Fishers of Men

As I have contemplated my Fishermens Line ( now I must apologize because I have contemplated this for quite some time!), I realize that not weeks but months have gone by and so very quickly!

I will do my best to update the past weeks and inform you of the anticipated events of the coming weeks as well.

Let me go back to May. On the 8th of May we had the great pleasure of our son, Michael, coming to spend the summer with us. Michael is now in orientation in Virginia preparing for the field in October. (II Timothy 2:2 and II Timothy 2:15)

During Michael's time here we had many wonderful times together. We enjoyed a summer concert in the park. The concert was in Midland, Michigan. The weather was near perfect. The Christian musicians were wonderful and inspirational, the worship was fantastic. Ryan and Ian attended the concert with us (and Allan, of course!).

We worked on the house, went to a couple of movies, had cook-outs, dinner at Lora's a few times, sleep-overs with the grandsons, celebrated Michael and Allan's birthdays, took short trips ,shopped at local orchards...and oh, yes, Michael and I picked strawberries at a local strawberry farm! What fun that was! Michael made smoothies for us (several times) and we still have strawberries left in the freezer!

We have had many evenings of just sitting around talking about our upcoming journey (Michael to Asia and us to Poland). Michael took the boys (Ryan, Ian, and Zane) to Bertha Brock Park to run and swim with Cane (Michael's dog). They played basketball,played miniature golf, saw a baseball game, and Michael and Ryan went to a concert in Grand Rapids.

Shortly after Michael arrived we had to leave for a trip to Oregon to see Allan's sister. We had tickets to fly to Portland, Or. We spent ten very much needed restful days there....well, Allan certainly needed them!!

Allan fished on the Columbia River and wonder of wonders...he caught an eleven foot sturgeon!! He fought it for over two hours! He was so exhausted by the time the fish finally gave up! I prayed for him to pull it in, mostly for all the hard work he's been doing on this house...I felt so strongly that he just needed a little reward like that (you can't keep a sturgeon that big, but for Allan, it's all about the sport, anyway). Anyway, God allowed this wonderful gift for him and I'm so happy about it. The best part of it all, is the witness that Allan gave before his sister and her husband, Ed: "it wasn't me, it was God that allowed it! He gave me the strength to keep fighting with the fish and pull it in."

We had a great time in Oregon. We passed field after field of the most beautiful, vividly bright colored Iris's. They were deep reds, oranges, purples, lavenders, yellows and whites. As far as you could see, the colors blazed in the sunlight. The mountains were so beautiful! On the Columbia River, you are near an area where you can see Washington's Mt. Rainier and to me, that's always an awesome sight.

We went to one of my favorite places in Oregon; Newport Beach on the coast. It was much busier than when I had seen it a few years ago. This time it was bustling with summer activity...last time I saw it, there was very little activity, it was very cold and foggy, misty, and winter was in the air.

As we returned to Portland, Michigan and our family, I was happy to be home again.....back to my grand babies, Lora, Michael, and Jim...and back to work on the house and at the hospital (well, maybe not so glad to be back at the hospital). Although I still love nursing, I'm not that crazy about this hospital.

Lora and I had a very special time going to "The Melting Pot" for a ladies dinner night out. It was wonderfully delicious. We had such a good relaxing time just talking and talking more! I always enjoy spending time with her. She needed the quiet time away. Uncle 'Mikey' watched Ryan, Ian, and Zane for her. He stayed the night and even cooked breakfast for everyone the next morning! What a great uncle...they miss him already!

Jim is now in Oklahoma for training for the reserves. Please pray for him during this time away from his family. We miss him, terribly. The boys and Lora want him home, so we hope this happens soon! Pray for his knee. He's been having some pain since doing all the running required for physical training. Pray for strength and to be pain free! Pray for his witness among the other military men. He was able (very blessed!) to lead someone to Christ during his time there...it makes me think of Paul in Rome (under so- called house arrest, which I prefer to think of as God's protective custody, as he preached the WORD boldly in chains!), so while Jim is training; may he speak the WORD of GOD boldly to his friends and co-laborers of the reserves, and redeem wisely, his time there in Oklahoma!
This month (August) we signed a contract with a local realtor, Randy Sandborn (please pray for Randy as he tries to sell the house!!). We have had some pictures in the paper, but since it's still not completely finished, it's difficult to show everything.

You know, this house has taken about a year, now. Let me tell you why:
The long, hard, cold, windy, wet, snowy winter. The fact that Allan has been doing all the work himself.....NO sub-contractors at all! Well there was one, the drywaller (Allan hates doing drywall). Allan has done the plans, the layout, the permits, the foundation, the walls, the roof and roofing, the garage, the entire framing, trim, electrical system, plumbing system, air conditioner/heating system, painting, cabinets, tile, wood flooring, deck, fireplace and mantle,the entire house with very minimal help. He was up on the roof (not only building the roof, but roofing it, too,) in some pretty scary weather!

He is the hardest most dedicated worker I have ever known. Anyone who knows Allan, knows this about him. God has certainly blessed him with not only a wide variety of skills, but also with a love of hard work, intelligence, and common sense. Many times through the cold to freezing winter days, I have questioned this common sense....but I am so thankful to God for my husband and his desire to accomplish whatever he feels that God has set before him to do.

Our 40th anniversary will soon be here (Sept.1, 1967!!!), and over the years of our marriage, I have had many people tell me what a hard worker Allan is, and I tell them: "You don't know but half of it, I know better than anyone how hard he has worked and how determined and dedicated he is! I thank God for him everyday!"

You know this didn't start out to be a newsletter dedicated to my husband and how special he is, but maybe this is what God has led me to say. My family has always been the heart of my world. God has blessed us with two beautiful and precious children, a wonderful son in law, who is like a son to us, and three beautiful and precious little grandsons.

He has blessed us with family all over the world. He has given us, not a hundred fold, but a thousand fold in loved ones!

Now for the plans that are upcoming, Lord willing! Michael plans to return to Michigan for one night to pick up the rest of his luggage and will depart from Detroit on October 4th. PLEASE pray for him! Pray without ceasing!
He will be in his new home away on October 6th. Pray for his safety, protection, witness, lost souls to be led to him for hearing the Word through the Holy Spirit. Pray for his health. Pray for discernment.

The day after Michael leaves from Detroit, we will leave from Lansing. We'll fly to Chicago then on to Germany, then to Krakow. PLEASE pray for Lora, Jim, Ryan, Ian, and Zane as we leave them back home to carry on here. Pray for peace that passes all understanding...the peace that only Jesus Christ can give to us! Pray for their health, their safety, pray that they will be able to come see us! Pray for us for safe travel, for lost souls who seek to know the truth will learn that there is only ONE way and that is through Jesus...that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life! Pray for Asia and for Europe! Pray for us as we carry out the Lord's Plan in Krakow!!!

Pray for us as we try to sell our 'stuff' once again! Pray for our witness; that we WILL always be salt and light! Pray that we will walk worthy of the calling! Rejoice always in the Lord! Pray without ceasing!
And HE saith unto them, "follow me, and I will make you fishers of men" Matt.4:19

In His Great Love,
sue
The Fishermens Line