October 3 - “Road trip, part one”

We are officially on the road again. First stop of the road trip portion, part one … Buc-ees, Madisonville. Didn’t really need gas. Just a bathroom, a barbecue sandwich and a Gold Leaf sweet tea. 

When we hit Mansfield we stopped at Walmart for some gas. We may or may not have also walked around inside. And we may or may not have purchased a bag of candy corn. Hey. Chris has to have her sustenance on those long airplane flights. 

We finally arrived at the Winkle’s house around four. We spent the afternoon catching up with good friends. Kay Lynn had a roast and some mashed potatoes ready for dinner. Then Cary pulled out an array of Blue Bell ice cream flavors. I tried banana pudding for the first time. Not too bad. Tastes a lot like, well, banana pudding. 

We chatted a while longer, but we all had to be at the airport by 4 a.m., so we shut it down before too long. 

Now … yawn. It’s around 2a.m. Time to load up and get to the airport. Let’s go.

‭‭1 John‬ ‭4‬:‭19‬ says, We love because he first loved us.

Father, bless the Winkle’s. And come fly with us. Amen. 

October 2 - “North to … well, Arlington first”

We started out the day as a typical Thursday. That means Clean House Day, of course. I did the sweeping and vacuuming. Chris did the bathrooms and whatever else she could find. 

We also took another look at our packing strategy. I think mine is done and ready to go, except for my meds. Chris was still debating on some of her long sleeved t-shirts and sweatshirts. But we are out of here this morning, headed to Arlington to spend the night at the Winkles. We have to be at DFW airport at 4 a.m. for our 6:03 departure. Yawn. North to Alaska!

I finished up the last of our errands while Chris finished up the last of her house cleaning strategy. I went to CVS to get Chris’ vitamins. Then I went to the bank to cash a check for the trip. I also showered my thanks upon Yuli and Brandi while I was there. They were the ones who helped get our money back and get accounts closed and new ones opened after the hacking. Thanks again, ladies!

We had our last home group meeting last night. Well, until we get back from Alaska. Had to get ol’ Solomon to finish up his prayer of dedication of the temple. Now we wait a few weeks to see what comes next. 

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭10‬:‭5‬ says, We demolish arguments and every proud thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ.

Father, thanks again for Yuli and Brandi. Continue blessing them. And please join us on this next adventure! Amen. 

October 1 - “Suitcase Stuffing”

Chris had physical therapy again, and they taught her a few more tortures - er, I mean exercises. Just in time to take them with us to Alaska. Woohoo!

Meanwhile I plodded through my two and a quarter mile trek around and around the clinic. No significant new interactions. I did get a big grin and a cheery “Good morning!” from the cleaning lady I see all the time. I guess she finally recognizes me. She used to just duck her head and turn away. So that one’s a win. 

Our afternoon was spent packing. Yep. We hauled out the suitcases and set about filling them up. There was one fun extra involved in that process. We got to play with our new toy. We got one of those tiny little vacuum cleaner things that comes with the plastic bags. You cram as many clothes as you can into the bags, then turn that vacuum cleaner loose on it. All the air is summarily sucked out, and in an instant, you have way more room for other junk. It doesn’t make the suitcase any lighter, but there is lots more room. Genius invention. 

We also watched the Astros’ last game of the season. They have figured out a host of ways to lose games to the White Sox in the post season. Sigh. Oh well. At least now it’s college football season … 

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭19‬ says, And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Father, bless that maintenance lady at the clinic building. Give her some good days ahead. Amen. 

September 30 - “The infamous Rocket Ship Park”

After a homemade breakfast quesadilla, we went for a walk. Chris made it two miles. I added an extra mile to that. We started around 8, but it was still really hot. Phew!

Back home we started on washing clothes. A day late from our usual laundry day. 

Things are starting to pile up in this final few days’ home stretch to Alaska. Chris started weighing her backpack in anticipation of the puddle jumper flight to the Arctic Circle. I think we are allowed five pounds each. So far she is right on the money. I, on the other hand, haven’t started. Maybe by Thursday?

Noa and Ezra dropped by. They had been playing with some friends at the infamous Rocket Ship Park over at the airport. Why infamous? That’s where Nathan broke his arm really bad back in the day. Sadly, the place lived up to its name. One of the youngsters they were there with fell and broke both bones in his arm. Whoa. Déjà vu all over again. Remember that, Nathan?

Our afternoon schedule was pretty much set in stone. The Astros had their first playoff game against the White Sox. Didn’t turn out so well for the good guys. But they play again this afternoon. We’ll see …

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭4‬:‭23‬ says, Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life.

Father, be with that youngster who broke his arm. Ease his pain and heal him quickly. Amen. 

September 29 - “Beach Witch”

Chris physical therapy appointment was an early one, especially for her (NOT a morning person). She had to be there by 8:15. She did well getting up, though. When 6:30 rolled around, she dragged herself out of bed. Gotta love that woman. 

The therapist worked her shoulder over pretty good. Whether Chris can tell it or not, she has come a really long way since the surgery. I did get in my two and a quarter miles. I did get a bit sidetracked, though. I stopped to help another Astros fan in a wheelchair get through a door. He was wearing Astros pajama pants. Way to represent. 

I saw something I had to look at least three times before I could truly fathom what it was. As we drove along the seawall, I saw a witch flying on her broom along the sand out by the water. Very gracefully draped long dress topped off with the pointed hat and everything. On my third or fourth stare, I finally made out that the apparition was indeed gliding upon the sand, only on one of those one-wheeled skateboard things that moves on its own. Eerie sight, indeed. 

At Walmart (not for bananas. They do sell other things) we ran into not one, but three of our friends from around Galveston. Julie just moved back here after a long hiatus in the mystical northlands beyond Texas. Doug was standing in line at the bank, so we let him be. We did get a quick hug from Charlette,  though. Great to see you guys. Hey. What’s a Walmart for if not to connect with friends?

After a brief stop at the house we were back in the car again. Chris was finally getting the teeth cleaning she had to put off last week. I went with her and read a book in the lobby while she was in the back. Well, I may or may not have also snuck in a little nap. 

The reason for my accompanying her was more than just enjoying her company, although that is certainly the case. We had a few stops to make on the way home. Academy was first. I had hoped they would have some Astros division champs t-shirts. No luck. In fact I looked online. The only place they were available was MLB.com. $45 was a bit steep for my blood. 

From there were stopped at Randall’s.  I had a prescription to pick up, and it was, after all, Cheap Chicken Monday. Eight pieces of dark meat for $6.99. Good stuff, too. 

Last night we took in another Little League game with Ezra as the star, of course. He laid down a perfect drag bunt for a hit. The good guys won the first game 11-5 and the second one 6-4. Woohoo!

‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭11‬ says, And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, then he who raised Christ from the dead will also bring your mortal bodies to life through his Spirit who lives in you.

Father, be with Julie and Charlette and Doug. Bless them every day. Amen. 

September 28 - “Astros win!”

We had a fill-in worship guy yesterday. Jonathan did a great job, as did his daughter who played the keyboard. He’s not looking for a ministry position, but if he was, he would certainly have an edge. Great guy. Thanks, Jonathan. 

The order of the day in the afternoon was to watch the Astros game. Last game of the season and the division championship was still up for grabs. A win by the Astros or a loss by the Rangers would put the Astros in the playoffs. Lots of drama, huh? 

Well, the drama didn’t turn out to be all that great. The Astros jumped off to a 9-0 lead. They coasted the rest of the way. And to top it off, the Twins tended to the other order of business. They defeated the Rangers 6-4. Both scenarios meant the Astros won the division by a full game. Woohoo!

‭‭Mark‬ ‭4‬:‭9‬ says, Then he said, “Let anyone who has ears to hear listen.”

Father, bless Jonathan and his family in their home life and ministry. Amen. 

September 27 - “Two in two”

We were on the road early yesterday. We had to drive to Pine Island, Texas. That’s a small town out in the middle of nowhere, somewhere near Waller. We were attending a memorial service (our second in just 2 days). This one was for our friend and former member of the youth group at Langwood Baptist Church many years ago when I was the youth pastor there. 

H.C. Elsner was probably in junior high or early high school when I first met him. Of course, I was just 18 or 19 myself and I had been a Christian for only a year or two, so that youth group and I kind of grew up together. 

It’s kind of strange what you remember about people. The first memory that pops into my head about H.C. (Other than that his girlfriend at the time was the music pastor’s daughter) involves the time he was in the front passenger seat of my car. 

We were driving to get some lunch  at his house when a car turned left in front of us and crunched into the front of my yellow Ford Maverick. Everybody was pretty much OK. H.C. banged his knee on the dashboard, but nothing demanded medical attention. I remember we waited literally hours for the police to arrive. 

Finally the father of one of the girls in the youth group drove by on his way home from work. He just happened to be a police officer assigned to the mayor’s protective detail. Imagine the dispatcher’s chagrin when his call sign demanded an officer to his location immediately. Let’s just say … they came. 

H.C. went through some really rough times in his life. He definitely knew Jesus, though. I’m sure his soul is at peace now. 

It was good to see some of the Langwood folks from years ago, but we have to find a better way to get together, guys. 

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6‬:‭11‬ says, Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil.

Father, be with Carl and Barbara and David as they walk through this difficult time. Amen.