I was just trying to think of a memorable subject line, this isn't intended to be any kind of comparison to the person who said that a good while back (they said he was the long awaited one!)
I'm at a ministry conference at a community in Maryland. I came by myself--Laura made the trip to Texas, I got Maryland, and then Chicagoland next week. I'm a lot more relaxed than I was back in 1990, when Laura and I drove down with our six month old twins and Sarah to interview with the fellowship to be one of their ministry partners. Bob and Ralph interviewed us and Bob still remembers. We were young, that's for sure. He said this week that we were the first ministry workers they took on that weren't providing direct services--we've always been caring for people in ministry as our primary role, and then there was a training component too. Thanks Forcey and to all of you who've helped! I've always said this group adopted us, and we're grateful to be adopted. What I remember is that the engine light was on in the car when we arrived--I didn't notice it until we pulled in the driveway after driving down from New Jersey. We never drove the car back, but then the Father provided two great cars that kept us going until we left for Taiwan in 1996. My parents were here in MD back then, and even today someone I didn't know told me they remembered my parents fondly. I told them I do too!
So 23.5 years later, here I am back at Forcey. Today I got to speak to about 140 middle schoolers at their school chapel. They were very nice to me, all thing considered. I told them stories about a few of the people I've gotten to know in my journey, before I ran out of time. Supposedly I was helping them think globally instead of just about themselves. At least it got me thinking about some of the people I've gotten to know and what makes them interesting. The middle schoolers went from me to lunch so there was definitely no going long with this crowd.
But about who I am, I am still not sure what to say. Earlier this week some of us ministry partners were introducing what we did, so I said, "I just talk to people." (Actually, that's not all. Sometimes I go for walks, too. I've even helped carry groceries.)
When I got to Taiwan in 1996, I used to let people know I had a doctorate. I thought that would help build trust. What do you think?! Now I just say who I'm married to. Literally. Even my cards just say "Steve and Laura Spinella." "Global Care."
But now I'm wondering about the "Global Care." Maybe I should go for "local care," or "immediate care," or even just "hope to care." "Hopeful care" sounds good. I like the sound of that, as in I'm hopeful, and I'm hopefully caring, or at least I'm hoping I'm caring.
I'm 57 now, my parents died at 59, and I'm hearing from a lot of people that life starts getting less global at some point, and maybe my life will too. Then who will I be? Maybe I could be content to just be who I am, and not worry too much about what people say. At the middle school chapel I asked if any of them had parents who were older than me. Some of the teachers raised their hands.
In any case, I'm realizing that people are not so much worried about who I am, but they would like to know I care, and caring for whoever is right in front of me is probably the best place to start. Caring about who they are, where they've been, what they're hoping, and what's on their minds...and hearts.
So, who are you? I would like to know, and hopefully if and when you tell me, I really will want to know--and cherish--who you are. Like I think we are cherished by the one who knows us best.
Steve
PS The conference is going well, I've also gotten to see a few folks in the area, and Laura is doing well back in Colorado. Monday I'll head up to TEAM's Wheaton office for a few days and then back to Colorado on Thursday. Don't worry, I'll just be...talking to people. Oh, and by the way, I just finally got licensed by the state of Colorado as a marriage and family therapist, too. I thought maybe I ought to, being back in Colorado for over three years now :-)
Steve and Laura Spinella
street: 1930 Springcrest Rd, CO Springs 80920
mail: 9685 Otero Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80920
Steve cell 719.355.4809, Laura cell 832.755.4261
TEAM, PO Box 969, Wheaton, IL 60187, 800 343-3144
<spinella@alumni.rice.edu> <lauraspinella@alumni.rice.edu>
TEAM, PO Box 969, Wheaton, IL 60187, 800 343-3144
<spinella@alumni.rice.edu> <lauraspinella@alumni.rice.edu>
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