November 9 - “125 Years”

I thought the big 125th anniversary celebration for Columbus Avenue Baptist Church went really well. 

We were both really impressed with the History Wall. They painted a wide red line flowing down one whole hallway to represent a timeline. On the timeline were key dates and events from the church’s history, including relevant photos. On the other side of the hallway were three or four display cases containing various artifacts, also from the history of the church. My favorite was the very first book ever entered into their church library. It was a kind of autobiography of David Livingstone. Very well done, historical committee. 

The President of Baylor presented a certificate acknowledging everything the church had done to support the college through there years. There were also acknowledgments from the state Baptist convention, the City of Waco, the governor’s office, and even from President Trump. 

In the service, two of the old worship pastors led songs, “just like the old days.”

The guest speaker was Dennis Swanberg, a comedian and preacher who used to be youth pastor there. I met him when he visited South Oaks Baptist Church when I worked there. He was good friends with Bruce, the pastor there at the time. In fact he took a picture with us so he could send it to Bruce. 

During his speaking time during the service, he spent a long time reminiscing and telling funny stories about people he remembered from his time there. He’s a pretty comical guy, but honestly, he never really got around to the specifics of the gospel. 

The College Ave Band did a great job drawing us back into a spirit of worship by concluding the service with praise songs. Josh brought everything full circle by focusing the church on the future Jesus has for them, with his concluding statements. Then we all held hands and sang … Sweet, Sweet Spirit. Caleb and I both chuckled when we made eye contact. We were both hearing in our heads the unmistakable sounds of … Family of God. 

After the service a young man with two preschoolers in tow  approached us. He asked if we were Chris and Kelley Vaughan. Come to find out, he was our cousin, Bryan Reese. His mom Cindy is a cousin we met back in seminary days in Fort Worth. He is now a philosophy professor at Baylor. It was great fun chatting with him (and the kids!). 

For lunch we joined Josh and family at Jason’s Deli. It’s been quite a while since we ate there. The food is pretty good, but the deciding factor there is the free access to an ice cream cone machine. Sadly, we had to leave all too soon. But we will be back there next weekend for the Texas Baptist Convention. 

‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭16‬:‭24‬ says, Declare his glory among the nations, his wondrous works among all peoples.

Father, thank you for the long and storied history of Columbus Avenue. Help them take their commitment to you and to their community on into the future. Amen. 

November 8 - “That infernal internal alarm system

The boys had to be at the homecoming parade grounds by 6:15 in the morning. Yep. That’s A.M.  Which meant I had to set the alarm for 5:15. Of course my ever-watchful body heard those plans. And the result? That infernal internal alarm system just had to beat its physical external brother. I woke up at 4:15. Done and done. At least that meant the bathroom was open for Chris when she got up. 

It was a pretty typical parade. Floats. A band. Cheer squads.  Dignitaries. And of course … Lots of thrown candy. AnnaGrace racked up almost as good as Halloween in Gulf Village. And the boys seemed to have a good time walking with their sports co-op. Oh, and on a positive note there … Baylor did win the football game. 

Speaking of football games, last night we went to Luke’s last game of the year. It seemed like a hard-fought battle, but in the end, the good guys won 33-0. Luke made some key blocks that opened up huge holes that led to touchdowns. And speaking of touchdowns, he scored one as well. Way to go, Skyhawks! Proud of you guys. 

‭‭Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭37‬ says, For nothing will be impossible with God.

Father, thanks for being with the kiddos in the parade and at the football game. Amen. 

November 7 - “Off like a broken record”

We got off to our usual start yesterday morning. Well, by unusual I mean somewhere around 9:30. We loaded up the car and took off for Waco. Sounds like a broken record, doesn’t it? Well, don’t break anything just yet. We’ll be back in the same road again next week as well. 

This time the purpose was a couple of football games starring Luke, and the 125th anniversary celebration of Columbus Avenue Baptist Church. 

We arrived in Waco around 2:30. First stop was the church. Christi and the kids were at their homeschool co-op. Josh said we could just hang out there and wait or take his garage door opener and go to the house. We chose the latter. Well, after a brief detour. We stopped at HEB to get some gas. 

After unloading the car back at the house we hung out until Josh got there. Then we went with him to basketball practice. It was fun watching Josh and his assistant coach do their best to teach a press that shouldn’t have been as difficult as the boys made it out to be. They’ll get there. 

Last night we got to sit in on a movie date that Luke and Caleb had set up. Ant Man and the Wasp. Christi and AnnaGrace were at a junior high drama production. Sounded fun. 

Today’s plan is for the boys to walk in the Baylor football homecoming parade. Then tonight Luke plays football in his end of season bowl game. Let’s go! 

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭8‬ says, Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable — if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy — dwell on these things.

Father, please take care of the youngsters marching on the parade and playing in the game later. Amen. 

November 6 - “Kinda strange”

Well, I guess you can’t beat starting the day off with that good 40-minute block of exercise. We hit our two miles once again. Didn’t have a reason to stop at all until right at the end. Our friend and neighbor Yolanda was walking in the opposite direction, and we crossed right in front of our house. She shared a quick little two-minute update on her life, then she was off. Gotta love this neighborhood. 

We spent the afternoon splitting time between cleaning house for home group and emailing with our travel agent. Belinda tracked down what appears to be the best deal available with AmaWaterways for a river cruise. Problem is, they are sold out for next December. So, being the awesome agent that she is, she put a hold on a cruise in 2028. We’re still waiting to see if Viking can top their deal or if they have one still open in 2027. Spending that inheritance.

It felt kinda strange to be back at home group again. It’s been a long time between actual Thursday Night Bible Studies. 

Oh! I did have one outing in the afternoon. No big deal. Just got gas in the car so we wouldn’t have to get it this morning. We’re heading to Waco for the weekend. Luke has a big end-of-season football tournament. Then the church up there is having its 125th anniversary celebration. Here we go. 

‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭2‬:‭15‬ says, Be diligent to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth.

Father, please ride with us to Waco. Amen. 

November 5 - “A sweeping experience”

Well, we had a bit of a crisis around the kitchen yesterday around lunch time. Actually, I was the crisis. I was getting Chris a bowl for her soup. As I turned to set it down on the counter, my arthritis-infested thumb gave out. The bowl slipped away. It flew through the air, fluttering down, down, down. It seemed to gain speed faster and faster … until, CRASH! 

Yep. That bowl literally exploded upon contact with the tile floor. Tiny pieces flew all over kitchen, front hall, dining room, and back hall. I even found a few under my recliner in the den. Quite the “sweeping” experience. 

We finally did get to eat. In fact it was lunch over a Hallmark movie set in Denmark, of all places. Kind of inspired more research into our potential European Christmas market cruise next year. Kaylynn is hard at it as well. We even got our travel agent involved for some specifics. Maybe this is happening. 

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭24‬ says, Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

Father, help our ladies to get this next journey together. Amen. 

November 4 - “That counts”

Once again, we started out our day with a walk. This time, however, Chris was feeling a little more feisty than usual. We extended it to 30 minutes. That equates to a mile and a half on the Gulf Village track course scale. 

Honestly, the rest of the afternoon we lolled around, watching TV. Well, I take that back. Chris couldn’t stand it. She got the laundry pile going into the washing machine. I did help a little. I helped fold the sheets. That counts, doesn’t it?

Last night we braved the rainy weather and headed into Texas. Ezra had his first flag football scrimmage of the season. It didn’t rain any more, but it was humid and actually chilly. The good guys won the first half 19-6, then held off a furious rally in the fourth quarter to hang on for the win, 25-22. 

And then … unbeknownst to us … a second game began. Yep. On a school night a second game began at 9. Fortunately that game was a little less stressful. Final score was 35-18, good guys. 

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭11‬ says, I have treasured your word in my heart so that I may not sin against you.

Father, thanks for the day of calm. Be with Doug as he walks through dealing with his son’s death. Amen. 

November 3 - “A library??”

Just remembered another Halloween visitor’s comment. A teenager glanced through our front window into my home office, and with awe in his voice he said, “I really like your house, man. It looks like a library.” That it does, my young friend. That it does. 

We made an attempt to get back into walking. Made it for one mile. We are concerned that Chris needs to keep her face scar out of the sun for a while longer. She dutifully wore a wide-brimmed hat, though. She’ll get there. 

A trip to Walmart added a few extra steps to our count. We had to get … bananas. All set. For a few days, anyway. 

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭4‬:‭12‬ says, For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Father, help us as we work to get back into walking. And protect Chris outside. Amen.