December 7 – “Old routines”

Happy birthday to my shorter and much older big brother, Jay.  Actually, I have no idea how old he is, but he is older than me.  I always thought it was significant that he was born on the anniversary of the day Pearl Harbor was bombed to draw the U.S. into World War II.  I, on the other hand, was born on the anniversary of the day Japan surrendered unconditionally to end World War II.  War and Peace.  Hmm.  Love ya, Big Bro.

We took our traditional twice-a-month (at least) trip to WalMart to restock our pantry yesterday.  After spending almost a week helping out in Waco, we had to replenish more than just our fruit and milk stock.  We even managed to sneak in a bit of Christmas shopping while we were there.  Not that we are anywhere close to being finished. 

Kel called from work (LifeWay Christian Store) to say the manager had agreed to provide some stuff for Seaside’s silent auction at the Bethlehem Street Market Craft Fair on Saturday.  We asked if he would also pick up a few items Chris had isolated in a sales brochure that came out last week.  Saved us a trip into Texas that we really didn’t have time for.  Although, I wouldn’t be surprised if we still had to go up there this week or next.  There is always something coming up.

Last night Chris and I hung our outside Christmas lights.  I invited Cailyn to come over and help.  She has helped the last few years.  But she and her Mom were right in the middle of making a cake and waiting for Dad to get home from work.  He did some overtime helping out at a physical agility testing day for the fire department.  I wish I had known about it.  I like to go to those days.  Gives me a chance to see the new recruits before they ever get hired.  When he got home, they all came over and brought that cake with them.  Great dessert.  And we got our schedule for the week on when we have Cailyn.  Gotta get back in the swing of things again.  At least until we hear from Kel and Christina that their little one is on his way.  Then the craziness starts again.  Can’t wait …

Ephesians 4:30-32 says, “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.  Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Father, thank you for the outcomes that produce that craziness in our lives.  New babies.  Old routines.  Bless them all.  Amen.

December 6 – “Three-parter”

Aside from the work portions of the day, yesterday had three key components as far as life and our ministry in it are concerned.  First off, I met with yet another bee guy out at the church.  I think this is the fourth or fifth time we have tried this.  This one seems to be on target, though.  He is incredibly experienced, personable yet professional in his dealing with me, he raises queen bee babies and trades them with people from Illinois to Louisiana, and he even teaches people how to be bee keepers.  This guy talks about the bees like they are his kids or grandkids.  And the coolest thing of all was … he had a heat sensor that told him where they were.  He said when it gets cold like it is, they all huddle together, turn off the flying function in their wings (I’m sure there is some kind of scientific name for that), and buzz together, generating heat.  As a result, the temperature in the hive stays at 96 degrees.  He’s set to do the removal tomorrow.  I can’t wait to watch.  Of course our next baby will probably come during that time.  And that will be OK, too.

Next we headed over to Galveston Urban Ministries.  This week is their toy store week, and Seaside has been collecting toys for them.  This is the group that discounts new toys by 80% so families can actually have a part in providing Christmas for their kiddos rather than just receiving a handout.  It really helps to build self-esteem in the parents.  Great idea.

Our final stop was last night the Galveston Baptist Association hosted a banquet for pastors and staff and their wives.  This year it was held at the Antique airplane museum at the airport.  I had no idea that venue was available for things like this.  It was pretty impressive to eat a catered banquet meal beneath the wings of a B-17 Thunderbird.  And the door prize was pretty impressive as well.  They gave away a free flight in one of the old open cockpit planes.  A guy sitting at my table won it.  Missed it by three chairs.  I was going to see if it was transferable and offer it to Josh.  He texted me that he could probably find someone who might possibly be interested.  For those of you who don’t know Josh, he would most assuredly be that interested party.  The other gift was from the association to all the churches.  We have all been given a free six-month subscription to RightNow Ministries.  It is a streaming service like Netflix, but they offer Christian shows as well as a lot of training opportunities.  I am very interested in see what they have to offer.  The guy is supposed to call me later on. 

So, not a bad day at all.  Oh, an d we even managed to squeeze in a quick fruit run to WalMart.  I’ll take that as  a win.

Ephesians 4:29 says, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

Father, thank you for the opportunities with that video service.  Thanks as well for the evening out with Chris.  Nice.  Amen.

December 5 – “Make a list”

Well, it is back to work with a vengeance this week.  I have already had to do some online banking to catch up on what we missed last week (All well worth it, of course).  I haven’t even had time yet to put together my weekly to-do list.  And without a list?  Well, I’m never sure what to do next, so I get easily distracted.  That’s why I’m about two hours behind on even starting the blog this morning.  Well, that and the fact that it is cold and raining outside.  Real stay-in-bed weather.  But, too much to do for that.

What is on my list, you may ask?  Actually I know good and well no one ever asks when you say something like that, but it makes one feel important and loved.  So for the sake of my own self-esteem, here’s a quick look.  I have to meet the newest bee guy out at the church at ten.  We thought we had a guy who could do it for free, but he had to cancel out on us again, so he recommended this fellow.  Down side is, he is a pro so we’ll have to pay him.  Upside is, he can do the deed on Wednesday of this week, and we have to have it done before Saturday.  That’s our big Bethlehem Street Market craft fair.  Lots of foot traffic that tends to rile up a swarm of bees.  Before going there, though, I have to make a stop at the bank (Remember the aforementioned online banking?  This trip will make it all possible when I deposit a check).  I still have to wade through all the mail that accumulated last week (Thank you, Nathan and April and Cailyn for taking care of the mail and the dogs), both here at the house and at the church.  Chris has a huge list of preparation stuff for the market Saturday.  I have to figure out what is involved in switching from regular insurance (which has become so exorbitant it is totally out of range for us) to Samaritan Ministries and a health savings account and hopefully a good prescription discount program.  No idea what’s involved there.  My business cards are ready to pick up at the fire department.  And I haven’t even looked at the regular array of Monday tasks or sermon and Bible Study preparations. 

Know what I need?  I need to take a deep breath (Ever notice how when someone says that, you just naturally do it?  Can’t help yourself), blow it out slowly, and remember that I can only do one thing at a time.  And guess what I plan to do first?  Why, take a page from the jolly old elf, himself.  Make a list, of course.

Ephesians 4:28 says, “Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something with their own hands, that they might have something to share with those in need.”

Father, thank you for hectic days and piled up desks.  It is a reassurance that life is going on, and so can I.  Amen.

December 4 – “Teeth in the stomach?”

I stumbled upon some kind of creative play sessions that Zak and Caleb were engaged in yesterday before we left to come back to the Island (and to the flooding.  Waco was wet and cold, but it sounds like Galveston and Galveston County was hit really hard).  Caleb broke character and made it clear that he did not want Zak to continue with the onslaught of jabs and punches he was throwing at the time.  Zak calmly responded, “Oh, Caleb, I would never punch you in the stomach hard enough to knock out your teeth.”  And Caleb just as politely replied, “Thank you very much.”  It took me about a three count before I stammered, “Wait.  Wait.  I have a question.  How can punching him in the stomach knock out his teeth?”  They both looked at me like I was some kind of alien.  The only reply was, “Oh DadDad.”  So, teeth in the stomach that get knocked out is the normal universe all of a sudden?  I haven’t been watching enough sci-fi. 

And speaking of coming back to the Island, it is good to be home.  Oh, don’t get me wrong, it was three kinds of special to be able to help Josh and Christi out, especially when she had that anesthesia setback (I do understand spinal headaches), and to hold that tiny bundle of snuggly sweetness.  But it is always good to be back in your own bed (although, again, I really want that mattress they have for Christmas).  We even stopped on the way home and picked up an extra passenger.  Christina’s nephew lives in Cypress, and since we were driving through there anyway, we gave him a ride to their house.  Jachin’s birthday party is this afternoon, so now cousin Nathan will be there to celebrate with him. 

So now it’s time to settle back in and get ready for another day at church.  Second Sunday in Advent.  Peace.  Sounds really good after the hectic week we just had.  And after church it starts all over again.  The bee guy comes to the church at 3, right when we will be at Jachin’s party in LaMarque.  Bethlehem Street Market is Saturday and Chris is in charge of that.  Oh, and don’t forget, we have another grandbaby due any time now …

Ephesians 4:26-27 says, “’In your anger do not sin:’ Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.”

Father, thank you for home and hectic schedules.  It helps me to see you in the middle of it all.  Amen.

December 3 – “Come-Home-ing Day”

I don’t think I mentioned before one other delightful thing that the hospital here in Waco does.  I mean besides having such an amazing cafeteria.  Speaking of which, I had their grilled ham and cheese sandwich for a farewell meal yesterday.  Best one I have ever had.  Lots of gooey melted cheese.  Texas toast.  But I digress … the other delightful thing.  Every time a baby is born, the hospital plays a lullaby over the hospital intercom.  Completely unnecessary.  Totally awesome.

So yesterday was Come-Home-ing Day.  it was a little in jeopardy at one point when Christi started having some headaches and nausea, and they are still watching that, but she worked through it enough to get the go-ahead for discharge papers.  We picked up all the boys from co-op and mothers’ day out and headed for the hospital to spring the rest of the family.  All the way over we listened to some heavy negotiations between Zak and Caleb.  Right now Caleb’s car seat is right across the aisle from AnnaGrace’s.  and boy, is he ever excited to be the one closest to her.  He plans to hold her hand every time they are in the car.  But then Zakary wants some of that little sister action as well.  he made several proposals, trying to get Caleb to agree to a switch.  He was a slick negotiator, too.  He managed to change his proposal from a once a week switch to every other day in the blink of an eye.  I was most impressed by Caleb’s counter proposal, though … silence.  Why mess with a good thing?  We’ll see how things go when they are run by the all-knowing parental unit arbitrators.

We made it home and got Christi to bed.  The boys were obviously excited.  So excited that they launched into a period of play that made little sense other than it was ... loud.  Very loud.  And AnnaGrace?  Slept through the whole thing.  I think she’s going fit in nicely around here.  I had two snuggle sessions with her last night.  Well, in one of them I was just assigned to watch her on the couch.  I did until she started to rouse up a little.  That meant time to eat for her, so it was off to Mom.  The second one was a little more snuggle-worthy.  She was wide awake and inspecting her new surroundings.  I gotta say, this gorgeous little blonde is going to have a flock of admirers.  And she has a good start with this family of hers.  I guess Caleb said it best, “I don’t know what it is but I just feel sleepy when I hold her.”  I’m not sure that I would have said it exactly that way, but … yeah.  Nice call, Caleb.

Ephesians 4:22-24 says, “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”

Father, please heal Christi’s headache and ear issues quickly.  Watch over this part of our family when we head back to Galveston.  Amen.

December 2 – “SBBP”

We couldn’t go right into the hospital yesterday morning.  Christi had some issues with nausea through the night so they were working with her on that.  That meant everyone had a chance to tackle some more schoolwork.  It also made for another long morning of waiting for some big brothers.  We had more than a few conversations about Mommy and Baby Sister.  The call-up of the SBBP (Society of Big Brother Protectors) came up again.  Something about AnnaGrace needing them as she grew up and got bigger and bigger.  Not what Brother Luke wanted to hear.  Nope.  He announced, in no uncertain terms, “I don’t like AnnaGrace big.  I like her little.”

Word finally came from Daddy that Mom was feeling better and wanted to see her boys.  So we all jumped into preparation mode.  I was assigned to help Luke get dressed, and the boy really wanted to make a good impression.  I asked him where we might find some clean clothes, so he took me to his dresser.  He reached into the top drawer and pulled out an item.  He inspected it carefully.  Finally he held it out to me and asked, “Are dese hospital underwear?”  I assured him his choice was perfect.  Next came a clean shirt.  We struggled between two of those until finally I got, “Is dis shirt hospital shirt?”  Absolutely, Luke.  Good choice.  Nani located some pants somewhere else in the house, and we were all set. 

We got to the hospital in time for hugs all around.  And then came the announcement … “Daddy wants to take you boys out to lunch.  Where do you want to go?”  wow.  What an open-ended, risky proposition.  Would they say Chuck-E-Cheese?  McDonald’s?  it could be anywhere.  However, after a brief flirtation with Chick-fil-A, the resounding choice was … the hospital cafeteria.  And why not?  They have chicken strips.  And I kind of like their burgers.  And they have pizza.  They make the pizza in an old-style oven with real fire and the lady has to move it around and around with one of those really long stick things.  Shaking his head, Josh agreed to go with their choice and we headed down to make our selections.  I went with the cheeseburger.  Nani had a hamburger.  Mimi got something that looked like sushi and took it with her back over to where Christi was.  Josh and the boys couldn’t pass up the pizza.  Especially when the lady said she would fix them a cheese pizza just for them if they could wait 12 minutes.   So lunch wasn’t exactly filled with video games and super-sized rats and loud music.  But we did see a few hospital service dogs.  “They are bigger than Friedericke,” Luke noticed.  And we were close to AnnaGrace.  And they had straws that made really good spitwad shooters, but I’m sure Zak and Caleb never even thought of using them for such sordid purposes. 

After checking back in on Mommy we headed to the house for rest time.  Luke took a good nap.  Word has it that DadDad took one, too, but that report has never been confirmed.  We were all refreshed and ready when Daddy called and asked if we could stop at Chick-Fil-A and pick up some supper for everyone.  Oh, and Mommy was feeling back to her old self, too.  She wanted the boys to wear their Little Sister Bodyguard t-shirts.  Photo op time.  And I would have to say that the subsequent picnic and photo session was a lot of fun.  Caleb sang to AnnaGrace the whole time, and she actually responded to it.  We only have a few hundred photos so far, though.  Not nearly enough.  I finally had another chance to do a little cuddling of my own with the sweet little one. 

Today is homeschool co-op day for the boys.  We are taking Zak and Caleb over to where they will spend most of the day.  Josh will be arriving shortly to take Luke to his class in a different location.  The girls are scheduled to come home this afternoon, so here comes another big transition.  So far … all’s well.

Ephesians 4:14-16 says, “Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.  Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.  From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”

Father, thank you for the progress AnnaGrace and Christi have made so far.  I know they are looking forward to coming home.  Let them know that you are here, too.  Amen.

December 1 – “AnnaGrace Violet Vaughan”

After a somewhat restless night (I understand that sometimes happens when you are in labor), Josh and Christi left for the hospital around 7 a.m.  When the boys woke up the second time (they managed to arouse enough to tell Mom and Dad goodbye), Chris helped them through their schoolwork for the day.  well, except for Zak’s Latin class which he does online.  That didn’t start until 11:15.  Meanwhile I took care of more important matters.  What could be more important than schoolwork, you may ask?  I went for donuts, of course.  Gotta keep their stamina up for this pretty important day (Like they needed any more energy). 

They coasted through the assignments, constantly watching the clock and asking if we had heard any more from Mommy.  We read a book about Christmas Claus (Luke preferred name for Santa).  We made a cookie cake.  Each of the boys had a section of cookie dough to crumble up into the pan, and then each one added his own icing swirl decoration.  Things were going well, but the tension was mounting.  The announcement came that Mommy was beginning to push.  Things were progressing.  But by lunchtime the boys, especially Caleb, were in an all-out pace mode. 

We finally got the call around 2 that she had been born, so we loaded up the boys and headed on over.  Oops, just a few houses away Chris remembered that we forgot the birthday cookie cake.  Screech.  Quick turn (actually, a perfect, textbook, three-point turn around) fixed that problem, though.  On the drive Caleb informed us, “Don’t worry about the brakes, DadDad.  Mom just learned how to drive with them.  You have to push on them quicker and stop later.”  OK.  Thank you for that.  My Dad probably rolled over in his grave at that one.  He was always a stickler for fixing things before they broke.  Luke had some words of concern, however.  “I don’t think we’re going to the hospital.”  When asked where he thought we were going he added, “I don’t know.  I think we going to the rodeo.”  With a chuckle, Zak hastened to explain that ever since they went to a rodeo one time, Luke thinks that’s where they are going every time.  Since the hospital is only about five minutes from the house, the car conversation carried us almost to the front door.  Well, there was that one point of decision on the final turn.  We had to decide of the baby was being born in a hospital or in a WalMart warehouse.  Fortunately, the hospital won out.

We finally arrived at that hospital and met up with BobBob and Mimi, the other grandparents, in the waiting room.  And pretty soon Daddy came bursting through the door.  He was met by a barrage of boys racing to him and leaping into his arms.  One would surmise that they were glad to see him.  And final, finally we were ushered into the room where Mommy sat in bed, beaming with pride and holding the precious new baby sister.  AnnaGrace Violet Vaughan was 6 pounds 6 ounces (or 6 pounds 6.5 ounces, as on the little tag on her bed.  Or 6 pounds 6.4 ounces as on the photo Josh took when she was actually being weighed.  I think they were all just trying to verify beyond a doubt that she WASN’T 6 pounds 6.6 ounces.  Can’t have a 666 baby in a pastor’s household).  She was eighteen and a half inches long, but Josh is tossing in his coach’s flag to protest that call as well.  After the customary rounds of oohs and aahs, and after the boys each had a chance to hold baby sister, this old DadDad was given the honor of being the first grandparent to hold her.  Beautiful little baby, you know.  Blonde hair.  Couldn’t really see much of her eyes, but word has it that they are blue.  I think her older brothers are going to find opportunity to use those slingshots they got from Santa the other night.  They started early.  Each one of them was wearing a t-shirt imprinted with the words, “Bodyguard for my Little Sister.” Zak told me that Dad was going to allow her to get married when she turned 51.  And she does have a few boy cousins waiting in the wings.  I think this one will be safe.  More than safe.  Wonder if there are any castle towers for rent in the Waco area …

Isaiah 30:21 says, “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’”

Father, may you make young AnnaGrace strong and courageous.  Whether she chooses to go to the right or to the left, may she always hear the voice of your Holy Spirit directing her paths.  Amen.