The "send" button was clicked before I spoke of a major event in our family. Our daughter Ann and her husband Joern, are now in Kabul, Afghanistan. They left the U.S. August 2nd. They are employed by Purdue University and are working on projects at Kabul University with the Faculty of Agriculture. Joern's responsibility will likely involve emphasis on program planning and organizational issues, and eventually, the areas of Animal Science, Agricultural Economics and Extension, Forestry and Natural Resources. Ann will be more focused on improving technical curriculum content initially, and then Agronomy, Horticulture, and Plant Protection. We pray for safety and wisdom for them as they get acclimated to their surroundings. They are currently living in a German Guest House on the campus, but are looking for a more permanent living arrangement.
We are praying that they will be able to make the trip home for David and Laura's wedding, October 20th. We are also praying that I will have the strength to make the trip to St. Simon's Island, GA, 5 1/2 hours from our home, in good stead.
Joern and Ann have told us that the "safest place to be is in the center of God's will." We say, "Amen" to that. It is necessary for us to trust in our sovereign Father, without wavering. We covet your prayers for them as well.
Rob and Kathie
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Monday, August 27, 2007
Filling In The Gap
Due to various reasons, I have been missing in action regarding keeping my blog updated, but now I am back and want to fill in the past many weeks with an update on my situation.
Kathie and I had the joy of celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary on June 23rd with a wonderful dinner hosted by our children. Our guests were our children, their spouses and their spouses' parents, in our son's case, spouse to be and her parents. Two wonderful women from Kathie's Bible study, served the catered dinner. After dinner, Phil, father of our daughter-in-law to be, played the piano and we had a blessed time singing songs of the faith. God has seen fit to give us exceptional in-laws.
Kathie recently went NY for a few days with the highlight being attending the Brooklyn Tabernacle, which was a next to heaven experience. Our friend and nurse, Dale Kelley, (our first employee at Meineke), stayed with me while Kathie was gone. Having the opportunity to be with Dale was a wonderful thing for me.
We appreciate all of you who continue to support us in prayer, cards, calls, and visits. We also, are pleased to lift up your needs before our Father, so please keep us informed of your needs.
An update on my current status...I am currently unable to stand and we are so grateful for the lift system that we have at our disposal. This system, a hoyer lift in the sunroom, and a battery operated overhead system in the bedroom and bathroom, allow for one person to transfer me with ease. It is necessary for me to be hooked up to the bi-pap except for getting cleaned up in the morning and evening. Eating with the machine on has made my mealtime much more enjoyable. I use a nasal cannula during the day and full face mask at night.. Fortunately, I can still feed myself, my hands getting all the more feeble, however. Needless to say, my physical condition is weakening.
For over a year now, Kathie and I have worshipped together in our sunroom, turned sanctuary, listening to CD's from Mt. Paran Church of God in Atlanta. We begin with the worship music lead by their wonderful choir and orchestra and then the message by Pastor David Cooper. We are so grateful for this medium that allows people in our situation to have the blessings of meaningful worship.
This brings me to the book I would like to recommend that I have read several times through in recent months. That book is, "Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ," by John Piper. In this book, John Piper focuses in on what I believe is the crucial venture, and that is to become more acquainted with the facets and beauty of Jesus Christ. When He is seen most clearly, life makes the most sense. Because in Him, is life and the light of men. II Cor. 4:4..."seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." Ephesians 1:18..."seeing with the eyes of your heart." So the ministry of the Holy Spirit within us, is to enliven our hearts to see Jesus through the instrument of the Word of God. This is why it is crucial for us as believers to feed our souls daily on the Word of God. When we do so, then we can clearly say that we have heard from God. Our privilege daily, is to read and meditate on God's Word, and to pray with confidence to our Father through our Savior, Jesus. For any who are looking for a place to begin reading God's Word, go the Gospel of John, which is the story of Jesus, as told by his best friend, John.
By the way, "Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ", can be gotten through www.desiringGod.org, rather inexpensively.
Thank you for all of your prayers on our behalf, they are truly making a difference.
Warmly and gratefully in Christ,
Rob
Kathie and I had the joy of celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary on June 23rd with a wonderful dinner hosted by our children. Our guests were our children, their spouses and their spouses' parents, in our son's case, spouse to be and her parents. Two wonderful women from Kathie's Bible study, served the catered dinner. After dinner, Phil, father of our daughter-in-law to be, played the piano and we had a blessed time singing songs of the faith. God has seen fit to give us exceptional in-laws.
Kathie recently went NY for a few days with the highlight being attending the Brooklyn Tabernacle, which was a next to heaven experience. Our friend and nurse, Dale Kelley, (our first employee at Meineke), stayed with me while Kathie was gone. Having the opportunity to be with Dale was a wonderful thing for me.
We appreciate all of you who continue to support us in prayer, cards, calls, and visits. We also, are pleased to lift up your needs before our Father, so please keep us informed of your needs.
An update on my current status...I am currently unable to stand and we are so grateful for the lift system that we have at our disposal. This system, a hoyer lift in the sunroom, and a battery operated overhead system in the bedroom and bathroom, allow for one person to transfer me with ease. It is necessary for me to be hooked up to the bi-pap except for getting cleaned up in the morning and evening. Eating with the machine on has made my mealtime much more enjoyable. I use a nasal cannula during the day and full face mask at night.. Fortunately, I can still feed myself, my hands getting all the more feeble, however. Needless to say, my physical condition is weakening.
For over a year now, Kathie and I have worshipped together in our sunroom, turned sanctuary, listening to CD's from Mt. Paran Church of God in Atlanta. We begin with the worship music lead by their wonderful choir and orchestra and then the message by Pastor David Cooper. We are so grateful for this medium that allows people in our situation to have the blessings of meaningful worship.
This brings me to the book I would like to recommend that I have read several times through in recent months. That book is, "Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ," by John Piper. In this book, John Piper focuses in on what I believe is the crucial venture, and that is to become more acquainted with the facets and beauty of Jesus Christ. When He is seen most clearly, life makes the most sense. Because in Him, is life and the light of men. II Cor. 4:4..."seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." Ephesians 1:18..."seeing with the eyes of your heart." So the ministry of the Holy Spirit within us, is to enliven our hearts to see Jesus through the instrument of the Word of God. This is why it is crucial for us as believers to feed our souls daily on the Word of God. When we do so, then we can clearly say that we have heard from God. Our privilege daily, is to read and meditate on God's Word, and to pray with confidence to our Father through our Savior, Jesus. For any who are looking for a place to begin reading God's Word, go the Gospel of John, which is the story of Jesus, as told by his best friend, John.
By the way, "Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ", can be gotten through www.desiringGod.org, rather inexpensively.
Thank you for all of your prayers on our behalf, they are truly making a difference.
Warmly and gratefully in Christ,
Rob
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