GOODBYE, ROY, WELCOME TO THE GLORIOUS KINGDOM

Though it may sound a little strange, I just got back from a journey from life on earth to eternal life for a good friend, Roy.  Roy was in his 80's, and been in a care home with Alzheimer's for several years now.  But before that, he was a faithful Elder and friend from 1998, the year I got here at PoP.  He was part of the Wednesday morning prayer circle that used to join every mid-week at 7:00 am for intercessory prayer; he was a breakfast partner at Marie Callender's for those Wednesdays as well -  "whose week is it to pay this time?" was a constant inquiry.  We had just gotten back in the house from a trip to Tacoma, and been inside for about 15 minutes when the call came, "Pastor Dan, can you come by the hospital, our dad's taking his last breaths.  I got there at about 10:25; had a blessing, a Psalm and a prayer and the Lord's prayer, and Roy had about 3 more breaths.  How peaceful.  How good God is!  Roy's wife and three daughters were all at the bedside.  They asked how many times I had witnessed someone dying and I thought maybe about a half dozen, but now there's one more.  Glad I could be there.

Now our trip to Tacoma was kinda an emergent trip - last Sunday, around 2:00 pm we got a call from one of Karina's mom's neighbors, who was really concerned about Dorothy.  She (D) was really confused with all sorts of things - date, day, what she had done, where she had been, etc.  Was in the garage and the door locked on her; set off the security alarm; police came; they called the medics; she was taken to ER to get checked over;  we called neighbors, relatives and friends to see what could be done.  We got out of Portland by about 6:30 and made it to Tacoma by 10:00 (traffic was horrendous the last 15 miles) - normally would have been a 2 1/2 hour trip.  She had just gotten back home from the hospital and was in much better shape;  had a urinary track infection - got dehydrated - had fever - and you know the rest.  We visited for a few minutes and she had an unrestful night.  We were doing some major cleaning in her condo to help her get "de-cluttered" and "de-stressed" and Monday was a so-so day; the fever was gone and she was being more herself.  She had a Dr appt today with her primary doc, and had a good session with him.  Karina is planning to go back on Friday to help in the "de-" processes.  Dorothy still works, is the president of her condo board, and is doing waaay tooo much!  Her doc told her to resign from the condo board and continue working if she felt that she was still being productive - she works for the senior services of Lutheran Community Services in Tacoma.  When we got home (about 9:45) she had already formulated the "resignation" letter.  You go girl!

the 3 of us did get to a place called Steamers last night for seafood.  It was scrumptious!  While there we watched the beautiful sunset on the waterfront.  While outside K and her mom were talking about an old family friend who lived down on the waterfront; and lo and behold as we were out on the pier, he drove by.    He came and visited for about a half hour, and renewed old friendships - Karina thought it'd been about 35 years since she'd seen him.  how cool is that?  after more cleaning and evening meal tonight, we decided it was OK to head back to Portland - and that then completes the circle.

Sunday's sermon was again well-received; since we were out of town, I'll get it posted tomorrow.

not too much news this past week;  enjoying veggies and local cherries; peas (just about done) and green beans;  managed to have my back spasm last Saturday morning - had to call Karina - great call!  a very pained "Hi"  "Are you OK?"  "No.  Bring some ice.  my back just spasomed and I'm on the floor behind my desk."  "I'm on my way..."  By the time Karina got to the office I was able to be off the floor, but in great pain.  We laughed and cried; got home; rested; got up for church on Sunday; had a tall stool ready for sitting on if I needed it while preaching (fortunately didn't have to use it); made for a good story that maybe I'll tell at a later date.  Anyway, the pain subsided (after a ton of ibuprofen and muscle-relaxants from former bouts with the same thing); was able to make the trip to Tacoma ... and you know the rest. 

will include the pic from Lake Patrol days ... I cropped it from a pic I head with Jerry.

that's about it from the left coast.

a beautiful sunset!

and a few seconds later;  reminds

me of Thailand ... heh, heh

cropped from the following picture

the picture was mangled when the vandalism happened

at PoP back in 1999.

g'nite.  we love ya'

K and D