February 11 – “White board wisdom”

It was really heartwarming yesterday to see the Seaside folks rally behind each other and spread the comfort for the grieving going on for the missing smile of the already deeply-missed Mrs. Sharon.  Two little girls who were especially close to her wore Mardi Gras beads in her honor and left these messages on the whiteboard in our fellowship area. 

“Even though it’s hard to let go it’s very hard to miss people that you love.”

“God thank you for all you have done for us.”

“We miss you Ms. Sharon but we know that you are in a better place with God and Jesus.”

And using a series of heart images a younger one wrote “God loves you” and followed with a self-portrait holding hands with their dear friend.  Very sweet.  Nice commemoration Emmalee and Sophie.

Our teaching was from the fourth chapter of Ephesians.  All about practical application of Christianity in daily living.  The key verse (and the Visual Verse as well) was Ephesians 4:32 (see the verse below).  I gave some homework this week.  I challenged everyone to go out of their way to love someone in a practical way.  I already heard that a few folks were putting together a care package for a family in the hospital. 

Oh, and a final note on our white board was from little Elena.  Here’s what she wrote:

“be cib to one an ubr.  owas preiv.” 

I know.  That one in particularly difficult to translate.  But I’m pretty sure it says “Be kind to one another.”  I think the rest might be an attempt at “Ephesians.”  Do you think youngsters aren’t listening to what’s happening in worship?  Think again.

Ephesians 4:32 says, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Father, thank you for the expressions of love I saw yesterday, both on the white board and in people’s lives.  Amen.

February 10 – “One of ‘those’ calls”

We had one of “those” calls yesterday.  The kind you can’t prepare for and never hope to have to deal with.  A very sweet lady in our church died.  Sharon went to be with Jesus in the presence of most all of her family.  She assured them over and over that she was ready and they shouldn’t worry about her.  Always thinking of others, even as she lay dying.  That was one special lady.  She will be missed.

We got the text that she had been taken to the hospital in Katy, Texas, around 10 in the morning.  We bundled up and headed out soon thereafter.  Being a Saturday, we hoped for little or no traffic.  I guess we got the “little” option.  We ran into one pretty bad slowdown on I10 just before the hospital exit.  Construction had blocked off two of the lanes.  We still got there shortly after noon. Around three we decided to go get a bite to eat.  Outback was nearby, and neither of us could remember our last visit there, so we gave it a whirl.  I had fried shrimp.  Chris had chicken on the barbie (Hmm.  Spell check keeps insisting I capitalize “Barbie.”  Should we have expected a hint of melted plastic on her chicken?).  The food was pretty good, but we remembered why we hadn’t been in a while.  The prices are a bit steep.  We did like our waitress, though.  She was doing double duty as the bartender as well.  That can’t be easy. 

We made it back to the hospital shortly after getting word that Sharon was gone.  The family stayed for a while, but finally started trickling back to their homes.  We waited with Doug until his son arrived to give him a ride home, and then we stayed a bit longer to greet the funeral director when he arrived to pick up the body.  Further arrangements are yet to come, of course.  Please lift a prayer or two up for this family when you get a chance.

Revelation 21:3 says, “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and he will dwell among them, and they shall be his people, and God himself will be among them, and he will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.’”

Father, thank you for Sharon’s life and the positive influence she had on her husband and on the folks at Seaside.  Please walk with her family now.  Amen.

February 9 – “FD Testing … testing …”

I spent some time in the cold yesterday.  The annual physical agility test for those interested in being a Galveston firefighter was held at station four.  After a brief meeting downtown with the fire chief, just to check in, I made my way over there to meet the new hopefuls. 

As I understand it there were nineteen who made it through phase one, the city’s civil service exam.  And if I counted right just about all of them were there yesterday.  One woman, and eighteen men of varying ages and skill levels (And clothing choices.  Some were in shorts and a t-shirt.  Others had sweatpants and jackets.  It was … cold.  47 degrees with a wind chill of 37), all determined to make it through.  The candidates had to complete eight different tasks.  Each had its own time limit, and there was also a time limit for completion of the entire course. And there was nothing easy about it.  In fact I heard one of the guys remark that he had taken four such agility tests around the area, and this was by far the toughest.  So why would people go through such a rigid entry exam?  Of course it’s because Galveston Fire Department is the best in the state.  We just don’t have that much turnover, because when you work in Paradise, why would you want to move, right?

I want to give kudos to the fire fighters from GFD, though.  I didn’t count the number, but there were guys manning each station to ensure safety, to prepare after each candidate, and to explain and keep track of the timing.  There were proctors to walk with each candidate through his attempts at the course and to keep track of total times.  There were medics to check pulse and blood pressure before and after each attempt.  Battalion Chief Varela did a great job introducing and explaining the overall course.  And all of this in that bitter cold I might have mentioned earlier. 

On the inside front, Assistant Chief Olsen was there after each run to offer either condolences or an application (And a little humor.  He did his best to get someone to volunteer to run the course “just one more time.”  No takers, though).  And of course there was the ever-present “Real Chief” Trish Anderson, handling all the paperwork from the comfort of her table … inside.  Now all that remains for the five or six who proved their mettle is the application and interview process, and soon we hope to have some new recruits of the Galveston Fire Department.

Once again I was impressed and made quite proud to be associated with this group of fine individuals, the fire department family.  Nice job, GFD.

Psalms 139:11-12 says, “If I say, ‘Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,’ even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.”

Father, thank you for protecting all the candidates and fire fighters yesterday.  Encourage those who didn’t complete the course.  Walk with those who now face interviews.  Amen.

February 8 – “Back in the swing …”

We had early Cailyn to school duty yesterday.  She had before-school choir practice, so that meant she had to be there before 7 a.m.  That also meant good ol’ Nani had to be out of bed while it was still dark outside.  Ouch.

We took our walk after I finally figured out where on my phone were the pictures from this weekend’s jaunt so I could download them to the computer.  I knew there was one video that would be taking up a lot of space.  I captured the entire halftime show with its star performer Luke.  Pretty big file.  Pretty impressive performance.  Oh, and speaking of impressive performances, Nathan informed me that I was summarily chewed out by Nurse April when she saw the Jacob’s Ladder pictures.  Seems I was overdoing my “take it easy” admonition.

So, the walk … Two miles.  Well, Chris did three.  I came on home and got started on that dreaded February task of mowing and edging the yard.  Yep.  It’s the dead of winter here on our tropical island paradise, and we are having to mow the grass.  Welcome to our world.  At one point Chris brought me a glass of water and said, “You know, it hasn’t been that long that you couldn’t walk AND mow AND edge.  You had to just pick one thing.”  Yep. And even picking that one thing, I was generally exhausted when I got through.  Her thoughts were certainly encouraging, but this morning I am remembering those days.  I’m sore again.  It’s worth it though, to actually accomplish something. 

We picked Cailyn up from her after-school activity so she could complete her homework assignment (ah, the dreaded essay) before her choir concert.  It’s been a long time since we had to do the “homework before extra-curricular activities” thing.  She did a pretty good job though. 

I took her to the concert so Chris could be the hostess for those arriving at home group.  I would have to say that the choir from Oppe Elementary School really shined (shone?).  They sang four or five songs from Broadway musicals.  Cailyn was … animated.  She stood front and center and sang with her heart and arms and legs.  Loved it.  I also got it all on video.  Problem was, I couldn’t send it to her parents because the message file was too big.  I’m trying a mail drop option now.  Next in line is a simple copy to a blank dvd disc. 

As it turned out, I was home before anyone arrived for home group.  Then our neighbor asked for a ride to the pharmacy to pick up her medicine.  Chris gave her a ride.  While she was gone, a few folks arrived, and when Chris got back we did some singing and praying together.  Oh, and Brennan and his Mom finished decorating his Valentines box for school.  Nice job, Janell.

Psalms 139:7-10 says, “Where can I go from your Spirit?  Where can I flee from your presence?  If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.  If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”

Father, thank you for the beautiful voices of children singing.  Nothing quite like it.  Amen.

February 7 – “Hiking Test One. Complete.”

Hiking Test One.  Complete.  OK, I know I have been walking around the neighborhood with Chris for several weeks now following “The Surgery,” but yesterday we decided to try the actual hiking thing.  A real trail.  Hilly terrain.  Really challenge my walking pole.  We were going to drive over near Fredericksburg to a place called Enchanted Rock.  Staying over in Waco the extra day kind of made that one a back burner item for the time being (Chris will have another quick trip in the works, I suppose).  Instead we heeded Christi’s advice and headed over to Cameron Park in Waco.  She told us all about a great trail that they found with a thing called Jacob’s Ladder.  She was sure we would love it.

Well, that’s where we began our adventure – the parking lot for Jacob’s Ladder.  Had its own sign and everything.  But when we turned around and saw the actual creation, we were stunned.  At first glance it appeared to be a simple staircase carved into the sheer face of a cliff.  How hard could it be?  But when we looked closer, and then got closer, our horror intensified.  There were steps all right, but the rise on them (how high you had to step up to reach the next step) averaged nearly two feet.  That was not easy for my poor old knee.  Or the new one for that matter.  It was a good thing they included handrails.  Chris was even grasping for help by the time we reached the top.  I was just glad we went there first.  About a third of the way up they had added a rock bench to rest on.  And there in the rock face of the mountain behind the bench was one small, insignificant piece of graffiti.  Just one thing.  No other graffiti in sight.  It read, “You’re doing great.”  Loved it.  Some Mystery Hiker inspired us to complete the climb.  And just before we reached the final leg, after some more anguished struggling, we came across another rock face and another tiny graffiti marking.  This one, in the same handwriting, read, “Keep going.”  The Mystery Hiker had provided another word of encouragement – just what we needed to make it over the top. 

After that extreme exertion we gravitated toward the paths that seemed a bit easier.  That meant passing up on such trail options as “the Act of Faith.”  Sounds great for a spiritual retreat, but NOT for a hike.  We ended up walking along the banks of the Brazos River for about a mile and a half. All the way to the point where the Bosque River empties into the Brazos.  Very pretty sight, but then I am partial to water.  Along the way we kept our eyes open for wildlife, as always.  Chris said she saw a woodpecker and a mocking bird.  My eyes were a little closer to the ground.  I never saw a moose, but we did come across a duck, a squirrel, a shaggy wiener dog, and a huge centipede.  I know it was a centipede rather than a millipede, because I sent a picture of it to Caleb.  He asked if it was fuzzy.  It was not.  That made it a centipede.  I suppose I could have turned it over and counted the legs, but why do that when I had my “phone a friend” option? 

Oh, we couldn’t find a stuffed centipede anywhere, so we picked up the next best thing in a new friend … a chicken.  A furry gray chicken named Chuckles, because, well, you know how chickens are …

Psalms 139:5-6 says, “You hem me in — behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.”

Father, thank you for the chance to test out my new knee.  And thanks for the great hiking partner I have.  Amen.

February 6 - “The Extra Day”

Yesterday turned into a workday in Waco.  Josh left for his office at the church to lead a meeting.  Zak and Luke got started on schoolwork.  They are all homeschooled.  Caleb had an online Latin lesson, so he disappeared into his own personal little “office” (Read here, a desk area in the laundry room.  He seems to love it).  Chris was playing with AnnaGrace.  And i started working on my teaching for Sunday.

I’m trying to learn how to use my iPad more extensively.  I got a little keyboard o attach to it.  Now I want to become proficient so i don’t have to worry about taking the laptop on our upcoming cruises to Alaska and The Panama Canal Zone.  No, it’s not the same cruise.  They happen about six months apart.  Kind of a fluke how we - who have never been on a cruise in our lives - are suddenly signed up for two bucket list ones.  We agreed to go on the Panama one with some Denver friends before we found out that the Alaska one was definite.  Panama is considerably cheaper than Alaska, though.   It still means we had to keep our belts tightened up really tight - and they are still cinched up pretty good ... we’re not there yet.

Last night we went to Luke’s and then Caleb’s basketball practices.  That was the whole reason we stayed an extra night - a special request to “watch me play, too, Nani and DadDad.”  How can you say no to something that adorable?  It was a lot of fun, too.  Josh is Luke’s coach, and I enjoyed watching the kids I coached do his best to communicate to a bunch of kindergarteners the intricacies of pivoting and traveling and the ever-dangerous double dribble.  He did a bang-up job with them, too.  I think the youngsters were having fun, so that’s the important thing.  And of course Luke is the best player on the team.  Just ask his Granddad.  Christi told us that Josh has been trying to get Luke to pass the ball around more and not shoot every time he gets the ball (even though he tends to make the vast majority of his shots).  Luke’s reply, “But if I’m open I need to take the shot.”  Well, on second thought ... yep.  That’s probably right.

Caleb’s team was older and more advanced, of course.  Josh is team-coaching with another of his staff members at the church.  Brought back memories of when I coached varsity and Jr. Varsity and even the girl’s team.  I’m still not sure how we managed that time-wise, but it was a great youth ministry opportunity.  Caleb is one of the most sure-handed ball-handlers on their team.  They have two or three boys who can control the ball fairly well, but everyone on the team wants to do nothing but shoot as soon as they touch the ball.  Especially two of the kids who are obviously good athletes, but they think they can dribble through a fire pit and come out unscathed.  And sometimes they can.  I really enjoyed watching this group, too.  More specific accolades concerning a certain point guard named Caleb always available upon request at 1-800-DadDad.

Matthew 19:26 says, “Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’”

Father, thank you for the growth and development of our youngsters.  Help them all to find a niche where they are truly happy, whether it be in sports or music or relationships, but especially in their spiritual touch with you.   Amen.

February 5 - “Kissing Pigs”

We got off to a very late start for our latest trip.  We were headed to Waco to watch Zakary’s last basketball game.  We haven’t been able to see him play for the junior high team yet, so this was a last chance kind of thing.  Amidst all the pre-trip packing, Chris made a birthday apple pie for Josh (His is the 16th, but we probably won’t be in Waco then.  Then we had to stop for gas.  At least there we saw Ed and Drake, so it wasn’t a boring stop.

After our lunch stop at Buc-eyes, I convinced Chris to take another short cut.  Actually it was the one we were goi no to take last time when we ended up at Washington-on-the-Brazos.  We went through Chappell Hill again, but this time we kept on going toward Brenham.  We discovered that Chappell Hill is a whole lot bigger than what we were able to ascertain from Washington.  Sprawling.

One of the new sights we passed this time was a spay and neuter clinic located across the street from a local dog park.  I have been wondering if that would be in the same category reputation-wise as, say, a Japanese restaurant sharing the same building as a veterinarian’s office.  Hmm.  We passed through Somerville and Lyons and Caldwell, where we saw the carcass of a very large and very dead wild hog.  Just Outside of Cameron we saw the Cameron Air Park.  Not airport.  Air PARK.  Looked strangely similar to an airport, albeit quite small.  Maybe Galveston has an international air park.  Ben Arnold is an actual town.  So is Rosebud and Lott and Golinda.  That’s where we were surprised to suddenly see an entire field full of hundreds of four-legged cows.  And then another full filed on the other side of a ravine that separatedd the two.  You’ll never guess the name of the little creek.  Cow Bayou.  No way.

We made it to Waco in plenty of time to get to Zak’s game, which was about 40 minutes away at a small Catholic school in West, Texas.  The boys did a fabulous job at their last game of the season.  This team pretty much destroyed Zak’s last time they played, but adjustments had been made.  In an exciting back and forth battle the good guys took the win in overtime.  Zak’s playe dhis minutes well, showing some powerful defense and rebounding, in particular.  Nice job, Zak.  And as a special bonus, Luke and his group of Teams Of Tomorrow (TOTs) performed at halftime.  TOTs is a program that teaches preschoolers basketball skills.  These little guys were dribbling with both hands and showing ball handling skills that many high schoolers would be proud to have.  And the best of them all?  Well, that would be the youngster with the Vaughan last name, of course.  Way to go Luke.

Oh, I almost forgot.  We ate supper in West at a local establishment.  Something like Slovacek’s.  The eating part was called the Kissing Pig Cafe.  Not bad barbecue if you’re ever gliding through town.  Don’t be deceived by the truck stop look on the outside.  It actually is a massive gas station, but once you make your way through the huge gifts shop, the food is not bad.  And who doesn’t want to eat at The Kissing Pig Cafe?  Come on ...

Isaiah 43:19 says, “See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

Father, thank you for perennial short cuts and athletic grandkids.  And for Kissing Pigs.  Amen.