Today Sam used the mini-cat to take out two cement pads (well, one was more a pathway) and the fence so he could have full access to all sides of the house. He took this first picture, but asked Sara to shoot the rest. She did great even if the clouds came and went.

Theme: In What Ways Do Jehovah's Witnesses Fulfill John 13:34, 35?

Lilyán: When we first met, we discussed 6 features that identify the worship that God approves of. & you had a question about the 3rd point, "those who worship the true God show genuine love for one another."

Clover: Yes. You showed me a scripture where Jesus said his disciples would be known by their love, but I don't see how that's possible. Every organized religion out there claims to represent God & show Christ’s love but they cause problems & do terrible things in the name of love. How do you know your organization shows the kind of love Jesus had in mind?

Lilyán: That's a really good question. I did some studying & found that there are 3 basic ways JW's fulfill Jesus' words at John 13. Let's look again at what he said. Would you please read verses 34 & 35? You may use my Bible; I marked it with a ribbon.

Clover: (reads John 13:34, 35)

Lilyán: When Jesus tells us to love one another, he explains we should do it "just as he loved us." How did he show love to others while he was on earth?

Clover: Well, I know he helped people. He cured them & fed them.

Lilyán: Yes, that's true, he cared for their physical well-being, and he also cared for their spiritual welfare since his primary focus was to preach the good news of God's Kingdom. Jesus demonstrated that love by extending his ministry beyond the small community he grew up in; traveling to many villages & cities, preaching even when tired & hungry, & both to Jews & non-Jews too. JW's imitate Jesus' example by reaching as many as possible to teach them Bible truths.

Clover: I guess your preaching work is one of the things you're known for--not that I can see there's much for you to do here in this area.

Lilyán: You'd be surprised. We only have 10 congregations to reach everyone in Humboldt County. Many of my friends spend 50 or more hours a month teaching about the Bible & others who've learned Spanish, Hmong, Chinese & ASL to reach even more people. We do these things, not simply for the sake of imitating Jesus, but because we have the same kind of love he had & we want everyone to hear God's message.

Clover: Okay, I can see that your ministry is one way you show love. What’s the next way?

Lilyán: We can't perform miracles today, like you mentioned Jesus healed and fed people, but the 2nd way we demonstrate our love is helping in times of need. Sometimes it's little things, like helping with a chore or an errand. Or it could involve opening up our house to somebody who needs a place to stay, or caring for someone who's ill.

Clover: Some of those things could take up a lot of your time. You must really love the people in your congregation to be willing to do all that.

Lilyán: I do love my cong very much & I feel close to everyone in it. Just as Jesus extended his ministry far beyond his own community, our love & willingness to help extends beyond our cong, beyond McKinleyville. For example, when hurricane Katrina hit, we offered our time and resources to assist our fellow Ws & their neighbors too.

Clover: Are you saying that the love you feel for your congregation is the same for JWs you've never met?

Lilyán: Yes, it's what Jesus meant when he said, "have love among yourselves." Which brings us to my 3rd point--we fulfill Jesus' words through our unity in worship.

Clover: You mean everyone believes & teaches the same things from the Bible?

Lilyán: Yes, but it’s more than that. Even though we're worldwide & we're organized, what we are is a family. That's why we call each other brothers & sisters. In fact, you'll be able to see this first hand when we build our new KH & JWs we've never met will come to help us build it.

Clover: Really? I’d like to see that. Still, I don’t see how this kind of love is possible on a global scale.

Lilyán: I thought you might say that, so I brought this dvd, which includes a film called “Our Whole Association of Brothers.” It gives international examples of these 3 ways of expressing the love Jesus commanded--by our ministry, by helping in times of need & by our united worship. Would you like to see it?

Clover: Yes. I’ll put it in right now!

Yesterday was a day for bad/sad news.

Elisa used-to-be-Blackwell's husband left her & it doesn't seem like he'll be reinstated anytime soon, which is very sad. Then Blaiyne, her oldest, moved out to an apartment just down the road from us. Knowing him, he'll stay close to her & his siblings, but it's still very hard for Elisa. Brendenn wanted to move out too, only Elisa asked him to stay for a few more months which he promised to do. He is a very sweet kid.

Late last night Anna Maxwell called to say Aunt June had died that morning. I really don't want to talk about it because it's a little too upsetting, except to say never put me in a Home & never give me sleeping pills. Other than that, I think everyone is looking forward to getting to know a fully restored to health June in the new system.

According to one University study we are the "hottest religion" around. Hope you enjoy reading the article.






























Here is the article sans photos, captions or sidebars:

Word on the street
Jehovah's Witnesses have their convention in Roanoke.
By Rob Johnson

Today the Jehovah's Witnesses hope people will knock on their door for a change.

The denomination best known for door-to-door proselytizing in residential neighborhoods is having its annual three-day Southwest Virginia convention this weekend at the Roanoke Civic Center.

While the public is invited to learn more about the fast-growing group, Karen Casper took the initiative Wednesday morning to spread her church's doctrine, as she has volunteered to do regularly for 38 years.

When Vera Galloway answered the door of her red brick home in the Kingston Court subdivision of Southwest Roanoke County, Casper offered to talk with her about the Bible.

"I love to discuss the Bible with anyone," Galloway said.

After a friendly five-minute conversation, Galloway accepted a pamphlet that explains some of the Jehovah's Witnesses' particular interpretations of the Bible, such as that only 144,000 people are bound for Heaven -- a number mentioned in Revelation -- but eternal life right here on Earth is possible for those who follow God's laws. After Galloway listened politely, she told Casper that she's a loyal member of Greater Mount Zion Baptist Church.

"We're not on a membership drive. We recognize that they may already have a church," said Harvey Casper, Karen's husband, who has been going on such Jehovah's Witnesses missions for 46 years. "We're just trying to give guidance to those willing to listen."

Jehovah's Witnesses endure a high rejection rate; they estimate that 25 percent of their visits find that people either aren't home or don't answer. And only one in five of those who do talk with them accept a pamphlet. The next step in their strategy is to gain an invitation to come back and discuss the Bible inside homes, hoping that will lead to a visit to one of their Kingdom Halls, modest structures where the interiors resemble lecture rooms.

For all the refusals, Jehovah's Witnesses are the fastest-growing denomination in North America. According to the National Council of Churches annual survey, Jehovah's Witnesses reported the largest growth rate -- 2.25 percent -- among the 25 largest denominations in 2007.

To be sure, they are a relatively small denomination, ranking 24th with a few more than 1 million members on this continent and another 6 million more internationally.

Even a small growth rate stands in stark contrast to the overall trend among the Top 25 denominations. All of them posted declines or were flat in 2007 except Jehovah's Witnesses, the Catholic Church, Southern Baptists, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church.

"Jehovah's Witnesses are the hottest religion right now," said Gerald McDermott, professor of religion at Roanoke College. Among the reasons for their current appeal, he said, is the absence of paid ministers and church staff. At a time when the economy is dicey, Jehovah's Witnesses don't require that members tithe, nor do they even pass an offering plate.

The responsibility for evangelizing is put on every member. From teens to retirees, a dozen Jehovah's Witnesses gathered at the Kingdom Hall on Colonial Avenue on Wednesday morning before driving to various neighborhoods, where they hiked to the houses of strangers.

Henry Casper led a brief discussion: "You can't teach others what you don't know yourself," he said. He reminded them of the faith's doctrine that "the last days" are at hand doesn't mean "the end of humankind and not the end of the world." Instead, he added, God will soon institute rule over the Earth, stopping "the violent, loveless system of things and those who cling to its ways."

Todd Manning was busy with household chores when he found Henry Casper, wearing a necktie, pamphlets in hand, on his front steps. Manning patiently accepted a brochure, but said, "Look, I think it's a huge commitment to go out like he does. But it's hard for me to devote much attention right now." Manning added that he's a traveling salesman of school furniture whose time at home to catch up on domestic duties is limited.

A few houses away, the woman who answered the door was more abrupt and struggled to hold back a protective yellow Labrador retriever pressing against the glass storm door. "We go to First Baptist," she said, short of breath from wrestling the Lab.

Casper retreated with a nod and a thank you.

"I live on rejection," said Mike Moyer, another Witness making house calls Wednesday. At one home, a woman interrupted his offer of church reading materials to say, "We just live on the Bible."

That isn't good enough for the Witnesses, Moyer said, "You can read the Bible, but it's one big puzzle. Most people need guidance."

The Jehovah's Witnesses will offer that help en masse at their convention, at which they expect about 4,000 members from congregations in an area that includes West Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley. The Witnesses hope that several hundred nonmembers also will attend the weekend program -- including some who have received pamphlets during house calls. The gathering will include symposiums on coping with discouragement, resisting peer pressure and enduring adversity, among other everyday issues.

There will also be an abundance of Bible study. James Kauffman, a Witness volunteer and convention organizer, said, "You'll hear a lot of pages rustling."
#

heehee Coleen sent me this (& people wonder why I like her)

Tonight it was announced that Sonny Kraach died. I'm relieved he isn't suffering anymore, but I feel like another link to Grandad was severed. Like his circle of good friends his age are all gone now -- Ted Henry, Mel Foss, Lyle Holcomb, Ray Carvalho, & now Sonny.

I'm looking forward to finally meeting Ted & seeing how much he & Shan are alike. I miss the way Mel would pull my braid, the twinkle in Lyle's eyes, & the smile in Ray's when he was proud of you. It will be good to take Sonny up on his promise to take me out on the ocean....

Ugh, I have just spent the last 5 hours working on posting our father's van on ebay! Here are some of the pictures I used (not that anyone cares, but after all that frustration, I want to share some of the pain). . .















Aarrgh! Enough all ready! I'm off to see the doc.
neh

So Clover's dad found some site for old timey postcards & found these of Humboldt.

It may say Arcata, but it's still "top o' the hill in McKinleyville" only now it's an office building.

Fortuna, still a ranch town.