December 27. Had most everything ready yesterday evening (for dinner today with Chuck and Mary and Mel and Ellen) when Daddy received another call from Chuck. They were only as far as Maryland because of car problems and would not make it here in the morning. If they got an early enough start, they may make it for the evening service, they said, or they may just go on down the east coast. We let Mel and Ellen know, but decided we would still have them come for dinner since we had so much food prepared.
So we were up early this morning to make sure everything was ready for guests later. Took a shower, fixed Lew’s breakfast, then my breakfast, had quiet time, and got the house in order for dinner. Left here a litle after 9:30 for church.
In the main service, Pastor Ogle preached on Philippians 4:8, an excellent message and very thought-provoking. It is so good to sit under the teaching of God’s Word for a while.
Went through SC after church to get gas. Started warming up dinner shortly after we got home. C & C came shortly after us, and Mel and Ellen not too much later. We enjoyed the time together.
This evening, Daddy gave a report of our ministry to our own church. A lot of people were not there today -- many sick, many gone for the holidays. There was one whole section of chairs almost completely empty. It was good to see Dennis and Jennifer Running who had come to hear Daddy. And shortly before Lewis was called up to speak, we looked back, and there were the Chamberys. We motioned for Bro. Schneider to send them over and sit with us. We were so glad they made it.
After the meeting, the Chamberys moved their trailer over, but could not move it close to the building which they had hoped to do so they could hook up to the power. The area was too wet and muddy from the rain. Then they rode back to the house with us for an ice cream supper and time for visiting and fellowship. Daddy called Mel and Ellen and had them come over too because Chuck and Mary wanted to see them.
December 28. It was going on 10:00 last night before Daddy took Chuck and Mary back to their trailer. I stayed here and did the dishes. It was 11:00 before we got to bed - very tired. And it was after 7:00 when I got up this morning.
We went uptown to the post office to mail a birthday card, to the bank to cash some checks, and to WalMart to get a few items. It was 1:45 before we got home. Put away the food, had lunch, and then lay down for nap at 2:32. I said to myself, I will sleep until 3:22. That was a pretty close guess. When I awoke and looked at the clock, it was 3:24.
While Daddy was still sleeping, I took advantage of the quiet to read my Bible some more. Got things together to work on Connie’s little album and then started supper -- spaghetti tonight, and salad to go with it. Put the leftover chicken in the freezer for another day. We’ve had lots of chicken and turkey lately. Found some leftover fish in the fridge. Had completely forgotten that there was some left. Yes, it was spoiled, so out it went. I was sorry it had gotten forgotten. Also found a little bit of leftover turkey stew. That had to go out too.
After supper, I worked on the album for a while. Then I did the dishes, had a little snack, and enjoyed my evening Bible reading (one of my favorite chapthers, I Corinthians 15).
“57But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” I Corinthians 15:58
December 29. Light rain in the morning, but turned out to be a beautiful, sunny day. Must have been around 70. We didn’t go anywhere until evening, but enjoyed getting outside and walking around in the sunshine.
Today was e-mail writing day. Spent most of the morning answering e-mails. Also wrote a thank-you note and worked a while on Connie’s photo album.
In the evening, we went over to Christy and Connie’s to see if I could find the files I need to help me get the correct cloth pictures with the Sunday school lessons for Owena. They have the pictures there in Owena, but I wasn’t sure which numbers go with which lesson because I can’t remember what number was on what picture. I didn’t find the file I was looking for, but did find the Firm Foundations book that we translated the original copies from so I was happy about that. It will help me to see what pictures go with what lessons.
“13Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. 14Let all your things be done with charity.” I Corinthians 16:13,14