by Pastor Tim White

I feel like I had a magical childhood. Many of my summers were spent at a log cabin along the Wallowa River at the head waters of Wallowa Lake. With my grandparents watching us, we ran through the forest, swam in the lake, and fished in the river. One summer we discovered grandpa’s chest in the loft. We opened it and it was full of treasures -- keepsakes from WWI, WWII, and the Korean War including a Marine dress hat, KA-BAR knife, medals, and other memorabilia. We were not supposed to open that chest -- which made it even more magical to opening and handling all the family treasures. When we were caught, Grandpa sat us down and told us stories of the family patriotism that was beyond politics. They were stories from the heart. In those days, Memorial Day meant something. We would drive over to Eagle Valley and walk among the graves, hearing stories of the Saunders and decorating our relative’s graves. Grandpa Saunders would have a shot of whiskey and pour out a drink for his cousin. We thanked God for all of our family members and their role in preserving liberty in our nation. The right to choose and the right to dream, the right to equality and the right to faith. We learned that all these rights in the real world were only possibilities to be fought for. Make your Memorial Day memorable in 2020.

Your friend for the rest of my life,

Pastor Tim White

PS: Please join us for worship this Sunday at 10:30 am for our streaming service on Facebook, YouTube, or on our website or app. We’ll have a special Memorial Day prayer by Pastor David, a special musical guest Divine Cook, great worship with Eliot and Rhonda. I will be sharing with you a very important key to successful marriages and relationships — humor.