This will be our address until February 23, 2010
Art & Dolores Bliese
14325 Manchester Dr.
Naples, FL 34114

We didn’t get an annual letter out in 2008 so this is a “catch-up” letter on events of the last 2 years. : )

2008
We resigned May 31st from Shepherd of the Glades, having served there for 3 1/2 years - Art as interim pastor and Dolores as Parish Administrator. It was an interesting and challenging time, and we made many new friends. We are thankful for the opportunity we were given to serve this congregation.

We had been planning to go to Alaska for the 2nd time with the RV, so on June 16th we packed up the 32’ Hurricane (the name fits well for Florida!), loaded up Laddie and his stuff, connected the Saturn tow car & headed North. We stopped in Omaha to get together with several friends from Christ is Lord church where Art was pastor for 7 years. We had wonderful fellowship and a great meal together. Thanks to all of you for keeping in contact.

This trip was wonderful, but cold and rainy a lot of the time both in Alaska and Canada.
(See photos on page labeled “Alaska/Canada Photos”)

We returned home on October 22nd after stopping in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Tennessee to see friends and family, traveling 12,488 miles with the RV and several hundred with the Saturn. It was truly a trip filled with memories to fill a life-time and we are thankful to God for a safe journey. Art joined the Naples Photo Club (which he heard about from someone from Naples in Tok, Alaska at a gas station) and entered one of the photos from Alaska and won 1st in the competion.

EVENTS IN BRIEF FOR 2009:
2009 (See photos under “2009 Events” - “Richland Center, 150th Anniversary” - “Move to Kansas - Interim” - “Photos of Kansas Relatives”)

Dolores’ brother, Ron and his wife Suze came with their 2 dogs, Sparky and Cesar, to visit us here in Florida from Michigan.

Attended the Confimation of granddaughter Kylie in Sebring.

Got together with Sanjeev, Julie and his parents from India eating some great Indian cusine.

We both interviewed for work at Neopolitan RV Park in Naples as summer managers and got the job because of the many years of RVing that we had done. The job lasted from 1 May through the end of September. Great experience!

Art conducted services at several churches for vacationing pastors during July, August and September.

Our precious Sheltie, Laddie, was stricken with a very rapid growing throat cancer and had to be put to sleep on September 21st as he could no longer get his breath. This has been one of the most difficult times we have ever faced. We have had other dogs, but NONE compared to him. Loving, intelligent, beautiful, obedient, great traveler. He traveled with us in the RV since a puppy, for a little over 7 years.

In October we left in the RV for Richland Center, Wisconsin to attend the 150th Anniversary of St. John’s Lutheran where Art was born & grew up in early years and where his dad was pastor for 11 years.

From Wisconsin we drove to Kansas where Art was interviewed for a part-time interim position, at 4 churches, which is to begin March 1, 2010. There is a another pastor there full-time, so we will be sharing responsibiities. We will be signing a contract for one year with the possibility of extending. We were able to run over to the Smith Center, Athol and Gaylord areas to visit some of Art’s relatives. We had a great time visiting about past events and enjoyed some very good Kansas cooking. Thank you so much! (Art’s folks are buried at Athol). These places are about 60 miles from where the interim is. Dolores should be able to get some ministry in as well as there is a shortage of rostered people in these rural areas.

Decision Time: What to do about our house, what to take along to Kansas, etc, etc. We would appreciate any prayers for guidance in these days.

We will be temporarily changing our mailing address in February so all mail will be going to Kansas. Our mailing address beginning March 1, 2010 will be:

Art & Dolores Bliese
442 Valley Rd
Courtland, KS 66939

May you each have a blessed New Year in Christ our Lord.