SEPTEMBER 2009 NEWSLETTER                                                        

 Amazing (astonishing, overwhelming, delightful, wonderful, surprising)   Summer News

    These past months our 4 cottages have been very close to full. This is due at least in part to our specials. They have met a real need and been a blessing for those who have come, especially those who stayed a week for $375! And I have to tell you, it has been good for us as well. There is something right with win-win situations.

   So … as some of you know, we will be continuing our specials up until Memorial Day, 2010. Not sure what we will do after that.

Adirondack Chairs

     Up until a couple of months ago I had no idea how to even spell the word. Now I barely can. (~_~)

     Hey, I am making them better than ever, and they are selling A special thrill was to have some guests drive off with  4 chairs and 2 small matching end tables. (In their van!)                        

    One nursery in Fort Bragg has sold a dozen chairs for me. And we are in an economic slump! This has been a nice boost for our personal economy.

 Jerry’s   Same Ol’ Same Ol’

  Here I go again! Is it strange for me to wonder why more Christians are not concerned about discovering and living out their their personal role/calling in God’s Kingdom? It happened again this morning. A fine Christian man, raised in the church, had not given much if any thought to where God wanted him to play on the Kingdom team. Where are the church leaders?  Are church leaders unaware of this gap? Why do I care? It’s not my church … or is it? What in the world does Paul mean in Ephesians 4 where he talks about leaders “equipping the saints/folks” for ministry?

   You know, I’ve tried to let this die in my heart, but it doesn’t go away. So many of the churches (at least in our area) are hurting, and this equipping ministry may be a key to what’s wrong.  “Fake it ‘til you make it” may work for a while … until reality shows up.

Jerry’s Emmaus Journey

   I wanted something fresh to share with you. Jesus does on occasion have huge surprises for us, which change our lives forever. I have had only a few of these. But along the way He provides little “wow”  ones that add up, like the one this afternoon while I was finishing up an Adirondack (Thanks spell-checker!) chair. Little things occasionally go wrong; a small crack in a board here, a board a little too short (hard to lengthen a board!), a knot in the wrong place, etc. Reality … not one of my chairs has turned out “perfectly perfect.” (Surprise?) Likewise, each of our lives has its share of “small” flaws. Yeah, me … and you! Yet we are satisfactory enough for the Master’s use. He seems to delight in using us for His purposes,  probably because we live in a less than perfect world, and need to be able to relate to our imperfect “sphere of influence.” They all need to meet a perfect Lord.

   I am actually excited to be able to “touch-up” each flaw well enough that the product is fit to be sold! Come buy one, they’re “cool!”

 Pat’s Pondering                      

   This has been a fantastic summer.  Not only have there been lots of people here, with over 80% occupancy, but God brought the world to our door; including Chinese, Russians, Dutch, East Indians, Italians, Mexicans and two sisters from Zimbabwe. You know how much I love

an accent. We also had a lady finish writing her book, a film crew of 20, and 25 women for a workshop presented by two local ladies using Beth Moore materials.

To be able to reach out with hospitality and a warm welcome brings me much joy. It is like all my gifts are focused and pouring out. I even found joy in the hard part - house touch-up cleaning.  Our guests have been leaving the houses really nice.

Here are a few other reasons I am overflowing with thankfulness:

     Jer seems to have had a possible TIA, a pinpoint stroke that resulted in double vertical vision for several weeks. It has healed spontaneously. (Thanks be to God.) Plus, it was a gift to find an eye doctor who knows about this specialty. 

     It has been great to see Jerry’s newly designed hand-made redwood chairs sell so quickly.  They are Adirondack style but without the steep angle in the back. His is a “pioneering” personality and he loves to be learning and doing something new.

     We had 9 of our 12 grandkids visit this summer. I feel the need to be with these kids as they grow up. It takes time to renew our bond, but the resulting love in their eyes makes it worthwhile. 

     I am doing research in Proverbs for the next women’s Bible study I  teach at our church, and daily find fascinating things that fuel my excitement.

     The main thing I have been pondering lately is the grace, kindness, and mercy of our Lord.  In the midst of the sad things that life brings, the selfish self-centeredness of our human weakness or the pain and disease that aging brings, God’s love and goodness underlie everything. By His power, presence and care in our lives, He comforts us and ultimately, will turn it all to good.  No, it is not new, but it feels good for it to be reaffirmed when challenged by life. Or death. 

Tourists

     I guess you could say that coming to visit us makes you a  “tourist.”  Well, look what I found somewhere and it clicked!

I Love Tourists.

They remind us of what’s remarkable in the places we walk past every day.

Tourists puncture stereotypes with personal experience.

(I have no idea what that means, but it sounds great.)

Tourists are likely to go out of their way to tell you their life story, and ask for yours.

I love tourists because they put fresh eyes on familiar places, and remind us that wherever we look, we can find something amazing.

Advice for us “Innkeepers”

(Look what I else found!)

"Specials Are Driving Summer Travel"

 
   Keeping the traveler's budget in mind while creating alluring, unique specials is

going to make you stand apart from the crowd. According to Google's Managing

Director of Travel, searches for travel specials have increased by over 30% since

ast year, clearly demonstrating that people are traveling, but they want as much

value as possible.

Hey … we did just that!!

From Our Guest Book:   This is both encouraging and humbling. We wanted to share the uplifting nature    of it.   We needed it!   

“Pat & Jerry, … This place is amazing … a corner of paradise. 

Your commitment to your principles, your love and your lives are an inspiration

and an example for us all. May Antioch Ranch live on forever. We’ll be back to stay longer.

Local Events … such as whale watching, lighthouse tour, music festival, quaint shops, and SO MUCH MORE! 

                       Check out:      www.mendocinocoast.com        or      www.gomendo.com

Remember … Our Specials!

    They will be in effect at least until Memorial Day 2010! 

   Our usual weekly rate of $750 is cut in half. Seven nights for $375. If you can’t stay a week,

you can book 2 nights (or more) and stay one non-holiday weeknight free,

As Always … We wish for you all, God’s gracious blessings!  Jerry & Pat