Wednesday, January 25, 2012

On the Road Again

Since our departure from Lake Havasu City, we have been visiting family and friends.  Our first stop was my mother and sister's family in Pinon Hills, CA.  It was good being able to spend time with mom and to help out around the house.  Of course, I just can't sit still.  My sister asked me to install some shades in the living room.  While this may sound like a simple task it was anything but simple.  Her windows are not really designed to accept pull-down shades.  Drapes are what is normally used for these type of windows.  So after giving it some thought, I installed a shelf between the top half-round window and the lower rectangular window, then attached the shade to the underside of the shelf.  It looks pretty good.  I also did the same to mom's room and we used room darkening shades...now she can sleep past sunrise.

On Sunday we went to Grace Community Church and saw many friends that we have not seen in a few years.  After the service I saw a young mother with her two small children walk past.  She looked very familiar but I couldn't quite place her.  then she walked past a second time and I realized that she looked like the young Dickson girl, Lynn.  She would have been 10 when we saw here last, but she looked just like her mother.  We were very good friends with her parents at the church we attended from 1983 to 1986 and we haven't seen any of them since.  I knew that her parents, Norm and Carol, became missionaries with AWANA in Scotland.  But much to my surprise there they all were just 20 feet from us.  I grabbed Dayle by the wrist and pulled her along...my apologies to whomever Dayle was talking to at the time.
The Dickson Family


After church we hooked up with Brian and Christine Rush and together we went to Chili's for lunch.


We also had a great time with my niece and nephew.  We played a lot of hide-and-seek and Dayle played a lot on the trampoline and the skateboard with Madison, our 10 year old niece.

We departed My sister's house on the 16th and headed to our dear friends Jon and Judy Cunningham in Oakhurst, CA.  They live 14 miles from the south entrance on Yosemite.  We didn't go to Yosemite but it sure is pretty where they live.  We also went to see our long time friends, Bob and Beth Clark who live on the opposite end of Oakhurst.  We met the Clarks in 1974 at the very first church that we ever went to.  It was good to catch up and to see how the Lord has been working in every one's life.

Then on Wednesday the 18th we arrived at Stephen and Neeley's house in Rancho Cordova, CA and down came the rains.  I mention the rains because when I went into the 5th wheel after the rains I discovered water.  It wasn't much water but just enough to let me know that the slide-out seals need to be replaced.  I suppose the intense dry heat of the Arizona desert wasn't too good for the rubber seals.  So off to the RV store and a couple of hours of work and all the seals are replaced. 

It has been raining pretty much constantly since we arrived.  However yesterday, Tuesday, the rain stopped and it gave me a chance to get out on the bicycle for a wonderful 23 mile ride on the
American River trail.

We plan on leaving Rancho Cordova next Wednesday or Thursday and heading into Klamath Falls to visit more friends and to get stuff from our storage unit.



We are still awaiting for our next assignment.  But in the meantime we are enjoying our family and friends and still praying for additional financial support.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

We're Gone!

This past Sunday Bethany Bible Church's new pastor, Dennis McBride, delivered his first sermon as Pastor Dennis.  The beginning of the service we had our "change of command."  The local paper printed a press release announcing the new pastor and three people came because of that ad all of whom said that they plan to return.  Attendance was 50 people in the morning and 35 in the evening. Compared to a low of 11 when we first arrived last April, that was a huge increase.  How very exciting for the church.  After the service they had a "hail and farewell" dinner for us and the McBrides.

The church Deacons praying for Pastor Dennis and his wife, Lynda
The Cake  ...very yummy too!

Look at all the people!


Then Monday morning, we packed up and departed Arizona.  We were asked to stay for a couple of weeks, but I have learned that it is never good for the ex-pastor to stay in the church.  Even though I was the pastor for only 9 months I knew that the only way for the people to bond with their new pastor and leadership is for the previous pastor to get out of the way.  So, we did.  But we sure love Lake Havasu City and who knows, we may even settle there some day.

Our dear friends and one of the most hospitable couple's we have ever met.
We will miss them greatly!  And so will our dogs.
So, right now we are with my sister and family and my mom. Mom has been having some problem with her vision so we went to the eye doctor today for an eye examination.  She has cataracts in both eyes.  A surgery consultation is scheduled for the end of the month.  She is not happy about this.  Please keep her in your prayers especially for her salvation.

We will be in Southern California until Monday (1/16) and will then head up to Stephen and Neeley in Rancho Cordova.

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

We're Done!

This past Sunday I preached my last message.  On Monday I cleaned out the pastor's office.  What a wonderful feeling to have set out to "work myself out of a job" and have accomplished that goal.  The new pastor arrives this evening. Today a bunch of us are going over to the house that the new pastor has rented to insure that it is ready for their arrival.  Tomorrow morning we will unload their truck and move them in. 

There is a real sense of hope and excitement in the air as the church is looking forward.  We too are very excited for Bethany Bible Church and we are excited about what the Lord has in store for us next.  This next Sunday with be Pastor Dennis McBride's first Sunday.  The Church is going to have a "Hail and Farewell" dinner for us and the McBrides after the morning service.

Right now we are staying in Stan and Stephanie Broder's 5th wheel trailer.  We left our trailer at my brother-in-law and sister's house in Pinon Hills when we went to visit with them for Christmas.  We had to move out of the RV Park to make way for new renters.  So since we needed a place to stay at my sister's house, we took our trailer.  We will be returning to my sister's house on the 8th or 9th and will stay with them for about a week.  Then up to Neeley in Rancho Cordova (Sacramento area).  We plan on being back in Klamath Falls toward the end of January.  We should be in southern Oregon for about a week (+ or - a few days) to visit Annie, Mel and the kids and take care of personal business in KFalls, then up to Port Angeles to be with Jason and Shelli and the kids.

We have not received a new assignement yet but  we are sure that will come soon. 

Please continue to pray for Bethany Bible Church.  Please continue to pray for us as we are still in need of financial support; and pray for safety as we travel, and for our next assignment.