And The Wheels Keep Spinning

Now we are in Salem! Actually, I thought there was going to be a week between the LA trip and the Salem trip but, alas, it was not to be. I must have looked crooked at my calendar. We got home from Los Angeles Tuesday evening; drove straight through which is not at the top of my list of fun things to do. But we stopped a lot and had a book on CD to listen to. For those who like these kind of things: We traveled 1480 miles, got 25 miles per gallon, paid a high of $4.04.9 for gas (Lodi, CA) and found LA gas prices to be only 2 cents more than in Grants Pass -- $3.85. Of course that went up even while we were there.

Of course we loved the time with the kids. We went to the library and played on the lawn for awhile which is where these pictures are taken. Then got to see Josiah in his swim lessons. He's the one with the blue goggles!

This morning we left early, attended church at the FM in Roseburg, then had lunch with my sister, niece, grand niece, and grand-grand niece (is that how you say it?) in Creswell -- close to Eugene. And now we are at Ginger's in Salem. The basic purpose of this trip is a board meeting on Tuesday at the Conference Office but we'll lump a bunch of other things into it. So stay tuned.

Happy Birthday, Josiah

A week ago it suddenly occurred to me, what is stopping us from going to Los Angeles for Josiah's sixth birthday? And the answer came, nothing except a little gas money. So as I write this blog we are sitting in Jana and Korak's backyard watching Josiah and Lilly while mom and dad are having an evening out. We left Grants Pass early Thursday morning, made numerous stops and arrived here in the evening -- a 13 1/2 hour journey. Friday was Josiah's birthday. Grandpa got him a remote control truck which he has been having fun with. His mom and dad gave him a 10 foot diameter swimming pool and a huge water slide. We set these up Saturday and the kids had a blast playing with them. You'll notice pictures of all this throughout the blog. His BIG party is going to be next Saturday because of various scheduling conflicts. It will be a water party with various wet-type games and, of course, the swimming pool and slide. Alas, we will miss this because we are home this week in time to do Kids Klub Wednesday. A short trip, but worth it.

Today we worshipped at Marina Christian Fellowship. One of the associate pastors, Trisha Welstad preached on spiritual gifts. She was a Conference Ministerial Candidate in Oregon and one of the people the MEG Board interviewed and encouraged many years ago. Then she moved to California, was ordained, got married, and is now on staff at the church our kids attend. It is very satisfying to realize I had a small role (as a member of the MEG Board) in her growth and development and now she is helping lead my kids in their spiritual journey.

Back home the yard awaits further developments. We did make some progress. Monday I rototilled the area where we will put either rocks or plants or mulch. Now, that was work! Then I put together some used railroad ties for a raised bed garden. Joyce and I even got a small section prepared for bark dust. I realized then that this will be a backbreaking job. Even if we stayed home we probably wouldn't have gotten much more done. On Thursday the temperature in Grants Pass sored to 97 and was 101 on Friday. About the time we get home it is supposed to cool down. Yes, it is hot here in LA but only up into the 80s where the kids live. I think we got out of town just in time.

Tucked in here are some pictures of the yard before the rototilling, during the rototilling, after it was over, and a view of the new raspberry patch. The area beyond the black fence used to be "our" field with pheasants, birds, and even an occasional skunk. It was peaceful and relatively private. It now has a street running through it, is subdivided for lots, and two houses are being constructed in it. That is why we want a privacy screen of some sort -- like shrubbery. It will happen; it just takes time.

So next week it will be returning home and returning to work. I wonder, maybe there are other things we all need to return to. Like returning to commitments we made years ago and then let slide away. Or returning to a proper focus that has gotten a little blurry because of pressures around us. Or maybe even a return to some of the things that used to give us joy but the serious things of life have overshadowed those earlier joys and we've lost the fun and zest for life. Or something like that. Make your own sermon here. And enjoy doing it.

I'd Rather Play Than Work

Happy Mother's Day. If you're not my mom, just ignore that greeting. Better yet, take it, plagiarize it, use for your own, and send it on to your mother. You did remember didn't you? Today I gave Joyce her choice of churches and she choose to go to Jerome Prairie because a lot of our friends are going there. It was a good service with a couple baby dedications and a special prayer for the children and children's staff.

Yesterday we were all set to get in a few hours work in the backyard. I had cooked up some omelets for breakfast, now we had shovels in hand, the dirt pile awaited... then Mike and Joann showed up with a wheel barrow I had asked to borrow. As we inspected our yard project, they asked if we wanted to take a ride up to Union Creek. Well, I always prefer play to work so that was a no brainer! They agreed to pick us up at 1:00 so I actually got in a couple hours of moving dirt. They showed up at one and off we went. Our destination was a wide spot in the road on Highway 62 about 50 miles east of Medford. It is noted for three things: Becky's Cafe where we ate a late lunch. Her huckleberry pie is delicious but only available when they are in season. The Rogue River Gorge is also at Union Creek. Here the rocks force the river into a narrow, downward channel churning the water and sending up a cloud of spray. It's not spectacular in terms of the Grand Canyon or Niagara Falls but it is still an awesome sight. The third point of interest is Farewell Bend Campground. Mike and Joann wanted to check it out for a possible camping destination. It is a beautiful camping place right on the Rogue River -- but still snowed in. It was fairly warm even with snow on the ground and me in my short sleeved shirt.

As we checked out all these places, we came up with the notion to drive on up to Crater Lake National Park. So we did. There was about 10 to 12 feet of snow at the top and when the wind blew it was cold! -- and me in my short sleeved shirt. But it was absolutely gorgeous up there. You see a picture of the lake and Wizard Island at the top. I also found this snow nymph hanging around and talked her into posing for me. The other picture shows some of the parking lot with Crater Lake Lodge in the background. At the bottom is a look at part of the Rogue River Gorge. (Click on any image to make it larger).

Friday evening Joyce and I volunteered to help at Silver Ring Thing sponsored by the Pregnancy Care Center. This is a very well done professional program encouraging teens to be sexually abstinent until marriage. they can buy a silver ring to remind them of the commitment they have made. Joyce helped register -- this after 6 hours at the day care. I was involved with helping set up earlier in the day and then with security in the evening. It was held in the Performing Arts Center at Grants Pass High School and the place was filled -- about 800 kids. Good program. Very high energy.

That is about all we did this week. Oh, we worked in the backyard. Other than that... not very exciting. But it sure was a lovely day Saturday.

May Day

Happy May Day. I know, I know, May Day was Thursday but I don't blog on Thursday so you have to take it a few days late. I remember a May Day loooooong ago when I was but a wee lad. My mom made up a boquet of flowers from our yard and asked me to take them to a neighbor. I guess that is what you are supposed to do on the first day of May. For some reason it was intended to be an anonomous gift so I sat them on the door step, rang the bell, and ran. Except that the lady saw me running away and called my mom to thank her for the flowers. So much for my foray into covert door bell ringing. I think I remember the incident because I was embarrased that I got "caught."

On May Day last week there were no flowers but there was (is!) a new table for our TV. We decided to get rid of the old upright intertainment center and go for a lower look. The cable man inspired this move. He was coming to hook up an expanded TV service and he absolutely could not ever, ever see the dust collection behind the old TV setup. So the whole thing had to be moved to houseclean. Well, since we were into it, we decided to get something new for the television to sit on because we are planning to upgrade in a couple months and the new one would not fit in the entertainment center hole where the old one was. So, out we went looking for something appropriate and affordable. Lots of real nice stuff out there -- and beyond our budget. Joyce had the bright idea of stopping at Parker's Bargain House (yes, that's really the name). They have lower priced new stuff, unfinished stuff, and some used pieces. We found a really nice cabinet in our price range that came from someone's estate. All in all, it looks nice and now I can watch History channel. Right now, I'm watching Ax Men.

Yesterday I went to Eugene for a Ministerial Education and Guidance Board subcommittee meeting. We interviewed one person who is a Conference Ministerial Candidate and one who is going to become one. They were good interviews. I rode up with Galen and Rylee and it was fun to visit with them. Galen was youth pastor at Allen Creek during my last years there. He is still in that position but will be leaving for college this fall. At the beginning of the week, we finished moving the raspberries to their new home with a new wire support system. The yard renovation will get underway this coming week.

Today we worshipped at the Medford Free Methodist Church. I've known Pastor Craig and his wife Nancy for about 7 years. In fact Joyce and I rode with Craig and Nancy to a minister's conference in southern California many years ago. Fun trip. Their church in Medford is small and is in the planning stages for a transition. To what hasn't been determined yet. We took them out to lunch and sat and taked for over 2 hours. Good thing the resturant didn't need our table.

This coming week it is supposed to be nice weather so we'll tackle the backyard with zest. Pray for my muscles. What are you tackling? What do you need prayer for? Well... ask!