C.S. Lewis

I just finished reading C.S. Lewis's book The Weight of Glory the other night. While I was reading I wrote down a few passages that jumped out at me. Here are a couple from the end of the book.


All our merely natural activities will be accepted, if they are offered to God, even the humblest: and all of them, even the noblest, will be sinful if they are not.

A more Christian attitude, which can be attained at any age, is that of leaving futurity in God's hands. We may as well, for God will certainly retain it whether we leave it to Him or not. Never, in peace or war commit your happiness to the future. Happy work is best done by the man who takes his long-term plans somewhat lightly and works from moment to moment "as to the Lord."

Pointing to Christ

When I visited my friend Tiffany a little over a week ago I got have some extra conversation time with her due to my unexpected over night stay. It was a great time, as visits with Tiffany always are.
She told me about an area where God has been dealing with her over the last couple of years. It really stuck in my mind.
She talked about how we should constantly be pointing to Christ in all our life. Whether it is a brief conversation with someone you meet at a conference, or a close friendship, our motives should not be to bring focus to ourselves to but Christ.
I fail to do that so often. I let selfishness reign in my heart. I put my wants in front of what is best for others, and worse yet, in front of honoring God.
I am reading a book called "The Pursuit of Holiness" right now. It has really been convicting me about my personal responsibility to fight sin, and in so doing, pursue holiness.
Oh, how thankful I am that God patiently guides us!
So, I ask my friends to forgive me where I have failed. As I grow in grace I will strive to point to Christ all the more.

Chickens and Tires

Saturday afternoon I drove from Cincinnati to my friend Tiffany's house which is about an hour and twenty minute drive. The plan was for me to go spend the afternoon and evening there while Beckisue and Andy went to a wedding.
Tiffany's family was having a chicken butchering that day. There were quite a few people there. We had such a good time. Most of the people there I had never met before. There was a guy there from North Carolina, and two guys and a young married couple from West Virginia. That is a long way to travel to butcher chickens! I really enjoyed getting to meet them all. The whole group just had a sweet time.
I was planning to leave about 7 so I wasn't traveling by myself too late. But just about the time I should have been leaving Tiffany and two other people got out their instruments. Tiffany plays the guitar incredibly well. There was an other guitar and a banjo. Both were played very well. The music was so much fun. I always take my violin when I go on a trip. I don't always play it when I take it places but I have it just in case I want it. Well, guess what? I didn't take it this trip. I wanted to join the music SO badly. I had to stick to singing, which totally isn't my forte!
When they finished practicing in the basement one of the men led a devotional. The instrumentalist then played along with the whole group while we sang many songs. One song we sang was How Deep the Father's Love for Us. How can a person keep from bowing low in worship while singing that song?
When the music was over, and I had said all my good-byes, I dragged myself away. I hadn't gotten far down the road, maybe a mile or so, when I realized something wasn't right. I got out of the car and checked on the tires because it kind of felt like one was flat. I had never had a flat tire before so I didn't really know what it was like. :) All the tires looked fine. I continued on my journey. As I drove along the car started vibrating a little. As the miles went by it was getting worse. I started getting worried that something would happen half way between Georgetown and Cincinnati. I called Beckisue as I was getting on the interstate. She said maybe I should go back. It is a little late to turn around once your are on the interstate. You cannot exactly make a u-turn. But, amazingly enough, as soon as I got on the interstate the noise/vibration completely stopped! I told Beckisue that and she said if it started again before I got too far away from Tiffany's to turn around (which I was already planning on). I drove along fine for about three miles. Suddenly it started again and was *horrible*! Thankfully there was an exit right there. I got off and got back on going the other direction. I knew I couldn't get back up to speed. What ever was wrong was seriously wrong!
I went about a mile and I think I had decided to pull of the road. I am not sure because things like that kind of happen quickly. My back right tire blew. Yikes! Thankfully I was only going about 40 mph I think.
I called Tiffany first thing so they could come get me. I was about 20 minutes or so from their house. I then called Beckisue to tell her what happened. I guess I should just say at this point I was assuming that the tire had blown. I hadn't even gotten out of the car to look. I just wanted to sit tight with the doors locked. After making two phone calls I did open the door and look out. Whoa! Flat tire doesn't begin to describe it.



I sat there telling myself not to worry. You know, God keeps His promises. He tells us that He will keep us in perfect peace if our mind is stayed on Him. I am a big chicken and sitting by the side of the interstate at 10:00 at night by myself is no fun. I needed His peace! I kept praying and God answered.
My uncle sends us a good night text every night. When I got it while sitting there I replied and told him what was going on. A minute later I got a call from him asking if I was okay. I told him I was fine and that my friends were coming to get me. He said he would just chat with me to keep my occupied. I was thankful for that.
I think it took about 45 minutes for Tiffany, her dad, and Isaac (the guy from NC) to arrive. They thought I was having engine trouble and were trying to find tools. :) They didn't realize it was just a tire.
Isaac quickly changed the tire then offered to drive the car back so I didn't have to with the doughnut. I didn't mind driving but I was glad to let him.
I had to leave before the bonfire started and I was disappointed to miss that. Well, with the change of plans I got to go back! A few of us sat around the bonfire until about 1 AM. We talked and laughed and toasted marshmallows.
Tiffany and I went to bed and whispered for an other couple of hours. We whispered until my voice was going hoarse. It was such a blessing to get the extra time with her. We had some much needed conversation.
I got out the paperwork on the tires the next day. They were exactly a year old. I don't know what happened to it because it certainly wasn't warn out! I was able to take it to Sears and drive back to Cincinnati that evening.
I guess I had better end this post. If anyone has read the whole thing they are probably going cross eyed by now.
All that to tell a simple little story. There were SO many things to be thankful for! I am thankful that it happened so soon after I left. If I would have been half way between Tiffany's and Cincinnati.... Yikes!
So, I had a wonderful, wonderful weekend even if it didn't go as planned.

I planned to post about my adventures Saturday night, but right now my heart is too heavy with infinitely more important things.
Our close friend, Greg Wallace, is going in for surgery in the morning. Very, very serious surgery. Please pray with us for Greg, his family, and his girlfriend, Melody.

Dear family and friends,

Today at the Cancer Treatment Center here in Zion I had final consultations and tests done, as well as insertion of a filter to prevent possible clots from traveling to my heart and lungs. Tonight I have some final preparations yet to ready myself for tomorrow.

We will be checking into the hospital about 7am, surgery will begin at 9am, and is expected to last 8-10 hours. After that I will be in ICU, and I will remain sedated for a total of about 24 hours. I basically won't know that Tuesday happened. In the interim, though, my parents who are here with me, my siblings at home, and so many more who are praying for me, will be the ones who are worried. Bring your burdens to the Lord, because He hears and will give you peace.

Evening and morning, and at noon, I will pray and cry aloud; and He shall hear my voice. - Psalm 55:17

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:6-7

The surgeon Dr. Brown will have big decisions to make when he is in there. On Wednesday we had a great consultation with him, and he was very good at both listening and explaining, so that I could make the best choice and give him clear direction with my preferences. He is reputed to be very thorough in his approach and that is a very good thing. Pray that he is able to discern what to remove and what to leave. This is really my number one concern about this surgery.

I will be incommunicado for the next several days, so expect updates to the Facebook group via my sister Jill as she has time. I brought my laptop with me, and once I'm up to it, will email you all again to let you know how I'm doing.

Thank you all once again for your persistent prayers. I have really been touched by the number of people encouraging me & my family and praying regularly, including friends of friends and people I do not even know. Tomorrow is a big day in my search for health, and I know that hundreds, possibly into the thousands, are interceding on my behalf. Blessings to you all.

In God's hands,
Greg

Surprise!

I am sitting here far too tired after a long day to do anything else so I thought I would just blog about my long day. :)

Heather came yesterday afternoon so Michelle could get some uninterrupted work time, and we could have some Heather time. Mom said we needed to get all of our weekend work done before she came since no one would want to do it after she was here.

Amanda decided she wanted us to bring Heather in town to the Farmer's Market where she and Beckisue would be spending the morning.

We finally got our morning stuff finished up late morning and headed to town. We got to the Farmer's Market and greeted our friends there, took Heather to buy a little pumpkin and just looked around.

While I stood and talked to a friend, I looked up and squealed "Courtney!" She and Ava were walking across the parking lot. My whole family new she was coming. She had planned all week to come see me since I had just come home from my trip. Funny thing is is that I had already gone to her house and surprised her on Wednesday. Amanda said they were laughing knowing that we were both planning on surprising the other in the same week.

It was an absolutely *beautiful* fall day. We were right next to a park by the river so we decided to go get some sandwiches from Arby's and have a picnic. Heather and Ava both love water and absolutely had a ball walking the trail along the river. The sun shone so brightly the water just sparkled. The trees were beautiful. The temperature was absolutely perfect. We seriously could not have asked for weather any more perfect.

When we got to the end of the trail, the point where the Eel dumps into the Wabash, we saw a lot of canoes coming toward us. I was totally jealous! I wanted to be out there canoeing so badly! I have only been canoeing once in my life and want to do it again! Someday...

Courtney told me yesterday that she had never split wood before. I told her next time she came to my house she would have to try. Little did I know it would be today. We were out hauling a few loads of wood up to the porch so I got out the maul and found her some nice straight logs to practice on. I gave my first lesson on how to spit wood. It took a bit but she got the hang of it enough to get about three logs split. She is going to be sore in the morning!

Dale and Michelle got here about 4 and Andy arrived about 5:30. Monday was Andy's birthday so we were having birthday dinner for him. The whole place was in chaos. That is pretty typical though when we have company. Supper was yummy though and well worth the mess (I think - after washing mounds of dishes that the dishwasher wouldn't hold I was beginning to question it!). Birthday cake was also delicious and Andy blew out all 40 candles in one very short breath. I was impressed.

So there were the highlights of my day. Did I ever mention Courtney is an awfully sweet friend?

Thoughts on a quote

I got to thinking about a line from Shadowlands (which happens to be one of my favorite movies) earlier. Toward the end of the movie, when Joy is dying of cancer, she says to Jack "The pain then is part of the happiness now." I got to thinking about how true that statement is in reverse too. You could say "The pain now is part of the happiness then." Anytime you work for something, invest time into it, wait for it, long for it's coming, the fulfillment of the goal is all the more rewarding and beautiful.
Keep that in mind as we each await the fulfillment of what ever God has in store for our lives.

From Doug Phillips

I read this on Doug Phillips' blog yesterday.

I love having a focused exercise program. It requires goal-setting, perseverance, great effort and pain. But it also produces joy, blessings and tangible benefits. That is why I sometimes think of exercise as a physical metaphor for the victorious life of Christ. Pushing our bodies reminds me that it is worth fighting hard to see the greatest goals realized. We need to fight hard and hold fast, even as we wholeheartedly “wait upon the Lord.” This waiting on the Lord is critical. It requires faith and hope. It means fighting hard and holding fast to the things we know to be true, as we wait upon the Lord. But there is a wonderful conclusion to the story:

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

Dancing in the Minefield

A friend posted this song on Facebook this morning. I absolutely love it. It is such a sweet love song.

Ellerslie/HSAOutreach

I thought it would be easier to just post about this rather than try to explain it to everyone. I am really excited about going. It will be great to get to learn more about Ellerslie while there.


I'm happy to announce that we have another opportunity for an OutReach project. All the details are below. Space is limited so please post up or let me know via private message that you are thinking of coming and I will get you a registration form asap...


What: HSA OutReach Project to renovate and remodel on the Ellerslie Campus

When: September 23-30 (tentative)

Where: The Ellerslie campus (www.ellerslie.com) Windsor, CO

Why: Eric and Leslie Ludy, speakers at the 2009 HSA National Reunion have recently launched a new global ministry and training center. They will have just completed their first training session and will be anticipating the arrival of several orphans who are going to be using their facility and receiving their education at Ellerslie. To this end, their campus needs some remodeling and renovations. Besides, who can think of doing anything better than serving our fellow believers in and hanging out with other HSA'ers in beautiful Colorado?

How: The projects will be divided up under several skilled team leaders who will act as "crew chief". Each volunteer is highly valued and will be placed with a specific team for a specific project based on their specific skills and experience. Please do not hesitate to come to the event even if you do not have extensive experience in this type of work. Anyone is welcome who is willing to work hard and learn, and a wide range of skills and experience levels are valuable to the whole team.

Other Details:

This OutReach opportunity is open to all HSA'ers (and their friends and family) over age 18 at the time of the event. If an entire family unit or someone under 18 wishes to come, contact me and we'll discuss skill level and lodging space.

The closest airport is Denver. We will be scheduling transportation for anyone who flies to this event. Lodging and Food will be provided on the Ellerslie campus by the Ellerslie staff. All that is being asked of you is to attend and be willing to work hard and serve cheerfully.

Additionally, you are not obligated to be at the whole event if you can come for just a few days, you are still welcome. If we have more workers than is needed for the projects, we will be looking into additional ministry opportunities. And, yes, we'll definitely be planning some hikes and fun times...especially if the work gets done quickly!

What we will be doing:

-- Painting
-- Carpentry/Building a deck
-- Installing windows
-- Possible landscaping
-- Assembling furniture
-- General "sprucing up"
-- And more...

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Daddy Daughter Date

My niece's date. Sharing a shake.

Just a couple of cute pictures

I just ran across these pictures. They are totally adorable and I figure everyone would want to see them. ;)

Journal Entry

This morning I had my journal out while I was having my devotions and it fell open to this page. It caught my eye and I thought I would share a little passage.

Tomorrow is the last day of February! I can't believe it. Amidst all the waiting, and evenings that feel like time is going to stop, time flies on. Time is such a strange thing. We will never get these days back so let's live them to the fullest; learn every thing we can. Worship in every moment...

Here we are several months down the road. Months that we won't get back. Did we live life to the fullest, learn everything we could, and worship in every moment? I know I didn't.

A little over a month ago I was riding in the car for several hours. I was struggling with some circumstances that had just come my way. I got my Bible out and a notebook (two things that go very well together) and started looking up verses. I think I was looking up verses on trust. I am not really sure though because I would read a whole passage and sometimes the verse that jumped out at me wasn't the one I had looked up. I copied down some and here are a couple.

First is a well known verse from Job:

Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him.

Job 13:15

That is such a perfect reminder that no matter what is happening in our lives, we can trust God because He is working though all things to conform us to the image of Christ (Rom. 8:28-29).

The next verse was a few verses after a very well known passage, but one I hadn't really noticed before:

Delight thyself also in the Lord and he shall give the the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

(then skipping a verse)

Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him.

Psalm 37:7

Resting and waiting patiently on the Lord? Oh! Not my strong points. We are back to sanctification again. God will direct our lives to make us like Christ.

Someday we will be like Christ.

Be Still

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10
When I was about 13, I wrote down a bunch of verses on different paper and then hung them on the closet wall at the end of my bed. This verse was one of them. I have been thinking of it a lot recently, and it often makes me think of this song by Ron Hamilton.

In the stillness of this moment,
In the darkness of this night,
I can hear a voice so tender,
I can see a wondrous light.

Be still and know that I am God,
Be still and know I am God,
Come find your strength in the quiet place;
Be still and know.

In the stillness of this moment, Heaven's glory I can see;
Shining forth in brilliant splendor, God's creation speaks to me.

Be still and know that I am God,
be still and know I am God.
Come find your strength in the quiet place;
Be still and know.

A New Creature in Christ

There is a young man that my dad has been dealing with in the jail for several months - probably close to a year. My dad is really excited to see the work God is doing in him.
Today when I got home from violin lessons I walked past the living room and dad said "We are going out to dinner with Sean's girlfriend." Dad said she was my age.
We went to dinner at a fabulous Mexican restaurant in town. That has nothing to do with the story I just thought I would throw it in there because I love the place.
We chatted for a while and found out some basic information about each others lives. Dad started asking her about what changes she has noticed in Sean's life the last few months. She was very encouraged. She said she has seen big changes.
My parents were supposed to leave for Indianapolis when we were done with supper. Dad thought the conversations was going so well though he didn't want to cut it off so he invited her to our house.
She came out and the three of us continued our conversations. Actually, I was just there as an other presence. I don't think I added anything to the conversation.
Dad continued to share the Gospel with her in much more depth than he had at the restaurant. She seemed to be very open to what dad was telling her. From things she said I believe God has been preparing her heart for months. At the end she professed faith in Christ. It was so very exciting to watch.
I asked Nikki if she wanted to go for a walk with me. God had given us the most beautiful evening for such an occasion! We walked and talked for a couple of miles. Some just chatting and getting to know each other. Part of the time she had questions for me. Mostly about baptism. I shared my testimony with her and also the testimony of a friend of mine. All in all it was a wonderful evening! I look forward to getting to know her and watching her grow; helping to teach her, and learning myself in the process!

Random thought

Last night I started thinking about a line from a movie that goes something like "If it was the right thing to do you would feel better about it right now." That statement is so true sometimes. We try to rationalize our actions. Making excuses of why it was ok. All the while our conscience is just not not allowing us peace.
But thankfully, when we confess our sins, my God is faithful and just to forgive our sins.

Putting one foot in front of the other - from Greg and Melody

Last night a friend of mine posted on his blog. He just started chemo for the second time - this is his second bout with cancer. He wrote just a little about the struggles and talked about putting one foot in front of the other. His girlfriend's reply was amazing. He has quite a girl. I asked her if I could share it. She laughed and said I could though she didn't think it was anything great. It was great, though. It was a great encouragement to me and I know it will be to other too.

Sometimes I wish I could do more than put one foot in front of the other - literally leap a couple miles ahead and be done with some of the hard things that are in the way. But...I know that He promises to give us strength for the journey. That means we still have to walk it - but we will be able to make it to the end. He "gives strength to the weary" and also "renews their strength". (Isaiah 40) It never runs out and we can't reach an allotment. It is continually renewed.
"Do not fear for I am with you. Do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10
One foot in front of the other...Not an easy thing to do. It takes faith, knowing that we are heading somewhere and that it is worth pressing on towards. Trust, because we can't see where we are going. "We walk by faith not by sight." But we continue to walk...
Thankfully, you don't have to do this alone. Not only will God always walk beside you, but I'm not going anywhere either! :) <3

Let Me Be a Woman

I finished reading Let Me Be Woman on Monday night. Actually, it was the third time I finished it. Elisabeth Elliot's books just keep getting better each time I read them. There were chapters through out the whole book that I kept wishing I could share with everyone. But since I can't exactly post a whole book I guess that won't work. I strongly recommend it to ladies of any age. There is a ton of stuff in there that would be good for guys to read also - but no guy would read a book by that title unless the front cover was torn off. :)

But anyway….

This is the first "chapter" though it is only a page long. It is so simple and yet so encouraging. I need the reminder sometimes that we do serve...

The God Who Is in Charge

When Walt came to me at Christmastime to ask for your hand I said to him, "There is no one to whom I would so gladly give it. " Then we talked of the long wait you would have if the wedding date was not to be until after your graduation.

"Do you think you can stick it out?" I asked him. and he answered, without hesitation, "Ma'am, I'm a Calvinist!"

He knew that I would understand what he meant by that. You and I are Calvinist too, in that we believe in a God who is in charge, We are not for one moment of our lives at the mercy of chance. Walt saw the timing of his proposal, his own graduation from seminary, your graduation from college, as among the "all things" that work together for good to those who love God. He saw the pattern of duty that lay before you both and took it to be the will of God, so that the power of his own emotion to weaken his resolve was not a threat. He knew, as the psalmist knew, "My flesh and my heart faileth, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." I am grateful that God has given you a man like that.

While I'm Waiting

I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident
Takeing every step in obedience
While I'm waiting
I will serve You
While I'm waiting
I will worship
While I'm waiting
I will not faint
I'll be running the race
Even while I wait

I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it's not easy
But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve you while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting on You, Lord

Here is Love

I heard this song only once. The Pettit team sang it when they were in our town a few weeks ago. I thought it was beautiful but since it was only once I didn't think much more about it. Then last night Bethany had the music and lyrics in her bedroom. I read the first verse but I think that was it.
After some tough lessons on trust and God's love tonight I came home and read all the lyrics. When I got to the third and forth verses I just sat and cried. They were exactly what I needed to read.

Here is love, vast as the ocean, Lovingkindness as the flood,When the Prince of Life, our Ransom,Shed for us His precious blood.Who His love will not remember?Who can cease to sing His praise?He can never be forgotten,Throughout Heav’n’s eternal days.

On the mount of crucifixion,Fountains opened deep and wide;Through the floodgates of God’s mercyFlowed a vast and gracious tide.Grace and love, like mighty rivers,Poured incessant from above,And Heav’n’s peace and perfect justiceKissed a guilty world in love.

Let me all Thy love accepting, Love Thee, ever all my days; Let me seek Thy kingdom only And my life be to Thy praise;Thou alone shalt be my glory,Nothing in the world I see.Thou hast cleansed and sanctified me,Thou Thyself hast set me free.

In Thy truth Thou dost direct meBy Thy Spirit through Thy Word; And Thy grace my need is meeting,As I trust in Thee, my Lord. Of Thy fullness Thou art pouringThy great love and power on me,Without measure, full and boundless,Drawing out my heart to Thee.

Happy birthday, Courtney!!!!

iPod Survey

Amanda and I got to talking today about what kind of iPod we would get if we could get any we wanted. I think I would want a pink (or any other color) Nano. Oh, and it would need to be one with a camera on it. :) An iPod Touch would be nice in some ways but I really think I would prefer the other. So what about you? Which one would you choose and why?

Florida Vacation

OK, here we go. I finally got the pictures from my trip yesterday, and got them uploaded tonight. I didn't think there were that many until I started uploading them. I left out a bunch!

This was a few days into our trip. It was the first time Jim remembered to bring the camera along. :) We were walking in the woods because we were so sun burnt we decided to stay out of the sun for a day. We walked some trails in the woods on base. It was very beautiful. I was talking to Beckisue when he snapped the picture.
One of my favorite places down there was the "Gazebo Tower" (what I called it anyway). It was just that - a very tall gazebo at the end of a boardwalk. It over looked a swampy area and the in the distance you could see the gulf. There are several pictures from there throughout this post. This was our first visit there.

Jim and me in the gazebo tower

And the three of us!

Can you tell the roof was lattice? :)

On Saturday we had decided not to go to the beach. Jim and Marge said there were too many people there on Saturday. The beach was the private base beach but weekends were still full. We went shopping all morning. In the afternoon we decided that since there were a storm blowing in there wouldn't be many people on the beach. We were right. There weren't people on the beach for good reason. The wind was horrible! Marge staid on a bench on the boardwalk and Jim and I walked the beach. We decided to walk 2o minutes and then turn around. Just one little problem - we didn't think about the fact that we started out with the wind to our backs! When we turned around the wind was so strong we had to lean into it. We couldn't talk to each other because we couldn't hear anything. The sand was blowing so hard it was stinging our legs. The crashing waves were amazing though. The 20 minutes out made it totally worth it (I think). :)

Marge and I when the sun returned.

A pause on the very long boardwalk on the way back from the beach.

Sorry this one is sideways. I rotated it in iPhoto and then accidentally uploaded the wrong one. I am not about to start over again. There is a silly story behind this picture. Beckisue loves to walk on railings. It freaks Jim out. He just worries she is going to fall. So they tease each other back and forth about it. One day he decided he would stand on the railing and get a picture just to tease her. So he did... I left out the picture of me on the rail. :)

One of our little lizard friends. Jim and Marge said they thought it was a gecko.

One of my favorite things on the whole trip was the evening we watched the sunset from the gazebo tower. It was gorgeous. I took up my violin to play while we were there. When I pulled it out and was looking at the beauty the first song that came to mind was "How Great Thou Art." I couldn't help but play it. The sunset was absolutely beautiful. I could never describe it and the pictures cannot show it's beauty.

Jim taking a picture of me watching the sunset when I didn't know it. (in my "adorable green jacket")

The water - just in case anyone was wondering.

This would be me - being me.

I fixed supper in our apartment one night. A very simple meal but it was fun. We went out most of the time.

Jim and I came in from a walk one night and he pulled out the camera while I was sitting on the arm of the chair. So...

...I took the camera and took one of him! :)

This would be what I look like when I have been swimming in the waves.

This was at the Thai restaurant. We ate Japanese, Mexican, Thai, and Chinese on this trip. :)

Sail boats way out in the distances.

So that is the end of the pictures. Hope you enjoyed and didn't get too bored. :)

Rambling thoughts of the day

This is going to be a quick post. A tweet just won't cut it and I don't want to have a million of them running on. So....
We didn't know where to go to church today. We found one Baptist church close by and an other not much further down the road that was an IFB. I didn't know up from down with them. We just randomly picked. We actually drove by both this morning since we had two hours after breakfast and before service.
We choose one, sit out side for half an hour waiting for time to go in. We knew it was a VERY small church by the amount of cars. What we didn't know was that it was a black church. :) Let's just say their song service was a little different than I am used to. All in all the service was fine. Nothing great but we could have ended up in a much worse church. The pastor was on vacation so one of the men in the church was preaching.

While I am posting I might as well go ahead and tell about this evening. After supper we decided to back out to the tower/gazebo over looking the water and watch the sunset. It doesn't just over look the gulf, but also several inlets and swamps. It was amazingly beautiful! Jim and Marge asked me to take my violin up with me like I did last time. When I pulled it out of the case the first song that came to mind was How Great Thou Art. It just seemed fitting. The beauty was spectacular. I could never begin to describe it even if I was good at painting pictures with words. Jim took some pictures but they don't do it justice either. Jim doesn't have a card reader so I can't load any of the pictures. When I get home I just might post some of them. (I am terrible about posting pictures!)

So that is a very rambling post. But! It is a post after all. :P