In the spring of 1973 I met two incredible ladies. First, my wife-to-be Nikki. And then Beverly Blumenfeld who was married, and still is, to Nikki’s brother Mark. I encountered Nikki in a Bible study the night she gave her life to Christ. Attracted to her almost immediately I began courting her. At the time, she was living with Mark and Bev in the house we would eventually purchase a couple of years later, 414 Canyon Acres Drive. It was a classic Laguna bungalow, just 750 square feet, built in 1939 and sitting on a three-acre lot that housed several funky artist studios. Glassblower Lonnie Chapman, sculptors David Rosen and Dion Wright, and ceramists Jon Stokesbary, Allen Davis and a very young Bill Darnall are just a few who worked on the property.
About the second time I saw Beverly I made a rather audacious statement, “You know Beverly, I don’t really think I want to go to heaven without you.” Wide open to the gospel, Beverly proceeded to give her heart to Christ right then. Cute as a button, as sweet as they come, and tiny (former Sawdust president Larry Doty called her “peanut.”), I quickly grew to love her. As I continued to court Nikki, she would invite me to dinner. The food was fantastic and I thought to myself, wow, if I ever marry this girl, I’m going to eat like a king. Unbeknownst to me at the time, it was Beverly who was doing a lot of the cooking. Nikki and I still laugh about it.
It’s now almost 43 years later and life is starting to take a toll. Bev came down with Parkinson’s a few years ago and the disease is now accelerating to the point where she is going to soon need 24/7 care at home or move to a nursing facility. So Mark, their son Daniel, Nikki and I must figure out what’s best for Bev and when to make a final decision. It’s disconcerting, stressful, and heartbreaking to see this beloved member of our family in such a difficult state. But we are not alone. Many friends and members of Little Church are also dealing with similar important but tough decisions of how to care for their loved ones. Here are few that I want us to pray for this week.
- Robin Tench with her sister Nancy
- Sally Eimer and her mom
- Sally Antioch and her dad
- Yvonne Armstrong and her mother
- Cottie with her mom Peggy
- Sally Ellis and her mom Harriett
- Mike Garrett and his mom
- Kori Kelso and her grandmother Jean
- Bob & Jenny Kessner and their son David
- Virginia Hatlen and her mother
I know there are others and if you send me their names I’ll add them to my letter next week. Thank you for praying.
Other Prayer Targets This Week….
- Ryah Sky Lewis – one week old, full healing from an infection at birth
- Marin – extreme bladder issues
- Denise de la Torre – finishing treatment; scan Friday; pray all cancer cells gone
- 6thgrade overnighter this Friday
Bill Kelso ramping up to fire a Frisbee as the brothers at the men’s retreat competed in Frisbee-golf last weekend in Idyllwild. It was a blast.
Scriptures of the Week – Psalm 57 and 2nd Corinthians, chapter 4
Wonderful Quote: “On days when life is difficult and I feel overwhelmed, as I do fairly often, it helps to remember in my prayers that all God requires of me is to trust Him and be His friend. I find I can do that.” — Bruce Larson (1925-2008), American pastor, writer and visionary)
“Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thank for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus; do not quench the Spirit.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-19
Pastor Jay
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