The Marrow of Life

G’day to our “Up Over” family and friends! We had 3 weeks of travel between SC and AU. A wonderful time in NE seeing Gene’s mom (far left), our siblings, and other friends and family. A great picnic and swim in the Loup River (Gene’s stomping ground).

Then on to Southern California where we joined Heather’s family and Rod’s parents for a week on Catalina Island (“26 miles across the sea…”) where the Fletchers have been attending “Campus By The Sea” (an Intervarsity Christian Fellowship family camp) since the 1950’s It was great to have 3 generations camping together.

We slept in tents with no electricity, so I was concerned about Gene’s snoring disturbing the “neighbors” (or the dead). At home he uses a C-PAP to prevent snoring and as a “side-benefit” J for mild sleep apnea. No one seemed to mind, but this buffalo wandered down from the mountains one morning to check out the noise competition. He is on the volley ball court outside our tent. After he chewed on the cook’s geraniums, I thought we might be having buffalo burgers for dinner, but she was merciful!
The theme for the year’s camp was Psalm 1:1,2 and I loved how they wove that theme into the music, activities and teaching for every age group. Gene was a facilitator of a small group and was also called out in the middle of the night to use his medical skills. A young fellow camper passed out in the bathroom and cut his head on the tile floor. He was later airlifted to the mainland. Personally, we used the “modern” facilities during the day, but a closer outside toilet at night. Must admit there were times in there when I could have passed out too! If George Washington ever used it, I’m sure it’s still there. Hate to think of where that young man would be now if he’d been in the “dunny” when he fainted.

Boat trip back to Pasadena, a Dodgers game (while the women caught up on laundry), and then a 6 hour drive to a ski lodge in Mammoth, CA (High Sierras), where we hiked, fished, played in the icy mountain waters, and rode bikes. Paul was unable to attend this time L but their good friends let Tonia and the rest of us enjoy a beautiful “mountain top” experience. Highlight to most of the guys was trout fishing. Yummy! Gene and Rod went with a fly fishing guide one day—Gene’s first time to fly fish. He loved it--- of course. Rod told Heather he admired that Gene always seems to “get the marrow out of life!” Which, of course, is why we are currently in AU…again—trying to be fishers of men and getting the marrow out of life here! J

Prayer Request: Jerry Bridges will be in Brisbane this week end. His book Trusting God changed our lives! What a godly man! He has a 4 hour conference Sat and then will be preaching at CCC (our church here) Sunday.. We’re to invite unchurched friends. Please pray for the effectiveness of this ministry. It’s easy to be selfish and just attend for self fulfillment, but pray that God would lay on our hearts those whom He has prepared to hear this message and for them to have ears to hear.

Well, lots of words! If you’re still reading, Good On Ya! Love, Gini