"On Wisconsin"

          Last week we traveled to Wisconsin, a state that we have learned to appreciate because of its beautiful farmlands, mountains, lakes and friendly people.  We have really learned to especially enjoy the town of Rhinelander which is in the hills of northern Wisconsin, not too far from Canada.  The pace there seems so much slower than ours here at home and, as I previously mentioned, folks seem so nice and friendly.
           But the main reason we have enjoyed our visits there is because that area has been the home of my Aunt Ellen and Uncle John for over 20 years.  And my cousin Nancy and her husband Bill also live there.  All four are such special people who love and serve the Lord and it is always a blessing to be with them.
         But this time our trip was a little different, for back in January my aunt passed into Glory.  She was almost 96 and had been married to my uncle for 73 years.  Because of the cold temperatures in northern Wisconsin they were not able to bury her body at that time and they had to refrigerate it until the ground thawed.  We were not able to travel there in January for her memorial service but we were glad that we could at least be part of her burial on May 23.
          There were only ten of us at the burial service but the service appropriately honored Aunt Ellen for the Godly woman she was.  And more importantly, the service honored the Lord who she served most of her life.  The pastor's short message shared thoughts on some of her favorite verses and the hymns which we sang were some of her favorites -" Great Is Thy Faithfulness", "Like A River Glorious" and "Praise the Name of Jesus".  I thought that it was interesting that the first two of the three which she had selected were ones which we also sang at the service of her only brother, my father.
          Despite his age, Uncle John has a great memory, and for almost an hour he spoke, without any notes, sharing the beautiful history of their lives together.  He talked about how they first met when she was placed in his eighth grade homeroom because the one she should have been placed in was full.  He shared how they got married just before he was sent over seas and out of the country for three years which included being part of the Invasion of Normandy.  He talked about the various places they lived and how they were bound and held in their home while robbers emptied the safe in the store he managed.  He talked about their move from Pennsylvania to Wisconsin when they were 75 and he shared their final moments together on this earth.  It was an amazing summary of how the Lord continually provided and led them for all those years.  It was easy to understand why they selected the hymn "Great Is Thy Faithfulness", for that indeed was their experience.
          The trip provided us with special hours of fellowship.  Bill and Nancy are such gracious hosts and it was a blessing to spend time with them and my cousin Jerry and his wife Marianne.  We seldom see each other because we all live so far apart but we have so many precious memories of times together when we were growing up.  We have a unique heritage and a special bond even though separated by miles.
          Upon their retirement last year from managing Honey Rock, the Lord provided Bill and Nancy with a beautiful rental home in the woods along a lake.  We enjoyed the scenery and watching the wildlife during our visit.  Two evenings four deer appeared in their backyard and we missed, by about five minutes, seeing a large black bear.
          Each time we leave Rhinelander I have done so with tears, realizing that this could be the last time that we are together on earth. And, last June was the last time that we were with Aunt Ellen. Time marches on and life changes.  But we also realize that we will someday be reunited in heaven and that is the knowledge and hope that carries us through.  
          Before returning home we had one more special thing to do.  We drove over three hours to Madison, another one of our favorite spots in Wisconsin.  There we were able to spend time in Obrecht Gardens, a beautiful 60 acres dedicated to all sorts of gardens.  We always try to visit here when we are in the area.  It was another great visit, although since our visit was earlier than previous visits, there wasn't too much in bloom.  But it still was a wonderful way to end our visit.
           As I reflect upon our visit I thank the Lord for safety in travel and for the beauty of His creation.  But I especially thank Him for the special Christian heritage He has given me.  He is so good!

A True Story From A Pilot

          My lead flight attendant came to me and said, "We have an H.R. on this flight." (H.R. stands for human remains.)  "Are they military?" I asked.  "Yes," she answered   "Is there an escort?" I asked.  "Yes, I already assigned him a seat."  "Would you please tell him to come to the flight deck. You can board him early," I said.
          A short while later, a young army sergeant entered the flight deck. He was the image of the perfectly dressed soldier. He introduced himself and I asked him about his soldier. The escorts of these fallen soldiers talk about them as if they are still alive and still with us.
          "My soldier is on his way back to Virginia," he said.  I asked him if there was anything I could do for him and he said no. I told him that he had the toughest job in the military and that I appreciated the work that he does for the families of our fallen soldiers. The first officer and I got up out of our seats to shake his hand. He left the flight deck to find his seat.  We completed our preflight checks, pushed back and performed an uneventful departure.
          About 30 minutes into our flight I received a call from the lead flight attendant in the cabin. "I just found out the family of the soldier we are carrying is on board," she said. She then proceeded to tell me that the father, mother, wife and 2-year old daughter were escorting their son, husband, and father home. The family was upset because they were unable to see the container that the soldier was in before we left. We were on our way to a major hub at which the family was going to wait four hours for the connecting flight home to Virginia.
          The father of the soldier told the flight attendant that knowing his son was below him in the cargo compartment and being unable to see him was too much for him and the family to bear. He had asked the flight attendant if there was anything that could be done to allow them to see him upon our arrival. The family wanted to be outside by the cargo door to watch the soldier being taken off the airplane.  I could hear the desperation in the flight attendant's voice when she asked me if there was anything I could do.
          "I'm on it," I said. I told her that I would get back to her. Airborne communication with my company normally occurs in the form of e-mail like messages. I decided to bypass this system and contact my flight dispatcher directly on a secondary radio. There is a radio operator in the operations control center who connects you to the telephone of the dispatcher. I was in direct contact with the dispatcher. I explained the situation I had on board with the family and what it was the family wanted. He said he understood and that he would get back to me.
          Two hours went by and I had not heard from the dispatcher. We were going to get busy soon and I needed to know what to tell the family. I sent a text message asking for an update. I saved the return message from the dispatcher and the following is the text: "Captain, sorry it has taken so long to get back to you. There is policy on this now and I had to check on a few things. Upon your arrival a dedicated escort team will meet the aircraft. The team will escort the family to the ramp and plane side. A van will be used to load the remains with a secondary van for the family. The family will be taken to their departure area and escorted into the terminal where the remains can be seen on the ramp. It is a private area for the family only. When the connecting aircraft arrives, the family will be escorted onto the ramp and plane side to watch the remains being loaded for the final leg home. Captain, most of us here in flight control are veterans. Please pass our condolences on to the family. Thanks."  I printed out the message and gave it to the lead flight attendant to pass on to the father. The lead flight attendant was very thankful and told me, "You have no idea how much this will mean to them."
          Things started getting busy for the descent, approach, and landing.  After landing, we cleared the runway and taxied to the ramp area. The ramp is huge with 15 gates on either side of the alleyway. It is always a busy area with aircraft maneuvering every which way to enter and exit. When we entered the ramp and checked in with the ramp controller, we were told that all traffic was being held for us. "There is a team in place to meet the aircraft," we were told.
          It looked like it was all coming together, then I realized that once we turned the seat belt sign off, everyone would stand up at once and delay the family from getting off the airplane. As we approached our gate, I asked the copilot to tell the ramp controller we were going to stop short of the gate to make an announcement to the passengers. He did that and the ramp controller said, "Take your time."
          I stopped the aircraft and set the parking brake. I pushed the public address button and said, "Ladies and gentleman, this is your captain speaking. I have stopped short of our gate to make a special announcement. We have a passenger on board who deserves our honor and respect. His name is Private XXXXXX, a soldier who recently lost his life. Private XXXXXX is under your feet in the cargo hold. Escorting him today is Army Sergeant XXXXXXX. Also, on board are his father, mother, wife, and daughter. Your entire flight crew is asking for all passengers to remain in their seats to allow the family to exit the aircraft first. Thank you."
          We continued the turn to the gate, came to a stop and started our shutdown procedures. A couple of minutes later I opened the cockpit door. I found the two forward flight attendants crying, something you just do not see. I was told that after we came to a stop, every passenger on the aircraft stayed in their seats, waiting for the family to exit the aircraft.
          When the family got up and gathered their things, a passenger slowly started to clap his hands. Moments later more passengers joined in and soon the entire aircraft was clapping. Words of "God bless you," "I'm sorry, thank you, be proud," and other kind words were uttered to the family as they made their way down the aisle and out of the airplane. They were escorted down to the ramp to finally be with their loved one.
          Many of the passengers disembarking thanked me for the announcement I had made. They were just words, I told them, I could say them over and over again, but nothing I say will bring back that brave soldier.
[forwarded by JR Whitby]
          Please take time this weekend to pray for and thank God for all those brave men and women who today are putting their lives on the line for our safety and protection.  And remember the families of the many over the years who have given of their lives to provide our freedoms.

Check the drive

         There is no question that we senior citizens have seen many, many dramatic changes in our lifetime.  From cars to planes to kitchen appliances to television to houses to air conditioning and on and on, almost everything has been touched by change in our lifetimes.  But one of the biggest changes is that of technology. Most young folks today know little or nothing about party lines or telegraphs or crystal radios or silent movies or even black and white television.  Technology has changed our lives dramatically.
         And with the changes in technology has come a new vocabulary.  Many words and phrases now have completely new meanings.  Recently I came upon a poem written by Lisa Deutsch which shares some of these changes.  I thought maybe you would enjoy it.  Of course, if you are under 30 you might not understand it.  But here goes.

A computer was something on TV, 

from a science fiction show of note. 

A window was something you hated to clean, and

ram was the cousin of a goat. 

Meg was the name of my girlfriend, 

and a gig was job for the night. 

Now they all mean different things, 

and that really mega bytes.

An application was for employment. 

A program was a TV show. 

A cursor used profanity. 

A keyboard was a piano. 

Memory was something that you lost with age. 

A CD was a bank account. 

Compress was something you did to the garbage, 

not something you did to a file, 

and if you unzipped anything in public 

you'd be in jail for a while. 

Log on was adding wood to the fire. 

Hard drive was a long trip on the road. 

A mouse pad was where a mouse lived, 

and backup happened to your commode. 

Cut you did with a pocket knife. 

Paste you did with glue. 

A web was a spider's home, and a

virus was the flu. 

I guess I'll stick to my pad and paper, 

and the memory in my head. 

I hear nobody's been killed in a computer crash, 

but when it happens, 

they will wish they were dead.

Encouragement

          Recently Pastor Ron Mahurin was the guest speaker in our morning worship services at church.  We have always appreciated his wisdom, his presentations and his practical applications of the scripture.
          On this particular Sunday Pastor Mahurin spoke on the life of Barnabas with the theme of encouragement.  He showed several examples of how Barnabas had been a great encourager to so many others and he shared ways that we could and should encourage others.
          We all need encouragement from time to time.  Life can be very hard and we can easily get discouraged by the challenges of everyday living as well as in serving the Lord.  At times like that, a sincere word or deed from someone can help get us back on track.  Hopefully you have experienced that, and, if so, thank the Lord for allowing that encourager to cross your path.
          But we also should be encouragers, too.  Each day we see folks at work, or school, or at home, or in church, who could be helped by the words that we say or the deeds that we do.  And we shouldn't miss these God given opportunities. Give a complement, write a note, give an unexpected gift, share a job with them.  But be sincere.  While there are those who will never encourage you, there are also some who always over do it and you soon wonder if they are sincere about what they say or do.  I have met a few people like that.
          My grandfather was a great encourager. He was especially good at making phone calls or visiting folks and giving them words of encouragement. He always had good things to say about folks, even those who treated him badly.  I remember several times in his messages that he would use the example of the old lamplighters whose job it was each evening to light the candles that illuminated the streets, so that folks could see through the night.  His presence and work made the night a little brighter for those who passed by.  
          And that is my desire.  May the lives of those who cross my paths be made a little brighter because they have sensed the love of Jesus in my life.  May I be an encouragement to them.
          Now if you are old enough, you might remember the popular song about the lamplighter.  And in case you've never heard it, let me close by sharing the words with you.

He made the night a little brighter

Wherever he would go

The old lamplighter

Of long, long ago

His snowy hair was so much whiter

Beneath the candle glow

The old lamplighter

Of long, long ago

You'd hear the patter of his feet

As he came toddling down the street

His smile would cheer a lonely heart you see

If there were sweethearts in the park

He'd pass a lamp and leave it dark

Remembering the days that used to be

For he recalled when things were new

He loved someone who loved him too

Who walks with him alone in memories

He made the night a little brighter

Wherever he would go

The old lamplighter

Of long, long ago

His snowy hair was so much whiter

Beneath the candle glow

The old lamplighter

Of long, long ago

Now if you look up in the sky

You'll understand the reason why

The little stars at night are all aglow

He turns them on when night is near

He turns them off when dawn is here

The little man we left so long ago

He made the night a little brighter

Wherever he would go

The old lamplighter of long, long ago

You can listen to it being sung right here.   LISTEN

A Gift Refused

          So how do you react when a special thank you gift which you want to give to a friend is turned down by your friend?  Maybe you've never had this happen to you.  It certainly isn't a normal reaction ... at least it shouldn't be.

          One of my biggest concerns about churches is that the leadership seldom, if ever, thank their volunteers for their faithful service.  Now please don't get me wrong.  If volunteers are serving for thanks and recognition, their service is really worthless.  They should be willing to use their gifts to serve the Lord without any praise.  A verse which has been the basis of my Christian life for many years shares that standard.  Colossians 3:23, "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men."  We should serve to please God, not man.

          But let's face it, we are still human and a little appreciation once in awhile certainly can be a real encouragement.  Even though we know that our reward is in heaven, it does help when someone here on earth comes along and says "thank you" or "we appreciate your faithful service".  But that isn't part of the normal church conversation and that lack of encouragement often leads to loneliness, discouragement and eventually even to giving up.   And when that happens, unfortunately the normal reaction of leadership isn't to thank the person who served, but to begin the search to replace that leader.  Thanks is not a normal reaction.  Next up. Just move on.  It happens.

          With that in mind, 33 years ago, when we began our Awana ministry, I was concerned about how to express sincere appreciation to those Awana workers who serve faithfully each week.  While there are eternal rewards for their service, at times the nightly problems and frustrations can be very discouraging.  And when there are no visual rewards each night, the nights can at times be very tiring and emotionally draining.  It is hard at times not to become "weary in well doing".

          So my idea was to honor all the leaders at the end of the year with a special banquet where we would have a relaxing night with great food and great fellowship and we could thank them and honor them for their faithful service.  We learned we had to charge them a very small amount so that we could obtain an accurate count of those attending.  It started as a great idea which originally was appreciated by all those who served.

         Over the years this idea has grown from a small catered banquet, to one hosted by another church, to one held at a local restaurant and then for many years at an area  restaurant which provided a great buffet.  Then a few years ago, when that restaurant suddenly went out of business, we moved to the Conference Center at Millersville University.  It is a great facility with excellent food.  We couldn't ask for anything better.  We have a special gift for each who attends. We have a guest speaker give a short devotional and we just have a great time.

         Now the cost of doing this is quite high and we don't publicize this expense.  But over the years we have had a few good friends who have made this possible by giving special gifts.  This year, with the cost of the meal, the cost of the speaker, the gifts for each person attending and the service awards that were presented, it cost us about $34 for each of the 105 who attended. But our charge per person has remained $6.  Now that is a major bargain!

          But what continues to be discouraging to me is that a third of our staff doesn't even attend, even though this event is a special gift for them.  We even tell them in August to reserve the date so that they are available to attend.  But even that advance notice doesn't make any difference.  Now a few do have legitimate reasons - illness, surgery, etc., but most just don't reply to us or give us any reason for not attending.  And sometimes it might be better not to know why they don't come.  This year a few told me that they weren't coming because it just wasn't a priority for them.  I think those kind of  reactions hurt even more.

          Now as I asked when I started this blog, how should you react when a special thank you gift which you want to give to a friend is turned down by your friend?  Unfortunately I must admit that at times I've taken the lack of attendance somewhat personally and I am trying to learn not to do that.  I guess you learn that sometimes there is nothing that you can really do to show your appreciation, except to just offer the gift.  And if they refuse it, it becomes their problem.  They are the ones who miss out.   And that is life.

          Incidentally, I enjoyed myself again at this year's banquet.  The food was excellent, the speaker great, and the fellowship was special.  And the 104 others who attended thought the same and that was rewarding to me.  I am already looking forward to next year.

The End Of The Road

        After living for almost six years with three cars - a 2000 dodge, a 2005 dodge and a 2009 toyota - we decided it was time to finally downsize to two cars.  So we recently traded the two older ones in for a 2015 Rav4.  We had been saving for such a purchase for over ten years and we also bought during Toyota's year-end sales event.
          We have really been enjoying out new vehicle.  It has so many features that we never had before and never expected to have.  I hope that someday soon we will learn how to use all of them correctly.  For me one of the greatest features is the electronic seat control that allows me to set the seat so that I can get in the car easily, despite my back problems.  And by saving our favorite positions, the push of a button sets the seat for us individually before we get in.  That is so nice and helpful.
          However, the one feature that I am not used to yet is the built in GPS.  I may eventually go back to using the old portable one that we have used for years.  The new one really has its own mind.  It will continually attempt to get you back on its main track even when you are miles off its track and on a faster more direct route.  If you obeyed it your trip would end up being longer and more frustrating.
          The second thing about it that bugs me is the fact that every time you are approaching a "T" and need to turn, the GPS voice says you will turn left/right at Sherman St., "at the end of the road".  Now I guess that is helpful information but recently we heard "at the end of the road" so often that I felt like turning the voice off.
          But hearing that expression brought two thoughts to my mind.  First, we never know when an intersection will actually be at the end of the road for us.  My mother was killed when a teenager came through a stop sign and hit my parents broadside.  The way people drive today is alarming.  The Lancaster newspapers recently printed a story sharing statistics about how many local accidents were caused by drivers on drugs, especially heroine.  And so today we never know when a simple auto trip could end at the end of the road.
         But the expression also reminded me of the brevity of life due to things besides auto accidents.  And for the believer, the end of the road promises to be a beautiful place with a new home and life with our Savior and friends who have reached the end of the road before us.  But instead of it being the end of the road it will be a new beginning which will go on for eternity.  What a wonderful destination we have at the end of life's road.
         Now a GPS is a marvelous instrument.  I am constantly amazed how it recognizes where you are, how it knows all the roads and key locations around, how it recalculates so quickly, how it can tell you what the speed limit is and how long until you reach your destination.  But it isn't always completely correct and we do need to be careful how we use it.  And sometimes it can't contact to the satellite and then it is useless.  That happened to us once in Milwaukee traffic and that was an adventure without even a map.
         I wonder if the first GPS might have been the pillar of fire by night and the cloud by day that led the Israelites out of Egypt.  They didn't know where they were headed and didn't have maps, but God guided them just as He guides us today ... from where we are, to the end of the road.  And that is even more amazing than a GPS.  And He doesn't make mistakes or stop working.  As we trust in the Lord with all of our hearts and lean not to our own understanding, and we acknowledge Him in all of our ways - He will direct our paths. (Proverbs 3:5,6).  The perfect GPS!

It's Off To Work We Go

        During a lifetime we can spend thousands of hours at work.  For most folks work is a necessity, for some it is just something to do to just keep busy.   Most of our jobs involve working for a boss or a manager and that can be a real struggle, especially if the boss is unreasonable and hard to get along with.
          I have had numerous jobs and bosses over the years.  I have worked on the editorial staffs of the Lititz Record Express, the Sunbury Daily Item, the Lancaster Sunday News, Books In Print and have worked in public relations.  I have delivered medical goods, cut lawns, kept score for numerous athletic events, worked as a salesman in a food stand, set up tents and dug graves.  I have taught school in grades 6 through college as well as GED classes and SAT prep classes.  I have written test questions for a variety of standardized tests and have served as a consultant for a textbook company. I have prepared software packages to train foreign teachers.  I have coached, officiated, and advised. I was also a very unsuccessful World Book salesman.
          With the exception of digging graves and trying to sell World Books, I can say that I actually enjoyed all of my jobs.  I am one of the very few who spent 39 years in the same school district and can say that I really enjoyed almost all of that time.
          Now most workers can't wait for retirement.  Many really don't like their jobs and can't wait until they can do something different.  Some days they may even feel like they are a prisoner. If you are in that situation, you might want to think about the following comparisons ... work vs. prison.

IN PRISON ... you spend the majority of your time in an 8X10 cell. 
AT WORK ... you spend the majority of your time in a 6X8 cubicle.

IN PRISON ... you get three meals a day. 
AT WORK ... you only get a break for one meal and you pay for it.

IN PRISON ... you get time off for good behavior. 
AT WORK ... you get more work for good behavior.

IN PRISON ... the guard locks and unlocks all the doors for you. 
AT WORK ... you must carry around a security card and open all the doors for yourself.

IN PRISON ... you can watch TV and play games. 
AT WORK ... you get fired for watching TV and playing games.

IN PRISON ... they allow your family and friends to visit. 
AT WORK ... you can't even speak to your family.

IN PRISON ... all expenses are paid by the taxpayers with no work required. 
AT WORK ... you get to pay all the expenses to go to work and then they deduct taxes from your salary to pay for prisoners.

IN PRISON ... you must deal with sadistic wardens. 
AT WORK ... they are called managers.

So which is your choice?

  

There Is An Explanation

          One of the things that most of us face as we grow older is the frustration of trying to recall simple things like names, dates and such important items.  Not only is it often inconvenient and at times even embarrassing, but it makes us worry that it is the beginning of something much more serious, such as dementia.
         All of us have seen those who have suffered very serious memory problems and it is so very sad.  None of us ever want to experience a life where we don't recognize our loved ones anymore or remember anything about the lives we have lived.  But it does happen to too many.
          But recently a friend of mine sent me an e-mail with some very encouraging information for those of us who experience these "senior moments".  I thought I should share it with my friends who are joining me with these happenings as well as those who probably soon will.
           Did you know.......
*   Brains of older people are slow because they know so much.  
*   People do not decline mentally with age, it just takes them longer to recall facts because they have more information in their brains, scientists believe. 
*   Much like a computer struggles as the hard drive gets full up, so to do humans take longer to access information, it has been suggested.
*   Researchers say this slowing down it is not the same as cognitive decline.  
*   The human brain works slower in old age, said Dr. Michael Ramscar, but only because we have stored more information over time.  The brains of older people do not get weak. On the contrary, they simply know more.
*   Also, older people often go to another room to get something and when they get there, they stand there wondering what they came for.  It is NOT a memory problem, it is nature's way of making older people do more exercise.

SO THERE!     I have more friends that I should send this too, but right now I can't remember their names.

Meet the Nurse

If you are up to it, here is one more blog about my medical experiences.  I guess that is all your life is about when you reach my age.  Hopefully that may change and I'll soon be blogging about something else.
          Anyway, I was scheduled for my regular three month diabetes checkup with my family doctor.  I am very careful about keeping these appointments and I carry a notebook with all my medical information including test results, appointment notes, medicine lists, etc.  And so I was rather surprised when I received a telephone call telling me that I should come in earlier to spend about 30 minutes with the new Medicare Wellness Nurse.
         Now I never knew there was such a person and I had no idea why she needed to see me.  I see my doctor regularly and I check their portal to make sure all of their records are correct.  As it turns out, this is a new position that is now required my Medicare and Obama Care.  I guess there must be a reason this is needed, but I don't know what it is.
          So I kept my appointment.  She was supposed to take my blood pressure and weigh me which was done by my doctor's nurse about 30 minutes later.  Then she wanted to know about which meds I was taking.  Incidentally, all of this was already available on their portal which both my doctor and his nurse checked later.  
          I was asked to name all the specialists that I had seen in the past year.  Now some of that was new because, unfortunately, their portal only includes reports from doctors in their network.  And most of my doctors are not in their network, so I guess at some level that information might have been of valuable.  But since they aren't in the same network, their reports still won't be there unless the specialists sent a written report.  It is interesting that on my wife's portal many of her blood tests and the fact that she has a pacemaker aren't listed because those doctors weren't in the same network.  Now I like the idea of the portals but since there are so many different ones, what good does it do for your family doctor.  You think Medicare and Obama Care might have thought about that problem.  But then who expects them to come up with something that makes sense
The next part of my visit was answering a series of Medicare questions.  Have I fallen?  Do I exercise?  Do I eat a balanced diet?  Do I eat junk food?  Do I have trouble walking?  Can I do steps?  Do we have handicap bars in our house?  Do we have throw rugs?  Is our home safe?  Have I felt depressed in the last month? Do I have trouble hearing?  Do I turn the television louder than normal?  If I had been a woman I would have been asked if I experience any incontinence, but for some reason they don't ask men that question.  Maybe they feel it is too embarrassing for a female nurse to ask a man that question.  I don't know.  While answering the questions I couldn't help but think that it would be easy to give a wrong answer.  Do I ever eat junk food?  Hmm.
But the visit wasn't over.  I had two tests to go.  For the first one I was asked to get out of my chair, walk outside the room to where the nurse had moved, touch her hand, then return to my seat.  I was timed doing this.
          For the final test I was to answer a number of questions.  I was told that this would start by being asked to repeat three words, then answer questions and then repeat three words.  I repeated the three words correctly - my new hearing aids worked!  Then I was asked what year it was, what month it was and what day of the week it was.  Now I new those answers but if I didn't, there was a calendar on the wall right in front of me and  I could have easily gotten the answers from that.  Then I was asked to repeat the three words once again.  That I wasn't expecting since I thought repeating the words was a hearing test and not a memory test.  I was expecting new words to repeat, maybe at different volumes.  But I was in trouble.  I hadn't even thought about memorizing those stupid three words.  I lucked out on remembering two of the three, but I had the third one wrong.  So I am in trouble - Medicare now has me on the way to dementia.  Maybe they are correct.  Actually I'd like to forget about the entire experience.
          So I've met the new Medicare Wellness Nurse and I failed.  I guess there must be a reason for this new position.  Maybe it's to take the pressure off the doctor and his nurse who could and have done most of the same things in the past..  Maybe it is to catch important changes in people.  I don't know, but I do know it cost my family practice another employee and another office.  I hope it is worth the additional expense.  But then what does it matter.  It can just add to the national debt and make Medicare go bankrupt a few years sooner.

Birthday X

        It was just a "few" years, let's say X years ago, that I experienced a very special event.  In the old Sunbury Community Hospital I first saw the light of day and with my parents I celebrated my actual birthday.  I don't know where X years have actually gone, but today I celebrate the Xth anniversary of that event.
And while there is nothing really special about X, it is the product of two prime numbers, even though I am no longer considered to be in my prime.  It also has four factors whose sum is 114.  And while it, as well as me, are not prime, the sum of its digits happens to be prime as does the difference in its digits.  So maybe there is still some hope for this old man.
      Now if you haven't figured it out yet, here is the value of X.  In binary code it is 1,001,010!   So I'm actually over a million, in base two that is.  That is better than base three where I am just 2,202 years old.   And some days I do feel like I am over a thousand - but maybe not a million - years old.
Now if that isn't frightening enough, hurricanes and typhoons need to have winds in excess of X miles per hour to be officially classified as a hurricane or a typhoon.  I've never been able to walk even close to that speed, even with my handy companion cane.  But driving a car is a little different.
Just like me, X is not very significant in this world.  It is the atomic number of tungsten!  It is the number of a freeway from Iowa to Ohio.  In Chicago it is the number of the bus which runs from Lincoln Park to Belmont Crazen, where ever that might be.  It is the number that was worn by Edwar Cabrera with the Colorado Rockies baseball team.  And X is the number worn by Hall of Famer Bruce Matthews when he played football on the Oilers.  And I also read that X is used in the Bible two times, but I haven't had time to try to find where that might be.  Probably Psalm 119 is one of those two.   Now I'm sure all of these facts impress you - not!
But this insignificant birthday is just another day in my life - actually day 27,028.  We never do anything special for our birthdays.  They just come and go, and, Lord willing, today will do the same.
But I do thank the Lord for being with me all of these years.  On June 12 I will celebrate my 70th spiritual birthday and that is special.  At times I am amazed that God has given me all these years to serve Him here on earth.  I think of so many of my friends who weren't given that many years here on earth and I can't help but wonder why.  But God has been so good to me and my response for these years is to continue to serve Him, however I can, in the days that I still have here.  
          So, on to day 27,029 and year X+1!

Medical Fun or April Fool?

          After a stressful winter we were really looking forward to a few days of vacation.  We made arrangements to go to our favorite hotel in Ocean City, Maryland, where we would sit on our balcony for a few days and just watch the waves roll in and out.  That for us is a very relaxing experience.  Our luggage and our car were packed so that as soon as we were done with our weekly Sunday responsibilities at church we could take off and head straight for the shore.
          Then at about 3 am plans suddenly changed.  My wife woke up with terrible chills and shakes.  It took several hours for her to stop shaking.  Her temperature was in the 100 range and she felt cold and miserable.  I canceled our reservations only to find that we would now be charged for a day's fees.  After four calls I finally found a person who was willing to waive these fees because we had stayed there often before.
         My wife did not get any better as the day went on, although her fever did not go higher.  Because she continued to shake so badly, I finally called the doctor from our practice who was on call.   Doctor A did not know my wife and suggested that we either go to the emergency room or wait and come for an office visit on Monday morning.  My wife chose the Monday visit.
         So on Monday morning we saw Doctor B, her regular doctor.  He ran some tests and felt something might be wrong in her abdomen, so he ordered urine tests, blood tests and a catscan.  He was unable to give her anything for her fever and shakes except for more tylenol.  That afternoon the tests results were back and he reported that they were fine except for a few unusual blood tests results.  She did have kidney stones and a gall bladder stone but they weren't causing the problem.
         The shakes, the fever and the night sweats continued ond on Tuesday afternoon she was seen by Doctor C.  He, too, didn't know what the problem was so he ordered a chest x-ray to be sure that she didn't have pneumonia.  As we expected, that too was clear and the shakes and fever went on.
         Then I recontacted Doctor B and asked about the blood test problems.  He reconsidered and said that it could be something involving her gall bladder or something else in her abdomen, so he recommended contacting her gastro specialist, Doctor D.  But since Doctor D is now in administration and only in one day a week, he said that he could see her in a week but thought that she should be seen sooner.  His nurse set up an appointment with Doctor E on Thursday afternoon.  After meeting with him, Doctor E recommended that she go right to LGH and be admitted to have more tests done.  There she met Doctor F who listened and didn't feel that she needed these additional scans but he ordered more blood tests.  And now the night sweats were getting worse.
         We also found out that when there isn't a specific diagnosis, a patient must be entered for observation and not be fully admitted to the hospital for 24-48 hours.  That means that Medicare A won't pay the hospital bills.  Medicare B will pay some of the costs but with numerous co-pays and they won't pay for any meds that are given during that time.  So we have no idea what our final bill will be.
        Anyway, back to the ill patient.  The next morning she met Doctor G who told her that she looked good and might be sent home.  He didn't really even ask how she felt or give her the blood test results. That really upset her. He did order another chest x-ray which was again negative.  So all day on Friday all she did was lay in bed - without even an IV.  Hardly anybody even came in to check on her and nothing was reported about her test results.  It was like they forgot all about her.  Around supper time an infectious disease doctor, Doctor  H, came and asked the same questions once again.  He ordered more tests.  The nurse then came and said she was being kept for a second night.
         On Saturday morning she met another infectious disease doctor, Doctor I, who did tell her about some of her test results and said that they think it might be a viral infection.  A few minutes later Doctor J showed up.  He at least sat down on the bed and talked to both of us.  He admitted that the tests showed that she had a definite infection but they didn't know what it was.  The shakes had now disappeared but the low grade temp and the bad night sweats continued.  However, he felt that she should go home.  And that afternoon she did.
          On Monday morning her test results finally showed up on the LGH portal.  I printed them out and was very concerned about two of them in particular, especially one that was really out of whack and could indicate an infection of her heart valve.  So we went to see my family doctor, Doctor K.  Are you counting?  He went over all the results with us and was also concerned about the one test result.  So he ordered an echocardiogram and, praise the Lord, we were able to get it done within an hour.  That was amazing.  And that afternoon he called us to tell us that the test was also normal.  He thinks the spikes in her test results will soon return to normal and they will do more tests in a few weeks to be sure.  He also now thinks that it might be a wicked viral infection and with her normally weak immune system it has thrown her for a loop.
          As I write this, the fevers have finally moderated, the shakes and chills are gone, but the night sweats continue and now she has a cough. And, as has been the case all week, all she is taking is tylenol. This afternoon she will keep her appointment with her gastro specialist, Doctor D.  And he is her favorite doctor and will certainly evaluate everything carefully.
          So will she be billed by all eleven doctors who have seen her?  Probably. Will we get hit by a large bill for her 48 hours of  "observation" time in the hospital?  Probably, but we still don't really know what might be covered.   Will she be billed excessive costs for meds that were administered, even though she had her own which they wouldn't allow her to use?   Definitely.
         But will she get better?  Hopefully and I believe she is now on her way to that.  And that is really the only thing that is important.  But it has been quite an experience.  And, unfortunately, it is not an April Fool's Day joke.   I wish that it were, because I have just been too busy this year to come up with my annual prank - the end of a fun tradition.

        

The Long Nights

          Have you ever gone sleepless through the night caring for a sick child or sick spouse?  You just can't sleep.  You wait to hear them moan, or whimper, or even move.  And you pray.  You might sit with them while their body is racked with fever.  You pray and pray some more.   And you think that the morning will never come.  And for some reason those night hours just pass so slowly. And you pray. You just long for the daylight and any signs of improvement.
          Many were the nights that this was our experience with our boys when they were growing up.  Before they even went to school they would suddenly break out with high fevers.  And you felt so helpless and alone, especially at night.
          But those experiences happen as well when a spouse becomes ill.  And recently I have had a number of those nights once again.  And it is scary and stressful.  However, unlike when our kids were small, we now have Christian radio and sometimes that is a help during those times.  I've heard all the programs recently.
          Now I know that the Lord is with me in those times. I know He has promised to never leave me or forsake me.  And He never has. At times I have wished that He were there with me physically during those hours. And I know that I am to cast all my cares upon Him.  I know that He is the great Physician and nothing is too hard for Him.  And yet, even knowing all of this, I must admit that at times I wonder if He does hear me.  But He does.  And I wonder why He doesn't answer my urgent prayers quickly.  But, in His time, He does.  I know He promises peace and that He never gives us more than we can bear.  But at times like this, sometimes I admit that I have trouble experiencing that head knowledge.  And I must remember to look back and remember how He has taken care of me in those similar situations in the past.  And eventually the morning does come.
           Am I alone with these feelings in such times?  I think not.  Even David experienced these feelings in difficult situations and you can see that in his Psalms.  Often He wondered if the Lord has abandoned Him.  He wondered why God appeared to allow His enemies to prosper and not be punished.  But He always returned to the truth that God had not left Him and that God had a plan for Him.  And so, if you, like me, do have those feelings at times, realize that even a man like David had the same experiences.  But despite our feelings, God is faithful.  He is always there.  And He knows all of our ways - in the night as well as in the day.
           We never know what a day may bring.  And I love the way that Brian Doerksen expressed these feelings for me in his song, "Your Faithfulness".

I don't know what this day will bring

Will it be disappointing, filled with longed for things?

I don't know what tomorrow holds

Still I know I can trust Your faithfulness

I don't know if these clouds mean rain

If they do, will they pour down blessing or pain?

I don't know what the future holds

Still I know I can trust Your faithfulness

Certain as the rivers reach the sea

Certain as the sunrise in the east

I can rest in your faithfulness

Surer than a mother's tender love

Surer than the stars still shine above

I can rest in your faithfulness

I don't know how or when I'll die

Will it be a thief, or will I have a chance to say goodbye?

No, I don't know how much time is left

But in the end, I will know your faithfulness

When darkness overwhelms my soul

When thoughts and storms of doubt

Still I trust You are always faithful, always faithful

Certain as the rivers reach the sea

Certain as the sunrise in the east

I can rest in your faithfulness

Surer than a mother's tender love

Surer than the stars still shine above

I can rest in your faithfulness

I don't know what this day will bring

Will it be disappointing, filled with longed for things?

I don't know what tomorrow holds

Still I know I can trust Your faithfulness

I'm sure that I will face more sleepless nights, but I will be reminded of His faithfulness and that morning does come.  My prayer is that I will experience His presence and faithfulness during those times and that you will too.

In case you aren't familiar with this hymn you can listen to it here.  LISTEN

If you don't know why it was written, you can hear Brian explain that here.  TESTIMONY