A New Year – What is God saying to me?

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I am not a big believer in resolutions.  Oh, I have the resolve to set goals and see them through, but my dislike of resolutions has to do with the push to make drastic changes simply because I got a new calendar.  It seems that since the bus crash I have been earnestly seeking what is God’s plan in all of this (aka my life).  The truth is at that precise moment all my sensibilities, my pride, my thoughts, and my desires were stripped away.  Sure I was a Christian, but I also had a whole lot of MY will inserted in there.  It was at that moment that God laid bare my heart and tenderly and gently picked it up,  cradled and comforted it, put it back together, and helped me to see what the real purpose was of His Son’s death (not to mention the lessons taught to me about the death of my own son) – to show his love for the world.  That may seem like a stretch for some people. But if what I believed to be true in the morning of February 19, 2008 wasn’t true that night, then Jesus’ horrible death was for nothing.  So I choose to believe in Jesus, and in God’s undeniable MESSAGE OF LOVE. 

Resolutions seem to be a reminder of MY plans, and I am not sure that they fit with God’s plan for my life.  Instead I choose to focus on what stirrings God has placed in my heart no matter when they come.  Lately that stirring is for humility, forgiveness, and servanthood. I am learning that in the past, I cared about titles and accomplishments, and now, they don’t seem important.  Now I want to see the world through God’s eyes and through Jesus model of coming to earth to serve.  Yet the only way that I can do that is by staying in His Word and by using my words and knees to talk and pray. 

 I am continuing with my goal for several years of reading the Bible cover to cover.  (Yes, I know that isn’t what most people recommend, but that plan is working undeniably well for me.  In fact, I cried as I told Daniel the other night that I have fallen in love with God’s word.  It IS that inspiring to me.)  I didn’t finish the whole Bible in a year, but I will press on toward the goal.  To kick off the New Year, I thought I would share one of my recent devotions that was paired with my Bible reading in the Book of Luke.  I don’t believe in coincidence; so, this devotion resonated with my soul as to what God has been stirring in me.  I hope by sharing it – you find some stirrings in your heart as well. 

This is based on the selection Luke 14:1-72.  The devotion is an excerpt from A Love Worth Giving by Max Lucado. 

Would you do what Jesus did?  He swapped a spotless castle for a grimy stable.  He exchanged the worship of angels for the company of killers.  He could hold the universe in his palm but gave it up to float in the womb of a maiden. 

If you were God, would you sleep on straw, nurse from a breast, and be clothed in a diaper?  I wouldn’t, but Christ did.

If you knew that only a few would care that you came, would you still come? If you knew that those who you loved would laugh in your face, would you still care?  If you knew that the tongues you made would mock you, the mouths you made would spit at you, the hands you made would crucify you, would you still make them? Christ did.  Would you regard the immobile and invalid more important than yourself? Jesus did.

He humbled himself.  He went from commanding angels to sleeping in the straw.  From holding stars to clutching Mary’s finger.  The palm that held the universe took the nail of a soldier.

Why? Because that’s what love does. It puts the beloved before itself.  Your soul was more important than his earthly life.  Your place in heaven was more important to him than his place in heaven, so he gave up his so you could have yours. 

He loves you that much and because he loves you, you are of prime importance to him. 

Christ stands in contrast to the barnyard.  He points to the sparrow, the most inexpensive bird of his day, and says, “Five sparrows are sold for only two pennies, and God does not forget any of them . . . You are worth much more than many sparrows” (Luke 12:6-7 NCV)

God remembers the small birds of the world.  We remember the eagles.  We make bronze statues of the hawk.  We name our athletic teams after the falcons.  But God notices the sparrows.  He makes time for the children and takes note of the lepers.  He offers the woman in adultery a second chance and the thief on the cross a personal invitation.  Christ is partial to the beat up and done in and urges us to follow suit.  “When you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind” (Luke 14:13 NCV)

Want to love others as God has loved you?  Come thirsty.  Drink deeply of God’s love for you, and ask him to fill your heart with a love worth giving. 

2011 Christmas Newsletter, Part 2

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Erin is now 12 years old and in the 7th grade.  She has shot up this year in height and most who haven’t seen her in awhile can hardly believe their eyes.  She went from a size 6 shoe to a size 9 in a school year.  Erin is involved in Student Council, FCA, Youth Group, FFA, Jazz Band, Southwest Swim Club, Scouts, 4-H, softball, and of course, basketball. 

One of the highlights of Erin’s year was to participate in an AAU team that competed in the Twin Cities for about 8 weeks this past spring.  She loved every minute of it, and basically, basketball could be her middle name.  The second highlight of the year for her was learning to quilt.  She has been taking classes, and has really done a nice job, including making some of her Christmas presents.  She is an often sought after babysitter, who adores the children that she watches, particularly three neighborhood boys.

Cloie, affectionately known around here as our one and only Sally Gal, will be 7 years old tomorrow.  We can hardly believe that can be true.  We remember that cold day she came into the world like it was yesterday.  She recently told one of Huck’s nursing home friends when she asked her about what it was like to get a puppy long ago, “I have no idea. I was born into his family.” 

Cloie is involved in 4-H, Girl Scouts and Southwest Swim Club.  Her biggest accomplishment was doing very well in her two events at the Beat the Blizzard swim meet.  Her face upon learning she won her heat was priceless!  She loves to play with her friends; anything to do with rocks, Barbies, or art; and school.  Cloie loves to read!  There are so many times that she takes our breath away, because she does so many things just like Reed. 

The family vacation was the Nowatzki Family Reunion in Devils Lake, ND followed by a week in Leeds to celebrate the Leeds 125th anniversary.  It was a fun seeing so many family and friends all in one place. 

Our second biggest event each year is the Lyon County Fair.  The kids all did fabulous in their projects: quilting, photography, aerospace, and our family favorite: pigeons.  We are exhausted at the end of each day, but the best part of August are the days spent at the fairgrounds getting the pigeons ready.  The kids work so hard on their projects throughout the year, and they enjoy earning their ribbons.  Some of the best memories of this year’s fair were Sawyer earning Reserved Champion in Showmanship, Cloie earning Grand Champion (3rd year in a row) in Open Class Junior Photography, and Erin earning a blue ribbon for a quilt she made all by herself. 

Even though, they are typical preteens and teenagers, a moment at the poultry show will forever be etched in my heart.  Sawyer, Erin, and Cloie are the only ones currently showing pigeons.  As they went through each class, Sawyer earned Grand champion and Erin earned Reserved.  When it came to the last class, Sawyer once again took top honors, but before he did, he turned around and said, “I’m so sorry, Erin.  I wanted you to win this one.”  Hot and sticky on an August day, I had to work hard to hold the tears back. 

We continue to look for God’s blessings in the smallest of pieces of our daily lives.  We can find His goodness in the time spent with friends, in the blessed bounty from our gardens, in the chance encounter with a stranger, and in any place we purposely seek Him. 

We pray that you and your family are doing the same!

2011 Christmas Newsletter, Part 1

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We can hardly believe that it is that time again!  Yes, time to write our annual update of how things are going around Team Stevens headquarters.  2011 has been a relatively good year.  It seems that as the kids get older and more involved, spontaneous events don’t just happen as often as we would like. 
 
 
Daniel and Kandy (along with Pastor Don and Sandy Leclere) struck out for a new venture this year – leading a grief recovery group called GriefShare (www.griefshare.org).  It was an amazing experience as we continue to heal ourselves while using the events of our lives to help others move from mourning to joy. 
 
Daniel continues to work at Schwans as an analyst in the Information Services Department.  At the beginning of the year, Daniel volunteered with 4-H Shooting sports focusing on Archery.  He is still a volunteer with Firearms Safety courses.  He and his friends took their annual trip to hunt in Montana, and he returned home with a deer.  As soon as the weather becomes nice, he hits the road on his motorcycle and just enjoys the time in the open air.  The rest of the time he is busy keeping up with our kids’ schedules and enjoying friends and family.
 
Kandy: As for me, I have had an interesting year.  I continue to teach as an adjunct at SMSU in the spring.  Additionally, I keep busy with my blog writing and speaking at Best Life (www.bestlifeministries.com) conferences and substitute teaching when it works with our family’s schedules.  This year I purchased a new sewing machine and a refurbished embroidery machine; so my just-for-me time  is spent crafting and quilting. My personal goal this year was to complete a triathlon which was a goal that Reed, Sawyer, and I started in January 2008.  Last year, I woke up one day and decided to finish that goal.  On November 18, two days shy of 42 birthday, I completed 1/2 mile swim, 17 mile bike ride, and 3.1 mile run/walk in 2 hr 37 min.  I was so proud of that accomplishment and for being blessed with the best cheering squad in the world!
 
We hosted our third annual Reed’s Run this year on 9/24  (www.reedsrun.com).  For the first time, the weather was absolutely gorgeous.  We had a great turn-out and we exceeded our fundraising goal.  We have a 5K run, 1K dog walk, and 1K kids run.  We still have a flagline honoring veterans, and we had the distinction of having all the major US conflicts represented except for WWII.  This year, we honored all the emergency personnel that responded to the bus crash.  There is a HUGE silent auction.  We had a Bear Factory on-site where kids could make Reed-a-Cheetahs.  Then the close of the evening was a luminary service honoring any child who passed away.  New this year we recognized 3 loved ones who passed away, but who had been very supportive of us in our darkest hour.  Finally, we ended with a showing of the movie “Soul Surfer”.  It is exhausting work, but to see all the people who come and remember Reed and support our mission is humbling.  Next year will be the last Reed’s Run as we  committed to only four years for many reasons.  We are working extra hard to make sure that the last run is memorable, because each year the event has grown larger and larger.
 
HUCK is hired!  Through a series of fortunate events, Huck found a way to heal.  Once a week, he and I travel to a nursing home to visit residents.  We have quite a large group of friends that help both us to remember that serving others is the greatest gift we can give to ourselves.   Our faithful friends threw Huck a fabulous 9th birthday party on Dec 7.
 
Additionally, Huck decided that we should celebrate Reed’s 16th birthday this summer.  We hosted a movie night in our backyard, and instead of presents for us or Reed, Huck asked for books.  He then turned around and created “Huck’s Heroes” which is a reading program at Mikinaak – a child care center on the Cass Lake Reservation in Northern MN. 
 
 
Sawyer is really growing up.  He is currently in the 9th grade, and he is involved in many different activities in and out of school.  He was able to play Junior Varsity and a little bit of Varsity this year in football (despite living in pain every day). He continues to doctor at Mayo for his injuries.  He is active in Scouts, 4-H, Math League, Student Council, FCA, Youth Group, FFA, Golf and Student Council.  There have been several highlights of his year, but there are two that receive top recognition.  Sawyer traveled with his youth group to New Orleans, LA for a missions trip.  Granpa Junior was able to drive over and spend a day with him.  It was an experience that changed Sawyer’s life forever.  He cannot wait to go to the next place God is calling him.  His second major highlight is his first ever hunting trip.  Sawyer and Daniel traveled to ND for deer season.  On the last morning of their trip, Sawyer finally got his deer.  He is definitely hooked, and ready to go spend time again with Dad at Uncle Bryan’s farm. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Faith-Family-Football: The Magic of Weddings

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Last weekend, I had the amazing opportunity to be a part of the wedding of a former student who over time became just like one of my own children.  My son, Sawyer, was also in the wedding, and it was one of the most beautiful wedding ceremonies I have ever attended. 

Looking back, I don’t think that I have ever attended a wedding in December, and perhaps that is why the atmosphere seemed so divinely magical.  The church’s sanctuary was draped in greenery and lights in anticipation of upcoming Christmas day, and the reminder of our Savior’s birth. 

My job that day was to be a reader.  The verses chosen for me were from Genesis chapter 2 where God makes Adam a helper and the two are deemed one flesh.  More on that later . . .

As the evening progressed, I realized just how incredibly blessed I was and how honored I was to have a special part in the day.  My realization came because I fielded numerous questions of how in the world did a former science teacher become so beloved to be listed as honorary mother in the wedding bulletin. 

The simple answer is . . . God.  God’s definition of family is so much more broad than our limited scope.  The evolution from teacher to mother was simple.  Our families became friends, and then following one of the darkest moments in my life, Josh emerged as beacon of God’s light shining through to us.  This incredible young man made a pledge to my children to be their big brother following the death of our son and later the death of another “adopted” big brother/youth pastor.  That commitment is one that he and now his bride, Nicole, have honored over the last 3 1/2 years.  They have been faithfully involved in our children’s lives, and we couldn’t be more blessed.

Throughout the wedding day, every time we turned around there was some small detail that reminded us of how loving and caring Josh and Nicole both are. If ever there was a match made in heaven, these two are the embodiment.  Their love for others was exuding in every detail from a hot cocoa “bar” replete with peppermint straws and TONS of marshmallows for the kids to flowers on the altar in memory of lost loved ones (including Reed).

The ceremony was beautiful, the reception classy and elegant – yet down-to-earth so that you could feel at home, and the dance was catered to young and old alike.   As I danced with my honorary son on the night of his wedding, I was overcome with joy with a little hint of sadness because I knew this was the closest I would ever come to Reed having a wedding.  And yet, in my heart I knew that Reed would have fully embraced this union seeing that it was so divinely blessed. 

Even though so much attention is put on the wedding itself these days, there was never a doubt that these two are committed to God’s concept of forever.  Their goal was a lifelong marriage covenant sealed by God and blessed by their friends and families.  This is the type of fairy-tale commitment to vows that makes even the hardest heart believe in true love. 

Going back to that Bible verse.  Josh and Nicole simply e-mailed me the verses, and I began to practice them.  From the first moment they arrived in my inbox, I cried.  Nicole and Josh had no idea (until they read this blog) what is engraved on the inside of my ring.  So even though our family was put together by God’s knowledge of a need that we all had, I have to image that he KNEW what verses would be chosen and what it would mean to me.  Amazingly, the inside of my ring is engraved with two little words: ONE FLESH.

The greatest Love story ever told begins its commemoration in just a few short days.  And God’s love for two little families in southwestern Minnesota was reinforced, upheld, and sanctified with just two little words.  Isn’t God amazing!

Welcome to my new blog site!

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I have so enjoyed my experience writing for Best Life Ministries (www.bestlifeministries.com), and I will continue to write there as well.  But this site is dedicated to all things – Kandy – with a little Team Stevens thrown in for good measure.  After much discussion with some folks in publishing, I decided that I would take a very tentative step out into the world of becoming a full-fledged writer with my own “brand”. 

In addition to my work for Best Life with inspirational and life posts under my Faith – Family – Football, I will now add a “Kan-Do” label that chronicles my world of cooking and crafting and a “Team Stevens” label that simply chronicles our family’s lives.  On occasion, I will be posting honest thoughts about grieving and the journey to change that mourning into joy!

I am so excited to have this opportunity, and I hope that my friends and family (and potentially new readers), will use the RSS features and posting features.  For loved ones far-away, this site will be a place to keep tabs on our blessed and busy family.

“An incredible journey begins with the first step”  . . . and I think my feet are pointed in the right direction!

As always, I am so blessed to have all of you in my life! With God’s guidance serving as my road map, I definitely think the sky’s the limit!

I am including my favorite “feet” story to end this blog.  I love Dr. Suess, and his book, “Oh, the places you’ll go” was read at my college graduation.  It resonated with my soul then, and it still does today! 

With God’s help (and not on my own), I AM ready to MOVE mountains!

Oh, the Places You’ll Go!

by Dr. Seuss, copyright 1990

Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You’re off to Great Places!
You’re off and away!

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You’re on your own.  And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go.

You’ll look up and down streets.  Look ’em over with care.
About some you will say, “I don’t choose to go there.”
With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet,
you’re too smart to go down any not-so-good street.

And you may not find any
you’ll want to go down.
In that case, of course,
you’ll head straight out of town.

It’s opener there
in the wide open air.

Out there things can happen
and frequently do
to people as brainy
and footsy as you.

And when things start to happen,
don’t worry.  Don’t stew.
Just go right along.
You’ll start happening too.

OH!
THE PLACES YOU’LL GO!

You’ll be on your way up!
You’ll be seeing great sights!
You’ll join the high fliers
who soar to high heights.

You won’t lag behind, because you’ll have the speed.
You’ll pass the whole gang and you’ll soon take the lead.
Wherever you fly, you’ll be the best of the best.
Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.

Except when you don’t
Because, sometimes, you won’t.

I’m sorry to say so
but, sadly, it’s true
and Hang-ups
can happen to you.

You can get all hung up
in a prickle-ly perch.
And your gang will fly on.
You’ll be left in a Lurch.

You’ll come down from the Lurch
with an unpleasant bump.
And the chances are, then,
that you’ll be in a Slump.

And when you’re in a Slump,
you’re not in for much fun.
Un-slumping yourself
is not easily done.

You will come to a place where the streets are not marked.
Some windows are lighted.  But mostly they’re darked.
A place you could sprain both your elbow and chin!
Do you dare to stay out?  Do you dare to go in?
How much can you lose? How much can you win?

And IF you go in, should you turn left or right…
or right-and-three-quarters? Or, maybe, not quite?
Or go around back and sneak in from behind?
Simple it’s not, I’m afraid you will find,
for a mind-maker-upper to make up his mind.

You can get so confused
that you’ll start in to race
down long wiggled roads at a break-necking pace
and grind on for miles across weirdish wild space,
headed, I fear, toward a most useless place.
The Waiting Place…

…for people just waiting.
Waiting for a train to go
or a bus to come, or a plane to go
or the mail to come, or the rain to go
or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow
or waiting around for a Yes or a No
or waiting for their hair to grow.
Everyone is just waiting.

Waiting for the fish to bite
or waiting for wind to fly a kite
or waiting around for Friday night
or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake
or a pot to boil, or a Better Break
or a string of pearls, or a pair of pants
or a wig with curls, or Another Chance.
Everyone is just waiting.

NO!
That’s not for you!

Somehow you’ll escape
all that waiting and staying.
You’ll find the bright places
where Boom Bands are playing.

With banner flip-flapping,
once more you’ll ride high!
Ready for anything under the sky.
Ready because you’re that kind of a guy!

Oh, the places you’ll go! There is fun to be done!
There are points to be scored.  there are games to be won.
And the magical things you can do with that ball
will make you the winning-est winner of all.
Fame!  You’ll be famous as famous can be,
with the whole wide world watching you win on TV.

Except when they don’t.
Because, sometimes, they won’t.

I’m afraid that some times
you’ll play lonely games too.
Games you can’t win
’cause you’ll play against you.

All Alone!
Whether you like it or not,
Alone will be something
you’ll be quite a lot.

And when you’re alone, there’s a very good chance
you’ll meet things that scare you right out of your pants.
There are some, down the road between hither and yon,
that can scare you so much you won’t want to go on.

But on you will go
though the weather be foul
On you will go
though your enemies prowl
On you will go
though the Hakken-Kraks howl
Onward up many
a frightening creek,
though your arms may get sore
and your sneakers may leak.

On and on you will hike
and I know you’ll hike far
and face up to your problems
whatever they are.

You’ll get mixed up, of course,
as you already know.
You’ll get mixed up
with many strange birds as you go.
So be sure when you step.
Step with care and great tact
and remember that Life’s
a Great Balancing Act.
Just never forget to be dexterous and deft.
And never mix up your right foot with your left.

And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)

KID, YOU’LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!

So…
be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray
or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O’Shea,
you’re off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So…get on your way!