It was so great running into you and Dave at Carpo’s yesterday evening.  It was just a reminder to us of how great it is to be back home.  Irene, I just wanted you to know that there is one thing that I cannot get over from our encounter, and that is your smile.  Your smile radiates the Holy Spirit.  Lynn and I have had multiple conversations in the past 24 hours about how amazing it was to see the joy in you.  I just wanted to let you know how much of an encouragement you were to us.  We love you and are praying for you.

Eric, Lynn, Emory, and Samuel.

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My friend, Gil Ahrens sent the following thoughts from the great thinker Oswald Chambers that are very appropriate to our journey:

Dave –

From Oswald Chambers’ Daily Devotional.  I thought of you when I read this yesterday.

Gil

The Vision and The Reality

“. . . to those who are . . . called to be saints . . .” —1 Corinthians 1:2

“Thank God for being able to see all that you have not yet been. You have had the vision, but you are not yet to the reality of it by any means. It is when we are in the valley, where we prove whether we will be the choice ones that most of us turn back. We are not quite prepared for the bumps and bruises that must come if we are going to be turned into the shape of the vision. We have seen what we are not, and what God wants us to be, but are we willing to be battered into the shape of the vision to be used by God? The beatings will always come in the most common, everyday ways and through common, everyday people.

There are times when we do know what God’s purpose is; whether we will let the vision be turned into actual character depends on us, not on God. If we prefer to relax on the mountaintop and live in the memory of the vision, then we will be of no real use in the ordinary things of which human life is made. We have to learn to live in reliance upon what we saw in the vision, not simply live in ecstatic delight and conscious reflection upon God. This means living the realities of our lives in the light of the vision until the truth of the vision is actually realized in us. Every bit of our training is in that direction. Learn to thank God for making His demands known.

Our little “I am” always sulks and pouts when God says do. Let your little “I am” be shriveled up in God’s wrath and indignation—“I AM WHO I AM . . . has sent

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It’s Friday night!!

We ordered “No Guilt Chicken Fajitas” to go from Chili’s with the notion of eating dinner in our vehicle on this windy and clear evening overlooking the Monterey Bay.  After picking up the package we quickly arrived at our beautiful destination and gave thanks to God for our food!!  My taste buds were ready and I was about to “dig in”!!  And Irene, despite her nausea, was also up to the challenge!!

Well …. much to our chagrin the food container was an order of baby back ribs and french fries …. it could have been worse, but not exactly “no guilt chicken fajitas”!!!  So, now we’re at a crossroad …. Do we return to Chili’s and trade our meal for the original order or eat that which we just thanked God for?  And this as well …. do we maintain the same grateful heart for that which God put in front of us …. even if it didn’t meet our expectations?  We opted for the latter …. and ate our fare with much thanksgiving!!

Irene had dialysis this morning and afterward Sue Martinez took her to a local restaurant for breakfast.  Sue and Irene are exploring breakfast cafés and sharing omelets with the hope of locating the best biscuits in Santa Cruz County!!

Irene has been sluggish and lethargic most of the day …. taking a nap late in the afternoon which has become a daily routine.  We’re sure that the high blood pressure medications are also sapping her energy.  I’m really proud of Irene’s valiant efforts to eat as much as she possibly can, despite the icky and chronic feeling that remains with her virtually 24/7.

There are certainly lessons learned from our dinner experience.  Whether it’s a misdirected food order or something dreadfully more significant, i.e. Primary Amyloidosis, ultimately, we know that, as Christians, God is in control and directs our steps.

“The steps of the righteous are ordered of the Lord.”  Proverbs 20:24a

We also need to accept the certainty that we are not in control of life’s outcomes.

“…how can any man understand his own way?”  Proverbs 20:24b

God also intends

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