May 25 – “In the exhibit hall”

Shingles update.  Chris is doing a lot better.  The blister phase is pretty much over with.  She is still having the aching pain in her back (from the shingles, not from me).  She’s also experiencing some nerve pain for the first time in her life.  Now that is an experience I don’t wish on anybody.  The tingling numbness that suddenly morphs into stabbing, burning downright pain.  Reminds me of that stabbing feeling I had just last night in my neck.  Ah, but this is her story, not mine.  She’s better. 

And since she’s better we actually took a little walk yesterday.  Just around the block, but it was something.  She held her shirt out away from her body the whole way, but she made it without complaining.  That’s one tough lady.

After staff meeting we had to drive into Texas.  We had a list of stuff for the church that we had to get at Sam’s.  Chris also got a text that the ladies Bible study that starts in a week or so had some books on hold at Lifeway.  So we added that to our Texas list as well.  Problem was, when we got up to the book store at Baybrook, someone else had already picked up the books.  Ah, communication.  Ain’t it grand?

Last night we went with Nathan over to Cailyn’s gifted and talented classes exhibit night.  It was like a big science fair, with kids of all the age groups displaying their projects and standing nearby to explain them and even give demonstrations.  Cailyn had two projects.  The one she did with the help of her Mom and Dad was a catapult designed to scatter seeds around a field.  It was a phenomenal, double-barreled contraption that, according to her detailed notebook of the creation journey, tossed seeds clear to the end of her driveway.  Impressive.  The other project she did at school with a partner.  They had to come up with something that would keep a popsicle frozen for an extended period of time.  Her team used an array of materials and ended up at the end of an hour with a perfectly frozen popsicle.  Again, the team’s progress was tracked in a booklet that was part of the display.  Nice job. 

From the school we had to get her over to the softball field for all-star practice.  They are preparing for the state tournament in Beaumont this weekend.  They are looking pretty good for a first year team.  We won’t get to see any games this weekend, so we are hoping the national tournament in a few weeks becomes a reality.  It is in Santa Fe.  Texas, not New Mexico.  That’s just a hop, skip, and a jump into Texas from here.  Go Her-icanes.

Hebrews 10:30-31 says, “For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”

Father, thank you for the fascinating expressions of creativity we saw at the G-T Fair last night.  Keep on inspiring those kids.  Amen.