Labor Day evening… I took a walk this morning, and talked by phone  with a couple friends from way back. Actually both I’ve known since Viet Nam days.
Walked two times around the lake at a pretty good pace… needed to just work out a little bit.

Cooked a hamburger for lunch, and had one of Marilou’s suger free Jello’s. she didn’t like the taste.

Sat out on the deck a couple times, and started looking through pictures to use for the memorial service on the 24th.

My PC is having some problems, so my good friend from Brainerd, MN is helping with some of that. And I got invited over for a “guys night” with Brandon Springer and his three boys. Thanks Brandon, that was really nice. My first time in the new my new role as “Grampa Steve.” One of my goals in this chapter of life is to be a loving and caring “Grampa” to any kids I am around, so I can shine Jesus for them.

But reality is like ocean waves, they come in, and go out, and this varies with the tides. I had a great, great time with Brandon and the boys, and as I drove toward home, the wave of reality hit me… I’m going home, but Marilou will not be there to greet me. I will not be able to tell her what a great time we had trying to knock foam swords out the the tree. Or having pizza and roast corn together. It’s one of those waves that remind you that in order to stand firm against these kind of waves, you must have your foundation firm on the solid rock of God.

And now I am wondering how long to keep this journal going. It’s intention was to update our friends on what was going on with Marilou. Well, I’m afraid I no longer have enough information to update you on how she’s doing, except that I know she is far beyond all of the cares and sorrows of this life, and for that I am eternally grateful.  In Jesus, there is hope beyond what we see, and Paul reminds us in his letter to the Corinthians that what is seen is only temporary, and what is unseen is eternal…so those undulating waves… they too are only temporary, and for that, I am very thankful.

Before I close here, I was looking at the last page of Our Daily Bread that Marilou had read before she could not read anymore because of the tiredness and sleepiness. It was for July 21, “Pain No More” from I Corinthians 15:51-57…here is a portion of what she read that day – “Where is God when it hurts? He has been there from the beginning. He designed a pain system that, in the midst of a fallen world, bears His stamp. He transforms pain, using it to teach and strengthen us if we allow it to turn us toward Him.”
I say “YES” to you, Lord