Gwen's Thoughts

I thought I would pop in and say hello, even though there is really nothing new going on. Hope all is going well with my family and friends out there!

This new school year is going to prove to be one of thoughtfulness and planning. Daughter number two, Jennifer, will likely be attending the community college for the spring semester, which begins in January. She has honed down her interest to photography, which her older sister has been involved in for some time now as well. There seems to be a need for photographers, despite the number of people already serving their communities in that way. Word of mouth is powerful in helping to drum up business, as we have seen already. I do hope that Jennifer will have opportunity to use her Spanish speaking skills in her life, as I feel she has a natural affinity to and enjoyment of that language. Son Bryan is possibly thinking of going into the medical field. I hope to be speaking to some folks in the various medical professions to see which of the many fields he could succeed in. I myself plan to continue my education in the medical field, and my thoughts continue to be to work with infants. I have loved babies since I was a little girl, and it has really stuck with me. Ask any of my friends with babies if I have any interest at all in their littlest ones!

We have been in the process of transferring our membership to a church community that is a little closer to home. It really hasn't been a quick decision, which I am thankful for. Much thought and communication should be put into such an action. As usual, my husband is concerned, wherever we go,about any lack of desire from people to read and study Scripture; and I know that if any lack of passion exists, he is a great motivator. He is a strong believer that God's Word is not boring, and shouldn't always be approached at as work. There is a time for work in studying doctrine, but there is also great drama and lessons to be learned in the Word of God. I have seen this in my own reading. Some portions actually play out better than a modern-day soap opera! Many portions speak of problems that are universal - which is very telling. We are all in this together; we all sin, we all have weakness, and we all need Christ as our Savior. And we can be encouraged that these truths about people have been happening since the first humans lived.

I have to say that I spent a good portion of my summer doing leisurely reading. I hope to read some more educational things now that school is under way. I am reading a book right now by Beverly and David Lewis called "Sanctuary". It is full of mystery so far. I'm on the fourteenth chapter. My Sunday reading is a biography of Eric Liddell, the runner in the Olympics who refused to run on Sundays. I also have read, from time to time, a compilation of three books by Barbara Johnson. She has been through great adversity in her family life, and has encouragement about how to be honest about your sufferings, yet move on in life as a Christian.

So there is a little glimpse into my life right now. Have a great day, and I'll catch up with you again soon