A lot of preparation had to be completed for our trip. Other than a couple of trips into Canada, Wilbur and I had not been out of the USA; so we had to apply for our passports. When we applied for them, we had to provide the original copies of our birth certificates. As we turned them in, we were promised they would be mailed back to us. When we got them back in the mail I texted the following to Melissa, “God and I got our birth certificates back today that they kept for doing our passports.” After I send the message, I saw my mistake and sent Melissa the following, “ Opps Not God but Dad and I... What a typo!”
Melissa replied back, “I was thinking I know you have a close relationship with God but didn’t realize he was physically joining us! ....or that he’d need a passport if he was From the government..."
As I thought about Melissa’s comments, I could not help but
think about God’s promises. “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with
you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be
discouraged.” (Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV) As a gift for my birthday, a dear friend
of mine gave me a copy of that verse
(see pic below) How awesome to know that God is
always with us. He would be with us on our trip. He did not need a passport!I thought about all the times I have prayed to God and called out to Him, knowing that I serve a living God who hears and answers my prayers. God has been with us and seen us through the good times as well as very difficult times.
God blessed us with the birth of our daughters, Melissa and Amy. We had the joy of watching them become lovely young ladies. And now we are getting to see our granddaughters do the same! Wilbur almost died when he was found with poisonous gas pouring into his face at one of his jobs and I was at death’s door when I needed emergency surgery over twenty-five years ago. “May the Lord bless you from Zion;... May you live to see your children’s children.” (Psalm 128:5-6 NIV) We are truly blessed! God protected us from serious injuries although we had many close calls as we traveled thousands and thousands of miles over the highways. Once on his way to work, Wilbur was in a serious car accident. One evening on my way home from work, lighting stuck a tree that fell and hit my car.
Having a love of God’s great outdoors we have had awesome camping and hiking trips. We made day trips to state parks having picnics for our meals. Surrounded by plenty of trees, we had the pleasure of numerous campfires and hotdog roasts on our property with family and friends. We liked many visits to the shore, swimming in the ocean, walking on the beach, and collecting seashells.
For many years Wilbur worked with the teens at church and I the children. Together Wilbur and I did drama and puppet skits. Wilbur also did chalk drawings. Most significant for me was becoming a Certified Lay Minister. Daddy loved to preach and now I am getting to do the same as I have filled in for many pastors either on vacation or medical or family leave.
God saw us through difficult circumstances - I have cried myself to sleep countless times. The loss of our first daughter, Jessica who was stillborn was so devastating. We also experienced the loss of many family members, Wilbur’s parents, my father, my grandparents, all my uncles and aunts, our brother-in-law (my twin sister’s first husband) and many friends. We truly miss them and look forward to the day when we will walk with them on streets of gold. God promised, “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5 MEV) I truly believe that! Wilbur went though several surgeries, on his back, neck and eyes and most recently on his diaphragm. Losing the sight in his right eye and having very limited sight in his left eye has been very daunting. It was extremely hard for Wilbur to give up driving a car and to depend on me. He loved to work with his hands. His hobbies included art work and making wooden and leather projects. Having been an auto mechanic and maintenance man Wilbur has taught me how to do repairs on cars, changing break lining and rotors, serpentine belts, master cylinders, spark plugs, etc. splice electrical wire, change parts on our furnace, hang kitchen cabinets (I one from our kitchen to the bedroom all by myself!), hookup the washer, dryer and electric stove, install windows, cut and nail molding, etc. I know how to use way too many of his tools!
As I have struggled to understand why we go through difficult situations, I turn to the Scriptures. They are clear in telling us that we will go through testing and trials. This side of heaven we may never understand why. But I keep looking to Jesus who provides us with sustaining grace!
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