Yesterday, several of us from River City Grace were in attendance and helping out at the memorial service for this 18 yr old young man who died on the front yard of our church about 1.5 wks ago. Over 800 people showed up for this young man's memorial service.
Please continue to pray for the Lord's handiwork and work of grace in the lives of this young man's family and friends. Also, please continue to pray for Pastor Greg as he continues to see how the Lord will use him in this tragic situation.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Jackson's antics...Harrison's patience...
Harrison, our 7 yr old black tri Australian Shepherd, is the most patient dog I've ever had or encountered. He plays and teaches Jackson ALL the time. Ever since he was a puppy, I've been working with him so that he is not over protective of his food dish.
Well, now I am having to protect Harrison from the 11 wk old Jackson who thinks Harrison's food must be better than mine.
Thankfully, Harrison has a LOT of hair so when they are playing and Jackson is really ripping into Harrison, all he really is getting is hair. The most hilarious thing is that after they are done and Jackson wants to take a nap, he literally is coughing up Harrison hair balls or has grown whiskers courtesy of some part of Harrison's anatomy.
More to come later....
Friday, December 28, 2007
Different ends of the Spectrum of Life...
Last week, two people died. The fact that two individuals died might not mean anything to anyone and yet it has caused me to reflect on how fragile life is and how we never know when the Lord has decided for our days to be numbered.
Selmer Ottis passed away in Moorhead, MN (after living all his life in North Dakota) at the ripe old age of 96 yrs old. Another individual passed away on the front lawn of our home church Wednesday evening, Scott Crouch, Jr. who was only 18 yrs old.
In Kindred, ND, Selmer and Kay Ottis' home for many years on the family farm, the town rallied around the family and in Sacramento, CA, a family of a different sort rallied around the grieving family left behind after a drunk driver took the life of their son. River City Grace members have been rallying around the family like no other church body I have seen in many years, showing the grace and fullness of God's abiding love.
Tomorrow, we remember Scott as we, the Ottis family (and extended family members), remembered Selmer last week in a time of grieving and sorrow.
May we as believers in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ not take for granted the days He has granted us on this earth to be a witness and to witness to those He foreordained to bring us into relationships. We do not know our days for we may be as fortunate as Selmer Ottis to live to be 96 yrs old or as fortunate as Scott Crouch, Jr. For if we are believers, living until tomorrow is one day closer to eternity with our Lord or if He grants us 50 more years, let us use those years to witness and be a witness.
Selmer Ottis passed away in Moorhead, MN (after living all his life in North Dakota) at the ripe old age of 96 yrs old. Another individual passed away on the front lawn of our home church Wednesday evening, Scott Crouch, Jr. who was only 18 yrs old.
In Kindred, ND, Selmer and Kay Ottis' home for many years on the family farm, the town rallied around the family and in Sacramento, CA, a family of a different sort rallied around the grieving family left behind after a drunk driver took the life of their son. River City Grace members have been rallying around the family like no other church body I have seen in many years, showing the grace and fullness of God's abiding love.
Tomorrow, we remember Scott as we, the Ottis family (and extended family members), remembered Selmer last week in a time of grieving and sorrow.
May we as believers in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ not take for granted the days He has granted us on this earth to be a witness and to witness to those He foreordained to bring us into relationships. We do not know our days for we may be as fortunate as Selmer Ottis to live to be 96 yrs old or as fortunate as Scott Crouch, Jr. For if we are believers, living until tomorrow is one day closer to eternity with our Lord or if He grants us 50 more years, let us use those years to witness and be a witness.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Can someone say C-O-L-D...
When we arrived in Kindred, ND at 12:45AM last night/morning, it was a warm 4 degrees (WITHOUT accounting for the windchill)....I know, I know, some of you out there will just say I'm being a wimp...you just try it for a little while...:)
We are enjoying our stay here although I am freezing many external appendages off right now. :)
It will be a while before I start complaining about our cold 45 degree weather in California again. :0
We are enjoying our stay here although I am freezing many external appendages off right now. :)
It will be a while before I start complaining about our cold 45 degree weather in California again. :0
Saying goodbye to Grandpa Ottis
On Sunday, December 16th, 2007, Grandpa Ottis passed away and Carrie lost her first grandparent. We had providentially already made plans to fly out to Fargo, ND on Tuesday to visit and spend time with her grandparents as we did not know how much longer they had to live. Grandpa Ottis left us at age 96 on Sunday. Grandma Ottis who happens to be 92 is doing better lately and has seemed to rally quite a bit.
It has been a pleasure seeing her again and spending time with a wonderful saint who enjoys sharing her faith and love for the Lord with everyone that she meets. Grandma Ottis and I talk on the phone every couple of days or so and it means so much to be able to talk to her in person.
Carrie and I are actually staying on the family farm in Kindred, ND which is now run by her Uncle Mark. Please continue to keep Carrie in your prayers as she deals with the loss of her first grandparent. Also, for our testimony amongst the relatives as we interact with them during this time of grief and loss. We are eager to share the gospel and offer encouragement when needed.
It has been a pleasure seeing her again and spending time with a wonderful saint who enjoys sharing her faith and love for the Lord with everyone that she meets. Grandma Ottis and I talk on the phone every couple of days or so and it means so much to be able to talk to her in person.
Carrie and I are actually staying on the family farm in Kindred, ND which is now run by her Uncle Mark. Please continue to keep Carrie in your prayers as she deals with the loss of her first grandparent. Also, for our testimony amongst the relatives as we interact with them during this time of grief and loss. We are eager to share the gospel and offer encouragement when needed.
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