Wow, is it ever good to be home!That was not a question.It was a strong statement!The return trip all went well.There was heavy traffic in Bucharest on Sunday and I thought I was going to be late for awhile, but we made it.In Frankfurt the connection to my San Francisco flight was very tight.By the time I went through security again and got to my gate the plane was completely loaded except for one couple who were waiting for an upgrade.Imagine my surprise to see that they were relatives!She is the sister of my brother-in-law.They were just returning from a cruise and had flown in to Frankfurt from Barcelona.Man, I have to behave myself everywhere I go it seems!
It was sure good to see Ingrid at the airport!Three weeks is too long to be gone from someone that pretty!We got home about 10:00 pm and I was in bed by 11:00, but up at 5:00.The next night I went to bed at 8, but woke up at 2:15.I think it’s a good thing that Jim McDonald is here today.I need the week to get my sharing of pictures together for you.
Now it’s time to get back on the program.We do have a program don’t we?I have two memorial services, seven weddings (two out of state), and a Union-wide Ministerial Council between now and the end of the summer.And those are only the things I know about.And then, just to keep things interesting, we’ll throw in a back surgery on the 17th.I need to have a laminectomy to clean up calcification that is pinching on nerves due to a broken vertebra.It shouldn’t be a big deal, but I may have to stay off the motorcycle for a day or two.(Ingrid will love that statement!)
I can’t wait until John and Cristina Grys arrive sometime in the first part of July.It has been a long time since we have had a full team and I am looking forward to it.I know we’ll have to give them some time to get settled and to get acquainted, but it will feel good just to have them on site.
Today is a sad event as we conduct the memorial service for Lida Salvini.She was such a sweetheart.I have shared so much sadness and prayer with the whole family that we have drawn very close.The service this afternoon will be at 4:00.This morning I am at the St. Helena cemetery for her burial, but I’ll be here in time for church.I’m looking forward to seeing all of you.
Another sad loss while I was gone was Millie Bliss.I had anticipated that we were going to have another couple of months of visits before she was gone and that I would be able to be here for her during that process, but she just let go so quickly.Just recently they held what could be called a memorial service for her in her home while she was able to hear the tributes.I had suggested that and I think it is a wonderful idea.I think after that she just willed herself to give up, which is probably a blessing, but I wish I could have been here.
I am also troubled to hear about the problems that Fern Tikker has been having and am praying that she will soon recover and be back with us.Won’t it be wonderful when the promise is fulfilled that there will be no more pain, no mourning, and no death?I pray that the day will not be too far off.Let’s be ready now.As I shared in a recent sermon, let’s make sure that when it comes time to die, all we have to do is die!
The good news today is that Jim and Katie McDonald are back with us today.Please welcome them as they update us on their mission experiences over the past year.They also are working in some very difficult places that do not exactly make for exotic travel.Their ministry is one that I have valued for a long time and I always look forward to being able to spend a little time with them.Besides that, he doesn’t have a bad singing voice!And please notice that I didn’t throw in any snide remarks to accompany that.I’ll save it for the introduction!
It’s hard to imagine how quickly the months go by.We are already into May and graduation time is just around the corner.I am proud of our school and our students.They have represented us well in many places and they deserve our support and attention.Please keep the school in your prayers.
There are several other issues that need your prayers.I don’t need or want to share specifics in many cases, but just knowing that many of you will pray for unspoken requests gives me a great deal of confidence and peace.God has given us a wonderful and peaceful church environment, but there are always challenges from time to time with a church family this large.We need to be faithful in praying for each other.
Once I am done with the recovery from surgery I am preparing a series of sermons on prayer.This has been long overdue in my preaching schedule and I want you to be praying for me as I do the preparation.I think there is nothing more important in our church and in our personal spiritual life than prayer.Just as communication is the key to a great marriage, so prayer is key to a relationship with God.I am thankful that we have a praying church and I have felt those prayers in many situations.
May God bless you as we continue to move the church forward.
