2A COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL JANUARY 3, 2018
H
ave you ever been stuck? Have you ever hit a
place in life that seemed like a dead end...like you
no longer had any options?
I’ve been there many times, and I’m sure most people
have. But I am so grateful that over the years God has
taught me that even when we get stuck, there is no situ-
ation too diffi cult for Him to handle!
Let’s start by looking at the story of Joseph in the book
of Genesis. The Bible says he was the favorite of his
father’s 12 sons, and his brothers were very jealous of
him because of it.
One day Joseph shared with his brothers a dream he’d
had. In his dream, they were all bowing down to him.
Needless to say, it didn’t go over well!
As a result, the brothers got together to decide how
to get rid of Joseph. First, they threw him into a pit
to leave him there to die. But later they decided to
sell him into slavery to a band of traveling Ishmaelite
merchants. They then devised a plan to convince their
father of Joseph’s death.
As you may know, this story ends triumphantly. Joseph
becomes second in command to Pharaoh, is eventually
reunited with his family, and all is forgiven.
What happened to Joseph is proof that no matter what
you go through in life, there is always hope. You can
fulfi ll God’s purpose for you because all things are
possible with God!
But the part of his story we really need to focus on
is what happened in-between the pit and the palace.
Joseph’s life took several turns during that time. But
because of Joseph’s faith in God and his determina-
tion to persevere no matter what, he never gave up!
In our own lives, we may fall into a pit every once in
a while. It could be a pit of sickness, fi nancial lack,
relationship issues or other problems. Whenever that
happens, you need to be determined that whatever the
situation may be, you will not give up!
It is inevitable that you will go through hard things.
Sometimes you might even feel like giving up. But
if you can just hold on and trust God through it all,
He can restore you. He can take all the bad and make
good of it (see Romans 8:28).
It is said that Winston Churchill gave the following
speech to the graduates at Harrow School in 1941:
“Never, never, in nothing great or small, large or pet-
ty, never give in except to convictions of honour and
good sense.”1
Churchill said those words during World War II, and
I believe the Holy Spirit is speaking that one thing to
many of us today—“Don’t give up, because God has
so much in store for your life!”
It’s very easy to want to give up when things get hard.
Sometimes people get stuck where they are and don’t
know how to get out, so they think giving up would
be easier.
They may feel like they’re not smart enough or tal-
ented enough; maybe something traumatic happened
to them; or they may have failed at something or
made terrible mistakes in the past.
But the Holy Spirit anoints us to press in, to press on
and go through to our victory, even if things don’t go
the way we planned.
Failure does not mean there are no more options. You
can learn from past mistakes—I’ve found history
to be a good teacher. When all else fails, try again.
If nothing else, you’ll learn what works and what
doesn’t work and go from there. You can turn your
obstacle into an opportunity to grow wiser and mature
spiritually.
God wants us to live a good life; however, there is no
elevator ride to a good life—trust and perseverance are
a must.
Richard “Dick” A Simpson
Richard “Dick” A. Simpson, Sr., 90
of Co age Grove, OR passed away
December 25, 2017. He was born
February 25, 1927, in Grand Junc-
on, CO to Alvin C. and Esther R.
(Chaff ee) Simpson. Dick went to
OTI Gunsmithing school and was
a licensed gunsmith. He served in
the U.S. Navy during World War II in
the South Pacifi c. Dick was a water system service man for the
City of Co age Grove for 37 years. He enjoyed woodworking,
rock hun ng, fi shing, gardening, hun ng, family ac vi es with
desserts, taking care of people in need and learning and read-
ing about Na ve Americans. Dick was a member of the VFW,
American Legion and the NRA. He received Blue Ribbons for
his garlic and woodworking at the WOE Fair. Dick married Alice
E. Wolf on May 9, 1947, in Philadelphia, PA. He is survived by
daughter, Nancy (Mike) Williams, son, Rick (Debbie) Simpson
both of Co age Grove, OR, grandchildren; Mick (Liz) Williams,
Russell (Chelsea) Williams, Cali (Auz) Clement, Jesi (Travis)
Chewning and Abby Elvebak, sister, Sandra Maynard, Sheridan,
OR and 8 great-grandchildren. Dick was preceded in death by
his spouse Alice Simpson, April 2007 and a sister, Dorothy Hass.
A Celebra on of Life will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday De-
cember 30, 2017, at the United Methodist Church, Co age
Grove, OR and private family interment at Shields Cemetery.
Memorial contribu ons may be made to the United Method-
ist Church. Arrangements by Smith-Lund-Mills Funeral Chapel,
Co age Grove, OR.
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IN MEMORIAM
Melba Edingfi eld 1931-2017
Melba Edingfi eld was born in Texas on April 1, 1931. She went
to be with her husband in heaven Dec. 16, 2017. She has three
daughters and their husbands, Nola and Bill Leonard of Paradise,
Calif., Betty and Bill Heine of Dorena, Ore., and Ginny and Denny
Hanson of Drain, Ore. She had eight grandchildren, 16 great grand-
children and even more great great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ellis (Blackie) Eding-
fi eld, son-in-law, Bill Leonard, and her grandson, Billy Heine.
She was a Navy wife for 22 years, worked at civil service jobs
and they owned a feed store before retiring to Drain, Oregon in
1993. They moved to a smaller house in Cottage Grove in 2006. She was in Paradise, Calif. when she
passed with her three daughters at her side. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, wife, sister
and friend. Celebration of life will be held at the Masonic Lodge on Row River Road in Cottage
Grove on Jan. 13, 2018 at 3:30 p.m.
James Boyce 1926-2017
James Edward Boyce, 91 of Cottage Grove, Oregon passed away
December 28, 2017. He was born February 1, 1926, in Portland, OR
to Robert and Clara (Bramble) Boyce. James graduated from Cottage
Grove High School in 1944, then served in the U.S. Air Force during
WWII. He was the owner and operator of a Shell Gas Station for 46
years. James loved to dance, work in the yard, was an avid reader of
non-fi ction, loved history and spending time with his family. He was an
Oregon Ducks season ticket holder for 40 years. James was a mem-
ber of the Elks and VFW. In 1971 he was named Cottage Grove First
Citizen, he was a member of the South Lane School Board for 10 years,
and served as chairman for 5 years. James married Mildred Fisher on November 23, 1947, in Cottage
Grove, OR. He is survived by daughter Debra (Bob) McMurtrey, Milwaukee, OR, son Greg (Paige)
Boyce, Cottage Grove, OR, daughter Charla (Philip) Moran, Meridian, ID, son Brian Boyce and life
partner Deborah Brigham, Eugene, OR, 5 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. A funeral service
will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, January 4, 2018 at Smith-Lund-Mills Funeral Chapel, 123
S. 7th Street, Cottage Grove, OR 97424 and a private family entombment at Springfi eld Memorial
Gardens, Springfi eld, OR. Memorial contributions may be made to Northwest Housing Alternatives,
2316 SE Willard St., Milwaukee, OR 97222 or to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Arrangements by
Smith-Lund-Mills Funeral Chapel.
Obituaries
from
2016-current
available
online at
cgsentinel.
com
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S entinel
C ottage G rove
DEATH
NOTICE
Bonne Jean Blackmore,
91, of Cottage Grove, died
Dec. 22, 2017 Arrange-
ments by Smith-Lund-
Mills Funeral Chapel in
Cottage Grove.
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