Recently, I gave one of my neighbors Parkview’s Summer Funner  Theatre (SFT) registration form. Last year, it was his daughter’s first year in SFT and she had loved it. As I had promised, I took this year’s information over as soon as it was available.

It was during this time that Chuck Howard, along with Pastors Dave and Ray, challenged us to think about radically giving to the Kingdom by donating our economic stimulus checks rather than spending them on ourselves. I remember Ray encouraging us to pray for sensitivity, openness and opportunities to give.

This challenge rattled about in my head. I was taken by this radical thought of creative giving. Now, the idea communicated was that we’d consider offering the entire amount. Honestly, I wasn’t sure about that, but the challenge didn’t fall on deaf ears either. I have been praying about where and how much to give. My neighbors came to mind several times while I was mulling this over.

As I was going through the registration form with my neighbor, we came to the cost. He mentioned that he’d give me the check later, due to current tightness in cash flow. I saw this as an opening and so I offered to cover the cost (which isn’t much), explaining that just that morning our pastors had encouraged us as Christians to look for ways to give to others rather than simply spending the upcoming government surplus money on ourselves. My neighbor was hesitant to accept. I followed up by explaining that my offer wasn’t based on me being such a good person, but it was a step for me in learning how to give and express God’s goodness and love in tangible ways. I then expressed my appreciation for his neighborliness, handed him the registration form, and simply asked him to fill it out and return it to me. If it wasn’t accompanied by a check, I’d cover it.

Later that same day, I ended up offering this option to the other caregiver in the family. As it turned out, both declined my offer, but the exchanges went well. They both encouraged me to offer assistance to someone else who might be in greater need. Regardless, the experience was a good exercise for me in articulating and wading into this way of giving.

Since then I’ve been excited to see other timely opportunities in which to give and have dipped into the promised return. (I’m still awaiting that government check!) Even at this point, I’m not sure if the entire amount will be donated, but my goal is to give more than I would have previously considered. In the meantime, Wes Underwood’s comments in the recent business meeting have been helpful as I continue walking in the tension of living by faith (not storing up earthly treasures) while attempting to manage current resources responsibly.

G. Strating

I have been really sick lately. Lots and lots of pain with arthritis due to a recent diagnosis of Lupus. Then at the same time, my toilet kind of broke.

It kept on running so I had to take the lid off the tank and push the flap down to make the tank fill and the water stop running. Well, the other day when I took the lid off to push down the flap, my wrists gave out and I dropped the lid. It shattered and totally scared me. I didn’t get hurt but I burst into tears because I feel like an 80 year old woman.

In the whole scheme of things, getting the toilet fixed had been low on my priority list, that was until I dropped my hair clip in the tank. That was when I decided it was time to take some action.

So who you’re going to call? Rick Lomax, a.k.a. "Pops". That’s what I call him because he is like my dad away from home. Whenever I need help with anything in my house, he gladly (in his much loved grumpy way) helps me out. So I called him and left a message,

"Hi Pops, this is Dani, my toilet flapper needs fixing and I broke the top to the lid so I need a new one. Will you please call me?"

Less than an hour later he gives me a call.

"What’s it with women and toilets? They always seem to be breaking toilets?!?!?"

I kindly informed him that I had never broken a toilet to my knowledge. He proceeded to tell me I couldn’t buy just the lid for the tank, I needed a whole new toilet.  Major bummer. He said he had just got home from a side job and would be taking a shower, then he could come over after he ate.

After just getting home from working all day, he was at my house within the hour. He asked me how long the toilet had been broken and yells at me for not calling him right away. You gotta love the guy!

We went to Home Depot (Rick, Jake and I….Jake loves Mr. Rick) and we all picked out a toilet together. We got to my house and within one hour I had a new toilet.  Jake loved watching and helping Rick take out the old toilet, scrape off that nasty wax ring, and put in the new toilet.

Jake christened the toilet for us and gave it a test run. All worked well.

Before the evening was over, we had some fun with the camera as Rick put the old toilet on the front curb for the garbage man.

Long and short, my toilet got fixed very fast, my son got to hang with a man who loves Jesus while learning a few things about toilets, and I was totally encouraged and cheered up by a good friend coming to help me out.

Parkview Deacons are awesome! Thanks you guys!

–Dani

Many of the stories we tell on this blog are about how PCC people are following Jesus in very tangible ways in their everyday lives. Most of these stories take place outside of Parkview’s walls. Here is a story that reminds us that preparing for God’s mission begins early in life. Thanks to all those who regularly care for and serve Parkview’s children and who are even now preparing them for God’s mission.

Our DVD player broke down a few weeks ago, so my husband went out and purchased a DVR to replace it. We’ve had all our recorded family videos on mini tapes, and now that we had a DVR, we wanted to start transferring the first years of our daughter’s life onto DVD.

About this time every year, we take out these recordings and reminisce about our daughter’s adoption, as we adopted her four years ago in April. We have been showing her these videos every year, not really knowing how much she understood about her background.

We’ve been intentional about talking with her about where she was born, and have been praying for her birth mother ever since she can remember. So, while we were watching the videos, I told her that this was from when we adopted her. And I got to thinking, “Does she know what adoption means?”, so I asked her if she knew what it meant. She said no. So I explained to her about how her birth mom wanted to, but could not raise her, and that she made a plan for her to be raised by parents who could take care of her well, and that God put us together in the same family as a result.

She thought about it for a second and asked,

“Do you mean like Moses, Mommy?”

“Wow !”, I thought, and answered. “Yes, just like Moses.”

I got to thinking , “did I teach her about Moses?”, and specifically about how he was saved by adoption? I couldn’t remember, and I’m next to positive that she learned about that in Sunday School.

So, as you teach those little ones and you don’t think they’re getting it, don’t give up heart. My child heard, and it helped her to understand a confusing concept for a 4 year old. Thank you – keep it up!

-Jeanne

I just wanted to give you a quick re-cap of the Darfur benefit concert Friday night (March 7th).

There were just under 500 high school students who attended the event and we ended up raising over $3,300.00. It was wonderful to see how the body of Christ worked together so well (truly like a machine, all be it one with flesh and bones and one with the Spirit of the living God residing among it).

Those in the kitchen preparing and serving food, those on the stage helping get each band set up, those in the sound booth working lights, computer, and sound, those in the lobby working check in, those serving in the parking lot on a cold night, to those running security. People of God serving in their areas of giftedness and strengths is a humbling and exciting thing to see!

As happy as I am about what I just shared, I am most excited about how this event was used in the lives of many non-Christian students who attended.

As someone who has worked with teens for over 20 years (and from conversations I had prior to and after the event), I know that the majority of non-Christian students there that night came with some pre-conceived ideas about the church (by that I mean the people of God, not the building…right Ray?!).  

I know for a fact that there were students who came thinking they were going to be tolerated at best, and most likely judged and looked down upon.  Instead, every student who came that night was welcomed, respected and honored which challenged their pre-conceived notions of God’s people. How will God use that? I’m not sure, but I am sure He is using it and will continue to, and that is what gets me the most excited about the benefit concert.

-Glenn Westburg

Many of the stories that have been sent in are about how PCC people are living out their faith. We recently received this short note of thanks from someone who has benefited from this kind of missional living.
We are all tired of shoveling snow, so what a blessing to be getting ready for work on Tuesday morning to hear a snowblower in my driveway. A Parkview friend had my long driveway all cleared before I left for work.

Thanks to another Parkview friend who supplied funds for some medical needs before she was even aware that I needed it. God at work through His people.

-Alex

Two years ago, I had the experience of participating in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, walking in honor of my friend who was a 5-year survivor. For two days, I walked 39 miles through the streets of Chicago, bearing witness to literally thousands of determined people coming together for one cause. Residents of the eclectic “nook and cranny” neighborhoods in Chicago handed out water and held signs of support for walkers. The crowd of walkers moving along the lakefront was endless; a vision I will never forget. After completing the walk, I decided this was an experience not meant for once in a lifetime. I decided to do it again in 2008.

2008 came fast! I contacted my friends who walked with me in 2006 asking if they were interested in doing it again. For various reasons, none of them could commit so I decided to do it alone. Soon after my decision, I was in church one Sunday listening to David preach, accompanied by Anne Martin reading scripture. Although I had never met Anne, I knew of her through my daughter as “Miss Anne, the puppet lady”. I also knew she was battling cancer.

Two days later the idea of forming Team Anne was born. I decided that I had to walk for Anne and I had to get others to walk for her too. How did this idea come about? It was my decision to walk, along with Anne Martin being put in front of me on a Sunday morning. Was it just a coincidence? I don’t believe so. You see, it’s very simple; Anne is my sister in Christ. We help our brothers and sisters.

Anne and I have had phone conversations about the walk a few times over the past couple of weeks. I finally met her in person for the first time on Sunday when she joined me in the foyer after the 9:30 service to talk to folks about the Avon Walk. My husband asked me later that day what it was like to finally meet her in person. I responded by simply saying, “Meeting her was not like meeting her at all, I felt like I had known her forever.”

If you are interested in helping out, go to www.avonwalk.org to either support a walker or walk yourself. Just do it!

If you have any questions, please contact me at robin AT pccmail DOT org.

Peace,

-Robin

I am a physical therapist working with children with special needs. Many of the children I serve are from low income families. The difficulties of having a child with special needs are many and the financial worries are great. Around 14 years ago, myself and 2 of my friends starting talking, “If only we had a little money”. Of course, we had no idea where to start. (This is when God kicked us!) Just start…..We called our organization, Thumbuddy Special, because the kids we serve really are SPECIAL!

We had our first fund raiser and we were off and running! We made about $5,000 dollars and quickly found the needs. Over the last 2 and half years, Thumbuddy Special raised and gave away over 150,000 dollars. We purchase wheelchairs, lifts, adapted bikes, eye glasses, hearing aides, bath seats, ramps etc. We also sponsor 2 special recreation programs, last year we sent 20 children to summer camp. This last Christmas, our Santas delivered toys to over 800 children and 30 needy families were helped through the season. PCC youth ministry helped wrap the gifts.

Believe me, it has not always been easy. Often I find myself worried about a family or something to do with Thumbuddy Special and I pray for guidance. It is simply amazing how it always works out. I call them my angel stories. And I could not even begin to tell you the rewards we receive in return. God is amazing!

God Bless

Mary Ellen

Most Sundays at Parkview, I see a gentleman stand in the same place all by himself. I try to always say “hello” and he says “hello” back. I never knew his name and can’t remember if I have ever said anything to him besides “hello”. He seems to always look uncomfortable. I never see him interact with anyone or ask for anything. He just stands in the same spot each week.

Today I was debating on whether I should make a quick run for my lunch since I was out and about. After going through the drive through, I saw the gentleman from church enter the restaurant. Before I could even get out of my car, he had already entered and exited the restaurant within seconds. I asked him if he wanted to something to eat. He said “Yes”. I then asked him if he went to Parkview and he said “Yes”. I am not sure he recognized me as I was wearing a long coat and sunglasses. While I ordered what he requested, he found a seat. When he came to get his food he said “Thank you” about 4 times AND HE PUT OUT HIS HAND TO SHAKE MINE AND INTRODUCED HIMSELF!!

I now know his name (and thats all I know!). What an exciting day!

-J

Last week during the snow storm George was shoveling and the neighbor “Pete” down the street was shoveling.  In the meantime another neighbor got stuck in the snow and couldn’t get up his driveway.  So George and Pete helped the guy get his truck up in his driveway.

After George came in the house I noticed flashing lights going down the street and I assumed it was the Village of Glen Ellyn Plow truck but then I realized they were red flashing lights not orange and it dawned on me an ambulance was going down our dead-end street.  As I looked out the front door I realized the ambulance was in the driveway of our neighbor Pete.  Remembering how he had just been pushing a truck up a driveway and shoveling I threw on my coat and ran down there.  I went in the house where his wife “Sandy” was in a panic while the paramedics were taking him through the house.

Pete didn’t look good at all, in fact his coloring was grey and he was passed out.  Sandy and I followed them out to the ambulance and I hugged and prayed with her.  The weather was bad and I was concerned about her driving and being at the hospital by herself.  All of their families were out of state.  So I went with her to the hospital and she wanted me to go into the emergency room with them.   What we thought was a heart attack or a stroke due to shoveling turned out to be an allergic reaction to some medication.  He had taken only one for a headache and it caused his blood pressure to drop dramatically to 55 over 35.  That’s Low.  The paramedics told him later they thought they were losing him in the ambulance.

The allergic reaction passed later that evening and he went home the next day.  He is fine now, and Pete and Sandy have both expressed their gratitude to us for loving and caring for them.  God is good and it was just as much a blessing to me as it was to them.
Blessings,

-Marcia

For most of my life - I have been pretty lucky and gotten along with my life. This changed about 4 years ago when I began having some health challenges. Yes – this happens when you smoke two packs of cigarettes per day and don’t take care of yourself.

As a result of my health troubles, I was in no position to work and, without any money coming in, I lost the place I was living and ended up homeless. A lady I knew was a volunteer at a PADS site and she suggested I go there. Due to the fact it was that or outside on a rather frigid December night - I chose PADS.

I did not want any one to know I was in there as I was very embarrassed that I couldn’t take care of myself. It was very humbling to know you were as helpless as an infant.

After being in the PADS system for about 2 or 3 weeks, one of the other padites said I should come with them to church. They said we would get a free ride to a day site one block from [where we spent] Sunday night so I went for the free ride.

Now — I didn’t feel right about getting the free ride and free food and not attending the services so I went [in and listened to the service]. That was the first day of my life as I now know it.

When I sat in that service I didn’t know what it was but something was very different than any service I had ever attended. After attending 4 or 5 services, I saw what it was. I saw Danielle singing with the biggest smile as she sang. And then when I walked out to the back after services I saw it again. As she sang, the love she had for the Lord came out in that brilliant smile and, out in the back, everyone was so happy. I had to have some of that. That day in John Fallon’s bible study class, I became a Christian and everything changed that day.

In just a few weeks I had found work and with my first check I found a place to live, and God has been blessing me so much ever since. One year ago, I was led by the Lord to my current employer. I am a medicar driver for an ambulance company and, low and behold, — if my spiritual gifts didn’t turn out to be such that — I am now a member of the Parkview Visitation Ministry which goes right along with my full time job.

The Lord most certainly does work in strange ways. I can not even think of the right words to explain all that the Lord has blessed me with, or how thankful I am for the people of Parkview who have helped me find my way to the Lord. The Lord put me in PADS so I could find all of you wonderful people and your wonderful place of worship. Of this I have no doubt.

I only hope that I can begin to earn a few of God’s blessings. I feel the Lord in my life every day through each and ever one here at Parkview. Your stories will be told by all that tell their stories as Pastor David has requested.

Be a proud bunch Parkview. You are doing the Lord’s work and doing it well!

Love In Christ,

-Gerald