August 29 – “Sick Tree, Fixed Lock”

We had to squeeze in a little last-minute shopping before we left.  We began at the local nursery.  Josh and Christi are just beginning to landscape their back yard, and they wanted some pointers from Chris.  We walked away with a silver bush of some kind.  I think he's planning to get three or four more just like it.  He was also looking at a monster size oak tree that was $700 regular price, but was on sale for 70% off.  Still too steep for their budget, though.   Our second stop was at a local antique mall.  We didn't really intend to buy anything.  Chris was just looking around for a cabinet to display Precious Moments in.  It was fun to see stuff that we have – or at least had – and see how much people are trying to sell it for.    Our final stop was lunch.  We went to a little local restaurant that is famous for its pies.  They were out of what Chris and Mom and Christi wanted, though.  Chocolate peanut butter pie.  Josh and I had key lime.   The trip home was relatively uneventful.  We brought back the rest of our photo albums and the two boxes of baseball cards that Josh and Christi had been babysitting.  The car was really packed again.  Brought back not-too-happy memories.  I finished reading the novel I started after we got there.  It was interesting, but definitely not worth recommending.  We got a call from home before we left to remind us that the interstate would be closed between Galveston and Houston.  What we didn't know was that even the feeder roads would be closed.  That meant major detours.  Since we knew ahead of time, though, we took the 288 to Highway 6 route and it didn't take much longer at all.   We got another phone call on the way home.  It was from April.  We first thought it was about Cailyn.  She's been sick and has been to the doctor.  It wasn't about Cailyn, though.  April had been watering our tree while we were gone.  The call was to warn us that in spite of her best efforts, the tree didn't look too good.  Sure enough, when we got home, it looked pretty weak.  We're going to try some TLC and see if we can bring it back.  I wonder if it's under warranty.  But at least our back door lock was fixed while we were gone.   1 Peter 1:13-16 says, "Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'"                                                                                                      Father, thanks for the safe trip home.  Could you help out our new little tree?  Amen.