June 20 – “To balance … or to ask?”

Friday meant yard work … again.  Welcome to Galveston in the summer after a minor tropical storm passes through.  The lawn mower was doing some struggling in some of the really high patches of St. Augustine, but old Bessie made it through.  Chris started out edging, but we traded off when the string ran out on the weedeater and finished each other’s jobs.  Then I switched to trimming hedges.  The ones in our front yard, that we planted right after Hurricane Ike because Chris thought the yard looked lonely, had grown about five inches higher than Chris wanted them.  They were beginning to cover the windows.  We don’t have one of those power tools devoted strictly to trimming hedges, so I attacked with the manual clippers.  For something that look so easy, it is quite the energy-consuming task.

Fortunately I had a break right in the middle hedge.  All the neighbors came out and we had a grand summit, standing in a little circle in front of Mom and Dad’s old house across the street.  I could almost sense Mom and Dad there, and Alice Whiteman, and Hedi Kunz, and Jay and Mary Kunz, and Neil Goodman, and Lorraine Cagnola, and Hilda Farrell and Al Glinski.  We have had quite the array of neighbors over the years.  The current tenants of the old Vaughan house, Mario and Carolyn, are planning to move next week.  They have been great neighbors.  They really fixed up the curb appeal.  Too much as it turned out.  The owner is now going to sell the house.  We will miss them. 

After lunch (took us a while to recuperate) we went up into Texas.  I had to have some blood drawn for my rheumatologist to make sure the medicine I take isn’t becoming toxic to my body.  After that we went over to Sears.  It was finally time to replace our garage door opener.  They had one on sale that essentially matches the one we had that got fried by an electrical storm.  Now the trick will be to get it installed.  Back in my younger days I installed a set of attic stairs by myself.  Balanced them on my head while I hammered the nails in with one of those old-fashioned hand-held hammers (no nail guns back then).  Boy, was I ever a dumb youngster.  Now I promise to do the sensible thing.  I’ll balance anything that needs balancing on my shoulder instead.  Should be a piece of cake.  Or maybe … only if all else fails … I could ask for help.  What a concept.

Psalms 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

Father, thank you for being there any time we need to ask for help.  Amen.

June 19 – “A Bertie Botts Bible Study”

What is there to write about when I spent the entire morning (after water exercise) working on sermons and the Bible Study for Home Group, and the better part of the afternoon fighting exhaustion in front of the Astros game on TV?  It had to be exhaustion.  Why else would I fall asleep during an Astros game?  I did wake up in time to see them win the game.  Saw the two big home runs as well.  Go Astros.

Home Group went well.  Wes came with his guitar, so we had some live music.  He set a few of the Psalms to music.  Very pretty stuff.  Our group was small, though.  Anne and Cedric were out studying.  Janell was not feeling well, but Corey and Brennan came.  Not sure where Bryan and Jennifer were.  The teaching was on craving the pure spiritual milk of the Word of God.  That called for something special to start it off.  First I asked what everyone’s favorite food was.  That ranged from Chris’ Mexican to my fried shrimp to Betty’s favorite – chocolate.  Then I asked if they were “try-ers or if they shied away from new foods.  Every one of them insisted that try-er was an accurate description.  Perfect.  I had them set up.  So I pulled out a box of the ever-infamous, Harry Potter classic, “Bertie Botts’ Every Flavor Jelly Beans.”  That’s the kind with flavors like skunk spray and rotten egg and vomit.  I didn’t tell them at first.  Just let each person pick one and try it.  There were a few turned up noses, but they all ate and swallowed.  Then I let them choose another one, and this time I told them the delectable flavor possibilities.  And this time they still tasted, but with much greater care.  Corey admitted that his first one might have been grass clippings.  Wes ran to the kitchen for a napkin to spit his out.  Not sure which one he had, but he was up again to deal with the after-taste by grabbing a cookie. 

All in all, a great intro to desiring the spiritual food that is the Word of God.  The discussion was not bad, either.  Best observation of the night?  It’s really hard to crave the Word – to read the Bible - when you can’t understand what it is you are reading.  Answer?  Ask for help.  Use a modern translation.  Don’t try to read too much at a time.  Don’t try to go deep into word studies and such; just spend time with Jesus and let the words speak to you, personally. 

Psalms 57:1-3 says, “Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.  I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me.  He shall send from heaven, and save from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth.”  KJV

Father, thank you for keeping the Bible around for so long.  It sure is nice to have access to what you have already said during those times when we just can’t seem to make connections with you otherwise.  Amen.

June 18 – “A long wait”

I spent most of the morning yesterday working on a sermon.  Imagine that.  A pastor actually working on a sermon.  It’s been so long since I’ve had to do that.  Almost couldn’t remember how.  I’m pretty sure between the Lord and me we can come up with something by Sunday morning.

The doctor’s office called to reschedule my checkup appointment.  I don’t even know what happens at a checkup appointment.  I can’t remember ever having one since I was a kid.  The nice lady said he had an opening on June 2^nd or 3^rd.  Since I was pretty sure yesterday was June 17^th, I was somewhat puzzled, then kind of tickled at her mistake.  That’s a long wait.  I asked her to please repeat what she had said, and it came out the same - June 2^nd or 3^rd.  I couldn’t stand it, so I finally asked, “So the next appointment is in 2016?”  Long pause.  “But Dr. Hurt won’t even be here next year …” she managed to get out.  Now chuckling, I said, “So … JUNE 2^nd or 3^rd?”  That did it.  She realized she had the wrong month and quickly apologized, grateful that I was laughing with her.  The sad part of the whole thing?  She is right.  My doctor is leaving town, as has every single doctor I have ever signed on with since we moved back to Galveston.  Hey, all you docs out there.  Trying to get away from the Island?  Give me a call.

Speaking of moving, our afternoon was spent house hunting.  Long pause for effect … No, we’re not going anywhere, unless it’s to evacuate ahead of a storm.  Kel and Christina are house hunting up in Texas, and they invited us to tag along.  We played dodge drops with the remnants of Tropical Storm Bill the whole time.  We still are this morning, in fact.  This dude has a really long tail.  I understand he’s wreaking havoc up in Dallas/Fort Worth now.  Hope you guys can use the rain.  We saw a couple of really nice houses in LaMarque.  One they seemed to like was on a cul-de-sac with lots of trees and some really big rooms.  The other one was nicely done inside, but the rooms were very choppy, and the only things that seemed “big” were a master bedroom addition and the laundry room.  It felt like we were walking through HGTV.  It’ll be interesting to see if they choose one of those.

    

Psalms 34:4-5 says, “I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.  Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.”

Father, help Kel and Christina in their search and in their decision–making.  A new home is one of the big ones.  Amen.

June 17 – “Razz Review”

Well, we hunkered down yesterday and prepared for all the horrible-ness of the incoming Tropical Storm Bill (“Oh, no ……..”).  Cailyn was with us all day since Nathan was on shift and April was sleeping after working all night in the ER.  Bring it on.  Aaaand … we’re still waiting.  Oh, don’t get me wrong, we had some bands of fairly high winds and it rained throughout the day.  That’s still going on, in fact.  But tropical storm force?  Not this time.  Not … yet.

At one point we even drove out to the church, hoping to check out some really high water.  There were one or two spots near the airport, and the Gulf was really churning, occasionally hitting as far as the seawall itself (Perfect setup for my cohorts in reporting from the TV world.  But you know how they are.  Unlike us on-the-spot local guys, they tend to way overplay what is happening).  But for the most part it was smooth sailing.  In fact, Cailyn got bored and ended up playing games on her iPad (er, not bored so much.  Distracted.  Yes, that’s it.  Distracted by the ongoing demands of the technological side of reporting).  There was a group staying in the church retreat center, so we stopped in to check on them.  They were staying indoors, for sure.  A sea of worried faces looked up at me as I entered the room.  Huddled together in a small mass against one wall, they were obviously in fear for their very lives.  Who was this mysterious person with a key who was braving the frightening elements to check on them?  (Those group leaders were really excited that the teenagers were actually playing cards and interacting face to face.  Nice job making lemonade out of lemons, there, Mr. Youth Pastor).

There was that one serious crisis event, however.  As we drove down Hwy 3005, our driver courageously fighting the wind all the way, we saw the remnants of the horrible storm surge and terrifying winds that most certainly had buffeted the area not long before our arrival.  There in the very median of the highway, was … someone’s trash can.  Oh, the calamity of it all.  Now they will be forced to spend hour upon hour, searching mindlessly, sifting through the rubble that no doubt remains of their back yard, refusing to quit until the precious missing heirloom is back where it belongs.  (Well, either that or they will call the city and request a new one). 

We stopped briefly along the seawall as well.  I waded through the debris (Yes, it was virtually covered in debris.  At least five or six hunks of seaweed and even some sand).  But I was determined.  It was my mission.  I wanted a firsthand look at the waves crashing over the man-made barrier.  Best I could do was a few shots of the water rushing in amongst the granite boulders at its base.  I did feel the sting of blowing rain upon my face as I sought to make my report complete with an appropriate selfie.  I don’t suppose it will ever get me a Pulitzer Prize, but it did garner a coveted Razz Review from my wife and granddaughter.  Sigh.  A reporter’s sacrifice is never truly appreciated. 

Psalms 34:2-3 says, “My soul will boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.  Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together.”

Father, thank you for protection.  Thank you for the quiet night at the fire station.  Ride herd on the remnants of Bill as it brings rain to our brothers and sisters up north.  Amen.

June 16 – “I ‘ab ebola”

All eyes are on the Gulf around here.  Well, not all.  Loads of tourists covered the beaches all day yesterday.  And lots more were in WalMart.  We went there to pick up some more fruit.  It was packed.  We noticed battery availability was running really low, and they were already rationing cases of bottled water to four per shopper.  Light bands of rain and wind swept across the island all afternoon.  Typical tropical storm-type stuff.  Not much has changed this morning.  The winds are stronger and the rain is a bit more horizontal, but it is still coming in bands.  Tropical Storm Bill is supposed to make landfall sometime this morning. 

Yesterday afternoon we went to LaMarque to watch the kids while Kel and Christina went house shopping.  The boys all had media time going when we arrived.  They were deeply engrossed in video games.  At supper, one of the early rain bands passed through.  Micah asked if they could go play outside in the rain.  That got a quick, “Uh, no” from Nana.  Noa noticed that it was raining as well.  She said, “I ‘ab ebola.”  That’s what it sounded like to me.  And to her brothers.  Especially to her brothers.  They all pushed chairs away from her, and cried out, “Noa, what did you say?  What are you?”  So, of course she responded to all the attention by insisting that “I ‘ab ebola.”  Not sure how long that went on, but finally Nana came to the rescue.  She inserted her way into the hilarity with, “So, Noa, do you have AN UMBRELLA for going into the rain?”  Noa answered, “’es.’”  Of course.  Once she said it I got it, too.  But this is a house full of boys, remember?  Vaughan boys.  They couldn’t let it stop there.  The boys immediately started lobbying Nana for some ice cream.  “Please, Nana, can we have ebola ice cream?”  Need some help with that one?  Hint: It is not a flavor.  Try “a bowl of ice cream.”  If we ever have to go on another “Hurrication” (hurricane-induced vacation), these guys are going to make it a lot of fun. 

Psalms 34:1 says, “I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.”

Father, thank you for your promise to walk with us through storms.  We have a literal one we’re walking through right now.  Thanks for being here.  Amen.

June 15 – “GFD Honor guard kudos”

The State Firefighters and Fire Marshalls of Texas memorial service for those who have died over the past year went really well.  Our Galveston Fire Department honor guard presented the colors and did a fabulous job.  Very precise and, well, honorable.  They handled themselves exceptionally well when someone jumped the gun and basically dismissed the crowd before the colors were retired.  The GFD honor guard held their position and stood in place until the crowd cleared, and then retired the colors with just as much precision and respect as if there were hundreds of people in the room.  That was quite impressive.  I was proud to be a part of what they represented.  Nice job Nathan, Chris, John, Will, and Patrick. 

Chris and I went to the lunch afterward and sat with Chief Wisko.  The lunch was a Moody Gardens work of art.  That sometimes means I can’t identify what it is they are serving.  In this case, though, I at least had a name for the food.  Chicken, asparagus and a carrot.  Not “carrots,” as you may expect.  This was one long, cooked carrot.  Never had a cooked one like that before.  Oh, and cheesecake.  Really good cheesecake.  Thank you, SFFMA for the invitation and for being great hosts. 

Of course the talk of the day was the storm in the Gulf.  The most popular convention event - pumper races – as well as some outdoor childrens’ activities, had been canceled the night before because of the threat of severe weather.  Of course the unpredictable Galveston Weather Protection Dome decided to kick in, and the afternoon and evening turned into a beautiful one.  Not such a good result for the guy who had to make the tough call to cancel (He was sitting at our table for lunch).  But the Gulf threat remained, nonetheless.  Some of the folks were ready to pack up right after the service and hit the road.  Others were determined to stick it out no matter what.  The Galveston county folks were more at ease with the situation, however.  Big rain.  Not so much wind.  We can handle that.  (Of course those were our thoughts when Ike was coming as well).  I guess we’ll find out tonight one way or the other.  Unless of course it changes course or decides to sit for a while.  In that case, Waco would be in our future, I suppose. 

Psalms 148:7-12 says, “Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths, lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding, you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds, kings of the earth and all nations, you princes and all rulers on earth, young men and maidens, old men and children.”

Father, thank you for the honor guard that represented Galveston so well yesterday.  Be with the families of the ones who were remembered at the memorial service.  And watch over us all as this storm heads our way.  Amen.

June – “The FFMA and the patron saint of fire fighters”

I made a fire call yesterday to the local Palais Royal.  It was actually downgraded before I ever got there, but I stopped in anyway to say hello to the crew from Station Four who had responded.   I also got to talk briefly to the ladies who had been working when the alarm went off.  They told me they were excited that the chaplain came to check on the firefighters.  They said it showed the department cared about them.  Well, I can’t speak for everyone, but I sure do.  Our guys went over the area with a fine toothed comb as usual.  Nice job, guys.

After the Palais Royal excursion I went over to Moody Gardens to check out the exhibit hall of the FFMA (Firefighters and Fire Marshalls Association) of Texas conference.  That’s where I have a part this morning in the memorial service for firefighters who have died in the line of service over the last year.  I found out that the conference is really geared to volunteer departments around the state.  I looked for some Jamaica Beach cohorts, but didn’t see anyone while I was there.  I did see a few of the Galveston firefighters, though, and Trish found me.  One of them, Tim Johnson, is scheduled to be a teacher for one of the pull-out sessions.  So is Chief Wisko.  Way to represent Galveston, guys.  I did meet a retired chaplain from the Central Texas area.  Older guy (older than me, OK?), who used one of those cool walkers that converts to a chair.  In the time we talked he must have had ten or fifteen people stop and speak to him.  Quite a few of those were ladies, so add a kiss on the cheek to that event description. 

The event appeared to be quite the family affair as well.  Lots of kids running parents ragged.  The event hall had a bounce house set up for them, and one of the vendors even had a full sized stuffed horse and large dog (yes, he was stuffed, too) for the kids to sit on and have a picture taken.  Lots of the booths were having raffles to benefit one cause or the other.  One guy approached me about taking a chance on a fire helmet.  Almost did that one.  The LODD (Line of Duty Death) booth caught my attention, and I did buy a ticket or two there, just because the cause was the one closest to my heart.  They also were selling a cookbook.  We might own one of those when we get home today.  I have to confess I did buy one thing.  One booth had a challenge coin featuring Saint Florian, the patron saint of fire fighters, chimney sweeps and soap makers.  He was a mid-third century Roman officer who was tasked with the responsibility of organizing fire fighting brigades.  He organized and trained an elite group of soldiers whose only responsibility was to fight fires.  When his superiors found out he was a Christian, he was ordered burned at the stake.  However, as he stood amongst the wood, he challenged the soldiers to go ahead and light the fire.  He said, “If you do, I will climb to heaven on the flames.”  That made the superstitious soldiers a bit apprehensive, so they took him down from the stake and drowned him instead.  Quite an inspiration for those of us looking to represent that same Lord. 

Psalms 33:22 says, “May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you.”

Father, I know I probably won’t be called on to burn at the stake or drown in a river with a millstone tied to my neck.  Thank you for that.  But there is a lot of that kind of stuff going on out there.  Protect the believers.  Watch over the fire fighters and their families here this weekend for the conference.  Oh, and watch over their communities while they are gone.  Amen.