BCM (BAPTIST COLLEGIATE MINISTRIES)

It was my privilege yesterday to get to go to Arkansas State University in Jonesboro with eight other people to prepare and serve a meal to students at the Baptist Collegiate Ministries (a name change from Baptist Student Union, at least in Arkansas). Sondra drove the van and six of us other ladies rode with her - she's a great "chauffeur!" Sam and Don took Don's car and carried most of the food including cakes we had baked. Those who were were Polly and Sam Fisher, Don and Sondra Dowdle, Ermaline Eans, Vona Taylor, Joyce Andrews, Marilyn Holt, and me.

After we arrived, everyone knew just what to do, having done this ministry many times before. (This was Joyce's and my first time.) The spaghetti was made in the BCM building's kitchen, downstairs, salad prepared and cakes cut and set out on tables. It was a neat experience to just put rolls on the plates and hand them to each person as he/she came through the line. (We had two serving lines.) There were a few who were vegetarians and wanted only salad and bread and one young man couldn't quite comprehend "spaghetti" until Sam told him "noodles!" The student body is diverse - we asked many where they were from and they were local as well as all over the state and beyond - China and other Asian countries. Many, many students thanked us; several volunteered for kitchen clean-up afterward. This ministry happens each week, with a different church providing the meal. Students only pay $1 for the lunch. The BCM has a sign-in each week to keep up with numbers - we had between 245 and 260 yesterday.

Afterward we stopped at the mall for an hour and some of us shopped a little. Of course, I made a beeline for the bookstore; Joyce went with me. On the road again, we made one other stop at Sonic for cold drinks, and it was Happy Hour, so half-price.

A very enjoyable day - great company and we were blessed for having gone. I think our turn again is in February.

KIDZ CAMPS

Our church has been hosting Kidz Camps (like Backyard Bible Clubs) in the evenings this week. I missed Tuesday because I'd spent the night with Amy. Our site is the big lot with the huge shade tree across from the football field; Paul's site is the park across from where we used to live on Cottonwood. We've had about 18-24; he said they'd had about 30. There are 13 sites throughout the city and they've really been lots of fun, even thought it's been so hot. I don't think the kids even notice, nor some of the adults - they play kick ball before we get started! I really haven't done a lot - but it's been a great experience and the kids love it. When the Bible story is being told, they are very attentive. There have been several young dads helping, too. Our women's class was paired with a young men's class (teens) and we've had plenty of workers. The organizers did a great job. I'm just glad I could hold a card last night with one of the Bible verse words on it. "Look, the lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world." John 1:29

HOT ENOUGH ALREADY!

The 10-day forecast does show a bit cooler next week, and I'm so glad, 'cause I'm planning another trip to Iuka! Bren runs into everybody at Walmart there, and she and another cousin of mine talked this week - Lynda - I think second cousin. Also Mitzi, a cousin who is also Bren's sister-in-law, will be there next weekend. Edwina's thrilled I'm coming and we're hoping we can have lunch together one of the days I'm there. Who knew this would be the Cousin Summer! It's great!

VEHICLE REPAIR DAY

My Explorer battery went dead last night - I was going to leave the Kidz Camp and head home, and it wouldn't turn over. Two of the guys there jumped it off. Paul had it seen about this morning and - yep - new battery. His truck had been making a weird noise so it was next on Joe's list - both brakes on the back! OK, so this is more than "threes." This is the fourth major repair we've had in the last three weeks or so.

LUNCH

Norma called late morning and said they were going to Mike's to eat lunch, so I met her, Carolyn and Wesley there. Becky was off today. Becky has only about three more weeks to go! It was great seeing the "gang" and catching up - new babies in the Co-op family. Two new arrivals and another on the way. Learned that another of our retirees is in the nursing home! His diabetes had gotten out of control, had to be hospitalized and now is having to learn to walk again! Another had been off three months with an injured arm (I forgot to ask how). Vera had surgery several weeks back, too, and is still off recuperating. One of the guy's mom passed away; Beck had emailed me about that.

FACEBOOK

Paul practically rolls his eyes when I tell him something I've read or posted on FB. Tonight I asked him if he knew so-and-so and he said no. "How did you find her?"

"She's Brenda's friend."

"How do you see Brenda's?"

"Bren's a friend, and I can see all her friends."

"How?"

"Log on."

"Too complicated."

"No more than logging onto email."

He thinks it's a big waste of time.

It can be. But it's a great way to keep up with folks. I've had a good time this week reading comments posted by classmates of Amy who have posted childhood/church trip/elementary school pictures, making fun of their '80's hairdos, and telling little vignettes of youth trips past. I posted one of a group of Brownies that had, of course, Amy in it. But it wasn't her! She wasn't even in the picture! I have no idea why I had the picture unless it was just her group of friends. But it sure looked like her.

Paul's brother emailed us a couple of days ago that one of Paul's classmates had died around July 1. I looked up his obituary and also his FB page - he was my Friend, too. It must have been sudden. His daughter had posted on his page. We were so sorry to hear about his passing. It's bittersweet to think all the little comments and "visits" with all his friends and family will forever be there. But from reading the comments, Jim will forever be with his Heavenly Father. Jim's brother David was in my class in high school.

Amy told me you can play Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune on FB. I can't. I would waste the rest of my life... lol

Besides FB, I did have a productive day. I got the bathroom thoroughly cleaned, the floors vacuumed and mopped, the bedrooms at least Swiffered this time. I also got a hair trim, and stopped by the library to pick up a book Angie called to tell me had come in, that I'd requested. I could not recall ever hearing the name of the book or the author, but I went and got it anyway. It looks interesting.

I really thought about going to help put door hangers on houses for the Mission Wynne next week, and mentioned it to Paul. It's been so humid I can only stay outside about two minutes at a time. He said I didn't need to go do all that walking. He's right. Visions of San Antonio always swim before me when I think of how hot I got that day five years ago... But I did pray.

The Homegoing of a Saint

When Amy was a junior in high school, she and her friend Leslie journeyed to Argentina on a two-week mission trip. While they were there they were hosted by Robert and Annette Crockett, and Rob who was the last child living at home then. Other hosts were Pedro and Yolanda and their family. Over the years we have been blessed to meet them a few times when they'd be visiting the Crocketts and others who went on short-term mission trips.

In recent years, Yolanda had suffered with cancer. It was just last May, we got to visit with them and others at the Crocketts home. Her testimony was vibrant and from her heart and soul, which were totally in God's keeping. We sat in Robert and Annette's back yard and she spoke to us through Annette, translating. It was a bittersweet time.

This week Bill Winkler called to let us know that Yolanda was in a coma, and want us to be sure to let Amy know. Last night he had called while we were out and said that Yolanda had gone to be with the Lord on Thursday, November 12, and her funeral was Friday. It is a very sad and grieving time for the family and friends; she and Pedro have touched so many lives. But I know that heaven rejoices over receiving this one home.

I'm thankful to have known Yolanda here on this earth, and for her steadfast testimony to the strength of the Lord that she so depended on.

Annette, Yolanda.

Robert, Pedro.

Circle of love.

"The Eagle Has Landed!"

A couple of weeks ago we mailed a care package to Kirk in East Asia, and today received an email that it arrived - and in time for Christmas cooking! His excitement over its contents - a relatively small box packed with hard-to-find items there - was a great Christmas gift back to us! The honey wasn't broken and it originated with bees near McCrory, which is near Pumpkin Bend, which has great honey from hives he knew about from the Owens Farm! So a God-thing - He blessed Kirk with just the right honey - unbeknownst to us - I had no idea when I chose it at the grocery - just that it was fairly local! One package of the #5 meat rub was damaged, but the other was intact. That had to take some kind of handling blow to rip that package open inside the box! I supposed when you consider how many miles it traveled, how many hands held it, how many weeks it took to arrive, it was in good shape! I'm just sorry I didn't think to place those packages inside Ziplocs! But other than that, everything seemed to be fine. I have to say he especially liked the visual card I made for him which carried the theme of the Lion and the Lamb. Again, an idea from our great God Who fits all things together for good for those who love Him. Just a small way of keeping touch, encouraging, and I can tell you, we have received it back just as much through Kirk. I told Kirk the blessings just boomeranged! Some can go; some can send; all can pray.

Kirk

At the end of the church service tonight, there was a video link for all of us to see/hear Kirk live as Brother Matt asked him questions. Kirk talked about some of the things he has seen God accomplish where he is and Bro. Matt assured him we will be lifting him up in his work there. Two things: a relief from a cat allergy on a gift of a comforter, which he had also had cleaned and still had problems with, but by God's grace Kirk hasn't had a problem with the allergies in a couple of weeks! Another was the change in the life of a new believer, who has been "called out" from things he once did.

Brother Matt called Kirk our hero and he really is. This is a young single man who has given at least two years of his life in a remote part of a country that is not friendly by any means to the spread of the Gospel. He has gone there to love and embrace those people for the love of Christ. Can we who call ourselves Christians do any less here?

I'm thankful to be able to pray for and encourage him. He's an example to me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Today I -

Went to SS and church.

Went to Sonic for their wonderful steak sandwich they have again!

Went to Walmart for a gift for a shower I only knew about this morning.

Went to the shower. (Gwen Bretherick's new daughter-in-law Heather - wedding shower)

Walked Oscar to school (and back!)

Worked on Christmas card list.

Talked to Sher.

Moved the little TV back into the den. (I can't see it in the bedroom for now.)

Called Salinda/Richard about Diane. (Her visitation was tonight and service tomorrow at 2:00.)

Didn't take a nap, though I dozed for about four minutes in the recliner after I ate.

The new med is working well (Lyrica); I sleep like a baby on a cloud at night and my legs don't hurt. The heart rythm is a little off, but maybe that'll settle down once I'm used to the new med. This is the second day and it isn't as noticeable as it was Saturday.

Paul's back hurt yesterday and today; I think it's all from the strain he did to his side last weekend. He's been taking Advil for it. Yesterday he had a headache and took Claritin. That and a nap helped and he went to the parade at Earle.