Nona's Thoughts have gone missing!

It has been a month since my last blog and all I can say is that my thoughts have been to random to record. Popa and I have been very busy, we are traveling to a church in the Portland area every Sunday. It is good to serve those God has put in your hearts. We are excited about maybe getting to take a month long trip on our motorcycle. We are also making plans to return to Sri Lanka in the fall, with maybe a stop off in Indonesia and then some ministry in England. God is always faithful to order our steps if we wait on HIM. We are finding it imperative to be led by the Spirit and we will spend a month with focused daily practice on total obedience. It is important to establish a habitual pattern of following the Holy Spirit. Our days are full and yet there is a longing within to find ourselves totatlly submersed in HIS perfect will. Popa will have a tooth extracted today and implant preparation done. His eye condition is on hold while we wait for the last steroidal injection to work. We know God is faithful and we continue to press into who HE is, it is only as HE increases in us that we are able to decrease. Lord, please continue to work in us as we choose to submit to your divine hand. The Nona and her oh so random thoughts.

Thoughts by Nona!

Today is a cold rainy day and I had so hoped for a sunny spring day. The weather in Oregon is nor predictable at all. We just simply get what we get and often without much notice of the impending change. I am thankful for the grace of God that is always available in my life. HE is constant and sure. HIS word says HE never changes and HE fails not. I can count on HIM, HE is stedfast. Today I got my eyes examined and realized it had been 4 years since my last exam, no wonder my glasses aren't doing the trick....I need new ones....not to worry my friend will be here tomorrow and make new glasses for me next week. This afternoon Popa and I ran to Portland to check on a friend. It was a quick trip but good! I think it is so important to honor the covenant we make with others....sometimes that means we are simply there for encouragement and support. We will be having lots of company over the next few days....some coming for the memorial service of their Dad, and others coming to check on wayward parishioners. All and all it will be good to be with friends and family. Popa has had a couple of rough days adjusting to some medication changes. I pray he is able to make the transition without too much trouble. The fuel pump went out in the pick up last week and now we need to have the air-conditioner checked out in the Maxima. Oh well, life is just life, and it is all about how we react to it. It is my hope to be Christ like in my choices and I hope you find yourself choosing to be like your Maker in all you do. God Bless you and keep you always in HIS care! NONA

Thoughts on rainy day!

The weather changes quite quickly here in Oregon. I am always amazed at how quickly the sunshine hides and the rain clouds appear. The rain falls and then the sun peaks through again. When the sun shines, mankind gets out in it and tries to enjoy every moment; yardwork suddenly becomes enjoyable, washing the car and the "honey do list" doesn't seem so bad. I find God, as the author of the weather, is fully aware of its many facets. HE is also aware of all that concerns me today. Maybe that is why the scripture tells us that today has enough worries of its own. Finding adequate grace to walk through everyday is one of the wonders of knowing Christ. God is always present. The truth is that the "SON" shine is always present therefore life is worth living. I am working hard at adjusting my perspective, I am trying to concentrate on the mere wonder that the Son of God is involved in my life. HE loves me and is committed to my success. If you feel like the rain is the dominant facet in your life look for the "son shine", I promise you it will peak through whatever dark clouds you are facing. God is good and his mercies endure forever. Be Blessed, NONA

Nona's Random May Thoughts

I spoke at a wonderful church on Sunday and was blessed to find myself preaching on Mother's Day. We had a wonderful meal with the church family and then joined our middle daughter and her in-laws for another wonderful meal. There were actually three missionary families sitting around the table at one time in the afternoon. I always marvel at how God's presence in our lives draws us together. It was a truly a great Mother's Day. I got to enjoy my daughter and sleep over at her beautiful house. Popa and I helped a little bit with some debris and yard work on Monday and enjoyed another great dinner. I love that my daughter loves to cook good food. There is something very soothing in this knowledge. Popa has had some neck pain the last few days, we saw his doctor today and hopefully his pain will be beter tonight. God is always faithful and HIS grace is sufficient for all our needs. I spent most of the day quietly resting and enjoyed a good soak in the Hot Tub tonight after a great friend brought us some more excellent food. I finished up some left over responsibilites and can now go to bed without unfinished tasks on my mind. I love the fact that God's grace is ever present to work and to will HIS divine plan in our lives. Follow God and your footing will always be sure. May you be blessed and find yourselves ever in HIS unfailing care. NONA

Pulling together some random thoughts!

Life has been crazy with Popa's eye surgery. The surgery itself went very well; the problem being .... now that the cataract is gone the extensiveness of the problem is exposed to Popa and he has been anxious about just how much his eyesight is affected. The pressure in his eye was up last week and so we have had some extra doctor appointments. We are still putting in eye drops four times a day and will return to the doctor this week for more evaluation. We have also been traveling every week-end to be in a church about 100 miles away while the pastor is out of town. We will be traveling again this week-end as I will be preaching on Mother's Day at City Blessing Church....then the following week-end our good friends are saying good-bye to their pastorate and taking up a new ministry while other good friends are being installed as the new Senior Pastors about 75 miles south of here they have asked us to come be a part of the transitional service. Life seems to get busier and busier....I can't help but ask myself 'what does it all mean?'. We were able to spend some time with Violet, Herbie and Big Weld this week-end. In fact I did their parents the awesome favor of taking the grandchildren to McDonalds and buying them Happy Meals with the singing 'American Idol' toys. Let's just say it is great being the 'Nona' and not the Mommy. I will pick up youngest daughter's son from kindergarten today and spend a little time with him, he loves 'Tom and Jerry' and eating snacks at my house. I wonder if God is delighted by the simple little pleasures of spending time with his family? Wonder is not exactly the right word, of course God delights in the pleasure of spending time with us...it is more about the wonder of the intensity of the delight. I trust our lives make HIS heart glad. I want to encourage you today to purpose to delight the heart of God with your lifestyle. More from the busy Nona later.

Week-end Thoughts!

It has been a long week. Popa had some doctor appointments and actually ended up at the surgery center one day to have an epidural injection, which helped with the low back pain. The eye doctor scheduled him for cataract surgery on April 28th. He has three appointments on Tuesday this week, I can't imagine we will get anything else done. My joints are achy and swollen again today. I hope this can be rememdied soon as I do not enjoy pain. The local grandsons are here today and their parents should be showing up any moment, I think they are ready for a change in venue and I am ready for a quiet nap. They are delightful little guys whom I love more than I ever imagined I could. Looking forward to some time with princess and her twin brothers next week after we go to Grants Pass to celebrate YaYa's husband's 60th birthday. It should be fun, good friends are hard to find these days and we are blessed to have several in our lives from years gone by. No real news, we had to make a trip north for an appointment on Friday, God is always faithful and our time was fruitful. Keep trusting Jesus, HE truly cares for each one of us. Nona

Nona's Thoughts Today April 9, 2008

I am a bit overwhelmed with the lack of purpose I feel now that I find myself home in Oregon. Popa and I are ernestly seeking the Lord for direction. We find ourselves truly dependent upon HIM, the maker of heaven and earth. How does one traverse these difficult waters of decision without God's leading? We are pressing into God with all we have and know HE has a plan that will satisfy the longing of our hearts. It has been a real joy to see our darling grandchildren and visit with our daughters and their hubbies. They want to see us fulfill all that God has for us and they are praying for wisdom and guidance. I once read that a missionary is only truly happy when they are in the "air" coming or going....it might be true!!!! Jesus is all together lovely and HIS ways are perfect. May you find yourselves leaning into HIM with all your being. HE will never leave you or forsake you. NONA