We had a morning shower last Saturday to make everything just wet enough to make it miserable. The scouts could not work on the greenhouse, our stuff got a little damp in the back of the trucks, but we moved on and things worked out. We covered the back of the truck with a tarp, asking Turner if he needed the tarp for his camp. He said, no thanks, you better keep it, the rain is not over. As soon as we left Turner, it started raining again! Ok Turner, what do you know that we don't?! Richard read a story from a book he had with him. Dale, William and Robert were waiting on us. Dale got out of his chair and hobbled to the truck. He looked better following his hospital stay, but not sure he should be outside in all of this cold weather. William seemed to be fine. We finished our visits talking to Smokey about his new job at the VA hospital. He pushes a book cart around the hospital and asks all the patients if they would like something to read. Smokey was made for this job, with his love to talk and outgoing personality, he is having a good time.
By noon the weather had dried up enough for the scouts to begin the final phase on the remodeling of the greenhouse. They began to install the new plexiglass panes. Ms Lisa has put up pictures of the glass, it is outstanding. With a late start the scouts were not able to finish, so they will be back this Saturday to complete the project. Can't you just see, rows and rows of little plants budding out, waiting to be planted!
We had an unusual large number of children this week in the afternoons. Monday, Krysten, Joey and Mary helped the children, make gingerbread houses. Tuesday, they made Christmas cookies, Wednesday they made a Christmas tree out of pictures of their hands. The tree is on the wall in the Fellowship hall.
With the completion of our new roof, the air conditioner units needed to be hooked back up. John Sauls got our plumber to run new gas lines to the units and on Tuesday our friend, John Williams hooked the electricity back up. John came after work, with flashlight in hand, worked in the dark to get the job done. What a blessing our two Johns are!
Tuesday evening, Mr Matt led our discussions after reading from the first chapter in Ecclesiastes. People live, people die, but the earth continues forever. All things continue the way they have been since the beginning. We all too often get full of ourselves, thinking we can change the world, or look what I have done, or think we are indispensable, but Solomon reminds us, God has been here for ever, will be here for ever and we are but a small blip in God's radar. God is in charge of life, not us.
Wednesday, Lomax and Joey went and picked up smoked turkeys from our friends at the New Room. Later on in the evening, Momma T led our team of table decorations. Krysten, Emily and Lomax helped her transform the room into a Christmas wonderland. Patience, pictures are coming.
Thursday was full of activities. To get the day started, Krysten, Emily and Joey made bags of groceries, then moved over to the kitchen and began the process of carving up all those turkeys for our meal. Quite an adventure since no one had ever done that before!
Mr Matt invited a pastor friend of his, Pastor Doyle Adams to lead chapel. He pastors a church in Benton. A long time friend Spencer lead us in singing some Christmas hymns. Pastor Doyle talked about relationships. Our relationships with our families, our spouses, our children, our friends are important but the most important relationship we can ever have is the one with Jesus. God lvoed us so much, He sent His son to earth so that we may begin the process of starting that relationship. Very simple, no magic, just a willingness on our part to accept Christ in our hearts. This is a perfect time of year to do so if you have not done so already.
We then made our way into the fellowship hall where the food and fun was everywhere. We had a special visit from the guy in the red suit. Another friend of ours, Thomas Jackson, entertained the children as well as the adults in learning what everybody wanted for Christmas. Ms Lisa and Momma T checked the names of all our friends as they got their groceries. Then they made their way into the friendship room, where Ms Sarah and Ms Tammy was busy handing out Christmas bags to both the children and adults, compliments of the generosity of the congregation of Grace.
What a night, so much joy and fun.
Ms Lisa reported the new fundraiser is going well so far, close to $5000 has been collected. Continue to think of names to give to Ms Lisa. Please keep your prayers going that God will provide a way for us to pay our debt.
Prayers for Mr Joe as he recovers from his heart surgery. Prayers for Ms Abbie as she recovers from her pneumonia. Prayers for Ms Sarah. For those of you who have not heard, Ms Sarah has accepted a temporary assignment to Haiti. She will be gone for 6 months, starting the first of January. Prayers for safe travel for all who are visiting family and friends this holiday weekend. Continued prayers for Cari Bollinger as she starts a new treatment. Prayers for a friend of Hat's who was diagnosed with the same disease as Cari's. Prayers for us all, as we stop for a moment and celebrate the birth of Jesus and reflect on our relationship with Him.
I hope everybody has a joyous time with your family and friends as we gather to celebrate the birth of Jesus. God continues to bless our little community in so many ways, we need to stop and thank Him for sending His son to us. Exciting times are ahead for us in the new year, may we all draw closer to the one who makes a way out of no way. May we celebrate a new life, a new way of living, bringing joy to everyone we meet. Shinning His light into the world around us.
Merry Christmas and blessings to all in the new year. Amen.
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