Good Morning

While I was up at the Joshua Weekend, daughter Sea took Sally Jo to the spine Doctor – Dr. Chaney. He said that her bone was healed and that now it was time to work on strengthening the muscles that hold the spine upright, that enable to spine to work. After being in the body brace for eight weeks, there is little strength in them now which, in reality, leaves the spine vulnerable to injury.

Sally Jo does not need to wear the brace while in bed or during the day while being inactive. This was obviously very good news. During the day she must wear the brace anytime she is being very active – and when doing something passive and she feels the muscles getting tired.

Because of the very weak muscles, he thinks it highly unlikely that she will be cross country skiing this winter – which is tough. She missed last winter due to the broken arm. Ouch!

He said that if the vertabra compression had been two vertabra higher, she would be a paraplegic. Sobering!

I feel the Joshua weekend was excellent for the 50 or so that were there. I am sure Chief Ron will send update in some way.

I climbed the dugs….a little frightening for me as my hip was just replaced on May 1. I took my time, the other hikers were incredibly patient and at times, helpful (over big rocks!). The last time I climbed the Dugs was for a Lone Eagle Ceremony during my last summer at DL – and I did not know it, but my pace maker was broken and my pulse was stuck at 70. Ever try to climb a mountain, even a small mountain, at pulse of 70? Don’t. This trip was MUCH easier!!!

This weeks IPWG was written months ago and I have no record that I have sent it to you. I trust you will find it helpful.

I am just too tired to write something new tonight.

I know I should rejoice and be glad in the Lord each day, but when I learn that my desire to encourage someone has done just the opposite…ouch. This learning process was particularly difficult because it was four months between my blunder – and when Libby (not real name) wrote to me about how I had hurt her. Four months is a long time to carry pain….particularly when it is undeserved pain. The letter was not vindictive, not bitter. It was written in love by a person who highly respects me, and that I highly respect. Our love flows both ways. I am very thankful that Libby had the courage to write.

The situation: On the Saturday before our chance meeting in church I had learned that Libby had decided to get the necessary formal training to back up her natural gifts and interests, to change jobs and to go for it! That decision, that move takes courage – guts!

On Sunday morning, about ten minutes before the morning worship service is to begin, Libby and I saw each other.

In my joy of seeing Libby and the excitement I felt for having learned of a total vocational change, I did not quietly listen. Rather, I began a telling her how proud I was of her – and asking questions. As time was limited, I shared thoughts, and I asked questions too quickly, and I did not listen to responses adequately- or really give her a chance to talk about my questions…My mind was going very fast…and my mouth was going even faster!! . I gave encouragement for things not even in her plan. The result? A person without time to respond… Trapped. And I walked away pleased with our few minutes together!!!!! Incredible insensitivity!

“… take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry” James 1:19

I did not live out the verse, a verse I know. Ouch!!!!!

It looks to me like/it feels to me Libby perfectly lived out Matthew 18:15-17 “If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over…” Not only did Libby not get angry, she gathered the courage to write me an excellent letter – a letter that obviously hit its mark!

After receiving the letter I went to Libby to apologize – and we do not live in the same town! My respect and appreciation for Libby is even greater, and our friendship grows. And her new vocational plans! Formal training needed to back up considerable personal experience is in place. A joyful, successful hobby has become an new vocation! Easy….irrelevant question!

All of the above happened several months ago….and I wrote the above several months ago – and because of a friend with gutz, I have had impressed upon me…

“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry” James 1:19

“If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over…” Matthew 18:15-17

If the shoe fits…wear it! I will wear this pair for a long time!

Friends…tis time for an update

For the first four or five weeks there was not much change –

In these 3 weeks the progress has been remarkable. Sally Jo goes in for her 8 wk check up on Friday afternoon.

Present situation: she get’s herself in and out of bed, can take brief walks outside with a cain, was able to help with freezing peaches this AM, fixing supper with me. She is not on any pain medication. She has now been out of the house into a car twice – once to get her hair cut…and Monday night to go to a book study group from Church.

The limitations are – the back brace which is a velcroed on deal that is the equivelant of a cast. She is now able to shower – thus no brace. The brace/cast prevents her back from bending her spine – this prevents her getting anything off the floor – or any down low location. She has a grabber which helps a great deal. She has little endurance/strength but it is beginning to come along nicely.

Yes, I am encouraged!!!

The doctor told her 10-12 weeks in brace – Sally Jo has heard a few people have gotten them off at 8 weeks – so you know she is hopeful about Friday.

I know some of you have been praying for us regularly – thanks. Some has sent cards – I think she got 2-4 every day for the first 4 wks – from you, other Deerfooters, people in churches we have served, friends, etc. These cards have been wonderful to receive, to read.

If you would like to call….fine. I will leave tomorrow to pick up Jason Weyer who is flying in from Houston for the Joshua Weekend.

Do pray for me as I lead 3 sessions for the weekend. I feel well prepared. What is critical now is responding to the people in the sessions in helpful ways.

I may send you an IPWG that I have already prepared this next Monday morning as I go straight from DL to a 3 hour choral rehersal…to home, half dead? I have 2 or 3 that I have prepared along the way….I like them….hope you do to.

Should be fun weekend. chief chuck

For 36 years 30-31% of the population has said they were very happy with their lives (National Opinion Research Center’s General Social Society Survey). 50% of married people of faith with children consider themselves to be very happy, while only 17% of non-religious, un-married people without kids feel the same way. Gross National Happiness Arthur C. Brooks. 2008

Paul wrote in Ephesians 5: “the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church… “Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her”. To care for another person to the level that Christ loved the church is impossible – but this gives to husbands a clear picture of what we must seek to do.

When Sally Jo and I married, the two of us became as one flesh, fully committed to each other. That commitment has remained through incredible challenges. Yes, I am to love Sally Jo as Christ loved the church. In reality, if she had not equally loved me, one or both of us would have crumbled during the past 46 years. Seven times we went into new situations, each more difficult than the previous one. In each situation we knew I had the responsibility of getting a ministry on its feet – twice this was within a larger organization. What the Lord has used me to accomplish has, in reality, been accomplished through the work of both of us. Paul introduced the passage above with “Submit to one another.” A good marriage requires this!

So why do I write this now? Because I am gaining a much greater understanding of the work Sally Jo has been doing for me and for our children. My greatest challenge has not been any specific work required – but the endless work required. I just get my mind focused on something and I hear, “Chuck, could you please?” Or like just now. I am focused and then off goes her alarm clock to end her nap – and she is sleeping so hard she does not move! So…up I get. For weeks Sally Jo was unable to get into or out of her hospital bed without help, so during the day and 3 or 4 times at night I would hear her say: “Chuck, I need to…” Which is really saying, “Chuck, stop doing what ever you are doing – I need your help now” Her needs have controlled almost everything I do. What did Sally Jo do when our children were infants, then toddlers, then…? What did she do for me when my heart went crazy and I was in 5 emergency rooms and spent a week in each of 3 hospitals, or when my hip was replaced? Sally Jo’s back was broken because I dozed off – and the car went off the road. How easy it would be for Sally Jo to say “Chuck, I would never be in this situation if you had not dozed off while driving”. (a fact I never forget!!!) But what good would it do? Would saying this be best for me?

Marriage means for me that if Sally Jo prepares a meal, I will clean up after the meal. If she leaves our home for an hour or three days, I work my tail off so that when she walks in the door she sees things to be in better shape than when she left. Her smile is worth my effort! After all, she has been keeping up with things day after day. When home, what a lift it was when I took the children out for a few hours. I have always taken out the garbage, cleaned the garage. Personally, one of my greatest challenges is to listen to her – to really listen! Does she do things that bug me? Really frustrate me? Of course she does – often without knowing she is doing so. Sometimes Sally Jo does not do something I think is fully reasonable! Ouch!! If I am to love my enemy, how can I not love my wife?

I know a husband whose wife does not want to cook or clean…and so he does it. I know a wife who was so angry with her husband that she called for help when she realized she had a butcher knife in her hand and was ready to kill him! They worked through their problems and had a solid marriage until one of them died years later. Alzheimer’s? A stroke? A quadriplegic from an accident? A job loss? Who knows what a marriage will bring.

Jesus did not give up on His church, which is people! I cannot stop loving Sally Jo, stop seeking to do what is best for her, no matter how tough it gets! With both Jesus and me as her examples, she may well love me in the same way.

There is tremendous happiness, joy, security – call it what you will – in knowing we both have someone we can count on, no matter how tough life is!

Each Sunday morning, during the opening hymn, our church choir processes up the center aisle, then splits and comes down the side aisles. We then sit in the choir loft/balcony. As I walk around the congregation I am reminded that we are God’s people!

The town where the church is located includes more people with graduate degrees than any other town in the state of New York, yet this church of about 600 members is very diverse, very inclusive. About half of us come some distance to be part of this body of believers. I walk by the couple in their late 90’s and several families with young children who like to sit near the front. I walk by the Pakistani family and the Japanese wife. Many men where sport shirts, and there are families where the father wears jeans, one of whom reads the Scriptures from the lectern in jeans. In the back corner of the sanctuary sits one of five mentally challenged young people in the church. Kevin, 11, has both Williams Syndrome (outgoing, totally trusting, poor people judgment) and Autism (likes repetition – words, patterns…flips a book over and over) and is very difficult for his mom to keep quiet. The boy does not miss much, and every few weeks he will loudly call out, at the appropriate moment in the sermon, “Yes” or “I like that!” After music he enjoys, he may clap. Last Sunday I heard him say “Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – right mom?”

When the Lord’s Supper is celebrated almost every person in church walks up the center aisle. Dan, a quadriplegic in his mid-thirties, drives his wheel chair to the communion rail. A husband brings his frail, bent-over elderly wife.

In the choir, on my left, sits David, an administrator for a large organization with residential and placement programs for children 1-18 sent to them by the courts. Thirty years ago he was working directly with the children. Each week I ask David “what has happened this week?” His son, Matt, worked at DL for a summer. On my right is Frank, a professor at Albany Med and a research neurologist who has published over 60 articles in scientific journals. Frank has had a busy week when he sleeps except when he sings. The adult choir of 30-40 includes three music teachers, a composer/former college president, two nurses, an attorney, a waitress, a comptroller, house wives, retired people, etc.

The church embodies Romans 12. “in Christ we who are many form one body…We have different gifts: prophesying …serving…teaching, encouraging…contributing…leadership…showing mercy.” The members live out Romans 15:1 “We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak” and Galatians 6:2 “Carry each other’s burdens.”

Though we are 30 minutes from the church, Sally Jo and I are being well cared for! Last December, when Sally Jo broke her arm, people brought food, cleaned the house, and wrapped Christmas presents. In June, when my hip replacement put me out of commission, three men came with a back hoe and planted two large new trees, transplanted pine trees, built a grape vine support, planted four grape vines and, moved compost. Their wives joined us for lunch.

Since our accident in July, members have sent food, brought dinners we have enjoyed together, weeded the flower and vegetable gardens, spent time reading to Sally Jo, taking me to pick up the Jeep, etc. This past Monday night 17 brought salads and we provided a cake to celebrate Sally Jo’s birthday. Knowing this group was coming, a local pastor’s wife and son came over and worked their tails off mowing and trimming the yard, and cleaning the house. Our daughter-in-law, Jennifer, and a Christian neighbor from down the street help freeze vegetables from Sally Jo’s productive garden and our Christian neighbor across the street stores our surplus in her freezer – 40 pt. of blue berries to date (and we have probably given away another 20 pints). Son Dirk picked up a new computer when mine died – and two nights ago Sally Jo’s computer died. Sally Jo has received cards and notes of encouragement almost every day for five weeks!

Without the care and encouragement we are receiving I would not be able keep up with a portion of Sally Jo’s daily needs (daughter Sea carries most of this responsibility), routine work in and outside of the house – and have conversations face to face and by telephone with some of you, write these weekly IPWG to you, begin to catch up on e-mails from a month ago – and continue my preparations for the Joshua weekend.

Being the people of God brings security and blessing. Let us enjoy living In Partnership With God!

I am convinced Jesus never intended the Christian life to be difficult to understand. Jesus chose shepherds, a carpenter, fisherman, and children. ”Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential.” 1 Cor 1:26

I believe the Christian life is to be lived, not just thought about. Through the teachings of Scripture, our God given brains, the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the benefit of wise counsel, we can know what God desires us to be, to do. At DL we sing “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God’ (Matthew 6:33) Many of us know Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight” God desires that we know His will for our lives – when it is important to know His will.

Here is our challenge: “If you love me, you will obey what I command… “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. John 14:15, 23 And the summary of the general challenge: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” Luke 10:27

It is my experience that God guides me to the extent I have obeyed His previous guidance, and desire to continue to be obedient to Him. He is God, and He knows what is best – God alone can see the total picture. Is God patient with us? Of course. And He fully forgives. We judge a person’s character. God, who knows the hearts of men, judges our character perfectly! He knows the desires of our hearts. I am glad God knows the desires of my heart, for then when I do disobey, actively or passively, God will seek to bring me back to right thinking. My choice? Continual choice.

During the course of an average day I find myself talking to God. I praise God when I see something beautiful. Often I feel the need for wisdom…and I ask for what I need. Yes, God knows what I am thinking, what I am in need of. My praying to Him causes me to recognize my need, often a need only God can fill.

As I seek to live out what I already know He desires of me, I must keep an open mind to the nudge of the Holy Spirit. By nudge I am referring to an internal feeling of what I should do. Soon after Sally Jo came home from the hospital I had an evening when I was very tired and about to get into bed when I thought I should select some verses and a few pages from a familiar book that I could read to Sally Jo in the morning. I finished my “home work” and crawled into bed. A couple hours later Sally Jo woke up…and could not go back to sleep. No fun! Fortunately I had responded to the internal nudge of the Holy Spirit and was prepared to encourage her through verses and the selected pages.

Here are a few examples from the DL context.

• During my first candle light service I suddenly thought I should say: “Be strong and of a good courage…”
• One summer we had a real discipline problem with an Indian one summer. As the Indians went into the dining hall for breakfast, I “pulled” the tall young man out of line and we went for a walk. I simply asked what was troubling him. He was quiet for a long time and then started to cry… His mom and dad had just gotten a divorce and… This type of thing happened to me many times each summer.
• I had a former Deerfooter apply to be a counselor. When he applied he told me the sin which he had committed during the fall of the school year. He came totally clean with me. I had a choice of excellent people to hire. I “felt” I should go with the person who choose to be candid with me. He continued on several summers in key positions.
• In May, 1987 I went alone to a place where I could fast and pray as I wrote my 44 After Breakfast Bible Study Outlines. On the night of May 11, I woke up with a dream clearly remaining in my mind. I wrote down the dream. In summary “You know how to run a camp, now teach others how to run a camp.” Today former Deerfooters direct camps in NY, ME, PA, TX, CA – together they were at DL well over 50 summers. And there are others in key positions in NY, MN, and MT. I worked at God’s directive….He blessed the work He had directed me to do.

There will continue to be times when I feel as if God has gone on vacation…without me! My challenge at such times is to obey God’s directives and to wait patiently for Him. As I seek to live In Partnership With God, my communication with God will be solid – this is essential to our partnership.

A quick overview of Mark’s Gospel shows that Jesus begins his ministry by inviting 4 fishermen to leave their fishing and to follow him (1:16). Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John followed Jesus. There is no indication the men had a clue as to how long they were being invited to be with Jesus. It could have been they were expecting an afternoon outing.

The five go into a synagogue where Jesus taught and encountered a man with an unclean spirit. Jesus tells the unclean spirit to come out…and it did (1:23). Then they go to Simon Peter and Andrew’s house where Peter’s mother-in-law is in bed with a fever. Jesus heals the woman (1:29). The word about what Jesus is doing spreads quickly. That evening Jesus healed many and cast out many devils. By the time Peter, Andrew, James and John went to sleep for the night they were gaining a confidence in Jesus. Going back to fishing, anyone?

Very early the next morning Jesus went where he could be alone to talk with God. Peter and the others find Jesus and tell Him people are looking for him. Jesus goes with the men to preach in synagogues. When they encounter a leper, Jesus touches and heals the leper (1:40). A few days later a palsied man is healed (2:1), and then the man with the withered hand is healed on the Sabbath (3:1). When people recognized Jesus at the Sea of Galilee, a crowd gathered. Again Jesus healed many, and cast the evil spirits out of many.

This pattern of teaching and healing continues into chapter 8 where Jesus heals the blind man (8:27). Then Jesus asked “Who do people say I am?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Christ”

Many people are gaining confidence in Jesus because He had demonstrated His supernatural power and His supernatural perspective on life. Six days later Jesus took Peter, James, and John with Him and puts on a show they will never forget!! Jesus was transfigured: his garment became shining white. Suddenly Moses and Elijah appear with Him. The three disciples hear a voice come out of the cloud that overshadows them: “”This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” (9:2)

Soon the disciples themselves seek to cast out a demon, and fail. Jesus steps into the situation and asked the boy’s father: “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered. “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” Jesus said “Everything is possible for him who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief !” 9:17-24.

My confidence in God is based upon the teachings of Jesus, many of which I was taught from a very early age. Increasingly I understand the truth, the importance, of what Jesus taught through action and word. My confidence is also based upon the experiences of God’s reality that others whom I trust have told me, and upon my personal experiences of God’s reality – often in the context of “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” Sometimes these experiences have come completely “out of the blue”.

Many years ago I started writing down those times when I believe I experienced the reality of God – and now have recorded well over 150. I mentioned one of these in the context of who God sent to care for us immediately after the accident. I did not pray for God’s people provisions…He just did it! Another example was God’s provision of the right wife for me. Another – the provision of Bakerville church in CT. Another – John’s gift of $1,000, and the anonymous gift of $100 the same day.

I am confident that God will do for or through me what is best in every situation – if I seek to be the person He would like me to be. Will I fail at my task? Absolutely! This is why God brought Jesus into the world: to clarify what it means to be the person God would have me be, and to die on a cross that my sins could be forgiven when I mess up. God knows my heart. He knows my desire is to be His man.

When I get discouraged and bewildered, and I do – I look at the truth of what Jesus said, and my experience of God’s reality. Then my confidence in God is affirmed.

Living as God’s man continues to be both a joy and a challenge.

Due to present situation, the following topics will now be addressed in the context of living “In Partnership With God”:

1. Confidence in God
2. My Communication With God
3. Marriage – Two Become One
4. Family
5. Christian Community: Diversity – Use of Gifts
6. Visiting Hurting People
7. Helping Hurting People
8. What is God Trying to Teach You?
9. Looking Forward…and Back
10. Keeping Margins…Balance

Context for the Above:

• January 2007 – Cross country ski 4 hours
• January 2007 – Injure groin muscle…re-injure playing with grandchildren in February
• June 2007 – healing slowly – increasing pain in knee
• November 2007 – discover arthritic hip – second opinion – deferred pain from hip to knee – January surgery planned
• December 17 – Sally Jo falls – breaks right arm just below shoulder
• May 1, 2008 – Sally Jo able to drive – care for me – hip surgery – good recovery
• July 18 – my computer dies
• July 19 – I doze, Prius totals, Sally Jo suffers spinal compression fracture – put in removable body brace to be there for 10-12 weeks – 5 days in hospital – I sleep in recliner by her bed – leave once for 4 hours – home, shower, nap. Many visitors including 4 or 5 ministers. Flowers. Sally Jo up and walking 15 minutes max
• July 24 – head home – hospital bed to be waiting – painful to get into son Dirk’s van – laxative med kicks in 3 hours late – emergency stop at church – into wheel chair – into ladies room – back into van – 30 more minutes to home – no hospital bed – they call – coming after emergency delivery of oxygen – arrives 1 1/2 hours later – Sally Jo exhausted, great pain. Put bed in dining room – with regular twin where I sleep. Incredibly difficult night!!!!!

  Sally Jo unable to do anything by herself…life is painful challenge – over next week progress is slow…but steady. Able to get self out of bed, move with walker, sit in recliner for an hour, then two max. Body cast very uncomfortable – had never been told how to adjust, etc.

  Friends from church arrange for food, help in many ways – other people call, ready – Please Ask!!!

• July 27 – daughter Sea flies in from Vieques, PR – massage therapist – we bought one way ticket! Good timing for her – beginning of hurricane season! Very few tourists anyway.
• July 31 – Loaned car to use – Jeep to become primary car – take to shop for AC condenser replacement – dash must come out – cost $1200 – also needed muffler, shocks. Then we go to order new Prius – same as 2005 model and equipment – 4-6 month wait. Cost increase $1500. We wait for insurance settlement.

  Dirk purchases me new computer…sets up…I must continue to ignore e-mails…through now. Dollar costs are adding up…and up!

• August 4 – call at 9:30am – be at spinal doctor’s office in 2 hours. Their oversight – doctor begins vacation! One hour to office. On time – leave doctor’s 1 1/2 hours later – only regular chairs in office. Painful wait! Healing has begun – No surgery!! Keep body cast tight – walk, climb stairs. One hour drive – exhausted, increased pain. Long night.

  I typically get up with her 3-4 times each night. Every time she changes location, night or day, one must assist.
  I catch up out of house: 12 stops in 3 towns plus Albany

• August 7 – ready to watch opening ceremony of Olympics – TV suddenly dies – Dirk picks up new one – more $

  Sally Jo’s garden has begun producing food planted to be frozen. 25 pints blueberries frozen to date. Dirk and wife, neighbor help with picking and freezing as needed.

• August 9 – Sally Jo gets to see garden she planted in May and June – but will not be able to work in it this summer. Insect invades acorn, butternut, delicata, spaghetti squash, melon, pumpkin and gourd vines – plants begin to die

  Sally Jo: “Will life ever become normal again?”

We are facing, and dealing with, life’s challenges!

We covet and value your prayers.

The fuel oil company called to say they would be unable to make further deliveries until the church’s bill was paid! I hung up the telephone and sat there in shock. It was fall, just over a year since we had arrived at the church. No payment had been made on the bill since the previous mid- winter delivery.

I knew nothing about the church finances. I did not know what anyone gave or what the expenses were. The treasurer was trusted, and every Sunday someone took the offering to his home. He totally managed the church’s finances and the system had worked well…we thought!

I went to the church treasurer, an older man, and asked him what was going on. He very calmly took me to his large roll top desk, and pulled a few envelopes out of one compartment: “These are the unpaid bills. I did not have the money to pay them and I knew they would send another copy.” Together we added up how much was owed to the fuel company, the electric company, and the insurance company. The treasurer had probably been totally honest, but he simply had not kept the people informed of the situation. And besides, how do you tell seven elderly people, a teenage organist, and a young minister whose annual salary was $4,000 they had to give more, much more, to keep the bills paid.

The congregation was beginning to come together. Now about 50 attended with some regularity, there had been a few church gatherings, and spirits were high!

Hudson Taylor, founder of the China Inland Mission, had said “God’s work, done in God’s way, never lacks for God’s supply”. To date in our lives we had found this to be true. So…here we go! The church was God’s work, and we were doing God’s work in God’s way to the very best of our ability. Where was the supply? I had no choice but to take the issue to the congregation.

Before the meeting I went to Ralph and Judy, a young couple who had recently begun to attend the church, explained the situation, and asked if they would be willing to become, together, the church treasurer. They agreed to do this, and to give the Official Board a financial statement each month that told total contributions, total expenses, and the balance in the checking account. This was no great challenge. God had supplied a new treasurer! (41 years later – still treasurers – no big deal?)

At the congregational meeting I laid out the problem and said the contributions needed to more than double for a specific period of time to get through the crunch. We also agreed to change treasurers. I then told them that Ralph and Judy were willing to accept this responsibility.

Suddenly the giving increased, the bills were gradually caught up, and from that time on the income matched or exceeded the expenses.

“God’s work, Done in God’s Way, Never lacks for God’s supply!”

This has been another long day. Some level of manageable pain is with Sally Jo continually – and then there are times when she moves the wrong way and the level of her pain is a 10 out of 10. At such moments I hear what sounds like a cross between a cry/shriek/gasp for breath. And I know that my mistake causes her present agony – agony that will not go away, even with drugs. Significant pain will continue for several weeks.

I know I caused this, Not God. Yes, the days leading up to my involuntary doze have been busy, but this is nothing new. I messed up big time. Thankfully, when I momentarily dozed off, we went to our right – and not left into the constant flow of traffic that comes down Rt. 30 from the Adirondacks every summer Saturday afternoon. I have known for as long as I can remember that after lunch what I really want to do is take a nap. I just get sleepy.

Many years ago, after a long DL presentation morning, I dozed off and headed across the center line. It could only have been God that protected me and others. This time God let the accident happen. There is no way I can blame God.

But my stupidity did not cause God to leave me, to leave us! I dozed, Not God! The car went down into a culvert ditch and then up over the culvert and into the air for at least 10’. While in the air I became wide awake. Almost as soon as the car stopped a man opened my car door. It was DL camper dad and work weekend regular, Ralph Souza. I have long considered Ralph a friend. I was not hurt. Sally Jo’s door was quickly opened by a stranger.

“I am a Physician’s Assistant.” She had been riding with Ralph to take her son to see Deerfoot. Sally Jo was in excruciating pain. After checking her over carefully, the PA held Sally Jo’s face in her hands and asked “Would you like me to pray for you?” A cervical collar was put on Sally Jo and she was very carefully put onto the ambulance stretcher. I believe God provided Ralph and his passenger. God’s timing was perfect. I dozed, Not God!

From the Gloversville hospital I called Deerfoot and asked to have Sally Jo’s close friend, Ann Mackey, to come to the Hospital. Soon my cell phone rang…”Chief, this is John Fox… I am coming with Ann.” John had been on the DL staff and was now an orthopedic surgeon. He and his wife were at camp for the week as back-up for the nurse.

At the hospital in Gloversville we learned there is no orthopedic specialist. But we had John! He carefully checked Sally Jo for nerve damage and studied the x-rays. John then pointed out to me the squashed vertebra, the primary source of the pain. He thought there was a good chance surgery would not be required. He then provided the relevant information to Albany Med. Their E.R. would be ready and Sally Jo was carefully moved into the waiting ambulance. I believe God provided Ann and John. God’s timing was perfect. I dozed, Not God!

The plan had been for me to speak in Speculator on Sunday morning, and then Sally Jo and I would drive to meet son Dirk and his family who were camping on secluded property they had just purchased. They would be waiting! Dirk did not know we were at Albany Med, and there was no cell phone reception. One couple had been to the property – I called mutual friend Shirley to get Derek’s number. He was out of town. I was literally the only person who knew where Dirk and family were, and I had only been there twice. The hospital staff assured me they would care for Sally Jo. A friend drove me the hour to find Dirk. We got to the place where I thought the property was and for 15 tense minutes could not find it! No way I could have explained to someone else where they were.

While away, Sally Jo became sick and needed help. No one responded to her buzzer! Into her room walked Shirley and Roger. Sally Jo immediately had help! I believe God provided Roger and Shirley. God’s timing was perfect. I dozed, Not God!

(my computer Saturday, 7/18 as we left for Speculator – hope to replace and get your messages soon)