Pearl Harbor Day. We all know it as the day Japan attacked the United States, drawing us into World War II. Certainly a crisis of epic proportions. For me, however, the crisis was a bit more … personal. Closer to home. See, that’s the day my older brother was born. And Jay’s birth set the stage for my later appearance, to be followed ultimately by that of my baby brother Stan. And thus, in but a simple sentence lies the story of my life … Middle Child. Thank you, Jay, for beginning this life-long tale of woe. Happy birthday, much-older brother.
On
the more recent front … yesterday Chris was really in work mode. Like physical labor work mode. Her event baby of the year, the Bethlehem
Street Market craft fair, takes place this coming Saturday. She is, as always, determined to make
everything happen perfectly. We are at
an initial disadvantage, however. Our
biggest ally in marketing, our marquee sign with the changeable messaging, was
destroyed during the last storm. We have
a temporary sign up that looks great, but it doesn’t give us the ability to
inform the world about the event. Now we
are dependent upon our small yard signs, social media, and of course, word of
mouth. So get the words into your mouth
and out again. Let people know to come
to Seaside Saturday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Lots of great vendors. Super
Soups will be back, along with Bombastic Barbecue from Koop’s. And word has it that Santa Claus will even be
making an appearance.
But
back to the work involved. Chris was
determined to get the worship center building completely swept and mopped. Normally I would have handled that for her, but
I was riding along with Doug to deliver all the donations of toys to Galveston
Urban Ministries. Thanks to Seasiders as
well as the Jamaica Beach Social Club, a community organization that asked to
partner with us, we filled up Doug’s pickup with toys and bikes and jewelry and
even a drone. We also had a check with the
money that was donated. Some kids are
going to be really happy with Christmas this year. Thanks, by the way, to all who participated
this year.
By
the time Doug and I got back to the church, Chris had the floor swept and
mopped. Her elf-assistant, Sonya, had
filled the shopping bag give-aways for the market. Stewart was well on his way to completing the
stairway to the retreat center. It was
like pulling teeth, but I managed to talk Chris into coming home for a while to
get something to eat and to rest. She
needed it, too. She fell asleep on the couch
about half-way through the Hallmark movie we were watching.
However,
it turned out the nap was just a power one.
Last night we were back up at the church to meet Cathy and Lauren for
round two. Chris and Lauren marked out
where all the vendor booths would go. I
dragged tables and chairs around to where they needed to be. Cathy decorated a few Christmas trees up in the
retreat center. Great fun for all
involved, to be sure. A real Chris-style
workday. But wait. We will be back again this afternoon. We still have to post which vendor will be
where. We have some stuff here at the
house that needs to be on site by Saturday.
And … I don’t know what all else.
Ask Chris. She’s the Big Boss of
this one.
Romans
5:3-5 says, “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know
that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character,
hope. And hope does not put us to shame,
because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit,
who has been given to us.”
Father,
help us get all these little details finished and in place for the market so
Chris can take a break beforehand. Amen.
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