May 1 - “The Mystery Heart Attack?”

We grabbed a couple of miles again. Lowered our time a little bit, too. Chris was feeling a little shaky for a while, but she powered through, as usual. 

Next … Thursday, so that’s clean house for home group day. I got vacuuming again. Chris got a bit sidetracked when the notice came that her EKG from the heart doc was ready to view. No changes. Just says she had a heart attack sometime in the past.   

Mine actually said I may have had one at some time, but they didn’t know how old I was. The Mystery Heart Attack. Hmm. I do vaguely recall a time when I was trying to uproot a small tree. I remember it like it was yesterday. Worst indigestion I ever had. But I was just in my 40’s - still indestructible, right? Chris said she remembered being really mad at me. Sorry, don’t recall that part. 

Over some lunch we watched an episode of DayTripper. Haven’t seen that show in a long time. He was in Northeast Texas this time. 

After that show we switched over to the Astros. They had a doubleheader with the Orioles in Baltimore. It was fun to be able to say we have been in that stadium. Sadly, the good guys bombed big in the first game. But they came back in game two and scored 10 runs for the victory. 

‭‭Acts‬ ‭10‬:‭43‬ says, All the prophets testify about Him that through His name everyone who believes in Him will receive forgiveness of sins.

Father, thank you for the good reports on those EKG’s. Amen. 

April 30 - “Semi-demolition Day”

Back to two miles again. We had to do it. After all, we just told the cardiologist that we walk regularly. Don’t want to be a couple of liars. 

On top of that, we worked in the backyard right afterwards. I was excited this time. It was semi-demolition day for the rogue sunflowers. Chris said that flowerbed needed to be cleared, and that meant thinning out the sunflowers woohoo! Now, I’m all for keeping one or two. They do get massive, after all. Taller than the house. And those remind me of their original depositor in the dirt … Cailyn. So not all needed to go. Just the ones that look like interlopers. 

Oh, and it was not easy. We were pulling up other weeds as well. And while I was balancing on a concrete Texas-shaped little slab thing … my foot slipped off. Totally lost what precarious balance I had achieved. But take heart! I rolled over a bit and landed against a flock of sunflowers. Totally broke my fall. My watch didn’t even record it as a fall. I think it was just assuming I was falling into bed for a nap. And as a bonus? I got to pull up some more of those critters that were now “mysteriously” broken. 

‭‭John‬ ‭1‬:‭12‬ ‭says, But to all who did receive Him, He gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in His name

Father, thank you for providing that relatively soft landing spot for me. Amen. 

April 29 - “Cardio Day”

We continued our doctor appointment week with an early rush out to UTMB. Actually there was no particular rush involved. It’s just that it was kinda early. We left the house at 8:15. 

I had the first one. It was my regular check-in with my cardiologist. Cardio Day. I have to go in every six months or so. And nothing has changed in my heart department. A few places he is watching. If I begin to develop any symptoms, come sooner than the six months. Check. 

Chris also had to see the cardiologist (same guy). Sounds convenient, right. Not exactly. My appointment was at 9. Hers wasn’t until 11:30. We went back home for an hour or so, then came back and went through the whole check-in procedure again. 

They took us back and put us a room. Did all the preliminary stuff. And then … Waited in the room about an hour. First time that ever happened with this guy. But we gave him a pass. Why? Because he always takes his time and lets us ask any questions we might have. 

So … all looked pretty good. He adjusted her meds just a bit. More of a tweak, actually. Otherwise … six months we don’t all again. Check. 

After a stop at PetsMart for some dental chewsticks for Freddy, we finally got home around 1:30. Phew. Long morning. 

‭‭1 John‬ ‭4‬:‭9‬ says, God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent His One and Only Son into the world so that we might live through Him.

Father, thank you for the good reports from the doc. Amen. 

April 28 - “Vampire Day”

We stretched out and yawned and had a bite of breakfast before heading out to the East end of the island. Chris had a vampire appointment at the clinic over there (aka, bloodwork draw). And an appointment like that means she probably has an oncology appointment sometime next week. I just went along for the ride. 

While we were waiting, who should walk up but our old friend Jim. Haven’t seen him in a while. We caught up with all his news about his family. Love those Stone’s. 

After the vampire we headed to Walmart for some more groceries (yes. Bananas among them). I think we are set in that department for … well, at least until we run out of bananas again. 

And the afternoon became a Hallmark marathon. Well, in between washing and drying and folding and putting away clothes. 

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭14‬ says, You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden.

Father, thanks for the chance to catch up with Jim again. Bless him and Laura and all their family (goats included). Amen. 

April 27 - “Major minor”

Pastor Kel started a new sermon series. Nahum. Say that name fast about ten times. Funny stuff. He explained why the poor guy got the “minor prophet” designation. Just didn’t write down enough stuff. Well. OK. It’s because the book is not a long as the “major prophet” guys. You did a good job, Nahum. 

We stopped at the Shrimp and Stuff food truck after church. Thanks for the reminder of its presence, Zak and Lindsay. I got the fried shrimp platter. Chris had two grilled shrimp tacos. That’s some good eatin’.

Back home we watched the Astros actually win a game. And against the Yankees, no less. Always a good day. 

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭139‬:‭14‬ says, I will praise You because I have been remarkably and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, and I know this very well.

Father, thank you for the truths from old Nahum. Amen. 

April 26 - “GFD Field Day”

I had a quick little neighborly task to do yesterday morning. Brennan needed a ride to work. That worked out really well for me. He works at Moody Gardens, and my next stop was to the fire station at the airport - just minutes away. 

It was what the fire department affectionately calls “Field Day.”  It’s the opportunity to go through the physical agility test for the department. Just a run-through so they would know what to expect in a few weeks at “the real thing.”  Genius. And an activity that is too good to pass up if you are interested in joining the department. 

There were quite a few applicants on hand. Like 30 or 40 maybe. They were all shapes and sizes too. Several of them introduced themselves to me. One asked if he could chat for a minute or two. Seems he read about me and “all the things you do” on the FD website. (Hmm. Guess I need to check out that website). He just became a Christian in November, and was so excited about it. He wanted to know if I was a pastor on the island so he could come visit my church. He’s very happy where he’s going now, though. 

My heart went out to one applicant in particular, though. Lexie, the daughter of some friends of ours (and of one of the current fire fighters) was giving it a shot. She’s not old enough to be considered yet, but she still wanted to try her hand at the challenge. 

Now understand, Lexie is short and thin and cute as a button. Surprisingly, though she is wiry and deceptively strong. She did an amazing job. The only event that gave her great pause was hauling the fully charged fire hose. She powered through it, though, and then finished the stair climb really fast. Oh, did I fail to mention? Lexie is just a junior in high school. Impressive, girl! I’m proud of you, Lex. 

After some lunch we headed up into Texas. Ezra had a piano recital, and Noa was in a drama skit in conjunction with their homeschool co-op. Ezra played the theme from Star Wars. Nailed it. Noa was in a multi-skit format play. She actually had three or four different roles. She was definitely the most dramatic of them all (and the best projectionist). Of course. Proud of you two!

From there we went to Nathan’s house. He and Cailyn threw a surprise 40th birthday party for April. That certainly checked off our need for food. Nathan cooked fajitas. He’s good at what he does. 

‭‭Romans‬ ‭3‬:‭23‬-‭24‬ says, For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. They are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

Father, thank you for watching over those “kids” going through the GFD Field Day wringer. That’s a tough course. Amen. 

April 25 - “All fungus-y”

I got enlisted yesterday. The Master of the Garden (Or would that be Mistress? I’m a little rusty on my fairy tale terminology) Chris, nonverbally convinced me to join her in the backyard flowerbeds. We had to rip out all the dead stuff from around her lilies. It was causing the rest of the plants to get all fungus-y.

It went pretty well. We only stopped once when I called to get some information about another transatlantic cruise (yep, guess we are gluttons for punishment). Sounds pretty exciting. 

Oh, there was one other time that gave us pause. I may or may not have accidentally pulled up something I wasn’t supposed to. In my defense, it looked the same as everything else in there. But all is well. We rummaged through the trash cans of debris and actually found the four bulbs I so callously (albeit accidentally) ripped from the soil. Chris said she would find just the right spot for them. 

Last night we made a foray into Texas. Two reasons.  But wait. On the way to the first one, Josh called. His whole family (except Zak and Lindsay, of course), was on their way to Caleb’s state track meet. He runs in the 4X400 meter relay. And two weeks ago he started doing pole vault. This will be his first competition in that event. Go Caleb!

Now … first we had to go to Kohl’s. Chris had to return an item she ordered online. After a few tries to communicate with the computer, they finally got that taken care of. But before we left, we had to stop at the purses section, and lo and behold, they were on sale. Yep. Congrats on the new purse, Chris! Understand here … this was not really an impulse purchase. She’s been looking for one for quite some time. Hers is falling apart. So, again … congrats, and welcome to the family!

Next we went to the karate kick-each-other-in-the-head night. Well, they call it sparring, and they do kick and smack each other all over their bodies. This time it was Ezra, Josiah and Noa. Of course they all did awesome. Especially Ezra this time. He smoked his opponent in both fights. Way to go, Vaughan’s!

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭18‬ says, Everything is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation

Father, thanks for you for protecting our sparring kiddos last night. Amen.