February 18 – “Monday Morning Review”

We had another rousingly positive day at Seaside yesterday.  It was Third Sunday Dinner on the Grounds day, so there was that extra attraction.  The kids did a great job helping me out with the children’s sermon.  I was trying to train my pet snail to do some tricks.  They helped me name him (Slimey), and one of them even did a somersault to show the creature how it was supposed to look.  Didn’t work.  Nothing worked.  They told me I needed to learn to speak snail if I was ever going to be able to communicate with him.  That was what I was waiting for.  The teaching was about how God did just that for us.  He became a man so we could understand him.  I know there’s a lot more to the incarnation that that, but, hey, one step at a time.

There was a lot of interaction during the regular teaching as well.   Especially during the rundown of ways that Jesus was “one of us.”  Several folks shared where they were born (Jesus was born, too), and one little boy raised his hand to say he was from Russia.  His Mom told me later that although he had relatives from Russia. He was born in Oklahoma.  Said she’d have to have a talk with him about where he was born.  I figured he was pretty young back than, so it was probably hard to remember details like that.  Everyone seemed to enjoy the cookies that little guy passed out to remind us that Jesus got hungry, too. 

Lots of folks struck around for dinner on the grounds, and the spread was huge.  Everything from barbeque sandwiches to chicken alfredo.  Not that I would have been able to name the chicken stuff.  The lady who made it told me.  Lots of desserts as well, including Blue Bell ice cream.  Can’t ever go wrong with Blue Bell.  We have to do extra next month because we will be hosting a group of twenty college students.  They tend to get hungry.  Very hungry.

The leadership team met after that and began to focus on some specific recommendations for actions we can take as we move ahead.  They divided into two groups. One will focus on the vertical ways we can strengthen the church – spiritual growth through worship and discipleship.  The other focused on horizontal strength– ways to grow through getting more people involved in ministry and fellowship.  I’m anxious to hear what they each came up with at our meeting next week.  I’m more anxious to get going with the actions they propose.

Psalms 66:16-20 says, “Come and listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me.  I cried out to him with my mouth; his praise was on my tongue.  If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer.  Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!”

Father, thank you for the positive spirit at church.  Come back anytime.  Every time.  Amen.

February 17 – “Fortress of Forty Steps”

We went on a treasure hunt yesterday with two six-year-olds and a two-year-old.  Oh and I guess you should count the newly aged thirty-two year old as well.  Josh and I were assigned outside duty with Zak, Micah and Josiah, so we decided to go with them over to the “40 Steps” vacant lot next door.  Strange how a name like that can just come to the head of a two tear old and then be perpetuated by the adults in his life.  Maybe we should print up a welcoming banner to place on the lot, kind of like the Hundred Acre Wood in Winnie the Pooh. 

The boys found all sorts of treasure buried beneath the sand and dirt left by the excavator that tore down the house.  An old Christmas light (the kind you hung outside before they invented icicle lights) was Zak’s favorite find.  A Christmas wreath (well, the remains of one) had Micah so excited during the extraction process.  He thought he had uncovered an entire Christmas tree.  A real white Lego (Just one, I’m afraid).  An old wheel and the blade off of a lawn mower.  Two long pieces of metal pipe held together by some kind of round object.  Micah said it was part of a giant’s pair of scissors.  A piece of a train track (that was Josh’s big find.  He was excited enough to bring it over to Zak for his inspection).  Micah found a piece of one of those plastic hot wheels tracks.  He knew exactly what it was, too.  I spent most of my time pulling up[ large pieces of concrete, small shards of glass, and pieces of metal that I thought might become dangerous items to tread upon in the future.  Chris even came out at one point.  She was scouting out possible sites for a garden.  Hey, a girl’s gotta dream, right? 

Zak and Micah soon graduated into the construction phase of their outdoor tenure.  They decided to build a fort out of the stuff they had been finding.  Very creative, those two.  Concrete blocks stood on end.  Strips of broken wood completed the circle of walls.  When Josiah wanted to be involved, Josh suggested that he be allowed to dig a moat around the fortress, and he complied for a time.  A rusted pipe brought a water supply into the confines of the fort.  When I found a second old wheel, Micah turned it into some kind of booby trap to add to the fort’s protection.  And when they had completed the edifice, they ran inside to get some Lego men to man the defenses. 

So beware all ye who would dare to intrude upon the peace and tranquility of our fair little hamlet, for the Fortress of Forty Steps stands ready to protect and defend the inhabitants. 

Psalms 5:11 says, “But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy.  Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.”

Father, thank you for being all the protection we really need.  Amen.

February 16 – “Happy Birthday, Josh”

Yes, today is our son Joshua’s birthday.  He and his wife Christi disappeared last night to the Tremont Hotel and we got to spend the night with Caleb and Zakary.  Great fun for us, that’s for sure.  We watched a few episodes of Wipeout on TV and then we watched Caleb relive them with his own special twist on the action.  Zak had some ideas as well for how they could have mastered the obstacles.  If they ever have a brothers show, watch out producers.  These two will come away with the prize for sure. 

The whole bunch of our grandkids were here for a while yesterday to get in some cousin time.  We loved it when Josiah (the two year old) showed up wearing a sock on one foot and the other foot was bare.  No shoes.  His explanation?  “I have a peg leg.  I a pirate.”  Of course. 

We had quite a scare this morning.  Not about the grandkids, though.  They were fine.  And not about Mom, although she was up most of the night again, which meant Chris was up, too.  This time it was my computer.  I turned it on and it started up as usual.  Up to a point.  Then it suddenly turned into a blue screen and flashed one of those dire warnings about how the world as you know it is about to come to an end.   Well, at least the world as your computer knows it.  I followed all the instructions as they arrived on the screen.  They kept me informed as to what the computer was doing, but when the process was complete, the notice said nothing was repaired.  It switched to a different screen with new instructions, and I followed those instructions as well.  I am such an obedient fellow.  Finally that program finished its diagnostics and informed me that there was nothing it could do, either.  Sadly, I pushed the “Okay” button, certain by now that a good portion of pour pictures file as well as some key documents that had not yet been backed up were being systematically flushed into oblivion …

When what to my wondering eyes should appear,

but a windows screen to bring me good cheer. 
I breathlessly watched as it loaded itself,
while I silently cheered as I reached for the shelf. 
Then Windows came up as if all was fine, 
and I hastily backed up the files that were mine. 
Videos, pictures, and documents, too,
all safely nestled in file back up two. 
A sigh of relief did come forth from my soul,
that’s enough of the stress that has taken its toll.
Pass me the Legos, a muffin, let’s eat,
And while you’re at it, please turn up the heat.

OK.  Enough of that.  I slipped into a bit of poetic reverie there. 

Psalms 66:10-12 says, “For you, O God, tested us; you refined us like silver.  You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs.  You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance.”

Father, thank you for those trials.  I guess.  It is hard to remember that they will result in a place of abundance when I’m in the middle of them, though.  Amen.

February 15 – “Valentines Day reminiscing”

Ah, Valentines Day.  Don’t you just love reading all the posts about romantic dinner dates and beautiful roses?  Want to hear about our Valentines Day this year?  I guess that’s a silly question since I’m the one writing this thing.  I did remember to get Chris something, by the way.  Thought about it a lot.  So here it is, my official Valentines Day post:

Valentines Day: I gave her a book.  She loves to read.  She gave me pink, heart-shaped pancakes.  I love to eat.  We enjoyed each other’s company over a nice romantic lunch surrounded by five grandchildren all eating pizza.  Sigh.

We did have Jachin and Micah and Josiah and Cailyn all here.  Zakary and Caleb arrived later last night.  Christina had an ultrasound appointment to see what that little female earthling growing in her womb looks like.  And of course she is gorgeous.  We got to see the 21 pictures they brought home.  Christina brought us one of their extra swings when she came to pick up the boys, so as soon as they drove away Cailyn was onto me about hanging it up.  That meant drilling some holes and getting the swing  screws out that I gave Chris for Christmas.  Not that difficult, but I had to look straight up to do it, so my neck is kind of sore.  Cailyn loves it, though, so I guess it’s worth it.  We’ll see what Zak and Caleb think today.

Did I mention that we had pizza for lunch?  Chris intended to make spaghetti, but apparently it has become a tradition to have pizza every time the boys come over.  Even Josiah was asking where the pizza man was.  That turned into another funny scene when the delivery arrived.  Josiah was very excited when the doorbell rang.  “Pizza man is here,” was his cry as he ran to the door.  His face quickly fell into a look of overwhelmed confusion, though.  It wasn’t the pizza man after all.  It was the pizza lady.  Very confusing, but he did manage to ask her where her big pizza truck was.  Sadly enough, she was using her own car.  No pizza man.  No big pizza truck.  What’s this world coming to, eh, Josiah?  He did manage to force down his slice of pizza, though.

Later we were outside playing when he discovered my fishing poles in the garage.  That was all he wanted to do from that point on … go fishing.  Can’t say I blamed him.  I’ve been wanting to go fishing for months.  I have to admit I was a little envious of him, though.  When he realized we weren’t going today, he threw an epic temper tantrum.  Beating up the car, throwing himself to the concrete, wailing about how mistreated he was.  Wish I could do something like that on occasion.  It really looked cathartic.

John 4:34 says, “’My food,’ said Jesus, ‘is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.’”

Father, thank you for the chance to spend Valentines Day watching Chris interact with our grandkids.  There’s not much more fun.  Amen.

February 14 – “A new word”

I learned a new word at our Ash Wednesday service last night.  I’m actually planning to do some more research on it to make sure I get a full understanding of it.  It is a foreign word.  Polish, actually, according to the couple who was visiting.  Their last name was Ruzanski, so I have no reason to doubt them.  They were here from Chicago staying at the RV park near Jamaica Beach.  They were wondering how they could find a service to go to for Ash Wednesday when they saw our marquee.  Divine coincidence, I guess.

Now back to the new term.  It is a religious word, I guess you could say.  Specifically related to preparations for Lent.  That would make it closely associated with Mardi Gras.  Now Mardi Gras is French for Fat Tuesday.  When they first said this new word I thought maybe it was just their version of the same thing.  But no.  This word has a whole meaning all its own, and the more I think about it the more I am once again inspired to seek it out …

OK.  So the Polish word is “paczki.”  Try to pronounce that on your own and I can almost guarantee you won’t come anywhere close.  I had to write it out phonetically: “poonch-key.”  Anybody ever heard of it?  I sure hadn’t.  Apparently it is very common in Polish communities, and shows up only once a year, the day before Ash Wednesday.  It is … drumroll here … some kind of massive pastry.  Like a huge, oversized stuffed donut with cream or jelly inside and covered with powdered sugar on the outside.  Those are their words, not mine.  To get a real paczki you have to make an order at a Polish bakery way in advance, because, as you can imagine, they sell out as fast as they can make them.  Anybody hungry yet?  Now that’s the way to celebrate Mardi Gras.  I don’t know any Polish bakeries in Galveston, though.  I wonder if three or four regular sized cream-filled donuts would equal one paczki?  I’m certainly willing to give it a try. 

Well, I’m off to get Chris’ Valentine ready before she wakes up.  We have a houseful coming over today.  Cailyn will be here for her Mom’s test day.  Kel’s boys will be here for their Mom’s latest ultrasound picture of their little sister.  Then some time today or tonight Josh and Christi and their boys will be here for a few days.  It’ll be a madhouse of fun and excitement around here, that’s for sure.  Maybe I could get over to the donut shop for my first paczki trial before they arrive …

Psalms 66:8-9 says, “Praise our God, O peoples, let the sound of his praise be heard; he has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping.”

Father, thank you for new words and new friends and potential new experiences.  Amen.

February 13 – “Manners”

Well, it looks like there will be no help for the weary in our household.  The lack of an appropriate diagnosis on Mom makes her ineligible to get any significant immediate help.  Home health requires a specific illness or injury.  Hospice needs a “pending death” determination.  That leaves only one way to get the kind of help we need.  Pay out of pocket for it.  So what do we need?  Someone to help Chris give her baths.  Someone to come in and sit with her – help her to the bathroom, make sure she doesn’t fall, and see that she eats - for a few hours or even a weekend at a time so we can go to San Antonio and see Josh and family.  Of course it has to be someone Chris trusts as well, and that’s a pretty tall order right there. 

Speaking of Mom, Cailyn was very sweet toward her yesterday.  At lunch Mom got stuck in scraping the bowl mode.  That’s an unusual phenomenon that occurs quite often when she is eating.  Instead of putting food onto her spoon and into her mouth, she just scrapes the spoon around and around and around.  There are occasions when she will eat most of the food first before she goes to scraping, but yesterday I guess she thought she was finished already.  It’s like she hits a point of behavior and then forgets what is supposed to come next, so she keeps repeating and repeating like an old record with a scratch in it.  So this time she had a full bowl of food.  She had picked it up to better attend to her scraping, but the tilt was causing the food within to become precariously close to spilling into her lap.  Cailyn watched for a time until she couldn’t hold back any more.  Very patiently she reached over and gently pushed the bowl back to the table, quietly remarking, “There you go, MeeMaw.”  After several times I remarked, “Thank you, Cailyn, for being so kind to MeeMaw.”  She had an answer for me right away, “I’m working on my manners.”

Psalms 66:5 says, “Come and see what God has done, how awesome his works in man's behalf!”

Father, thank you for the awesome work you have done in my behalf on both ends of the spectrum.  Mom who is nearing the end of her life and Cailyn who is just beginning.  Both are amazing.  Amen.

February 12 – “The Lolly Incident”

Yesterday was one of those times when Nathan had to be at work by 6:30 and April had to be at clinicals for nursing school by 6:15.  Rather than wake Cailyn up and drag her over to our house at that early hour, guess who gets to drive over there at 5:45 so she can sleep in?  That would be good old DadDad.  Actually I’m usually up by then anyway, so it’s really not a problem.  I just packed up the laptop and settled in on the floor with my back up against the couch while Abby their boxer snoozed … up on the couch.  Explains why I got the floor. 

Sleeping in for Cailyn means she trudged down the stairs around 7:15 or so.  That event was preceded by the appearance of her sleeping companion, Scooter the Boston Terrier.  And Cailyn’s first stop was the cage of their ferret, Lolly.  Apparently part of the morning routine at the Vaughan Family Zoo is for Lolly to have some time outside her cage, either snuggling on the couch or hiding under the pillows or … as happened in our case yesterday, of course … disappearing.  Now I happened to know from earlier consultations with April that the disappearing trick was not something brand new just to show off for DadDad.  She had told me before that Lolly had gone missing one time and had kept them in suspense until they finally located her behind the stove in the kitchen.  Guess she was cold.  I checked there as my second choice when we realized she was no longer pacing on the side table next to the couch.  That would be after I pulled the couch away from the wall and looked under every couch pillow.  I even asked Cailyn if they had kind of secret signal or special way of calling Lolly.  She looked at me quizzically for a moment, then offered in a bit louder voice, “How about, ‘Lolly’?”  Funny.  Then she suggested, “You could try the kitchen or in my room downstairs, or maybe she’s in my Mommy and Daddy’s room upstairs.”  Great help there, Cailyn.  Just what I needed – a verbal floor plan of the entire house.  But by then she got into the flow of things and suggested scratching the fabric on the couch.  Now there was an inspired idea.  We tried it.  No luck.  That’s when we expanded our search. 

I was beginning to wonder if I was going to have to call for some firemen to come help in the rescue attempt.  But a ferret is a rodent, isn’t it?  Worst case scenario would be we don’t find her and she lives surreptitiously in the walls, eating cockroaches and running other mice out of her territory.  What’s so bad about that?  I did want to check one other place, though, before I gave up.  The bathroom always has great places to hide, especially if you are a long, very skinny rat-like creature.  I turned on the hall light as I approached the bathroom and happened to glance over at the ferret’s cage.  And there, peeking out from underneath the cage, was the missing Lolly.  She just wanted to go home, that’s all.  We played hide and seek for a moment or two as she decided whether or not I could be trusted.  She finally came out of hiding and I was able to return her to her humble abode.  Mission accomplished.

Psalms 66:1-2 says, “Shout with joy to God, all the earth!  Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious!”

Father, thanks for the reminder from a rodent that I can always come back home to you and you will find me and gently return me to the comfort of your presence.  Amen.