From rfepley at gol.com Sun Aug 16 21:05:25 2009 From: rfepley at gol.com (Russ and Flossie) Date: Sun Aug 16 21:05:19 2009 Subject: [Epley Update] August 16, 2009 Message-ID: We had a wonderful two weeks in Karuizawa where we attended two conferences back-to-back. We loved the encouragement from the messages, fresh mountain air, and cooler temperatures. Hanging out with like-minded friends was truly a highlight. We were able to rent one of the cabins our mission owns for a very reasonable price. I was so touched when we drove up and saw that a fellow missionary and two young adult missionary kids had built a ramp into the cabin making it easy for Russ to get in and out. It is one example of how wonderfully we are supported and cared for here in Japan. Before and after meetings over and over people appeared to help me when I needed to load Russ' wheelchair in and out of the car. These kindnesses made all the difference. Though this past week was exhausting physically, we feel refreshed and ready for all God has for us in the coming months. It was great being away, and now good to be home. Blessings, Flossie From rfepley at gol.com Fri Aug 21 07:13:58 2009 From: rfepley at gol.com (Russ and Flossie) Date: Fri Aug 21 07:13:48 2009 Subject: [Epley Update] August 21, 2009 Message-ID: We were jarred out of a dead sleep with a phone call from our son this morning. Thankfully it was just a my-car-broke-down-in-Massachusetts-and-my-summer-earnings-all-went-on- my-school-bill-so-I-don't-know-what-to-do kind of call. Whenever we get an overseas call at an odd hour it's always a relief when it's not news of a serious illness, accident, or death. Interestingly enough, the last few days I've been thinking about the Japanese word pronounced "kiki" (key key). It means a "crisis", "emergency", or "critical moment." The word is made up of two characters meaning "danger" and "opportunity." Joel's emergency though dangerous, was an opportunity for God's grace, protection, and provision to be shown. A few hours later we had a call from my father. He is holding up well even though my mother's personality has totally changed due to dementia. He frequently goes over to the nursing home to talk to mom when the nurses are having trouble with her. While I've downplayed Joel's predicament in light of eternity, we would appreciate your prayers that he'll make the trip safely back to Texas for college. It's an incredibly long way to drive from Maine, where he had summer employment, to Texas. Please pray for God's grace, protection, and provision. Flossie From rfepley at gol.com Mon Aug 24 07:50:54 2009 From: rfepley at gol.com (Russ and Flossie) Date: Mon Aug 24 07:50:53 2009 Subject: [Epley Update] August 24, 2009 Message-ID: <1adc6b45157d7dcb247cd38e040c0cdd@gol.com> It was such a relief to hear that after Joel's car fuel pump was replaced in Massachusetts, the rest of his solo drive to Texas was uneventful. We received a cheery email from him this morning. His phone was out of service so we weren't able to contact him during the last three days after we received his distress call. I guess that's what life was like before cell phones! Moms just had to pray and trust God without constant reassurances. God used this experience to remind me what He spoke to my heart over and over again when Russ was in critical condition. Just trust God and rejoice. When trials start seeming huge if I focus on the greatness of God, my problems start looking a lot smaller in comparison. I remember things better when I write them down. I also like making scrapbooks. I think I'll make a notebook on the attributes of God. There are still plenty of prayer concerns that I need to turn into worship opportunities. Blessings, Flossie