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Listening to a six-year-old takes PATIENCE!

January 18
During the short time my brother and I were with Uncle Horace and Aunt Lela (after our mother died), we enjoyed playing around their home, and sometimes playing around the church where Uncle Horace was the pastor.  Whenever I got bored with playing (as most 6-year-olds are prone to do!), I would wander into the church itself and go "visit" with my uncle.  "Visiting" was 'code' for "may I talk to you until the cows come home?!"  I was capable of chatting incessantly as long as my uncle would allow it, and he never did turn me away.  What a wonderful uncle and friend he was to me during those days!  I was still barely processing my mother's death, and I didn't even know "how" to verbalize those feelings.  Looking back at those impromptu "church-house-chats" I can see how my SO VERY PATIENT uncle was laying a firm foundation of love and acceptance for my young life.  I would keep those memories close through the years and God would keep me closer to Him.

"Only live fish swim against the current"

January 20, 2023
I often fall back on this advice from Horace so many years ago, which he shared with me as an encouragement to continue to pursue Christ against opposition and even criticism from the culture around us. He added, when he said this to me, "What kind of fish will you be?" Sound truth for us all. 

A fishing trip with Uncle Horace

April 2, 2021
In 1961, after our mother, Miriam, passed away (mother of Jackie and Michael Swanson), Uncle Horace and Aunt Lela offered to care for us until our father, Virgil (Aunt Lela's brother) could get back on his feet.  This is one of the most wonderful experiences we had as children.  I played around the church grounds many days and would go in to Uncle Horace's pastoral study, talk to him for a while (he was extremely patient with such a small but talkative little girl!), then some days he would take me out for ice cream.  Both Mike and I benefited emotionally, mentally and spiritually during this time.  The experience would set a foundation of spiritual strength and unconditional love that I have never forgotten, and will always treasure.
March 27, 2021
Pastor Horace was a big influence in our life as we began our marriage and having a family. My faith grew under his teaching. One memory was when my father passed away. I flew with Kevin age 3 to Minnesota and Garland was extra busy at work finishing the week. Our oldest daughter Rachel age 9 was at camp that week so when she got back and I couldn't pick her up, Horace and Lela graciously shared with Rachel that her grandpa had gone to heaven. They were a gift to our family while they served in Manhattan. Thank you!

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