Wednesday 25 August 2010

A Child Prayer



Have you listened to children pray much? If you listen between the lines it is mostly about security. They want to be safe and loved. They grow physically and emotionally on love and safety.

We as adults need to nourish that and protect that. Mama and I have 2 children, a son almost 41 and a daughter 39. They still want love and safety from mom & dad.

Some of you are single parents - we pray for you even more, you have double duty.

Today we will not physically be with our kids. We may SKYPE (Video chat) with our son. When we hang up we will say, "We love you son! See ya soon." I think that is the way Jesus feels when we "SKYPE" with Him. I wish Jesus would setup a Facebook page!

Friday 20 August 2010

In sickness and in health - till death do us part



On July 10, 1965, 45 years ago, I looked my bride in her face and stated my wedding vows - I meant it then, and still do. Have I made bad choices since then, yep. Have I abandoned her? Nope! I love mama very much. I look at all the times I have screwed up and I am thankful we stuck it out.

In May mama was diagnosed with cancer. Did we know that was going to happen when we got married? Not even a hint. But as I look back I am so thankful she never gave up on me or that either left the other. She needed me more than ever the past couple of months. Yesterday as we headed home from her last radiation treatment she looked at me and said, "I am so glad you have been by my side through this!" We squeezed each others hand, and a tear or two slid down my cheek.

Sunday 15 August 2010

Relay For Life - Red Bra Lap!




Friday at 1PM I walked in the Red Bra Lap at the Allegan County East Relay For Life Cancer walk. I had a blast!

If I understand it correctly, there was proposed Federal legislation that would have allowed insurance companies to not pay on cancer screening costs. There were many demonstrations by women wearing red bra's to bring awareness to the pending legislation. The legislation was defeated. Mama had a mammogram in May and cancer was detected and removed - stage 1, undetectable except for the mammogram that caught it.

Some local Relay For Life Rallies have included a Red Bra Lap as part of their relay festivites. Yep, I participated with about 150 other walkers.

Tuesday 10 August 2010

Relay For Life !!



This Friday & and Saturday Mama and I will be walking with Peter and the rest of our team at the Cancer Relay For Life walk at the Allegan County fairgrounds here in Michigan. I will be walking as a representative of our team at 1PM Friday the 13th. At 2pm they will walk a lap in costumes. Lots of festivities until noon on Saturday. Come join us! especially at 1PM on Friday - I could use the support. Did I mention the lap at 1PM is entitled the Red Bra Lap ??

Friday 6 August 2010

Tina !



Mama and I met TIna Monday the 2nd of August coming through the registration line for Girl's Camp. She was very scared and sobbing, stayed glued to mom & dad as she registered for camp. She wept openly, did not want to be here. Found out she was much of a loner and did not attend her local church very much. I believe she will be in the 6th grade this fall.

Mama and I are "Grandpa & Grandma" at Girls Camp this week - today it closes. Well, how did Tina do? It was very slow to start with. She was a loner the first day - very scared - no smiles. Grandma said good night to her every night, we hugged and encouraged her a lot. By Wednesday she was smiling and doing very well. It may have been the Teddy Bear grandma gave her on Wednesday night. Yesterday, she came to me big smiles, arms stretched out for a hug. She played the girl games as she stood in line for meals and even talked/listened about the importance of having Jesus in her life. She will go home today a happy camper! It was a great week!
1
We love you Tina

Update: Friday 4:30PM !! Mama and I stayed at the last "Checkpoint" as the campers left today so that we could say goodbye to them as "Grandma & Grandpa". One of the last vehicles was Tina and her parents. Tina was sitting in the front seat and as I leaned over to say goodbye, we both began to cry. She unsnapped her seat belt and we hugged through the window sobbing. Yep, it was a great week. See ya again Tina.