June 4 - “18”

I finished out my fire department visits. Three stations one day, and the other three the next. Of course, there are three different shifts, so technically there are six stations with three shifts at each. So, 18 different crews. Whew. That’s a lot to try to keep up with. Definitely could be a full-time job. But the guys are all great. And there are usually a few new hires to connect with. 

Chris had a visitor while I was gone. Suzann came over. She’s our barber/hair stylist. She cut mine Sunday at church, so it was Chris’ turn. She always does a great job. Yesterday was no exception. Thanks, Suzann. 

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭4‬ says, Those who mourn are blessed, for they will be comforted.

Father, bless Suzann. She’s pretty special to us. Amen. 

June 3 - “Visitation”

We did a divide and conquer again yesterday. Chris took off on a hike. She had to cut it a bit short, though. Rain. 

Meanwhile, I took off and made a few visits to fire stations. Got to see one guy who was on his last day before retirement. At another station I saw one of the local heroes who was involved with the big roller coaster rescue. And at the third station I chatted with a guy who just got back from his honeymoon. Highly recommended adding Fiji to Chris’ travel bucket list. Hmm. Well, I sure am proud of those guys. 

And of course, to make the day complete, we made a quick Walmart run. Just grabbed a gift and took a lap to get some steps in. 

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭3‬ says. The poor in spirit are blessed, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.

Father, once again, please watch over my fire guys. Amen. 

June 2 - “Welcome to the neighborhood …”

Chris had PT in the morning. Early in the morning. Had to be there by 7:15. I had to wake her up at 6:15. She wasn’t happy. But she persevered. 

While she was gone I did our walk. Made it two miles with no company except one interesting podcast by some Scottish dude. He was talking about Jesus, and he had that fun Scottish accent, so I was hooked. 

When Chris got back she told me all about what will be her last PT session for a while (T minus seven days to surgery). She had one of her spells during the workout. Had to keep sitting down to keep from falling down. At least there was a pro there with her. 

We then attacked the back yard. Not attacked so much as beautified. We planted the bush we bought at Home Depot the other day. Looks really good. 

While we were digging and planting, we began hearing the distinctive yelps of a puppy from somewhere nearby. We looked around from the deck, but we couldn’t see anything. We were, however, able to locate where that pup was. Yep. It was definitely coming from the yard right behind us that already has a beautiful white husky named Alaska. 

We got up closer to the fence and followed the movements we could see through the slats. Sure enough, there was a beautiful puppy. We weren’t sure what kind, but it looked like a chocolate lab. As we peered through and began talking to the pup, suddenly it fell into a rather massive hole that Alaska had previously dug. They had most of it covered with a board - but not enough. And the thing about that hole? It had started collapsing on our side of the fence. The dog realized that and immediately started clawing its way toward us. 

The dog made its way through, and really enjoyed the attention we gave it. We figured out “it” was a “she,” about the time the owner came into the back yard. She told us the pup’s name was Jade, and they had picked her from someone at Walmart giving puppies away. 

The lady had to move the board to give Jade a way back home, and she was astonished at just how big the hole actually was. She promised she would get some dirt and get it filled in. Here’s hoping. In the meantime, as Chris so aptly put it, “welcome to the neighborhood, Jade.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭42‬:‭11‬ says, Why am I so depressed? Why this turmoil within me? Put your hope in God, for I will still praise Him, my Savior and my God.

Father, please watch over that cute little puppy. I know she‘s gonna be a big one. Amen. 

June 1 - “Family Missionaries”

The Alaska crew was back at church yesterday. Pastor Kel was there, but he didn’t preach, since they have only been home 24 hours or so. He’ll crank it back up next Sunday. 

Our family missionaries came over for lunch after church. There were a few other purposes in the visit, though. They brought back our suitcases, for one. And they reunited with their little white dog. Not sure who was happiest - the dog or the kids. 

After some good taco soup by Chris, we settled in to watch the Astros try to catch up with the guy who throws the fastest pitch in baseball (100+ mph). Sadly, they weren’t all that successful. Only lost 2-0 though. Hey. I wouldn’t even be able to see a pitch that fast. 

T minus 8 days to Chris’ shoulder surgery …

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭12‬:‭9‬ says, But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me.

Father, thank you for our family missionaries’ safe arrival. Amen. 

May 31 - “Celebrity Searching!”

We got word early (like 6 a.m.-ish early) that our Alaska missionaries had touched down in Houston. Everybody was headed home to get some sleep. 

Meanwhile, we had a few things to get done on this fine, tourist-filled Saturday. 

Home Depot. Weed killer and a bush. Not a booger one though. Plumbago. No plumeria. I don’t know. One of those plums. Named for the color of its flowers maybe? They are, well, plum-colored. 

Randall’s. Whole list of medical stuff. Prescription, tears (how do they collect tears and bottle them and resell them? Do they hire people to cry?), special mouthwash for dry mouth syndrome, arthritis grease. 

Walmart. Bananas, chicken, chicken broth, oranges, chocolate milk, salad stuff, and seven other things I forget what - it all added up to 14 items. Self check - check. 

There was lots of traffic, so … People watching! Celebrity Searching! I’m pretty sure I saw David Letterman. Or maybe it was his non-bearded double. And Chris commented that wrapping a towel around you doesn’t really count as wearing a coverup to go into Walmart. 

After lunch we had a slice of watermelon on the back porch. That led to Chris watering all her outside plants as well as the new patches of grass we just put down. I grabbed the weed killer and sprayed a bunch of the weeds popping up all over the back lawn. The St. Augustine is trying its best, but we’re hoping this will give it a little extra help. 

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭1‬:‭17‬ says, Learn to do what is good. Seek justice. Correct the oppressor. Defend the rights of the fatherless. Plead the widow’s cause.

Father, thank you so much for the safety of our missions team. Bless them for their efforts. Amen. 

May 30 - “Creepy Myrtle”

Yardwork Day once again. Shortly after 8 we began tackling our neglected yard. I started with mowing and edging. Chris handled sweeping. But I did get a lot of it swept for her using the massive blow dryer (my affectionate name for the leaf blower). And after that I grabbed the hedge clippers. It was time for some serious bush trimming. The main culprits were the three oleander bushes. Then came the Creepy Myrtle. (OK. I typed in crepe myrtle and spell check corrected it to that. Hey. I kinda like it. The Creepy Myrtle Tree (apologies to all the ladies named Myrtle out there).  Definitely has a ring to it. 

Anyway, I also lopped a few Sycamore branches and under Chris’ meticulous direction trimmed up some lantana bushes. But that was not all. Back in the back yard we moved around some heavy plants-in-pots. Then I dug up a couple of plants from the yard, and we replanted them in pots. I think that was the final chore of the morning. It was definitely time to cool down and grab some lunch. 

Speaking of cooling down … Chris needed a little of that cool down time for two different reasons. One, she found out that the PT office canceled her appointment for Monday. And they blamed it on her. Nope. She kept her cool pretty well, though, even if the visit was finally rescheduled for 7:30 am. Not her favorite time of day, for sure. 

And two, she tried again to delve into the dark world of the UTMB business office. She’s still trying to straighten out the double charge they made on her a few weeks ago. They gave her some instructions as to what further information they needed, so we got that sent. Now we wait. 

‭‭John‬ ‭15‬:‭2‬ says, Every branch in Me that does not produce fruit He removes, and He prunes every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruit.

Father, the Alaska contingent’s flight home began last night. Not sure when they will arrive (or have arrived). Thank you for their chance to serve in a unique arena. Amen. 

May 29 - “on the road home”

After a good breakfast with Larry and Diane, we headed out for home. Well, after a stop at Kroger for gas. Thanks again for the hospitality, guys. 

Our Bucees stop was a quick one. Bathroom break. Stretch our legs. Grab a light lunch (breakfast biscuit sandwich for me and turkey and cheese and pretzel cup for Chris). Back on the road. 

A little traffic slowed us down through Houston (of course). Chris handled it magnificently (also, of course). We also stopped in LaMarque (after a little backtracking because we forgot) to check on the windshield job on Jachin’s car. All looked good. 

We finally made it home around 2:15. Just in time to do a frantic house cleaning before home groupers arrived. 

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭9‬:‭10‬ says. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Father, thank you for our safe trip home. Thank you for giving Chris the ability (and desire) to drive so much. Amen.