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Saturday, February 6, 2016
February 6, 2016. Madison, GA. More Hands
We are beginning to see more volunteers here at the Mission. Some are coming for a couple of months, but most are staying for just a few weeks. So far there are no other motor homes, so Hugh and LaVon our neighbors under the trees are still the only RV'ers. We have both moved up the hill, away from the trees and the mud and are "guardians" of the parking lot. It's windier, a little noisier with the road just a few hundred feet from us, but it's closer to my donkey friends who graze with the cattle in the field to the north of us.
I enjoy talking to the donkeys and have a call which they usually respond to which brings them over to the fence and a healthy dose of forehead rubbing, back scratching and conversation. I do all the rubbing, scratching and conversing, but I really have a good time with them. It keeps me "in shape" for our return to the Passion Play donkeys. If we ever have a pet, I think I'd opt for a donk.
With all the extra people, it hasn't made any difference in my work duties, since most of the people are working in the Discipleship School (MDS) and the large volume of lessons in and out of that department. Some of them help in the print shop, where I work when there are jobs to be collated, wrapped and inventoried, but the work load there has not been too heavy. Karen is the jack of all trades in accounting, MDS and wherever needed, so she stays busy most of the time. Our game nights and potluck are more frequent and more attended, so that is the main place to get to know people and share our lives and experiences.
We are blessed to be able to serve as we are are and haven't really explored other opportunities besides Madison and Eureka Springs. Many of the people we volunteered with in Arkansas are settled down back at home, not getting on the road as much and seem to be content with a more normal life. We are happy doing what we're doing and being away from the cold and snowy climes of Colorado. We're beginning to think about our "medical vacation" during June or July or possibly August, but nothing definite yet. One day at a time, sweet Jesus, and glad to be able to do it.
Sent from my iPad
I enjoy talking to the donkeys and have a call which they usually respond to which brings them over to the fence and a healthy dose of forehead rubbing, back scratching and conversation. I do all the rubbing, scratching and conversing, but I really have a good time with them. It keeps me "in shape" for our return to the Passion Play donkeys. If we ever have a pet, I think I'd opt for a donk.
With all the extra people, it hasn't made any difference in my work duties, since most of the people are working in the Discipleship School (MDS) and the large volume of lessons in and out of that department. Some of them help in the print shop, where I work when there are jobs to be collated, wrapped and inventoried, but the work load there has not been too heavy. Karen is the jack of all trades in accounting, MDS and wherever needed, so she stays busy most of the time. Our game nights and potluck are more frequent and more attended, so that is the main place to get to know people and share our lives and experiences.
We are blessed to be able to serve as we are are and haven't really explored other opportunities besides Madison and Eureka Springs. Many of the people we volunteered with in Arkansas are settled down back at home, not getting on the road as much and seem to be content with a more normal life. We are happy doing what we're doing and being away from the cold and snowy climes of Colorado. We're beginning to think about our "medical vacation" during June or July or possibly August, but nothing definite yet. One day at a time, sweet Jesus, and glad to be able to do it.
Sent from my iPad
Wednesday, February 3, 2016
February 3, 2016. Madison, GA. Ministry
When God calls............answer the call............and stay the course until the next call comes. Ministry is not always along the lines we envision it, and often the tasks we are asked to do are not in our comfort zone or conform to the skills we have or the training we have been through. But, ministry demands our full attention, our obedience and our willingness to trust God, walk in complete faith and let God call the shots and supply the strength and stamina to keep at the task.
I mentioned that our friends Mike and Linda were coming to visit, and while they were here, I gave up my planned Chapel presentation today to give Mike an opportunity to give his testimony, discuss his background in law enforcement, firefighting, military, EMT, a shooting incident in which two people were killed and Mike himself came close to death, as well; their marriage counseling and current ministry to those who are now, or were in these professions as well as training people in security issues at churches, schools and faith-based organizations (see: hart rescue.us). The presentation was moving and brings up the fact that ministry sometimes asks us to relive our past, comfort others who are going through what we have been through and trust God to comfort them as He has comforted us (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). To paraphrase: How many times, Lord must we comfort others by reliving our difficult experience? Seven times? .........no, seventy-seven times........no, seven times 70 times............no, as many times as God calls us to, and then we will be called to comfort them, again and again............and again.........
Ministry isn't always easy, and yet it's not our call, but His, and when God calls, answer the call and stay the course for as long as God gives us the strength and stamina to do so. And for this we say........Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
I mentioned that our friends Mike and Linda were coming to visit, and while they were here, I gave up my planned Chapel presentation today to give Mike an opportunity to give his testimony, discuss his background in law enforcement, firefighting, military, EMT, a shooting incident in which two people were killed and Mike himself came close to death, as well; their marriage counseling and current ministry to those who are now, or were in these professions as well as training people in security issues at churches, schools and faith-based organizations (see: hart rescue.us). The presentation was moving and brings up the fact that ministry sometimes asks us to relive our past, comfort others who are going through what we have been through and trust God to comfort them as He has comforted us (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). To paraphrase: How many times, Lord must we comfort others by reliving our difficult experience? Seven times? .........no, seventy-seven times........no, seven times 70 times............no, as many times as God calls us to, and then we will be called to comfort them, again and again............and again.........
Ministry isn't always easy, and yet it's not our call, but His, and when God calls, answer the call and stay the course for as long as God gives us the strength and stamina to do so. And for this we say........Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
Sunday, January 31, 2016
January 31, 2016. Madison, GA. Reinforcements are on the Way
Since last I reported on the bug battle, we have held our ground and depending on the weather we either advance or retreat. When it's cold the little buggers go into hiding and the body count of captives taken by the pill bottle or vacuum is fairly low. But when the temperature gets into the high 50's or above, we face the wrath of the spotted hoard as they come in through the gaps in our slide-outs and the numbers reach into the hundreds. The past two days have been warm, so...........
It's tough enough adjusting to the wide swings in temperature and many people, including Karen, have difficulty with the varied temperatures in the main building and the varied outdoor temperatures, rain and up-and-down humidity. We just have to bow our backs and keep up the fight.
Tomorrow, Mike and Linda, our Fort Collins friends, now ministering on the road, as we are, will be visiting for a few days. Since they have been living in their motor home for the past two years, they may have some experience to share on bug issues. As a retired Army Major, police officer and first responder, he may have some tactical advice for the current battle we are engaged in. Looking forward to any advice, but just happy to have some time to share with them after last seeing them here and in Chattanooga in April of 2015.
I'm sorry we have to be so hard on the little, mostly orange bugs. They are obviously wearing Bronco colors, but with the TV not working, maybe they'll go elsewhere for the Super Bowl and decide to stay there for the game.....and beyond. God does sometimes answers unusual prayers in unusual ways. We'll keep fighting, and keep you posted.
Sent from my iPad
It's tough enough adjusting to the wide swings in temperature and many people, including Karen, have difficulty with the varied temperatures in the main building and the varied outdoor temperatures, rain and up-and-down humidity. We just have to bow our backs and keep up the fight.
Tomorrow, Mike and Linda, our Fort Collins friends, now ministering on the road, as we are, will be visiting for a few days. Since they have been living in their motor home for the past two years, they may have some experience to share on bug issues. As a retired Army Major, police officer and first responder, he may have some tactical advice for the current battle we are engaged in. Looking forward to any advice, but just happy to have some time to share with them after last seeing them here and in Chattanooga in April of 2015.
I'm sorry we have to be so hard on the little, mostly orange bugs. They are obviously wearing Bronco colors, but with the TV not working, maybe they'll go elsewhere for the Super Bowl and decide to stay there for the game.....and beyond. God does sometimes answers unusual prayers in unusual ways. We'll keep fighting, and keep you posted.
Sent from my iPad
Friday, January 29, 2016
January 29, 2016. Madison, GA. The Game's Not Over..........
I was always a Yankee fan as a kid growing up in upstate New York. Mickey Mantle was my favorite. I tried to run like him, always liked the number 7, and never listened to all the negative things Dodger or Giant fans said about him. I also liked Yogi Berra because he was the least likely looking baseball player yet one of the best; and he said some very funny things with a straight face and an obvious opinion that they made perfect sense to more than just himself.
One of his great "yogi-isms was, " the game's not over 'til it's over" and many athlete's have celebrated too soon, made comments they later had to "eat" or just plain assumed they were going to win, when they were about to get beaten. The list is endless, and it extends to non-sporting activities as well. How often in life have we found that our pride in completing a task, gloating about a recent accomplishment or thinking we did it better or faster than the other guy, is about to become the "agony of defeat", to use another common phrase.
Today we are about to conclude the work week here at Source of Light, and I have been amazed at how many times we fall prey to the "I.....I....I....." of what we just fixed, or completed, or thought was in the out box, only to face the same issue again......again......and then another time. I'm pointing fingers, but I also see the fingers pointing at myself as well. How often we swell with pride only to have to eat our own words, or that bad tasting "crow". We want to blame the slow or broken down Internet, the devil, the distractions of the world or someone who gave us faulty information, but most of the time WE and our ego ego are the culprit, and God in His understated and disciplinary role is telling us we celebrated too soon, the game isn't over yet and there is still time on the clock and our task is still undone. When we get it right, when God says it's right and when the time is up on HIS clock..........then we will be able to celebrate. Won't it be wonderful to hear that "well done" and know for sure that it really has been done well.
Until then, keep at the task, do our best and thank God for His patience, His grace and His love. How blessed we are to be on His team.
Sent from my iPad
One of his great "yogi-isms was, " the game's not over 'til it's over" and many athlete's have celebrated too soon, made comments they later had to "eat" or just plain assumed they were going to win, when they were about to get beaten. The list is endless, and it extends to non-sporting activities as well. How often in life have we found that our pride in completing a task, gloating about a recent accomplishment or thinking we did it better or faster than the other guy, is about to become the "agony of defeat", to use another common phrase.
Today we are about to conclude the work week here at Source of Light, and I have been amazed at how many times we fall prey to the "I.....I....I....." of what we just fixed, or completed, or thought was in the out box, only to face the same issue again......again......and then another time. I'm pointing fingers, but I also see the fingers pointing at myself as well. How often we swell with pride only to have to eat our own words, or that bad tasting "crow". We want to blame the slow or broken down Internet, the devil, the distractions of the world or someone who gave us faulty information, but most of the time WE and our ego ego are the culprit, and God in His understated and disciplinary role is telling us we celebrated too soon, the game isn't over yet and there is still time on the clock and our task is still undone. When we get it right, when God says it's right and when the time is up on HIS clock..........then we will be able to celebrate. Won't it be wonderful to hear that "well done" and know for sure that it really has been done well.
Until then, keep at the task, do our best and thank God for His patience, His grace and His love. How blessed we are to be on His team.
Sent from my iPad
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
January 26, 2016. Madison, GA. .....a Tooth for a Tooth
Our two visits to Madison have not been good for our teeth. Just over a year ago I chomped down on a "Mike and Ike" candy and broke an upper left tooth. No pain, except to the bank account, and another crown entered the already much worked on mouth. A few weeks ago a bite on an ultra-thin pretzel broke the crown covering an implant done over 8 years ago. The dentist, glad to see me again, thought the front of the crown would hold, but two days later the first bite of a potato chip completed the removal of the crown and took the top of the abutment with it. Now we had to take action. After putting a new cuff on the implant and getting an impression for a new crown, I was on my way.
Before I could even get back to Dr. Marie, Karen was eating lasagna at one of our get-togethers here at the Mission, when she noticed one of her teeth was gone, not in the food to be swallowed, but gone completely. No pain, just a big gap and some tooth still in the gum. Next day, it was extraction of the tooth remnant, which had been the recipient of a root canal many years ago. Karen is still aching from the procedure and today I went back for the new crown to be installed. Hopefully this will be the last "bite" into our bank account for a while.
Karen may be facing an implant later in the year and depending on our ministry travels, we're not sure when or where that will be done, but for now we just need to get her over the ache-I-ness and off the ibuprofen. Karen also had issues last time in Georgia with sties and an infected eyelash and this year she was able to get a new sty calmed down before it caused a problem. Last year's problem had to be seen by a number of doctors here and in Colorado and really didn't have a final resolution. It seems too obvious to conclude with a scriptural reference about our health issues, but here goes; "an eye for an eye, and ...........
Seriously, we have been so blessed by our Colorado dentists, Drs. Siegmund and Anderson and their staff and also the care we have received here in Madison, and are thankful for those who God gifts in these areas to help so many people in their times of misfortune and pain. Thank You, Lord for the roles You give us in Your larger plan. Each part is important.
Sent from my iPad
Before I could even get back to Dr. Marie, Karen was eating lasagna at one of our get-togethers here at the Mission, when she noticed one of her teeth was gone, not in the food to be swallowed, but gone completely. No pain, just a big gap and some tooth still in the gum. Next day, it was extraction of the tooth remnant, which had been the recipient of a root canal many years ago. Karen is still aching from the procedure and today I went back for the new crown to be installed. Hopefully this will be the last "bite" into our bank account for a while.
Karen may be facing an implant later in the year and depending on our ministry travels, we're not sure when or where that will be done, but for now we just need to get her over the ache-I-ness and off the ibuprofen. Karen also had issues last time in Georgia with sties and an infected eyelash and this year she was able to get a new sty calmed down before it caused a problem. Last year's problem had to be seen by a number of doctors here and in Colorado and really didn't have a final resolution. It seems too obvious to conclude with a scriptural reference about our health issues, but here goes; "an eye for an eye, and ...........
Seriously, we have been so blessed by our Colorado dentists, Drs. Siegmund and Anderson and their staff and also the care we have received here in Madison, and are thankful for those who God gifts in these areas to help so many people in their times of misfortune and pain. Thank You, Lord for the roles You give us in Your larger plan. Each part is important.
Sent from my iPad
Saturday, January 23, 2016
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