Carol Wilson Update

Stage 4 Cancer brought many challenges--and also a host of loving and praying friends. Almost-daily postings to this site are to help my friends walk with me through this journey, and to express my gratitude to them and especially to God...On 7/8/08 Carol passed through that final curtain of death and is now healed. We thank God for her life and "arrival"! Chuck

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Happy New Year!


As I pulled into the garage at the lake house I noticed lovely Christmas wreathes around the coach lights, then what a surprise to walk into the house and find it all decorated for Christmas! Not having spent much time decorating at home, I was thrilled to be surrounded by decorations all around and even up the winding staircase. It will certainly add to the festivities when the family starts rolling in later today.

My trip went well with one fairly minor mishap, which could have been much worse! At about 6:30 AM as I crossed the NC/VA border, I caught a glimpse of a beautiful rack and nose of what must have been a large buck, running toward me from out of the darkness. I made a quick swerve to avoid hitting him but he was too fast for me and slammed into the side of my car, poking an antler through the back side of my wrap-around headlight, creasing the top of my fender and hood with his antlers, wiping out the side mirror and denting the rear fender. It was quite an impact, but I was thankful to have been able to keep the vehicle on the road without a major mishap. Hitting an animal that large head on could be a disaster! I'm not sure how large he actually was, but at least an eight point buck. I was thankful that it did not effect the handling of the vehicle, just a bit inconvenient with one headlight re-aimed down at the road and no mirror on the side. Fortunately I can get back to Charlotte to have the repairs done.

As I continue reading through Revelation, I am amazed at how stubborn me humans can be even when given life-saving opportunities from our most gracious God. Revelation 9:20 says; "But the people who did not die in these plagues still refused to repent of their evil deeds and turn to God." And that was after experiencing the many plagues as multitudes died before their very eyes! How thankful I am for Jesus miraculous birth into this world to provide love, joy, peace and everlasting life to all who believe upon Him. (John 3:16)

May you and yours enjoy a Blessed New Year!

Love to all,

Chuck

Monday, December 26, 2011

Don't be complacent

I trust that you all had a wonderful Christmas with family and friends. I was able to enjoy several Christmas programs and a lovely dinner with a couple and their family Christmas evening. Today friend Keith arrived with one of his co-workers and we completed removing track for the model railroad that he had built at his father's home by me. It is always sad to see old friends pulling up stakes (his father is the one who passed on last October) but it is exciting to see whom the Lord will put in his place.

As we wrap up the old year, I am also wrapping up reading through the Bible and have been thinking about the seven churches in Revelation 1-3. As I thought about the positive and negative aspects of each church, I tried to equate my life with each and found that there are times when I could fit into several of those negative slots...especially on certain days. I recognized how easy it is to fall into the position of the church at Ephesus as I read the complaint from the Lord: "You don't love me and each other as you did at first." I also found the words to the church at Laodicea to be a challenge to me: "You are neither hot nor cold." I know that there are days, maybe more than I realize, when I fall into the same categories. OUCH! I believe those are a couple of good areas for me to be working on in the new year...not allowing myself to become complacent!

I plan to leave for Indiana on Wednesday to spend the long New Years weekend with any family members that can make it. At last report I am anticipating that around 10 of us will be there. It does get more difficult as family members relocate at further distances. Pray for safe travels and blessed time as we catch up with each others lives.

A blessed New Year to each of you!

Love, Chuck

Sunday, December 18, 2011

The Joy of Christmas

I have been blessed by numerous Christmas programs this year that I am certain spoke to many hearts as they have mine. Today we focused on Jesus birth in both my class and the church service. We were reminded that Jesus was born in the place of God’s choice and the time of God’s choice but that the manger leads to the cross. Jesus said; “And I, the Son of Man, have come to seek and save those like him (Zacchaeus) who are lost.” (Luke 19:10) As I think about that as His primary purpose for coming, I am humbled at how easy it is to be out of step with His purpose and let such things as health, happiness, relationships, work and all sorts of issues come before the lost as I go through my day of activities. Not that those are wrong in themselves, but I find that it is far too easy to neglect making the main thing, the main thing in my daily routine. That is a good challenge for me to focus upon.

I will be here for Christmas but plan to head for the lake house in Indiana for New Years with other members of the family that can make it. As the family gets larger, it is more difficult for everyone to get free, but we have done quite a good job of getting together this year at various locations.

Hebrews 11 speaks about several men and women of great faith in the Scriptures introducing each one with “by faith.” After reading those accounts it naturally follows; “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crown of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.” (Hebrews 12:1-2a) What a joy to be celebrating the birth of that Jesus!

Have a blessed Christmas!

Love to you all,

Chuck

Monday, December 05, 2011

Reflecting

Reflecting on the past week and thinking about each of you that so faithfully keep in touch with me, I am reminded of the Apostle Paul’s words in Philippians 1:3; “Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy…”

I trust that each of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. I enjoyed a delightful Thanksgiving dinner with friend Keith’s family in Wake Forest and on Friday Keith and I went to DC to spend the weekend with daughter Lisa. We had a fun time doing some of the tourist things with Lisa and were able to visit the capitol through the new visitor’s center which has been under construction for a long time. The Washington monument is still closed due to the earthquake, so we were unable to take a ride to the top, but were able to visit many of the other monuments in the area. With all of the walking and fresh air, none of us had any problem sleeping at night.

This past week has been a bit of a challenge at the office. We have been having an excessive problem with computer programs and email. We were even without phones for several hours which made the week less productive that planned. Saturday was a beautiful day, so I was able to get things pretty much wrapped up for the winter with the exception of one or two more mowings. As I came around the house from working in the back, I was surprised to find my mailbox decorated with greens and two large red ribbons. My southern daughter Connie came by when I wasn’t looking and was the “Mailbox Elf”.

Yesterday I was invited to join friends to attend an afternoon presentation of The Messiah by the Charlotte Music Club. We thoroughly enjoyed the program and then attended my churches evening program and the tree lighting ceremony. The Christmas season is an exciting time with all of the beautiful music programs and the reminder of the amazing birth of our Lord and Savior some two thousand years ago!

Holidays can be a bit depressing after the loss of a spouse, but I am so thankful for friends and family that continue to pray and encourage me.

Love to you all,

Chuck