Pray for Phil

Since returning home, I have been quite occupied getting caught up at the house and at the office while trying to be of help to my neighbor Phil who is the father of friend Keith. While I was away, he failed to answer telephone calls from the family that lives about 3-hours away, and after a couple of days they had the police check on him. He was found to be ill and very weak but did not want to go to the doctor or hospital. After I returned, he agreed to let me take him for a check-up on Thursday. We found that his condition was quite serious. The family wanted him close to them so that they could better monitor his condition. So with the doctors’ approval, On Friday I drove him on what turned out to be a 4-hour trip due to heavy traffic, and we admitted him into a well respected hospital located near to the family. His condition continues to be quite uncertain and he is still in the ICU. Pray for wisdom for the medical team, for comfort and peace for Phil, and for the family that have to make many quick decisions that are way out of their comfort area.

This has certainly underscored to me the uncertainty of life at any age. As I have been reading the book of Micah this week a couple of verses stuck to my mind and continue to challenge me: “Oh people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8) It is a good reminder to me of the greater importance of my reflecting His character day by day over any activity that I may be involved in. As Micah talks about how miserable he feels, I like the confidence he expresses when he says; “As for me, I look to the LORD for help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me.” (Micah 7:7) Hour by hour we confidently wait, trusting God for His peace, guidance and mercy.

Thanks so much for your prayers. Do remember Phil and his family.

Love to you all,

Chuck

Excellent Trip

Glaciers are always exciting on these trips and Hubbard is outstanding. It stretches for about 76 miles with a 6-mile face that ranges from 300-300 feet in height. There is no way a picture can do justice. Unfortunately Sue did not have much time to watch the glacier calve because of an extremely sick patient. When we got back out into the ocean near a small village, the captain stopped the ship and we sent Sue and the patient on the tender to connect with an ambulance on shore that rushed her to a waiting plane and on to the hospital. I believe that this was the busiest trip that Sue ever had as nurse.

The weather was absolutely fantastic which is amazing, especially at this time of year. We saw numerous whales, several of them bubble feeding which is most interesting. On a side trip I watched a mother bear teaching her two cubs to fish in a small waterfall. She was an expert but they were slow learners. The sea otters are fun to watch and watching the huge Bald Headed Eagles is a real thrill. I was surprised to see the Time Bandit (Deadliest Catch) ship in port and walked out to get a few pictures and a closer look. To my surprise the father of the guys was on board and we had a good chat about the guys and the workings of the ship. During our stop in Victoria BC I visited the Butchart Gardens that are filled with an amazing variety of flowers throughout the huge rolling area. It is a splendid example of what can be done with the remains of a limestone quarry which supplied limestone for Mr. Butchart's portland cement plant many years ago.

We left the ship at Seattle early in the morning and were not scheduled to fly out until late at night, so we rented a car and saw many sights in and around the city starting with the Pike Market and ending at a park overlooking the city. Sue has a friend that now lives in Seattle, so she gave us a good itinerary that included lunch at a charming deli (picture) with all sorts of exotic possibilities.

Thanks for your prayers, emails and phone calls. You are each a blessing!

Love, Chuck

Trip going well

Our cruise to Alaska is going well but fast. I just realized that we are now about midway through the two-week period with many miles and sights behind us. Today was a full day in Anchorage and tonight we sail on to Homer for tomorrow and then to Kodiak before heading back down the coast. It has been delightful revisiting some of the communities again this year along with adding some new ones. We spent one day at Tracy Arm and I went to shore by tender to visit the little village of Hoonah which is not on the beaten path and very much unspoiled by tourist traffic. As always, the cruise line feeds us far too well, and I have to be extremely careful not to over indulge with all of the wonderful food that they provide. Someone has joked about the possibility of coming on as a passenger and leaving as freight. I am certain that most of us will depart with a few extra pounds. The weather has been extremely nice with temperatures in the low 50's and rain only while we have been sailing which is no problem. That is special for this time of year.

Thanks for your love and prayers!

Chuck