IMMANUEL ‘God with us’ Prophesied. Prophecy fulfilled. The Word became flesh, and dwelt among us. Eyes of compassion. A look of love when denied. A look of anger on those who would make the things of God other than what God intended. Announced to shepherds. ‘Peace on earth to men of good will.’

Merry Christmas to all!!!

Today is the sixtieth anniversary of my Father and Mother getting married. This means more to me than I thought it did. Thank you Dad & Mom. Thank you God. WHAT A BLESSING!!!

Thirty-three years ago Lois Homontowski became for me the bride she still is. Praise God for these wonderful years!!! Thank you to Ted & Doris Homontowski and Karl & Mary Jane Blaha our parents. Also thank you Daniel Blaha, Raymond Paul, Jim Brahman, Darrell Vance, Kathy Moeri Homontowski, Andrea Shattuck Gill, Terri …Horton Short, Janet Oliver Short. God bless all of you.

I would also like to thank Leah Howell from Shepherd’s Home, Teddy Homontowski, Bruce Homontowski, and Len Blaha for being a part of our wedding. Also for Ruth Blaha Blair, Ken Hettinga and his daughter Brenda Hettinga for music. And to Richard Reece …the officiating Pastor at First Baptist Church in Pound, WI at the time. Also, the family Bible he gave us that helped us with that wonderful verse, Godliness with contentment is great pain. (That is how it was printed, honest.)

For the first time in I don’t know how long I really longed to go swimming in a lake. Just take off right now and take the whole family swimming. Enjoy the goodness of a picnic at that lake. Though I thought of Lake Greenwood I prefer the lakes I swam in when I grew up – Baseline Lake, Sweet Lake, even Eagle Lake or Saddle Lake. Then the cool waters of Lake Michigan or the swimming lake at Northland Missions Camp. A picnic and a swim with hot dogs, chips, and root beer. I thought these thoughts as I took a brief walk at work down a road at nearly 100 degrees in South Carolina in the city of Greenville.

I wonder if that was David’s thought when he longed for the cool waters from the well at Bethlehem when he was running from King Saul. How sacred those waters were to him!!!! How significant the lives of those who risked their lives to get him what he longed for!!!!!