Preface: The journey for Maxine and I began on February 7, 1962 and ended on June 4, 2005. This is the story of how our forty three years of togetherness ended. Our Journey Ends Maxine Horness and I began our journey together on February 7th of 1962 during our senior year of high school. On that day I asked her …
Chapter 21–The Holy Spirit Arranges Maxine’s Funeral
Preface: Arrangements for a funeral seldom go as planned. For Maxine’s funeral the Holy Spirit guided the entire process and brought the right people to the right place at the right time. This is that story. The Holy Spirit Arranges Maxine’s Funeral As we began arrangements for Maxine’s funeral it became apparent the Holy Spirit was at work again in …
Chapter 22–The Bond Strengthens
Preface: Marilynn and I are first cousins and the two eldest cousins in the family. After the loss of our spouses, just eleven months apart, we teamed up to recover from the grief. On that journey we became brother and sister and soul mates. This is our story. The Bond Strengthens Marilynn and I are cousins. Our cousin bond was formed as …
Chapter 23–The Passing’s
Preface: I have been blessed with the some of the spirituality of others being passed on to me upon their death. Pastor Diane told me she was aware of such happenings. This is mine. The Passing’s Uncle Art was one of my heroes and mentors. He was my dad’s brother and he lived in Wisconsin. He farmed and raised cattle …
Chapter 24–Pastor Diane and The Call
Preface: My story writing adventure is the result of a meeting with Pastor Diane that was scheduled for 15 minutes to discuss changing churches. An hour and a half later my life was changed forever. This is that story. Pastor Diane and The Call I arrived promptly for a meeting about joining a new church. I was greeted by …
Chapter 25–What I Learned From Pastors
Preface: I have experienced many pastors in my journey of life. Each has left me with an important bit of knowledge or a lesson. A few have left me with several. All of them have helped me improve my spiritual life. What I Learned From Pastors Pastor Jerry: Pastor Jerry taught me that pastors are regular people. They fish, they …
Chapter 26–You’re Moving Where?
Preface: I spent two and a half years traveling around Wisconsin looking for a place to start a new life. In October of 2009 I decided on Chippewa Falls. In the next six weeks several Godincidences occurred and I began seriously considering relocating to Southwest Missouri. This, somewhat long, story tells how I came to live in Branson West, Missouri. …
Chapter 27–BUMC
Preface: After a lifetime of attending an ELCA Lutheran church the Holy Spirit guided me to the Branson United Methodist Church. This is the story of how I was guided to BUMC. BUMC The long story, but short journey, of how the Holy Spirit guided me to Branson, MO has been written. To my surprise, His guidance did not end …
Chapter 28–Make It Happen
Preface: This story is about the involvement of God, The Holy Spirit, and Maxine with Christmas 2011. My family was preparing to celebrate the seventh Christmas since Maxine died. The story shows she still watches over all of us, knows what is happening in our lives, and wants us to be happy as we move on with life on earth. …
Chapter 29–The 700 Mile Sermon
Preface: I drove 700 miles to DePere, Wisconsin to attend a silent retreat with my sister. I planned to fade into the congregation during Sunday church but the Holy Spirit had other plans. This was one of those sermons where you feel like the pastor was talking directly to you. My plans for the future were about to be changed. The …