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. 

May 28 - “A Harvard Revelation and an Astros win”

Breakfast and lunch turned into a regular experience in itself. There we were, gathered together with the Huntley’s and the Winkles. Always a recipe for … something!

We had plenty of time to talk in depth about many things. Of course, paramount in our minds was our upcoming journey North to Alaska. Come on now. How many of are humming that tune right now? How many will have the song stuck in your head for a week, at least? 

“North, to Alaska. We’re goin’ north, the rush is on.”

That wasn’t the only thing we talked about, though. For some wild and insane reason, we talked for hours - at least - on that burning, trending, hot topic … how best to fall down stairs. We left the final word to that bastion of integrity, the Harvard Medical Review. Yes, sports fans, they actually had a rather extensive article on the topic. I would share their insight with you, but their list was eleven or twelve items long. Seriously. 

Well, last night was the culmination of the trip - the ultimate reason for our journey into Texas. Baseball night in Arlington. The Texas Rangers were playing host to none other than the Houston Astros. It was an incredibly close game, but the good guys came through. Actually it was one particular good guy. Yordan Alvarez hit two home runs. And he came up to bat in the top of the ninth and was walked intentionally, or it might have been three. Oh! And I almost forgot. None of us fell down the stairs, so we didn’t have to try out our newfound Harvard-driven knowledge. Go Astros! 

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭9‬:‭7‬ says, Each person should do as he has decided in his heart — not reluctantly or out of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Father, thanks for the safety you granted us driving to the ball game and back. Amen. 

May 27 - “… with aplomb”

We woke up with an intermingling of preparatory concerns. Chris called UTMB to dispute one of the charges on our account. She got lost in the maze of computer voices. She also had a physical therapy appointment. It was the one where she not only does the prescribed workout, but also informs them about her upcoming surgery. There were three or four appointments she needed to cancel or reschedule. 

The other point of prep was for our trip to Arlington. That’s the one where we hook up with the Huntley’s and go to the Astros vs. Rangers baseball game. Woohoo!

Oh, and I forgot another thing. I tried to connect with the Safelight people about the windshield for Jachin’s car. Just wanted to make sure the technician knew where the key was. The automated nanobot answering machine gave me a number to call. It rang and rang - until it said no one was available. Three times. And then, when I least expected it, the technician called me. He was changing the time up a little bit, so I had a chance to explain where the key was. That freed us up to head to Arlington. Good luck, Jachin. 

Chris handled her PT workout with aplomb. Always wanted to use that word in a real sentence. Always thought it meant confidence, grace, style, elan (yep. That’s another crossword puzzle special).  I looked it up. I was pretty close. But if that’s too ritzy for you … she done good. They’ll have to switch some things up after the surgery (of course), but all was as well as could be. 

We made our usual quick stop bathroom and snack break at  Buc-ees. Then it was on to the final leg of this journey and our ultimate destination - Midlothian, Texas. 

After a great dinner of chicken cheesy spaghetti stuff and banana pudding, we hung out and talked until I for one was struggling to stay awake. Now many years ago that would have been an indication that it was approaching at least midnight. But no. It was around ten. Yep bedtime for sure. 

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭5‬ says, Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus

Father, thank you for the Huntley’s and their great hospitality. Bless ‘em. Amen.