MOST MEMORIABLE CHRISTMAS GIFT

 

Me with our new swing set 1947

I remember the fun my brother Jay and I had one Christmas morning when we followed a string from our Christmas tree out to our backyard.  We were delighted with a new swing set complete with a slide and climbing bars.   The playset was my favorite gift of all time as I could climb and swing as much as I desired. I was able to "fly-away.” Apparently I had also received a new blanket as seen in the picture.  I can imagine the softness on my face.

For some, gift giving comes naturally.  My Aunt Jeanne was an expert at finding just the right gift.  For others like me we struggle to stay within our budget and yet choose presents that will please others. I have two whammys against me.  First I deal with chronic pain every day and dread the pain shopping will bring me.  Second I'm cheap and don't have a clue as to what would be received, appreciated and be within my budget.  

But shopping for some people is made easier if they are clear on what they like. For instance, shopping for my Grandma Isabel, in her later years, was easy.  She asked for gifts that would be consumable. One year I bought her a 5 lb box of mandarin oranges.  She ate so many of them she developed canker sores. But she did appreciate my gift.

But the greatest gift is Jesus who gifted Himself to us this Christmas and through all time-- Ephesians 2:8  "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God..."

What was your most memorable Christmas gift?  What gift you gave pleased others the most?  

As for my favorite gift of all time I'm reminded of one of my favorite poems "The Swing"  written by Robert Louis Stevenson:

How do you like to go up in a swing,

   Up in the air so blue?

Oh, I do think it the pleasantest thing

   Ever a child can do!

Up in the air and over the wall,

   Till I can see so wide,

Rivers and trees and cattle and all

   Over the countryside—

Till I look down on the garden green,

   Down on the roof so brown—

Up in the air I go flying again,

   Up in the air and down!

Granddaughter Natalie. 2012 Photo by Chris. 

 

DREAMS

 

Heather on the left.  Photo by Chris.  Dance recital 1977.  Might have been "A Midsummer Night's Dream." 

When I was fifteen I didn't have a dream.  I didn't need one as I had home, school with extra curricular activities, church and youth group.  I was busy -- but I lacked one thing.  A dream.  

The world was recovering from World War II back then.  Families were settling down.  Schools were being built along with new housing and new churches.  At Groveton High School we were a bunch of middle class kids.  I had no ambition but to do the least amount of homework while watching TV.  My parents planned for me to attend college at the end of high school.  I had no objection to that.  Still I had no dream.  

Then I met my long time friend Nancy in biology class at Groveton.  We discussed many things and then somehow settled on the dream of traveling to Norway.  We started a business selling sticks of gum at school.  We made 1 cent on each pack.  I think that at the end of our senior year we had enough to buy cherry cokes at the soda fountain in the drugstore in Belleview shopping center. That was the end of that dream.

It was the summer after my junior year in college that I realized I would have to make some plan for what I would do after college.  I had worked at everything from waitress, to janitor, also switchboard operator, and library assistant.  Of course, with no advanced training, and being an eternal optimist, I settled on becoming a "Rockette" in New York.  Another idea was to travel to Korea and work as a "Gray Lady" with the American Red Cross. So these were my new dreams.  First I sent a letter to the Director of Rockettes in New York.  This is the reply I received:

I was 5' 4 3/4".  Could I pass as 5'5"?  In the fall of my senior year I met Chris.  He was the campus yearbook and newspaper photographer. We went out one time.  But then in January I needed a photographer to take a picture of me that made me look tall.  So I contacted my friend Chris and asked if he would photograph me.  He would.  

But then even with the full length photograph in hand I did not want to travel to New York alone. 

(I found out recently that two of my high school classmates had moved to New York after college.  One has recently passed away.  Her good friend wrote this tribute to her. Here is their story: 

"After college she followed her interest in dance and in 1968, she became my roommate in the East Village. Freddi and I took dance classes at Merce Cunningham studio. I still do some dance exercises she showed me. She and I would often dance and do yoga in the empty apartment across the hall. One day as we tried to go in, we realized that Dean Evenson (my future husband) had moved in. Life evolved and when Freddi met Alan her life changed in a wonderful way. I appreciated that we were able to stay in touch when I came to New York and even got to stay in their lovely flat on 10^th Street.")

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GIVING THANKS

 

Appetizers by Jessie. Photo by Bobbi.

Something that I am thankful for is that we celebrate Thanksgiving in America.  When we lived on our boat in Mexico it wasn't celebrated there.  We hired a local to roast a turkey for us for the day.  It didn't taste the same as turkeys do in the U. S.  (We hoped it wasn't a pelican as we noticed there were not as many fishing in the bay the next day.) 

Each year I like to contemplate  all our blessings.  Having a federal holiday set aside helps to unify Americans to all be together in our thanks.  I imagine my ancestors making a big meal that day. Many had settled in New England as early as the 1600's. 

When my maternal grandfather arrived in Spokane in 1910 on the first Sunday, up on the highest hill he could find, overlooking the city, he prayed and planned....He hoped that his story would help all freedom loving people into a fuller and richer life here on earth, and cause them to think of what is in store for them in the life hereafter.

 

Smoked turkey by Jessie.  Photo by Chris.

We were so happy to move back to the U.S. Our son-in-law Jessie is a master at smoking a turkey.

 

Casserole by Chris.  Photo by Bobbi.

We added marshmellow and pecan topped baked yams to our menu for the holidays.  Daughter Heather would set the table with her fraternal great grandmother's Lamberton Ivory China Made in America Dolly Madison pattern.

Here are some pictures from Thanksgivings past:

Spokane 1972 Grandma Isabel, Robert, Jeanne, Hollis, Grandpa Claude, Ralph, Nan

1974 Thanksgiving in Spokane Heather, Grandma Isabel, Grandpa Claude, Alf, Janet, me

Grandpa Dave

Redwood City Grace Grandma, Wayne, Sue, Davy, Evy, Dave Grandpa, Jack, Ruth, Martha, Jay

 

Thanksgiving in Redmond 2005 Jessie, Wayne, Mary, Grace Marie, me

Thanksgiving in Redmond Natalie, Jessie, Andrew, Heather, Samantha, Grandma Cindy

Thanksgiving in Carnation Heather, Jessie, Natalie, family friend, Andrew, Samantha, Jessie's grandmother

Thanksgiving in Carnation Wayne, Mary, Chris, friend, Natalie, Jessica, Jes, Samantha, Andrew

This is Christmas in Carnation Jennifer, Heather, Jessie, Jessica, Jes, me, Samantha, Natalie

When we don't roast our own turkey we purchase a frozen turkey breast and roast that the next day. (I got the idea from our friend, Nan.)  I like to bake a Marie Callender pumpkin pie as well.  We add baked yams and a vegetable along with cranberry sauce. 

We thank God for family and food and  all the many wonderful blessings He showers on us every day.  And as our first president, George Washington proclaimed in 1789:

Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor, and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me "to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness."

DON'T FORGET TO REMEMBER

 

The current crop of college students may have never heard of the holocaust of the Jews during World War II.  Many have been taught that "white people" are the oppressors and that Jews are white.  Thus the protests on college campuses.  Some professors even lead these events. Parents have been advised to keep your college students home. Don't send them back to college.

My heart is broken for Israel right now.  Once again they are surrounded by their enemies who want them "wiped off of the face of the earth."  Terrorists surround them and attack them daily. China has actually removed Israel from their maps. 

We must teach others about the great lie that was believed during WW II.  Watching the movie "Schindlers List"may help.

But we know the end of the story.  Jesus wins!

Revelation 22:16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”

17 The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.

HONEY WINE SPICE CAKE

 

Cake by Rita.  Photo by Chris.

Our family loves desserts but we try to cut down on eating sugar.  Here is another recipe from Rita's cookbook-- "The Able Cookbook: Cooking without Cane."  You may substitute artificial sweeteners for the honey.

1/2 cup shortening

1 cup honey

3 eggs separated

3/4 cup dry white wine

1 tablespoon molasses

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

2 1/2 cups sifted cake flour

3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon allspice

1/4 cup milk

Cream shortening and honey until light and fluffy.  Add egg yolks and beat well.  Ann wine, molasses and vanilla, mix well.  Sift dry ingredients; add alternately with milk to creamed mixture, beating well after each addition.  Beat egg whites until stiff but not dry and fold into mixture.  Spoon into 2 greased and floured 9-inch cake pans.  Bake at 350 for 25 to 30 minutes or until cake tests done.  Cool on rack.  

Fill and frost with butter cream frosting to which has been added 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans.

Ecclesiastes 8: 15  And I commend joy, for man has nothing better under the sun but to eat and drink and be joyful, for this will go with him in his toil through the days of his life that God has given him under the sun.

THIS ISN'T THE REAL STORY

 

October 9, 2023 photo by Bobbi

As I sit at my computer in our office, and gaze at the view from my window, I marvel at the peace and tranquility I observe.  We are safe and serene here in our new condo; but around the world wars wage.  The Russian invasion of Ukraine continues. Now we have Hamas terrorists yelling "Allahu akbar" as they invade Israel.  There are fears that Hezbollah may also attack Israel.  Under Iran's influence they fight a proxy war to wipe the Jews off the map. We pray for peace each day.  We pray for comfort and safety for the innocent. We pray for healing for those who have lost loved ones.  We pray for wisdom for the leaders who want peace. We pray for first responders. 

God tells us in His word to pray about everything.  He also tells us to go and make disciples.  So as wars wage we bring comfort to those we can and tell them that this isn't the real story.  Jesus will return soon to rule-- we will have true peace then.  Man cannot bring peace-- only Jesus can and He will. 

I believe that all the prophecies in the Bible have been fulfilled--  except for the prophecy about Damascus.  I trust that when Damascus is destroyed Jesus will return. 

Isaiah 17 An oracle concerning Damascus.1 Behold, Damascus will cease to be a city and will become a heap of ruins.

THE BEAVER AND GOD

 

Ten years ago it was acceptable to talk about God on TV. Here is a clip from the situation comedy "Leave it to Beaver."  June Cleaver tells Beaver that God knows when he is lying.  The Beaver lied about a dog bite, but he wants to know why it was OK for Dad to tell Mr. Rutherford that he couldn't come to his house because of another engagement (which was a lie.)  

Parenting is a difficult job!

Proverbs 19:5 Even a child makes himself known by his acts by whether his conduct is pure and upright.

PEACH CREAM CHEESE PIE

 

Pie by Rita.  Photo by Chris.

August and September is peach season in Washington State. There is still time to try this pie recipe from Rita's cookbook-- "The Able Cookbook: Cooking Without Cane."

10 inch pie crust baked

6oz package cream cheese

1/4 cup fructose + 2 tbsp (may find at health food store)

2 1/4 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 cups whipping cream

2 large peaches (peaches canned in their own juice may be used 16 oz)

2 tsp lemon juice

Blend softened cream cheese with fructose and vanilla in a medium bowl.  Whip cream in another medium bowl until stiff and fold into cream cheese mixture. Pour into cooled pie crust. Refrigerate.  Slice peaches and toss with lemon juice. Arrange fruit on top of pie.  If using canned peaches eliminate lemon juice. 

Make glaze: 

Combine 1 cup unsweetened apple juice with one tbsp corn starch in a saucepan. Cook over low heat stirring constantly until thickened and clear. Stir in 3 or 4 tbsp fructose or to taste. Cool. Spoon over pie. Chill.

We haven't tried it with any other sugar substitute but I'm sure it would be possible if you would like to try it.  

I Corinthians 15: 38 But God gives it a body as he has chosen, and to each kind of seed its own body.

BREATHING EASIER

 

Prayers went up for the victims, firefighters, and disaster workers here in eastern Washington when areas west and north of Spokane experienced wildfires.  See You Tube above. We are east of Spokane so only dealt with the unhealthy air.  The rain coming up from California helped clear the smoke and we are breathing easier now.  As far as we can tell the maternal grandparent's farm in Four Lakes is safe. 

Years ago in the 1960's Chris had a job on a pick up crew for fighting forest fires in this area. I will add his memories of this intense job later. Do you have any survival experiences with destructive fire? 

 

Isaiah 43:1 But now thus says the Lord he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel:“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.

 

 

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE JUSTICE SYSTEM?

 

Grace Marie. 2011 Photo by Wayne

We need criminal justice reform.  Why was the pet goat of a 9 year old girl slaughtered against her will?   Here is the story.  Maybe you have experienced injustice in your life.  Apparently this is the human condition as "all have sinned."  We need guidelines and those in authority to uphold justice.  In our country we are assumed innocent until proven guilty.  In many other countries Roman law is used-- you are guilty until you are proven innocent.  

In American history many ways of law enforcement have been used. This is from the Britannica.  Then in 1974 Chuck Colson as a new Christian, voluntarily pled guilty to obstruction of justice and served seven months in Alabama’s Maxwell Prison for his part in the Watergate scandal.In 1976, he founded Prison Fellowship, which is now the nation’s largest Christian nonprofit serving prisoners, former prisoners, and their families, and a leading advocate for criminal justice reform. 

For years many have been working and praying for prison reform. One program in Rhode Island has met with success.  Eric Johnson in his report "Seattle is Dying" informed us about MAT.  While successful in Rhode Island, there are obstacles in implementing MAT inmate programs nationwide. First, MAT for inmates programs need widespread political support. In Rhode Island, the state government has approved $2 million in funds annually for medication-assisted therapy programs in prisons.

Secondly, MAT inmate programs can be problematic to implement in states with complex correction systems. Rhode Island has a corrections system which is compact and has no county jails. All inmates are brought to one center , and the state prisons are located on the same campus.

Dogs would not be left to their own on the streets.  Why do we leave the mentally ill and drug addicted on the streets?  Why do we leave criminals on the streets? Government should be held accountable to enforce the laws or if the laws are not working they should be changed. 

Will men and women of integrity apply and serve in law enforcement or will we continue to collapse into anarchy?  

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." Edmund Burke

TEACHER APPRECIATION

 

Photo by me

Each Thanksgiving the Moms in Prayer groups in Monroe, WA would prepare baskets of goodies for each school for which we prayed. Years ago, when I was teaching, I would have appreciated the attractive basket pictured above, left for the teachers in the break room.  Of course I could have used about 5 assistants to help me with all the duties teachers had-- lesson prep for all subjects, inventory, bulletin boards, lesson plans, parent conferences, lunch room duty, play ground duty, parent- teacher meetings, decorating, displays--(Dean of Women at EWU  gifted me with pots of geraniums, and squares of towels for the children to erase their dry erase marking boards),  etc., etc. Now of course there are not only fire drills but also active shooter drills.  I left teaching after 3 years.  I like children as individuals but not as a group. I preferred working at the public library. 

So now I either start a Moms in Prayer group or I join one.  It is just 1 hour a week and it is come as you are.  This year I will be praying again for the school for which our church volunteers as mentors. 

Matthew 19:14 but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”

DESSERT BY RITA

 

Photo by Chris

Meringue desserts may have originated in France but several times on trips to Canada for the Change of Watch for the Vancouver B.C. Power Squadron we were served meringue desserts.   Now I wonder if Chris's family, who settled in Canada at first, learned their Kiss Pie recipe from those they met in Canada?  The only meringue recipe I remember as a kid was my mom's delicious lemon meringue pie. I assume she learned it from her mom who was British!

So here is the prized Kiss Pie recipe we inherited from Rita, Chris's mom.  Chris enjoys making these. 

1 cup egg whites (6 or 7)

2 cups sugar

1 tablespoon white vinegar

2 cups strawberries (sweeten lightly)

(frozen may be used, thaw first)

Beat egg whites until frothy. Add sugar gradually, beating constantly.  Add vinegar and beat 10 minutes more. Spread in two cake pans with slides. Bake at 275 degrees for 1 hour.  Cool.  Place one layer on plate with top side up. Spread strawberries over.  Top with second layer. Frost all over with whipped cream.  Refrigerate 10 hours or overnight. 

Genesis 1:29 And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food.

EVERYONE IS INVITED

 

Amanda, Jes, Bobbi, Heather, and John in South Pacific photo by Chris

Flyaway in Mexico photo by fellow cruiser

Chris wearing safety harness in South Pacific photo by Rex

It was in 1974 that Chris decided we needed a boating safety class. We were in a small boat that he thought was about to sink.  It was overloaded and about to be swamped.  We immediately went back to shore.  We quickly joined the Spokane Power Squadron.  We had learned about the organization when we attended several boat shows. Chris took all of the classes and received his Senior Navigator certification.  I made it through Seamanship by the dangling knot!  Many years later, after owning several small boats, Chris bought our heavy weather sailing Hallberg Rassy.  He outfitted it for any contingency we could experience on the high seas. We sailed to Mexico and then he sailed to Tahiti.  The only mishap was a broken throttle cable.  Chris was able to gerry-rig it until we could replace it with a new cable.  For our protection as we sailed off shore I credit God, all the prayers that went up for us, and Chris's diligence. 

My inspiration for writing the above was the following true story of 6 teenage boys, who did not listen, and were returned safely to their families only by God's grace.  This is from Our Daily Bread, "In June 1965, six Tongan teenagers sailed from their island home in search of adventure. But when a storm broke their mast and rudder the first night, they drifted for days without food or water before reaching the uninhabited island of ‘Ata. It would be fifteen months before they were found.

The boys worked together on ‘Ata to survive, setting up a small food garden, hollowing out tree trunks to store rainwater, even building a makeshift gym. When one boy broke his leg from a cliff fall, the others set it using sticks and leaves. Arguments were managed with mandatory reconciliation, and each day began and ended with singing and prayer. When the boys emerged from their ordeal healthy, their families were amazed—their funerals had already been held."  They knew that life is better if we obey God's laws.

God's people may not have the approval or love by many in society today. There are some who are cruel, and judgmental, but there are many who do good while not being noticed.  Today I listened to this podcast from Upstream about 32 world changing Christians you have never heard of.  God invites each one of us to His wedding feast.  If we love Him we will obey His laws. I pray we are all there on That Day.

Matthew 22:9 Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.’ 10 And those servants went out into the roads and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests.

DO THE IMPOSSIBLE

 

Japan 2005

Sometimes the language barrier turns out to be a good thing.  Son Jes wrote this in 2005 when he was teaching in Japan. I thought you would enjoy it. 

 Do the impossible young lad!

Thursday September 01st 2005, 5:40 pm
Filed under: Thoughts

Mt. Hongu or Hongusan as we call it (no -san in this case isn’t like Mr. or Ms. it actually means mountain)

In my last few days of freedom - don’t worry ladies, I meant freedom from work - I decided to take a short ride on my bike. Now, if you asked me a few months ago how long a “short” ride was, I would probably have a dramatically different answer. In this ride, I start from my house dodging semi’s and senior citizen drivers and ride to the top of Mt Hongu and then I ride back. I’ve got the ride calculated at just under 80km (50 miles).

I realized today if you take out all the lousy diesel snorting trucks (I’m now a big fan of biodiesel and/or large rickshaws to move goods  ) and nincompoop drivers who apparently can’t see a 6 foot tall white guy with a brightly colored jersey riding 40km/hr, Japan can be quite a nice place to ride. Imagine yourself riding in rural Japan.

Away from the from the hustle AND bustle and on into a more rural area you find that dragonflies amuse themselves by performing aerial maneuvers around your head, followed by more senior citizen dodging - but this time they smile as you nearly careen into them. You continue riding down the narrow 2-lane road and see road workers hunkered down in the shade on lunch break eating their convenience store lunches consisting of no-crust white bread egg and ham sandwiches or rice balls. Other workers make sure traffic flow is safe. With a cigarette in one hand and a white flag in the young road worker waves you through, but there really isn’t much need since there isn’t much traffic.

You keep riding and are quite ready to find a shady place to sit and eat your own “crummy” convenience store sandwich and suck down a refreshing can of Coke. Then finally, you reach the base of Mt. Hongu. You used to be really tired at this point, but not really anymore. It’s time to sit down before you climb the mountain, it’s not a big mountain but it’s a little steep. After a few minutes of down time you start the climb up Mt. Hongu. It always seems to take quite awhile to climb up Mt. Hongu, but then at 3 miles per hour everything takes a long time. A car passes by and a women yells “Gambatte” which means “You can do it!” or “Good luck!” and you take that advice and continue up the mountain. Once you finish climbing the mountain you’re pretty happy that you can still move and you remember the first time you climbed that same mountain.

At the top of the mountain, you ride (rather quickly) to the nearest coffee shop/hangout for cyclists or motorcyclists and again take a little break. And then you ride back. You descend the mountain and marvel at the beauty of gravity, but unfortunately with all the hairpin turns you can’t ride very fast. You ride back on the same road and salute the road workers, dodge senior citizens and watch dragonflies. You reach some train tracks and wait for a train to pass and suddenly an old women with bottom teeth only taps you on the shoulder and starts talking to you. “It’s hot isn’t it?” she says, and you agree. She asks how far you have ridden and you reply and then she says something like “Do the impossible” or maybe “You have done the impossible” but with your Japanese you don’t quite know. You think that’s kind of cool if not eerie and also wonder about Japan’s overall dental health. Then, before you know it, you’re “sharing” the road with semi’s again.

Update: Well just when I thought I almost knew what people were talking about here I found out I was wrong. The old woman actually said something more like “don’t work too hard!” which makes more sense, but sounds a lot less cool and Yoda-ish/Sportsdrink marketing campaign-like I thought she said with “Do the impossible”. Ahh well.

WON'T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR?

 

Unlike "Mr. Rogers" I'm not good at being a neighbor.  When Chris and I bought our first house we moved in next door to a widow named Mrs. Canon.  She befriended us and welcomed us to the neighborhood.  I felt I didn't have time for her but did accept a tea invitation to her house.  She would give us stews and other hearty meals as she would cook too much and wanted to share.  It never occurred to me that I should return the favor.

Janet and Jeanne 1947

My Aunt Jeanne also set the example for me as to how to be a good neighbor. Even though we lived 3000 miles away Aunt Jeanne would remember my birthday and send a gift.  When we would travel cross country in the summer for a visit she would arrange a birthday picnic.  Then after we moved to live in the same city where my Aunt Jeanne lived I began to have my eyes opened as to how she was a good neighbor.  She invited us college kids to join her family for holidays and for back yard bbq's. I noticed that she checked on her neighbors and invited them over as well.  Of course she took good care of our grandparents.  

One time she bailed me out when I had a boyfriend give me a Christmas gift.  I had nothing to give him.  She happened to have in her "store" a pair of cufflinks she had gotten on sale for 50 cents.  A wonderful seamstress, when shopping for a dress to wear to the college Military Ball I called her and asked her if she would take in a dress for me.  She would.  It turned out beautifully.  I knew I was always welcomed to her home whenever I needed a place to go.  

For our wedding she made the bridesmaid dresses.  At Christmas she would give us wonderful gifts such as a lace tablecloth. When I was invited back to our college for the Military Ball she made me a dress.  One Christmas she made matching aprons for us. At her memorial service her son-in-law read a wonderful tribute to her about all her kindnesses over the years.  If I find it I will add it later. 

Nevertheless I still had my problem of being a good neighbor. As an introvert I had never tried to meet our neighbors.  Chris would enjoy chatting when our neighbors were out working on their lawns and gardens. So I made a habit of asking him to go meet the neighbors and report the news. It was when I came down with terrible chronic pain and had dedicated my life to pray for my relatives, friends, classmates, and neighbors that I decided that I needed to reach out to our neighbors in person. 

When I saw the deterioration of our nation it became clear to me that the decline was spiritual.   God put it on my heart that I should offer to do Bible studies with our neighbors.  The first Bible study I started was a disaster.  Everybody quit after the first week.  Then when I was dealing with too much stress a speaker at a Christian conference told me a good thing to do is to study the attributes of God.  She recommended a book called Behold Your God.  Now I was prepared.

Next step was when I learned of how Rosaria Butterfield was treated after she wrote an editorial for the newspaper defending "Queer studies" (The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert: An English Professor's Journey into Christian Faith) I determined that kindness is the way to win people. So each place we have moved I have listened to our neighbor's needs and asked if I could pray for them.  At a large mega-church we attended in one town I signed up to mentor a young woman.  We studied "Behold Your God."  It went well. 

Next move was to a community of active seniors.  Many had complaints.  I felt moved to start a Bible study.  We studied "Behold Your God."  The group grew to about 10 to 15 attending even after I moved away.

Now we have a way to meet our neighbors at the yearly bbq our apartment complex provides.  Last year I met a young couple and invited them to church.  This year I invited the young mother to a Bible study.  So far she hasn't accepted.  I met another woman and attended her church with her.  I offered to do a Bible study with her.  I will wait on the Holy Spirit to move people to seek a Bible study with me or with someone else.  Life is a long distance marathon and God is a forbearing God.  He waits patiently for each one to turn to Him.

II Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.