Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. Habakkuk 3:17-18
This past Sunday we had a wonderful morning worship service in our church. Even though our pastor did not preach, the Spirit of the Lord was definitely in the sanctuary. Of course the service contained worship songs, but there were many other facets to the worship time. A baby dedication took place as we witnessed a couple dedicating their two daughters to the Lord. The grandparents are in Paul's Sunday School class, and they were so excited and happy for this event in the life of their family.
The church brought in a number of new members. It was especially moving because one of those who became a member was born into an atheist family. The Lord certainly has moved in both her and her husband's life. They are a young couple, and I'm sure the Lord is going to use them mightily in the years to come. Along with the baby dedication and the induction of new members, there was also a baptismal service. Some younger children were baptized followed by two men who were probably in their 30s. To hear the testimony of these two men was extremely moving. The Lord has worked in their lives in a marvelous way. The verses that were shared by one of the young men is the passage that is quoted above. It just thrilled our hearts to see these younger people taking these giant steps in their Christian faith. The service concluded with communion which is always a very sacred time.
May we continue to see young people making a strong commitment for the Lord and growing in their Christian faith.
Blessings and Encouragement,
Paul, Gail, Patsy and Penny
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Friday, February 20, 2015
NEXT GENERATION
And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father Amaziah did.
2 Chronicles 26:4
The above verse tells of the influence of a parent on the next generation. We influence our children in many ways whether for good or not so good. Many times they are influenced more by what we do than by what we say. Little did we know that our daughter, Christiane, had such an interest in pursuing art as a hobby. Of course, her mother has been knee deep in the art world for many years. In the past few years Christiane has picked up a brush and begun putting oils to canvas. Her style is totally different than Gail's, but it has a uniqueness of its own.
This past weekend the two of them decided to do some painting together. Paul put together four large panels for her to paint on as she likes to paint big. She flew in Saturday morning and by mid-Saturday afternoon they were beginning to do their thing. They spent the rest of Saturday, all day Monday and most of Tuesday painting together. Obviously this was a great mother-daughter time as they painted and chatted the whole time. This also gave Gail an opportunity to share some of the tricks of the trade with Christiane, which she made their time together very valuable and meaningful. By the end of the day on Tuesday Christiane had completed a painting that was 76" x 80".
Doing things together, such as creating with mother and daughter, will foster memories that will last a lifetime. They can't wait for the next opportunity to paint together.
Blessings and Encouragement,
Paul, Gail, Patsy and Penny
2 Chronicles 26:4
The above verse tells of the influence of a parent on the next generation. We influence our children in many ways whether for good or not so good. Many times they are influenced more by what we do than by what we say. Little did we know that our daughter, Christiane, had such an interest in pursuing art as a hobby. Of course, her mother has been knee deep in the art world for many years. In the past few years Christiane has picked up a brush and begun putting oils to canvas. Her style is totally different than Gail's, but it has a uniqueness of its own.
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| Christiane is ready to paint. |
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| Christiane just beginning her creation. |
Blessings and Encouragement,
Paul, Gail, Patsy and Penny
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
SNOW ANGEL
He hurls down his hail like pebbles. Who can withstand his icy blast? Psalm 147:17
Life certainly has a way of bringing twists and turns into your everyday activities. Things were going along quite well last week when Paul walked into the high school office of Lenawee Christian School and was informed that he had been "challenged". Apparently Donna Baker has challenged Paul to make a snow angel or pay money to the scholarship fund. However, it wasn't that easy. The snow angel was to be made in shorts, T-shirt and flip flops. The immediate reaction was that a person of Paul's age should not be flopping around in the snow with such light apparel. Just pay the money and eliminate the possibility of catching pneumonia was his conclusion.
When Paul got home, he told Gail about the challenge, she immediately responded, "You can do it." That was easy for her to say as she didn't have to get in the snow. After being challenged by both Donna and Gail, what was a man to do but go for it. So on Friday morning, Paul found a pair of shorts, grabbed a special T-shirt from his principal days,dug out a pair of flip flops, and equipped Gail with a camera. Before he made the plunge he challenged others to do the same. Then it was snow angel time. Once the snow angel was completed, it was off to a nice warm shower. Fortunately, as of this blog, there has been no adverse health issues from this dive into the cold.
However, Paul received a call from his brother, Vic, in Tennessee indicating what he saw on Facebook confirmed what he knew all along. It might have something to do with a frozen brain.
There are challenges in life (maybe not always snow angels), but through God we can do all things.
I can do everything through Him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13
Blessings and Encouragement,
Paul, Gail, Patsy and Penny
Life certainly has a way of bringing twists and turns into your everyday activities. Things were going along quite well last week when Paul walked into the high school office of Lenawee Christian School and was informed that he had been "challenged". Apparently Donna Baker has challenged Paul to make a snow angel or pay money to the scholarship fund. However, it wasn't that easy. The snow angel was to be made in shorts, T-shirt and flip flops. The immediate reaction was that a person of Paul's age should not be flopping around in the snow with such light apparel. Just pay the money and eliminate the possibility of catching pneumonia was his conclusion.
When Paul got home, he told Gail about the challenge, she immediately responded, "You can do it." That was easy for her to say as she didn't have to get in the snow. After being challenged by both Donna and Gail, what was a man to do but go for it. So on Friday morning, Paul found a pair of shorts, grabbed a special T-shirt from his principal days,dug out a pair of flip flops, and equipped Gail with a camera. Before he made the plunge he challenged others to do the same. Then it was snow angel time. Once the snow angel was completed, it was off to a nice warm shower. Fortunately, as of this blog, there has been no adverse health issues from this dive into the cold.
However, Paul received a call from his brother, Vic, in Tennessee indicating what he saw on Facebook confirmed what he knew all along. It might have something to do with a frozen brain.
There are challenges in life (maybe not always snow angels), but through God we can do all things.
I can do everything through Him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13
Blessings and Encouragement,
Paul, Gail, Patsy and Penny
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
WONDERFUL NEIGHBORS
Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet; they shall be as white as snow; though they be like crimson, they shall be as wool. Isaiah 1:18
Early Sunday morning the snow began to fall creating a mantle of white as far as the eye could see. It continued to snow throughout the day on Sunday, and it didn't subside until early Monday morning. We discussed the reality of having to shovel the snow and thought it best to do it in stages since the weather forecast predicted at least a foot of snow. Since church was canceled, we got out around 10:00 a.m. and started shoveling before it got too deep. We cleared the side walk and the front of the garage when our neighbor, Bruce Worlock, came over and offered his snow blower. WOW!!! That would sure make life a lot easier since his snow blower can move the snow at least 10 times as fast as both of us shoveling. In just a few minutes, our driveway was clear for the time being.
We went in to get warm and have a wonderful Sunday dinner of pork chops and mashed potatoes and all the trimmings. After watching the U of M and MSU basketball game and taking a little snooze, Paul decided he better get out and do some more shoveling. At least five inches of snow had already accumulated. Paul cleared the sidewalk and was working on shoveling the patios when another neighbor, Joel Case, brought his tractor with a front end loader and blade on the back. He offered to clear our drive as he saw Paul struggling to clear the walk. In just minutes, he had the entire drive cleared.
The snow continued to fall until early Monday morning so that meant more snow to shovel in the morning. However, we received a call from our neighbors right across the street, Rich and Alice McAfee, offering their snow blower. So Monday morning Paul borrowed their snow blower and was able to clear the driveway in short order. Because of these three neighbors our backs are no where near as sore as they could be.
In the past few months, we have contemplated moving, but we are surrounded by such great neighbors that we have second thoughts about making this transition to another home. We are very thankful for the wonderful neighbors we are blessed to have. Gail plans on making some of her special rolls to say "thanks".
Blessings and Encouragement,
Paul, Gail, Patsy and Penny
P.S. Belive it or not, this is blog number 150.
Early Sunday morning the snow began to fall creating a mantle of white as far as the eye could see. It continued to snow throughout the day on Sunday, and it didn't subside until early Monday morning. We discussed the reality of having to shovel the snow and thought it best to do it in stages since the weather forecast predicted at least a foot of snow. Since church was canceled, we got out around 10:00 a.m. and started shoveling before it got too deep. We cleared the side walk and the front of the garage when our neighbor, Bruce Worlock, came over and offered his snow blower. WOW!!! That would sure make life a lot easier since his snow blower can move the snow at least 10 times as fast as both of us shoveling. In just a few minutes, our driveway was clear for the time being.
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| Paul shoveling the walk after the snow storm of 12". |
We went in to get warm and have a wonderful Sunday dinner of pork chops and mashed potatoes and all the trimmings. After watching the U of M and MSU basketball game and taking a little snooze, Paul decided he better get out and do some more shoveling. At least five inches of snow had already accumulated. Paul cleared the sidewalk and was working on shoveling the patios when another neighbor, Joel Case, brought his tractor with a front end loader and blade on the back. He offered to clear our drive as he saw Paul struggling to clear the walk. In just minutes, he had the entire drive cleared.
 |
| What a beautiful snow!! |
The snow continued to fall until early Monday morning so that meant more snow to shovel in the morning. However, we received a call from our neighbors right across the street, Rich and Alice McAfee, offering their snow blower. So Monday morning Paul borrowed their snow blower and was able to clear the driveway in short order. Because of these three neighbors our backs are no where near as sore as they could be.
 |
| Neighbor Rich McAfee clearing his driveway with his snow blower. |
In the past few months, we have contemplated moving, but we are surrounded by such great neighbors that we have second thoughts about making this transition to another home. We are very thankful for the wonderful neighbors we are blessed to have. Gail plans on making some of her special rolls to say "thanks".
Blessings and Encouragement,
Paul, Gail, Patsy and Penny
P.S. Belive it or not, this is blog number 150.
NUMBER OUR DAYS
So teach us to number our days,
that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
Psalm
90:12
It’s
hard to believe that the year just started but January is almost over. At our age the years seem to fly by faster
and faster. Another thing we have noticed is that we don’t have the energy we
used to have which makes it difficult to get as much accomplished as we would
like. As a result we don’t have the
productive hours that we had twenty years ago.
It seems like the day just begins and before you know it evening is
settling in. Therefore, we need wisdom from on High to use our time wisely and
to work wisely. We have been clinging to Psalm 90:12 to help us wisely number
our days.
We have
set several goals for 2015 and are eager to meet and exceed those goals. Gail
is in the process of creating a painting for the 2015 ArtPrize in Grand Rapids
as well as developing a body of work of her own creativity. This year’s
ArtPrize project will include many members of our family contributing to the
final art piece. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that the piece will be
accepted in the competition. We look at it as building memories with the
family.
Paul has
been busy caning a chair along with subbing at Lenawee Christian School.
However, his one big goal is to begin working on a book that captures the
history of Lenawee Christian School. He’s hoping to have the book completed in
time for the fortieth anniversary of the school in 2017. There will be many people to interview and
many pictures to pour over that will make the story of Lenawee Christian come
alive. He will be looking for anyone who might have special pictures that could
be included in the book.
We
encourage everyone to meditate on Psalm 90:12 and use it to help you wisely use
your days. Life is precious - - - - don’t waste it.
Blessings
and Encouragement,
Paul,
Gail, Patsy, and Penny
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