No matter where you go....there you are!

It is hard to believe that we have arrived in what could well be (probably is) our last appointment.  I'm not sure how I feel about that.  I'm not unhappy to be here in Syracuse--I'm just not sure what I expected our last official appointment to be--is this it (is this all there is--am I, have I missed something somewhere along the way?).  Again, it is not that I am unhappy with the position or the appointment.  I guess that I am just trying to adjust to this new reality.  "It is what it is."

Anyway, I have not done so well at this blogging thing but it just seemed appropriate to at least update it to my current circumstances.  So much has happened since word came about our move back to the east coast that I don't know where to begin. And I don't know if I want to even share the half of it.

I do not want to "re-live" some of it as it is too painful, however, I do want to testify to God's tender and providential care; even in the most seemingly insignificant detail God provided for my need and/or smoothed the way. He demonstrated the truth again and again: "His love has no limits/ His grace has no measure/ His power no boundary known unto men.  For out of His infinite riches in Jesus/ He giveth and giveth and giveth again."

So...finishing well.  Sadly, it is a statistical fact that many Christian leaders do not finish their calling well.  I do not want to be counted among that number.  I want to continue doing my best serving God through the Army.  I confess that starting this new appointment feels somewhat daunting.  I much prefer to be at that point where I know my people and fellow workers.  While I like change, I also like familiarity which is lost in the transition of change. But as we unpack boxes our quarters becomes our home and familiarity begins to seep back into my life bringing comfort, contentment and reminders of past joys, blessings, tears, sorrows, and the reminder of promises that will be fulfilled in future days

As we go through these next months of learning and visioning, I love how God blesses in and through this process.  This past weekend we attended Youth Councils.  What a blessing!

So here we are.  As Don is want to say at the end of meetings..."so let it be written, so let it be done!"

Life and Times

I am not doing so well with keeping up with this blog.  My apologies to anyone trying to follow it.  Since my last blog not much has happened.  My health seems to be okay, just waiting now for some results of tests but that may be a topic for another day.

We were in Roseburg this weekend visiting the corps and the officers.  What a beautiful state oregon is to drive in.  There are still bright and beautiful autumn colors on the trees that are breathtaking.  Although I think that what I appreciate most is the sky.  The cloud formations are beautiful.  We do get a lot of rain so that there tends to be a lot of clouds but what is neat is that you may have dark and rainy clouds and a break with bright sky and sun in the middle of them so that you get a beautiful canvas of greys and whites sometimes tinged with pink, red or yellow.  I have just started to take some "sky" photos and if I get some good ones I'll post them sometime.

The best thing in my life these days, however, is that I actually get to live near my daughter and her family.  Just to be able to "drop" by for a few minutes or to visit a bit is such a blessing.  And don't get me started on what it does to me to hear a little voice say with delight, "grandma"....... when he sees me coming--it just makes my day (and then some)!

No really good sky pictures but you get a glimpse of what I mean.  Oregon is a beautiful state.

What a difference a week makes!

This time last week I was in the hospital feeling very depressed and worried. I went to the doctor on the spur of the moment because of the way I had been feeling and he sent me by ambulance to the hospital because he was worried that I was about to have a heart attack. He didn't full around; I was on oxygen, taking both aspirin and nitroglycerin. Needless to say that the ride to the hospital was a bit scary!


This all happened on the first day of our Officer's Councils--what a way to start a week. Sean was up unloading their stuff into their house at camp (which is where Don was) so Sean took Don to pick up my van at the Doctors so that he could drive it to the hospital. It was a difficult night, not because I felt ill but because I kept contemplating the "what ifs." (I'll leave all of those thoughts for another day.) I am still in the process of "testing" to determine what my problem is. My heart seems to be strong and healthy; many of the tests confirm that. But whatever the results I know that I have a great support system to help see me through whatever.

Anyway, we have a wonderful staff here who are so supportive and helpful. I thank God that he has given us the privilege to serve here with them.

On the up side, Sean and Elissa are living here now--8 miles!!!away--and it is so good to be living near at least one of my kids and grandkids (actually, two of my kids counting Sean).

The Salvation Army is Marching Along

Coming home and jumping into work and ministry with both feet has been both exhausting and a blessing!  We come off from a weekend that is almost indescribable.  Being an officer in the Salvation Army I am humbled at the amount of trust and responsibility that has been given us.  First Joan Kroc whose long association with the Army led her to leave a large legacy to help bring hope to the less fortunate within our communities through the Army.

The soldiers and officers at Salem have been diligent and responsive to God and to community leaders and residence as plans for this center have developed.  God is now blessing their labors and the people of Salem.  I just pray that through all of this that individuals souls are won to the Kingdom.

Don and I had the privilege of being a part of helping to set the course of the center through the dedication ceremonies of the weekend.  Again, God's blessing fell when he gave all of the events perfect weather.

I am humbled in the presence of God's working out his purposes through people, circumstances, and structures.

A few pictures that I remembered to take (I missed a lot of good opportunites for great photos).

The Western Territorial Youth Band participated and presented

quality and contemporary music.

The media coverage was thorough and encouraging--even reporting favorably on the spiritual aspect

the facilities.

 

Sunday morning meetings were tremendous with about 365 or so in attendance.

The march over from the old facilities was inspiring!

God's Tender Care

I am truly blessed.  I have been grieving for the loss of my friend, Pat. I also had the privilege and responsibility of preaching her funeral message.  Afterwards I felt like a limp rag.  Somehow I managed to keep it together and headed for the airport and home.  I became aware of just how much I was in the tender care of God while on the plane ride home. 

Let me back up a bit so that I can give you the whole picture.  When I heard of Pat's death, Don and I were attending TEC, followed by the Cadet welcome weekend meetings, followed by DPC conference.  In making arrangements for all of these conferences and meetings, I had allowed for an extra day so that I could spend time with Pat.  Then came the call, I decided to remain in LA until the funeral, it was cheaper to change the return flight rather than flying home and then returning to LA.  I went on the computer to make the flight arrangements and looked for the cheapest flights.  I checked available seats and only two were left--both middle seats--I groaned and looked at the other available flights, but they were all more expensive so I just began booking the cheap flight.  In the process it prompts you to select a seat (I'm thinking--some choice) but when I clicked the icon the only seats available were in first class.  Surprised, I chose a seat and continued the process to see if the price had changed, it hadn't.

I thought no more about this until I got on the plane (comfortably seated and waited on) working to hold my emotions in check.  When my dinner came, on the tray was a Scripture verse on a little card.  It was then that I recognized the hand of God in my arrangements home.  What a comfort and peace came to my heart.  I love and serve a God who loves me and cares for me and in times of crisis or distress no detail is too small for his loving mercy and care.

“So don't worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.” Matthew 6:31-32 (NLT)

...Joy comes in the morning!

The Psalmist writes that "weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning" (Ps. 30:5). That is a promise that I claim.  I walked around the grounds of Crestmont last night and wept for the loss of a friend.  But in and through the sadness and tears came the knowledge and recognition of the comforting presence of the Spirit and the understanding that while I walk through this dark night of sadness, joy will come.  In fact it has never left, it is my strength and enables me to face the 'night' with courage.

How Do You Measure a Life

How do you measure a life? That's the question that has been going through my mind since I learned of the death of a dear friend. I have only known Pat for a few short years but I feel as if I have lost a friend that I have known all my life.

I met Pat when we came west to take up our appointment at Crestmont. She was the officer who volunteered to meet the new officers and make sure they got the keys to home, office, and vehicle. She did all that, and more. She was kind and helpful and easy company. I discovered in Pat someone who liked to be helpful, who liked to be needed.

Pat was also adventuresome. I had been talking to her about Maine and our family get togethers and was excited about getting together once again and invited her to join us on the spur of the moment. To my surprise she accepted the invitation. Pat joined our family (and extended family) in a small lodge on Sebago Lake. She "fit" right in and joined in the family "chaos" of games, meal preparations, chores, beach time and pudgie pies.

I often called Pat my 'good luck charm' because everytime I took her with me on a shopping trip I seemed to find just what I was looking for or better. The reality is that Pat was a blessed women. I discovered just how blessed during her time of transition into retirement. Pat, had wanted to buy a place of her own that had never been lived in. As we looked through a few places we came across one that she loved and wanted to buy. Unfortunately, her finances would not allow that at the time. But when retirement finally came she found a place that was almost an exact copy of the one she could not purchase earlier and it was also in the same neighborhood.

Pat was very much appreciated by the the foreman of the construction project at Crestmont. He had an appreciation for this woman who had dedicated her life to service in the Army. So much so that when she retired he made sure that all was well with her new home and even built her a small storage shed. God certainly blessed her during her transition into retirement.

In retirement, Pat was facing the ordeal of a recurrance cancer and was feeling somewhat sorrowful at the approaching battle. Perhaps the Lord chose to continue his providential care for her and bring her Home so that she need not face that battle but receive total healing and comfort in His eternal presence. I like to think so even though I an going to miss her like crazy.

Pat loved to collected pigs. While on vacation this summer I found a small glass pig--with wings--filled with flecks of gold in an art gallery on the Oregon coast. I bought it and intended to give it to Pat as a reminder that she is loved and that I am there for her if needed. Instead, it has become a precious reminder of my friend who is now living with the angels.

Pat, thanks for being my friend. I'm going to miss you.