January 31 – “Postponed”

OK.  That's an answer to prayer that came in a strange way.  A way that makes you wonder.  I was really praying that something would happen to change the baptisms for tonight.  It was 39 degrees all day, and was supposed to get colder tonight.  I was ready to do the baptisms at the beach, but I honestly was not looking forward to it.  Then this afternoon I got the call.  The service was postponed for a few weeks because one guy had a family emergency and the other guy was sick.    Now, I hate that their circumstances were what they were.  And I know that my prayer didn't make that guy sick.  It's just one of those times that makes you wonder.  But I was happy.    And here's the paradox.  I was happy, because I felt horrible all day.  I have been coughing from up stuff from the lungs.  And sneezing.  And blowing my nose.  And aching all over.  I didn't tell Chris.  She had to go to Bay City again tonight – and christen that new car with its first cross country trip.  I'm sure she knew I didn't feel good, but maybe I hid some of it.  (Sure).    Nathan called awhile ago to see if I would watch Cailyn while April goes to class tomorrow from 8 to 11.  I told him I would, only because she already has a cold.  I don't think I could make her any sicker.  I'm supposed to call later if I get to feeling worse.  We'll see.   I found out something exciting today.  One of the ladies who has been coming for several weeks feels called by God to help raise money for Seaside and Seaside Christian Academy.  It's what she does for a living.  That came at just the right time.  We also have had several new folks who are excited about coming and getting involved.  More answers.  Keep 'em coming.   1 Chronicles 29:10-13 says, "Praise be to you, O Lord, God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting.  11 Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours.  Yours, O Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.  12 Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things.  In your  hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.  13 Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name."   Father, yes.  Praise you.  Amen.

January 30 – “Done”

Done.  It's a done deal.  It only took an hour and a half drive and a two and a half hour paperwork wait.  But it's done.  Now I can rest a bit easier when Chris heads to Bay City tomorrow night.  She won't be in the death trap that the Explorer had become – u-joints about to fall off, no heater, windows won't roll down (or the one in the back that falls down a few inches every time you hit a bump).  Nor will she be in the tank.  That's what she affectionately calls our truck.  And when she is driving it kind of looks like one.  No more.  It's done.  For the next fifteen or twenty years, the Vaughan's will be driving a 2009 Chevy Equinox.   It really is a nice vehicle.  The dealer used it as a loaner, so it had a thousand miles on it.  But they knocked off a lot on the total price, so we felt pretty good about the deal.  It was the last 2009 Equinox they had, and they were very embarrassed when they couldn't find an owner's manual for it anywhere in the dealership.  They are special ordering one and having it mailed to us..    There are not too many bells and whistles.  We really didn't want too much that could go wrong.  It has the power windows and locks that Chris wanted.  She likes the whole security thing that gives her.  The back seat is very roomy, and it has a cupholder back there.    Mom was with us, and she was quite pleased.  She wanted to know when our next trip to Mansfield was.  It has two of those cigarette lighter plug things – one for the phone charger and one for me to watch a DVD when we do go to Mansfield.  All in all, I think when we have to evacuate, my baseball cards should fit it there just fine.  Oh, and some of the photo albums.    Nathan and April and Cailyn came over to check it out as soon as we got home, and Kel texted that they wanted to come see it, too.  We haven't been this popular in a long time.   I've been fighting a raspy cough.  I sure hope if I'm going to get sick that I can hold off until after Sunday.  I have to preach at Seaside in the morning and over at Crystal Beach in the evening.  And that one is supposed to end with a baptism at the beach.  Sounds great.  Except right now it is 37.5 degrees outside (Oh, that reminds me.  The car tells you what the temperature is outside).  And the wind chill is 27.  And it's supposed to be just as cold tomorrow.  Maybe the candidates for baptism will opt for the warm indoor baptistery.  I don't think they will, though.  It's a few teenagers, and this could really feel like some huge accomplishment to them – to get baptized in the icy cold waters of the Gulf of Mexico.  We'll see.   Acts 8:34-39 says, "34 The eunuch asked Philip, 'Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?' 35 Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. 36 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, 'Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?'   38 And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing."   Father, I know there will be plenty of water available tomorrow evening.  Could you make it warm up just a bit?  Amen.

January 29 – “Two more days to deal with it

Today was back to school day for me.  The Seaside Christian Academy administrative assistant can't be there on Fridays, so that is now my time to shine.  Or at least to be on site.  I thought of all kinds of woulda, coulda, shoulda's as far as my week's work is concerned.  It was kind of difficult to work on the sermon when all my commentaries and other resources were at home.  I planned to put together the sermon for Sunday night over in Crystal Beach, too.  I'm doing a baptism over there.  And I just found out that it is scheduled to be done in the beach.  Now that'll be cold.  Maybe they will change their mind.  I sure hope so.  It's cold enough in April when we do baptisms in the beach at our Easter Sunrise Service.   I did sort of an interview over the phone today.  A friend of April's called to see if we had anything she could do at the school.  Substitute, volunteer, whatever.  She just wanted some experience.  I told her to end me a resume and show up at 7:30 Monday morning.  We'll find a place for her.  At first I was thinking she could help out with the younger kids.  Then she told me she loved English and was a Communications major.  Only problem is she can only be here on Mondays and Tuesdays.  Well, then got a phone call that the lady who was going to sub in the English class can't do it after all.  So …. In the meantime Sophia emailed me her resume.  So I sent a note to Rita, the school board lady recommending that if she actually substitutes, we pay her whatever we would another substitute.  I don't think there will be any problem with that.  Still not sure what we can do the rest of the week, but the Lord gave us two more days to deal with it.      I'm still looking for the third book in the Looking Glass Wars trilogy, Arch Enemy.  Hasn't made it to Galveston yet, I guess.  Maybe I'll just order it online.  We bought the newest Ted Dekker book this afternoon.  It's called Burn.  Haven't heard anything about it.  Dekker is good, but he's co-authoring, so the jury is still out.   1 Chronicles 16:23-25 says, "23 Sing to the Lord, all the earth; proclaim his salvation day after day.  24 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.  25 For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise"   Father, thank you for sending us Sophia.  Give her some of your strength and peace when she comes Monday.  Amen.

January 28 – “A movie with boys”

Cailyn came over for awhile this morning.  Her Mom was supposed to have Psychology class, but the teacher called in sick.  So she got back way too quickly.  To get Mom out the door with as little stress as possible, Cailyn and I sat on the floor and started playing with, well, with action figures.  We didn't have any of the big name guys, like Superman or Batman.  But we had a Little People Fireman, a few spacemen, a big robot with a tiny head, and Diego, the kid from Dora the Explorer.  She was fascinating to watch as she inspected each of the characters in turn.  The fireman she tasted, then tossed.  After all, he was shaped like a ball.  The spacemen she tasted, then turned over and over as if trying to figure out exactly what they were.  Understandable, since you couldn't see a face  on either of them.  These action figures were just not cutting it with her.  Finally, she discovered Diego.  And instantly everything was different.  She held him in both hands.  She looked at his face for a long time.  Then she cradled him like a baby and rocked him back and forth.  OK.  I guess that was the girl thing to do at that moment.  I have to admit, though, I was secretly glad that the action figure giants from DC and Marvel and Star Wars and Major League Baseball escaped that fate.   Before she arrived I got started on the teaching for home group tonight.  I did most of the songs without too much trouble.  I didn't finish the teaching until after she left, though.  It's going to be a fun one out of Philippians.  Rejoice.    Income tax begins.  I started compiling all our stuff to send to our income tax guy.  I think this year is going to be much harder than last year.  Back then all I had to say was, "I lost everything in the flood."  This year we have to document all the rebuilding expenditures and hurricane relief loss reimbursements and energy efficient appliances and insulation and central air conditioning and heating and medical expenses and sales tax.  This is going to take awhile.   Jachin and Micah came over this afternoon while their Dad took their Mom to the doctor in Houston.  They watched a movie first thing – Little Mermaid II (Micah's choice).  After the movie they played awhile, then Micah came back to me.  The ensuing conversation cracked me up. Micah: DadDad, I want to watch a princess movie. Jachin: But I want to watch a movie with boys. Micah: But the princess movies have 5 boys. Jachin: Well, I want to watch one that has more than 5 boys.  I want it to have lots of boys. OK.  First thing, I'm not really sure what Micah means by a "princess movie."  I think he would put any cartoon in that category.  But Jachin is all about Prince Caspian and Star Wars.    Psalms 33:20-22 says, "We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.  21 In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.  22 May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you."   Father, I still crave hope.  And you are the only source I know.  Amen.

January 27 – “Toyota, Bathsheba, Bookcases”

Toyota's in the headlines.  Just as we make a pretty firm decision to go with the Rav4, Toyota hits the headlines with a massive recall.  And not just any recall.  This one stops production on any new Rav4's, and doesn't even allow dealers to sell what they have in stock.  A whole passel of Toyota brands have a problem with a sticking gas pedal.  Not a happy problem to have.  And Lexus was having the same problem.  That's when I learned that Lexus is the parent company of Toyota.  Welcome to the family.  So that puts us back on the trail of that Chevy Equinox that we saw was available last week at a dealership in Pearland.  It's a 2009, and has 6,000 miles or so on it.  At the time we thought it was a little pricey.  Maybe it is.  After all, they do still have it in stock.  But right now, as soon as we get our money transferred, we are going for it.   This morning I got started around 6:30 working on the teaching for Sunday.  The story of David and Bathsheba.  I researched and studied until lunchtime, and I still am learning new things.  This could very well be one of those six or seven week stallout passages.  I think we're going to take it slow, but maybe more like teaching through verse by verse and stopping when we run out of time each week.  I think it will go faster that way.  The study time has been fascinating.  Hope I can get ready by Sunday.  I know Friday I have to spend at the school, and tomorrow three of our grandkids are coming over.  I'll be able to work with them here, but I have a hunch I may have to take a few breaks here and there.   About the time Chris came in to make me stand up again and come for lunch, Nathan called to see if they could get copies of the pictures we took at Cailyn's birthday party.  As soon as I saw his picture on the phone I remembered.  We were supposed to go pick up the rest of the bookcases WaldenBooks donated to the school – before Friday.  I mentioned it to Nathan, and he said he had to work tomorrow and Friday, so it was today or never for him.  No such luck, Nathan.  We needed you and your truck.  And your friend's truck.  He came through.  A friend of his loaned us her truck, and Kel agreed to help supply the rest of the muscle.  We loaded up two bookcases on each truck and unloaded them at the school with just the three of us.  Actually the other two did all the hard work.  I was stuck with shelves and brackets.   Psalms 29:10-11 says, "10 The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord is enthroned as King forever.  11 The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace."

January 26 – “Fritz the Turtle”

Now of our two dogs, Fritz is by far the most active.  He is, after all, the younger one.  And our new energy efficient back door is made so that in order to open it, you have to unlock it, which makes a loud clicking noise.  Then you push the door knob, which makes another noise.  So put those two together.  Every time anyone goes out the back door, Fritz hears it.  It matters not how quiet you think you are, Fritz will hear.  And when he hears, he leaps into action.  He races out through their doggie door on the other side of the house and greets the new arrival into his back yard domain.  Last night I was cleaning up some stuff in the garage and on the back porch.  One time I walked through the house toward the garage.  Both dogs were safely hidden away, sleeping in their room over by the washing machine.  Until I clicked the lock.  Fritz woke up from a dead sleep and raced for the door.  But something was wrong.  His legs weren't moving as fast as they usually do.  And – what was that? – he was caught, trapped by his own kennel.  He yelped.  Again.  Again. He dragged it behind him, screeching its metal frame across the tile floor, crashing into the metal of the dryer.  I got over there as fast as I could.  And just as I arrived, whatever was holding him to his house, released him.  He leapt through the dog door, determined to get as far away from that kennel as he could.    I pushed the kennel back into its corner and got started cleaning up the floor.  He had a little more scared out of him than his wits.  As I finished up mopping, I finally saw his scrawny little dog head, peaking through the door.  It took awhile, but he finally came back inside.  And I think he actually slept in that evil kennel last night.  Fritz the Turtle?  Carry his home on his back?  Not so much.   I went into the school today to try to get a better handle on what's going on, since I'm back to being the interim headmaster again.  I was impressed with the way they are handling a tough situation.  I have a lot of work to do in that realm now: individual study packets, work study packets, recruiting new teachers, watching the budget.  I've got it all on my list.  Along with figuring out which Toyota Rav4 to get.  Chris found three more to look at.   Psalms 101:1-2 says, "I will sing of your love and justice; to you, O Lord, I will sing praise.  2 I will be careful to lead a blameless life — when will you come to me?"   Father, that's quite a commitment.  Help me with that blameless life part.  Amen.

January 25 – “Center of the universe”

This morning I watched over Cailyn.  I was going to go up to the school to see how I could help out there with the reorganization, but we promised April we would help out with Cailyn when she had classes.  And Anatomy and Physiology was calling.   Cailyn was great – of course.  She never cried.  Just that little scream she has when she can't see someone.  But it's more of a "Hey!  Where did you go?  Don't you know I'm the center of the universe here?"  We finished breakfast together.  Breakfast with DadDad means she can walk around and do whatever she wants, then make a stop every now and then to grab a bite or two.  Her Mom has great taste in breakfast foods, too.  She had waffles and a honey bun.  I had waffle, too.  But that honey bun sure was appealing.  I haven't had one of those in a long time.  I used to smother them in butter and put them in the microwave until it melts..  Oh, that was some good fast food.  She went to sleep for her nap while I was rocking her.  We both slept great for 40 minutes.   I got a message this morning that two of our high school teachers are resigning.  That leaves one guy to become the master teacher and develop a scheme of teaching similar to our Lower Department.  But he can definitely handle the challenge.  He will be a lead teacher, then use others to supplement and aid his teaching.  The "others to supplement" will at first probably be his wife, who is the school board chairman right now, and me.  Should be interesting.  I like the hybrid we are becoming.  I just wish the teachers would stick it out.  Now we have to determine salaries and job descriptions for the new format on two levels instead of just one.   Lunch was interesting today.  Mom wanted to go to IHOP – the same place we went for lunch yesterday.  And she wanted the same thing she had yesterday – The "two by two by two" from the seniors menu.  I didn't want another breakfast, but I found their version of Denny's' Moons Over My Hammy, my all time favorite.  It was a ham and egg sandwich.  Very good.  I asked our waitress what she wanted us to pray for her.  She was kind of stunned, but finally said, "My family, I guess."  So we prayed for Kathy's family.   This afternoon I tried to organize all the different projects I have to be involved with over the next few months.  I have a file folder for each one, and I'm going to try to spend some time each day working with each project.  Seaside Christian Academy Operations, Grant applications, Fund raising campaign to get the final $30,000 for the building, Home Group, Youth Ministry, and Church Operations (little things like the sermon every week).  I made it through all but one.  Hey, I gotta have a goal for tomorrow.   Psalms 102:25-27 says, "In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.  26 They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment.  Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded.  27 But you remain the same, and your years will never end."   Father, thank you for letting us know you're going to be there.  Amen.

January 24 – “Return to reboot”

I didn't take a walk today.  Too much going on with church and discernment meeting.  I actually missed it.  That's the feeling I want to maintain.  I haven't felt that way about exercise since I was running a lot back in Denver.   I was not as sore as I expected after basketball yesterday.  Nathan told me he was sore, but not as bad as he expected.  Cory said he was so sore he could hardly move.  I'm kind of in the Nathan camp on this one.  Not as bad as I expected.    The lady from Kingwood who has been coming to Seaside brought five or six teenage boys with her to church today.  They made a dent in a row or two.  They have a home over on the Freeport side of the San Luis Pass Bridge.   We had a big discernment meeting today.  Our purpose was to look at the finances of the school and church and see where we stood.  On paper it didn't really look too good.  We have almost used up the reserve money God gave us back after the storm through insurance and gifts from unexpected sources.  We needed it for both the school and church operations as well as building expenses.  That's OK.  It's what God gave it to us for.   Now we need to decide what we are going to do next – what will our trust and obedience begin to look like now?  There is not enough cash to complete construction of the school building.  We have to make sure we have enough money to pay the teachers' salaries.  And the church still needs to be about doing what God has called us to do, and that will continue to require money as well.   As bad as it sounds, though, this is not a hopeless situation here.  We have done that whole building without going into debt.  In spite of the hit we took from the hurricane, we are still alive and kicking.  We decided to put together our own little mini-fundraising campaign to finish up the building.  We are going to shoot for $30,000.  I think that's a reasonable enough amount.  I think we can reach it.  There are several grant opportunities that have opened up for us.  Some involve matching funds, so if we do our part we may get a grant that will take us to what we need.  With some changes in our teaching style and a consolidation of efforts, the school should soon be pretty much self-supporting with tuition.  The church will be able to concentrate on getting equipped for ministry in our new Galveston.  As we carry out the purposes of the church – worship, fellowship, discipleship, and service - God will direct more people into our paths and give us opportunities for evangelism.  I say we need to be optimistic.  Show that we have hope!  I encouraged the church to get refocused on our purposes for existence in the Book of Acts.  We'll probably do a solemn assembly of prayer soon.  One of the guys at the meeting quoted some of my words from the past.  "When you're not sure what to do, or when circumstances look tough or confusing, return to the last place where you knew God was at work and start again there."  Return to reboot.  Good advice.  So where was that last place?  Hmm…   Chris left for Bay City again.  She will be back tomorrow night.   Still no car.  Toyota Rav4 is still my choice.  We have to decide if we'll go with the used one, though.  New one is still out of reach.  I just want to get something and be done with all this pouring over parts of the newspaper I never even opened before.   Acts 2:42-47 says, "42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."   Father, help us remember where we last saw you really working at Seaside.  We want that again..  Amen.

January 23 – “You want me to what?”

Today we had to be at Mall of the Mainland around ten a.m. to pick up some bookcases donated to Seaside Christian Academy by a WaldenBooks that is going out of business.  We just have to pick them up and deliver them.  I got Nathan and Kel to help me out, and Nathan brought his friend Ben.  We  had two trucks, so we thought that would be plenty of room for ten bookcases.    Not so.  We parked at the closest entrance to the store, and still had to walk a long way inside.  We talked the whole way about how hard it was going to be to get those bookcases all the way through the mall and back to our trucks.  Maybe we could take them apart?  Maybe we could tie them down?  Ah.  When we got there we found a back door that opened to the parking lot.  That was a Godsend.  The bookcases were big and bulky and couldn't be taken apart without great hassle.  And only two would fit into each truck.  That turned out to be not a bad thing, because they don't actually close to the public until Tuesday, and they are still using them.  Ben and Nathan did the really heavy lifting.  Kel and I helped out with the shelves and hardware.  We had some help at the church, though.  Robert was there with Hutch, so he helped get them into the building.  Probably the biggest help, though, was the piano dolly.  Nathan and Ben were very happy to meet it.   After the delivery we rushed madly to San Jacinto College South gym.  This weekend was homecoming for the homeschool basketball team we used to be involved with.  Nathan and Ben played and I coached.   Chris and I went to watch Nathan and Ben play in the alumni game, and to see if anyone we knew would be there.    We did see a few old friends.  Two of the guys who played on Josh's team, Joel and Robert, were there.  They just watched.  It was a lot of fun..  The alumni played against the current varsity.  There were at least fifteen alumni on the bench.  Good thing.  They needed frequent breaks.  Chris had to tell me to not be so loud.  But this was my chance to be a fan, so I rooted for the Old Guys – loudly.   After their game they all gathered at midcourt for a big picture..  I got one with our camera and started talking with some of the other coaches and Dads.  Then one of them asked if I was going to play in the next game.  "What next game is that?" I asked.  "Oh, the varsity is playing the coaches and parents, and we want you to play with us."  I answered, "You want me to do what?"  About that time several other guys I knew came over and "encouraged" me to play.  They had only nine guys, so they needed one more so they could sub out the whole team all at once.  Well … how could I refuse?  They were so persuasive.  I gave my phone and glasses and wallet to Nathan and told him not to tell Chris until after the game began.  So I played.  Not all that well, mind you.  Let's just say the three or four days I've been walking a mile a day was not sufficient training for this particular event.  I had a great time.  And Chris was even kind.  After the expected, "No sympathy from me" comment, she asked where I was hurting.  Notice, not "if" I was hurting.  Nathan asked pretty much the same thing.  That family of mine is awesome.  They really know me, don't they?  I withhold my answer to the question until tomorrow.  I have some medication I need to take this afternoon first.   1 Chronicles 16:11-12 says, "Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.  12 Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced"   Father, it was good to see old friends – two days in a row.  Thanks for that blessing..  Amen.

January 22 – “One of our associates …”

Toyota takes the lead.  As far as I'm concerned, anyway.  Chris test drove a Toyota Rav4 this morning.  It is almost identical to the Equinox.  But it has more storage space, the spare tire is outside, and it gets way better gas mileage.  I'm sold.  I think we may test drive an Equinox just to make sure, but if the Toyota guy can get the price down more into our range, we may just have a winner.  We mailed in the request to transfer funds.  We should have access to them in a week or so.  That's good, because we only have until February 6 or our voucher runs out.   On the way home we stopped at Lifeway Christian Store.  Seaside needs some more offering envelopes, and I was looking for a copy of the book, Becoming a Contagious Christian.  I had one, but I guess it was among the missing, presumed drowned.  Anyway, their computer said they had it, but the poor girl couldn't find it.  I couldn't either.  She finally blamed it on a computer error.  Imagine that.  A computer error.  Do they do that?  While we were checking out a young guy found out we were from Seaside and he said, "Oh!  Is Seaside that church down in Galveston?"  (See, Galvestonians aren't the only ones who refer to our home as an island off the coast of Texas).  He continued, "One of our Associates goes to your church.  Her name is Kelly."  Well, of course we bragged on Kelly for awhile.  So did he.   We went by Mall of the Mainland to check out some bookcases that WaldenBooks has donated to Seaside Christian Academy.  They are going out of business in a few days.  Our only problem now is going to pick them up.  I asked Nathan if he could get some of his burly friends from the fire department (or anywhere, for that matter) to help us out.  I'm not sure they will all fit in the back of our two pickups, either.  But Nathan can do amazing things with rope.   Sam's is right next to the Mall, so we ran in to get the three basic needs for the school and church – toilet paper, paper towels, and coffee.  As we were finishing up we got a call from some good friends we met first in Colorado.  I would honestly say that Olivia is one of the closest friends Chris has ever had.  It was so cool to see her face light up when she realized who was on the phone.  Mike had been at a conference in Houston, so they drove down to see our house and just hang out for awhile.  They live near Fort Worth now.  He teaches at the seminary there.  We still don't see them very often.  It made it all the more sweet for Chris to get to talk for a few hours with Olivia.      Psalms 119:63-64 says, "I am a friend to all who fear you, to all who follow your precepts.   64 The earth is filled with your love, O Lord; teach me your decrees."   Father, thank you for giving Chris a friend like Olivia.  Amen.

January 21 – “Car Games”

What a refreshing way to start the day.  We got a phone call from our 3 year old grandson, Micah.  He was on his way to school and wanted to know if he could come over and play when he got out.  Of course we said he could.  He also said he was going to go to Caleb's house, and Zakary's house, and Cailyn's house.  Making the rounds of the cousins..  Sounded like a lot of fun.   Today was also the day for that ages old internet sensation, Car Games.  The guy at the Chevy dealership answered my email about the Equinox.  He asked if me or any member of my immediate family had a 1999 or later Chevy.  I told him our other car is a 1992 GMC truck.  He said that would have been another thousand dollar incentive.  He gave me a price, then said it was better than the price he would have given our mutual friend who used to work there.  Only thing was, his price was higher than the one advertised in their ad in the paper.  I reminded him of that.  He replied that he had just come out of a sales meeting and they had talked about just that thing.  He also made a comment about how many people have been calling about the car all day.  OK.  I tried to get him to quote a specific price in one of his responses, but he never would mention anything specific.  We finally decided that we would like to see the car in person, so he said to just ask for him when we come in.  Still didn't promise any further help, though.    Our other task was to get the process going to get the documents we need to fill out to transfer money for getting the car.  I thought that would be a lot easier that dealing with a car salesman.  It had its moments, but it does promise to go more smoothly.  Chris had to have her signature notarized, but I didn't.  And we had to get someone from the church to sign that I'm really the pastor there.  We hope to get that done tonight so we can mail the paper in first thing tomorrow.  It takes five to ten business days to get approved and wired to our account.  Patience.  And I hope that won't hold up the car deal if that works out.   This afternoon I texted Micah to see if he was coming.  His Daddy called back.  Seems he had to go to work and Christina wasn't feeling well.  Micah definitely wanted to come over, but Jachin was playing a video game.  When it came time to leave, though, Jachin did hop in the car.  They watched Prince Caspian and then acted it all out.  Made for some fun action.    Meanwhile we got a call from their Mom.  The "not feeling well" was pregnancy related, so they were going to head up to St. Luke's to get checked out.  They stopped by here to drop off clothes and pajamas in case the boys are here all night.  And the boys were all for the spend the night plan.  We are anxiously waiting to hear what's up.  We will definitely add that to our prayer time at home group tonight.   Ephesians 1:3-4 says, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight."   Father, please watch over Christina and the little baby inside her.  Amen.