Worship

Today marked my first performance with the Bethel praise team for the Sunday worship services! It really was a big deal for me … but let me quickly take the “me” out of the story, because playing keyboards today really was about praising the name of God, and nothing else.

It seems, all too often, that the term worship is often thought to be synonymous with simply making music at church. And while I had the opportunity to make music today by playing the keyboards at church, worship isn’t about performance or music … it’s about the condition of the heart. Worship is about opening the path for unworthy humans to communicate with a holy God. (On a side note, I’m so thankful for the leaders at Bethel church for the care they take to make sure that worship is properly experienced.)

It was so much fun reflecting on the worship experience with my kids. It was a true joy to remind them that while I was totally enjoying the experience … it was really about something much bigger … it was about having the opportunity to serve God through the use of my talents.

Role Reversal (a.k.a “This Lady Used to Change My Diapers”)

Wow, what an intense ride these last several months have been. Mom has almost completed the transition of moving from Minot to Fargo. It’s shocking to look back and realize that the person I counted on to change my diapers forty-some years ago now looks to me to keep from getting swept up by the world around her.

I’ve wanted Mom (and Dad, before he passed away) to move to Fargo for quite a while now, but the timing never seemed to be quite right, Dad’s Alzheimer’s care was a complication, and perhaps more pointedly I had allowed myself to be too passive in this situation. The seeds for the thoughts of becoming more active in Mom’s transition to Fargo were planted a few years ago, in one of the best (and hardest-hitting) sermons I have ever heard: The Sanctity of Life (Dr. Matthew R. St. John, Bethel Evangelical Free Church). Please, if you have a few moments … take some focused time to listen to that message. It’s worth your time.

Last summer it became very evident to me that I needed to become more active in convincing Mom to move to Fargo. Mom is still able to live independently and her mind is still clear, but there are signs that she is not always able to make the best decisions any longer. And I certainly couldn’t allow her to spend another winter alone in Minot. So it all came down to this: I laid out a 12-point plan for Mom to follow, and told her this time I wouldn’t take “No” for an answer. I respectfully told her that I was going to be right this time, and that she needed to allow me to help her move to Fargo. And so began the process of moving Mom to Fargo, to be close to us.

There have been many landmark moments over the last three months.

The Condo in Fargo

I helped Mom find and purchase a condo that is just blocks away from work and church, and not too far away from home. It’s a great place for residents age 55 and older, and the residents there are so friendly. It’s close to work (I bring my lunch to the condo to eat with her almost every day), church, and a grocery store. She’s starting to participate in the condo’s weekly coffee times and monthly potlucks. Even though any social activity usually leads to her saying, “I miss Irvin so much…” she’s actually willing (with a well-placed jab in the ribs) to participate in the condo’s social activities. That’s big progress.

Preparing the House in Minot

This was a scary project for me. There was so much stuff that needed to be dealt with. And how am I going to move her Mom’s antique organ out of the basement? It was this part of the project that had me most often saying, “I wish I wasn’t an only child!” Thankfully I had the help of my wife, in-laws, and some cousins I hadn’t seen in way too long to get me through the projects: deciding what should go to Fargo, packing up boxes, moving boxes, and preparing for the auction in Minot. As an only child that was born to older parents, I really never had the opportunity to get close to any of my cousins. But I’m so thankful for Dennis and Verdeen, and Freddie and Rose and their willingness to help get things in order with the house. I thoroughly enjoyed getting reacquainted with these cousins again!

Selling the House in Minot

Mom had moved into the condo with enough of her stuff to feel comfortable there, and the house in Minot was starting to get to the point where it could be put on the market. With people looking for housing due to the Minot flood and the oil rush in western North Dakota I didn’t think it would be too much of an effort to get the house sold. And wow, did the right offer get presented to Mom! She was the recipient of a full-price offer (made within three days of going on the market), the buyers didn’t even blink at anything that showed up on the home inspection, and the buyers want to move quickly. We just sent the last bit of paperwork to Minot, the sale could be completed in the next few weeks, by the end of this year!

The Auction

I didn’t know how this would go. Would this be too emotional for Mom to experience? She had one emotional moment during the auction, but was able to “recover” quickly. When we reached the end of the afternoon it felt as though she had closure. The auction ended, and we left Minot for the last time. She had been living in Fargo for several weeks by the time we had the auction, but as long as she had stuff in Minot, she never really “left” Minot. Both Judy and I commented that after the auction was done and she returned to Fargo, she seemed more pleasant to be around, and at peace with the move.

For me personally the auction turned out to be a much bigger project than I had anticipated. We got the house cleaned up and everything up to the auction site with only about an hour to spare. And while I didn’t move anything particularly heavy, I did move a lot of stuff. I mean a lot! I honestly don’t remember the last time my knees felt so rubbery for so long. I really need to exercise more!

Life in Fargo

And now, after all the hard work, Mom is finally able to start experiencing all the things we had hoped for her. She goes to church with us. She comes over after church for dinner, and stays for supper. She’s experiencing her grandkids. She’s meeting neighbors at the condo. She can come over to our house whenever she wants. I can check on her just about every day during lunch. She’s going to our kids’ school concerts and programs. She’s living again!

So there you have it … the quick version of the story that’s consumed my life for the last few months. Maybe now I can get back to a more frequent blog posting routine. Maybe I can start reading books again. Maybe I can play piano some more. Maybe I’ll get caught up at work. Maybe I’ll just relax for a bit! Looking back, and almost certainly looking forward, I can see God’s fingerprints over everything that’s happened with this move. I’m so glad it’s done (pending the completion of the sale of the house in Minot), and while it’s been a huge effort, I’m glad that I am in a position to help the lady that used to change my diapers.

An Amazing Weekend of Memories

Wow, what an amazing weekend. Last week I learned that Mom was having water troubles in her basement in Minot, and I started to think it was going to be an important time for me to go and help her. Andrew and I went to visit Grandma Frieda with a few goals in mind. The first goal was to make sure she was doing OK with her basement (she was, thankfully!) The second goal was to set the stage for her to move to Fargo, sooner rather than later. And now she finally is ready to make the move!!! Part of “the plan” was to start going through some of her stuff to help her be willing to part with some things that have no sentimental value. Much to my surprise, she took kindly to that plan.

But what I didn’t expect was the degree to which I was overwhelmed by all the nostalgia I would uncover. I really wasn’t prepared for that; it was such a pleasant surprise. A large part of me felt guilty for not having expressed a bigger interest in all the family history before. But I can’t rewind time, so I’ll be thankful for what I can now more fully appreciate. So … for all you young whippersnappers out there, start paying attention to your family heritage so you don’t regret it later!

Here is just a very small sampling of some of the wonderful discoveries that occurred last weekend. First, this picture was my absolute favorite discovery. It’s a photo of Dad’s parents’ wedding day, they’re the third and fourth in from the left. This photo was from 100 years ago, in 1911. Even though there aren’t many smiles in this photo (as I believe as customary for photos in this era) it looks like such a wonderfully happy photo!

John Hultin - Anna Dahl Wedding Day

Next up is a photo from Dad’s schooling at the Chicago Evangelistic Institute (later renamed Vennard college, which closed in 2008). I don’t know any of the details of this photo. I believe Dad can be found by looking at the right-most person in the front row, and then going straight up two more people. I can’t help but wonder how many lives have been touched as a result of the people trained at this institution.

Chicago Evangelistic Institute

Here’s a photo of the from Mom grew up on near Turtle Lake, ND. It just looks like a classic “let’s settle down and build America!” photo.

Bauer Farm

And here’s a photo of Mom’s family (Mom is in the back row, second from the right)

Bauer Family

There were lots of books too, including this German Bible that belonged to Mom’s parents. The outside needs some care, but the inside is still in decent shape, considering its age.

Bauer Bible

Another “book” I was so happy to take possession of is Dad’s collection of sermons. I can’t wait to pore over all the sermons he produced, to learn more about his legacy. That will, no doubt, be the subject of future blog posts…

And finally, the weekend ended with us taking a trip to Dad’s grave, to add some grass seed and say a prayer with Mom. This was the first time I’ve seen Dad’s grave with his grave marker in place. The medallion on the upper-left corner of the grave marker commemorates his service to the United Methodist Church.

Irvin Linton Hultin: 1919-2010

I have to say I was so proud of Andrew. He decided he needed to come with to help Grandma, and there was no changing his mind. He was such a good traveler, and he thoroughly enjoyed soaking in the history too … mostly by playing with my childhood toys. It’s nice to see the Erector set get some use again! Even though he didn’t move many boxes or pack mementos, he really did “help” Grandma in more ways than he’ll ever know. I really believe Andrew “helped” Grandma more clearly understand the reason she should come to Fargo.

Wow, what an amazing weekend of memories!

Fargo’s Memorial Day Storm

Wow, that was quite a storm! Straightline winds estimated to be over 70 miles per hour ripped through Fargo on the evening of Memorial Day, May 30, 2011. Here’s how it looks from my point of view:

A soffit panel on the underside of our porch was pulled away. The swingset in this view was probably one of the first things to go, so that’s hardly worth mentioning.

Here’s another view of the damaged soffit:

Our camper was lifted off the ground. At least that’s the only explanation I have for this photo of the front stabilizer jack.

I suspect the front of the camper end briefly lifted enough for the top board to blow backwards a bit, and then when the camper came down again it was “reset” in this new position.

Some shingles were loosened and repositioned.

A closer on our front storm door was bent. (I suspect this happened as we rushed to get inside and I was trying to hold the door steady for everyone else to get in without getting slapped by the door being blown into their face.)

And then my favorite … the attic access panel didn’t look quite right. It looks normal in the picture below, but when I was wrestling with the door the pressure difference must have inflated the house to the point where it “popped” the access door open. I found it resting all kittywhumpus in the access frame. I suspect that’s due in part to the super-tight nature of an ICF house.

We lost power for about three hours, and that was the worst of it.

Beyond the obvious damage I have two random comments about the storm. One of the most amazing parts to me is that while the wind was ripping shingles and lifting campers, it left other things virtually untouched. Take a look again at the first photo in this post; there’s a potted plant on a glass-topped table in the bottom-left corner. I don’t think it even moved an inch. How’d that happen? The other random comment is about the trees. I think it’s amazing and God-designed that while a powerful wind can rip off roofs and knock down trees, the individual leaves just keep on hanging on, going about their business of being a leaf.

The End of a Generation

Earlier today I learned of the passing of my aunt Ann Hultin. My reactions to death have really become moreintrospective since my father’s passing earlier this year (see A Day to Remember Reverend Irvin Hultin and Memories of Dad). Ann’s passing is particularly meaningful to me because her passing marks the end of that particular generation of the Hultin family. There has no doubt been a lot of history created since the early 1900′s which marked the starting point for Dad’s generation. I wish I had the opportunity to know and enjoy more of the history Dad’s generation created … but it’s all memories now, at least on this side of eternity. For now I’m stuck waiting until I get to their side of eternity—then the stories will really begin!

I Saw America Today

Normally I take nothing more than a quick glance (if even a glance at all!) at the “casual friends” e-mails. You know the kind: funny pictures, jokes, pass this on to 30 of your friends … all those emails. But the email I received today really caught my attention. In fact, it brought tears to my eyes. I did a quick search to find a posting from the original author, but didn’t find it … so I’m republishing the e-mail I received from Ed Pierce. (Thanks Ed!)

I saw America today.

I was among more that 200 people gathered on the tarmac at the Meridian Air Navel Station to welcome Sgt. Eric C. Newman, 30, of Waynesboro , Miss. home from Afghanistan.

He did not exit to cheers and hugs but was greeted by respectful silence. Military men and women, bikers, policemen, firemen, all in formation riveted their attention as Sgt. Newman disembarked from the plane carrying him.

He exited in a flag draped coffin, killed in action in Afghanistan .

The family stood near the hearse and as Sgt. Newman’s casket approached he was greeted by his new wife and his mother as they draped their arms around the casket where their beloved husband and son lay. There would be no married life for the newly married couple and another mother had given her son in the name of freedom.

I saw America today.

The procession formed with a police escort in front leading the hearse carrying Sgt. Newman which was followed by his family, more than 100 bikers, including the Patriot Guard Riders, scores of police officers, firemen, and friends. I rode near the front and I never could see the end of the procession as we rolled over the hills from Meridian to Waynesboro .

I saw America today.

On the 60 mile journey truckers, the big rigs, pulled to the side of the road, exited their trucks and put hand over heart in honor of Sgt. Newman and the American flag. Down the road from one big shiny rig was a humble logging truck, driver standing on the ground, hand over heart.

For sixty miles a mixture of people stood by the side of the road, flag in hand as we rolled past. At every junction where a side road entered there were people. At the overpasses there was always a fire truck displaying a large American flag. Every fire department along the way had their fire truck standing by to honor this young American who gave his life for us.

There was a young Boy Scout, in uniform, proudly saluting Sgt. Newman and the American flags that passed him.

A man in bib overalls stood by a ragged old pickup truck giving honor. Just down the road was a man dressed in suit and tie by his expensive SUV.

Something in the bright blue sky above caught my eye. It was two jet fighter planes flying over the procession, the thoughtful action of fellow soldiers.

I could see a woman kneeling, holding something out in her hands. At first I thought it must be a camera but as I passed I could clearly see it was a folded American flag. Just like the one that was given to my mother when my father died. Yes, it was her way of saying, “I lost a loved one as well.”

I saw America today.

As we left the main road and entered Waynesboro two fire trucks were parked in such a way as to form an arch with a giant American flag suspended between the two.

The streets were lined solid with people. No cars were moving. I observed someone in a wheel chair on the side of the road. When we drew closer I saw several in wheel chairs, some on crutches. They were old, and fragile. They were residents of a nursing home. On down the road there was another group from yet another nursing home, all waving tiny American flags.

As we wound our way through town hundreds of people lined the sides of the streets. We passed an elementary school. The children lined the fence three deep, most with flags, some with red, white, and blue balloons which were later released.

Next we passed the high school. Again the students respectfully lined the streets adjacent to the school. All were standing respectfully in honor of Sgt. Newman.

And did I mention the yellow ribbons? They were on trees, mailboxes, fences, and anywhere people could place them.

I saw America today.

When we had finished the escort all the bikers were asked to meet at the First Baptist Church of Waynesboro. There they gathered us up and escorted us to the Western Sizzlen ’ where the people of the town treated us to lunch for doing something of which we were proud to be a part.

Today, I saw America and I’m proud to be an American. God bless America .

Rod Smith, Patriot Guard Rider
October 21, 2010, Laurel , Mississippi

These videos makes it even more real:

To Sgt. Newman and all others past and present that have fought for our country … Thank You for your service. I sincerely hope the citizens of our country are worthy of the sacrifice you’ve offered which allows us to enjoy this great nation.

Emily was Baptized Today!

Wow, what a day! While I have no shortage of items in the “Proud of My Kids” category, I believe today was certainly the high mark so far. Several weeks ago Emily matter-of-factly said, “Dad, I think I want to be baptized…” That was such an exciting thing for me to hear, but I kept my excitement in check until I knew for sure that she totally understood what it meant to be baptized. She did! She met with the pastor at church and he agreed she was ready!

This morning in front of family, friends, and the Bethel congregation Emily publicly declared her love for Christ Jesus and her desire to follow Him … and she was baptized. It was such a beautiful experience. My eyes teared up with happiness, and I was overwhelmed with emotion. God is stirring her heart, I expect He will do great things in her life!

I really had a hard time containing my pride, excitement, and love … love both for Emily for coming to this decision (with no prompting from others), and love for Jesus who has so beautifully provided a path for us to approach a Holy God. With the amount of “overwhelmedness” (is that a word?) I experienced today, I’m sure I’ll be a total blubbering emotional idiot for future milestone moments. But for now I’ll just enjoy the afterglow of a very wonderful day experienced with Emily.