A Great Loss

          It was 5:50 in the morning and the telephone was ringing.  Calls at this time of day usually bring bad news.  Nothing good happens at that time.  Fortunately we were up and dressed which is unusual for us that early in the morning.  But an electrical contractor was scheduled to arrive at 7:00 to do some work so we were up and ready for him.

          The call was from our church secretary and her news was not good.  A good friend of ours, Jack Lewis, had either had a heart attack or a stroke and his wife was waiting for the ambulance to arrive.  This was a real shock since Jack appeared to be in good health.  He was athletic, active and only 62.  This had to be a mistake.  We were called to place a request on the church prayer team which we operate.

         Less than an hour later we received a second call informing us that Jack had passed away.  Despite attempts at CPR he apparently had died in his sleep. We were stunned.

         Jack was not only part of our church family for many years but he was an important part of our Awana family. For 37 years he had served in Awana usually working with the games and the Awana Olympics.  For 35 of those years he had worked with us. We trained him. He was an exceptional leader and was so good with the kids.  He loved them and they loved him.  He was especially good with those from the city where many of the parents often did not provide much support to their children.

          I don't know how many times his teams dominated the regional Awana Olympics but it was an unusual year when they didn't win first place.  He was also an exceptional coach.

          But in a way Jack almost seemed like a member of our family.  He would do anything for us.  We had the joy of watching him grow spiritually over the years.  His love for the Lord and his burden for children were exciting to watch.  

          Jack had a cleaning business and he was good a it.  He had more business than he could handle.  During the many years that Dianne served as custodian at church Jack would often provide her with materials and advice in how to care for serious and unusual problems.

          He also developed a heart for the children of Haiti.  He participated in and actually led many of our church's annual mission trips to Haiti during the summers.

          He will be missed by his wife and daughter.  He will be missed by his many friends at church.  He will be missed by the children.  And he will definitely be missed by us.

           Jack's death is a reminder that we don't know what a day will bring.  We need to be serving the Lord and trusting Him each day.  And thankfully we have the assurance that after our last breath here on this earth, we will be with Him eternally. And we know that this is what happened to our dear friend Jack.

          When I was leading Awana most evenings we ended with the following chorus.

I'm going to heaven, can't wait!

Going to see Jesus, can't wait!

Heaven is wonderful, bright and fair,

Praise the Lord I'm going there.

I'll be there for ever, can't wait!

Going to leave never, can't wait!

And I know I'll not be very late,

'Cause I'm going to heaven and I can't wait.

I'm going to heaven,

And I —- can't —- wait! (can't wait!)

          Jack isn't waiting anymore.   He is there.

          If you are interested, here is Jack's obituary.   OBITUARY

It Really Smells!

          At first it was a sick smell from our basement.

          I thought it might be sewage backing up since years ago we did have a sewer blockage and had to have somebody come to open the line for us.  There are a few problems that are part of our system from when the house was built in the early 1960's. But we have not had any problem since then.  I checked everything and could not locate the source.

          Then a few days later we had 9 to 10 inches of rain from a tropical storm.  And, as usual, we had some water in our basement.  But it wasn't nearly as bad as some past experiences.  So I opened our two basement windows and the cellar door.  With the sump pump and dehumidifier running all soon cleared up.

          But the smell didn't go away and I had the growing feeling that we might have some damage from the water, such as mold.  I checked everything that I could and still could not locate the source of the smell.

          Years ago we had a squirrel get into our basement.  It eventually died behind some furniture.  That smell was terrible.  We finally found the remains plastered to the floor.  Could we have a squirrel once again?  I didn't think so since we tried to eliminate the places an animal could gain access to our basement.  

          But the smell persisted.  We hoped that fresh air and the dehumidifier would eventually take care of the smell, but it didn't.

          Then last Wednesday my wife went down to the basement to get some items out of the freezer for supper.  I suddenly heard her call for me.  I feared that she had fallen again and I rushed downstairs to help her.

          Thankfully she hadn't fallen but when she opened the freezer door she was hit by this horrible smell.  Everything had defrosted.  The bottom of the freezer was filled with blood from the meat that we had stored there.  It was horrible and it definitely was the source of the smell.

           It turned out that the circuit that contained the freezer had gone bad.  We have no idea how long it was off - probably a week or more.  Everything in the freezer was ruined.

          I had just talked to our youngest son so I knew he was home.  I called him back and told him our situation.  He said that he would be with us to help as soon as he could.  Thankfully he was able to come.  And with a mask and gloves he cleaned out the freezer as best as he could.  He was God's provision for us since we could not have done it ourselves.

          Then I called my brother-in-law who is a retired electrician to ask for names of electricians he could recommend.  He gave me some ideas including one who had done some work for him.  I was thankful for his suggestions.  But I was surprised when he actually showed up a little later with his equipment.  After much work he found the problem was with a neutral in our electrical box.  And he was able to get our current back on. It wasn't the freezer.  God's provision once again.

           But he recommended having the entire box replaced.  It was the original from when the house was built although it had been added to when our kitchen was remodeled and our central air was added.

          So on Thursday morning I called a local company.  They came right out and gave me an estimate.  I agreed.  On Monday they came and after about eight hours of work replaced and upgraded our box.  It is a relief to be in a situation which is now much safer.

          This week we worked on cleaning out the freezer and have done the best that we could without damaging the coils.  We will now begin to refill it when we can afford to do so. My estimate of replacing what we had is about $750.  The electrical work will cost at least $1,200.  This comes about two weeks after we had to have our digital piano repaired at a cost o about $900.  But the Lord knows.

          It is ironic always amazing how our prayers are often answered.  A few weeks ago I knew that the freezer really needed to be defrosted and I didn't know how we were going to do it anymore.  We could no longer get down on our knees and do it ourselves and we couldn't ask anyone to come and do it for us.  But the Lord decided to do it for us.  Of course it did cost us a considerable amount of money. But it is now done and somehow He will provide that as well. 

          And the smell is gone!

What A Day! (LB)

LOOKING BACK - Repeating and editing a blog that I first published on September 11, 2011

          September 11 - a day that Americans will never forget. It is one of those days that everyone remembers exactly were they were when they first heard the news of the terror attacks. It was a day that changed our lives forever. 

          As I mentioned in an earlier blog, there are several days that I will always remember where I was when I heard the news ... the end of World War 2 ... the shooting of President Kennedy ... the launching of Sputnik ... the first walk on the moon ... the shooting of President Reagan ... and a few others. 

          But twenty years ago I was in my classroom at school preparing for my next class. For some reason I decided to turn on the television to watch the news before class. I seldom did that during my prep time.

          Several minutes later I saw the first plane hit the tower.  I thought it was just a terrible accident.  But then the second plane hit - that couldn't just be an accident.

           The remainder of the day my classes of high school juniors watched  with me in stunned silence as the events unfolded before us. There was little that could be said. As I said before, in an instance our lives were changed. 

          During the days that followed, people flocked to churches. It was suddenly politically correct to talk about God and to call on Him for help. There was a spirit felt throughout the nation unlike any we had experienced for years. Security was tightened everywhere and we feel that even today. Wars were fought to try and stop the enemy - many additional lives were lost. 

          But in the years that followed, the wars continued and some security measures affected our freedoms, but for the most part, people returned to their previous ways. Religion was no longer important and, in fact, it even become a focal point of attack by many liberals and atheists. How soon we forget. 

          Twenty years later we have elaborate services to remember these events, but in New York City, pastors and other religious leaders aren't even allowed to participate. But God is still here and He is in control, no matter what man may do. And I have to believe that the return of the Lord is just on the horizon. We have just gone through a difficult time in this country with earthquakes, wild fires, hurricanes, flooding and unbelievable frustration. This has come at a time when our economy can't afford the billions of dollars involved in these losses. 

          I don't profess to have the answers, but I can't help but wonder if God has withdrawn His hand of blessing and protection from this country. The scriptures remind us that "God is not mocked for whatever a man sows, that will he also reap." Maybe September 11 is a time that each of us should renew our commitment, our love, and our obedience to God the Creator.

          Incidentally, Todd Beamer who called out "Let's Roll" when the passengers charged the cockpit of the one hijacked plane is the son-in-law of one of my best friends.  In losing his life he saved the lives of many who would have died if the plane would have reached its destination.

They Are Gone

          They are gone!

          Several years ago we were faced with a dilemma.  We had no way to  clear our snow anymore.  I had heart problems with five by-passes.  Shoveling was no longer permitted for me.  And I had back problems and balance problems.  Even running our snow blower became impossible.

          Then my wife joined me with heart problems of her own.  First she needed a pacemaker.  Later she needed her aortic heart valve replaced.  And she too developed arthritic problems which limited her ability to help with the snow.

         So we we were faced with clearing a large two car wide driveway, a  side parking area, a front walk, a side walk and a back walk.  Since we face the north side we can't even count on the sun to melt our snow.  Our families are all too far away to ask them to drive here in the snow to help us out.

          So I decided to try and advertise.  I placed a notice for "help wanted"  in the local Advertiser and on the bulletin board at the local grocery store - no responses.  I checked with several folks who do this professionally but they were already booked up.  One fellow who lives a block away and has a plow said he would come and look at our property - he never did.  Now our next door neighbor said he would help us when he could.  But he has his own job and obligations and we weren't sure how much we could count on him.

          Finally I made up a flyer asking for help and gave it to a number of our neighbors - especially those who were college students.  One would think college students might be glad to earn some extra money.  I guess none of them needed any money, if they had to work for it.  Maybe they were to busy studying - not!

          And throughout this entire process we prayed.

          Then an answer came.  Across the street came four young men who were college students and also worked as EMT's on ambulances and also served as volunteer firemen.  They were clean living young men with hearts to serve others.  They came to us after receiving my flyer and said that they would take care of us.

          And for several years they took care of us each winter.  Our snow was always removed.  In fact because of their need to get out quickly during emergencies our driveway was also always open right after they opened their drive.  And when needed, they came back to put ice melt on our ice patches.  We never had to ask - they just showed up and it was done.  We could not have asked for anything better.  They spoiled us.  One of them even showed up to help the night the ambulance came after Dianne's fall.

          We often told them that they were an answer to our prayers.  And they were.

           But, unfortunately that isn't the end of the story.  Early in August we noticed some trucks being loaded at their house.  And then one of them was gone.

          A few weeks later I talked to one of the young men as he was getting his car ready to haul.  He confirmed that they were all moving as of August  31.  They were all going different directions - one to South Carolina, one to New Jersey and two to Maryland.  They were applying there for jobs as EMT's or police officers.  It was so very hard to watch them move.

          Now while our big loss will be help for our snow removal, we will miss them as exceptional neighbors.  They were kind and thoughtful.  They were clean living and never had parties or made noise.  They were always ready and willing to help. And that is very unusual, especially in a college town.

          So maybe I need to start serious exercise so that I can try and get in shape to remove the snow myself if we don't get any help.  I guess you do what you have to when you have to.

          But first we will begin the one approach that worked before - prayer.  And we welcome you to join us in doing this.