LIBRARIAN AND COOL WHIP

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
                                                                   Philippians 4:19

At lunch today Paul was sharing with Gail how God had met needs in many ways while he was employed at Lenawee Christian School. One of the situations involved the school librarian. In the winter of 2000, the Intermediate School District initiated talks with the Lenawee Christian School librarian in an attempt to have her become head of their media center. As plans progressed, they offered her a contract by March of that spring. To Paul's consternation they wanted her to start right away. This would mean that Lenawee Christian would be without the librarian for the rest of the school year so we needed to begin looking for one immediately. Interestingly enough, the day that Mrs. Marlatt told Paul that she was accepting the Intermediate School District's offer, Paul returned to his office and found an application from a lady who had just received her degree in library science. Paul didn't have to put out the word regarding the need for a librarian as Mrs. Dennis, the applicant, was a perfect fit for the school. In fact, she remained the librarian at Lenawee Christian until this June when she retired. It is amazing how God worked out all of the details of that transition, and Paul just stood back and watched God work.

Today we were preparing a meal for a family in our church who is struggling with some health issues. We had put together grilled chicken, potato salad, green beans, biscuits, and strawberries for strawberry shortcake. As were putting everything together, Paul thought it would be a good idea to have whipped topping for the shortcake. We knew we had used up the last of the whipped topping that was in the refrigerator, but Gail took a chance and looked in the freezer for a possible tub of Cool Whip. Amazingly, she found one that had never been opened, and on top of that it was sugar free which we never buy. What makes it so special is that one of the people who will be receiving this meal is a diabetic. Again, we just stood back and watched God work.

Can you think back over the past few years and recall how God has supplied your needs. and you just stood back and watched God work?

Blessings and Encouragement,

Paul, Gail, Patsy, and Penny

FATHER'S DAY

Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.
                                                                                                            Proverbs 17:6

This past Sunday we celebrated Father's Day by going on a picnic to Hidden Lake Gardens with our two pups. We enjoyed a delicious picnic lunch, a nice hike on the Sassafras Trail and took a drive throughout the gardens. The day was beautiful and the time together was so relaxing. When we arrived home, there was a message from Rebecca wishing Paul a happy Father's Day and later on he received a call from both Christiane and Roger doing the same. That was a great way to end Father's Day.

When this special day rolls around, Paul can't help but think of his father who passed away twenty-three years ago this month. His dad was not much of a talker, but when he talked you better listen. He was filled with wisdom and had great insight in situations. The talent he was most known for was his woodworking skills. In 1972 he helped us build our home south of Hudson when Paul was teaching at Hudson Area Schools. Then in 1988 we purchased some land in Adrian Township, and he helped us build that house where we currently live. It was incredible that at the age of 83 he was climbing around on scaffolding laying brick on the front of our house. Not only that, he made all of our kitchen cabinets out of the wood from an oak tree that was behind our home in Hudson. On top of all tha,t he helped design our home inside and out with Gail's assistance.

                               Paul's dad and brother taken in 1938

The most important quality that he possessed was his Godly example that he lived out before his family. It was obvious that he loved the Lord and his family very much. He also loved Gail as though she was his own daughter. It is a great blessing to have been part of such a godly heritage. We trust     that this godly heritage will be passed on to the next generation and the generations to follow.

Blessings and Encouragement,

Paul, Gail, Patsy, and Penny

A TASTE OF HEAVEN

Thou, even thou, art LORD alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with  all their hosts, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee.    KJV      Nehemiah 9:6

Even though spring got off to a slow start because of the extremely cold and snowy winter, we have seen some beautiful weather lately.  And the flowers have been gorgeous.  With the sun coming up earlier now, and the mornings so special with the clear skies and fresh air, who wouldn't want to get out and take a walk?  We put Patsy and Penny on their leashes and head down Amsler Drive to enjoy our morning walk.  We make one round with the pups and one round with just the two of us.  It is hard to focus on a deliberate walk with the girls in tow. 

On our way through our neighborhood, we go by the home of David and Cindy Mowrey, which is landscaped with gorgeous flowers, trees and shrubs.  They take meticulous care of their landscape to the point it almost makes pictures in Better Homes and Garden second rate.  As we kept walking by their home each day, Gail made the comment that she would love to do a pastel painting of their landscape.  She got permission, so this past Monday she grabbed her easel and pastels and off she went before 7:00 a.m. to begin painting so she could have the perfect morning light.  Needless to say she was excited.  She didn't finish the painting on Monday due to the change in light so she did the same thing on Tuesday. 

    Gail plein air painting the landscape of David and Cindy Mowrey's home. 

This time of year God's creation is just bursting with color with delightful fragrances drifting through the air.  We are so thankful that we were given the ability to see the many ranges of color that stimulate the eye.  This is indeed a blessing from God that we take for granted.  Enjoy the beauty that is all around you this spring and take time to thank God for His incredible creation.

Blessings and Encouragement,

Paul, Gail, Patsy and Penny

SCRIPTURE MEMORIZATION

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.              Psalm 119:11

For many years Gail has been memorizing scripture, and has encouraged others to do the same.  Now she and another lady are challenging our church congregation.  They are working with the pastor to come up with a plan along with incentives.  This program will be kicked off in the very near future.

You might be interested in knowing how Gail began this discipline. When our middle daughter Rebecca was working during her summer break for college, Gail would have to pick her up from work late at night after closing time. Her quiting time was unpredictable because she had to close and clean up. Many nights Gail had to wait in the car for a long period of time. Wondering what to do with herself, she decided to begin memorizing Scripture as there was a light shining in the car allowing her to see. Because of the amount of time, she was able to memorize the book of I John that summer. Through the years she has been able to memorize many other portions of Scripture.

There are verses that point to the importance of memorizing Scripture. We would like to share a couple of those verses with you.

Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword,
 piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

The past year or two Clara Stevens at Lenawee Medical had joined Gail in memorization. Clara turns 95 the end of June. Which proves you are never too old to memorize.

Would you be willing to memorize ten verses of Scripture over the summer?

Blessings and Encouragement,

Paul, Gail, Patsy and Penny