Author Archives: Claudette Wood

In a church that Dave pastored, one deacon was a kindly older gentleman. He was always respectful in his conversation, and he supported Dave’s ministry at the church. I don’t recall ever hearing him speak an unfriendly word, even in our sometimes loud and vocal business meetings. I became friends with this man’s daughter. We had lunch, went to conferences, shopped together–the things friends do. One day, over lunch, I mentioned how much I admired her father and how kind he was to our family. What happened next sent shock waves through me. My friend’s face melted. I watched as… Continue reading →

This morning, my thoughts have been on the new year, which will be here in just a few short hours. I’m not big on resolutions, because I never keep them. Why deal with that guilt, right? But, having said that, there are a few goals I would like to accomplish.  The house. The longer we live here, the more cluttered it becomes. I’m at the point where I fear we may be heading in the direction of ‘hoarding.’ Gracious, the stuff we’ve accumulated over nearly 45 years of life together! Where to begin? Well, let’s start with my pictures. I… Continue reading →

Father, I don’t know why You chose this way for Dave and me, and I can’t testify that I always accept it with grace. Some days, I do accept what “is” with a shrug of my shoulders and a quick sigh. Other days, it just feels like a heavy weight, and my soul sighs long; stuff just feels hopeless. Whatever. Please just continue to give us grace to be faithful to Your calling, even though we don’t understand it all. Because You are faithful, Father. Always faithful to us. We each have our specific calling from You. Help me cling… Continue reading →

Folks in my current age bracket grew up in a society where God was mostly recognized and honored; we had a healthy respect for Him, even in homes where He was not regularly worshipped. Our home was like that. As kids, my siblings and I went to summer Vacation Bible Schools. We did the yearly Easter visit—mostly to show off our new clothes. Sometimes we did the Christmas visit, especially to the annual Love Feast at the Moravian church around the bend. Other than that, we didn’t do church. The habit of our household was to sleep in late on… Continue reading →

On Sunday, November 22, 2020, Dave had his final proton beam treatment for prostate cancer. The doctor assured him he was leaving the Center prostate cancer free, and on his way out the door for his last time, he rang the Victory Bell to signal his recovery. Because we can’t see it with our eyes, have faith in the words of the expert that there is no more cancer. Praise be to God! What can’t you see? What is happening in your life that requires you to exercise your faith? We believe by faith the words of a doctor who… Continue reading →