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
