Prayer Request

Dear friends, during the past few weeks I have had two very unexpected physical challenges which have both resulted in tests, procedures and surgeries.  These will continue in the days ahead.  I would appreciate your prayers during this time.  Also, please pray that somehow I will be able to attend my granddaughter's wedding on Saturday afternoon, October 3.  Thank you for praying.  God is good, all the time.

Online Ordering

         The Pandemic has certainly changed the ways that we do many of our normal activities.  Some of the changes have been good, others not so good.

          Because of our age and physical difficulties our doctors have warned us not to be around other people for any activity.  That has hit us very hard in our relationships with our family, our friends and our church family.  We miss being with them and doing things with them.  For us this isolation has been the hardest part of the Covid threat.

          But a necessary activity has been shopping.  Obviously this is something that must still be done.  One shopping challenge we haven't solved has been getting our medicine.  And since our pharmacy does not have a drive up window we have been forced to go in to pick them up.

          However we have been using both CVS.com and Walgreens.com for items that don't require scripts.  At first these services were both slow and several times items were not available online.  That meant looking for another similar product or buying a different quantity.  And there are still some things not available at either site, such as thermometers.

         Amazon has been one of the best sources for various supplies over these months.  You can buy almost anything that you need online at their site.  Delivery is usually fast.  If needed, returns are very easy.  We have used this quite often, even for some medical needs, and we have been very satisfied.

          Now we have been rather dissatisfied with both Lowes and Home Depot.  We did have a few garden items sent to us from Lowes, but there are several other items that were out of stock or not available for curbside pickup. 

          The same was true with Home Depot.  However we did order a metal trash can from them for curbside pickup only to wait for almost a day to get a confirmation that we could pick it up.  And their website claimed to have five in stock.  So why did it take hours to get one ready for us?  When dealing with them I called to see if we could get a can of spray paint with out trash can order.  I know paint is generally not available online.  The clerk said "yes, no problem".  But when I tried to complete the order online it wouldn't allow me to do it.  So, no paint.

          I also tried to place a simple order for curbside pickup on Stauffer's Home and Garden Center but found the first pickup date wasn't for two more days.  I decided I didn't want to wait that long for this item so I canceled it. 

          During the pandemic we had to make two major purchases online.  Our washer broke down and no appliance stores were open for customers.  However we did find one online that a dealer was able to deliver and set up for us.  It is working but we might not have bought it if we could have really shopped and physically compared models.  I also bought a new computer online but I had also done that years ago and I knew what I needed and wanted.

          Ordering meals to take out has generally gone well, especially at Country Table and Isaac's.  However when I tried at Centerville Diner I had trouble processing the order online since I didn't have a google mail account.  I could have called my order in, but sometimes I am a little stubborn.  But even if I did call they don't offer curbside service and I would need to go in their restaurant to get my order and that would defeat my purpose for ordering.   It does appear that some restaurants still have a few things to learn about online ordering and curbside service.  I think they may have to learn if they want to stay in business.

          But our biggest experience in online buying has been with groceries.  We have not stepped into a grocery store in months.  Most of our business had been with two Giant grocery stores and with Stauffer's of Kissel Hill.  Originally it was very hard to get convenient pickup times with any of them.  But either they have added more times or they've lost customers.  Now this process is much better.

         We stopped dealing with Giant because you never know in advance which of the up to 20% of the items ordered would not be available.  You wouldn't know until you arrived for pickup.  But they did pack your order in nice paper bags with handles and that is nice.

          Most of our grocery shopping is now done with Stauffer's.  We don't care for all the plastic bags they use. But they do let you know in advance which of your items are not available and that is nice.  I just wish they would adjust their website to show which items are not available before you order. That would allow time to choose a substitute.  However, we are adjusting and we order from them at least once a week.

         I wonder if this online ordering will continue after the pandemic - if there is ever an end to the pandemic.  It is hard on older folks who don't have computers or computer skills.  But I think it is probably here to stay and will improve s time goes on.

          I haven't mentioned recent medical changes since I haven't yet had to use phone or video visits which will probably expand in the future.  However, I appreciate the medical portals and the personal information available on them.  And I have used these quite often to communicate with our doctors and this has been convenient.

         So we continue to adjust our routines as the pandemic continues.  And much of this has been good and improving.  I wonder what additional changes we will see in the future.  Unfortunately, one change I may face is the need to purchase a smart phone.  My budget has prevented me from doing that so but all of these changes may soon force me to "bite the bullet" and eliminate something from my budget so that I can get one.  What will that be?  Time will tell.  Change, change, change!

Uncle John

My Uncle John was a special man who was a great influence on my life, especially by spiritual life. After almost 102 years here on earth, the Lord recently took him to his eternal home. In honor of him I have decided to share his obituary with you.

John Henry Derck was born on December 21, 1918, the eighth child of Jerry and Sarah Derck, in a little farmhouse in Northumberland County, PA. When he was born, the doctor lifted him up and said, "He's so scrawny, he'll never make it!" How wrong he was! On Sept. 7, 2020, at 101 yrs., 8 ½ months, John went to be with the Lord, having lived a long and good life with a grateful heart for God's loving favor across a lifetime.

On January 31, 1942, he married Ellen Kauffman, just one month before being drafted into WW II. He was proud to serve his country in the medical corps in the 29th division of the Army on the European front. He survived D+1 at Normandy.

Ellen wrote to him faithfully every day of the three years they were apart and the two were thrilled to start their new life together when John returned from war in 1945. Following his service to our country, John began his career with the JC Penney Co. in Sunbury, PA, that lasted 40 years. He managed stores in Lancaster, PA, Fredericksburg, VA, Derby, CT, and Pottstown PA. He was a merchandiser at heart and loved his work.

Throughout all those years, he and Ellen involved themselves in serving the Lord. Trying to live lives pleasing to the Lord was the centerpiece of their life together for 73 years until Ellen went to be with the Lord in January 2015. Prov. 10:7 reads, "The memory of the one who trusts in the Lord will be a blessing." What blessings there are in our many memories of this precious man!

He was generous-hearted. He loved to give to others, whether it be flowers and vegetables from his garden, bargains from Penney's, financial help for those in need, support of missions, or candy from his candy jar. He loved to share whatever he had. God says He loves a cheerful giver- how much He must love John!

John could not be with someone long without sharing some encouraging, uplifting word. "Thanks for coming into my world!" "Keep up the good work!" All who know him have been nourished by his kind words. He loved to play games. He was known in the neighborhood for playing baseball in his backyard with his own children - and the kids from the neighborhood. What a great dad he was! As an adult, Scrabble was his favorite game and he was still able to beat the best at 100. In later years, he favored "Go Fish" and "Old Maid" with his greatgrandkids.

How he loved to read broadly – his Bible, books about Israel, world news, medical books, National Geographic. In these last 6 months, while most of the world was fixated on distressing news, he was reading the inspiring biographies of 19th century Christian leaders, Charles Spurgeon and George Mueller.

John was known for a contented heart and for his gratitude. Ask anyone at Milestone Senior Living in Rhinelander where he resided for 11 years. The kindness of the staff was always rewarded with his genuine words of thanks even to his last moments. They felt his appreciative heart. In conduct and speech, he was a true gentleman. He treated women with honor and respect. His words only expressed the gracious man he was.

One of the greatest gifts he gave his family was that he was a faithful man. He was faithful to his wife through the three long hard years of their separation because of the war and for the rest of their life together, cherishing her over a lifetime. And, he was equally faithful to the Lord in all things. His children and grandchildren have received the blessing of living their lives under his covering prayers, even to his final days. What a priceless gift he gave to his son, Jerry, and his daughter, Nancy – and to their families. He was a man who loved the Lord, loved his wife and loved them faithfully. To them all, he has been a hero.

His life is a legacy of what it looks like to follow Jesus Christ across a lifetime. Through war, through many trials, through the lockdown of his assisted facility in COVID, he held on to his faith in Jesus Christ. He was greatly concerned that our country has fallen away from their trust in God. He was troubled that men have shrunk back from praying in the name of Jesus. Yes, John held onto his trust in Christ to the end – and Jesus Christ held on to John, keeping him, mind, body, and soul, providing for his every need supernaturally, proving that John's lifetime of 101 ¾ years could not outlast God's favor.

He will be dearly missed by his son, Jerry and his wife, Maryann Derck, and by his daughter and her husband, Nancy and Bill Long; his five grandchildren: Amy Long, Trevor (Cassie) Long, Betsy (Nate) Koch, Ben (Klara) Long, Elizabeth Derck, as well as his 11 greatgrandchildren: Jaden, Josie, Maia, and Tobey Long; Lewis, Emma, Pippa, and Magnolia Long; Bekah, Kenny, and Kara Koch, as well as nieces and nephews, dear friends and some very special caregivers. His memory will continue to spur them on to love and good deeds.

In heaven, what joy for him to be welcomed home by his Lord, Jesus Christ, along with Ellen, his wife, his mother and father, his 11 siblings and many other family members. Often, in these last months, he would ponder aloud, "I wonder what they are doing in heaven." It is a joy to us to know that Dad now knows! A father to the fatherless is God. Psalm 68:5 To John, who lost has daddy when he was 7, God's promise to be a wonderful Father proved true. God's favor lasts a lifetime. Psalm 30:5b True to His promise, John's lifetime did not outlast God's favor. God promised, "I have upheld you since your birth and have carried you since you were born. Even to your old age and your white hair, I am He, I am He who will sustain you, I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you." Isaiah 46:3,4

Across a lifetime, God kept every line of His promise to John, and on Sept. 7, 2020, He rescued him from death and took him to heaven. Grandchildren are the crown of the aged and the glory of children is their father. Prov. 17:6 The grandchildren and greatgrandchildren were truly John's crown and delight. And Jerry and Nancy are thankful it was into Dad (and Mom's) world God brought them – even though Dad always said good bye to them by saying, "Thank you for coming into MY world!"

A man full of age shall be preciouser than pure gold and shining. A person of great age and maturity shall be more precious or rare than gold. Is. 13:12 WYC To all who know John, he is preciouser and more rare than gold.

The Memorial Service for John will be Monday, September 21, 2020, 10 AM, at the Three Lakes Evangelical Free Church, Three Lakes, WI. There will be no formal visitation, but all are welcome to attend and join the family in this time together. Burial will immediately follow at the Three Lakes Cemetery.

I thank the Lord for the almost 80 years that I had to learn from the influence of my Uncle John. Thank you Uncle John "for coming into MY life."

Our Land Of Plenty

          The United States - the marvelous land of plenty.  And compared to other countries around the world this has been a true description.  God has blest us over many years. In many other countries there is severe famine and folks are dying for lack of necessities.

          Now despite our plenty we have too many homeless who are in real need.  Folks are surviving without a place to live, food to eat or other necessary items.  And so we have many food banks, shelters and government  programs to try and provide for them.  But much more is needed.

          Despite our plenty, some will remember times in our history when this wasn't so.  The few depression survivors who might still be alive will testify of the times when so many things were limited or not available.  Those were hard times for so many.  And the same could be said about the years during World Wars when things like food stamps and coupons were necessary to survive.

          Now we are dealing with a worldwide pandemic and shortages of many things are beginning to develop.  Some of those are in medicines, especially those made or using ingredients from China.  I had one that was taken off the market because of its potential to cause cancer.  Now I can't get its replacement because it is backordered.

          Recently when I was in the hospital I needed an infusion of magnesium because my levels were critically low.  Because they had problems getting mag for infusions they sent me home with some pills - the same as I had been taking at home.  And some drugs have now become so expensive that many folks can't afford to take them.  This in the land of plenty?

          The pandemic caught many of us off guard.  For awhile we couldn't get things like toilet paper, cleaning supplies, paper towels and some food goods.  However, now we have stocked up on enough toilet paper on to last us for years.  We now order all of our groceries online and often we are only able to get about 70% of what we order because the rest is out of stock.  But we don't really suffer when you consider that many people around the world can't even get a daily meal.

          Then came the appliance shortages.  Early in the pandemic our washer died and we had to get a replacement.  At that time all the appliance stores were closed due to the virus.  We had to go online and find one that would fit our confined space.  We did find one and fortunately we found a dealer who would still install despite having their storeroom closed.  So we bought, it was installed and we are now living with one we might not have chosen if we could have shopped in person.  But today they only last from 8 to 10 years so we will probably soon have to shop for one again, hopefully when the pandemic is over.

          Then we had our kitchen fire and our microwave above our stove had to be replaced because of smoke damage.  The restoration crew removed it for us and we had to go shopping for a new one.  What an eye opener that experience was.  Now we had heard all the stories on the news about the shortages but we weren't prepared for what we found.

          First we went to L H Brubaker which has three stores and has sold us all of our appliances for decades.  Then we actually had to have an appointment to be admitted to their storeroom.  When we arrived we were stunned to see how empty it was.  I think they only had about 25% of what they normally had on the floor.  They had just two microwaves to install about stoves. despite listing about 75 on their website. The salesman told us that it might take months to order and get one in.  He could not even give us a possible date.  Then he did find one in another of their stores that would at least fit our space but it would have fewer features than  our old one.  He told us that they could put it on hold for us but that they were a month behind in installations.  Would we wait for over a month to get a lesser product?  We decided to look elsewhere.

          So we prayed about it and asked the Lord what to do.  The night before we had been talking to a friend from our church who suggested that we try Gochnauers in East Petersburg.  And she said that we should say that our friend Scott sent us.  So we took her suggestion.

         We were pleasantly surprised to find that they had about five on display and they even had the newer model of what we were replacing and in the color we wanted.  And I don't know why, but we were surprised when they said it could be delivered and installed in a week.  We said "sold" and it is now installed.  Why should we doubt that God does answer our prayers even with shortages in a time of pandemic?

          But this hasn't happened for many people.  During this time we know of a relative who needs a new kitchen stove.  They were able to buy one at a nationally known store but now they can't get it until October.  My son told me of a hunter friend who has been trying to get a freezer for two months and one of the men on our restoration crew has also been trying to get a freezer for two months.  So the shortage is real.  Companies reduced production for the safety of their employees when the virus hit and most retailers can't afford right now to take a chance on buying and stocking large supplies of appliances until  they see where the economy is headed.

          So we are so thankful for all that the Lord has provided for us - a washer that is working, medicines that we need, our home that did not burn down, a new microwave and plenty of food.  In fact we are planning to have fresh corn on the cob tonight, along with fresh peaches on ice cream.  Than you Lord for providing all that we need and much more.

Sixty Years Apart

          Two important events 60 years apart came together last week in an event which we will never forget.  It's amazing how the Lord controls these things.

          SIXTY YEARS AGO - My wife's parents insisted that she buy an expensive set of Lifetime Stainless Steel Cookware that her uncle sold.  At the time she was working in a bank and had no thoughts of getting married, but her parents thought it would be a good investment for her.  So she bought it, stored it and didn't use it until a few years later when we got married and began housekeeping.

          The set did have a lifetime guarantee and a few times over the years the company did replace, without charge, some pieces that turned out to be defective.  These items were very high quality and we used them hard over the years.  Today a new eight piece starter set would cost about $1,200.  Her original set was a much larger set.

          NOW JUMP AHEAD 60 YEARS TO A WEEK AGO - I was having some dental problems and I called our new dentist about 10:45.  I knew they closed at noon but I thought maybe I could at least get an appointment for the following week.  I was surprised when they said if you can get here in 15 minutes we can see you today.  Now that was a challenge because we were at least 15 minutes away and faced the prospect of heavy Friday traffic to get there.  But I said that I'd be there.

          I called my wife and said that we must leave immediately.  She is doing most of our driving now.  So we ran to our car and made it to the dentist just  in time.  Unfortunately they found more problems than I had ever had during my life.  About an hour later we were on our way home with more appointments scheduled.

         We were about four miles from home when my wife suddenly remembered that she had placed eggs in a pan to hard boil them.  Because we left in such a hurry we had forgotten to turn off the stove.  We rushed the remaining distance not sure what we would find after almost two hours on the stove.

          We rushed to the front door and when I opened it we heard the smoke alarm ringing and we were greeted with clouds of white smoke.  It was so thick that I had trouble seeing to get to the kitchen.  But I was able to remove the pot, turn the stove off and take the pot outside.  Fortunately there were no flames yet, just loads of white smoke.

          We opened windows and used fans.  The smoke slowly disappeared but a terrible smell remained.  We finally realized that we needed professional help.  The first company we contacted never responded.  The second responded and that evening they came and installed a large fan to clean the air and a deodorizer.

         The next day I had several concerns and questions about their equipment and tried to contact them.  It took five hours until I finally reached somebody who came out to check the equipment.  He added another air cleaner and replaced the deodorizer which apparently was defective.  So this equipment then ran until Tuesday.  It was very loud but took care of much of the smell.

          On Wednesday it was decided that we needed a cleaning crew and they sent us two technicians to begin working on cabinets, walls, rugs, etc.  Time will tell how effective their work was.  But thankfully we still have our house.

          NOW HOW DO THESE TWO EVENTS CONNECT?   Along the way we decided to try and replace the ruined pan.  We found a Lfetime dealer who told us that a replacement pan would cost $150.  However, he had a used one that he would sell for $50.  We said that we would take it.  He added that he was to be in the Lancaster area on Monday and would drop by to give it to us.

          He came and when he looked at our damaged pan he told us that we were very fortunate to have used the Lifetime pan because of the way it was manufactured.  He said that any other pan would have actually caught fire and we would have probably lost our house.  Amazing!  

          So we thank my wife's parents for making her buy this set of cookware.  We thank Lifetime for making such a durable product.  But most of all we thank the Lord for protecting us and arranging for our protection years before we knew that we would even need it.  God is so good!

          Now time will tell the final outcome.  Will  they be able to clean it enough?  Will we have any longtime effects from living here and breathing this smoke?  We don't know but we trust the Lord to keep caring for us.  Please pray with us about this.

          FRIDAY UPDATE - We have been working with the restoration company for the past week.  For four days they ran three pieces of equipment to try and clean and deodorize the air.  Then two workers completely cleaned our kitchen - counters, cabinets, doors and walls.  They decided that we had to replace our microwave because of smoke damage.  Thankfully, despite the severe shortage of appliances, the Lord led us to a dealer who had exactly what we needed in stock and can install it for us on Thursday.  Unless you’ve had to replace an appliance recently you probably don’t know what an answer to prayer this is.  Others wanted a month to install a microwave with fewer features.  Now they will have a company come to clean our curtains and drapes in our living room, dining room and den.  Hopefully that will eliminate much of the remaining smell.  Carpet cleaning is still a possibility. 

         Personally we are also dealing with some physical challenges which haven’t been helped by our stress and anxiety.  But again,  thankfully our house did not burn down.  We will appreciate your prayers!

(1)  I trust in God wherever I may be,

Upon the land or on the rolling sea,

For, come what may, from day to day,

My heav'nly Father watches over me.

I trust in God, I know He cares for me,

On mountain bleak or on the stormy sea;

Tho' billows roll, He keeps my soul,

My heavn'ly Father watches over me.

(2)  He makes the rose an object of His care,

He guides the eagle thru the pathless air,

And surely He remembers me,

My heav'nly Father watches over me.

I trust in God, I know He cares for me,

On mountain bleak or on the stormy sea;

Tho' billows roll, He keeps my soul,

My heavn'ly Father watches over me.

(3)  I trust in God, for in the the lion's den,

On battlefield, or in the prison pen,

Thru praise or blame, thru flood or flame,

My heav'nly Father watches over me.

I trust in God, I know He cares for me,

On mountain bleak or on the stormy sea;

Tho' billows roll, He keeps my soul,

My heavn'ly Father watches over me.

(4)  The valley may be dark, the shadows deep

But O, The Shepherd guards His lonely sheep;

And thru the gloom, He'll lead me home

My heav'nly Father watches over me.

I trust in God, I know He cares for me,

On mountain bleak or on the stormy sea;

Tho' billows roll, He keeps my soul,

My heavn'ly Father watches over me.