Thursday, March 26, 2020

Ace and Jack

This picture was taken about four weeks ago before we knew how dangerous this latest virus was going to be. We were leaving on a ministry trip to northern California to visit some missionaries. Driving back to southern Ca. we had no idea how life was going to change for us. Right off the bat we were told to stay away from large groups of people, then medium groups, then even small groups. Unless it was a matter of life or death, just stay home, no grocery shopping, no movie going, no church going, no going, period, be safe, stay sequestered.
Ace and I have been sequestered before. Once in S.A. when the Shinning Path rebels crossed the border from Peru and rumored to be hiding out in the mountains near where we lived. Thank God they were never found so that passed. Several times we were not able to travel due to unrest in the country.
In another country a village next to us was being burned out by what they call rascals, or as we say in the states, a bunch of hoodlums. Now that was a scary time too, we were told to stay in our houses, to not go out, or get involved, that was a hard one. That one passed quickly and no one was killed.
I thought about the many earthquakes we’ve experienced. One big one hit Ind. which was suppose to cause a tsunami that would even hit us. Everyone at the support center went to the highest place on the property and we sequestered ourselves in that house. There was a small going out of the tide and even smaller wave coming in. A lady from the nearby village wanted to stay with us since we had a ham radio to call out on and get news. Again, no one was killed in our area.
I could fill this page up with story after story but I think you get the idea. We get being sequestered and how it can save our lives. The USA is a first world country and yet we’re being impacted by a virus that is very dangerous and taking lives.
Ace and I have stayed busy touching base by phone, text, emails, and even sending a letter or two. Watched a lot of TV, news, learning new stuff from YouTube. Ace is helping me switch to WordPress. As of today I am going to start back working on my book. It’s easy to get so lazy when one is house bound most of the time. Since we share a house with out son and family, the three grandchildren keep things from getting boring.
Ace has gotten a new friend who lives next door in a care house. Jack is 96 years old and twice a day Ace takes him coffee and he listens to Jack stories. Honestly if we were not sequestered to our house and yard he would not have got to know Jack so well. We were suppose to be gone the last week of March and all of April on a ministry trip which now is cancelled.
This relationship between Ace and Jack has been good for both of them. Ace feels useful visiting Jack daily. He has no family except a nephew who does not live close and we share a house with our son and family so we are surrounded by family daily. Jack is alone except for his care givers who are too busy to just sit and listen to Jack. They are practicing the six foot rule when visiting, no handshaking, no hugs. Sometimes Ace comes home from his visit with Jack in tears because Jack was in tears as he tells story after story about his life. He is a book just waiting to be written. Ace ask him what did he contributed his long life too. Eating dark chocolate, put lemon in his orange juice and eat honey instead of sugar.
This sequestered time will be known as the “Ace and Jack” time. just as Shinning Path will remind us of S.A., a village burning will remind us of another time. It’s the stories in our life, especially the hard times that God sends to teach us there is never a time He does not want to use us.
What stories has come your way during this trial of a new virus that is killing some, and sending shockwaves all over the world? Will you look back on it as an opportunity to help someone, learn a deeper trust? It’s in these times of troubles God calls us to stand firm in our faith and don’t waste our trials.


12 comments:

  1. What a blessing that Ace can be there for Jack at this critical time, Betty! Staying isolated and being lonely are two very different things. I'm glad Ace has become Jack's angel in this season. May God bless all of you and keep you well!

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    1. It's been a delight from the Lord watching this relationship grow. Our son has bought a house that is too small for us so we will be moving somewhere, still up in the air. But, I don't want to be there the day Ace tells Jack. We were gong for a week before all this crisis got bad and he cried when we got back. So hard to see loneliness in someone eyes. Hope all is well at your house Martha. In the process of packing up I found a set of the books you sent me. they have been on my book shelves all this time but really I thought I had already given them away. What can I say except for sending them and no matter the time they get into someone hands it will be a blessings.

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  2. Thanks Betty for some insight into Ace's heart. I do think we could become friends. The last two weeks we have gone online using the church's FB account. (You can ask to join if you want). I have continued to work from the office as has the secretary and youth pastor. All else has been cancelled. The one liberty I have taken is to continue to ride my bike. I figure I ride alone and I ask for 3 feet. But I am at a safe distance which is a good thing. Stay safe and healthy.

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    1. Oh, I don't doubt for one minutes you and Ace would hit it off. Remind me of your church's name again. Our cancelled trip included a visit to hear you preach during those four weeks we were going to be in Kentucky. also Diane and I was working hard to get together. It will happen, someday. Blessings brother.

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  3. Thank you for sharing Betty! It is great to hear the positive that comes out of something so negative.

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    1. At the beginning of this virus issue I had a one day meltdown because of our trips planned and there is a major move in our future and my old brain was in over load. So you would have thought I would have been happy to put it all aside and just hunkered down for a few months. Not true, the Martha in me wants things done yesterday and its a fierce battle with my flesh when I can't control events. So I am extra grateful that God brought some good into our lives, there is more but I'll save for another post. It is well with my soul again. Blessings.

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  4. Betty, my soul sister...I disappointed that our chance to finally meet has to be postponed. Again. One day, in our Lord's perfect timing, we will. Thank you for sharing all you and Ace have experienced over the years. I have such respect for you. And it's wonderful to get insight into your Ace. I love the relationship he has built with Jack. You are both so special. Your lives bring me to tears. God bless you, my special friends. Stay well, I pray, in Jesus' Name!

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    1. Diane, I had not wrote you yet because I was waiting for an answer to one of questions. Also I wanted to call you so I may do it this week. Maybe when all this is over we can both fly somewhere for a weekend and just have a blast. there is so much my heart wants to talk to you about. I am sure God knows best in the timing but it's still hard to flex at times. You stay well to. Love you, Betty

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  5. Wow. You've lived in difficult times. This is pretty tame compared to what you've already experienced. And I agree with you in that God uses all things in His sovereign will to bring about scenarios that bring us into His will and teach us things we didn't know we needed to learn.

    What a gift to be able to see this world through His eyes. Thanks, sister.

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    1. I will say this kind of thing is pretty tame but here is the kicker, we still have to deal with this on a daily base. I had one meltdown a few weeks ago but not due to fear of the virus but because we are moving. Our son did buy a house, they should be in it the middle of April, we will stay till the end of April then head up to Mn. for the summer to live in our RV. According to how the virus goes will determine how much traveling we do. Our plan is to return to southern Ca. sometime in Oct. and catch up on our visit here but as I have told myself a hundred times before, that is our plan. Right now I am living surrounded by boxes, mostly our son at this point since they move out first. It's one of those times my dislike of moving hits full force, it's unsettling and I love to be settled. Despite all that I wrote about and all I did not write about, I am still human. We had made plans to stay in a friends RV the first two weeks of May just to help our son and family with this move. Then God, thought others plans changed our plans...ok, back to unsecure. Moving always brings the controller in me. Here is where my foundation helps me...I know He is in charge, I just don't feel it at time, but I don't have to feel it, but act upon it anyway.

      Wondering how all of this has affected your businesses. Jared company has work but it building non essentials right now so he is on his vacation right now. Perfect timing since they are moving. Moving in uncertainly, one step at a time as allowed. That's our new motto here at the Draper's. Blessings.

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  6. What a beautiful story about Ace and Jack! Definitely God-ordained to slow down our world and make us remember what matters most.

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    1. I was out today for the first time since all this started, went to a store and it certainly felt weird. Wearing a face mask was irritating, not finding what I wanted was irritating, I had to go to the bathroom so had to hurry cause they are no allowing bathroom use in this store, that was the worst. Barely made it home and what ever desire I had to shop may be destroyed forever. Only kidding, I am over the store and onto bigger things such as packing. Yep we are moving the end of April. Our son bought a house with no place for us right now, it's in the making for the future. We are so happy for them. So we are heading up to Mn. for the summer to living in our RV at our daughter place. We are going to start visiting missionaries in the northern states while there. Not sure what the future holds for us even though we do have several options on the table, just taking things one day at a time. Can't say my emotions haven't got the best of me but God is always faithful to draw me out of my pit of worry and fretting. Hope you all are doing well.

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