FALL IS FALLING

Well, I couldn't think of a title for this fast moving month. Fall has arrived and September seems to have flown by. I only have two more weeks of PT and really don't want to stop the appointments. I am feeling more active and better all over since doing the Physical Therapy and also the exercises at home.

Sid has had both eyes done now and can see real well. The surgery is very expensive but well worth it. Cataracts are best removed early instead of waiting too long, so we have found out. I can't really complain as I have good vision after my cataract removals some years ago. My eyes do tire more easily though.

Etna Church is still growing and we have started a Wednesday night Youth program with several adults supervising it. It seems so good to have a couple rows of youths come forward for the Youth Moment in the Worship Service. We installed the new officers in the church today with a Committment spot at the beginning of the Worship Service. This is the first year we have actually installed the new officers who were elected to their respective posts. I thought it might help them take a more responsible approach to their respective jobs in the service to our Lord Jesus Christ.

September has only two days left and I do not look forward to the cool weather ahead but I am thankful that I am getting around better. Each new day is a new adventure on this road of life so I will try to make the most of the time the Lord is giving me.

Etna Community Church

I thought my readers would like to see a picture of God's Church in Etna, NY. It was organized in 1804 and the first church built in 1834 (I think). I have been pastoring the church for 4 years and God has been so good by building the congregation from 8 to the present near 40. This has been a highlight in these elder years of my life. I praise God constantly for our Church family and all the leading and guiding that He hs provided. What a blessing to serve, giving God all the praise and glory because his gifts and graces have flooded our lives to overflowing.

ETNA CHURCH SEPT. 14, 2008

We had a very busy day at Church after setting up tables for the Dish-to-Pass dinner that we had after the morning Worship Service. Next, we had around 10 people at 10:00am for Adult Bible Study using the Internationl Adult Bible Study books. The lesson was like having Christmas in September as it was the story of the birth of Christ and the flight to Egypt plus the Magi story.
The Worship Service was at 11:00am with a special program of Music by "Barbershop Dot Com" led by one of our members,Janice Wood. They did several hymns along with Scripture readings. My message was from Romans 14:1-12 with around 40 persons present.

The Dish-to-Pass had more food than one could imagine but it was mostly gone at the end of the meal. During the meal we passed out Certificates of Appreciation to the Staff of our summer VBS program and disclosed our Prayer Partners for the the VBS.
I was ready to go home and take a nap after all the day's action. God is so Good, all the time!

AFTER READING MY SON'S BLOGS

9/14/08
Well here I am trying to catch my breath after a busy day at Church. Just finished reading my son Bob's blogs from Australia and found them so very wonderful and the song on "Never Let Go" was so good. I am reminded that we never should let go of God as he never will let go of us. We all have our hills and valleys, trials and errors, but we must never give up and let go of God's all enveloping Love.

Sometimes we feel so all alone but we never are, God is with us all the time through His blessed Holy Spirit. We should remember not to try living life on our own because the Holy Spirit is with us to provide guidance, teaching, and all of His gifts and graces. He even helps us pray when we don't know how or what we should pray, He prays with words that we don't understand in God's language. We rest asssured that He is interceding for us with the Father and God's Will will guide us.

PHYSICAL THERAPY & EXERCISE

I started PT at the Island Health Center on the 4th of August and have been going twice a week since then. My PT man is a very wonderful person and really knows where to twist me and bend me. He started me right off on the darned biycicle machine and a few rough pull machines. He is a retired Air Force Captain with a wonderful personality. He is new here in Ithaca and going to build a home over in Etna near where our Church is. I do six exercises twice a day at home also and am feeling stronger and better since starting this regimen. My Neurologist prescribed the PT as a means of getting my back in shape and helping my legs get better. My legs are a constant source of annoyance and some pain most of the time along with no feeling in the feet.

Pennie and Scot's visit and more on Sid's eye

Well things are going great for Sid's eye that was operated on the 11th of August. She has great vision restored and looking forward to another cataract removal on September 8th. Kay came down and drove us over to the eye clinic near the Arnot Mall for the surgery and again for the checkup on Tuesday. Kay and I went out to lunch and had nice salads.



Pennie and Scott came on Sunday the 17th and was here until Thursday morning. We all went over to the clinic for another checkup on Sid's eye on Monday. Pennie stayed with Sid while Scott and I visited Barnes & Noble bookstore (where else would you expect us to take off to for a half hour?). On Tuesday Scott mowed and weed whacked the lawn while Sid and Pennie pulled weeds and cleaned the walks. In the afternoon Scott and I took a truck full of odds and ends to the County Disposal place. On Wednesday we took off for the Wine Trail and had loads of fun sipping wine. We both bought some and my 3 bottles ended up in Scot's car by mistake. He was supposed to leave them with my son Bob when they visted with them Thursday evening. Pennie and Scott left at 7:00am Thursday morning from our home after a wonderful 3 days. We miss them already while praying for a safe trip home.

Update on Sid

Sid teaching a class at VBS - 2008

Tim drove Sid over to the Guthrie Clinic for her eyes on July 22nd and was scheduled to have the first one operated on for cataract surgery on August 11th. She had that done yesterday with Kay driving us over and back. Kay stayed over night and drove Sid back to the clinic this afternoon for the checkup which turned out good.

I cannot drive due to a problem with the nerves and motor movement in my right leg that almost caused an accident in July which promted my Doctor to arrange for the PT that I

wrote about earlier.

Vacation Bible School

One group doing a science project (TOP)

(Bottom Pic) Many of children and staff doing a song.

We had VBS last week on Wed., Thurs., Fri., and a closing on Saturday morning the 9th of August. What a wonderful program Sid and the team worked out which was called "Power Lab". This gave many different ways to use the POWER that Jesus gives us to be in our lives. I think it was the best yet of our 4 years in Etna Community Church and we had plenty of Volunteer helpers to guide the youths who attened. There were approximately 30 young people this year for VBS.

Our mission was to show Jesus' love for children and to teach them of His love with a better way to live. Many of the children had never been to a Church or knew about Jesus. We send cars to a Mobile Home Park and give those who need a ride a way to get to VBS. It is sad to find that most parents will not take children who want to attend the program.

Health tests and some more

Just thought everyone would like an update on some health issues I have had recently.
Several weeks ago I had gone to my regular Dr. Moe because of continued foot and leg problems.
He sent me to Cayuga Neurologic Services to see if they could do anything for my leg and back. The Dr. checked me thoroughly and said I had no nerves below my ankles as they seemed to be cut off right there above the ankles. He put me on some pill to be taken before going to bed and that gives me a good night's sleep but not much more. He signed me up for some PT at the Island Sports and Physical Center.

Two weeks ago I had nose bleeds several days plus a headache ( I never have headaches) which was unusual and an odd feeling in my right shoulder. So Sid was concerened and drove me to my regular Doc who prescribed an eco-stress workup which turned out that I am good blood and heart wise.

So I am doing PT twice a week and have daily exercises to do. My PT instructor is very good, a retired Airforce Captain in his early thirties. He really puts me thru the paces especially a bicycle machine which I hate. Ohh well, I am getting loosened up the hard way, Heh, Heh! I feel better already and this is only the second week. But my back is sore from all the stretching and I just have to live through it I guess.

MY 80TH SURPRISE BIRTHDAY PARTY

On Saturday, January 5th, I was asked to attend a meeting of the Church that I am Pastor of in Etna, NY. My wife and I drove over a little early in order to arrive on the time of 2:00pm. Before we got there Sid told me there was a meeting in the Community Building across the driveway and we might find it hard to get a spot to park. When we arrived Bob Brackett motioned to a saved spot and we parked and went into the Fellowship Hall. There was a camera flash as we entered and I was shocked at the number of people assembled there. (The picture at the right is the one my son took as we entered)

I have borrowed the pic from my son Bob's blogspot at: http://rjdoan.blogspot.com . The Hall was filled with relatives, church members, and many friends. My daughter Kay and her daughter Andrea were running the kitchen and my son Bob did a fine job as Master of Ceremonies. Several of my congregation had helped my wife plan and execute the whole surprise party. I wish to thank Thelma Ridley, Caroline Blaylock, and Carol Nelson especially for their assistance to my wife in preparing the whole affair. The Church Choir along with my son and his wife, Chris, sang my favorite hymn, "Because He Lives". I enjoyed the whole party and the wonderful snacks that my daughter Kay had purchased. I will never get over this wonderful surprise that my wife had planned for my 80th birthday.

A LITTLE ABOUT ME

Yep, this is me and maybe you all would like to know more about me.

Born: Route 14, south of Elmira called Southside

Grew Up: Ashland #4 grade school and then Southside High School, Elmira, NY - class of 1946

After graduation I joined the US Army and spent 2 years in Japan at Shinigawa Base south of Tokyo.
Was in 3 years and out 1 year and called back for Korean War, which I didn't get overs to, had a discharge after 2 years.

Married in 1954, moved to Ithaca, NY