It’s Saturday, and I am at home. It is a good day. I have so many people to thank, but I also have people that never knew I was having surgery yesterday because I neglected to post something on my FB page. I left that work to Jenny, her page and a blog on this abandoned blogger page. And while there were many people mentioned by name, there were many more left to the phrase “you know who you are.” I am not a coward, but I am lazy. I sincerely do love you all, regardless of mention by name.

The device I have been carrying around for 8 years was a simple ICD (defibrillator). The one they installed yesterday does it all. Three leads – one to pace the atrium (typically not doing anything) one in the right ventricle and the important pacing lead in the left ventricle. The guy from Medtronics went on and on about what this thing can do, and I did not have a notebook. My William and Mary friends might be tempted to say “well, that’s nothing new.” 

As I scan Facebook today I feel truly blessed – please see the blog I wrote before the surgery. You all have been there to support and challenge me and more importantly to lift me up by sharing your own ups and downs.

Thanks again everybody. Be blessed.

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to let you know that the defibrillator that has kept watch over me for the last 8 years is due for a change out. By tomorrow around noon I should have the latest technology and maybe an extra lead or two that will improve my existing heart function.

It is something to reflect on the years God has added to my life. I have seen young people I knew in Delaware graduate from college – the most recent being Britta. I have seen younger people grow up – hey Wesley, nice job on the 4.0 average and outrunning your Dad in the 5K (or was it 10?). I have seen people get married and have children – Sarah, Matt and Linsey congratulations on the birth of Nora, Ryan and Jacob. I have worked with some of the greatest colleagues ever – always watching out for me. Special thanks to Antonio, Lee, Ramona, Ed, Sara, Gordon, Wayne, David and Kim. I have seen my boys grow into men. I am blessed to have had two wonderful faith experiences since moving to NC, one at a “mega church” that allowed a rickety old man to mentor young small group leaders (thanks to Brett, Mike O, Chase, and the Platts) and Pine Valley UMC that feels like the home we had in Delaware at Aldersgate (there are too many names to add to account for the wonderful friends at those two churches and you all know who you are).

I have seen my father turn 90 and be inducted into our old high school’s Hall of Fame. I have helped my Mom deal with knee replacement surgery. And I have watched in amazement as my brother has made the best of a stroke suffered 12 years ago.

But most importantly I have shared 8 more years with my best pal.

Thank you to all of you that continue to post something of your lives on Facebook so that I can add your thrills to mine.

It seems like it all adds up to a Jimmy Stewart Wonderful Life if we let it.

Love you all and will post something post op to let you know how things went.

its been a long time

this week started with an "i'm thinking about leaving facebook until after the election" post that inspired some conversation between some friends of mine that do not know each other, Jeanne Janet and Pat. Janet and Pat know each other well but neither of them has met Jeanne. They need to meet her and Jeanne them. Not sure how this is going to happen, but these are 3 women that love God and demonstrate His love to others in awesome ways (like my Jenny, of course).

This thought led me to think about the nature of my "leaving Facebook" post. I was frustrated by my friends posting political stuff. I do not want FB to be a political platform - these are my friends, and I do not usually talk politics with my friends so why would I want to play that game on Facebook. I love every person that I have confirmed or asked to be my friend. I do not want their political persuasion and the fact that they might push that persuasion on FB to be a stumbling block for me. On the other hand, the fact that my post resulted in these 3 Godly women interacting is a GOOD thing.

so today was my birthday. somewhat frustrating due to all the driving and the first two hours of it being in typical northern va traffic. but it was a blessing too. earlier the holy spirit snuck up on me in church...church that i did not want to do because of the traffic mentioned earlier - i thought i would rather get on the road early and beat everyone down the road. God had other plans. the episcopal lectionary for today includes John 6:51-58 where Christ talks about his body and blood. it is a great message for a day with communion and a baptism. i remember this passage from disciple bible study because of the verses that follow it where we find that Christ's message was so difficult for some of his followers that they abandoned the ministry. i thought about my day and how it started with me so wanting to do my own thing (on my birthday) to get home as soon as possible and resenting church...then..."hello, Christ calling. what are you up to? how are your parents? ah, you are with them at church. can you hear me? did you get that word about my body and blood? it was a good one wasn't it? are we good? ok, you can go now." it almost went down like that...i could not hear him until the lesson was preached and i had taken part in His body and blood. there were at least a couple tears shed during those moments. you cannot ask for a better birthday.

then i got to speak with david in TZ and received a pic text from rick and autumne and fb posts from many friends. super day.

Happy New Year

It's been a long time since the last post; NFL playoffs are set, college football has crowned it champion (Alabama), RE is concentrating on service this month, AUMC students are at youth rally this weekend and David is in South Africa being treated for foot drop.

Holidays were wonderful - full of family gathering time and birthday celebrations. It is too cold even in NC this week.

Utmost has been terrific - sometimes too deep for my feeble mind - but always challenging to consider. Pondering the connection between topics on Jan 6 (worship) and Jan 8 (living sacrifice) and Romans 12:1-2. Oswald writes about giving back to God the best he has given you as an act of worship and that God does not expect us to give up stuff just to give it up, but to give it up to bring us closer to him. I recommend looking at David's blog, suffer, to discover what this means in the life of a Peace Corps volunteer struggling with his service.

LPJ

Conversations with Dave

Want to share conversations with Dave (our son in Tanzania with the Peace Corps) so that you can share in his adventure beyond what he has time to put in his own blog.

For example, many have wondered who the girl was in the blog "wtf moments". It was one of his fellow PC trainees (PCTs) who was serving because the bride or groom was a member of her host family. You may remember that Dave was there with his "brother". I put "brother" in quotes, but it sounds like the families really treat the PCTs as family in every way.

Dave has settled in. He plays guitar for his family.

Took 3 pair of underwear for 2 years in Africa and thinks he may have brought too much.

He does get mail. We sent a package to him the week he left for Africa and it got to him in two weeks. You can send mail to the address on his blog page.

He should know where he will be placed in a couple weeks.

He has seen the Southern Cross (Crux).

He is taking malaria prophalaxis once a week variety.

His host family's last name is Nyabange.

He is teaching real students now and likes it.

He went on a "safari" in Mikumi National Park about 3 hours from Morogoro and saw all kinds of wild animals lions elephants giraffe hippos crocodiles impalas wildebeast warthogs gazelle monkeys and baboons. At night he stayed at a hotel which featured a king size bed and western toilets which is nice.

Today he had a very nice birthday - cupcakes to celebrate and well wishes from his fellow PCTs. I know he will appreciate all the Facebook HBs. Thanks, you guys.

Lastly, today's My Utmost for His Highest scripture is Matt 28:19 - I will leave it to you to look it up, but suffice it to say it is appropriate on this young man's birthday.

Thats it for now. LPJ

stones and other evidence

I heard a message on Sunday Oct 4 at PC3 that has been part of my stream of consciousness ever since. You can experience that message by clicking the link to PC3 below and navigating to the message archive via “This Week's Message” on the home page. There were so many nuggets in that message I cannot recount them all, and I encourage anyone reading this to take the hour or so to check it out including the video at the beginning. Mike talked about humility, exaltation and eventually influence – all for God's glory. It has me thinking about all the folks that I have been in ministry with, how precious they are to me and how God has allowed us to influence each other for His purposes. Sometimes it is hard to figure out until you have a chance to look back. In some cases we probably still can't see the big picture because we're too close to what's happening. Yet I still find one of the most vivid and concrete evidences of God's presence to be in the lives of people He has changed. One part of Mike's message talks about the 'equation' → gifts + talents = accomplishments and how faith in God changes the right side of the equation. I especially wonder if the young people I know are experiencing this in their lives. I pray that they do. Mike cited Joshua 3 and the journey across the Jordon and marking the spot with the 12 stones from the river just crossed. I need to mark the spots I witness in a similar way … I wonder if its okay to go back to the rivers crossed and make a mark to remember that we were there with God.

10/3 - He's Safe

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first, the pink text is honoring breast cancer awareness month. there are so many around us that have been affected. just praying that those affected can find some comfort in knowing there are others pulling for them and that they can find peace in Jesus.

can you believe it. Dave finally had a opportunity to post something today. I think it may be a couple days old based on the schedule we were given, but it doesn't matter. confirmation that he is alive is all we were hoping for. the story about the malaria test brings a sigh as we know how sensitive he is to the sight of his own blood although he usually goes to sleep.

venturing into the daily devotional "utmost for His highest" by o. chambers while Dave is away.  interesting that the first three days he was gone the titles of the devotions related to "missionary" and the book is not arranged 1 through 365, it is actually done by the date.

while David could not communicate, we were in the woods in NC with the wonderful young people of PC3's Ripple Effect. the time was awesome - i was exhausted but we worshipped and fellowshipped continuously from saturday a.m. to sunday at noon with a short break to sleep (thank you, Jesus).  got to say the blob and capture the flag were the highlights outside of the worship and message from Jake and Brett.

blessings