We continue with our Non-profit destiny: Life! This involves Speaking, Teaching, many facets of Counseling, and Life Coaching. Our Lord has also opened doors for us to Mentor Seniors through the adjustments and Psychological/Spiritual challenges of aging. Often this aspect of our Venture leads us into care for Families dealing with grief and the great questions of what happens after we die … Here, as in other crises where we meet people, we rely heavily on the “wisdom” of Our Lord. He never leaves us without direction. And many people have found deeper intimacy with Him as a result of our Service to them.
As we close these reflections with You, whom we love, we pray "May Our Heavenly Father give you wisdom, strength for your challenges, true Faith in the things you believe, and love that enriches your lives and those of others you love in 2012!"
JOYOUS NEW YEAR!
Jim & Shirley
Dear Family & Friends,
As the first Week of 2012 closes with the sunset, we wish
you a New Year filled with many blessings!
Looking back, now, over 2011 we see we’ve experienced many
challenges, but have so much to be thanking Our Heavenly Father for.
In October, 2010 our Son Jonathan’s Wife, Larina had a major stroke in the right hemisphere of her brain. She was totally paralyzed on her left side. She was 6 Weeks pregnant. We almost lost her and her Child. But, with thousands praying, they survived. Doctors said Larina would not survive if she tried to carry the Baby.
The Child was exposed to lots of medication and testing. Still Jonathan and Larina agreed she should carry their Child to term. It was a difficult 9 months with rehab for consequences from the stroke combined with the usual demands of carrying a growing Child. But, on June 4, 2011, Larina gave birth to a beautiful Daughter – Sara Joy! At birth and to this very day she has been very healthy!
Larina’s only remaining challenges are posed by paralysis in her left hand.
Shirley, along with Larina’s Mom and Dad, took turns staying with them a month-at-a-time. Jonathan & Larina also have 2 boys, Jonah & Luke. Furthermore they live in Portland Maine, about as far away from their Westcoast Homes as its possible to be in the US! All of these factors made this care giving quite a challenge.
In Dec. we were able to go to England for a Week; then to
Portland Maine for 8 days. (Thanks to a very kind and
generous Friend and lots of Air Miles.)
We got to see Jim and Korenne, their 3 boys, and their year old Daughter, whom we were meeting for the 1st time. She is just adorable!
Jim’s and Korenne’s Ministry in the Church they’ve planted in Canterbury is blessed and the Congregation is growing numerically and spiritually.
Their boys Samuel, Evan, and Kaleb are delightful!
It was great spending quality time with all of them!
Jason’s & Ingvild’s Family is growing up so fast! From August 2010, to August 2011 Ingvild, Marissa, Madeleine, and Ethan spent a year in Norway with Ingvild’s Family. Jason was with them part of the time. The rest of the time he spent in partial Sabbatical from Journey Community Church where he serves as Worship Pastor. He did a lot of flying back-and-forth and gained a plethora of Air Miles. They are all back in San Diego now and very busy with their Ministry and Family Life.
