For Carmen--A new beginning--A new journey: Good-bye July

Friday, July 31, 2009

Good-bye July

Here we are enjoying the last day of July 2009. This summer has been dry, cool and life has been busy with challenges, changes and people. We are so thankful for a life full of family, friends, events and to see God so present in all things.

Camp is almost here. In fact 2 short weeks from now we will be packing up to come home from camp. We had our second pre camp meeting last night. It is so wonderful to see so many "veterans" of camp as well as so so many young people. As I looked at 42 staff who will be working with units 27 of them are under the age of 25. Now that is exciting. The anticipation of what God will do, how he will change us and what miracles he will do always almost leaves one breathless. Come Lord in your love and power as you always do and fill us with a new level of your Holy Spirit.

Gail continues to hold her own in many ways. Of course there are ups and downs daily but generally she is doing well. She is so strong, so loving, so determined all of you should be so proud of her. She now does not use the cane but there are many things happening in her body that says she is not well and there remains much healing to come. There are days when she is physically a bit up and she welcomes short visits and then there are days when it is best to just "be" alone to heal. The last few days she has had enough energy to help me some and you guessed it more papers are in order and more things have been completed. Thank you Lord. I did stop in to the State Fair Grounds yesterday to let Mr. Anderson know that she would not be working the night shift. He was so nice and said if she wanted to work a few hours each day where she could just sit he would be delighted to arrange that for her. I doubt that will happen but we will see.

As I sign off Gail just came downstairs and she slept all night. That is the first time in the last week. Thank you Lord.

We are hopeful that she can go to Amy Saunders' shower on Sunday. That should be fun. If she can't I will go but I don't like going places without her.

Enjoy this last day of July and have a wonderful weekend.

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The first reading at Gail's funeral September 18, 2009

I know of no one who fit this better than Gail

Proverbs 31: 10-31
A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
She brings him good, not harm.
all the days of her life.
She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.
She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She sets about her work vigorously:
her arms are strong for her tasks.
She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her;
Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Well done good and faithful servant, your praise is much and your reward is to be with God forever.

Our Story

Our story begin in 1951, when Carmen was 4 and Gail was 5! We met as our parents were at a camera club. Fast forward--Carmen begin to attend grade school in town in 1957, the same school that Gail went to. Fast forward--We had our first date in the winter of 1964 in Gail's senior year of high school. Again--we were married June 1st of 1968. We moved to St. Paul in October of 1977 and lived at 2094 Niles Ave until Gail's death September 14 of 2009.
Gail first breast cancer was found in October of 2003. After surgery, chemo, radiation and infusions for a year she felt well and we lived life in our normal mode. Carmen retired in June of 2007 and shortly after that we quit doing the paper route as well. In the fall of 2007 we went on our dream vacation. We camped for 7 weeks in Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia and in the New England states. Sleeping in our truck and eating over an open fire we felt that we had experienced heaven. Then in January of 2008 we spent 3 weeks in Hawaii with friends and again had so much fun. In the fall of 2008 we did much work on the outside of the house and we were so excited to enter 2009 with big plans and dreams. In January Gail was diagnosed with new cancer. For the next 7 1/2 months we prayed, changed our life style, laughed and cried often. As the end of Gail's life drew near she was peaceful and family cared for her at home until she met Jesus. It was a journey that was wonderful, exciting, blessed, full of life and full of love but of course it was too short. Gail is so missed but I know she is in a better place so my journey must continue on without my true love.
I enter a new decade as the "I" that I never wanted to be but I have hope. Hope of things not experienced and hope that life will again, in 2010, become something that I look forward to each morning. My hope is based on our Lord who gives all, who is all and who gives love to all who believe. I enter this new decade with so many questions and so few answers but with faith that all will be well.

For Carmen--A new beginning--A new journey

Friday, July 31, 2009

Good-bye July

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The first reading at Gail's funeral September 18, 2009

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