FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND FAITH (September 12 - October 11, 2022)

Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania

We arrived, along with Autumn, back outside of Alaska.  The friends and memories acquired during our six months in the Last Frontier will never be forgotten, but it was good to be back in the lower 48!

This last month has not been a time of slowing down and catching our breath, but rather a time of travel and enjoying both family and friends that we hadn't seen in a while.   

Our first stop was in Indiana where I enjoyed working around our cabin, playing in a golf outing, and seeing our granddaughters play High School Volleyball.  This is Abigail's senior year, and we were blessed to be there for her "Senior Day" game.  She has become a fine volleyball player, but an even finer young lady.

This was also the time for our 6th annual "Celebration of Friends" gathering.  This time in the Poconos at the WYNDHAM SHAWNEE VILLAGE RESORT.  Friends since college days back in the late 1960s, these seven couples gather from across the U. S. A. to renew friendships and just enjoy seeing each other once again.

Our time, outside the resort, was spent in day trips to Jim Thorpe, PA (Reading RR), Delaware Water Gap (Trolly), various waterfalls, and seven covered bridges.  With fall colors adorning the mountains, it was an amazing event.

                                        REFLECTIONS

When you think about it, time just keeps on ticking and marching along.  What "is" quickly becomes what "was", what "will be" becomes what "is".  We are reminded of this almost daily as we look into the mirror.  This group of fourteen came to Olivet Nazarene University in the late 1960's as individuals and left as couples!  The couples became families and the families continued to grow.

We are all now grandparents and Sherry and I just found out that we will become Great-grandparents next year!  That means that my oldest son is a grandfather!  How is that even possible!

Yet, in spite of the passing of years, family and friends remain an integral part of our lives.  They are the ones that love us regardless of our shortcomings.  They are the ones that encourage us to keep on keeping on.

For our family and friends there is another strong connection and that is our faith.  Faith in One greater than us.  Faith in One who will stand with us and help keep us together.  If my faith was only in myself or in others, I would surely fall way short of all He wants me to be.  Family, friends, and faith keep me going year after year as time quickly moves long.  I trust that you have found as much joy in your journey as I have!