Here it is MONDAY morning in the desert. We are visiting my youngest son Todd in Henderson Nevada. Yesterday was an AWESOME day at church. For those following this blog, First Henderson United Methodist Church is where I spent 21 years of church development quality time and Pat and I were able to see the current Youth Group serve Youth Sunday Worship. It was a magnificent service! The Youth group is an ongoing Honored tradition that FHUMC is well known for. They have seveal STIX prsentations on UTube and have been asked to perform at the Desert SouthWest Annual Conference this year. Really a great honor. During our time at church yesterday Pat and I were so warmley welcomed by our dear church frinds. We are looking forward to seeing more of them thorugh the week and next Sunday. Pastor Jim gave us such a warm welcome we do appriceate his love and support. He is a perfect fit for the folks of FHUMC as I can see.
Then spent time setting up a 20 gallon aquarium for the granddughters in a fairtale type fashion with pink and purple gravel and a castle, pink treasure chest, and assorted arificial plants. We will be finishing up with the heater and filter system today and if everything is working properly, the fish come home tomorrow. It sure helps having worked in the aquarium retail business years ago . . . the basics remain the same, technology improves. ha ha
Today my son Todd and I are visiting a very good FaceBook friend Doc, this morning. The last trip here was so short and so much jammed in, I ran out of time to get to see him. I vowed not to let that happen this time.
Not much has visually changed here in Henderson that we can see. The trees and scrubs are larger, but that is about all. Traffic is horendous as I had expected it to be, as living in Rutherford for six years where rush hour is right after church lets lets out, and there are five cars on the road at the same time!
So we have a week of visiting friends, and playing with the family. What wonderful rehab this is. Will try to write more in the morning.
Remember, keep singing, keep praying, keep smiling,
Blessings,
Gary
Monday, April 29, 2013
Friday, April 26, 2013
How many folks really see what's going on around you? Are you focused on getting to where you are going to or are thinking about what is going on later, or just drifting in your own "thought pool"?
Pat and I have been doing some traveling westward on Interstate 40 which has a wonderful example of what I thought I would share with you today. There is a collection of history just laying along the freeway that really needs some photographer/writer/researcher to pick up the torch and find out about all the now delapitated and falling apart buildings. You know . . . the ones that in their hayday were being used for hotels, gas stations, homes, businesses, etc. There is a lot of history of where we were and WHO we were that needs picture of the then and now. What happened, that now shows abandonment? Pat did a lot of driving this trip and I was seeing a bunch of those things and we talked about it to some extent. So if you are looking for a project, these places are not just along Hwy 40, but all over our great country. Feel free to make a dent in visiting our history and sharing it with us.
I am missing writing every day, but when I am on the road, it is more difficult to do than when I am home. We are in Henderson Nevada visiting our youngest child, Todd and his fantastic family. We will be here for a while enjoying seeing our granddaughters, Shannon and Todd. Catching up on what's going on, seeing the granddaughter and how grown up they are! Then there are our friends at First Henderson United Methodist Church. For you followers of my blog, you remember that is where I developed most of my church skills. I hope they are still talking to me! ha ha Another highlight is to visit Doc (Chuck)Williams from Facebook fame . . . I missed seeing him last visit and will NOT pass up the opportunity this time. We are fellow seafarers which is quite a forceful bond. Of course Doc's sea duty encompased more exotic places than I, because of the size of his ships. Mine were restricted to the larger ports, where he could see what the "real" people were like. So, when we wear out our welcome here we are off to see our oldest son David to share Mother's Day, his wife Mischell's birthday and youngest daughters High School graduation and Going away party for the Navy...following her Mother, and Grandmother's Navy tradition. When we get back home to Tennessee, we will start prpeparing for our garage sale later on in the summer. When we moved to Tennessee we moved about a 12 ft. square area of stuff to sell at a yard sale, and now with my physical constraints, I am sure there will be more in tools and stuff that I can't use anymore that will be available for cheap.
So what is the point? Major point is: Don't ignore our history. There is a wealth of interesting history out there to give us a clue on the WHO and WHY we, as American's are. We have a rich history of industrial growth, human invention, overcoming obsticals and challenges. That, believe it or not, is VERY important. So pay attention to your family photos, labeling who or what it is, then scan it for your digital records. I know, pretty high tech stuff huh?
I will try to be as consistant as I can until I get back to my regular routine at home, so please be patient until then. After that, all excuses are off. ha ha ha
Remember, Keep singing, keep laughing, keep smiling.
Blessings,
Gary
Pat and I have been doing some traveling westward on Interstate 40 which has a wonderful example of what I thought I would share with you today. There is a collection of history just laying along the freeway that really needs some photographer/writer/researcher to pick up the torch and find out about all the now delapitated and falling apart buildings. You know . . . the ones that in their hayday were being used for hotels, gas stations, homes, businesses, etc. There is a lot of history of where we were and WHO we were that needs picture of the then and now. What happened, that now shows abandonment? Pat did a lot of driving this trip and I was seeing a bunch of those things and we talked about it to some extent. So if you are looking for a project, these places are not just along Hwy 40, but all over our great country. Feel free to make a dent in visiting our history and sharing it with us.
I am missing writing every day, but when I am on the road, it is more difficult to do than when I am home. We are in Henderson Nevada visiting our youngest child, Todd and his fantastic family. We will be here for a while enjoying seeing our granddaughters, Shannon and Todd. Catching up on what's going on, seeing the granddaughter and how grown up they are! Then there are our friends at First Henderson United Methodist Church. For you followers of my blog, you remember that is where I developed most of my church skills. I hope they are still talking to me! ha ha Another highlight is to visit Doc (Chuck)Williams from Facebook fame . . . I missed seeing him last visit and will NOT pass up the opportunity this time. We are fellow seafarers which is quite a forceful bond. Of course Doc's sea duty encompased more exotic places than I, because of the size of his ships. Mine were restricted to the larger ports, where he could see what the "real" people were like. So, when we wear out our welcome here we are off to see our oldest son David to share Mother's Day, his wife Mischell's birthday and youngest daughters High School graduation and Going away party for the Navy...following her Mother, and Grandmother's Navy tradition. When we get back home to Tennessee, we will start prpeparing for our garage sale later on in the summer. When we moved to Tennessee we moved about a 12 ft. square area of stuff to sell at a yard sale, and now with my physical constraints, I am sure there will be more in tools and stuff that I can't use anymore that will be available for cheap.
So what is the point? Major point is: Don't ignore our history. There is a wealth of interesting history out there to give us a clue on the WHO and WHY we, as American's are. We have a rich history of industrial growth, human invention, overcoming obsticals and challenges. That, believe it or not, is VERY important. So pay attention to your family photos, labeling who or what it is, then scan it for your digital records. I know, pretty high tech stuff huh?
I will try to be as consistant as I can until I get back to my regular routine at home, so please be patient until then. After that, all excuses are off. ha ha ha
Remember, Keep singing, keep laughing, keep smiling.
Blessings,
Gary
Sunday, April 21, 2013
At this point I really don't remember what I was thinking when I accepted going in to the hospital for a Heart Cath.. The results were wonderful as they found a major artery with a 70% blockage which when they put a stint in the vein, it now prevented a heart attack. THAT is a good thing. However, my life has changed once again. New things like blood thinners, not lifting much of anything for a while until the hole heals that they created to get into the circulatory system to begin with.
At the present time, my right arm hurts, I am very tired, my mouth is dry, nothing tastes all that great. Can't carry my guitar to church let alone play it (right now). I don't understand what is being said, as my hearing seems to warble in and out. It is a good thing I am going to see my cardiologist tomorrow to ask questions and maybe get to feeling better.
I am hopeful for the future. I do belong to Jesus and our Heavenly Father, so that is so great to know, it gives me assurance that this is only something I am passing through. We will be visiting our boys and their families soon and are really excited about that. It has been a long time since we saw the kids.
Today's "blog" is a touch different than normal....that's the way it goes sometimes, I guess. I will try to be a little more positive next time but don't really know how regular I will be in the coming several weeks. I DO appreciate your stopping in and your interest in reading what I have been doing, where I have traveled, and will continue to share my thoughts with you again, regularly. Hoping it is of some value to you, the reader. In all our tiredness, we ALWAYS have God to cling to. Jesus is our Lord and Savior, and will provide comfort in knowing that our future is with Him and Father God in the Glory of Heaven, no matter how nasty it gets here on earth. I know that's what I think and how I believe. Hope you can come to that conclusion as well. All is good in the Kingdom of God.
Praise be to God
Remember, keep singing, keep praying, keep smiling
til later....
Blessings,
Gary
At the present time, my right arm hurts, I am very tired, my mouth is dry, nothing tastes all that great. Can't carry my guitar to church let alone play it (right now). I don't understand what is being said, as my hearing seems to warble in and out. It is a good thing I am going to see my cardiologist tomorrow to ask questions and maybe get to feeling better.
I am hopeful for the future. I do belong to Jesus and our Heavenly Father, so that is so great to know, it gives me assurance that this is only something I am passing through. We will be visiting our boys and their families soon and are really excited about that. It has been a long time since we saw the kids.
Today's "blog" is a touch different than normal....that's the way it goes sometimes, I guess. I will try to be a little more positive next time but don't really know how regular I will be in the coming several weeks. I DO appreciate your stopping in and your interest in reading what I have been doing, where I have traveled, and will continue to share my thoughts with you again, regularly. Hoping it is of some value to you, the reader. In all our tiredness, we ALWAYS have God to cling to. Jesus is our Lord and Savior, and will provide comfort in knowing that our future is with Him and Father God in the Glory of Heaven, no matter how nasty it gets here on earth. I know that's what I think and how I believe. Hope you can come to that conclusion as well. All is good in the Kingdom of God.
Praise be to God
Remember, keep singing, keep praying, keep smiling
til later....
Blessings,
Gary
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Thursday, April 18, 2013
How many look forward to Medical Tests, RAISE YOUR HANDS! I thought so. Nobody. This is a preparation day for me. Years ago, after I returned from Desert Storm, I had a heart Cath. test. It was rather nerve wracking as I was not real sure what was going to happen or even what it was! My cardiologist had decided that this test was needed to find out the answers to some questions about my circulatory system. Being a modest person, when I found out they were going to insert a device into my groin area, panic set in. They have drugs to reduce that problem and after a bit I was ok to watch the TV monitor as the journey through my blood system commenced. It was at the last part of the test that went a little amok. As I was watching the monitor, suddenly everything went black...like middle of the night darkness. Couldn't see a thing. No shadows, nothing. And the nurse's voice was calling me saying "Breathe Gary, breathe" It sounded like she was a couple rooms down the hall. I remember thinking "I am breathing" Then there was a horrible pain to my chest. I found out later that it was from those little machines you see the medics on TV with, when they shout "CLEAR!" The victim bounces off the table a few inches, and dies. I am glad to say, the last part did not happen, well, I didn't stay dead anyway. I guess the line did not stay flat long enough to be considered dead.....thank GOD! However, I had to put a gel on the outlines of the two paddle marks on my chest for several weeks. It seems that I have an allergy to the trace material they use for this test, and it stopped my heart. The doctor spoke to Pat (I am told) that "Gary has a strong heart muscle". I think it is a good thing too!
I am telling you this as I am preparing for another one Friday morning. Am I scared? A little. Since my hospital visit a couple months ago, and the chemical stress test, the Pulmonary Function test, and all, they seem to want to double check my circulation system again . . . . just to rule out heart problems. I'm fine with that. I am all for eliminating things to worry about. What I have going on is so minor in comparison to what others are going through. Look at the Boston Marathon casualties. They have more to deal with than what I have to deal with. What a disaster. What hate. We must keep everyone in prayer for their healing and peace of mind. Their lives have indeed changed. In a way, it makes my challenges seem like a walk in the park. IF we just look around, we realize that we are not alone in the worry department. We are not alone when it comes to challenges in life. There is ALWAYS someone who is suffering with pain or anxiety much more than we are. Does knowing that help us any? Most of the time not. It may keep us more humble for a while though.
I am taking some medication today to counter the trace materials adverse effect on my heart, so it won't stop again. I died once, it wasn't my time, I didn't like the shocking experience and don't want to repeat it. No, there was no light at the end of the tunnel. I saw neither the light NOR the tunnel. Just blackness and the audio distance. The procedures have improved over time, so I am hopeful there will not be a replay of the last time.
All of this is to say that no matter how firm a spiritual foundation we have, human fear creeps in to cause us some challenges. I just finished the book written by Chris Kyle the Navy Seal, Sniper. In comparison to the injuries and mayhem he dealt with and then to be killed after all that he endured, is another senseless loss of life.
So now that I have written my therapy for the day, Tomorrow I can stand tall, put a smile on my face and say a prayer for God to guide the doctors and staff, and suck it up. The results will give everyone the knowledge needed to continue my journey in God's service. AMEN
Remember, Keep singing, keep praying, keep smiling
Blessings,
Gary
I am telling you this as I am preparing for another one Friday morning. Am I scared? A little. Since my hospital visit a couple months ago, and the chemical stress test, the Pulmonary Function test, and all, they seem to want to double check my circulation system again . . . . just to rule out heart problems. I'm fine with that. I am all for eliminating things to worry about. What I have going on is so minor in comparison to what others are going through. Look at the Boston Marathon casualties. They have more to deal with than what I have to deal with. What a disaster. What hate. We must keep everyone in prayer for their healing and peace of mind. Their lives have indeed changed. In a way, it makes my challenges seem like a walk in the park. IF we just look around, we realize that we are not alone in the worry department. We are not alone when it comes to challenges in life. There is ALWAYS someone who is suffering with pain or anxiety much more than we are. Does knowing that help us any? Most of the time not. It may keep us more humble for a while though.
I am taking some medication today to counter the trace materials adverse effect on my heart, so it won't stop again. I died once, it wasn't my time, I didn't like the shocking experience and don't want to repeat it. No, there was no light at the end of the tunnel. I saw neither the light NOR the tunnel. Just blackness and the audio distance. The procedures have improved over time, so I am hopeful there will not be a replay of the last time.
All of this is to say that no matter how firm a spiritual foundation we have, human fear creeps in to cause us some challenges. I just finished the book written by Chris Kyle the Navy Seal, Sniper. In comparison to the injuries and mayhem he dealt with and then to be killed after all that he endured, is another senseless loss of life.
So now that I have written my therapy for the day, Tomorrow I can stand tall, put a smile on my face and say a prayer for God to guide the doctors and staff, and suck it up. The results will give everyone the knowledge needed to continue my journey in God's service. AMEN
Remember, Keep singing, keep praying, keep smiling
Blessings,
Gary
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Minneapolis, Minnesota is a beautiful city. It is "the City of Lakes". When I grew up in South Minneapolis, we had several lakes real close by that had swimming beaches and fishing from the banks available to us. In the winter the lakes of course would be iced over, and skating rinks were cleared of snow. For safety reasons I suppose, the stopped doing that and started flooding areas in the parks around the lakes for skating rinks. They came with warming houses which were a wonderful time of taking the chill . . . . not lets rephrase that. . . . the penetrating COLD, that would overtake whatever heat your body was trying to maintain while outside. It would LOOK real nice out with the sun shining and all, but it was probably sub zero real temps. They also had hockey rinks flooded for those with athletic skating abilities. I was NOT one of those. As I remember it, there were about 10 long blocks to a mile in Minneapolis. At least that was the "Urban legend" of distance. By that standard, I lived on 37th Street and Lake Hiawatha was about 44th or so. It has been many years since I've been in Minneapolis, so forgive me. That would have been only a half mile walk. After an hour or two of skating and playing in the snow, that half mile walk home seemed a lot longer, I'll tell ya!
In the summer time, it was much nicer except for the mosquitoes. I remember as a little kid, seeing jeeps driving down the streets spraying to kill those blood suckers. What a fog they created. EPA rules of course prevent that from happening now. Watching the 4th of July fireworks was always a two edged sword. I love to see the display, but it came with a price. That price was a body full of mosquito bite welts. I was allergic to those critters. But the rest of the seasons were pretty nice. The Spring and the Fall were cooler, the colors in the fall were great. For a while we even burned our raked leaves in the gutter of the street. That was always fun. I had the fire watch to make sure it didn't spread. Responsibility. Made me feel grown up.
When I went over to Grandma and Grandpa Rockart's house I was allowed to explore the area close to the river that was like a jungle to me. My imagination was pretty peaked in those years. I loved following the barely visible trails that had been made, imagining all kinds of stories as I moved through "the wilds". It was even more fun when we were able to get over to "the Falls", as there was a stream that went from Minnehaha Falls to the river and along the way were limestone caves and all kinds of neat places to explore. So I guess I had a pretty active imagination to go along with the parks and trails that Minneapolis provided.
Now isn't that a pretty picture? Some years it was pretty dry, but this is what I remember and that is just fine. I think that we all have memories of our childhood that gives us a "worm fuzzy feeling". In reality it could be something completely different though. Have you ever had that happen? Kind of a let down wasn't it. I think that is why pictures are always good to have. Since I have been writing this blog, it has gotten me off my butt and back to scanning family history through the media of film. I have a whole photo box full of "Gary's Memories". Through the Photoshop program, I am able to easily restore the photos to near original tone values. We all understand about those old colored pictures fade or turn yellowish brown. That is what the Falls picture looked like before I clicked on "AUTO COLOR". Makes me look like a computer guru or something! ha ha
I suggest to y'all, that you start (if not already) restoring your family memories and get them safely tucked away on several media....like a CD, flash drive, or even a DVD if you got lots and lots. Then distribute them to your other family members so there is, hopefully, a copy that floats around in the future, for our descendants to look at and admire. I wish I had done this years ago because some of the pictures were damaged over time. I also wish I had asked my parents more family history questions before they left us. If you still have your folks with you, ASK NOW! Get it written down and get pictures if you can. Family History is important. It gives you a foundation of information on how you got to where you came from.
I feel sorry for those that are not interested in family heritage. It is almost too sad to think about. I wish I knew more of where my grandparents came from. Where were their parents and grandparents from? What did they do? What part of the world did they come from? We are not alone in this world. We did not all of a sudden appear. Even if there are no "famous" folks in our lineage, isn't it interesting to know what kind of folks came before us? This is one reason (among many as it turns out) that I am doing what I am doing now with this journey through my like via blog. There is a Saffell, Arkansas. Someday, I will go there to do a little more digging and see what I can find about family. They have a family reunion (or used to according to my Mom) every year. Some year I will take a short trip and see what can be seen and learn what can be learned.
Point of this story is: To show Sue a picture of Minnehaha Falls. In addition, some more family history and thoughts from me on why I think family history is so important. God's plan from the beginning was based on FAMILY. It is our support system. I is our life blood. It is where we learn how to interact with other people and their families (sometimes). Then thinking even further, we are part of God's family, through our relationships that we develop, we are able to have extended families. All these parts and pieces teach us how to share, get along, learn skills . . . both people skills and other necessary skills of life. It is so amazing how it all fits together when we consider where our ancestors came from, why they did things the way they did, believed the way they did, and were the way they were. Putting all that together then makes a bit more sense, and most the time, we can be proud of that.
So take pictures, label them with NAMES, write down some important facts that happened during their life that you found out. Write down things that you have lived through and have done along with pictures. It's all important . . . for those that come after you. Do it now.
Remember, Keep singing, keep praying, keep smiling.
Blessings,
Gary
In the summer time, it was much nicer except for the mosquitoes. I remember as a little kid, seeing jeeps driving down the streets spraying to kill those blood suckers. What a fog they created. EPA rules of course prevent that from happening now. Watching the 4th of July fireworks was always a two edged sword. I love to see the display, but it came with a price. That price was a body full of mosquito bite welts. I was allergic to those critters. But the rest of the seasons were pretty nice. The Spring and the Fall were cooler, the colors in the fall were great. For a while we even burned our raked leaves in the gutter of the street. That was always fun. I had the fire watch to make sure it didn't spread. Responsibility. Made me feel grown up.
When I went over to Grandma and Grandpa Rockart's house I was allowed to explore the area close to the river that was like a jungle to me. My imagination was pretty peaked in those years. I loved following the barely visible trails that had been made, imagining all kinds of stories as I moved through "the wilds". It was even more fun when we were able to get over to "the Falls", as there was a stream that went from Minnehaha Falls to the river and along the way were limestone caves and all kinds of neat places to explore. So I guess I had a pretty active imagination to go along with the parks and trails that Minneapolis provided.
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| Minnehaha Falls, 1965 |
I suggest to y'all, that you start (if not already) restoring your family memories and get them safely tucked away on several media....like a CD, flash drive, or even a DVD if you got lots and lots. Then distribute them to your other family members so there is, hopefully, a copy that floats around in the future, for our descendants to look at and admire. I wish I had done this years ago because some of the pictures were damaged over time. I also wish I had asked my parents more family history questions before they left us. If you still have your folks with you, ASK NOW! Get it written down and get pictures if you can. Family History is important. It gives you a foundation of information on how you got to where you came from.
I feel sorry for those that are not interested in family heritage. It is almost too sad to think about. I wish I knew more of where my grandparents came from. Where were their parents and grandparents from? What did they do? What part of the world did they come from? We are not alone in this world. We did not all of a sudden appear. Even if there are no "famous" folks in our lineage, isn't it interesting to know what kind of folks came before us? This is one reason (among many as it turns out) that I am doing what I am doing now with this journey through my like via blog. There is a Saffell, Arkansas. Someday, I will go there to do a little more digging and see what I can find about family. They have a family reunion (or used to according to my Mom) every year. Some year I will take a short trip and see what can be seen and learn what can be learned.
Point of this story is: To show Sue a picture of Minnehaha Falls. In addition, some more family history and thoughts from me on why I think family history is so important. God's plan from the beginning was based on FAMILY. It is our support system. I is our life blood. It is where we learn how to interact with other people and their families (sometimes). Then thinking even further, we are part of God's family, through our relationships that we develop, we are able to have extended families. All these parts and pieces teach us how to share, get along, learn skills . . . both people skills and other necessary skills of life. It is so amazing how it all fits together when we consider where our ancestors came from, why they did things the way they did, believed the way they did, and were the way they were. Putting all that together then makes a bit more sense, and most the time, we can be proud of that.
So take pictures, label them with NAMES, write down some important facts that happened during their life that you found out. Write down things that you have lived through and have done along with pictures. It's all important . . . for those that come after you. Do it now.
Remember, Keep singing, keep praying, keep smiling.
Blessings,
Gary
Monday, April 15, 2013
Growing up in the church was something kids did when I was one. It was what we did as a social event, learning, moulding, and was a comfort zone for a lot of us '60's kids. We went to church on Sunday morning with our parents. We sat with our parents during worship. Our pew was the third one from the front, right hand side. We were ALWAYS there. It wasn't an unordinary thing for any of us. It was what was expected. IF it was Sunday morning, you could find us at church. We all went to Sunday School and Worship in the morning, and we were at MYF . . . in those days it was Methodist Youth Fellowship. . . today it is UMYF — United Methodist Youth Fellowship, ever since 1968 when we became united with the Evangelical United Brethren Church.
I remember Mr. Sears after church would meet to talk to Dad and always had a stick of Blackjack gum for me. Our congregation was about 600 at that time. My Brother Guy still goes there. Minnehaha United Methodist Church in South Minneapolis.
We had some pretty neat counselors in our sizeable youth group. They were college students and really cool. Our church had a basement and it was equipped with a really big commercial style kitchen that the parents fixed the most AWESOME meals for the MYF group every Sunday afternoon. Both Jr. and Sr. High gathered for the meal, and recreation, like Basketball on our indoor court! I hadn't realized how blessed we were. Our numbers were always high in attendance. That didn't seem to be a concern for anyone to fuss over. Below are several pictures of a winter retreat we all went on in Feb. 1964.
I remember Mr. Sears after church would meet to talk to Dad and always had a stick of Blackjack gum for me. Our congregation was about 600 at that time. My Brother Guy still goes there. Minnehaha United Methodist Church in South Minneapolis.
We had some pretty neat counselors in our sizeable youth group. They were college students and really cool. Our church had a basement and it was equipped with a really big commercial style kitchen that the parents fixed the most AWESOME meals for the MYF group every Sunday afternoon. Both Jr. and Sr. High gathered for the meal, and recreation, like Basketball on our indoor court! I hadn't realized how blessed we were. Our numbers were always high in attendance. That didn't seem to be a concern for anyone to fuss over. Below are several pictures of a winter retreat we all went on in Feb. 1964.
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| Sr. Hi. Discussion group |
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| Every one....lets go to the Retreat! |
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| Rev. and Mrs. Nyberg supporting the Youth |
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| Everybody gets involved |
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| Gary singing something...can't remember that far back! |
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| First Class Entertainment too! |
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| Havin' a Hootenanny! |
What gave us all a sense of belonging, is that we all had a common bond in Jesus. We were not afraid to be ourselves, because the love of Jesus was so thick among us, that we were actually brothers and sisters in Christ. We learned together, ate together, worshiped together, played together. New kids were always welcomed to the group. I can't remember anyone ever not being welcomed. It sounds like a mythical town around Lake Wobegon doesn't it? Where the men are all strong, the women are all good looking and the children are all above average.
What saddens me is the youth numbers are way down these days in most churches. Maybe the Youth groups have a lot of kids, if food is provided, but they don't show up for worship. In the '60's those that were in Youth Group were in Church on Sunday morning as well. Some churches like the one Pat and I attend and are proud members of, has a FANTASTIC youth group. There are young adults all the way down to grade school youth. They take care of each other and remind me so much of MYF of my youth. Pat and I are really proud of the Gibson Wells United Methodist Youth. They are so active. One of the reasons is that the adults support them and their activities. They are there for them with encouragement, assistance and guidance when needed. We attend their programs and everyone has fun.
Point of this story: If your church has an active youth group that attends both Youth meetings AND Worship, you are fortunate and you need to keep doing what you are doing. For those with no youth, you need to be doing something to get them to your church. It is NOT the Pastor's job to attract the kids. It is the CONGREGATION that needs to provide the resources, facilities atmosphere and programing that will allow the youth to WANT to come to the church family. Look at those pictures of yesteryear above. There is something there that attracted us to associate with each other. It was productive as well as foundational in all our growing up. If you are an older adult, please support the youth of your church. Guess what? We adults lead by example. If we don't encourage them positively, keep your mouth shut. If we embarrass them with critical public comments, they will quit coming around. If there is something that you think is not right (perhaps relationships or something) voice your concern to a counselor or adult with the group, to deal with. Public disapproval is a quick way to kill a youth group or any group for that matter. If you are a younger married adult, support the youth of your church. If you are a youth and aren't attending church or youth group....get moving and start attending. It is the best thing going.
Remember, Keep singing, keep praying, keep smiling
Blessings,
Gary
Sunday, April 14, 2013
I sit here in the midst of creative depleatness. I know, that is not a word. Perhaps it is a feeling that has no word to explain it and I just created the word. I was thinking about the word FEAR. How many have had that feeling? What caused it? How did it go away?
I remember to a time in 1965 when I had just gone on Active duty in the Navy and was ordered to Philadelphia Naval Station to process in. I guess it went pretty well, as my recollection has no major FEAR factor to it while there. As a seaman, I did some fill in duty with the Chow Hall but it wasn't much of a problem. After being processed in, I got orders to the Shangri-la (CVA-38) which I have shared in previous posts. I was given tickets to fly to Naples, Italy and sent on my way. A recent High School graduate guy . . . on his own . . . . kind of . . . . sent to an exotic place on the Mediterranean Sea. What could possibly be wrong with that? Upon arrival, I found my ship was out at sea for a few weeks and I was to wait for her arrival. NUTS! I was hoping for a carrier landing experience. Never did get one. Instead, there was a Destroyer Tender (USS Tidewater) ported in the harbor and they needed some help in the painting and polishing department. There were even a couple US Submarines tied up a little ways from us toward the landing.
One morning I was fitted with a life jacket and a harness. It wasn't shaping up the way I was expecting. Seems they needed the side of the ship painted and this was the day. Did I ever tell you that I have a height fear? With a line firmly attached to my harness and the other end wrapped around a railing with another sailor at that end, they lowered me over the side and down to what is called a "stage". It is two - 2x12's side by side to stand on. As I remember it, I was about 40' above the water line. Now the ship was moored solidly with her stern to the sea wall (bunch of large rocks stacked up to create a safe harbor for the ships. So the water was calm, the sun was shining, and all should have been right. However . . . FEAR took over. I was frozen to the rope that was holding one end of the stage. I couldn't move. After a little discussion with a compassionate man on the other end of my life line, they decided this really was not a job that I should be doing. He said, "Hold on. We will lower you to the next spot below you so we can get you off of there." That is when I found out that when they lower these things, it is one end at a time. THAT really freaked me out as I was now holding on for dear life to the upper ropes and the stage was about a 45 degree angle downward! I thought my heart was going to burst! Finally after what seemed like hours, I was clambering over the railing back on firm deck, heart pounding, sweat pouring profusely from every gland. That was when I found out for sure, I had a definite fear of heights. I was reassured by the Deck crew that it was ok. Some people can do it and others can't. It is the way we are put together.
Fear is a major part of our lives isn't it? We all have them to some degree. Some folks have fears of insects, while others have fears of unclean things. Fear is an inner feeling that we all have and some can't get rid of, or even control. I don't really know why, but it is there. To prevent my fear of heights from kicking in, I just refrain from going in those situations. Flying in a commercial airplane is fine. It is walking to the edge of the Grand Canyon and looking over it, that is problematic. I used to have a problem being in front of people. I know, I did work through that and now have no real problem with that, provided I have prepared. Especially when I am playing guitar and singing. I need to have my songs "scripted out", with chords and words, preferably large enough for my aging eyes to read easily.
So we find ways to make our fears not so fearsome don't we.
Another way I found to lessen my fears is talking with God. He is always listening to our plea's and knows our fears and our hurts, as well as our joys and happiness. It is so reassuring to know that. Don't you wish more people knew that secret? How about telling your friends and family it is ok to be afraid of things. Talk it over with God and He will give you peace.
So there you have it: The point of this story on this Fine, Sunday morning is: Give your fears to God. He will gladly help you through them. God is wanting your joy and happiness shared with others, and knows what that will take on your end. You see, it is a two way conversation. Talk, listen, repeat.
Have a GREAT Sunday.
Remember, Keep singing, Keep praying, Keep smiling,
Blessings,
Gary
I remember to a time in 1965 when I had just gone on Active duty in the Navy and was ordered to Philadelphia Naval Station to process in. I guess it went pretty well, as my recollection has no major FEAR factor to it while there. As a seaman, I did some fill in duty with the Chow Hall but it wasn't much of a problem. After being processed in, I got orders to the Shangri-la (CVA-38) which I have shared in previous posts. I was given tickets to fly to Naples, Italy and sent on my way. A recent High School graduate guy . . . on his own . . . . kind of . . . . sent to an exotic place on the Mediterranean Sea. What could possibly be wrong with that? Upon arrival, I found my ship was out at sea for a few weeks and I was to wait for her arrival. NUTS! I was hoping for a carrier landing experience. Never did get one. Instead, there was a Destroyer Tender (USS Tidewater) ported in the harbor and they needed some help in the painting and polishing department. There were even a couple US Submarines tied up a little ways from us toward the landing.
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| USS Tidewater, Destroy Tender Helicopter landing pad, Naples , Italy |
One morning I was fitted with a life jacket and a harness. It wasn't shaping up the way I was expecting. Seems they needed the side of the ship painted and this was the day. Did I ever tell you that I have a height fear? With a line firmly attached to my harness and the other end wrapped around a railing with another sailor at that end, they lowered me over the side and down to what is called a "stage". It is two - 2x12's side by side to stand on. As I remember it, I was about 40' above the water line. Now the ship was moored solidly with her stern to the sea wall (bunch of large rocks stacked up to create a safe harbor for the ships. So the water was calm, the sun was shining, and all should have been right. However . . . FEAR took over. I was frozen to the rope that was holding one end of the stage. I couldn't move. After a little discussion with a compassionate man on the other end of my life line, they decided this really was not a job that I should be doing. He said, "Hold on. We will lower you to the next spot below you so we can get you off of there." That is when I found out that when they lower these things, it is one end at a time. THAT really freaked me out as I was now holding on for dear life to the upper ropes and the stage was about a 45 degree angle downward! I thought my heart was going to burst! Finally after what seemed like hours, I was clambering over the railing back on firm deck, heart pounding, sweat pouring profusely from every gland. That was when I found out for sure, I had a definite fear of heights. I was reassured by the Deck crew that it was ok. Some people can do it and others can't. It is the way we are put together.
Fear is a major part of our lives isn't it? We all have them to some degree. Some folks have fears of insects, while others have fears of unclean things. Fear is an inner feeling that we all have and some can't get rid of, or even control. I don't really know why, but it is there. To prevent my fear of heights from kicking in, I just refrain from going in those situations. Flying in a commercial airplane is fine. It is walking to the edge of the Grand Canyon and looking over it, that is problematic. I used to have a problem being in front of people. I know, I did work through that and now have no real problem with that, provided I have prepared. Especially when I am playing guitar and singing. I need to have my songs "scripted out", with chords and words, preferably large enough for my aging eyes to read easily.
So we find ways to make our fears not so fearsome don't we.
Another way I found to lessen my fears is talking with God. He is always listening to our plea's and knows our fears and our hurts, as well as our joys and happiness. It is so reassuring to know that. Don't you wish more people knew that secret? How about telling your friends and family it is ok to be afraid of things. Talk it over with God and He will give you peace.
So there you have it: The point of this story on this Fine, Sunday morning is: Give your fears to God. He will gladly help you through them. God is wanting your joy and happiness shared with others, and knows what that will take on your end. You see, it is a two way conversation. Talk, listen, repeat.
Have a GREAT Sunday.
Remember, Keep singing, Keep praying, Keep smiling,
Blessings,
Gary
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Friday, April 12, 2013
Acting . . . Actors . . . Actresses . . . Theater . . . Thespians . . . Sets . . . Scripts . . . Wardrobe . . . What do all these words have in common? People and objects depicting a story that is not themselves. For instance: You don't really believe that these knock 'em down, shoot 'em up action heroes are just happened to be filmed at a normal days work . . . do you? Of course not. Actors and Actresses are role playing for what people call entertainment. I can tell you from personal experience that acting in a play is GREAT fun!
I got interested in Theater Arts because I am not a natural athlete. Sounds strange huh? I was way too light for football, didn't have the skills for a good baseball player, didn't have the interest is Chess. I found out I loved being someone I wasn't. Whooooo .... wait up buddy! No, I liked acting. I like performing. Minneapolis Vocational High School and Technical Institute was a pretty old building as you can see by the cars along the curb. It was a four sided building that took up a whole downtown city block. In the center of that structure that had classrooms on both sides of the center hallway was an abyss...a useless and unused space. Some time before I started attending in 1962, they filled that space with a state of the art theater. It was awesome. The seating was more than enough for the complete student body, staff and plenty of guests. It had a very large balcony and really nice theater seats. Of course the lighting and sound system were the latest and greatest, top of the line in the industry. In a word it was WONDERFUL!
I had the opportunity to try out and attain parts in several of the plays. The Miracle Worker (my first play...I was a shadow in Helen Keller's eyesight...or lack thereof), Mr. Roberts (I was a crew member who got to play Waltzing Matilda on the hatch cover of the ship), and I got to play in Charlie's Aunt. I was Charlie. The star was a tall lanky Post Grad student...he was my "Aunt". To say the least, it was a comedy. It was also a lot of work, but a tremendous amount of FUN. The total cast was well put together and were enjoying the opportunity as much can be imagined.
The biggest and funniest part of the whole play for me was when my Aunt was trying to escape being caught in the situation, you see, because my Aunt was not a lady...she was a he and . . . . well you will just have to see it to believe it. Now the actor was about 6 foot tall and weighed maybe 175 lbs. I however, was 5'5 and weighed 115 lbs. The script called for me to carry him on my shoulder at least half way across the stage from the back right corner to the front left corner as you are sitting, watching the play. We practiced and practice and then practiced some more. We finally found the balance point to where if we hit it, I could carry him down the block and around the corner without breaking a sweat. Got it made! The first night of the play the point came up. He started running away. I blocked his leaving and with a running tackle picked him up, threw him on my shoulder and MISSED the balance point by "this much". My knees started to buckle, I started to wobble, and the two of us ALMOST fell down. The audience was laughing, nobody got hurt and for me, it was the highlight of the show! Such small rewards when failing, turns to fame! By the way, we hit the balance point for our other three shows, but that was really ok....my back appreciated the lack of stress.
Play acting is great fun and a lot of effort. The reward is that your skills in being someone you are not is enjoyed by a paying audience.
Now, after quite a few years of real life, I see a lot of folks that live a life of acting out who they really aren't and I wonder why? Some folks go to great lengths AND expense to be someone, if given a chance or an opportunity, they would like to be themselves. I think that they are afraid to open up to people because of fear. Fear caused by a lack of confidence in themselves. Confidence to step out into the unknown and try something different. Get a job or at least go to school to get the training to better themselves. "Oh, I'm not smart enough for that job." or "They will never hire me, I have a problem they wouldn't hire me if they knew that." Who knows what is in their minds. SO how does one get self confidence back when they lose it? How do we as their friend or acquaintance help them out? One way might be to just be a friend with words of encouragement. Maybe work through some roll playing events that will calm them down. Maybe offer them a ride to put in an application or to stand with them as they fill out the forms for that tech. school course.
I have a friend that I helped by encouraging him to hang in there with some pretty tough coursework in an online class he was taking. Gave him some suggestions. Later we were talking about that assignment and he told me some suggestions the instructor gave him. We worked through that, and he got a very good grade, and I could tell by the tone of his voice, his confidence had returned and he was ready to tackle the next assignment with a positive and bright attitude. That's what friends are for.
We are all actors to some degree, aren't we? Some are better at it than others. I know my wife thinks I'm a lousy actor, because she can see through my deception every time I try! Maybe she's right, but then maybe she knows me too well...after all 46 years of marriage tends to open your partners "quirks" a little bit, doesn't it? There are a lot of folks that are real good at fooling others for ill gotten gain. Then there are the good actors that some call salesmen, that fall for the easiest cons around. We buy anything that sounds, looks or tastes good! But that's another story. Did you know that God can see through anything that you put up as a deflection of reality to others? God sees right through that stuff. Did you also know that GOD is waiting for YOU to visit with Him? He can help you through all your insecurities, even if you don't admit to them right away, you might as well admit to them soon and get through it. Listen to God's guidance and whatever troubles you have can be worked though with the help of God. Talk to him...without acting. I can imagine some of the things I used to think I could get away with and then imagine GOD sitting there laughing at me and my silliness!
Acting is fun. Community theater sounds like it would be GREAT fun. Being someone you really are not...for a while. But God wants to have a relationship with the REAL You. Won't you let Him into your heart. Take my word for it . . . God has more time than you do. I found God fairly soon in my life, and then re-found him again later on, then again later than that. Get my meaning? God has been here with me the whole time. It is ME that drifted away time and again. Thankfully not all that far that I couldn't find my way back....then I found out it was impossible to drift that far, and was I GLAD!
So be an actor, put on a facade....a false front. That will fool somebody, but not God. There is a church in your neighborhood that is there to help you. If you are not associated with one, go check one out. There may be something they can offer you that you can't refuse. God takes you as you are, then will adjust you as you are willing.
til later, remember, Keep singing, Keep praying, Keep smiling.
Blessings.
Gary
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| Minneapolis Vocational High School Technical Institute |
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| Charlie's Aunt (middle) Charlie (me) right |
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| Grand view of what the audience saw |
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| Scene from Charlie's Aunt |
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| Main set |
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| In deep thought... "How are we going to get out of this mess?" |
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| Cast of "Charlie's Aunt" |
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| Rehearsal and encouragement from Drama Teacher/Director Mr. Robert Turner (dark suit, auditorium floor - right) |
Play acting is great fun and a lot of effort. The reward is that your skills in being someone you are not is enjoyed by a paying audience.
Now, after quite a few years of real life, I see a lot of folks that live a life of acting out who they really aren't and I wonder why? Some folks go to great lengths AND expense to be someone, if given a chance or an opportunity, they would like to be themselves. I think that they are afraid to open up to people because of fear. Fear caused by a lack of confidence in themselves. Confidence to step out into the unknown and try something different. Get a job or at least go to school to get the training to better themselves. "Oh, I'm not smart enough for that job." or "They will never hire me, I have a problem they wouldn't hire me if they knew that." Who knows what is in their minds. SO how does one get self confidence back when they lose it? How do we as their friend or acquaintance help them out? One way might be to just be a friend with words of encouragement. Maybe work through some roll playing events that will calm them down. Maybe offer them a ride to put in an application or to stand with them as they fill out the forms for that tech. school course.
I have a friend that I helped by encouraging him to hang in there with some pretty tough coursework in an online class he was taking. Gave him some suggestions. Later we were talking about that assignment and he told me some suggestions the instructor gave him. We worked through that, and he got a very good grade, and I could tell by the tone of his voice, his confidence had returned and he was ready to tackle the next assignment with a positive and bright attitude. That's what friends are for.
We are all actors to some degree, aren't we? Some are better at it than others. I know my wife thinks I'm a lousy actor, because she can see through my deception every time I try! Maybe she's right, but then maybe she knows me too well...after all 46 years of marriage tends to open your partners "quirks" a little bit, doesn't it? There are a lot of folks that are real good at fooling others for ill gotten gain. Then there are the good actors that some call salesmen, that fall for the easiest cons around. We buy anything that sounds, looks or tastes good! But that's another story. Did you know that God can see through anything that you put up as a deflection of reality to others? God sees right through that stuff. Did you also know that GOD is waiting for YOU to visit with Him? He can help you through all your insecurities, even if you don't admit to them right away, you might as well admit to them soon and get through it. Listen to God's guidance and whatever troubles you have can be worked though with the help of God. Talk to him...without acting. I can imagine some of the things I used to think I could get away with and then imagine GOD sitting there laughing at me and my silliness!
Acting is fun. Community theater sounds like it would be GREAT fun. Being someone you really are not...for a while. But God wants to have a relationship with the REAL You. Won't you let Him into your heart. Take my word for it . . . God has more time than you do. I found God fairly soon in my life, and then re-found him again later on, then again later than that. Get my meaning? God has been here with me the whole time. It is ME that drifted away time and again. Thankfully not all that far that I couldn't find my way back....then I found out it was impossible to drift that far, and was I GLAD!
So be an actor, put on a facade....a false front. That will fool somebody, but not God. There is a church in your neighborhood that is there to help you. If you are not associated with one, go check one out. There may be something they can offer you that you can't refuse. God takes you as you are, then will adjust you as you are willing.
til later, remember, Keep singing, Keep praying, Keep smiling.
Blessings.
Gary
Thursday, April 11, 2013
When I was younger I really enjoyed doing a bunch of different things. For instance, I liked moulding tin soldiers and making armies of them and painting them, and setting them up on the dinning room floor. My imagination went running wild! No one died though. I was very difficult to eliminate a tin soldier....even after I went to all that work heating the lead, clamping the moulds together, pouring the molten lead, and waiting for it to cool. Then when I got enough soldiers poured, I would get out my paints and color them. When I finished that process, I would line them all up according to what they were. i.e. Rifleman, bazooka shooter, soldier with backpack and pistol there were quite a few different ones that I made. If they got broken, they didn't die, they just got remolded! How neat is THAT?
It was pretty easy for me to make these soldiers because my Dad had a print shop. In those days, letterpress printing was still the way to produce jobs. The printing presses were made to hold "type" which was sometimes individual letters made of an alloy of Lead, Tin, and Antimony. It was soft enough to melt easy, but hard enough to withstand 1000's of impressions on the printing presses. The type would be secured in a steel frame called a "chase". The type was 'locked up' in the chase tightly, so it would hold together during the printing process as rollers covered with ink rolled across them, a paper was brought between the type and a feed board or hard impression roller (depending upon the type of press) and the ink transferred to the paper, the paper was either mechanically or manually inserted and removed, and the process started all over again. An automated press could run 2 or 3 thousand impressions an hour. A manual (hand) fed press could be operated safely and depending on what was being printed, maybe five hundred to maybe (if you were real good and on a good day) a thousand an hour. Anyway, I got the damaged or no longer needed type to melt into soldiers and the cost for me was ZERO! I liked that part. I suppose me sweeping and cleaning the shop for free was my cost.
Now that I have given you Old Style Printing Lecture 101.....we will continue with the story. It was fun creating something. No lying about that. I have always enjoyed making something, anything it seems. Not just lead soldiers, but that developed into toy trains and I chose American Flyer. Most all the other guys liked Lionel trains, but they were just too big and expensive for me....I liked to have smaller scale and have more space to do more with. In our house in Circle Pines, I was building a table for an elaborate layout, but we moved before I got beyond the basic bench work...my fault....didn't focus enough time to the effort. We moved in town and I grabbed some musty, dusty basement space and rebuilt the beginning benchwork. Time moved on and it never got beyond that.
Eventually it was abandoned and years later it is now safely in a storage box, ready for a static display to be made for it. In one of my blogs, I discussed model railroading so I DID pursue it in yet another scale, in another time.
The point of this seemingly rambling of sentences, is this:
Creating is a strong part of my life. I feel the need to make something better than when I first saw it. Make something more complete, more functional. Either in reality or my mind, it didn't matter which.
It may be creating music to have a soothing melody to calm a person down, or a song with a message to allow someone think a new way. We are all here to do something good. Sometimes it doesn't seem to work out that way. But when that happens, we pick ourselves up, dust off our sandals and move on.
GOD loves what He does. He is constantly trying to remake us into the people that He can be proud of. He does understand that we are not perfect. My tin soldiers were not perfect. Each of them had a least a couple blemishes on them. My trains didn't always run perfect. I didn't get mad and throw them away! I still have a big ole coffee can full of my soldiers around somewhere, waiting for me to come and play.
So with all of OUR blemishes and faults, and bad things we have done, GOD doesn't stop loving us. He continues to patiently wait for us. Have you realized that GOD is the true...one and only....nobody else as good...PERFECT, Creator? As the tried and true saying goes, that everyone gets so fretful hearing: GOD DOESN'T MAKE JUNK.
Now that you understand, go out and create something for someone. Could be happiness, joy, a smile, a kind word. Could be a helping hand with a talent you have, say, auto mechanics, or window cleaning, or cooking a special hot dish for someone. "Nobody's done that for me!" So? It doesn't matter about that either. This is not about YOU...."Pay forward" is a newish term being used a lot now. So . . . go forth and pay forward.
Remember? Keep singing, Keep praying, keep smiling.
Blessings,
Gary
p.s. There were 108 soldiers in my Army's company at the time of the picture. Some may have actually retired by now.
It was pretty easy for me to make these soldiers because my Dad had a print shop. In those days, letterpress printing was still the way to produce jobs. The printing presses were made to hold "type" which was sometimes individual letters made of an alloy of Lead, Tin, and Antimony. It was soft enough to melt easy, but hard enough to withstand 1000's of impressions on the printing presses. The type would be secured in a steel frame called a "chase". The type was 'locked up' in the chase tightly, so it would hold together during the printing process as rollers covered with ink rolled across them, a paper was brought between the type and a feed board or hard impression roller (depending upon the type of press) and the ink transferred to the paper, the paper was either mechanically or manually inserted and removed, and the process started all over again. An automated press could run 2 or 3 thousand impressions an hour. A manual (hand) fed press could be operated safely and depending on what was being printed, maybe five hundred to maybe (if you were real good and on a good day) a thousand an hour. Anyway, I got the damaged or no longer needed type to melt into soldiers and the cost for me was ZERO! I liked that part. I suppose me sweeping and cleaning the shop for free was my cost.
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| Gary's 1950's – 60's Army |
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| 1961 American Flyer on the Dinning room floor. Don't ask where the actual train is...can't remember. |
The point of this seemingly rambling of sentences, is this:
Creating is a strong part of my life. I feel the need to make something better than when I first saw it. Make something more complete, more functional. Either in reality or my mind, it didn't matter which.
It may be creating music to have a soothing melody to calm a person down, or a song with a message to allow someone think a new way. We are all here to do something good. Sometimes it doesn't seem to work out that way. But when that happens, we pick ourselves up, dust off our sandals and move on.
GOD loves what He does. He is constantly trying to remake us into the people that He can be proud of. He does understand that we are not perfect. My tin soldiers were not perfect. Each of them had a least a couple blemishes on them. My trains didn't always run perfect. I didn't get mad and throw them away! I still have a big ole coffee can full of my soldiers around somewhere, waiting for me to come and play.
So with all of OUR blemishes and faults, and bad things we have done, GOD doesn't stop loving us. He continues to patiently wait for us. Have you realized that GOD is the true...one and only....nobody else as good...PERFECT, Creator? As the tried and true saying goes, that everyone gets so fretful hearing: GOD DOESN'T MAKE JUNK.
Now that you understand, go out and create something for someone. Could be happiness, joy, a smile, a kind word. Could be a helping hand with a talent you have, say, auto mechanics, or window cleaning, or cooking a special hot dish for someone. "Nobody's done that for me!" So? It doesn't matter about that either. This is not about YOU...."Pay forward" is a newish term being used a lot now. So . . . go forth and pay forward.
Remember? Keep singing, Keep praying, keep smiling.
Blessings,
Gary
p.s. There were 108 soldiers in my Army's company at the time of the picture. Some may have actually retired by now.
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
In April of 1984 we lived in a nice older home in North Minneapolis. With our three children and nothing much else to do with our mundane lives, we decided to become a foster family. A friend of ours had special needs foster children and we designed our Cub Scout Pack with a Den, designed to accommodate their special needs. So we were in the frame of thought to take care of special needs foster children. For nine years we had quite an interesting journey into some pretty scary territory. We started out with the special needs children and things were going along fairly well. Pat was the main person in this event as I did what I could but had to do it around my varying work schedule with the bus company. She took the training and the children’s needs besides our own three. Usually we had two foster children in the house at a time. At one time later on, Pat had three 3 year olds (ours-Todd, and two foster brothers) in the house at one time. The fact that Pat survived was something to marvel at! To make our lives fuller, and without a doubt it did, we ended up working in the Child Protection part of the Hennepin County Foster Care Division. That is where the ugliness of real life entered in. We can perhaps delve into that area at a later time.
With all those kids (I say that with tongue in cheek as a good friend of ours has 10 of their own special needs kids) in the house at the same time, our eating arrangements and prep area needed an overhaul. So the industrious person I am, decided to remodel our kitchen. To tell the truth, ROTO-RUTER actually decided that. The sink plumbing had stopped up that required me to call THEM. They came out to clear the drain from the kitchen sink which was under a window overlooking our neighbors dinning room window, and the sewer drain was on the side wall 90 degrees and back half a wall length for the sink drain. The Roto guys came in and promptly punched a hole through the elbow pipe as it turned to go the 90 degree part to the sewer drain. So I did what was necessary and repositioned the sink to the main sewer drain where it should have been to start with! We (my friend Ted and I) ripped out the cabinets, flooring, sub-flooring, some of the wallboard and the kitchen nook and re-structured that as well. Then painted a fresh color on the walls. It turned out pretty good I think. The kids had a nicer place to eat. I had a lesson in kitchen remodeling, and Pat got some nicer appliances. The following are a few pictures of the event.
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| Got to clear out the old |
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| I love wallboard patching |
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| Cabinets to be replaced |
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| Ted and the "younger" and black haired Gary discussing something important I'm sure. |
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| Making a mess is necessary |
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| More clutter |
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| New Stove |
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| Just a coat of paint and ready to roll |
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| Hang up the stuff, fill up the counter |
I got to thinking about how our lives are sometimes in need a "remodel". Have you ever thought of that? Sometimes it may cost a bit, but the end result is more in line with were you feel you need to be. When we needed to redo the kitchen, we did some measurements, looked at the samples, figured out where we needed outlets (to get our power from), what we had to remove, and how we were going to finish the project. Our personal "remodel" is the same thing. The cost may be a behavioral modification that will take a LOT of work to redo...but you will reap the rewards when you have made the switch. To do that, you need to be realistic and figure out where your weaknesses are. What is going to be needed to strengthen those puppies up! What you need to get rid of..out of sight...out of your life....gone. Then to put the finishing touches on your Personal Remodel Project, what results are you looking for and how are you going to maintain the "NEW and IMPROVED You".
What we do in our day to day living, reflects a lot on how were are constructed.
1. Make sure you have a solid foundation to build on.
2. Use quality products from a reputable dealer.
3. Get guidance from someone who knows their trade.
Can you apply this information to your spiritual life? I say you can. Now the choice is up to you. There is plenty of help out there, just for the asking. If you don't have a church family right now, check out your neighborhood, there is most likely several close by to chose from. Talk to the Pastor, he will answer your questions, and guide you to where you want to be.
Til next time....keep singing, keep praying, keep smiling
Blessings,
Gary
Monday, April 8, 2013
I watched a video a little while ago that was labeled "the most honest 3 and a half minutes . . . EVER."
It was a panel on a stage that seemed like it was a college event of why America is so great. After supposedly blowing smoke up everyone's skirt, the one man on the panel basically said America is NOT the greatest country in the world. Of course that brought a lot of gasps, and muttering. The other panel members and the officials along the side, sat there speechless, as he recited our world standings in all kinds of categories...like infant deaths, number of people in prisons and jails, education, and on and on and on. Then there was silence. After a few long seconds of silence, he continued. In a sorrowful voice, he said we used to be the greatest country in the world. One where we watched out for each other, respected each other, worked hard to improve ourselves and our lives through education, sweat and muscle. Where we invented the leading edge technology, and the biggest machinery and the strongest economy. We used to be a great country.
That hit pretty hard when I sit back and think about it. Like so many in my generation and I still see a lot of it in the generation or two right after us. I see it in my children, basically because my wife and I taught them work ethic and made sure they got an education that meant something. But most of all because they learned what family and honor, and respect means. A lot of the problems in todays world is because those areas are not being passed on to a great number of children any more. It is alright for some to name call, disrespect others, whine about their plight in life, and then expect respect, not to be put down, and then to be given (not earned) what everyone else (who has actually put in the time and effort to work for what they have) has...and sometimes even want more freebies. There is now several valedictorians per graduating class. "Everyone gets a ribbon, because it is so hard on them to loose." concept. What happened to consequences of actions? Not everyone can run fastest and all win a foot race. Someone wins, others loose. Fact of life....move on. It is not bad to not win. The fact that you were in the race is very respectable. What's wrong with that?
What makes the problem even worse that that is now we have our Constitution being violated by the very people that have sworn to uphold it and protect it! That goes from the top all the way, in some instances right down to the city level government! Not real wide spread at the city level yet, or even not too bad at most of the State levels, but if we continue to ignore and poo poo the truth and reality of it, it will be total, and we the people have lost through ignorance and complacency. We can NOT allow that to happen. Lets reverse the trend. Lets get back the America that was once a place where everyone had the opportunity to earn a living and have respect. One of the other problems of today in that respect is, everyone wants to be the top wage earner. Which is impossible, because not everyone is willing to put in the time, effort and expense to be educated with the information that is required of top wage earners. Im my day, I went to a trade school, worked my way through the different parts of my trade, learning all the way, taking a pay hike every so often when the position called for it. It took many years to progress to the level I had, but there was still more room, in other locations, should I have desired to pursue those next steps. What I am saying is that the way it works is start at the bottom and WORK your way up. No one will pay a person who doesn't have the knowledge necessary to do the job.
To some reading this, will find offense at that concept. Why? you ask. Because they have not been properly trained in school to understand economy, the job world, let alone the basics of living and taking care of yourself. A lot of young people today have lacked the parental guidance that the older generations have had. I have seen evidence of a gross number of single parents, usually the woman, that is struggling hard trying to raise the children she had been abandoned with. Lack of responsibility. Lack of respect. It is very hard to raise children with only half the team present. God bless the single parent that is trying so hard. What is disturbing is those parents that aren't showing any respect to their children by ignoring teaching them the basics of life like cleaning up, being responsible for themselves by putting their stuff away, and helping Mom and/or Dad or both, in keeping the house clean and neat. Sometimes the parents have none of those skills either. The list goes on.
America DID used to be a great country. It is not too late to regain what we have lost. It will NOT be regained if we all sit around and whine and sniffle about it. Get off your backside and get to work on fixing this problem. It can't be done alone. WE need to do it together. One person at a time.
Remember, keep singing, keep praying, and show some respect.
Blessings,
Gary
It was a panel on a stage that seemed like it was a college event of why America is so great. After supposedly blowing smoke up everyone's skirt, the one man on the panel basically said America is NOT the greatest country in the world. Of course that brought a lot of gasps, and muttering. The other panel members and the officials along the side, sat there speechless, as he recited our world standings in all kinds of categories...like infant deaths, number of people in prisons and jails, education, and on and on and on. Then there was silence. After a few long seconds of silence, he continued. In a sorrowful voice, he said we used to be the greatest country in the world. One where we watched out for each other, respected each other, worked hard to improve ourselves and our lives through education, sweat and muscle. Where we invented the leading edge technology, and the biggest machinery and the strongest economy. We used to be a great country.
That hit pretty hard when I sit back and think about it. Like so many in my generation and I still see a lot of it in the generation or two right after us. I see it in my children, basically because my wife and I taught them work ethic and made sure they got an education that meant something. But most of all because they learned what family and honor, and respect means. A lot of the problems in todays world is because those areas are not being passed on to a great number of children any more. It is alright for some to name call, disrespect others, whine about their plight in life, and then expect respect, not to be put down, and then to be given (not earned) what everyone else (who has actually put in the time and effort to work for what they have) has...and sometimes even want more freebies. There is now several valedictorians per graduating class. "Everyone gets a ribbon, because it is so hard on them to loose." concept. What happened to consequences of actions? Not everyone can run fastest and all win a foot race. Someone wins, others loose. Fact of life....move on. It is not bad to not win. The fact that you were in the race is very respectable. What's wrong with that?
What makes the problem even worse that that is now we have our Constitution being violated by the very people that have sworn to uphold it and protect it! That goes from the top all the way, in some instances right down to the city level government! Not real wide spread at the city level yet, or even not too bad at most of the State levels, but if we continue to ignore and poo poo the truth and reality of it, it will be total, and we the people have lost through ignorance and complacency. We can NOT allow that to happen. Lets reverse the trend. Lets get back the America that was once a place where everyone had the opportunity to earn a living and have respect. One of the other problems of today in that respect is, everyone wants to be the top wage earner. Which is impossible, because not everyone is willing to put in the time, effort and expense to be educated with the information that is required of top wage earners. Im my day, I went to a trade school, worked my way through the different parts of my trade, learning all the way, taking a pay hike every so often when the position called for it. It took many years to progress to the level I had, but there was still more room, in other locations, should I have desired to pursue those next steps. What I am saying is that the way it works is start at the bottom and WORK your way up. No one will pay a person who doesn't have the knowledge necessary to do the job.
To some reading this, will find offense at that concept. Why? you ask. Because they have not been properly trained in school to understand economy, the job world, let alone the basics of living and taking care of yourself. A lot of young people today have lacked the parental guidance that the older generations have had. I have seen evidence of a gross number of single parents, usually the woman, that is struggling hard trying to raise the children she had been abandoned with. Lack of responsibility. Lack of respect. It is very hard to raise children with only half the team present. God bless the single parent that is trying so hard. What is disturbing is those parents that aren't showing any respect to their children by ignoring teaching them the basics of life like cleaning up, being responsible for themselves by putting their stuff away, and helping Mom and/or Dad or both, in keeping the house clean and neat. Sometimes the parents have none of those skills either. The list goes on.
America DID used to be a great country. It is not too late to regain what we have lost. It will NOT be regained if we all sit around and whine and sniffle about it. Get off your backside and get to work on fixing this problem. It can't be done alone. WE need to do it together. One person at a time.
Remember, keep singing, keep praying, and show some respect.
Blessings,
Gary
Sunday was a very good day! Hope your's was a fruitful and rewarding. I was privileged to help with the music at church TWICE! Once in the morning before Sunday School for two songs, and then again in the afternoon led those gathered for youth and study. I introduced them to some new praise songs and am excited about their approval of learning the new music. They did so wonderful, caught on to the tune and the words very quickly. I am delighted!
One of the highlights was Cooper's directing the music. If I knew how to download a facebook video, I would show you. You can see him on my FB page if you wish. He had pretty darn good timing with his clapping and all. Came right in on time and kept it pretty good. GREAT JOB COOPER!
Got to thinking about what yesterday was all about. My conclusion is GIFTS. God gives each of us gifts to use for His Glory. There are a bunch that have been noted in various places. In the past, I have taught an Advanced Lay Speaker class on God's Gifts and used a Spiritual Gifts Test on
One of the highlights was Cooper's directing the music. If I knew how to download a facebook video, I would show you. You can see him on my FB page if you wish. He had pretty darn good timing with his clapping and all. Came right in on time and kept it pretty good. GREAT JOB COOPER!
Got to thinking about what yesterday was all about. My conclusion is GIFTS. God gives each of us gifts to use for His Glory. There are a bunch that have been noted in various places. In the past, I have taught an Advanced Lay Speaker class on God's Gifts and used a Spiritual Gifts Test on
www.kodachrome.org
It is a fun yet clarifying event for those interested in knowing a little more about how "they roll". It may answer some questions about why they (you) are better at some things than other things. I feel it is because God has blessed each of us with gifts/talents to be a part of a huge event called LIFE. We each have a part to "play" and are being given special gifts to fulfill that part. Some are servants, some are caregivers, others are administrative/guidance, more may be musicians, some are pastoring/sheperding, others are gifted with encouragement, still others perhaps giving, or healing, or hospitality. Some are gifted with Mercy/compassion, others are teaching, wisdom, writing, craftsmanship/artisan, discernment/distinguish spirits, or evangelism, exhortation, knowledge, tongues (interpreting), tongues (speaking). So there are areas that, if you take this test, may find that you are gifted in that you haven't realized before, or because of the results, answers some deep questions that have been floating around in the back of your mind for some time.
The point of the story: We are all part of GOD's plan. He has gifted or given us talents to fulfill His intentions and we all have an important part to play. It is our job now to discover what that may be, and move forward. There is a training period, I am sure. I realized that with my music. I didn't start out with a natural ability to play a guitar. I had to practice and play many years to do what I do today. There are others more qualified as I am still an amateur, but this is where God is using me right now, and that is fine with me. I encourage you to give yourself over to the fact that HE has His plan for you as well, and it would be a good idea for you to find out what that talent/gift is, so you can focus on that.
Keep singing, keep discovering, keep smiling,
Blessings,
Gary
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