June 8 – “Toilets”

We spent the day on the road, heading back home.  We had a carload of some of the stuff we evacuated with back in September.  Josh and Christi have been safeguarding it for us.  We also had some more towels and sheets and even some more baby stuff that their church gave us.  Best we can tell all that's left there is six tubs of photos, a microwave, two ice chests and an indeterminate amount of frozen fish.  I guess it'll all get back down here in time for us to evacuate next time.   The trip home was uneventful.  We stopped for lunch in Centerville at the barbeque place.  They had Nestle's Crunch bars.  I munched on one while I read some more of The Shack.  It is different.  Kind of a parable.   As we unloaded the car at Omega Bay, the owner drove up to check something on his boat.  Made us more anxious to clear out of the house so he can spend time there.   In fact it made Chris so anxious, she couldn't wait to get back in the car and head to Galveston to check out the house.  Mom wasn't going to be left behind, either, so we loaded back up and headed out.  The smell is still pretty strong, but the floors look great.  The highlight for me, though, was flushing a toilet.  We now have indoor plumbing.  The vanities are hooked up and the sinks are all operational.  The ice maker has a shut-off valve, but it hasn't been installed yet.  The cooktop is in and the gas and electricity is all connected to it.  It hasn't been secured to the countertops yet, though.  The hot water heater is installed.  I guess we just need some gas to get the hot water heated and the flames flickering on the stove.  We're going to call the gas company when the plumber gets finished so they can check everything out and light the pilots.  The front door has been stained on both sides, and the side door is stained on the inside.  That's the door that still needs weatherstripping as well.  Sheetrock repairs look complete, and touch-up painting should be ready to go.  The garage door and opener need to be installed, and that last elusive door between the garage and the house is still in limbo somewhere.  The one closet door is still lighter than the others.  They should be hung pretty soon, too, which means I will have to get the knobs on.  We are hoping our contractor approves us moving in this weekend.   Big school board meeting tomorrow night.  My first as interim headmaster.  I still need to put some things together for my first chance to talk to them.   Galatians 6:7-10 says, "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."   Father, help me when I get weary.  I want to keep on doing good.  Amen.