Out With The Old, In With The New

I think most people are glad to see 2009 slip into history. For so many, it was an unsettling year with economic downturns, loss of loved ones, health problems, and an uncertain future. I don't discredit that at all. I certainly understand it and helped some people deal with it. However for Joyce and me, the year was pretty good. We began it with our kids and grandkids in LA and then moved to Catalina and made lots of new friends and memories. The year ended with us in Lebanon having more fun than two retired people should be allowed to have -- with a little work tucked in here and there. In between, we were actually at our legal residence in Grants Pass for awhile.

After our “out of the box” Christmas eve and day, Joyce and I had a very quiet New Year’s Eve. We watched the ball drop in New York City at midnight (realize that is 9:00 Oregon time). After that bit of celebration, we decided to really live on the edge of revelry. We dragged our air beds into the living room where the TV is so we could watch the ball drop again – at Oregon’s midnight. Well, we almost made it. I remember seeing it with one dreary eye and hearing some firecrackers go off in the neighborhood. Then it was morning. We really know how to party, yes we do.

I do have to ask for a moment of silence for the Ducks. We were all saying, “Go Ducks.” But they forgot they were supposed to go when the HAD the ball, not spend all their time going when they didn't have it. So they used most of the game playing catchup and not doing it very well. The eternal optimist says, “Next year in Pasadena.”

Trevor was scheduled to preach today. Last night at 9:45 I got a call that he was sick – really sick. Apparently not the Swine, but still very sick. Shanette wasn’t doing much better. So I dug out a sermon I had preached before, brushed the dust off, fixed it up for this church, and used it this morning. Trevor called this afternoon and is doing better. And such is the way we start the new year!

Joyce and I used our Christmas card to ask some people if they would like to be our prayer supporters. It occurred to us that we need prayer support the same as a missionary serving in another country. If you would like to be on our prayer support list, let me know. We will send a prayer letter (via email or snail mail) about once each month. One prayer request I will share with you right now is for a friend of ours named Rick. He and his wife and Joyce have been friends since high school. He became my friend when Joyce and I married. He is in poor health with a weak heart and various infections in his body. He knows Jesus. Pray for God’s healing and commit him to the Lord.

I trust 2010 will be a good year for you.