Baby gifts and Home Ministry Assignment

Today we received some beautiful gifts for our baby Elizabeth from Scott, Cynthia, and Jessica. After getting stuck for an extra week in New Jersey at the end of 2004, we had Christmas supper with the Hughes family, who had recently been transplanted there from their native California. We enjoy having people in our home, including some invitees at the last minute. That Christmas, we were blessed to receive their spontaneous hospitality.

We have been moved by the gifts that we've received for Elizabeth. This has surprised my wife and I, as Liz is neither the first child nor the first daughter. But friends from many different places have blessed us and our daughter through their kindness and generosity. In that way, we are very fortunate to be able to connect with many different people from all around the globe.

During the last couple of days, we've been doing some more serious reflecting upon our scheduled summer U.S. Home Ministry Assignment (HMA) trip this coming summer. We pretty much have the dates nailed down, are about to purchase plane tickets, and are getting an idea of the overall itinerary. It looks like we'll have someone named Claire who will be with us the last 2 weeks in Paris and even fly back with us, which would be a huge help.

Our HMAs are times of reconnecting with friends like Scott, Cynthia, and Jessica, as well as connecting with new ones. We're surprised by the links that God has given us with many different people whom we're privileged to meet. Sometimes, after just meeting someone just one time face to face, God places us on their hearts and vice versa. That's one reason why I get enjoy HMAs, even though it's sometimes a great inconvenience.

Finally, I learned of the death of Dana Reeve, the widow of paraplegic actor Christopher Reeve. She died of lung cancer at age 44, which is my age. Ironically, she never smoked, which would seem to imply the dangers of second-hand smoke. Her death, as well as that of Kyle Lake (whose book Rebecca just carried over for us) at age 33 are reminders that a long life is not guaranteed in this world. However, one can have a life of impact and influence that continues even after our days here are finished.