God is good!

You just never know what life will deal you each day. To get us through those days when things don't go according to our plans, we need God by our side. We need people who will comfort you during those times. We need family to pray for you when you are trying to understand what happened. You wonder, you ask questions, you get frustrated, you wear down, but knowing you are not going through these times by yourself is a huge comfort. Words can not express the gratitude we have felt from all of you during this time. Your prayers, your phone calls, your texts, your emails are all such a comfort, My wife is home but still has away to go for complete recovery so please continue your thoughts and prayers for her in the coming weeks.

It was not until late Friday afternoon did I realized it was Friday and I forgot to share the news of the week. Sorry, but when someone in your family is sick, things just revolve around them and you loose track of time.

Last Saturday was a morning of cold, drizzly skies, not a good day to be outside. Matt and Tim led the girls around for a short while picking up trash in the neighborhood. Elbert led Bible study with some of our guys from our Tuesday evening fellowship who showed up to help with our visits. Scott, Dawn and I made our rounds visiting the camps. Man it was cold, can't imagine trying to stay warm and dry. We quickly went around to the camps, not wanting the guys to stay outside any longer than they had to. By the time we got to the Macroni camp, our feet were wet, cold and we were shivering. The Macroni camp was as wet and sloppy as I have ever seen it. Mud everywhere. The hot chocolate and coffee were a welcomed relieve for the guys.

I will admit, I was looking forward to visiting with Smokey, at least he was inside and dry. When we got to Smokey's place, he opened the door and said, could ya'll use a warm bowl of chili! What a man of God. He had fixed a big pot of chili, not only for us but for anybody else in his building. Sione and his troups for the last several years, would brave the cold and ice to bring a warm meal to the camps. Now I can relate to what that does to your soul as well. Not only does hot food warm the body, being remembered warms the soul!

Also on Saturdays, Ardis brings in her haul from Panera Bread company. Ardis shows up late Friday night and they give her a bag of goodies from the store. So now we are able to provide, bagels, rolls, bread to our friends, and use the bread at our meals on Thursdays. What a blessing.

Sunday evening, the Ackerman's entertained the multitudes at their home. I asked the guys Saturday, what they were doing for Thanksgiving and the first thing they said, was going to the Ackermans! Sharing your home, sharing a meal, sharing your heart with others, makes a difference in people's lives.

Also Sunday evening, Lisa and Ardis were attending a mission's banquet at First Baptist church. We had been invited to set up a booth and tell everybody about Common Ground. The ladies did an outstanding job, hearing good reports from the congregation already.

With Thanksgiving break for the schools, no tutoring was going on. It will resume next week.

Tuesday evening, the men met for fellowship and Bible study. Matt and Joey can fill us on with what went on.

Thursday evening we hosted our soup and bread meal. Not many of our community showed up, maybe 15 or so. We got to visit with those that came which was good. We had some new visitors come and help out, along with a lot of you. Joey set up our TV and we watched some of the football game. It was a nice evening.

William is in his rehab facility and doing ok. Continue to lift him up in your prayers. Pray for our guys living outside. This past week with all the rain and then the cold, living conditions are horrible.

While I was with my wife in the hospital for two days, don't know if I was more attuned listening for God, but heard his name mentioned over and over again by various people. It reminded me, how big God is and all He is dong in the world. We never hear about it on the news or radio, so to hear about him over and over again was inspiring. While we were waiting for my wife's surgery to be over, a young lady on her cell phone, shouted, it's a miracle, it's a miracle! Whoever she was talking to on the phone, she said, thank you, thank you for all your prayers it worked!

Another reminder, prayers work! We may not get to hear about the end result, but that is ok, just be faithful and God will provide!

Hope you have a great week. Hope everybody had a great Thanksgiving with family and friends. Life is good, even when we are dealt obstacles, because our God is by our side, lvoing us all the way! Amen.