"Oh, look! A rainbow!" I exclaimed, as the majestic sight came into view in the wide window of the train. Then I heard an announcement alerting the passengers to look east at the beautiful rainbow. We were traveling home from our trip to Texas seeing family and had been experiencing thunderstorms. But now the western sun had made a late afternoon appearance, and conditions were just right for this optical phenomenon.
The solid grey cloud cover provided the perfect backdrop and the water droplets to reflect and refract the vibrant colors of the spectrum. It was the most vivid rainbow I think I had ever seen, clearly visible from one end to the other as the bow touched down in the field in front of us. Not only that, there was a second bow with inverted colors being reflected from the first one.
The whole landscape was bathed in a golden light as the sun broke through the clouds, endowing ordinary houses, pastures and barns with an aura reminiscent of a Thomas Kinkade painting. The newly greening grass, the suffused light softening the grey clouds and the pastel, multicolored arch made me think of Easter. My husband even remarked on the beauty of the scenery.
A little later, I was wondering about a herd of cattle clustered near a pasture fence line. Then my heart was touched as I spotted a tiny, black calf all alone on the other side of the fence, running frantically back and forth, trying to find his way back in to be reunited with his mother, obviously one of the cows anxiously looking on. I couldn't help but think of our baby grandson we had just left and how frantic he gets if his bottle is not immediately forthcoming when he is hungry.
Settling back in our comfortable coach seats, Howard and I reminisced over our lovely visit and the royal treatment we enjoyed from our sons and their families. We had just left our son Trevor who had thoughtfully come from his Dallas area home and met us in Ft. Worth for our 3-hour layover and had taken us to lunch for a wonderful visit with his family.
In Austin, our daughter-in-law Rhonda had had a home-cooked meal waiting for us when son Mark brought us home from the station on our arrival. Son Jamie and family were to pick us up the next day to spend the week with them in Houston. While we waited for them, we all spent time browsing an antique mall, then caught up on family news at a restaurant lunch when they arrived.
The week was a blur of good food, including Chinese, Mexican, Cuban, Scandinavian, and Cajun, not to mention Jamie's gourmet breakfasts of crepes, breakfast casserole, luscious fruit, creamy oatmeal, fancy French toast, bacon and sausage. Outshining them all, however, was the impromptu picnic I shared with my little granddaughters the day I stayed home with them and we ate perched on the steps of the deck. Gloomy skies and chilly days had given way to glorious sunshine, and we dined al fresco, basking in the fresh air and the warmth of each other's presence. Memories to feast on until I can see them again!
Sunday, March 16, 2014
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Small World
"What is your baby-sitter's name?" I asked my granddaughter, to which the almost-5-year-old replied, "Rebecca." They have a sitter three days a week while our son, a youth pastor, is getting his master's degree in Biblical Languages at the university. I've been curious about how the helper is doing with the new baby since our daughter-in-law has gone back to work.
Last night at mid-week church service, I was surprised when Tammy said, "I want you to meet Rebecca, our baby-sitter." I had forgotten they said she worked in children's ministry there. Next Tammy said, "She's from New Orleans and knew some of the same people you knew!"
Turns out the people she was referring to were the ones tragically killed in an accident a couple of years ago. We were in shock when we read on the internet the newspaper report of the tragedy. The family was from our small hometown in Mississippi and had attended church with us for several years, even being in our home in a small-group meeting. The older couple, along with their special-needs son and their son-in-law, lost their lives when an 18-wheeler crossed the median and hit them head on.
The son-in-law had been Rebecca's pastor in New Orleans! We remembered him as the handsome young bridegroom of the beautiful daughter of these friends at their wedding years ago. Since then, they had become leaders of a large church and had several children. How remarkable that we met someone with this connection on our visit to Houston!
During the service, time was given for a missionary to speak about his work in Honduras. He gave a heart-rending account of the poverty-stricken conditions and the youth for whom he is providing a school, a home, and hope for the future.
"They have no money, scarce food and no where to live," we were told. "They have never even brushed their teeth." But this outreach is not only giving them an education, but bringing them the good news of the gospel. The missionary asked prayer for the endeavor, and prayer for a health condition he has as well.
My husband was especially touched, and after service we met the missionary and talked with him, finding out his name and making a contribution to the ministry. He even gave us his e-mail address, so we can correspond and keep abreast of the work. One more way to make a difference! Who knew that our trip to Houston would stretch all the way to Central America!
Last night at mid-week church service, I was surprised when Tammy said, "I want you to meet Rebecca, our baby-sitter." I had forgotten they said she worked in children's ministry there. Next Tammy said, "She's from New Orleans and knew some of the same people you knew!"
Turns out the people she was referring to were the ones tragically killed in an accident a couple of years ago. We were in shock when we read on the internet the newspaper report of the tragedy. The family was from our small hometown in Mississippi and had attended church with us for several years, even being in our home in a small-group meeting. The older couple, along with their special-needs son and their son-in-law, lost their lives when an 18-wheeler crossed the median and hit them head on.
The son-in-law had been Rebecca's pastor in New Orleans! We remembered him as the handsome young bridegroom of the beautiful daughter of these friends at their wedding years ago. Since then, they had become leaders of a large church and had several children. How remarkable that we met someone with this connection on our visit to Houston!
During the service, time was given for a missionary to speak about his work in Honduras. He gave a heart-rending account of the poverty-stricken conditions and the youth for whom he is providing a school, a home, and hope for the future.
"They have no money, scarce food and no where to live," we were told. "They have never even brushed their teeth." But this outreach is not only giving them an education, but bringing them the good news of the gospel. The missionary asked prayer for the endeavor, and prayer for a health condition he has as well.
My husband was especially touched, and after service we met the missionary and talked with him, finding out his name and making a contribution to the ministry. He even gave us his e-mail address, so we can correspond and keep abreast of the work. One more way to make a difference! Who knew that our trip to Houston would stretch all the way to Central America!
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Over the Moon
My trip to Houston has brought me to new heights. Last night we visited our daughter-in-law's office which is on the 62nd floor of her building! I didn't realize how high it was until I started asking my son after we were already getting on the elevator. He said he hadn't told me because he was afraid I wouldn't go, since I don't like heights.
Although the view from her office was amazing, and the family pictures on her wall were heartwarming, I was glad to get my feet back on good old terra firma. "Mom, come here and look," Jamie called me from around the corner at the base of the building. "Look how high you were," he said as he pointed toward the top of the shining structure, but my head would hardly tilt back far enough to see the top! I didn't realize I had been that high!
Every day has been a new adventure on this vacation. Yesterday I went along as Jamie, kids in tow, including baby, took his father to a guitar center, where Howard strummed on and fantasized over several of the beautiful instruments. The next order of the day was to go to a place for lunch called the "Pot Belly." Somehow it wasn't exactly where our host remembered it, but we did pass a store I love, to which we would return after we had found and eaten at the "Pot Belly."
Each excursion starts with baby Isaac, four months, calmly looking around in his car seat until he realizes where he is, then a frown creases his brow and little spurts of discontentment are heard. I distract him by rattling a tin of breath mints, which works for a few minutes, then a suspicious look comes over his countenance. Immediately his cherubic face crumples into a full-fledged temper fit admirable in its length and fury. He hates the instrument of torture he is strapped into and forced to endure until the car stops, when he again becomes his angelic self.
Yesterday I walked around the backyard with my little granddaughters who wanted to show me some purple flowers they had discovered in the grass. The tiny blossoms had disappeared, but we found some that were yellow, as well as white clover blooms on slender stems. They picked a handful, and we tried to make a garland of them for Maddie's hair. Alas, our efforts at weaving failed, but I did manage to stick a few of them in a fat braid I plaited in the 4-year-old's gorgeous, titian tresses. When they fell out, the miniature bouquet made a sweet accent in a 3-ounce paper cup on the kitchen table.
They were still there this morning when we were served a breakfast of golden french toast topped with the freshest strawberries and vanilla-laced mounds of whipped cream cheese, accompanied by strips of crisp, oven-baked bacon. Did I mention I am at new heights?
Although the view from her office was amazing, and the family pictures on her wall were heartwarming, I was glad to get my feet back on good old terra firma. "Mom, come here and look," Jamie called me from around the corner at the base of the building. "Look how high you were," he said as he pointed toward the top of the shining structure, but my head would hardly tilt back far enough to see the top! I didn't realize I had been that high!
Every day has been a new adventure on this vacation. Yesterday I went along as Jamie, kids in tow, including baby, took his father to a guitar center, where Howard strummed on and fantasized over several of the beautiful instruments. The next order of the day was to go to a place for lunch called the "Pot Belly." Somehow it wasn't exactly where our host remembered it, but we did pass a store I love, to which we would return after we had found and eaten at the "Pot Belly."
Each excursion starts with baby Isaac, four months, calmly looking around in his car seat until he realizes where he is, then a frown creases his brow and little spurts of discontentment are heard. I distract him by rattling a tin of breath mints, which works for a few minutes, then a suspicious look comes over his countenance. Immediately his cherubic face crumples into a full-fledged temper fit admirable in its length and fury. He hates the instrument of torture he is strapped into and forced to endure until the car stops, when he again becomes his angelic self.
Yesterday I walked around the backyard with my little granddaughters who wanted to show me some purple flowers they had discovered in the grass. The tiny blossoms had disappeared, but we found some that were yellow, as well as white clover blooms on slender stems. They picked a handful, and we tried to make a garland of them for Maddie's hair. Alas, our efforts at weaving failed, but I did manage to stick a few of them in a fat braid I plaited in the 4-year-old's gorgeous, titian tresses. When they fell out, the miniature bouquet made a sweet accent in a 3-ounce paper cup on the kitchen table.
They were still there this morning when we were served a breakfast of golden french toast topped with the freshest strawberries and vanilla-laced mounds of whipped cream cheese, accompanied by strips of crisp, oven-baked bacon. Did I mention I am at new heights?
Monday, March 10, 2014
On Track
"Excuse me, sir," I said to the conductor as he passed our seats, "Is 'Texas Chief' the name of the train we get on at Ft. Worth?" I wasn't sure if I remembered the name right, and the ticket info from the computer didn't specify. Changing trains was the only thing I had dreaded about the trip, because we always had to get our luggage, pull it the considerable distance into the station, wait for the train, then hurry and drag it out again when our connection came.
"No, it's the 'Texas Eagle,'" he clarified. "And it's probably already there. It will be the silver train right beside this one." I asked if there would be anything between us, meaning if we had to cross another track. "Nothing but about 15 feet of concrete," he said.
"Praise the Lord!" I said to my husband. This was surely an answer to prayer for my anxieties! And it was so simple! We got on and waited in comfort until we resumed the last leg of our journey. What if I hadn't asked the question? I wondered. We might have gone inside the station for a lot of needless work!
We had had an unusual beginning to the trip. When we arrived at the station in Norman, I waited with the luggage while Howard went to park the car. Suddenly three tall, imposing men appeared in khaki uniforms bearing the words "Police," on arm and chest and "Homeland Security," emblazoned on a sign worn on the back. One officer's hair was combed to stand up in a peak, adding to his height and Nordic appearance as he stood with arms crossed eyeing the passengers. They were asking random people to see their tickets and aimed a device with a red light at my luggage. It was a bit disconcerting, and I joked that I didn't know that one could not take liquids, as in air travel. They assured me they weren't looking for liquids. When I asked if they had received a threat, one replied, "No, if we had, you wouldn't be getting on the train!" Just increased security necessary in today's world, I concluded.
As usual, we found our fellow travelers interesting, and as usual Howard struck up a conversation with a passenger waiting with us. When he learned she had worked for Metropolitan Life for 35 years, he had to tell her that Phoebe P. Knapp, wife of Metropolitan's founder, wrote the music to Fanny J. Crosby's famous hymn, "Blessed Assurance." The lady was quite engrossed in his descriptive story. When I observed that Snoopy was now the company symbol, she agreed, saying her daughter tells people her mother works for Snoopy.
Even more interesting to me and so astounding that I pointed it out to Howard, was the resemblance of a passenger to my husband! It was like looking at an older version of Howard! Several senior gentlemen, obviously acquainted, were sitting near us in the observation car, gazing out at the passing Texas scenery. I did a double-take at the sight of one of them. He had the same handsome good looks as Howard, though aged, same nose and chin and general demeanor. It was amazing, seeming like a glimpse into the future.
When we got off the train and saw our son standing there, smiling in welcome, I couldn't help noticing a woman waiting and looking at us with the most dazzling smile! Her whole face radiated joy! As she kept smiling so expectantly, I realized she was probably the mother of a young woman who would be getting off behind us, who had spoken to us of her mother living there. It made me think of the happy reunion in heaven someday as loved ones meet us on our arrival. The happiest destination of all!
"No, it's the 'Texas Eagle,'" he clarified. "And it's probably already there. It will be the silver train right beside this one." I asked if there would be anything between us, meaning if we had to cross another track. "Nothing but about 15 feet of concrete," he said.
"Praise the Lord!" I said to my husband. This was surely an answer to prayer for my anxieties! And it was so simple! We got on and waited in comfort until we resumed the last leg of our journey. What if I hadn't asked the question? I wondered. We might have gone inside the station for a lot of needless work!
We had had an unusual beginning to the trip. When we arrived at the station in Norman, I waited with the luggage while Howard went to park the car. Suddenly three tall, imposing men appeared in khaki uniforms bearing the words "Police," on arm and chest and "Homeland Security," emblazoned on a sign worn on the back. One officer's hair was combed to stand up in a peak, adding to his height and Nordic appearance as he stood with arms crossed eyeing the passengers. They were asking random people to see their tickets and aimed a device with a red light at my luggage. It was a bit disconcerting, and I joked that I didn't know that one could not take liquids, as in air travel. They assured me they weren't looking for liquids. When I asked if they had received a threat, one replied, "No, if we had, you wouldn't be getting on the train!" Just increased security necessary in today's world, I concluded.
As usual, we found our fellow travelers interesting, and as usual Howard struck up a conversation with a passenger waiting with us. When he learned she had worked for Metropolitan Life for 35 years, he had to tell her that Phoebe P. Knapp, wife of Metropolitan's founder, wrote the music to Fanny J. Crosby's famous hymn, "Blessed Assurance." The lady was quite engrossed in his descriptive story. When I observed that Snoopy was now the company symbol, she agreed, saying her daughter tells people her mother works for Snoopy.
Even more interesting to me and so astounding that I pointed it out to Howard, was the resemblance of a passenger to my husband! It was like looking at an older version of Howard! Several senior gentlemen, obviously acquainted, were sitting near us in the observation car, gazing out at the passing Texas scenery. I did a double-take at the sight of one of them. He had the same handsome good looks as Howard, though aged, same nose and chin and general demeanor. It was amazing, seeming like a glimpse into the future.
When we got off the train and saw our son standing there, smiling in welcome, I couldn't help noticing a woman waiting and looking at us with the most dazzling smile! Her whole face radiated joy! As she kept smiling so expectantly, I realized she was probably the mother of a young woman who would be getting off behind us, who had spoken to us of her mother living there. It made me think of the happy reunion in heaven someday as loved ones meet us on our arrival. The happiest destination of all!
Monday, March 3, 2014
In the Bleak Mid-Winter
After 24 hours of being confined to the house due to ice, snow and cold, we finally ventured out today into the beautiful snow. We were surprised when we woke up to find there was so much of it! Three or four inches, and then drifted much deeper in places. By then the sun was shining brightly, and even though it was still cold, a little melting was taking place. We enjoyed a ride into the country where farmsteads were nestled cozily in slopes and valleys, snugly blanketed in the snowy white stuff.
Not long ago, the schools were closed here for a "no-snow" day. It seems they had allowed for what they thought were too many snow days, so the kids got a vacation just to use up one of the days. I wonder if they second-guessed themselves today!
Snow days are mixed blessings, and we often fret at our routines being interrupted by inclement weather. But the Bible says in Job 37:6-7,"For he saith to the snow, Be thou on the earth; likewise to the small rain, and to the great rain of his strength. (7) He sealeth up the hand of every man; that all men may know his work."
In other words, when we have to stop our work or routines because of a snow day, we have the opportunity to consider God's work! To rest and stay inside and to contemplate, appreciate, and enjoy God's marvelous work and its mysterious beauty. What a treat for the eye and a renewal for the spirit to behold a changed landscape, pristine in its pureness, every imperfection and eyesore covered in a regal robe of white!
Verse 8 says, "Then the beasts go into dens, and remain in their places." Even the animals have to pause in their activity, whether wild animals hunting food or domestic animals taking shelter in warm, dry barns or stables.
We read in verse 13 the reasons for the rain, storms and snow. "He causeth it to come, whether for correction, or for his land, or for mercy." We know the benefits of snow for the land as it acts as insulation and protection from freezing for the tender roots below. The moisture snow provides for crops is very beneficial since it melts slowly and almost all of it is absorbed, with very little evaporating in the cold temperatures.
How many times have people prayed and pleaded for merciful drops of rain during sustained droughts? And God is perfectly capable of using severe weather for correction of his people if He desires.
Probably those who enjoy snow most are the children. They revel in it, ignoring freezing hands and toes for the delight of tossing the novel stuff into the air, the fun of throwing snowballs, the challenge of building snowmen, the thrill of sledding, or the wonder of lying in it to make snow angels. Job 38:22 asks, "Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow?" Obviously, the little snow angels have!
Not long ago, the schools were closed here for a "no-snow" day. It seems they had allowed for what they thought were too many snow days, so the kids got a vacation just to use up one of the days. I wonder if they second-guessed themselves today!
Snow days are mixed blessings, and we often fret at our routines being interrupted by inclement weather. But the Bible says in Job 37:6-7,"For he saith to the snow, Be thou on the earth; likewise to the small rain, and to the great rain of his strength. (7) He sealeth up the hand of every man; that all men may know his work."
In other words, when we have to stop our work or routines because of a snow day, we have the opportunity to consider God's work! To rest and stay inside and to contemplate, appreciate, and enjoy God's marvelous work and its mysterious beauty. What a treat for the eye and a renewal for the spirit to behold a changed landscape, pristine in its pureness, every imperfection and eyesore covered in a regal robe of white!
Verse 8 says, "Then the beasts go into dens, and remain in their places." Even the animals have to pause in their activity, whether wild animals hunting food or domestic animals taking shelter in warm, dry barns or stables.
We read in verse 13 the reasons for the rain, storms and snow. "He causeth it to come, whether for correction, or for his land, or for mercy." We know the benefits of snow for the land as it acts as insulation and protection from freezing for the tender roots below. The moisture snow provides for crops is very beneficial since it melts slowly and almost all of it is absorbed, with very little evaporating in the cold temperatures.
How many times have people prayed and pleaded for merciful drops of rain during sustained droughts? And God is perfectly capable of using severe weather for correction of his people if He desires.
Probably those who enjoy snow most are the children. They revel in it, ignoring freezing hands and toes for the delight of tossing the novel stuff into the air, the fun of throwing snowballs, the challenge of building snowmen, the thrill of sledding, or the wonder of lying in it to make snow angels. Job 38:22 asks, "Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow?" Obviously, the little snow angels have!
Sunday, March 2, 2014
Heartthoughts: Rescuer
The topic in Sunday School this morning turned to David as an example of a righteous leader. David sought the Lord to see if he should attack his enemies, the Philistines, and if he did, would he come out victorious? (I Chronicles 14:10.) God told him to come against them at a different place, "against the mulberry trees." Verse 15 says, "And it shall be, when thou shalt hear a sound of going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt go out to battle: for God is gone forth before thee to smite the Philistines."
David obeyed, winning the battle against the Philistines. Verse 17 gives the results: "And the fame of David went into all the lands; and the Lord brought the fear of him upon all the nations."
The ensuing discussion prompted my husband to mention how God has helped the Jewish people even in modern times. He cited an instance in 1948 in which they were fighting a battle completely unarmed, except for hoes, rakes, and makeshift weapons. All appeared to be lost, when a swarm of bees appeared out of nowhere, stinging and discomfiting the enemy, resulting in victory for Israel.
This reminded me of something that happened to my godly mother, a widow living on her own. One day walking along a grassy patch on the way to milk her cow, she stumbled upon a nest of yellow-jackets in the ground. Furious at having their nest disturbed, the vicious, stinging insects began to swarm around her. Terrified, and having no way to defend herself, Mama called out to God. Suddenly a large dog appeared as if from nowhere and began trotting off in the opposite direction. The bee-like insects swarmed after him as he led them away and Mama reached her porch unharmed.
My mother was always quick to give the glory to God for being, in her words, "an ever-present help in time of need." On one of the last trips she took with my father, they experienced tire trouble on their way from Texas to visit us in Mississippi. Daddy was not strong enough to remove the lug nuts on the car he had struggled to jack up on the side of the busy interstate highway. In the rush of passing cars, semi-trucks and exhaust fumes, Mama began to pray, "Lord, send somebody to help us!"
Just then the whine of an engine alerted her to a giant semi pulling up behind them. The agile driver swung to the ground, smiling and coming toward them. "Oh, I was just asking for God to send help," Mama exclaimed, to which the friendly stranger replied in a Cajun accent, "Ask and you shall receive!" He had the tire off and replaced in no time, and they were on their way. Mama just knew he was an angel.
Not only does God honor obedience in righteous leaders, he also honors the faith of his humblest servants, whether they hear a rustling in the mulberry trees, the whine of a truck or the welcome sound of loping paws of an old, yellow dog. He is an ever-present Help in time of need!
David obeyed, winning the battle against the Philistines. Verse 17 gives the results: "And the fame of David went into all the lands; and the Lord brought the fear of him upon all the nations."
The ensuing discussion prompted my husband to mention how God has helped the Jewish people even in modern times. He cited an instance in 1948 in which they were fighting a battle completely unarmed, except for hoes, rakes, and makeshift weapons. All appeared to be lost, when a swarm of bees appeared out of nowhere, stinging and discomfiting the enemy, resulting in victory for Israel.
This reminded me of something that happened to my godly mother, a widow living on her own. One day walking along a grassy patch on the way to milk her cow, she stumbled upon a nest of yellow-jackets in the ground. Furious at having their nest disturbed, the vicious, stinging insects began to swarm around her. Terrified, and having no way to defend herself, Mama called out to God. Suddenly a large dog appeared as if from nowhere and began trotting off in the opposite direction. The bee-like insects swarmed after him as he led them away and Mama reached her porch unharmed.
My mother was always quick to give the glory to God for being, in her words, "an ever-present help in time of need." On one of the last trips she took with my father, they experienced tire trouble on their way from Texas to visit us in Mississippi. Daddy was not strong enough to remove the lug nuts on the car he had struggled to jack up on the side of the busy interstate highway. In the rush of passing cars, semi-trucks and exhaust fumes, Mama began to pray, "Lord, send somebody to help us!"
Just then the whine of an engine alerted her to a giant semi pulling up behind them. The agile driver swung to the ground, smiling and coming toward them. "Oh, I was just asking for God to send help," Mama exclaimed, to which the friendly stranger replied in a Cajun accent, "Ask and you shall receive!" He had the tire off and replaced in no time, and they were on their way. Mama just knew he was an angel.
Not only does God honor obedience in righteous leaders, he also honors the faith of his humblest servants, whether they hear a rustling in the mulberry trees, the whine of a truck or the welcome sound of loping paws of an old, yellow dog. He is an ever-present Help in time of need!
Saturday, March 1, 2014
What Next?
"Ooh, that looks like rockets flying!" I exclaimed as I looked up to see fresh-cut french fries shooting every which way. "Or more like Spud-nik," I joked. Our daughter-in-law was trying out a food slicing tool and had put in a very large potato. She pressed the long lever fastened to a cast iron push-block with all her might, forcing the potato through the small squares of the cutting blade. That's when it exploded onto the floor. It was funny, but I don't think they got my joke, not having lived in the days of Sputnik.
We had told them we would come out, but we decided to stop by the grocery store first. There we ran into friends from our former church who said there would be a gathering at Braum's to have ice cream for the pastor's birthday and invited us to drop by. It was for two o'clock, and it was already one, but at the next store we ran in and got a birthday card and started the short distance home to put away the groceries. Not having had lunch and famished by this time, we grabbed a burger and got back just in time for the celebration.
Seeing friends and catching up was fun, as was this brief visit with our kids. The weather was turning iffy and we were under a winter weather advisory, so home seemed like the best place to be. I occupied myself with making a pumpkin pie while Howard practiced a song he is to lead in church tomorrow.
He had planned to go to the Saturday night singing and asked me to fix a quick bite before he left. I hastily warmed up some leftovers, and with the pie, we had a satisfying supper. Glancing out the window, I noticed a coating on the car windshield and told Howard it looked like ice. He wasn't worried, though, and continued to get ready.
About that time the phone rang. It was our kids. "Dad, we were in Walmart for only about 10 minutes, and when we came out, our windshield was covered with ice. Be careful if you drive." Howard went out to check the car, and they called again. "It's getting slippery out there," they cautioned him. I'm glad he decided to stay home.
We're making sure the phone is charged and checking our supply of candles in case we need them. Snow, ice and single-digit temperatures are predicted for tomorrow, making me wonder about church in the morning. Just so it warms up by the weekend, when we're scheduled to visit family down south and celebrate our granddaughter's birthday. Those are the only kind of candles I want to think about now!
We had told them we would come out, but we decided to stop by the grocery store first. There we ran into friends from our former church who said there would be a gathering at Braum's to have ice cream for the pastor's birthday and invited us to drop by. It was for two o'clock, and it was already one, but at the next store we ran in and got a birthday card and started the short distance home to put away the groceries. Not having had lunch and famished by this time, we grabbed a burger and got back just in time for the celebration.
Seeing friends and catching up was fun, as was this brief visit with our kids. The weather was turning iffy and we were under a winter weather advisory, so home seemed like the best place to be. I occupied myself with making a pumpkin pie while Howard practiced a song he is to lead in church tomorrow.
He had planned to go to the Saturday night singing and asked me to fix a quick bite before he left. I hastily warmed up some leftovers, and with the pie, we had a satisfying supper. Glancing out the window, I noticed a coating on the car windshield and told Howard it looked like ice. He wasn't worried, though, and continued to get ready.
About that time the phone rang. It was our kids. "Dad, we were in Walmart for only about 10 minutes, and when we came out, our windshield was covered with ice. Be careful if you drive." Howard went out to check the car, and they called again. "It's getting slippery out there," they cautioned him. I'm glad he decided to stay home.
We're making sure the phone is charged and checking our supply of candles in case we need them. Snow, ice and single-digit temperatures are predicted for tomorrow, making me wonder about church in the morning. Just so it warms up by the weekend, when we're scheduled to visit family down south and celebrate our granddaughter's birthday. Those are the only kind of candles I want to think about now!
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