Happy New Year

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.

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.

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.

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!

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 and Lilly

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.

How About A Photo Album?

Happy Thanksgiving (a little belated) and Happy Advent (today is the first Sunday thereof). Joyce and I drove to JoAnn's in Stayton for our dinner. Joyce cooked the turkey, we put it in a cooler (I guess, warmer, in this case) and it was great. She only lives about 40 minutes away. We left there early and drove to Betty's (my niece) in Creswell -- just south of Eugene. My sisters were there plus my nephew and wife. We visited for awhile, eat pie, and left for home.

It seems this was a busy week but we really didn't do much. I preached today because Trevor and Shanette were gone all week visiting family. But the Christmas season is here and I'm glad. I love it.

Oh, one other note of information. The Oregon Conference has rented the Allen Creek Church building to the Church of the Nazarene. In addition, the Rogue Valley Christian Deaf Fellowship is using it. 'Nough said on that subject.

Enjoy the pictures.

On the Girls Day Out in Redmond last fall -- Beth, JoAnn, Joyce

Last fall we had a bonfire and roasted hot dogs. Yes, the fire was hot!

The day I preached about taking off the access baggage so we can better run the race of life

My sister, Beth, feeding the ducks behind our house. They still come up looking for her.

Some of the people we packed into our house for the "Old Friends" potluck the last time we were in Grants Pass.

My two sisters and myself on Thanksgiving -- Doris and Beth

Our church Thanksgiving Tree. Written on the leaves are notes of things our people are thankful for. The tree is baren as I write this but tune in again the end of December to see what it will look like.

Rather Hum-drum

Honestly, I don't feel like blogging. This has been a good week but not much of interest to write about. Tuesday we -- the we being Trevor, Shanette, Joyce, and I -- spent all day at a pastor's conference in Salem. It was okay. We had our staff meeting on Thursday. We are trying to call it a Team Meeting but sometimes I forget. The last few weeks we have met in the Lebanon Coffee House. It is in the middle of downtown Lebanon -- the old part of town. It is actually an old hotel the owners are renovating and setting up for meeting rooms, etc. We are meeting there to try to have a more visible presence in the community. The picture above is taken there last Thursday. I don't think I have posted a picture of Trevor and Shanette so I thought I better take the opportunity to do it. This who we work with. They are great -- and a lot of fun.

The reason I don't feel like blogging is that the closing of the Grants Pass church is bothering me. I'll be okay but it is still hard to internalize. If I had left a small, dysfunctional church that would be different. But it wasn't. It was strong, financially stable, lots of good people, and ready to go to the next level. Not the zero level! Anyway, I'll be okay but it will take awhile and it is hard to keep upbeat.

I preached this morning. I love preaching and the people at this church, so it was easy to put all this other stuff aside and forget it for awhile. My sermon was on being grateful -- and as often happens, the preacher preaches to himself.

So have a good week. I intend to. Happy Thanksgiving.

Lots of Good Things; One Bad

This has been a fun week. So many blessings. So many good things. But I suppose we just as well begin with the bad. Let's get it out of the way and conclude with the good stuff. The bad: today was the last Sunday for Allen Creek Church! Their numbers had dwindled; their finances disappeared; so a couple weeks ago they voted to disband. Bummer. Well, worse than that but I don't use that kind of language. How do I feel about this? I am hurt, angry, and troubled. And we better leave it at that. However, on the positive side, there is a plan to replant the church. Time will tell if that really happens. There is also a possibility of keeping the church open with the remnant that is left plus others that will come back. I know a man who will go in and be the pastor. But there are a lot of details to work out and this might not be a realistic possibility. I know a lot of people who read this blog believe in prayer. Please pray.

Now let's focus on the good stuff. Wednesday we drove to Grants Pass stopping at the hospital in Eugene to visit a former Allen Creek lady who was having surgery. In Grants Pass we cleaned up the yard and took a trailer load of garden and yard debris to Jo-Gro. Friday evening we had a potluck dinner party with the "old gang" from Allen Creek. We crammed 18 people into our house. It was crowded but lots of fun. Many of us (them) had not seen one another for several years. The love flowed freely. Such good friends. We shared a lot through the years. Everyone wanted to get together again so maybe we'll meet in the spring. We returned to Lebanon Saturday.

Last night we set up the worship area with the tables for the Thanksgiving Dinner. Twelve round tables with 7 chairs each. Of course this meant that for worship this morning everyone sat around the tables. There were a lot of comments that we are pushing them out of their comfort zones (we are) but no one really complained. In fact a few people liked it. We noticed there was a lot more visiting before worship began.

Tonight was the potluck Thanksgiving Dinner. Great decorations with candles. Great food. We thought we had a good count on how many people were coming -- but they kept coming, and coming. We were set up for 84 and could crowd a few more chairs in. Well, we kept setting up more and more tables; card tables, old beat up tables, tables from I-don't-know-where. The final tally was 112 -- give or take a few. We did two things for entertainment or "program." One was to have each table find the best Thanksgiving story and then one person share that with the entire group. That was pretty good but a lot of people don't like to speak publicly. The other thing was loads of fun. We found a short play on the internet and did it. It was real simple; very few props. Funny. Basically, people were calling in to the radio program, "The Testimony Show." Except their "testimonies" were tales of illness and calamity. The host wept and hammed it up and had a hard time handling it. Finally someone called in and told what a real testimony was (that was me). It was simple and fun. The lady who played the host was really good -- really, really good.

So we came home a little while ago tired and worn out and happy (except for the ACNC thing). And so it goes.

We're Okay

I had a really good nap this afternoon. Probably won't sleep well tonight but the nap was great. This morning at church we had Katie Bartlett as our speaker. If you remember back 11 months, I mentioned one of our missionaries was killed in an auto accident in Malawi, Africa. Katie, his wife, has gone through a year of grief, soul searching, and wondering about the future. In the last couple months it has been confirmed to her that she should return to Malawi as a missionary. She will have a special ministry to wives. So we invited her to come to our church to tell what has been happening and what will happen. And to raise support. Really excellent presentation. You should meet her.

Tuesday evening was a special time. Ron in our church, invited me to go with him to a dinner and program for veterans presented by the 5th graders at a local school. It is a study project whereby the students interview local veterans, research the meaning of words, study subjects such as our flag, constitution, honor, citizenship, etc. Then they presented these things in a fast-paced program and dinner. The students take orders for drinks, serve the dinner, and in general wait on the veterans. It was a great evening but you could see how valuable it was as a teaching project. I'm sure the kids learned a lot.

The two big things this week were the funeral I mentioned in the last blog and a Conference board retreat. The funeral was Tuesday. It was big but very positive. In that respect, it was an easy service but a long day. The lady was a long-time member of this church and, in her younger years, a hard worker here.

The board retreat was Friday evening and Saturday morning. We had never before done anything like this. The Board of Ministerial Education and Guidance, the Ministry Resource Team, and the Leadership Council met together with the Bishop as our facilitator. It was a good chance for our three boards to interact, pray together, and listen to the bishop give us some direction to make our work more effective.

It rained yesterday -- it rained hard! Sort of rained on the UofO's big parade before the nation, too. It seems they are so good at doing well, getting the attention of the nation, getting a good BCS ranking, then blowing it the next week. If you like football, you know what I'm taking abut. If you don't, ignore this.

But be careful who you ignore. Recently I've heard of numerous situations where people felt they were ignored (i.e. not welcomed) in church, in a group setting, or with those who should have been friends. It doesn't take much effort to smile and say "hi."

:) Hi!