BLESSINGS PASSED ON

Every 5th Sunday at Berean we have a Scripture memory night when we quote Scripture we have been memorizing. I had been working on Psalm 103 and quoted it Sunday night. There are many blessings in this psalm which exhorts us to bless the Lord. I was especially blessed with vs. 15-18 [15] As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
[16] For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
[17] But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;
[18] To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.
In spite of our brief life, the blessing of the Lord's mercies go on and on. If we fear Him, we experience His mercies, but it doesn't stop there, His mercies go on to the grandchildren, if they will walk in His ways. It is my fervent desire to bless the grandchildren by fearing the Lord. It is my prayer that you grandchildren will walk in His ways and pass the blessing on to those after you. Bless the Lord O my soul!

RESULTS FOR 2011

I challenged the family at the beginning for those who wanted to, to record miles walked or run and Bible reading. Here are the results at the end of the year:
Rog - 1065 miles, Mary - 1234 miles
Roger - 197 miles, DeeDee 247 miles, Taylor - 10 miles, Brittany - 20 miles, Dawson - 119 miles, Cooper - 8 miles
Julie - 156 miles, Owen - 123 miles, Malia - 90 miles, Meredith - 86 miles, Brooklyn - 24 miles
June - 1020 miles, Damon - 800 miles, Maggie - 250 miles, Micah - 174, Evan - 143 miles, Eli - 100 miles, Molly - 72 miles
Elisa - 800 miles, John - 128 miles, Trey - 156 miles, Avery - 60 miles, Ethan - 21 miles, Raegan - 8 miles
Susan - 627 miles, Brendon - 150 miles, Caleb - 150 miles, Trevin - 140 miles, Meryn - 177 miles
Those reporting reading through the Bible: Rog, Mary, June & Julie
Those reporting reading the new Testament: Damon, Maggie, Micah, Evan, Owen & Malia
I trust the challenge helped us on to the GOAL.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!

REFLECTING ON 2011

At the close of 2011 I want to share some thoughts as I look back. This has been a really good year for Mary and me. We have enjoyed each other in an increasing way. We have spoken the blessing of Numbers 6:24-26 to each other every morning. We have walked and ran together over 1000 miles. We have read through the Bible together and enjoyed eating out together until Mary went on this high protein diet. But, we will endure that. Our times of prayer have been good. God continues to use us in the lives of those He sends our way. We have sensed God's blessing on the church. He has given us wonderful people. We have had special times with family. Our "Camp Gramma" at the YMCA of the Rockies was very memorable for all of the family. We had a great time with Mary's cousins at a reunion at our home. Mary's mom, who lives with us, continues to be in good health. We also had an opportunity to visit my dad's family at our reunion in Iowa. Greg and I built "Gramma's Perch" on our cut off pine tree that pleases Mary in a big way. We have made a practice of accepting what God has for us each morning and resisting what Satan plans, and I can say that is has been an outstanding year, and God gets all the praise.

NOVEMBER RESULTS

Only one more month to bug our kids for their results. This has been quite a deal for very busy families. Here is what I have through November.
Roger - 1035 miles, Mary - 1210 miles
Roger - 197 miles, DeeDee - 214 miles, Dawson - 118.5
Julie - 149 miles, Owen - 119 miles, Malia - 85 miles, Merideth - 80.5 miles, Brooklyn - 21 miles
Damon - 751 miles, June - 941 miles, Maggie - 214 miles, Micah - 160 miles, Evan - 132 miles, Eli - 92 miles, Molly - 61 miles
John - 128.4 miles, Elisa - 706.4 miles, Trey - 156.1 miles, Avery - 54.2 miles, Ethan - 20.6 miles, Reagan - 18 miles
Susan - 595 miles, Brendon - 137 miles, Caleb - 140 miles, Trevin - 130 miles, Meryn - 165 miles

FUN IN MEMPHIS

June and Lisa signed up to run the marathon in Memphis on December 3. Mary and I decided to go and support them, so we signed up to run the 5K. June had her 40th birthday on Nov. 30 and wanted to celebrate by doing a marathon. Lisa ran one 15 years ago and wanted to try it again. June had injuries in both feet, so it looked impossible for her to do it. BUT, June is very tenacious and completed her first marathon. Lisa did well in her run. We are very proud of these gals and had a great deal of fun running the 5K and cheering our daughters on in their race. All our children are such a blessing from the Lord, and it is "fun" to be with them and join in their challenges when we can.

ENCOURAGEMENT ON HALLOWEEN

October 31 was the last day of Pastor Appreciation month. I want to journal about how God encouraged me. On Sunday October 30, I spoke on the importance of the Christian being strong in the Lord and in the power of His might and the importance of putting on the armor. The end of October is always dark because of the honor given to the kingdom of darkness by the use of all the symbols and observances relating to darkness. I woke up on the 31st being harassed with all sorts of belittling thoughts. Though I do know how to handle that sort of attack, it still had its effect on me. That day I received three calls from totally unexpected sources that greatly encouraged me. It was as if God told them what I needed, without them knowing anything of my need. I don't believe they called to encourage me, but that was the effect. And then there was a card that said things that reached the deepest need I had. I marveled at the insight in that card. I must say I stood amazed at what happened that day. It was as if God had come in those three calls and the card to address every fiery dart that had come my way. And it all took place on Halloween. Thank you Lord!

TWO MONTHS TO GO

Here is the update on miles through October.
Roger - 1010.5, Mary - 1194
Roger - 197, DeeDee - 187, Dawson - 118.5
Julie - 137, Owen - 119, Malia - 85, Meredith - 77, Brooklyn - 20
Damon - 731, June - 867, Maggie - 191, Micah - 153, Evan - 126, Eli - 90, Molly - 57
John - 117.1, Elisa - 618.3, Trey - 154.6, Avery - 51.7, Ethan - 18.1, Reagan - 6
Susan - 515, Brendon - 127, Caleb - 130, Trevin - 120, Meryn - 155
Keep it up guys!