We are back in Lebanon -- arrived about 4:45. Yesterday I didn't have internet access but I prepared the following comments.
Happy New Year from Grants Pass. Actually, that is confusing because I am in GP while I write this but will be in Lebanon when I post it. Does that make sense? Never mind. It doesn’t matter anyway. We drove down to GP Sunday after church with a stop in Springfield for lunch with Jack and Luwayne (Joyce’s brother and sis-in-law) and their daughter Kelly (we love her!!!) and her NEW husband (now we love him!). His name is Brian; they were married in August and we couldn’t attend the wedding because of Fir Point camp commitments and Lebanon FM Church commitments. Commitments sure mess up the free spirit of doing whatever you want whenever you want!!! (There must be a sermon in there somewhere).
When we got to Grants Pass, I knew we wouldn’t have water (refer to the blog a couple weeks ago). But I did have time to mess with the system a little and discovered a broken pipe at the wellhead. If a problem can be easy and the fix simple, this was it. The pipe was at the top, easy to get to, easy to repair, and only cost about ten bucks. By noon on Monday we had water. I have run a lot errands will here – mostly just catch up stuff that accumulates and then has to happen all in two or three days.
I went to Bluestone Bakery this morning (Tuesday) for coffee and breakfast – but mostly because they have a free WiFi. I got my email and responded to some of them. While I was there it started to snow. It snowed almost all day, sometimes barely, sometimes in big, wet flakes. Late in the afternoon it started sticking just a little bit. Then turned to rain. I just heard on the radio that our high was 35*. If it turns cold tonight, we are in trouble because of all the moisture on the ground.
While home I made a couple “pastoral” calls, checked on the Nazarene Church as the renters of the Allen Creek building, and attended the Tuesday evening Bible Study of the Deaf Fellowship. I finished cleaning the gutters – that project was started a couple weeks ago but was cut short when Joyce discovered we didn’t have water. Tomorrow, I’ll put some insulation in the well house and Joyce and I will clean the upstairs storeroom at Allen Creek. This is mostly because it was left in such a mess we are embarrassed by it and we’re afraid if someone else cleans it, some good stuff will be trashed.
Then we’ll drive to our Lebanon home. I don’t have TV here and there are football games I’m missing!!! A big One is cOming up January One. Can’t miss that One. Go Ducks.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Merry Christmas
The days around Christmas are always filled with so many things different from the other days of the year. Last week during the day we simply did a lot -- well, not a lot, just some -- of the usual office and church stuff. However the evenings were different. Wednesday Family Night was out at Dave and Leanne's. They have a barn with a couple sheep and a couple alpacas, lots of hay, and typical barn stuff. So we all went on a field trip. The kids fed the animals and Trevor told the Christmas story while we stood around in a "manger-like" setting. Then we went into the garage where Leanne had set up hot chocolate and cookies. It was laid back and fun. It wasn't real cold and didn't even rain on us.
Thursday evening, Joyce and I went out to Kay and Fran's house for dinner. We have been there before and she is a good cook. And she made cherry pie! Ummm. Good. Friday was my birthday and Joyce said I could do whatever I wanted!!! So we drove to Independence and Dallas (about 40 miles away) to look at some duplexes for sale (look from the outside). The area is fine, but the houses weren't. My niece, Kandy, lives in Dallas so we called her and had lunch together. Nice day, but it wasn't over.
That evening was the annual Church Christmas Party. We expected about 35 and close to 45 came. It was one of those gift exchange parties where everyone draws a number to determine in which order they get to choose a gift. Number one goes first, number two gets to take number one's gift or get his own from under the tree. Number three gets to choose from either one or two's gift or from the tree. Etc. It gets interesting when there are a bunch of people with gifts. The person whose number is up, takes a gift from someone, then that person takes a gift from someone else, who takes a gift from someone, etc. There is a 20-second time limit on this. The person left without a gift goes to the tree. Anyway, it's a lot of fun. Joyce brought out a Birthday Pie for me (cherry, of course) -- covered with candles. Looked like a bonfire.
Saturday Shanette graduated from George Fox University. Shanette is our co-pastor's wife and she is also our Associate Pastor, if you don't recognize her name. So we went to the graduation in Newberg -- about 70 miles away. It was interesting and not very long since it was the December graduation. After, we were supposed to go for dinner at Trevor's mom's house. But Ginger wasn't feeling well so went to check on her. She is fine but we went out and did some grocery shopping for her and brought home Chinese for dinner.
All three of preached Sunday. Trevor spoke about Joseph, Shanette talked about Mary, I presented Jesus and that led into Communion. I think it was a good day. This coming Sunday I preach using the Wise Men (or Magi) as my theme.
We will spend Christmas Eve with Ginger and her clients at what they call "Christmas Camp" at the Shilo Inn in Salem. Joyce will help with craft and I'll hang around in the hot tub. I'll tell you more about Christmas Camp in my next blog. Speaking of which... I don't when that will be posted. We are going to Grants Pass after church Sunday. I have to find out why we don't have any water. There are a few things I can try, then I'll call a pump man if necessary. I think we'll be there until Wednesday or Thursday. I don't have internet connection at our GP home now so I'll have to find a WiFi spot to even check my email. Oh yes, and to blog, of course!
So... Joyce and I wish you the best of Christmases. Have a really great day. And don't forget the reason we even have a Christmas is that there was a Christ. So include him. Thanks. Merry Christmas.
Thursday evening, Joyce and I went out to Kay and Fran's house for dinner. We have been there before and she is a good cook. And she made cherry pie! Ummm. Good. Friday was my birthday and Joyce said I could do whatever I wanted!!! So we drove to Independence and Dallas (about 40 miles away) to look at some duplexes for sale (look from the outside). The area is fine, but the houses weren't. My niece, Kandy, lives in Dallas so we called her and had lunch together. Nice day, but it wasn't over.
That evening was the annual Church Christmas Party. We expected about 35 and close to 45 came. It was one of those gift exchange parties where everyone draws a number to determine in which order they get to choose a gift. Number one goes first, number two gets to take number one's gift or get his own from under the tree. Number three gets to choose from either one or two's gift or from the tree. Etc. It gets interesting when there are a bunch of people with gifts. The person whose number is up, takes a gift from someone, then that person takes a gift from someone else, who takes a gift from someone, etc. There is a 20-second time limit on this. The person left without a gift goes to the tree. Anyway, it's a lot of fun. Joyce brought out a Birthday Pie for me (cherry, of course) -- covered with candles. Looked like a bonfire.
Saturday Shanette graduated from George Fox University. Shanette is our co-pastor's wife and she is also our Associate Pastor, if you don't recognize her name. So we went to the graduation in Newberg -- about 70 miles away. It was interesting and not very long since it was the December graduation. After, we were supposed to go for dinner at Trevor's mom's house. But Ginger wasn't feeling well so went to check on her. She is fine but we went out and did some grocery shopping for her and brought home Chinese for dinner.
All three of preached Sunday. Trevor spoke about Joseph, Shanette talked about Mary, I presented Jesus and that led into Communion. I think it was a good day. This coming Sunday I preach using the Wise Men (or Magi) as my theme.
We will spend Christmas Eve with Ginger and her clients at what they call "Christmas Camp" at the Shilo Inn in Salem. Joyce will help with craft and I'll hang around in the hot tub. I'll tell you more about Christmas Camp in my next blog. Speaking of which... I don't when that will be posted. We are going to Grants Pass after church Sunday. I have to find out why we don't have any water. There are a few things I can try, then I'll call a pump man if necessary. I think we'll be there until Wednesday or Thursday. I don't have internet connection at our GP home now so I'll have to find a WiFi spot to even check my email. Oh yes, and to blog, of course!
So... Joyce and I wish you the best of Christmases. Have a really great day. And don't forget the reason we even have a Christmas is that there was a Christ. So include him. Thanks. Merry Christmas.
Monday, December 14, 2009
LA For A Weekend
I feel like some kind of jet setter or something: "Hey, let's fly to Los Angeles for the weekend." "Okay, let's go." Well, that's us. Sorta. The trip to LA was planned a couple months ago and the only way we could do this was because Allegiant Airlines has cheap (really cheap!) prices from Medford to LA. Oh… and back to Medford also -- that's somewhat important. The reason for all of this is that Josiah was in a community production of the Wizard of Oz. He was one of 3 guys in the Lollipop Guild in Munchkinland. He didn’t have a speaking part but grandpa and grandma just had to see his debut as an actor. He did very well and the whole production was great. The weather was rainy and cold (by southern California standards) but the weekend was terrific.
Ginger drove down to Lebanon Thursday and we all went on down to Grants Pass. Friday we drove to Medford, caught the plane and two hours later we were with Josiah and Lilly. Today (Monday) we flew back and drove back to Lebanon. But a lot happened during that time. I have pictures of the family but perhaps I should have a picture of the lack of water we had at our house in Grants Pass. We have had real cold weather – 9* in Lebanon, 15* in Grants Pass. I don’t know if our system froze up or what. We stopped today to check – it has warmed up to the low 40s. Still no water. So we locked the house and left. Deal with it later.
Friday with no water (we bummed a couple buckets full from the neighbor to wash up and flush the toilet) I went to McDonalds for coffee and a McMuffin. While I was eating, it started to rain. Remember, the temperature is about 20* -- that means freezing rain – on the roads – slick – we’re supposed to drive to Medford in an hour. So we left immediately. We made it okay but learned that later it was really bad with lots of accidents.
In LA, it was a whirlwind of activity. Jana had our time planned perfectly. We saw Josiah’s play Saturday afternoon. The brag pictures are below. Ginger and I took Lilly to see “The Princess and the Frog” because she likes princesses. Bad idea. Actually, she enjoyed it. But it is very heavy into voodoo and spells and magic charms, etc. All of that went right by her fortunately.
We celebrated Ginger’s and my birthdays. We celebrated Christmas. We went out to eat all the time (except for two meals). We attended church. Lilly attended a birthday party. We all shopped. And of course the play. All of that in 2 ½ days. It was great.
Now for the week ahead. Enjoy the pictures.
Our LA family!
For the last two years Joyce and I have given gifts in the names of Josiah and Lilly. Last year it was goats and rabbits to help the underprivileged in Kenya. This year we gave 2 dozen chickens to families in Cambodia. We did this through Samaritian's Purse. I wrote a story about some children in those countries receiving the gifts and what it means to them. I print it as a simple book, with pictures, a map, and a picture of the national flag. Here Josiah is reading the story while Lilly is playing with a toy chick -- something to help them remember. The purpose is to help them become aware of needs in other parts of the world.
Ginger drove down to Lebanon Thursday and we all went on down to Grants Pass. Friday we drove to Medford, caught the plane and two hours later we were with Josiah and Lilly. Today (Monday) we flew back and drove back to Lebanon. But a lot happened during that time. I have pictures of the family but perhaps I should have a picture of the lack of water we had at our house in Grants Pass. We have had real cold weather – 9* in Lebanon, 15* in Grants Pass. I don’t know if our system froze up or what. We stopped today to check – it has warmed up to the low 40s. Still no water. So we locked the house and left. Deal with it later.
Friday with no water (we bummed a couple buckets full from the neighbor to wash up and flush the toilet) I went to McDonalds for coffee and a McMuffin. While I was eating, it started to rain. Remember, the temperature is about 20* -- that means freezing rain – on the roads – slick – we’re supposed to drive to Medford in an hour. So we left immediately. We made it okay but learned that later it was really bad with lots of accidents.
In LA, it was a whirlwind of activity. Jana had our time planned perfectly. We saw Josiah’s play Saturday afternoon. The brag pictures are below. Ginger and I took Lilly to see “The Princess and the Frog” because she likes princesses. Bad idea. Actually, she enjoyed it. But it is very heavy into voodoo and spells and magic charms, etc. All of that went right by her fortunately.
We celebrated Ginger’s and my birthdays. We celebrated Christmas. We went out to eat all the time (except for two meals). We attended church. Lilly attended a birthday party. We all shopped. And of course the play. All of that in 2 ½ days. It was great.
Now for the week ahead. Enjoy the pictures.
In the top picture, Josiah is the one in the center in the red pants. The girl in back on the right is Dorothy. She has her arm around Toto. Kind of cute -- he was played by a small child. In the bottom picture, Josiah is on the end in the front row. This was a cast picture.
Our LA family!
Ginger and Lilly
Monday, December 07, 2009
Party Animals
Just a short blog to brag about the Oregon Ducks winning the Civil War over Oregon State. Oregon goes to the Rose Bowl to beat up on Ohio, January 1. Joyce and I went to the Pastor's Christmas party Friday evening sponsored by the Oregon Conference. It was really very good -- good food, good atmosphere. We stayed all night at Ginger's, did some work on her house, then went to her office party Saturday evening. We're really party animals, we are. Especially if we can be home by 9:00!!!
Of course, lots of church work last week. Shanette preached Sunday and did a great job. Her task was to focus on the shepherds and she handled it well. This coming week we get to go to LA for a few days. More about that in the next blog -- which might not post until Tuesday.
Short. Sweet. So have a sweet week.
Of course, lots of church work last week. Shanette preached Sunday and did a great job. Her task was to focus on the shepherds and she handled it well. This coming week we get to go to LA for a few days. More about that in the next blog -- which might not post until Tuesday.
Short. Sweet. So have a sweet week.
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