But There Are Others

There is no question that the last ten months have been very stressful ones for us. And often in times of stress and grief your vision can become slightly distorted. So this week we went back to Pinebrook, with no responsibilities for music this time, just hoping to get some rest and temporary relief from the stress. And the Lord allowed us to meet some interesting people. We came as a break from the stress of settling my dad's estate and trying to sell his house and then we met a brother from Bronx who told us how his aunt had died with a large home in New York and no will. He shared with us the resulting problems and the fighting between relatives over the estate. It made our challenge look mild. We came with the stress of trying to reopen and settle properly my wife's father's trust, after we had found that due to incorrect information provided to us, we have not properly handled several things since his death. Then we met a Bible teacher who shared that he unexpectedly had been the executor of a will where the money was to be split between 31 Christian organizations. The problem was that the deceased had written his own will and the percentages of distribution in the will totaled 110%! So they had to recalculate and reallocate these 31 gifts but before they could, all 31 organizations had to sign off to approve the changes. That also made our challenge look mild. We came still grieving over the deaths of our fathers and my brother. Then we met a pastor whose in-laws have been staying with them for several years because she has dementia and he must use a cart to get around. They require 24 hour care which means the pastor's wife must be home just about 24-7. She has not been able to attend Pinebrook for several years because of being a caregiver. That also made our recent experiences look mild and made us thankful for God's provision to us and our fathers during this difficult time. We also came to Pinebrook with the stress of having my right hand in a cast because of my thumb surgery. I am not able to drive or write or do many other things to care for myself and it has been a little discouraging and challenging. Then two days ago we were talking to a widow who reminded me that I should be thankful that my thumb could be repaired. She shared how her late husband's right thumb had been smashed at work by a 500 lb. object and how it had to be amputated. Wow, my temporary pain and discomfort certainly is mild in comparison. So once again this week we have had many reminders of God's grace and faithfulness to us. And while the stresses may still be there, we leave our week at Pinebrook realizing that things could be much worse and that for many they are much worse. God is still in control and He is good, all the time. We just need to keep our trust in Him for the strength, wisdom and peace that we need daily. As my grandfather used to say, "Keep looking up!"

Interesting Weddings

Over the years my wife has played for many, many weddings and she has had so many unique and funny experiences that we've often thought about writing a book about them. I thought of including some of them in my blog. but I feel concerned that I might embarrass some of the participants, such as those who fainted, those who forgot the rings, those who overslept and were late, those who didn't even show up, etc. But during the past 36 hours we've heard of some new and interesting wedding situations. In October a friend of ours is going to Greece to see her daughter married there. They couldn't set the wedding date until the mayor approved because that is a necessary step in getting married there. Another friend of ours will be headed to China in a few weeks to see her son marry a Chinese lady in a traditional Chinese ceremony. The mother has been required to pay a dowry for her son to be married to this young lady. Then we heard of a 56 year old man who has purchased a mail order bride from Shanghai. She is 36 and doesn't speak any English. He has a daughter who is 27 and he doesn't speak any Chinese. He visited her once in Shanghai and they communicated with hand signals and an interpreter. The wedding will be held in this country. But those three international weddings pale in comparison with the sad story we heard about a recent wedding. While the father of the bride was walking his daughter down the aisle he suddenly fell. When they tried to help him they suddenly realized that he had had a heart attack and was dead. After medics arrived the groom's mother also suffered a heart attack. We don't know if she died or not. The dazed wedding party was taken to the basement, and later, with everyone seated there on chairs, they decided to finish the wedding ceremony. What a sad start to their marriage. Sadly, that story tops all those strange and unexpected experiences that Dianne has had as organist/pianist at weddings. But, as we've learned, every wedding ceremony is unique and has its moments that are remembered for a long time. As much as I dislike going to weddings, I guess the promise of seeing one or more of those "unexpected experiences" gives me something to look forward to when I must attend. That probably is not the correct attitude, but I guess I am just being honest. Could that be a male thing?

My Repaired Thumb!

Unexpected Result

I had postponed my thumb surgery for over a year. I was expecting a simple procedure where I would be back to normal in about two weeks. But that wasn't to be. The surgery ended up requiring a metal plate, seven screws and a bone graft from my wrist to fuse the joint. For two weeks I tolerated the cast and then yesterday I went back to see the surgeon. I was pleased when they cut off the cast. I was glad when they took out the stitches and reported that it was healing well. I felt even better when they allowed me to walk for an x-ray without any brace on the hand. The doctor was pleased with the x-rays and then he sent me for a new cast. He first told me that I couldn't do any lifting or any writing. But I figured another week or two in a flexible splint was tolerable. Then we went to another room and the worker asked me what color I wanted my cast to be. I chose light blue. Then he began to wrap my arm and make a new cast - a hard one, almost as big as the first one. Then he sent me to check out and I was given an appointment for over four weeks from now. Four weeks! And I am right-handed and can't write for another four or more weeks! What a bummer! Not what I signed up for! But what can I do about it? Grin and bear it I guess and thank the Lord for all things, even when it is hard. But there is one plus. Last week at Pinebrook they allowed us to get into the dining hall early before all the other guests. And we have two more weeks at Pinebrook to take advantage of this. So I will be able to get my food first and then have more time to slop it all over myself as I try to eat with my left hand! And that is something to look forward to!

What Do You See?

Have you heard this story? A young couple moves into a new neighborhood. The next morning while they are eating breakfast, the young woman sees her neighbor hanging the wash outside. "That laundry is not very clean," she said. "She doesn't know how to wash correctly. Perhaps she needs better laundry soap." Her husband looked on, but remained silent. Every time her neighbor would hang her wash to dry, the young woman would make the same comments. About one month later, the woman was surprised to see a nice clean wash on the line and said to her husband: "Look, she has learned how to wash correctly. I wonder who taught her this?" The husband said, "I got up early this morning and cleaned our windows." Isn't it amazing how we are guilty of judging others? It is so easy to see the faults of others and not our own. The scripture warns us of that by reminding us that we often don't see the beam in our own eyes. Today I received an e-mail with accusations concerning some decisions I had made and those accusations really hurt me deeply. But as I took time to calm down and reflect, I realized that there were definite circumstances presently in the e-mail author's life which probably acted as "dirty windows" in observing and understanding my decisions. And what I need to do is handle the situation with love and understanding and make sure that my reactions and opinions aren't clouded by "dirty windows" in my life. Sometimes that is hard to do, but it is the way that Christ wants us to live and react. So let's be careful that we don't view others through "dirty windows" which might hide the truth.

Want To Feel Better?

Is your increasing weight getting you discouraged? Are you considering a new diet? Is advancing age getting you down? Are you concerned about your appearance? If these self-esteem issues are bothering you, then I have an easy solution for you. And this solution will only cost you about $20! Are you ready? Here it is. Take a trip to the Shady Maple smorgasbord near Blue Ball. Now for those who don't know about Shady Maple, just google it and you will find one of the world's largest smorgasbords. We venture there twice a year - once on my birthday and once on Dianne's. We do that because they offer a free meal on your birthday if you buy one. And the food really is good and varied, if you can eat that much without feeling bloated when you leave. Now here is the secret, just take some time to watch the people. You don't need to be a statistician to realize that most of the hundreds who pour through this establishment meet two requirements: (1) Most are over 70; (2) Most are over 275 lbs. and many are way over 275 lbs. I kid you not! And as a special bonus you will see these folks, especially the tourists, dressed in some of the strangest ways you've ever seen. And as you watch them fill their many plates you will realize that you really aren't that heavy and really don't look that bad, comparably speaking. And as you leave, your ego will be boosted even more as you observe the pair of 350 pounders dressed in their shorts and tank tops as they overflow two of the couches in the lobby. And you will feel good about yourself once again, at least until you finally stop burping your meal as you head home. Try it, it works.

The Value Of A Thumb

We take so many little things for granted. Oh how I am being reminded of that this week. Do you ever think about how important your thumb is - especially your right thumb if you are right handed? I guess that I didn't, until a few days ago. Among other things, your thumb helps you hold your knife to cut things, especially food. It helps hold your fork to eat things. It steadies your pen when you do things like pay bills, or address mail, or even open mail for that matter. It steadies your razor when you shave and your toothbrush when you brush your teeth. Try putting on your socks and shoes without your thumb. Or try combing your hair or putting on stick deodorant or tightening your belt. Then there is the challenge of using your computer mouse - such fun. Open a bottle without gripping with your thumb. Well I could share more examples but it wouldn't serve any purpose. I am learning and trying to cope without the use of my thumb. Surgery was successful but it was worse than expected. It actually took a bone graft, a metal plate, and several screws to repair. I was expecting a much faster and easier recovery but that wasn't to be. But there is a lesson to be learned - the thumb, though it is very small, is integral to the proper functioning of the body. When it doesn't work, things don't function smoothly - as I am finding out. And so it is with our spiritual gifts. When some aren't being used in the body of Christ, the body doesn't function as it should. This should be a reminder to each of us to use the gifts we are given, no matter how small they may seem. All are vital. Well that is enough for a few days - at least I've been able to type with my fingers even though it is awkward and slow. Thumbs up!

A Forced Vacation

I might be forced to take a vacation from writing blogs. How long? I have no idea. Over a year ago I developed pain in my right thumb. The doctor and I thought it was arthritis so he sent me to an orthopedic specialist who took an x-ray. When it came back and we looked at it, we all said "that doesn't look good!" The x-ray showed that the bones were completely separated and would require surgery. He gave me a shot to relieve the pain, giving me time to make a decision. Then more serious problems began to develop in our families and I had to delay surgery. Twice more I returned for shots and then I was informed that no more could be given to me. So, after the three deaths in our family, I've now decided it is time to have it done. So right now I am trying to fast and fight off coughing. In two hours I report in and if I pass the physical, surgery is to begin less than two hours later. They will fuse my thumb joint and do a bone graft. I am told that I might be in a cast for up to six weeks. And, unfortunately, it is my right hand. So how soon will I be able to write again? Keep checking here to see when more blogs appear - I have so few readers, I can't afford to lose more during this "forced vacation". I will appreciate your prayers. Hopefully, I'll see you here again soon.

Side Effects

Modern medicine has come a long way helping many people and even prolonging life. But we are still reminded that doctors are really "practicing physicians" and modern drugs can affect many folks in different ways. A number of years ago my wife was really having trouble walking and her doctors thought she might have lupus. When the perplexed specialist stepped out of the examining room, I picked up his medical book and began reading case studies. Suddenly I found a case involving 13 patients at the Mayo Clinic who had taken the same sulfur based drug that my wife had been taking and they had the same symptoms as my wife. When the doctor returned I showed it to him. He agreed, drug-induced lupus. He promptly took my wife off this drug and soon she was walking again without any symptoms. Over the years we have watched that she didn't take any sulfur drugs. Then a month or so ago she developed similar symptoms once again. She saw doctors and had tests. Then last week, upon getting a refill of a water pill she was taking, she noticed a comment on the label that warned it should not be taken by those allergic to sulfur. She stopped taking it and again the symptoms have begun to ease. After I retired I wrestled for many years with strange headaches, dizziness and then the devastating loss of my voice. I saw many, many doctors with no help. Then I went to the world's best voice doctor in Philadelphia. He made me go through over 50 tests - some very expensive - and he found nothing significant. He made me travel there for both voice and music therapy, with little help. I was frustrated and decided to just live with it. Then a year ago, while discussing some other medical concerns, it was decided to change my diabetes meds. I stopped taking avandamet which I had taken successfully for nearly ten years. Slowly, months later, I began to realize that the headaches and dizziness had begun to disappear and my voice was getting stronger. Now it appears that my problems might have been caused by this drug, even though the warnings don't talk about such side effects. In fact there has been so much improvement, that last Thursday night at Pinebrook I sang baritone in a male quartet. That was something I always loved to do but haven't been able to do for five or six years. So while modern drugs are amazing, the side effects can result in numerous new and troubling problems. The moral of these stories is that you need to closely monitor your own health for not only are doctors too busy to do it for you, but there is no way that they can keep up with all the new drugs and their side effects. Ask questions, read, keep records, request copies of test results, monitor your care closely, and ask for wisdom and guidance from the "Great Physician", our Father in heaven who knows all about us. Afterall, He has loaned us our body and it isn't the body of our "practicing physician". Have a good, healthy day.

A Very Special Event

It's one of those very special, memorable events - the July 3 Lititz parade which kicks off the town's big July 4 celebration. It's truly small town America where people stand as the flag passes by ... where folks applaud the members of the military as they pass by ... where patriotic songs are still played ... where folks still show their pride to be Americans. It reminds you of times, long gone in some areas of this country, where patriotism is still valued. By early afternoon on the day of the parade people have already reserved their spots along the parade route, using chairs and blankets. Family picnics can be seen in most neighborhoods while others walk through this very historical town with its special shops. There is a sense of anticipation like you might sense before a Penn State football game. Then thousands gather to watch bands and musical groups ... members of all branches of the military ... veterans ... scouts ... church groups ... buses with folks from area retirement homes ... fire trucks ... service groups ... majorettes and cheerleaders ... area business floats ... and a long line of Corvettes carrying the young ladies who will compete for the title of queen of this year's celebration. Many of those who are in the parade throw out candy to the kids who line the parade route with their bags to collect the goodies. The parade only lasts 45 - 60 minutes but it is a special hour for young and old alike. We especially enjoy watching with some of our grandkids and we are glad that they can experience this display of patriotism. Unfortunately for us, this might be the last parade that we get to enjoy there. Now that we are trying to sell dad's house, we no longer will have a handy place to park and to visit before and after the parade. Dad's house is located just a half block between two locations where the parade passes. It has been convenient for many years to visit him, park at his house, and then walk a short distance to see the parade. But times change. Hopefully the Lititz parade and its patriotic feelings will not change but continue for many years to come.

Growing Old

Growing older has many problems. Many of these are physical and there often isn't too much that you can do about them. However, another major problem of growing older is the use of your spiritual gifts and ministry opportunities. In my final decade of being a teacher and an administrator, I often sat in meetings where a couple of administrators would complain about older faculty members who they wished would retire and be replaced with young, new teachers. I often wondered if they were including me, but they would be quick to cover themselves and say that some of us experienced (sounds better than old) guys were still valuable. Now they were right about a few people who probably stayed too long, but not the majority of those older folks that I worked with. I always felt there was something very valuable about staff members who were seasoned and had a wisdom that only experience could bring. I did ask my boss once how one knew when it was time to retire. He said that I'd know when that time had come, and, a few years later, I did. Unfortunately, even in ministry there is a feeling that young and new is better. Seldom do we value experience, wisdom, and faithfulness. My father-in-law often said that when you get old, nobody wants you or needs you, anymore. I used to think that this was just an excuse, but now I am beginning to realize that there is more truth in that statement than I would like to believe. Certainly there is the danger of someone holding on to a position for too long, well past the point of effectiveness. I've seen that and I've seen unfortunate battles to replace such a person. But I've also seen effective leaders quit or be replaced when it appeared that they still had so much to give. Even effective leaders as they are growing old, still need support and encouragement to use their gifts and wisdom in the work of the Lord. This can be a dilemma which so often is just handled poorly by church leaders. I have experienced this problem personally in a variety of ways as I've been replaced or moved out of ministry positions. Once I even removed myself after remarks by some elected spiritual leaders whose wisdom I still question. I was wounded and it hurt. In another ministry situation, after I asked for some additional help in a leadership role, I was shocked to learn that I was to be replaced, without even any consultation or discussion. This appeared to be the easiest solution to those decision makers. In this particular case the Lord led me to resist this change which appeared to be based on the feelings of just a very few people. My decision was confirmed in my heart when I received three very unexpected communications, from three national Christian leaders, that I didn't even know. All three knew of my ministry situation and on their own decided to contact me, thank me, encourage me and urge me to continue. This unexpected confirmation was certainly a God-thing! Growing old in ministry should also mean growing mature. I do believe that Satan wants to rob the Christian Body of the strengths and wisdom of those who have served faithfully over the years. Faithfulness in ministry is a declining characteristic in today's Christian circles. We desperately need more models of faithfulness in serving the Lord. So let's be careful how we handle more mature brothers and sisters in the Lord. Let's value them, encourage them, and build upon their strengths. This is a resource that the church can't afford to waste. And to you fellow maturing, serving saints, don't give up, don't quit, keep serving with a renewed enthusiasm until the Lord takes you home. The One who calls you is faithful and He will do it.

Memories And Changes

We've not had a chance to get back to visit Sunbury since January. So on Thursday we decided we just needed to take a break and visit once again. We started by taking Dianne's stepmother out for breakfast. We went to our favorite breakfast spot on the road to Kramer, the Peppertree. As always, no atmosphere, very loud, but the best country breakfast anywhere. I love to stop there. Later we visited Dianne's parent's grave to see if the engraving was completed. It is in the cemetery where I worked digging graves - with just a shovel - during my college years. We had time to walk around and look at tombstones of many former friends and members of our former church. Many great memories. Then we drove to the parsonage where I lived during my first year and to the church we used to attend - where my grandfather ministered for 22 years, where I was dedicated to the Lord and where we were later married. The church building is destined to be a daycare center and it was locked so unfortunately we couldn't get in. But it was in very poor condition. We remembered the hot Sundays when the only air conditioning was opening the church windows where you could see the back porches of the row houses which were next door. I recalled how as a college student I used to get a ride to town early and then crawl in the basement window of the church to study until it was time for prayer meeting to begin. The old parsonage and yard are now gone and a new house is there which looks nothing like the old parsonage. Then we drove down to the neighborhood where my mother and her family used to live. It was not a great neighborhood but the house is still there, as is the front porch where we used to enjoy the swing as we recklessly banged it against the house. The neighborhood store where we used to buy delicious "cho-chos" is now gone as is the one where we used to go to buy comic books. The Horn Railroad is also gone. My mother's father, Pappy Wise, used to walk this everyday as he went to work making caskets. The casket building is now gone as well. We drove out to see what used to be a beautiful park-life property where Dianne grew up and her dad had his water business. Now it is trashy and filled with weeds. Sad, sad, sad, actually depressing! Next we drove to the neighborhoods where some of Dianne's family lived - some of these areas had changed very little, but the farm where her mother grew up is now a beautiful vineyard. Probably the only change that we saw that day which was an actual improvement. The main street of town which used to be thriving with stores and farmer's markets is now a sad site. The bank where Dianne used to work has changed only in name and the Daily Item where I used to work on the editorial staff is still there, as is the old prison a block away. The old library where I had done some research work has been replaced with a modern facility. Our final stop was to an office, where as we waited for our appointment, we saw a neat painting of a snowy scene along the main street of town, the way it used to be. It was a still and beautiful scene. And maybe that is the way we wish to remember it. So many great memories of great years in our lives. Changes happen and are to be expected, but unfortunately they aren't always for the good. But hopefully the mind pictures of how it used to be will never go away.

The Beauty of God's Creation

How can you not believe that there is a Creator? Could this beauty just develop by itself?

Some of the beauty found in our yard.

Father's Day 2009

Tomorrow is Father's Day. It will be a difficult day for me. It will be the first Father's Day that I no longer have a living father-in-law, a father, or even my brother who was a great father. I will especially miss being able to wish my father a happy Father's Day and to sit down and just talk with him. I really miss those special discussions because dad had such great wisdom. Tomorrow will even be more difficult because it would have also been dad's birthday - number 92. We probably would have gone to Wendy's to eat, after church. I enjoyed those weekly times together. Quite often on his birthday we would be together at Pinebrook, but Pinebrook starts a week later this year. There we would celebrate his birthday with Kendy's family and Craig's family, enjoying cake and homemade ice cream. Two years ago we celebrated his 90th birthday a few days later, on July 3, when almost the entire family met at his home in Lititz. It was a special day with many great memories. Now all I have are those great memories and pictures. My father was a special person and I wish that I could thank him once again. We had a special relationship. He never attended events that I was in when I was growing up, mainly because he was busy working several jobs to put food on the table. And, I understood that. He never commended me or said he was proud of me, but I knew he was. I've since found out that our lives and activities were so very similar that he probably expected I would do those things and do them well, just as he had. But none of this ever bothered me because he showed me God through his life and he was my hero for that reason. Earlier this week I heard a song that brought tears to my eyes. I wish I could share it with my father tomorrow on Father's Day. If these words are true in your life, please tell your dad this tomorrow. "Thank you dad for showing me the Father, I see His love in everything you do. Like a clear reflection in the water, I've always seen the Father in you. (1) Through the years you've painted me the picture of a heavenly father I could see. His loving ways became so familiar, because dad you made the Father real to me. Thank you dad for showing me the Father, I see His love in everything you do. Like a clear reflection in the water, I've always seen the Father in you. (2) You sang the grand old hymns and read the story. Every night you prayed on bended knee. Following your steps I've seen the Father, and His amazing grace now lives in me. Thank you dad for showing me the Father, I see His love in everything you do. Like a clear reflection in the water, I've always seen the Father in you." ....... So, dad, in case you can hear or see me, thank you and have a very Happy Birthday and a great Father's Day as you share it with your Heavenly Father who you modeled to me.

Some Heavy Questions

Here are a few heavy things I've been wondering about today .... We were at Roots Auction yesterday and we saw a stand advertising genuine Mexican food. The stand was operated by Amish! Are there really Amish from Mexico? .... Would you risk buying from them with the Swine Flu epidemic? .... Why can't the Phillies win at home? Should they play all their games away? .... Why does the price of oil go up each year just at the time that people want to go on vacation and just at the time when oil distributors are setting their prices for winter heating oil? .... Do gas station operators call each other early in the morning to all agree to raise their prices 15 cents that day? ... Does anybody really believe that the election in Iran was fair and counted correctly? ... What did people do before there were games to play on Facebook? Did they call their friends? Did they read? Did they study their Bible? .... Today we saw a young girl with tattoos all over her body, at least the parts of her body that we could see, from her legs up to and on her face. She really looked gross when she could have looked very attractive. Why would she want to look like that? .... Why can't most women shop without talking on their cell phones while they do so? .... Saturday afternoon I purchased a potted tomato plant at a local "reputable" farm market. By Monday morning the leaves all had white splotches on them. I took a few leaves back to the market and they said they couldn't do anything about it for me. What could I have done to that plant in 40 hours? Why would I go back there to buy from them again? .... If your family has trouble paying your bills, why can't you just be allowed to "raise taxes" rather than cut your expenses? Isn't that what our government does? How big do you think our tax increase will be in Pennsylvania this year? .... Oh well, that's enough for today. Guess I'll go back to watching the Phillies lose again ... at home.

The Century Mark

Ten months ago I began posting this blog on this public site that gives me a wider audience and a little more flexibility than my other site.  I just realized that this is now my 100th blog on this public site.   So happy anniversary to me.  And thanks to the few of you who regularly read these ramblings of an old guy on either of my sites.  I guess my last few blogs have been a little on the heavy side since we have been going through some troubled times in our lives lately.  Thank you to those of you who've hung in there with me through this time.  So, I thought maybe for number 100 I should try another angle, a more positive one.  During my teaching years I began to make a collection of humorous stories that I would often use in my classes.  Now I use them when I lead hymn sings or do other public presentations.  My collection now has grown beyond a single large notebook.  last week I heard Chuck Swindoll share one from my collection, one which remains one of my favorites.  I may have also shared this before, several years ago.  If I did, be patient with me - you know I am getting old and I repeat myself.  You know I am getting old and I repeat myself.   "A couple from up north decided to go to Florida for a long weekend to thaw out from an icy winter.  They planned to stay at the same hotel where they had spent their honeymoon 20 years ago.  Because they both had jobs they found it difficult to coordinate their travel schedules.  So it was decided that the husband would fly to Florida on Thursday and his wife would follow the next day.  Upon checking in, the husband found that the room had a computer so he decided to send an e-mail back to his wife.  Unfortunately, he accidentally left out one letter in her e-mail address when he sent it.  In Houston, a widow had just returned from her husband's funeral.  He had been a minister for many years before suffering a massive heart attack.  Expecting some messages of sympathy from relatives and friends she decided to check her e-mail.  When she opened the first message, she fainted!  The widow's son rushed into the room, found his mother on the floor, and then saw the computer screen which read:  To: My Loving Wife, Subject: I've Arrived!  I know you are surprised to hear from me but they have computers here now and you are allowed to send e-mails to your loved ones.  I've just arrived and have checked in.  I see that everything has been prepared for your arrival tomorrow.  Looking forward to seeing you then!  Hope your journey is as uneventful as mine was.  P.S.  Sure is hot down here!   ...........  have a good day and be careful of those e-mail addresses!

Zap!

After a very dry winter we have hit a string of days with showers - some very heavy - and scattered storms.  Some storms have been severe and even flash flood warnings have been posted.  But the other day it looked as though the dark clouds had finally parted and the sun finally came out.  But as I stepped outside suddenly there was a flash of lightning and a loud boom.  The "zap" seemed to come out of the blue and certainly wasn't expected.  But isn't that the way life often is for each of us?  Right now it is 4 am and I've been unable to sleep all night.  We have been going through some "stormy" situations the last few months and then it began to appear that things were finally settling down and the "sun might be shining" once again.  But then, several hours ago, there was another unexpected "zap" and a new challenge has come my way.  I tried to sleep, but couldn't.  I spent time praying and asking the Lord for wisdom.  But sleep hasn't come.  Since midnight I've updated the church giving records, prepared labels for an Awana mailing list, answered some e-mails, and worked on paying bills.  Now I don't need any sermons, I know my trust is in the Lord.  I know I shouldn't worry.  But it would be so much easier if I could just pick up the phone, ask God personally what to do, and get a quick answer.   I know He knows all about this and has the future planned and under His control.  But, ...   And someday I'll look back and be amazed how He guided me through this problem.  But in the meantime ...   Well, we need the rain to restore our water table and we are thankful for the downpours we've been experiencing.  And I guess I need the zaps and storms of life for my spiritual growth so I should be thankful.  At least the Lord must think so!  But it would be nice to have a sunny season for a change.  In everything give thanks.  So my personal prayer continues to be for wisdom (and I really need that now), peace, and strength ... and maybe even some sleep.

Junk Mail

When my father passed away I arranged to have all of his mail forwarded to me.  I understand that the Post Office will do this for first class mail for one year.  This is important because of the need to get all of dad's bills as well as all of his mail for our denomination for which he served as financial secretary.  We have been working hard to get all of these addresses officially changed to be sent to me rather than to be forwarded.  This has been working and many of these addresses are now changed.  However, the Post Office has a shorter period for forwarding other mail - most of which I really don't want.  But something strange has happened.   All of what I term as "junk mail" has had its addresses changed and it is now also coming to me.  I certainly didn't ask for this to happen and I don't want it.  I guess it must be one of those "services" the Postal Service provides, on their own, to keep the mail coming.  Now most of these junk items are requests for money.  And my dad gets plenty of these - I think we really average three of four of these a day.  And that is an honest estimate.  And then there are the fancy address labels - he gets two or three sets of these a week with my address on them.  And I don't know how to get this all stopped - they'll probably keep coming even after I pass on.  They all include envelopes to return your gift, but you must use a stamp, so it will cost me money to tell them to stop their mailings.  Maybe I should just humor the Post Office and return them without stamps and flood their dead letter center.  I guess it is all part of the society of waste where we kill the trees and fill the landfills.  So thank you U. S. Postal Service for keeping the "junk mail" flowing to my home!