Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas from Grandma & me (playing with the iPad photo Booth)

Hope you & yours had a joy-full celebration!

Beauty regiment

While traveling this week I saw neatly piled all I need for my morning beauty regiment:

- Five parts Scripture & prayer
- One part make up

A la 1 Peter 3:3-4

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

This morning in Washington Square Park the Christmas tree is up!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm thankful for a nice weekend in Pennsylvania with family (pictured:domad, Grandma, brothers & sister in law) and friends.

Philippians 4:19

Recently an old friend, a Christian brother, shared something that hinted at a need he had. I picked up on it as a need, and knew I had and could share what he needed. I prayed, asking God if it was right to share in this case. I didn't have clarity after praying, so waited, knowing that if the time was right, God would somehow let me know. (That may should a little vague, but I believe that God can communicate, through the Bible, or additional information, or insight from another brother or sister in Christ.) I frankly put the thought aside for the moment.
I learned later that this friend, who is in Asia, halfway across the world, went through a time of prayer and through this particular matter, and found through that a joy in surrendering the need to God, and he would be able to rely on God for strength and joy despite circumstances.
One Friday night I got an email and, through a particularly odd set of circumstances I had received an unexpected gift from work. Not only was this out of any bonus cycle but it was also a gift that was six months after the fact of a specific project. More importantly, it was exactly what my friend needed! At that time, I saw God's perfect provision, my want to honor God by doing good and sharing, and God providing for my friend's need abundantly.

It was amazing to be able to share with my friend what God had generously given to me and hearing his story of prayer and trust in God, and seeing God bless His faithful children! More than the gift itself are both the perfect lessons that He had, as well as His remarkable timing that shows Him as the God of the whole World - from Asia to the Big Apple.

Philippians 4:19 indeed!!

Autumn in New York

An October morning in Washington Square park

Dear North Carolina ...

Thanks for sweet tea, bbq, and Carolina Blue

Couple of great days & productive business meetings south of the Mason Dixon line.  And sweet tea.

Did I mention the sweet tea?

In 2001...

... I was in New York City, getting to work early because our newly appointed CEO had flown in from headquarters in California to meet the nyc office.
When the news came to our office (of about 45 people) I had three immediate thoughts
1 - "Wow, that was a really big mistake, someone will lose their job over that" [I said immediate, not brilliant, thoughts]
2 - "My mom is going to flip out and be worried when she hears about this"
3 - "My Bible memory verse this week is 2 Peter 3:11-14 ... what a wild coincidence... "

That verse helped me so much that day - helping me remember who God is in light of some odd goings-on all around.
1 - God knew this day and these events would happen.
It shocked me - and everyone around me - but God knows all. He knew enough to put in the Scriptures a visual (heavens on fire) and graciously gave me the verse to memorize. I was comforted that, even though it wasn't in my Day Planner, it was in His and nothing took Him by surprise that day
2 - There is evil in this world.
This is a fact we all know. And as a Christian believer I have hope in "new heavens and new earth in which righteousness dwells." This world has evil, and God has a plan for new heavens and new earth which will be so much better.

The day passed...
By some miracle I was able to get through on the phone to Mom ("I don't know what you're talking about... [to Dad] hon, turn on the news, Laura says something is going on in New York..."), and to Grandpa ("Grandpa, I'm safe, ok? Tell Grandma when she comes in from the garden. I'm in New York but I'm safe, ok?" "O, K," he replied in heavy German accent, "I tell her"), and to my brother at UPenn ("Dude, I don't know what is going on but stay away from tall buildings in Philly, k?" "Uh, ok Laura, sure, I guess I'll turn on the news or something,")

We left the office as it was four blocks from the Empire State Building and as reports of the Pentagon and Pennsylvanian crash came in, we didn't know which buildings would be targeted next.As we all left, I remembered to send an email to a colleague in California - "We are all fine, but we are leaving the office. Don't be worried if you can't reach us."

At the time I was living in an apartment in New Jersey, just three miles away across the river. All the bridges and tunnels had been closed and the line for the ferry was about six hours long, making it difficult to get home. I reached out to friends, a family from church, who lived in an apartment in the city. They graciously welcomed me to spend the night on their couch. The next morning we all woke up and the mom in the family said, "Happy 1st birthday to my youngest boy!" With the dad of the family, I walked towards my office that morning.

After a few days things began to settle into a somewhat familiar rhythm and pattern. I prayed for friends who didn't know God to be prompted by these events to consider Him and His promises. And I was so grateful that, by knowing God, I saw His comfort and hope throughout that day and ongoing.

Take time to smell the fresh cut grass

Yesterday morning walking through Washington Square Park I caught a whiff of something ... took me a minute to place it... fresh cut grass!
I have a note as a bookmark in my Bible - a 'heart check-list' - that I see each morning when I read. One of the items is "Have you praised God for His marvelous creation today?" I find that particular item easy to forget in New York City.
So, as a start to the Labor Day holiday weekend, I'm grateful for God's reminders that His creation is in fact marvelous and beautiful.

Glowing Rectangles

http://www.theonion.com/articles/report-90-of-waking-hours-spent-staring-at-glowing,2747/

It's true! It's true I say!

Thanks Irene!

As you may know, Hurricane Irene blew through the East Coast late last week.

The Scriptures say we should "in everything give thanks" and so I'm grateful for

• the team at work truly coming together to build contingency plans and give Hurculean effort to expedite a project planned for the weekend
• four friends from church who came from an evacuated area in NYC to stay in my apartment (particularly when both roomies were out of town, it was nice to have friends close by!)
• the opportunity to spend some "quality time" & "quantity time" with these same friends :)
  
• God answered our specific prayer for minimal damage to New York City
• that the most damage in my neighborhood was the below (ie not very much at all!)

Quote on Suffering

Well worth a think...

"The chief pang of most trials is not so much the actual suffering itself as our own spirit of resistance to it." - Jean Nicolas Grou #Bible http://is.gd/zHbTUY

Reflections

Twila Paris has a song titled "Could You Believe." I heard it one morning this week and was challenged once again by the lyrics -

"I am meant to be a pure reflection of the truth
So above it all I pray that I will not obscure the view"

There is a process for metal being refined, it is essentially this: the metal is heated so much so that it melts, impurities are skimmed off the top, and the process is repeated until the metal is so pure that the metal worker sees his own reflection.
My hope and in fact my prayer is that I am cooperative with God (the metal worker in our analogy) so that when the heat is on, I'm separating myself from the impurities of selfishness and self-interest to be, truly, pure in heart so that I can love and serve freely, reflecting Christ.
And yes, it's tough enough I need divine intervention if it's to happen!

Time to make pesto!

Basil from Mom's garden is a-plenty!

Road to Recovery

For the past 4 weeks I've had the plague. That's my diagnosis, at least. I'll spare the details but suffice it to say that I've not been in bed for 3 days solid since I was about nine years old. And then it continued to the following week. I knew I was stronger when I made it out of my bedroom and to the living room. Yep, I was that pathetic.

Scripture says we should "In everything, give thanks" (1 Thes 5:18) And I'm grateful for many things, including:

• two remarkable roommates and friends who looked after me, between their own international travels (one packing for the Middle East, and one coming home from Asia)
• a doctor who knows me for many years and her excellent care
• medical insurance!
• a personal relationship with God, who is always with me, hears my prayers and gives comfort & peace
  
• a local church family who reaches out and asks how they can be praying
• caring and supportive family who calls and emails to check in
• support at work from an understanding boss as well as colleagues who sent the below "Get Well Basket"* - a treat and it made my day!
  

Am I grateful to actually be sick? Not quite yet, but I know God will work things out for the best, and in the end I trust Him if I don't quite see why today.

*Yep, that's a Sharpie marker on the far left in the basket. My friend asked "Huh? Why a Sharpie?" "I don't know why they did it," I replied, "but I LOVE Sharpie markers!!"

In a Word... It was Great!

Over the past week many friends and family members have asked "How was your trip to DR??"
In a word... It was Great.
Five days, three orphanages, one elderly care home for widows, nine fellow Christian team members, countless hugs, one purpose: to love and serve others in order to glorify God a la Romans 15:5-6

⁵ May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, ⁶ so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

More stories & photos shortly!

Preparing for DR

I had the great privilege today to send the below ~ and look forward to seeing how God will answer!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ,

A group of high school seniors in NJ have their senior prom coming up. As preparations began and friends in their class began buying prom dresses and making limo reservations, they asked themselves if there was another way to use that money. They approached their school coach who has a ministry using basketball to reach students for Christ, directing proceeds to humanitarian needs around the world. Together, these students and their coach have held basketball and marathon events to raise funds for an upcoming trip to serve at three orphanages and an elderly care home in the Dominican Republic through Fundacion Renacer.

On June 1-5, I’ll join the team ministering there as one of the adult chaperones on the trip. I am honored and excited to serve alongside these remarkable young people who are interested in being part of something larger than themselves, seeking to give, and seeking to do so all in the name of Christ and for His glory.

The Lord has answered prayer for donated supplies and donated as well as raised funds for the trip – praise God! I’ve attached a letter describing more detail of the trip.

I would be so appreciative of your prayers, specifically for

· physical, emotional and spiritual protection for the team

· God to grant us His Spirit for unity of purpose

· the Lord prepares hearts all around (both the team from the States as well as those in the DR) to learn what He’d have us learn from the time

· our love for one another bring glory to His name

Thank you dear faithful friends!
I look forward to sharing with you the praise report when we return!

Blessings,

~lg

Spring Saturday in the City!

Street fair on 9th Ave!

Well hello again

Boston skyline
You're looking lovely this evening

Walking home

Beautiful walk home tonight, made even better by music and phone call from a friend.
Loving spring in the city : )

Cambridge!

Clam chowder from Legal and the Boston skyline across the Charles River... yep!  I'm in Cambridge!

Spring in New York City

Flowering trees in Washington Square Park today!

Office chatter

Last Friday night I was leaving the office and bumped into two (young) guys on my floor as I was leaving. One of them I know is a church-goer (colleague 1). The other I know is culturally Jewish (colleague 2).

"Hey guys - what's going on?"

"Hey lg - not much. Any plans for the weekend?"

"Yeah, tonight my friend invited me to her church, there's a concert there,"

"Church?" says Colleague 2, "Seriously, church on Friday night?"

Colleague 1 & I exchanged glances. "It's not exactly a bad thing," says I.

Colleague 2 "What else are you doing this weekend?"

"I start a pottery class tomorrow morning, I'm kind of excited about that." I said

"Oh my gosh I just fell asleep listening to your weekend. Seriously? Church and pottery?" colleague 2 says

"Well," I ask, "What are you up to?"

Colleague 2: "I'm going to my friend's 25th birthday. There's an open bar so that should be good. You should go out and get trashed. That's what I think you should do this weekend."

Me: "Well, you should go to church, that's what I think you should do this weekend."

"Touche, touche...."

Hawaii pics

Many many photos! Well, 107 to be precise.

Enjoy :)

https://picasaweb.google.com/lauragimpel/HawaiiFeb2011AlbumToShare?authkey=Gv1sRgCOuzns--78LVfQ#

Hawaii!! Mountains & Sea

Having just returned from two weeks (two WEEKS!!! Yay!) in Hawaii ~ so grateful for the r&r and the refreshing times with dear friends that it was.

Gorgeous scenery every time you turn around, as my friend said "O my... even the pigeons are pretty here!" Photos to come shortly after I weed through the 800 shots of gorgeous scenery.

Trip report and full photo album coming soon, and a couple of shots and a quick thought in the meantime ...


There is such beauty in the landscape of the Hawaiian islands. The mountains and the ocean are in a perfect stunning juxtaposition, and I thought many times on the Creator of this beauty. It is so majestic, and so awe-inspiring.



At the end of my time there, my last morning in fact, my One Year Bible readings included both Psalm 46 and Mark 11.

Those passages (coincidentally?) read:

"God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, "

~ Psalm 46:1-2

“Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them."

~ Mark 11:23

As big as the mountains are, God is bigger. It is a wonderful and beautiful reminder.

The Card on my Desk

Cracks me up every time I see it.

When God opens a window, well, it may be startling.

But it's always good.
Ps 92:15 There is no unrighteousness in Him.

Anniversary

On Tuesday morning I got a text from a friend:

"Happy Anniversary!!! Hope you have a great day! :)"

It was the anniversary of when I started at my job, ten years ago.

In 2001 there were dot-coms that were going belly-up left, right and center. In fact, 11 years ago I worked for a dot-com that did just that, closing its doors of its New York office on December 29 because they couldn't pay January rent. The stock options from that firm were worth less than the paper they were printed on. At our church's White Elephant Christmas gift exchange someone put in their options from this defunct firm - something he'd been given but didn't want!

It was at this time, January of 2001 - in a landscape littered with dot-com corpses - a friend at church told me about a job opportunity. Another dot-com. Sigh. But, I got some advice and ultimately thought this would be a good "day job" while pursuing my own professional organizing business. So I began talking to this technology company that was based in Silicon Valley and starting up its New York sales office. And I didn't get too excited. In fact, when I was offered the job, and they tried to sell me on the stock options that were a part of the compensation, I remember saying, "That's fine, but let's talk about the salary range..."

Irony of all ironies, turns out this little start up did quite well for itself over the years. In January 2001 there were 17 employees in the New York office. Today, there are 2,112. The day job has kept me busy - and interested - as I've learned about operations and real estate over the years. It's been quite an opportunity!

And ten years from now? In 2021? Only God knows... :-)

Letters from Indonesia

19 August 2010
Dear Mama lg
Shalom...!!!!
How are you? I hope you're always healthy. I'm doing well too here. I'm in grade 10 High School now. I'll try to be the best in my new school and my new class. The happiest experience for me is know you in my life, Mama, because I learn a lot from you. I learn to always be close to God and to always do the best for both of my parents. I will always pray for your tasks and works, Mama. May God always guide you. love and prayer, Ally*

4 October 2010
Dear Mama lg
Peaceful greetings are for you and your family. Jesus always gives beautiful things to my family and me. The biggest problem for my family and me was the fire of our house which had burnt our belongings just like that. But behind the problem that my family and I have dealt, there's God's very beautiful plan. God wants my family and me to be closer with Him.
That's my entire letter for now. May God always be with you at work and with your duties. Warm regards are for you.
With love & prayers, Ally

22 January 2011
Dear Ally,
I am so happy always to receive your letter! Though I was surprised to read that for you and your family that your house has burned down! I am very thankful for your safety, and moreso, for your heart as you look to Jesus to give you all that you need. The Bible says, "And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19)
You are very wise to know that behind every event is God's beautiful plan. I will continue of course to pray for you, and your family, that your faith in He who loves you will grow and grow.
Thank you for your prayers for me, dear sister in Jesus.
With Love, lg

*Ally, not her real name, is a girl in Indonesia. Through Compassion, I've sponsored her for about 7 years, and we've written letters during that time.

Hobbling

Friends have recently been following a Cross Fit training program and other friends at church have said, "Oh I'd love to learn about Cross Fit too, can you help me?"

Long story short, and before I knew it, I asked to be included in the this little fitness group.

"I'm auditing," I said thinking this was a clever way to be involved without a firm commitment on my part.

Day One. I got the email describing the first workout, it was only about ten minutes! Oh gosh, thought I, no problem! So I did it. It took just under ten minutes actually, some short runs and some squats. Cool! Short & to the point. And the next day felt a little sore but not bad. Maybe - just maybe - I would finally have some sort of exercise in my life on a regular basis.

Day Two. The second day's workout, coming to me via email from my faithful friend, looked a bit more difficult. Sit ups and push ups and squats and the like.... Still only ten minutes, though, so I figured how hard could ten minutes be? Turns out, full sit ups (nope, no crunches) are difficult! The next day my stomach muscles were sore! But in my office "sit-at-a-desk, sit-in-meetings" job this wasn't a big deal.

Day Three. WOD (Workout Of the Day) email read "200 walking lunges" rather innocently. How hard could it really be after the onslaught of sit ups? I walk a lot around New York City, I'm pretty tough, thought I. Heck, I even used to dance, that all should help. I'll keep a good pretty form and that will help. The first 20 lunges felt great! At 60, my legs were starting to burn. At about lunge #114 I thought I was crazy. At #182 I lost track of all else and just was counting and moving, counting and moving. By the time I hit the goal - 200 - I stopped. And sat on the floor.

Day Four. No Workout today, it was a rest day.

Day Five. My boss was in NY from California. Going from one meeting to another together, we walked down flight of stairs. Or rather, he walked, and I hobbled. It was bad enough, I felt I needed to explain myself. "Sorry, I'll be right behind you, you see I started doing these little workouts...."

Communicating

Without excuse or delay, and with apologies my Dear Reader, I'll simply pick up as old friends do, right where things are.*

And where things are, today, are at my kitchen table. As I go through the stack of mail I find the latest pamphlet from Dallas Theological Seminary. The article is entitled "Guarding our Sacred Trust" and more telling-ly sub-titled "10 Characteristics of a Biblical Communicator."

While all 10 Characteristics are worthwhile and thought-provoking, number 7 jumped out to me:

7

AVOID WRANGLING

"Seventh, biblical communicators avoid in quarreling in unnecessary arguments. I want to be careful with what I say here because I am not talking about defending the truth and engaging in dialogue and debate with those who would distort the truth. ....
We who are married know that that we can say something to our spouse that may may be true, but it may not be loving in the way we say it. Likewise in our theological discussions, let's make it a matter of prayer before we get involved in a particular discussion or dispute."**

Similarly, as I was volunteering at the Chinese Missions Conference at the end of December, lessons to the children aged 7 - 11 had components of Ephesians 4:29 and Ephesians 4:15 (see below). Words are powerful things and the balance of truth in love is one worth the lifetime pursuit.

Ephesians 4:29 (nkjv)
Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

Ephesians 4:15 (nkjv)

but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ

*In 2011 I'll "free" myself from the requirement of including "walking" in the title of each entry. And hopefully will blog more frequently!!

**from article by Dr Mark L Bailey