Greece No. 3

Not sure how or why, but Greece has become our go to destination to relax and unwind. In 2005 we took a Sabbatical and spend 6 weeks wandering Athens, the Greek Islands and Turkey. Of course, Rich took it as an opportunity to do some research and came home and preached a series on
"In the Steps of Paul" (available on www.sermonaudio.com/wftw and wrote a book called Priority Mail available at www.rbpstore.org.

Since we didn't get to Crete, we headed back in 2016 to visit Crete, Rhodes, and a few days in Athens.

When it became apparent that we were headed to Arizona we decided to take a break between ministries and visit Greece one more time. And it was our pleasure to take two other couples with us to share some of our special places.

We arrived in Athens on May 9, 2018 and spend two days and three nights. When we were there in 2005, just after they hosted the Olympics, we found it intriguing, clean and enjoyable. However, the in 2016 and again in 2018, we found it dirty and crowned with lots of graffiti. After viewing some of the "must see" spots, we escaped to the islands.

On May 12 we headed to Santorini, Samos, Aegina and then after Poros. Before heading home we spent a night with the Hensler's who are ABWE missionaries now stationed in Athens. Once again we  came home refreshed and ready to begin our new life.

It's Amazing

Six months! What really happens in six months? Although our retirement plans were to move to Arizona, in January 2018, I would never had guessed that by July we would be sitting in a new home in the beautiful Estralla Mountain Community. It's another situation where I feel that God has carried us along through a difficult situation and set us down in a place where we are loved and appreciated. 

For over a year Pastor Mike has been asking us to move to Arizona to help mentor a new church plant that were starting with people he knew who had for one reason or another moved to Phoenix. Of course it sounded interesting, but for various reasons we felt we needed to stay put for awhile longer. 

However, when God really wants you to do something, he makes it impossible to say NO! In our case he made our life so miserable and then opened a window of possibility that we decided it was time to take that step of faith and move forward. I kept thinking about the Hornet song that I remember from Children's Bible Hour choir as a child.

When the Canaanites hardened their hearts against God

And grieved Him because of their sin,

God sent along hornets to bring them to time,

And help His own people to win.

The hornets persuaded them that it was best,

To go quickly, and not to go slow;

God did not compel them to go 'gainst their will,

But He just made them willing to go.

Chorus

He does not compel us to go, No! No!

He does not compel us to go.

He does not compel us to go 'gainst our will

But He just makes us willing to go.

If a nest of live hornets were brought to this room

And the creatures allowed to go free,

You would not need urgings to make yourself scarce,

You'd want to get out, don't you see.

They would not lay hold and by force of their strength

Throw you out of the window, Oh No,! 

They would not compel you' to go 'gainst your will,

But they'd just make you willing to go.

ETC.

Just a side note! Just because it worked out well for us, does not excuse the sin of those involved. I't been a struggle for me to forgive and believe God when he says "vengeance is Mine" but everyday I pray that God will deal appropriately with them and leave it in His hands. That frees me up to live my life with no regrets and enjoy the life He has given me today.

And yes! We did take Murp and Murphette with us along with all the little state and country bears. This kids here are loving them! Other that that we left everything behind and are enjoying a new start.

The next blog I will talk about our trip to Greece.

Chapter Five

When I started this blog (Chapter Four) I really thought that our New Jersey adventure would be our last adventure until we retired. And I have to admit that it was a great place for the kids to congregate; we enjoyed the shore and seafood; and we enjoyed our visits to Philadelphia and New York City. But the Lord had other plans.

In November it becomes obvious to us that it was time to say good-bye to New Jersey and head to Arizona. Although we have always wanted to live in Arizona, the decision was not an easy one, but as we took each step, the Lord made it clear that we were headed in the right direction.

Putting our house on the market the middle of January made it real. In February we met with the core team in Arizona, arranged for a rental home for the month of April and decided to sell  most of our belongings instead of transport them. It was amazing the feeling of freedom we had as drove out our driveway on March 13 and headed to New York (to see Brad's family), to Michigan (to see our siblings and my parents) and then meandered through Missouri, Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and finally Arizona.

Rich's first message with this small group was at a park on Easter Sunday as we watched the sun rise over the mountains.

Please pray with us as we develop the core group and minister to everyone God brings into our path