Looking Forward in My Rearview Mirror

December 31, 2008


In just a few short hours another year, 2008, will be in our past with some memories left in our mind to review…

Our 2008 started with a new grandchild, Jacob - born Nov. 2007, and with our daughter, Sunshine, David - her husband and our two other grandchildren, Caleb and Megan. Just shortly after the arrival of 2008 Sunshine, David and our grandbabies went back to Uganda L Megan has started speech therapy, the kids got to witness two of the Ugandans that work on their compound kill a King Cobra with bows & arrows, and all three - now have had malaria.

The real estate industry continued to decline (of which is our primary source of our livelihood, real estate appraisal). Gas prices hit an all-time high of almost $5 per gallon.

So, we made some decisions to concentrate most of our time and efforts in the East County (of San Diego). We started attending Shadow Mountain Community Church, started a Small Group this fall, as well as had Bible studies in our home over the summer with Roger and a friend of ours (that spent over 12 years teaching the Bible in Ukraine) leading.

We started 2008 with a Truth Project training, then led our 2nd Truth Project study starting in the Spring. The Truth Project is a Biblical Worldview study over 13 weeks. It is a very interactive (comprehensive & systematic) study centered on what is truth and your worldview. Visit http://www.thetruthproject.com/ for more info and to view a preview. We plan on leading another Truth Project in the Spring of 2009.

Then this fall shortly after Roger hit Medicare age but not a recipient, he had some “health issues” that reoccurred from some of the same symptoms he experience in 2004. After a blood work-up, a treadmill stress test and a heart monitor (had a heart monitor in 2004 too) it was discovered he had high cholesterol….after almost 3 months of medication his cholesterol is down but the doctor thinks he should have another treadmill stress test again only with a picture while in the process….so, sometime in January he will get that done. I guess age is starting to show itself.

Also, this fall, after getting to hear Kay Arthur locally, we went to look at RV’s and I broke my foot, bummer L So, I was largely out of commission for the better part of six weeks and thanks to friends was well equipped with a walker, wheelchair, and Roger found me a pair of crutches!
So, we continued to look at RV’s and as many of you know we have been thinking of changing our lifestyle…..We continued to learn, investigate and look at RV’s…We found our new home, motor home that is, the middle of November. Excitement is an understatement and probably not the only word that would describe what we are feeling. Along with excitement we are feeling overwhelmed, anticipation, and even to a degree now that it’s only a couple of weeks…..surreal.

As this year draws to a close and a new one starts we will celebrate our 35th wedding anniversary. Hanging in there truly brings beauty and a sweetness in our relationship we call marriage that so many miss out on - how sad. We really are blessed to say that “I am my beloved and my beloved is mine”, (Song of Solomon 6:3)

In just a few short weeks into the new year we will move into our new home in a beautiful setting in San Diego county known as Santee Lakes (there are 7 of them & still in east county) along with a little over 300 such Rvs, maybe half of those being fulltime RVers. We are finding that even though there is movement in Rving, it is definitely a community. For 2009 we will mostly be at Santee Lakes continuing with our Small Group, but have a few trips in the planning stage we will take and then in 2010 it will be the open road for us!!!!!

So, we wish you all a Happy New Year and keep checking in to see what’s new…

Karen & Roger