June 7 – “Some really good chicken”

We had a relatively unscathed forty-sixth anniversary yesterday.  No lights or fireworks, other than the ones in our eyes, I guess.  No candles on cakes.  Not even a dinner for two at a quiet restaurant (Those don’t exist in Galveston in June.  Too many tourists).  A phone call here.  A text there.  Well-wishes from friends new and old on FaceBook.  Even a video from the FaceBook nether regions wished us well. 

 

We went to church, of course.  It was my first sermon back from vacation, so I couldn’t miss that one.  I had a meeting afterwards.  Chris spent the time chatting with one of the other ladies in the church.  Back at home we watched the Astros and had a pork chop for lunch that Chris had made in our air fryer.  She is learning how to use the thing, and what comes out is pretty good stuff.  And for dinner she created a healthier version of fried chicken in the fryer that was really good.  Of course it had none of that crispy batter-y deliciousness, but it was good chicken, nonetheless.  We caught up on a few of the TV shows we recorded while on vacation.  And then we made our way to bed.  I know.  What a boring way to spend an anniversary.  But, hey.  When you have been doing this marriage thing for as long as we have, the celebration is in the relationship, not the glitz and glamour.  Not that we don’t enjoy the occasional glitz and glamour, but to paraphrase a certain purple dinosaur, “I love her.  She loves me.  We’re as happy as can be …”  Or something along those lines.

 

Ezekiel 36:26 says, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.”

 

Father, thank you again for my wife.  I really do kinda like her.  I’m certainly glad she’s kept me around all these years.  Amen.

June 6 – “Happy Anniversary to … Us!”

We made it one more year.  Forty-six.  It’s an odd one, of course.  Kind of a no-man’s land as anniversaries go.  No special recommendations for anniversary gifts after forty-five until you get to fifty.  Guess they figure we can’t remember (or count) anymore anyway.  And it’s on our kids to remember fifty and throw us a party.  But, hey.  It just means we get to be creative for five years.  Like … go on an anniversary trip to Florida and not even caring that we didn’t get a glimpse of DisneyWorld.  That was nice.  I suppose this is where I’m supposed to get all romantical and stuff.  I’ll just keep it simple.  I love you, Chris.  Have since I saw you the first time.  Still do after 16,790 plus days since.  How about we keep the streak alive?

 

Meanwhile, we went on our walk together yesterday.  In the rain.  We met another neighbor while out there, so we weren’t the only crazy romantic ones.  She told us that she is about to retire, so she decided she needs to get in shape so she can have some fun.  Yup.  Know the feeling.

 

I did our initial hurricane season tree trimming of branches within damage distance of our roof.  We still plan to cut down two trees and move another one to a different part of the yard.  I know.  Ambitious.

 

My cousin Jer stopped by for a visit.  He’s the one who took us to the Naval Air Museum while we were in Florida/Alabama.  Great to see him again.  While he was here, Christina and the kids came by after a library outing.  But the party didn’t stop there.  My big brother Jay and his wife Fran popped in as well.  They had been to a wedding on the Island.  They gave me a gift.  Jay said he thought of me the instant he saw it and had to get it.  Intriguing.  I didn’t open it right away, and it’s probably a good thing.  It may have mysteriously disappeared with the kiddos if I had.  I haven’t had a chance to play with it yet, but, oh … I will.  After all, today’s my anniversary, and what better way to celebrate?  Oh, I haven’t said what it is yet, have I?  It’s an automatic toilet paper spit wad launcher rifle.  Can’t wait.

 

2 Corinthians 9:8 says, “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”

 

Father, thank you for my wife first and foremost.  She’s the best gift you ever gave me after salvation.  Thanks for my family, too.  They’re pretty fun to have around.  Amen.

 

June 5 – “Ice and adenoids”

I had another of those head-down, full-speed ahead kind of days yesterday.  I know.  Friday is supposed to be a “day off,” whatever that means.  But there are just some things upcoming that have to be covered. 

 

There is a sermon on Sunday.  That one is for sure on me.  There is also a church business proposal that I needed to put together.  The plan is to propose creating another staff position to be like an associate or co-pastor to help with Family Ministry and Discipleship.  Just need a team assigned to set out a job description.  They will also need to review compensation for our current ministry team, so that they can effectively recommend a salary for the new position.  Exciting times. 

 

Actually, most of the time I was poring through children’s camp stuff.  I got the parent information from Columbus Avenue Baptist Church, the group we are hooking up with to go to camp.  Everything looks much the same as it did two years ago when we last went to camp.  Now it’s just a matter of getting all the logistics done.

 

Chris made pork chops in the air fryer.  That’s some good stuff.

 

We chatted with Brennan and Janell for a while.  They are heading out on their big Las Vegas to Colorado vacation.  Brennan brought us some cherry tomatoes that grew on their vine.  Thanks for sharing.

 

Speaking of thanks … I had another weird dream last night.  I was in a large group with a lot of random people who appeared to be homeless.  I was just about to lead in prayer when one of the guys shared that he was very thankful to God that he found a place to sleep behind a shed over by the baseball fields.  Then another guy actually started praying his prayer was certainly one to be remembered.  He said, very simple, “Thank you, God, for ice and adenoids.”  That was it.  I hope I can remember that one.  A prayer to cover it all.  Ice and adenoids.

 

Matthew 6:34 says, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

 

Father, thank you for ice and adenoids.  All of it.  Amen.

June 4 – “You’re old …”

Walked again with Chris.  We are doing two miles this week to start off.  We’ll get back up to three pretty soon.

 

Chris had a dermatology appointment to check out the little spot on her face that has been treated for skin cancer.  They are talking in terms of the already barely discernable scar eventually disappearing, so it sounds like all is well to me. 

 

While she was gone I tired to get a jump on cleaning house for her.  That’s usually her go-to activity for Thursdays.  She likes to have a relatively clean environment for home group.  I managed to get the sweeping and some dusting done, along with vacuuming and cleaning the bathrooms.  She took over the mop when she got back.  Gotta admit … I was tired after all that back-breaking sweeping.  Not good for my health at all …

 

We did have time to watch the Astros game.  They pretty much handed the game to the Red Sox.  I felt sorry for the Astros pitcher.  The two best hitters in the lineup were given the day off at the same time in favor of some rookies.  Oh, the runs scored by the Sox were certainly on him – he walked a few and gave up a home run.  But when a huge portion of the offense is watching from the bench, you can’t really expect much. 

 

Our first home group since we got back went pretty well.  All about how Joshua was old … really old.  God even told him, “Joshua, you are old.  And advanced in years.”  “Ouch.  You don’t have to rub it in, Lord.  He got started on the doling out of the Promised Land, though.  We’ll make it to the Book of Judges before you know it.

 

Proverbs 13:3 says, “Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.”

 

Father, thank you for Chris’ good report at the dermatologist.  And thank for the chance to get back together with our home group folks.  Good to reconnect with them again.  Amen.

June 3 – “A Little Stinky”

I went in for my hearing aids checkup yesterday.  Everything is pretty much as it should be.  Well, except for the occasional glitch in antenna operation between right and left.  Sometimes they have to send out a signal looking for each other.  It sounds something like “Check pahtnah” (partner) inside my head.  They also sometimes feel that I need a random reminder as to which side is my right and which is my left.  They will say “Right” or “Left” for no apparent reason.  The audiologist is ordering me some new ones.  She will let me know when they get in so I can swap them out.  Unless I grow found of the eccentricities …

 

We went to WalMart for our first real grocery run since we got back.  And the store did well on all counts except one.  Grapes.  All they had were the ones with seeds inside.  Doesn’t really change their taste much, but I’m just too lazy to cut each one in half and dig out the seed.  And I’m not really careful enough to chew knowing that a seed or two will be lurking within.  Either that or we are just spoiled.  On a positive note, we didn’t have to wear masks.  No signs of any kind on the door.  Some folks wore one, others didn’t.  No one snapped.

 

In the afternoon we went to hang out with Cailyn.  Mom and Dad were at work, and they were having septic system issues.  Nasty issues.  They didn’t want her home alone with the septic guys.  As it turned out, they will probably need an entirely new system installed.  It is cleaned out for now, but a little stinky is in their future.

 

Meanwhile, Cailyn is becoming quite the little farmer’s daughter.  She took us on the extended tour of their property.  She taught Nana how to feed the baby goats their bottles.  She led the chickens around like the pied piper.  Well, except when she did a chicken dance to show her dominance over the spawn of Satan chicken that tried to eat my eyes out a while back.  The chicken backed down every time, so I guess Cailyn wins. 

 

Revelation 3:20 says, “Here I am!  I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.”

 

Father, thank you again for the miracles of modern of technology that live in my ears for fourteen or so hours every day.  They do help me appreciate your world.  Amen.

 

June 2 – “Catch up”

We are well on our way toward getting caught up with the things we would have done in May now that June is here. 

 

To start with, we took our car in to be inspected.  It was due in May, so we were only a day behind.  Dennis, our mechanic, was able to get it done while we waited, so as it turned out we didn’t need to be in both vehicles.  But the truck needed to be run for a while anyway.  I also took the inspection paper downtown to the County Courthouse to get the registration sticker.  The line was out the door into the lobby.  Some people still had on masks.  Others were loosely trying to social distance.  But the closer you got to the door, the less people seemed to care about distancing. 

 

You know, that reminds me of a funny comment on one of our vacation posts.  It was a picture of something that I took through the windshield of the car.  But instead of focusing on the amazing image before us, Melissa made it a point to remind us that our inspection sticker was about to expire.  That’s awesome, Melissa.  Keep on keeping us honest. Girl. 

 

We also took a walk.  Not that we haven’t been walking on our trip.  We did some serious hiking (serious, for us, that is), especially up those lighthouse stairs.  It felt kind of strange to be walking around the neighborhood again.  I started pointing out wildlife, though.  a statue of a lion.  A wall decoration of a giant mosquito hawk.  Even an actual pigeon.  I’m sure Chris appreciated her tour guide, but for some reason she never acknowledged my sightings.  We did see an actual dog. Attached to a leash which was held by its owner.  It was a lady we see all the time out walking.  She was quite animated yesterday, though.  Seems she had just seen a coyote in her back yard, and she was warning all the neighbors, especially those with small dogs or cats.  Freddy, watch yourself back there, girl.

 

The other big catch-up event for the day was my haircut.  Boy, did I ever need that one.  Not only was it itching my ears, but it was getting long and thick in the back as well.  Feels great for my head to be able to breathe again.

 

I’m still not back into the work routine yet, with so many other things to catch up on.  Got a lot to do there, though.  Sermons and Bible studies and children’s camp and church anniversary celebration and Seaside seniors and proposals for the future.  Guess I better get started …

 

Colossians 3:17 says, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

 

Father, it is great to be home.  Please help us now to get all this catching up done.  Amen.

June 1 – “Day of the Crash”

We took a day off on Monday.  Sort of.  Memorial Day and all.  We did fly our flag out front.  Gotta give honor where honor is due.

 

Josh and his family left pretty early in the morning.  Well, not early early.  No alarms were set that I know of.  But they loaded up after they woke up and had some breakfast.  They made it home around three, so the holiday traffic must not have been too bad. 

 

Chris hit the laundry situation hard and heavy.  Seems like it was always running, making noise.  Kinda got used to the noise.  Hotels for a month, then grandkids for a few days.  Lots of noise.  I still managed to get started of on my work week stuff.  Did some computer work and spent some time readying birthday cards for mailing today. 

 

But other than that, we watched the Astros game and crashed.  So this won’t be one of those blog days that we scroll backwards to try and find to see what of import that was that happened.  Nothing to see here.  Scroll on by …

 

1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind.  And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

 

Father, thank you for one of those “crash” kind of days.  We both need a few more of them.  Amen.