Sondra and I have been busy these past couple of weeks trying to buy a new car for cheap. Part of that pursuit is because of the government program called Cash for Clunkers. We have an old 1995 Ford 12-passenger van with the seats removed, and we use it like a pickup truck. It gets about 8-10 miles per gallon, so we knew it would qualify for the CARS program.
We thought it would be an easy process. Find an inexpensive gas-saving small car, turn in the clunker, pay for the car and leave.
Wrong. There are so many restrictions. The vehicle needs to be registered for the past 12 months. Must have been insured continuously for the past 12 months. Must have been in your name for the past 12 months. Must be in running condition when brought to the dealer. Must have a clear title (pink slip).
Fortunately, our van fit the bill for all those rules.
Unfortunately, the van is considered a Class 3 truck because it has a GVW (gross vehicle weight) of over 8500 pounds. That means that we are restricted to a Class 2 or Class 3 vehicle to purchase. Those vehicles are the big SUVs and big pickup trucks. We were stunned. We had a Nissan Sentra that we were looking at, one that gets 35 mpg. The salesman came back and said, "Sorry, you can't buy that Sentra under this program. But we do have the Frontier and the Armada that will fit that restriction."
Sure. For double the price and almost half the miles per gallon. Someone didn't think this one through on the government level. If you want me to be more fuel efficient, let me buy any car that gets good gas mileage. Don't make me buy a big vehicle, just because it fits the "truck" designation. I don't have the money, I don't have the inclination for it, I don't like it!
Well, I still have the van. And I don't have a new car yet. I have only enough money for half the vehicle they say I have to buy. Sorry, my pockets are empty.
I know there is a lesson to be learned in all this that we have gone through. Driving to so many dealerships, some even in the Los Angeles area about 50 miles away. Talking to so many salesmen (and saleswomen). Looking at every aspect of money and trying to pay cash only. There is a lesson, but I don't want to know it yet. I'm still smiling but not in a new car! Ha.
Thanks for letting me vent!
Friday, August 21, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
Absolutely Too Much
This past week was so tiring but so fulfilling. It is amazing how busy we can be doing the work of the Lord, yet feel strong and refreshed when being at the right task at the right time to meet needs. Sometimes, I will admit, I am busy just with busy work of ministry administration. And that is not the same as ministry that meets needs of individuals at their point of hurt at that very moment. So I have to be careful and mindful of what is really important each day!
I continue to help with the Sober Living program for parolees at Coronado Stone manufacturing plant in Fontana. A new resident came last week and I got to sit down with him for some time, asking about his background and life. He has lost everything - job, kids, wife, marriage, money, house. But he has found a deep relationship with Jesus that makes life worth living. It is not easy, but God is faithful to give us strength for each day.
Over the weekend, Sondra and I went down to San Diego as I had been asked some time back to do a wedding there. I had met with the young couple several times earlier, naturally, and everything went well. They got married at Tom Ham's Lighthouse Restaurant on the San Diego harbor. The weather was perfect, the view was spectacular, and everyone had a wonderful time.
We stayed both Friday and Saturday nights at the Town and Country Hotel and actually took care of our grand-daughter Bailey, as Shawn and Crystal came for the wedding also. That made the weekend special too.
We left early Sunday morning to get to church on time. I had lined up one of the ordained ministers in our church (Pastor George Nelson) to preach. In addition, we had Rabbi Blue lead our time of praise and worship singing. You will be able to see photos on my church web site ( http://www.thevisionpluschurch.com/ ) when I can finally get time to update it.
Then, after church, a group of us (mainly the men from the Sober houses) went to have lunch at the Dining Commons of California Baptist University about 10 miles away. Great food and an awesome time of fellowship. There was 32 of us for lunch!
Following that, Sondra and I went to a memorial service for Margaret Clouter, a friend and former attender of our church. Her daughter, Vicki Park, was a member of our church and brought her many times to worship with us before Margaret's health declined. The service was at First Baptist Church in Pomona in nearby Los Angeles county.
With a little time between ministry activity, I called my mom yesterday afternoon. It was her birthday. She turned 86 years old, and is still active in church and teaching a Sunday School class every week. She was in the hospital recently and diagnosed with pneumonia, but she is now recovering and getting stronger again each day. She is an amazing woman who has influenced many lives through her lifestyle, prayer life, church work and parenting!
After a short break and rest, George Nelson and I went to an Ordination Service at La Sierra Baptist Church in Riverside. Three men, all of whom had been members or attended our church, were ordained as deacons to serve in ministry ways. It was a very special time as we were included in the moving ceremony and prayer time.
Tomorrow (Tuesday) I will give a 10-minute devotional at Coronado Stone, as the owner is a Christian and has an open devotion time inside the plant for all to participate in if they so choose to come and listen. I love the opportunity and it has led to many relationships to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with many. I have baptized quite a few from the corporate setting because of this ministry opportunity.
Again, it was a busy week and weekend with little time to relax, but it is a truth that God's goodness and grace and love and power are all absolutely too much to miss out on! Hope you are having a great time in the Lord as well.
I continue to help with the Sober Living program for parolees at Coronado Stone manufacturing plant in Fontana. A new resident came last week and I got to sit down with him for some time, asking about his background and life. He has lost everything - job, kids, wife, marriage, money, house. But he has found a deep relationship with Jesus that makes life worth living. It is not easy, but God is faithful to give us strength for each day.
Over the weekend, Sondra and I went down to San Diego as I had been asked some time back to do a wedding there. I had met with the young couple several times earlier, naturally, and everything went well. They got married at Tom Ham's Lighthouse Restaurant on the San Diego harbor. The weather was perfect, the view was spectacular, and everyone had a wonderful time.
We stayed both Friday and Saturday nights at the Town and Country Hotel and actually took care of our grand-daughter Bailey, as Shawn and Crystal came for the wedding also. That made the weekend special too.
We left early Sunday morning to get to church on time. I had lined up one of the ordained ministers in our church (Pastor George Nelson) to preach. In addition, we had Rabbi Blue lead our time of praise and worship singing. You will be able to see photos on my church web site ( http://www.thevisionpluschurch.com/ ) when I can finally get time to update it.
Then, after church, a group of us (mainly the men from the Sober houses) went to have lunch at the Dining Commons of California Baptist University about 10 miles away. Great food and an awesome time of fellowship. There was 32 of us for lunch!
Following that, Sondra and I went to a memorial service for Margaret Clouter, a friend and former attender of our church. Her daughter, Vicki Park, was a member of our church and brought her many times to worship with us before Margaret's health declined. The service was at First Baptist Church in Pomona in nearby Los Angeles county.
With a little time between ministry activity, I called my mom yesterday afternoon. It was her birthday. She turned 86 years old, and is still active in church and teaching a Sunday School class every week. She was in the hospital recently and diagnosed with pneumonia, but she is now recovering and getting stronger again each day. She is an amazing woman who has influenced many lives through her lifestyle, prayer life, church work and parenting!
After a short break and rest, George Nelson and I went to an Ordination Service at La Sierra Baptist Church in Riverside. Three men, all of whom had been members or attended our church, were ordained as deacons to serve in ministry ways. It was a very special time as we were included in the moving ceremony and prayer time.
Tomorrow (Tuesday) I will give a 10-minute devotional at Coronado Stone, as the owner is a Christian and has an open devotion time inside the plant for all to participate in if they so choose to come and listen. I love the opportunity and it has led to many relationships to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with many. I have baptized quite a few from the corporate setting because of this ministry opportunity.
Again, it was a busy week and weekend with little time to relax, but it is a truth that God's goodness and grace and love and power are all absolutely too much to miss out on! Hope you are having a great time in the Lord as well.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Quakes Baseball Game
Last week went by way too fast. Last Wednesday, I gave the devotional message at a manufacturing plant that I used to work for - Coronado Stone in Fontana. It is always a treat to see old friends and share a brief message of hope and salvation.
On Friday, we took a trip down to the Los Angeles area to look at the new Kia cars. They are having a tremendous sale on Spectras. The "cash for clunkers" program offers $4500 in incentive and the Kia incentive on the Spectra is $3500, for a total of $8000 off the list price. We are considering a purchase, but the "cash for clunkers" program is full of red tape and restrictions. We'll see.
Yesterday was Sunday, and we had a country western gospel band in concert. Wayne Landes and his band Southland led us in worship. Wayne has been a friend since my Cal Baptist days in the late 1970s. Southland played at the Orange County fair last week. They have played for the California Southern Baptist Convention pastors' conference in years past, and a couple of years ago we attended a concert where Southland opened for Roy Clark here in the Inland Empire.
At the close of the service, I invited anyone and everyone who was willing to follow in commitment for the RIOT (Revival In Our Time) movement to come forward and put their signed sheets on the altar. Nearly half the congregation came forward to do so!
Then, yesterday afternoon we had a great time of fellowship. Two of the young ladies in our church (they are sisters) were chosen to sing the National Anthem at the baseball game between the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes and the San Jose Giants, teams in the minor league system. We purchased a block of 69 tickets in advance, and we had a great time of relaxation and recreation at the ball park nearby. What a fun time! It is such a blessing to go with a group that has such an amazing love and friendship one with another.
I am blessed beyond measure to be pastor of The Vision Plus Church!
On Friday, we took a trip down to the Los Angeles area to look at the new Kia cars. They are having a tremendous sale on Spectras. The "cash for clunkers" program offers $4500 in incentive and the Kia incentive on the Spectra is $3500, for a total of $8000 off the list price. We are considering a purchase, but the "cash for clunkers" program is full of red tape and restrictions. We'll see.
Yesterday was Sunday, and we had a country western gospel band in concert. Wayne Landes and his band Southland led us in worship. Wayne has been a friend since my Cal Baptist days in the late 1970s. Southland played at the Orange County fair last week. They have played for the California Southern Baptist Convention pastors' conference in years past, and a couple of years ago we attended a concert where Southland opened for Roy Clark here in the Inland Empire.
At the close of the service, I invited anyone and everyone who was willing to follow in commitment for the RIOT (Revival In Our Time) movement to come forward and put their signed sheets on the altar. Nearly half the congregation came forward to do so!
Then, yesterday afternoon we had a great time of fellowship. Two of the young ladies in our church (they are sisters) were chosen to sing the National Anthem at the baseball game between the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes and the San Jose Giants, teams in the minor league system. We purchased a block of 69 tickets in advance, and we had a great time of relaxation and recreation at the ball park nearby. What a fun time! It is such a blessing to go with a group that has such an amazing love and friendship one with another.
I am blessed beyond measure to be pastor of The Vision Plus Church!
Monday, August 3, 2009
Will You Help Me Start a RIOT in America?
Yesterday I preached a message at church that I had been working on for a couple of months. It was one of those sermons that God burned in my belly for a long time.
To summarize it, I started with the revival and renewal period of Israel under Ezra and Nehemiah in the Old Testament. Then, I talked about the day of Pentecost after the resurrection of Jesus and the great turning of souls to the Lord by the thousands. I further shared the history of the First Great Awakening, the Second Great Awakening and the Spiritual Awakening of the early 20th century. In all of these times, thousands were converted. Both the lifestyle and moral fabric of the nations (America, England, Wales, Scotland, Australia, Canada) were impacted by the Christian gospel.
In all of those, it started out in a small geographic location with a few people who were dedicated and wholly submitted to God's will.
In every situation, the hunger and cry of the unsaved was met by the preaching of the gospel message by both trained and untrained preachers. It was the power of the Good News that brought salvation to thousands and thousands.
I challenged our small congregation to join me in starting a new Spiritual Awakening in our land. We average about 75 -100 in worship. We meet in a small building. We do not have much money, and we truly wait to pay our church bills week by week. We have a large contingent of homeless and parolee attenders. Many of our people are unemployed or under-employed. But we are powerful in spirit and love.
I titled my message "R.I.O.T." I used the sentence, "Let's start a R.I.O.T. in America." The letters of RIOT stand for "Revival In Our Time." So, let's start a revival in our time in America. A spiritual renewal is needed.
I printed out the bulk of my message and inserted it into the worship service bulletin for the day. Included in it was a listing of 10 pursuits that we as God's people must pay attention to. By seeking to follow these pursuits, it will help us usher in a spiritual renewal in us personally, in our local church, in our area and in our world. At the bottom of that paper was a signature line for them to sign. I had them come forward at the invitation and commitment time at the close of the worship hour. I asked them to sign the sheet openly and then pronounce out loud for all to hear these words: "I love the Lord Jesus with all my heart."
It was a great time of outpouring of dedication and surrender. I am excited to see how God works in the weeks to come. If you would like to join this movement, please write to me at revgalen@aol.com and I will give you more information.
To summarize it, I started with the revival and renewal period of Israel under Ezra and Nehemiah in the Old Testament. Then, I talked about the day of Pentecost after the resurrection of Jesus and the great turning of souls to the Lord by the thousands. I further shared the history of the First Great Awakening, the Second Great Awakening and the Spiritual Awakening of the early 20th century. In all of these times, thousands were converted. Both the lifestyle and moral fabric of the nations (America, England, Wales, Scotland, Australia, Canada) were impacted by the Christian gospel.
In all of those, it started out in a small geographic location with a few people who were dedicated and wholly submitted to God's will.
In every situation, the hunger and cry of the unsaved was met by the preaching of the gospel message by both trained and untrained preachers. It was the power of the Good News that brought salvation to thousands and thousands.
I challenged our small congregation to join me in starting a new Spiritual Awakening in our land. We average about 75 -100 in worship. We meet in a small building. We do not have much money, and we truly wait to pay our church bills week by week. We have a large contingent of homeless and parolee attenders. Many of our people are unemployed or under-employed. But we are powerful in spirit and love.
I titled my message "R.I.O.T." I used the sentence, "Let's start a R.I.O.T. in America." The letters of RIOT stand for "Revival In Our Time." So, let's start a revival in our time in America. A spiritual renewal is needed.
I printed out the bulk of my message and inserted it into the worship service bulletin for the day. Included in it was a listing of 10 pursuits that we as God's people must pay attention to. By seeking to follow these pursuits, it will help us usher in a spiritual renewal in us personally, in our local church, in our area and in our world. At the bottom of that paper was a signature line for them to sign. I had them come forward at the invitation and commitment time at the close of the worship hour. I asked them to sign the sheet openly and then pronounce out loud for all to hear these words: "I love the Lord Jesus with all my heart."
It was a great time of outpouring of dedication and surrender. I am excited to see how God works in the weeks to come. If you would like to join this movement, please write to me at revgalen@aol.com and I will give you more information.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Interesting Week
This week has been extremely interesting.
Monday was our son-in-law's (Shawn's) birthday. We went over and had cake with him and Crystal. Shawn just turned 33 years old. It was a special cake because Sondra made it that day. She made a German chocolate and it was delicious.
On Tuesday, I attended a Homecoming Committee meeting for California Baptist University in Riverside, my alma mater. It was the initial meeting of all alumni who might be interested in helping plan and coordinate the events for the annual homecoming of the school. The homecoming will be next year, February 12-13, 2010.
I showed up, just out of curiosity and wanting to help where needed. There were ten of us in attendance and we talked in general terms about themes and ideas for that weekend. Towards the close of the meeting, the school alumni director asked me if I would take the position of Chairman of the Homecoming Committee for 2010. I was taken aback as I was not even aware this might happen. However, I am excited and look forward to making the homecoming for Cal Baptist students a great time next February.
On Wednesday evening, we hosted our former Praise & Worship Leader, Mike Yeamans, for a night of singing and sharing. As most of you know, Mike was on staff here for seven years, and he is now the senior pastor of La Sierra Baptist Church. It is always a blessing when Mike and Corky can come back and lead us in song and praise to lift our hearts to heaven. In addition, their church keyboard player (Lois) came to play and sing with them.
Thursday, Sondra went to Myers school to get some last minutes things done and some other things cleared out. Just before leaving the school, she was walking across a grassy area, fell and severely sprained her right ankle. Her left ankle has previous problems, as there is no cartilage and may need surgery on that ankle sometime in the future. She is scheduled to get a foot brace for that left ankle next Tuesday. Anyway, we went to Urgent Care that evening, had a cast put on her right ankle, and she is now on crutches for two weeks.
But yesterday God really intervened for my health needs. Since Sondra retired early without enough years for continued paid health insurance (through Kaiser), I lost my health benefits. We are paying a monthly premium to keep Sondra on Kaiser, but we simply cannot afford the Kaiser premium for me and we were trusting that we might be able to look elsewhere to meet that need. So, yesterday (Friday) I went over to the Veterans Hospital in Loma Linda and applied for health care. Because of my recent heart bypass surgery, they immediately enrolled me and had me see a primary doctor that very afternoon while I was there. They even sent me upstairs to get an immediate blood draw to check my blood thinning level. What an answer to prayer, as there are some veterans that do not qualify for immediate care due to the case overload with returning vets. God opened all the doors and I do not have to worry about or pay for my health coverage now.
I continue to be amazed at how good God is to me and all his children!
Monday was our son-in-law's (Shawn's) birthday. We went over and had cake with him and Crystal. Shawn just turned 33 years old. It was a special cake because Sondra made it that day. She made a German chocolate and it was delicious.
On Tuesday, I attended a Homecoming Committee meeting for California Baptist University in Riverside, my alma mater. It was the initial meeting of all alumni who might be interested in helping plan and coordinate the events for the annual homecoming of the school. The homecoming will be next year, February 12-13, 2010.
I showed up, just out of curiosity and wanting to help where needed. There were ten of us in attendance and we talked in general terms about themes and ideas for that weekend. Towards the close of the meeting, the school alumni director asked me if I would take the position of Chairman of the Homecoming Committee for 2010. I was taken aback as I was not even aware this might happen. However, I am excited and look forward to making the homecoming for Cal Baptist students a great time next February.
On Wednesday evening, we hosted our former Praise & Worship Leader, Mike Yeamans, for a night of singing and sharing. As most of you know, Mike was on staff here for seven years, and he is now the senior pastor of La Sierra Baptist Church. It is always a blessing when Mike and Corky can come back and lead us in song and praise to lift our hearts to heaven. In addition, their church keyboard player (Lois) came to play and sing with them.
Thursday, Sondra went to Myers school to get some last minutes things done and some other things cleared out. Just before leaving the school, she was walking across a grassy area, fell and severely sprained her right ankle. Her left ankle has previous problems, as there is no cartilage and may need surgery on that ankle sometime in the future. She is scheduled to get a foot brace for that left ankle next Tuesday. Anyway, we went to Urgent Care that evening, had a cast put on her right ankle, and she is now on crutches for two weeks.
But yesterday God really intervened for my health needs. Since Sondra retired early without enough years for continued paid health insurance (through Kaiser), I lost my health benefits. We are paying a monthly premium to keep Sondra on Kaiser, but we simply cannot afford the Kaiser premium for me and we were trusting that we might be able to look elsewhere to meet that need. So, yesterday (Friday) I went over to the Veterans Hospital in Loma Linda and applied for health care. Because of my recent heart bypass surgery, they immediately enrolled me and had me see a primary doctor that very afternoon while I was there. They even sent me upstairs to get an immediate blood draw to check my blood thinning level. What an answer to prayer, as there are some veterans that do not qualify for immediate care due to the case overload with returning vets. God opened all the doors and I do not have to worry about or pay for my health coverage now.
I continue to be amazed at how good God is to me and all his children!
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Anniversary Day of Sorts
Today is July 21, 2009. On a moonlit night in Mettler, California, on July 21, 1971, I proposed to a teenaged young lady named Sondra Elane Langdon. I was 21, she was 18 and had just graduated high school. We had been dating for about a year and a half by this time. Four months before this marriage proposal, I had been drafted and was serving in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam era of hostilities in Southeast Asia.
On that night 38 years ago, I got down on one knee and asked her to be my wife. She said yes, and I gave her an engagement ring. Going into her house later to ask her dad's permission, he jokingly said, "Are you sure you want to do this?" Years later, I am reminded that that is a fair question to be asked, even if in jest.
It is important to know our honest thoughts and intentions and life goals. Whatever would lay ahead on our journey of life, I wanted Sondra to be a part of all of it. Now, many of you know we have had some bumps in the road. But that is life. That is part of the journey, to make right decisions and hard turns and march forward together in love and unity.
This past month, I was reminded of how important it is to give honor to our mates. When making a decision to be gone three Sundays in a row at church to take vacation, I had a hard time making that choice. My devotion is to the church, and yet it is also to my wife. She asked me to take the time for an extended vacation. I struggled with that.
If I said yes to her request, was I compromising my devotion and attention to the ministry that God has given me? Through much prayer and deliberation and insight, the Lord was gracious to show me that I was not compromising my time between my two highest priorities. I was giving honor to the one that came first. My commitment to Sondra came before my commitment to The Vision Plus Church.
I began to feel a peace. I was giving honor to my wife by choosing to take the extended time. I was not neglecting one for the other. God had (and still has) his hand on the life of our church, most of all by bringing wonderful individuals to take the places of responsibility for the work of the ministry.
It was the peace and contentment that I needed. I showed and gave honor when it mattered. There is no compromise when honor is shown. I hope others have learned this lesson far sooner than it took for me to learn.
Today is July 21, 2009. On this date 38 years ago, Sondra and I promised to love each other to the end. And the end has not yet come!
On that night 38 years ago, I got down on one knee and asked her to be my wife. She said yes, and I gave her an engagement ring. Going into her house later to ask her dad's permission, he jokingly said, "Are you sure you want to do this?" Years later, I am reminded that that is a fair question to be asked, even if in jest.
It is important to know our honest thoughts and intentions and life goals. Whatever would lay ahead on our journey of life, I wanted Sondra to be a part of all of it. Now, many of you know we have had some bumps in the road. But that is life. That is part of the journey, to make right decisions and hard turns and march forward together in love and unity.
This past month, I was reminded of how important it is to give honor to our mates. When making a decision to be gone three Sundays in a row at church to take vacation, I had a hard time making that choice. My devotion is to the church, and yet it is also to my wife. She asked me to take the time for an extended vacation. I struggled with that.
If I said yes to her request, was I compromising my devotion and attention to the ministry that God has given me? Through much prayer and deliberation and insight, the Lord was gracious to show me that I was not compromising my time between my two highest priorities. I was giving honor to the one that came first. My commitment to Sondra came before my commitment to The Vision Plus Church.
I began to feel a peace. I was giving honor to my wife by choosing to take the extended time. I was not neglecting one for the other. God had (and still has) his hand on the life of our church, most of all by bringing wonderful individuals to take the places of responsibility for the work of the ministry.
It was the peace and contentment that I needed. I showed and gave honor when it mattered. There is no compromise when honor is shown. I hope others have learned this lesson far sooner than it took for me to learn.
Today is July 21, 2009. On this date 38 years ago, Sondra and I promised to love each other to the end. And the end has not yet come!
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Back from Vacation
Wow. What a wonderful three weeks we enjoyed. Way too much to tell in one blog!
I will just share some of the highlights. We arrived in Shawnee, Oklahoma, in time for the annual Family Gathering (Pow Wow) in which my mom's lineage and family heritage was being honored. We are from the Bergeron line of the Potawatomi nation of Native Americans. It was great to see so many relatives and family members. While there, my mother had me teach her Sunday School class of senior citizen women at her church in Tecumseh. I have so much fun teaching them when staying there.
Then we went to the Smokey Mountains of Tennessee to visit some dear friends, Randy and Vicki Smith. This couple (and their kids) were part of our church in 29 Palms many years ago. They live in an RV park high among the woods and the trees. So peaceful and nice.
We made the decision to try to be in Boston for the Fourth of July, so we drove to Philadelphia and spent the night on July 3. Got up and headed for Boston and arrived early afternoon. Went to the Fireworks extravaganza on the banks of the Charles River listening to the Boston Pops orchestra and Neil Diamond in concert.....for free, as well! We enjoyed it with 200,000 other people crazy enough to spend Independence Day there!
The next day we went to Plymouth to see the famous Plymouth Rock and the town that the Pilgrims settled when they arrived in 1620. Saw two villages that were reproductions of a Pilgrim town and a Wampanoag Indian village. Also boarded a reproduction of the Mayflower ship, which they sailed from England to Plymouth in recreating the actual trip.
Day Three was a tour of Boston, with a wonderful guide on the Freedom Trail. This trail, which starts at the Boston Common, is 2.5 miles and has red bricks to guide you past 16 historical places. Our guide only goes the first mile and talks about the first 11 historical sites. He was great! After lunch, Sondra and I walked the rest on a self-guided tour and we were tired and wore out that evening. We also went downtown to the Cheers bar and had dinner.
Day Four was a day in which we have now seen that God had prepared for us to have a special blessing. We decided to tour Harvard campus and while there in Cambridge (just on the outskirts of Boston), and in doing so we found a good friend and pastor from many years ago. Our friend, Paul Kim, is pastor of Berkland Baptist Church there and has a passion to reach the best and brightest minds of Harvard and M.I.T. universities. Previously in California when I first met him, he was the pastor of Berkland Baptist Church in Berkeley, California, while I was going to seminary. He had started the church there to reach the Korean community of students at Cal Berkeley. In his early start, he had asked me to come preach a revival for his church because of a recommendation from our Area Missionary, Buren Higdon. Pastor Kim's church gave me a Love Offering that was almost the exact amount I needed to go on a mission trip to the Philippines. Sondra related that story to him, because I had never shared that with him. He was moved and asked me to come next year to preach at his church there in Boston in the late part of October 2010. We had such a blessed time of sharing and renewal of friendship. It really was the highlight of our trip.
Day Five we checked out of our Boston hotel and headed for Cape Cod. Drove all the way to the end of the peninsula and had lunch. The previous night I booked a room on Priceline for Providence, Rhode Island. Wow. For $64, I was able to get the Renaissance Providence Hotel, located right next to the state capitol building. It was awesome. Words cannot describe how nice this place was.
After sightseeing in Providence, we headed to Springfield, Missouri, to see my brother Noel, wife Janice and son Mark. It was special. I took Mark to the Dollar Store to let him get birthday gifts (his birthday was July 4) and we also stopped at Krispy Kreme for some donuts! Spent the night there and then on back to Shawnee.
Spent a night with my mom and taught her Sunday School classs again. Then spent a couple nights with son Jason and his family (wife Shelly and our grandkids Jace and Kylee). Took the kids to see the movie "Up" in 3D. Very good movie!
This past Tuesday, we arose early, left at 5 am, drove straight and got home at midnight in Rialto! It was the trip of a lifetime. Sondra had wanted to see Boston and Plymouth Rock since she was in Fifth Grade. Great memories now of a wonderful time with hundreds of pictures to bore you with when you see us!
I will just share some of the highlights. We arrived in Shawnee, Oklahoma, in time for the annual Family Gathering (Pow Wow) in which my mom's lineage and family heritage was being honored. We are from the Bergeron line of the Potawatomi nation of Native Americans. It was great to see so many relatives and family members. While there, my mother had me teach her Sunday School class of senior citizen women at her church in Tecumseh. I have so much fun teaching them when staying there.
Then we went to the Smokey Mountains of Tennessee to visit some dear friends, Randy and Vicki Smith. This couple (and their kids) were part of our church in 29 Palms many years ago. They live in an RV park high among the woods and the trees. So peaceful and nice.
We made the decision to try to be in Boston for the Fourth of July, so we drove to Philadelphia and spent the night on July 3. Got up and headed for Boston and arrived early afternoon. Went to the Fireworks extravaganza on the banks of the Charles River listening to the Boston Pops orchestra and Neil Diamond in concert.....for free, as well! We enjoyed it with 200,000 other people crazy enough to spend Independence Day there!
The next day we went to Plymouth to see the famous Plymouth Rock and the town that the Pilgrims settled when they arrived in 1620. Saw two villages that were reproductions of a Pilgrim town and a Wampanoag Indian village. Also boarded a reproduction of the Mayflower ship, which they sailed from England to Plymouth in recreating the actual trip.
Day Three was a tour of Boston, with a wonderful guide on the Freedom Trail. This trail, which starts at the Boston Common, is 2.5 miles and has red bricks to guide you past 16 historical places. Our guide only goes the first mile and talks about the first 11 historical sites. He was great! After lunch, Sondra and I walked the rest on a self-guided tour and we were tired and wore out that evening. We also went downtown to the Cheers bar and had dinner.
Day Four was a day in which we have now seen that God had prepared for us to have a special blessing. We decided to tour Harvard campus and while there in Cambridge (just on the outskirts of Boston), and in doing so we found a good friend and pastor from many years ago. Our friend, Paul Kim, is pastor of Berkland Baptist Church there and has a passion to reach the best and brightest minds of Harvard and M.I.T. universities. Previously in California when I first met him, he was the pastor of Berkland Baptist Church in Berkeley, California, while I was going to seminary. He had started the church there to reach the Korean community of students at Cal Berkeley. In his early start, he had asked me to come preach a revival for his church because of a recommendation from our Area Missionary, Buren Higdon. Pastor Kim's church gave me a Love Offering that was almost the exact amount I needed to go on a mission trip to the Philippines. Sondra related that story to him, because I had never shared that with him. He was moved and asked me to come next year to preach at his church there in Boston in the late part of October 2010. We had such a blessed time of sharing and renewal of friendship. It really was the highlight of our trip.
Day Five we checked out of our Boston hotel and headed for Cape Cod. Drove all the way to the end of the peninsula and had lunch. The previous night I booked a room on Priceline for Providence, Rhode Island. Wow. For $64, I was able to get the Renaissance Providence Hotel, located right next to the state capitol building. It was awesome. Words cannot describe how nice this place was.
After sightseeing in Providence, we headed to Springfield, Missouri, to see my brother Noel, wife Janice and son Mark. It was special. I took Mark to the Dollar Store to let him get birthday gifts (his birthday was July 4) and we also stopped at Krispy Kreme for some donuts! Spent the night there and then on back to Shawnee.
Spent a night with my mom and taught her Sunday School classs again. Then spent a couple nights with son Jason and his family (wife Shelly and our grandkids Jace and Kylee). Took the kids to see the movie "Up" in 3D. Very good movie!
This past Tuesday, we arose early, left at 5 am, drove straight and got home at midnight in Rialto! It was the trip of a lifetime. Sondra had wanted to see Boston and Plymouth Rock since she was in Fifth Grade. Great memories now of a wonderful time with hundreds of pictures to bore you with when you see us!
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