WHAT REALLY HAPPENED chapter 170

I’ve turned my blog over to some friends in the past and this time specifically asked Dale to correct some of my assumptions about his and Ron's surprise visit. Thanks Dale.

As far as the blog post, Ron and I visited you in August of 1973. 

Prior to the surprise in the middle of the night, we had stayed a few nights with you.  (Now I remember. That was when we did most of the sightseeing. Your arrival in the summer meant I had time to get out and play with you guys.) We left your house and took off hitchhiking for San Francisco.  We only got to Bakersfield and found we were not having much success in getting rides so decided to return to your home. We had only 2 people stop to pick us up.  One offered to take only one of us.  Not sure how that would have turned out.  The other that we took a ride with had a gun on his hip.  After he picked us up he turned to us and said “ now you boys aren’t going to try and do something funny on me are you?” (When things like this happen and you know that boys it makes you laugh. They could not have picked up two easier going and pleasant guys.)

Knott’s Berry Farm was a wonderful place you exposed us to.  I remember going to So Cal in 1983 with my wife and telling her about our time at Knott’s and how I felt it was more special than Disneyland. (Knott’s was just different then. It is now a little more Disneyfied. I think we also took them for Mrs. Knott’s famous chicken fried dinner. It was terrific in the 70’s. I revisited with my family in the 90’s and the meal disappointed. Too bad! It used to be jam-packed.

One of the other things we did with you was after our day at Universal Studios.  A walk around the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre area to see the imprints of the stars hands in the sidewalk.  We also drove around trying to find the homes of famous Hollywood personalities.  We stopped in front of a house that I believe you said was Lucille Balls and I got out of the car, ran onto the lawn and scooped up some leaves.  I was a great day; my highlight was seeing you act in the Adam 12 play at Universal. (We bought one of those cheesy “where the stars lived maps.” Don’t remember the stars house for sure. I know we went in Lucille Ball’s dressing cottage at Universal. In those days you got off the tram and walked through her dressing room and on to a sound stage. I liked it better than just the exterior drive now available)

As I am now a little older, perhaps a little more mature; I am very appreciative of the time you gave Ron and I, the hospitality extended by you and Della.  You had a lot on your plate and yet gave so much. Thank you for making our visit so great.  Am I correct in thinking that Ron gave you a cheesy velvet painting as a thank you for your hospitality? (Yes! Della taught me long time before that to learn to accept any gift with grace. However, we didn’t keep it long. It never made the return trip to Canada. It was the thought that counts. Besides, we loved hanging out with you two. How could I deny anyone from a former youth group.)

I know Ron bought at least one of the velvet paintings.  Ron and I took a trip to Tijuana.  We had the wonderful privilege of staying in a noisy hotel on one of the main streets that we paid $7 for the night.  I remember our purchases.  I bought a white shirt with some crazy red embroidery and a denim shirt with embroidery, sandals with old tires used for the sole, a cheap leather coat.  Ron brought at least one velvet painting, but I think it may have been two, one for him and one for you.  Quite a gift for someone like yourself who is so artistically inclined?  Ron also bought a switchblade.  I was a little concerned but he did get it through the border. (I don’t remember the picture, but all the velvet paintings reminded me of Elvis – he was on so many of them.)

I watched the video of you preaching last night. It touched me.  Thanks for being open and honest.  Sometimes it seems like this faith journey is so easy for others and yet perhaps you are showing what most of us go through in our walk with the Lord to a greater or lesser degree.

One of my friends on Facebook asked about a comment I posted about my gratitude to be preaching again. In the message I mentioned my long drift from God and my journey back. I was simply responding to a question, not promoting the video. Frankly, I wasn’t so sure I wanted old friends to see the tape. I, like so many people, have attempted to hide that phase of my life. I am embarrassed and ashamed of how I was. In the video I am preaching in a tiny church two blocks from where I live. Since the church only seats about 120, they have three services. The church views itself as a spiritual hospital – a term I love - and has a dynamic outreach to addicts of all types. It was thorough this church that I made my journey back to Jesus. I do not preach regularly, but this was my fourth occasion to fill in for the pastor while he was away. I consider it a privilege. I never expected to ever have a public ministry again. I did not believe I deserved that opportunity.

I now attend a recovery group as God continues His healing. I love being with the others and sharing the raw emotions, struggles and victories we share. The group has taught me much. I never handled the suicide death of my son very well. I coped for years and then began to fall apart making mistake after mistake – sin after sin. The message only alludes to some of that. I don’t know which service is online. I shared more in one of the three than I did in the other two.

I attend the group to understand and deal with Rods addiction and decision to end his life. Also, I have never got hold of my sugar addiction issues and it is causing several serious health problems. I am paying for my lack of taking the issue seriously. I am grateful God always welcomes us back.

I’m not absolutely sure I should do this, but the message can be found at: www. lwcc.net/. The title is Ordinary People and the date is 10/21/112. I do subtitle this "confession of the recovering sinner."