DaT Scan Results on the Heels of the Loss of Our Dear Mother

It has been a trying couple of weeks, but the sun shines behind the clouds, and it is breaking through. Losing my mother, Marguerite, is devastating and creates a void no one can fill.  However, her passing also makes crystal clear the beautiful life she lived, her several talents and the way her life lives on through each of us who were her family and were close to her.  I feel her with me more than ever, in my personality, abilities, and zest for life.

While this great loss was impacting our family, Karrie and I were going through another battle.  We have been fighting my disease by seeing an excellent specialist, a Neurologist specializing in Movement Disorders at Loma Linda University Medical Center.  I won't list the physician's name to protect her professional privacy but I would shout it from the rooftops otherwise! A wonderful doctor, indeed!

Over the 5 or 6 visits we have had with her, we have had very thorough conversations and examinations as she gathered clinical information about my 11 year history with a parkinsonian syndrome.  She approached it using scientific methods, which included starting from scratch with our story and her physical tests.  She spent 2 hours with us initially and has had at least three other doctors examine me while in her offices, as well.  She has adjusted my medications and also my Deep Brain Stimulation system generator each time I have seen her over a 5 month period.

Her actions have included giving me a memory medication called Namenda and it has helped with clarity of thought and provided for more peaceful nights of rest.  Also, she has sent me to an Ear Nose and Throat specialist to study my speech delays and swallow/choking issues. He put a scope up and down through my nose to view my vocal chords with a camera.  My breathing is compromised by my vocal cords which tend to close part way as I breath, causing stridor.  I am now getting speech therapy to help with both speech and swallowing, and I am going to pay more careful attention to my breathing now and in the future.

The decision she made to send me for a DaT scan was really key to breaking the log jam, to my eyes.    I had the scan the week after my Mother's services.  It was hard to be in the same facility in which she was last alive the week before, but the importance of this nuclear imaging test was worth this emotional reminder for Karrie and me.  I felt that Mom was present in my heart and mind while we were undergoing this DaT process.

A DaT is a study of the "Dopamine Transporter" to determine if neurons located in the Basal Ganglia responsible for the transport of dopamine have been lost.  I received an injection of Loflupane I 123 and this nuclear substance attaches itself to the remaining neuron cells.  During the scan, a Gama Camera detects this substance and shows a lighted area where the dopamine transport neurons remain intact.  If there is a loss or reduction in the normal shape, that of a semi-colon according to my Movement Disorder Doctor, then this indicates either Parkinson's or an Atypical Parkinsonian disorder.  Generally, the pattern would be lost unevenly on one side in Parkinson's and would show up with more uniformity on both sides in a Parkinson's Plus syndrome. My reference for this information about the DaT process is the following article found at this link: http://www.parkinson.org/find-help/blogs/whats-hot/april-2014 )

I have borrowed an example image to give the reader an idea of what it looks like in the normal versus the abnormal states of the basal ganglia:

Our Doctor studied my results and showed them to Karrie and me.  We were able to see examples which showed the dot of the semi colon without the comma.  The round portion is the Caudit and the tail, or comma, the Putamen.  In my images, there was little visibility of the Putamen.  The images showing the significantly reduced Putamen were very symmetrical.  The beauty of this is that our Doctor found that this scan affirmed (I didn't use the word confirmed for a reason, affirmed to me means "supported?") her clinical findings (observed phenomena), using the these results which were consisted with what she sees trending in my visits.  I do not have Parkinson's Disease.  I have a Parkinson's Plus condition which is most like Corticobasal Syndrome (CBS).   It is somewhat like MSA.

Corticobasal Syndrome is in the family of Frontotemporal Dementia.  There are four subtypes, with one being focused on a movement disorder that has some movement problems that appear similarly to Parkinson's, but also includes additional problems which makes the prognosis worse and the average time leading to death is typically shorter, on average.  Our Doctor continues to work on my case, but sees it as CBS, and within the FTD family.  Either CBS or MSA have to be confirmed through a study of brain tissue.   Until then, the parkinsonisms are diagnosed as a "probable" and confirmed post humorously if the patient and family choose that path.

You will hear me refer to my diagnosis as Corticobasal Syndrome for the foreseeable future.  I will not be referring to my condition as Parkinson's Disease, since my not having typical PD has been the consensus view of several doctors, including our long term 10 year (now retired) Neurologist and up to and including our Movement Disorder Specialist we have been seeing for 5 months.

As I began, I reflected on these challenges arising along with the changes that come from the passing from this life to the next of our Mother.  Mother was supportive and compassionate.  Her beautiful life puts this in perspective and gives me reason to be so thankful for each hour, day, week, month and year.  Like Mom, I will continue to push forward learning and living with all the love for family and those experiences that I can find within the confinement of my disabilities.  What a beautiful life we have been given, and losing my mother gives me even greater reason to give thanks to God for all that we have and enjoy.

Thanks for caring and for reading.  --Patient-Online

My Mother's Passing: a Bit of Her Story

Mom - a Candid Moment with our Granddaughter

Today I would like to share some of the important or interesting details about the life of my mother, Marguerite Ada Moyers, who became Brooks later.  Our mother, Marguerite Ada Brooks, was born in 1932, in Los Angeles, California. Her father was Eugene Moyers, who was born in 1891, a certified public accountant and a World War I wounded US Army veteran. Eugene married our grandmother, Maude Eva Barnhart, after meeting her in a Los Angeles music store, where they both were working at the time. Mother experienced frequent moves with her family around the United States, including Washington D.C. for a period of my mother’s younger years, time spent in Utah during World War II, and many other years in San Diego. Mom had a strong bond with her brothers, Gilbert and Thomas and is survived by her lovely sisters, Elizabeth LeSage and Virginia Beckett (aunts Betty and Ginny!).  

Marguerite grew up enjoying music, particularly. She enjoyed singing and eventually took voice in order to learn arias from various operas. As a girl, she was an avid reader, and loved the public library where she would sign up for summer reading programs.  She was excellent at sewing and school work, developing strong organizational skills. She took piano lessons as a girl, loved playing with friends and was a fan of the old radio drama programs that preceded the availability of television. As a high school student she needed to help the family make ends meet, so she moved in with a family and served as a nanny and tutor for three children.

After graduating from Long Beach Poly High School, Mom worked and started City College. Eventually, she met Ronald Brooks through his sister, Janice. After Ron returned from a four year stint in the Navy during the Korean War, Mom and Dad married in 1951. 

Mother finished college, but did so after raising four children, with the oldest being Teri Ann, born in 1953, the youngest Casey Andrew, born in 1970, and the middle sons Daniel Ryan in 1955 and Matthew Charles, who was born in 1962. 

Mother’s father, Eugene, passed away in 1965 and he was given a 21 gun salute. Her mother, Maude, passed away in 2001 at the age of 97 years. Marguerite, like her brothers and sisters, was devoted to her mother Maude and spent much time with her on weekends in San Diego during the late 1990’s. Maude was a devoted Christian and practiced regular Bible reading and prayer. She wrote insightful letters regularly to all of her family and thus inspired many. 

For over 55 years, Mother remained in the Lakewood, California family home she and Ron had raised their family in.  During the last five years she has resided in Beaumont, buying her dream retirement house in those recent times. Going back to the Lakewood house, the family room was an addition, with a step down and a big, used brick fireplace. The builder of this inviting family room was our step-grandfather, Ralph Flory, whom passed on in 1989, and Marguerite always treasured her relationship with her step-father, Ralph. 

Mom went on to receive her Associate in Arts degree from Long Beach City College her Bachelor’s in Science from California State University, Long Beach, and her Master’s in Science in Counseling also from Long Beach State. She continued on until she studied and did her practicum hours to receive a  credential from the State of California as a School Psychologist. Mother’s 30 plus year career in the public schools included serving as a School Counselor in Long Beach and over 20 years as a Psychologist in the Garden Grove USD. 

Mom was one who showed the way for her children, always encouraging us to pursue educational pathways that would open secure doors and provide a solid foundation under our feet.  Mom did this by guiding us, but most importantly, by her own actions.  We would walk the halls of learning where she had walked before us, literally going to her schools and following through on the path she carved.

Her favorite things were traveling with her sister Betty and staying in hotels together.  They regularly met up with Ginny and Ron, enjoying their visits in Yuma together.  She loved having season tickets for theatre and orchestra, and she had many friends over the years with which she enjoyed these pursuits.  

Mom loved meeting with friends and family over a meal.  She tried to never miss the graduation, wedding or award ceremony for her children, grandchildren and nieces and nephews.  Mom loved her extended family and valued reunions, the last of which we had right after her 80th birthday when many from the Moyers clan attended a large gathering in the Yucaipa Regional Park. 

Mom was active at Lakewood (Grace) First Presbyterian Church as a Deacon and a long time choir member.  She traveled to Europe and Russia with the choir many years ago.  Here lifetime travels included Ireland, the Panama Canal and  other European destinations. 

Over the years she belong to the School Psychologist’s Association and School Counselor’s organization.  After moving to Beaumont, she joined the Republican Women’s association, the Redlands Woman’s League (volunteered in their Thrift Store), was part of the University Women’s group for Redlands University and enjoyed the social life found in activities and outings at Solera community in Beaumont. 

Mom never stopped.  She always had more plans to go  and do and see.  She encouraged every one she knew to do the same and loved her large family of four children, 10 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild. 

Mom was a deeply spiritual person who had a great and abiding faith in Christ.   She was a giving person and loved all in her own family and the extended family of relatives that she was so proud of.  Her sweet smile and eager conversation will be missed always. -- Patient-Online

DAT Scan Procedure in Parkinson's Plus

I am so grateful that we were able to gain approval for a DAT scan that I underwent yesterday. After eleven years, I think we are closing in on the most specific information regarding the degenerative brain disease that has changed my life so drastically.

A DAT scan is a nuclear study that allows images that show the areas of my brain that are being affected and causing the progressive disabilities that I suffer. It is as high tech as is available today.  I had an IV injection with a low degree of radiation that would be viewed as it moves through my brain.

Next week I will return to the Movement Disorder Specialist and learn what the findings of this study conducted at Loma Linda University Hospital indicate.  I will then share here on my blog what I can on that front. Thanks for your interest! -- Patient-Online

Song: Through Your Eyes - World Looks Different with PD Plus

We lost our mother, Marguerite, suddenly, a week ago today.  She was an amazing 84 and still going strong.

If you watch on You Tube, you know you can click the CC (closed caption symbol) in the margin at the bottom of player, and you will be able to read the lyrics I have written in this song.  -- Patient-Online

Meeting Dad with PD from Davis Phinney's Daughter

Thanks to my local support group leader, Zack Earp, I ran across an excellent article about meeting someone with Parkinson's.  In "Preparing People to Meet Someone with Parkinson's," Davis Phinney's daughter highlights some important visual symptoms to understand.  Kelsey Phinney explains that in addition to the expected tremors that a majority of patients display, though not all PD sufferers have tremors, there are facial expression, balance, stiffness, and communication issues to be aware of.  Kelsey is a neuroscience graduate who wants to help the broader community understand that by preparing people to meet a Parkinson's patient, they may be able to get past some of the visual distractions and see the individual as more than their brain disease outcomes.

It is important to understand that ideas may not be as fast to emerge in a conversation, though your friend or loved one with PD may have some great stories to tell as an individual who once possessed a very expressive personality.  The facial mask and delay in getting words to be formed in a discernible syntax are issues that may put off they listener, therefore it is worth knowing what to expect in order to appreciate that the Parkinson's patient is not defined by their disease, but is the person inside the body struggling with odd-looking movements or lack of facial expression.

My final point is that in addition to physical movements, postures of limbs and facial expressions, there are bodily functions of digestion, heart rate, swallowing, breathing and urinary systems, to name several, but not all of the issues.  These additional symptoms are autonomic in nature and  would generally be found in this degenerative brain disease.

Some days are better than others, but I appreciate the points Kelsey has made,  if you take a few moments to read this article it will equip you with some great suggestions in preparing distant relatives and/or friends to meet your loved one with Parkinson's or a Parkinsonism-plus condition such as mine.  -- Patient-Online

Artwork with Climbing Theme by Stephen Brooks

Habakkuk 3:19 

"The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights."

I am so proud to display my new header art work.  My son Stephen is a professional artist with a bachelor's degree from California State University in Fine Arts.  He is also a full-time substitute teacher who serves in the San Luis Obispo community in public schools, K-12 grades. Formerly, he taught in Riverside County public schools districts.  His serious interests include rock climbing on the mountains and peaks of the western United States, along with biking, running and camping.  He designs, draws and sells art on the internet that represents his love of the mountains and his climbing pursuits.

Stephen was raised camping and hiking with his family on annual vacations in the southland (Not that I take credit for the rock climbing-- I am terrified of those kinds of heights!).  Mt. Palomar State Park and Joshua Tree National Park fill a special place in his heart.  In addition, he grew up beneath Box Springs Mountain in Moreno Valley, California and has had many adventures roaming its peaks that shadowed our house.

I asked Stephen to use the concept of a long hike, an arduous climb, the pursuit of heights beyond our ability to act, as a metaphor of the struggle that journeying with Parkinsonism-Plus brings.  Those with Atypical Parkinsonian diseases and idiopathic Parkinson's know that strength, fitness of mind and body, courage, faith and stamina are all required resources to take on the "trip".  Reaching the top, overcoming to make the most of life with a neurodegenerative brain disease, is possible with these attributes, and the love and support of loved ones and friends.

Stephen's design, drawing, composition and color scheme all came out of this theme and are represented in his original and exceptional header print that I am honored to post permanently on the top of my webpages.  I hope that you enjoy it!  Great job son!

To see Stephen's work and various professional pieces that he markets on the web, go to:

Hem and Haw - Artwork by Stephen Brooks

For CLIMBING online magazine interview with Stephen Brooks and his artwork featured (see no. 5), visit:

Eight Climbing Artists You Should Know -- Stephen #5

Please give us your feedback and let us know if you like our new design! -- Patient-Online

Pastor's Early Influence Goes On Years Later

If you have known me long, or read my book, I Will Go On: Living with a Movement Disorder, you may recall me telling stories about a man named, Jay Bartow.  Jay was my earliest minister in my home church, Lakewood First Presbyterian Church.  Pastor Jay, as we affectionately called him, was the most influential friend and Pastor I can remember in my development as I transitioned from high school to early adult.  Jay led me to understand a deeper walk with God in Christ and taught me so many things about life.  He shares a number of my most important interests, including the writings of C.S. Lewis, camping, trout fishing, social justice, sports and, of course, Christian life.  

I am so grateful to Jay and his wife Gail for being there for me and all of my friends in our youth group in Long Beach.  We were fortunate and thrilled to have a special visit in our home with the Bartows last week.  It was a time of sharing, laughter and prayer.  

Subsequent to their visit, Pastor Jay preached a sermon as the retired Pastor of his church where he served for 40 years.  I am posting it here, in hopes you will read it and gain some insight to the blessing Jay was to me and my whole family.  My boys know camping, fishing, a Christian upbringing and many different values that we had in our home while they were growing up due to Jay's influence in my life.  Thank you to Rev. Jay Bartow for allowing me to share his sermon in this written form!
 -- Patient-Online

First Presbyterian Church of Monterey, CA

Light into a Darkened World

Jan. 15, 2017

Jay Bartow, Pastor Emeritus

First Presbyterian Church of Monterey, California

Texts: Isaiah 49:1-7; John 1:29-42

Every now and then we ask or are asked a question that literally changes our life.  Can you remember the day you asked or were asked, “Will you marry me?”  I can.  And the “yes” that I heard changed my life for good. I mean that literally. A cascade of good things have flowed into my life since that day.  We just celebrated fifty years of marriage and cherish my life with Gail more each day.

Another question that changed my life was asked of me in the Student Union at UCLA in September of 1962.  A fellow student asked if I would take a short survey of questions, and my car pool ride hadn’t arrived yet so I said, “Okay.”  At the close of the survey he thanked me for my time and asked one final question which I think I can remember verbatim: “Eighty five per cent of the collegians who have taken this survey have indicated a desire to deepen their spiritual life. Would you count yourself among them?”  I didn’t think too long about it before I said, “Yes.”

From that response came an invitation to meet again after reading a magazine that this student presented to me.  The magazine was a compilation of testimonies of collegians who had found meaning in their life through a relationship with Jesus Christ.  As I met with my new friend, John, the next Friday, we continued our conversation and he asked if I would like to read the Gospels with him. Since I had never read the Bible I thought it a good idea for me to become acquainted with this literature that has been so influential to the development of our civilization.

I was captivated when I began to read the words and ways of Jesus. I entered college an idealistic agnostic with a major International Relations, hoping to become a diplomat and to work for a more just and peaceful world. What Jesus said and did spoke so profoundly to the dilemmas facing our world that I came to conclude that his person and message was the best curriculum I could study in the pursuit of my goal.

Today’s text from John describes two incidents in which John the Baptizer speaks to his disciples about Jesus.  In verses 26-27 of John 1 we hear John say, “I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie his sandal.”

The next day John sees Jesus coming and says, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.”

That mysterious phrase, Lamb of God, is found nowhere else in the Bible. John is unique in using it, and de does so twice. Scholars have debated the possible meaning of the phrase, but I agree with the majority who believe it is a reference to the Passover sacrifice of a lamb each year during the most important holy day for the Jews. The sacrifice was offered to atone for the sins of the people.

Lambs are not particularly noble or powerful animals, but Israel was instructed to offer lambs without blemish in payment for their sins.  The fascinating thing to note here is that John does not limit the efficacy of the sacrifice to the Jewish people, but says the Lamb of God takes away the sin of the world. 

That phrase has been tumbling in my mind for the ten days since I gladly accepted my pastor’s invitation to preach this weekend as he and pastor Katie are at Calvin Crest with many others from our church. 

The sin of the world! Wow! That boggles my mind. That is a weight beyond computing. Even a cursory knowledge of history shows us a sad chronicle of violence, prejudice, malice and mayhem that brings a sensitive soul to tears.

I remember lying in bed one morning and my father lying down next to me to share one of those tender moments that lend such strength to children. I asked him, a veteran of World War II in the Pacific Theater, “Dad, why are there wars?” He didn’t have a ready answer, but as we pondered this painful question I sensed that he shared with me a desire to work to end war, and that no doubt was one of the seeds that led me to want to be a diplomat.

The Greek word translate “sin” which John uses is hamartia and is a term used in archery having to do with missing the mark.  When Jesus was asked which commandment was the first of all he replied: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. And the second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:29-30)  That is the succinct definition of the target or goal of living. 

Any honest person has to admit that he or she does not always hit that target, and when we look at history we see the misses writ large.  God sends Jesus to wipe away our misses and to redirect our lives in ways that reflect love of God and neighbor.

When two of John’s disciples approach Jesus, curious to learn more about this mysterious figure who is God’s Lamb, Jesus asks them, “What are you looking for?” They reply, “Rabbi, where are you staying?” A question followed by a question, but the upshot is they want to be with Jesus, they want to hang out with him. And he graciously says, “Come and see.”  And that changed their lives and changed the life of the world, because those first followers reached out to others who in turn reached out to others and so on down through the centuries to where you and I connected with this same drama.  

Who is this mysterious figure Jesus of Nazareth? How could he possibly take away the sin of the world?  Come and see. Apprentice yourself to him. Take him up on his offer which my friend Eugene Peterson so beautifully translates from Matthew 11:28-30.  “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (Mt. 11:28-30 The Message)

How does that sound to you? It sounds like a great offer to me: learn the unforced rhythms of grace, learn to live freely and lightly. And since I first apprenticed myself to Jesus I have found no small measure of truth to that offer. His grace has enabled me to relax inside my own skin to a degree greater than I could have on my own. His forgiveness has freed me to do and dare in the confidence that if I stumble and fail he is ready to pick me up, help me dust myself off, and try again.

You ask, how does one hang out with Jesus since he is not physically present on earth? It is true that he is not present as he was those brief years in Palestine, but he promised to baptize his followers with his Spirit, to come again to them after he physically departed. And when you find yourself reaching out to others in love, giving of yourself and substance because you want to and not because you have to, you begin to realize that his Spirit is at work in you and in the world.  

Paul also reminds us that his followers are the body of Christ, and individually members of it (1 Cor. 12:27).  We see evidence of Christ at work in the world through his followers. Many of the world’s finest universities and hospitals were begun and sustained by ardent followers of Jesus: Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center to name just a few of hundreds of institutions inspired by the person and message of Jesus. 

Many of the best schools and hospitals in Africa. Latin America and Asia and Oceania, were likewise begun out of similar impulse.  This Friday I fly with a team of eleven others to Cuba to help install a water purification system and do health and hygiene education in a church in the eastern part of the island near Santiago. Every time I go on a trip like this I meet dedicated followers of Jesus who volunteer their time to learn how to build and run these systems and to educate their communities in proper hygiene and use of this water.  We work together with energy, enthusiasm, imagination and love.  And when children and parents no longer get sick by drinking unsafe water we thank God for the work we accomplished as partners.

The world-wide nature of the church has always inspired me and confirmed to me that the power of the good news is truly saving across all manner of cultural and linguistic barriers.

The passage we read from Isaiah 49 makes clear that God has a greater task for his servants than simply to restore the fortunes of their own nation. God proposes to make them a light to the nations that God’s salvation reach to the ends of the earth.  This world-wide calling and vision for God’s people was a new idea. Up till then each nation and cultural group had its distinctive deities who were primarily concerned with the welfare of their group, and not the world at large. Often they saw their deities and opposed to others whom they saw as enemies. 

Judaism and Christianity, which grew out of it, believe in a God who desires that the whole world experience God’s Shalom, a word that means harmony and wholeness and fullness of life. Salvation is not just a ticket to another world when we die, it is entry into fullness of life here and now and forever more. That is why schools and hospitals and proper nutrition and potable water and honest and just governance have always been part of the mission of Christ’s followers.

Many of you may not have the inclination or opportunity to go abroad to share in the work of Christ, though you certainly facilitate it through your gifts and prayers. But think of your world, your family and friends and co-workers and neighbors.  All of us know persons who are battling darkness and doubt and fear and grief. How can be bring and be light to them? A card, a visit, a shared meal. Simply being present and listening to others attentively and with kindness channels hope and light to them. If you have been on the receiving end of such kindness you know this to be true.

Last week Gail and I visited family and friends in Southern California, and one visit in particular warmed my heart. My first call was to a church in Long Beach where I was pastor to students. Early on I visited several high schools to meet students on their own turf. One afternoon after school I met a young man named Dan Brooks who was practicing free throws, and we struck up a conversation as we shot baskets. It turned out that he sporadically attended the church where I worked and I invited him to our high school group which was just about to begin a weekly Bible discussion group. 

He was one of the first four to come, and the message of Christ connected with him and he began to invite others, and soon we had thirty-five students coming and seeing, to borrow the language of John’s Gospel. And what they saw was the Spirit of Christ bringing hope and purpose and life to their fellow students.  

Four and half years later I was called here to Monterey, but in the intervening years good things were happening in Dan’s life and the lives of many others in that group. He worked as a youth pastor for a while and then as a public school teacher at the elementary level. He had a special charisma and touch with children and their parents. Later he worked his way into administration and personnel management in one of the top positions of a district. He and his wife raised three sons who are all doing well. But then Dan began to notice some physical problems which turned out to be the first stages of a Parkinsons-like illness which has cut short his work career.

But that doesn’t stop Dan from serving and loving others. He has written a memoir and launched a blog titled wewillgoon.com. And that is what he does. On Thursdays he sings at a nearby convalescent hospital. That he gets there slowly and with a walker tells them it isn’t easy, but he does it because he knows his visits bring some light to the residents there.  He has made them part of his world. 

At Dan’s home I noticed a copy of Petersons The Message that he had received this Christmas. When he reads that passage I cited earlier where Jesus says,  “Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly,” I am certain he will say a loud amen!

And so can you if you will dare to come and see who Jesus is. If you want to explore how to begin that journey I will be up front here in the chancel after the service and will be glad to answer your questions as my friend John so patiently did for me my freshman year of college.-- All Rights Reserved Used by Permission of Rev. Jay Bartow 2017