I AM A SPACEMAN

Hello All,

I can't even remember the last time I wrote a letter to "EVERYONE," but it's been quite some time. I trust that through the faithfulness of God you are healthy and enjoying your Summer. Here in Florida, it's hot. What a revelation: Hot in Florida. But it's a lot worse in other parts of the country so I'm not whining too loudly.

It's been said that we should have a good self-image and be comfortable with who we are. I guess that's true and I've come to know me even more better as I get older: I'm a spaceman. When I was a kid I had a friend and we nicknamed him "spaceman." It had nothing to do with those who might be visiting from, say, Jupiter. There was so much "space" between his 2 ears the name just fit him perfectly.

As I "mature," I've come to realize I'm a spaceman too. There are so many things I knew that I knew that I knew that I've now come to know that I didn't know it's crazy. Remember that Bible verse: God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble? I think that's what happened. Now I'm so humble I envy you guys for knowing me. Sorry, couldn't resist that one. OK, on with the news...

July has been a tough month for some of our friends. Two deaths, another one with heart failure and not wanting any more spectacular efforts to reverse it (it's been over 4 years dealing with it) and a bunch with broken marriages and failing health. How much can we take? As much as we can is about all I know for an answer. Some of you have gone a lot further than I think I could go.

So we pray. We pray more. We pray with more effort. We pray with pleading and then it dawned on me that God's will needs to be done on earth as it is in heaven and I'm not smart enough, wise enough and certainly not cute enough to know exactly what that is for all of those we know going through so much. So we pray, "God have mercy and may your will be done." What a relief to know it isn't up to me to save those who are suffering--it's only up to me to love them and remember to pray. I fail but I don't give up.

"How's the front brake work"?
Summer fun? Yes, there's plenty of that around here. We've been camping (in a tent if you can believe that), trail riding on our bikes (Jackie sticks to the road), playing paddle tennis twice a week and so much surfing it just doesn't seem right. We aren't supposed to have surf in Florida during the Summer but there's been more than enough. JACKIE lining one up

Work? Yep, doing that too. I'm back on the Mosquito Control job (good until Oct. 31st) and Jackie continues at the pre-school she's been at for many years--even before we went to Thailand. And, yes, she's still convinced that the kids of America cannot be compared to the kids she taught in Thailand. Our culture seems to be turned upside down with the kids raising the parents and trying to rule in the schools. In Thailand, they were quite respectful.

JACKIE and the camp stove

Health? We mostly are. My kidneys went from "Failing" to just above the failure line into the functioning normally line. I still have to knock about 700 points off another score to get them into the completely normal level (below 150) but they were up to 1500 points--way too high. Jackie, amazingly, has been a terror on the paddle tennis courts. She can run for about 3 steps (remember her knee replacement?) and that's about all she needs to do to get to the ball to return it. We play a lot with Leah (daughter) and her friend and so far they can't beat us old guys. Jackie continues to deal with migraines and after 37 years she has just about figured out how to function with one going full blast. I would crawl up into a fetal position if it were me and call for mommy.




LEAH on the move...


Spiritual stuff? Converting to Christ back in 1971 was the best decision I have ever made; converting to Eastern Orthodoxy 3 years ago was the 2nd best (this does not include marrying Jackie you know) and we are so blessed by this discovery of the ancient Church. For you who really know me you know that if there were good waves coming in on a Sunday church was going to be put on hold for a week. I wouldn't even think of that now. Christ is in our midst--worship Him.

I could take this for another couple of pages but then you might get really bored. Much love to you all.

Bob and Jackie