God, Family, Friends...

Sunday we (Patty and I) had the great opportunity to travel to Ridgewood Baptist Church in Forrest City, AR. Patty did the special music for me and I was able to share a word of encouragement to the church family there as well as sharing with them the opportunity to partner with Pure Joy for our up-coming Poland Retreat. The people were so precious and receptive. The Pastor has a great heart to see the world evangelized and for his church family to grow spiritually! I also took time, at the leading of the spirit, to attend a Sunday school class that morning. It was so great to be in that class (Mixed Adult 3) and I asked to be an adopted member as they agreed to commit to pray for me weekly regarding life’s issues. So cool how the body of Christ works!!!! Please continue to pray that God will give Ridgewood clear direction about becoming one of the sponsoring churches for Poland. By the way, you just got to Love Jesus, He is so faithful!!!

Then there is family. Like many of you we had our entire family home for the first time in I can’t even remember. And they have all been staying at my mom’s house (where I live). Did I mention that our house is a house built for two and has been housing 17 people? That would include four boys ages 7, 5, 3, and 3 weeks old, a teenager 14 years old and 11 older people impersonating adults. And did I mention another boy due in Feb of 2009. Just wrap your brain around it all. I would if I still had one! However, the memories that get made are worth every inch of lack of space! For example, this morning my mom and I were at the table having a cup of coffee. I had the 3 week old so mom and dad could rest and in from the garage walks Drew the five year old. He climbs up into Great Granny’s lap after making a trip back to the garage for his ‘Car’s blanket’ Aunt Myrna made him for Christmas. (Oh, by the way…the garage we insulated it and put carpet in it to make it a play room by day and bedroom by night while everyone is here.) Anyway, as we sit there I engaged Drew in the following conversation.
Drew, do you have a pond by your house? “Yes”, he responded, “we catch catfish in it.” “Really”, I said. Do you eat them? “Yes,” he responded. I said, “Well, who cleans the catfish for you to eat?” He promptly responded that he cleans them. “Really”, I said. How do you do that? “With a wash cloth”, he said. Hmmm what was I thinking…of course with a wash cloth? Then I said, “Do you use soap?” To which he promptly and matter of fact informed me, you don’t use soap on catfish! Yeah, I’m thinking…no sense in drying their skin out before you remove it! Ha, ha, ha-ha

And then there are friends, I am so thankful for all the friends God places in my life to encourage me and challenge me and hold me accountable. And friends to laugh with, cry with, and walk out life with daily. Some of my friends got me a GPS system for Christmas (I think they did that because I randomly call them while I’m on the road and say, “Can you tell me where I am?) Anyway, Patty and I used it yesterday for our trip to Ridgewood. The voice on mine is a male British accent. So, I named him, Sir Scott. I wonder how men do with GPS systems since they do not like to ask for directions. I suppose they just see the GPS system as a toy and that makes it OK. Anyway, it was a great gift and now if I can learn how to use it, it will really come in handy. Last night I was trying to read through some instructions. Something I said activated Sir Scott’s voice. It gave everyone quiet a startle but once they realized he would not be staying over they relaxed. Ha,ha,ha,ha,ha.