Remembering God has everything under control

There is some good news tonight-----Travis won! At least thus far, with all the early voting ballots, absentee, and a few of the precincts coming in, he was ahead by more than half. I left the party after the speeches were given, as my feet were tiring right along with my eyes. Several of my neighbors had been there earlier with only one besides me remaining. Not that I didn't have enough people to talk to, not a problem, but other than Travis' good news, there wasn't much of a celebratory spirit left.

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Justin had originally planned to be with me at first but we went to Chili's for a bite to eat and then he had to rush off to meet his friends at Dave and Buster's. For every political sign he brought in, he could earn points for playing the games, so he was going to grab some up along the way to D & B. I think this is genius, a great way to clear the rights of way of the signs now that the elections are over. Travis' dad, Rusty, is the 'sign man' for the campaign and had the endless job of putting up the signs all over and now has to gather them back up. One of the Realtors that lives in my building might be able to take some of the larger ones off his hands to use when advertising larger parcels. They were still discussing that arrangement when I left.

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Justin called me earlier this afternoon when he should have been in class. He was sort of whispering, telling he'd stepped out into the hallway to report he'd gotten an 87% on his recent exam, one which he'd not even been able to finish because he ran out of time! I loved it that he felt it important enough to leave class to call me, not even just texting me with the great news.

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We had a good chat this afternoon when he came over after voting, as he worked on a project for me. I had him going through the drawers in my TV stand, sorting out the VHS tapes, DVDs, and CDs, making sure they all have boxes, and removing the ones for which he has no emotional or sentimental attachment. He is even letting go of the Disney movie "El Dorado" which Timmy and he watched on the TV in our bedroom at The Preserve house on New Year's Eve during my birthday party. Two weeks later his brother was gone. I find it interesting that he remembers such detail about things like that. Of course, I told him if there was anything at all in that drawer he wanted to keep, no problem, but he only kept a few of his favorites, BeastWars and similar.

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I now have a plastic bin full to the rim with tapes for Jen and Rick to go through, because they don't have cable TV and often are looking for movies or such for Memrie to watch. Justin thought it was okay to let them all go because by the time Lucas or "my" two boys come again, they'll have their own DVDs to watch. Lucas, I'm sorry about Buzz Lightyear having left the building!!!

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Even though we were going to have "heavy hors d'oeuvres" Justin had a gift card we'd only used part of after his birthday party so off we went to Chili's. Justin has a favorite salad there he really likes so that's what he ordered while the waitress allowed me to order the children's portion of chicken crispers. Just right! We are trying to figure out a suitable date for him to move from the condo and into the student suites because the day he had in mind won't work for me. Saturday, the 15th, is the day Judy departs for home and I'll be tied up at an Outreach seminar in Tallahassee with a team from church. I don't mind being the only girl! Anyway, I can talk with my Turkish friends to see if there's a way he can move without me being around to settle up, and then he can go ahead and move. On Saturday he wouldn't be missing any work so that's why it works best for him.

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I must be tired because I can't remember what else I was going to mention before heading to bed. Watching Harry Reid made me lose my train of thought. At the gathering I did meet some very nice people and re-met people who I used to know in Eagle Harbor, one couple who didn't know I had been divorced. Gee, I thought everyone knew that!!! One of the websites today showed the military absentee votes that actually did make it to be counted were about 10-1 in favor of John McCain, supporting his plan to keep the troops in place until the time was right to withdraw. The Iraqis are apprehensive if it goes the other way that they'll be left high and dry, before they are entirely prepared to take over, since democracy will be so new yet for them. Another issue of concern stateside is the Union voting plan, can't think of the name of it, where it will be open vs. secret ballot for voting in favor or against starting a union where they work. Serious repercussions to small business, card check, it's called, very damaging to businesses probably also facing the tax increases promised by the other candidate. A one-two punch for business, that's just great!

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During our recent Sunday services, we sang the psalm Pete used as part of Timmy's funeral sermon, where the Lord exhorts us, in Pete's words, "Be quiet!! I have everything under control, I know what I am doing." The psalmist says it with different words but the same sentiment, "Be still and know that I am God." What a great comfort! After my two lady friends came and watched the funeral service with me and we discussed the sermon, Leeann was moved to purchase for me a wooden plaque with that verse carved into it. A couple years ago Gretchen bought me a small ceramic plaque with the same verse printed on it. They know how important it is to keep in mind that God is in control and will work all things to our good, to those who love God. And isn't it wonderful that He loves us more!! Be still, my dear friends, and know that only He is God!