Change

As I sit here in Algonquin in the middle of boxes and listen to meloncholy music, I have a few seconds to think about "The BIG Change." Tommorrow at 8:30am the Allied semi will pull up to our driveway and "The BIG Change" will be pushed into high gear.

Last night a neighbor hosted a going away party for the kids and me. It was so beautiful to see all the faces I've taken for granted for my years in Algonqnquin.

Shelby-When we first met I thought we had nothing in common. 8 years later you're the one I've come to for a fresh brewed cup of coffee and talks about kids, husbands, faith, dreams, and disappointments. Your door has always been open and the cup is quickly in my hand. Thanks for sharing your life!

Tom-I guess, last night should have been my graduation from the "Mr. Tom School of Home Improvement." There have been roofs, vines, torch set-ups, sewers, water sepage, gutter rerouting, rotting siding, jack hammer lessons, great grass seed, door installations, giant pieces of cement pulled out with your trusty rusty truck, termite inspections, dead cat discoveries, always the right tool for the right job, and hospitality beyond imagination. I'm so thankful that you took us on as your "disabled homeowners" - project!!!!

Lisa-It started with coffee, a business that lasted through one show, sharing a heart for creative ventures, a passion for good deals, talks of kids, stress, music, and dreams. I first met Taylor, just after you moved to the neighborhood - she said, I hope you and my mom can be coffee buddies. And we became so much more! You've challenged me in more ways than you'll ever know.

Deidre-You challenged me to go beyond what I thought I could with my jewelry. You bought me the best book on Precious Metal Clay ever written. This led me on the road to certification. You were definitely the inspiration for me to push and try more. And Josh and Jessica have been such a blessing to my kids with day camps, church camps, trading babysitting and being good friends that they can count on, and that I can trust. Thanks!

CJ-The steady rock. Thanks for sharing your family.

Graham-I've loved our talks about tools, glass kiln plans, creative solutions and thanks for pitching in when you saw a need. You are one of the "GOOD GUYS."

Rebecca-You've opened your home to Heather and let her be the big sister to Katie. You've tolerated her swinging pre-teen moods and you've made her feel important. And you've been there in a pinch to pick up the kids or help out. Thanks!

Paul-Thanks for tolerating a crazy neighor who takes your wife shopping too much.

Pam-Our Yia-Yia!!! You would say I've done so much for you, but you've done so much for me. You welcomed me and the kids into your life, like we were family. We've shared our hearts and found out that we are "Twins from Different Mothers." You will always be our Yia-Yia!!!

Gloria-You traveled with us through the dark days of selling our house. You've been tolerant of all my phone calls and suggestions. Thanks for doing an amazing job for us.

Wow! What an amazing group of people. And how much I've been changed in the 8 1/2 years that we've been in Algonquin. Every person who comes into our lives changes us in one way or another. I've been challenged and changed in so many ways. And as I return to Peoria I'm not the person I was when I left. It's a new chapter in life but as I leave I take small bits from each of you. You've all reshaped and enriched my life.

I love you guys!!!! And I'll miss seeing you as often. But I know that we've had a time to walk along side of one another and share our lives. And I'm so thankful for that.

Keep in touch, but don't feel quilty if you don't. Our lives may move apart in distance but we will always have those small bits of change that we've caused in one another!!!!

On His Amazing journey,
Liz

M wrote:

Crack me up, Liz! How did I not open this email until today??? I'm not usually THIS delinquent.

I LOVED your email - - and I had to laugh my head off. I was a Campus Crusade baby - decided to follow Christ one minute, and join staff and change the world the second - worked on staff for 12 years after graduation. I LOVED sharing the 4 laws with anyone I could. And you know what - the formulas ARE a load of crap, Liz. I SO resonate with your sermon!

M


Liz wrote:
Hey M,
Your words are so encouraging to people who may feel consumed with guilt and the feeling of failure for not living up to our human expectations of shining the light.

Thanks so much for your honesty. And how exciting that you're seeing God live through you. This may just be a beautiful time in your life where you make some of the best friendships you've ever had.

Love you,
Liz

M wrote:
Liz,
You know what's so weird about living up to human expectations - - i.e. the law??? If you can manage it, and live up to it, it sure can give you a "sense of peace and righteousness." And that's the lie of it - - the Jews expounded on the law (as if it needed expanding) - so they would know exactly whether or not they measured up. It's all about measuring up, you know? If you do - WHEW! If not, well if you didn't know you sucked already - this would confirm it. And we (humans generally) INSIST on hanging onto the law. It's the time-clock we punch to feel good about our day.

Ah, true freedom is so illusive, yet so easy.

Gosh, I'm glad I met you, Liz. I LOVE the way you think and live life. Thanks for including me in that.

So in process,
M

The following is a response to an e-mail that
I received from a neat mom
at Zach's grade school:

Hi M,

So good to hear from you. Yes we do have a closing date it's March 16th at both places. And then the moving service will arrive on the 17th to unload all or our stuff. It's hard to leave with so many amazing people around here, but God's made it so clear that Peoria is the right thing for now.

Keep shining His light at School!!!!

On His amazing journey,

Liz

M wrote:

Yes, Liz, I have to admit - when I met you and realized your deep spiritual roots, I was SO sad when you guys made the move.
Any advice you have for shining that light would be appreciated. You have a lot more time invested, and spiritual wisdom I'd love to learn from. I know now is crazy - but anything you have to offer - I'll take it!

Praying for you all,

Mary

Liz wrote:

M,

It's never too busy/crazy to talk about one of my favorite subjects.

I think the main piece of advice I could give it is -

Be REAL

Be TRANSPARENT

(we're not perfect or without fear, sharing our humanity draws us together)

LOVE PEOPLE

I don't love because Jesus first loved me.
(Later commentary on this outrageous statement: When I love people I don't think to myself, "Jesus loved me, so I must love this person." "I love people as a response to a changed heart.)

I don't love to fulfill an evangelical agenda.

I love because my heart desires to love.

There are so many formulas out there. I think they're all a load of CRAP.

Oops! Was that too transparent?

Jesus was so simple in His words:

Love Him, love others,

serve Him, serve others.

I used to feel so guilty that I wasn't the "present The 4 Spirtual Laws" type of person. It all seemed so pre-packaged, uncomfortable. There were the steps I needed to memorize...

then I had to find the right transition....... blah, blah, blah, blah.

By simply living your life in front of others - your light will shine.

First they see your actions.

Your ridiculous honesty in all situations will seem strange to them.

When you return to Target to pay for that marker

that didn't go throught the check-out

the light will flash.

When you take cookies to a new neighbor,

shovel your older neighbors stairs,

offer to pick up someone's kids, ........

Your compassion,

Your willing heart,

These are acts that shine.

I see my kind of life as normal, average. That's just the way I live.

But ... it's very different from the way most people live.

I also used to think that the only way to become a Christian would be to have the
"Damascus Road Experience".

But I see many people ease into faith.

Part of easing into faith is seeing consistent faith in action.

They see peace in your eyes

and hear kindness in your words.

When the waves of pain flow into their lives - you will be the one they turn to.

You will be the one who cares.

When you ask them if you can pray for their situation, they know you are real in your faith.

Not a stranger on their doorstep speaking Christianeeze.

You're a friend. (You're a friend to them and they're a friend to you.)

The beautiful thing is that you don't even try to change them.

You just love them.

You live Jesus in front of them .

An amazing thing begins to happen on this journey -

your faith strengthens .....because you see their miracle of spiritual change.

You love

..........but in the end you are loved back.

Slowly the light begins to shine in another life

It's a GOD THING.

Well, that's my sermon for today!!!! I hope this encourages you!

On His amazing journey,

Liz Barnes