Vacation and friends - pt 2

Sometimes we are lucky and develop life long friends. I am blessed with many good friends I have known for a long time. What amazes me is these people also choose to be my friend. While on vacation I got a chance to visit three friends I have known for 45 years, 33 years and 32 years. I have others I won't talk about in this blog, but I could. These have the distinction of being close friends who live in Michigan.

I spent a couple of days talking and doing things with Dr. Bob Jasinski and his better half Becca. If you like conversation that stimulating and filled with humor you have come to the right house. Bob has been talking with me for about 45 years. Bob and his family have been a great influence on my life. Real education really doesn't happen to often in our schools but with friends like Bob I feel like I have earned another degree. One talk with Bob and I am off to the Library and set for months of thinking. We both were laughing into the wee hours of the night.

Our next stop was off to Grand Rapids to visit Rev. Dan and Cathy Schutte. Dan and began a ministry in the heart of the city where few actually go. Dan taught me how to do street ministry and I taught Dan the values of biographies and discipleship. Dan's work have gone to Africa and India and his track work is reaching millions in the third world. People in the US have shun tracks of the gospel but we are more needy than we think. Dan shared his growing worldwide work and I in return shared my insights in working with mentally challenged people. Throw in a few old stories and once again laughter is contagious. Dan and I have known each other for 33 years.

Our last friends to visit was Jim and Judy Smith. Jim here is pictured captaining his boat on Lincoln lake. Jim and I have known each other for 32 years. We were a big reason Pine Ridge grew to over 1000 campers a summer. We spent time at a cabin Jim remodeled and it was several days filled with great food, great talk, and big laughs. All three couples add to my ideas of aging and getting the most out of life. And isn't that the way to keep walking.

Finally back walking - On the Road in Western Michigan



Barb with her
favorite  activity

It took longer than I expected but I am back walking. Since I wasn't walking I took time off the blog. I had some issues with the right eye where I had to take it easy. Then I experienced vertigo for about 12 days. Barb and I went on vacation in Western Michigan while I was recovering. The vertigo went away and I was able to begin walking again.

Vacation was different in that we spent time visiting friends and did alot of talking. Barb and I had some time by ourselves which was our own spiritual retreat. That really fit into recovery time and true rest and relaxation. How many times we go on vacation only to put alot on our table where you are glad to be home just to relax.

Western Michigan in the national forest is is neat to travel to. At the beginning of our trip we toured around in the car. We were surprised in Baldwin to run into a jazz concert. It was pretty good. We were considering camping but I am sure glad we decided against that option. We had 4 inches of rain the first night we were there and the mosquitoes would have been oppressive. Where we stayed have an over hang where we could sit protected from the weather outside. Also what was nice was accommodations to cook outdoors which was a pleasant experience.

We had time to study and meditate on God's Word. I actually had time to continues my studies on walking with Jesus. In Baldwin there is a restaurant that over looks a lake. The restaurant was like a lodge and the food was pretty good. We were up there to see the stars but the evenings were too cloudy. The nice thing was the evening was in the low sixties and was great for sleeping.



Outside a restaurant we ate at in
Bear Lake Mi.

One thing that has been really an improvement for me was the ability to sleep every night. Most nights I am able to sleep through the night uninterrupted. Maybe you have never experienced insomnia but if you have you know how great sleep can be. There is no doubt the medicines I take for depression and anxiety are a big reason for the improvement. There are many reasons why we don't sleep and I don't think solutions are simple, but it is a good idea to look at sleep from a medical and psychological perspective. Don't worry what others think. If you benefit from treatment or learn how to manage your sleep or feel better, that is what counts. If we can make each day a joy to experience or cope better with our trials that ain't bad. I was able to sleep with the vertigo and eye problems. From my experience I would not have been able to do that 6 months ago. The last 5 years sleep was especially hard when I was physically sick.

One of the things I did this summer was enjoy some reading before bed time. Alot of the reading was just for the fun of it. I'm a big mystery buff and I like to read books that take me to other experiences and humor. I read a couple books on Post Traumatic Stress and Depression. Those reads I took my time with and I wasn't in a hurry to rush through them. I listen to Thru the Bible with J. Vernon McGee and some recordings on the Holy Spirit with Lewis S. Chafer. Did these activities help me to a restful night? I think so.

Well I am walking again and each time I do, my body is responding to an improved conditioning. I have had some set backs but I want to tell you you can get back into it. Be kind to yourself and ease your way back. I started out warming up slowly and walking mindful it has been awhile. My pace and length of walk has improved to where I am walking 30 to 35 minutes. It will take a few weeks but every couple of days I can feel the difference. Keep walking.

Well the fat man is back on track - Feels good to walking again

It feels good to be walking again. Eye surgury and the need to heal took longer than expected. Then I had experienced vertigo for about 12 days. But this week I am back walking and I am looking forward to getting back into the daily benefits of two mile or 30 minute walks. That plus a three time a week strength training will feel good.

This summer I did enjoy time reading various books just for the fun of it and continued my studies "Walking with Jesus". I also took time reading about Post Traumatic Stress, and about depression and anxiety. My treatment for depression and anxiety has changed my sleep patterns for the better. For me it is all about working on things that are problems with our lives as not so perfect people and living better.

On vacation I had a great couple days with two different couples that I will will tell you about later and really time where Barb aand I had our own personal retreat. I am thankful to work on my friendships and the times I have experienced. Even when you are down you can do things that enhance your spiritual, mental, emotional health. Life is walking but it is also lived on the spiritual level. As we get older it is time to take each day and somehow embrace it with our sences and mental and spiritual capacities God gives us as we trust Him.

We picked blueberries and some of them were tart. Barb's crust

Healed and ready to walk again - recovery

Eye surgery, retna possible detachment and brother's death all added up to setbacks on walking. They happen but I have healed and it is now time to walk again. It is easy tothrow in the towel , but it time to reboot the walk
Mode. A lady told me to take it easy with concern on her face. I
was breathing but aerobically . It was a good two miles, thanks Lord..
Barb and Tanya joined me.
Worked up a sweat. I will sleep eell