Here We go Awandering

Tales of the Phamacy- The Wonderful Customer

2010-06-13T15:48:00.002-05:00

Sometimes customers can be very difficult. I decided that I will keep a log of the experience of the week....

A lady came in the other day, pacing outside the pharmacy window, peering in on us before opened. We open at 9am, and we arrive about 8:30, and until the time we open, we usually have the lights off as we begin to process those prescriptions that people called in over the night.

As we opened, she was the first one in line and acted rather put off that we did not try to accommodate her earlier. She said that she had been without her tamoxifen (a drug to help prevent recurrence of breast cancer) for over 3 days.... now mind you, we are open 7 days a week- where was she earlier??

We told her that it would be about 20 minutes. She responded that she had to take her sick mother down to the University of Kansas Medical Center to see her physician, and asked if we could process her prescription quicker. Because of the situation, I told her that we would get her done quickly... after all she earlier had breast cancer... lets have a little compassion here, even though she appeared to have a bathing suit on under a swim cover, but who are we to judge.

We processed her prescription in about 6 minutes, even letting her check out before 2 others at that pick-up line. I felt good about helping her out, after all she had a sick mother and an hour drive to KU. We are a compassionate lot at the pharmacy. Not all of the techs agreed, but they complied with my request to move it along.

About an hour later, we saw her stroll down the main aisle of the store with a shopping cart full of crap, including an inflatable swimming pool and lots of pool toys. I received several "I told you so" comments all day. We are a compassionate lot in the pharmacy.

Pork Chops with Cranberries

2010-05-13T20:26:00.004-05:00

We have been looking for some new things to eat. Basically our diet has become a low carbohydrate diet by default. If you consider the extra calories a potato dish, rice or pasta adds to a meal, we have chosen to eat more veggies and meats... but we need to keep trying to add variety. We had some butterfly pork chops in the freezer and I combined several different recipes to come up with this one... It was very very good. This is a keeper

1 tsp. margarine
1/2 tsp. oil
4 boneless pork loin chops, 1/2 inch thick
1 cup onion, chopped
1/2 cup carrots, peeled and chopped
1 sliced/chopped yellow pepper
3/4 cup chicken stock
1 and 1/2 Tbs. sugar
2 Tbs. red wine vinegar
3/4 cup dried cranberries- soaked in water for about 10 minutes

Heat margarine and oil in a heavy nonstick skillet over medium high heat. Brown chops about 1 minute per side. Set aside.

Sauté onions, pepper and carrots 5-7 minutes until brown and tender. Return chops to pan and add stock. Cover, reduce heat to low and simmer 10-12 minutes, until pork is cooked throughout. Remove chops and keep warm.

Add remaining ingredients. Cook 4-5 minutes. Return chops to skillet and cook until pork is heated throughout. Serve sauce over chops.

Per serving: calories 190 per chop. Heck with that number, have two

Serve with fresh green beans... what a meal!
The next time, I might add some fresh pineapple to the mix.

2010-05-12T08:00:00.005-05:00

I love to cook. If I am looking for a change, I will research a dish, find a recipe and make some modifications to it... you know, tweak it up a bit.

Kris and I fixed dinner last night and Asian Lettuce Wraps was the idea I had. After pouring over several different types, here is what we came up with. It should be the envy of PF Chang's, who has the absolute best lettuce wraps ever!

Asian Lettuce Wraps

Ingredients
Iceberg Lettuce Leaves
1 pound lean ground beef
1 tablespoon cooking oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 clove fresh garlic, minced
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1/4 cup hoisin sauce- I use Soy Vay
1/8 cup teryaki sauce- homemade or commercial
2 teaspoonfs of grated ginger
1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
Asian chile pepper sauce- use to taste- I used 1 teaspoonful of pepper paste
1 (8 ounce) can water chopped chestnuts- drain well
1/2 bunch green onions, chopped
2 teaspoons Asian (dark) sesame oil
1/4 cup shredded carrots

Directions
1.Rinse whole lettuce leaves and pat dry, being careful not tear them. Set aside.

2.In a medium skillet over high heat, brown the ground beef... Drain, and set aside to cool... Cook the onion in the same pan, stirring frequently... Add the garlic, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, ginger, vinegar, and chile pepper sauce to the onions, and stir, for about 2 minutes... Stir in chopped water chestnuts, green onions, and sesame oil, and continue cooking until the onions just begin to wilt, about 2 more minutes.... add beef and continue stiring until desired consistency- not too runny

3.Arrange lettuce leaves around the outer edge of a large serving platter, and pile meat mixture in the center. To serve, allow each person to spoon a portion of the meat into a lettuce leaf. Top with shredded carrots. Wrap the lettuce around the meat like a burrito or a taco.

It is a little messey, but sure is good!

Next time, I would increase the pepper paste, and the vinegar to add a little more flavor. I would also add some slices of colored bell peppers and some asparagus, even adding some bean sprouts to the mix. Chicken would be excellent too!

What is God's Will ?

2010-05-10T10:15:00.004-05:00

Have you ever thought about what God's will means? What does it mean to live in God's Will... People say "It was God's Will"... or "It was part of God's Plan" ...or the like. Over the past few weeks I have been thinking about these questions.... because of one of Pastor Lenander's sermons and a conversation with some friends.

Here are my thoughts:

There is a difference between God's Perfect Will and God's Permissive Will. The former is what pleases God, or what God desires. The latter is the evidence of God's love for us.

We have received God's promise that God will be with us always.... in spite of what we do, or how we act. As part of our church, we receive that reminder weekly, that in spite of what we have done or left undone, God still loves us and accepts us as if we are perfect, because God makes us perfect thru Christ.

It is thru looking back and thru reflection that we see God's presence in our lives and God's fulfillment of God's promises... God was there!

We may strive for understand God's perfect will, yet we thrive in God's permissive will. This is all part of the whole purpose of God.... that we might acknowledge God's love for God's people.

Just my thoughts.

Random wisdom on investing

2010-04-23T17:14:00.004-05:00

Here are some randome thoughts and phrases I have heard on investing over the past several months....

Probably good to consider in this volitile market:

Bears and Bulls can make money, but pigs get slaughtered

Nobody ever got hurt by taking profits

Price matters... never pay more than you think that you should.... be patient

Don't use a market order... set the price you want to buy into

A significant portion of market gains over any period are due to dividends... look for dividends if possible
Dont buy a stock during the earnings season

My iPhone was broke

2010-04-23T12:49:00.001-05:00

Earlier this week my adapter cord I use to play music thru my stereo broke off inside my iPhone headphone jack. What a bummer. It kept recognizing a headphone so I could not hear anything. Apple was not much help. I tried my dentist, eye doctor, jeweler, etc. Nobody had a tool small enough.

I finally called a apple repair shop in KC -- Mission Repair. Took it there and in 10 minutes it was fixed. I was out about $50 , but I got my phone back. They say they see this happen about once every week or so.

I am now a happy guy!

Here's a random observation on Healthcare

2009-09-04T06:47:00.002-05:00

Those who know me well know that I can be a wealth of random information.... (unfortunately, it usually does not help me on Trivia Pursuit or other Trivia games because those games don't ask me about what I do know)

Did you know that the rate of increase in people diagnosed with diabetes in the world is increasing by over 5% per year... in the US, now over 8% of our population has diagnosed diabetes, and some estimate that there are another 3% who simply aren't diagnosed yet... just think- 10% of us has diabetes. In the middle east and some Mediterranean countries that is as high as 12%.

This matters because of the costs! Sales of insulin increases between 10 and 11% per year... (by the way buy Walmart's Relion brand vs Humulin or Novulin brands... it is far less expensive). If you develop diabetes, expect to spend well over $2000 in out of pocket expenses per year, and don't you dare loose your job, because it will be a pre-existing condition on any new insurance policy.

You can do a lot to prevent diabetes... most experts say it is almost totally preventable in "most people"... it is a lifestyle disease in many, many cases. Here is what you can do:

- Exercise!!!! - even if you don't like it... it is proven to decrease blood sugar
- Loose Weight !!!- over 90% of diabetics are overweight
- Decrease your calorie intake and saturated fat intake- again proven to prevent
- have an annual physical and listen to your physician as they talk you about your risk

All of us can do these things.

Besides the cost, it can also be a faith issue... remember glutony, your body as a temple, etc.

If you do develop diabetes, it is not the end of the world.... there are great treatments and it does not have to limit your life style... but it will cost you, and it can only be treated, and it will be with you for the rest of your life.

Just some random thought about something you probably don't care about, but now you know.

Video links you can view

2009-08-23T22:43:00.004-05:00

The following is a link, I believe you will able to click that will take you to the ELCA Assembly site, with several videos that might help describe where we are right now:

http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Office-of-the-Secretary/ELCA-Governance/Churchwide-Assembly/Multimedia/Webcasts/Friday.aspx

If clicking on does not work, you can "copy" the address into your broswer address bar.

Bishop Hanson's Pastoral Response to Friday's Decision

2009-08-23T22:20:00.002-05:00

The following is the Pastoral Response by Bishop Mark Hanson.... The whole Assembly, and I mean whole Assembly stood and embraced this response. It was emotional for him as he gave it, as it was emotional as he closed the Assembly on Saturday. I will update the other decisions over the next day or two.

Here is the Pastoral Response.... please take time to read it... I know it is long, but it really is an awesome response.

After the ministry policies vote on Friday evening, Presiding
Bishop Mark S. Hanson delivered the following message:

I want to share some words. As one you have called to serve
as pastor of this church, I have been standing here thinking about
my 23 years as a parish pastor and how differently I would go
into various contexts. Gathering with a family or a group of
people who had just experienced loss, or who perhaps were
wondering if they still belonged, or in fact felt deeply that ones
to whom they belong had been severed from them, I would
probably turn to words such as Romans 8:

Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes,
who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who
indeed intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the
love of Christ? [. . .] For I am convinced that neither
death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present,
nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth,
nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate
us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord
(Romans 8:34–35, 38–39).

But then I thought, what if I were going into a family, a
group, or a community that had always wondered if they
belonged, and suddenly now had received a clear affirmation that
they belonged? All of the wondering about the dividing walls
and feelings of separation seem to have dropped away. That
would be a very different conversation. I would probably read
to them out of Ephesians:

But now in Christ Jesus, you who were once far off
have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he
is our peace; in his flesh, he has made both groups into
one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the
hostility between us. [. . .] In him, the whole structure
is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the
Lord; in whom you also are built together spiritually
into a dwelling place for God (Ephesians 2:13–14,
21–22).

But then I thought, what if those two groups were together,
but also in their midst were those who had neither experienced
loss nor the feeling of the dividing wall of separation coming
down, but were worried whether all that had occurred might
sever the unity that is ours in Christ, and might be wondering if
their actions might have contributed to reconciliation or
separation? If all those people were together in a room, I would
read from Colossians:

As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe
yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility,
meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if
anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each
other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also
must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love,
which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which
indeed you were called in the one body. And be
thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,
teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with
gratitude in your hearts, sing psalms, hymns, and
spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word
or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through him
(Colossians 3:12–17).

That passage gives invitation and expectation that those
deeply disappointed today will have the expectation and the
freedom to continue to admonish and to teach in this church.
And so, too, those who have experienced reconciliation today are
called to humility. You are called to clothe yourselves with love.
But we are all called to let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts,
remembering again and again that we are called in the one body.
I will invite you tomorrow afternoon into important, thoughtful,
prayerful conversations about what all of this means for our life
together. But what is absolutely important for me is that we have
the conversation together.

I ended my oral report with these words: “We finally meet
one another not in our agreements or our disagreements, but at
the foot of the cross, where God is faithful, where Christ is
present with us, and where, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we
are one in Christ.”

Let us pray. Oh, God, gracious and holy, mysterious and
merciful, we meet this day at the foot of the cross, and there we
kneel in gratitude and awe that you have loved us so much that
you would give the life of your son so that we might have life in
his name. Send your Spirit this night, the Spirit of the risen
Christ that has been breathed into us. May it calm us. May your
Spirit unite us. May it continue to gather us. In Jesus’ name,

AMEN.

Grabbed by the Spirit - the Monumental Day of the Assembly

2009-08-23T21:36:00.007-05:00

I have waited a few days to to consider what to say about the final few days of the Assembly, especially the events of Friday. I am home in St. Joseph as I write this and and still tired and honestly, I feel somewhat emotionally drained.

Friday was an extremely late day.... but a day topped off by a concert given by Peter Mayer, the guitarist with Jimmy Buffett. Peter was raised by Lutheran Missionaries to Asia and does an awesome concert! It was a time for gathering and community.

Bottom line... Friday's decision by the voters at the Assembly was to allow for the ordination and "rostering"of those individuals in committed, life-long, monogamous same-gender relationships. Remember that our previous position was that same-gender individuals could be ordained and "rostered", but they had to remain celibate. Our vote changed that policy and practice. Because it is a policy, it did not require a 2/3rd majority... but only a simple majority. The policy also allows for those congregations who choose so, to call "rostered" individual. Our vote was 55% in favor.

What I was struck by was the solemn atmosphere of the Assembly following the vote. The side advocating for this change had been urging this change for over a decade.... While there was obviously great joy, it was obvious that there was respect for those who where left with feelings of loss and perhaps a new feeling of separation. There were no protests before or after the decision on by either side.

I struggled greatly with my own personal vote... truly torn and conflicted between the traditional teachings of the church and traditional readings of the written Word... and where many firmly feel the Spirit was taking us. I was reminded through the process of hearing individuals on both sides (very convincing and scriptural arguments), that as Lutherans, we read and hear the written Word, through the lens of the Living Word, or in other words, through the lens of the Gospel.

Jacob is cool! Grandpa is proud!

2009-08-21T06:10:00.004-05:00

I have loved spending time seeing Jacob this week... although not enough! Kris is getting lots of good pictures and they will be posted as soon as I get time....

My days here are truly long.... I leave around 6:45 and get back to Andy's house usually around 8:00pm.... and I am tired and drained. Next time, maybe Kris can be the delegate, and I can babysit.

Not nearly enough time with Jacob...but when he sees me boy does he smile. WOW! Makes a grandpa proud.

Prayer Request

2009-08-21T06:05:00.002-05:00

I sent out on Facebook earlier this week a prayer request for my work partner and friend Lance Hughes.

Lance was told Monday that he as a tumor on his brain stem... told Tuesday it was inoperable and it can not be biopsied. He had surgery this week to have a shut put in, draining fluid off his brain. Currently, there is no treatment plan. He will be discharged Saturday and then sometime over the next 2 weeks he will go to the Mayo Clinic for a treatment plan.

Please keep Lance and his wife Summer in your prayers! I love this guy!!

Fed by the Spirit - Day 4 of the Assembly

2009-08-21T04:59:00.003-05:00

Legislative action- the kind of stuff that can be very tedious filled the day. Hearing reports... listening to amendments begin debated back and forth.... often with people saying the same thing, but in their own way.... but, bottom line, this is why we are here.... so on we went.

There is really a lot to do, so the Assembly had to buy us dinner, to keep us going. The days continue to filled with prayer, music and work!

Today we passed a resolution - 95% voted yes to have "full communion" with the United Methodist Church (UMC)... sharing ministries, resources and pastors. After 30 years of discussion, we found no substantive differences that are church dividing.

95% voted in favor of a resolution regarding the need for improved access to healthcare by all... noting this is a justice issue

The implementing resolutions regarding the social statement on human sexuality was passed by a 67% vote.

A block of bylaw changes were made by a 95% vote.

Support for Lutheran Disaster Response and the need for a strategic plan was passed by 92%, noting the increased dependence on LDR in disasters... a vital ministry between the ELCA and the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod... but noting that financial support from both bodies has made it difficult for LDR to be adequately funded.

One of the side notes of interest was the receiving of the report of 3 pastors who set out on a mission 100 days ago -- to end hunger and poverty in the world by raising $5 million for the ELCA World Hunger Appeal... we were the final stop of the Tour de Revs. The tour was not about records, but about revelation, revolution and revenue. The revelation is that there are over 2,100 verses in Scripture where God says that there shall be no poor or hungry; feed my people and eliminate injustice."

They rode more than 10,000 miles and made 66 stops, including a stop in each of the 65 Synods of the ELCA. Their journey ended Aug. 20 at the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly.

The trio does not have a final number on how much money they raised, but have been told that it could be more than $300,000 and..."The funds are coming in faster than ELCA World Hunger can count it". We were told of a donation they had received from a homeless woman in San Diego who collected 551 pennies discarded in the streets to give to their cause.

Even though the trio wasn't didn't reach their fundraising goal as of today they said the tour was a success. What they really wanted people to do was raise awareness.

We were reminded that we have the resources to fight poverty and end hunger. The question is do we have the desire....because after all, it is God's work.... and if is God's work, we are God's hands!

Lets spend more time on work like this!

....The day was long and I am tired..... torn between the desire to do that work that I was sent to do and to spend time with my family here in Minneapolis... especially my grandson Jacob. Tomorrow night is a time of rejoicing with a concert by Peter Mayer the long time lead guitarist with Jimmy Buffett... music does fill our time.- Jacob will be here at the concert- an early introduction to good music.

Gulping in the Spirit - Day Three of the Assembly

2009-08-19T20:49:00.003-05:00

As I left the parking garage and walked to the convention center, I walked through and around several choirs- both organized and some spontaneous, singing great hymns of faith. It was an inspiring way to begin the day. Each day we begin with worship and song, followed by a full communion service at 11:30am... then periodically throughout the day we sing and pray... song and prayer really do help one's focus. In between, we do the legislative work of the church.

I began my personal day today, reading Romans chapters 9 and 10... I just opened my bible, and these were the texts that God gave to me this morning.... "So it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God who shows mercy".... These chapters and this verse set me firm in the day. Then, our Central States Synod Bishop gathered us... we from Kansas and Missouri for a strengthening word of prayer and intercession...

Today was a big day. We passed for our HIV/AIDs strategy- with a 10 million dollar goal. This is a big deal, as it relates to poverty and the marginalization of those individuals within our society. This initiative will address funding for prevention, treatment and care. This passed with a 96% majority.

We voted with a 92% majority to have our church advocate for changes in immigration policies and processes and to urge suspension of immigration raids... after hearing the devastation these raids bring to families and communities.

It was a 99% majority that passed a directive to have the church increase the amount of worship and education materials available in Braille, large print and other forms of technology for the visually impaired.

Our Bible Study this afternoon re-rooted our Lutheran way to approach the Bible... where we experience the Word as Law, the Word as Gospel and the Word that delivers Christ to us.

Finally, after much discussion on amendments and changes, this Assembly of the ELCA passed the Social Statement on Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust. It was evident that there is no consensus, but the Assembly spoke. It required a 2/3rd majority to pass, and the vote was a 66.67% majority.... probably passed by 1 or 2 individual votes.

I note that I have had tears in my eyes numerous times over the past 3 days... tears of joy and sorrow... listening to the opinions voiced by others who obviously have strong passions... listening to the Word, and being consoled by the Holy Spirit.... The Spirit really does console!!!

I have eaten, spoken and worshiped with people on both extremes... I have spoken with theologians, current synodical Bishops and with a former Bishop of the ECLA... I have communed with a gay pastor with a church in downtown San Francisco...The tears I have shed have been for people on all sides of this issue... and what I am sad about, is that this statement has so much to say about our stance as a church on issues of sexual exploitation, the explosion of sexuality in advertising and the film industry, cohabitation, marriage and trust in relationships, yet our focus was on the issues of homosexuality. A link to the statement can be found at ELCA.org.- then to "What We Believe", then to "Social Issues". I would encourage you to read it for yourself, especially the first several pages that lay the foundation for our "uniquely Lutheran approach to this issue".

The statement has passed and we as a church will move on. What I am encouraged by is that the leaders of Lutheran CORE, the primary organizing group against this statement have stated, and have told me personally that this should not divide the church.... In spite of all of our differences, these men and women love the church....

I guess, bottom line is that I am so proud of who we are as a church. We are not perfect, but in spite of our differences, we are truly trying to live out our faith... focused on the One who first loved us... Jesus Christ.

We in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America are doing good things... In our churches you will hear the Gospel preached... and you are sent to reflect God's love in the world. We really can and do make an impact on the world...

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America... God's Work, Our Hands.

Breath in the Spirit- Day 2 of the Assembly

2009-08-19T06:14:00.003-05:00

Again, I am awestruck with the presence of the Spirit... and the amount of time people are actually taking in preparing statements to make and the time we are spending in prayer... by my count we had 8 times of prayer yesterday, and there was a motion made yesterday afternoon to include a time for silent prayer every 20 minutes... which we will do.

The Lutheran Malaria initiative passed yesterday with I remember was a 98 or 99% majority.... this is a initiative we are joining with the LCMS and Lutheran World Federation to purposefully eliminate Malaria... the source of which is rooted in poverty. We are linking with our work in Aids and TB. The work begins with fundraising and then grants to projects in basically sub-sahara Africa... then will spread to other areas of the world. I underestimated the expanse of this work. It will literally take some 5 to 7 years for this initiative to play itself out.

Much of the day was spent hearing thoughts from delegates on the Social Statement on Human Sexuality... the feelings are polarized. The rules call for opinions being offered both pro and con in an alternating fashion. We hear from pastors and lay, theologians and farmers... opinions and thoughts well thought out, read and spoken from the heart. The delegates truly represent the full expression of the church.

I heard a term that I loved... "we are grabbed by Grace"... think about it. Several persons talked about the story of Philip and the eunuch, with several different twists on the story.

I attended a hearing on the Book of Faith initiative... more on that when I return to St. Joseph... but I am excited to hear stories of others churches as we move towards being a Book of Faith church. This is an exciting initiative that we started 2 years ago, and frankly I did not know much about. We as the church have some great and awesome resources developed for use in the local church... talking about increased use of podcasts and iphone applications for access to the bible and devotionals...some great new DVD's etc...

The days have been long... I leave at 7:00am and return at 11:00 pm... but it is really is worth it.

I have been renewed by the stories of others... convinced that God's Spirit is at work.. moved by the Spirit's presence in our midst.... and very proud of the whole church. Are we the perfect church... by no means... Do we have some tough issues... you bet we do. But you can not be here and not be proud of who we are.

God's Work... Our Hands

Breath in the Spirit- the first day of the Assembly

2009-08-18T06:26:00.002-05:00

As the 11th Assembly of the ELCA began, we worshiped. It was an awesome worship, the music was great and the Spirit was present! The Bishop encouraged us to "breathe deep" God's Spirit and reminded us that we are sent to bear witness of the crucified and risen Christ- reminded us that it is "God's Work, Our Hands"... and so the assembly began.

The Bishop is engaging, professional and humorous. He shows great warmth and compassion... he is a very good leader... just my observations.

Did you know that 20 years ago at the 1st ELCA Assembly, the Today Show broadcast from it's midst?

The first evening's order of business was that adoption of the rules of the assembly. Two major topics dominated the evening:

The limiting of speaking from 3 min to 2 min... passed, noting it was prejudicial to pastors
The effort to require a 2/3rd vote on the Ministerial Practice policy... it failed

I am struck by the presence of the Holy Spirit and the very purposeful effort to include the Spirit in our discussions.

Is Your Savings Huring the Economy?

2009-08-10T08:22:00.008-05:00

Is the economy improving... I certainly hope so, and it looks like it. But there might be another way to look at it... and will your own increase in savings hurt the recovery?

Stock prices are up, monthly job loss numbers are down, unemployment is leveling out... things look good. My own retirement funds are in a lot better shape than they were 6 months ago. I am saving more... spending less, just like millions of others have started doing over the past year. Are we out of the woods? I do not know.... but I do wonder...

As I have been thinking about it, what we may be seeing right now is just a natural re-stocking of the "inventory pipeline". Remember last fall, when the economy tanked... companies stopped making things, because they could not get financing, and inventory levels were at all time highs. Companies laid people off because they could not pay them and they did not need them. But, even though we stopped making things, we kept on buying things already in the inventory pipeline. By about May, that pipeline started to empty out, and companies started to go back to work... starting to produce things that people wanted to buy. Demand slightly improved.

So, what we may have is a natural recovery going on in the economy, but at the same times the stimulus money started to flow... may just a coincidence.

If that is true, and the move towards economic stabilization we see is the result of the handling of the inventory levels, and the beginning to rebuild that inventory, the question is, are people going to start spending again at the levels that they have spent over the past 20 years... before late 2008?

The answer is important because if they don't, yes, we may start manufacturing to meet some immediate pent-up consumption demand.... but if consumption in the future is only going to be 50% to 60% of the economy rather then the 70% that it was before the current recession, it will be a very long time before you are going to see the kind of employment figures we have had in the past.

The current move towards decreased spending and increased savings on the personal level may be good for the individual, but it really could wreck havoc for the economy at large.

Just my thoughts.

Financial Tip- Grocery Shopping

2009-08-06T21:50:00.002-05:00

Did you know that most grocery stores have about a 12 week cycle for things to go on sale. While it is not a hard and fast rule, if you are like me and you have your favorite and routine purchases you like to make, and getting them on sale makes you tingle with shear joy....

Well, buy a 3 month supply, and then watch for the sales again in about 3 months. Just ask Kris how many weeks of Diet Rite we have stashed away in the garage. I hate having to pay more than about $2.50 per 12 pack. Most items don't go on sale more than once every 3 months.

Don't over do it. Stick to those things important to you, and if the savings at the sale price are substantial. But above all, do not let things spoil. I once bought about 6 months worth and ended up learning alot about the shelf life of "splenda" in the cola... it was nasty.

Daughter Jenni Moving to Town

2009-08-05T21:38:00.002-05:00

After two years of trying to sell their house, Jenni and James are moving to St. Joseph from Cameron. After a whirlwind of looking at houses they picked one on the next street over from us.

It will be handy to have them close to help dog sit on our various trips. I doubt if we will see them any more often, but they are obviously fulfilling their appointed obligations from Chad and Andy to be the token ones to take care of us as we get on in age.

We are glad their daily 90 mile round trip is soon to be over.

Earning, Saving and Giving

2009-08-04T11:07:00.003-05:00

There is an article in the Summer 2009 issue of Creighton University Magazine by Ken Washer, Associate Professor of Finance. Dr. Washer starts with theologian John Wesley's preaching: "Earn all you can , Save all you can, Give all you can".

Dr. Washer questions whether or not we have become a nation of "Borrow all you can, Spend all you can, Receive all you can"? These traits seem to be becoming prevalent in our society and I believe can challenge a person of faith in their attitudes towards debt, savings and charity.

I see people with debt that is un-real, who at the same time spend virtually every penny they have on needless "stuff", while at the same time try to scheme on how to qualify for disability or some other hand out program. I know of people who simply are not willing to work hard or to work long hours. They can claim they can't find jobs, yet this past week I entered 6 different establishments with help wanted signs in the window.

It is all too easy to become very jaded. It appears that we really are a nation headed just opposite to Wesley's call... but that need not be the case for people of faith... people who seek to the the hands of Christ in our society.

Dr. Wash sums up his article with the following thoughts:

- A society that works... produces good and services that improve the quality for virtually everyone's life

- A society that saves.... provides funds for others to purchase a house, fund an education or expand a business

- A society that gives.... understands that some people are not able to provide for themselves and need a helping hand

Dr. Washer has summed up my basic thoughts about the whole subject of money and the role of the economy. It is what I have tried to teach my kids.... it really is as simple as that. This approach to your money and work is a "faith response" to all that God has provided for you.

"John Wesley was indeed correct when he preached to earn all you can through honest labor, save all you can through disciplined spending and give all you can to worthy causes. When we live these things, we not only benefit ourselves, but we benefit the world". - Ken Washer, DBA, CFA

Makes me think that I should spend a little more time understanding other things Wesley wrote about. I might have to move him right up there with old Marty.

Some Random Thoughts About Things That Are Important !

2009-07-30T09:56:00.005-05:00

Last week Kris got to spend the whole week babysitting for Jacob in Minnesota. She drove up on Sunday and I had to stay back to help with the yearly inventory at the store... it is one of those big things I have learned you should not miss. After inventory, I flew up on Thursday afternoon. During the flights and layovers, I jotted down some random thoughts. They are important, at least to me.

- Airports with free wifi are great for those times when you just have to sit, and the iPhone is great to play with.... however, airports without free wifi really suck.... there were places at Midway in Chicago where I did not have access. It made the wait longer.

- Another observation is that my air travel consumed over 6 hours of waiting and flying... driving to Minnesota takes just over 6 hours. And seriously, I was just as tired / relaxed. I probably wont do that again.

- I am tired of hearing how the changes in the credit card laws will hurt you. That is just plain fear mongering... if you pay your bill on time and pay it off in full, no big deal! Hey, my cards even lengthened the grace period. If you don't like your card, get a new one.

- I believe in free markets... they work. However, the free market in healthcare might not be such a good thing. Think of it, as a country, and individually, we pay more for healthcare than anybody else. Yet, our outcomes, those objective measures of health, show that we are no more healthy the others. We pay a lot, but don't get objective benefit. With the current system, you get choice, but yet the choice costs more, and you don't get more. It just doesn't make sense. We all want the newest drug or treatment, yet so often the older drug or treatment works just as well. So... there just might be a better way to look at things!

- You should not have to loose your health insurance if you loose your job. Let's take health insurance out of the employment relationship. Your employer does not pay for your car insurance or home owner's insurance. In those areas, the free market works. But as long as we provide the bulk of health insurance through the workplace, we will have way too many who do not have insurance because you cant afford it on your own.

- Executive compensation should be tied to risk and reward. If you take a risk with your company that leads to success, reward it. If you take a risk and it fails, the executive team should be a serious risk in compensation. That would lead to better decisions for the business. Some companies already do that... look at Best Buy and Costco. You can be rewarded richly for good decisions, but most of your salary is at risk, so you make those good decisions.

These are just my random thoughts.

Where I have been

2009-07-30T08:59:00.007-05:00

Time to update what we have been doing for the past month or so... Haven't updated facebook or the blog for way too long. Too much to do and way too little time. But the summer has been fun!

Jeff went to Colorado with Scott W, his 3 son-in laws and our son Chad for Jeff''s annual "Man Trip". Awesome trip. We climbed around Long's Peak with the frozen lake at the base of the infamous 'diamond face'. We just missed seeing a cougar and it's cub by 20 minutes. The scenery was great. We had great conversations. Ate well. We stayed at Glacier Lodge in Estes Park, where the Langdon clan as gathered for the past 16 years. This is the first year we have missed! The owners really let us know we were missed this summer. Staying there is like going back to Grandma's house.

It was just a good overall trip. I will be planning my next years trip soon. Possibilities include back to Colorado or trying canoing in the Boundary Waters in Minnesota.

Father's Day Gift

2009-06-23T09:40:00.006-05:00

Father's day came and went as usual... I don't really know what to make of it. When two of your children are distanced, you look forward to the calls, but in reality, I tend not to make a big deal about it. It is just another day. In fact, everyday is a great day to be a father, seriously!

To me, gifts are relatively unimportant (hear that kids....) Receiving gifts is not one of my "love languages". Spending quality time and hearing words of affirmation from family and friends are so much more meaningful to me. As such, I do have looked forward to the cards over the years... what are they really trying to tell me? Are they sincere? Is that how they really feel?

This year, my daughter Jennifer wrote me a letter....

"Some say imitation is the highest form of flattery. It that’s the case, prepare to be flattered! Here is a list of 10 things that I catch myself doing that I could have only learned from the best – you!

1. We change the lyrics to songs, even if we know the real words
2. Instead of cleaning, we make piles and swear to put them away later, which we eventually do
3. Occasionally, we might possible slightly overreact about small things
4. We sing to the instrumental parts of songs with dos and dums
5. Once we’ve experienced something great, we can't wait to share it with others, trying mercilessly to convince them to try it for themselves
6. We don’t really use the recommended measurements in recipes when we cook (your creations generally turn out better then mine do)
7. Of course, we both beg and plead to have our backs and feet rubbed
8. Once we’ve been someplace once, we can get there again without any directions. We’re just talented that way
9. Our canker sores really bother us, so people are advised to steer clear, lest they want to endure the grumpy moods that are sure to come along with those devilish mouth sores
10. This one I’m ashamed to admit to, but we keep our eyes peeled for anyone who know or might even recognize, as we are out and about. Obviously, we usually stop to say hi when we see someone we know.

So I know people usually say that I’m a lot like Mom, but they don’t know the truth. We really are a lot alike and I wouldn’t change it for the world. I love you, Dad

- signed Jen Jen "

I am glad I have a legacy to pass on. I am so proud of all three of my kids.... proud in so many different ways. And as a father I burst with pride when someone says they see me in them... and then to have them admit to it, well that is really awesome! And at the risk of boasting, the qualities that Jenni listed are really cool! They are among the things I want to pass on! Not all, but some of the things.

As a mother or as a father, you can only hope and pray that you had a positive impact of the lives of your children. For me, this letter from Jenni is some evidence of my impact. I pray that as my children raise their own children that they will be so lucky.

Living in Community

2009-05-29T07:02:00.002-05:00

During this past few weeks Kris and I both had the opportunity to spend some personal time with a member of our congregation who just passed away yesterday. And while we have not been particularly close during the past 30 some years, strangely, that has changed over the past year or so. Sadly, we probably did not know her as well as she knew us.

Joann started to have Kris do her hair about a year ago, and slowly our relationship changed. Ed started to have me fill their prescriptions. Joann told Kris how much they both honor and respect us. Wow, news to us, we never knew. Ed has started to even stop by weekly at the store just to say hello. We have discovered that they are not the people who we thought they were. Somehow, we changed, or they changed… more likely than not, we all changed.

Now, just when we had begun this new friendship or relationship, Joann developed cancer. She faded quickly. Early on, Ed would continue to bring Joann in to have her hair done, but that did not last long. Joann told Kris that we was ready to meet her maker, and did not fear the end. During the past few months, Ed had stopped in almost daily, and I saw the tears in his eyes. He shared some of his deepest emotions. Joann and Ed both were able to talk about their faith… pretty hard for old Lutherans. We too often keep our faith to ourselves… we think that it is a private thing, hard to share. In the end, it became easier for Joann.

I remember telling Kris last week that Ed and I agreed that she would not last long, maybe another week at the most. We were right.

Joann will be missed! Ed has joined the growing group of other widows and widowers at church. He will grieve. Kris and I will both grieve. The community at church will grieve that loss of Joann. The world will not be the same. As I write this, I realize that we were better friends than I even imagined. Strangely, I feel that I will morn Ed’s loss of his wife Joann more than I have mourned for anyone in a long time.

On Sunday, we had the opportunity to show off our grandson Jacob to our friends at church. Andy and Becky spent the weekend with us. It was really awesome to be able to share with our church community the joy we have and to see the real joy that they expressed in our new addition. Kris stood up to show off Jacob to all. Friends circled our little family and came up to see and to hold Jacob and to congratulate the proud grandparents. It was real community in action.

I use the word community often. I love the word…both its overt meaning and also all of the wonderful complexities of the word. I firmly believe that God calls us into community. Pastor Lenander reminded us in his sermon on Sunday that it is in community where we share with others. He reminded us that in community, together we share great joys and we share great sorrows. I have found that it is in community were sorrow meets joy.

Just as this community of believers embraced our family on Sunday, the community will also circle around Ed and embrace him. We will do this because that is what you do when you are a part of a community. That is what community is. We are community. We are in community with God. Living in community is a faith response to the God who first loved us.

God is God

2009-05-28T10:17:00.003-05:00

We went to a musical program last night put on by a group of youth called "Mansion Builders" from Stamford, NE. They are a choir from rural communities around Stamford and have been touring the midwest for 19 years. The program "My Generation: A Truth Story" was great. It focused on the issues and problem that many youth of this generation face. Great music.... great dialogue...great message.

One of the songs was a rendition of a Steven Curtis Chapman song from a number of years ago... "God is God". The refrain is:

God is God and I am not
I can only see a part of the picture He’s painting
God is God and I am man
So I’ll never understand it all
For only God is God

A good reminder for all, especially when things don't go in your the way you want them to. We are reminded that we have a God who walks with us, and is there for us, in spite of our own attempts to control.

Dont let a good stroller go to waste

2009-05-25T17:08:00.005-05:00

Our new grandson really doesn't like his stroller. We were trying to take a walk with little Jake, his parents and their dog Rocket. Jacob made it real clear that his idea of a walk was not riding in the stroller... so Andy put the stoller to good use. Langdon dogs have always been spoiled.

New Pictures of Jacob

2009-05-24T10:59:00.002-05:00

Financial Tip of the Week

2009-05-24T06:18:00.003-05:00

Financial Tip #4

Keep a financial reserve.... enough money put aside for an emergency.

I do not know what your emergency will be, but you will have one. Ours was the loss of our beloved van.

We had planned to keep it running for years to come. But alas it died. So.... we needed cash, like right now!

The choice was a used van or a new van. As we reviewed in Quicken what we had truly spent on repairs to the van over the years, no matter how much we loved the van, the styling, and upholstery, the ride, etc.... it became obvious that we were really just emotionally attached. The van had cost us way too much money in repairs over the years. So, buying another Chrysler Town and Country simply did not make much sense.

Our friends have have Honda Odysseys over the years and have loved them. So we priced out a used one through numerous dealers in the Kansas City area. Wow, they really depreciate slowly, just like my friend Steve said. Not like the used Chrysler products we also looked at.

But, if we were to spend that much, lets just toy with a new van... and low and behold, dealers really are willing and anxious to make a deal during this economy, just to sell a car. We are able to get a new Honda Odyssey for almost the same money as a 2 year old one would cost.

Bottom line, the money in our emergency savings went a long way to help pay for the van and the dealer gave me $2000 for my old van, which they had to go get from the repair shop. Not a bad deal!

The importance of the emergency savings was obvious to us. Now we will spend time this year building it back up. Without it, we would be looking at a 6% car loan and would have probably settled for a used van, and still would have spent about the exact same money.

The emergency savings you build will help in real emergencies as well as help you make better financial decisions when they are needed.

The Van is Dead... Bummer!

2009-05-14T21:25:00.005-05:00

Just when you think things are going smooth in life, there is often something that comes around the corner you did not expect... and whoosh, the air is taken out of your sails.

We are really a spoiled lot. Our culture and way of life almost demands that a couple have 2 vehicles. We often work at different times. We are involved in different things at church. Kris has her Pilate's... I have my bible study, etc. When we have had a car in the shop for some repair, we really struggle on the schedule, making sure that we coordinate our activities.

Last week our van died. It was almost 9 years old, but it looked great! We have everything on it that we need and want. It as relatively low mileage. It has new tires, battery, on-board computer, power windows.... we felt, what else could go wrong. It will last another 100,000 miles. It was going to continue to be our trip car. But no.....

Last week James and Jen we driving the van home from a Trivia fund-raiser evening at our church. Kris was riding home with me... (2 cars, because of our schedules). The van suddenly lost power . We caught up with them and I managed to get the van to our favorite car repair place.

Our mechanic JR spent a week trying to fix the poor puppy. The computer codes gave him a start on what was wrong. We put in a new manifold injector, but the thing would not idle. It is bad news when your mechanic calls you and says, "we have to talk.... in person!" Bottom line, the wiring harness burned up... a short somewhere along caused the wires to literally melt and fuse together. The problem is that a wiring harness itself cost about $1700, then it can take up to 12 plus hours to install it test all of the numerous electrical sensors. His last job similar to this cost about $5000. Then there would be the problem of what else in the electrical system got fried because of the obvious electrical surge. It cost me over $1000 to come to that conclusion.

Clearly, no matter how attached you are to a material object, no matter what the emotions are, you have to be real. The blue book value of the van is only $3500 or so. If we put $5000 into it, it had better last a real, real, real long time, and give you a lot of pleasure.

One option was to purchase another "junked" van and use it for parts, and do it myself...NOT! This is something that my good friend Scott would have loved to tinker with, and spend countless weeknights playing with, but I feel very confident that his wife Shari would have hated to have him spending time on, and would have cursed me endlessly.

So, the van is dead... bummer. Got to find a new van. I read somewhere that a very sizable number of minivans are bought by empty-nesters. As Kris and I have debated on what to do, we have come to the conclusion that we too will get another minivan. They are just too practical and comfortable on the road. Also, that way others can continue to enjoy taking road trips with us.

So, the hunt for a new minivan is on. Make your reservations with us soon. Tickets are available.

Vacancy Light is On

2009-05-08T06:01:00.004-05:00

Our friend Kim and her 3 little ones are leaving today for Lincoln after spending the past 3 weeks with us. They have joined the litany of friends and strangers that have been invited to find respite, comfort and sanctuary at Jeff and Kris's "Appletree Inn" over the years.

Our guests have been those who are “in transition” in their lives, those who simply need a place to stay for an extended period because of a job or education, and sadly, those who need shelter from an abusive relationship.

They have been family like our niece Angie and her family who live in Bolivia. They have been seminary students doing an internship at Heartland Regional Medical Center. There have been others like the young lady with her daughter leaving a husband who was abusing them. Our pastor has sent us strangers who just needed a place to stay for the summer. This list goes on.

I remember that when I was a child, our family would on occasion take in people to stay with us. One I remember was Dr. Nelson Trout, a pastor who later became the first black bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and a seminary professor at Trinity Lutheran Seminary. He would stay with us whenever he came thru town, However, these were all very short stays. I don't know where Kris and I picked up our inkeepers role.

However, we have always been richly blessed over the years by those who have stayed with us, and we hope that they have been blessed by us. We only had one guest who really, I mean really outstayed her welcome.

We will miss Kim and the kids. The neighbor girls have certainly enjoyed the extra kids to play with over the past month. They have provided additional distractions for our dogs…. Cooper and Moses, as well as our doggy guests, Bailey and Gibson who belong to daughter Jenni. The house will be much too quiet when they leave.

But there is a downside to all of our company.

There are two basic reasons one owns dogs. The first is companionship. Our dogs do companionship very well. The second is often security. Dogs are supposed to be good “watch dogs”. They are supposed to alert you when someone comes to the door. Our dogs do that very well, thank you. The issue is that once you are in the house, our dogs are probably so accustomed to the many others in their lives, that they basically know no stranger.

I guess that should provide solace to the next guests that we have.

Come on in. The upstairs is ready for you. Make yourself at home. Just turn off the lights when you tuck yourself in. Don’t mind the dogs. Lock up when you leave.

A No Guilt Margarita

2009-05-03T22:00:00.005-05:00

When we were on the cruise, we indulged in the fine art of the Margarita. Jeff has always enjoyed them… we have a couple Mexican restaurants here that do a pretty awesome Margarita. Kris has tried a strawberry Margaritas in the past, but seems to really have gotten into the real thing on this trip.

While in Galveston, we went to a restaurant called Tortugas on Sunday evening and had an awesome top shelf Margarita. Kris had asked about the drink specials, and we were told to that on Mondays, they have Margaritas for $1.50 until 5pm. Our cruise was scheduled to start boarding at 1:30, so it would appear that we would miss the Monday drink specials.

But, a bargain is a bargain, and a special is a special. One Jeff''s favorite things to do is to save money....So guess what, Monday morning before the cruise was to leave at about 3pm, we were at Tortuga’s at 11:30 for drinks and a little light lunch. Again, very Yummy!

Now, because the drinks on the cruise are expensive, we limited ourselves. But at the cooking school in Mexico, the Margaritas and Pina Coladas flowed freely and were free! So we partook freely too.

The downside of that is that we both came back home with a renewed thirst for more. Jeff took daughter Jenni for a Margarita at 10pm one night while Kris was in Minnesota. Yumm!

However, as the scales have testified, Margaritas are not known as a low calorie drink. In fact, the typical Margarita is just over 500 calories. So, you can not indulge without significant guilt and putting on excess poundage… neither of which we need or want in our lives.

So, with a little experimentation, Jeff came up with a diet and low- calorie Margarita.

2oz tequila
1oz triple sec
½ oz Lime Juice
½ oz Lemon Juice
Fresca – add to taste

This makes 2 drinks- add shaved ice or serve on the rocks. Rub a lime slice around the rim of the glass and dip in a plate of salt.

The Fresca adds some sparkle, and no calories. This should end up being about 70 calories per drink. Varying the amount or ratio of tequila and triple sec will vary the taste, but this is what we ended up preferring. We even went out and bought some Margarita style glasses.

Next, we will try adding some strawberry Crystal Light and some berry pieces for variety, with sugar on the rims.

Let us know when you want to come over for some cool drinks.

Financial Tip of the Week

2009-04-29T06:34:00.009-05:00

Financial Tip #3
Know where your money is going, or it will control you!
That means tracking what you spend and where you spend it !!!

As I preached to my children, one of the most powerful tools we have in life is the ability to choose. We all make choices. Some of those choices are good and some are poor (my kids can tell you about our talks about poor choices). Regardless of the choices made, however, there are always consequences to our choices. One of the most important choices we all make is how we spend our money.

I have been using Quicken for the past 14 years. I track every major and minor expense we have. I can tell you how much I have spent on McDonalds each year (way too much). I can tell you how much gasoline I have purchased each year... and can provide evidence that in spite of the high gas prices last year, the real impact was not that great! I can tell you exactly how old our hot tub is and what it cost... and what the yearly cost is over the life of the hot tub, and can tell you that a replacement is about the same cost as the original in today's dollars, even though it appears to cost much more.

The point is, that I do not believe you can make appropriate choices in life without data, and a way to turn data into information. With information and data, you can make decisions on how spend less or save more, and the choices become easy... and I would dare say much better.

When we first got married 34 years ago, my brother-in-law Emerson gave me a Capital Family Financial Planner. This was way before computers and Excel spreadsheets. It was a manual spreadsheet with various categories to track your expenses on a monthly basis. We used them for several years. You added up the rows and the columns each month and then totaled them for the year. (I recently found a stack of them in the basement...what a blast from the past) But after several years, we stopped... too much work. There were gaps in the months... It just seemed like busy work.

Problem is, as we look back, the many years that we did not track our expenses were the very years that we made some poor choices... or ended up with a lack of choice in our spending because we had no data.

It wasn't until we woke up one day 15 years ago and realized that we were spending every dime we had and had nothing saved, and our kids were rapidly approaching college that we realized that money was controlling our lives and our choices.

I started using Quicken.... and in time became obsessed with it. It gave us control and better choices. It literally changed our world. We finally had control over what we spent.

Regardless of the tool you use, track what you spend. Know where it is going. Then
armed with data and information, you will have the knowledge needed to make appropriate choices.

Your money will never control you or your choices, if you control your money.

A Dream Dashed by a Crash

2009-04-28T19:30:00.005-05:00

For a number of years now, I have toyed with the idea of getting a motorcycle. The thrill of riding down the road with the wind blowing in my hair (oops- too late- no hair!)… Well the thrill of the open road has been really compelling. My neighbor owns a motorcycle shop and I have been known to hang out there to drool and dream. My brother Randy has a new one. Two of my neighbors own them. They all take these great trips on the open road… real freedom. I often moan with envy as they roar down the street.

During this past year I thought that I had moved one step closer to fulfilling this little dream. Kris and I rented mopeds in Estes Park and loved it. Again on Washington Island in Wisconsin we rented mopeds and toured the island at ease, stopping at various beaches, forests, etc. Wow. Even a moped is cool. We didn’t think we looked too goofy with our helmets, etc. I loved it. Hey, Kris loved it.

I thought that I had a chance. In addition to the motorcyclists in our neighborhood of 13 houses, I have 3 other neighbors when own mopeds. They get over 100 miles per gallon. Kris even went to a moped dealer and priced them out with me.

Again, wow- we can get into 2 mopeds for under $2100. What a deal. Just think of the money we could save in gas (one of my favorite things is saving money). I thought I could justify the moped in gas savings… wrong. It would take over 5 years to pay for them in savings, and that was when gas was over $4 per gallon. Do the math. After all, we live in Missouri where it rains and snows.

But still, the lure is compelling. Or at least it was compelling…

On our way back from Texas from our cruise, we were driving thru Dallas. On I-35E as we rounded a curve on a 4 lane interstate, a motorcyclist no more than 40 yards in front of us wiped out. His cycle went careening down the inner lane, and he lay on the pavement, sprawled out, right in my lane.

Kris is screaming at me not to hit him… but there are cars on either side of us, and I am going 70mph. I lay on the horn and slam on the brakes, and veer off just to the left of him…squeezing between him and the car beside me, who moved over too just in time. I seriously almost ran right over him! As we passed him, Kris said that he was obviously bloodied all over his face, and I as looked in the rear view mirror, he was staggering around in various lanes, with cars swerving all over the place.

Kris called 911. She told the operator where we were and what the cross streets/exits were around us. The operator kept asking “are you in the Farmer’s District”. What the heck is a Farmer’s District? I repeated the cross streets to Kris. Same question in reply. The operator finally asked to talk to the driver. I again told her where we were, and the situation… she again asks me if we are in the Farmers District. I said I don’t know what a Farmers District is, and she said that she would transfer me to a 911 operator in the Farmers District. After 2 minutes on hold, I hung up. I have to simply assume that somebody else got help to the poor guy.

Now, as I writing this, the local news is reporting that a motorcyclist wiped out and later died on Highway 36 and I-229 here in St. Joseph.

Finally, I spent some time watching some moped riders the other day… you know, they really are goofy looking motorcycle wannabes.

Now here are the lessons-

1. If you are in Dallas, look for the Farmer’s District (actually it is an area in the Dallas metropolitan area, but why have your own 911 operator in the first place- and by the way, we were nowhere near the Farmer’s District, as our cross streets would have indicated)

2. If you ride a motorcycle you could die (but we all gotta go sometime)

3. Don’t try to justify buying a moped or motorcycle as a way to save money…can’t be done!

4. You won’t be seeing me on a two wheeled vehicle other than my bicycle. Kris won’t let me get a moped, let alone a motorcycle.

5. I am going to keep telling myself that I am way too cool to be seen wearing a goofy helmet and riding a dinky little moped.

He is Risen

2009-04-12T08:13:00.004-05:00

The tomb is empty ! Share the good news.

Jesus Christ is Risen ! Just as He said.

I Missed Good Friday

2009-04-11T20:54:00.003-05:00

This is the first year ever that I have not gone to worship on Good Friday. Kris and I decided last month to take this cruise leaving immediately after Easter Sunday. We knew that we would miss Good Friday... and that seemed ok.

We made it to Maunday Thursday... I sang in the choir and we celebrated the Eucharist. We will worship Easter Sunday at Covenant Lutheran Church in Houston (the pastor there writes a daily devotional I have been reading for over 10 years).

But I really did miss worship! I missed the piece of the rhythm of the liturgical season it is a part of. I missed the black paraments. I missed the somber music. I missed the remembrance of the death of Christ. This morning I read Chad's face book entry where he said "bummer, Jesus died". Sad, but awesome. But today, as I wait for Easter, the rhythm seems off kilter.

I do not believe that I will miss Good Friday again!

I underestimated the importance in my life. This evening as I sit in our motel room, I wait in eager anticipation of the celebration of the Resurrection tomorrow morning!

It is a celebration that I never want to miss.

You Are Created for Good Works in Christ !

2009-04-05T15:41:00.008-05:00

In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, Chapter 2:10 we are reminded that- “We are what God has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life”. One way that we have enjoyed playing out this “way of life” recently has been our involvement in Kiva. We learned about Kiva while listening to a radio podcast during a trip to Yellowstone with our son Chad and his wife Lynde.

Kris and I have just recently funded our 21st loan thru Kiva. Over the past 18 months, we have helped fund loans to people in Togo, Kenya, Pakistan, Cambodia, Bolivia, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, The Dominican Republic, Lebanon, Nicaragua, Viet Nam, Paraguay, Azerbaijan, Indonesia, and Mozambique. Our portion of these loans have been only $25 each, while the total amount of each loan these people have received have ranged from $250 to $2200. We choose to re-loan monies as they are paid back to other recipients.

Our money is pooled with the money from people from around the world to make these loans possible. We have joined people from all across the US, and Poland, Australia, Belgium, Israel, England, South Africa, Chile, Mexico, Canada, Brazil and virtually every other 1st and 2nd world country to make these loans possible. Retirees, newlyweds, workers, students, children, people from all walks of life have joined in these loans. The money has been used for such diverse purposes as buying an additional milk cow, to repairing a taxi, to purchase inventory for a small grocery store, to buy seed for a harvest, to buy a new sewing machine, to buy flour for a bread shop, etc. You get the drift. Important things that make a small business work. Important things that allow parents to earn money to feed their children.

We have been struck by the impact these loans have made to the recipients. These are truly life-changing opportunities. These are real loans, often at interest rates of 20 to 25% versus loans of 30 to 60% in their local regions. What amazes us is the fact that people take these loans seriously. Of the 21 loans we have made, 7 are totally paid back, 13 are making regular payments and are on-time. We have had one loan default, due to the death of the head of the local micro-financing agency. (Simply no one else is there to take over). Loan terms vary from 3 months to 14 months on our loans. Our loans are made to Kiva interest free. They work with local micro-financing agencies to qualify, distribute and receive payments, as well as working as coaches for these small businesses.

Overall, the default rate on loans made thru Kiva is 2.06%... the delinquency rate is 2.09%. I wonder what that has to say about our North American Society. In the 4th quarter of last year, the consumer delinquency rate was almost 3.22%, with 7.88% delinquency in mortgages. The default rate on student loans in this country was 6.9% last quarter and is expected to rise to 9% by the end of 2010. By 2010 the corporate default rate in the US will likely be over 23%. Importantly, very few people here are paying 20 to 25% interest and most of our consumer loans have not been made to buy the things these people are buying with these loans.

Since 2005:
· Total value of all loans made through Kiva $66,650,360
· Number of Kiva lenders worldwide 471,742
· Number of loans made through Kiva 95,392
· Percentage of loans made to women 77,84%

Join us in supporting this work. For more information go to www.Kiva.org or email us for more information.

Massan Aziado our first recipient from Togo in July of 2007

Zainab M.Akram Group from Pakistan - our latest recipients

Who Do You Think You Are...? God ?

2009-04-03T07:17:00.006-05:00

My son Andy made some wonderful comparisons between the relationship Yacob and his parents have with the relationship we have with God. (See his blog for his words…they really are good! Go to www.andyandbecky.com )

It reminded me of the relationship I have with my children and those around me.

and…

It got me thinking about how similar God and I are. Yep, God and I are a lot alike. After all, according to the writer of Genesis, I was made in God’s image (Genesis 1:26). So, there is part of God’s nature that is similar to my own nature. Me, in all my glory …sometimes I act like God, or at least I can claim that God acts like me.

You want evidence; look at some of those wonderful stories in the Old Testament, in particular, the stories in the Pentateuch. Look at how God displays God’s nature. Look at the conversations God has with people like Abraham, Joseph, and Moses.

I have spent the last few weeks reading Numbers. During the wandering in the desert, the people complain of eating nothing else but God’s gift of manna. The people wanted meat… so God says if they want meat, “I’ll give them meat. I will have them eat meat until it comes out of their nostrils”. (Numbers chapter 11). My response exactly. I am sure I used those words or something very similar on my kids on many occasions.

Later in chapter 14, the people grumble again and actually threaten to rebel. This really makes God angry and for the second time during the exodus, God threatens to strike the people down and start all over. Evidently, it was just not worth it. God says in essence, “in spite of all I have done, this is how they pay me back”. The people were just plain ungrateful. God told Moses that he would create a new people from Moses and the faithful remnant, a people who would really appreciate God. My response exactly. My kids acted ungrateful on many occasions, in spite of all that I did for them… I think that I threatened to sell them off or something of that sort.

It takes the arguing and cajoling of Moses to “calm God down” and “bring God back down to earth”. Moses tells God that if the people are destroyed, the Egyptians will hear about it, and “they will think poorly of You!” Gods’ reputation would be damaged. After all, God is supposed to be “slow to anger”. So God changed God’s mind. Hmm… sounds just like Kris and people at work have to do to me at times to keep me in line.

Then God responds to Moses, “I have forgiven them just as you asked”… My response exactly!

God goes on and says, “…but they won’t get to live in the land I gave them”… My response exactly!

So you can see that there are times in my life that I can act just like God… and I am sure there are those around me who would agree, or at least they would claim that I can act as though I am God, especially at work.

Not sure this is a good thing. I am pretty sure that God does not see me as too God-like. However, there are pieces of God nature that I really do strive to imitate or reflect. I heard a sermon on the radio a few months ago where the pastor said it is a compliment and should be a goal to be “mistaken for Jesus”.

“Hey, aren’t you Jesus” or “Hey, you’re acting just like Jesus”.

I really do want to imitate Jesus. I want to be gentle… to be serving… to be loving… to see the best in others… forgiving others…seeking and doing justice. But I would imagine that seldom my kids or those around me would mistake or accuse me of being Jesus. Think of the irony- me in all my glory…to be God-like but not Christ-like.

So, I guess at the end of the day, I simply pray that I have acted like Jesus…. but not that I acted too God-like.

Some New Faces of Yakob

2009-03-30T07:49:00.015-05:00

These are some of the faces of Yakob we experienced this weekend. Andy and Becky will be posting more on their blog. As I said before, Yakob is a young man with character.

"Ah, say again, ..... What did you say?"

"I do not understand"

"Aren't I just too cute !..."

"Look, it's me in all my glory..."

"I love my Grandpa time"

Jeff

Grandma's time with Jacob and Grandma Top 10 List

2009-03-29T21:15:00.000-05:00

I just got back from spending time with my new grandson Jacob.

Here is my initial list of my top 10 blessings about being a Grandma

Snuggling with my grandchild

The fact that Grandmas can do whatever they want, but not say whatever they want

Being called Grandma by all your friends

Having new pictures to share (about 200 in the first 2 visits)

Looking forward to Grandma and Grandpa time

Being able to pass down hobbies and interests that your kids didn't like

Talking to them on the computer

Not feeling old enough to be a grandma, but so glad I am

Planning my next visit before I leave the current one

and Finally 10. Relishing the miracle of a baby being born to your baby

I've only been a Grandma for a short time and I know my list will grow. I have to confess there are so many blessings that I cannot list them all. Jacob thanks for all the blessings you have already given me. I know all my future grandchildren will all be very special.

Thanks Andy and Becky for sharing Little Jake with me this week.

Extra Finance Tip- get $25 free !!

2009-03-26T06:10:00.002-05:00

ING one of the online banks that we use is still offering a fantastic deal... if you let me refer you as a customer, and you open an online savings account with only $250, you get $25 free and I get $10 free.

Do the calculation, if you only put the required $250 in the new account, and get $25...then the effective interest is 10%... not too shabby!!!

Then if you invite someone else, you get $10 for each invite.

Over just the past 2 years, I have received $90, because I have had 9 people take advantage of this offer.

ING is FDIC insured, so your money is safe. The have routinely received top ratings for customer service.

Historically, ING has paid among the top interest rates in the country. Currently, while they are not in the top 5 banks for interest, this is a great return, and a safe place to put some of your saving. If you find a better deal later, you can always move the money out and close your account.

If you are interested, email me and I will send you an invite. Check them out at INGdirect.com, but I have to invite you for you to receive $25 and then I will get $10.

I love free money!

Play well!

Jeff

Financial Tip of the Week

2009-03-25T20:24:00.009-05:00

While I am certainly no financial expert, playing with my money for me is a hobby.... and a game. The game I play is how to get earn more money from the things I already do, or from the things I already have. The more that I can get from not working means the more that I can use for fun and for giving away to others ( one of my spiritual gifts is GIVING ).

So I want to share my thoughts with you. You can take them or leave them ... they are just my thoughts.

Financial Tip #2

Be a Penny Pincher.... Never Spend Your Pennies or Any of Your Change

Several years ago, while we were still living paycheck to paycheck, I woke up one morning and realized that I was closing in on 40 and we did not have any savings. I read a tip somewhere about the potential impact loose change can have on your savings. From that day forward, I do not believe that I have ever spent a dime, at least a real coin on anything. Those who know me well would agree.

My strategy is to empty my pockets each day after work and place the change in a bowl. Each week I scavenge the cars, the counters at home, Kris's purse... everywhere change can hide, even the laundry area for those coins that remain after washing clothes. But that is only the start...

I then go to the bank weekly and deposit all the loose change I can find into my checking account. If I can find a couple loose dollar bills that Kris would not miss, I take those too. The objective is to get them into the bank! Having the money sit in a jar at home doesn't advance the cause of getting the money to work for me! I know of others who gather and save coins, but they often allow them to sit at home "under the mattress". So, kick them thar coins out of the house, and make them work.... just like your kids.

In the early days, I would bring home coin wrappers from the bank and wrap my coins to make the job easier for the tellers who all got to know me personally (after almost 20 years, Janet who is an officer at my bank still does the same). Kris and the kids even got me my own coin counting machine as a Christmas gift one year. As of late, my bank has a self service coin counter, which customers can use for free. Never, never use a coin counter machine that makes you pay!!!!

Then, importantly, after the deposit into my checking account, I transfer the money into one of my interest accounts. Do not let the money sit the checking account. You will use it and loose it. (See Tip #1)

By following this tip, you can save up $5 to $15 per week... it really works. If you consider say $10 per week in collected change, that adds up to over $520 per year! This is money you will never miss! Then if you make sure it is making money for you, that $520 will turn into over $531 at 2.2% interest (the rate you can most likely find currently...although much less than 3.5% to 4.5% that I have averaged over the past 15 years)

One further tip... never miss the opportunity to pick up a penny, dime, quarter, etc. Yep, I stoop for pennies. We just talked about this a work last week. There is someone who periodically drops a definite trail of pennies and other coins in the parking lot... I love that guy. Kris and I just listened to a repeat show on the Marketplace Money podcast that interviewed individuals and families who made a habit of picking up coins they found... imagine in a year finding an extra $20 to $100 just for exercising your knees.. (one family reportedly found over $1000 over one year). Here is a link to that brief transcript-

http://marketplace.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/08/13/change_hunters/

Remember, I play the money game because it allows me to have more resources for fun and to share with others.... allowing me to more effectively use my spiritual gift of giving. You play for your own reason.

Play well !

Jeff

"Who Let the Dogs Out? un, un, un un"

2009-03-23T10:44:00.000-05:00

A Story on Jeff

Our Cameron kids are trying to sell their house again to move to St. Joseph to be closer to the schools where they teach and to be closer to Kris and me- yeah sure. But to do so, they have asked us to take their dogs Bailey and Gibson in as boarders. So we have 4 dogs living with us. Our dogs Cooper and Moses are used to the routine, we often have their dogs here, as well as Rocket from Minnesota and Bear from St. Louis (we just hope that we don't get a call from the city asking use to get a kennel license).

I got home last night from Minnesota, leaving Kris to play with Yakob for a week, and was greeted by all 4 pooches, tails wagging, jumping with excitement and joy... not to see me, but because I have spoiled them and whenever I come in, they all expect yummy and munchy treats. Kris is not happy about this routine, but they don't bother her, so what the heck.

I proceeded to drop the munchies into their drooling mouths, and let them outside to do their business (yep, you should see our back yard !.. I am waiting for another hard freeze so that I can do pick-up duty).

Soon with scratching on the gill covering the door notifying me that they are finished, I let them in. They all rush in at fifty miles an hour, and in a blurr... just a trail of brown, black, gray and bits of white, and of course they all get another treat. I comply to get them off my back, then I get ready for a nice quite evening alone. The dogs all have their own places and spots, so they don't bug each other- their own territory. All is quite on, the front.

After several hours of TV, unpacking the car during commercials, filling and emptying the washing machine, and just plain putzing, I proceed to strip down to my scivies and prepare for bed... one last outing for the dogs... you know, their business. I take out my contacts, put on my glasses (without my contacts I can only see out of 1 eye), and let the dogs in. Not quite a blurr this time, as they know what time it is... I see 1 brown, another brown and a little grey object.... but no black .
I call out for Jenni's dog... "Here Gibson"... no response. "Here Gibson" ... still no response.

I begin to search the house.... upstairs bedrooms, basement where they sleep. No Gibson. I put on my slippers, and go outside... still in my scivies... "Here Gibson". Neighbors' lights do on.... oops, not a pretty sight.

Now I panic. This is Jenni's dog. My little girl's most faithful companion (besides hubby James). Had it been little Moses, well Kris knows I would not be too upset (only kidding)... What do I do, call Jenni at 11:30pm in Cameron, "hey your dog is gone".

She must of dug under the fence... she is not under the deck. "Here Gibson"...

I madly dash inside.... pull on my jeans and a sweatshirt, put my contacts back in, all the while in a real panic. Where did Gibson go? How far? How long has she been gone? Where are the keys to the car? Where should I look? I am all alone, who could I possibly help me at almost midnight?

As is enter the garage, I envision dragging a muddy scrappy Gibson into my nice new Honda CRV... if I can find her. No, I'll take the van. It is still messy from my trip. I open the garage door, hop into the van and begin backing out and down the drive. As I roll down the window, to begin my frantic calling, a slobbery black head pushes between the seat and the window and nudges my neck... Gibson !!!!!

As I made my multiple trips to the car to unpack, she must have slipped out and into the van with the lift gate open.

Notes to family:

Jenni- I will do better... Yes I can handle all for 4 dogs for a week all by myself !

Andy and Becky- I will learn from this experience, and promise not to let little Yakob get lost if given the chance !

Kris-Yes I will finish cleaning the car out before you come home, and the house will be clean.

As I write this, all 4 dogs are accounted for.

We're off to see the Yacob

2009-03-20T14:01:00.000-05:00

We are getting ready to travel to Minnesota to see grandson Jacob, or Yakob. Nicknaming a member of your family is important, as it adds a permanent identity of sorts. See Andy's blog. http://www.andyandbecky.com/

Yakob seems to be a readily identifiable name, adding character to this fine young man.

As a writer on Wikipedia says,"Yakob, or Jacob as he's known in reality and outside the USSR, is a pretty cool guy. He plays guitar, bass and piano. He writes music. He is smarter than you and his English teacher... He's cooler than you and he has more friends than you. He plans to take over the world."

Now that is a character. That is what grandson should be !

Jeff

Financial Tip of the Week

2009-03-20T08:10:00.000-05:00