Thanks 10 million to all of you who have written today either by e-mail or face book wishing me a Happy Birthday. I am not one who uses face book very often, as a matter of fact, only four or five times since my son stuck a picture of my mug on line a few years ago. But today I was so blessed with many messages in both English and Spanish, and even French that I felt obligated to respond both on my blog and face book. And hesitantly, I decided I am going to up date my face book, in order to read about so many lovely friends that Norma and I have made around the world over the years. Even with the updates, I still will probably be too lazy to do much on face book. But God has placed so many wonderful people in our lives, that today I can do no less than take time to share my words of gratitude to all of you.
We have just returned this week after almost two months in Spain, and the Canary Islands. Most of that time was in Alcala de Henares, (Madrid) where my daughter and son-in-law are missionaries through SEND INTERNATIONAL. That was the city in which I was honored to baptize my daughter Deborah, over thirty years ago. Also, Madrid was where our son David was born.
One week of our time was taken by the death of our brother Bob in California. He had been in process of chemotherapy for cancer, and was doing quite well, until he contacted pneumonia, and his death came quite rapidly. I came back to the States, alone for 7 days for his funeral while Norma remained to help Deb and our four grandchildren while her husband is away in Chicagoland.
On my return to Madrid, we then took another seven days for a restful vacation in Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands. While in Spain, most of our time was spent visiting old friends of more than 35 years, and making new ones. We were also honored to do a workshop at MP, (Mission Possible) which is an event taking place every other year in Spain. I also had opportunity to speak to youth in a Church in San Fernando where our daughter works. After that we made a trip to Barcelona to visit a Spanish Church, The Spanish Bible institute and Seminary and then on a little farther north to visit with friends of FIEDE a Spanish organization of Evangelical Churches. Along the way we were able to make many new friends, and are hoping to build on these friendships for years to come. About the only thing that kept tugging at our heart strings to return home, was our precious little Abby, our three year old grand daughter in Batavia Illinois, just about 10 minutes from where we live in Geneva, Il. Of course it was great to see our son David and his wife Marsha also.
So when all is said and done, I do not feel one year older than my current 45 years, (after todays birthday) NOT... But we are doing great, enjoying retirement this far, and trying to figure out where to next. We honestly feel that our very best years are still ahead. Lord willing, we will be going to Nicaragua next, (hopefully before the end of the year), where our local Church is involved in ministries in Managua. We have sold our home, and must make some decisions whether we will buy another home, or just continue to rent from here on. These last 8 months have been so refreshing without having to keep snow removed, lawns mowed, and the general maintenance and responsibilities of keeping up a home. But at least, we are relaxed and have plenty of time to make those decisions, since one of the things that we both enjoy is travel.
And then of course that brings up the whole agenda of health. We have hopes to be on the move frequently, if the Lord continues to bless us with good health. Norma carries her job around with her wherever we go, as she continues to work with Veggie Tales after being fired twice, when the company made their move. (this is her 3rd time with them.) She will have to be fired again, because I know she is never going to quit. She loves what she does so much, and it is all in her computer, packed and ready to go, wherever she may lay her head. Isn't technology great. If only I could just learn to use it.
So I will end this little composition wishing the best to all of you our friends, and again say thank you for all your best wishes and prayers for us. I would like to invite any of you at any time to feel free to make postings to our blog. If you follow my blog, you will be able to see and read of our adventures, joys, thrills, heart breaks, pains and passions as we continue this upward journey for Him.
Sincerely, Dock Caton 06/03/2011
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