Trip Progressing

My trip is continuing to go well.  Unfortunately I was unable to spend time with Justin and family due to a flu bug that had attacked Laura and Ella.  I did not think it advisable to run the risk of taking the bug with me on the remainder of the trip so had to bypass them.

Presently I am enjoying a relaxing time at the lake.  It has been great to spend time with Karin but I missed Keith who is on a business trip in Italy so I will see him on the next trip.  Gavin and Calli came to the lake from college today to spend some time with me.  It was great to see them and hear about their classes and college life.

Tomorrow I will continue on to Chicago and have lunch with Justin, Julianna and Judah then spend the afternoon with them prior to continuing on to the motel for the night.  Monday I have some meetings at Moody and then will return to the lake that evening.  I  need to hurry back to Florida for Sue's arrival on Thursday.

Thanks so much for your prayers and encouragement as I travel.

Love to all,

Chuck

Pray

Our dear friend Stuart is returning home today from Duke after several very painful days of initial preparation for a stem cell transplant.  The doctors determined that his Multiple Myeloma is continuing to advance rapidly and that it is urgent to proceed with the next preparations rapidly.  After a week at home recuperating he will return to Duke for stem cell collections. 

The report from his visit at Duke is that "this has been a rough time with some 'atkypical' awful side effects."  Please pray for Stuart and his family.  This has to be extremely difficult for all of them as it is for us that watch from the sidelines.  It is so easy to want to ask why but I suspect that we should be more focused upon WHAT God is going to accomplish for His glory through this. 

I had a delightful brief visit from my dear friends from Charlotte as they returned home from a vacation on Marco Island.  It was a special time to catch up with them over lunch Saturday.

Later this week I plan to drive to Chicago for some meetings.  On the way I will spend time with grandson Justin and family in SC, spend a couple days in Charlotte helping a bit at the office and taking care of some miscellaneous items, spend the weekend with daughter Karin and family in IN and spend a bit of time with grandson Jeremy and family in IL.  Then I will hurry back to Florida to welcome daughter Sue who will be flying into Orlando to spend some time with me.  Due to the colder weather that is moving in, I suspect that this will be my last trip beyond the Carolinas until the temperatures warm up next year.  I will appreciate your prayers as I cover the many miles over a period of eight days.

This week I heard Chuck Swindoll make the statement:  "The person that knows how usually will be found working for the person that knows why."  I have found that an interesting thought to ponder since I heard him say it. 

Thanks for your love and prayers!

.Chuck

Truly Glad

I find it amazing how rapidly the days go by.  It seems like I sent a blog out just a few days ago and I see that it is more like two weeks ago.  I have a coworker from Charlotte staying here with me for a few days who will head back home tomorrow.  I always enjoy the visits!  I am also trying to get my mind around the accounting system here to be of help in that area.  I am amazed at how much is accomplished with a relatively small and extremely dedicated staff here.  It is a blessing to work with them and be a part of the village. 

I have found that my favorite location in the house is the porch.  I do as many things as possible there where I can watch the birds, alligators, beautiful cloud formations passing by, and outstanding sunsets.  I am pleased that I included that room in my construction plans.  Yesterday as I drove around the end of the lake returning home, I found a large alligator on the drive with several large birds encircling him.  I am not certain what was going on but wondered if he had just dined upon one of their friends?  I was amazed at how fast he moved when I got close to him.  Like a shot he dove into the lake!

Recently I finished reading the book of Hebrews and was again challenged by the responses of the men and women of faith in chapter 11 as they faced extremely difficult situations.  As I reflect upon my move here, I am reminded of my lack of faith at times when it seemed like an impossibility with the serious breathing issues and then an extremely painful back that I was dealing with.  I am embarrassed to say that there were times when I had great doubt that the move could ever be accomplished, and I don’t believe that it could have happened if I had insisted upon “calling all the shots” myself.  It was at those times that I relearned the necessity of committing the project to God and he did amazing things through circumstances and people.  Today I was reading 1 Peter 1:6 “So be truly glad.  There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while.”  I sure can relate to that even if my trials were minor compared to what the Jewish Christians were facing at that time.  Their intense persecution was something that most of us have not known but is being faced by many in other parts of the world today.  I wonder how well I will face that kind of persecution should we find ourselves in that situation? 

Do keep in touch.  I always look forward to you cards, emails, letters, phone calls and visits! 

Love to all,

Chuck

Blessed

While eating lunch today, I had a visitor stop by to check out my menu.  Our lone sand-hill crane stood at the porch window as long as I was eating.  He lost his mate to an alligator shortly before I arrived and often is seen with another crane couple.  Today he was alone and looking for some attention.  I told him that he would not like my lunch, but he continued to take great interest in it.  (Note his intent interest)

I have been blessed with several visitors recently.  Ruth and Paul visited from the Bahamas, Don came down from Charlotte to spend a weekend with me, Ralph and Carol came by having returned from Michigan, and Fred and Grace coming from Charlotte, joined me for church Sunday and for lunch.  It’s always fun to have visitors.

Don and I explored a bit of Highlands Hammock State Park and were pleased to find board walks through areas that are severely flooded.  Some of these walks were a bit narrow and required full attention to avoid going for a swim.  The scenery and wildlife were great!

This morning while reading Hebrews, I was reminded of the importance of maturity for the believer.  To gain that maturity it takes time (Hebrews 5:12), growing in the knowledge of the Word of God (vs. 13) and experience in using the Word to discern between right and wrong. (vs. 13-14)  I am certain that it is a continuous growing process until we pass through that final curtain of death.  I am so thankful for those in the past as well at those around me now that continue to challenge me in my maturing.

I suspect that in most areas of the country you are experiencing the beginning of the fall season as we are here in Florida.  I am sure that I will miss the beautiful coloring leaves here, but I can’t say that I am sad about missing those white flakes falling from the sky.

I am always thrilled to hear from each of you, so keep those lines of communication open!

Love to you all,

Chuck