Pilgrims on the Journey

SAM retired missionaries living in the retirement community in Bradenton, Florida

We're pilgrims on the journey
Of the narrow road
And those who've gone before us line the way
Cheering on the faithful, encouraging the weary
Their lives a stirring testament to God's sustaining grace

Surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses
Let us run the race not only for the prize
But as those who've gone before us
Let us leave to those behind us
The heritage of faithfulness passed on through godly lives

                                                                                             The Stoddards

CHORUS:
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful
May the fire of our devotion light their way
May the footprints that we leave
Lead them to believe
And the lives we live inspire them to obey

Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful

After all our hopes and dreams have come and gone
And our children sift through all we've left behind
May the clues that they discover and the memories they uncover
Become the light that leads them to the road we each must find

Song by Steve Green
click on the link

 ~J

My Birthday

I spent my birthday doing my favorite things

• Flying on an airplane
• Spending the evening with our dear friends, Jeff and Kathy
• Having a birthday party with Tina

 5 candles on one side and 4 on

the other side = 54 years old

Tina J

Kathy and Jeff

Thanks for making my birthday special!!

~J

Fall Break

I guess the words

"Fall Break"

for Gary mean something entirely different than

my "Fall Break". 

Gary spent the extended weekend with Madison and her family in Kansas City.  Knowing that most likely Gary would be in Kansas City, I had intentionally planned our activities in Kansas City for the same weekend, so we could see him too.  I'm glad it worked out.

Recently we spent some time with Paula and Craig and their friends in the Kansas City area.  What a blessing to have great encouraging friends such as them. 

Thank you Paula and Craig!

We were really blessed to see the Gunkels.  They were in our home several years ago as they were down adopting their little Guatemalan. 

As you can see, their hands are full now,

literally.

~J

State Fair of Texas

Two weeks ago on my way to the doctor's appointment, Glenn pushed me and my wheelchair through the famous State Fair of Texas.  If we are ever in Dallas in the Fall, this is always on our "wish list".   We visited the Food and Fiber Pavilion and also the Craft building where we observed photos, quilts and unique crafts.

Fletcher's Famous Corny Dog

The Tom Landry exhibit was quite moving.  We saw his hat, game winning football and heard testimony of his God-honoring Character as he coached the Dallas Cowboys for many years.  Go Cowboys!
Now I'm pulling for the Texas Rangers!

~J

Bicycling up Fall River Road

As we took a leisurely drive up Fall River Road, we stopped and talked with these 2 bicyclists.  Of course, you know Glenn would take an interest in their all day adventure.  We saw them park their vehicle, and gear up on their bicycles down at the picnic area, and begin to bicycle up to the top of the 1 lane gravel road.

  We stopped along the way to take in the breath taking scenes.

These 2 bicyclists started at the same place.  We found out that their ages were 72 and 76.  Imagine starting out at 8,000 feet and peddling up hill to over 10,000 feet on a dirt gravel road.  They were in pretty good shape.

This short one day adventure for these 2 old guys brought back memories for Glenn of his 1976 Bicycle trip from Dallas to Colombia, South America.

~J

3rd Annual Colorado Trip

Our time in Colorado was not exactly like we had planned.

 We picked up my parents from the airport and then took a leisurely drive into the Estes Park area.

The one lane Trail Ridge Road was still open.


The Aspen trees were at their splendor.
The weather was sunny and crisp.

We had 3 1/2 days of sight-seeing before I fell and broke my ankle.

Haircut

Cami cut my hair in Cancun, Mexico last year at the Women of the Harvest Retreat.  I told her that we would be in the Denver area in September, 2010. 

So, sure enough, we call her up and she gives us both a nice haircut to send us on our way.

All this to say, I'm grateful for folks like Cami that have blessed me and others in her ministry.  Thank you Cami.

I got behind in my blog post because of my recent ankle operation and heavy travel schedule. 
~J

Heavenly Treasures

While visiting Glenn's cousins and family members in Pawnee City, Nebraska, we stopped by the local quilting store.  This fun family owned business is a store in an old Baptist Church just several blocks off of the main square in town.

Maria Glenn, owner of this store, was quite charming to get to know.  She explained this was the Baptist Church she would attend as a young girl.  She has now taken the old church and transformed it into a unique quilting store.  Click on the link to read more about Heavenly Treasures.

Note that the pews were used to organize the bolts of quilting material.

If you are ever in the southeastern section of Nebraska, check out Heavenly Treasures in Pawnee City.  

Unique. 

Fun.

~J

Cousins

Glenn seldom sees his cousins on his dad side.  He has no cousins on his mom side.  While in Nebraska we had a fun privilege to reconnect with several of the 11 Klepper clan.

 We enjoyed a quickly organized a pot luck dinner at Bob and Becky's so we could all visit together along with the Binders and the Barrs.

The Coffee Diary

Since we were in the Denver area, we had the honor of attending a "book-signing" party for Caroline at the Snoozeeatery Coffee Shop in downtown Denver.

Caroline wrote a fiction book based on facts around her husband's coffee plantation in Guatemala.  

We purchase our coffee from Caroline to give away to friends while we have been traveling.

Delicious coffee.

While at the coffee shop, we ran into new friends from Colorado Springs. Lou and Linda travel down to Guatemala frequently, and we hope to connect with them on one of their ministry trips.

Links for you to go to:
check out Caroline's book on Amazon.com

Godoy's coffee weblog 

Godoy's coffee web site - if you would like to purchase coffee on line

and also the Snoozeeatery

Casting Off and In Stitches

"Casting all your Cares on Him"

then came the stitches

Yes, my ankle is still swolen.  And yes, it hurts.

Ouch!

I have 5 more weeks with no pressure on my left ankle. 

Translation

Walker,

 wheelchair

Or 

Crutches

will be my choices for transportation.

This is my new Boot.  I can NOT put any pressure on the foot until I go back to the Doctor on November 18 for an evaluation.

We are continuing our travel schedule, however, it is just taking us a little bit longer to get anywhere because of operating in a wheelchair.  Glenn has remained my HERO as he tends to my needs.  We are getting tired and appreciate your prayers for us as we continue to share about our ministry in Guatemala.

~J

So Far.... {My Left Foot}

Disclaimer:  I wrote this blog 10 days ago, BEFORE I broke my left ankle
Sometimes I wish I could just "plod" along on our journey, like this Guatemalan flower cart. Slow and Easy.

  

We have been making use of every minute of our travels these past 6 weeks.  We feel blessed to have reconnected with those friends and family from Portland, Oregon down to Los Angeles, California.  Currently, we've taken a "big loop" from Texas through Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, South and North Carolina, up to Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota and on to North Dakota.
(North Dakota - my 50th state)
{see Sept 27 blog}
Then we went through South Dakota, Iowa and Nebraska. We are now in Colorado.

We have been blessed with warm beds, late night visits, special meals, and even have received packed picnic lunches to send us on our way.  So far, we've been in 32 beds* and have handed out 82 pounds of Guatemalan coffee.*including the hospital bed

I just wish we could spend more time in each home.  We love hearing how God is working in each ones' lives....yet we still need to continue traveling.  We are tired. 

We are grateful for a few days of rest here in Colorado with G'Mommy and G'Daddy.
I call it my Geritol trip.

Note our travel schedule:

Oct 2 - 9 Estes Park, Colorado

Oct 10 - 12 Lubbock Texas

Oct 14 - 19 Kansas City, MO and stops in between

Oct 20 - 30 West Palm Beach, Tampa, Orlando Florida and stops in between

Nov 1 - 6 Fredricksburg, San Antonio and Killeen, Texas and stops in between

Nov 7 - 17 Washington, DC area and Lancaster, PA
Let us know if you are anywhere near - maybe we can reconnect
 

Note:  I broke my left ankle while walking through Rocky Mountain National Park.  We're hoping to remain on schedule.  I'm most grateful for Glenn's patience with me.  Sometimes I feel like Lucy with Ethel as we negotiate with crutches, wheelchair and walker.

In closing please remember us in your prayers as we continue to visit with dear supporters and friends from years past and as we seek new opportunities to share our ministry of Pastoral Care in Guatemala. 

  We miss being in Guatemala RIGHT NOW as most recently, fellow missionary, Wayne, passed away, {see Oct 1 blog} and also Bob's elderly father died of Alzheimer this past week. 
~J

Hummmmm

While visiting the Mockler boys at their log cabin in Wisconsin, we got to ride in the H1 Hummer.  It felt like we were in a tank, nothing could stop us.  

It is very wide.

The tires were HUGE.

The inside of the Hummer reminded me of sitting in the cockpit of a small airplane.  Sweet!

Remember, to check Oct 10 blog to read about the cabin.

The Cabin is for sale!  Check out the blog.
I'm sure they can make a deal to include the Hummer!

http://judyfrommoody.blogspot.com/2010/10/log-cabin-in-wisconsin.html

Tomorrow's blog will be an update on our travels and "my left foot"
~J

Log Cabin in Wisconsin

Glenn and I enjoyed a 2 day visit with Kathy and Danny's sons, Nathan and Ben.

This cabin, which the family designed and built, is just breath-taking.

The cabin is finely decorated with creative touches.

The view is spectacular.

The Logs are huge.

The Log Cabin is for sale.

Click here to see a video link

http://logxury.com/

Thanks, Ben and Nate, for hosting us.

~J