No meals were served on the plane, but we had some snacks with us. After we got settled at our gate in the Houston terminal, Daddy bought us each a bowl of oatmeal, a frappuccino for himself, and a smoothie for me.
Flight from Houston left at 10:30, arriving a little over two hours later in Charlotte. It was a nice day in Charlotte, and the temperature was about 60º, at least 5º warmer than earlier predicted. We arrived earlier than scheduled; but by the time we got all our baggage, Christy and Connie were there. What a grand reunion with our two daughters, and with sister Ellen too. I was so excited to see that Ellen and Mel had come to meet us as well as the girls.
On the way to Shelby, we stopped at Cracker Barrel in Gastonia and Mel bought a meal for us all. We hadn’t had a meal since lunch the day before in Honolulu. I had an open roast beef sandwich with mashed potatoes and cole slaw. Dadddy had a cheeseburger with mashed potatoes and cole slaw.
From there, Christy took us to the prophet’s chamber where we dropped off our luggage. There were balloons and a welcome sign outside, two welcome signs inside, and cards all over the counter and tables. The welcome sign by the door has the names of all the church members on it.
After dropping off our stuff, we went to Aldi to get a few groceries to hold us for the weekend. We were excited to see Bro. Bru there. Also bumped into Tammy K and her husband and also a young lady named Angela who works for Sandy’s Christmas.
Came back to the house, put things away, and talked for a while with C & C before they left. Then we got busy unloading our suitcases, putting some things out to use and putting other things away in the suitcases for now.
“O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.” Jeremiah 18:6
November 15. It has been a good day with God’s people and hearing from God’s Word.
It was quite cool in the house yesterday evening, and we couldn’t get the heater to work right. We finally turned it off and used the space heater. It was plenty warm in bed though -- a nice warm quilt on the bed.
The weather was quite chilly (28º) when we got up this morning, and there was frost on the ground, but the day had warmed up nicely by noon.
Christy picked us up around 9:20 for church and then stopped to pick up Cathy M and her niece Brandy. The first familiar face we saw inside the church building was Diane H. The ladies’ class was in the small building. So many familiar faces and warm hugs. Saw Mrs. Parker first at the preschool room door. Mr. Parker was in there with her. In the classroom was Mrs. Surrett who teaches the class, Mrs. Howard, Mrs. Bru who hadn’t been well so I couldn’t give her a hug, Mrs. Cauthen, Mrs. Clarke, Mrs. Christensen (first time to meet her), can’t remember who else. Mary came in later.
Mrs. Surrett played part (the end) of the story of Darlene Rose. It certainly provoked an emotional response and reminded us how thankful we need to be even in our trials which are so much smaller than what Darlene experienced in her years as a POW.
In the church meeting, Bro. Ogle had Daddy come up and say just a few words before praying for the offering. Bro. Ogle’s preaching today was from Philippians 3:18-21 although he started with verse 20 since 21 and 22 are a parenthesis. A very good and heart-searching message. The theme was “Enemies of the Cross of Christ” and the conclusion was that “We must keep our eyes looking for His return - this will keep us focused.”
Christy brought us home and the girls came in and talked for a while. After they left, we had our lunch. I was thankful for a long sound sleep at nap time. Christy came a little before 5:30 to get us for the evening service. They brought us some pizza to have for our supper later.
The ensemble from Ambassador Baptist College was there to sing, and Bro. Beal spoke for us. His message was on thankfulness (or unthankfulness), his text being Numbers 21:1-9. He talked about how discouragement brings deprivation and death, but there is deliverance through the cross.
Talked with Mary for a while again after the meeting. Then went to talk to some other people, but didn’t find anyone who wasn’t talking. Daddy found me and took me to the ABC display table. He bought me three music DVD’s and a hymn book of ABC songs.
Got home around 8:30 and warmed up our pizza for supper. Spent some time with the girls before they went home.
“Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.” Jeremiah 20:9