March 07, 2013

Friends and Family

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!" (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)

Looking at our congregation and singing the words to the hymn, One Bread, One Body, I began thinking about friends becoming family. There are many friends surrounding us, but they sure feel like part of our extended family. Isn’t that the true meaning of fellowship? We are blessed to have those we love and care for surround us. Don’t we notice when someone isn’t there? Don’t we suffer for those who experience sickness or loss? We are one body in Christ.

What would we do for our friends? Would we pick them up if they fell down? Would we feed them? Would we cry or laugh with them? Do we celebrate with them the milestones, victories, or hope? When we celebrate communion, we are reaffirming our vow to support each other through Christ who makes up one. We are one body in Christ.

Daily we should pray for our church and our family. What a blessing to have such care surrounding us.

One bread, one body,

one Lord of all,

one cup of blessing which we bless.

And we, though many,

throughout the earth,

we are one body in this one Lord.

Many the gifts,

many the works,

one in the Lord of all.

Libby Van de Putte

March 06, 2013

Sunsets

Read: UMH #685 (link warning - the hymn starts playing automatically)

Those who know me realize I like sunsets. Thankfully in the years of my fruitful marriage all my attempts to find a spot on the east coast of Michigan were resisted. Finally a decade or so ago we worked together, the queen and I, to purchase land where sunsets over lake Michigan are possible.

A sunset is more than a passing moment captured in a photo. Were that the case one could put a tripod on remote timer and make a collage of the daily changes. A sunset is a time for quiet recollection as the sun passes over the horizon. We are told it takes seven minutes from bottom to top. The vision that comes before and after is far more important. It leads to a time of quiet reflection on life, purpose and that which is important to all of us.

Some days the sun sets as a glowing orange orb under a clear sky. Other days the glow can be seen fleetingly as clouds scuttle by. Some days we know it is there, and are reassured, but cannot see it as the entire horizon is unknown, distant and obscured.

What does this do? As one contemplates what we are and where we are it reminds us of the immanence and permanence of that which we cannot see. We are reminded that we are all part of a reality and that though the sun may set it will rise again. And so as we approach Easter we are reminded of the essence of spirituality.

This feeling stays with me and settles my oft unsettled mind as a slowly crawl back from the edge of the water towards home. A sense of this permanence needs to be continually reaffirmed. All of us should take the time to sit quietly alone without bothers or cares and reflect as we contemplate the sunset.

Richard Scott

March 05, 2013

JOY TO THE WORLD

Read: Luke 2:13-20

This is probably not the most appropriate way to start my submission for the 2013 Lenten Book, but holidays are so important to me that I felt compelled to address how I feel.

I will never see my daughter again, since she died in childbirth almost 12 years ago, but she remains in my heart forever. She was a very smart girl, and I am sure that she knew what was happening as she ascended to Heaven to be with the Lord....

This Christmas holiday was a different one for us, as we were alone for the very first time. I didn't miss the crowds at the airport, which at times can be a bit much. All the rest of the family wanted to do their own thing, and so we will celebrate with them soon.

Our congregation is so fortunate to have the ministers we have. You can count on the fact that if you are going to the hospital for surgery, one of them is always there to be with the family to make sure they are comfortable and getting lots of prayers.

And finally, this Christmas, we were honored to have approximately 10 children and 10 adults sing carols to us outside our front door. Caroling is a tradition that was very popular when we were young people. Now we know how they must have felt, because we felt that way too … Blessings to those people who provided such a nice occasion.

JOY TO THE WORLD... All is well with the Lord. Easter is upon us. May there be peace and happiness.

Karen G. Leigh

March 04, 2013

Family

Read: Matthew 18:20

Christian is home from Afghanistan. He's not "home", but he's back in the United States. Alaska is colder but so much better.

He was here for Christmas, The Rumpps were able to be here (in spite of the snow storm) for three days, and we had a wonderful family holiday time together.

We're so blessed!

Prayer: Thank you God!

Shirley Van Becelaere

March 03, 2013

Just a Closer Walk with Thee

Just a closer walk with Thee,

Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,

Daily walking close to Thee,

Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

I am weak, but Thou art strong,

Jesus, keep me from all wrong,

I’ll be satisfied as long

As I walk, let me walk close to Thee.

Through this world of toil and snares,

If I falter, Lord, who cares?

Who with me my burden shares?

None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee.

When my feeble life is o’er,

Time for me will be no more,

Guide me gently, safely o’er

To Thy kingdom's shore, to Thy shore.

March 02, 2013

Faith Does not Need to be Blind, and I Have Proof!

Read: Psalm 23

I am a lucky man. I have a wonderful family. I have loving parents and In-Laws, an amazing brother with a wonderful wife and two beautiful children, I have an aunt and uncle and cousins who love me, I have another aunt who is, as most of you know, an angel on earth, and last but certainly not least, I have the most amazing wife in the world who has shared some great adventures with me for the last four and almost ½ years.

This past year has been tough in terms of the eldest generation of my family. Both my last surviving grandmother, Charlotte, and my great aunt Agnes have passed away. My grandfathers have both been gone for more than 17 years now, and my Grandmother Mary Jane has been gone for more than six years. I miss them all terribly, but losing these two has been surprisingly difficult and eye opening.

Shortly after my granny (Charlotte) passed away, I had an amazing and comforting dream. There she was, standing up! This was not possible in the last few years of her life due to many health issues, not to mention two broken hips, what a strong woman! She looked younger and healthier, the granny of my youth back in full form. She said some simple words to me. “You don’t have to worry about me; we are all up here eating breakfast!” And just like that I was awake and shaken, but in a good way. For any of you that knew my grandparents, especially my granny and granddad, you know that meals, especially breakfast on a Sunday morning, were important to them. For me, this was confirmation. “Confirmation of what?” I hear you cry.

 Heaven

 Such a beautiful concept. Something we are told exists but have to rely on blind faith in order to believe in it. We can use the words of the Bible, or our pastors and friends for re-assurance, but for some of us it takes more than that. I have always believed in God, the message of Jesus, and the journey of the human spirit until it reaches that final and amazing destination. But there are always lingering doubts. I am human, and like most humans, when something bad happens, there is sometimes a questioning of faith. The world around us is filled with tragedy and despair; some believe that Earth is actually hell. It is not, because there is beauty, love, hope, and family that a hell would not allow. We believe in what is happening on this Earth because we can see it, smell it, touch it, taste it, and feel it. But because of a dream, I don’t just have blind faith that heaven exists, I know it because I have seen it in the face of my granny.

James F. Van de Putte

March 01, 2013

Carrots, Eggs and Coffee

Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations. Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing. - James 1: 2-4

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling.

Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans.

She let them sit and boil without saying a word. In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.

Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me, what do you see?" "Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied.

She brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft and mushy. She then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hardened egg. Finally, she asked her to sip the coffee.

The daughter smiled as she tasted its deep flavor and inhaled its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, "What's the point, mother?"

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity – boiling water – but each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin, outer shell had protected its liquid interior. But, after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened.

The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water they had changed the water.

"Which are you?" she asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?"

Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong? But with pain and adversity, do I wilt and lose my strength? Am I the egg that starts with a fluid spirit but, after death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and a hardened heart? Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water – the very circumstance that brings the adversity, the pain, the hardship – into something quite wonderful. When the water gets hot, it releases it's fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better, and change the situation around you for the better.

When the hours are the darkest and trials are their greatest do you elevate to another level? How do you handle adversity?

ARE YOU A CARROT, AN EGG, OR A COFFEE BEAN?

(Somehow, wake up and smell the coffee takes on a whole new meaning)

-Author Unknown

*I found this online and thought it was worth sharing.

Blessings,

Cindy Rolka

February 28, 2013

Living Water

Read: John 4:4-15

Greetings to our friends at Grosse Pointe from your friends at The AvenueChurch in Newton Abbot.

Twelve months ago I moved into my new house – smaller, but not too small, with a pretty garden. In the garden was a little pond covered in algae but full of tadpoles, frogs, and newts, much to the delight of two of my great-grandchildren. To one side was a large flat shrub which overshadowed the pond, and limited the view of the pond from the house. Thinking this might be dangerous with the little ones about, I asked my good friend Chris to come and dig up the shrub for me.

To our amazement, it revealed a stone edifice with a hole in the top. “Ah ha!” we thought, “a fountain,” time to call in Mr Cockall, the pond-man. He came, looked and said, “Not, it’s not a fountain but a waterfall.” Then he set to work – put the newts and frogs in a holding tank, cleaned out the pond, repaired the pump, refilled the pond, and added new water plants. Finally he switched on the pump, and the waterfall sprang into action. No more algae and the prospect of flowering plants in the Spring.

Now as I walk thro’ the garden and hear the sound of splashing water or look out from a window to see a blackbird drinking from the running water or a robin bathing in the clear water of the pond, I am reminded of Jesus’ promise to the Samaritan woman.

How many of us are like my pond? Covered with the algae of worries, anxieties, and pressures of the daily routine, our inner being not functioning properly because our links with God are weak and hidden beneath the detritus of the years is the silent waterfall. When Jesus truly comes into our lives, He empties us, cleanses us, and reconnects us to God, the source of all power, so that the living water flows into our lives, purifying and beautifying us for His service.

During this time of Lent, why don’t we call in “THE pond-man” that what He gives us becomes “a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

In Christian love,

Dorothy Williams

February 27, 2013

The Cross on My Collar

Read: Matthew5:14-16

I got my first cross pin on my first official Father’s day at worship at GPUMC, and now all my shirts have a hole in the collar. I remember how much it surprised me the first time it didn’t close up in the wash. Yes, nearly every day for 27 years I’ve had a cross on my collar.

It's strange, but I can only remember a few conversations about it. There have been coffee hour comments such as “that’s a pretty cross” or “your cross is upside-down” and so forth, but other than simply noting the particular cross, there have been almost none.

Two of those few were employment-related. When I was looking for a job, years ago, the guy who was helping me said that I might not want to wear it on interviews, because it might make someone hesitate to hire me. I told him that if they wouldn't hire me because I had a cross on my collar, I didn't want to work there anyway. Then, when I did get hired, my new boss asked, “Now that I've hired you, what’s that cross on your collar all about? Are you a minister or something?” I was happy that he had noticed it, and that he wanted to know about it.

Two others were in elevators. A different boss asked me if I were Catholic, because I was wearing a Celtic cross that day, but that was like the coffee hour conversations about the style of cross. Another time, a guy who was riding with me, and whom I had never seen before, asked me if I were born again, and we had a good, but short conversation about how difficult it can be to share our faith with others.

My real surprise is that, just like the fish on my car, the cross on my collar hasn't started many conversations. In fact, my ARGOS SUCK bumper sticker starts far more than my fish.

Still – the fish and the cross both set expectations of my behavior, and I have to be mindful of that. I’m His ambassador, after all; we all are, really. I know I'm not always very good at modeling Christ – far from it – so the cross on my collar reminds me that I need Him every hour, I need His light to shine in my life, so all will see the glory of God, rather than me.

Charlie van Becelaere

Lord, may we always reflect Your Light to all who seek You, and help us to remember never to hide it under our bushels. Amen.

February 26, 2013

O Darn

Read: Luke 10:38‑42

My wife, the lovely and gracious JeriLynn, is a homemaking genius, Martha Stewart's got nothing on her. I could give her a paper bag full of grass clippings and she'll turn it into the most beautiful centerpiece you've ever seen.

When we were courting though, I didn't know this, and one day I inadvertently tested her. A guy like me needs a woman of superb domestic prowess.

In the winter I always wear 100% wool socks. The heels of the socks tend to wear thin too quickly for my liking. One day I asked her if she would darn a pair of my socks.

Without a second's hesitation she said, "Of course I will." She lovingly took the pair of socks, walked over to the wastebasket, dropped them in it, turned to look at me, and said, "Oh darn."

I knew I had a keeper.

Lord, thank you for sending me a keeper, and for giving me the sense to recognize it.

Ron Draper

February 25, 2013

The Doxology

Read: James 1:17

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from…the Father.” - KJV

Have you ever wondered about the Doxology we sing every Sunday morning?

The short statement of praise, glory, and thanksgiving to God that is sung as the offering is brought forward. It starts with, "Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow."

The lyrics to the Doxology are credited to Bishop Thomas Ken of England.

The decade of the 1660's in England was a disaster. A plague in 1665 swept through London leaving 70,000 dead in its wake. A year later, a fire destroyed four fifths of the city. Bishop Thomas Ken knew that in hard times we need the encouragement that comes from thanking God for His blessings. In his nation's most desperate hour he wrote these words for her people to sing: "Praise God from Whom all blessings flow. Praise Him all creatures here below. Praise Him above ye heavenly host. Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost."

Every Sunday during the Doxology, I am thankful and realize that Christians before me were glorifying God through praise and thanksgiving during unimaginable hardship. 

 

Rejoice for God is good.

Denver Higley

February 24, 2013

Precious Lord, Take My Hand

Precious Lord, take my hand

Lead me on, let me stand

I'm tired, I’m weak, I’m lone

Through the storm, through the night

Lead me on to the light

Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home

When my way grows drear precious Lord linger near

When my life is almost gone

Hear my cry, hear my call

Hold my hand lest I fall

Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home

When the darkness appears and the night draws near

And the day is past and gone

At the river I stand

Guide my feet, hold my hand

Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home

Precious Lord, take my hand

Lead me on, let me stand

I'm tired, I’m weak, Lord I’m worn

Through the storm, through the

Lead me on to the light

Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home

Thomas A. Dorsey

February 23, 2013

Loved, Cherished, and Accepted

Read: UMH #560

My sign-language teacher has experienced much discrimination and adversity in her life. She has been deaf since birth and grew up during a time when there were few services and little societal knowledge regarding deaf individuals. It is obvious by her stories that her adverse experiences with the hearing culture have deeply affected her life. She tells stories of being accused of drunkenness when she could not verbally respond to the police and of being unable to communicate her symptoms when seen at a hospital emergency room. My teacher was also placed in a classroom for hearing individuals during her elementary school years and was made to feel “stupid” for being unable to keep up with her classmates.

Many of those experiences with the “hearing culture” have made her suspicious of the hearing community and somewhat isolated. She stays within the deaf community, has difficulty with social interaction, and certainly carries many scars from her negative experiences.

But in the year since I first stepped into her classroom, I’ve witnessed a remarkable change in her. The three of us who are now taking her 10-week ASL class for the fourth semester have always been extremely patient and kind, even after receiving her always blunt and sometimes negative comments. In turn, our teacher is beginning to show us that she cares for us and values our friendship. Her face lights up when one of us tells her a story about our life situations, and she shows real concern when any one of us has a problem. The patience and caring that we have shown to our teacher have helped her to realize that she is indeed loved, cherished and accepted.

We can bridge the gap between cultures by being true disciples of Jesus through our words and deeds.

Jan Versical

February 22, 2013

Renewing Our Spirit

Create in me a clean heart, O Lord my God

And renew a right spirit in me.

Cast me not away from thy presence, O Lord

Take not thy Holy Spirit from me

Restore to me the joy of thy salvation

And renew a right spirit within me.

Psalm51, Verses 10-12

There is a musical arrangement of these words which I have long misplaced, but when I was younger my sister and would sing it at church as a duet. It’s one song that can literally get stuck in my head on any given day—and I don’t mind. It’s a prayer that helps me focus on God and reminds me that I need Him, His love and His salvation.

Lent is a time of preparing and renewing our hearts and minds for Christ. Most prepare through sacrifice and meditation. One thing I’ve decided to sacrifice for Lent this year is my habit of procrastination. Specifically, my delay in saying thanks to a few people I know. Two years ago, I made a mental list of the people who were important influences during the younger years of my life and I told myself I was going to write them each a thank you note. Since my list is fairly short, I’m hoping and praying that I will be able to silence the ‘busyness’ of life for a few minutes each day to focus on this task.

This list includes people from different cities, states and backgrounds, but their belief and faith in God left a lasting impression on me. I’m pretty sure some of them don’t even realize how much they helped steer me in the right direction spiritually. But I’m hoping a small, simple thank you will brighten their day and bring a renewed spirit to them.

Say ‘thank you’ to someone today and lift their spirits.

Kristy Irrer

February 21, 2013

MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE TO THE LORD

Read: Psalm 100

It has been said many times that those who sing pray twice. I sing in the choir for a number of reasons and that is one of them – at least that is my story and I am sticking to it. 

 

There is no question that I, with my tin ear, love the music we sing – the chords, the harmony, the dynamics, rhythms and all that goes into the music but the words in some of our music are exquisite, profound, sometimes just plain fun and other times highly emotional and moving. 

 

Recently we sang a piece with the words which were found written on the walls of a cellar in Cologne, Germany after World II.

“I believe in the sun, even when it is not shining;

I believe in love, even when I feel it not:

I believe in God, even when He is silent”

Most of us can only feel awe when contemplating that kind of faith especially in the wrenching, dark times of war.

I have often thought that the congregation misses out on the experience of singing words like that and many times the words are sung fast and unfortunately not articulately enough that they are missed all together by the congregation. And yes once in a while the words are in the bulletin but that is rare. I have often thought we ought to change that.

So in the meantime come and sing with us and you too, can pray twice

P.S. Notice, folks, the psalm does not say that we all are going to sound wonderful when we sing but only that we be joyful. Making a trained bel canto sound is what we all strive for but that sound is not essential. Oh, but yes, you do need to pay attention to Patti G because she puts it all together and makes it happen on Sunday a.m. Her talents and those of Charles are a true gift to our congregation

Vivian Anderson

February 20, 2013

Giving Up

Read: John 15:12-14

We think of Lent as a time to "give up" something or not do something. Unfortunately, it can be something as nothing as "giving up not eating chocolate." Instead of "giving up," we may also pledge to do something or provide a service.

In the bulletin and Pointer we list 21 names of those who are serving our country and thereby preserving our freedom and our very way of life. What we do pales by comparison to what they do and what they give up (and not just for Lent). Even those stationed in the US have given up friends, family, and some comforts on a daily basis (certainly they develop new friendships), but the demands on their time and attention means there is little time to contact those they have left behind.

There is even more contrast when we think about those serving in harm's way in many places around the globe. They are giving up personal safety daily, and perhaps suffering great physical harm and even death.

While we may think of them often, Lent is a special time to think of those protecting us.

May God bless us all.

Jack Van Becelaere

February 19, 2013

A Chance Meeting

Read: Proverbs 31:10-31

Every once in a great while, a few times in a lifetime if you’re lucky, you may meet someone and right away you know you’re looking into a face sent to you from God. Such was the case many years ago when I went to see a marina service business owner to pay an invoice. While I could have mailed a check, I wanted to do it in person. The owner mistakenly thought I was there looking for a job and made me an offer. Thinking quickly I negotiated a better deal than I’d ever had at that time and he voided the invoice I came in to pay. On the way out I had to stop by to see his secretary to make the arrangements and clear my debt. That’s when it happened.

We had seen each other around the marina before but had never formally met. After the paperwork, we talked and I learned she was raising 2 boys on her own. She left a better job at a bank to come to the marina because it was closer to home. When she was done at the marina she went to a 2nd job she worked to make ends meet. In the weeks and months that followed I learned she was the one who actually ran the place. She handled all the day to day operations, HR work, budgets, inventory, payables, receivables etc. Everyone in the harbor kept an eye on her and helped out if she needed something done around the house.

The younger of the 2 boys was born with a hole in the base of his spinal cord. The doctors gave him a good chance to live, but said he would never walk. The poor doctors didn’t know she’s Irish on one side and Italian on the other and nobody was going to tell her what her boy couldn’t do.

Scared and alone, haunted by the possibility the doctors could be right, saddled with a mortgage and two hungry mouths to feed, she went out into the garage, found some old scraps of lumber, some nails, and a small hammer. She didn’t have a saw, but she had a Ginsu knife. Using what she had, she built tiny gym equipment in her living room and with the help of his slightly older brother she taught the lad to walk. Growing up was harder for him, but if you met him you’d never know. While he didn’t win many foot races, nothing on God’s green Earth can stop that boy today.

She eventually left the marina for a better opportunity at the world’s leading packaging company. Even though she left the marina behind, you could say we stayed in touch. It was tough but she climbed the corporate ladder to become the Comptroller of the local branch of a Global Fortune 500 company. After 11 years though the company made an unfortunate decision and eventually closed all 7 branches in Michigan and left the State. Somewhere along the way she met a sailing charter boat captain in between sojourns and he taught her to drive a boat. Now she’s back in the old marina on her own boat and became the envy of the old crew because she can handle a twin engine Chris Craft as well as anyone in the business.

The passing of parents and the trials and tribulations of daily life have slowed us all down now and the moments we share together are more and more treasured each time I see her.

Even though she can finally have pretty much whatever she wants, she still won’t buy anything unless she has a coupon, and she still gets all excited when the right coupon comes in the paper.

Through it all she’s maintained a smile and laugh such that she can light up any room simply by entering it.

And that boy who wasn’t supposed to walk?? He just made me a grandpa.

As the late great Paul Harvey used to say, “Now you know the RRRRRrrrest of the story.”

Ron Draper

P.S. Please continue to pray for JeriLynn.

February 18, 2013

Lent Is a Time for Giving Things up

Lent is a time for giving things up. Fasting is also related to this idea of self-sacrifice.

It sounds as if it could be very negative, but just read these lines by an American bishop, Arthur Lichtenberger of the Episcopal church:

Fast from criticism, and feast on praise;

Fast from self-pity, and feast on joy;

Fast from ill-temper, and feast on peace;

Fast from resentment, and feast on contentment;

Fast from pride, and feast on humility;

Fast from selfishness, and feast on service;

Fast from fear, and feast on faith.

Highly practical thoughts, not only for Lent, but for any time of year.

February 17, 2013

Abide With Me

Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;

the darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide.

When other helpers fail and comforts flee,

Help of the helpless, O abide with me.

Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day;

earth's joys grow dim; its glories pass away;

change and decay in all around I see;

O thou who changest not, abide with me.

I need thy presence every passing hour.

What but thy grace can foil the tempter's power?

Who, like thyself, my guide and stay can be?

Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.

I fear no foe, with thee at hand to bless;

ills have no weight, and tears not bitterness.

Where is death's sting? Where, grave, thy victory?

I triumph still, if thou abide with me.

Hold thou thy cross before my closing eyes;

shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.

Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee;

in life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.

Henry F. Lyte

February 16, 2013

I needed my back row today!!

Read: Hebrews 1:23-25

I guess I need to explain. I took the semester off of choir at GPUMC. My back row is not what you all see while we are up there singing our anthem each week. The entire group is a family that we can always turn to in our time of need and in good times.

I am feeling a lot of loss in the last few months. I know my daughter Lindsey is graduating from GP South, and most likely playing soccer at Hope College. I am treasuring each second with her and her friends, making lunch when I can and waiting up till all hours of the night for them to return safely.

My father in law is in hospice and took a turn for the worst last Friday. They came to our house on Friday to celebrate Moms 88th birthday, I knew things were bad when he ate little, and felt sick (he can eat like crazy; but he did have a healthy piece of ice cream cake!!) See this man has been my DAD for the last 26 years. He taught me to dance before my wedding (the traditional polka) and was like Marie on Everyone Loves Raymond trying to get into the delivery room when Mitch and Lindsey were born. They were our saviors when we needed a date night and took such good care of our kids, at OUR beck and call! He made the loveliest wooden toys for the kids that will be passed down to generations of Makos children.

Then there was the news of Ron and JeriLynn’s accident. I am scared for them, and I am praying hard for them. Ron is such a wonderful and entertaining guy, and a friend since high school. JeriLynn is his heart and soul. I hurt for them and for the teen that was texting before he hit them. (We all need to learn NOW to put the phone down!!!) I know that the church family will be there for them.

God said to keep a memorial rock for the beautiful things he has given us;

Let us find our rocks and be thankful for all the glory he has given;

Thank you, God, for my wonderful Husband and Children Mitchell and Lindsey.

Thank you for My Mother and Father in Law that have served as MY parents for the last 27 years

Thank you Lord for Ron and JeriLynn; Please Bless Them and Keep them.

And Thank you Lord for My back row; AKA; My Church Family to which I can always turn to and get a Kleenex!!!

Gail Makos, January 20, 2013