This is what being at 12,000 feet looks like in the Colorado Rockies.  I don’t plan to get to this elevation, but I am looking forward to being in Limon and Last Chance, Colorado in one month.  There is a small congregation of faithful followers of Jesus in Last Chance and I get to be with them on March 9 and 10 talking about what Jesus said in Matthew 24 regarding the signs of His return.

No, I am not in Belize.  I am not enjoying this beautiful beach on the Caribbean.  All I have are the memories.  I was in Belize.  In fact, I went there three times during the year and a half my kids and grandkids were there.  I was there long enough to have to extend my visa several times.  It is cold and snowy where I am now, so I dug out this picture to remind myself there are places in the world where it is not cold and snowy.  This picture was taken in the “winter” of 2013.  Six years ago almost to the day.

My first book, RJ’s Journey, started me on a journey of writing books.  RJ’s Journey is  a story set along the Oregon Trail.  It is full of adventure, history, geography, relationships and faith.  It can be read for enjoyment, fiction set in a historical context and even as an assignment for an American History class.  It can, also, be used for creative writing assignments, vocabulary words, art projects, etc.  If you are a teacher, let your imagination dream up curriculum ideas to go along with the book.

Writing has become a journey of adventure, history, etc. for me.  I have enjoyed researching for the books I have written and am writing.  It reminds me of historical times much different than the time we live in now.  I have always enjoyed geography, so it is fun putting my stories into a geographical setting as well.  I have several books in the works right now.  I plan to have two or more of them available this year.

I plan to branch out into fiction that is not necessarily historical fiction as well.  I, also, have a memoir of humerous and embarassing moments in the pipeline.  I will publish it as soon as I’m not too embarassed to have such stories out in the world.  So, writing is a journey for me.  What journey are you on right now?

When I was in 8th Grade I made a scrapbook for an assignment for Home Ec.  I’m sure no one under 60 knows what a Home Ec class is, it was back in the 1960’s…ancient history.  Anyway, among other things in my scrapbook were pictures of Ford Mustangs and horses.  The caption to those pictures was…Some Day I’m Going to Have Lots of Horses and Lots of Cars.  Well, all together I’ve had 12 horses when we lived in Minnesota…rode many more than that, of course, through the years.  I have owned 11 different cars/trucks/vans at various times.  BUT, I still yearn to own a Ford Mustang convertible.  The closest I’ve come to it was the day I rented this one in deep south Texas and spent the day with my daughter on South Padre Island.  I think it was in 2004 becaue it was a 40th anniversary model.  It was glorious! My dream lives on.

Remember a post from last fall about my attendance at an 8th Grade English class at East Central High School near Sandstone, Minnesota?  Well, today I got a thank you card from each of the students and their teacher.  Made my day!!!  If I have wanted to be anything in other people’s lives it has been to be an encouragement.  Through their attention that day and their notes I just received; they are an encouragement to me.  Thank you Ms. Lourey and your class of fine and creative students!

What time is it? What will 2019 bring?  I trust in God.  I trust His timing.  May I be found faithful in my love.  May God’s light shine.  May the life He gives be lived abundantly.  May God’s love be received and returned to Him.

May you know God’s light and life and love.

Jesus in the reason for the season, as others have said.  His birth recorded in Luke 2:1-20 indicates Jesus’ birth happened at a specific time in a specific place to a specific woman.  We don’t know why God chose that specific time for Messiah to be born.  I believe it was in God’s perfect timing.  While people go about their routines and live life, God is doing things in time that we might or might not know about.  What is God doing in our time?

The pictures above are two sanctuaries where congregations meet to worship Jesus.  May we all know Him and worship Him today and everyday.

“…for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”  Luke 2:11

It was an honor to attend the Wreaths Across America event Saturday, December 15, 2018, at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.  Our granddaughters are members of Ameican Heritage Girls and they were among many others who raised money to buy wreaths to place on soldiers graves.  The ceremony was solemn and respectful.  The event was patriotic. It reminded all who attended of the sacrifices many have made to protect freedom and fight tyranny.  My father was a soldier during WWI and Walt’s father was a WWII veteran.  Our thanks are due to all who have served and are serving.

My journey has taken me to many places, people and callings.  Every step of the way I have known the Lord is with me.  AND he blessed me with family and friends to share the journey with me.  The “jobs,” or I’d rather say “callings,” have been a blessing as well.     It is through them I have grown and shared invaluable friendships.  I owe the Lord much praise and thanksgiving.  We have a few weeks of 2018 to go, but another year is soon here.  Where will my journey take me? Where will your journey take you?

It has been over 10 years since we went.  I recommend it!  Mount Arbel overlooking the Sea of Galilee, Banias springs near Ceasarea Philippi, Syrian border, the Jordan River, the Blue Caves and Mediterranean Sea, Qumran and Jerusalem.  The Galilee region and the Garden on the Mount of Olives were my favorite, but everyplace had special meaning.  It is a holy land.