Back Home

I am back home after a wonderful time in the Bahamas with daughter Lisa and Carol's sister and her husband, Ruth and Paul. Our weather was perfect with temperatures in the 80's during the day and 70's at night. It was a treat to be together with family members and have time with friends there also. We enjoyed numerous times on the beach with the beautiful white sand and gorgeous blue water. With all of the good food there, I am finding that I need to do some extra exercising to remove the extra pounds that I accumulated.

We flew over to Eleuthera Island for a visit with some friends and to tour some of the island. Some of the beaches there have amazing pink sand while others have the usual bright white sand. It is the largest island among the 400 islands of the Bahamas and has plenty of area for expansion. There are many vacant lots in subdivisions just waiting for someone to construct their dream home. There is an interesting mix of people on the island coming from many parts of the world. We talked with one couple from Canada that have been spending the winter there for 30 years.

I am now busy in catch-up mode after returning. We are blessed with a group of twenty-two volunteers from Ohio that are doing many tasks here at the office. They have been coming to help out each winter for twenty-five years and every year complete a tremendous number of projects for us. Today they put on a beautiful lunch for the entire staff and will be returning home on Saturday.

Thanks so much for your prayers. You are appreciated.

Love, Chuck

Best laid plans...

You know the old saying; "The best laid plans..." Well, Sue did not make it here due to the severe snow conditions in the Cleveland area. She had to cool her heals in a motel until the storm subsided, and then it was too late to make the trip and get back home in time to return to work at the hospital. I was certainly disappointed that she could not make it but thankful that she safely got back home. I had set up times for her to get together with friends here so I proceeded with the plans and have been busy entertaining without the guest of honor being present. I considered calling things off, but realized that I had a lot of food that would not keep until my return.

Tomorrow I have an early flight to the Bahamas where I will meet up with daughter Lisa and Carol's sister Ruth and her husband Paul. Our weather has been so fantastic here this winter that leaving weather behind is not an issue, but it is always a delight to visit friends and family there. I am praying that our flights will be without incident and that we will not pick up any "bugs" while away. It seems that there is a lot of flu around right now so we can do without that.

I am always appreciative of your prayers and will get an update out as soon as possible. Sometimes it is a bit difficult to "connect" in the Bahamas which always reminds me of the big banner as I enter the Nassau terminal stating "It's better in the Bahamas."

Love to you all,

Chuck

Gratitude

As I have been reading the book of Numbers, I am amazed at all that Moses tolerated from the nation of Israel. There were some mighty painful consequences as God’s chosen people persisted in making wrong choices. I am always amazed at how what could have been an eleven-day journey ended up taking forty years, and they were not pleasant years as they continually complained about hardships. It seems to take no time at all after a miracle passes before they are grumbling and complaining without the least appreciation of God’s care and protection. This has been a special reminder to me to show gratitude for God’s provision and protection rather than focus upon trivial “bumps” along the road of life.

Speaking of hardships, daughter Sue and a friend of hers were on the road early today, planning to spend a few days with me in warmer weather. They encountered heavy snow in Ohio and were finally able to find an exit where they could rest and evaluate the situation. Indications are not favorable so they have taken a motel and will see what tomorrow morning looks like, but it is somewhat doubtful that the weather will be favorable. I sure am disappointed that they will not be here today but reminded to be thankful that they are safe in a motel as they wait out the storm.

I received good news from neighbor Ivan. His walnut size brain cancer has now been reduced to the size of a pea and we are all encouraged! He and the family are so thankful for this good news and your prayers, but he will continue to be monitored for any change.

On Thursday I plan to fly to the Bahamas, connecting with daughter Lisa there and visiting with Carol’s sister Ruth and her husband. Our weather has been unseasonably nice here but it is always enjoyable to spend time with family and friends there. We trust God for safe travel and good health. Thanks for your prayers too.

I trust that you will all have a blessed weekend.

Love,

Chuck

Thankful

After finishing the book of Exodus and moving into the book of Leviticus I am certainly glad to be living at this time in history. What an assortment of requirements from God! The Israelites were certainly far from perfect, but I am not sure that they were all that much different than we in the 21st century. They were quick to forget about God’s guidance, protection and blessing, finding it easy to complain and sin in a multitude of ways. After God gave the Ten Commandments followed by thunder, lightening and smoke billowing from the mountain, Moses assured them; “Don’t be afraid, for God has come in this way to test you, and so that your fear of him will keep you from sinning.” (Exodus 20:20)

It is great not to be living under the many laws of Exodus and Leviticus, knowing the grace of God, but I fear that it has become far too easy for us to be involved in sin because of our “familiarity” with God while lacking a full understanding of his holiness. For me, I feel that can stem from a lack of study/understanding of the Bible and a personal pride/selfishness that the Holy Spirit is not allowed to penetrate. I have appreciated the teaching of our pastor in the Gospels, and our Learning Group studies about the facets salvation. I find the two approaches making me far more sensitive to my own responses to situations and people around me, along with a greater sensitivity to the areas in my life that are not pleasing/glorifying the Lord. In short sin! Maybe is okay to have a healthy fear of God?

After three days short of a month, the repair of my car is complete. It is hard for me to imagine that the antlers of a large buck deer can lay up a vehicle for that long and cost over $6,000. I believe that we both got a headache from that encounter. That is the time when you really appreciate having insurance!

As we wrap up the week, I trust that you have been enjoying the many blessings of God and appreciating the finished work of Jesus on the cross, on our behalf.

Love to all,

Chuck