It's a blessed day!!!!

Oops, it's been so long since I used my own computer that I forgot just how it works! I accidentally posted a blog with nothing written in it.....sorry!

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We are currently up and running in The Palace! Evidently I was correct about the tree lying on the wires out on Astor, because when I came home from Bible study and lunch, the tree was removed and Comcast restored to my home----and all is right with the world again!!!!

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We had the most marvelous discussion this a.m. in class. Our subject matter was about moral absolutes, which is dear to my heart. It appears that sins of the flesh are high on people's lists of evil things to do, and the conversation covered anywhere from Hallmark now offering cards for same-sex "unions" to couples living together without being married to killing unwanted children. Heavy material to cover on a Monday morning, let me tell you!

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So many of us have the same situations in our own lives or in those connected to us, often feeling afraid to rock the boat by pointing out the error or transgression. It's that boat rocking thing that gets in the way of being faithful Christians. We must be prepared to give an answer for the hope that we have, and hopefully this class serves us with the answers. One of the participants commented that even though someone pushes us away, doesn't wish to hear the Law and Gospel, we can still serve them through our prayers, which they can do nothing about. We can ask the Lord to soften their hardened hearts and see they are going in the wrong direction.

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I was thinking of the Pranges today in Bible study. One of the Bible stories we reviewed was the visit of the Magi to King Herod and how they failed to return to his palace with reports of locating the baby Jesus. Herod ordered all the male infants to age 2 killed, in order to eliminate this new King from being able to steal his earthly throne. Paul Prange preached a sermon on this text the Sunday after Pete and Tarren's wedding and there was hardly a dry eye in the house! It was a marvelous sermon, but personally affected me deeply. I think it had only been two years since Timmy had died plus I'd talked about Timmy at the reception with Pete's family and friends. They were all quite familiar with us and our story, since Pete was at our house when Timmy drowned. Anyway, whew! It was rough leaving church, even Pete's mom was wiped out. I asked Pete to get me a copy of the sermon but he said Paul doesn't write his sermons out, goes from the top of his head, sort of. Or, more properly, from his heart! So, I was thinking about Pranges this a.m.

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The manatees are celebrating the departure of TS Fay, too, at the moment. The water is being stirred in the basin and shiny fins and backs catch the sun light every now and again. My family was able to view some manatees when standing on the 5th floor balcony Thursday night. This was before the sea was totally angry, my friends!

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Gabe impressed us greatly one morning when he told us about the waves in the river. He said it was really wavy out there, and that the wind was making the waves. Lisa was so surprised to hear him say this, because she didn't know that he knew! A proud mama moment! Unfortunately the boys missed seeing the cherry picker machine which is parked along the building today. The roofers are putting the finishing touches along the face of the building.

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One of my neighbors sent an e-mail to us all, asking if we wish to have the roofing guys caulk our windows from the outside. I'd like that, yes, but am wondering how much such a service would cost. The entire building is to be done next year sometime, but I wouldn't mind going ahead and doing it right away. Might help keep the spiders and other intruders from finding their way into my house! To say nothing of the water!!!