When a person thinks of Hawaii - immediately those beautiful descriptions come to mind. When Larry and I come to minister, we not only see the side of paradise, but we see a side that most tourists seldom see. It's a side of pain, poverty and hopelessness.
Aloha from Oahu, Hawaii! As they say in Hawaii, "It's another beautiful day here in Paradise." A balmy 82 degrees, birds singing, south trade winds, the fragrance of picture-perfect island flowers...ahh, it's good. We've been here for almost 2 weeks. Larry is finally on the mend after catching a "flight" bug. Now to get rid of the cough. I know Larry's okay when he wants ice cream again! We are being rejuvenated in all the beauty of God that surrounds us.
I could definitely describe the month of December as a kaleidoscope of love, joy, laughter, sadness, grief, mixed emotions and memories. Larry and I had so anticipated coming home to unwind and snuggle up in our home after a wonderful but challenge-filled year only to have our hopes and ideas altered by the homegoing of our dear sister-in-law, Connie Lundstrom, as well as several other funerals of close friends.
Merry Christmas and announcing Connie's passing.
Home sweet home...what a joy to be back in our own home again after a long year. The Sunday before Thanksgiving we ministered in Prescott Valley, Arizona with Pastor Dan and Nancy Crouch. We've known them for years and it was so nice to be back with them. It was our last service of the year. We had a small crowd, but a precious altar call. When I think of ending the year 2011 of our ministry tour that altar call is the one I want locked into my memory bank.
I wanted to share an article from our November newsletter as the Thanksgiving holiday fast approaches: "This Thanksgiving season I'm extremely grateful to be on the road again. I may be moving slightly slower than I like, but I'm gaining new strength every day.
Greetings from Boulder City, Nevada! What a majestic view of the mountains from where we have our motorhome parked at the edge of the church parking lot. We are only 7 miles from Hoover Dam. We have been parked here for nearly 2 weeks. Pastor Duane and Fran Jordan and their church have allowed us the privilege to park and rest for a week.
We held our third service of this tour in Laurel, MT on Oct. 16 which was our 46th wedding anniversary. What a thrilling way to celebrate...with the altar lined with many making commitments for Christ. Larry and I never tire of that precious sight. It was good to be back for the second time with Pastor John and Catherine Farnes at Family Christian Center. They have such a love for the lost and hurting.
Greetings from Belgrade, Montana! What a breathtaking view from the motorhome as we sit nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains frosted with snow.
But...this beauty does not compare to the scene at the altar last Sunday morning and evening at Dry Creek Bible Church outside of Bozeman, Montana.
On October 2nd, friends of the family helped Larry load the equipment and personal belongings into the motorhome and off we went. Cruising down Interstate 94, Larry turned to me and grinned, "Honey, this feels so good to be back on the road." Of course he received loving rebuke from me, his trenchmate. "You know the doctor's orders and the new rules and regulations for taking care of yourself...so we can stay out on the road...right?" He smiled and assured me, "yes".