Trust The Radar

A few days ago we flew home from a vacation trip (details to appear here in a few days). The flights were great – on time and without problems. Most of the time we were high above the clouds where the sun was shining brightly. But on the last leg of the flight we didn't go as high and for most of the trip we were flying right through the thick, gray clouds. Looking out the window it appeared that we were speeding through a thick fog. That was all that we could see. I imagine it must be difficult for the pilots to fly and not be able to see where they are headed. But because of the radar, they flew confidently and we rode feeling at ease knowing that the radar would bring us home. And it did. But I sat there thinking how much this experience illustrated our lives here on earth. So often we can't see where we are headed, especially when the problems and worries mount and we tend to feel overwhelmed. But we know that Jesus is our "radar". He guides us through those situations when we can't see what is ahead. And knowing this, we should be able to rest in Him, with confidence, knowing that He knows our ways and that He will bring us safely home. This morning we talked to a friend whose job will probably be eliminated in the near future. He doesn't know for sure, but He is trusting in the Lord to guide him through this uncertainty. He made the comment that He knows that the Lord knows what is ahead. He just wishes that the Lord would tell Him. How often we all feel that way. I know He holds my future, but it would be easier if He would tell me what it is. But maybe it is good that we don't know what tomorrow holds. We might be fearful. It is better to face today, in His strength, realizing that He will provide the wisdom, strength and peace that we need to face tomorrow – when tomorrow comes. I'm not preaching, I'm just talking to myself – the world's best worrier. But if you are listening in, maybe the message is for you, too. One of my favorite verses, Psalm 139:2 (KJV), "Thou compasseth my path, and my lying down, and art acquainteth with, ALL my ways." So, let's just follow the "radar".

No Tomorrow

Last night we learned of the sudden death of a 24 year-old father whose parents attend our church. He leaves a wife and four children. I think that there are many difficult situations in this life that could happen to a person. The most difficult is probably the death of a spouse. The pain and loneliness of that separation is beyond description. But close behind is the death of one of your children, especially a sudden death. We don't know what tomorrow may hold for us. Death is inevitable. Our days are numbered and we should learn not to put off doing important things such as telling a loved one that we love them … or apologizing for something you have done … or visiting a parent or a loved one… or resolving a dispute with someone, especially a family member … or sharing the gospel with a co-worker … or giving a friend a hug or a complement … or thanking somebody who has done something for you. So often when a friend or loved one dies suddenly, we live with regrets … if only. Tonight I also found out that one of my aunts died. Even though she was in her 90's, her mind was clear. The last time we visited her she shared all sorts of interesting stories that I had never heard about my mother and her family. I was eager to go back and learn more and identify folks in photographs. So much of my mother's background was lost 17 years ago when my mother was killed in an auto accident. But I waited too long to return to visit Aunt Anna and now many family stories are lost forever. If only … Nobody like to talk about death, but unless the Lord returns, we will all face death. So first of all we need to be sure our lives are right with the Lord, that we have accepted His free gift of forgiveness and new life. But then, secondly, we should make sure our lives are right with our loved ones and our friends. When my mother was killed, we were so thankful that the night before her death we visited her, not even thinking it would be the last time we'd be with her on this earth. And so the death of my aunt and the death of this young father challenge me not to put off until tomorrow what can, or better yet, what should be done today. For tomorrow on this earth may never come.

Excuse Me, But ...

… I don't normally brag about my grandchildren. It bothers me to be with folks who are always bragging about how "bright" and "talented" their grandchildren are. It seems as though every grandparent thinks that they have the only "gifted" grandchildren. But after having taught thousands of such "apparently gifted" grandchildren for 39 years, I am fully aware that this isn't the case. So while I am very proud of all seven of mine, I seldom share that with anyone but them. But even so, every once in awhile there are situations that one must share (or brag about). For example - my oldest grandson, Zachary, just completed three nights playing lead guitar for the musical at another area high school. Last weekend he spent time as a member of a select Governor's Youth Council tagging bears that were hibernating in their mountain dens. He also qualified for the Word of Life Teens Involved regional competition at Altoona in April. So far he's been accepted by two universities, Susquehanna and Millersville … His sister, Taylor, also qualified for the Teens Involved regional competition in several divisions, including puppets, praise team, poetry and short stories. Last week she also won a position as a goalie on the Hempfield Junior High varsity soccer team. Hempfield has one of the top soccer programs in the state, so this is quite an accomplishment … Our second oldest, Joshua, a member of the Warwick High golf team, recently won first place in a competition sponsored by the Pennsylvania Academy of Science. He hopes someday to be an engineer, like his father … His younger brother, Noah, plays French horn in the Warwick Elementary School Band and he recently completed four years of work in Awana to earn his Timothy Award. I will have the honor of presenting this to him next Sunday in our second worship service … Our granddaughter, Chloe, recently won first place for her project and display in an elementary history fair in the Conestoga Valley School District. She and her sister, Lexie, were named Respectful and Responsible Students of the Month at their elementary school. Our other grandchild, Brodie, is still a little too young for such accomplishments. Now while I am proud of what they are doing, my greatest desire and prayer is that they continue to love and serve the Lord. I pray daily that they would develop a passion for growing closer to the Lord. I also pray that God would be preparing godly spouses for each of them so that they could serve the Lord together and possibly even rear great-grandchildren who love the Lord. Earthly accomplishments are nice, but laying up treasures in heaven are eternal accomplishments. So while some grandparents wish for their grandkids to become rich or famous, the goal of serving the Lord is one that lasts forever. And that is my prayer.

Family Announcement

Mr. and Mrs. Barry Kauffman are proud to announce the "joining of the lives" of Grandma, of Millersville, and Dr. Foo-Ling-U, of China. In the future Dr. will just be called Gramps. Future appearances of Gramps are not dependent upon his learning English, because he actually "knows" English better than Chinese. Future public appearance depend upon his ability to "acquire" a voice. Grandma is next scheduled to appear in public on March 27 at the Easter Egg Hunt at Faith Bible Fellowship in Lancaster.

A Very Tough Puzzle Completed

This one was tough. The pieces were all one inch wide and all the same shape! This wasn't really much fun but it was another challenge met. The next one is easier!

Financial Tunami

The Lancaster newspapers beat me to it. For three weeks I had intended to write a blog about the soon coming financial tsunami involving pension funds that will hit us all in Pennsylvania. But they beat me to the punch and even "stole" my title in their major articles on Thursday. When this tsunami hits, we teachers and retirees will take the blame as taxes skyrocket and school programs are gutted. The first misinformed letter to the editor, blaming us, was published last Saturday in the local newspaper. More will be on the way. And it isn't even our fault. It is very serious. It has been coming for years and politicians have passed the buck and done absolutely nothing to head it off. What is the problem? Our pension fund, guaranteed by the state constitution, has been drastically underfunded by the state and local school districts for several years and now it is facing billion dollar deficits. Where the districts contributed 12.7% yearly up to 2001, the state legislators allowed it to drop as low 1.09% to keep taxes down. This, with the economic downturn, allowed what was one of the most secure pension funds in the nation to suddenly be billions behind. If the rates had stayed the same, there would be no problem. In the meantime, the teacher's rate was increased and they continue to contribute 7.3% of their salaries each year to qualify. State legislators and boards have seen this debt skyrocketing and have ignored it, allowing future elected officials to face it. Our governor, for example, is doing nothing about it. His term will be over when the tsunami hits. It won't be his problem. The prediction is that the school district rate will need to jump to 21.41% over the next three years – that will be an average of $500 more per family in Lancaster County, including mine. The problem was even made worse in 2001 when the state legislature increased their pensions by 50% and to cover their actions, they added on an increase in the teacher's pension plan of 25% for new retirees. We teachers didn't even ask for this, but it was the only way the legislators could get their huge increase passed. These same legislators have unbelievable salaries, perks, and pension plans and many think the teachers have the same thing. While I admit that right now I have a good retirement salary, PTL, there are some things that the public doesn't realize. First, I receive no cost of living increases and probably never will. What I received when I retired in 2002 is the same as I will get 20 years from now, should I live that long. Incidentally, in February of 2002 I filled up my oil tank for $185. This February it cost me $515 for the same amount and my salary has not changed in that time. Second, the state legislators who created this problem have great health benefits for life. Retired teachers have none. We do get $100 per month if we purchase their recommended plan. But above that $100 it cost us $6,500 for health insurance last year and that insurance didn't even cover $7,510 of our medical expenses. And the cost of the insurance climbs each year when the pension stays the same. Now, I'm not complaining. I new this would happen when I retired but when the tsunami hits, we retired teachers will get the blame and will be publicly chastised by angry taxpayers. Those who caused the problem will escape because most of them are no longer in office and many of them are now enjoying their fat pensions with free health benefits. What will happen? Attempts will be made to cut our benefits, but they are guaranteed by state law. Taxes will need to go up, but that probably won't happen. Some of the candidates for governor have already pledged no tax increases – I love their promises, but they are really out of touch with what will hit during their term of office. What will probably need to happen is massive staff reductions, elimination of elective programs such as art and music, elimination of extra curricular activities such as bands and choirs, and introduction of "pay to participate" athletics. This will come because the public will never allow sports to be dropped or reduced. Schools will never be the same. And the other growing possibility is that school districts and eventually even the state will go bankrupt. And if you think that couldn't happen, just look at California. Times are bad and I believe the worst is yet to come. But thankfully there is one sure solution – the return of Jesus Christ. That will create a real tsunami for those left behind on this earth. And I believe, and hope, that this event will happen very soon. Keep looking up!

Is Dad Smiling?

When we purchased the property for our new church it included an oval for riding horses and a large building that had once been a stables for the horses which were raised and trained there. The oval was where our new building was built. The stables was dirty and in bad shape, except for the walls and foundation. It was suggested that someday this would be a good place for a youth center. Many volunteers shared in gutting and cleaning up the inside. A new roof was put on to protect it. An architect was hired as was a former missionary who was to head up the construction. The big problem was how to finance this since over $500,000 would need to be raised. The congregation was encouraged to start when a number of businesses and a foundation made large donations for the youth center. Work was begun and a magnificent building emerged. The finished product contains a large meeting area with the very latest in sound and projection equipment, a kitchen and a large eating area which is even equipped with booths from a former local restaurant, a large classroom, a fully equipped game room, modern bathrooms, large storage areas for church and children's ministry supplies, and a huge garage for storing our vans and doing other maintenance work. Many churches would love to have such a building for their church building, not just a youth center. Because of what it was originally, it has officially been named the Stables Youth Center. It is now used for all youth events as well as receptions, parties, meetings, and all sorts of gatherings. It is beautiful, modern, and very functional. But there has been one major problem – finances. The campaign to raise money from businesses faltered and fell way short of its goal. As a result, the church had to take out a large note to pay for it and this placed a very heavy burden on the congregation with the already heavy mortgage for the new church. But my father had the vision and fully supported this project. His one desire was to see this note eliminated as quickly as possible so that the congregation could concentrate on reducing the mortgage. Presently we owe $1,846 each week on the church principal and $2,200 each week on the interest. So over $4,000 is needed each offering for the mortgage. The Stables note is in addition to this. Well, dad didn't live long enough to see his desire fulfilled – elimination of the note on the Stables. But when he died we tried to honor his desire by designating that all memorial gifts received would go to reducing the note on the Stables. There were numerous gifts received the first month after his death but several others have continued to come in during the past year, including three last Sunday. This brings the total of memorial gifts in dad's memory to $20,270 and this reduces the note on the Stables to less than $2,000! PTL! And, with either a few more memorial gifts before the end of the month, or with the next payment from the church budget, the note will finally be retired by the end of March. This is so exciting. Dad would be thrilled. The Lord has been so good and we are so thrilled that, even in death, the Lord has used my dad's life to provide another landmark in the history of our church. His influence continues to impact the ministry at Faith Bible Fellowship Church, in Lancaster, that he helped found in 1950. I wonder if dad knows about this new development and if he does, I am sure that he has a big smile on his face.

Family Unity, God's Plan

I recently received an unexpected comment on my public blog where I talked about our Awana experiences. The comment was from an Awana headquarters staff member who wanted additional information about the things I had shared. She found my blog because they use google alerts to find references on the internet about Awana. In talking to her later on the telephone, she was interested in the involvement of our family during the past 28 years of Awana. She is preparing material for the 60th anniversary of Awana and might do an article on our family and our Awana program. In doing some research I found that 16 Kauffmans/Grimms have served a total of 256 years in our Awana program. Eleven of our family members have been clubbers in the program. These facts reminded me again how good the Lord has been to our family and how much each one means to us. We are especially blessed that our three sons married wives who love and serve the Lord. We are blessed because they have made it a priority to raise our grandchildren in the things of the Lord. We are especially blessed because they live close by and worship with us. We are blessed because their love for the Lord unites us and we really enjoy being together. This reality has also hit home since during the last few months we have been surprised and saddened to learn of at least six families that we know that not only don't know such unity but also have deep family divisions. We have heard of friends where parents and children haven't talked in years. We have learned of grandparents who dare not visit their grandchildren. We have a widowed friend who lives a few blocks from us and she hasn't been allowed, for several years, to have any contact with her grandchildren who live just a few miles from here. The widow longs to just see her grandchildren or talk to her son and daughter-in-law. Life is so short and it is a sin to allow these divisions to continue, even for a day. The Bible is very clear in teaching that children are to honor their parents – even if the parents wrong them. It is not an option but a Biblical command, as is forgiveness. It is bad enough for such divisions to exist, but when spiritual commandments are ignored, there will be penalties to pay in both this life and in our future lives. I feel so sad about the price that family members will pay for not following God's commands. He is the one who instituted the family unit and His heart must break to see these deep divisions. But we should pray for these families and situations. We know of a pastor whose in-laws disowned he and his wife when they became Christians. For several decades they had no contact and the in-laws didn't even know their grandchildren. But people prayed for years. Later, when the pastor's wife was diagnosed with terminal cancer, the barriers were finally broken and reconciliation took place. But all those years were gone. Later when the wife died and the father-in-law died, the mother-in-law moved in with her son-in-law and today they take care of each other. That type of happy ending is rare but exciting. If you and your family live in unity, don't forget to thank the Lord for that. I do this every day because God has blessed us. If there are differences that divide, please don't let another day go by without forgiving and reconciling. Life is too short to live otherwise.

Another Puzzle Done

Another puzzle has been completed while the snow was falling and the wind howling. But yesterday the birds were singing and the air had a hint of spring. But March can still bring major snows, although I really doubt that we will get the 40 in. snowfall of the century on Sunday as some have predicted. Instead, tomorrow I'm making arrangements to have my riding mower serviced. Instead of shoveling snow, we will soon be mowing grass. So will we get any more puzzles done? We'll see.

Now Playing In Heaven

This week Christian music lost one of its greatest musicians, but heaven gained a superb trombonist and vocalist. What an addition has been made to the music of heaven! I have only had a few musicians over the years that I would call my favorites, but Bill Pearce certainly would rank in the top one or two. Bill had such a beautiful mellow voice and his trombone stylings were the best that I have ever heard. Since I used to play the trombone, I would always marvel at his beautiful mellow sounds when he played. For years I have also listened to his radio program "Nightsounds" which he has produced since the 1960's. It is still played on 300 radio stations, including 30 here in Pennsylvania. Every Friday and Saturday night we listen to it on WDAC at 11:30. I also remember hearing him sing and play duets with Dick Anthony and sing with the Melody Four Quartet and with the 16 Singing Men. A few years ago we were with Bert Kettinger who is a soloist from Moody. Bert used to work with Bill and he had several stories to share. I was surprised to learn that Bill was really an introvert and uneasy in front of groups of people. One would never know that from his easy, mellow style of ministry. He played the trombone from the age of ten which is about when I started. Unfortunately, I quit many years before he did. It was never as easy to me as he made it appear. What I also didn't know until today is that he was the voice of one of the characters on Ranger Bill. Even though I don't care for this kid's program, I will probably listen to it for a few Saturday mornings to see if I can recognize his voice. But after suffering from Parkinson's Disease for several years, the Lord took him home this week at the age of 83. I guess the Lord needed one of the world's best trombone players and soloists to add to the praise choirs of heaven. Hopefully his taped programs will continue to be aired on radio stations so that we here on earth can still be challenged by his ministry. I've listed a few links for you if you would like to hear more of Bill.

Bill with the Melody Four Quartet. MELODY
Bill playing Joshua. JOSHUA
Bill playing Over The Sunset Mountains SUNSET
Bill playing What Wondrous Love LOVE
An article about Bill's trombone playing. TROMBONE

Another Puzzle Done

We have enjoyed spending many hours this winter in our enclosed porch room with its new nine large windows, sitting near the fire, watching the snow, our huge pine trees, the birds and completing jigsaw puzzles. Finishing difficult puzzles together is a challenge that we both have enjoyed. Earlier we have shown here the others that we've completed this winter. This is the last one that we finished Sunday. This 1,000 piece scene was really a challenge. Now we are waiting for three additional ones to arrive that I just purchased for less than $9 (including postage) on e-bay. Hopefully this will give us something to do if we get the 40-inch "Snow of the Century" on March 7, as so many are predicting. And if it doesn't come ... we'll give a sigh of relief and still enjoy the new challenges.

Comments From Readers

Well I think it might be time to open the old mailbag or the e-mail account and share with you some of the vast number of comments (I think there have been about five of them) that I've recently received from my many readers (actually probably about ten including me and my family). Three folks told me that they really enjoyed the snow shoveler story. Maybe only three read it. Actually, I thought it was a lot better than that, but it is probably much better if you've just finished shoveling your driveway for the sixth time. If you didn't think it was funny, read it again next week when I am told by some that we will receive 30 inches of snow. Or read it after March 7 when I am told we will get 40 inches of snow. Just thinking about such storms makes me relate even more to the shoveler in the story (see link in Feb. 12 blog). Another reader commented on my Feb. 6 blog as follows. "It is faulty to base your winter weather predictions on just one caterpillar. You, being a mathematician/statistician should know that you need a proper sample size to do a credible statistical analysis. But, even though you made a mistake in your prediction, you are still qualified to be a weather man. It seems like their jobs are secure even if they are wrong about the weather." Do you mean the weather men/women make mistakes? I hope that they make mistakes about the 30" and 40" storms. And statistics was never my favorite subject and since I'm retired I have forgotten all that exciting information that I crammed in to the minds of "eager" students for 39 years. That's another lifetime now. Then a reader said this about my January 23 blog. "When you did your illegal renting of a motel room for your underage grandkids, I was going to tell you that I hoped they would let you continue doing your blog from your prison cell when they arrested you." At times like this I'm glad that only a couple of relatives read my blogs - please don't let the word get out. I do wonder if I can take my laptop into prison with me. A final reply came from a reader who liked the Snow Shoveler Diary. She sent me the following poem, entitled Winter Poem.

"It's winter in Pennsylvania, And the gentle breezes blow, Seventy miles an hour, At five below. Oh, how I love Pennsylvania, When the snow's up to your butt, You take a breath of winter, And your nose gets frozen shut. Yes, the weather here is wonderful, So I guess I'll hang around, I could never leave Pennsylvania, Cuz I'm frozen to the ground!"

So take this as a warning and don't stand still in the 30 inches next week or the 40 inches on March 7. Keep the cards, letters, and e-mails coming - they give me something to read when we're snowbound.

Shoveling Snow

Today I spent time trying to shovel out some areas around our house that I hadn't gotten to the last two days. It was a real chore, especially for an old man. Not only was it two to three feet deep, but some of it contained ice. Our front step never gets sunlight so it is a sheet of ice and I have not made much progress with it. Today when I was coming in from shoveling I took a big spill on the ice. Maybe that was a fitting way to kick off the winter Olympics! The Olympic judges might have given me a 9.8 for style. I don't think anything is broken, but I am certainly going to ache for a few days. This experience brought back to my mind a story that I had enjoyed many years ago. It is too long to put in my blog, but I've set up another page for it. I hope you'll take time to go there and enjoy it. Here is the link. SNOW I think you'll enjoy it and maybe at this point you can relate to it. In the meantime I'm going to look for the heating pad.

Puzzles, Puzzles, Puzzles

Here are some of the puzzles that we've completed during the past weeks while we have been housebound by the snow. And, with more snow predicted, we are starting another one!

What Do You Do When It Snows?

What do you do when you get hit with a third major snowstorm – a new record for any season since they began to record such information? And what do you do when you receive about 43 inches of the white stuff in a five-day period? Well, obviously you shovel and run the snow blower, and shovel and run the snow blower, and then shovel and run the snow blower again. But in between all that hard work we enjoy putting jigsaw puzzles together and we have completed several recently. But we have also enjoyed, somewhat unexpectedly, another activity. Many years ago we built an enclosed porch on the back of our house. It originally was intended for summer enjoyment, but over the years we added baseboard heat, finished it off and furnished it, and added a gas stove. But because the windows were not meant for use in the cold of the winter, the room often went unused during the cold months. But this year we decided to take advantage of rebates and we replaced the windows with nine large, energy efficient windows that provide a great view. And now we have been using this room almost every day during the winter. It has been nice to relax there, sitting by the fire, reading, watching television, listening to old records, and putting puzzles together. Then came the snow and suddenly we had great views of our backyard, our snow-covered large pine trees, and our bird feeders. We have been treated to beautiful views of falling and drifting snow. And during these storms our bird friends have returned to the feeders. Yesterday, during our blizzard, we were entertained by several cardinals, numerous woodpeckers – including a redheaded woodpecker, mourning doves, and many others. We have also watched gigantic icicles form to lengths of at least four feet. We have watched the heavy winds blow the snow and form beautiful drifts. We have also watched the heavy snow break huge limbs off our white pines and while I don't know how we will get rid of them, they will be fine until spring. And even when my back aches from all the work outside, I remember that this is the day that the Lord has made and we should rejoice and be glad. And the last few days I have often been reminded of God's faithfulness not only through the beauty of His creation and His protection through the storms, but by His dealings in our lives. This weekend was the first anniversary of my dad's death. What if we had to make plans for his funeral and burial in this kind of weather? But last year at this time it was mild and sunny. PTL. And if he were alive and living at home I would be worrying (Yes, I am the family worrier) about him and wouldn't have been able to get to Lititz to help him. And what if we hadn't sold his home so quickly and I had to take care of it in this weather? But my loving heavenly Father knew all about this and he chose to spare us from all of those problems and concerns. And so, while I have seen enough snow the last few days to last me for a decade, God has been good to me. And I know that He never gives us more than we can handle and when we take time to worship Him we can see His handiwork all around this. And, hopefully, I will remember this when the next snow arrives Monday night. This is the day that the Lord hath made. I will rejoice!

Deceived!

I've been deceived! Yes, I admit it, I've been deceived … by a little wooly caterpillar. If you are a regular reader, you might recall that in my blog of December 21 I said the following. "I used to enjoy the recently deceased columnist from the Lancaster Newspapers who annually would give his winter predictions based on observing the wooly caterpillar. And his predictions were as accurate as the professional forecasters, although that isn't saying very much. Well this year I've seen exactly one wooly caterpillar and he had a black neck and the remainder of his body was brown. So my interpretation is that this means we will have a stormy beginning to the winter, and we have, and then the rest of the winter will be mild. And on that I am counting! I'm dreaming of a … mild winter!" But was he correct? No! And I thought I could trust that caterpillar. He seemed to be as reliable as the weather men and ladies. And certainly he is as least as good as a ground hog. And until this weekend he appeared to have given me correct information. We had a record snowstorm and cold weather in December. Then January was milder and we had very little bad weather. Then came February! Today we had about 24 inches of snow in Millersville. According to the caterpillar, that shouldn't have happened. And to make it worse this is only the fourth time in 80 years of record keeping that we have had two major snowstorms (over 12 inches) in the same year. So this was a very rare event. Fortunately, it wasn't a blizzard, which requires sustained winds of 35 mph, or we might be housebound for days. So I was deceived – unless maybe the caterpillar I saw was wearing a Halloween costume because it was late in October when I saw him. Well I hope he didn't deceive himself and that he is keeping very warm somewhere. I guess it is really easy to be deceived if you aren't alert. The Bible has many warnings that Satan would like to deceive us – he walks around like a roaring lion – not as a caterpillar – seeking whom he may devour. The Scriptures also warn us, "Be not deceived, God is not mocked, for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." Today many folks are being deceived by false promises, false religions, and secular (politically correct) beliefs. And those deceptions are much more serious than a caterpillar's stripes and a snowy day. Keep warm and stay away from caterpillars.

A Very Special Ministry

When we began our Awana ministry 28 years ago, I never thought that 28 years later I would still be involved in this ministry and certainly not as commander. But it has been a great experience and we have really seen the Lord bless this ministry over the years. There have been many challenges including two moves to new buildings, working with kids from inner city Lancaster through a van ministry, finding new leaders and directors, and handling the challenges of a growing ministry. But it has been a special blessing to see children memorize scripture and come to know the Lord as Savior. It has been fun to watch them compete in quizzing, Awana games and the annual Grand Prix. It has been rewarding to be involved in training almost 250 Awana leaders, some of whom have served with us for many of these 28 years. It has been a joy to present over 280 Sparky and Timothy Awards for achievement in completing handbooks. It has been a very special honor to present some of these awards to family members, especially my grandchildren. Six of our seven grandchildren have or are presently attending (one is still too young) and by the end of this year three will have earned the Timothy and five will have earned the Sparky. This year has been a special year since we have set numerous attendance records (145 K-6 clubbers and 233 total attendance) and are well on our way to having 85 completed handbooks (40 so far). But last evening was very special since we completed our annual adopt-a-club drive by raising $4,954 to support 14 clubs that we have adopted around the world. About $1,500 of this will go to help five clubs in Haiti try to reestablish themselves after the devastating earthquake. We plan to keep the offering open for one more week in hopes of going over $5,000 and possibly collecting $2,000 for Haiti. Being part of this missions project has been another highlight of my time in Awana. My one regret – at times - is that I am not the same as I was 28 years ago. I see the special ministry of Awana to boys and girls and families and I know that there is so much more that we could do to expand the ministry and reach others. But, unfortunately, while I have a bigger heart for Awana than I've ever had, my body, nerves, and stamina just aren't what they were 28 years ago. My mind tells me there is so much more to be done, but my body just can't do it anymore. Being a good commander of a growing vital ministry can be a full-time job. And one of the problems that we all will face as we age is when to give up key things in our life – whether it be something like our home, our driving, our activities, or even our ministry. And, unfortunately, society today does not value age or experience. But that's just one of those things we all will face, if we are fortunate enough to live that long. But, in the meantime, we rejoice in being part of the Lord's work, both in the past and in the present. It is a great God that we serve and there are so many who di not know Him. God is so good to us!

An Interesting Musical

Earlier this week we had a chance to attend the Dutch Apple Dinner Theater for their production of the musical "Nunsense". The musical begins when the Little Sisters of Hoboken discover that their cook, Sister Julia, Child of God, has accidentally poisoned and killed 52 of the sisters, and they are in dire need of funds for the burials. They are able to bury 48 of them but have four still stored in the freezer because they can't afford the burials. The sisters decide that the best way to raise the money to do this is to put on a variety show. The musical is this variety show. It is rather funny, although there are a few crude jokes. The dancing is entertaining and the singing is exceptional. The entire production is done by just five women actresses. But while we enjoyed most of the show, I'm not sure that I could recommend it to anyone. Unfortunately, the musical was some what ruined for me by the final number. There really isn't too much theology throughout the show until the very last song, "Holier Than Though". It begins with these words, "If you want to be a saint, all you have to do is pick a saint to emulate who embodies you. Then figure out what made that saint the idol of today. Then follow in those footsteps and you'll earn the right to say, I am holier than thou. I've got the spirit now. I feel like I'm in heaven now because I'm holier than thou!" Then they continue to dance and sing for several minutes "I'm holier than thou!" The audience loved it, but it left me with an ache in my stomach. The words sound great to a world that is ignorant of Biblical truths or the Gospel … a world that believes that we all are gods and we can just pull ourselves up by our bootstraps. There is no need for mercy and grace and a Savior. But the Bible teaches us that all believers are already saints in that they are positionally "set apart" to God and are experientially being made increasingly "holy" by the Holy Spirit. This is all through the grace of God and there is absolutely nothing we can do to earn it, no matter how we may try or who we may try to emulate. And holiness is certainly not something to brag about, far from it. My prayer is that, as a saint of God, I may daily become more like Him and that my life and actions may please my Father and help to draw others to Him. I admit that since watching that musical, my heart aches even more for the multitudes right here in this country who don't know the Lord and His desires for them. I certainly wasn't expecting to be challenged this way when I thought we were going for a night of relaxing and entertaining. But it is interesting how the Lord can use an event like this to challenge us. I pray that all who read this blog may have already experienced new life in Christ and then you too are a saint of God, set apart for Him.