November 29, 2021. Holiday Island, AR. He Said….She Said…..They Said

Karen was on Google today, searching for foods that are good for us and foods that are not good for us and, needless to say, some of the same foods were on both lists. There are so many opinions that it's hard to know who to trust and what will be the ultimate impact on our health and well-being when we choose one side or the other.
It's not just food where there are differences of opinion. Almost everything has experts on both sides of the issue, but also the phrase which pops up all too frequently………."they said" we are to do do so and so about such and such. Who are "they" and how did "they" get so all-fired smart all of a sudden?
The current situation with our health amid the viruses, variants, vaccines, boosters, mandates, masks, infusions, injections and treatments is rife with strong opinions that leave us confused and conflicted. Because of my having been treated with steroids for my Covid, it elevated my A1C into the "diabetic" realm and undid the efforts I was making pre-Covid to stay below the VA threshold of 6.5 to avoid being labeled as diabetic. Thus, the interest in what foods to avoid over the next three months to get me back in the pre-diabetic range, and below, where I was pre-sreroids.
The good news is that I feel good, have been feeling better every day, am sleeping well and active around the house. What will be in three months, I have no idea. For now I want to learn from what I went through, thank God for answering all the prayers and putting me back on the path to serving Him and advancing His Kingdom. They say that's what we are called to do…….and to that direction……….I say…….Amen.

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November 25, 2021. Holiday Island, AR. THANK YOU

Every morning my journal begins with the words, "thank you" or "thank you, Lord", so, for me every day is thanksgiving. Today, in the United States, Thanksgiving, is no different, other than the way we celebrate it. We are besieged with all the sales, family get-togethers, travel, materialism run amuck, and, of course, for many a paid day off from work.
This year, Thanksgiving is almost back to what it was before Covid, but there are many restrictions and requirements imposed by each and every business, government entity and our own "rules" for staying safe and healthy. Life has become more complicated and we wonder what is still to come. Yet we have the answer and it was written long ago in a Book called the Bible.
As Americans and Christians it is our calling to tell the world how thankful we are for the blessings God has lavished on us. I'm not saying we have a perfect country or a corner on the spiritual "market". Far from it. But, on this day, and every day , be thankful for what God created, why Jesus went to The cross for, and what is promised in The Book. Thank You, Lord………for this day……..and every day…….




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November 20, 2021. Holiday Island, AR. On The Blog Again

It's been a while since I last blogged, and in that period of "silence" a lot of things happened. Suffice to say, Covid is a real bugger. Karen and I both tested positive on October 1 and without going into any of the details, we had some scary moments. But, with the help of friends and family, coworkers and people we don't even know, our awesome God heard their prayers and has brought us through to a future we trust Him for, and look to with optimism and hope.
Every day is a gift and we plan to live each one He gives us with His will being our focus, and serving Him and His Kingdom our primary objective. We have no indication that we are to go somewhere other than where we are now. He led us to TGPP and we plan to continue to minister as we have, plant seeds and encourage others in their giftings: and if and when the " cloud moves" we will go where it leads us and continue to serve Him……wherever that may be.
Thank you all for your prayers and concern for us. We hope you know how much you mean to us, and we thank God every day for you. Be well, be safe and be……..HIS.
Thank you and………..THANK YOU, LORD.

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October 11, 2021. Fayetteville, AR VA Hospital, TMI

This has been a real roller coaster. My schedule, once pretty routine, has become anything but. I have been bombarded with so much information, numbers, opinions and yet encouraged with prayers, calls from long-lost friends and acquaintances that I feel God's hand of healing and protection all around us. I know He has us right where He wants us and will be glorified by it. Everyone here at the VA has been wonderful and whatever the outcome, we are blessed to be so well cared for.
I don't know when I'll be able to blog again, but when I can, I will. Stay faithful, keep up the fight and finish strong. God is in control. Thank you, Lord.

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October 5, 2021. Holiday Island, AR. Covid-Coaster

The pandemic continues. We have felt like a target for nearly two years. There have been all kinds of rules, mandates, people coming from all over the country, mask and vaccine mandates, PP rules, local and state rules, federal proclamations and all of a sudden we have been feeling poorly. Karen tested positive Friday, I tested, but no result, yet. Insurance, which is supposed to help, is not really helping, but is actually quite confusing. Calls don't result in consistent or speedy answers and it is frustrating to wait, patiently wait…….land wait some more. I guess this is "just a test" of our covid-response system, but for now the test isn't working well for us.
Not much to do, but wait, trust God and know He will figured it all out, for each and every one of us. In His timing it will resolve and we will be blessed and He will be glorified. In His hands and out of ours. Thank You, Lord

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October 2, 2021. Holiday Island, AR. Covid Test

Last Tuesday I didn't feel very good. Very dragged out, slight cough, no temperature, chills and cold sweats. No real close contact with anyone on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday. Karen and I both had Covid tests on Friday and Karen got the word just a while ago that she tested positive. My test results are due Tuesday, but her doctor said I will probably be positive also, so "two weeks on the bench" for both of us. If we have any major issues go to the Emergency Room.
We've spread the word to a lot of our Passion Play co-workers, hopefully not spreading the virus in the process. We've had a number of cast and staff people test positive or be quarantined for close contact, and to this point it has worked out okay. With only 14 performance days left in the season, we may have "played" our last for 2021. Hate to put extra burden on our co-workers, but not much choice. We trust God for His protection and His plan, so no fear, no anxiety and all praise to Him. We will overcome.

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September 29, 2021. Holiday Island,,AR. Stay The Course

The past few weeks have been "early to rise and late to lie down" with long hours of activity in between. The evenings have been a little cooler and the night time cooler still and my joints seem to ache more than usual. The combination is reminding me that something needs to change or I will run out of steam before the end of the 2021 season. I'm not the only one being affected by it.
Covid is still a present threat, and as the attendance increases for these next few weeks, we are more susceptible to exposure from guests and our own people who are out in the public at school, work and in their normal activities. With so many news reports, so much conflicting information, it's hard to separate fact from fiction and make informed decisions. But we need to stay strong, be alert and trust God for his continued protection and provision. "Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, My Savior and my God." Thank You, Lord.


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