October 11 – “The most important Team Member”

We managed to get in our three mile walk yesterday.  In the process we stopped to help a neighbor lady we hadn’t met yet pick up some trash in her yard and put it in her can.  She said we saved her “who knows how much time and energy” with our help.  Hey.  We were just being neighborly.

And speaking of neighborly, and apartment fire call came in for right around the corner from us.  A Seaside family lives in the complex, so I pulled on my fire department uniform and headed on over.  (And let me say up front, I connected with them on site.  They live in a different building, so all was well with them).  Nathan called me before I left to see if I had heard any more on my radio.  He was off-duty at the time, so since he was nearby he just couldn’t stay away.

I arrived at the same time as the fire chief.  As we walked up together he said something along the lines of, “I’m here to watch these guys do their usual great job.”  His statement was quite prophetic.  All stations and crews were on alert.  Many of them were on site and staged for the fire.  Others were on standby to either come help or to cover the rest of the Island’s calls.  I’m pretty sure Jamaica Beach Volunteer Fire Department was on alert as well to help cover the Island. 

Heavy smoke and flames were showing as the trucks arrived.  But it didn’t take crews long to make sure evacuation was handled in a timely manner and get to the business of putting out the fire itself.  As usual the teamwork was phenomenal.  Police were on hand to deal with the crowd and with traffic control.  Utility company reps arrived and command directed them accordingly.  Chiefs were available on site.  I have noticed that one of their thankless jobs is to deal with the press as well as other onlookers.  I also heard some on site teaching going on as well, with such questions as, “Would there have been a different way to handle this?” or “What could we have done here to make for a better or smoother outcome?”  Paramedic crews stood by with cool, wet towels for the guys coming out of the fire to drape over their heads.  Fire marshalls were ready when the all-clear was given to move in to make their inspections and prepare reports.  All were working together to achieve the common desired outcome. 

One onlooker made the comment to me, “I’m sure glad water is stronger than fire.”  Let me add to that one.  I’m sure glad the guys behind the water know what they are doing.  Nicely done, Team.  

Psalms 104:31 says, “May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord rejoice in his works.”

Father, thank you for protecting the Seasiders, the renters of the apartment on fire, as well as the fire fighters.  You are always the most important Team Member.  Amen.

October 10 – “Amazing”

It was a true tyranny of the urgent day around here yesterday.  I intended to get completely finished with the Thursday night home group Bible study preparations and well into sermon prep for Sunday.  Now I will say up front that I almost finished the Bible study and at least I know where I’m going with the sermon prep.  But as for best laid plans …

Much of my time was spent on the telephone.  I called to see about getting the oil changed in the car.  The first two service calls come free when we purchased the car, so I wasn’t going to miss that deal.  Amazingly, they said to come in today at 7 a.m.  On my way now. 

Then I called to see what I need from the doctor to get my prescriptions changed over to monthly mail order through Medicare.  Easy enough.  Just have the doctor call in the prescriptions to them. 

Then I called to set up that doctor’s appointment.  My first one under the new insurance is free as well.  Amazingly, they asked if I could be there Thursday morning at 10. 

Then came the call for a dentist appointment.  Not that I was particularly excited about getting a dentist appointment.  Ever.  Amazingly (but not necessarily happily), I have one for this afternoon.  Yea.  Rah.  Whoopee.  Read here, sarcasm to the extreme.

Then I went over to the AT&T to see if they could explain the new bills I have since we switched plans.  That’s part of the reason we stay loyal, sadly.  It’s because it takes too much of a learning curve to get a handle on the new stuff.  I think the bottom line of what I got out of the discussion was two things: 1) The new way does appear to save us at least a little bit of money.  2) You can’t know for sure what money is involved until you get an actual bill.  And the first bill always has prorated stuff, so that one doesn’t count.  So the second month after you switch you might be able to understand something.  Amazing (In a different way).

When I got home I felt like I was on a roll, so I called the cable TV company and asked them to lower my bill.  No request for changes at all (as long as I can watch the Astros, I’m good), just lower my bill.  Then he asked me one question: “Are you planning to move any time soon?”  Uh … nope.  Good enough.  Amazingly, because I answered that question correctly, he knocked off twenty dollars a month from my bill.  Just because I wasn’t planning to move.  Just … wow.

Last night we drove into Texas and into the heart of the beast that is Houston (Memorial Park) to watch Jachin’s team play some baseball.  He wasn’t supposed to play at all, but he did get into the game briefly as a defensive substitution.  Watch out, Jake Marisnek.  It put us getting home sometime after nine, but it was early enough for us to be able to lend out a box fan to our neighbors across the street.  AC problems.  Right at the end of the season.  Amazing.

Psalms 104:24-28 says, “How many are your works, O Lord!  In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.  There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number — living things both large and small.  There the ships go to and fro, and the leviathan, which you formed to frolic there.  

These all look to you to give them their food at the proper time.  When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are satisfied with good things.”

Father, be with Corey and Janell as they await the AC repair guys.  And thank you for the cloud cover this morning.  It should keep them relatively cool.  Amen.

October 9 – “Heidi Update”

It’s been a few days since I updated about the trials and tribulations of Super Senior Dog Heidi.  In a nutshell, Nathan came over to feed our dogs while we were on vacation.  One morning he found Heidi (and the entire room) covered in blood.  Her tail was a mangled mess of tissue and cartilage and skin and hair.  He rushed her to the vet, who performed emergency surgery on her to “clean up the mess that used to be her tail.”  Initial speculation was that perhaps a coyote or some other beast made its way into the yard.  Once she underwent surgery, however, it became more evident that she had chewed off her own tail.  Yep.  It’s the end result of the classic conundrum: What would ever happen if a dog managed to actually catch his tail?  Believe me … we know. 

Nathan kept her overnight, then Kel and Christina took care of her for the rest of the week until we got home.  They did have some issues throughout the week, but she seemed to be doing some better when we got to familiar surroundings.  Well, except for the collar.  That shame dog collar is a pain in the neck, right? 

And then …we had to take her back to the vet one week after her surgery.  Somehow she managed to contort her dachshund body around enough to get her tail again.  Blood everywhere.  Chris took her in to the vet while I took Cailyn’s forgotten softball cleats to her in Texas City. 

The vet put in a stainless steel staple this time.  Not sure how stainless steel will prevent her from chewing her flesh.  Maybe it’s something like silver bullets and werewolves.  Antibiotics.  Continue the gabapentin.  Keep the shame collar on as much as possible.  She can’t get through the dog door with it on, so we have to take her in and out every so often.  It’s like having a puppy again.  Now her checkup yesterday was some better, although the doc did mention that they had considered amputating even more of the nub than they already did.  He was able to get a pretty good stick of the tape, though, so we think the bandage will stay on for a while this time.  She goes back again Friday for a recheck and bandage change.  Dogs … gotta love em.

Psalms 104:10-13 says, “He makes springs pour water into the ravines; it flows between the mountains.  They give water to all the beasts of the field; the wild donkeys quench their thirst.  The birds of the air nest by the waters; they sing among the branches.   He waters the mountains from his upper chambers; the earth is satisfied by the fruit of his work.”

Father, thank you for the vets and the time they have put in stabilizing our goofy old pup’s tail.  Amen.

October 8 – “Reunion culmination”

Yesterday was the culmination of the youth group reunion for many who have been at some point a member of the youth group at First Baptist Church of Galveston.  Actually I think the years finally settled into the 70’s.  so I guess it shouldn’t have been that much of a surprise when the singing part of the service included such Jesus Freak/early 70’s church music greatest hits as: Pass It On, Put Your Hand in the Hand, Praise Him When the Sun Goes Down, All Night All Day, and that absolute classic I’ve Got Peace Like a River.  They did mix in some current choruses as well, but the rows and rows of reunion attendees seemed to really be getting into those antiques.  Imagine that.

I do have to proclaim from the mountaintops for those who were not there … yes, I wore a suit.  And yes, it did fit (OK, so it’s been a while).  I really wasn’t used to how hot it actually gets inside there.  Everyone was really kind in their comments about the teaching, though.  Stuck to the basics – purposes of the church from Acts 2.  Then after church we did a huge group picture on the church steps.  I think I may get in trouble on that one … again.  The guy taking the pictures was doing a modified panoramic shot, so as soon as he passed me, I raced to the opposite side of the group and posed there as well.  I haven’t seen those pictures posted on line yet, so I’m still OK so far. 

Kel and his family met us at the house for some lunch.  Pizza, of course.  Kel preached for me out at Seaside, so it wasn’t a long trip for them.  Sounded like things went well out there, too.  I understand I missed an appearance by Batman.  He doesn’t come very much, so I hated to miss that one.  Gotta love Seaside.  Can’t wait to get back there next Sunday …

Psalms 104:5 says, “He set the earth on its foundations; it can never be moved.”

Father, thank you for all the reconnecting that was going on yesterday.  Bless those folks and their families and bring them all great joy.  Thank you for foundations of another kind.  Amen.

October 7 – “Being recognized”

We have made our way back to the Island.  Gotta love the smell of salt in the air when you hit the causeway.  Why back so soon?  Well, I agreed to a part in the program of a reunion for people who have at some time in the past been a member of one of the youth groups at First Baptist Church Galveston.  The event lasted the whole weekend, but we were just on the docket for the barbeque dinner last night.  Really good barbeque, by the way.

I made some good reconnections with some long-ago Little League friends, as well as a few others I remembered from my short tenure in the youth group back in the day.  I even got recognized by a most surprising individual – the caterer.  I approached him after the meal to let him know it was really good and I appreciated the work he and his crew put in.  He received the encouragement graciously, then responded, “Do you know how I know you?  I thought I recognized you.”  I was stumped, so he continued, “Didn’t you used to coach basketball?  A group of kids that were homeschooled?  It was several years ago now.”  Wow.  That’s a good memory.  I think he was one of the referees we had on occasion back in the day.  And “the day” would have been when Nathan was still in high school.  Now he’s … well, he’s well beyond that.  Small world.

Oh, my responsibility for the evening?  The organizers had arranged a candle lighting ceremony to remember the folks with a connection to the group who have died, both parents and youth group members.  They also mentioned Pastor Grayson Glass who was the one figure who seemed to bind each different group together.  After the lighting of the candles I led the group in prayer.  That was the first half of my job.  After I agreed to do that part, I was also asked to preach this morning in recognition of the reunion weekend.  Someone asked me last night if I had ever preached at First Baptist before.  I replied, “Once.  Back when I was eighteen.  Took me about five minutes, as I recall.  But it was on a Wednesday night.  Brother Glass would never turn me loose on a Sunday morning or Sunday night.  Too unpredictable.”  I can’t imagine why he would think that …

Psalms 104:2-4 says, “He wraps himself in light as with a garment; he stretches out the heavens like a tent and lays the beams of his upper chambers on their waters.  He makes the clouds his chariot and rides on the wings of the wind.  He makes winds his messengers, flames of fire his servants.”

Father, would you fill me with your Spirit this morning?  Keep me out of the way so these folks will see and hear only you.  Amen.

October 6 – “One-on-one”

The Waco arrival didn’t happen until a little after 10 p.m., so all the kids were already asleep.  It did give us a chance to chat for a while with Josh and Christi.  Kind of debriefed some highlights of that final harrowing short cut we had just been on.   I think we were all ready to get some sleep, though. 

The next day we remembered that we had purchased a gift for Christi’s birthday in that Ozarkland shop we were in (the one with the big metal chickens for sale).  But we didn’t have a bag to put it in, so we made a quick Target run (That’s kind of like a WalMart run in Galveston.  Target is about a mile from their house).  Right away, Chris found a bag and some of that frufie paper that sticks up out of it to hide the actual gift.  But then we had to do a little walking.  You know, get in at least a fraction of the steps we had been logging each day (when we weren’t stuck in the car for seven hours).  Lo and behold, she found a purse that she liked.  She’s been looking for one for at least a year.  And shock number two … she actually bought it.  This being on vacation has really gotten to her. 

In the afternoon we did a little babysitting.  I mean a “little” babysitting.  Josh was at work, and Christi and the boys went somewhere (Somewhere that included a place where they could each don a horrifying mask and then send me a picture addressed simply to “Hi, DadDad”).  That left AnnaGrace with us.  Tough job, but someone had to do it.  The highlight of the first half of our duty time was watching AnnaGrace deal with her babies.  When it came time to change their diaper, she ran into her room and came back with … a pair of winter gloves.  Can’t change a diaper without gloves.  Unsanitary and all. 

At one point Chris asked if I would keep a closer watch on the youngster while she went in the other room to hook her phone up to the charger.  A reasonable request since AnnaGrace had been scrolling through her pictures for a long time.  However, a few minutes after she disappeared, I realized that her phone was sitting on the couch beside me.  Hmm.  I grabbed it and walked in to see what was up, followed closely by my little charge.  I found Chris crashed out on the bed, snoring peacefully.  Uh huh. 

So now it was just the two of us.  I think I did pretty well.  We had sort of a modified tea party.  She brought in the teapot and a cup.  I picked up a stuffed dog with a really long tongue hanging out.  When she handed me a cup, of course I offered it first to the doggie.  Good manners, you know.  And he whipped that tongue into the cup and slurped his way to the bottom in about a second and a half.  And AnnaGrace, being the consummate hostess that she is, poured him some more.  We laughed and giggled as that dog drank up cup after cup from the never-ending teapot.  Next she disappeared into her room.  I waited in intense anticipation.  And soon she returned … with a sock.  One sock.  Purple, I think.  She sat down and held up her foot, so I slipped the sock on.  She then ran back into her room.  I assumed she went to get the other sock.  Silly me.  She returned with a shoe.  One shoe.  And she held up her other foot.  So I helped her get it on.  And she was pleased as punch.  Not sure how pleased her Mom was when she saw it, though, but hey, you left her alone with me.  We concentrate on the things that matter, not … shoes. 

Oh, and I almost forgot … I plugged in Chris’ phone.  Multi-tasking.

Psalms 104:1 says, “Praise the Lord, O my soul.  O Lord my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendor and majesty.”

Father, thank you for one-on-one kiddo times.  Amen.

October 5 – “Siri's Short Cut”

We wanted to go on some backroads that would take us through a slice of Oklahoma just so we could say we were there, but apparently Chris’ favorite friend Google Siri felt rather strongly that we needed to be on an Interstate for a while.  Hey, what can you say?

And speaking of interstates, I30 just happened to be under construction right where we needed to get through – just after we re-entered Texas.  Siri assured us it would only add five minutes’ drive time.  Wait.  She changed it to six.  No, five …

We did make it through the construction delay and headed ever further west.  The town we intended to eat supper in didn’t have anything appetizing on their signs, so we kept going.  An hour and a half later we finally made a desperation stop (read here, “bathroom”) at a McDonald’s.  But the lobby was closed for renovations.  So we went next door to Burger King.  Haven’t been to one of them in years.  Chris’ chicken was burnt.  My jr. bacon burger was passable.  I haven’t missed Burger King. 

Further on down the road we got another message from Siri.  Seemed Dallas was a mass of wrecks, and we needed to take a special shortcut she had prepared just for us.  It was indeed special.  We decided to get gas at a small town before we headed further into the wilderness.  We chose the station where a volunteer fire crew was filling up the tank on their ladder truck.  I shook the driver’s hand and introduced myself.  After that we were never sure where we were because it was so dark.  We passed a dam.  Must have been a big lake.  We were accosted by swarms of bugs with a death wish.  They pelted our windshield to such an extent that we had to stop in nowhere-town to wash it all off.  Finally, we happened upon the high school homecoming bonfire at a place called Willis Point.  Everybody in town was there.  Huge fire.  Exciting stuff.  Hope they do well in the football game.

We finally came to I20, which we sort of recognized.  At least the names of the major streets and towns were familiar.  We made our way under Siri’s direction all the way to … Waco.  Seven plus hours driving time.  A new record.

Psalms 103:22 says, “Praise the Lord, all his works everywhere in his dominion.  Praise the Lord, O my soul.”

Father, thank you for keeping us safe through those back roads and dark twists and turns.  And be with those high school kiddos.  Amen.