WALKING THROUGH LIFE TOGETHER (May 19 - May 26, 2017)

Once again, we took to the air and our standby status posed no problems.  We flew out of
Indianapolis, Indiana, between early morning thunderstorms and landed in Saginaw, Michigan, where the temperature was a "balmy" 43 degrees.  This would be a week of reunion with four other couples with whom we had shared college life over 50 years ago at Olivet Nazarene College in Kankakee, Illinois.
Gene and Judy Smith met us at the airport, and we drove north to Boyne Falls, Michigan, and the Boyne Mountain Resort.  Before the week was over we were joined by Fred and Linda Hall, Bryan and Rosie Solomon, and Ken and Linda Moore.

Day trips were spent visiting places with names like Petoskey, Boyne City, Charlevoix, Ironton, and Kalkaska.  Venues included places like Dead Man's Overlook, Castle Farms, Kilwin's Chocolate Factory, the Bay View Retreat Center, and the Ironton Car Ferry.  Much food was consumed and many table games played,

There were both times of "laugh so hard you cry moments" and "pause while choking back tears moments".

It was a time for remembering and a time sharing what the Lord has done in your life.  It was a time to talk about what it means to be "older" and a time to talk about the grandchildren.  It was a time to "rejoice with those who rejoice" and to "weep with those who weep."

It was a time to cherish.


REFLECTIONS

As we travel through our lives, we develop relationships with various people.  Some become acquaintances, some become friends, and a few become lifetime friends.  It is hard to tell what makes some move from one level to the next, they just do.  Those lifetime friends become a vital part of our living, of our journey.  They are there in the victories with their cheers, and they are there in our defeats with their tears.  They are there!  Even when you don't see them for years, or don't talk to them for weeks, you know they are there.  They are your support, your rocks.

I value the relationships with my family, don't misunderstand me. Those who share my blood are special,, and my love for them undeniable.  But the fact is that they have no choice.  They are my family, like it or not.  That is one of the big differences with life- long friends....they have chosen to stick with me, to support me with actions and prayers, to be there should I need their support.  They are a part of my life because they chose to be.

I trust that you are blessed with such folks in your life, people who have chosen to be your friends.  Love them, pray for them, cherish them while you can, for someday they will, like us all, pass from this life to the next,, and our earthly visits will cease.

I am thankful that I had this week and trust that there will be several more to come.  Maybe there's someone you need to call today.  Maybe there's someone who just needs to know that you call them friend.  Be blessed and remember that, for the Christ-follower, the BEST IS YET TO COME.

SPRING FAMILY MERRY GO ROUND ( APRIL 29 - MAY 18, 2017)

We left South Carolina for Indiana and made every flight with no difficulty.  So far, flying standby has not been a problem.  We left behind the ocean and beach for the warmth of family in both Indiana and Missouri.  It was a little bit like being on a merry-go-round!

First, in Indiana, we enjoyed soccer matches (Adelyn) in Westfield, Indiana, where she even managed to score a smooth goal off a corner kick and a Volleyball Tournament in Indianapolis (Abigail) where her team won its division, and she made some outstanding plays.  Oh yes, did I mention that the Soccer game and the Volleyball Tournament were on the same Saturday about 40 miles apart?

Next, after a few days at the cabin and visiting Sherry's mom, it was jump a couple of planes (no problems) and end up in Battlefield, Missouri with Aaron's family.  Austin was graduating from High School, so it was getting things ready for an Open House.  Christian had his 14th birthday so a trip to Orange Leaf in Springfield was in order.  Also, Justin and Austin had a band concert the night before all but one of the four grandsons left with Aaron and Jennifer for Olivet Nazarene University.
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Now, with all but Ethan gone, it meant early morning, 15 mile trips taking him to his school in Republic, as well as making sure he was good to go for his sixth grade band concert.  Attending the concert was an awesome experience.

That just left church on Sunday morning, an afternoon High School graduation service at Missouri State University, and a 4 hour Open House back in Battlefield.  We are so proud of Austin!  He has grown into a wonderful young man of faith.  Talented and humble, I believe that our Lord has some great plans for him.  He will mark the third generation of Dicers at Olivet Nazarene University, and I know he'll make us proud.

Up at 3 a.m. the next morning, we retraced our flight path and arrived back in Indiana in time for Abigail's Orchestra Concert.  As I write this blog I must confess that I am ready for a long nap but now it's down to Bloomington, Indiana to see Sherry's mom for the day, pack up for our three week adventure in Michigan with friends, and catch a 5:30 a.m. flight to somewhere.

REFLECTIONS

Whew....I got warn out just writing this piece!  Round and round we went from place to place, from activity to activity, from game to game, from concert to concert.

It reminded me of several things.  It reminded me that I am perhaps too old for all of this, and that parents have a real challenge to juggle schedules and plans to make it all happen for the benefit of their children.  I really don't know how they do it!  I thought that it was hectic when we had kids at home but, somehow, it seems more frantic now.  I applaud all you who make it happen for your families these days.  You are special.

It reminded me that, although it is a "go round", it is a "Merry" one. Don't get so wrapped up in the logistics and craziness that you miss out on the merriness! Enjoy these days as parents and grandparents.  Be merry, and let the kids by merry.  Don't push too hard, don't demand too much.  Just have fun with them while they have fun playing the game or the instrument.  Enjoy every moment.  Be Blessed.

TREASURED ISLAND, PART TWO (APRIL 13 - 28, 2017)

The second half of our five week visit to Wyndham Ocean Ridge Resort on Edisto Island, South Carolina was a time of  rest and relaxation.  While on the remote Island we had no ground transportation, so the entire time was spent enjoying and exploring the amazingly beautiful and quiet piece of ground surrounding the resort.  We found biking/walking trails cut through the jungle-like landscape.   We found local restaurants like "Whaleys", "Pressleys at the Marina", "The Sea Cow", and "Finns". We found board walks along the tidal creek.  We found miles and miles of deserted beaches just waiting for our footprints to appear only to be swallowed by the restless ocean.  We found ourselves and each other.  And we found signs of "HIM" everywhere we looked.

It's been five weeks; thirty five days, and I know that some of you are saying "I bet you're glad it's over and that you can get back to the "real" world."  Well, I'm not so sure that we didn't find the "real" world, and we have already reserved eight weeks here next spring.  It is not a place for everyone but, for Sherry and me, it is a place that calls us back time and time again.  It calls us back from the edge of busyness to the center of peace.

We were blessed, for the final three days of our time on Edisto Island to be visited by Bryan and Rosie Solomon as they made their snowbird return journey from Florida to Indiana.  We have known them for over 50 years starting when we were all freshmen at Olivet Nazarene University in Illinois.  Although ministry assignments kept us separated for most of those 50 years, we managed to stay in touch and every once and awhile vacation together.  Long time friends (not OLD friends) are the best.
We spent those three days remembering days gone by and wondering what the future will hold in the years to come.  But mostly we just enjoyed the moments together playing card games and taking in all the beauty around us.  Naturally, we had to do a sunset or two!

REFLECTIONS

Life on an island is pretty much reflective of our life on earth.  On an island there is a completion, a beginning and an end, a place to watch a sunrise and a place to watch a sunset.  I found this week that, although I totally enjoyed the sunrise and the sunset places, the bulk of my time was spent somewhere between the two. 

I also found out in talking to some others visiting this island place that what for me were incredible walks through the jungle were times of miserable conflict with flying insects for others.  What for me were valued walks down peaceful beaches were times of seeing dead jelly fish and not enough beach access points for others.  You get the idea, right?  Life, like an island, is pretty much what we choose to make it.  We decide how we handle the good with the bad.

As for me, I choose to focus on all the benefits that the creator of my island of life has provided.  Has my life been perfect?  No!  But it has been blessed.

As for me, I choose to always enjoy the immortal sea and her never ending waves.  I chose to enjoy the limitless sky and the unreachable horizon.

As always, on an island or in life, I believe that the best is yet to come.

TREASURED ISLAND, PART ONE (MARCH 25-APRIL 12, 2017)

Today marks the half way mark of our five week stay on Edisto Island, South Carolina.  This quiet, out of the way, peaceful place has been our refuge from time to time over the past thirty some years.
It is a point of land nestled on the Atlantic Ocean between Charleston, SC and Savanna, Georgia.  It is a sliver of majestic trees, breath taking marsh, out of the way beaches, golf, and a few good local restaurants (Oh wait...there is a "Subway" here now.)

It is the place where Aaron was chased by a alligator, Andrew broke his collarbone biking, and Autumn.... well Autumn just fell in love with everything about the place.  Family memories hover around every bend of the tree lined lanes, the swimming pools, and the mini-golf.  All four of our grandsons spent their "special 5 year old vacation" here with Grandfather and Grandma Sherry.

Now Sherry and I are here as retired folks.  But for the first week we were not alone.  Autumn managed to persuade her family to join us for their spring break (She also managed somehow get here with her family for three out of the four boys "special vacations").  We made the 16 hour drive through the night with that awesome family and completely enjoyed their time with us.  They were days filled with laughter and fun.  Table games, beach time, bike riding, dolphin watching, and Gator finding filled the time.
They were pleasant days that will be added to the memories.

The last twelve days it's just been the two of us.  But what great days they've been just doin' 'bout nothin'.  I've fished some, walked a lot, set in the warmth of the sun and watched it come up and go down (you can do that on an island).  Guess that's why some call it...."Ed is slow" Island but that's OK by me.

Lord willing we'll return again next spring and do it all over again.  Please don't tell anyone else about this special, semi-secret place.  We want to keep this best kept secret place in South Carolina to ourselves.  Shhhhhhh!


REFLECTIONS

We live in a busy, hurry up, do it now, glitter and glitz kind of world.  The more showy, the more spectacular, the more exciting, the more busy places, seem to get all the attention.  We rush off to "vacation" in places like Las Vegas, Orlando, and Myrtle Beach and we come back home in need of a vacation.  We pound our way through the work week to get to the weekend and then spend the weekend running here and there looking for a bigger thrill than we managed the last weekend.  WE NEED TO SLOW DOWN, to find a time and place to just unwind, to enjoy the landscape and the so many amazing things that the Lord has created.  We need "Edisto Moments", "Edisto Days", "Edisto weeks".

Even the creator needed a day off and in His wisdom told us that we, too, need a Sabbath; a day of rest.  For me...if I must chose between Myrtle Beach and Edisto Island, I say "give me "Ed Is Slow" Island and a peaceful sunset every time.

COLD WEATHER AND WARM HEARTS (February 24 - March 24, 2017)

By the time we leave for South Carolina next week, we will have spent four weeks in Missouri and Indiana with family.  We love these extended times of connecting with those we dearly love.  All of the travels are great but there is something special about just being able now to hang out with our grand children.

While with Aaron's family in Battlefield, Missouri we saw our oldest grandson, Austin, in his school play.  Austin is a senior and will be a freshman next year at Olivet Nazarene University in Illinois (3rd generation of Dicer to attend) and we were able to see the other three grandsons in Bible Quizzing.  Moving on to Indiana, we were able to watch both grand daughters play some volleyball and enjoy the warmth of their fireplace on what turned out to be cold nights.

It was also a time to head down to Bloomington, Indiana and open up the cabin.  The birds appreciated the refill to the feeder and the deer made their trek to the cabin for their midnight snacks. Much time was spent visiting Sherry's mom and we celebrated her 88th birthday.  Sometime in the middle of all that, we passed the written test at the BMV and now have Indiana drivers licenses.  We are Hoosiers once more.

I just figured out that for the first 130 days this traveling adventure we have spent 89 days in various places and 41 days with family.  We'll see how that mix changes as we continue down this road that the Lord has allowed us to travel.  Thanks for the continued prayers.

SEASCAPES AND SUNSETS (February 3 - February 24, 2017)

The stand by flights from Tucson, Arizona to Atlanta, Ga. to Panama City, Florida all were accomplished without any problems and we arrived at the Wyndham Vacation Club Resort on Panama City Beach late Friday night, February 3rd.  This 24 story beach front resort was to be our home for the next three weeks and our front yard was the Gulf of Mexico.  Lots of long walks down the white sand beach and, frankly, lots of time just looking out our 9th floor window at the ever changing scenery below.
The sunsets were magnificent, every one just a little different, and each one brought a sigh as the orange orb seemed to crash into the watery horizon.  What a way to end each day.

REFLECTIONS

Our first morning's view of the Gulf of Mexico was as a shimmering, quiet, peaceful body of water with waves that could hardly be heard as they gently kissed the shore.  Peaceful, tranquil, and inviting are words that come to mind to describe its demeanor. However, the next morning, upon pulling open the curtains, revealed a frothy. restless, surging body of water with waves that crashed loudly as they aggressively bit into the sandy shoreline.  Foreboding, intimidating, and harsh are words that come to mind to describe its demeanor that second day. We talked about how quickly it changed.

In our lives.....things change and sometimes they change quickly.  Situations and people change.  There are times when everything is going along smoothly with little disturbance and the next thing you know there's chaos.  That's life; ebbs and flows, kisses and bites.  People who you labeled as a friend become an antagonist, smooth sailing becomes a rough ride. Count on it.  And counting on it, be prepared for it.  Trust these sudden changes to the One who calmed the raging sea, the One who knows what it feels like to be betrayed.

As you pull back the curtain on each new day, remember to trust Him no matter what the day holds.  

And then there are the sunsets.  Each evening as we sat on our balcony or on the beach and watched the sun descend below the horizon, we remarked; "Wow, once it gets close to going down, it goes down in a hurry!"

That, too, seems to be true in life.  The closer we get to our "sunset" the faster everything seems to go.  I don't know about anyone else but, as for me, I want my sunset to be awesome!  I want people to say, as my earthly life passes from view, that was beautiful.  I want my "going down" to be a blessing to those viewing.

I have learned, as I've photographed so many sunsets, that their beauty is, many times, determined by their surroundings.  Therefore, I choose to surround myself with people and things that will bring beauty and meaning into my life.

It will happen quickly, this "sunset".  But please remember that for the Christ follower the BEST IS YET TO COME.

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PRICKLY PRAISE......CACTUS AND CANYONS (January 20 - February 2,2017)

The stand by flights from San Antonio, Texas through Salt Lake City, Utah to Tucson, Arizona went without problem and an Uber ride took us the rest of the way to Oro Valley and the Wyndham Rancho Vistoso Resort.

Nestled between two mountain ranges, the resort, on the desert floor, was lovely.  We had never stayed in the desert before and found it to be starkly beautiful and the ideal place for hiking.  We visited Honey Bee Canyon and the Sabino Canyon National Park.  Both were outstanding but Sabino was unreal. Our TWO WEEKS in the Sonoran desert were unique and most enjoyable.  Even the trail, in the wash, behind the resort provided surprises with rabbits, quail, deer, and Javelina sharing our hiking space.

REFLECTIONS

The Saguaro cactus is exclusive to the Sonoran desert.  These huge cacti can grow to be 70 feet tall and weigh many tons.  Their "arms" stretch toward the sky, as if in praise to their creator, and they make the desert landscape come alive with shapes and color.  They climb the canyon walls, sometimes, seemingly, rooted in the rocks and boulders that abound.

Sometimes we, also, are forced to grow in rough spots,in less than favorable situations. Might we, like the Saguaro, take root where we are and, with arms stretched high, provide a reminder to those who might pass by that we can make a difference to the landscape around us. Might we, in the canyons and stark places in our lives, always be people of praise. One thing, however, I didn't like about the Saguaro was that they always held you at "arms" length.  You can't put your arm around them without feeling pain.  As I heard a native hiker tell his hiking companion from "up north"; "You can look but don't touch!"

Therefore, might we, while trying to bring the beauty of Christ to those who pass by, never be so "prickly" that they feel kept at arms length. Let us reach both up to Him and out to others.

Be blessed, bloom where you are planted, and remember that the best is yet to come.