Returned Home

What a wonderful time Lisa and I enjoyed in Nassau with Ruth and Paul! As the pictures reveal, we spent plenty of time on the fantastic beaches enjoying the crystal clear water and warm white sand. We even took time out to stop by Ben & Jerry's in the Atlantis village to enjoy a delicious treat as we admired the huge ships filling all available slips at the marina. I am sure that we all did well on vitamin D and exercise and in addition enjoyed wonderful food and fellowship with Paul, Ruth and friends on the island.

Today I am finding myself back to reality and the fact that this is preparation time for a colonoscopy tomorrow. Okay...I don't have to explain, but home right now is a far-cry of the oasis that we enjoyed in the Bahamas. An earlier test that I had prompted this one to find if something may be "going on" that we are not aware of. Do pray for the procedure and wisdom should something show up that needs attention.

I was thrilled with the spring-like weather that I returned to which gives hope that our real spring is not too far off. I was a bit shocked as I returned to see all of the weeds that suddenly appeared in my yard. A reminder that it is time to get busy outside.

As always, I so much appreciate your prayers and the frequent calls and emails.

Love to all,

Chuck

Enjoying Nassau

I have had a bit of trouble connecting to my interned accounts but seem to be on now. Unfortunately my email accounts are not accessible as yet but I will continue to try. Don't be surprised if you do not hear back from me until I return. My flight went well but Lisa was delayed six hours in Ft. Lauderdale due to equipment trouble, but arrived safely.

We are enjoying a wonderful time with Paul and Ruth keeping busy with hiking, visits to the beach and a delightful time of renewing friendships at church yesterday. Last evening we enjoyed dinner at Atlantis and a tour through the Digs looking at huge schools of fish and most unusual creatures of the sea. That is always an amazing tour. Atlantis is a huge up-scale complex of activities and housing located on Paradise Island.

Thanks for your prayers. Have a blessed day.

Love,

Chuck

It was a fun weekend spent in the Raleigh area with friend Keith as a group of us transformed the apartment which he will be moving into with new paint. It was a delight to spend time with his family and several friends and we were able to get the entire place painted on Saturday. I enjoyed getting to know some of the men that he works with and seeing the extensive properties that they manage. It gave me a new appreciation of working with tenants.

Next Saturday I will be meeting daughter Lisa in Nassau to enjoy some sun and fellowship with Ruth (Carol's sister) and Paul. It always is a delight to visit them in the place that boasts "It is better in the Bahamas" and after the winter that we have had, that weather sounds wonderful. Actually this week with temperatures around 70 here, I can't complain. But I am sure that winter is not past as yet.

Please join us in praying for safety and that our flights will be reasonably on time so that we connect at the Nassau airport as planned. If all goes as scheduled, we should arrive only a few minutes apart but coming from different parts of the country and on different airlines, anything is possible.

I trust that you have a wonderful week.

Love,

Chuck

Dehydration

Over the weekend I was reflecting on a reading in Indeed this past week and was reminded of the danger of dehydration, both physical and spiritual. The author said; "When God's people are dehydrated and grumpy about it, God rains grace on them anyway." It reminded me of my tendency to get grumpy and tired when working in the heat without adequate water. Also, I saw it effect Carol as the chemo infusions caused dehydration. I was especially reminded that we can also become dehydrated spiritually when we are not "drinking" from the Word of God. I find that to be true in my life when I get so busy that I don't feel I have time to keep up on my daily reading of The Word. I don't know about you, but it sure is easy to look to other people or things to meet the need at the moment.

As I read the strong statements that the Lord made about His people the Israelites, I could relate. In Jeremiah chapter 2 some verses especially spoke to me on this subject of leaving the "water" to trust in all sorts of other false promises such as entertainment, material prosperity, transient relationships and recreational pursuits. The Lord summed up his case against the Israelites in Jeremiah 2:13:

"For my people have done two evil things; They have forsaken me -- the fountain of living water. And they have dug for themselves cracked cisterns that can hold no water at all." A good reminder to me to go to the "Water of Life" in every situation.

For those of you who knew Jimmie Sue Cole, please pray for Frank and the family as we celebrate her life tomorrow. I can somewhat relate to the challenges Frank is facing.

I trust that your week is going well.

Love,

Chuck