Hospitality

Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. — Romans 12:13

Rita and Gary were wonderful at practicing hospitality and making others feel welcome in their home.

It felt like family to enter their home or pool, even to new friends and neighbors and acquaintances.

Here's a photo from the summer of 2008 with Gary, Rita and the grandkids out by the pool.

One of our favorite places to be in the summer.

Thursday was chemo #4 for me. Just two more left. Everything went well. No pain, no nausea and out in 4 hours.

Thanking God and our friends for all of their prayers, support, meals and cards.

Be Joyful in Hope

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. — Romans 12:10

Be devoted to each other in love.

Honor one another above yourself.

Here's the gluten free cake Marion made for our Memorial Day celebration. 

What a thoughtful group of family members and friends we have!

And they are all great cooks, too.

We are blessed. And a few pounds heavier.

Memorial Day Celebration

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. — Hebrews 12:1

Monday we celebrated Memorial Day with friends and family.

Peggy made this delicious and beautiful flag poke cake, Kirk barbecued steak, Kelly brought potato salad, and Marion made a wonderful green salad and chocolate cake.

We had quite a feast!

And we prayed for those who have given their lives for our country, remembering them on this Memorial Day. Praising God for His goodness.

God's Glorious Power

We also pray that you will be strengthened with His glorious power so that you will have all the patience and endurance you need. — Colossians 1:11

God's power strengthens us, giving us patience and endurance and everything we need.

How amazing is that!

Here's Gary cooking his famous tacos. They were so delicious that most of us could easily eat six or more.

He also made a yummy cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

What fun family memories we have.

Rainbow Welcome

I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. — Genesis 9:13

Our wonderful neighbor Stan took a photo of this beautiful rainbow at the end of our street and sent it to us via email the night we arrived home from Spokane.

Here's what he wrote to us, "Welcome home.  The rainbow was @5:30 tonight...your welcome home."

Our flight was scheduled to arrive at 5:30. Instead, it was cancelled and our new flight was delayed two hours so we arrived home closer to 8:00 p.m., exhausted.

God set His rainbow in the sky as a sign of His promise to never flood the world again.

Stan greeted us with a rainbow welcome that brightened our evening. We are grateful.

An Eternal Home

For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. — 2 Corinthians 5:1

Bob (Gary's brother-in-law), Cindy (niece), Doris (sister) and Gary

Sunday we celebrate Gary's homecoming with a viewing at Erickson-Anderon Mortuary in La Mesa.

This photo shows Uncle Bob, Cousin Cindy, Aunt Doris, and her brother Gary four years ago.

This is the obituary that appeared in the Spencer Daily Reporter on Friday, May 17:
https://www.spencerdailyreporter.com/story/2609800.html

Gary John Rogers was born in Estherville, Iowa on Dec. 17, 1933, to Otto Rogers and Lucile Trullinger Rogers. Gary was raised by his mother in Spencer and graduated from Spencer High School in 1953. He served in the United States Air Force from 1953-57. Gary married his high school sweetheart, Rita Kindlespire, on June 30, 1956, and was blessed with almost 55 years of a wonderful marriage.

In 1957 he moved back to Spencer where his first two sons were born. In 1959 he and Rita pulled a U-Haul trailer out to California, where he became employed by Hostess Cake Los Angeles. The next year he was transferred to Camarillo-Ventura where he rose from route driver to assistant supervisor to supervisor. In 1965 he was transferred back to Hostess Los Angeles. In 1969, Gary was promoted to area sales manager. Later that year, Gary was promoted to general sales manager of Hostess Cake for the San Diego bakery and was put in charge of all cake operations for San Diego County, Imperial Valley and Yuma, Arizona.

Gary retired from Hostess Cake and Wonder Bread in 1995 after over 35 years. He was a talented salesman and won many promotions and accolades during his career working as a route driver to senior manager. After retiring, Gary was very active in the La Mesa Senior Softball League and volunteered for many years at Sharp Grossmont Hospital in San Diego.

He and Rita made an annual trip back to Spencer after moving to California to visit friends and relatives. He maintained contact with many friends from his high school class right up to the end.
Gary was a loving husband, dad, grandfather, uncle and friend. Gary could engage anyone in conversation and make them feel right at home. He loved to dance. He was an avid racketball player and had a great love for all sports, at which he excelled in high school.

He passed away May 12, 2019.
Gary is survived by his sister, Doris; three sons: Kyle, Kirk and Kelly; daughters-in-law: Mariana, Carol and Liz; grandchildren: Michael, Maggie, Katie, Abby, Cameron and Carly; nephews: Barry and Rick; and niece, Cindy.

A vigil from 3-5 p.m. will be held on Sunday, May 26, 2019, at Erikson-Anderson Chapel, 8390 Allison Ave., La Mesa, CA 91942 619-466-3297. A memorial service celebrating Gary’s life will be held later in the summer at First Presbyterian Church San Diego.

We are thankful that we have an eternal home in heaven.

Well Done, Faithful Servant

"Well done, good and faithful servant." — Matthew 25:21

Cameron, Michael, Kirk, Kelly, Gary, Kyle on Lake Okoboji

The viewing for Kirk's dad Gary will be on Sunday, May 26 at Erickson Anderson Mortuary on Allison Avenue in La Mesa from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.

He will be flown to Iowa to be buried next to Rita (at a date to be determined).

A memorial service will be held later this summer in San Diego.

Here's a photo of the boys on their road trip back to Iowa.

They are standing on the shores of Lake Okoboji.

God Is Our Fortress

The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. — Psalm 18:2

Here are the beautiful flowers we received while at Abby's graduation last weekend.

A thoughtful gift from Rick, Barry, and Aunt Jean.

Kelly went over to our house and took the arrangement inside so the flowers were greeting us when we arrived home.

Even during this time of sadness, we can be at peace with God's deep joy that passes all understanding.

We are thankful for all of our wonderful friends and family members.

God is our rock, our fortress, our deliverer, our salvation.

We are thankful!

Our Ancestors

We have heard it with our ears, O God; our ancestors have told us what you did in their days,  in days long ago. — Psalm 44:1

Here we are several years ago in Arizona with the Rogers family. Gary is standing behind Aunt Jean and beside cousin Cindy.

Yesterday we came home to gorgeous flowers from Jean, Rick and Barry. Very thoughtful and loving.

I'll post the photo of the floral arrangement tomorrow. We also are starting to receive sympathy cards and prayers.

We are blessed with loving friends and family.

God's Song Is With Us

By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me — a prayer to the God of my life. - Psalm 42:8

Here are Kirk and Gary at our house for dinner several years ago. We've been going through lots of old photos, and Kirk has chosen some great ones to be shown at the viewing on Sunday. I think he found about 150 or so. Very fun to see them all.

We are blessed with awesome memories. God is good.

Beautiful Weekend

Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me. - Psalm 42:7

The day after Abby's graduation we drove over to Idaho and spent the night in Coeur d'Alene. This was the view from our room. Amazingly beautiful.

The weather forecast had been fir rain most of the weekend,  but the sun came out Saturday and stayed.

God gave us beautiful weather, inspirational speakers, and wonderful fellowship with family and friends.

Thank you, Lord!

Family Celebration

Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. — Psalm 42:11

Sunday we gathered in Spokane with Kyle and Mariana's family and Kelly and Liz's family to celebrate Abby's graduation from Whitworth University Cum Laude.

We are proud parents. Brad and Peggy and Lisa flew in to join us and James, Patty, Rick, and Mark joined us for dinner. What a fun day.

This morning Abby's photo appeared in the Spokane Spokesman showing her moving her tassel at graduation. Here's a photo of us back in 2015 at another family celebration with Gary. 

We had a good time reminiscing about fun times with Rita and Gary. His viewing will be on Sunday, May 26 at Erickson Anderson Mortuary on Allison Avenue in La Mesa.from 3:00 - 5:00.

God has blessed us enormously.

Hope in God

Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. — Psalm 42:5

Even in the midst of sadness and tears, we are able to find joy and peace that passes all understanding. 

How can that be? 

God gives us the ability to praise him through the tears, to find a deep sense of peace even through the stress of each day.

What a mighty God we serve!

Remembering Dad

Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. —Psalm 42:11

Today we wrote the obituary and memorial folder for our dad, Gary.

We will hold a viewing and Vigil from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.on Sunday, May 26 at Erikson-Anderson Chapel, 8390 Allison Avenue, La Mesa, CA 91942 619-466-3297.

Gary John Rogers was born in Estherville, Iowa on December 17, 1933 to Otto Rogers and Lucile Trullinger Rogers.  Gary graduated from Spencer High School in 1953 and served in the United States Air Force from 1953 to 1957. 

 He married his high school sweetheart, Rita Kindlespire, on June 30, 1956, and in 2010 they celebrated 54 years of a wonderful marriage. 

In 1957 they moved back to Spencer, Iowa, where two sons were born. In 1959 they pulled a U-Haul trailer out to California, where Gary began his career with Hostess Cake Los Angeles, winning many accolades and awards. After retiring, Gary was very active in the La Mesa Senior Softball league and volunteered for many years at Sharp Grossmont Hospital in San Diego.

Gary was a loving husband, dad, grandfather, uncle and friend. He could engage anyone in conversation and make them feel at home. He loved to dance and had a great love for all sports.

Although we miss him greatly, we rejoice that he is now with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

“Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” — Matt. 21:25

God Directs His Love to Us

By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me — a prayer to the God of my life. — Psalm 42:8

Gary, Marie and Rita

God directs his love to us. As we remember Kirk's dad and mom, we thank God for the ways that He showed His love to our family over the years through them. 

Here's a photo of them with our dear friend Marie in our courtyard before we remodeled it.

What wonderful memories we are sharing as we grieve the loss of mom Rita and dad Gary.

Our lives become a prayer to God. A prayer of thanksgiving and praise.

My Soul Longs for the Lord

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? My tears have been my food day and night. — Psalm 42:1-3
 
This has been a stressful week trying to inform friends and family of Gary's passing, making arrangements, contacting all the right people, finding documents, deciding what to plan now and what to do later, and trying to catch up on work and sleep.

Our souls thirst for God, for the living God. 

Our tears have been regularly flowing day and night.

Fortunately, God sustains us, even when we cannot continue on our own.

 

God Provides

The Lord is gracious and compassionate. He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever. — Psalm 111:4-5

God is gracious and compassionate. He provides blessings for those who fear him. 

It is with great sadness that we announce Kirk’s dad's (Gary John's) passing. He died at his home in his bed at the age of 84. Dad was in reasonably good health, so this was unexpected. 

The photo with his niece Mary was taken at our home on Easter 2019. We celebrated with 21 family members and friends — a fitting farewell. 

We rejoice that he is now dancing with our Mom Rita, his mom Lucille, his brother Dale, and niece Lianne. We are planning a viewing at the San Diego mortuary in La Mesa (Erikson Anderson/El Camino Real) while Kirk’s brother and his wife are here on May 26. Service arrangements will follow this summer at First Pres. Church.

Abby has a final tomorrow night and another one Thursday. Her cousins Cam and Carly are also in classes this week. We are praying that they can finish well, even with this added stress.

Kirk and I took time off work today to begin the arrangements and make phone calls. We will both be back at work tomorrow and we will join Abby on Friday for her graduation weekend. We are looking forward to celebrating with family and friends.

Thank you for your prayers for dad and for our family.

Happy Mother's Day

Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them. Glorious and majestic are his deeds, and his righteousness endures forever. — Psalm 111:2-3

Happy Mother's Day!

Yesterday we celebrated our friend's birthday. trying a new restaurant together. Kirk did his research and we were excited to try this new place. 

They bring a baked Alaska to the birthday person. Yum!

My dad used to make baked Alaska desserts. 

One time he was baking them for a large group of 30 or so and put them into small clay flower pots to create the feeling of spring in the middle of winter. How creative!

He and my mom would also make delicious chocolate souffles. I can only aspire to be such a good cook!

Great are the works of the Lord!

Our God Reigns

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” — Isaiah 52:7

Today I had a chance to Facetime with my sister Becky in Austria. What a great time to catch up and pray together.

We both have a tendency to try to do too much, so we are learning to slow down and not take on as many new tasks and projects.

Very hard at times. But God is helping us to prioritize and focus on what His plan is for us rather than going ahead on our own.

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news. Who proclaim peace. Who proclaim salvation.

We echo the words of Isaiah, "Our God reigns!"

God Our Strength

Sing for joy to God our strength; shout aloud to the God of Jacob! Begin the music, strike the timbrel, play the melodious harp and lyre. — Psalm 81:1-2

They say music has healing powers. I think God created music that way: to calm the savage beast, relax our hearts and minds, and help us praise him when words alone are just not enough.

Doctors even recommend bringing music to chemo sessions. Research shows that it helps the treatment go more smoothly, and I can attest to that. 

Thanks to Abby for helping me find the Pandora stations that keep me relaxed and pain-free while undergoing my treatments.

Here's the hat I wore to my chemo treatment on Thursday. It was a hit. Another lady asked for the website so she could get one, too. TLCDirect.org has lots of fun styles and some great sales in the clearance section. 

Kaiser even had their catalog in the chemo suite for people to browse through while they have their treatments. 

Next week I'll take a free nutrition course at Kaiser for best practices and foods to eat while on chemo. I have a good start but am hoping to learn even more.

Sing for joy to God our strength!

Begin the music, strike the timbrel, play the melodius harp and lyre.

The Work of God's Hands

In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.— Psalm 102:25-26

God laid the foundations of the earth. The heavens are the work of His hands. 

How awesome to see the vistas He created. The lakes and mountains that he planned for us.

Today I have my third chemo treatment. Halfway done!

And today only took 3.5 hours, down from 5.5 hours last time in April. 

I also got a call Tuesday and Wednesday from Ann, the Kaiser Rose volunteer, just checking in to see how I'm doing. Very thoughtful and appreciated.

Until today I still have my taste. We'll see if that changes by tomorrow. We're planning dinner with friends on Saturday, so hopefully I'll still have some taste left to try out a new restaurant.

How great is your handiwork, Lord!

The Lord Is Good

The Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. — Psalm 100:5

Here is the bridge we crossed on Saturday at Piedras Pintadas, meaning "painted rocks." It was named for the Kumeyaay boulder paintings in the area.

On the water below we saw ducks, egrets and grebes, many of them nesting, others swimming and talking to each other. We also saw a hawk and a quite few nests with eggs.

And of course we saw beautiful flowers along the way as well as some poison oak.

The Lord is good, and His love endures forever.

His faithfulness continues through all generations!

Our Beautiful Earth

How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. — Psalm 104:24

Piedras Pintadas Hike

On Saturday we went for a hike in Piedras Pintadas, around Lake Hodges.

We saw a boat on the lake, ducks and grebes, egrets, birds sitting on their nests of  eggs, mountains, lakes, and a waterfall.

Then we walked over the suspension bridge and listened to all of the birds chirping.

Waterfall at Piedras Pintadas

The cloud cover kept us cool. A perfect day for a hike.

Thanks to Kellie for organizing the hike and to everyone who came out to join us.
 
How many are your works, Lord!

In wisdom you made them all.

The earth is full of your creatures.

Marvelous Things

Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things. — Psalm 98:1

Last week I thought our roses looked beautiful, but this week they have budded and blossomed even more!

Both rose trees look like this. What a fabulous view from our living room and even from the street.

The flowers are so heavy that the trees are leaning a bit under the weight of them all.

I am singing my heart out to the Lord.

What miraculous ways he reaches out to me in love. He surrounds me with good things to see, taste, and hear.

He has done and continues to do marvelous things!

Shout for Joy

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram's horn — shout for joy before the Lord, the King. – Psalm 98:4-6

I love the Sundays that our orchestra plays during our worship service.

The instruments add so much to the hymns, at times even drowning out our voices, causing us to sing even louder and more jubilantly.

The trumpet players often sit in front of me in the choir loft, and I especially enjoy their sound, although I love them all.

The trumpet en chamade on our organ has pipes that extend over our heads, and that sound is wonderful, too.

Shout for join to the Lord, all the earth. Burst into jubilant song with music.

Shout for joy before the Lord, the King!

Let the Sea Roar

Let the sea resound, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy; let them sing before the Lord. — Psalm 98:7-9

What a wonderful word painting. The rivers clap their hands, the mountains sing for joy.

Another Bible passage says, "even the rocks cry out"!

Friday night Ernie and Marion brought us dinner, appetizers and dessert. Kirk grilled the meat, and Marion made a delicious cucumber spinach salad. Yum!

What a fun evening reconnecting and laughing together.

Let the mountains sing together for joy.

Let them sing before the Lord!

God's Love Brings Me Joy

When I said, "My foot is slipping," your love, O Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul. — Psalm 94:18-19

Anthurium plant

God's love has supported me through this journey with cancer.

When I felt the least bit of anxiety, He was able to turn my worry into joy and my sadness into gladness and joy.

I have been overwhelmed with His blessings and with the support of family and friends.

Yesterday my friend Mariley stopped by with this beautiful Anthurium plant. She had been to Hawaii and this reminded her of the trip. Gorgeous and so thoughtful!

Our home looks like a florist shop and smells just as wonderful.

Your consolation brought joy to my soul!

Happy Birthday!

The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice. — Psalm 97:1

Alex and Becky

Today is my sister's birthday! It's hard to be so far away during special times of celebration.

I'm sure she will be celebrating all week, but I would love to be there with her to give her a hug and a word of encouragement as she begins a new year in the Lord.

Here she is with her son Alex a few years ago. Becky lives in Vienna, Austria, and Alex is attending Sigmund Freud University.

His sister, Victoria, ,just finished her Doctorate at the University of Vienna and is now a dentist!

We are very proud of them all. God has blessed our family.

The Lord reigns!

Roses from a Friend

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,  because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. — James 1:2-5

Roses from Mary's garden and chocolate flan

Saturday evening our friend Mary brought us chicken tortilla soup, appetizers, jicama salad, chocolate flan, and these beautiful roses from her garden.

Our home smells like lilacs and roses! What could be better.

We consider it joy, even though going through trials, because we know that God give generously to us. In His mercy, He cares for us even when we don't deserve it. Especially when we don't deserve it. Actually, we never deserve it.

Nonetheless, God gives generously. And we are thankful.