Cliff Hanger

Happy Sabbath. There is an extra blessing to Christmas this year. The Sabbath makes it more sacred. This morning I read chosen passages from the Desire of Ages at church, interspersed with a dozen special songs by special singers, all local. It was very good. The weather continues to be abnormally warm. I don't know to call it Global Warming because the rest of the country is blanketed with tons of snow, and Europe can't seem to shake the below normal temperatures. Some of our mountains received between six and eight feet of snow in the last week. Everywhere but here. Thank you, Lord.

Did I leave you with a cliff hanger in my last blog? Ah, sorry! Actually, I forgot about it until Julie and Jason reminded me. Like, well-l-l-l, what is the big proposal? . . . Oh, nothing!

I need to be careful what I say. If I reveal my feelings, I might influence things inappropriately. So, my plan is to let the Lord decide.

Anyway, the EVI Search Committee was considering a few names--very few--when the idea was floated that maybe we could ask Janet to oversee the construction of our new building thrust--Lifestyle Center, new houses, and the repair of the old houses. Leasa took Janet out for lunch. (I was to say nothing-g-g-g.) I assume my vice-president turned on the charm and put her best persuasive self forward, and helped Janet to see that we cannot possibly do it without her. (Which, In many respects is true. At least, at this time we have no one better.)

To some degree, the proposal fell a little short. How can a woman who can't build her own African houses without her son, supervise the construction of an ultra modern facility? My wife was quick to point out this discrepancy. She figures it is all an attempt to get me to stay. Yes, my staff want me to stay, but no, Janet has qualities that would be invaluable to the project.

Obviously, my Lover is not about to come running to EVI and just dump her mission in Africa. The proposal also offered to pay her way to Africa twice a year, so she could supervise it to some degree. It failed to take in the fact that we already pay her way twice a year to Africa. Ah well!

Here I think is where it's at, right now. Because my wife has a big heart and wants to help everyone that asks for it, she has agreed to help organize the buying and the accumulating of the material that Maranatha will need by May 2011. This is not the construction of the lifestyle center. This will include the building of one new house and the repair of our old buildings. I even heard her say she might be able to help more, whatever that means.

Where does that leave me? Essentially, nothing changes with me. Perhaps I should rehearse the story in your ear, the short version: After the Lord spent two years trying to make me more humble, I finally concluded that I was too incompetent to be in leadership. So, in the spring of 2009 I began to announce that I would transition out of EVI by September 2010. I was perfectly convinced that I was not for leadership. It only made sense after the disaster I created at EVI. From then on I began to tell my wife I would join her in Africa in the fall of 2009, if she would have me, of course. You never know, she might not want the same mess in Mago. From that moment on, God, by an amazing display of grace reversed course. When we humble ourselves, He lifts us up. Everything began to prosper, at least, it prospered far more than it had for a while. The biggest blessing came in the person of Leasa Hodges. (I can see her face as she reads this, humble girl.) The Lord outfitted her with energy, initiative, creativity, ideas and much more, and if there is no reason to have a party, she'll think of one.

Immediately, she asked Janet and I to consider my staying at EVI until May 2011. We agreed. Since then, it seems everyone on the team cannot see us gone. (This is of grace also.) Both my heart, and Janet's are touched with the need and the display of love, but now what???

Sometimes my Lover says she feels guilty because she doesn't think I'll be happy in Africa. I have never been unhappy. Why should I be unhappy in Africa. Sometimes she says, I don't think it's going to happen? She doesn't say that it should happen, or shouldn't happen, she just says she doesn't think it will happen. Can you see how safe that kind of talk is?

From my side, I said I was going to Africa, period. The Bible says, "Swear to your own hurt, and change not." Psalms 15. So, unless the Lord changes my direction, I'm going to Africa. I am not saying that would be the best decision. The problem is, I've already made a decision. Now my wife and I pray together. Being together has become important. Knowing God's will is even more important. You all might pray with us. Eden Valley is picking up a heavy burden, and I hate to let others struggle under the load and not help lift it. On the other hand, I can't go around telling my wife I'm going to Africa, and then change my mind. Do you see the dilemma?

Thank you for praying with us.

The Preacher.

Four Days of Bliss

I'm back to work. This morning, I prepared a sermon for Wednesday morning assembly. (Every Wednesday our staff come together. We praise God for what He is doing in our lives; we lift each other up in prayer, and I preach a 30 minute sermon.) I went up the mountain to pray for half an hour. I fixed the windshield wiper on my wife's car, and the exhaust hose on her dryer. Then I had lunch by myself because Janet and Leasa are having lunch together. Eden Valley is hitting my wife up with a new proposal. I was forbid to say anything to her personally. So, I won't say anything right now, but perhaps I'll let you know when I hear the outcome.

I took two days off from work when my wife arrived. Add that to the weekend and we've had four days in which to do nothing or anything we wanted to. I was thinking as I walked up the mountain: if anyone offered me a weekend in the Caribbean, or on South Pacific island, I could not have enjoyed my time more. That we did nothing, but we did it together. We went swimming, we went shopping, we went to church, we had folks over for lunch on Sabbath, we tried to sleep, we slept a little, whatever, it was a blast.

Eight Months, no Shopping

My Lover is home and it's been a blast. (As much of a blast as old people can make.) We have much to get caught up on. We are doing our best, so long as I can keep her awake. In the meantime, I took two days off, and we are doing the funnest thing--shopping. Oh well. We'll do anything so long as it's together.

Everyone at EVI is bending over backward to welcome my wife. People are making welcome signs, beautiful, by the way; they are making food and filling our fridge. They've invited us to eat with the Lifestyle guests. My wife was blown away with the quality of the food. I guess she's been looking at beans and rice or ugali for too long. The staff who have never met my famous frontier woman are going out of their way to make her acquaintance. They never imagined her to be so short. She is bigger than life in some imaginations. Never mind, they'll find out.

Oh, and it's my birthday today, 63. I just discovered why a person shouldn't be on Facebook. Not at least, if you want to respond to everybody's good b'day wishes.

In any case, I'm happy. I've got health, and wealth, and a wife with children and great-grandchildren. The Savior is Lord of my life, and He showers me with honors and blessings constantly. What more could a man want? May He gives you as much.

Love to all

December Highlights

Two days ago, December 10, my dad would have turned 90. He died at 56. No matter, I still think fondly of him every year on this date. We always got along very well, until of course, I began to read the Bible. I never help was angry over the situation. To him, what I was doing was treason, a rejection of important tradition and the one church that had to be the only church. I understood then. I understand better now. Nevertheless, if a person chooses to walk with God using God's word, he will garner resistance and sometimes persecution. (I was never persecuted enough to wad a shotgun.) I did the right thing. I hope that doesn't sound too arrogant? But I did.

It's like I told someone not long ago. If I hadn't, I would be sitting in the same chair, drinking the same beer, watching the same hockey puck go up and down the ice for forty years. Instead, I've been used to preach the plan of salvation from God's word in most of the 33 countries I've visited or lived in. I don't have many talents, but God uses the little I have so consistently that sometimes I'm embarrassed to be in the positions I find myself in. My wife is remarkable for the achievements she's reached, even still today. My children are not only law abiding citizens, but aggressive missionaries, amazingly talented and accomplished. You just need to read their blogs to see it. If the Lord does nothing more for me than He's done to date, I have enough to praise Him for eternity already.

Yesterday, was Julie's birthday. She's finally reached the big forty. I'm not sure she was really looking forward to this day, but it's better than the alternative. My Lover comes home in three days. I think I've written that I may not recognize her, it's been so long. I really have to be careful at the airport not to make a mistake.

It was on a December 15 that my grandmother/godmother died. I was 15 years old doing math in my bedroom when the phone call came. Why do I always remember that on this date? Somethings are unexplainable.

Hey, If you are going to retain anything, retain this: Jesus is everything to us. Set your affections on Him. Behold Him, His condescension, His lowly birth; consider His sacrifice, His love for you, His eternal vigilance over you and . . . give thanks. Love you all. The Preacher.

Hungry? I hope so.

I can't believe it, it's December 7 and the weather is wonderful, in Colorado. Usually, arctic weather has settled in by now, pipes are freezing and we are not acclimated. I suppose it will all change in time for my wife's arrival, December 15. No matter, I'll see that the house is warmed up.

Besides that, nothing is new. We have a new intake of lifestyle guests. Very nice people. I believe they all have cancer, except the supports, of course. Leonard and I put new laminate flooring in my dining room, kitchen and entry way. Today, the maintenance men put the trim back down. I get to preach in Copper Mountain this Sabbath. Today, I rec'd an e-mail asking if I would do some meetings at a youth camp in Romania in August, and a GYC in Romania next December. I might. I'm already scheduled for Washington state in February, Ukraine and Romania in May, Germany and Sacramento ASI in August. With that I'm suppose to move to Africa. Can I keep all that organized from Africa? Lots of questions; lots of hurdles.

Did you notice in the Beatitudes that Jesus did not say blessed are the righteous. The reason is, "there is none righteous, no not one." Romans 3: 10-12. Jesus said, "Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness." Matthew 5. We don't hunger when we are full. We hunger when we feel our emptiness. It isn't the proud religionist, the man satisfied with his christian experience, his self-sufficience, that is blessed/accepted of God. It's the one who feels His need of help from God. "From the soul that feels his need, nothing is withheld." DA 300. Feeling our need is the qualifier, the qualification that nets for us the gift. Do you know your need of God? Oh, I hope so. I do,

So says the Preacher to his Tribe.

Correction

The info I rec'd last night was that Shawn, Frances' grandson, was killed. Sorry, uh, not sorry, he wasn't killed, but he was run over by a car and is in pretty bad shape in the hospital. Praise God, the Lord heard our prayers and resurrected him. Well, at least He saved his life.

Trip to the Great, not so Great North

It's 10:00 P. M. I'm sitting in a motel in Michigan, somewhere, and feeling sad. (More about the sadness in a moment.) I managed to visit everyone I planned to visit in Northern Ontario. I wish I had had more time. I would have visited Andre and Line, but time ran out.

The meetings in the Soo were very well rec'd. I enjoyed all the people there. I don't know if the meetings made a difference insofar as the division among them, but I hope so. I spent four days with Champy and his family. His girls are adorable--very affectionate. They come by their cuddliness honestly. Their mother, Bonnie; their grandmother, Linda; their great-granny, oh, I forgot her name, and their aunt Noel are all affectionate huggers. I took a shine to all of them.

I spent five or six days with Nelson and Anne. We had a great time and they came to all the meetings, even though I did not do the meetings in their church. They are quite the couple: I love them to death. Nobody is more spiritual than Nelson. We teased Anne-Marie too much as usual, but I think she likes it. In speaking, they punctuate every point with the phrase, "you know what I mean?" Very interesting. I think they were made for each other, you know what I mean?

I really surprised Hermel and Sue. Hermel says he was thinking of me at breakfast time and presto, I'm standing in his house a couple of hours later. We really had a great visit. Sue has had a knee replacement and needs the other done next. I saw a lot of signs of aging in my old friends. Not so with Hermel. He still plays hockey at 64. He was telling me of going fishing with a "vieux bonhomme de soisante" (old man of sixty.) He had to spend most of one night rescuing the old man off of a foggy lake, and then the guy tipped his canoe and Hermel had to jump in the lake up to his neck to save him from drowning.

I visited with Monique, Sarah and Sarah's little girl. Sarah is back, without two of her children, from the Philippines. I found her to be mature and looking very good. (I wouldn't want her to sit on me, but looking good, nonetheless.) Monique continues to beat the odds with her heart condition.

I stayed at Roger and Maggie's that night. The biggest change in anyone is in Roger. He brought his Bible out and showed me how much he studies that book. He told me he has a lot to do to redeem himself. I told him he didn't have to do that, the Lord did it for him already. I've never been better treated than on this visit. All is well, if you discount old age. Roger has diabetes, heart trouble and a back so bad that he can't work anymore. They are now Mennonites and loving it.

Then I visited Buck. Some people don't change, except that he too was very happy for my company. (Buck was baptized into the Adventist church a year ago.) He made lunch for me and we had a good talk.

The last visit in the Sudbury area was to Eddy Charrette. The guy is doing good. He is the oldest in a family of a dozen and he remains the strongest. He does a lot of fishing now that he is retired. His house if real clean and organized. I"m impressed. His wife died four years ago.

In North Bay, my cousin, Madeleine and I stayed up till midnight talking. That's what happens when you don't see one of your favorite people for thirty years. She really is a sweetheart. We reminisced a lot about times gone by. She had many pictures of old relatives when they were young. I really have a soft spot for that family member.

In the end, all of these visits warmed my heart. Wish I lived closer to these dear people. Ah well, if that is what God wanted, that is where I would be. The only negatives I can point to is the weather. Oh my goodness, I haven't seen the sun since I left EVI. Rain, sleet, snow, ice and storm after storm. Through it all, however, I didn't miss an appointment. Even today, I drove through a snow squall. The other thing I can't appreciate is the scenery up north. Outside of Southern Ontario, everything looks poverty stricken. There are so many shacks up north, it's amazing. On that good note, I'll say, aurevoir!

PS: About being sad: I just got a phone call. My secretary's grandson, Shawn, was killed today. A road accident. Frances, my secretary, has a daughter in Boulder. The daughter adopted to problem children. Shawn was autistic and the girl, Becka, is Bipolar. That is the third person connected with EVI killed this year. What is the deal?