A Good Song I want to sing to someone, thee only one.

Its not to late

Up out of bed this morning trying just to find out why
There's something wrong here, there can be no denying
One of us is changing
Or maybe we might just stop trying


And it's not too late, baby, no it's not too late
If we really try we can make it
Something inside is going to die
If we really try I know we can keep it alive.

It used to be so easy finding life with you
You were light and breezy and I knew just what to do
Now you look so unhappy and I feel like a fool

And it's not too late, baby, no it's not too late
If we really try I know we can make it
Something inside is going to die
If we keep on trying I know we can make it.

There'll be good times again for you and I
The right thing to do, is to stay together,
I'm glad for what we have and that our love is still alive

And it's not too late, baby, no it's not too late
IF we really try we can make it
Something inside is going to die
If we keep trying I know we can make it.

Five Smooth Stones

^{Five Smooth Stones 1 Samuel 17:40}

Have you ever tried on some clothes that don’t fit? It’s not even a question to buy it or keep it if don’t fit. Then you have to like it. The color and the style. Is it you, the look? Saul’s armor may have fit David, but it was not comfortable, like a shoe that would make you sore if you kept it on for an hour or two. That is how our faith in Jesus needs to be, we need to know that it is just right for us, the only way to live, and no other. We cannot inherit it. There are no second generation disciples. We cannot run with the faith of someone else. Each of us is in our own lane on the track of life. Most young adults get to make their own decisions in life. Who we marry, where we live and work, world view and moral values will be big important decisions that will be made whether carefully planned or by omission. David decided to pass on the armor offered to him. What can I offer to my family, other than, “ The Lord be with you, and may it be according to your faith.” ? There are many giants that we face in this life, and most of us have enemies. Here is what David decided to do in his quest to gain a victory for his people:

Then Saul gave David his own armor—a bronze helmet and a coat of mail. ³⁹ David put it on, strapped the sword over it, and took a step or two to see what it was like, for he had never worn such things before.

“I can’t go in these,” he protested to Saul. “I’m not used to them.” So David took them off again. ⁴⁰ He picked up five smooth stones from a stream and put them into his shepherd’s bag. Then, armed only with his shepherd’s staff and sling, he started across the valley to fight the Philistine.

You may only have time to pick up two or three of these weapons, but if you have a good source, it might be good to grab them on your way in the fight of faith. David passed by a brook on his way to face his enemies, I suggest we do the same. Find the streams of living water and get what you need there. Gods promises are like a sword that attacks doubts, fears, or even our own pride when we need to stay humble. Can you think of a few of his words to you?

Good memories are worth making also. I built a lot with legos when I was a kid, I mean a lot. I tried to build a tree house that never got off the ground, but our boys built a deluxe one with a window in a big oak. It takes work and planning to make a good memory, but they are like the 5 stones David had, good ammo, when one is thinking of others or recalling the past.

Keeping traditions and making good memories is something that I would put more emphasis on if I were able to try the first 28 yrs of parenting over again. Today is fathers day, and we hope to make a memory feeding some ducks. It is going to give us joy to see DT watching them eat some bread we toss them. At 2 yrs old Master Wilke won’t remember this day, only the telling of it, if God allows us to get to the ponds and really do it. Do you remember the times by the camp fire? I don’t remember specific nights, but just the general experience of it in the gypsy camp. The owners coming down to play music or friends coming over to visit around the fire. May be you recall playing a foursquare game or something.

Often times just one phrase that was said to us sticks, and is like a compass that holds true in the experiences of life that lie ahead. Our landlord, who was like an uncle to us all, once said that he had heard of a proverb that he was finding true in his own life. “ You better enjoy the progress, because you may not live to see the results.” He has lived on 15 yrs since he retired and got busy than ever fixing up his place and doing the business ventures of his dreams. He has lived to see his grandkids, even great grand kids, and a lot of enjoyment in the things he has built. But he also found a treasure each day that he started out on. He was completely enjoying each of those things that he was involved in, because he knew there was no guaranty that he would be living 10-20 yrs more to see the longevity of those projects.

Well, I have written very little in my life time, and most of it has been newsletters, but I hope that this is personal, especially to the Wilke’s. Whoever else can read this, I hope you can take time to tell a story or write one paragraph or two that causes them to thank God for someone you know. How many stones would you grab if you were facing Goliath? I would not have the faith to only take one, but that’s all it took for David to bring down a man who was defying the living God. David’s purpose in taking down his enemy is made known in the eternal words that we have in writing: “That the whole world may know that there is a God in Isreal” 1Samuel 17:46

One day Juan Lira and I stood in front of the Tortilla factory in Sarabia. We had a quest, “to know Jesus and make him known”. Handing the owner a tract that day, was like throwing a stone. The battle on that front was a whole lot more complex than passing out one tract. We had Marianne and Clementina in the pickup, and 1500 miles away there were 8 more arrows in the quiver. We needed to find a house, a yard, and everything that it takes to keep a godly family growing and going in a new frontier. My giant was timidity and fear of what that business owner might think of us. Taking down Goliath was not the end of the battle for Sauls army, it was only the beginning of a victory. G.W.