Heart Hope by Olga

We all have a choice about how we can react to situations and circumstances. How we respond can say a lot about us. On a recent trip I saw two drastically different reactions displayed. When traveling I most often carry my Bible with me to prepare a lesson or just to read. As I was waiting for a delayed flight I was reading my “old friend” when a fellow traveler exclaimed, "That's the biggest book I've ever seen. What is it?" When I told her that it was my Bible, she asked me if I was reading it through and I told her that although I have done that, this time I was reading it in preparation for an upcoming talk. Then I asked her if she had read it and she said that she had read only part of it when she was in Hebrew classes. As we continued the conversation, she said she was very interested in religions other than her own and perhaps she should read through the whole Bible, just to know what it says. As she departed I prayed that she would read it and that her

Ninety. The number can seem large or small in different circumstances. If you weight ninety pounds you are considered tiny, but if you have ninety pounds to lose, it may seem may be overwhelming. Ninety is the number we were celebrating just a few weeks ago on our travels during the holidays. My mother was hitting the milestone that most people never reach. She was ninety years old on December 27 th . When I was younger 90 seem ancient, but many of you will agree that it gets younger every year. My mother is one of the fortunate few who is still able to stay in her home, drive her car and live a productive life. Her social life is full with lunches and dinners with friends and family. Her mind is sharp and clear. Although her body is not what it once was, she still looks great and feels pretty good on most days. And most will laugh when they read that one of her ministry opportunities is visiting the old people at the nursing homes and assisted living facilities in town.

I t didn't look promising. On Christmas Day the hovering snowstorm was threatening to keep everyone from making their holiday destinations. The holding area was somber as the flight got pushed back and then farther back and incoming flights were canceled. People were texting, making calls and waiting. Concerned about their connecting flights people were making alternate plans for their final destinations. While many people dream of a white Christmas, most of us in the terminal thought it was white enough outside and it could stop any time. However, the snow continued to fall, the plows kept clearing the runways, just in case there was an opening in the sky and attendants swept the moveable staircase, while the passengers grew even more concerned. Not the Christmas that any of us had planned. And then the Christmas spirit kicked in when one precious lone flight attendant boarded the cold dark plane and made a pot of hot coffee to share. And then came another along with a