Moffat Musings

Old Friends

2011-10-19T09:38:00.000-07:00

We visited long time friends Jerry and Jo Thomas at Boise, ID. this weekend. We drove over with old friends from Salem, Bill and Joanne Goods. A plaque on the Thomas' wall said something like:

Old friends become New friends when you get old"

We certainly experienced both as we laughed, remembered and got caught up on our lives.

We ate Sunday dinner at the Cracker Barrel (the only one I know of in the Northwest. Went to church together and thoroughly enjoyed our time.

We also visited an air museum at Nampa, ID. Besides some cool WW11 memorabilia and planes (especially a couple P-41's) there was an old car exhibit.

We found a restored 1940 Ford, our dating car and our honeymoon car. We also confirmed the statement that old friends are new friends. Our friendship is deeper, richer, and fuller than it was in 1949.

Ministry Partner Memorial

2011-07-06T15:18:00.000-07:00

We drove to Sequim, Wa. last weekend to attend a memorial service for a friend and ministry partner. Richard Breithaup was a man's man and more important God's man his whole life. He worked for forty year as a tree faller in the Forks, Wa. area and then "retired" to do horse logging with his team of Percherons in the Olympic National Park

He died at the age of 91 a hard worker. The picture with his wife was taken a couple of years ago when Carol and I drove up to Forks to see them. They had 8 children and were instrumental in starting at least 4 small churches on the Olympic Peninsula.

The picture above was taken when he came up to help us in Tanana, Alaska. He helped cut up quite a few cords of Yukon driftwood. I then took him hunting where we got two moose(legal).

This first one we shot about 15 minutes downriver on our way to go hunting. We dressed it and took it back to Tanana and then went hunting for real!

He truly was a great friend, committed to Christ and was one of the most Godly men I have known. I feel humbled in his memory.

58th Anniversary Trip

2010-12-17T07:22:00.000-08:00

Every December, (as long as we are able!), Carol and I plan a trip somewhere to celebrate our anniversary. Usually it is someplace warm!

This year we became kids again and went to Disneyland. We had a great time, the weather was perfect and we survived miles of walking and standing.

Disneyland and California Adventures were decorated in the Christmas theme and the lighting was beautiful. Not a hint this year that it was wrong to say Merry Christmas. Even though the real meaning of Christmas was somewhat muted there was no denials and even some acknowledgements as to what Christmas is all about.

Its a great time to visit there. the crowds a smaller and the waits are shorter.

We have a pretty average camera and I was wishing for a better one (or more skills) to capture some of the nightime lighting magic. One of the most spectacular was the new World of Color

in the California adventure Park. Laser, lighting, sound and water all integrated to make s spectacular experience.

And best of all Mickey remembered us from when we were kids.

The Proof is in the Pudding

2010-11-19T09:44:00.000-08:00

The Jess Tanis family

Or put it another way, How do you know your life counted for anything. Carol and I got a graphic illustration of that as we attended the memorial service for a long time friend and fellow missionary, ALTA TANIS. Alta and Jess Tanis had labored in central BC for years among the First Nations tribes of the Chilcotin, Shushwap and Carrier.

At the recent memorial in Central BC many of us were witness to the proof in Alta's life and ministry. Serving in a group of people who self admit "they are hard to work with" Alta and husband Jess faithfully loved and shared Jeus Christ. There were many of them at the memorial service and many gave public testimony to their appreciation for that ministry in their lives. In fact most of the people who spoke and sang were first nations people.

The Picture above shows an Indian lady sing a tribute to Alta. She sang the song in her native language-a song she wrote in memory of Alta. She shared how much influence Alta had in her life.

Something to "MUSE" About

2010-10-21T10:50:00.000-07:00

I began this blog as an opportunity to "think out loud". That's why I called it Moffat Musings.

It's been a month since I have offered anything here. Lots of things have happened since my last entry. Some things real special. Like the visit of my sister and brother-in-law from Lake Havasu. Like the mini family reunion we had when they were here. A lot of family stuff, including the hunting adventure of my grandson Luke and his wife Becca that ended on a scary mountain near Kodiak, Alaska with Becca being evacuated by helicopter with a severely broken leg. (They did get a beautiful mountain goat). Like the death of a very dear friend Henry almost three weeks ago,We visited Henry the three days he was in the hospital on his journey to eternity. that gave me a lots of pause and opportunity to muse. But nothing compares to what happened last week.

It has been a beautiful Fall here in Oregon. Carol and I decided to take advantage of the warm sunny day to visit Silver Falls State Park, a couple hours away East of Salem. We drove down, stopping at Mt. Angel for lunch. A Bavarian theme town. We had Goulash at a German restaurant and then drove to the park. It has got to be one of the most stunningly beautiful places in Oregon. One of the many hiking trails is a three mile loop that descends into a deep canyon and where the trail goes behind two waterfalls. Of course, going down into the canyon means you have to hike out!!!

As we were about three fourths of the way around the circuit enjoying the huge Douglas firs interspersed with the hardwoods in their fall colors I saw my father coming down the trail. Now mind you, dad has been dead for quite a few years. But the man leading the way toward us ,

accompanied by two young adults appeared to be my dad. He was dressed in bib coveralls like dad in the picture. (Pictured taken in 1966 at

Kokrine Hills Bible Camp in Interior Alaska).

Somewhat shocked I whispered to Carol, "that looks like my dad coming." The shock increased the closer they came until the stranger cheerfully greeted us and joked "Am I halfway yet?" I could barely get out "not quite" and we passed on the trail. I was dazed and kick myself for not finding out who he was and if maybe he was a Moffat. But I was speechless.

I was glad Carol was with me to affirm what we saw.

After spending all the time just prior to that with Henry, watching him take the journey from this life to the next, my spiritual sensors were really tuned in to eternal things. Henry died with peace as He knew where he was going. I was with my dad when he died and am sure he trusted in God for his eternal destiny.

I am convinced we see reality, as the Bible says, "through a glass darkly". Randy Alcorn has written a book "HEAVEN" which is a journey through the Bible to explain questions about heaven. He makes it quite clear that heaven is going to be a lot more than sitting on a cloud strumming on a harp. It is going to be an eternity of surprises and joys and adventures and maybe occasional trips to other places? I am so glad that because of John 3:16 I can say "whosoever believes in Him (Jesus) has eternal life." I believe that.

I'm still musing about what I saw.

78

2010-09-17T14:26:00.000-07:00

Yes I am 78 today. Kind of a wonder in a way. I was sure years ago that I would never see the year 2000 and here we are ten years later.

I was born in a birthing home in in Port angeles, WA to a confused and hurting mother. My father had gotten her pregnant and found they could not stand each other. He married her to give me a name and left her to birth and raise me by herself. She married a Norman Johnson who gave me a house to live in if not any of his heart. It was a rough existance for me and my mother. Four more kids came from their marrige until my mother died giving birth to the last . All hell broke loose in that home then.

This picture was taken before my mother died.
That resulted in my being taken in by my real father and stepmother.
This picture is taken about the time I moved into that home where they already had a boy and a girl. So I had a new brother David and and sister Marilyn. David and another sister born later are both in heaven and Marilyn and I are the only family survivors. Life was much better in that new home and I was loved and cared for.

Here I am graduating from Port Angeles High School. Our class just celebrated our 60th high school reunion.

God has been good to me. I accepted Jesus Christ as mu Savior when I was about 19 years old and God has given me the most loving and caring wife who took care of me and gave us 6 wonderful children.

I have found by experience what Jesus promised to those who follow Him.
"I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10

Reality Check

2010-06-22T09:51:00.000-07:00

Carol and I went out into the country last Sunday-actually up into the foothills past Estacada. I taught SS and preached at this country church that has supported is for many years.
Imagine our surpise when we drove up this remote country road to the church which meets in an old schoolhouse. A billboard with my name on it encouraging people to come and hear me preach!!.

Well that is where perspective is needed to keep from getting too big a head.
Sunday School had about 6 adiults and church maybe thirty total. I imagine hardly any traffic goes down that country road. James 1:9 says we should look at our position in life with a reality check. In the end everyone will end up on the same level and we should look at life and our position in that light. If our name gets put up on a billboard, keep that in mind.
By the way those people in that church are very wonderful believers and carry no pretentions whatsoever. They are good friends.

Five Weeks of Memories

2010-05-29T09:47:00.000-07:00

Yes, I have been absent for five weeks. About three of those weeks involved a trip to Alaska where we again were embraced by family. Maria graduated, Nikki had an operation after a puzzling sickness. (gall bladder): We had a delightful trip to Seward with Marla, great grandkids had school activites to attend and pictures galore were taken shared and posted. Two did not.

One was our childrens belated birthday gift to their mom. Carol was queen for a day at a delightful BandB in Anchorage. The owner specializes in English Teas as well and it was everything a traditional TEA is supposed to be.

Another unrecorded hightlight was my induction to the 50 Year Society of Multnomah University, where I graduated 52 years ago. I went rather reluctanly because they called me on the phone and asked me to consider. I was suprised how much I enjoyed it and was moved. We marched in with this years graduates and faculty and were given special public recognition.

So Carol and I were both honored during the last five weeks. Multnomah gave me an excellent education in Bible and Carol certainly deserved the praise of her children

A couple more pictures to add

2010-04-21T12:16:00.000-07:00

The whole program lasted almost and hour and a half, with the above ensemble joining Morgan for the last 15 minutes or so.
Kaitlan somehow was missed in the pics below and here she is with her parents. It was a milestone event for Morgan and Kaitlin and as Morgan said "one of the hardest things he has ever done."

Morgan Recital Weekend

2010-04-21T11:50:00.000-07:00

As all such events in our family, this weekend was full, memorable and full of variety. After all getting to Moscow, ID on Friday night all the ambitious ones got up bright and early to do the 5K run. It was also Mom's weekend at the U so there were lots of activities besides the Recital which was held on Sunday evening. Maria, Mason, Scott, Derek his brother Clinton and Marianne took over the race. Maria was the fastest woman and all finished in great time.
However two of the Wick's were First and second as pictured here.
It was a fun filled weekend with lots of picnics (temp in the 70's), minature golf, church, games -well you know. Of course the highlight was Morgan's amazin performance at his recital. 45 minutes of solo memorized intricate, hard guitar solos, duet with a flute player and two songs Morgan wrote and arranged with a enemble of ten other fellow students. There were about 100 of us there.

Scott and Marianne organized most of the reception and of course, Carol Sue reveled in the helping.

Wick Times Ahead

2010-04-14T09:56:00.000-07:00

We are leaving for Moscow, Idaho in the morning. We are giong via Redmond, OR.
We met Chris and Ashley Wick when we were up in Moscow for Morgan and Kaitlan's wedding. Chris is Morgan's cousin and is a detective for the Redmond police dept. He and Ashley have been accepted by Josiah Ventures, a mission organization, to go to Slovenia to work with youth there. They wanted to get together with us to chat about the ups and downs of missionary life.

We will stay over night there and then drive to Moscow, ID where Morgan is givng his senior recital in guitar performance. This is a big deal for a graduating music major and we are looking forward to a fun filled weekend. Morgan's whole family will be there as well as Jaime and Adam who live there..

We will share some pics when we return.

My Son Just Turned 55!!

2010-02-27T11:22:00.000-08:00

We have six children and I can truly say that no one of them is a favorite. I can appreciate each one for their distinctive qualities and giftings. It's like a beautiful grouping of vivid blooms making a bouquet of God's gift to us.

But I have been thinking about Mark turning 55 yesterday. First of all, I can't believe we have a son getting close to retirement. Someone saw us at McDonald's today and asked me to pray for him preaching tomorrow. The reason he said jokingly was "that you are as old as God." So I guess I am old.

Mark and I were bonded in a unique way when we first went to Alaska as missionaries. Carol had to stay behind in WA. to have our fourth and Mark and I went to a remote Alaska village and went through the trauma of isolation, people speaking another language, culture shock together. Mark was a real trooper at 4 yrs of age and was a great comfort to me when I was missing his mom, the rest of our family and going through challenges of adaptation. He was my rock in a changing world. It might be strange to say that of a 4 year old, but it is true.

He is still a rock to me. My oldest son fills the bill of every expectation in the phrase "oldest son".

He is a great husband to a wonderful daughter in-law. A great dad to three outstanding grandchildren and a loving grandpa. He is a strong committed believer, a wonderful christian leader and a wise son.

Happy Birthday Mark.

Jesus Loves the Little Children

2010-01-21T16:21:00.000-08:00

I have been somewhat scarce on this blog. One of the reasons I began it was to keep our extended family aware of some of the family happenings. Facebook has changed that a since a lot of family communication goes on there. A case in point was the wedding recently in Moscow where Morgan and Kaitlin tied the knot. It was a great time,with over 100 photos

springing up on Facebook.

I did title this blog "Moffat Musings" however and I will still muse from time to time.

I have been musing about children and Jesus' love for them. They are so incredibly innocent and so subject to the strengths and weaknesses of us adults.

Our great Grandson Rowan experienced that Love as he went through a 2 hour operation to remove an extra kidney and reroute his "plumbing". Marla sent these pictures of Rowan with his grandmother, mother and brother We pray for our grandkids and great-grands a lot and it was a privilege and joy to see Jesus' love for him as he did marvelously and the medical staff and doctors used their love and skill to bring that about.

That led me to wake up thinking in the middle of the night about the Haitian children. I don't need to add any images of them here. We have been assaulted with those images, both good and bad. One news flash I just witnessed was the ruins of an orphanage flattened on about 50 young orphans. I know they are resting in the loving arms of Jesus, because he said "let the little children come."

On the other hand there are hundreds of these kids experiencing the loving arms of Jesus through the ministry of rescue workers, orphanage workers, relief organizations (mostly Christian) and new adoptive parents cutting through the red tape and getting them into the homes of these parents. For these survivors a chance for a loving home was accelerated because of the earthquake!

Jesus shows His love for the little children in many ways. We thanks him for working in the lives of the children in our family and that "Jesus loves the children of the world"

It hardly seems real

2009-12-11T15:53:00.000-08:00

We are really enjoying the 80 degree weather
here in Maui. Our condo is the one one the upper right, is right on the beach with whale, turtles and surfers within a short distance off our Lanai.
We are doing a lot of stuff, much of it free.
We did take a boat trip to see whales and dolphins up close .

Taking the famous 30 mile trip to Hana tomorrow.
We used to bumper strip "we drove the Alcan Hiway"
Around here it's the road to Hana. we will give it a try.

We rented a bright red PT cruise which makes mom(Carol )
feel like a teenager.

A Day to Remember

2009-11-11T15:13:00.000-08:00

Carol and I went to the Hollywood District here in Portland to watch the Remembrance Parade and listen to city leaders and veterans share their thoughts about veterans and their importance to our country's freedom.
It actually was a moving experience. Something I was not expecting in "progressive" Portland.
Of all the speeches the one that summed it up the best quoted and unknown author.

"It's the military not the reporter who has given us the freedom of the press. It is the military, not the poet who has given us the freedom of speech. It is the military not the politicians who ensures us our right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It is not the campus demonstrator who burns our flag, it's the military who salutes the flag, who serves beneath our flag and whose coffin is draped with our flag."

This is a day of remembrance for Carol and I for a very different reason. fifty six years ago today In Kenai, Alaska, we had a missionary couple over to our newly built cabin for dinner. The occasion was to celebrate the completion of our homestead cabin that would give us the right to claim the land it was built on. After dinner I filled the Coleman light that was giving light to our home with no electricity. In the process I spilled the gas over the hot lamp and in a few minutes burned the whole place down. It was a cold snowy night. We had no place to go and we went to live with the missionaries. We began to follow Christ and serve him. November 11 1953 started a whole life change for us. One of the best things that ever happened to us.

Carol cooks in our replacement 16X16 foot cabin

Recent Highlights

2009-10-27T16:29:00.000-07:00

We sure have been having fun lately, with lots of special family times. Carly and Jed came by on tn end of their honeymoon and stayed with us a few days. Multnomah Falls . Sure was special to have them stay with us.
My boys arranged a special Birthday celebration for me by hosting a Seahawk football weekend, in Seattle.. All of my sons, Jim, our son-law was here in Portland for a few days and Nikki came through with Marty. What a special time. As you can see a Moffat get together includes some deep belly laughter. The game was lousy but it didn't matter
Kaylie had her 15th birthday party and she is maturing into a very special person. And a Sunday School Halloween party included a lot of our great grandchildren dressing up in costumes.

Family Joys

2009-10-13T20:48:00.000-07:00

We sure enjoy family since living here in Oregon.
Recently our granddaughter Carly and her husband Jed stopped by
to see us for a couple of days on the way home from their honeymoon.

We did some sightseeing. Multnomah falls and the Columbia River Gorge are near are home.

They are home in Anchorage, Alaska now.

We have the joy of going to our grand-children's and great-grand-children's
birthday parties, games, plays and other school events.

We missed out on a lot of this when we lived in Canada.

It was a beautiful but windy day when we again went to Kari's
soccer game. They are getting better and she scored a couple of goals.

Retirement Parties

2009-10-05T16:05:00.000-07:00

Yes, that's plural--"Parties"
We have been overwhelmed by the affection shown by the mission organization we have worked with for fifty years -"InterAct Ministries", fellow workers, supporting partners and many of our family with a retirement party in Alaska in August and another here in the mission headquarters in Oregon in September.

The one in Alaska, organized by George and Judy Richardson, member care missionaries in Alaska and the one here, organized by the staff in the home office of the mission, included lots of people who fit in the descriptions above.
The mission commissioned a dear friend of ours Suzie Althens of Alaska to paint oil paintings depicting ministries, recent retirees of the mission were involved in during past years. With the consultation of our six children Suzie painted the picture which now hangs over our fireplace. It shows the boat we built to transport family and native kids to Kokrine Hills Bible Camp while we ministered there from the village of Tanana. We traveled many thousands of miles in that boat for many summers in Alaska. The picture is and will be a family treasure.

The highlight for Carol and I was to visit with so many people we love and respect. People who have been partners to us in so many ways.

Life hasn't changed that much for Carol and I since "officially" retiring, but the honor and love expressed by these special parties will warm our memories and cause us to thank our Lord who made all of it possible over the years.

50 Yrs Ago

2009-09-28T15:02:00.000-07:00

Fifty Years ago this month we left Portland to spend our first of many winters in a remote Indian Village. We went to Shageluk to fill in for the Furmans who went out on a furlough. Mark and I went out together and Carol and the rest of the kids stayed in Port Angeles WA to have our fourth (Merlin). Mark and I went though culture shock together until Carol and the kids got up there in November.

The top right picture is us at our second villgae, Anvik, where we had to build a house. After staying there for five or so years we were transferred to Tanana. (The picture at lower right).

A suit and tie??!!!

We never did have running water at any of the villages. We did have a light plant with limited electricity at Anvik and we had village power in Tanana.

God enabled us, kept us and allowed us to serve Him in these villages.

Fall Memories

2009-09-10T13:42:00.000-07:00

This is my favorite season of the year. Although my food gathering years are over these pictures chronicle a time and events that hold some of the fondest memories for me. Fall time in Central Alaska on the Yukon in the 60's and 70's are the place and time.

After the 10 or so cords of wood were piled by the house in Tanana I would load the boat with many gallons of gas for the outboard, a lot of good food and my birthday wacky cake that would be survival gear as well as celebratory chocolate goodness.

We would use the cabin at Kokrine Hills for our base camp, but our final destination was miles up the Nowitna river-a place of beauty as well as a virtual garden of Eden for moose, bear, ducks and fish. The picture above was taken way up the river where Mark shot the families winter meat supply.

We would set up camp on a river bank near a likely moose crossing. about 100 miles from home and play, hunt and fish. The best memories are the camping. cooking fish, ducks and tender cuts of moose over an open fire. It is some of our families fondest times. I took my brother and his family, Another time my parents and our family. Visitors from the States. We never went home empty handed. .

I convinced there will be Fall trips in heaven. Without the need to kill animals and with the opportunity to enjoy God's Creation. Memories now are pretty satisfying -until then.

Moose meat is delicious as well as one of the healthiest meats to eat.

It's way better

2009-08-23T17:28:00.000-07:00

I lot has happened the last few weeks. we drove to BC Canada to visit Merlin and Brenda and also Kristen and Aaron who were up from Mexico City. A visit to the Zoo here and more recently a spur of the moment trip to the Redwoods in N CA.
That trip involved a lot of good scenery on the S. OR coast as well as a most enjoyable ten mile trip through the Redwoods on a narrow gravel road.

The overiding issue for me during the last 5 weeks or so is the chemo treatment on my
skin pre cancer issues. My forehead is now cleared up and My arms still have a way to go, but the burning, itching and bleeding issues are clearing up

We spent hours in this wonderland driving and hiking among these giants of God's creation.

We saw outstanding lighthouses . We hiked to t one at low tide in Crescent City. Reminds me of the song Ken Hughes SR. used to sing about when he came to have services in Anvik. This tree was near the lighthouse. There is a parable in here somewhere, but being old and a little bent over myself I can't figure out what that would be

A Four generational reach

2009-07-31T10:01:00.000-07:00

While in Alaska recently our latest (17?) great granchild Rowan Alley was born. His parents Janelle and Derek (Marla and Jim) invited us in the birthing room about 45 minutes after he was born. It was a special moment as Rowan grasped both Carol and my fingers. It was also an emotional moment because our hearts were so full of the blessings of family since we had already experienced a wedding of Carly (Marty and Nikki) to Jed and many other family times. In this picture you can see Rowan, his mother Janelle's hand and Carol and my fingers. Only person not seen in this four generations was Marla who took the picture.

It is only fair since I blogged the gross picture of Carol's eye just after the doctor put steroids into the center of her eye. This is my gross forehead as I am on a treatment to get rid of a bunch of pre-cancer spots on my forehead, face and arms. The special cream I apply daily basically burns the skin off layer after layer for four weeks. And yes! it hurts.
Carol and I are basically in good health but seem to require a lot of maintenance.

Thankfulness

2009-07-23T16:07:00.000-07:00

I seldom feel like adding to this blog unless I have a photo which adds the proverbial "thousand words".
I am at a loss for many pictures of the last three weeks from my camera that will do that . Most of you know that for over two weeks we were in Alaska. I can't imagine how many photos, both professional and amateur were taken of the events of those days.
We had a wedding of a granddaughter, a couple of showers, a birthday celebration , an actual birth of a great grandson, an engagement of a grandson and a retirement party for us. for those of you who are connected to our family on facebook, many of these photos of these events have been uploaded there. There were all kinds of other family events, potlucks, dinners out and in. We came

(Picture: Grandmother and mother of the bride)

back exhilerated/exhausted! I did a couple of different pictures, if only for pictures sake. Scott and Mason on a huge rock on the beach at Clam Gulch and a different photo of Carol and I with our great grandson Rowan Alley. We saw him when he was less than an hour old and he tightly held both of our fingers. A generational reach and touch that can't be beat.

I want to thank all who made this one of the most moving times of our lives. These included: All the Alaskans who provided hospitality. The professional photography of Kara and Jeremy. Jim's taking of the video at our retirement party and Jeremy's labor of love in making it into a DVD. Scott's helpful presence in many situations, the Van Diests for the use of their vehicles. I could go on, but most of all we thank our God for the blessing and permancy of a family that is founded on the Rock of Christ.

Trip to my past

2009-06-22T14:25:00.000-07:00

60 years ago I fished commercially out of LaPush WA. I spent 2 summers,

one before and one after my senior year in high school, on a small troller

fishing for salmon in the Pacific along the WA coast.

The boat I fished with was just like this one.

Along the way up the coast of Washington we saw some spectacular scenery.

We went through Aberdeen (where I once spent two nights in jail) and then on

some not so travelled roads that go along the beaches.

We also visited some of the rainforests along the way. The Quiliute National

Park contains four trees that are largest for their species in the world.

We ended the trip by visitng some friends in the Forks area.

OOPS!

2009-06-06T13:03:00.000-07:00

This is the air museum continued. The trip highlight for me was three things I saw in the museum. One was a WW2 exceptional fighter the P-38. This plane was a phenomanal fighter. However, In 1943 a squadron of these planes was placed in Port Angeles and affected our family's life forever. We were displaced and our family had to move to Bremerton, Wa where our dad worked at the shipyard there. There's more to the story...

My buddy and now brother-in-law Jerry Kelly had a Model A Ford quite like this one. What adventures we had in that while in high school.

This is the space ship that Russian astonaut Yuri Gragarian flew in space. I once talked to him by ham radio after he succesfully returned.

Flight Museum

2009-06-06T12:41:00.000-07:00

A few days ago-Memorial Day to be exact-Carol and I spent a day at the flight museum near McMinville, Or. Quite a place. They have two separate, museums one for flight and one for spaceflight.Nice to have such a quality place so close. It features Howard Hughes Spruce Goose. a fascinating airplane and a fascinating story of Howard Hughes, the genuis who really was a "mad" inventor.

April showers=May Flowers

2009-05-24T17:28:00.000-07:00

Carol and I just got back from a long bike ride and
I so enjoyed how our place looks right now.

It was a cold rainy last couple of months. the last few
days have been perfect and it is forecast to continue.

You will notice the rhododendrems are blooming as
well as the Iris's.

Flag is up for Memorial day. We prayed for a whole
bunch of servicemen who are relatives of people in
church this morning.

Plan on going to McMinnville tomorrow and visit
the air museum that has the Spruce Goose as well as
a lot of other aircraft-war and otherwise.

I served in the army in the Korean war. Not much of a
sacrifice though. I served in Alaska in the Signal Corps.
We have a ex Navy man in our church who was in
Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked. I thank
God for all who gave so much-some everything- to
protect our freedom.

Where and What for the last Month

2009-05-15T19:53:00.000-07:00

For the last month I have been mowing and doing some sprucing up at the InterAct office. Carol and I spent about 5 hours out there today.

We both think we are pretty healthy, but it seems like we are always going in for some minor repair or checkup. I for my bladder cancer check (OK), blood pressure issues and skin cancer stuff. As you can see from the gross picture above, Carol's eye problems have come back with a vengeance. This is what her eye looks like now (gross) after she went to a Retinologist yesterday. She has to have a surgery to repair her retina on June 3rd. In the meantime it is numerous drops every day. It keeps us close!

Last night we went to a jr high band concert where Josh and Kaylie both played in their respective bands. Kaylie was give the honor for being the best female band student and she

played a duet with a flute player.

We made a weekend trip to Anacortesto speak to a youth group going to Kokrine Hills In Alaska.
We stayed with a wonderful couple who have a fabulous place overlooking the San Juans. He was a pilot for one of the Airforce One planes when Truman was president. He also spent quite a few years flying 747's for United.

I bought Carol a new table for Mother's day. Our old one was 5 foot when extended. this one extends to 7 foot. Easier to have company and we had our mens' group (Old Geezers) here and all of us sat around it for breakfast

We went to Matt's and Maralees for Mother's day and Mark and Shari took her out to Applebees and I got to tag along

Enjoy the Beauty-HIding the ugly

2009-04-07T21:10:00.000-07:00

Carol and I just went to visit our friends Bill and Joanne Goods. They live in Salem, Oregon the home of our state capitol.
Salem is beautiful this time of year. Flowers are finally blooming even though spring is slow coming this year. The cherry blossoms around the capitol building were beautiful as well

The best picture is the one I could not take. The big news in Salem is the dismantling of the old state mental hospital. It was the setting for the 1975 film "one flew over the Cuckoo's nest" If the building was infamous then, it is even more stark, dark and ugly now. So we went there to see the destruction and get a historic picture. There were a couple of pictures alongside an article in the paper that morning.
As I was about to take a picture a security guard stopped me and said picture taking of this old building was not permitted. I asked why, especially since the paper had published theirs. He replied, "they must have gotten permission."

So after pondering the reasoning for this, the only conclusion I could come up with was that Oregon is ashamed of its past treatment of the mentally ill. That's not unlike you and I when contemplating our past. We don't relish having our sins recorded for history. I am so grateful on this Holy Week that because Christ offered his life for my sins on that Good Friday long ago, there is no record anywhere of those sins, past present or future. "My sin-not in part-but the whole, is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more. Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord-OH MY SOUL"
I have the paper with the pictures and could have scanned them and put them here. But in deference, enjoy the pretty ones.

Carol's 74th

2009-03-11T16:36:00.000-07:00

Carol's parents were excellent long range planners. We decided to come to Seaside to celebrate her birthday and the weather is absolutely beautiful.
We drove down on highway 30 coming through Astoria. There we found the greatest little place to eat where I got the best oyster stew I have eaten in years. Of course, it is the only oyster stew I have had in years. But it really was good. Lots of big pieces of oysters and not loaded down with lots of potatoes.Carol wasn't interested and had a burger.
Our hotel it a timeshare apartment--very reasonable--very nice.
So here's to Ray and Mary Simmons producers of the greatest woman and even on a sunny day at the beach.

Backing away from facebook

2009-03-07T10:14:00.000-08:00

Janelle's comment in a recent blog made me realize a frustration I have been having over all the emails, blogs and facebooks--and now Twitter..I can't keep up with it all.

I have decided that I won't be very active on facebook. If someone sends me a message

through facebook I will be able to answer, but as for those comments on"Robert is....."

I won't be entering that much. About three reasons:

1. I am not that much of a public person eager to let my extended world know what I am about.

2. It is too time consuming-although interesting.

3. I would rather devote time here where mostly only family and close friends will know what I am doing and thinking. Just saying..

Another picture from last week---Carol and great grandaughter Geneva

... and Culture

2009-03-03T11:00:00.000-08:00

After weeks of inactivity on this blog. Life has become full. Marty and Nikki gave us a wonderful Christmas present this year. It was tickets for two-right down front- for a concert with Itzak Perlman where he both played and conducted.. Now we don't go many concerts, much less down front but last night was a treat. From Jazz one week to symphony the next.
We were close enough to see the expressions on his face. What a sight to see this man who painfully drags himself to the podium because his legs have been weakened and twisted with polio and see and hear this genius of the violin perform.

Now to be totally honest here, I enjoyed the jazz last week-its more my style. But I wouldn't have missed last night for anything. I not only enjoyed, but I marvelled at the gift of creativity God has given us in the wonder of music and human beings gifted to compose and play that music. Perlman has overcome much to use and honor the one who gave him that gift. Carol and I both noticed that before every number whether playing or conducting, Perlman bowed his head and closed his eyes. I wonder....

.....Jazz

2009-03-02T15:19:00.000-08:00

Carol and I really get into this Jazz festival thing. Which is not that surprising that I do since I played sax and clarinet in college.
But Carol wanted to take in as much as possible also. We went to concerts, adjudications, including 5 performances of our mk friend Jonathon Tobin. We also saw some outstanding perfomances by some famous well known musicians. probably the highlight for many was a perfomance by Bobby Mcfarrin of Don't Worry be Happy. His vocal performance was outstanding

Our grandparental buttons flew off our chests when Morgan performed. He had one guitar solo which electrified the place. No kidding he is awesome. The crowd was roaring it's approval. It was the highlight performance for us.

Here are a couple more pictures. Adam and Jaime with Carol and Morgan and Mason. Mason is doing great in school and
has many friends and is active in Campus ministries. Adam has a new job computer programing and loves it.

Birthdays and.......

2009-03-02T14:58:00.000-08:00

We had a greaat time in Moscow and the University of Idaho last week. We celebrated Jaime's and Morgan's birthdays.
It was a great family time as we also went to a lot of the festival events together. Morgan's girlfriend and her family were with us on
some of those occasions as well.

We stayed with Adam and Jaime, enjoyed their little girl (our great granddaughter), as well as Scott who came down from Alaska to see his boys and hear Morgan perform. FUN Times.

First the Snow and then the Blow

2009-01-29T12:37:00.000-08:00

As you can tell by this picture out our window, we live in a park-like setting. Quite unusual for most condo settings. It does have its downsides occasionally. Like in the recent once-in-forty years snowstorm. The roads in this complex were almost impassable.
Then came the winds last week. It tore off roofing of quite a few units. Some need replacing like below. Ours needs repairing.

The worst was the damage to the beautiful trees that make our grace our properties. Quite a few were destroyed. In fact trees around our area suffered great damage. At nearby Mt. Hood College they had $100,000 damage to their campus trees
The tree above was left standing but had to be taken down due to it's danger of falling. It was a magnificent fir tree that swayed so had in the wind that a passing tree specialist stopped by to warn us. I went with him to see this tree sway so hard in the wind that the root system actually breathed and broke the soil around it while the gusts came. The residents in unit below had to leave for a couple of days. When the wind died down we had to have it taken down.
A reminder: We can look great and seem to have it altogether but if our roots are not anchored in God's truth, winds of adversity will destroy us.
Psalms 1

Canada Again! and another wedding

2009-01-21T16:01:00.000-08:00

Carol and I spent a few days in BC in Canada after being up there less than two weeks ago. At least the roads were more driveable than last time. We went to a wedding of a son of a dear missionary friend. Alice (above) was able to attend from Ontario. We were so concerned about her since she has had severe seizures for the last two years. She was able to function and enjoy her son's wedding. Her husband Rick could not attend due to Dr orders not to travel with and inner ear infection. We prayed that Alice could make it but forgot to pray for Rick!!

Alex married a high school friend. A lovely couple.

The piper played as the couple left the ceremony and to bring them into the reception.

Jack and Carolyn

2009-01-05T16:32:00.000-08:00

Carol and I had a great time over this recent New Years weekend.
We drove through some pretty fierce winter weather to Vancouver BC.
We visit family in Seattle and then spent three days with Merlin,
Brenda and their sons, Tyson and Warren. We celebrated a late Christmas
with them and then attended a wedding of our good friend Jack Teeter.
He and Carolyn have been friends for years. The wedding was in a native
reserve in North Vancouver.

Musing, Reflecting, Pondering

2008-12-24T14:44:00.000-08:00

The Christmas story in Luke says that after Mary gave birth to Jesus

and amidst of all the angelic and human attention to the birth that:

"Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. "

Christmas is a time for musing, reflecting and pondering. It is a wondrous thing that

God so loved-He gave His Son. Sad the person who doesn't pause to reflect on that.

So as we dug out from the worst snow fall here in Portland in 40 years, we pondered

with her.

Snow shovleling is a great activity to encourage musing.

Tuba Christmas

2008-12-15T13:33:00.001-08:00

I was a little discouraged this last week. The constant public barrage against Christians and Christian values get wearing and wearying. This last week the governor of Washington allowed a sign ridiculing religion and christianity to be placed next to the nativity scene in the capitol at Olympia. It seems you cannnot say anything publically negative against anything-except Christians. Then a shot of reality-of all places-in downtown Portland. Carol and I went to town on the Max and to observe and listen to 200 tubas, sousaphones, baritones, euphoniums play the old Christmas carols. Not Rudolph the you-know-what or Frosty the Snowman. Silent Night and Come all ye Faithful. Beautiful and Moving. I wish my Alaska friend, baritione player Russ could have been there. It turns out that this is a world wide event.

The director is an octogenarian who was for years the principal baritone player for the Portland Symphony. He knew his stuff and demonstrated and told us much about the different instruments. He obviously chose the most traditional of Carols. Reminded me of another friend Wally.

The inspiration and encouragement came -like Christmas itself-from a simple act. He repeatedly turned to the crowd of 1000's and had us sing along. There in the most liberal of settings we sang Silent Night, O Come all ye Faithful, Hark the Herald Angels, etc. I admit a tear rolled down my cheek and a prayer of thanks flew from my heart.

College Break

2008-11-24T15:23:00.000-08:00

We have been having fun having Marianne and Scott's boys here on Thanksgiving break from U of Idaho. Lots of good guitar playing. Morgan brought his girlfiend Kaitlan to visit, she is a sophmore at the UofI, Piano major., and a very sweet Christian girl. Her long time friend Tiffany came over from Vancouver to visit today and we went to the Columbia river Gorge and hiked to a few waterfalls Morgan and Kaitlin pic above are going up to her parents near Spokane for Thanksgiving .

Mason is staying here with us through thanksgiving. We are going to Mark and Shari's to celebrate Thanksgiving.

Oh, by the way, we had a good time going to the play Anne of Green Gables last week. this was performed by the chrisitan Youth theater group. Josh worked back stage and Kaylie was one of the ladies of the missionary aid society. The all did a superb job. Kaylie sang and danced like a pro.

"Four eyes"-No More

2008-11-18T13:58:00.000-08:00

The longer I live the more medical savvy I become. As Carol and I, and our friends, live beyond our allotted "three score and ten" we find the medical community performs wonders to keep us going, seeing and hearing. Our next door neighbor is just returning home
from open heart surgery, surviving a heart attack that would have meant death 20 years ago.
So we as seniors relate and commensurate with each other we learn about medical procedures secondhand. So much so that I could understand our grandson Tyson asking a couple of years ago, "Grandpa how come you and your friends seem to talk so much about medical stuff? Because we are survivors-that's why. :-)

Which brings me to the title above. After 60 some years of wearing eyeglasses of increasing strength and styles, I am typing this without glasses. I had my second cataract operation on my left eye yesterday and the lenses in my eyeglasses now are more of a hindurance than a help. Amazing. They are still the color hazel however, so my drivers license is still good. Or is it? It states on the back:
Restrictions: corrective eyeglasses!!

Post Election Fatigue

2008-11-06T19:46:00.000-08:00

I may get shot for this. I found Carol this evening sleeping looking at the vote results in the paper. She really followed the election closely, but even more fervently prayed. Like McCain
she has election fatigue. She did not even know the flash went off when I took her picture.

Election Day

2008-11-04T10:56:00.000-08:00

The Border Crossing Peace Arch

Having lived in both the US and Canada for many years we developed a perspective on how the rest of the world perceives the US. It is not always favorable. As a devoted American I have to also say it is not always fair.

But this election both Carol and I have realized how much we love our country even though we lived the last 20 years or so in Canada.
We have also realized how much our country is in need to return to the God we say we trust in. I think this election has caused many true believers to realize this more than we have for many years. That is one good result I can appreciate even before a winner is declared tonight .

We need to only remember but truly believe that:

It is He (the God of heaven) that removes kings and establishes kings-Dan 2:21

PS. Your mom is still proudly wearing her "Go Sarah" T-shirt Marla!

Another great visit

2008-10-28T11:38:00.000-07:00

We are so thankful for the succession of visits we have had lately with our "kids" from Alaska. Marla and Jim were the latest to spend a week with us. we went to the beach where we had fabulous weather. Sunny, warm and very little wind. October at the beach can be fabulous. We stayed at Manzanita and rented a house right on the golf course there. Jim got in quite a few rounds of gold, we walked the beach, shopped and strolled beaches in Cannon Beach, Seaside and visited other beautiful spots. And of course we ate. It was fabulous

Marla and her gift of love to us!

Marla knitted Christmas stockings for our Christmas gift this year. I won't be able to mock complain about my christmas stocking being too small now. Notice our favorite hymn titles are on each stocking. A special gift from a lovely, godly daughter.

Boys day Out

2008-10-19T19:27:00.000-07:00

I had an especially enjoyable weekend. Mark, Matt and I drove to Seattle and Merlin drove down from Canada and we met at Husky Stadium. We watched Oregon State beat the UofW. It was a beautiful fall day and we had a great few hours together. What a joy to see how all of our children have matured into such great people with great values and lives dedicated to serve Christ. We had a great visit with Marty and Nikki from Alaska recently and Marla and Jim are coming tomorrow for a week

We were really encouraged as we went to Good Shepherd Church this morning and hear the author of a book I read recently. Danesh D'Souza wrote What's so Great About Christianity. What a brilliant guy with a keen insight on what is really happening in our world today.
We sat with Ryan and Michelle. Our grandson and wife of whom we are very proud. He is a youth pastor of that church.
After that we went to our church where our pastor Barry Arnold preached a very good sermon on Esther. I encourage you to listen to Dinesh's sermon on the Good Shepherd Community Church home page. Google it!

Correct Tartan

2008-10-17T11:33:00.000-07:00

Possibly you noticed that Greg caught my error in identifying his cousins kilts by saying they were wearing the Moffat pattern. Big mistake. It was a brain-eye coordination kind of thing.
The eye thing will possibly be taken care of by a cataract operation the end of this month. My wife Carol and friend Gale have both had the operation and say colors become clearer and brighter after the exchange of lens.

The brain thing is a different matter. Carol remended me that Merlin and Brenda who bought them for their boys could not find them in Moffat colors. I forgot. Therefore "we hope for better things" in the future.

Sperio Meloria

2008-10-16T16:52:00.000-07:00

"Sperio Meloria" is old Scottish for "We hope for Better things". It is the Motto of the Moffat Clan.

Yes our clan is official and even has it's own tartan. Tyson and Warren last Christmas got Tartan Kilts made from the Moffat Tartan. They look good or make our pretty plain tartan look good.

I have done some research on our clan and found like most Scottish clans obvious have spiritual roots. Our motto of "We hope for Better Things" has spiritual connotations of expecting God to bring us out of oppresive and hopeless situations. Our clans history is full of much persecution, both spiritual and actual.

As our American society seems to be in a freefall away from our country's spiritual roots it is time for us to " look up for our redemption draweth nigh." He is our only hope.

Marty and Nikki Visit

2008-10-06T09:51:00.000-07:00

We had a great time these last few days as Marty and Nikki spent the first days of their vacation visiting with us. We had some great family times as we were in the homes of all the Moffat clan that are in this area. (There's over twenty of us here ).

We celebrated Matt and Marty's birthdays Friday evening. Mark and Shari joined Matt's family as we did the cake thing and had dinner. Although it was rainy we also decided to go to a Greek festival on Saturday. This is a money raiser for the Greek Orthodox church here. It is an annual event of immense popularity. People jammed in like sardines buying and eating Greek food. We all really laughed when we read the sign below. It took a little adjustment for us to really understand what the sign says. Wonder if they had that kind of sign up at the wedding of Cana?

The Greek desert we shared was delicious and worth the entire trip itself.

We also spent some time in their beautiful church, learning a bit about the Greek Orthodox Church. A beautiful building. I did not get a good picture.

Young again?

2008-09-26T08:27:00.000-07:00

I went back to college yesterday. I am taking a writing course this semester at Mt Hood Community college. The course is titled "Writing your Memoirs." I had previously started writing a few stories for my family but the project got stalled-mostly to my lack of committment to get it done.

When I saw the course offering I thought it might give me the motivation I needed. I think it will.

My first assignment for next week it to write my first memory. Quite a task that has really got me thinking. That little boy you see up there is me. REALLY?! I told you I was cute.

The trouble is I don't remember much about him at all. Because of the trauma in my early years I have very little memories of those years and most of them are painful. I have long since resolved all that by God's Grace and love. I guess I will have to write about that.

Birthday Hangover

2008-09-18T09:39:00.000-07:00

Got your attention EH? Not all hangovers are bad, you know. Mine is a hangover of praise and thankfulness. Yesterday Carol and I had a fun day of going to the zoo. We really enjoyed it along with hundreds of moms pushing myriads of strollers. Everyone wanted to see the new baby elephant. We passed on that long line. We also visited the fabulous Rose Gardens.

I also got lots of cards, ecards, facebook greetings from children, grandchildren and friends. I am very rich. My grandaughter Kara posted a neat song on her blog yesterday which sums up the reason for my hangover. I invite you to listen to it on her blog (www.karapennington.net).

While you are there also take notice of another great artist's work. Kara does fabulous wedding photography.

Trip Highlight

2008-09-15T15:38:00.000-07:00

Our recent trip to Washington and Canada had quite a few outstanding highlights. We met with our siblings (both mine and Carol's) met with friends and saw Merlin and Brenda in Canada, to name a few. We also visited Carol's niece and husband Leah and Clark. Clark is becoming famous at as an artist who make fish our of flat copper sheets. He bends and burnishes these to make them look real.

This is part of a display Clark is making for a curved staircase in downtown Port Angeles

Clark gave us a replica trout he is holding here.I admire the creativeness that God has given to people to make such beautiful works of art. Especially since I can't do much art-wise.

Veep?

2008-08-31T17:47:00.000-07:00

Here's a picture I took of Sarah at Seward. I was amazed at the time there was not security for the Alaska govenor.
Not the case today.

Sarah, not so plain and standing very tall!

2008-08-31T17:14:00.000-07:00

Well howdy!
Lots of excitement in this election, eh? Carol has been as excited as can be with the political news lately and I am again amazed at my bride. She follows this political scene with a close interest.
And now Sarah has intensified everything.
Sarah Palin that is:
The governer of Alaska has and is being examined and dissected in an intensity that defies expression. Our daughter Marianne says the church they go to was invaded by newsmen and photographers today. that because Sarah and Todd attend the Wasilla Bible Church. Our friend Adele who is a close friend of Sarah received phone call after phone call from major papers and newsmagazines searching for any tidbit they could find about Sarah.
This small town Alaska girl has experienced a meteoric political rise and we need to pray for her and her family to be able to keep their equilibrium these next 60 some days. Sarah is a very committed Christian who has stood tall for Jesus as she has governed with integrity and bravery.
And she is just as regular as anyone could be. Last year we saw her at the Seward Marathon cheering her kids on.
What's God up to in this election?

Hebrew 12:1-BABY

2008-08-24T17:07:00.000-07:00

Matt organized a group of guys-mostly from our church -to participate in the Hood to Coast relay. 197 miles from Mt hood to the coast at Seaside, Oregon. Greg, Eric and Matt of our clan participated in the crew of twelve. they took 29 or so hours to complete the grueling trek. There was lots of looking and waiting interrupted by 6 miles or so of hurting and pain. Greg is asking "where is Eric, anyway?"

Here he comes! adreniline is flowing now! They say about 15,000 runners from all 50 states and 40 foreign countries participated. And all this while the Olympics were going on.

There were two teams of 6 each on each 12 man team. guys were shuttled to their meeting spots and guys tried to sleep, eat or whatever, waiting for their next turn of misery (approximately 6 miles each).

We watched a couple of sections with Mark and Shari. Mark got drafted to be a race official. He had to go to a transfer point on Saturday to a little Oregon town near the coast and handle the traffic caused by hundreds of vans and racers congregating at the same place.. Pandemonium!
A bunch of guys were groaning and limping at church today. They did great and represented their team name of Hebrews 12:1 Baby, with distinction.

So many pics-So little space

2008-08-20T16:31:00.000-07:00

We have had many family gatherings lately. We gathered with our fellow

staff members in Alaska. Here is the picture taken from our bed room

at the conference.

We also had a lot of fun get togethers with our Alaska three children and their families

while in Alaska. Family get togethers included our children, their families at each of their houses.

Family from Mexico

2008-07-30T14:46:00.000-07:00

We had a great time this last couple of days. Our granddaughter Kristen, husband AAron and new baby girl Emma came from Mexico City to visit us and the famioy in the Portland area. they have now gone back with Kristens parents to visit with their family on the Vancouver,BC area.

Ever so relentlessy almost all of our children are now grandparents. And we are getting older!

We had a open house here at our condo clubhouse and Kristen's aunts and uncles and cousins and nephews and nieces came to visit. Over 20 of us. I have lots of good pictures, but I will put a couple here knowing I can't get everyone. Here's a couple of the better ones.

Enjoying Life

2008-07-19T17:28:00.000-07:00

The last couple of weeks have been truly summer days. We spent the Fourth weekend helping Mark, Shari and Greg build a "shack" or toolshed in Mark's back yard. It came our real nice with Shari's artistic paint job. It was a fun project.

This last week Carol and I travelled to Hood river area on the other side of MT Hood. We picked charries, explored and stayed in a B@B at Parkdale. It was a fun trip all on less than a tank of gas. We came home with almost 30# of cherries. thought we made a good bargain until we went shopping today at Winco and saw them for about the same price!

A Tribute

2008-07-13T17:00:00.000-07:00

Tony Snow, former press sec to president Bush just recently graduated-to heaven.
Carol and I just spent a couple of hours watching tributes to him on Fox News.
What a genuine believer in Jesus. He had a winsome testimony and a genuine faith as attested
by fellow journalists and politicians on both sides of the politiaca spectrum.
Genuine-genuine-genuine is the common assesment of his life. A follower of Jesus who was truly salt and light.
More than one of those interviewed referred to a speech he made at Catholic University commencement recently. I urge you to google "snow speaks at Catholic University" and read it
for yourself. At 53 Snow knew what it took to rise victorious in times when many slog through mid life crisis.
Here's what he said about faith in that speech:
"When it comes to faith, I’ve taken my own journey. You will have to take your own. But here’s what I know. Faith is as natural as the air we breathe. Religion is not an opiate, just the opposite. It is the introduction to the ultimate extreme sport. There is nothing that you can imagine that God cannot trump. As Paul said “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” And once you realize that there is something greater than you out there, then you have to decide, “Do I acknowledge it and do I act upon it?” You have to at some point surrender yourself. And there is nothing worthwhile in your life that will not at some point require an act of submission. It’s true of faith and friendship. It is a practical passage [of the Bible], especially to marriage.
Tolstoy once said all happy marriages are happy in the same way and here’s what he meant. When both people commit, when they say, “You and I are bound together, forever, period, no questions, no codicils, no pre-nups, no escape clauses,” then all of a sudden, the temptations become irrelevant, and the glories become possible.
There is nothing like the pleasure of being a parent. Waking up the next morning to somebody whose breath has become the echo of your heartbeat. Trust me on this, it does not get any better. Commit."

Wild Men Wild Alaska

2008-07-09T15:17:00.000-07:00

Carol bought me a book for Father's Day and I just got around to reading it.

"Wild Men Wild Alaska" is written by Rocky McElveen a missionary kid raised in Alaska. He now operates a guiding service on the western slopes of the Alaska Range near Aniak. A very good read and we also just listened to a radio podcast of "Family Life" with Dennis Rainey which featured Rocky and his wife Sharon, the last three days.

Just in the natural course of living in Alaska and doing what the native people did, we experienced some of the reality this hunting and fishing guide experienced. A love for God's creation, appreciation for alaska game, fish and birds and the challenge of trusting God in some very unusual conditions. Of course Rocky experienced some pretty dramatic stuff and he is a much better story teller. However it still struck a resonant chord with me.

The book is available though amazon.com or you can borrow my copy.

My Music

2008-07-06T15:34:00.000-07:00

As some of you know I love music. Almost all kinds of music. After teaking to Marty and Mark and seeing how the ipods work I backed off on my idea that I would never have one. One of my negatives was that I could never use earbuds with my hearing aids.

Merlin and Brenda bought us the above CD player while we lived in Calgary. It holds 200 cd's and with our christmas cd's we have around 130 now. It worked OK, but it was very difficult to play a particular song or a particular cd or to know what cd's we had. It sure does make a good place to store them!

But now.... I have transferred all these songs to my new 8G nano. Over 1000 songs and the Nano is only half full. We also got a temendous buy on the ipod player. It also plays radio, XM radio and single cd's, with good sound. So now I am really back in the listening mood since I can find songs by title, artist, genre my rating etc. Fun and very enjoyable.

The Shack

2008-07-02T16:42:00.001-07:00

SHACK:

We lived in what some would consider shacks in our day. I might add that we did not suffer much for it.

Most of our houses in the bush of Alaska had a shack out back. Here our boys and a native girl are giving one of them a new paint job.

I also had various areas in our houses I called my shack. I have a ham radio license and the room or area we operate from is called a "shack".

Carol and recently attended a book lecture by author William Paul Young who wrote a christian best seller (over 1 million copies and growing). It was held in the local christian supply store.

The book title is "The Shack'. I read this novel when Merlin told me about it a couple of months ago. I really enjoyed it, although it is an allegory and allegory is not my favorite form of story telling. But I do like Bunyan, C.S. Lewis because they try to help us understand the mysteries of God. I especially enjoyed and grew by reading Pilgrim's Progress.

So the allegory in The Shack is to try to explain pain and suffering and how God wants to meet with us in our "shacks" of pain. It is not a book of theology, nor as Young pointed out the other night, anything more than a story to try to explain how God wants us to understand how He as the Trinity ministers to each of us in our pain. It is a story he wrote for his kids.

Young has not only been successful in this as evidenced by the popularity of the book, but he has been the object of some serious criticism. I recommend you reading the book if you read it as a story (a pretty good one).It might help you undeerstand a little better the mystery of the Trinity.

Collin Hansen wrote in "Christianity Today" recently:

"The Trinity reminds us that God did not create us because he was lonely. God even draws believers into fellowship with himself through the work of Christ and the agency of the Holy Spirit.
The Trinity is no mere abstraction. It is God's plan of salvation in action. God the Father, desiring to restore fellowship between himself and his Creation, sent his incarnate Son, who willingly gave his life as a substitute for sins. After defeating evil by raising his Son from the dead, God sent his Holy Spirit as the seal of salvation for all who believe. So what? Nothing less than fellowship with God is at stake."

Kitchen Re-DO

2008-06-30T13:55:00.000-07:00

Our kitchen cabinets are 1978 originals. Carol wanted to bring it into this century. We looked at getting new cabinets at IKEA, etc. (Lots of money and even more work). We comprimised with some money and some work and it came our pretty good.

Before we had a black stove and a black dishwasher and lime green cupboards.

So we bought a new cookstove, changed the face of the dishwasher, painted the cupboards to change the look.

I fixed some old cupboard slides, installed some new cupboard sliding shelves and presto--she is pleased.and I'm happy because when momma is happy.....

Congrats to Marianne

2008-06-28T10:30:00.000-07:00

Our youngest, Marianne had a great personal accomplishment by completing the Mayor's Marathon on Anchorage, Alaska last weekend. We are proud of her. It involved more than running the 26 miles. It was accomplished by hours of training over the last few months.

Much of it in dark and cold Alaska winter. Her husband Scott was very supportive by helping

with household chores so Marriane could take the time to train.

Our son Matt ran and completed a marathon in Newport, Oregon a few years ago. He is now training for the famous Hood to Coast run this August. (Mt Hood to Oregon Coast) He a and a few others are training now. Two of our grandson's are on that team.

It is a joy for us to rejoice in our children's personal accomplishments and spiritual growth.

56 times 56

2008-06-20T11:33:00.000-07:00

Great grandmother meets Miles Moffat
Eric and Leah's twins arrive at the hospital to meet their new brother. It is an adjustment for sure. Miles was born ceaserian and Leah did great. Carol and I will be married 56 years in December and Miles Moffat is number 56 of our immediate family. 56 times 56!!! The command to multiply is one we definetly obeyed. Seriously, the blessing of family is certainly our greatest.

50th Anniversary party in Seattle

2008-06-20T11:19:00.000-07:00

Carol's Brother and Sisters

We had a great time with all of Carol's siblings celebrating her brother Don and wife Helen's

50th Wedding anniversary. It was great seeing their family as well. Sorry for the 'head chop',

I wanted to get all of that pretty cake.

Don and Helen

Mason Graduates

2008-05-20T09:55:00.000-07:00

Our second main event and purpose for our trip to Alaska ocurred last night. Mason Wick our grandson and son of our daughter Marianne and husband Scott graduated from High School with 190 other students here from Colony High. Mason is a fine young man with a lot of potential for serving his Lord in this world. He plans to go to the University of Idaho, where his brother is a Junior. We head home in a couple of days.

Mason with his Dad and Mom
Mason with his grandparents

It isOfficial

2008-05-11T22:52:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful time yesterday and the wedding went smooooth!

Lots of friends a great prime rib reception and the Moffat picture.

Rehearsal was fun and went well

2008-05-10T09:29:00.000-07:00

We had a good time last night rehearsing for the wedding. Becca and Luke were relaxed and were surrounded by longtime friends and of course family. It WAS a merging of family and friends and Marty and Nikki did great in providing the dinner and setting the atmosphere. Everyone seemed relaxed and we had great visits.
Practicing waiting for the bride to be escorted in. The church is beautiful. Becca has gone here for many years and the pastor knows the family well.
Marty and Carly watch the steaks, chicken and moose brats being barbequed. Their longtime friend Mike Conners is the cook. Mike is recovering from a very complicated back surgery three days ago!

Alaska Visit

2008-05-09T12:27:00.000-07:00

Not many spare moments as usual as we take in some fun as well as thoughtful times. I named this blog Moffat Musings, because at this stage in my life, I keep looking for God's presence in the activities that swirl around me-God sightings if you will. He certainly shows himself to me when I observe how he works and moves in our family.

The Big event this week starts today with the rehearsal for Luke and Becca's wedding. We are invited to the rehearsal dinner that Marty and Nikki are hosting. We are going to try to help in the prep of that today. Barbeque steaks at the Lutheran Church. I will try to show a couple of pics here tomorrow.

We spent yesterday with Bob and Elaine Mitchell. That was a God sighting for sure. He has certainly worked in their lives. It seems like a long time since Bob and I were partners in a snow machine business in Tanana- M and M Sales- and he was not a Christian. Yesterday we reminisced, visited family-Bob and Elaine love our kids-went out to eat a couple of times. they are coming to the wedding.

Not a very good picture but at least it shows that we were there when Mason got his awards and scholarships. He was well rewarded for a very good high school career. He was almost a straight A student and is obviously well respected by the school administration and his classmates. I overheard the school principal tell his parents "We could take a million Wicks".

We also attended a very cool (cool temp) Alaska track meet where Maria ran a very respectable mile. The pictures are not very good. It was fun

on and a clear day with very white mountains dominating the scenery.

Blazer Fan

2008-04-16T10:49:00.000-07:00

My wonderful wife continues to amaze me. After emerging as a political junkie she now is a Portland Blazer fan and not a mediocre one at that.

Matt took her to the last Blazer home game of the year for a birthday present. It was last night and I got to tag along. I saw her studying the free poster we got and took her picture. Wait until next year! Most importantly she is an avid follower of Jesus Christ and her spiritual life is a challenge to me.

A Visit to the Past and Future

2008-04-14T10:50:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday we were invited to one of our long time partner churches. The missions committee pictured above invited us to show up on a day when they were featuring our ministry to the church. We were greeted warmly and had a good visit and spoke to the kids in church as well.

A dog team story is a good icebreaker anytime.!

The visit has made me do some musing again. We first visited this church almost 50 years ago. It kind of is typical of the support teams we developed as we prepared to go to Alaska as a family. There were a whole group of small churches in the Oregon/So WA. area connected with an organization called the American Sunday School Union (now known as American Missionary Fellowship.) This organization ministered to rural churches, mostly with volunteer pastors. Carol and I were driving each Sunday to a rural church that met in an old schoolhouse in the hills behind Camas WA. We did that for about 3 years. That's where I began to learn about preaching and ministering to people. We also were able to attend conferences and camps that were comprised of these wonderful partners.

When God called us to Alaska and we needed to develop a support base our connections with these rural pastors and churches gave us opportunities to visit and tell of our vision. So we began to learn of obscure places like Ruch, Paradise, Dodge, Provolt, Bridal Veil and the one we visited yesterday-Ladd Hill.

This church originally met in a very rundown old schoolhouse. It is located 6 miles East of Wilsonville on Ladd Hill. Now a beautiful setting populated by large, very expensive homes, horse ranches and vineyards. In those early days it was sheep farmers, farmers, small ranches. the pastor drove out from Portland which was a much harder journey before the modern roads and new freeways..

I took the above picture yesterday. The church has been completely remodeled. In fact the old schoolhouse part is now a Sunday School room. You can't see a new very large auditorium built in the back where church is now held. the parking lot is paved and the new building could hold over 200 people.

The church is now called Hope Fellowship and is connected with the Evangelical Free denomination. They have a website and as the pastor told me they sit in a new demographic with potential growth possibilities.

They pay his salary, support many missionaries and there was a atmosphere of loving warmth and love for the Savior.

This church personifies our ministry partners. Growth because of faithful
pastors who volunteered and often payed their own expenses. A vision of the American Missionary fellowship to help small communities in rural America to have a gospel witness. These churches have produced missionaries, pastors and christian families that have reached around the world with the Love of Christ. Many a church has seen the population come to their areas and they are not so rural anymore. Many now exist and grow in bedroom communities of America. God's people are everywhere.

After a month of 'retreating'

2008-04-08T11:08:00.000-07:00

Retreating forward, that is.
We drove to Canada and attended a retreat of InterAct church planters in Golden BC. It was good to see many of our friends we have not seen for a long time.It was a winter time drive, but the Rockies were beautiful . Not one picture to share-Oh well.

We also attended a retreat here with the elders of our church. We are especially blessed by our church and the leaders who lead us in such a caring manner.

I also just returned from a retreat in Alaska. Our son Marty has started a ministry called "Double Honor" where he is ministering to rural Alaskan pastors. We had a great retreat and I am encouraged with progress of this ministry and how it is ministering to special servants of God who minister in isolated and lonely places without very much recognition and encouragement. I am also encouraged that some of the bigger churches in population areas are supporting and encouraging this ministry.

Since the retreat was in Palmer and all three of our children's families live in the area, I had a chance to have some significant family times.
I am overwhelmed with the love our family here and there express to us.
And talk about easy to love back. What a couch full of easy to love great grandkids.

.

Seeing God in it All

2008-02-25T10:32:00.000-08:00

Our weekend in Idaho at the Lionel Hamptom Jazz Festival was terrific. We did see God in the big things and the small things.

To begin with as we drove across E. WA. Thurs nite we saw the eclipse of the moon. Clear,full and in totality. We may be looking at the next on

from the other side, but this was magnificent. Forgot

to stop and take a picture though. That was big.

The small was again to see how God has created music.

From 8 very small notes he has allowed us to create

an unlimited source of pure enjoyment. The highlight for us

was Morgan's 120 voice "jazz" choir. Jazz is really a misnomer

this choir repetoire was varied, dynamic, full of energy and very good.

Such as:

A guitar solo by Morgan that brought the house down.

A haunting rendition of Dante's "Inferno" that portrayed the agony,

eternity and emptiness of hell.

A masterful rendition of "Eternal Father, Strong to Save"

- a Christian could only respond with worship.

And lots of good Jazz with a little "Scat" thrown in.

Thanks to Jim and Marla and Scott and Marianne

for the evening tickets. For Adam and Jaime for giving us such kind hospitality, including their bed. It gives us

pleasure to see them doing so well in family, work

and church. For Morgan for

such great playing in the choir, band, jazz group performances.

We left right after church Sunday. Morgan has a great church family,

a dynamic pastor and a good group to grow in.

We got home at 5:30 praising Him for all the big and small

things and family times He provides for us.

Jazzing it up in Idaho

2008-02-22T10:34:00.000-08:00

Late 1800s–Today
The Blues: Back to the Source
Born in the South, the blues is an African American-derived music

form that recognized the pain of lost love and injustice and gave

expression to the victory of outlasting a broken heart and facing down

adversity. The blues evolved from hymns, work songs, and field

hollers — music used to accompany spiritual, work and social functions.

Blues is the foundation of jazz as well as the prime source of rhythm and

blues, rock 'n' roll, and country music. The blues is still evolving and is still

widely played today.

This quote from "Black History in America" is a simple introduction to complex

subject as evidenced by what we saw and heard here in the University town

of Moscow ID.
Highlights for us yesterday:

Morgan performing with his small jazz combo-

Morgan performing with the full jazz band. Both groups displaying

incredible talent and

musical prowess. Their young director is phenomenal and we got to meet him.

This old duffer is amazed at the superior ability of college kids of this generation.

We watched and listened to the group from Whitworth College. A tremendous

tenor sax player in

that group. You would have been proud Eric and Leah.

So even though the highlight has been Morgan's groups, we also enjoyed a

tour of the college led by Morgan

meeting some of his friends, his great mentor couple from his church.

Adam and Jaime are a delight and so gracious in hospitiality. There have

been family remembrance times. etc. Nuff said to convey we are having a

great time with and more of the same today and there are the professionals

tonight. This could get additive.

They won't let us take pictures of the performances

Blogger or Sluggard?

2008-02-18T19:41:00.000-08:00

It's been so long since I have enterd a new post that if any one has been looking I know you must think the latter. Really, The last month has been rather routine. This last weeks trip to Canada marks a little change.
We traveled up to Vancouver, B.C. last weekend and spent a couple of days with Merlin and Brenda. It is always fun to be with them. As the picture shows, we also went out to dinner one night with their two boys who live in Abbotsford and are still both busily working building custom log homes.

Carol and I spent the week (4 1/2 full days) helping facilitate a Interpersonal skills Workshop with about 26 missionaries. This biblically based interactive workshop is designed especially for missionaries.
We had 26 attend. About 16 were missionaries in training and included quite a few foreign missionaries, mostly from Asia. The rest were experienced missionaries from various parts of the world. It was a challenge of communications and culture, but as always very effective. Bob facilitated with two other ladies and Carol did all the backup work.

The trip home was a challenge as well. One hour wait at the border and a huge traffic jam of over 50 miles from North of Everett to almost Olympia.

We travel in a few days to Moscow Id. We will be going to a Jazz festival where our grandson Morgan goes to college (U of Idaho)and has many chances to play (guitar) and we will also have lots of jazz listening times. Professional jazz artists play in the evenings and Marianne and Marla have bought us some tickets for that. Marianne-Morgan's mother-is coming down and we will be staying with Adam and Jaime. Our grandaughter and husband.
I will post some pictures next week.

I read recently that jazz was developed after the abolition of slavery and is a musical expression of freedom and of joy. Something that Christian music should express as well.
Picture below is the workshop in action.

2007-12-20T15:03:00.000-08:00

God' greatest gift to me other than giving His Son for my sins and salvation is my wife Carol. We were married 55 years ago today.

We celebrated this anniversary by using Alaska Air air miles and spent 8 days in Kauai, Hawaii. It was wonderful and made even more special because Matt and Maralle were able to come with us.

We have posted a few more pictures at: www.picasaweb.google.com/bobbymab

To Grandmother's House We Go

2007-12-06T10:25:00.000-08:00

Yes, the highlight for us was to have some of our grandchildren

come for a visit and that generated even more grandchildren visits as

they then visited with their cousins and aunts and uncles.

Boy this having family around is sure nice!

So having Morgan stay with us around thanksgiving and Kristen and her husband Aaron from Mexico City this last week was special. Morgan is in his second year of university studying guitar. Kristen and Aaron are also professional musicians. Aaron plays percussion in the Mexico National Band/orchestra. Kristen is not in the symphony now. she is having a baby girl and has had a few complications. We are glad they could finally pull this trip together.

In the pic above we are trying to fit a new baby stroller part in a suitcase so they can take it as luggage. They made lots of good purchases here including music and scores for Aaron's band.

Thanksgiving Grows with Time

2007-11-22T09:09:00.001-08:00

Growing up in Alaska our family did everything together. Vacations aand entertaining each other before TV and almost every kind of recreation so "necessary" today.

That family togetherness is evident today as they love, respect and want to be with each other, if they can.
For that and knowing a God who loves us makes us Thankful.

Musing Again

2007-11-15T11:38:00.000-08:00

Carol gave me a new gps for my birthday. Boy I am really loving using it.
On recent trips it took away the frustration of driving in traffic in strange places.
Put in an address and it takes you there turn by turn. It really is a boon for Carol
too. Let some other woman's voice tell me where to go!

God has given us a gps for life. It is called the Bible. It gives us directions turn by turn until you reach the ULTIMATE DESTINATION.

2007-11-13T21:54:00.000-08:00

We flew Portland to Las Vegas and found a lot of glitter. Rented a car there.

Bob's sister Marilyn and husband Jerry in Havasu. They have a beautiful new home.

2007-11-13T21:37:00.000-08:00

We recently went to Nevada, Arizona, and California for a vist with my sister and husband in Lake Havasu City and Carol's sister in Indo CA.

Our sister in law Lois Moffat went with us. We had some good visits and enjoyed some watm weather.

Above is London Bridge in Havasu.

We really enjoyed a small town on Route 66 in the middle of the desert in Arizona. wild donkeys run free everywhere and there were a bunch of new colts.

2007-10-03T12:33:00.000-07:00

Boris and Miirka took us out to the Rockies for a day.
Les and May live in N Idaho and we stayed with them overnight on the way up.

2007-10-03T12:20:00.001-07:00

We had a great trip to Calgary Alberta. the Rockies are beautiful this time of year. We also had some great visits with friends, supporters and a 25th anniversary clebraton with the church we attended when living in Calgary.

A 1600 mile return trip. We stayed three nights with Boris and Miirka.

They are volunteer missionaries with Interact.

25th Anniversary celebration

2007-10-03T12:13:00.000-07:00

2007-09-18T11:51:00.000-07:00

When peace like a river

2007-09-18T11:27:00.000-07:00

There are times in life when peace seems to be in abundance. It was like that for me last week when all of our children met with Carol and I down on the Oregon Coast to celebrate my 75th. About half of our grandchildren and five of our great grandchildren

The Love showered on us was like a veritable river of peace. A lifetime memory for sure. No words can express how much all the time, effort and money expended meant to both of us.

It was a super blessing to see you also minister to each other with concern and caring.

Moffat Musings (Older generation ramblings)

2007-09-12T09:58:00.000-07:00