May 17 - “Back outside again”

We struggled to get back on the walking trail yesterday. Not that the two miles were particularly difficult. The hard part was actually doing it. 

Chris followed up that excursion by watering the new sod chunks in the back yard. We took a break for some lunch. But Chris was soon back outside again. This time she had to water the plants back there - the ones that live in pots. In spite of their limited spatial opportunities, they are looking really good as well. 

I watched some college girls softball. University of Texas won their game by the mercy rule. Tennessee was well on its way to doing the same, so I switched over to Pirates of the Caribbean. Or was it Wonder Woman? Or maybe it was The Hobbit? Maybe a bit of all three?

‭‭Romans‬ ‭5‬:‭8‬ says, But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us!

Father, after all the work Chris puts into that backyard, please bring growth. Amen. 

May 16 - “The Main Event”

Yesterday we roamed around the back yard. No particular rhyme or reason. Looked at grass. Pulled dead leaves from the sunflowers. Dropped poison on the myriad of anthills that have risen from the ashes. Chris said she was “almost pleased” with how the back is looking. There are still a few more tricks up her sleeve, though. 

Meanwhile, I also managed to fit my one puzzle piece in (actually, it was three, so I’m still days ahead). 

After such strenuous activity, we decided to make our run to  Randall’s and Walmart. Just needed a few over-the-counter meds from Randall’s - arthritis cream and Thera-tears. Walmart was a run for the green. Green bananas, that is. Well, green-ish. They last longer than strictly yellow ones. And of course, a good $150 worth or so more made its way into the basket. 

After some lunch we got a text from the Huntley’s. They wanted to know if we could swing coming up there to watch the Rangers play the dreaded Astros in a week or so. I assured her we were in. The Winkles may join us as well. 

Then came the Main Event of the day. Chris had a big MRI of her shoulder scheduled. It meant driving into Texas, so there was that stress added to her significant claustrophobia. And then … they couldn’t give her as big a dose of calming juice as they wanted to. Why? Because she has fallen a few times. So they gave her what they could, then stuck on her shirt a piece of cloth with some lavender-stinking stuff on it. Supposed to calm you. Pee-uuuu.

As it turned out she had a very patient tech. She gave her a warm blanket and bent over backwards to find ways to work around the claustrophobia. In the end, Chris handled it like a champ. They got the pictures they needed. Now it’s a race to see who reads first - X-rays or MRI’s. 

Back at home, Chris had a bowl of potato soup, then pretty much crashed out on the couch. That was a tough day. 

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭10‬:‭19‬-‭20‬ says, But when they hand you over, don’t worry about how or what you should speak. For you will be given what to say at that hour, because you are not speaking, but the Spirit of your Father is speaking through you.

Father, thank you for helping Chris  get through this test. Could you please give those guys who read these things a little boost so we can see where to go from here?

May 15 - “on our end”

It was Thursday. That means one thing. It was time to clean house. A lot of it was already done. Chris got a head start the day before. She finished up the sweeping and mopping. I did the vacuuming. Ready for home group. 

After lunch Chris took off for her latest round of physical therapy.  It was just the inspection round this time. There was a problem, though. When she paid, they said it didn’t go through “on our end.”  She ended up trying three times before “our end” showed it as recorded. Back home we checked our Discover account. Sure enough, there were two charges back to back. At least there were only two of the three attempts. She’s planning to start the complaint process by calling the physical therapy department this morning. Come on, UTMB. Get it together. 

While she was gone I hit the typewriter again. Well, the computer word processor. I finished up redoing our family and friends phone/address directory. 

Kaylee and Micah came over for an hour or so. Micah had a job interview at the same place Jachin is working, so Kaylee went along to hold his hand through the ordeal. Just kidding. She said she waited in the car and read. Sounds like the interview went really well, even without Kaylee’s calming presence. He starts June 1st. 

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭12‬:‭2‬ says, Indeed, God is my salvation; I will trust Him and not be afraid, for Yah, the Lord, is my strength and my song. He has become my salvation.

Father, thanks for the tone hanging out with Micah and Kaylee. Bless them. Amen. 

 

May 14 - “Impressive singing”

Most of my day was spent in front of the computer. Really brought back memories. I was updating my birthdays/anniversaries list. Lots of people on that one, and I didn’t even get to the fire department one. 

I did take a break for lunch. There kids and I (OK - all three of us kids) went over to Whataburger to pick up some stuff to eat. I was impressed with Noa trying something new and with the sheer volume of what Ezra put away. Impressive on both counts. 

Speaking of impressive … the kids spent a few hours in the afternoon playing the uke and singing worship songs. Ezra played and sang and Noa sang along. Lots of fun to listen to the two of them hammering out who will sing what and whether the cord should be strummed down or up and when the singing should begin after the intro. Loved it. 

Last night we delivered them to a youth/children’s group activity at Bay Area First Baptist Church. Not sure what Ezra did, but Noa was beside herself about the youth group activity. It was a silent disco extravaganza. Interesting … weird … but impressive, nonetheless. 

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭13‬:‭20‬ says, The one who walks with the wise will become wise, but a companion of fools will suffer harm.

Father, help those two younguns keep on developing their musical talents. Amen. 

May 13 - “Living history??”

Anita came over yesterday. She is in charge of the church’s 30th anniversary coming up at the end of July. She needed some addresses of former members as well as any photos we may have that would help compile a history of the church. We are the old timers now - living history and all that jazz. We added considerably to her rapidly growing stash of celebration stuff.  Can’t wait to see what she comes up with. 

Chris took a little nap in the afternoon, so I joined the kids watching some TV. They had a unique system worked out. They alternated selecting programs. Noa chose things like Restoring Galveston. Ezra invariably chose something related to baseball. Everybody was happy. 

Last night (after a great supper of leftovers from Nathan and Ezra’s kitchen and some fresh Mac and cheese by Ezra), we took the kids up to Dickinson for their Karate lessons. Ezra needed to wale on somebody his own size after his intense sparring matches with Cailyn and Gavin. And Noa needed some socializin’ seconds. 

‭‭Romans‬ ‭10‬:‭9‬ says, If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Father, thanks for riding with Micah and Josiah and their parents. Keep them safe. Amen. 

May 12 - “The Collecting Micah Saga has officially begun”

We’ve got rain. Well, at least we had it yesterday in the morning. Slow and steady. Just what those new sod squares - er - rectangles needed. 

We called Josiah to wish him a happy birthday. They made it to their first hotel about midnight, and were at the car rental place. The Collecting Micah Saga has officially begun. 

Last night we all headed into Texas again. Nathan and April and Cailyn invited us for dinner to celebrate Mother’s Day. Nathan and his sous chef Ezra barbecued some chicken, grilled some veggies, and made some green beans. The sous chef handled the macaroni and cheese pretty much on his own. All in all it was some delicious food. Thanks, guys. 

We also got to see Cailyn’s boyfriend Gavin. Oh, and by the time the night was over, April had been crowned incoming president of the Santa Fe High School Lady Indians Soccer Team. Congrats, April. Proud of you. 

‭‭Mark‬ ‭16‬:‭15‬ says, Then He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation.”

Father, help April as she embarks on this year as president. Bless her efforts. Amen. 

May 11 - “Extra passengers”

After church we had a few extra passengers for the ride home. Kel, Christina and Josiah were on their way to the airport. They were flying to Virginia to pick up Micah. Not flying back, though. They plan to rent a mini-van to throw his stuff in for the drive back to Texas. 

So … back to our two extra passengers. Noa and Ezra are staying with us for the few days they will be gone. So is their dog Leia. So is their pile of homework. Hmm. We may or may not get around to that. 

After church we went across the street to the Shrimp n Stuff food truck. Special Mother’s Day treat for Chris and Christina. Shrimp basket for me. Shrimp tacos for Chris. Any day of the week. 

Ezra and I spent the afternoon watching the Astros game. Not a very pleasant experience. They lost their second in a row to the Reds - the team that is dead last in their division. Oh well. 

For dinner last night we decided to splurge. Read here, go out to eat twice in one day. Jachin was working at Local Dogs, so we went over to check out him and the dogs. 

Later, Ezra and I were deep into a game of catch in the backyard, when we heard a faint whine. A few more tosses and it got louder. Then the scratching began. That was it. We folded up our gloves and headed out the gate to check it out. Did Freddy or Leia escape? Was it a poor wolf-coyote looking for food? Slowly the gate began its outward swing. 

And what should our wondering eyes behold, but … a really huge, really old, white dog. He definitely looked familiar to me, and he wasn’t scared of humans at all. Ezra joined me, and the dog started down the street. We were hoping his homing instincts were kicking in. 

As we strolled down the street, I saw in the distance a youngster on a scooter. Yep. That’s where I had seen the dog before. He regularly takes his little humans for a walk that passes in front of our house. And sure enough, all three of the kids came running when they saw the dog, yelling, “Max! Max!” And with that, Max happily trotted home. Mission accomplished. 

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭32‬:‭8‬ says, I will instruct you and show you the way to go; with My eye on you, I will give counsel.

Father, please watch over Micah and that part of his family as they trek back home. Amen.