Retired ~~ Foot-Loose, Fancy-Free, and Flying High!

I kept Jaden today as has been my custom all school year. And now Richard is retired and home to enjoy the fun, so I should say "we" kept Jaden today. We were eating breakfast with Jaden at 7:30 when I got the hair-brained idea that we take Jaden out to NAS to see the Blue Angels practice at 8:30. We finished eating, got ready, and took off. Jaden put my visor on while riding in the car and we got a chuckle out of the new way of wearing it.


It was a fun morning out there ~~ sunny but with a deliciously cool breeze. They had a lot of old planes and helicopters out there on display. Jaden and Grandpa were able to walk through the Blue Angel's "Fat Albert" plane so that thrilled Jaden.

The BLUES put on a spectacular show as they practiced and there was a huge crowd of folks out there. We took our camper-chairs-in-a-bag and had front-row seats along the flight-line. Jaden loved the BLUES. He stayed interested the entire time and watched them intently. The noise didn't bother him so that was great.

At the conclusion of every practice, they have all of the children in attendance come out on the flight-line to wave American flags that they hand out. Jaden had fun doing that. Some of my pics and videos are posted here as a memorial of our impromptu fun on a retired day with Jaden in tow.

LANCASTER BLESSINGS!

Rhonda shared pics made on Mother's Day of her two daughters and their families. It is with much joy that I share these pics. The first one is of Dawn with her husband Josh and their two precious kids, Luke and Lily. Don't you know this Mother's Day was so very special as they had just known for a few days that Baby Lily does NOT have cancer. We are still praising God over the miracle of her good health.

And then we have sweet Pam with her husband Casey and their precious little girl, Ellie. It is a joy to share pics sent to me by dear friends whom we rarely get to see but still love dearly.

BAIN BLESSINGS!

David and Debbie recently visited Jason, Corrie, and the GRANDkids in Virginia. David shared some sweet pics so I asked and received his permission to share them here as tribute to our dear friends!! This first one is of Jason and Corrie with their 4 children. It's so nice to be able to keep him with them a bit through the pics David and Debbie share with us.



David and Debbie with their darling grands. With David and Debbie living in Alabama and each of their 3 married sons living out of state (Jason in Virginia, Adam in Georgia, and Daniel and Missouri), the trips to visit the boys and their families have got to be so very precious and treasured.



This is such a sweet picture of "Big Daddy" David with his GRANDS. In addition to these 4 kids of Jason's, David and Debbie have 3 more grands: Adam and Erika have one little boy while Daniel and Joni have a boy and a girl. I would say they are extremely blessed!!!

It is such a joy to share pics of friends whom we dearly love but rarely get to see.

Our First Retirement Trip: To visit Chip in Huntsville

I am going to keep a Retirement Journal so needed to write down the details of our for post-retirement trip which was to go to Huntsville for a long Mother's Day weekend to visit Chip. When I typed our journal this evening, I decided to post it here for posterity. Here goes....

We left our house at 6:00 a.m. on last Thursday morning and had a nice drive to Huntsville, AL. When we were about 30 minutes from Chip's church, he called to let us know that there were bad storms in the area and that they were under a tornado watch. We arrived at the church and in a little bit left from there with Chip to go to lunch with him and the new senior pastor, Pastor Zach, to go to lunch. We had a delightful lunch at an upscale restaurant called "Grille 29."

We enjoyed getting acquainted with Pastor Zach. He is such a nice young man (32 years old!). He said he is enjoying Chip being on staff so much that if he could, he would fire him and then re-hire him just so Chip knows how valuable and appreciated he is. What a vote of confidence!!! After we had finished our meal, the waiter came back to our table to tell us that a tornado warning was in progress, that the storm was headed our way and that we should leave the restaurant and go home. We all returned to the church and waited out the storm there. It never got bad ~~ just a lot of heavy rain and some wind for a brief period of time. Chip had been given a bigger office located next door to the Pastor's office but had not had time to make the physical move so his Dad and I moved all of his books to the new location, hung his pictures and plaques, etc. and helped Chip get his new office squared away. Chip received a call that a lady in their church who had been suffering with breast cancer for 7 years, was in real bad shape so he and Pastor Zach left to go to the house. Richard and I returned to Chip's house at that time. In a couple of hours, Chip called to say that "Sandi" had passed while the pastors and the family stood around singing "Amazing Grace." Sandi was only 45 years old and left behind a wonderful Christian husband, an elementary age little boy and 2 teenagers. Chip and Pastor Zach stayed at their house for several hours. In the meantime, Richard and I went to a pizza place in Chip's neighborhood and had pizza waiting when Chip got home for the bereaved family's home at about 8:00. We ate, visited, talked, and enjoyed catching up with Chip until we all got tired and called it a night.

That evening, Chip presented a retirement gift to his dad. (I made a video of that moment but cannot seem to make that video move to this spot so it is located at the bottom of this post. Weird but that's the way it is.)

On Friday morning, we met a realtor in Chip's church, Tommy, who is helping Chip look for a house to purchase. We met Tommy at the house Chip is currently looking at, and we really liked it. We shall see what Chip's final decision is. We went to church with Chip for a little while before we went to a ritzy hamburger joint called "Cheeburger Cheeburger." They have humongous burgers and fries. Richard and I shared a lb. burger and fries. It was a delicious and delightful meal with Chip. From there he went back to the office. We returned to his house. Chip was conducting a Sunday School teacher's meeting for his student ministry group. It was held in the lovely home of one of his teachers. She served a delicious lasagna casserole. The other teachers (and us) brought drinks and desserts. Chip conducted the teachers' meeting and they got a lot of ideas and plans hammered out. It is a bustling student ministry with lots going on!! Richard and I enjoyed attending and getting to know some of the adults who work in the student ministry. We returned home after the meeting (going on 10:00 p.m.!), talked a bit, and went to bed.

Saturday morning at 11:00 was Sandi's funeral. Chip went to it while Richard and I hung out in the church office while we waited on him to return. We went to lunch at "Nothing But Noodles." Afterwards, Chip returned to the church office to do some work (straightening up the new office) and we returned to his house. That evening we attended a College get-together as Chip is the College Pastor as well as Student Pastor. It has held at the home of a couple who works in the college department. They had a delicious cook-out and then a bonfire. Chip brought a wonderful Bible Study lesson around the bonfire and it was a very meaningful time. As we were leaving, the man of the house told us that a storm was headed our way. Chip returned to the church office to do some work while Richard and I returned to Chip's house. A tornado warning sounded with the high school TORNADO SIREN blaring at the school right across the street from Chip's house. It was a tad unnerving!!! We "weathered" out the storm (Chip came home during it) and then all went to bed at 12:30 a.m. EXHAUSTED!!!

Sunday Morning Mother's Day dawned bright and beautiful BUT WINDY AND QUITE CHILLY!!! It was a VERY STIFF wind all day long. I had not had the privilege of being in the company of my son ON a Mother's Day for 10 years so it was a wonderful day spending it with Chip in ministry. (Not to say that I didn't miss Amy. She called on Sunday morning to wish me a Happy Mother's Day.) We went to church and sat in on Chip's COLLEGE Sunday School class. He taught a wonderful lesson on the covenants God had made with man in the OT. It was very, very good. After Sunday School, we had a wonderful Mother's Day service at Chip's church with a precious children's choir singing the cutest song, other special music, and then a wonderful message by Pastor Zach. Chip took us to Mother's Day dinner at TGIFriday. We enjoyed a delicious meal!!! On Sunday afternoon, we all "chilled" with the guys (Richard and Chip) watching NBA basketball and me reading/snoozing.

At 6:00, we were back at the church for Chip to conduct a meeting with his small group of guys in his Student Ministry who are feeling the call to preach. This semester Chip started this ministry which he explains this way: "Our cbsm KTL Team is made up of guys who sense God’s calling to serve in full-time ministry in the future. KTL stands for “Preach the Word” in Greek (Keruxon Ton Logon). KTL also accepts students who want to use their God-given teaching gifts in the church one day in the future. We meet weekly to discuss ministry and how to communicate all of the Scriptures." So Richard and I attended that meeting at Chip's invitation, heard the young man who will be speaking to the teens on Sunday night as he practiced his message before Chip and the other guys in KTL. It was a very interesting process with Jeremy giving his message and then Chip giving him lots of praise as well as constructive helps in how to improve for Wednesday night's message. Afterwards, Chip and the other guys there laid hands on Jeremy and prayed for him. Momma Dean had to tear up a bit as it was all so very touching how that Chip is touching the lives of young men who are sensing God's call on their lives.

Afterwards, we went out with Chip and 3 of those those guys to Indigo Joe's for chicken wings. It was a wonderful time of fellowship as those high school guys picked Chip's brain and heart as they threw out lots and lots of questions about living the Christian life, ministry, etc. Afterwards, we returned to Chip's house. We sat up for a few minutes but by 9:30, we were all 3 ready to turn in. We had crammed a lot into 4 days!!!!!!!!!

We got up this Monday morning and had a bite of breakfast with Chip before we said our good-byes. He departed for the church office and we departed for home. It was a very meaningful and wonderful visit with Chip. He is so very gracious and kind and seems to enjoy having us involved in every facet of his ministry. Richard and I plan to go up the week of June 16 to spend the week with Chip and help in the VBS at his invitation. We look forward to that fun time.

Here is the video of Chip presenting his retirement gift to his Dad:

Blessings,

Susan

A HUGE "PRAISE" REGARDING BABY LILY JONES

Psalm 150:1 ¶ Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.

(If you haven't already, please double-click on this pic to see it!)

This is Dawn's post tonight on Lily's caringbridge site:

WEDNESDAY, MAY 07, 2008 09:00 PM, CDT

We received a call from Lily's oncologist today. The final diagnosis is mature teratoma, a benign tumor! Praise God! Josh and I are amazed and so thankful for the Lord's mercy. There will be no more tests. Just the routine check-up in a couple of months. I feel as if a boulder has been lifted off of my shoulders.

I thank the Lord for this trial. Only good things has come of it. It has strengthened my relationship with Him and taught me how to depend on Him more. It's also brought our family closer together. Thank you all so very much for the many, many prayers that were sent up for Lily and us. Josh and I both felt your prayers working. We felt a peace that could have only come from the Lord. Thanks also for all of the encouraging messages. Where would we be without the Lord and our wonderful friends? Our prayers have been answered! PRAISE GOD!

And I also received this email from Dawn's mother (Lily's Grandma!) earlier this afternoon:

We have some wonderful, wonderful news. The oncologist just called Dawn and Josh and told them the tumor has been diagnosed as mature teratoma. This is such good news! God did a wonderful miracle in Lily's life. First of all the tumor was not malignant neuroblastoma cancer, as we were told for two long weeks. Second of all the tumor was not made up of brain and spine tissue, which is what we were told last Friday evening. She will not need an MRI of her brain or spine to make sure she is developing normal. Now we have just been told that the tumor was made up of cartilage. Lily doesn't have to go back for a check up for two or three more months! I can't begin to describe to you the burden that has been lifted off my shoulders. All I can say, is that God answered so many prayers that were lifted up for Lily by all of our friends, relatives, acquaintances and many, many other people we do not even know. Please get the words out about Lily. I'm sure Dawn hasn't had a chance to update the website yet, but please feel free to check it out later and send them a message if you feel lead. We are giving God all the glory!

www.caringbridge.org/visit/lilyjones

Thank you,
Rhonda

FACTS AND FUN.......

Richard passed his colonoscopy with flying colors this morning. There is still an area of inflammation (colitis) so he is to stay on the same medication for that. The doc did take some "samples" to be checked but he felt sure there is nothing more than the colitis. We thank God for that.

We are leaving bright and early on Thursday morning to go visit Chip in Huntsville for a few days, and this is our first retirement get-away. We look forward to meeting the new pastor and hearing him preach on Sunday morning and evening. We plan to return home on Monday afternoon~~~ I hope in time to pick up the GRANDS from school at 3:00!!!

MET A MOM TODAY!!

We have one campus daughter who is graduating tomorrow. Katharina is from Canada; and today, her mom, brother, and sister-in-law flew down to be here for Katharina's big day tomorrow. Katharina brought them over this afternoon so that we could see them. What a joy it was to meet those sweet Christian folks. Her brother and sis-in-law graduated from here a few years ago so were right at home. It was a especially a wonderful blessing to meet Katharina's mother, Sara!!

RICHARD IS RETIRED AS OF 5:00 P.M. TODAY!

Psalm 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.

After much prayer the last half of 2007 and determining it be in God's will for Richard to retire at the end of the spring semester 2008, .... and after training his replacement this semester (and finishing teaching two college courses), Richard came home from work today with a new label: RETIRED! We had counted down the months, weeks, and days all of this semester, and the day has finally arrived.

Richard enjoyed working at the college for 6 years. It was a spiritual as well as professional dream he had had for many years and was able to realize. We are grateful for the opportunity he had to work for the college and to hopefully make a difference.

We are totally open to God's will regarding this next phase of life as retirees. We have no plans to leave this place but don't know what God might have in store for us so won't say "never." We look forward to entering into more ministry with a lot of time and energy to expend in that manner.

Jaden was still napping when Richard came in from work. In a bit, he woke up and came out to see his Grandpa. He was still trying to wake up when I snapped this picture, but I think you can see that Richard was already in the "retirement mode."




Richard's retirement years began with a sweet family dinner hour here at home. We miss Brian and Belle (they are at a Sports Banquet at Belle's school) but enjoyed Amy, Jarrett, Josh, and Jaden being here at dinnertime. It was a relaxing time. After dinner, Richard and I "laced up" and went for our walk around the neighborhood as we make physical preparations for our trip to Alaska later this month.

I made videos of our dinner time and of a special gift that Richard received. "Welcome Home, Honey!"

Jaden is zonked!

Psalm 4:8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.

Jaden had a hard time giving up playing to go down for a nap, but he has been zonked for 2 hours now.

Do I Love Jesus? How Can I Know?

We have sat under the preaching of our "new" pastor for 15 months. We were very blessed when God sent Dr. Jackson to us and loved him from the "get-go." He has proven to be THE MAN for our church for this time. He is a young man (turned 35 just after taking the pastorate) and has truly grown into the big job of pastoring our church. I am always convicted, challenged, and blessed by his messages. Sunday morning's message was the crown jewel as far as my heart was concerned.

Dr. Jackson preached on our love for the Savior. I was challenged to ponder: How much do I love Jesus? Pastor read several passages as his introduction to the message: Deuteronomy 6:5, Deuteronomy 11:1, Luke 14:26, Deuteronomy 10:12, Matthew 22:37, and I Corinthians 16:22.

He then parked on the conversation between the Lord and Peter as found in John 21:17. In His restoration of Peter, Jesus confronted Peter with the question, "How much do you love me?" He was asking Peter, "Are you going to live for self or for me?" The question began to swirl in my head and in my heart: Do I truly love Jesus more than anything else?

In his sermon entitled, "How Can I Know I Love Jesus," Pastor Jackson then gave us 3 ways to check for evidence of our love for Jesus ~~ John 21:15-19

1. Service ~~ v. 15: Feed my lambs
v. 15: Feed my sheep
v. 17: feed sheep

We are to be about our Father's business. Doing service for Christ without love results in frustration. If I love Jesus supremely, I will love "to do." I will want to serve Jesus. We are not born just to exist. As Christians, we are to feed sheep!! Am I a spectator or a Servant?
II Peter 1:12: Peter received the truth and never got over it.
I John 18: Love in deed and in truth.
II Corinthians 5:14: The love of Christ constraineth us.

2. Surrender ~~ v. 18
Jesus foretold that Peter would be crucified for his belief. When Peter was a young Christian, he was impetuous: cut off ears, reacted in the flesh. As an older Christian, Peter was fully surrendered to Christ. I am to serve even when I don't "feel" lie it. Love others even when I don't feel like it.

3. Submission ~~ v. 19
Another call to Peter to follow Christ.
v. 22: Follow thou me
Keep my eyes on Jesus and follow Him.

Serve -- Surrender -- Submit: Loving Jesus Supremely is the key to a victorious Christian life!

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

I don't imagine my sermon notes made too much of an impact on anyone else, but I am still thinking on the message preached yesterday. On this the day after, as I have contemplated yesterday's sermon and what it meant to me, I felt compelled to sit down and email Pastor a note letting him know how his sermon impacted me. I share it here to express my thanks to God for sending Pastor Jackson to us and for God's precious Holy Spirit which works in my heart. I also share it as a way to express my gratitude to Pastor Jackson for being so faithful to preach God's Word ~~ which edifies the Saints.

Pastor,

I wanted to write and tell you how much your Sunday morning message stirred my heart. I was touched, convicted, and convinced all in the same service. What a myriad of emotions went through me as you preached. As you presented the question of "Do I love Jesus?" I began to do some serious soul-searching as the question grabbed my heart. And then when you went into your points of "How Can I Know I Love Jesus" I realized that I truly do want to love Him supremely and serve Him with my heart totally surrendered and in total submission to His will.

As Richard works his last day at the college and we embark on our retirement years, we so much desire that this phase of our lives truly counts for the Master. We don't want to slow down in our devotion and service, we want to speed up!!!!!! This message was such a much-needed "reality check" of our spiritual lives and helped us to more firmly set our course for whatever time left on this earth the Lord grants us. May we be found loving Him with that Agape love and serving Him with our hearts.

Thank you for your FAITHFULNESS to preach the Word, for your deep study that allows you to so PRACTICALLY preach the Word so that we can put into practice what you teach us, and for your LOVE for God and for us all, your flock.

We are praying for you this week as the college year closes, and for your family as you embark upon summertime and get some much needed R&R.

Blessings,

Susan