August 14 – “A new day.”

I received a text of congratulations the other day from my older brother.  No, it wasn’t for my birthday.  This one was to wish me “Happy Middle Child Day.”  My response?  Here it is as I typed it: “Wait.  Is that a real thing?  I’m touched.  I’m emotional right now.  I’m … overly dramatic.  I guess that’s why middle kids never get any attention, huh?  LOL.  Thanks, Big Bro.”  Middle kids of the world … Unite.

We got a call from Josh yesterday.  Seems Luke had his first big mishap.  He fell off of a bench and smacked the back of his head.  It required several of those staples they put in nowadays, and he has a bruise back there, but other than that he seems none the worse for wear.  Even got cleared to go into the swimming pool in a day or two.  Vaughan boys are tough dudes.  Vaughan girls, too.

Speaking of prayer requests, I got a text from some friends that the wife stepped on a sewing needle while doing some Zumba and the  needle broke off, becoming embedded in her toe.  She will require surgery to get it out.  Problem there is, the hospital is requiring them to pay their full deductible before they will schedule it.  Right now that deductible is $2500.  Their insurance changes on September 1^st, and the deductible will only be $1500 then.  They are going to try to wait it out until then.  Thing is, either amount is tough on a young family of teachers. 

I went to the meeting of the retired fire fighters association today.  They have invited me a few times, and this was the first time I could make it work.  Great group of guys and their wives.  I met the foreign exchange student from Czechoslovakia who is staying with one of the families.  Very sweet young girl.  Very shy young girl.  She knew enough to order her pizza, though.  We were at Mario’s on 61^st Street.  She had Hawaiian style.  All I could see was pineapples.  Just didn’t seem like a pizza to me.  Pineapples?  I had manicotti.

I almost took a tumble when I went to the bank.  It was just to make a quick deposit, but when I was walking down the stairs to go back to the truck, my left knee just gave way.  I managed to catch myself, but in the process my right knee barked its resentment at that weird and quick motion.  I had to just lean up against a wall for a while until the pain settled down.  When I started walking again, I noticed an old guy sitting in a truck watching me.  I looked at him, smiled what I’m certain was a weak smile, and mouthed, “Ouch.”  He started laughing as he nodded his head and mouthed back, “yes, sir.”  I guess he’d been there.  When I told Chris about it, she wanted to see if there was swelling in both knees.  There was.  What fun.  I’m sure it’s not as bad this morning.  After all, it’s a new day.  A good day.

1 Corinthians 8:9 says, “Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak.”

Father, thank you for the group of retired fire fighters I got to meet today.  Be with them as they are still adjusting to all the changes that come with retirement.  Amen.

August 13 – “An early, healthy celebration”

I had a bit of an early birthday celebration last night with some of our grandkids.  A batch of them were over here spending the night.  Kel and Christina were out on an anniversary date.  (One year on my birthday they got married.  Kel presented me with a daughter.  Nice.  Great gift).  Nathan and April were both on shift so we had Cailyn too.  Sure missed the other three Waco-ites.  It wasn’t quite as rowdy as a “real” cousin sleepover, but they did their best, Zak and Caleb and Luke. 

So back to the birthday portion of the bash.  I was presented with one of Christina’s famous chocolate pies.  Had to promise to share it with Micah, though.  I also received an Astros t-shirt.  One would think I followed that team for some reason.  They won again last night, by the way.  Another birthday present just for me, I’m sure.  They added yet another rookie to the lineup.  Number ten.  He hit a home run for his first major league hit.  Nice job, kid. 

I went and picked up some pizza so that everything we ate (including this morning’s donuts) would magically transform into healthy.  Pizza does that, you know.  And after pizza they wanted either some of my chocolate pie or a root beer float.  I was give power of life and death over dessert, so I held everything hostage and demanded a birthday song before it would be released.  What followed was a rendition of “Happy Birthday to You” that was at the same time “wildly discordant” yet eerily beautiful.  Something about the voices of children does that.  There were no candles, though.  Oh, they asked.  I told them that they don’t make that many candles.  Of course Josiah had an answer to that one.  He said I could get one of those candles that was shaped like a six and another one shaped like a … five.  Now wait a minute.  I’m not 65 quite yet.

After the party we settled in to watch the Astros.  Well, I did that.  The kids had 15 minutes of media time.  I was assigned to help Noa with the preschool game Chris has on her phone while Chris cleaned up the kitchen.  She told me all Noa had to do was pop the balloons.  Um … I couldn’t figure it out.  I pushed every button.  No balloons.  I even listened to the spiel coming out.  Nothing.  No help at all.  I found one screen with cows and chickens, but no balloons.  Everything I pushed eventually led me to a screen that demanded I buy something for $2.99.  That couldn’t be right.  Chris finally came over and bailed me out.  She pushed two things (that I didn’t see, so I’m still in the dark) and the screen transformed into what it was supposed to have been doing all along – balloons.  I concede.  Preschool video games are totally beyond the realm of my expertise.  But tomorrow is my birthday.  Maybe I can figure it out by then. 

1 Corinthians 8:2-3 says, “The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know.  But the man who loves God is known by God.”

Father, I’m not sure imparting knowledge of video games is what you had in mind when you said the whole “out of the mouths of babes” thing.  But bring on that kid-borne wisdom.  Amen.

August 12 – “Extra”

We taped the Olympics last night.  We haven’t seen a single round of gymnastics this year in any shape, form or fashion, so we DVR’d last night.  Why didn’t we just watch it?  Well, a few of those in our home group Bible study really wanted to do just that, but it would have defeated our purpose just a bit.  So we taped it.  Interesting how I keep defaulting back to “taped it” isn’t it?  How long has it been since you actually “taped” anything?  It just seems like such a weird word to use DVR as a verb.  So … we taped it.  Of course we also taped the Astros game.  Guess which one I watched after everyone went home?  Clue number one here … “I watched.”  Yup.  Astros won out.  But that was just because the Olympics were going to last so much longer.  Right.

Well, of course this morning I fell right into my usual routine of Quiet Time, eating a bowl of fruit, and reading the paper.  Oops.  I forgot about spoiler alerts.  But I read on.  Of course now that means I have to keep the results away from Chris so she can enjoy the competition this morning.  Wonder how that’s going to go?  I can say the Astros exploded with double digit runs for the second game in a row.  And the two games were a double header against the Twins.  If they can remember how to do that for the rest of the season they might just make the playoffs. 

Speaking of taped, I heard that some services are offering the possibility of taping up to 32 or more shows in one day.  I would be happy with taping two while you watch another different one.  That’s the only issue that has ever come up in our sequestered little television world.  Oh, I know that one is already available, and no doubt available through our provider.  Of course to get that service you have to pay extra.  Always extra.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.”

Father, thank you thank we don’t need any extra with you.  You are enough.  Amen.

August 11 – “Sauce Ball”

Well, I have gone through my first few days without taking Xeljanz.  I ran out, but my old rheumatologist (whose office has my chart and all the information about arranging for the medication to be free from the company, as they also have for Celebrex, so this issue is not going to go away anytime soon) is no longer in network.  I can still go see him, but everything is out of pocket until I reach my deductible, at which point the insurance will cover 50%.  What’s my deductible, you may ask?  According to their front office, that would be $14,500.  What? 

So, I am doing without until I can see my PCP.  Appointments with her are difficult enough to get, but I have one for September 1^st.  I also have an appointment with a rheumatologist who is in network, but that’s not until September 2^nd.  And for some strange reason they are insisting that I see a neurosurgeon as well.  That’s not until the  end of August sometime.  Thus far I have been a little sore after water exercise each day, and the soreness has stayed with me all day, but that isn’t unusual.  Otherwise I have been feeling really good.  I guess we’ll just see how this goes. 

On a lighter note, Kel and Christina took their brood to the park the other day to play some family baseball.  The boys can’t wait until next season to get here.  They asked Noa what she thought about the whole thing.  Does she want to play baseball?  She could get on a t-ball team.  Her answer?  “Oh, no.  Baseball is for boys.  I want to play sauce ball.”  Thatagirl.  Hold out to play some sauce ball just like Cousin Cailyn.

1 Corinthians 3:21-23 says, “So then, no more boasting about men! All things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future — all are yours, and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God.”

Father, thank you that we even have a doctor to connect with.  And thank you for sauce ball - that sport apparently delightedly designed just for little girls.  Amen.

August 10 – “Waiting on the updates …”

Wow.  Computer updates are taking forever this morning. I thought they would complete themselves when I selected “Update and shut down” last night.  What do I know?  I’m glad my phone has a note pad I can get started on. 

It's weird just how much of what I do every morning necessitates a computer.  I remember back when I first started blogging/journaling.  It was during and after hurricane Ike. We were staying at Josh's house in Mansfield.  Our bedroom was an air mattress in the dining room.  I would get up before everyone else (no changes there), read my Bible for a while, and then hand-write my thoughts about the day before.  I didn't have a laptop back then (It was way back in 2008, after all).  I had the tower of my old desktop with me, but it was set up in Josh and Christi's bedroom, so I wasn't about to wake them up.  I ended up ordering a laptop while we were there, but it took a long time to get in.  Sometimes the longhand process took several pages.  Other times it was just a paragraph or two.  It was a cathartic experience for me, one that I had never done consistently.

I didn't start putting them online until it became apparent that folks from Seaside wanted to be more informed about each other and about what I was finding out about the Island.  Kel set up the Kelley's Korner page for me, and I have tried to keep it going ever since.

There have been times when people have been offended by my thoughts.  That was not the point.  I never intended to offend anyone, just to be real about my perceptions.  I have appreciated the encouragement of many who have urged me to say whatever is on my heart (Forget about what other people say; keep being real and let the consequences be on the head of those choosing to be offended - Jim Stone), and those who have consistently "liked" the link on Facebook and offered a simple word of response and encouragement, even when the blog was just a simple rehashing of a particularly boring day in the life of a pastor (Janet Richardson and Karen Mertes).  Know that I have considered many times just quitting the whole thing, but it was your encouragement, and the 20 or 30 people who actually went to the page (whether they read it or not),  and, well truth be told, and the fact that I read it was good for old people to keep doing stuff that challenged their brain (something about delaying the onset of Alzheimer’s) that kept me writing something every morning.

Well, I began writing this on my phone's note pad over an hour ago. The computer is finally finishing up on the updates. These better be some good ones.

1 Corinthians 3:18 says, “Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a "fool" so that he may become wise.”

Father, thank you for encouragement in all if its forms. Bless all of the encouragers you have placed in your world. Amen. 

August 9 – “G.U.M.”

I was just reading in the newspaper (yes, we still get that antiquated pile of newsprint with yesterday’s old news on it) that a lot of places around the county have collected donated school supplies and are giving them away for free.  Now, don’t get me wrong here.  That is absolutely an admirable sentiment on the part of the donors.  They can be assured that children will have the things they need for the new school year, and they can feel good about themselves for being a part of it.  Nothing wrong with that.  Except that it operates solely from the point of view of the donor.  What about the ones receiving the donation?  Is that really the best thing for them?

I know there are some families that don’t have any money for school supplies.  I get that.  And in many cases those parents really sacrifice and do everything they can to make sure their kiddos are well-stocked for the first day of school.  I also know the other end of the spectrum is true.  There are parents who do everything they can not to do any work at all.  They see the world through tinted glasses that cause them to think they are owed a free pass to life.  “Why should I have to work when “they” should just give me what I need?  I am entitled to a free ride.”  OK, so much for the sociological take on the situation.

Several years ago Seaside joined forces with many other churches in the area to partner with Galveston Urban Ministries (G.U.M.) in a unique approach to this particular ministry.  The churches collect the supplies as usual.  Then G.U.M. opens a school store the week before school starts in the area.  Supplies are sold to families at 20% of the list price.  The genius in this approach is that the parents, grandparents, and other guardians are able to participate in the process of providing for their kids.  The effect is a shot in the arm for the adults’ self-esteem.  Instead of simple being the recipient of charity and feeling like they are trapped, they are a part of buying the supplies and providing for their family.  And the kids get a big kick out of it as well.  Who doesn’t enjoy going to the store and choosing your very own backpack and filling it up with brand new pencils and paper and glue and markers?  It’s almost a yearly rite of passage.  Kudos to Galveston Urban Ministries, then, for giving these folks this chance.  Seaside is proud to be a part of the ministry.

1 Corinthians 3:16 says, “Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?”

Father, honor the ministry efforts of all the folks at G.U.M.  Amen.

August 8 – “Just enjoy it”

Last week when Josh and Christi were here I heard Zakary and Cailyn deep into a discussion negotiating “favorite cousin” status.  Cailyn insisted that if she claimed Zak as her favorite cousin, then he had to consider her his favorite cousin as well.  That would be quite the coup for Cailyn since Zak and Micah are the same age and have been pretty much inseparable any time they are together ever since they were born.  Unfortunately I couldn’t didn’t hear Zak’s response.  That stipulation might have been a deal breaker, though.  After all, he is ten years old and, in the long run, she is a girl.

We had something unusual happen at church the other day.  Two different people asked us for a referral to a dentist.  Since they didn’t want to drive to Mansfield to see my first choice (That would be Dr. Blair Jones, of course), we encouraged them both to try the one we have been using for many years.  One guy was having some real problems and had already finagled an appointment with an outfit here on the Island.  He just didn’t seem very excited about going in cold turkey.  As it turned out for him, his wife liked the place just fine.  He on the other hand has had to go back in already.  They put in a temporary crown that keeps falling off.  And they told him it probably would keep falling off.  I don’t understand that one.  I’d tell them to break out the super glue.  The other person actually went to our dentist (At their temporary offices.  Theirs was the one that burned the other day).  His wife said he was quite pleased, though.  Ain’t dentists grand? 

Our Texas sage exploded into a mass of purple flowers last week.  The bees have come out of nowhere to enjoy the absolute honey heaven.  That thing is amazing.  Most of the time it is a silvery gray color.  But whenever it rains, suddenly these purple flowers appear and change the entire look of the bush.  I’ll never understand how God does that.  I’m glad that I don’t need to understand it.  That’s one of those, “Just enjoy it” kind of God gifts. 

1 Corinthians 3:10-11 says, “By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds.  For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

Father, thank you for purple flowers and good dentists and favorite cousins (even if they are girls).  Amen.