December 4 – “Luck of the draw”

I spent part of the day working on the sermon.  I did get started on a new jigsaw puzzle.  Noah’s ark.  Not sure how accurate the depiction is, though.  I noticed on one piece a teeny tiny sign being held by a unicorn that said, “Heck, no.  I won’t go.”  We know how that worked out for him.  Chris was determined to water her plants.  That green thumb of hers was working overtime, I guess.  She actually asked me to help her.  She has a few plants that live on the deck stairs, and a few more that live all the way up on the deck.  Had to keep her from doing those steps.  At least for one more week, anyway. 

 

We also had our weekly phone call from Josh.  Didn’t take long for them to be updates on the latest antics of their new Labrador puppy, our granddog MaddieBelle.  He did make a request that we come up to Waco in a few weeks.  There is one weekend where all three of the boys have basketball games – a relatively rare occurrence.  I think we can swing seeing the Friday night game and two of the three on Saturday.  Otherwise we’d have to spend the night and come home on Sunday in time to be at the Caroling Down Under.  That’s an event at the church.  We sing Christmas carols and drink hot chocolate and eat cookies and play in the snow – all “down under” the retreat center building.  Can’t miss that.  Kind of worried that traveling four and a half hours plus the church activity might be a bit much for Chris to handle in one day.  We’ll see.

 

Last night we went to the Galveston Baptist Association pastors and wives Christmas party.  It was quite the festive occasion.  Ugly sweater contest.  Door prizes.  And a white elephant exchange.  That was unusual.  They provided twenty gifts on a center table.  The guy in charge then drew numbers from the bag of tickets we were given as we entered.  If your number got called, you were up for one of the white elephants.  If not … sorry.  Luck of the draw and all.  The gifts were an array of assorted food stuff, a tape measure, a pair of pliers, candles, hand towels, and even pillowcases.  The meal was a chicken and dressing and mashed potatoes and green beans roasted chicken meal from a local barbecue restaurant.  The praise team from a local church provided some musical entertainment.  We did get to sing along with a few of the songs as well.  Everyone certainly appreciated the work that went into putting the event together.  We even got to bring home a to-go box of a full meal. 

 

John 1:5 says, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

 

Father, thank you for the folks who put on the event last night.  Be with the local pastors and their families as they wade through the Christmas season.  Amen.