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February 17, 2009
Remembrances and Reminders
January 9 marked two months since Karen passed away. As a remembrance Wil and I went to the Oregon Symphony concert that evening. Karen loved music and I know she would have enjoyed listening to the orchestra play, and especially the classical guitar piece. But then I thought that in heaven she is hearing even more beautiful music; music that is focused on worshiping her Creator and Savior. She may very well be playing in heaven’s orchestra, with a beautiful new golden flute.
Last week was ‘prayer meeting week’, with three OMF prayer meetings, Tues., Fri., and Sat. Saturday was also, as you know, Valentines Day. Another unavoidable reminder that my Valentine of 21 years is no longer here to receive a card or candy or flowers. But I thank God for those 21 years that I had with my Karen. She was a gift to me from a God whose love will never die.
Wil is in the process of filling out application forms for colleges and scholarships. He goes snowboarding most weekends and plays indoor soccer once a week. He is doing well in school and is preparing to be in the school’s spring production once again. This year they are doing “Annie”. He has been cast in the role of Daddy Warbucks, the wealthy businessman who adopts little orphan Annie. He told me that he will have to shave his head to fit the part. That will be different!
Posted by David at 7:21 AM
February 6, 2009
Picking up the pieces
Lampinen Prayer Bulletin
Dave Lampinen, 14300 SE Wiese Rd, Damascus, OR 97089 H:503-563-1146 Cell:971-322-8517
February 5, 2009
Even though I often wish it didn’t, life goes on and so do all the regularly scheduled activities. On January 5th I joined several Filipino pastors for their monthly lunch and prayer time. The 9th would have been our 21st wedding anniversary. But this year it marked one month since Karen’s death. The OMF prayer meeting for Cambodia was on the second Saturday. It was good to be a part of that group of faithful pray-ers. On Sunday, the 11th we had a “graveside service” for Karen at Willamette National Cemetery. The 14th would have been Karen’s 61st birthday. Our “small group” from church met that night for a meal. We put a candle on the dessert and sang Happy Birthday. Mission Connexion, the big annual missions event held here in Portland took place on the 16th and 17th. It went very well. Jim and Louise Morris from Salem, OR and Loren Morrall, recently returned from Thailand assisted in the OMF booth and we were able to talk to many expressing interest in East Asia. Wil and I went out for a meal on the evening of the 17th so the two of us could celebrate Karen’s birthday. Wil’s classmates also had planned a surprise birthday party for him later that evening. He was truly surprised since his birthday was last October 25th! We were never able to celebrate his 18th birthday back in October due to Karen’s deteriorating health. I am so glad that his friends did that for him.
The next morning Wil drove me to the airport to catch a 6 A.M. flight to Denver for the annual OMF Mobilization Conference held at our headquarters in Littleton, CO. I had mixed feelings as I thought about attending these four days of meetings as this would mean being with many of my colleagues for the first time since Karen’s death. Indeed it was a bitter-sweet reunion but a very good experience for me, reconnecting with people and getting refocused on the work of mobilizing people and resources for East Asia.
February began with dear friends of ours from Victoria, B.C. Canada coming to visit for a few days. Feb. 2 was Ben’s 5th death anniversary. It was a warm sunny day so I took them to the cemetery to remember Ben and Karen. George Fox University in Newberg, OR had their Missions Fair on Feb. 4th. I enjoyed interacting with students there and attending the chapel service where we were all challenged to follow Christ even if it means going to the most difficult and dangerous places in the world to take the Good News to lost and needy people. Next week is prayer meeting week with 3 OMF prayer meetings, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday and on Sunday, a prayer meeting for the persecuted church.
Multnomah Bible College (now Multnomah University) will hold its Global Ministry Conference Feb. 22-27 here in Portland. This is my favorite missions conference, and not just because I’m an alumni. There are a lot of students at Multnomah with genuine interest in missions and I enjoy talking with them and hearing their stories and seeing how God is leading and preparing them for serving him. Pray for good contacts. Pray also for follow up on the contacts from Mission Connexion.
Grateful for your continued prayers and encouragement, Dave
Posted by David at 7:54 AM