September 1 - “They played WHAT??”

We had a chance to spend time playing with the kids yesterday. But their selection of games might be a bit of a … er … surprise. 

They have a ping pong table up there. But although the table was in use, as was the unique ball, table tennis was not the game of choice. Would you believe Luke and AnnaGrace selected to play - with their Nani … Beer pong? Well, without the beer. They just moved each cup as a ball landed within. Oh, and AnnaGrace absolutely smoked Nani. She was good. 

Next they switched games. Luke came into play on this one. Tic tac toe. For this one they set up nine cups, three by three. As a cup was filled, Caleb replaced it with one of the appropriate color of the shooter. Luke won 2 games out of 3. Barely. Sorry, Nani. 

For my contribution, I made paper airplanes with AnnaGrace. She corrected my style regularly. Well, until my plane soundly defeated hers. Then she miraculously was making hers just like mine. So I changed styles. It doomed me to defeat, but it was lots of fun. 

Finally Chris and I got changed, and after a quick Whataburger Jr. stop, we drove an hour and a half north to the funeral in Burleson. And believe it or not, I actually drove. There and back. 

We saw quite a few old friends from our days in Arlington there (that was back in the 80’s, I think?). And some of them even recognized us. Others were dumbfounded that we were there, or that we had “changed so much.”  Of course the ones who said that were children when last we saw them. I would say they have changed more. Of course it has been 30 or 40 years. I suppose there is a slight chance we have all changed. 

The funeral was for an old friend, Jeff Rampy. We knew him from church, but we also had another connection. Jeff actually prepared our very first will. That was back in the day when we had to name someone to raise our kids if we died before they were grown. Jeff had one of those new-fangled computer programs in his office where he just typed in our information and it spit out the will on the dot matrix printer with that paper that was all folded and stuck together and perforated for easy tearing. The secretaries provided instant witnesses. I still have that will. Quite the souvenir. 

The word I have to describe Jeff would be “jovial.” He always had a smile and a chuckle that seemed to take over his whole body before finally releasing. He was that guy you just wanted to be around and be yourself around. If you haven’t guessed, I really liked Jeff. Most people did. 

Jeff made a pretty big impact on a lot of lives. Especially his family. And quite the family it was. Seven rows of ten seats in a row plus kids on laps filled the center section. Jeff and Sybil had four sons, 22 grandchildren, and 32 great grandchildren. Quite the quiver there, Rampy family. God has done great things. 

Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭37‬ says, For nothing will be impossible with God.

Father, be with the Rampy’s as they walk through losing a true family patriarch. Amen. 

August 31 - “Good guys win times two!”

Sam had another appointment yesterday. She and Chris took off in the morning for Texas while I started the process of getting things together for our later venture farther into Texas. 

After a quick bite to eat, we hit the road for Waco. Caleb had his opening of the season football game. It meant pretty tight squeeze as far as getting there on time, but we decided to take on the challenge. Besides, Christi needed some costume jewelry and bow ties for the class she teaches at their homeschool co-op. What class could that possibly be? Hold on to your hat … it’s called Tea Time. I think she teaches them how to have a real live tea party. Great fun. I guess. 

After our requisite stop at Buc-ees, we made it in plenty of time for the football game. The score was 54-26 … good guys win! And Caleb played a great game. He had several unassisted tackles, and combined for several more. Way to go, defense!

And to top off the evening, Sam kept me updated through the Astros game. The good guys won that one as well!

John‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬ says, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Father, thanks for that relatively uneventful drive. Be with those teeming hordes of people we saw on the roads, though. Amen. 

August 30 - “He’s back home”

We walked again. Made it the whole two miles this time. And yes, we were hustled up a bit by the thunder. Made it home with mere moments to spare. The downpour did happen. We didn’t get wet, though, so there’s that …

Sam had another appointment, so the two lovely ladies went back into Texas. And on their way home they made a stop for some lunch. Olive Garden special. Yum. 

While they were out, Robert stopped by. He has been visiting his family in Indiana for the last two months. Good to see him again. He and Sam have been good friends for years, so she was particularly happy to see him. 

We also took the car in for a checkup of its own. The onboard computer had already told us we needed an oil change. He found a few other of those deferred maintenance things that really needed to be done as well. Gotta keep that thing running smoothly for future trips.  

Psalms‬ ‭113‬:‭3‬ says, From the rising of the sun to its setting, let the name of Yahweh be praised.

Father, thank you for Robert’s safe trip back home. Amen. 

August 29 - “Speaking of …”

Speaking of “baaaaack” … we were back on our walking track again. This time we went a mile and a half before ducking inside. Why? The whole time our conversation was punctuated with rumbles of thunder. The clouds were roiling (how do you like that word?). And occasional droplets of rain were splattering around and on us. We did the whole walk and run and sing and dance in the rain already. Chris was NOT ready for a second go. 

Speaking of Chris and “go” … she had to go again to take Sam back into Texas for a doc appointment up there. It wasn’t a long one, though. In fact they were back so fast that Freddy didn’t even realize it was them. She usually watches at the door, then comes and gets me. No announcement this time, though. Chris has to holler out for me to come help them get in. Come on, Freddy. You’re slackin’.  

Revelation‬ ‭3‬:‭20‬ ‭ says, Listen! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and have dinner with him, and he with Me.

Father, thank you for our little dog. She teaches us every day lessons on loyalty and obedience (of the lack thereof!) and commitment. Amen. 

August 28 - “Dancin’ in the rain”

Yep. That’s what I did the other day. We didn’t want to miss another day of workouts. Well, the walking kind of workout, anyway. Those days I spent digging and cutting roots definitely count as workouts. But we missed our walks. 

So there we were, back on the blacktop again, pleased at first that there were some clouds in the sky to take the edge off of the sun’s heat. Until … 

Well, those nice, fluffy clouds began to take on a duller hue. And then a noticeably darker one. Until finally there was no mistaking - they were downright black. And obviously heading our way. 

We plodded on, however, chatting and enjoying the cool breeze. All that began to change about halfway through the first mile. We felt a few sprinkles here and there. No problem. We laughed and continued on. Then the drops got heavy. Then their best friends began to show up. Then acquaintances. Chris asked if I wanted to turn around and head home. “Nah. Let’s finish at least the mile” he said. 

Well, then all those friends invited their neighbors who invited their friends and family. Before we knew it, a cascade of rain representatives was drenching us. So what did we do about it? Turn back? Too late now. Complain? Why? Would this be an unsolvable conundrum?

Nah. I did what any self-respecting 71 year old would have done. I started dancing. And singing a little bit. Come on. You HAVE to dance a little in this life because - well, why not?  

Chris, however, had a different idea. She suggested that we try running for a bit. Hey. Why not? They make us run on the treadmill for those heart tests, don’t they? So off we went. We did take a rest, but after two spurts, we made it home after exactly one mile. I’ll take that as a success!

Ephesians‬ ‭5‬:‭8‬-‭10‬ says, For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light — for the fruit of the light results in all goodness, righteousness, and truth — discerning what is pleasing to the Lord.

Father, give us plenty more chances to throw off convention and do some more dancin’ in the rain. Amen. 

August 27 - “Pacing Puppy”

Did you get to enjoy the gentle rumblings of the late-night thunderstorm that passed our way Sunday night? Ah, there is nothing quite like being still and anticipating the next stirring of sound, protected as you are by the roof overhead and the warm blanket around you. Sigh. 

Well ... Our experience wasn’t anything like that. See, we have our very own forecaster, undoubtedly trained by the Weather Channel under Jim Cantore. About thirty minutes before the rumblings began, Freddy … well, began. 

Now, generally, her usual spot for napping the first part of most nights, before she leaves for parts unknown in the rest of the house and the great outdoors of the back yard is at the foot of our bed. And that beginning of the evening was the same. Lights out. All’s well. 

That is until about thirty minutes before those first rumblings. Our sweet little puppy dog became quite agitated. She paced and circled at the foot of the bed over and over. Just the hint of a whine escaped her. It is difficult for humans to find a comfortable spot when a little dog has incorporated your feet and legs into an Olympic racetrack. Soon I adjusted some covers for her and created a fine spot that she could claim as her own. 

And then the actual thunder began. Oh, my. Suddenly the confines of the track expanded dramatically. Now not just feet and legs were involved. Oh, no. Now she tromped on backs and stomachs and shoulders - anything that stood in her way in an irrational race to be right next to our head, to curl up on our pillows, touching head and ears and, yes, faces if need be. 

And that’s not all. As if the positioning wasn’t enough, she garnished it with panting. Loud panting. Doggie breath in your nose loud panting. Inconsolable panting. And did I mention it was loud?  

I finally got up and made sure the computer was unplugged. I watched a few rounds of the lightning and heavy rains show. I checked on our new lawn mower that is parked on the back porch under the deck. And finally, I trudged back to bed, turned on the light, and worked another crossword puzzle. 

Freddy was no better. Chris finally grabbed her and held an arm across her to keep her in one spot and assure her that we understood the presence of a thunderstorm in the vicinity. I finally managed to drift off as the last, now-distant dull roar of the skies faded. 

Oh, and yes. I was awake again at 5:00. No thunder. No pacing puppy. Just time to wake up. Thanks, internal body clock. Wouldn’t want to miss anything. 

Ephesians‬ ‭5‬:‭1‬ says, Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children.

Father, thanks for you for the refreshing rain. We did need it. Amen. 

August 26 - “Surprise guests”

We had a special guest at church yesterday. Kel was well into his sermon, when he said something that sounded dangerously close to “Siri.”  Suddenly, someone’s phone blurted out a reply, “I’m sorry. I didn’t quite understand that last thing.”  Without missing a beat, Kel replied, “OK. Well, I’ll be happy to repeat that for you.” Glad to have you with us, Siri. Come back anytime. 

After church we had some special guests here as well. The LaMarque Vaughan’s- and Kailey, Micah’s girlfriend - came over. They brought pizza for lunch, so no problem there. It was a lot of fun to see the interchanges between all of them. Oh, and I found out that there is a chance that I will get to teach the youth in our upcoming Experiencing God series. We’ll see how that plays out. 

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭4‬:‭16‬ says, But if anyone suffers as a “Christian,” he should not be ashamed but should glorify God in having that name.

Father, thank you for surprise guests. Always welcome. Amen.