1/2 way thru. Mid-January Reflections & Photo Highlights

During down time in December, between semesters,

it was a good time to organize a disorganized address list and send out 

loads of Christmas greetings.

I hope you got our "California Creasmans" little post card! 

If you haven't heard from us in awhile, Hello! 

Did you know we're back in USA this year? 

If that's a surprise to you, write me back, and I'll fill you in. 

If you'd rather not be on another mailing list, let me know,and I'll take you off.

Even though we're already to the middle of January, it's still not too late for reflecting on 2007, or making some resolutions. I usually stay in a reflective mood for all of January! Then by the time CHINESE New Year rolls around, I'm ready to dive into a new year! I've posted questions and ideas I like to use every year, and if you type yours up, post them as a comment. You'll inspire others (even if you post anonymously!) 

Our January HIGHLIGHTS

2- After watching the NEW YEAR'S Parade LIVE, we spent the next day at a large retirement center delivering left-over Rose Parade flowers to all the residents. A really wonderful and enriching family activity to visit and pray with many of the seniors we met going door to door.

6 - Cameron met his birthmother Crystal. We had a wonderful afternoon with his special extended family at a Chuck E. Cheese. Though he'd met his twin siblings, aunt, cousin and grandmother before, he'd never met Crystal. Both were really nervous! Thank you Lord for this son of all of ours. I pray you bless his birth-family as they follow you.

7 - The 3 boys were back to school, while Kimberly headed south for the first "Seasoned Sisters" gathering of female friends in LA's South Bay. We'll meet once a month to pray together, and discuss chapters from Fabulous After 40 by Pam Farrel. Next meeting: February 8th. Lord, thank you for the way you designed fellowship. We need one another! 

"As for the saints who are in the land, they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight." -Psalm 16:3

8 - Kimberly is sore from her first dance class the day before. She's finally making good on a life-long New Year's resolution and dancing through interterm 2 hours a day! I've enjoyed taking theatre classes last term and being around younger students. I'm still undecided about what I'll take in the Spring. Thank you Lord for the opportunity to do this thing I've always dreamed of doing! It's really fun! Give me insight about which spring classes would benefit me most.

12 - Tyler turned 15 and for the first time since his 4th birthday, we celebrated with both sets of grandparents. We watched videos of early birthdays, including a couple in China and Singapore. How fast they grow! 

and still to come in January...

Both boys are excited about attending Winter Camps. Starting this weekend, between them, the boys will venture out of the nest for 5 weekends in a row! Tyler will join the kids from EV Free this weekend, has an outing to Joshua Tree with Adventure Club from school, and last the infamous Winter Camp for RHCC. Cameron plans to go with Preteens from Lake, and the RHCC Junior Camp after that. It will be Cameron's first time going to camp! Tyler has really loved going to Wednesday Impact Groups at RHCC. It's the highlight of his week! Thank you Lord for this full year of adventures for our boys, and thanks for some scholarships to help provide the funds! Thank you for the Impact Group of older guys who've drawn this Freshman missionary kid into their circle.

24-26 International Worship Symposium (in Pasadena). Kimberly got a digital voice recorder for Christmas. If you know me well, you know that some call me the "Queen of really useful gadgets." My inspiration for 2008 is to start podcasting interviews with influential Christians in Theatre. This past year I ardently followed the podcasts from Downstage Centre and American Theatre Wing (weekly interviews with an artist on Broadway). I knew God was stirring something in my heart besides the joy of having this "insider" sense of personal mentoring in the area of theatre arts. Lord thank you for this year in USA where I have a chance this year to meet up personally with some Christians I really respect in theatre. Thank you for the inspiration to start a kind of pod-mentoring for Christians who are passionate about performing arts. I pray that my first one during this conference will get me off to a good start. Isn't that exciting? 

Coming in February we do a little tag-team traveling: 

February 14-23

Jim travels to Singapore and Dale Burke, Senior Pastor of EV Free Fullerton joins him for 3 days of CRM events (an introduction to a weeklong visit planned in Feb 2009). EV Free is the church where Jim got saved and first began pastoring. Dale's passion beyond his great pulpit ministry and leading the church in Orange County, is to help pastors around the world "lead and still have a life." He will be a great encouragement to Christian leaders, will be a terrific boost to the visibility and credibility of CRM Singapore, and through his teaching will promote our core values spiritual and character growth. While there, Jim will have the opportunity to spend time with his CRM staff who have been advancing this mentoring ministry in his absence.  

February 25-March 6

Kimberly has been invited to teach in a Drama Conference in Cairo, Egypt! (AWEMA, Feb 25-March 

with 6). I'll be teaching alongside people I've known of and respected in CITA (Christians in Theatre Arts) Julisa Rowe the organizer teaches theatre at Daystar Univeristy in Kenya (pray for Kenya!), Chuck Neighbors who's made a career of using theatre as ministry, and Mark Eaton who has an MFA in scriptwriting). I'll be teaching a track on Acting, Playback Theatre and Enacted Prayer. PLUS, a dear Singaporean freind, Leezibet Heinz-Raiden (former Mslm and theatre practitioner) is now stationed in Dubai as tentmaker. She's going to hop over to Cairo to teach the technical theatre track! So I'll get to be with her too! Thank you Lord for this dear sister. I am humbled that she calls me a "spiritual mentor" when she has been such an inspiration to me. Thank you that when I was worried about the cost, this generous sister offered support for more than 1/2 my trip!

Until next month, we pray that you are joyfully jumping into the new year.

Kimberly, Jim, Tyler & Cameron

P.S. The article copied at the bottom of our November email "Meditation on Proverbs 3" really struck a chord with so many friends who were feeling in similar circumstances. An overwhelming 65 of you personally responded! With that kind of encouragement, it reminded me of 1 Peter 5:8,9 (NIV)  

"Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, 

because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings." 

EV Free Fullerton printed it in their December newsletter. If you missed it, here is the online version in a pdf file:

http://www.evfreefullerton.com/downloads/newsbreakarchive/NB_120907.pdf

Contact info:

 jim@worldcreasmans.com, 626 688 1578

tyler@worldcreasmans.com 626 584 9076

cameron@worldcreasmans.com

Kimberly@worldcreasmans.com: 626 688 1581

www.worldcreasmans.com

Address: 627 N. Mentor Ave. #205, Pasadena, 91106

CRM Charitable Giving - www.crmleaders.org

Donation questions? 1 (800) 777-6658

You can sign up for  Direct Deposit from your bank or credit card through CRM 

or send individual gifts by mail. 

Your tax-deductible checks should be made out to CRM, in the memo you can designate: 

"Creasman-acct 5651." CRM will mail you a receipt.

CRM-  1240 N. Lakeview, Suite 120, Anaheim, CA 92807-1831

Five for Fighting

Five for Fighting

The End of Tyler's 15th Birthday

10PM
just sat on the floor of the living room and
played this song for tyler
i found it by "accident" tonight looking for something else.
we "made up" after our mean words before his first guitar lesson in california
it's been a long time
and it's not football.
he liked the teacher
was impressed
and then after a dinner of food he likes
he didn't have to help with dishes
which helped him out of his teenaged birthday funk.

100 Years
Five for Fighting
(same guy who sings the Superman theme song)

Im 15 for a moment
Caught in between 10 and 20
And Im just dreaming
Counting the ways to where you are

Im 22 for a moment
She feels better than ever
And were on fire
Making our way back from Mars

15 theres still time for you
Time to buy and time to lose
15, theres never a wish better than this
When you only got 100 years to live

Im 33 for a moment
Still the man but you see
Im a They
Kid on the way, babe
A family on my mind...

Im 45 for a moment
The sea is high
And Im heading into a crisis
Chasing the years of my life

15 theres still time for you
Time to buy, Time to lose yourself
Within a morning star

15 Im all right with you
15, theres never a wish better than this
When you only got 100 years to live

Half the time goes by
Suddenly youre wise
Another blink of an eye
67 is gone
The sun is getting high
Were moving on...

Im 99 for a moment
Dying for just another moment
And Im just dreaming
Counting the ways to where you are

15 theres still time for you
22 I feel her too
33 youre on your way
Every days a new day...

15 theres still time for you
Time to buy and time to choose
Hey 15, theres never a wish better than this
When you only got 100 years to live

Farmer's Market

Farmer's Market
Originally uploaded by K!Mberly

Hawker Center LA style. This old place has been a hangout for Angelinos since the 30's. Next to CBS studios. Tyler & I tried some Laksa and Mi Siam from a place called "THE BANANA LEAF: Singaporean Food" $20USD and Yuck! We've decided we're going to stick to Western while we're here and wait till we get back for the foods we love!

Reflecting and Resolutions: My Annual Questions...

Here we are at the end of the year again! I've been browsing through my journal and am reminded page after page of sweet lessons or insights I'd already forgotten! I'm a slow learner and need lots of review. I love this week between Christmas & New Years. I look over those resolutions from last year and realize:

• Hey! I actually did perform a song in Chinese! I thought that goal was far-fetched, but I ended up doing it TWICE!
• Ugh. I still haven't taken a dance class. This is the 5th year I've made that resolution! Should I go for a 6th year of putting it down?
• I didn't get on top of organizing my mailing lists, or start flossing regularly, or cut out coffee.
• But I did start drinking the coffee black, journal in RED PEN the large and small miracles of the year, read a book aloud to Cameron, start asking for more advice, and survived the packing/storing/moving/settling in Pasadena!
• Yeah! It may have been a tough one, but looking it over, it's been a GOOD year!

A few years ago in Singapore I started going through some reflective questions and then looking ahead to the new year with friends.

I've put the reflective questions below. You don't have to fill them all out, but let them be inspiration for a little reflecting. If you'd like,
type out what you come up with, and paste them here as a comment! (you can even post anonymously if your a more private person!)

We can make a collection of our milestones right here. I'll put mine in there too. It'll be fun to see how this turns out!

Here's some subjects to reflect and journal:

• In 2007 I learned to…
• I grew most in…
• Another way I saw myself growing was…
• One of my best adventures was…
• I saw/knew God was doing something when…
• A real gift from God was…
• Something I really enjoyed doing more of was…
• One of the happiest memories of 2006 I’d like to freeze in my mind…
• I was really brave when…
• Something I’ve grieved about this year was…
• I’m still trying to learn what God wants to teach me through this hard experience…
• The best word of advice or encouragement I can remember is…
• One thing I’m looking forward to in 2008 is…

After hearing from one another on these reflections, I get out stacks of post it notes to brainstorm new years resolutions. The post it note method is my way of saying, "they're just ideas, so if you don't do them, you don't have to feel guilty about it." We take a break to individually do the brainstorming, then come back together to share a few. It's fun because we find that some of us have the same goal, and realize that we can do it together. There are 6 categories for brainstorming resolutions. You don't have to do it ahead of time, but I'm putting them here so you know what's coming...

• Physical
• Spiritual
• Service
• Important Relationships
  
• Professional/Intellectual
• Adventure/Risk

Visiting the Manicurist in USA

She's got it all figured out! I've BEEN THERE!!!

A 13 year old with loads of wisdom

My sister-in-law Kelly sent me the link to this video/recording of a 13 year old in a small town in Nebraska who'd called in to a Christian radio station broadcasting from Houston, Texas. Really tender wisdom from a kid who'd had to do something difficult and had heard God speak to him in the midst of it.

The Carpenter's Apprentice

"God help me!" he cried as the ladder wobbled.

I smiled. "There are no atheists on an airplane."

"You see?" he said, "I'm not such an unbeliever."
"I see."

"But I'm not an atheist either."
"Agnostic. I know."

"Yes. That's right--"
"I respect the difference. I really do."

"Will you pray for something?"
What a question.
Does he know I'm already praying?

His mom's dog was sick, and he thought maybe he had a part in it.
He'd cared for the dog while mom was away.
Now the dog was ill, not eating, losing weight.

Later, when I left the shop he reminded me again,
"And don't forget to pray for the dog!"
"I won't"
and I didn't.

I prayed for that dog.
That God would touch this animal,
and in that healing would touch the carpenter.
Bring a sign of His tender mercy.
An assurance that old beliefs were true.
I reasoned with the personal God of the Universe.

"Please Abba." I prayed.
"Give him some evidence that
You're not merely this Force out there.
That you can be known.
That you care about the small things."

I prayed that he might heal this old dog,
and bring an old dog back to Himself.

I'm not accustomed to hearing His voice.
But I did seem to know that the dog would get better.

Was it Him in my soul,
or the cynic in my heart,
who also said,
It will probably be rationalized away?

A Meditation on Proverbs 3

It was nearly 11PM.
This 5'10" fourteen year old sat across from me at the table
and recited Proverbs 3 perfectly.
I watched his still whiskerless lips form these words of wisdom literature:

"My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity." v1, 2

It had been a long school day and there would be a quiz in Bible class in the morning.
When did this 9th grader, taking 2 honors classes and 10th grade Geometry,
and in football practice everyday past 6PM, have time to memorize a chapter of the Bible?
His grades for the 1st quarter came this week.
Straight A's.
How does he do it?

"Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil." v7

And I think as he recites, did we shun evil last night?
With great anticipation, he and little brother had put together their Halloween costumes.
I hate that it has become such a big thing here,
But we approached it as a case study,
a kind of cultural anthropology lesson,
that would yield a bag full of candy.

At 14 he knew he was a bit old for trick-or-treating,
but this was his chance to experience what American kids do
on Halloween. So we ventured out to block parties and
haunted houses to see what it's like.

"My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in." v11, 12

Today, from the stands I'd watched him on the football sidelines.
Cheering on his teammates who play regularly both offense and defense.
He patiently and keenly watched the score creep ahead of their opponent
with a wide margin.

He was waiting to be sent in for his chance to tackle or block someone.
He was wanting and dreading for just one more opportunity to prove
that he can execute a good hand off or pass as quarterback
in a real game.

I watched him on those sidelines and knew he was yearning again:

Wishing he were a better athlete.
Wishing that he'd not feel so anxious that there's only one more game left after today.
Wishing that this didn't have to be just ONE year living in USA.
Wishing that he were like the rest of the 9th graders who can play all 4 years together.
Wondering what it would be like to get stronger and better and be part of the team together all the way through their senior year.

He's experiencing failure for the first time
Since the summer he's worked harder at football than he's ever worked at anything.
And playing well is something he desperately wants. In the end --
And it's almost the end --
to not measure up to his own expectations for himself.

Oh how my heart aches for him as I watch him go through it.
This is a new kind of discipline from the LORD for him.
The LORD who loves him more than I, and has chosen to limit his skill and opportunity
to play this sport he's crazy about.

I know from my experience that even though it hurts,
Depth of character is not carved without pain.

"Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, "come back later; I'll give it tomorrow" - when you have it with you." v27, 28

In a twist of God's ironic plan for this boy,
he did finally get sent in for the last defensive play of the game.
It didn't happen.
The clock ran out.
Maranatha 37 - Brentwood 14.
Minutemen are the winners.
Tyler's feeling like a loser.

"For the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared." v26

Now, later this same evening, we sat in silence
when he'd finished reciting the whole passage.
Proverbs 3.
Word for Word.
With precise inflection to every sentence.

"It's in your head. Well done. You've got it down." I paused. "But what about your heart? What's going on in your heart about this passage?"

I looked to him. He stared silently at me.

"I don't want to talk about it now," he said working hard at his stoicism.

"Do you have confidence that it's really true? If I were you, I'd be wrestling with it."

And then it came out. Confirmation of everything I've just written above. The yearning. The heartache. The insecurity as a teenager in another new setting, in a new culture. The reluctance to dive in and really enjoy new friends knowing the clock in USA time has only got 8 months left of the year.

"Ah Tyler," I choked out. "The Lord does love you. I want to tell you that I know it's true. I want you to come through this knowing that his love for you is deep and faithful. My heart aches for you that you've not realized your dreams for this football season, but as much as I love you, I know He loves you even more.

"When I walked through these same lessons as a teenager, the conclusions I made were that God didn't really love me. That he is capricious and mean. I kept moving on as a Christian living on the surface of faith and quoting Scripture I'd memorized. Even Proverbs 3. Trying to believe it. But in my deep heart I felt He couldn't be trusted. It's only been recently that I've realized I was wrong. That He wanted to use those hard experiences to make me stronger in character and softer in compassion toward others. What happened instead is that, in my misunderstanding His discipline for me, I became harder and angry and less gracious. I don't want that to be your experience.

Through tears we talked about the new empathy he's gaining for those kids whose physical limitations means they'll never even get to try in school sports; or for those who struggle and can't measure up in other ways. Many kids struggle in academics, or speaking in front of a crowd, or in their confidence relating to others and making friends. These are things that he's always succeeded in almost effortlessly.

After a short prayer for him to know deep in his heart God's love for him, for God to meet him with peace in these places of yearning, we tossed out our kleenex, and he lumbered off to bed.

"When you lie down you will not be afraid, when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet." v24

Oh LORD, you alone can make it so.

Wearing So Many Hats I Need Multiple Profiles!

While I'm getting my face on Facebook, and finding out how many many many people are already on it, I remembered that I did a little voice over last spring in Singapore. Hadn't seen how it turned out, so I just had a look. Click this link to nthid or facet play - and watch the video for Rita (the "mom" profile). It's still in beta testing, but it's an interesting concept that you have multiple identities, so you should have multiple profiles on your online organization program...

Buddhism in Cal & the Chinese World

Tyler's Ancient History teacher will give the class extra credit to visit Hsai Lai Temple in Hacienda Heights. From their website: "We at Hsi Lai are committed to serving as a bridge between East and West so that the Buddha's teachings of kindness, compassion, joyfulness, and equanimity might be integrated into our lives and of those around us to the benefit of all and that we might learn the ways to cultivate the wisdom to clearly understand the true nature of all things." and "The temple's objectives are to nurture Buddhist missionaries through education, to propagate Buddhism through cultural activities, to benefit society through charitable programs, and to edify the populace through Buddhist practices." I believe it is the largest temple in the western world. Took a tour there myself once.

What Tyler's classmates will see at the temple -- with many young and ardent worshipers -- is quite different from what they'd encounter when visiting a temple in China. If there are younger people at a temple in China, they are going through the motions to please their parents or grandparents...not too unlike what I've seen of kids at Lake Avenue Church here in Pasadena on the 5th Sunday of the month. That's when youth attend 'big church' instead of having 'youth group.' But i digress on this topic of religion and buddhism in China and overseas Chinese...


Something I found fascinating about Mainland China is that this generation is not very "Chinese." All these things we outsiders study about Chinese religions and traditions are not as strong in the mainland as they are in Singapore or Taiwan or anywhere where there is a concentration of the Chinese diaspora. Mao's cultural revolution in the 70's wiped most of it away from the upbringing of anyone who is 50 years old our younger. Our peers have not been raised with it, and are not raising their children to know it either. Money and good education and having good connections with people who can help you advance is God! Beating the system, corruption and double standards are rampant! (They'd never use www.turnitin.com there 'cause plagerism is how students regurgitate for exams. They memorize their texts and good students are able to spit it back verbatim!)

For the modern mainland Chinese person, going to the temple for some extra good luck can't hurt, but it's more of a casual thing than a real faith. Overseas Chinese people who did not go through the cultural revolution in China, go back to the "motherland" and are almost always disappointed in the lack of rich cultural traditions of the family they visit or the places they see. Chinese New Year and other festivals are WAY more colorful and fun in Singapore and Taiwan and Hong Kong than they are in China! Another interesting fact is that Mainland China considers overseas Chinese people everywhere as a part of China. Overseas Chinese have different rights while visiting China and are not considered foreigners!

A Scene for Understanding Men and Football

(The bedroom of apartment #205 Providence Mission Homes, Pasadena. Evening.)

WIFE
That's just not a satisfying answer.

HUSBAND
What?

WIFE
What you said last night about football.

HUSBAND
Huh?

WIFE
That it 'encapsulates life.' All the highs and lows and drama... That's not a satisfying answer to me.

HUSBAND
Oh.

WIFE
So help me understand.

HUSBAND
What?

WIFE
Why it's worth the risk! Why a 14 year old boy is willing to take the risk that he'll walk with a limp for the rest of his life just for the fun of it?!? Isn't life full of enough tragedy and danger and pain at the arbitrary - I mean permissive -- i mean loving will of God? Why are you willing to take the risks? I mean, I can see if you're saving people from a sinking ship, or rescuing children from flames, or stopping a rapist, or fighting a terrorist--but just for the fun of it? HELP ME HERE! I want to be supportive. I don't want to be hating you or shaking my fists at God if Tyler ends up in Emergency on a Friday night this fall!

HUSBAND
Honey.

He sits beside her.

HUSBAND
You are a woman. You will never understand.

WIFE
Try.

HUSBAND
You see we men want to kill people. We want to conquer things violently. We want to rape and pillage. We do. Sports just gives us a civilized way to get it out of our systems.

WIFE
...Oh.

Autumn

A grey fog hangs a low shroud on the looming san gabriel mountains.
The signs of drizzle has left a moist covering on everything outside.
Gone is the dry heat of summer and the spectacular morning light and shadows
along the mountain range.
For the past 2 months the sight has daily taken my breath away.

my son Tyler, full of vitamin C, listerine and a box of tissues handy
has regretfully stayed home from school today.
he's not the only one.
i've noticed sniffles and hacking coughs in every public space.
but not me...yet.
i grab a cozy sweater, celebrating these seasons i've missed living on the equator
and head out the door on a new day.

A Sunday Morning Prayer for a Withered Garden

It's Sunday morning again in America and I wake early to thoughts of individuals I've met at the church we've made home for the year.

Lord, their souls are languishing.

Almost to a person, I've met my peers in American church, and they seem to have withered souls. Burned out and resigned. Am I reading too much into it or is this discernment?

They all speak of having once been 'really involved,' but now they're not. As if it were a club. No one talks in language that has any hint of a Spiritual pulse that the living God indwells them. They seem resigned to live on the surface of their spiritual life while You, the depths of You, is calling to what is deep in them...and their children.

I wonder how much of our Spiritual lives are mirrored in our marriages. We are, as a church, the Bride of Christ, and these peers I'm sure were once passionate and full of hope in their walks with You. But now, down the road a dozen or more years, the experiences of life, and the affairs of the world, and the responsibilities of raising the children have all but killed our libido and turned our date nights into a chance to synch our planners.

And this leads me to wonder, how Lord are they able to impart the idea of walking intimately with you to their children? Praying with my children in the evenings as they go to bed is such a sweet time in our family's spiritual life, but I know that most others don't have this ritual past pre-school, and then church is something we go to on Sunday out of duty, or ritual, or habit. It's an "ought to." That's not going to win the children to a life of following you.

Lord, what am I to do about it?

I need fellowship. I need encouragement. I need You. I need them.

I refuse to give up and give in to middle aged spiritual languishing. I've come back to USA thinking this was a place to be fertilized and nurtured and now I'm grieving to find such a sorry state of what's passed off for fellowship and worship among Christians. With all our websites, and magazines, and infrastructure for communication, people don't really seem intimate with one another, or intimate with You. You've placed in me pastoral gifts that grieve for them but I'm not sure what to do about it except come to you...and type this prayer. For me writing always gets it off my chest. You take it and lead me in what I should do with this sadness, and this yearning to help, this conviction that it shouldn't be this way.

Maranatha JV Sidelines - PreSeason

JV Sidelines - PreSeason
Originally uploaded by K!Mberly

This was a rough weekend of football. Though we won our game today, there's still a lot of learning going on. Plus, as the news spread through the bus on the way to the game, and into the stands as the game got going, we were all a bit sobered by the news of last night's varsity game on the same field: 2 tragic injuries very early in the game to 1st & 2nd string Quarterbacks. They both went from the field to the hospital. Having recently met the parents of one of the boys, We're just heartbroken for them. (Lord, draw them to you, comfort them, help them process what has to be a devastating disappointment in a way that will make them stronger and more faith-filled and not bitter over it). Then, to cap off the day, ucla had an embarassing defeat in Utah.

Fiction to Cook By

I'm loving my new iphone.

For what it lacks in some features I frequently used on my Nokia,

(no sms 'groups' to send multiple people the same message, no lyrics, 'to do' notes in ical don't sync, no zoom on camera, being able to add a person's photo that's already in my phone as a thumbnail in my contacts, or assign a special ring tone to my special friends or groups, or sync family info - like kid's names or birthdays with the contact list...okay, okay, I know, I'm a geek)

this beautiful little tool makes up for what it lacks in being simply snazzy, delightful fun.

(ie. MAPS: it's really fun to be able to look up places when I'm lost -- like where's the closest In-N-Out Burger? -- and then get driving directions. Bored in a long line or while on hold. Stress no more! I can now watch the best on YouTube, and surf the web with a BIG GIANT screen that really does that 'expand thingy' when you need to zoom in on a detail you'd like to read)

But, most of all, I'm loving it mostly for having ready tunes piped into my brain again.


(Momentary whining: my former ipod crashed right in the middle of memorizing music for a concert the month after it's extended warranty wore out.)

The many uses of my ipod in Pasadena:

• I drop Tyler at school and explore another workout venue: the 4 miles around the Rose Bowl and adjacent golf course. All the while listening to the mind (and hopefully heart) altering book of Philippians.
  
• Tonight while cooking dinner, I had Meryl Streep in my head reading a John Cheever short story.
• The other day, while watering the plants outside, I listened to a new(ish) broadway musical BOMBAY DREAMS.
• I listen while driving to school to the gorgeous voice of Marcus Buckingham as he tells me the One Thing I Need To Know
• I have to stop in the hardware aisle of Target to have a laugh at the lyrics of the song GASTON from Disney's Beauty and the Beast.
  

Oh, yes! And I did make up for the Missing Music Lyric function:
I set up a new gmail account and use it exclusively to email myself the lyrics to songs I'm learning. I refuse to have the onslaught of unread emails enter my iphone's domain. I don't want to be reminded at every glance that I have 574 new unread emails. So I'm now using the email function to be my 'music lyric library.'

(did i already write that I know I'm a geek?
Yes. A gorgeous geek is finding fun ways to add spice to life!) there's no more.

TWO 80th Suprise Parties: Bookend a Great 10 days

Last weekend was full of thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving for step-dad Howard's 80th surprise birthday party. He was surprised! Meeting and getting to know his dearest friends and family we don't know well, or have never met. Nice to have time with in-laws at an event that honored this wonderful man.

The Farrels, Bill, Pam and Caleb, in El Cajon: Gave Tyler private tutoring in football. Generous hosts in every way. Great conversation, ice cream, a BBQ + a blessed morning in their mega-church Shadow Mountain (which was nice when I've come away cold and disheartened from many church services so far). There was a guest classical guitarist, and a guest speaker with an inspiring message to HANG IN THERE. Both made me weep more than once!

The Farrels came to Singapore in February where we reconnected over dinner and hearing the two of them speak to singles. Being with them again, it is exciting to see their clear sense of call for building up marriages (through speaking and writing), and Pam's new minsitry to women over 40: cell groups for friends to spur one another on to love and good deeds (Heb 10:23,24). The groups are called "Seasoned Sisters." Can't wait to have a group of my own like this! The book for the first year of these Seasoned Sisters groups is Fantastic After 40! Check out the links. Wanna start one together?

Then this past week, since our trip down the San Diego area, there's so much more to be thankful for...

Cameron having a blast of a 2nd week where he's the ONLY child around. This week he's with my folks, camping in San Diego at Silver Strand State Beach. My parents really shower him with love and attention and he just SOAKS it up. (Last week, he was with Jim and I for a special "only child week" while Tyler was away on a church houseboating trip).

I'm loving the "99cent Store" and the Monday delivery of the Trader Joe's produce! PLAN: I see what's in stock before decide on the week's dinner menus. And grocery shopping elsewhere is still really fun. Stores are all as beautiful as Jason's (an upscale place in Singapore), and the WIDE aisles. I love it! I now know my way around the local grocery stores and we're trying out some new foods we've never eaten. We also now have enough quarters to do laundry (Jim went and got $100 worth!)

I wrote about tyler and football in and earlier post. I'm really proud of his determination and how he's maturing.

I'm thankful for a great meeting with the Technical Director at Pasadena City College. I really think I'm going to enjoy my classes there.

Another hike on a mountain trail near our home. Discovered a Children's Museum while wandering around a park near the famous Rose Bowl where UCLA plays their home football games.

Then this weekend I'm thankful some more....

My brother Kevin flew into town and almost made it from LAX to Maranatha High in time for Tyler's football scrimmage.

The 4 of us Creasmans strolled Paseo Colorado (our local outdoor mall) to check out the weekend nightlife in Pasadena. Such beautiful comfortable weather. At one end of the mall they were giving free salsa lessons with a live band. About 300 people were learning the steps! What a city! A young woman saw Tyler's "Maranatha" sweatshirt and popped up to us to introduce herself as a sophomore who studies there too. Sweet.

Another chance to get to know our church for the year: Lake Avenue. Attended a Sunday School class geared for Entertainment Industry professionals. Had a warm reception from them and enjoyed meeting many creative people, both in class and over lunch.

Saw an old friend perform in a stage production of Beauty and the Beast. She'd babysat the boys before we moved to Asia 10 years ago, now she's married, a teacher and doing singing and acting on the side! While congratulating her afterward, she introduced us to her good friend who is going to be Tyler's drama teacher this year. He and his wife were also there as her "fan club."

Then we bookended these two weekends with ANOTHER 80th Surprise Birthday Party: Jim's Aunt Mary, who lives about 10 minutes from us here. Had a sweet time listening to her grand-daughter tell me of her journey as an artist. I look forward to and am glad for this part of our family who we haven't known well, but now live so near.

It's going to be a fun year even if it's just a whole bunch of days like the past 10 have been: connecting with interesting people and soaking up who they are and what God is doing through them.

Game Ready? Game Exhausted!

Game Ready? Game Exhausted!
Originally uploaded by K!Mberly

This photo is my favourite of the summer. Taken in July, on the way back from the Fellowship of Christian Athletes football camp.

But here's the news from tonight: Tyler was sitting at our dinner table telling his athlete tales about his making it through to Thursday of football's 2-A-Day practices called "Hell week" (2x3 hours of intense physical conditioning). Before this week started, most of the rest of the boys were in the summer conditioning program. Tyler had missed most of it because of our 4 week road trip to see family & friends. He was rightly feeling scared that the others have all played on teams before and have gotten in such better shape this summer while he was away.

So tonight, the end of day 3, He told us the way he was mentally getting through: He thought about the individual exercise at hand and tried not to think too far ahead. He said he needed to just focus on getting through that and then worry about the next one. Don't think about the practice later that day, or how many days to go. "If I didn't focus on the hard part right in front of me, I'd have lost heart." He told us he's been quoting scripture to himself: Isaiah 40, Proverbs 21:31. Praying for strength along the way (How many challenges in life he will have the opportunity to apply this lesson to?)

The JV team started the week with more kids than uniforms - 65. At the end of this afternoon's practice, they've lost 1/3 of them. We wondered how many of those guys had working parents, or little encouragement from home to stick with it. I've pumped calories and good healthy food into him all week, massaged his legs with tiger balm, prayed over him...he's really gotten a lot of TLC this week. He's hobbling around like a 90 year old man, but he's blossoming into a man of confidence and strength before our eyes. It's remarkable what a bit of encouragement can do. Well, plus the big lesson of being stretched beyond yourself to find you can do more than you thought.

One time this week, when I told Tyler how proud I was for him to keep at it, I told him I believed he had what it takes, he said, "Well, thanks mom. I'm glad you have faith in me, 'cause I'm not a confident in me as you are!"

It's not just that he merely wants to play football during his big "year in America;" he wants to play QUARTERBACK (the brains and the leader of the team out on playing the field). All through the summer I've watched him stand tall and confidently tell people that's the position he's going to play. Jim and I are wondering, "Are we encouraging him to overreach??" "Are we setting him up for failure or heartbreak?" There are at least 4 boys older than him who are also going to play the position. He's wavered thinking about it through the summer, "Am I being realistic? Should I go for one of the other positions so that I'd have a better shot at being successful?...At getting a chance to play? ...At NOT making a fool of myself?"

And I think of a scene in the movie PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS. Will Smith's character, Chris Gardner, tries to give his little son a dose of reality about his future playing pro basketball...and TOTALLY deflates him. But then Chris wisely goes for a rebound with a speech to him about NEVER letting anyone talk you out of your dream.

So Jim and I have said to our eldest: "Tyler, if you want to play quarterback, then stick with it. You never know how it's going to turn out. If you've got a dream, and you know it's your heart's desire, don't give up on it unless GOD himself closes the door. And just think how very, VERY cool it will be if he keeps it open for you!"

(and then I have to pray that God's plan is to not close the door by allowing an INJURY in this sport the coach calls "controlled violence!").

He's heading off to bathe now; repeating hIs news from the coach today: in their last full day of "hell week" tomorrow, he'll definitely be playing "scout quarterback" for the defensive teams. He's psyched! I even detect a little bounce in his hobble!

"Top 10 Questions About Life"

Have you seen the Sean Covey books?
Before their weekly guitar lessons last year, Jim and Tyler went through
The 6 Most Important Decisions You'll Ever Make
(they haven't read
The 7 habits of Highly Effective Teens
which I'm sure is as practical as his best selling dad's book).
They're really insightful and well communicated. You may like it for inspiration!

Here are my top 10 questions (well, more than 10...but who's counting?)
During College Life Questions (some I still ponder):

What's the point? Why are we here? I learned that it's "to give glory to God," but I just don't see it.
Why are people so hateful & mean to each other when being kind works, and it makes everyone happier?
Why is there so much suffering and abuse in the world? What makes people be so evil?
Why do those with the means to make a difference for good not do something to really change the world?
What career path should I choose? Can I make millions somehow so I can change the world?
How can I make a living following my heart and the things I am passionate about?
Will I be able to handle all the responsibilities that come my way?
If Christianity is true and Christians are promised an 'abundant life thru Jesus,' why do they all seem so unhappy and duty driven?
Is it really better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all?
How can truth be "relative?" that doesn't make sense.

My mid-40 questions:

Am I doing enough, or the right things, to significantly make the world a better place?
Am I giving the children adequate experiences and education to find their calling in life?
Is my healthy diet enough, or do I have to buy organic foods in order to not poison myself?
How can men (and my boys) stay sexually healthy/pure when sensuality and sex is so unavoidably in our faces all the time?
Am I too old to take a dance class?
How should I prioritize the competing demands of life - what, of all the good things, should I focus on?
What will it be like when my parents health starts to fail?
Since I got boys as children, will I get any girls as grandchildren?
How will I die?
Will I outlive my husband or will I go first?


[The above was in response to cousin Carl E. Creasman's query: Hi there, family—I need your help.
Would you please send me a “Top 10 Questions about Life” that you are facing. What are the most important things that you are dealing with now, or say over the past few years? These could be things that, now, you believe you have satisfactorily answered.]

Pasadena City College Wanderings

A very productive, enlightening, strides forward kind of day.

Finished up Tyler's registration process at his new school. My "baby" is off houseboating and waterskiing and wakeboarding and possibly flirting somewhere on the Sacramento River Delta. Our home church's version of Camp. 13 houseboats. 200 kids. You can call in a number everyday and get an update from the youth pastor. Today he reported that they'd tied the boats all together to make "Water World" with a big open space between them to jump off the roofs of the boats into. SO, in honor of how I'm feeling, I'll post a picture from about 10 years ago:

Today I also went over to to MY new school: Pasadena City College.
Prayerfully wandered around the music department, theatre dept, foreign languages, bookstore (where I overheard 2 students speaking Chinese), and administration. You can learn a lot about the ethos of a school by doing that...and reading what's on the bulletin boards. After a couple hours there, I feel less nervous...more at home.

Spent more time looking over my class options and figuring out how a schedule might work. The person from the technical theatre department was not able to meet me today afterall, so I'll go see him at 10 tomorrow a.m. I've asked to meet with him to prioritize my classes and give advice about what will be offered next semester.

Took to admissions the copy of my CA tax returns and copy of driver's license (the original got packed to storage in Singapore). Good thing i took one of those emails seriously....you know the one that says, "Stop what you're doing right now and go make a copy of all the items in your wallet." Only I scanned the items and that act, and the resulting copy of my CA driver's license is saving me $150 a unit because it's spirit-of-the-law 'proof' of my CA residence.

While waiting for the theatre teacher, a young woman who'd driven from hawthorne wanted to borrow my course catalog and my pen. She's going to have another go at trying to take some college classes. She's tried before, but had to drop. Before she left I asked if I could pray for her. She said yes so I prayed right there for her: to be successful in her time management of work and school, in helping keep up her motivation and dedication to sticking with the work, and in knowing God's great love for her and his guidance for her future. It was kind of fun. She walked away grinning.

(A few weeks ago I decided that I'm going to be actively looking for opportunities to pray with people, strangers or not. And especially every week at church - do my part in making sure that at least one person's effort to get there is blessed by a personal caring touch of a prayer. I know it sounds a little kooky, but I'm comfortable with it, people seem to like it, and it's about the only thing lately i've sensed that the Lord is truly calling me to do.)

Disappointed by my discovery that the Chinese Department teaches the Taiwanese traditional script (and not the easier script used by 1/4 of the world's population!!) I wondered what we're going to do as a family to keep up with the language if taking a class here is not an option. Then I saw 3 Chinese speaking students in admissions who were obviously a little lost as to what to do next. I was able to come alongside them and help them out by translating the instructions about ESL placement. That was fun too. Give them some real help and encourage them too as we left the building together, "i've been in your shoes in Kunming, so I know what it's like to be confused and unable to read!" and "Just think, in 2 years you'll be able to speak English better than I speak Chinese!...But, that will only happen if you don't hang out only with Chinese friends!" we parted ways as they headed toward the ESL dept.

and then i had an idea: 1 for 1 hours of tutoring for all of us with a Chinese national, then having them stay for dinner. OR hosting an "English Corner" in our home once a week. It would be pretty easy to get students out just by posting a notice in Chinese on a bulletin board in the ESL dept. Something to definitely pray about! Will we do it or is just one of the many ideas that enter my mind in a day?

BEING THE SAME

After our visit to the
Martin Luther King Jr National Historic Site

Dear Cameron,

You're 10 years old & for the first time you went to the visitor centre of your newest hero:

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR

You recently caught ahold of him in an instant
and held fast.
You were learning about Georgia.
Preparing your 4th grade State report.
Reading somewhere: "A famous black man from Atlanta"
is all it took for you to make your attachment and to make our visiting this center
your top priority
for our family's summer vacation.

You didn't need to know the details surrounding his life.
You couldn't even pronounce "Nobel Peace Prize" correctly.

But you're taking more details in to mind and heart today
Taking it in as we see his birthplace
and sit listening to a recorded sermon
in the church where he preached.

And you're taking it in today not just through the words
or photos
or displays.
You're taking it in from the ETHOS of being here;
in this PARTICULAR crowd
predominantly of color.

The rest of those who are here, like you to learn and be inspired by this man's life example and tragic assassination which
opened eyes
moved congress
and
changed a segregated nation.

He gave the world another model for non-violent action that could bring about societal change.

I took it all in through my white, middle-class, west coast raised, expatriate, missionary, adult grid for understanding.

I can't get into your mind,
my sweet loveable
brown child,

but i can see a new
understanding in your eyes.

You eagerly take your photograph next to the famous Black Man on the wall.
And I see this new understanding ESPECIALLY as you look around the room.
A room that you find -- for the first time -- is full of people
who nearly all look like you.

yes it's true
from the beginning of your life
you've been rock solidly loved.
you belong in this family.
you're cappucino skin is often kissed
we tease "Mmmm coffee! The colour of my favourite beverage."

But when i put you to bed tonight and snuggle with you like always,
I'm not going to be suprised to hear that the highlight of your full day today is easy to answer:

"Being the same.
For the first time.
Being the same."

Update on Loonni

We all talked by phone with Loonni tonight.
She's the one with the most re-entry adjustment.
NO ONE ENVIES HER!
She's back to manual farming in NE rural Thailand.
It's rice planting season,
and she's trying to clean up her small wooden home on stilts,
to make it liveable again.

After 2 weeks back, her extended family have all come to visit her.
And ask for $ help for different things.
This is a boundary-less society, so she's used up most of the money she'd saved.
She still has some (about $800 USD)
and her son may be willing to get an eye surgery, which will help his esteem.
He hasn't gone back to school.

It's going to take a lot of God's patience and wisdom empowering her
in this tricky navigation:
how to come back on the scene as this teenager's mother.
He's not used to someone else being his boss.
But he's a sweet kid too.
She was always so patient with our boys, but she can really get frustrated and lose it with her son.

Please, pray with us that God will give her amazing patience and wisdom in guiding this boy onto a track that may give him a future out of poverty, and that in her victory of patience and grace, they will all see Jesus in her.

Week ONE:

We're settling in well. boys meeting new friends. loads of options for summer fun.
camping at the beach, Angel baseball game, basketball and light saber dueling with the neighbor boys.
Tyler's started football practice with the Maranatha JV team
(he's got a new swaggar in his step...but it might just be from sore muscles).

the apartment we've moved into is just right for us. we all did housework together this weekend.
they both LOVED the church we WALKED to this morning.

God has been generous to give us quick recovery from jet lag, health, and things falling into place relatively easily.
Two loaner cars made it easy too!
Jim's great at getting things set up: cell Phones, bought a car, internet (got our library and Ralph's grocery cards too!).

Big thing for Jim is to get the application rolling for Fuller Seminary. He was on a roll with that a few months back until he realized that he doesn't have ONE copy of any of his former academic writing. All lost along the way with all the moves. The application requires he submit something. I say, just apply and do everything else. Perhaps they'll give provisional acceptance based on his grades etc. and let him turn in his first paper at Fuller as the final requirement for admission (afterall, he was the student body president of his former seminary, and as you can probably guess, is no slouch with his grades)

for me, I've started calling people I know in the arts here, to connect with them and still figure out where I'm going to fit - what I should DO.

Registered at the local college to take theatre classes, have met some moms from kids' future schools,
was invited to lunch this last weekend with the president of my former university
- they had extra tickets for a Youth Theatre performance - and they thought of us. There seems to be no end of people I can call up or have coffee with to find out what's going on with Christians in the arts...How fun! Mentors for me!

We're just taking it one step at a time and walking through the doors as they open up.
Feel a bit like I'm following God blindfolded.
So far he hasn't let me trip...but
I'd be really happy if I had a real sense of calling here - something to focus on and not just a bunch of good activities.
But for now, I feel "mom's calling" is making sure the kids have a great year. And for that, we're off to a really great start.

First 3 days: hit the ground running...and comparing

We're going to be doing a lot of comparing in the months to come.
here are the first of many comparisons:

more humor
more homeless people,
more obese people
more selection (there are about 15,000 choices of antiperspirant)
more donuts (they had free krispy cremes at church on Sunday - Father's Day)

cheaper
wine
cars
bottled water

bigger
cars
portions
people

It's fun to wander around Target and Walmart and get a "Ralph's Club Card" for special deals on groceries. Just a photo of the PICKLE section of the grocery store.
I'm amazed!

AMERICA: Land of Opportunity
Originally uploaded by K!Mberly

in 3 days we have...
...met the new neighbors
...cruised around to check it out
...walked around to check it out
...unpacked suitcases into the fully stocked, 3 star (but very CLEAN), apartment
...attended a 50th Anniversary party with loads of old friends attending too
...been to the local branch of our bank
...signed up for library cards (this is an old city, so the civic buildings are really cool)
...sent the kids camping with grandparents for the week
...cell phones synched now with USA contacts
...got new cell phone numbers, and a home phone on the way
...not just one, but 2 loaner cars
...dates for cable and internet installation
...rec'd sms from Loonni: all her family have come to visit her and ask for $
...been to a church where an artist painted on a canvas during the worship service.
...gratefully had good nights' sleep - and quickly getting over jet lag. OK, the first morning was a 4 am wake-up, but hey! I'm almost caught up on reading last months emails now!
...seen all the neighbor kids in the courtyard playing with lightsabers and bikes and basketball hoops. The manager calls it 'the wild animal park' (this is gonna be heaven for Cameron!)

Also
...Got some great info on the nearest public school for Cameron:
One of the neighbors here in this missionary housing raved about the principal, a former missionary to india who has hired excellent teachers, many of whom are also believers.

Gratitude & Thankfulness

Such mixed feelings and a head full of random thoughts
I’m sitting in coach.
The cattle call of United flight 890
10 long hours from Tokyo to LA.
My back hurts.
My legs are falling asleep.
I’m melting down.
I can’t think straight.
I can’t make a list or even move.
I’m
Stuck like a sardine
With Tyler’s head in my lap.
Sweet teenager is still my baby.
I stroke his head
While wishing I could do something about all that is bouncing around my brain.
There’s nothing to do but sit here and pray.
Ask the Lord for sanity.
Ask the Lord for an organized mind.
Ask the Lord to give me grace
And peace
And rest.

Why are my natural responses to my circumstances
annoyance rather than thankfulness?
Afterall
This could be a box car taking me to Auchwitz.
Or I could be making this trip with a termial disease.
Or to attend the funeral of a loved one.
Why am I
Aggravated by being woken up for the airplane meal instead of thankful for food?


Now we’re home with parents who love us.
Thankful for their care, eating our first meal together in a nauseated daze,
trying to take in
that in their excitement to have us here for a year,
they’ve already scouted out the neighborhood
and want to point out to us what they’ve found in Pasadena.

Finding that they’ve stocked the apartment with a new coffee maker
and some groceries, and
that they hung a few family photos on the walls.
So sweet.

But I know that soon I will wrestle with my appreciation for the
Providence Missionary Homes.
Adjusting to 4 times less living space
minus personal space
Decorated with care and obvious special touches
That reflect someone elses’ tastes.

I’ll be asking for gratitude for a brown slipcover over the couch,
the thrift store furniture, 1970’s marble wall-to-wall shag carpet,
And dull kitchen knives.

Instead of being unspeakably happy that there are two bathrooms, not one,
I’ll be wondering how both big Jim and I will brush our teeth
without giving one another a black eye.

This is the new phase of life to the theme song, “Jesus Take the Wheel”
This is the new test of my willingness to choose gratitude and “take thoughts captive.”
This is new opportunity to submit to the Lord and let him rule and reign over my thoughts and actions,
See the miracle that his indwelling Spirit can turn my mourning into dancing,
and wait on him to give me a heart that in everything gives thanks.