"...and in other news..."

The photos posted over the weekend sort of took the place of text for me, as they truly have the worth of a 1000 words. 

Let's see if I can catch myself up a bit:

On Friday we had a break in the rain, enough so it was not unpleasant to meet my friend, Diane, for lunch at The Outback Restaurant. Yes, they are now open at lunch time! 

                            

We so enjoy our time together when it happens, discussing matters of faith and catching up on each other's family news, etc. And yes, we eventually went over my investments which she helps manage. She also presented me with a great calendar from Mercury One which is loaded with American historical information, besides the months and days. She also had one to give to Justin, of whom she is a huge fan. That's my boy!

During the rainy weekend, I called my upstairs neighbor, Debbie, periodically to see how she was doing. We did have a few breaks between downpours which gave her a chance to do other things than vacuum up water from the river room floor. Like unpack her boxes from the move-in! She works in the 'old' courthouse in Green Cove and reports being no stranger to leaking. She had this!!! 

Debbie and I made plans to meet at The Club on Wednesday evening to enjoy Happy Hour with the group which normally gathers there. Hugh and Maureen were finally back from their travels to the Mediterranean, but in their absence, the group said they MUST push two of the round tables together to allow for more folks. Maureen, whom I described to Debbie as being our house-mother, doesn't like that. She also doesn't like people to not sit around one table. The group went over her head on this, and did the two-table set up, and, she got over it.

It meant so much to me having Debbie miss her weekend away in order to keep up with the water. As my thanks, I treated her to a light dinner from the mini-menu offered during Happy Hour. We each had the roast beef sliders which were fantastic. She got to meet many of her neighbors, some for the first time, and they made her feel most welcome. We could have talked for hours as we have much in common. Betty's daughter, Kathy, was part of our conversations as well, having the same ideology as Debbie's and mine. This is going to be a blast!

This morning was Bible study at Victory. As I was getting onto the freeway and talking with Mom, I noticed the traffic at a stand-still on the overpass. Too late to turn back now---I was committed to getting on the interstate. When I got to the top of the ramp, traffic was okay, and I noticed the bottle-neck was caused by an overturned pick-up truck just a bit behind where I was entering. I HATE to see that, especially the underside of a vehicle, blocking the two left lanes. 

It seemed as though no one was seriously hurt, and three young men were walking around, kicking the truck parts which were scattered in the area. A State Patrol car and motorcycle were already on the scene but no rescue vehicles were present yet. As I talked with Mom on my way to church, I saw a child's coaster wagon in the lane to the left of me, upside down, which would make a huge problem for anyone hitting that. Oh, my goodness, people!

Upon my arrival at Victory, I helped with the assembly of the service folders for Sunday, my portion being the insert for Mother's Day. Instead of reading  it, I was simply sliding it between the folded pages Marilyn handed over. At one point I caught up and took a second to glance at it. It was a two-sided page of acknowledgements written by members of the congregation in regard to the influence of their mothers on their lives as Christians. 

Needless to say, tears fell, particularly when I read the one written by my friend, Stephanie, for her mom, Jean. And the one written by Erica, for her mom, Stephanie. Rita told me this was her idea  but never got around to writing anything up about her mom, who went home to the Lord about a year ago. It was so touching and a marvelous idea to include for this coming Sunday. 

                                 

Tonight we have worship for Ascension Day and I have sent out a reminder e-mail so folks remember to come. Hoping for a good turn-out so this service doesn't go away. "...why do you stand and look into the sky? He will come again just the way He left and take us with Him..."

Come quickly, Lord Jesus!