pondering

As John and I have been traveling,I have enjoyed the beautiful tranquil scenery.  My thoughts turn in prayer for my loved ones.

Two things that I have heard,that mean more and more to me as my family grows older.

1. A father said to his wayward son,                    " son,maybe your right. Maybe I should stop living a such a close careful life" the son said,  " oh no dad,how will we find our way back home?"

2.An older sister in Christ told me, she prays "lord,remember the one closest to a lost eternity "

My thought.... it imperative that I dont back up and I dont stop praying.

the dead shall rise

My husband preached about how fast it takes a eye to blink. Too fast to count. I have thought of  that. When the trumpet sounds, next thing we know we will be stepping up to greet our Jesus.  I think of my father in law standing up to sight in a elk. Next thing he saw was his Jesus. 

I have just pondered this over and over lately. Our Jesus will return as he promised 

 We need to be ready! It will be instantly, make your preparation now!

Eternity is a long hot time to have " I should have's" listen to the call when it went out. I should not have put it off. Tomorrow may be too late.

 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

a hard trip in many ways

Its been exciting to be on our trip . As I sit here,reflecting by myself...it's hard. Thrilled to meet new friends and form friendships in eastern Oregon. Was able to see a aunt of John's in the hospital. Knowing as we left the next day that the next time we see her , God will have called her home. Another dear aunt and her hubby,we really got to know and spend time with. Another couple we most likely won't see till we are standing on the golden streets. Just talked to dear friends in Arkansas  health not good but they want us to come see them anyhow. They use to divide their 

year half in Grants Pass and half in Arkansas

. But if we dont stop,we may never see them again. The Gospel is real and it makes real friends. Connected with another in kansas hope to see them again real soon. Another coffee friend in Wisconsin 

Many friendships are cemented over coffee. Now John wouldn't agree to that but its true.

A Michael w smith song says" friends are friends for ever if the lord is lord of them"  so true

On the road again.

This anniversary  trip has been so nice. We have gotten to see alot of God's creation. Mountains,valleys, beautiful skies

and sunsets. But most of all we have made closer friendships and relationships. TAKING TIME TO STOP AND LISTEN

...

LISTEN TO WHAT GOD IS SAYING

stopping to take in the moment, listening to the silence. Listening to that small still voice , that was waiting to talk to you.

Back in the Midwest is a a take your time pace. I like that. Everyone is your friend.  Everyone cares and helps each other.  I miss the midwest pace. We could all use it.

Goodness of my God by ceecee

One of my favorite singers and I have proved every word. My relationship with Jesus  has kept me going in good times and bad. Jesus has been my strength 

our anniversary trip

We started our trip. Two days after we were finally moved on to our property. So far we have been to the arches,canyonlands ,the rockies . We held cottage meetings in winfild Kansas, where there is still some who faithfully serve the lord.

We made new friends in eastern OR. God is so good and we have just started! Me and John have enjoyed spending time with each other and not have at time constraints. 

retirement or retired?

In July we officially retired from pastoring.  Not from serving the lord. Just a different capacity.  Moving out to our property.where we have been working to get ready to retire since we started pastoring in Grants Pass. Been so busy this summer downsizing,packing and unpacking. Got 

done just 2 days before we left on our 50th anniversary / retirement  trip across the United States. Never realized you had to be old to be married this long!

Seasons

Alot of time has gone by since last posted. I loved teaching my 2-4 ,yr olds. I loved using thier imagination in playtime. Many times hard as I had boys with anger issues, children with speech difficulties  and diabetes.  I went from poking to test to checking on her app.on her arm. The lord showed me in incredible way, that it was time to move on . I now have had the privilege  of being a dsp and helping children and adults that sometimes struggle. I love my job. We also have just celebrated 50 yrs of marriage and are retiring from pastoring. Peter and heidi will now take our place and we are Downsizing and moving into a pull behind trailer 35 foot.have it on mom's property,so we can help both her and lori since dad's passing.  Our greatest delight watching the deer and turkeys and birds from our deck.

done

Today marked the last load of stuff to move. To finally know we have moved out of 10 years of living in this parsonage,

almost 25 years of pastoring. Its been a good fulfilling life. Walking with the lord is never boring. Now to move on to our next season.