Saturday, December 23, 2007

Greetings:

Sorry it is has been so long since I was last on. It has been a busy couple of week and I guess I just didn't realize how long it has been. At any rate when asked how I am doing my answer is
BLESSED, tired, and lonely and that about covers it.

God is so good - all the time! All the time - God is so good. God has been with me and helping me all along the way. I have run into Him in a number of different people and heard from Him from a number of different people via the inter net and mail. At the same time when I have gotten home I have been tired and not done much but crash.

As a side line and for your information. One of the things that I have found is that it is hard for most people to talk about death and to mention to me Marty's death. There have been those who will comment that "The holidays are a hard time." but don't go on with any talk about why. One of the first thing that we are taught and teach in CISM (Critical Incident Stress Mange-ment is that you have to talk about the incident, you have to get it out, if you keep it in it will hurt more and cause more problems. Yes, talking about it can cause tears, but that is not all bad. I just got back from the door and a neighbor bringing me a cheese ball and Christmas greeting and I wiped away the tears. But Praise the Lord what a blessing it was as we talked about Marty and the neighbors mother who died three years ago. I was going to keep this short so I will not go on with this, but encourage you to think about it when you have the time, and if you would like to talk about it let me know.

Praise the Lord! At church we help several families at Christmas time and last night we had the party to which we invite them and give the gifts to the parents while the children are hearing the Bible Christmas story from Santa. It was a great time. The Sharing the Good News Team did a great job. The kids I do believe had a great time, and the parents seemed to enjoy them-selves as well. Santa also had a good time. Of course, our Santa is a member of the church and always has fun. On Friday he delivered Meals on Wheels as Santa, then in the afternoon he visited a 93 year old who had never had a visit from Santa, and then our program Friday evening. What a blessing for all who were involved, Praise the Lord!

This afternoon I have to go out and hopefully finish my shopping. This year I have not waited until the 24th because it is a little different to shop for 7 rather than just one. In fact last Mon-day I went over to Defiance and Erin and Eric helped me do what shopping I have done. And since they are coming over Christmas Day and Jennifer, Travis and boys will not be here until late on the 26th Erin is going to help me wrap gifts on the 26th. On the 25th we be down at church helping with the Christmas Dinner for the Community that we will be hosting for the 8th year. Last year Marty and I did not get to help because we had to go to Indy for blood for her. So it will be good to get back in the swing of doing it.

Actually I am sure that for all of us these next few days will be very busy, but lets not forget the real reason for the season. If it were not for God's gift to us of Jesus Christ to show us the way, and His death on the cross for yours and mine and Marty's salvation we would certainly not have the life that we do. Praise the Lord! Jesus is the Reason for the Season and because of that I am BLESSED and give God thanks. And besides that He gives me the ways to deal with the tiredness and loneliness when I do things His way and not my own way. Praise the Lord!

I have to move on, so have a positive, meaningful day, take care, and God bless.

Jack
Romans 8:28