I'm Baaack.....

It's been a long time since I've written....I'm writing now for myself as I've missed putting my thoughts down on paper. It's also fun to look back and have the ole memory jogged as well disciplining myelf to do some thinking. So here goes.....have no idea where this will take us!

I still like my title of "Finishing well,....etc" I've had the thought "finishing..etc." was brought into reality recently as I was diagnosed with breast cancer last month. When I was told I had cancer my first thought was "why not me?" So many women have walked through this diagnosis. I didn't panic or really think the worst...yet there was pause. I thought I'm really the same person I was last week before any diagnosis....yet I wasn't the same and I guess I really don't want to be that same person. My prayer was that wherever this walk would take me I would be willing to go and that God would be glorified in the process. Meeting with the surgeon and seeing an excellent prognosis I was at ease.

A week before my surgery (lumpectomy) I was called in for a second biopsy in a different area of the breast, which, if found to be malignant would have been a completely type of surgery. My prayer was at that time was that I would willingly and obediently accept what might come. That waiting period was much more difficult than the original. Thankfully the 2nd biopsy was benign. I think what I found out about myselt (which isn't too much of a surprise) is it is easier to pray and have unwavering faith for being able "to walk" through a situation when you think you know how everything will turn out.

I asked the question "where is my faith?"....a question we all need ourselves. Read through Hebrews 11... By faith.....God has given us everything we need.

Odor, Smell or Fragrance.......What am I?

How do odors, smells or fragrances effect you? Smelling fresh dill in a grocery store in the summer reminds me of great summers in the Ozarks. Every summer for my first 14 years of life we visited cousins, double cousins of my dad's....it was wonderful...my only girl cousin, small town with the water tower land mark, the lake for swimming and boating, playing dress up, visiting Aunt Mandy, who was always so glad to see me, and watching the morning glories open while trailing over the trellis on her front porch. Walking down the hill to the town square and having a 20 cent strawberry soda while my cousin always had chocolate. Buying new clothes at Ropers, the dry goods store with the wooden floors. Gathering eggs from the chickens that all had names, eating fried chicken and grabbing what I thought was the gizzard off the platter, so my cousin wouldn't get it, only to find I grabbed the chicken's liver. Well I sat there until the liver was finally eaten. All I remember is I was at the table a long time and shed many tears before that liver was eaten. I will not eat liver to this day. All these memories flood over me when I smell fresh dill, POWERFUL! We visited in the summer and there was always a bounty of fresh vegetables, especially, tomatoes and cucumbers. Those were the days of preserving for winter, and one of the  results  was home canned dill pickles. While I never cared for the homemade dill pickles I loved the place they were canned and it's aroma, Caroline's kitchen.
Other aromas that bring pleasant memories are roses, from my Grandmother's rose garden. Do you notice how roses today rarely smell like they use to?  "Old Spice"....reminds me of John and when we first met.  "English Leather"....made me sick when I was pregnant. Still don't care for it.

Well all this being said.....recently a friend was reflecting on a certain situation in which we're both involved.   After expounding on the situation she said....."it's just smells!" She was saying she didn't like what was going on. I was in agreement with her about the problem and after she said it smells I thought, what a good observation and very accurate too.  It is a situation that should not have an odor.  As followers of Christ we should have a fragrance, not an odor or a smell! Since we live in a fallen world situations we find ourselves involved in sometimes do have odors or smells and not a fragrance.  Chapter two of second Corinthians verses 14-17.... Paul says to the Corinthians, "But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.  For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.  To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task? Unlike so many we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God."

Several weeks ago I heard a well know Christian speaker, Becky Manley Pippert.  In her talk she used an illustration of a woman who had been in a seeker Bible study with her.  The woman moved to live in a country closed to Christianity.  The woman later told Becky of meeting a couple at a market place.  They became friends.  The woman  also told Becky, "they had your aroma!"  Approximately 16 years passed before Becky heard from this woman again. She had become a follower of Christ.  We, you and I, don't know what happened during those 16 years.  Did she find others along the way who "had the aroma"? We do know God was drawing this woman to Himself through many means, aromas being just one.   I have to ask myself.....do I give off the aroma that will draw others to the fragrance of life?  My prayer is to have this aroma!

Time flies.....when you're having a good time!

Ummm....the title is an old adage and I'm wondering if time doesn't just fly as we age. I know I haven't blogged for awhile but did not realize I missed January. I want to catch you up...all two or three of you.  I still have my blackberry storm and I'm still learning. It hasn't gotten the best of me but I get very frustrated.  It is great being able to have email on the fly.  I know a lot of people who would not think being connected is so great.   Looking forward to friend returning the first of March to help me delve into its innards. Is a device like a blackberry going to help me "finish well"? Well, it might be a small piece of a much larger picture.  The way our world of communication is moving I want to have in inkling of what people are talking about, especially our younger generations.  Have you checked out Facebook?  I've been told I'm too old to be on facebook, I'm weird, I'm not a college student...those conments are to my face.  I'll leave Facebook to another blog.  There is a myriad of other vehicles 'out there on the web' and we need to be aware of them and be able to do some navigation.

Next item....remember 'my personal trainer' gift.  I been training now for about 6 weeks.  PDS is different than other places I've gone to exercise.  Check out their website.   Katy is my trainer.  She is an athlete in her own right and a patient motivator.  She guides, changes routines and encourages.  She has become a friend.   I asked John the other day "what happens if I get use to the personal trainer?"  His response was "I think it's a good investment".  Right now I plan to continue.  I am learning how to do some of the exercises on my own at home.  This too will help me "finish well."

How am I doing?.......What am I doing??????

When I was a teenager, late 50's early 60's, we had some family friends who always had the latest gadgets. No matter what came out, Charlie had to have one. It might be the newest TV, TV remote (yes there was a day when you actually had to get out of your chair to change the channels, all 3 of them) radios, can openers and other small electronics. It was fun to see what he would get next. For those of you who are old enough to remember,  think back.....we had new things coming out but technology was nothing like it is today and certainly was not geared toward the younger generation.  Charlie and his family gave us a TV for a wedding present. It was what you call a table model in 1963, the only TV we have for many years.
We're living in a day and age and generation of being bombarded with new technology.   Just look around, computers, cell phones, cell phones that are computers. We sink this with that, we're in instant communication, texting, face booking, you name it. We can call across the world for virtually no cost and see the person you're talking to. The things mentioned are only the tip of the iceberg.   These things or "gadgets" are also accessable to almost everyone...not just the 'rich and famous.'.
We don't usually get caught up in the "latest".....we're a little slow getting off dead center, not necessarily a bad thing.

Well we are overdue for a cell phone upgrade.  I've had my eye on the Iphone.....can it do all those things that I haven't been able to figure out how to do on my Imac.?....well the Iphone isn't on "our network" so I have been waiting for the "Storm", Verizon's answer to the Iphone.  A friend ordered his the day they came out,  got it within a few days and was "learning it".  He's a techi and an engineer.  He likes it.  Wants to be able to do email while they are away for the winter.

Maybe by now you've guessed it.....John bought me a "Storm" for Christmas.  It was delivered by UPS at about 7 PM Christmas eve.  Opened it Christmas morning and began the adventure.  Or perhaps I should say the frustration.  It will not get the best of me.  Someone said I need a 10 year old to help figure it out.  We have revisited the V store (saw a 4 yr. old with double ear phones on and a device in her pocket) and I'm now activated but still don't have email set up or I've yet to get on the net.  The rep. was very pleasant, knowledgable and helpful but having taken up an hour or so of her time I decided I go home work on tutorials and then come back when the after Christmas crowd has thinned out.  Now I've gone through the tutorials on line and I've played around on it.  I've had people say "why do you need that?"  Well I'm wondering that myself.  Am I  caught up in the "media age"  or what?  Is this helping me keep my mind "young and fit"?  Well I'm going to keep working on learning the "Storm".  I did find out I have 30 days to be satisfied and that takes the pressure off so if I really don't like using it I can take it back.  I will know how it works though before the 30 days are up!

I want to be able to get on face book.  That's another post!

Be Careful.... what you wish for.....

Here it is a couple of days before Christmas and we have had a pretty layed back preseason.  No big plans for the holidays.  Our daughter is coming home for several days but no young children this year so we haven't decorated much.  Haven't done much in the gift area either.  John wants some camera "things" so he has to purchase those himself.  He needs some clothes so we'll hit the after Christmas sales.  I don't have any big wants so when I was casually asked a few weeks ago if I'd like a personal trainer I answered "Well only if he's a hunk!" Didn't think much more about it. Ummm, well you guessed it, I got my personal trainer this AM...but he's a Katy....although there are some hunks around.  Yes I was asked to go to an interview at 10 AM today for information and a tour.  After consulting as to what I wanted (or maybe I should say what John wants) and some activity/body assessments I signed up for 20 sessions.  This is a different type of health club.  Guess it really isn't a health club, although there is all the equipment.  It is called PDS Sports Performance.  The PDS stands for player development solutions.  They work with athletes and different sports teams to enhance performance.  Well I'm no athlete (as most of you already know) but I'm encouraged this will enhance my life.  I'll keep you posted! I have my first session tomorrow....How's that for starting an exercise program like this before the New Year!

THANKFUL.....AM I?

November is almost over. This is the month we Americans celebrate Thanksgiving. Seems like we ought to be the most thankful people in the world,  yet I'm not really sure we are. I am making a general judgement call on others but I'm making it on myself also.

I'm in a study with two other women. Right now we're studying  Jerry Bridges's book called Respectable Sins, Confronting the Sins We Tolerate.  The book is convicting as the author looks at sin .....subtle sins in the lives of the believer.  Not only are we shown areas of our lives we might not realize are sinful, the author gives us hope in how to recognize and confront the sin.  

One of the sins he talks about is unthankfulness.  The author tells of the ten lepers (Luke 17:11-19) Jesus heals and only one comes back to Him to give praise and thanks.  He goes on to ask how could those other nine who were healed be so ungrateful?  And yet are we not guilty of being ungrateful for what God has done for us, spiritually and physically?   Can we not acknowledge that everything we have and are is from God?  As spirit filled children of God, Paul reminds us in Ephesians 5;20....to always give thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Note the 'always' and 'everything'.

I'm quoting from the book now "Giving thanks to God for both His temporal and spiritual blessings in our lives is not just a nice thing to do--it is the moral will of God.  Failure to give Him the thanks due Him is sin.  It may seem like a benign sin to us because it doesn't hurt anyone else.  But it is an affront and insult to the One who created us and sustains us every second of our lives.  And if, as Jesus so clearly stated loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind is the great and first commandment, then failure to give thanks to God as a habit of life is a violation of the greatest commandment."

I'm trying to make thankfulness to God a habit.  I want thankfulness to become second nature.   Let me share some of what I'm thankful for right now:  

My husband John, for his faith and love for me, for my faith also.  Thankful for the journey we've traveled together.

My family, children and grandchildren, for their lives, vocations, love for one another, thankful for Ian's successful knee surgery, thankful he wasn't injured when he a a deer collided recently.  Thankful for health, shelter, friends, freedoms not known in so many parts of the world.  Thankful the washing machine conked out on the last load this week and not the first.   Oh so much more!  

Trusting that any who might read this blog will take a new look of how thankfulness impacts your life.  And may we all give God the glory!

Sympathy and Prayers

My sympathy and prayers go to our PCUSA Moderator, Bruce Reyes-Chow and his wife Robin on the death, Friday, of Brian Pugh, Robin's brother. According to news reports he and two others were shot and killed while in their work place.

Loss of a loved one is difficult at any time but lives taken by murder for those left behind seem harder to accept. We also need to remember the other two individuals and families who lost loved ones as well as the perpetrator and his family.

May God surround and comfort these families in the midst of this tragedy. Lord give those ministering to them directly love that comes from you, sustain them Father through these difficult times and the days ahead.
Lord I would pray for the spirit of forgiveness for these families.  May they know and experience your forgiveness in the days ahead.  May your powerful love engulf them.
May you grant peace and understanding.  

In Jesus name I pray, 

Amen

Family....making a difference...a choice

We received a call from a cousin of my husband the other day.  She and her husband were in town and wanted to come by and see us.  As we chatted (I've only seen her a couple of times in 45 years) I asked if she'd seen John's other bothers and wives etc.  She hadn't so I said I'll give them a call and have you all over for dinner.  She appreciated the opportunity to see everyone. As an aside John's sister moved from the hometown a year ago. She is the glue in the family even from a distance. We miss her on a day to day basis. Part of Anne's reasoning for their trip was to retrace family history, cemeteries, homesteads etc.  Since this side of the family doesn't have "much documented history" the conversation led to a lot of questions and rememberances and some speculation.  Since I'm the last one to enter the family (in this generation) and that was 45 years ago I  listened and was somewhat saddened.  Families are broken and spoken of lightly, grandchildren living with someone, having babies and no talk of marriage,  not remembering greatgrandchildren's names.  Commenting we can't have any influence on them....they just do what they want!  That's just the way life is now.  The families are professing Christians.  What has our culture done to us or should I say to our thinking?  What is wrong with this picture?.....seems like life is spiriling out of control.

As I've thought of the evening and my own immediate family, I am oh so thankful for how God has worked and is working in and through us.  Not that we don't, haven't or won't have our difficulties.  Circumstances may not turn out the way we would like them to but because of our relationship with the Lord, knowing He is soverign and wants only His best for us we can be confidant in His love and care.

Here is a website a friend has published,  http://www.fromgrandpawithlove.com I think anyone who is serious about how God works in our lives and how we can influence subsequent generations will find it beneficial.

FAMILY....all in the same decade!

Well today marks my little brother's 60th birthday. Kevin is the 'tall one' in the photo on the left. My other brother is Philip, he's 18 months older than than Kevin. Others in the photo are Phil's family except for the bearded one and he belongs to me. My sister in law is Christine. Their children are Justin (r) and his wife Lori and daughter Madison and their daughter Katie (l) and her husband, Ryan, and baby Jackson. Sadie has joined Madison since the picture was taken. You are looking at the end of the Ganzer family name at least from this line. Kevin has 2 daughters and Justin has 2 daughters. This picture was taken 2 years ago. As I was looking for a picture of Kevin I realized we're kind of like "the shoemakers kids who go shoeless." We have lots of pictures but not many of family. Guess we'll have to make some changes! Anyway I'm always glad when 'the boys' hit my decade. Not that it makes any difference but it does make me feel better. I try and think age is a state of mind and only occasionally a feeling in the body.
I welcome both my brothers to this decade and trust we all make it to the next!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Kevin.

ART....the eye of the beholder!

Would he approve of the candidate these people are wanting you to support?

 I don't think so!










Several weeks ago we headed north to see the 5th largest art fair in the United States. It is held annually on the County Club Plaza in Kansas City, Missouri. For a long weekend every September the streets on the Plaza are cordoned off to accommodate rows of tents, sound stages and restaurant kiosks. Art in all mediums is displayed.  It is great fun to stroll the streets looking at the wears and all the people.  Enjoy a little of what we saw!

Please forgive the lack of artistic display....i'm still trying to figure out how to do this! I give all the photography credit to my husband, John. Thanks, Honey,

The Plaza.... via...The Shack!

As you might remember from my last post I put the audio of The Shack on our Ipod and was trying to convince John into taking a road trip to Kansas City for the weekend. With several incentives we took off Friday afternoon, listening all the way. Arriving in Kansas City only a little over 2 hours into the book (it reads 8+ hours) we stopped the Ipod and John said "yes it draws you in and is interesting"....we hadn't gotten to the part yet that I wanted to see his reaction.

We enjoyed the evening with our daughter, Debby, who drove over from Lawrence to join us for dinner. Saturday morning saw us running several errands and visiting Dean & DeLuca, checking out what we in Wichita have to look forward to....so we're hearing.

It was a beautiful weekend, weather wise. The Flinthills are verdant green pastures laced with yellows and browns in wildflowers and various grasses. A favorite destination for us in Kansas City is the County Club Plaza. I have many fond childhood memories of Kansas City as that is where I was born and where both my parents were from. Fortunately John enjoys the area also, so it's a fun getaway.

This past weekend was the yearly Plaza Art Fair.

Artists from all over the US come and display their mediums. There is music, food and lots of interesting looking people. I heard an estimate that 300,000 people attend the 3 day event. We spent the afternoon wondering through the displays, enjoying a lovely fall day. Dinner Saturday night was at The Bristol Seafood Grill.

A relaxing dinner started with steamed mussels, Caesar salad, grilled swordfish on a bed of orzo with Asian vegetables accompanied by a crisp, buttery chardonnay.

Sunday found us heading south and listening to the ipod. The drive was leisurely and lasted over 4 hours as we avoided the 4 lanes and took the scenic route home. We were able to get through quite a bit of the book. Enough at least to get the general idea and flavor of the story. Initially John's reaction was...."oh I don't know about this..." but as he continued to listen his thoughts changed. We turned off the Ipod and talked the last 30 minutes home, discussing some of the aspects of the book. At first hearing John said he couldn't see anything wrong with the theology, it mentioned some things he hadn't thought about before and it definitely takes God out of "our box." I want him to finish the book and see how Mack was redeemed!

Knock your socks off.........great!!

We have been away for several months and not in the general stream of information, so when a friend said "you have to read The Shack, it's very controversial." I said "ok" and wrote the name down on a napkin along with some other information we talked about. Several weeks later another friend said she had read The Shack and did I want to borrow her copy?

I had no idea what the book was about until I read a little from the cover. I must admit "controversial" peaked my interest. Now I'm wondering how controversial can it be after reading Eugene Peterson's comment on the cover of the book? I finished the book last night and while reading it I experienced all kinds of thoughts and emotions....tears, sadness, laughter, the WOW factor, what would John think? never thought of that......and a lot more. When ever I put the book down John asked what it was about. I told him, "you have to read it." And I said please don't read any reviews etc. I want to know what you think.
I was with a pastor friend the other day and asked if he had read the book. He got this big grin on his face and said 'Oh yes...it was great'. He said he was the first in his family to read it and when he passed it on to his wife....she would read and stop and then huff and puff (my terms) and he would say...'just read it please' As we talked I ventured out and said I really couldn't see anything blatently wrong about the theology....did he? His comment was not really but as you're reading remember it's fiction. He indicated he needed to reread it more carefully in regard to theology but at first read he thought it was fine. He also said what courage and imagination the author exibited in how he portrayed the characters. It was eye opening.
Well....I'm not going to 'spill the beans' and tell you anymore. I hope if you haven't read it you will and if you have read it I'd love to hear your comments. I've downloaded it from ITunes for about $6.00.....Now if I can talk John into a little getaway this weekend/road trip to Kansas City....-) I will be able to see his reaction first hand and we can have some lively conversation.

A short post script...after downloading I did read some of the comments. A majority were positive but to be fair there were negatives also...someone thought it was a psycological thriller that was misrepresented, particurlarly for those like him who were agnostics, glad he didn't spend any more money on it. Others said heresy and teaches false doctrine, terrible fiction, whiny and self indulgant....I hope you'll read it and judge for your self .

Introducing Grandchildren.....

Let me introduce you to our grandchildren. Liam, our youngest is 4 years old...looks like he might be a preacher some day! A delightful little guy, a joy to the family. Emma, 14 years old, plays the piano and is a freshman in high school. She runs cross country and is learning about public school after being home schooled for the last 5 years. Ian is 17 and a senior in high school, plays football, the guitar and is looking at colleges for next year.
Aidan is 12 years old and continues to be home schooled. He plays the drums, loves pancakes, his Xbox and he is becoming quite a reader.
All the kids enjoy youth group and by God's grace our Grans (as a good friend calls them)are happpy, healthy and fun to be around.

Our grandchildren are children of our oldest child David and his wife Barbie.

This blog (the process) is probably the most difficult task I've done in quite awhile and I'm not sure it's right yet. It started out as something completely different. I'll conclude for now and continue another day on how we launched retirement with grandkids.

Labor, Loving... and Ramadan

Today is Labor Day and we have labored. I must confess John labored harder than I. Last night I asked if we could get the house cleaned and in order...seemed like a good idea last night. This morning as I was reading and drinking my coffee...John said "are you ready?" and with that he got out the vacuum. He moves furniture, spots carpeting, goes over furniture for the cat hairs and cleans the kitchen floor on his hands and knees. His mom use to sweep the gutters when she finished cleaning inside. That would never have occurred to my mom, she had other qualities.
In retirement, roles can shift (I dusted, cleaned bathrooms etc) and I'm thankful he is willing to help, particularly with those things I don't like to do or do as well as he does. He was loving me with every push of the vacuum.

Besides being Labor Day, September first is the beginning of the month of Ramadan (a holy month of fasting in Islam). The following is a website www.30-days.net with information to be used as a guide for praying specifically for the Muslim world. Today we can pray for the country of Tajikistan and the many Tajik men who work in surrounding countries. Pray they might hear the good news of Christ and that hearts are open and receptive.

Retirement, a shift in perspective and/or emphasis...

Why do people retire? What is retirement? How do you "do"it? There are probably as many answers to these questions as there are people. Do we in the US look at this time of life differently than other countries? Are we in the US going to be able to continue to live this part of our life as our parents and grandparents have been able to live? Do I want to live the way they lived? Am I retiring to play golf, be a snow bird, travel, play with grandchildren? Getting down to reality, how much money do I need to live on in retirement? Wouldn't you like to have all the answers? There are answers out there to a lot of these questions and there are lots of ways to plan for retirement years. All you have to do is look for them.
It is said that "this generation" (I missed being a boomer by a couple of years) is the healthiest, wealthiest and best educated generation ever. http://www.finishers.org/core.php What an opportunity we have in retirement! What a challenge we have in doing all we want to do and make a difference in the way we live our lives. That difference may be in honing a skill or hobby, learning a language, using what you've learned in the secular world, spending more time with grandkids to help instill those qualities you'd like to leave for the future generation. These ideas help us keep in touch with the present generation and perhaps help our aging process, or at least slow it down. This is a time when we can truly give back some of those years of experiences we acquired. Where you give back is your choice.

Answering a meme?

When I asked "what is a meme?", I was told "it's kind of like a chain letter." Well I don't feel guilty any more about breaking a chain letter or any other kind of chain that's sent my way. I refrain (or try to) from sending anything on I get over the internet. My one weakness is the fun pics/videos of cats I send on to my daughter. Anyway I'll give this "meme" a try because my daughter in law tagged me.

What is your favorite faith-based hymn, song or chorus?

A hymn that stirs my soul is, When peace Like a River Attendeth.....the words are so rich with meaning. It is well, it is well with my soul. This line...My sin--Oh the bliss of this glorious thought, My sin--not in part but the whole, is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more--Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, oh my soul

What was the context, content and/or topic of the last sermon that truly touched, convicted, inspired, challenged, comforted and or otherwise moved you?

It was a exegetical sermon given by my son (I'm not just saying this because I'm his mom). It was about Abraham and his trusting God. In Genesis 15:6, Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness. Satin wants us to doubt God and His goodness. It's ok to articulate this to God. Personally I like exigetical preaching. I was dismayed to read today the following.......http://markdroberts.com/?p=555 . What a way to lead people astray.

If you could have all the Presbyterians read just one of your previous posts, what would it be and why?

Since I've just started blogging....why not read all three of them? Probably Facing our Mortality would be the one. This is something that is difficult to do and not particurlarly enjoyable...but what a difference it can make in our life as well as those around us.

What are three PC(USA) flavored blogs you read on a regular basis?

I read my son's (when he blogs....), http://www.web.mac.com/davemoody/blog_126/Apologia.html my daughter-in-law's, http://www.celticpole.blogspot.com/ and good friends, Jerry and Mary Hilton, http://www.hiltonadventures.blogspot.com/. Jerry was our Interim Pastor. I think Mary started blogging while in Wichita. I admire her (both of them really) and contintue to be amazed at their energy and enthusiasm for life. Check out their adventures.
As an aside I am reading more Presby blogs.

If the PC(USA) were a movie, what would it be and why?

With tongue in cheek...my first thought is it would be a comedy or perhaps a fairy tale. If we were to go back in time and speak to those who have laid the foundations of our faith from Paul forward, what would their reactions be? Would John Calvin want us PC(USA) to throw a birthday party next year to celebrate his 500th birthday?

As for tagging anyone else out there I'll let any one of you take the challenge that would like to.

Facing our mortality

A good friend has said "you know you're getting older when you start going to funerals." We have been away for the last several months and while we were gone an unusually large number of acquaintances and friends passed away. In the two weeks we've been home several more have died. Some were expected due to age and specific problems and some were sudden. Faced with these deaths makes one, or in my opinion should make one, look at his own mortality, how he is living and what are the consequences of death.
We have known two couples over the years who have each lost a spouse to a catastrophic illness. Both couples had a living relationship with the Lord. They were told early on the terminal nature of their illnesses. Watching them both go through the process of living and thus dying was such a testimony to the power and grace of what God can and will do when we are submissive and living in His will. They grew closer to each other and to God. They were open and caring to friends and family letting them share in their fellowship and grief. They were able to speak about what is important in both life and death. They were showing those around them "how to die." What a privilege to be a part of their lives.
How would I act in a similar situation? I don't know, but I would hope I have learned through study, example, faith and the sure knowledge that God's grace is sufficient and He is sovereign over all. As the psalmist said, "Find rest, O my soul in God alone; my hope comes from Him." Psalm 62:5.

A beginning

I guess one has to begin before one can finish.  For several years now I've admired and probably envied, if I'm honest, blogs I have read.  The interests, insights, writing abilities, thoughts and honesty of bloggers has intrigued me.  My first thought was I can't do that.  Well maybe not like others but I'm going to try.  My first challenge was coming up with a blog name.  I called my daughter-in-law, Barbie,  I was just thinking  and she asked several questions to which I had no answers.  Her questions did stir some thinking and I was reminded of where I am in my life.  I am a finisher.  So a question is how am I going to finish?  You ask, finish what?  How am I going to finish my life here on earth?  Thus the title to my blog is,  Finishing well, is it a question or a statement?

Two years ago my life changed, just as it has changed periodically over the last 60 some years.  Those changes included, but are not limited to, growing up oldest in a family of 3 children, going to college, getting married, having children, moving several times from where I grew up, children growing up and moving away, aging parents, being a caretaker, deaths, births, serious illnesses and finally retirement.  I didn't officially retire but my husband, John, retired after some 40 years of engineering.  Once again my life changed.  I have not been a person who had a lot of goals or who deliberated much on the future.   In hind sight I regret this.  God has been gracious to me over my lifetime in spite of my passiveness.  As we look at the stages of life, retirement usually comes in the latter stages of life.  Fortunately we're still healthy and have years ahead of us, so how are we going to use them? I want to be more deliberate in my choices.  I don't want regrets.
 I've admired people who have a life verse they can claim.  I would like to be able to say with Paul (2 Tim 4:7-8) "I have fought the good fight.  I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."....And verse 8, what a promise...."Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day-and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. " 

I hope this blog helps me focus and keep "running the race".