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Chapter 17 –Sharing the Gifts

In Spiritual Stories by Gary

Preface: I began a journey of grief recovery after my daughter was killed by a drunk driver in 2000.  Many lessons were learned during the highs and lows of that roller coaster journey.  I didn’t see the lessons as gifts.  Four years later when my cousin Marilynn’s husband died unexpectedly I saw that I could help by sharing the lessons I had …

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Chapter 18–The Peace That Passes All Understanding

In Spiritual Stories by Gary

Preface: Twice in my life I have been blessed with a sample of the peace that passes all understanding.  This story is about the second experience that was also the longest lasting experience. The Peace That Passes All Understanding  The story of the adventures of Eileen and Gary continues in November of 2001.  The Holy Spirit had once more guided us to …

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Chapter 19–The Handshake

In Spiritual Stories by Gary

Preface: A handshake is an important part of the greeting and the departure for the men in my family.  I will remember this  handshake forever. The Handshake  In August of 2004, Maxine and I attended a wedding in Chicago.  We decided to take a few days for vacation and continue to DePere, WI to see my cousin Marilynn.  Her husband had passed …

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Chapter 20–Our Journey Ends

In Spiritual Stories by Gary

Preface: The journey for Maxine and I began on February 7, 1962 and ended on June 4, 2005.  This is the story of how our forty three years of togetherness ended. Our Journey Ends  Maxine Horness and I began our journey together on February 7th of 1962 during our senior year of high school.  On that day I asked her …

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Chapter 21–The Holy Spirit Arranges Maxine’s Funeral

In Spiritual Stories by Gary

Preface: Arrangements for a funeral seldom go as planned.  For Maxine’s funeral the Holy Spirit guided the entire process and brought the right people to the right place at the right time.  This is that story. The Holy Spirit Arranges Maxine’s Funeral  As we began arrangements for Maxine’s funeral it became apparent the Holy Spirit was at work again in …

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Chapter 22–The Bond Strengthens

In Spiritual Stories by Gary

Preface: Marilynn and I are first cousins and the two eldest cousins in the family.  After the loss of our spouses, just eleven months apart, we teamed up to recover from the grief.  On that journey we became brother and sister and soul mates.  This is our story. The Bond Strengthens  Marilynn and I are cousins.  Our cousin bond was formed as …

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Chapter 23–The Passing’s

In Spiritual Stories by Gary

Preface: I have been blessed with the some of the spirituality of others being passed on to me upon their death.  Pastor Diane told me she was aware of such happenings.  This is mine. The Passing’s  Uncle Art was one of my heroes and mentors.  He was my dad’s brother and he lived in Wisconsin.  He farmed and raised cattle …

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Chapter 24–Pastor Diane and The Call

In Spiritual Stories by Gary

Preface: My story writing adventure is the result of a meeting with Pastor Diane that was scheduled for 15 minutes to discuss changing churches.  An hour and a half later my life was changed forever.  This is that story.   Pastor Diane and The Call  I arrived promptly for a meeting about joining a new church.  I was greeted by …

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Chapter 25–What I Learned From Pastors

In Spiritual Stories by Gary

Preface: I have experienced many pastors in my journey of life.  Each has left me with an important bit of knowledge or a lesson.  A few have left me with several.  All of them have helped me improve my spiritual life. What I Learned From Pastors Pastor Jerry:  Pastor Jerry taught me that pastors are regular people.  They fish, they …

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Chapter 26–You’re Moving Where?

In Spiritual Stories by Gary

Preface: I spent two and a half years traveling around Wisconsin looking for a place to start a new life.  In October of 2009 I decided on Chippewa Falls.  In the next six weeks several Godincidences occurred and I began seriously considering relocating to Southwest Missouri.  This, somewhat long, story tells how I came to live in Branson West, Missouri. …