Today, I had the privilege of saying some words of remembrance about Monica (my wife's sister) at her funeral. Here is the text:
Monica Kay (Busch) Zabel, of Waverly, Iowa was 49 years old. She died peacefully at her home on Friday, February, 11, 2011, after a long and heroic battle with breast cancer.
Monica was born on February 28, 1961, at the Waverly Municipal Hospital, the daughter of Caroll "Joe" Busch and Catherine (Rosol) Busch. Monica attended school in Waverly until 1972 at which time she moved with her family to Cresco, Iowa. Monica graduated from Crestwood High School in 1979. In 1980, she moved with her family back to Waverly.
Monica was employed briefly at various businesses, namely, The Red Fox Inn, Hy-Vee, Midcom, Cuna, and Meyer’s Pharmacy. I have met many many people who worked with Monica over the years and all have commented to me on how much they liked her.
Monica attended Hawkeye Community College, and graduated with a degree in Child Development.
On September 7, 2002, Monica was joyfully united in marriage to Daniel Zabel here at Grace Baptist Church.
In 2003, Monica started her own child care business in her home and I must note here that she loved the kids she cared for and gained many friendships with the parents. She continued her child care business until her illness forced her to stop working in 2010.
Monica was a member of Peace United Church of Christ.
Typical of Monica, her kindness spilled over into the animal world and she was a volunteer with Waverly Pet Rescue and provided a temporary home for many many dogs.
She was very active with and loyal to the Relay for Life.
She was an avid Waterloo Black Hawks hockey fan. Unfortunately, I never went to a hockey game with Monica, but I can imagine it was an experience, because she rarely hid her feelings or opinions. It was her matter-of-fact outbursts that truly made me smile. They were not cruel outbursts, but never-the-less... they were loud.
Monica enjoyed fishing, camping, animals, and spending time with her family and friends. My family was fortunate to have spent many nights camping with Monica, and I must say that it was always a joy. Monica made camping fun.
Monica's memory is honored by her husband, Daniel Zabel of Waverly; her son, Dustin Busch of Waverly; her step-daughter, Kelsey and her husband Shane Pabst of Aplington; her step-granddaughter, Kiley Pabst; her mother, Cathy Busch of Denver; two sisters, Joyce and her husband Mike Lowe of New Hampton, and Kelly and her husband me, Dan Rustad of Waverly; her father-in-law, Eugene Zabel of Waverly; five sisters-in-law, June and her husband Ivan Meyer of Tripoli, Ellyne and her husband Doug Gray of Waterloo, Barbara and her husband Don Gilbert of Waverly, Kerri and her husband Rick Wellman of Waverly, Dawn Parker of Waverly; and several nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles. Monica was preceded in death by her father, Caroll "Joe" Busch, on September 6, 2009; her mother-in-law, Irene Minnie Louise Zabel on February 8, 2005; and several aunts and uncles.
Before I step down I wanted to share with you some of my thoughts about Monica, her life and the loss that we all feel. I have had some time this past year to think about the impact that Monica has had on our lives and I realized that anything I say here could never really do her justice. The details of her life do not describe the heart that she had for us. Knowing Monica made me a better person and she deserves so much of my gratitude.
Thinking back over the 27 years that I have known her, I realized how unconditional her nature was. How gracious she was. How she was always willing to share a smile. How she was always generous. How she could never hold a grudge. How she was so very loving and kind.
Talking last night with her aunts they told me how from a very small child, Monica would stash treats in a shoebox under her bed. And if you know Monica, you know that she was never without a treat. And as I pondered this I realized that she never horded these treats. She always shared them... with everyone.
I remember May 1, 1987 the year after I married Kelly. I came home from work and inside the storm door of our house was two paper cups with treats in them. I didn’t even realize that there was anything special about the day until Kelly told me it was May Day and that they were from Monica. That tradition never ended and not just May Days, but birthdays and Halloweens and especially Christmases.
We were blessed to have known Monica and we will miss her and the only comfort I can give you is the comfort I attempted to give my sons the morning of her passing. I told them that “Aunt Monica’s nature was one of innocent and willing acceptance and that innocent and willing acceptance included her faith in Jesus.” So, I am certain of the peace she now has and all the love she gave all of us is now being returned to her in heaven.
It was an honor and a privilege to have known her and I will miss her. Thank-you.
My wife and I watched the movie Temple Grandin
twice (the kids watched with us the second time). I can't stop thinking about it. It makes me wonder about the different ways that people learn... visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. Why do some people relish a good lecture and others fidget and yet others drift off to sleep? What are the implications regarding our educational system? Or what does that say about the types of people that excel in politics, business or even religion? Are we excluding those who think differently from contributing to the conversation? Shunning them instead of embracing their uniqueness? Writing them off because they don't fit a mold? My mind has been spinning since I watched this movie. These are only a few of the things that I have asked myself since watching. There is so much more to it... excellent performances, insights into autism, and even life and death. I highly recommended it.
I starting reading Chasing Francis: A Pilgrim's Tale by Ian Morgan Cron
about a week ago, and although it was a busy week the book was constantly calling me to read a little more here and a little more there. Like a good movie, I yearn for the end and then mourn when it is over.
What a title for a book! Love is an Orientation: Elevating the Conversation with the Gay Community
. It is one that should capture the imagination of everyone who stumbles upon it. In fact it did with me. Yesterday, I started reading it and much of it has confirmed my feelings with actual experience and logical discourse. Naturally, I was thinking then that "Christians" should read this. However, as I ponder what I have read so far (and remembering my opinions when I wasn't a "Christian") I think it is a good read for us all. Too often, in my experience, conversation on this subject hangs around the lower floors. It is time to elevate the conversation and bring us together in the upper room to share pain and begin healing.
Until a year ago I had never heard of Leonard Sweet. No, I don't live under a rock, just a small town in Iowa. The first book I read by this author was So Beautiful: Divine Design for Life and the Church
. It opened my eyes not only to the subject, but a writer's voice that intrigued me.
continues that Sweet tradition. I can judge a book by how often I put it down. The ones I read straight through with nary a pause means the book was good, but shallow. Usually, the good and shallow ones rarely leave an impression or require further thought. Nudge
Some of the things the authors say in this book push the limits of what others have lead me to believe are orthodox, or in other words, what one should adhere to that is commonly accepted. Not a bad thing. I have never been comfortable with blindly believing everything I am taught. Nevertheless, I started reading it about two weeks ago and I have been methodically looking at every word, re-reading every other page, and trying my darnedest (which is a word surprisingly...) to understand this book. It's not that it is hard to understand. It is just so foreign to what I normally read. I can't help it... I like this book.
is a book that confirms what I learned from Luther so many years ago, that our freedom in Jesus Christ is so much more radical than we let it be. It reaffirms what I have known for sometime: the gospel is "good" news. I recommend it... the book and the gospel. :)
As Is: Uncovering common place glory
. The subtitle says it all. I couldn't describe this book in any other way. The author, Krista Finch, shares stories that throughout the book reminded me of Pilgrim at Tinker Creek. Of course the stories were different and the voice was uniquely the author's, but my enjoyment of the book was the same feeling I had reading Anne Dillard's book years ago. The story was sweet and thought provoking. I recommend it to all my friends. :)
I was intrigued by the premise of this book
and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I have known for sometime that a man and a woman can have a wonderful (platonic) friendship.
I ride my bicycle to work everyday. Rain or shine. Sleet or snow. It's only ten blocks. My friend and co-worker asked me once, "Why do you do that?"
by Charles Foster is an excellent book on the importance of looking at a walk with Christ as a journey rather than a destination. Journeys that we can we look forward to.
I have read the first 10 chapters of this book
and I can't put it down (well just long enough to write this). In fact, I can "wholeheartedly" recommend it without even finishing it! I realized early on that this is like no other book I have ever read. The author has a creative way of touching on serious issues with the hilarity of a stand-up comedian.
presents a fresh unveiling of Jesus as not only Savior and Lord, but as so much more. It is a prophetic call to restore the supremacy and sovereignty of Christ in a world-and a church-that has lost sight of Him.
I don't know why, but I wasn't expecting much when I started reading this book. However, it has been a very pleasant surprise. The author has opened my eyes to so many things I should have known all along. Needless to say, I have had some special "Duh" moments.
I like books that make me question my long held pet-beliefs. Who Really Goes to Hell? - The Gospel You've Never Heard: What a Protestant Bible written by Jews says about God's work through Christ (A book for those in the church and those offended by it)
does that not only from the first page, but even in the title! If you are struggling with questions or need to stir up the cobwebs in your theology this is a book for you. Checkout other reviews here.
I just started reading the sample of this 
on my 
and it is a good read. The author addresses issues I personally have struggled with and she does it with intelligent discourse and polite humor. I am enjoying my sample and I intend to put it on my list of must have books.