Wednesday, 11 February 2009

• Currently Waiting on the World to Change By John Mayer see related

  Dear Family and Friends,
  The end of 2007 and a good six months of 2008 brought revelations and disappointments that left Don and I reeling.  Don could not believe the things that we had to deal with and I could not accept them as truth!  I have never felt so naive or misled.
  In 2007 we questioned many things not the least church fellowship in general and moved on to visit different congregations.  Several months, meetings, discussions, further insight, and prayer we joined together with two other families and began meeting in our home with the focus being getting real, transparency, and truly growing in love one for another.  Our goal to become known by our love and by being infectious that it might draw others as moths to the flame.  Before I move on I must tell you of our Hope (youngest in our church family), she is a joy loving the Lord, reading the word and adding so much to our gathering.  We have two teens that keep reassuring me that our small home church is exactly what they need to grow in faith.  It is our privilege to witness them as they question things and people, answer questions and work through making their faith their own.  The adults are a blessing also as we encourage one another to finish the race better and stronger then when we first began.
  During the past year I have undergone surgery, experienced various health issues, and major tooth problems.  Ten thousand dollars later and out of pocket I am on the road to recovery.  I have to stick to a strict regime; soon I will have a mouth piece, caps, bridges, root canals, and more.  Clinching, grinding, and gnashing of teeth is not a good thing, poor sleep is the result and leads to stress and anxiety, it becomes a vicious cycle.  T.M.J. and a possible childhood injury may be the cause of these issues.
  The days my teeth are worked on I loose 24 hours, completely wiped from memory!  Don could not have worked and thus a further financial burden would be added if not for our neighbors Ed and JoAnne Porter.  On these dentist days they take me, pick me up, put me to bed at their home, make dinner for us and care for the pets without being asked.  The Bible says, "There are friends closer than a brother" they have been that.
  Praise the Lord for Don's good health, he works hard and weekend's works just as hard cutting wood.  People look on in amazement.  I make him Dr. appointments, he has tests and mostly he is full of health and all is well.  I am so thankful.
  Three weeks in July and August because of the huge generosity of a young family in Chicago, Bill, Lyssa, Emily, Wendy and Bethany visited.  This was the highlight of the year and an especially wonderful time for Don and I.  The sacrifice this family  made, as they also minister for the Lord, and they are in no way wealthy, was overwhelming.  I can only imagine how pleased God is and how He will honor this gift.  Don and I are humbled and thankful.  We camped, swam in Lakes Michigan and Superior and just had a great time.  Most of all we enjoyed our three lovely granddaughters.
  The very last half of this year we were able to renew a relationship with Ed and Rebekah Smith.  Ed was our son's first instructor at Cowden Lake Bible Academy.  My friend JoAnne and I had the pleasure of visiting with them in their home in Pennsylvania.  Their daugh5ters Hannah and Sarah are attending school at Interlochen giving us opportunity to attend various functions.  They have also stayed in our home and with future plans we are reveling in this renewed relationship.
  I have been writing for The Lakeview Area News since 2006 and I cannot tell you how much I enjoy this.  I give thanks to the two women who now run and own the paper for working with me with my ups and downs.  The venue has opened many opportunities.  Probably the most satisfying thing has been the meeting of so many people and hearing their stories and sharing in the telling.
  As 2009 stretches ahead our hope is to pay of medical debt, this being a priority.
  On the list of priorities is to visit overseas.  It would be wonderful to visit Belgium.  It has been way to long and we need to renew friendships with our prayer partners.  We know of your faith and prayers for us!
  It has been two years since visiting Sheffield.  I fight daily to be grateful rather than feeling sorry for myself.  "If we confess, He is faithful and just to forgive", thus I confess and will continue to do so.
  Very important this year what ever comes or does not it is my goal to be increasingly thankful, grateful and full of praise for what is rather then longing and looking at what is not.
  May you be blessed in 2009
  
  
  
  
  

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