New Novel is Published
BLESSED ARE THE HUNGRY was the most fun I’ve ever had writing. The quirky characters came to life and their interactions brought smiles to my face as I wrote. This is just between you and me . . . don’t tell anyone . . . the young artist, Hunter Schlewitz, secretly does knitting. Ssshh! He doesn’t want anyone to know.
I’m grateful to my son Joel for teaching me just a little about online marketing which I used in the book. And Bob and Clara Gerber are the elderly couple inspired by my uncles and aunts, Bob and Adeline, George and Verna (who could be quite bossy at times).
Another Mountain Scene
Years ago I enjoyed hiking at Holden Village in Washington. Although I don’t have a photograph, I remember the hike to Copper Basin. You cross Railroad Creek, climb over “the tailings,” and follow the trail up toward Copper Falls. I sketched the scene as I remembered it, then cut it with my small scissors.
TRAIL TO THE FALLS
Visits with Family in CA and AZ
In May we drove to Foothills Ranch, CA, for a wonderful visit with cousin Gail Millard. She and her son Sean celebrated our son Joel’s birthday the first evening. The next day we took Joel to Burbank where he spent two days in a recording studio with his old band Teenage Frames. Then he met his friend James for a two day hike in Joshua Tree National Park, after which he flew back to Portland. See: joelbornzin.wordpress.com.
We drove on to Phoenix and Sun City, AZ, where we visited cousin Merrilee and Stan and had dinner at a fabulous German restaurant, HausMurphy’s, with Aunt Rosalie and cousins Bonnie and Dave Disbrow, and Bobbette Cooper. Returning to the LA area, we enjoyed a final day at Disneyland with Gail Millard & Sean.
A Wonderful Easter
Carmen and I began the week with a fantastic lunch at Black Bear Diner in Portland with our son Keith. He was excited to treat us to this new diner where the food was delicious and the portions huge! We talked about his work at the Moda Center and the Blazers great start in the playoffs. Go Blazers!
On Saturday, Joel came to our house and stayed overnight, and went to church with us on Easter morning. The youth at Immanuel served a delicious breakfast of scrambled eggs, cinnamon rolls and fruit. Worship was joyful, and Carmen and I enjoyed singing two anthems with the choir. After church we came home and prepared a superb dinner of Sockeye Salmon, and Carmen’s easy cheesy potatoes, topped off with fresh fruit salad.
Sunday evening we watched the Blazers win game four in Oklahoma City to take a 3-1 lead in the series. We may be facing the Denver Nuggets or San Antonio Spurs in the next round. Tuesday, April 23, we watched the Blazers come from behind to tie the score in the final minute. Damien Lillard hit an amazing, nearly half-court basket at the buzzer to win the game 116-113.
Latest Scissorcuts
BRIEF COMPARISON OF MY THREE NOVELS
Tales from Trinity introduces Pastor Paul Walker, his family and congregation. Their stories are woven together like a patchwork quilt by God whose purpose is love, reconciliation, forgiveness, healing and hope.
Terror at Trinity unfolds two stories of terror. When a good person does something terribly inappropriate, shame and terror arise from within. When terrorists hold the congregation hostage, the threat is from an external source, but the fear and terror are even more intense. Pastor Paul’s faith, as well as his congregation’s, is tested through these frightening days.
Trials at Trinity is a saga of scope and depth, combining Jim’s two prior novels. Pastor Paul Walker and his family experience the everyday and the extraordinary experiences from which God weaves the tapestry of a rich and amazing life.
Hawaiian Mission Trip
They call it a sabbatical interim. I was invited to lead worship and preach at St. Jude’s Episcopal Church in Ocean View, Hawaii in August. Lutherans and Episcopalians have altar and pulpit fellowship, so after the necessary paperwork, I was approved by the bishop of the diocese of Hawaii to serve at St. Jude.
Carmen and I flew to Kona on August 8 and were met by Cordelia Burt, the warden of the parish. She placed leis around our neck and greeted us warmly, then drove us to McKinney Place, where visiting priests and pastors stay during their sabbatical. It was a lovely home, secure and well-furnished. The small open-air church was just a short walk away, where each Saturday, people from the community line up for a free shower. Water is in short supply, and the outdoor shower stalls are in great demand. Twenty-five to forty-five people sign in and wait their turn to get a nice hot shower. While waiting they are offered a free lunch. Children are entertained and learn in the Computer Lab, a small room with eight laptop computers. This is only one of the many services St. Jude provides to people of this impoverished development area, sometimes called “the Appalachia of Hawaii.”
Episcopalian worship is liturgical, but relaxed and unhurried. A potluck dinner is served after every Sunday service where members and neighbors are engaged in conversation dedicated to getting to know each other, and honest caring. Everyone is welcome, no one turned away. St. Jude is The Little Church with a Big Heart.
We were provided use of a car for touring the island. We enjoyed malasadas at the Punalu’u bake shop in Ka’alehu, and snorkeling with the Weavers at Ho’okena beach. Hurricane Lane passed by while we were there, dumping torrential rains on Hilo, only strong winds and rain at Ocean View. We didn’t go to Kilauea to see molten lava, but saw massive barren lava flows which form the South Point of the island.
Joel joined us for our final five days and treated us to a luau for our 52nd anniversary on August 27th at the Royal Kona Resort. We returned home August 29th, grateful for a relaxing time on the big island. The people of St. Jude were wonderful hosts and true servants of Christ. Thank you, Cindy Cutts, for the invitation to preach and serve.
