Winter Wonderland

We finally dug out from our record snowfall, and then again - and again- as we got 30" in two days! Buses, mail, and newspaper delivery stopped, even the mall closed. Cathie couldn't get home -or even out of our driveway- so she spent 2 nights, and was a Godsend as she and Ken put in 3 sessions of snow blowing and shoveling, for 6 hours total the first day, and then 2 or 3 times the next day. I conveniently came down with a cold and was denied the fun.

You have to admit it's beautiful, though, especially today with the sun so bright.

Wishing you all a white Christmas, even if you have to come to Spokane to get it!

Recommended reading

I just finished reading a book I HIGHLY recommend. It's titled "RADIOMAN" It's about a man who was in the navy, stationed at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked . He later was on an aircraft carrier when it was sunk.

This man, Ray Daves, is now 88 years old. We first knew Ray and his wife Adeline back when we were teenagers attending the same church. We more recently have renewed our acquaintance at our present church.

Ray would never discuss his experience about the war. If asked he'd simply say "I don't talk about it" I am greatly surprised that he has given a detailed account in this book. As I understand it, the author wanted to write about his experience and at the encouraging of his wife and daughter he agreed. I'm glad he did, because it not only gives me insight as to what he's about, but it reveals what WW2 was really like for those who fought. I have a greater appreciation for these men. I spoke to him recently to tell him I was reading the book and he paused and started to choke up, and again said "I don't talk about it" He did say the author did a great job.

I believe this book is a "must read" especially for the younger generation. I believe it will give a greater appreciation for the freedom we have in this country. This book has an endorsement by Newt Gingrich. It's available through Overstock and Amazon and I'm sure other sources as well.

Couer d'Alene Lake

I recently fulfilled a long-time ambition - to drive completely around Couer d'Alene Lake, thanks to Cathie. She had offered both of us a car trip of our choosing, including dinner, as our Mother's and Father's day gifts. Ken's choice was Walla Walla, and I tagged along, as he did on this trip.

It was a gorgeous fall day, and the lake is so beautiful, -much larger than I'd expected, even though we live less than an hour away, and had been to the north shore many times.

One special stop was the small logging town of Harrison, where our close friend, Coral Hanna, grew up, graduating over 60 years ago. When asked what that was like, she had interesting stories to tell. She said they swam every day, near the log booms, until called home for dinner. When their team played other towns, the school bus would take all the kids, along the winding, dirt roads. In icy weather, the bus would often slide off the edge of the road, and all the kids would get off and push it back on the road, and continue on around the lake!

I chose a small Mexican restaurant for our dinner, and later finished it off with Krispy Kreme donuts! A very relaxed day to enjoy each other and God's good work. Thanks, Cath!

A JEALOUS GOD

Have you ever wondered why jealousy is considered sinful for mankind but not for God. There are many places in the Bible that refer to God being a jealous God. In as much as God has to relate to mankind in a manner that we can understand He uses anthropomorphism's. In other words, he uses phrases such as "the hand of God" etc. that we can relate to. One of the best descriptions of God's jealousy was stated as follows by John Calvin.

"The Lord very frequently addresses us in the character of a husband... As He performs all the offices of a true faithful husband, so He requires love and chastity from us; that is, that we do not prostitute our souls to Satan...As the purer and chaster a husband is, the more grievously he is offended when he sees His wife inclining to a rival; so the Lord, who has betrothed us to Himself in truth, declares that He burns with the hottest jealousy whenever, neglecting the purity of His holy marriage, we defile ourselves with abominable lusts, and especially when the worship of His deity, which ought to have been most carefully kept unimpaired, is transferred to another, or adulterated with some superstition: since in this way we not only violate our plighted troth, but defile the Nepal couch, by giving access to adulterers."

Summer project

This summer's project which I worked on intermittently between getting Cathie moved and several other projects, was the building of a new entertainment center to accommodate a new TV that wouldn't fit in the old one. This one is a more open style which Bev bemoans the fact, as it will require more dusting. Guess I'll have to pitch in and help some with that.

Cousins

This past week I had the opportunity to meet one of my cousins that I've never met before. Danny Hughes and his wife were here visiting his 87 year old mother who is my aunt Lil. Danny is the youngest of Lil's three children and lives in South Carolina. The oldest is Ron followed by Janet. Both live on the the west side of the state and are able to visit more frequently. It's just been in the recent year or so that we've gotten re-acquainted with Ron and Janet. We got together with all except Ron for lunch at a local pizza parlor and had a very enjoyable visit. Seated on the left side of the picture is my aunt Lil in front with Cynthia behind and Janet in back. Danny is in front on the right side with me behind. Bev was there but she was the one taking the picture. We were very happy to have this opportunity to get together. My Aunt may soon be moving to the other side of the state to be closer to her family.

Bev's day

I have to say I've been proud of myself today. I took Barb's vacuum apart (she'd run over a cable to her computer, which wrapped itself around the beater bar and cut off the power), and -even better - I got it put back together! And it runs! Then I reattached the cable (to the right spot even!) and lo and behold, the computer works too! After lunch I used our weed eater (for the first time) and except for a few gouged spots on the lawn, one petunia accidently cut off, and slicing almost through the cord once, I did a pretty good job.
AND THEN, I learned to blog! (Thanks, Ken)
I'd claim this was a typical day in the life of "Super Gram", except that the rest of my week has been decidedly unproductive. You'd think I was retired.

Actually, my favorite day looks more like this:
Two or more great-grandkids on my lap -perfect!

One day mini vacation

For Father's Day Cathie said she would drive me (and Bev too) to any place I want, for a meal. We thought about it and decided that even though we had seen many parts of the world, there were places in Washington State we haven't seen, such as Walla Walla. We decided to make it a one day mini vacation, taking a route we hadn't traveled before. We stopped to see Palouse Falls, which seems completely out of place, in the middle of the rolling hills of wheat and sage brush country. Upon arriving at Walla Walla, we had a great lunch, and I had a piece of chocolate cake that was something special! Afterwards, we toured some of the historic sites. It was a great Father's Day gift, and one that will be remembered.

More recommended reading

Another book I highly recommend is "TAKE THE RISK" by, and about Dr. Ben Carson. Dr. Carson grew up in the ghetto and faced many obsticals due to his race and enviroment. He eventually became a world-class neurosurgeon based at John Hopkeins hospital. Most of his work was with children. Some of his surgeries involved separation of conjoined twins and hemispherectomamies (removing half of the brain).

As the title indicates, we face many risks in our lifetime and are faced with decisions that aren't easy to make. He has a formula he uses to help make decisions. He refers to it as B/WA (best, worst analysis). It goes as follows;

What is the worst that could happen in taking the riask?

What is the best that could happen in taking the risk?

What is the worst that could happen not to take the risk?

What is the best that could happen not to take the risk?

This is a very simple way to help come to a logical decision when we are in a risk situation whether it's regarding our health, finances, a job or any other questionable situation in our life.

Recommended reading

I (Ken) recently read a book called "A LIFE THAT MATTERS" by Ron Hutchcraft. It deals with winning souls to Christ and some of the problems we face in our present culture. Although the whole book offers a lot of insight and suggestions, there are a few things that really stuck with me. First of all he suggests we think of an individule that we would like to see come to our Lord. Then pray for an open door, and also pray for a softening of that person's heart. He emphasizes it is our responsibility to present the way of salvation, but it's the Holy Spirit that works in that person's heart.

We've been accustomed to inviting a lost person to church in hopes that the pastor's message will challenge them to accept Christ. This method is not as effective in today's culture. Instead, he suggests the following:

Provide a setting where unsaved people feel comfortable, such as your home for some refreshments, or a walk in the park etc.
Make sure they are comfortable with any other people they may be around.
Use a subject they have an interest in to lead them into spiritual things.
Use language they can relate to. As Christians we are used to speaking "Christianese". In other words we are accustomed to such phrases a "get saved", "repent", "redemption". "born again", etc. To those who have little or no exposure to Christianity, these phrases are meaningless. Ron Hutshcraft suggests using non religious phrases they can relate to, to convey the meaning.

I recommend this book to anyone who would like to learn more.

Thought for the day

You can always count on having lots of friends if you win the lottery or own a pickup.

Wrong Varcoes

Sorry Wagners, we aren't Burt and Verginia. We are Ken and Bev otherwise known as Kendra Walker's grandparents. I understand you went to Western Baptist with Kendra. We enjoyed vewing your blog. You appear to have a very close and loving family and a close relationship with our Lord and saviour. We'll be rembering you all in our prayers. I'm curious about the other Varcoes.

A BETTER WAY TO SPEND TIME

Thirteen months ago our associate pastor recommended a book called "Infidel" It's a biography written by a Muslim woman who escaped from the Islam religion. She still fears for her life. Unfortunatly she turned against all religion. I (Ken) found reading this book to be a great alternative to watching TV. In the past reading wasn't something I cared to do. Since then I have read 23 books and on my 24th. My reading has consisted of thealogical, political, biographical and some fiction. My favorite reading has been a searies of 9 books by Charles Swindoll, each pertaining to a specific personality in the scriptures. I am now on my 8th book of the series which is on Job. One of my recent books was titled " The Wounded Spirit' by Frank Peretti. He usually writes mystery nivels but this is a book pertaining to his own life. He was born with a deformaty and throughtout his younger life he faced much teasing and bullying. He relates how if he hadn't been a Christian he could have become one of those who took matters in his own hands much as those at Colombine. He points out the failure of the school systems to deal with the byllying and feels that parents arent in touch with their kids to know whats going on in their lives. Much more could be said but this is long enough so I'll bring it to a close.

Fun time for Braxton and Landon

A contented twosome.

Great-grandpa and Jadyn

Our new great-grandaughter

Jadyn Lamb-6 weeks old