Diagnosis: NDD

The past few weeks have been focused on Diana's visit. We had plenty of other issues to contend with but always the imminent arrival of the Russian children has overshadowed everything else, in good and bad ways.

My friend Connie and I have shared our joys and our fears. We've laughed together trying out our Russian phrases and we've marveled seeing God's hand at work in this project. It's been simply amazing how we have connected with people who have the same passion for parent-less children around the world. So many of you have helped by providing all kinds of wonderful gifts for the kids to take back with them to the orphanage. My mom has supplied Diana with clothing and interesting crafts and toys and "girlie things." My mother is much more creative and thoughtful than I am. Many people, some I don't even know, have given bags and bags of clothing. And the reason strangers are donating gifts is because you are getting the word out!

Others have stepped in to help me with coordinating the Vacation Bible School. It's become a monumental task because the people attending keeps growing. I'm feeling stressed and rushed and I'm having trouble sticking with a task because I keep thinking about something else that needs to be done. I have to prepare a Russian meal for 65 people the first night! I was trying to figure out how that was physically possible when my dear friend who manages a food service business made a spontaneous phone call. She just gave the word and now a professional chef will prepare Beef Stroganoff for us all. This is a huge load lifted from my shoulders. I am so grateful to her and to each of you who are partnering with us.

This summer we've also had some fun. Fred bought the girls beautiful bikes three years ago. Arielle and Liana were thrilled with the flashy colors, the glitzy streamers floating from the handlebars, and the matching baskets to hold their favorite stuffed animals. But actually riding the bikes was another story. These bikes came equipped with sturdy training wheels and the girls did not want them removed, even Arielle at age 9. But one warm day Fred took the training wheels off, never to be replaced. Arielle overcame her fears and rode down the path at our favorite park amidst cheers from the rest of the family. Now Arielle and I (on my new Christmas bike) fly around the park trails. What a joy to share this time with my daughter!

Liana is only 7, but more serious about bike riding than Arielle ever was. Fred, with infinite patience, methodically walks the circular track with Liana, around and around, stooping to keep her steady, pulling her from the grass when she veers off, righting her when she wobbles, reaching to place her feet back into position. He never seems to tire of it.

One recent day as Arielle and I rode, we were delighted with the sky, a deep blue with cotton puff clouds. The sun warmed our backs and arms as we passed fields of buttercups, black-eyed susans and Queeen Anne's lace. We practiced our Russian as we rode, "Be careful, as-ta-rozh-na!" I shouted. Arielle responded, "Yes, of course, da, ka-nyesh-na." We laughed at our silliness but I am thrilled with her skills in so quickly picking up a new language. We heard bird calls unfamiliar to us and craned our necks to see where these strange creatures were perched. The coolness of the woods beckoned and we rode on. The fragrance of wild roses washed over us at one turn. Deeper into the thicket of trees the din of the traffic faded like the din of our busy lives and time was of no consequence anymore. We were living in the moment. It's a great place to be. Then off in the distance we saw a tiny girl on a tiny bike riding alone. No, a man was trotting along behind to keep up. It was Liana and Fred! Liana was riding without help!

All of us returned home refreshed. In the Philadelphia Inquirer was an article by Michael Smerconish. He was discussing a book by Richard Louv called Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder. Supposedly, "there is a recent body of research suggesting that exposure to nature can be a form of medicine for afflictions such as ADD, stress or depression." He went on, "...children today are being raised disconnected from nature...gone are the days of forts in the backyard...today children grow up shackled to computers and TVs."

Well, I believe it. Our bike hike was good medicine for the whole family. Every time we take the time to get outdoors we are transformed. Why don't we do this more often? I truly am afflicted with Nature Deficit Disorder. But it's easy to cure. God created this wonderful nature. It's medicine easy to swallow.

"You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands." Isaiah 55:12.