February 17 – “Tax guy”

Our tax guy called today.  I was at the church getting ready for Ash Wednesday.  Actually I was talking to Chris on the phone when he called.  She was on her way home from Bay City. Her Mom was having some shortness of breath issues, but other than that she seemed to be doing okay.  As t turned out she was not quite as okay as Chris hoped.  One of the doctor's offices had called to tell her about some added medications that another doctor has said not to take, so she was confused.  So was I.  Chris took over, though.  She called and requested that the two doctors please have a conversation.  Then she had to calm her Mom down and convince her not to buy the extra meds until the doctors had their powwow.  Quite a welcome home.   Actually, the welcome home wasn't too bad.  Cailyn came over for a visit, just because she hasn't been here in a few days.  When I got home from the school she saw me, smiled, started waving and saying, "Hi!"  Captured.  But as she ran towards me, from out of nowhere Fritz leapt between us and started licking her face.  Everybody hollered at him.  Then she turned around and tripped over the hose.  That started her crying.  Best I could do was hand her over to Mommy.  They said she needed a nap anyway.   Back to the tax guy.  He got all our information and had done a preliminary run with it.  Looks like we have to pay, but only a hundred dollars or so.  It could have been a lot worse.  And has been.  But we are still dealing with losses from the flood and expenses from rebuilding the house, so that ate away all our taxable income.  We didn't even have to use the energy credit we earned from putting in all new energy efficient windows.  Having to pay social security as self employed really takes a lot, though.      Back to Ash Wednesday.  I tried everything I could think of to get the computer to project a powerpoint presentation of the service and song lyrics on our big screen.  It did fine on the computer screen at the sound table.  But when I tried to switch it over, you could still see the computer stuff instead of it covering the whole screen.  So we went with that.  Worked OK until we got to a responsive reading.  Both parts were up at the same time – overlapping each other.  I finally just gave everyone the response.  It worked out OK.  Seasiders are flexible.  I love 'em.   Romans 15:5-6 says, "May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, 6 so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."   Father, I can sure use that endurance and encouragement.  We can sure use that unity.  Amen.