Dr. Momo. A Note From Jan.

Days. Daze. Eleven of them since receiving an honorary degree from Gordon College. Doctor of Humane Letters.

Don’t know exactly what that is, but God knows it’s not something I deserved. Really.

No fake humility. Just the truth.

Now, I do know what inhumane letters look like since I’ve received a few and sent more than one. Humane’s better. Way better. 

I never made the Dean’s list in college. Only once did I come close. That’s what keeps getting me about God, the way He seems to look for ways to give me what I don’t deserve and couldn’t earn. But not just me.

Take one wiggly, skinny (once upon a time) kid with blonde hair, brown eyes, hand-me-down clothes from Ilona Ellefsen, a love for hearing, reading or telling stories, even when sometimes bribed by Uncle Frank with 5-25 cents to shut up and go away. Add parents and a couple of grandparents who love me and pray for where my feet go. Toss in some years of grit, gratitude, Grace and a few teachers who nudged me to believe and reach. Stir in friends, lifelong friends (Wheaton, Denver Seminary, Michigan State University, John Wesley College, Gordon College) who helped me learn to ask questions and to know and speak my mind, at a time when “nice girls” were trained to shut up and smile.  Dump in a “conditional admit” to college, as in “you’ve got some proving to do,” which I did the summer before I entered Wheaton in the fall. Bump into the man you’ll marry while you’re both working in the college kitchen, a man who could’ve had the pick of the crop and chose you. Add RA to your campus activities and get to know Dean Dick Gross and Jody who mentor Jud and you Teach school and get taught Then commit to each other and to following Jesus, and end up at Gordon College with two little kids and a ton of hope and possibilities Suddenly, you’ve spent the better part of your life here.  And this place where you loved and served has loved and served you back and then some.   The place you came to grow, grew you. God does stuff like that. Good Samaritans all over the place, sometimes wearing funny hats and robes, sometimes skateboarding, sometimes driving snowplows, sometimes pouring water.

Like I said when receiving the honorary degree — This makes me think Christmas. Luke 2. When the shepherds (maybe on a Monday night) were doing their usual work, “Suddenly…” There’s a sound and light show … angels and a star worth following and words … important, life changing words, ”Fear not. I bring you good news. You have a Savior.”

And that’s how I felt on Saturday, May 17….God showed up with one of His “Fear not, I bring you good news” shout-outs. You have an honorary doctorate…for no earthly reason. I still don’t get it. But Gordon gave it and I’m grateful.

This time I didn’t forget or flip two pages at once.  So I finally introduced my family to the graduating class of 2015, their families and the larger Gordon community. My brother, Ralph Jensen, who knows what I deserve and sometimes gave it to me. My brother-in-love, Jim Abts. Heather Carlberg, daughter Luke Willis, 11 Basil Willis, 5 Chad Judson Carlberg, son Kristina Harter, daughter-in-love Maggie Blue Carlberg, 7 Katharan Poco Blossom Carlberg, 4

Missing and missed: Lily Willis,15, competing in California State finals in mountain biking with her high school team.  They won!!! She’s coming back to LaVida for her 5th summer at Gordon.  Loves it.  This time she’ll be a counselor in training. Matt Willis, son-in-love, there cheering her on and cheering me from afar. And Jud, out of sight but never out of heart, as well as other family and friends.

Family. Each so different. Every one so significant. And so at commencement, I had to thank them since somewhere along the line these children and grandchildren, this family, and Jud also became my teachers. The applause needed to be shared.

Some of the grandchildren have taken to calling me,  “Dr. Momo.” Humane letters. The best. Dr. Momo. Thank you, God, Jud, family, Gordon College and friends. Just don’t call me if you get sick.