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

Monday, July 30, 2012

Finishing Well


This past weekend our appointees completed training and headed home continuing preparation for their respective assignments.  It was a tremendous blessing to get better acquainted with them to be more specific in our praying.  I always especially appreciate their testimonies as they relate how the Lord has worked and directed in their lives.

At the recommendation of Carol’s brother, I ordered a book Finishing Well to the Glory of God which arrived on Saturday.  I have to confess that I had a difficult time putting it down that evening.  The author who has practiced Internal Medicine for over 30 years, specializing in geriatrics, has some great insights that I am finding most helpful.  He writes that as patients come to him for a physical exam prior to retirement, he shares two rules for them:

1.        Wake up every morning knowing what you are going to do that day.
2.       Go to bed every night knowing that you helped someone.

He strongly recommends as they are coming down the home-stretch of life that they not focus upon their problems but rather the opportunities before them:

1.        Recognize your God-given value.
2.       Find purpose for each day.
3.       Cultivate and maintain deep friendships.
4.       Laugh a lot.
5.       Invest in your health.
6.       Avoid the things that rob quality from the older years.

As the author expanded upon those topics, I was pleased to find that I was doing well in some areas but in others I really needed to refocus.  It is not all that easy for an old dog to learn, but I was challenged and am working on some adjustments in my life to better assure my finishing well to HIS glory.

Later this week I plan to head for Alabama to attend Justin’s graduation from his month-long preparation for serving as a Dentist with the Air Force.   I will be meeting Sue, Laura and Ella at the airport, taking them with me for the event, and then heading for Shaw Air Force Base to help them settle in at their new location.  I am really looking forward to having them living closer by me!

Do pray both for their flights and our road travel.  The schedule will not be difficult if there are no delays causing them to miss a flight which we are well aware can happen.

Thanks so much for your prayers and for keeping in touch.  You are appreciated!

Love, Chuck

Friday, July 20, 2012

Dry Bones


At last I was able to download a photograph of new great grandson Judah with his father, Jeremy so if all works as planned…here it is.  It was very special to have some time with them and Julianna in Chicago. 

This has been a rather busy week at the office being the first week of SIMGo training sessions for appointees that will soon be heading out for assignments overseas.  We have had a few challenges with staff illnesses and one of our people injured in a traffic accident, so I have been filling in when I am able.  We have a delightful group so it certainly is a great joy to have the opportunity to be more involved with them.

Recently I have been reading Ezekiel and as I visualize these appointees heading out to their respective fields, I trust that there will be a parallel to Ezekiel chapter 37 where we read about the valley of Dry Bones and how the bones came together bone by bone with flesh appearing on them but; “…there was no breath in them.” (vs. 8)  However, when Ezekiel obeyed the Lord and prophesied to them, we read; “So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army.”  (vs. 10)   As I reflected upon what happened with Ezekiel, It is my prayer that as this group scatters throughout the world with the Good News of the Gospel; “dry bones” will respond and experience New Life invading their own lives receiving “breath” and joining the vast army of Believers.

I trust that you will enjoy a blessed and refreshing weekend.

Love, Chuck

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Special Trip

Thanks so much for your prayers as I covered the many miles this past week.  It was a tremendous blessing to spend time with Carol's siblings in Illinois (see picture), with Jeremy, Julianna and Judah in Chicago, and enjoy a few days at the lake with Karin, Keith, Calli and Gavin even was able to make it back on the weekend for a brief break from his summer campground ministry with his university group.  I was pleased that while covering nearly 2,000 miles with extra holiday traffic, I never saw a serious accident.  The temperature in Illinois and Indiana was very much on the high side pushing the needle around the 100 degree mark most days.  I have some cute pictures of great grandson Judah, but for some reason they do not want to download.  I will try to add one in the next blog.

During the week I finished reading the Proverbs and Ecclesiastes.  From Proverbs I was reminded the the importance of wisdom;  "Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life...If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer."  (9:11-12)  "People ruin their lives by their own folishness and then are angry at the LORD."  (19:3)  and as we think ahead to November;  "When there is moral rot within the nation, its government topples easily.  But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability."  (28:2) 

As I read about the meaningless of many of our activities in Ecclesiastes, I like the final thoughts from the teacher; "...Here now is my final conclusion:  Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone's duty.  God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad."  (12:13)

I appreciate each one of you!

Chuck

Tuesday, July 03, 2012

Praise The Lord

The BIG area storm Thursday also hit the lake with many trees down, building damaged, and thousands of power outages.  We were fortunate to only have the neighbor’s huge tree fall on our boatlift and boat as you can see.  We are still unable to assess the damage until we can get the tree off, but it is significant!  How thankful we are that other than many limbs to clean up in the yard, we had no more damage.  Internet was also down but things are now restored in this area.

I have been reflecting on Psalm 146 which reminded me of God’s trustworthiness.  The Psalmist reminds us “Don’t put your confidence in powerful people; there is no help there.  When they breathe their last they return to earth, and all their plans die with them.  But joyful are those who have the God of Israel as their helper, whose hope is in the LORD their God.”  (Vs. 3-5)  I like the powerful reminders that follow those verses reminding us that God made…, He keeps…, He gives…, He frees…, He opens…, He lifts up…, He loves…, He protects…, He cares…, He frustrates…, The LORD will reign forever…throughout the generations.  With all of those reminders, how can we but PRAISE THE LORD as we are reminded to do at the end of the Psalm?  Having doubts or feeling a bit down today?  Check out Psalm 146 and let your mind grasp those … (blanks) attributes of our God.

Later today I plan to drive to Illinois to spend some time with Carol’s siblings as they gather for the 4th.  It is always a great joy for me to be with them!

I am reminded that; “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”  (1 Corinthians 2:9)  Let us enjoy Him and what he has prepared for us today!

Love, Chuck