A Brief Interlude

Sitting on my daughter's balcony in Spielberg, Austria, I am thankful.
It's beautiful here, surrounded by mountains.
Sounds of rushing water from the stream running past the property on its way into the river,
Snow on the mountaintops in the distance,
Sun radiating through the white wispy clouds...
All make me think of how creative our God is.
A flock of birds pass over the tops of the tall pines.
A train rushes by.
The sun warms my face even as I sit bundled up in coat, vest and fur-lined boots.
The outdoors SHOUT of the glory of God.
How majestic and awesome He is!
Mama nurses the baby, grandson is at kindergarten and Papa is at work.
All is peaceful.
And in these few quiet moments I reflect on the goodness of our God.
Birds caw, a dog barks, a plane flys overhead... and I give thanks.

"I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart,

I will tell of all Thy wonders.

I will be glad and exult in Thee,

I will sing praise to Thy name, O Most High." 

Psalm 9:1-2

Retirement Isn’t for Wimps

What have I been up to since I retired in June?  Well, since you asked … So far it has been a mix of old and new experiences.

Here are some highlights.

In July we flew to Florida to meet up with our Pennsylvania kids and grandkids - Pete, Kristen, Taylor and Sydney.                                                                                            

We played, swam, learned new games, raced through Disney World, and spent time on the beach.  And yes, not to be outdone by a 10 and 11 year old, I braved the roller coasters!

Thanks to Pete and Kristen, we also began the celebration of our 40^th wedding anniversary with cake and family fun. 

During the summer we spent a couple weekends exploring some of the beautiful Kansas lake campgrounds in our pop-up camper.  Pete got me to get on a bicycle for the first time in years!  

                          

Then in September we hit the road for South Carolina to visit Pete’s Mom.

October 5^th was our actual anniversary date and we drove to Galveston, Texas. The beach is beautiful this time of year. We happened to be there during the Harvest Moon Regatta and the sailboats were beautiful as they passed by our beach. 

                                                         

In between trips I was privileged to teach 4 classes to a wonderful group of Bible study ladies (You know who you are!) Such a joy to prepare and teach twice on each topic, “Who is Jesus” and “The Resurrection – Truth or Hoax.” It was a delight to see good friends again and to open the Word together.    

I also spoke to a MOPS group about “Courage to Step Out and Follow God” and a MOMS group about “Leaving a Legacy.” Those who know me know how much I love to share God’s Word with others.

On a whim I started doing demo on our bathroom and the project grew a life of its own. We are now into full bath remodel mode. That is another story for another time. But it has been a huge learning curve for me – and FUN!  I may have found a new career!  Pete says he will hire me out!

Next week I leave for Austria to meet my newest grandchild, Annika Sophie, leaving Pete here to fend for himself. 

Then 2 weeks later Liz, Stefan, Annika and I will fly back to the USA leaving Markus to keep the home fires burning in Austria until he can join us at Christmas. Liz, Stefan and Annika will be with us for 6 year old Stefan’s first Thanksgiving in America and we look forward to spending these holidays together.  

Christmas we anticipate a full house so I am busy making preparations to have the gang all here to celebrate THE Best Gift ever given, “the Savior of the world.” (1 John 4:14)  

As you gather around your table this Thanksgiving, may you find your heart overflowing with gratitude to the ONE who blesses us continually from the goodness of  His heart.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow,

Praise Him all creatures here below

Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts

Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

Amen. 

Journey or Destination?

I caught just a snippet of a broadcast on my car radio. Admittedly, I did not hear the entire segment so perhaps the speaker gave some credible explanation, or perhaps I misunderstood. But what I heard was, “It’s about the journey not the destination.” 

Unfortunately, I am afraid, many people place far too little importance on the destination. Of course the journey is important. But even the most incredible journey ends in disappointment if you don’t arrive at your expected destination!  

Ultimately the destination is certain. To the one who believes in Him, Jesus said,

“In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so I would have told you; 

I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you I will come again and receive you unto myself that where I am there you may be also.” (John 14:2,3).

The Christian’s destination is Heaven (Mark 16:19, Acts 1:11).  

And Jesus is THE only way to get there. (John 14:6).

The journey may look different for each of us.

Along the way there are great joys and great sorrows,

Disappointments and delights,

Sickness and health,

Accomplishments and failures.

We can face the journey with faith or with doubt,

Courage or fear,

And at various times … degrees of each.

So while it is important that we journey in obedience and faith, loving God and each other,

The main thing is that we know where we are going,

How to get there,

And that we arrive at the intended destination!

Let's not get so caught up by the distractions along the way that we lose sight of what awaits us around the bend! We have a glorious hope and a future promised by the Creator of the universe Himself.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son,

that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God 

 so that you may know that you have eternal life.  1 John 5:13 

Do you know?