Sunday, July 22, 2012


   If you have been following our website for the past few weeks you have probably been wondering; “Where have I been?” “Why hasn’t the site been updated with a new sermon and radio program?” Well, let me share with you what has taken place behind the scenes. Come with me!
   For some time now my father-in-law has not endured the best of health. He is “up in years” but until recently he has been blessed with relatively good heath. All of this changed rapidly during the past few months. In early June my sister-in-law called to say that their dad was not well and that the doctor was only allowing for a few days at most. My wife Jill made immediate plans to leave the Island to join her sister and together they would care for their dad making his days as comfortable as possible. Two weeks after Jill left the Island I also flew to Ontario. There were two reasons for my trip. I will tell you of the second reason shortly. First, I wanted to see my in-laws for whom I have always had great respect. Jill’s father was going through a difficult time and I wanted to be there for him. We have always enjoyed great conversations and these last few days were no exception. Even though he was not in good health yet he still retained a sense of humor. Only recently on the phone he told me; “John, I’m not deaf you don’t have to yell.” Following a week with my in-laws I began to engage myself in the second reason for my trip. In anticipation of my retirement (the government in Bermuda just issued me with a second three year work permit with the notation “non renewable) Jill and I bought a house in Florida!
   I was in Ontario to transport our furniture in storage to our new home in Florida. With the help of close friends and my loving brother Jim we packed the large U-Haul with barely enough room for our suitcases. Jill was staying with her dad and Jim was my co-pilot for the long haul south. During the two and a half days it took to make the journey Jim and I relived many of our childhood experiences. Leaving Friday afternoon we saw our first palm tree just inside the Florida boundryline on Sunday afternoon! My brother was able to stay for a week to help with the unpacking. As for me I stayed a further week placing boxes in various rooms of our new house. I didn’t unpack too many for I knew well that whatever drawer, cabinet or closet I put things in it would probably be the wrong one and Jill would move it! Finally, last Thursday I too left for the Orlando airport to begin my journey back home. Jill has always been my navigator and without her I am lost. My plane was due to leave Orlando at 8:30am which meant that I had to return the rental car my 7:00am. I knew that I was in trouble when my GPS happily announced; “You have arrived; Wal-Mart is on your left!” “No Lord, it’s not Wal-Mart I want it’s the airport!” God is good and I did arrive in time for my flight home.
   Where do things stand as of present? I am late with my web update that’s for certain. Our home in Florida is full of furniture which needs to be rearranged with a woman’s touch. Finally, my father-in-law is still with us and his doctor has declared, “I am not going to make any further predictions,” which goes to prove that only the Lord above knows the date of our departure.
Blessings,
John