I have just returned from a wonderful Feast of Tabernacles. I kept the news turned off and for eight days basked in the comfort of fellowship with God and fellow believers. The fellowship was great. I was among a community of loving, caring people. I quickly became friends with people who were previously strangers. What a comfortable feeling. I drew strength for the coming year.

The world came back quickly as soon as I returned. My eighty-four year old mother had a heart attack and was taken to the hospital. She went through quintuple by-pass surgery and, so far, is doing well.

My daughter, Kendra, is in the Army Reserves and is now in California learning Arabic. She will be heading for Iraq after the first of next year.

But through these and whatever other trials I may go through, I have the peace of knowing I am built as a light house on a rock. Through whatever storms I face, I know I have the Rock, Jesus, to anchor me and a community to aid me as I shine my light to guide others to that same Rock.

Enjoy this month's issue.