Thoughts from Bike Movement

One of the questions that comes up is: "Can any of us find within our traditions something unique to offer anyone else?" We are part of a growing and changing community - our ethical traditions and cultural worship styles are important, but they are hardly timeless or culturally transcendent manifestations that encapsulates Jesus' way for the world. But that doesn't mean that our traditions and cultures should be blank-slated (even if they could be) and that we should imagine, somehow from scratch, what Jesus would be up to today. On the contrary, it means that we come out of particular and important stories. And we have a responsibility to those stories.

For Christians it's the scriptures, traditions, reasonings, and experiences that make us who we are. The question then becomes..."How, in conversation, do we constructively engage the stories of others, and without forgetting our own experiences, carefully entangle ourselves in the divine mess of regenerating a mutually Created truth?"

...I have been speaking only in the context of U.S.-American Mennonites - and that dialogue, at least for me, is intimidating enough. Bike Movement is about something more though. Bike Movement is asking me and you to consider broadening our understanding of the church to the world outside of U.S. borders - outside of North America. The broader the conversation, the more complicated it becomes. Sure. But to truly realize the Creative reign of our God - we must demarnd of one another at least an attempt at this imagined, truly representative, dialogue - a microcosm of the true global church.

- Tim Showalter on bikemovement.com
Harrisonburg, Va., native

A Quick Note

As most of you have noticed I have two new pictures up on my blog. The first is of a country view (mostly a fence and bridge in the background) of my families' farm. The second photo is a self portrait taken on the family farm.

You might have also noticed that I entitled the first photo All Roads Lead Home. Let me take a moment to add a disclaimer here; the previous comment was NOT (and I repeat, was NOT) a doctrinal message, meaning that all ways lead to Christ.

My comment was more or less referencing the fact that I'm a country girl at heart, and I'm bound to come back to that place I call home.

I hope that sets us straight now : )

The New and Improved...

...BLOG!!!

That's right I've updated. Can't you tell?

And with my new image I'm going to try and make a new effort. I'll be putting more effort into updating regularly and about subjects of interest (interest to me not necessarily you...sorry).

I've also told myself that pictures are colorful things (unless they are black and white) and I should post more of them.

So get ready, hold on tight, and prepare yourself, for the new and improved Blog of Jenwinker!

Family Heritage

Two weeks ago today I was in Virginia celebrating Thanksgiving with my family. Two weeks from today I will be in an airport again on my way back to Virginia. Two trips to see my family in less than a month...I'm a very lucky girl.

I'm enjoying this time I have to spend with my family and friends. I really enjoyed Thanksgiving with my family and I'm already looking forward to Christmas.

One of the best things (besides seeing family and friends) about being back in Virginia for Thanksgiving was some interesting information I learned. Most of this new information was concerning a deceased grandparent of mine. My Granddaddy Heatwole.

Granddaddy Heatwole (as I always called him) was part of my life as long as I can remember. Out of all my grandparents I probably felt closests to him. I'm sure that mostly had to do with the fact that Granddaddy Heatwole came down to the farm every day but Sunday, and lived only a mile from the farm (well they did move later in life - but he still came to the farm every day).

When I was a child, Granddaddy would come out to the farm early in the mornings and be there when I was waiting for the school bus. It was always for me to get in his pick-up truck at the end of the lane and wait for the school bus there. We would talk about different things, or I would search through his open glove box and play with the tire guage I found there, and sometimes he even had candy for me. Just spending that time with Granddaddy was special.

I have other memories of Granddaddy Heatwole, from him taking me to the livestock sales, going for ice cream, or playing croquet. I also remember the times when I'd be up at his house (being watched by my grandparents) and he'd be sitting in his chair reading his Bible or listen to some gospel record.

Granddaddy always impressed me as a quiet man, who enjoyed life, lived for God daily, loved his family greatly and was passionate about many things (from music to gardening). You know, as I sit here thinking of what I remember most about this man, I'm impressed with the knowledge that I knew he loved his family greatly. As I said my Granddaddy always struck me as a quiet man, in all my vaguest memories I can't remember one instance when Granddaddy ever said he loved me. And even though he might never have said the words to me I've never once doubted that he did love me. In fact I know it with absolute certainty. Granddaddy was always one to show his love through his actions, and I was a receiptient of those acts of love many a time.

Now that I've wandered a ways down this path of childhood memories let me get back on track with the purpose for me writing today. I was speaking earlier that I learned something new of my Granddaddy Heatwole while I was in Virginia for Thanksgiving. As it turns out my Granddaddy was quite the missionary in the years before I was born. I learned that he was involved with Cattle Boats to Italy, proposed church planting in Austrailia, time spent church planting in West Virginia, and even a trip to Russia.

The fact that my Granddaddy was passionate about missions isn't a surprise to me. I knew growing up that he supported missions, but I thought it was more of a financial support. He certainly did support missions financially, but in the years before my arrival into this world he was a missionary who went into the world.

For me there is a great significance to this new discovery. I finally feel as if there is someone in my family (or a family heritage) that I share a passion and desire with. For years I've known a desire to share God's love in the world, both where I was born/raised and other places. It's a desire that's torn me apart at times. At times I've wanted to stay close to my family and friends and everything familiar. Then there have been other times when I knew that peace wouldn't come until I ventured out of my comfort zone and went where God wanted me.

I'm encouraged to know that my Granddaddy (someone I've loved and who has loved me deeply) felt and experienced the same trials and joys. I know that my Granddaddy's faithful service to God continues in a legacy that I carry today. What a joy to have that knowledge.