INDIANA AND MISSOURI BOOKENDS (September 17-30, 2018) (October 7 - 20, 2018)

Indiana Morning Woods

The bookends around our time with friends in Tennessee were times spent with family in Indiana and Missouri.  They were times of laughter and of enjoyment.  There is nothing more special than being able to spend time with family.  There are few things more important than making lasting memories with those who will remain when we have exited this temporal realm.  After being gone to Alaska for three months it was awesome to reconnect with those who are closest to us.

Watched the girls compete

Our front-end two weeks in Indiana were spent between Bloomington and Avon.  Sherry's mom, Lois, remains in an Alzheimer Facility in Bloomington and our daughter's family live in the Indianapolis area.  These days were spent visiting Lois, closing up the cabin, attending volleyball and soccer games, and running to the dentist and doctor.  Not very restful but good days in the Hoosier state.

Baptized Ethan

Our back-end two weeks, in Missouri, were spent in Republic where our son, Aaron, and his family reside.  They were days spent enjoying our four grandsons and doing nothing.  They were relaxing days.  I spent some time about every day at Wilson's Creek National Battlefield (about 2 miles from Aaron's home) hiking and looking for wildlife.  I, also, was able to baptize my youngest grandson, Ethan.  I have now baptized all six of my grand children!  A trip to Lambert's (home of throwed rolls)was made, where fun was had by all and a lot of food was consumed.

Christian, Justin, Ethan, Austin at Lambert's (Home of Throwed Rolls)

REFLECTIONS

I want my "senior" years to be lived in such a way that I am challenged by new adventures and places.  I want my "senior" years to be years of wonder and wandering!  I want my "senior" years to be spent loving Jesus and others.  I want my "senior" years to be long enough to ensure that my grandchildren remember me with at least some degree of fondness and respect.  I remain excited to see what the Lord has in store for us and excited to watch my children and grandchildren explore His plans for their lives.

Missouri Red Barn Deer

TOGETHER AGAIN (October 1-6, 2018)

The Dicers, the Smiths, the Moores, the Halls, the Solomons, the Rosses

Nottingham Villa

The Wyndham Resort at Fairfield Glade, Tennessee was the site of this year's "Friends Retreat".  Six couples met for five days of coming together and enjoying our sameness and our differences.  Five days of sharing life.  Six guys met six gals in the late 1960s while attending Olivet Nazarene University in Illinois.  Twelve individuals became six couples.  Those six couples will all celebrate their 50th wedding anniversaries in the near future.

This was our second "Old Timers" get together and "the Glade" served as a great host.

They were days filled with lots of memories, golf, hikes, and lots of foods.  They were days of remembering and days of reflections.

REFLECTIONS

Fred Hall, Keith Ross, Alan Dicer, Bryan Solomon, Ken Moore, and Eugene Smith

A lot of water has passed under the bridge in the past 50 plus years but none of it has dampened our friendships and our relationships.  Six couples still married in a day when marriage has lost its "til death do us part" component.  Six couples who have refused to allow miles or differences to divide their connection.  We concluded that we were all extremely blessed.   

I am blessed to know that every day there are those upon whom I can count; those who will be praying for me.

There have been good times and tough times in those years passed and I am sure there will be more of both in the years to come.  We have scheduled a repeat visit to "The Glade" next October.  I am praying that the number will still be twelve.

I hope that you have these long standing friendships in your lives.  If you do, don't take them for granted.  Find a way to get together, to connect, to enjoy the memories and treasure the moment.

Even old folks can be silly!