Update/Upbeat

The air outside is stifling; the woods are hot and dusty, the trees drooping in the heat,  longing for rain. The cats have no interest in hunting and spend their days instead huddled under the leaves of my gardenia bush, scratching out their beds in the cool dirt. All night there is a steady parade of raccoons from the woods, coming to play in the water fountain on my front porch. In the morning, their tracks lead across the wooden floor, across the wet grass, disappearing  into the underbrush, as the sun rises in the cloudless blue sky once again. The grass crunches under my feet as I walk across the yard to retrieve the newspaper. I sigh and long for the cool winds of October.

Chuck and I are on vacation from work for 2 weeks; he has flown to Wisconsin to visit his youngest sister and I stayed behind to finish some chores. This has been a working vacation, and we have spent the time tackling long overdue projects. Even with all the hard work, we have enjoyed the time together, away from our jobs; we go back to work on Monday. I have missed the patients I love and care for; I have missed my co-worker Cheri, and I have missed the gentle-spirited doctor that I work with. I have not missed the chaos, the long hours, the insane rules, the aching feet and the constant bickering. I am coming close to the end of my career, and when I close the door on this chapter of my life for the final time, I will not be sad. I look forward to new adventures and new ways to serve my Heavenly Father.

Summer and Tay are doing well. They have been married for two years now and are as precious together as ever. Tay graduated from college in May, and they took a trip to Florida to celebrate. He has been hired as the pastor of the college and career-aged young people at church, and is doing such a great job. Sometimes he fills in for the pastor when he is out of town and I am amazed at his talent and his anointing. We are so blessed to have him as our son in law, and I thank God for placing him in our lives.

Tay on graduation day, with his parents, his 2 brothers and Summer

Tay in Florida

Summer is still working at the same job, on the surgical specialties floor. She works in the main hospital and I work across campus in another building, but we commute together when our schedules allow. I wish you could see how amazing she is. I have always known there was an anointing on her, from the time she was a baby; I am blessed to be able to see this anointing come full circle and I know this is what she was created to do. She is planning to go on a medical missions trip in December, to the country of Guatemala. She is going with the Joyce Meyer Hand of Hope ministries, and is saving her money to be able to go. Yes, they pay their own expenses and take their medical skills and love of God to a people who are hungry for both. She has never been away from home for any extended period of time, so she is both anxious and excited; she has decided to (as Joyce Meyer says) "do it afraid." Please keep her in your prayers, as she undertakes this next step of faith.

Summer and Kiki

They have bought a house, just seven minutes from us, and are busy moving in and making it their own. It is beautiful and spacious, and a gift straight from God. They feel very blessed, and I look forward to see what He has next for them.

Summer and Tay’s new house

Chuck and I are doing well; we are continuing to do what we have been called to do, until God tells us otherwise. Chuck  plans to retire in 3 more years; I plan to retire next May. In the meantime, we go to work every day and come home every night. The Potter’s wheel continues to turn and the Potter continues to put the finishing touches on us. Our desire is to be pleasing to Him, and to continue to do what we have been called to do.

I sense a change in the hot July wind; there is something new just past the horizon.  I know there is more to be learned, more to be done. I know that God will continue to use me in other ways, long after I retire my nurses’ license and close this chapter of my life. I am not afraid of the thunder, and the storms do not frighten me, because I know the Peacespeaker. I covet your prayers, my friends, and I continue to pray for you as well; know that I have not forgotten you. Someday I will tell you in person.