"What is that?" one of the girls asked.   Back in the days when I was still a taxi driver, I was taking Taylor to a birthday party, and Korinne was riding along for something to do.  The windows were down on our red subaru, for the day was sunny and bright.  We had just pulled out of our lane and were driving west on Wallace Road where the name changes to Hill Road when one of the girls asked, "What is that?"  We drove another 50 yards until we got close enough for a good look. Flames were shooting out of  a load of hay on the back of a truck!   I quickly pulled to the side of the country road and called 911. Two men and a small boy were standing next to the truck looking at it helplessly.  Suddenly one of the men jumped back into the truck and began driving it straight toward us.

"What is he doing? What is that idiot doing?"  I began to yell. The extra oxygen from the moving truck caused an incredible flare, and flaming bales began to tumble off of the truck as it sped down the road, lighting the dry grass on both sides of the road. Our car was almost hit!   Now we were surrounded by flames in front of us, next to us, and behind us.  Were we in a disaster movie? This had all the qualifications of one! I couldn't drive either direction to get away, so I pulled into one of the driveways next to the road as far from the flames as I could.  The man drove only about 1/4 mile and stopped so that the tree he now parked under also caught flame. Seeing an outside hose and buckets at the house at which we were parked, we began to fight the fire alongside several other home owners who were present.  The biggest danger seemed to be the area where the fire was creeping into the woods, and two young men appeared with shirts tied around their faces as masks, equipped with shovels and buckets which we helped them to fill with water.  Finally the fire fighters arrived and realized they needed trucks for a quarter mile stretch of road. 

Taylor eventually made it to the birthday party, late and smelling heavily of smoke convincing her friends she wasn't making up this bizarre story.  In an instant, a simple trip turned upside down into an adventure.  I must also confess-- my daughters handled this incident much more calmly than I!

I was so impressed with the way those young men and my daughters assessed the needs and got to work at a solution.  This was one of those times I was reminded that life can change in an instant; that ultimate control for us humans is like sewing with water.
Brother Nelson's message this week is "Encouragement as the World Turns Upside Down." Paul writes in I Thessalonians 1:1-10 a letter to encourage the believers when they were facing tough times.  God is present; God is active; God is the Lord of heavens and earth.  


Linda Miller, wife of Jim Miller the Goshen College professor who was killed last weekend during a home invasion, provided this statement:  "Last Sunday I lost my best friend and partner in parenting. Whenever I think of Jim I see him in heaven, standing without pain and smiling, his pain is over. I am so glad that he is in heaven with our Saviour. The kids and I will miss him terribly, but we know that God is with us and will see us through whatever tough times lie ahead. We will stand together with God trusting His promises. We want to continue to live our lives to reflect God's love and mercy to everyone.

"My life verses apply in this situation as much as they did years ago.

"Romans 12:9-16: Don't just pretend to love others Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble and keep on praying. When God's people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you. Don't curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don't be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don't think you know it all." 

This is what it's about. I'm  praying, praying, praying the light of the Divine wraps the Miller family and Goshen community in  peace and grace. 

MCC grocery bags are to be filled and returned to the church by Wednesday, October 19.  If you weren't able to pick up a bag but would like to drop some items off at the church, you can do that too.  Here is the list: vegetable oil-32 oz; pasta-2 lbs; raisins-1 lb; white rice-32 oz; 2 cans of meat-tuna, Spam, etc;
1 can tomato sauce-15oz; 2 cans fruit-14-20oz; 2 cans veggies-14-16 oz; 2 cans kidney beans-15.5 oz; 1 box of cereal-15oz; peanut butter-28oz. 


-Jonathan Kreiser had an appendectomy this week. Feel better quickly, Jonathan!
-A special thanks to Tynea and Stephen who inspired me to get up early and sit outside for the sunrise on Monday morning. :)
-Craig is still in Alabama with MDS building homes and relationships.
-Brother Mick is recovering from his knee replacement surgery supposedly at home, but I saw someone who looked a lot like him at the church for a few minutes this week.


The Upper Room will be open this Sunday at 9am.  Conversation and input from a convention speaker video is on the agenda.


My prayer for you today:
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God.  Nations are in an uproar, kingdoms fall; you lift your voice and the earth melts.  Lord Almighty, You are with us. You are our fortress.  Let us be still.  Let us wait.  Let us watch.  Let us listen.  You are God.  Reveal yourself, Creator God, to the readers today.  Grant us each an awareness of your love and mercy.  Fill and cover us with your healing light and love. Let us be part of the healing of the world through You.  Come Kingdom of God; Be done will of God, here on earth as it is in heaven.  In Jesus name. AMEN.


Without question or doubt, you are loved by God, and I love you too!  Don't hesitate to contact me!


Love and Light,
carol
"Always remember who you are, whose you are, where you are going, and what you believe, because it does make a difference!  Oh, and don't forget to attend a church of your choice this weekend. "  jd