June 7 – “Picnic”

This morning we went to Josh's church.  Well, that is where we went after our morning bounce on the air mattress with Zakary.  This is the church I worked at when I was in seminary.  This is the place where I first discovered what it was like to invest my life in people instead of investing my time in programs.  This is the church we went to while we were evacuated from the storm back in September of last year.  Seems so long ago.  It's the church that gave us money and towels and sheets and encouragement.  It's where Chris and I cried the first Sunday after the storm when we heard a particular song their choir sang.  They have had more than their share of problems over the past year, but it still feels just a little like home when we go there.  And they are taking really good care of Josh and Christi and Zak and Caleb.   We went to lunch with some old friends.  The afternoon was spent sleeping and reading.  I actually finished the Ted Decker book I started.  Now I'm going to attempt The Shack.  Josh wants to talk about its theological implications.  That could mean it is really good or really boring.  We'll see.   This evening the church had its yearly community picnic.  They invite the neighbors, serve free hamburgers and hot dogs, set up those inflatable jump houses for kids, and register for Vacation Bible School.  Pretty good idea for a group with a lot of resources.  I don't know if they made an impact for the Kingdom, though, or if it was just a party for their members.  It was good to see some more old friends, in any case.    Revelation 3:19 says, "Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent."   Father, sometimes it's really hard to be earnest about things I want to do, much less things like rebuking and disciplining and repenting.  Help.  Amen.

June 6 – “Happy Anniversary”

Today is our 34th wedding anniversary.  What better way to start it off than bouncing around on our air mattress with Zakary?  He was higher than a kite from the time he woke up.  All he could think about was his birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese.    We did exchange anniversary gifts.  I got Chris a new watch to replace the one that doesn't work any more.  I also gave her a new Ted Decker novel.  She gave me a new jig saw so I can cut a hole in our new storm door and install a dog door.  She was looking for a new baritone ukulele.  In fact she had people all over Houston and Fort Worth looking for one.  No luck so far.  I hope they don't give up.   The party was quite fun for the kids.  The monstrous mouse didn't frighten more than four or five kids when he made his personal appearance, and none in our group.  We decided the pizza tasted bit like CiCi's – cardboard crust and not enough toppings.  Christi's cake was a masterpiece, though.  Lightning McQueen racing across a track of Hershey bars on a green-icinged cake surrounded by mountains of chocolate covered cupcakes.  At one point Josh brought me a handful of tokens and said to "use them as fast as possible and win as many tickets as you can."  It was getting close to time to leave and we still had a bucketload of them left.  I played as many games of ski-ball as I could until he came back and said we could keep the tokens and use them on a later trip.  Zakary got to pick out a cool shaggy ball toy.   This afternoon we just hung out around the house, except for the few minutes when Chris and I went to the local Ace Hardware store to see if they had the cabinet hardware we were using at the house.  We want to get a few more sets so we can make the family room cabinets match the ones in the kitchen. We did hear again from our contractor.  He's setting up the plumber and sheetrockers for Monday.  We should be moving in by the end of next week.  Sounds very strange.   2 Corinthians 1:3-4 says, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God."   Father, thank you for my wife and for the years you have given me with her.  Amen.

June 5 – “Somewhere North of Dallas”

This morning was kind of relaxing for me.  Josh went to work.  I started a new book called Kiss by Ted Decker and someone else, a lady I think.  I was worried that it was a romance, but Chris assured me it wasn't … really.  I'm a few chapters in, and so far it's not too bad.   I did a few crossword puzzles.  Zakary and I watched The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything."  It's about a bunch of vegetable who think they're pirates, but they don't do anything.  I confess.  I slept through pretty much all of it.  It was a cartoon, after all.    We did our Pancho's run for lunch.  Have to make that trip once every time we come for old times' sake.   We heard from our contractor.  The plumber was at the house with him.  They were looking at the cooktop.  He asked if we could cancel the installation by Sears and let our plumber do it.  We said to go for it.  We took care of canceling.  Anything to speed up the process by a little bit.  Looks like we'll have to chisel out some wood from the vanity in the hall bathroom.  We were going to move pipes, but they are made of copper and would be next to impossible to move.  He's also going to install the icemaker.  By Monday evening we should have some serious plumbing fixtures installed.  And the contractor said again he thought we could begin to move in right after that.  They would have to work around us for the finishing touches.  I hope we don't go too much over budget and have to dip into what we have set aside to pay for the appliances and vanities and toilets.  Those bills aren't due for another four to eight months.   This afternoon I went with Josh to Garland to do the paperwork for a car he is buying.  It's a Kia Spectra.  Looks like a good deal.  Low mileage used car.  They have to go back Monday to pick it up, because Christi has to sign some papers.  On the way home it was rush hour, so we decided to look for a short cut.  We ended up somewhere north of Dallas.  After a few guesses on other shortcuts we ended up on a road we recognized.  It was fun to call our wives and let them know where we thought we were and how long we thought it would take to get home.  They were pretty good sports, so we stopped at Sonic and brought home supper for everyone.   Big day tomorrow.  Zak's birthday party.   Psalms 119:175-176 says, "Let me live that I may praise you, and may your laws sustain me. 176 I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands."   Father, that's my prayer, too.  Amen.

June 4 – “Mansfield”

Today we headed for Mansfield to spend a few days with Josh and Christi and their boys.  Zak has a birthday party this weekend, so we'll get to be here for the festivities.  They're even having a picnic at their church Sunday, so we get some good food.    I slept a lot of the way.  I confess.  I did watch a movie on one of those little mini-dvd players.  Now that's a great way to kill some time on a long trip when you're not sleeping.  I saw "Flywheel."  It was the first attempt at movie-making by the same people who later made "Fireproof" and "Facing the Giants."  It was okay for a low-budget overtly Christian movie with a powerful message and no fantasy world to dissolve into.  It had some really funny moments.   Our contractor called when we were somewhere on I45.  He was just checking in about the schedule for the rest of the week.  He wanted to know if we had seen the floors yet – after the poly-whatever-ethane had been applied.  He said he had not yet been given clearance to walk on them from the floor guys.  He said he would hold the plumber off until Monday to finish his stuff.  That should work out well, because the Sears installer can't come until Saturday anyway.  Nathan and April are on receiving duty while we are gone.  The replacement cooktop was to arrive today.  It made it without incident.  It should be installed by the time we get home.  It is actually possible that we can move in by the middle to end of next week.  WooHoo – guardedly.   We got to Mansfield around 2:30.  Spent the rest of the day playing with Zak and Caleb.  Josh asked me to help him drive tomorrow when he goes to pick up his new-to-him car.  I'll be happy to.  I'll be happy to just hang out.   1 Timothy 3:16 says, "Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory."   Father, thanks for a safe trip.  And for a place to go.  Amen.

June 3 – “Fire”

After working for awhile on the things I think I'll have to be doing as interim headmaster, we headed out for Galveston.  The house was empty, but there was blue tape stretched across the front door.  That was a good sign.  The floor guys had finished staining the floor, and it looked really good.  Today was their day to put the first coat of sealer/varnish/whatever-you-call-it.  While we waited for them to get there, Chris watered the grass and flowers, and I cleaned some tools.  After awhile Chris remembered that we still had to buy graduation gifts for some kids we know in Arlington.  And since we are leaving tomorrow morning, we had to get them today.  Right now.  So we headed over to WalMart.  Chris is great when we go shopping like this.  She always hangs back and lets me "finish my list."  Sure enough, I headed for the back of the store to get some of that foam stuff that you use to close up holes around the house.  I was also looking for a tool that you stick into electrical outlets to see if they are live.  That being done, I turned to start on the gifts.  But not yet.  We had to look at some stuff first.  A slipcover.  A basket for the shower.  Now, we weren't going to buy any of this today, mind you.  We just had to look at it.  I don't understand women's shopping techniques.  Come on.  Make a list.  Go get it.  Go home.   We got a call from Nathan and April around lunch time.  They wanted to see the floors, so we went back to the house and met them.  While we were there, the owner of Omega came by on his way to a doctor's appointment.  He loved the house.  He said he had never really seen the inside.  Back when they were bringing by supplies, the inside was all outside on the street waiting for the claw to pick it up.  When he left we all went to McAlister's Deli for lunch.    After lunch we went back to the house and I thought we were going to work some more, but it was not to be.  Alas.  It started raining.  So we had to pick up and get everything under the deck.  With nothing more that we could do there we decided to head back to Omega Bay.   As we were leaving, Chris got a call from April.  Nathan had just called her to tell her he was on his way to work.  A general alarm had been called for a condominium that was engulfed in flames (Miravella).  Even though Nathan was off duty and helping a friend move some furniture, they both got called in to help fight this one.  In fact all off duty firefighters were called in.  Nathan ended up having to go back downtown to pick up another truck that they needed on site.  We could see the smoke billowing as we stood in the front yard of our house on Sycamore.  It was still visible as we took the exit to Omega Bay, and we could hear fire trucks still responding when we got back to Omega Bay.  Texas City, LaMarque, and Bayou Vista were being called in to cover the Galveston stations since every Galveston firefighter was at the fire.  April called back to tell us she had driven closer and was watching and taking pictures.  When Nathan called her to let her know he was on site of the fire, though, she said she had to go home.  It was no longer fun to watch, knowing he was there.   We have to pass by there on our way to church tonight, so we'll check it out again then.    Luke 3:16 says, "John (the Baptist) answered them all, 'I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.'"   Father, keep all the guys safe at the fire.  Amen.

June 2 – “Lloyd”

I had a phone call last night from the head of the school board at Seaside Christian Academy.  I have been officially asked to be the interim headmaster while the board looks for someone to fill the position permanently.  It is certainly an exciting opportunity, and a little scary as well.  I had already been doing some work in that area on the school handbook.  I also have a brainstorming list of things that should happen over the summer.  It's all going to take a lot of parent and volunteer involvement, though.  I guess that's one thing that's similar between the school and churchwork - working with volunteers.                We dropped off the truck at the mechanic's shop this morning.  Oil change, AC work, and maybe fix the key to the driver's side door.  That will be a welcome change.  It gets old having to walk around to the passenger side to unlock the door every time.  Wouldn't be so bad if Chris was always with me, though.  It should be ready tomorrow.    After Luby's lunch with Mom (Kel and Christina and the boys got to come today), Chris dropped me off at the house while she and Mom went searching for Mom a bathing suit.  Her water therapy class started back tonight, so she was getting all stocked up.  While they were gone I filled up the trash cans with debris from the front yard.  It was extremely heavy.  I sure hope the trash truck picks it up with no trouble.  Was it ever hot.  One sign said it was ninety degrees.  My body said it was at last that.  In the shade.    I had one of those divine encounters today.  As I picked up trash outside, a taxi stopped.  I thought he was going to ask for directions, but the driver got out.  He asked if I lived there, and when he found out I did, he started talking non-stop.  He talked about where he lived and what damage his house had and how he felt so helpless when his little daughter asked him, "When are we going home, Daddy?"  He talked about God sparing him what so many others on the island had to go through.  He talked and talked and talked.  By the time he slowed down enough for me to ask his name and assure him that God sure must have an important purpose for him, he had to get back on the road.  He told me his name was Lloyd.  I'll remember him.   While I worked outside the floor guys were going at it inside.  The wood floors had been sanded thoroughly.  They were supposed to stain them today as well.  For some reason they stopped working around 2:00.  We left to come back to Omega Bay around three.  They were still sitting around.  We'll see tonight if they ever did.   I am so tired I can hardly keep my eyes open, and it's only 5:00.  Guess I'll doze off while Chris takes Mom to water therapy.    Luke 2:30-32 says, "For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all people, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."   Father, my eyes hurt right now.  But I remember what it was like when I first saw your salvation.  Keep the light coming.  And keep Lloyd and his family safe.  Amen.

June 1 – “Little kid laughter”

Church work day on a Monday.  That's how we started out this fine morning.  Actually we stopped by the house to pick up sickles and a wheelbarrow first.  While we were there our contractor showed up to make sure the floors were ready for the floor guys to start sanding the wood floors.  Chris took the opportunity to make sure he knew she wasn't happy with what the electricians did to the wall.  He thought they had already come back to fix it, so someone is probably getting a phone call.    We got to the church about thirty minutes later than I expected.  The visitor family from Oklahoma was already there.  At least three of them were.  And they had already started ripping up weeds by hand.  They had a huge pile going.  Before long several others in their crew came out to help attack the weeds and shovel away at the piles of dirt.  Chris and the Father of the Family did a lot of shoveling.  She worked to fill in the traffic lane under the school building.  He was determined to fill in a low spot near the steps to the school building.  The rest of us were stomping around on the mounds of dirt, pulling at ornery weeds or hacking away at the worst of them.  We ended up with four or five piles ready to be hauled off.  I think the city will see that we have begun the process and we'll get a tractor out there sometime soon to finish the job.    Chris and I went to Taco Cabana for lunch, and Nathan and April and Cailyn showed up and joined us.  Actually they called wanting to see the house, so we said they'd have to wait until after we ate.  They did come on over to the house and we all ended up sitting or, in my case, napping on the cool tile of the family room floor.  The floor guys were hard at work, and when they left the floors looked like oak again.  They had some kind of putty stuff all over them, though.  I guess that means they'll sand again tomorrow.  The guy did say that they would stain tomorrow.  That I can't wait to see.    We salvaged two huge appliance boxes for Jachin and Micah, so we made a trip by their house on the way home.  Of course we ended up staying for a long time.  The boys had to have a little wrestling match with DadDad.  I'm not sure who won, but I'll definitely be sore tomorrow.  On the way home we talked about how delightful it was to hear the unfettered laughter of those two.  I might also add to that the huge grins we got from Cailyn.  Kids are awesome.   Matthew 18:2-4 says, "He called a little child and had him stand among them. 3 And he said: 'I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.'"   Father, I want to be like a little kid.  Please gift me with some of that laughter.  Amen.