top of the morning, friends.....i hope this blog entry finds you all well.
things are going well here. dad is improving daily and gaining strength. he is, however, continuing to lose weight. he has lost nearly 40 lbs, so we're monitoring that closely. he is back to walking his dog and fishing occasionally--so those are good signs. thanks again for all the thoughts and prayers during his recovery.
the first picture is of my buddy alan forbes and me on a recent trip to deer creek. later that week, he and his mom came over for a pizza and movie night. we watched "nim's island." i actually stayed awake too!
the second picture here is of my friend kathy and me in helen, georgia during my recent vacation. i stopped to see her at her retirement home and we enjoyed a day of riding together. she is a fellow law enforcement officer that a met at a conference a few years back.
the recent "2008 motorcycles and murals" tour was a great success! we had between 15-20 people this year. the murals, foliage, fellowship, and ribs were outstanding! thanks to all those who attended. although the ride was chilly starting out, it gets bigger and better every year! i will have a few pictures to post in future blog entries. elzie somehow managed to get through the event without getting lost or arrested!
i have a several praise reports:
- i've added the eliptical to my training workout. i'm up to about 2 miles at a time, in addition to my daily walking routine. i still use a cane most of the time, as my limp still adversely affects my lower back.
- i've contacted MADD to search for potential volunteer opportunities. i would like to contribute and make a positive impact from the perspectives of both a victim and as a retired law enforcement officer who has arrested impaired drivers.
- congratulations on dianna's transfer to finance & logistics! she will be great in her new position! best of luck!
- congratulations to christy c. for graduating from her military school in texas this month. she's now off to west virginia for additional training before her return home. she's been missed!
- now that school and therapy are finished, i'm finally mobile and back in the hunt for my next career!
please keep the following people in your prayers, as they have had loved ones pass or are experiencing illness of some sort:
- scott rike's family
- barb hauser's family
- barb moore's mom
- glenda woodgeard
- erin hubbard (upcoming tests)
- virginia satir -
story for the day:
when your hut's on fire
the only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. he prayed feverishly for God to rescue him. every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements, and to store his few possessions. one day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, with smoke rolling up to the sky. he felt the worst had happened, and everything was lost. he was stunned with disbelief, grief, and anger. he cried out, "God! how could you do this to me?" early the next day, he was awakened by the sound of a ship approaching the island! it had come to rescue him! "how did you know i was here?" asked the weary man of his rescuers. "we saw your smoke signal," they replied.
the moral of this story:
it's easy to get discouraged when things are going bad, but we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of our pain and suffering. remember that the next time your little hut seems to be burning to the ground. it just may be a smoke signal that summons the Grace of God.
until next time....be blessed!lisa - 1095
