Family Overload - or - Too Much Good Stuff
Our family trek to Yosemite this year was one we will remember for a long time. Not only were we surrounded with God's beauty in that special valley, we were blessed with a multitude of family, including some we had not seen recently. The week started with a stop at sister Katy's, where Janie and I visited with her family and sister Arthiss, who had flown in from Dallas. Bev's brother's wife Helen, came to visit and care for Mom King while we were away. The next day our daughters and families met Bev and me in the Yosemite Valley at Curry Village. Look up to the south and Glacier Point towers overhead, to the east is Half Dome, and to the north is Washington Monument and North Dome. "Awesome" It was a great time of fun and relaxation, bicycling, hiking, swimming, rock climbing, and enjoying God's great creations. . "O God of our salvation……you have established the mountains by your strength…..and you make the dawn and sunset shout for joy" Psalms 65 5-8 (Paraphrased) The next day my sister's husband Mike joined us with one of their daughters, De-ette. A couple days later my uncle Bill, his wife Connie, and her sister came to enjoy the valley from Phoenix. We had a super visit with them. My mother was Uncle Bill's big sister. Upon our return to Bakersfield, De-ette stayed and was able to help in the Arvin Ministry the next week. Sister Katy brought her other daughter Bonnie to town, and after a really neat but hectic visit, took De-ette home to Ontario. Whew! What a time we had. God is so good. As we get older, we realize that things are not as important as family and God's love. I urge you to take time to smell the flowers, and also to call or visit a loved one. See you Sunday, Grandpa Dick Ps. Pictures of the magnificent Yosemite Valley are posted on the Church web site.

GOD Sends An Angel Liz Watson, (not her real name) was a typical child of poverty, born in New York City into a family with no father and a mother addicted to drugs. It was a dire childhood filled with sorrow and abuse. She said she could never remember her mother giving her anything like a doll or other present, and she thought this was just the way it was. Just before going into high school, Liz’s mother couldn’t pay the rent on their studio apartment, so together, they joined the homeless ranks. Liz began to take care of her mother as mom binged on any drug she could get her hands on. As Liz was struggling to go to high school, her Mother abandoned her to go her own way. So Liz began to hide the fact she was homeless from her classmates, and would live on the subway, riding the whole night, studying, sleeping and using the station restrooms to try to keep clean and scrounging for any kind of left over food she could find. Liz began to realize that just because her Mother lived this kind of life, Liz could be in charge of her own destiny. She studied hard and began to make good grades, and during her junior year, GOD sent an Angel to help, just when she needed it most. A boy her age at school had figured out her plight, and he and his mom took her in, fed and clothed her, and gave her a temporary place to stay.
Liz continued to do well in school, and counselors helped her to apply to several Universities. Everyone that knew Liz rejoiced when she was accepted at Harvard University. She has since transferred to Columbia University and is expected to graduate soon. She is even thinking about a graduate degree. WOW ! This true story yields a couple of valuable truths: One, that each of us can be in full control of our destiny, and Two, GOD sends angels to help in time of need. “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.” Hebrews 13:2 So this is our challenge. -- Those of us that are fortunate to have homes, food, and other things in abundance, should be looking for signs that GOD wants us to be helping others as Angels. Will you be ready when you see the sign? Grandpa Dick

My friend Jerry is a cancer survivor. Jerry developed a lump in his throat, and after original mis-diagnosis, and then finding out what the problem really was, chose Kemo and radiation for treatment. During this process, Jerry had a feeding tube installed so he could bypass the area of his throat being treated. The lump slowly was reduced in size and although Jerry lost his hair and about 30 pounds, he recovered from the treatments and the Doctors removed his lymph nodes to make sure the cancer was gone. He is now cancer free, gaining back the lost weight, and feeling super. As you ponder gifts to a wide variety of charities, Jerry has asked me to support the American Cancer Society. We as Christians, can and do support worthwhile charities like this. My sage advice this month, then is to first support your local church, then second select a worthwhile group Like the ACS to make additional gifts to. Gos will show his love to you every step of the way. And maybe together we can help others to be cancer free like my friend Jerry. Grandpa Dick

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Use live TV and other hi-tech methods to show others the decisions being made. WOW!-----Maybe this radical plan has got you thinking about how we should change our outreach efforts to meet the 21st century. In the 40 day study, we learned that one of our purposes is to do discipleship. “Go ye therefore into Bakersfield, preaching and teaching using all your skills, to get the word to the people so God can work on their souls.” (Mark 15:16, paraphrased) The next chapter of our church’s life will be exciting. I can’t wait. I challenge young and old to think about new and dynamic ways to minister. Grandpa Dick Ps. To share YOUR ideas with us, call or drop a note to the church office, or send an e-mail. (dickandbev@aol.com)