February 28, 2014. Jacksonville, FL. 40 years in the dessert.

Don't run to the dictionary. I really did mean to write dessert and not desert. The past forty years, with a lot of ups and downs, joys and sorrows, pleasures and pains, good and not so good, has been a real treat. February 28, 1974 was Karen and my wedding day in Loveland, Colorado. What an adventure it has been, and we are still living the adventure of travel and ministry, going with God. That first day of marriage set the stage for quite a ride. That first night, while driving back to our apartment in Lakewood from the ceremony in Loveland, I received a gift from a Colorado State Trooper, a speeding ticket for doing 70 in a 55. Is it any wonder that Karen does all the driving? The next day, we began our honeymoon, a road trip from Colorado to Washington, DC. It seems that we have been on the road ever since.
Forty years; a lot of miles, a lot of ventures, adventures and blessings. There are so many highlights and a lot of ice cream. It's been great and I have not always appreciated or acknowledged how much Karen has added to my life. Thank you, Honey, for putting up with a lot of grief, ego, criticism, moodiness, no's which became yeses and yeses which turned into no's, and plans which changed and changed again. You have endured a lot. Thanks for forty years, and thanks for paying the $10 for our marriage license. I hope it was as good an investment for you as it has been for me. LOVE YOU, HON.


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February 27, 2014. Jacksonville, FL. Where do we go from here?

Always planning, making reservations, looking at the calendar and filling up our future. In doing so, we often forget that the present moment is gone and we didn't live it or appreciate it. How many times do we anticipate rather than appreciate?
As we make our plans on this journey, we face a variety of daily choices. Some days we know that we won't be moving to a new location because we have committed to stay where we are for a week, or two, or more. All we need do is face the day and enjoy the moment. But other days we are just going to spend one night and then make some miles. We've said many times, when God says move, we move and when God says stay, we stay. Right now, we are in a holding pattern; not able to find an place with space for us to set up for an extended stay or the definite call to be in a specific place for a specific purpose. We are looking at Mississippi in early April and Arkansas from mid-April to........... , but for now we are waiting and trying to live today and not "worry" about tomorrow. God's word tells us in a number of places (Proverbs 27:1, James 4:13, Matthew 6:34) not to worry about what we have no control over. As I finished my quiet time today, the Sarah Young devotional Jesus Calling, spoke volumes to me: "your greatest danger is worrying about tomorrow.....you must discipline yourself to live within the boundaries of today....keep your focus on My Presence in the present".
We are spending the next few days with my brother and sister-in-law at their home in Jacksonville, then back to Mayport until Monday and then...........God knows where. For now, He is telling us to just enjoy the moment, and leave tomorrow to Him. As we have done so often on this trip, and in life, we wait, we trust and we follow Him. He always provides and we are amazed at what each today and tomorrow brings. Thank You, Lord.

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February 24, 2014. Mayport Naval Station 99% Humidity

Yesterday we walked to church, The Chapel by the Sea, here at the Mayport Naval Station. Every Sunday that we have been on the road, we have attended worship at a church either on the military base where we are staying or at a church in the community where we have spent Saturday night . I have written about a few of them in our blog and each one has had a unique "personality". At NAS Jax we were part of the Chaplain Dennis' first service and yesterday we were part of the Chaplain's final service before going on to another assignment. Chaplain Cayangyang's sermon was about worship and the need to focus on the author and perfector of our faith, Jesus Christ. While the style of worship was far different from any we had experienced on our current trip, or for that matter, any we have ever experienced in our Christian walk, the message was one which should be adhered to by all Christians: Jesus Christ first and foremost.
As we walked back from church, it began to rain and it rained steadily the whole day and into the night. This morning it is wet. The air is saturated and while it's not actually raining, you can feel the moistness on your face. I guess that's why the humidity is only 99%. Humidity is something we Coloradoan's only read about since when it rains there it is usually not even a fraction of the humidity we are experiencing here in Florida. Later today the sun will come out, the puddles will disappear and the humidity will begin to drop down to 75%. It's interesting how we have such varieties in our weather, the range of temperatures, humidity from less than 10% to 100%, no winds to violent destructive ones. Weather is one of the major factors on our trip to determine where we go and where we don't. Weather is something we have no control over. We prepare for it, tolerate it, and endure it, but we don't create it or control it. Kind of like worship at a new church: we can't create or control it, but we can and should prepare for it, accept it, participate in it and enjoy it. God would want it no other way than that we glorify and exalt Him and His Son, our Lord and Savior. We press on with the Ministry of Miles. The road miles are pretty minimal right now, but the mission is still the same, to preach Jesus Christ, not only with words, but by our actions and deeds. A new day awaits. Thank You Lord.

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February 21, 2014 Mayport Naval Station, FL USS New York

Last summer, Karen and I took a 7000 mile trip from Colorado to Colorado via 17 states and part of Ontario to attend my 50th high school reunion in Schenectady, NY. On that trip we had the opportunity to visit the Flight 93 Memorial in Shanksville, PA, the 9/11 Memorial at Ground Zero in New York City, and drive past the Pentagon in Arlington, VA where the third plane on that fateful September 11, 2001 crashed. Since that day, our country has undergone radical changes in almost every area of our lives and how we view life and the people we live it with.
We saw memorials to 9/11 in a number of places on that trip including one at the US Military Academy at West Point, NY. Yesterday, we toured the USS New York (LPD-21) which is docked here at Mayport. It contains more than 7 tons of steel from the Twin Towers and is a virtual museum of pictures, momentos, tributes and reminders of the lives lost and the lives affected by the events of that tragic day. We were impressed with the ship itself, but even more so by the men and women serving aboard it. As a Vietnam veteran and an advocate for all veterans through our Ministry of Miles, I am impressed with the calibre of those who now voluntarily choose to make the military their career. We hear the stories of the "bad apples", but that seems to be what sells newspapers, increases tv ratings and satisfies our need to be critical and
negative. This past nine weeks on the road has given us a greater appreciation of those who have done their jobs well, earned the rewards of their labors and are seeking to finish strong and give back to others and improve the quality of life for those with many years of life ahead of them. The young people on the USS New York, those serving on the many bases we have been fortunate to stay at on our travels, and those serving our nation overseas, as well as everyone who serves with integrity in whatever job they are called to deserve our thanks, support and prayers. And thank You Lord for allowing us the opportunity to be Your hands and feet, to serve where You have led us and to be witnesses of Your love, provision and faithfulness. We are blessed beyond measure and press on with thanks and gratitude. Praise God from Whom all blessings flow.
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Fwd: February 18,2014. Mayport Naval Station, FL Community

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Begin forwarded message
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> The cloud has brought us to a new location, a place with palm trees, blue water and a cross in the sky above me. Occasionally a ship passes on the St. John's River, there is a gentle breeze and a temperature in the 50's. I've finished my quiet time and getting ready to go to the gym for some much-needed exercise. Yesterday we left the sub base, and drove less than an hour from Georgia to Florida and a new home base here at Mayport for the next two weeks. We immediately met our neighbor to the west, a soon to be 90 year old WWII vet, his traveling companion(interruption for the National Anthem), Sue celebrating her 70th birthday, and their three dogs. After setting up our unit, we welcomed new neighbors to the east and share the basics and meet their two dogs. Our neighborhood is starting to take shape and we are building
> a community once again as we have done in the past. Even when we have stayed in a WalMart or State Park for a night, we get to know our neighbors. It's sad to think that when we lived in Lakewood, or Tulsa, or Fort Collins we sometimes took a long time to get to know the people on the block. They say fences make good neighbors, but that's really not true and in the style of life we are now leading our neighbors are close and there aren't any fences. It's been refreshing to share experiences, meet people from different parts of the country and learn more about our various homes on wheels and their idiosyncrasies and foibles. Last evening, after dark, we went looking for the dumpster and spent nearly two hours with a couple from Pennsylvania in the club house. John and I served on the same base in Vietnam two years apart. Karen, Joyce, John and I talked all that time as if we had known each other for years, about every conceivable subject, and in a short time made a connection which we could not have imagined beforehand. We never found the dumpster. God has opened our eyes to the "community" He created and wants us to embrace and foster. John was lamenting the fact that we are becoming more fractured as a nation and we talked about the reasons for it. Without getting too deep or philosophical, can't we just get along, have lower fences, or none at all, pet each other's dog and live life with joy and peace, love and hope. We really have a lot more in common than we realize, if we just make the effort to communicate. Praise God for the ministry He has given us, the community He desires for us and the hope we have when we concentrate on the things which unite us rather than those which divide us. Can't we all just get along?
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February 15, 2014. St. Mary's, GA(Sub base) Small world

The more we travel and get away from Colorado, the more we are amazed at the connections which tie us together to our "home town" of Fort Collins. We arrived here Tuesday afternoon after outracing the latest storm to pelt the east coast. Wednesday night we attended a pot luck and were standing in line to get our food and began talking with the couple behind us in line and of course one of the first topics was where we were from. When we said we were from Colorado, they asked what city and when we responded "Fort Collins", they said "us, too" and before long we were friends and the topic of the night. Another woman approached and while from the distant city of Denver, has relatives from Fort Collins who we knew for a number of years from the Encore, Encore productions which have been such a popular Christian drama outreach to the community. Small world, and another proof that God may take us to distant places and unique experiences, but He never leaves us alone or without a thread which binds us together. Yesterday we spent the day with our new Fort Collins friends, Steve and Kathy, exploring the historic town of St. Mary's and enjoying a scrumptious Valentine's Day meal at the Sailor's Galley on the Sub base. A wonderful time, visiting with veterans and active duty military. No new Fort Collins connections, but a number of common service experiences. Our hope for the Ministry of Miles is that we will find the parts of our life which unite us and build on them to create relationships which will last for our earthly days, but more importantly for our eternal days. Already we have made a number of friends, have kept in contact with them as we travel in separate directions and know that our common faith and hope keeps us one in Jesus Christ. As Kathleen, who calls us her Angels from NAS Jax, says, "see you here, there or in the air". Small world, made smaller by the faith, love, trust and hope we share and cling to. Praise You Lord and help us to expand Your reach to those who do not know You now through our words, actions and our love.

February 12, 2014 King's Bay Naval Submarine Base, St. Mary's, GA. Manna and Quail

Like the Israelites in the wilderness, we are wandering to and fro. And, like the Israelites, we are on a journey which God is orchestrating and directing. The weather has been a major concern the past few weeks as we have tried to avoid the storms which have plagued the South and not get trapped in what have turned out to be dangerous situations. We have been so fortunate to have adequate technical information, the means to travel at a moments notice and the resources to move or hunker down as needed. Above all we have God's protection and provision as we follow the cloud and His prompting. We are south of the latest winter storm, basking in 50 degrees at 7:15am and grateful for a secure place to stay. We were north of the Atlanta area when the first storm hit there and we traveled south and east from the Atlanta area the past few days to get ahead of the latest storm to hit that area. God has moved the cloud, and it was humbling to see the weather map last night and realize we were below the ice storm which was hitting central and eastern Georgia. We pray for those who are currently in the bad weather and not able get away from it as we did. God doesn't just help us avoid the troubles of life, but He sees us through them as well. We serve an Awesome God. Our manna and quail come in so many forms and in such abundance. Thank You, Lord. We continue to meet and visit with interesting people from diverse places and diverse backgrounds. What encourages us is the large number who are Christians, and the areas in which they have served or are serving The Lord. We press on as God leads us and feel so blessed, challenged and comfortable with where God has us and what He is doing in us. Praise God for His daily manna and quail.

February 8, 2014. Hoschton, GA. Ice cream with Emily

Before we arrived in Georgia to be with Russ, Kathy and Emily, we spent 52 nights in the motor home. We have the comforts of home in a more compact space, but by motor home standards we are living in a palace. We have not felt confined or hemmed in. WE ARE BLESSED. Here in Hoschton we have been guests in R, K and E's house and once again we say WE ARE BLESSED, by their hospitality and generosity. This morning as I read The Word and my devotionals I was struck by the peace which I have in the assurance of God still on the Throne and His love, protection and provision for us and this journey we have undertaken. To this point the plans we have made have all come to pass. We have met up with Mike and Linda, spent time with Phil and Sharon and arrived here in Hoschton. God has guided us over the miles and the timing has been just right. It's now time to listen for His direction and follow His path, and go where the cloud leads us. Our fixed destinations have been accomplished and.the miles ahead are His to determine. While we wait for the cloud to guide us onward, I have been able to indulge my ice cream addiction with a fellow addict, Emily. On this trip we enjoyed a Baskin Robbins cone while we waited for some repair work to be completed and shared a tub of Blue Bell from the Exchange at NAS Jax with Phil and Sharon. That's pretty minor consumption for those who know how much I like ice cream and have such little ability to resist it. As much as I repent and vow to mend my ways, there is no hope. When my doctor told me to abstain from ice cream after a bout with kidney stones, I was tempted to find a new doctor and a second opinion rather than get on the wagon. Emily is a gem, an ice cream lover and a joy to be with for Karen and me. There's no doubt in my mind that God was thinking of some of us specifically when He created ice cream. He is the ultimate Good Humor man, and He is Good to forgive us our overindulgence in this area. Thank You, Lord and thank you, Emily. WE ARE BLESSED.

February 4, 2014. Shalom from Gaffney

We are still in Gaffney, SC, but hope to be on our way to Spartanburg later today. It has been a roller coaster of experiences and emotions since we arrived here Friday afternoon, but we know this is where God wanted us to be for the past 3+ days. We came here to have some maintenance done on the motorhome. In the process we met some tremendous, caring people, were welcomed and embraced(literally) by the congregation of Shalom Christian Fellowship including Clay, Luke, Pastor Stan and a worship time and message which was beyond description - it was INSPIRED. It was the epitome of Shalom - hello, goodbye and PEACE. We are glad we stopped here. We feel more secure about our vehicle and its condition. Later today in Spartanburg, SC our repairs should be completed. Our paths crossed a host of great people and we have another long list of new friends to whom we give our thanks and offer our prayers. God enlarged our territory once again and we were able to minister to a number of people without moving many miles from where He placed us. He brought people who ministered to us face to face, by phone and through texts and email. His provision and protection were evident throughout our stay here and while we leave here poorer in our wallet we are far richer in our faith, richer in our hope and abundantly richer in our love for God and our neighbors. SHALOM.

February 1, 2014. Gaffney, SC. Angels

The picture attached to today's blog entry is worth more than the thousands of words I could write to prove its truth in our life and in our present journey. Years ago we put the "warning" sticker on our Fort Collins house by the front door as a way to show visitors and salesmen that we had a protection system far better than any mechanical one. We placed a similar sticker by the door of our motor home and as we travel the miles of our ministry we are amazed at the number and frequency of the angels who have touched, guided and protected us. I've already mentioned a few of these angels, but I want to mention the latest ones and just give a one or two word snippet of their gift to us. Some may read their name and be embarrassed. Some may not know they are being thanked because we didn't have a chance to give them a ministry card, and some are known only by God and even we don't know that they helped us. Here goes: Phil, Steve, Tim and StarRV - repair; Mack - phone calls; Gene - email; Kathy and her prayer warriors; Betsy - Charlotte contacts; Fileesha -Renaissance RV Park; Rachael - Wateree; Psalm 91: 11; National Prayer Committee - prayer; shuttle drivers at Billy Graham Library; the mud flap incident; Philip, Mark - batteries; Unknown driver and a hand pointing the way; David - welcome; and the 3 firefighters who responded to our early morning LP gas detector alarm and the conclusion that we were detecting a different kind of gas. God definitely has a sense of humor and.we are finding that to be one of the greatest attributes of our God. Yes, we are surrounded by "a great cloud of witnesses" who have gone before, but also by a great crowd of witnesses who watch over us and come to our assistance and support when we need them. I pray that there are others who we come in contact with who can say from time to time that we are angels in their journey. Let that be our purpose and our mission. Thank you, Lord for the angels among us and Your love and faithfulness for them and through them. As always we send our prayers and thanks to our Shiloh and Fort Collins family and friends.