While I sit at home, I truly wish I could see you folks for worship or in the Fellowship Hall knitting, making quilts, or the work group gathering for coffee, cookies and conversation.  I miss you folks – each one of you!

I stop and remember how important each one of you are to me and we are to each other.  I thought about a Mac Davis song, Stop and Smell the Roses.  A snippet of the lyrics go like this:

You got to Stop and Smell the roses 

You've got to count your many blessings everyday 

You're gonna find your way to heaven is a rough and rocky road 

If you don't Stop and Smell the roses along the way…

One of my favorite golf guys is Walter Hagen. In his 1956 book "The Walter Hagen Story", there is a line that has always resonated with me:  "You're only here for a short visit. Don't hurry. Don't worry.”  To be sure, God is still on the throne and He is watching over us every day.

In this time of social distancing and sheltering in place, it’s so very important to stay connected and take time to slow down and appreciate all of the good things we have. 

I took a hike through the woods with my puppies and just took the time to look around at the trees and the leaves on the ground and listen for the birds in the trees. I then walked along the shore of East Bay and took time to look for Petoskey stones.  

While I was walking along, I saw my first robin! A sure sign that spring is around the corner. I’m also excited to see the first of my crocuses poking their heads up through the ground.  It won’t be long and they will be in full bloom. Not to be outdone, my daffodils are starting to show some signs of life.  Perhaps by Easter they will be in bloom! A sure sign of joy and spring time!  I pray for each of you while we are apart – knowing we are together in Christ.

Peace and Aloha,

Phil Anderson