I walked ten miles today, with some significant hills. I did pretty well, hoofing it along at three miles an hour for the entire distance. I was pretty tired at the end and took a two-hour nap to help recover. My walk today is part of my training regimen for my attempt to summit Mt Adams on Thursday. Right now, I am feeling pretty good about my chances of succeeding. Every year, in my list of goals, I try to include a couple of major challenges that I call B-HAGs, Big, Hairy, Audacious Goals. My two this year were going to Sierra Leone on a mission trip and to climb Mt. Adams. I have been to Sierra Leone about 30 times since 2002, but none in the last 8 years because of my health.

I successfully made the trip a month ago and had a wonderful time doing ministry. It went so well that I am planning to go again in February. I have also successfully climbed Mt Adams over 30 times since my first summit in 1965, but I have not reached the top in the last 8 years, having failed in my last three attempts. So if I am successful on Thursday, I will have conquered my two B-HAGs for the year. I find that the older I get, the more inclined I am to take it easy in life, to choose comfort over hard, and to justify my choices on my age, my health, and my energy level. I used to always have at least 6 B-HAGs, but this year I had only 2, and next year, probably only 1. Next year’s one could be my last, so I am going to make it a real doozy. A major goal in life, given to us by God, is to grow in the character of Christ as much as possible before we enter glory. Choosing the hard, narrow way rather than the broad, easy one is the key to rapid growth in the image of Christ. Think about that as you set your goals and plan your life. 

Both of my hip replacements seemed to have healed up well. I have lost almost 40 lbs, and I am riding my stationary bike, walking, and lifting weights almost every day. I am feeling better right now than I have felt in years. I realize that at 77 years of age, that could change quickly, but I am enjoying the moment. Patty, on the other hand, has been having some major health issues. Most of what she is going through is pain in her hips and back, and even in her shoulder. At times, the pain has been so severe that she can’t get out of bed. She has a walker and has been going to physical therapy, and seems to be getting better slowly. So many of my friends have major health issues. I attend four different prayer meetings each week, and a major focus of prayer is for people with health issues. I receive the weekly prayer letter from three different churches, and the prayer requests include many for health problems. My son-in-law is paralyzed and in a wheelchair. I pray for his healing every night. My brother-in-law just died of pancreatic cancer. I prayed every night since he was diagnosed with cancer that God would heal him. Another son-in-law recently had surgery for colon cancer, and I prayed for him every night. Sometimes it seems my prayers get answered, other times, no. But one answer I always get is peace, strength, and joy despite circumstances. Some people get bitter when things don’t go the way they want, but every time I pray, I end with, “Lord, whatever happens, I trust You totally.” “You are God, You are all wise, You love me beyond my comprehension, I will never second-guess what You are doing, I trust You.” 

As I get older, my body becomes less mobile and not as strong. I am working at slowing that process down as much as I can. I take vitamins and various supplements, watch what I eat, keep my weight down, and exercise. I think I am doing pretty well at 77. I just got back from a three-day drift/fishing trip where I rowed a pontoon boat 8 hours a day, slept on the ground, and loaded and unloaded the boat each day. But as I get older, my main concern is my mind. I see so many seniors getting feeble in their thinking. I think that, as far as I can tell, my thinking and reasoning ability is as good as it has ever been. As with our physical bodies, if we do nothing, age will win. My plan to keep my mind young and sharp is the same as my plan for my physical body: exercise it strenuously. I read a lot, and I read a lot of difficult books to improve my vocabulary and reasoning. I write a lot. The best discipline for learning to think in a straight line is writing. Anything that I speak in public as teaching, I first write. I read the Bible a lot; it is the mind of Christ. I memorize scripture for at least 30 minutes every day. Memorizing works our minds and makes them stronger. 

We have 8 kids, 6 sons-in-law, two daughters-in-law, and 28 grandkids. Patty and I both love doing nice things for all of them. Our budget for spending on kids and grandkids is very high. But that doesn’t bother us because it is probably the most enjoyable thing we do. I believe that we are that way because God is that way, and we are made in His image. Last week, I was with two sons-in-law, a grandson, my brother, and two good friends on the John Day River. We spent three days drifting down it, camping on the river, and fishing non-stop. We all caught between 100 and 200 fish apiece, catching and releasing. The scenery on the John Day is amazing. Between the fellowship, the fishing, and the beauty, it was a very enjoyable three days. If I give something to a grandchild and it makes them happy, I am happy. Last week was a gift from God, and I believe I glorified Him by enjoying it. God is a giver of good gifts, and He enjoys seeing His kids happy with them. 

When Patty and I werė visiting with Monte, my friend and brother-in-law, last Sunday, a day before he died from pancreatic cancer, when it seemed obvious that he was getting tired, I stood up and said, ” Well, we’d better be going and let you get some rest.” He said, “Thank you for coming, that was a long way to drive for 15 minutes of visiting.” I responded, “I wanted very much to see you one more time before you headed off to heaven.” We made eye contact, he smiled, not a big smile, but a smile, and nodded his head. I returned the smile, nodded my head, and then we left. There are so many adventures that we have had together, funny things we have experienced, and conversations about the Bible and life that we have had that I will remember for a long time, but I will never forget that last eye contact, smile, and nod. It was a great moment between friends that communicated so much. 

My brother -in-law, and good friend, Monte Pearson, died this last week from Pancreatic cancer. Last Sunday, Patty and I drove up to Trout Lake to see him one last time. We visited for about 30 minutes, reminiscing about the early years of our friendship. The first time I climbed Mt Adams, I was with Monte; the first time I climbed Mt Hood, I was with him as well; the only time I climbed Mt St Helens before it erupted, I was with Monte. He and I hiked the Pacific Crest Trail through Washington State together. We attempted Mt Ranier, but didn’t quite make it to the summit. We were both dairy farmers and often helped each other out on projects. We were both very involved and active in our church, and we served together to make it healthier. He married my sister, Laura, so he became family as well as my good friend. When a good friend dies, there is the sadness that comes with loss, but with Monte, there was all the thinking and contemplation I have been doing about the character he added to my life. Monte wasn’t very outgoing; in fact, we would often spend hours together without saying a word. Monte was steadfast, faithful, reliable, and tough. He always did what was right. He always did what he said he would do. He never took the easy way. He helped those who needed it, and he did so as a matter of principle; it was the right thing to do. I like to think I am faithful and dependable, and I know that Monte Pearson is the main reason I am. 

Next week, eight of us are driving to the John Day River, putting our rubber pontoon boats in the river near the town of Mitchell, drifting for three days, and fishing for smallmouth bass. We will camp for three nights on the river, eating fish every night. I will have my 13-year-old grandson, Courage, on my boat with me. Over the last 40 years, I have probably done this trip at least 20 times, and I have never gone down it when it was as low as it is this year. The river is usually at about 1,000 CFM the first week of June, when we usually go. Last year it was 600 CFM, and this year it is 400 CFM. That means we will be getting off our rafts and often pulling them over gravel bars. Someone asked me if we would be going through any scary rapids, and I said that in most places the water will not be deeper than our knees. The great thing about this is that the fish will be congregated in the deeper holes. There are approximately 4,000 fish per river mile, and now they will be squished together in spots deeper than one foot. We usually catch over 50 fish per day per person, and I wouldn’t be surprised if we catch twice that many this year. We catch and release, keeping enough for dinner each night. This is a very beautiful stretch of river, and the trip is very relaxing. This is the first time I have done anything with this grandson, and I am looking forward to spending time with him. He has never done anything like this before, and I am hoping he has a very good time with his grandpa. There aren’t many experiences where I feel more blessed by God than these kinds of trips. 

Next week, eight of us are driving to the John Day River, putting our rubber pontoon boats in the river near the town of Mitchell, drifting for three days, and fishing for smallmouth bass. We will camp for three nights on the river, eating fish every night. I will have my 13-year-old grandson, Courage, on my boat with me. Over the last 40 years, I have probably done this trip at least 20 times, and I have never gone down it when it was as low as it is this year. The river is usually at about 1,000 CFM the first week of June, when we usually go. Last year it was 600 CFM, and this year it is 400 CFM. That means we will be getting off our rafts and often pulling them over gravel bars. Someone asked me if we would be going through any scary rapids, and I said that in most places the water will not be deeper than our knees. The great thing about this is that the fish will be congregated in the deeper holes. There are approximately 4,000 fish per river mile, and now they will be squished together in spots deeper than one foot. We usually catch over 50 fish per day per person, and I wouldn’t be surprised if we catch twice that many this year. We catch and release, keeping enough for dinner each night. This is a very beautiful stretch of river, and the trip is very relaxing. This is the first time I have done anything with this grandson, and I am looking forward to spending time with him. He has never done anything like this before, and I am hoping he has a very good time with his grandpa. There aren’t many experiences where I feel more blessed by God than these kinds of trips. 

We had a party at our house for three grandkids who graduated from High School today. I gave a short devotional to them during the party, and to all family members and friends who were there. Here is the gist of that devotional:

Our High School graduation marks the end of a chapter in our lives where the primary goal is to grow in knowledge. The years from 1st grade to 12th are organized and planned so that we move through layers of knowledge with increasing difficulty. There is a strategy and a system to facilitate as rapid a growth in knowledge as possible. 

According to the book of Proverbs in the Bible, wisdom is the most important thing in life. Wisdom is not acquired just by living and making mistakes. As my Dad used to say, “There are a lot of old fools running around.” Wisdom is acquired by those who pursue it systematically. Wisdom is acquired by people who know they need it and who seek it diligently. Wisdom is acquired by those who look around for people who obviously have it and seek counsel from them. People seeking wisdom like gold, silver, and precious treasure read a lot. Twelve years of schooling were organized and systematized with one goal in mind: knowledge. Without the structure of a school that enforced discipline, most wouldn’t learn much. But now, no structure or system exists that facilitates the learning of wisdom in the life of the graduate. Those who will acquire wisdom are those who establish the system and structure needed for themselves. They set reading, writing, and listening goals, including podcasts and seminars. Those w who grow in wisdom are humble lifelong learners, always seeking and never satisfied. 

My wife Patty has been having a lot of pain in her hip. She walks with a walker, limping around, grimacing the whole time. I pray for her all day long, especially when I see her in so much obvious pain. Many other people are praying for her as well. God has chosen not to heal Patty up to this point, and He may never heal her. We don’t know what God’s will is for her. One of the very clear teachings in the Bible is that suffering is part of life; there is no getting away from it. Jesus suffered, and we will all suffer trials in our lives. Five key things will help us in our suffering. 1. Do, indeed, pray and ask God to heal or remove the trial, but in case He doesn’t, ask for strength to endure it and for joy and peace despite the sufferings so that you can be a good witness to all who see you suffering. 2. Remind yourself constantly that suffering is what the Father used to perfect the character of Jesus, and trials are what He will use to make us like Jesus, but trials don’t work unless we rejoice in the midst of our trials. We may find it very difficult to rejoice when we are hurting, but we do need to work hard not to complain, grumble, or feel sorry for ourselves. 3. Don’t be grumpy to the people around you. It is easy to do. God gives his grace and strength to those who love those around them; the harder it is, the more God blesses us. 4. Set your mind on heaven and remind yourself that you are headed to heaven because of what Jesus did for you. Use your sufferings to remind yourself of the sufferings Jesus endured for you. When we get to heaven, we will get a glorified body that will never hurt again. 5. Look for people around you who are going through trials and encourage them. Don’t compare your problems to theirs; just encourage them. God bestows great blessings on anyone who puts others first. 

I wrote this blog after watching Patty suffer over the past several weeks. She is a champion.