got into the hospital with heart failure that wasn't responding very well. Once they got his kidneys working better and cleaned out the prostate again for the 2nd time that year, he did better. He had been keeping the prostate cancer at bay with chemo and radiation, but it quit responding. The Christmas of 2008, he was feeling really good, though, and we had a very memorable time. I'm very grateful for that season and the time we all spent together.

In late July, both of us kids saw he was getting very weak when he was in the hospital again. He went home one last time, but within the week, was back in for nursing home placement. Though he had lost weight, his 6'2” frame still had some mass that Jean, our "second mom", couldn't get up when he slid down onto the floor. He was in the local Lutheran nursing home, still ministering and witnessing, for 6 more weeks. The nurses noticed he wasn't bitter and when he couldn't sleep, he would come out to the nurses station and talk to them at night. He stopped eating and drinking on a Friday, so I called my brother to come over, not knowing how long we had. He and his wife came over and we had a most memorable evening—I think we disturbed the roommate we were laughing so hard with memories and having a good time. The hardest part was probably when Russ read the section of John that Dad's confirmation verse was taken from in John 10—I saw the baton pass to him on that night as our family head. Dad wasn't really interacting, but I think he was listening. I know he's proud of Russ. Dan and I were there with Jean when he drew his last breath on Sunday morning early. What a privilege to escort him out of this world into the next. There have been many tears since then for our empty space that is left, but we also know there is not any pain for him now and he's waiting for us to join him. We frequently joke he's up there tearing tractors apart just for fun, as they shouldn't break down, with Uncle Robert, or is finishing up that wiring and plumbing with Grandpa Kruse on our own mansions. And we still laugh at some of those stories he told, though he told them best.

So we tried to gather for Christmas 2009 in Concordia at my brother's, but an ice storm prevented Jean from making it and my nephew was missed as we had to leave before he got there with his fiance. This year, everybody is supposed to be there, weather permitting.

The big events for this year was my nephew, Caleb, and his beautiful bride-to-be, along with that “littlest cousin” graduating in May from Concordia University, Seward, then Caleb and Brit turning around and getting married at the Seminary Chapel in St. Louis in June. It was a simple, but beautiful ceremony. The rain held off for them (but not those of us driving down) until during the ceremony with a clap of thunder appropriately placed during part of the homily. It cleared up enough to get around the corner to the reception and ended up being a beautiful evening with an awesome sunset. The photographer REALLY should have been on yearbook in high school and did a great job. We have yet to see most of the photos, though (hint hint Caleb and Brit...). The video from pictures before the wedding was excellent work.

The fall has brought a new deck to the back of our house—the other one literally fell off one night. Well, it was leaning a bit before, but I felt safe walking near the house to get to the bird feeders. It looks great now and will be something we will enjoy when the weather is warmer. The feeling of sliding downhill upon exiting the back door is NOT missed and I think the birds will appreciate the fact that I will willingly put food out for them now—poor hummingbirds left without a good nectar fix this fall since the feeder hung way up there in space for a while. If they boycott next year, I'll understand.

Dan's had some exciting times this year—he helped pull the old porch down and fix the leaky faucet that you had to turn just right to get it to stop dripping. Now, he has provided a wonderful pile of firewood for my pyromaniac habit that appears every winter from the left-over porch wood. He still reads like crazy and has really had a wonderful time with our new friends from church. As the guy is home now for health reasons, Dan has had adventures during the day when I'm at work. He will miss these days when the work begins again for our over-the-road trucker friend. We, of course, will still get to hang out with his lovely wife from time to time during the week as she does not always goes with him. We, in the church, have seen so many blessings and answered prayers over this year as we grow together.

Dan's mom is doing well now. She had some little strokes this summer and fall, but seems to have done ok since them. She is on medication that hopefully will stop them. She moved this year to an assisted living place in Marshall. She seems to like the caretakers and the place--it's really nice and we all thought it would be unreasonable in price, but Georgia Blosser set up a trust fund that helps to keep it in the normal range for retired ladies, about what she was paying before to rent and eat without having to do the work around the apartment! They have really gone out of their way to help her when she had trouble and we love her being there, too, with staff like that.

We both remain healthy and blessed. We hope the same for you in the next year as you remember Christmas is a state of mind, not a day of the year. Every day is precious because of the precious gift of God incarnate in that little humble stable in Israel so long ago. The creator of the universe, wrapped up in strips of cloth. Wow. “Thanks, Dad, that's just what I needed!”

This is a really good tract that I found. Please be sure to read it!

FRIENDS by Michael W Smith

This song always makes me think of the MWS concert I went to in 1987 or 88, sitting down the row from a friend who was leaving soon to follow a dream as I was left behind in Columbia to follow mine. All the people who were with me in Navigators back then on the leadership team were special to me in my heart, some more than others as I shared some very deep hurts with them the summer of 1987. They protected me, loved me, nurtured me, and helped me return to normal with their prayers and actions. I always remember them in my times I think about college and how God did amazing things when we were there. We taught Bible studies we didn't know we could do, went through trials that seemed impossible, and had incredible card parties (I was the head Gahuna 1 time, Scott! And I remember it!). We prayed for each other and our families. When some of us got together in the KC area in 1999, it was so fun to hear answered prayers decades later of families that came to Christ (like the Urban-renewal project of Tony Urban), and to see the children some of the relationships had brought forth. I was missing the ones most close to my heart, but to see our "offspring" was awesome as well. Healing took place as I shared what some didn't know about me. We all went our ways again, but I hope we can get together this side of heaven at least 1 more time before we are raptured or the Lord returns to share again what our Lord and Saviour has done in our lives in the last 10 years or more.

An aunt's thoughts on a nephew's wedding day

I was so moved to tears as I watched this young couple pledge their lives to each other. I agree with Brit's dad—I could tell by how she looked at Caleb that she was the one. From that first day that I REALLY saw her in action at Dad's house, cleaning out the library, I knew this was a winner. I didn't meet but 1 other girlfriend of Caleb's, but I know she didn't capture my heart the way Brit did in the fall of 2007. She impressed us with her willingness to work and pitch in for a family she barely knew and did it so lovingly. She may never know the help she was that day as we were all stressed out about the moving and the situation. Dad didn't feel good and was so tired, we were hot and frustrated, and she just plodded along, helping in whatever way was needed.

But back to the wedding. They were so relaxed! I was amazed as they were just so certain they were doing the right things. I had that feeling marrying Dan in 2003, so I know how it is, but I was older then and more sure of who I was and where I was going (or so I thought anyway). This is a young 22 year old couple who are starting seminary after just graduating from college 6 weeks ago. They are moving, working new jobs, and getting married. But as Russell said last night, Caleb sets his mind on something and just puts his whole heart into it. I could see that last night when he so confidently said he had no doubts this was the right thing. I'm so proud of them both.

And the thought on that brother of mine as the father of the groom....when I look at him and hear him, I see Dad. I'm SO PROUD of who he is and how he has grown in Beth's love. Look what a good woman can do for a man! His toast was so much like dad with humor, seriousness, and good advice. I never would have guessed 27 years ago how he would be. I have no problems with him being the family patriarch now. He seems to fit the role just fine. I first saw this at Dad's bedside, September 18, 2010 as he read from John about the good shepherd. It was like the baton was being passed on to him at that moment, and he picked it up and started to run with it. I think Caleb will be able to do just as well when his turn comes along, but I pray that isn't soon. Yes, I love, respect, and am proud of that tormentor of past days very much.

I also learned by the toast that Dad had considered the ministry. I didn't remember it if I had heard it. It is humorous that he didn't think he could handle the school work it would take, but could become an engineer and an MD. Personally, many days I think Greek and Hebrew might have been easier to learn than the changing data of medicine. However, he did blend the 2 through his own study and compassionate listening (even to the frustration of those of us running the front office when he was behind). He picked up a jail ministry and a ministry to the mentally ill at the tail-end of his career, places that most won't go. Those were the last 2 things that he gave up when he couldn't work any more. And even in the nursing home the last 6 weeks, he ministered to the nursing staff. What a large pair of footprints we have to follow in, each of us finding the places we are to serve and those we are to serve with the gifts we have been given. So far, it's been an interesting journey!

Spiritual matters thought through more

I just had a wonderful afternoon with some friends discussing spiritual matters. I always think of my questions and additional comments afterward as I discuss the topics with my husband. I have found myself delving deeper into the scripture lately and trying to dig out things on topics. We are going through a series in our church sermons right now on the church, so this was timely that I did a mini-study on what I think the church looks like (even if we didn't discuss that). As I talked with my hubby today, I wondered why is it that some churches have to have the same topic on the same day? Christ didn't say the same thing to all people. Some he told to go and sin no more, some he reamed big time about being white-washed tombs, and others he got downright violent with when he was turning tables over in the temple. Does every congregation need to hear the same thing in their service? Can't the congregation that is suffering through the loss of a dear member not hear about the comfort we receive that we may comfort others, while mine hears about what the church began as since we are at that beginning? Or we need encouragement about reaching out to the community, where others do that well, but need help in loving within the church, perhaps needing some correction of course? I was raised having the same scriptures read in all the denominations churches for that particular Sunday of the church calendar. I remember 3rd Sunday of Advent is John the Baptist Sunday (Heeeeeeere's Jesus!). Then the 12th day after Christmas is Epiphany, speaking of when the wise men of the east finally got to where Jesus was. But our sermons were not dictated by our church as to what we were to hear about.

I'm not sure anybody else ever did a sermon on the parallel between Ed McMahon and John, but I remember that one in particular since I had to write sermon reports, and that one it was easy to understand. I think of that on the 3rd Sunday of Advent, even though my current church doesn't bring up the different themes. I still see John, standing out in the desert, saying prepare the way of the Lord, and at the Baptism, "Heeeeeere's Jesus! Behold the Lamb of God!" I think God meets us where our need is. He isn't saying here's the topic for the worldwide church for this week. I can't treat patients that way, either. Ok, today everybody has a cold and gets nothing prescription. Maybe you have pneumonia, and you need antibiotics? I'm glad that God knows what we need and can meet that need, whether it's as a church body or as an individual.