The Gardner Report June-July 2026
Greetings from the Green Mountains!
Much has happened over the last few months. A 36’ tall poplar tree fell onto and totaled my Honda Ridgeline truck. I had just gotten back from my last class of the day when high winds felled the tree, uprooting it, roots and all.
A tornado uprooted many trees on the nearby golf course. The Lord was looking out for me in more ways than one. The rocker panel was completely rusted out on the truck, and it would have cost me $2,000 to fix. I had only paid $4,500 for the vehicle, but the insurance payoff was $6,100!
That was exactly the amount that I ended up paying for my much newer Honda Pilot. Wasn’t that just lucky?! (We know better!)
Over four years ago, Sharon and I used to travel up to West Fairlee to have classes with Sharon Ruane. We studied with her for two years. Even then she wanted to be baptized into Christ, but her life circumstances prevented it.
Four years went by, and the Lord blessed her to get beyond that circumstance. Then four weeks ago she Sharon came for worship, and after the service she talked with Sharon and me and was eagerly wanting to obey the Gospel.
It was a day of wonderful joy! After worship two weeks ago, I immersed her in her Lord. It is something she has been wanting for a very long time. The seed planted over four years ago finally took hold, and she is now our very happy Sister in Christ!
Welcome to the Family, Sharon! Sharon is attending each week with her Down syndrome daughter, Alisa, and both have been warmly embraced by the Body.
Our brother in Christ, Dick Small, went home this past week. Three years ago, Mike Balog had moved into the Section 8 housing at Heater Landing. Almost as soon as he got there, he invited Dick Small to attend the weekly Bible studies we were having in the common room. So began a wonderful study relationship that was unparalleled.
(3 years ago August 10th ~ 1st class with Dick)
Especially when we were studying through the Book of Acts. Dick loved every minute of it. At 84 years old, Dick’s health began to decline, and instead of our classes at “The Fort” diner, we started meeting in his apartment. For a while, they were draining his lungs three times a week. In February this year, Sharon and I went to visit one afternoon.
I specifically wanted to talk to him about being baptized, but Dick already knew all about it. We had studied it repeatedly with the Pentecost 3000; Ethiopian Eunuch; Cornelius; Saul, and you know the rest.
( Went home to be with the Lord August 3rd.)
So, when I finished by telling about Sharon’s grandmother at 100, Dick just said, “I’m ready!” So we drew a tub of water, he was baptized, and the angels in Heaven rejoiced with us! Throughout our studies over three years’ time, Dick would make statements of thought and observation that were far beyond almost anyone I have ever studied with. Toward the end, when he was dealing with pain and medications, he still wanted to meet for our 1:00 Thursday class time. When I was leaving last week, I looked back, and he waved goodbye from his wheelchair.
I am going to miss him, but he assured me that he “has a reservation in Heaven,” so they will be expecting him. 1 Peter 1:3-5 (I will see you on the Other Side, brother.)
Thank you, everyone, for your love and interest in the Lord’s work here in the Upper Valley.
Your fellow servants in Christ,
Randy and Sharon Gardner
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