Poem of Dedication

I really like this poem. I read it again today and was encouraged by it. I pray that where ever you are at, God will be your "Place of Repair" today.

Place of Repair, O blessed place of refuge!

How gladly will I come to meet Him there,

to cease awhile from all the joy of service,

to find a deeper joy with Him to share!

Place of Repair, for tired brain and body!

How much I need that place just out of sight,

where only He can talk and be beside me,

until again made strong by His great might!

Place of Repair, when trials press upon me,

and God permits the unexpected test,

'tis there I learn some lessons sweet and precious,

as simply on His faithfulness I rest.

Place of Repair, to wait for fresh enduement,

I silently alone with Him would stay,

until He speaks again, and says,

"Go forward, to help some other sheep to find their way."

Place of Repair, O trysting place most Hallowed!

The Lord Himself is just that place to me,

His grace, His strength, His glory and His triumph,

Himself alone, my all--sufficiency.

Years together treasured

A sweet story to share.....

Young and carefree

we dance & play

sweetly like two butterflies

Your hair so soft

your lips so sweet

lost in your deep blue eyes

I feel safe in your arms

I feel loved by your care

you know my heart is yours dear sir

I will protect you, come close

I will love you, draw near

will you be mine for forever?

I swoon and sway

I do. I will. Okay!

mr and mrs together

I never knew God's love so deep

until He gave me you to keep

fall into my arms like a feather.

The years go by

we fight. we play

sharing each day anew

You are more beautiful then the day we met

you shine Christ to me

you are my blessing too.

I've been your bride these 50 years

while you have loved me like Jesus

with pure joy and without hesitation.

As your groom I wish we had 50 more.

your joy so tender, you sparkle so free

US unified as one again.

Confused a bit. Age has captured me.

I wonder. I question. I fear.

He is near.

My chest is aching

my body is shaking

the sirens surround me, oh my dear.

The phone rings, you are healed.

mild stroke, I will come

in my car that will take me to...

God chose to heal me. I am thankful.

you are on your way, together we shall be

I will wait for you.

On my way fear grips me. It's stuck.

i am accelerating!

the memories of you flood every pore.

Thankful to have you to come to me

as I reminisce our life together.

praise Jesus I get to see you once more.

Out of control. nothing to do.

goodbye for now my love.

Jesus is calling. I see him here.

I wait. I wait. She never comes.

oh my sweet wife was taken home.

did this really happen? tear.

I open the door.

bittersweet place of rest.

the walls echo. I groan. I ache.

I lay down on my bed.

turn my head.

and weep until I wake.

Now and then

Wow it has been ages since I've posted on my blog. Every time I think about doing it I feel like there is so much to say, so then I choose not to. That's silly, so here is some bullet points:

+Went to London near Thanksgiving to visit Havana. Huge blessing to get to see her & Ingrid while I was there

-Missed out on being home for Thanksgiving

+Redwood Camp Reunion took place. Loved reconnecting with our staff

+New Year’s Eve party in Moraga was so fun.

+Getting to know Dave more and more! Watching our relationship grow has been a joy and sweet blessing

+Moved into my own room in Evergreen. I have a beautiful mural and a space away

-Jono moved. I’m happy for him but I miss his company

+Danni came to visit. Loved having her here

+Lindsay got married! What a beautiful story of waiting on the Lord's timing and now experiencing His love in such deep ways

-Overwhelmed with work. I’ve had an abundance of things to do

+Climbed Trinity Trees. Wow, what great perspective to have at the top looking over Redwood

+Ingrid came to visit. So fun to have her and show her my life up here

+I’m learning so much about ministry & work! God is abundantly providing, drawing me near, and loving me tenderly

-A rat just scurried across my ceiling and I can hear it chewing through something :(

So, according to my November post, my goal was to “catch a wild turkey, chop off it's head, watch the phrase "a turkey running with it's head cut off" come to life, and have a free delicious meal. :)” There was a wild turkey at the lake in Lafayette the other day and I had every intention to kill it and achieve this goal. I was stopped from this endeavor by a certain individual. Being that I was not the driver, I could not accomplish it! Sad day. Goal still in place.

Theme of the week: Simplicity. I want to travel light. “This world is not my home, I’m just a passing through.” God has been leading me in what areas He wants to simplify in my life. For me, it is simplifying at work and in play. Practically and in my mindset/perspective. He is wanting to be apart of every micro decision, so that I do not live into the way He has made me and my strengths without Him there. I can be good at something, but that doesn’t mean that’s what He wants me to be doing always. Even in how/when to care about people. We must discern His voice & His leading. This week, as interns, we went through our closets and got rid of a bunch of clothes. These ‘simple” disciplines help establish living the ‘simple’ life that He calls us each to in our own ways. Simplify. It may hurt a bit, but there is freedom.

I think that is all for now. Here are some pictures: