The Love of God

     They slept on the concrete floor.  Only a thin quilt separated their bodies from the cool, hard surface.  No pillows.  No covers.  No air-mattresses.  Just a quilt. 
     We, on the other hand, had air mattresses, bug tents, pillows, sheets, and small personal-sized fans blowing on us.
     Each morning we awoke to singing.  They were in the room next to us.  Their rich, joyful voices united to greet the dawn with a song of praise.  Every morning it was the same song.  Celebrating the love of God for his precious people.  And precious they are.
     I've never known anyone who had so little in the way of personal wealth yet so much joy and faith in God.  They know what it's like to really depend on God.  They know what real hunger is.  They know life in a way I never will.  They know they can't depend on a job, on self-sufficiency.  They know they can only depend on God. 
     So they sing.  And they pray.  Oh, do they pray!  Passionately they call out to God.  Someone said on my  most recent trip, "Haitians call out to God.  Americans talk to God."  Sadly, I would have to say that most often we just give him our list of wants, not even caring that He is aware of our every need.  They prayed for me last year.  When I couldn't go to them, they prayed and sang over me.  I have the video.  It's one of the most beautiful gifts I have ever received.
     For two years I have carried that song in my heart.  It brings dear memories of two "older" men (I was a teenager, so they seemed ancient) singing it at church.  But hearing the Haitian voices sing it, I fell in love with it.  Here are the words:

1. The love of God is greater far
   Than tongue or pen can ever tell;
   It goes beyond the highest star,
   And reaches to the lowest hell;
   The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
   God gave His Son to win;
   His erring child He reconciled,
   And pardoned from his sin.
   • Refrain:
     Oh, love of God, how rich and pure!
     How measureless and strong!
     It shall forevermore endure—
     The saints’ and angels’ song.
2. When hoary time shall pass away,
   And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall,
   When men who here refuse to pray,
   On rocks and hills and mountains call,
   God’s love so sure, shall still endure,
   All measureless and strong;
   Redeeming grace to Adam’s race—
   The saints’ and angels’ song.
3. Could we with ink the ocean fill,
   And were the skies of parchment made,
   Were every stalk on earth a quill,
   And every man a scribe by trade;
   To write the love of God above
   Would drain the ocean dry;
   Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
   Though stretched from sky to sky.

Frederick Lehman

1917

Today's Adventure

     I want to start with this disclaimer.  Catalina, when you read this, don't be upset. This was one of those comical days when nothing went as planned.  You should laugh that sweet laugh and say, "Oh, Miss Vicki," as you shake your head in amusement.  I can see you doing that even now!


     I set out today to conquer a task.  Though it's not always easy to do business for someone else, I have volunteered to do this.  Catalina was ready to go home.  She had been here in America for seven years, away from that house full of brothers and sisters and parents she loves so much.  However, she needs her diploma and transcript sent to the Secretary of State of Tennessee to get an apostille so that Costa Rica will recognize all her hard work to earn her master's degree.  She was so sweet and left written instructions on what to do.  She even left cash to pay the postage!  But every time I have read her notes I felt like this task was not going to be as simple as it seemed in writing.  I even asked her again via FB last week and she assured me all I need to do is follow her instructions. 
     The first lesson for the day...don't listen to men.  Catalina told me to go to the County Clerk's office.  That's what I should have done.  Two men in my life, who shall remain nameless, convinced me I should go to the satellite office.  So I did.  It seemed logical.  SEEMED!  And, it WOULD be easier to go there if the people there could help me.  They couldn't.  That is a tag and title office only.  Those people couldn't understand the Greek that I was speaking.  Understand, I didn't understand the Greek either, I was just repeating what had been written for me to do.  I do want to give a cheer to the woman at the counter.  Teresa.  She made a quick phone call and got the information I needed.
     So I headed off to downtown Chattanooga.  I convinced my husband to drive me to the courthouse so I wouldn't have to pay for parking.  He let me out and I went inside.  Through the metal detector and security.  Up the stairs.  There are only four or five offices on the second floor, so it wasn't hard to find.  (Last time I was there was to get my marriage license in 1985!)  The young woman asked if she could help me.  I laughed and said, "I hope so."  Again I recited the Greek instructions and she nodded in understanding. PROGRESS!  Then she pulled the diploma from it's sacred case.  Looking at it and back at me, she asked, "Who is going to notarize this?"  That's what I wanted to know, and she was asking me!  She was very sweet and explained her process was only to verify that the notary was an actual notary.  That process I understand.  That's something that I have done before. 
     She looked at me and said I could write, "This is an original document," and sign it.  Hmmm.  Is that acceptable?  She didn't know the answer to that.  It's logical.  But, then again, so was going to that satellite office this morning.  I finally said I needed time to think, but I really meant that I needed time to email Catalina for further instructions.  I don't want to mess this up for her.  It's important. 
     Here's the summary of today's adventure...Here was my plan when I left home a few minutes after noon....Run get the diploma stamped and then go to Panera for soup and blogging time.  (The original blog I planned will come later this week.  This is too hilarious to pass up.) After that, Walmart for dishwasher soap and peaches.  Then to Staples to pick up a few items I need.  Instead, I went somewhere I didn't need to be.  To get where I needed to be, I needed to drive on roads I haven't driven down since I quit working downtown thirty years ago.  I got dropped off in front of the courthouse expecting my husband to be circling the block when I came back out.  Nope.  Not on this sunny 92 degree day.  He had gone back to the shop!  I did manage to find some shade and a breeze to wait in, and I didn't dare complain because I didn't have to pay for parking.  Still hadn't had lunch.  Took F O R E V E R to get back to East Brainerd and Panera.  And, the best part ----- I left my cell phone at home!
     How does one survive without her cell phone??  Right now I have finished my baked potato soup and am sipping my green tea with my hubby's dinosaur flip phone lying on the table beside my computer.  He gave it to me when we parted ways just in case I needed it.  I don't know who all these people are calling him, but he sure is going to have a lot of voicemail to listen to tonight!
    Enjoy the adventures of your life, friends!  And praise the Lord for another day of livin'!