Saturday, April 30, 2011

Encourager

A dear friend of ours recently called 911 and was taken to the ER.  It was the first time he had been hospitalized in 90 years.  That's quite a record. This man, George, is an encourager.  We were told yesterday that his son who came from California to take care of legal matters was amazed at the number of people who had already been to visit him.  That is our schedule for today - to visit George in the Hospice House in Bellingham, WA.
Margie and I had a plenty busy day yesterday.  She washed, dried and folded all the clothes, washed the bathrooms and fixed the meals.  I painted two shifts, mowed the lawn and washed the bathroom floors.  So the both of us kept plenty busy and we are thankful especially that Margie apparently did OK with such a work load. As I write this she is still in bed, but I am sure she had a real good night. We are thankful.

Friday, April 29, 2011

How fast!

Yes, how fast the week goes.  It is amazing. It must have something to do with our age.  The days fly by and we don't seem to get as much done as before. I had a good painting day yesterday.  Margie was able to do quite a few things around the house which indicates she's feeling stronger.  We are so thankful for this.  She also had a good night and exclaimed to me this morning how very thankful she is for a restful night.  For YEARS she never had a restful night.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Proof reader

Yes, we need a proof reader for our web site.  We received a call from a close friend who jokingly said they were going through some of their bills to pay.  Then upon opening our web page, noted that the verse for the day was "Pay without ceasing".  How fitting for all of us who pay bills. We laughed and will try better next time. Yesterday our day was "too full". In the morning we took Margie to physical therapy, then into Bellingham to pay property taxes and do some necessary shopping.  Last night was prayer meeting at the church.  Thankfully Margie did OK but in reality it was too much for one day for her. We are so grateful her night went well.  Thanks loads for praying. 

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Lynden-Bellingham

I take Margie to the physical therapy session this morning, do some shopping at Safeway, then we head for Bellingham where more shopping will be done. One of the major reasons for that trip will be to pay our property taxes.  We got word from the tax preparer that our paperwork is proper and in order.  We are praying they will now give us a reduction on those taxes.  Margie had a good night and is almost ready for our trip to Lynden.  I had a very profitable painting day yesterday, accomplishing quite a bit.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Off to work

This morning I must get back to painting.  Thankfully Margie had a good night.  I am still waiting for a call from our tax consultant relative to an omission on the 1040 form which has prevented us from receiving the senior discount for our property tax. The due date for payment is in just 3 days so we are getting anxious.  If you look at this today, please pray about this with us.  We would like to get it settled. Yesterday I was feelinig " a little under the weather" which is something unusual for me.  I am so grateful that today I feel fine and ready to hit the work.  Thanks all for your faithful intercession. We appreciate it.

Monday, April 25, 2011

Choices

On any given day there are  many decisions to make.  I guess that never does change.  Today I must get the studded tires changed because otherwise there is a fine if you leave them on.  Ours are not real studded tires but "studless" tires.  They are good in snow weather.  But I will get them changed today even though on this type of tire there would be no violation if left as is. I am awaiting word from our IRS tax preparer because a "glitch" appeared in the 1040 which I must get corrected.  Margie had a good night for which we are thankful.  Yesterday we had a great time with our family and always appreciate being with them.  If there is any time left over, I can always go paint also.  So there really is never a dull moment.

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Happy Resurrection Day

Without a doubt today and Christmas are the most celebrated of the year.  It is true commerce has a high priority on these days for financial reasons.  We are so glad we are able to go to church and fellowship with others and celebrate this grand day.  At our church there is a special breakfast which we will not attend because of Margie's dietary restrictions.  But this afternoon our son and daughter-in-law invited us for a meal at the Vista house (which I am painting).  Several will be there and Gina has prepared gluten free items Margie can eat.  How nice of her.  We look forward to this day and all the blessings it holds for us.  We pray the same for you. Margie is still sleeping as I write this early in the morning, but I know she had a good night.

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Much to do

I was going to paint today but decided against it because the Vista house is now occupied with the Rawlie's family who came up to work on the place.  Moving ladders around while they were trying to pack things would not have worked well.  I will go Monday.  Today I have plenty to do here at home.  Our 5th wheel trailer still has more cleaning that has to be done on it before we sell it and there is ALWAYS the lawn to be mowed.  Margie had a good night and she will prepare a couple of food items for our Easter meal with Rawlie and his family.

Friday, April 22, 2011

Good Friday

What a special time of the year this is.  We look forward to Easter Sunday.  As I write this Margie is still asleep.  That could mean one of two things.  She either had a good night and still is sleeping or it was not so good and is making up for lost time now. I hope it was the first.  I should get off to do some more painting this morning, but I will not leave until I know her condition. I may add a note at the end of this when I find out how she is.  We had a good day yesterday.  She saw her regular family physician in the morning and in the afternoon we had the prayer meeting at our church.  It is a beautiful sunshine day and according to the weatherman, the temperature is going to warm up. That would be nice.  Note:  Margie had a good night. I am so thankful.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Another trip

This morning we leave to see Margie's doctor. It is in Lynden, about 15 miles from here.  the doctor wanted to see her again after her "down" experience a few weeks ago.  This afternoon is prayer meeting.  There is plenty of painting for me to do when I can find the time to do it. Margie had a good night.  We are always glad for that.
Thanks for praying

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

On our way again

Here we go for Margie's therapy.  These sessions help her tremendously and we are so thankful the insurance pays for them.  All we do is the co-pay which is only $10.  It is a blessing.   When we get back, I will head over to the Vista house and get some more painting done. I have just sent in the material for the church's prayer sheet for prayer meeting.  I enjoy doing this each week.  There is never a dull moment.  We trust you will have a good day also.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Off to town

We leave shortly for Bellingham, just a few miles away.  Margie has a doctor's appointment.  She is rejoicing in a good night's sleep.   Yesterday I got more painting done at the Vista house and was pleased with the progress. I admit is looking better around there.  I still have much to do.  While in town, I will drop by the court house and see if I qualify for a reduction in our property tax, now that we are unemployed.  While in town we will do some necessary shopping also.   We thank you for your prayers and trust you all have a great day.

Monday, April 18, 2011

Cool again

We are amazed at how cool it is for this time of the year. This morning on the radio the weatherman said we could even have snow this evening.  Oh well, I still have the snow tires on which are allowed until the 25th.  It's a good thing they extended this ruling. Margie just came into the room stating she had a good night.  She is so thankful for peaceful sleep, something which she rarely had most of her life until now.   She said she is well enough for me to go off today and do more painting.   Yesterday, at the Vista house, Rawlie put up a larger step ladder which will be much safer for me doing the "high" work.  They are not too anxious for me to be up too high on a ladder.  I promised them I would be careful.

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Thank you Lord

Yes, we are thankful for this day He has given us.  We look forward to worship in our church.  Yesterday the Lord enabled me to preach the memorial service for a dear friend at our church.  And I was honored to have our son participate by singing a solo "He Touched Me" which he did so well.  Our pastor and I officiated the service. What a great time to give the gospel to unbelievers who attend.  I used the Bible our friend has marked so well which makes it so easy to find an appropriate message for such a time as this.  Margie slept well last night and we look forward to going to church in about an hour. We hope and pray you all have a great Sunday.  

Saturday, April 16, 2011

One more memorial service

At 2 this afternoon a memorial service will be conducted for Ernestine Hill, a long time friend.  Our pastor and I will be in charge.  If you view this early, please pray as we give the plan of salvation to those who will be there.
Margie had a good night.  We are grateful to the Lord for this blessing.  Rawlie, our son and his son Nathan arrived here last night. the rest of the family will be up today.   Yesterday I finally finished the ceilings in the Vista house that I am painting.  Over 6 gallons of paint gives an idea of how many there are. It's another beautiful day.
Thank you all for praying.

Friday, April 15, 2011

Another

Yesterday we attended another memorial service for a dear friend.   There have been several just lately and tomorrow I officiate one for a friend of many years at our church.  Yesterday morning it was snowing like "60" at this hour and today the sun is shining and it's beautiful.  Lord willing, I will be painting today.  I must get that job done for our son and daughter-in-law.  Margie had a good night.   Today will be harder for her with all the washing, drying and folding and maybe ironing.  If she's too tired I will insist on doing the latter. We trust you all have a good day.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

On the go

We awakened this morning to heavy snow falling.  The temperature was not cold enough for it to "stick" but it was beautiful.  Nearby, several serious auto accidents took place also.   So it was a surprise to all of us.  Margie slept well last night.   We attend the memorial service for a friend this afternoon who died of H1N1 last week.  She was 22.  We trust you all have a good day.  Thanks for your prayers,

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Not as good

Margie did not have a good night.  She finally got to sleep, much later after doing some more walking in the house.  Shortly we leave for physical therapy.  It always helps her. Her therapist, a gracious Christian lady, is so kind to her. They have much in common.  We will do a little bit of necessary shopping while we are away. I painted in the morning, ran out of paint and came home and trimmed and mowed the lawn.  That made for a full day.  It was the first cutting of this year and there was plenty to do to make it look good again.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Decisions

I have to decide in a few minutes if I am going to stay home and mow the lawn or go paint.  Either one is OK because I like to do both of those jobs.  Rain is forecast and I think I may go paint.  Margie has some baking she wants to do today.  We are thankful she feels up to it. We are still going through boxes of things removed from our trailer.  We have decided to have a very low grade type yard sale and get rid of a lot of this stuff that way.  I am just about prepared for the memorial service we will have Saturday.  Thanks for "tuning in".  Lord willing we will "see" you tomorrow.  Have a great day and thanks for praying.

Monday, April 11, 2011

To do list

As mentioned before our "to do" list gets larger and larger.  Today I must get all my studying done for a memorial service on Saturday.  There is ALWAYS lawn work and I have to prepare the entire lawn by thoroughly raking of it.  In between this an many other things, I should be painting also.  Oh well, we are glad to be able to even work.  Margie slept well last night.  She went to bed very tired and we wondered if she would sleep.  Thankfully her night went well.   Rawlie was here this weekend and he treated us to a nice meal at a nearby restaurant yesterday after church.  We surely did enjoy the meal and the visit with him.

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Sunday

For two weeks Margie was not able to attend church.  So we are looking forward to being there today, Lord willing.  She had a good night and we are glad.  Our son arrived yesterday and did some work on one of the rental homes.   I painted more at the Vista house.  Margie was able to be alone so I could get away to do that. Rawlie will attend services with us then treat us to a meal afterwards.  We look forward to that. Something new for Ferndale.  It's raining! (just joking)  It rains a lot and that is the reason for the abundance of greenery.  We'll check in tomorrow again here for the next update.

Saturday, April 9, 2011

More than we can do

Have you noticed how work stacks up in the springtime?  I am trying to get some painting done for Rawlie & Gina, but at the same time our grass grows.  I just had the machines serviced so I can get the lawn work done.  Now I find so little time to get it done. Oh well, that's better than not having anything to do or the ability to do them. Margie worked a little too hard yesterday. I was away painting and she washed clothes and several other things.  This morning I awakened early to help her by doing the ironing before she got up.  Our son arrives today to do some work on one of their rental homes. He will stay overnight with us.  We look forward to his visit. Margie had a good night and we are  ready for the day.

Friday, April 8, 2011

Missionary friends

Early this morning we received a call from former colleagues with whom we worked in Brazil.   They had other missionary friends who are interested in Shepherds, desiring to perhaps place their son there. They asked permission to give them our phone number and have them discuss the subject with us. So it was a nice visit with this dear family, the Petersons. Margie missed the call because she was sleeping.  She had a good night.  We are always glad to hear that. Today, Lord willing, I will try to get some more painting done.  Margie feels well enough to be left alone here at home.  I normally would not leave her for a lengthy period but she said it's OK today.  We are rejoicing in her improved health over last weeks downer.  Thanks for your prayers,

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Thank you

Our thanks to you who are praying for Margie. She had another good night last night.  Yesterday she showed  improvement and was able to do several things around the house.  Today we are praying she will be able to go to the afternoon prayer meeting at our church.  Yesterday morning I took her to therapy and in the afternoon I was able to do some painting for Rawlie and Gina. the next big thing on my to do list is prepare the lawn for mowing by raking and getting rid of the twigs and debris so the blades will not be dmaged so badly. I am sure you have noticed that there is never a dull moment.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Feeling better

We are thankful Margie is feeling better.  Her tests were all good and the doctor was encouraging. He said Margie might have had a slight virus that caused her upset.  It is uncertain.  But at any rate we are happy she is feeling better.  We pray that she will get stronger each day.  We have been removing all our belongings from the 5th wheel trailer and Margie is going through it as she sits in the Lazy Boy chair.  She can do this and enjoys it.  We are gathering plenty of stuff for a low key garage sale someday.  Margie had a good night last night and soon I will be taking her to physical therapy.  These treatments, although painful, give her much relief.  Thank you so much for praying.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Better news

Thankfully Margie had a better day yesterday.   She had a good night's sleep last night and we will be seeing the doctor this afternoon.   We are praying he may have some new information and possible solution to help her. I had a busy day yesterday ending with an eye exam.  I am grateful I do not need any correction in the lenses after two years.  The Lord is good.  I just received a call from the company that services our lawn equipment and they will deliver this morning the machines they serviced.  That means I will doubtless be cutting the lawn this week.  That will start the process that goes into the Fall months.  Thanks for praying.  We appreciate you all.

Monday, April 4, 2011

Margie's update

Yesterday was not good for her.  I stayed with her and we enjoyed messages right here in the comfort of our home. Later when I had to attend an important meeting, she was listening to some wonderful gospel music which ministered to her greatly. She did not have a good night but finally got to sleep.  Today she is a "little" better for which we are thankful. Last night, a 21 year old girl - passed away from H1N1 in the Bellingham hospital.  She had been in ICU for over 4 weeks.  Her illness had rallied a host of prayer warriors on her behalf.  Obviously the Lord wanted her HOME.  Now she is at peace.  We pray for her mother, siblings and grandparents and Aunt who are very close friends. Thanks for your intercession for Margie.  We deeply appreciate it.

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Prayer needed

Margie had a good night but does not feel well.  She is depressed about her never-ending chain of illnesses and we are hoping and praying the rheumatologist will have some suggestions.  We see him Tuesday at which time he will give results of a series of tests he ran on her last week. We will remain home today and worship here together as we listen to messages.  I do have a board meeting this evening so will be away for that.  Thanks so much for praying for Margie.

Saturday, April 2, 2011

Disappointed

Margie saw the rheumatologist yesterday who determined that an increase of  medication for her polymyalgia would not help her depression. Of course this is so hard on her because she thought this may be the reason for her depression.  He ordered more tests which she did yesterday and we will get those results on Tuesday next week. I slipped away and did a couple hours of work at the Vista house (that's our name for the Harder house) Gina is in charge of that project trying to get the house ready to sell.  Please pray for Margie as she goes through this tough experience of feeling so badly. She has been down this road before but we certainly are sad she had to face it again.

Friday, April 1, 2011

April 1

My missionary brother in Singapore has a birthday today.  He is 5 years above me in age.  Yesterday (Singapore's April 1st) Ernie and I talked on Skype.   Margie just told me she did not have a good night.   We are scheduled to be at the doctor's office in an hour from now.  She is depressed mostly because of the long road this illness has taken us with not much hope in sight.  We pray the rheumatologist will have some help for her today.  Thank you for praying.  If time permits, I should start today to do some painting.