Mother Ascension

Sunday, as the first day of the week, is when Jesus conquered death and rose from the grave. In memory of this, the early church met on Sunday and the practice has continued for 2000 years. In some sense, it replaced the Jewish Sabbath day. It isn't quite the same, but not something I'll dive into for this post. Most Christians rest on Sunday and use it for a break before returning to work. However, some Sundays end up being busier than a work day.

Today is Mother's Day, the time set aside to recognize mothers and all they do. Mothers have the extreme privilege, and challenge, of helping to raise the next generation. One child can grow up to make major changes in the world, for good or bad, and the early years of a child's life are when they need to be taught correctly. I'm very thankful for my mom not only in how she raised me, but also everything she continues to do to support me so that I can remain active and live at home.

In the first chapter of Acts, we read that Jesus was on earth 40 days after His resurrection and then ascended to the Father. This year, ascension day was May 9, making today ascension Sunday as well. This is an event that has fallen off of many church calendars, but is something we can't forget. Jesus said He would return in the same way He left, but as a judge for all people. As that day continues to come closer, we need to be sure we are doing God's work and serving Him in every part of life.

Finally, I also preached this morning. It was at a local church, but it still requires extra work in the morning to get me ready and then setting up what I need at the church itself. Part of our afternoon also will consist of visiting my one grandmother who lives in a care facility.

With all this going on, it makes for a busy day in the quad life. By the time evening comes, my family will be ready to sit and relax. Even though it makes for a long day, I'm thankful I still have a mother and grandmother to recognize and the freedom to openly worship God and His gifts. Some day, none of this may be possible, and it is good to not neglect the gifts we've been given.

Outreach without Reaching Out

May has arrived, and with it my annual volunteer time with the Tulip Gospel Outreach. I had the same time constraints as last year, but with a few different twists.

As what seems to be the norm, weather during Tulip Time was quite cool for most of the festival. Thursday started out with thunderstorms that continued for most the day. Dad dropped Sara and I off at church so we could stay dry and picked us up again over five hours later. Due to weather, the first parade was canceled and some of the events were moved inside to where we were meeting.

Gospel outreach volunteers moved to the basement and had a demonstration of sidewalk painting that leads into a presentation. The group's leader was very nice in getting lunch for Sara and I so we didn't have to battle the rain, but it meant we never left the chilly church. It was a good day of learning and fellowship, but I went home well before any outreach activities happened.

Friday morning was the best weather of the week with clear skies and temps in the low 70's. After the morning lessons, Sara and I headed out to lunch. Afterward, we returned to the church parking lot for a demonstration of good street preaching, not street screeching as some ministries do. By the time it finished, we had about 15 minutes until it was time to leave. Therefore, instead of going to our designated location, Sara and I returned to the van and home. We handed out two gospel tracts at lunch and three while going to our vehicle, but that was all.

Saturday was the final day of the festival and another soggy morning with full cloud cover. After dad brought Brenda and I to town, we listened to a couple excellent messages given by Mark Spence of Living Waters. During his first presentation, I looked at my chair's computer screen and realized I forgot to have someone plug it in overnight, it was only 50% charged. That meant I only lost three levels of charge over the previous two days, so I figured it would be okay.

Once again, we headed out to find food after coordinating plans with my team. I drove a little over two blocks from church, found a nutritious meal of strawberry funnel cake, and parked beside a nearby picnic table. While eating in the frigid air, I noticed my power level now read empty and displayed a message "recharge batteries." I gave out one tract to picnic table neighbors, who I could barely see, before informing my team I would have to leave. Brenda then pushed me, all 500+ lbs, through the bumpy sidewalks to the van.

Over three days of the outreach, I gave out six gospel tracts and had zero conversations. I did help my team in practicing conversations and gave out eight of my books, but that was it. The question I answered the most was, "Aren't your feet cold?" It was definitely a quad life experience, but I pray the very little interaction I had will result in eternal benefit for someone.