Be Alert

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. — 1 Peter 1:8-9 

Last night we had about 50 children stop by our house for Halloween.

That was the most we've ever had.

We think we may have had more than usual just because everyone is ready to get out of the house and start hanging out together.

Kirk lit our firepit and turned on the patio lights.

He put plastic pumpkins in our wall and our welcome Autumn Scarecrow in front of our gate.

The first group included twenty children from about two years old to ten.

Here's how the sky looked just as the sun was setting.

A fun evening.

Today we welcome November.

And we are reminded that our enemy the devil prowls around looking for someone to devour.

God calls us to stand firm in the faith and to resist temptation.

We know that the family of believers around the world is undergoing trials much greater than ours.

And we pray for God's protection over them.

Love All of God's Family

And in fact, you do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more. — I Thessalonians 4:11 

Paul urged the people of Thessalonica to love all people in God's family.

And to continue to do so more and more.

Tonight I sang with our San Diego Street Choir.

We praised God together and worshiped Him through song.

Our orchestra accompanied the choir.

The choristers were overwhelmed with blessings from the music.

They were so appreciative to have three of us there from our choir.

Sunday we'll have even more.

God urges us to love others more and more.

Help me, Lord, to do just that.

Show Respect to Others

Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor. —  1 Peter 2:17

It's not always easy to show proper respect to everyone.

Some people don't seem to deserve our respect.

Even so, God calls me to show respect to everyone, not just those people I respect.

He calls me to respect those I don't feel like respecting.

And those who are not deserving of my respect.

Come to think of it, I'm not deserving of God's mercy toward me.

And I sometimes treat Him without respect.

Even so, He sacrifices for me.

He cares for me and guides me.

And He provides more than I need.

Thank You, Lord.

Love All of God's Family

And in fact, you do love all of God’s family. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more, and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life. — 1 Thessalonians 4:10

We are part of God's family.

He urges us to love all people everywhere.

And to do so more and more.

To make it our ambition to lead a quiet life.

How can I do that when I want the attention and the focus to be on me?

Here's our hiking group celebrating Anne's birthday with cake pops at the top of Pyles Peak.

God asks me to focus on Him instead.

Help me, Lord, to obey You.

Make the Most of Every Opportunity

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity. — Ephesians 5:15

Today I am working at home and getting a lot done without constant interruptions and meetings.

I'm taking a quick lunch break to type this post before getting back to the work computer.

God has provided another beautiful day.

Tonight I will gather with friends to celebrate a friend's 65th birthday.

We will have a fun time over dinner with the girls, catching up and relaxing together.

Tomorrow City Tree School has their annual CHristmas program in our church sanctuary.

I'll join Abby for dinner afterward — they're serving lasagna — before choir rehearsal begins.

Kirk and I went out to dinner together on Monday after my doctor appointment.

She said I'm doing great. No residual signs of radiation.

Other than calcium and a multi-vitamin, I'm only on one medication, an Estrogen inhibitor.

And she signed an authorization form so I can join the LiveStrong program at the YMCA in January.

God continues to bless me. I am grateful.

Each One Is Part of the Body of Christ

Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. — 1 Corinthians 12:27

We are each part of the body of Christ.

He has baptized us into His family and has filled us with the Holy Spirit.

On Friday we will celebrate the life of Tina Thompson.

She was part of our church family and served as pastor and in other roles at several churches.

She served at Ladle Fellowship and on the session of our church over the years.

Her smile was infectious.

Here is a photo of our street choir, some of whom are also Ladle guests.

We are each part of the body of Christ.

 

 

Free People

Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves.
— 1 Peter 2:16

God calls us to himself.

When we follow Jesus as our Savior, He frees us from sin.

So God tells us to live as free people.

But that does not mean that we use that freedom simply to cover up evil.

Instead, we are slaves to God, following His will in our lives.

Here we are, celebrating Thanksgiving together as a family several years ago.

We are thankful to God for the freedom He has given us.

Caring for Those in Our Zone

We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was. — Revelation 11:17

Thanks to the Lord.

Today Pastor Jeff encouraged us to care for our physical family as well as our church family.

He added that we should care for those in our "zone."

That includes our neighbors and coworkers as well as our family members.

Saturday Abby put together this wonderful display of our anniversary and wedding remembrances.

Tonight one of our neighbors stopped by to congratulate us.

Tomorrow I will take dinner to another neighbor couple.

Last week they brought cookies for us.

We are thankful for wonderful neighbors who pray for us and surround us with their love.

We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty.

Thanksgiving to God

You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. — 2 Corinthians 9:11

I'm not always generous, but God has enriched me and my family in every way.

Sometimes I'm downright stingy.

God is teaching me to be generous on every occasion.

Our generosity does result in thanksgiving and praise to God.

He has blessed us even more than we can imagine.

Everything we have is because God has given it to us.

Everything comes from God and His generosity.

We are extremely thankful.

 

My Joy Is Boundless

I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds. 
— 2 Corinthians 7:4

Despite earthly troubles in my life, my joy is boundless.

I am greatly encouraged by neighbors, family, coworkers and friends. 

Today we are visiting friends that we haven't seen in years.

What a treat to have dinner with them and catch up together.

Kirk and I are very overwhelmed with the love of friends.

Here we are hiking Mission Trails a few years ago. 

God has provided each friend in our lives at just the right time.

He know when we need them the most, and He provides.

Be Patient

Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm. — James 5:7-8

Saturday we went to dinner to celebrate Abby's birthday with friends and family.

Here's the view from the restaurant.

We timed it perfectly and even got to watch the beautiful sunset over the ocean.

God has blessed us with 22 years with our daughter.

We had a fun time celebrating and catching up over dinner.

It's not always easy to be patient, but God helps us learn how to be patient when we get anxious or worried. We are thankful.

We Have Great Peace

Great peace have those who love your law. — Psalm 119:165

Sunday our former pastor, Paul Pulliam, went to be with the Lord.

He was surrounded by family, but it was hard for us to see him go.

He was a friend of our family and a strong Christian presence in Kirk and my lives.

Our pastor Jerry included a beautiful tribute to Paul in his sermon today.

Kirk and I both served on our church session with Paul.

He will be missed, but we are grateful that he is now at peace with our Lord.

We pray for comfort for his family, especially for his wife, Ruth.

God Surrounds Me with His Love

As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore. — Psalm 125:2

God surrounds me with his love.

Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem, so God surrounds me now and forever.

Even when I don't feel him or acknowledge him, God is with me.

Last week I got my mini tattoos so they can line me up precisely for my radiation treatment.

On the morning of August 28 I go in for my first visit and the radiation itself begins on the afternoon of August 29. I will find out the time on the 28th.

Monday my brother Steve began his new job with Cubic.

Sunday he joined us for worship.

What a blessing to praise God together as a family with Kirk, Abby, and Steve.

Thanking God for his ability to surround each of us with his unfailing love.

Children of God

To all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. — John 1:12

As a child of God, I am loved and cared for by God himself.

He guided us to a long weekend of rest and relaxation.

He has guided us through my cancer and chemo treatments.

He has given us a chance to get away before Kirk starts school again and before Abby begins her master's program.

God has blessed us with time together as a family.

God Heard My Prayer

Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me! — Psalm 66:20

We just returned from a long weekend away, relaxing on the beach and swimming in the pool. 

It was a relaxing time with our family, away from the day-to-day rush of work.

Praise be to God, who has heard my prayer.

He has strengthened me so I could walk the mile down the beach for dinner and back.

He has not withheld his love from me.

He has blessed our family.

Agree with One Another

I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. — I Corinthians 1:10

We don't have to be united in thought about politics or book preferences or parenting, but we do want to be united about our faith in Jesus.

Today the last of our relatives left for home, and our house is very quiet.

It has been wonderful to have a continual stream of visitors and guests sharing our home over the past few weeks.

Now we are relaxing with just the three of us, missing our relatives and friends.

We are grateful for wonderful family and for the time we have had to spend with them.



 

Peace Be With You

Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” — John 20:21

Today we had another family dinner with friends and family from San Diego and relatives from out of town.

Kirk and Kyle reheated the pulled pork from the memorial service reception and we made them into tacos and burritos.

Abby and Marion made ice cream sandwiches for us to have for dessert.

We had another fun evening catching up.

God is good. And we are overwhelmed with blessings.

 

God's Glory

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. — John 1:14

We are able to make it through the trials of this life because we have seen the glory of Jesus, who lived among us and now comforts and guides us on our journey.

God sends wonderful friends and family our way to surround us with care and compassion and to lift us up when we need their support.

Here are some of my hiking buddies and prayer warriors.

I am grateful for these women of faith and many more who keep me covered with God's love and remind me of His grace daily.

They Encouraged Us

At the sight of these people Paul thanked God and was encouraged. — Acts 28:15

We have been encouraged by friends, family, and neighbors.

Last night, two friends came over and brought dinner.

Kirk barbecued, and we had delicious potato salad, fruit, green salad, chicken sausage, and Korean beef. Yum.

Many of you are praying for us, and we feel covered in love.

Our roses are blooming once again.

We continue to be encouraged and supported, even during this time of cancer, losing Kirk's dad, and transitioning from empty nest to having our daughter back home.

We are blessed and thank God for you daily.

We Belong to the Lord

If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living. — Romans 14:8-9

Gary's Coffin with Flag at Riverside Cemetary

Today was Gary's interment at Riverside Cemetery in Iowa.

We weren't able to go, but Kirk's brother Kyle, Mariana, Michael, cousin Rick, and lots of friends and relatives made it.

The day was beautiful, with the sun shining down on the ceremony.

Here's a photo of the flag folded on the casket.

Rick even brought a box of Twinkies. When Gary worked for Hostess, he often dressed up as Twinkie the Kid to hand out samples of Twinkies and cakes.

A fitting tribute to our dad.

Rogers Family with Gary's coffin