This has been a most unusual summer ... the type that seems to be becoming the norm, though. We had a tragedy in the family again. Brook's husband was killed in an accident, early one morning. It was very early, and he was on his way to work. Apparently, he fell asleep at the wheel. Derrick was such a devoted father and husband; one can only wonder why the Lord needed him, at such a young age. I was actually on my way to Brook's birthday party, when I got the call. Is there ever a good place to receive such a call? I continued on...
Bob, Chrystal, the little ones and I went back for the funeral the next week. Derrick was well loved by his fellow workers and those from the community. I hurt for Brook... She was trying so hard to hold it together. I am so thankful she has family and friends who are helping her walk this painful road.
Not long before Awana was over for the summer, I met a young man and his adoptive family. Jaron is from Haiti. A bashful young man with a heartwarming smile! He was in need of some help getting ready for school next year. He will be a freshman and has not had all he needs to be prepared for his first year of high school. I am tutoring him, and I am really hoping he is getting all he needs from our hour and a half, 3 days a week. I love seeing the lights go on in his eyes! His passion is soccer, and his favorite player is Neymar. Jaron can tell you anything you might want to know about Neymar. He has followed him, closely, for more than 5 years. He did his research paper on this soccer player from Barcelona. I think I need to assign a topic for the next one. One where Jaron will have to dig a little deeper for information. Yes, I still want my students to work!
I had a birthday celebration that lasted for days. Can you imagine anyone celebrating getting "old" for nearly a week? I had lunch with Jamie, her boys, Chrys, and her little ones on Friday. I was able to do that because VBS students were at the pool until nearly two. Carson had come in for the week end, and they stopped by as they were traveling to visit his dad. Claudette came in on Saturday. Jamie and Claudette stayed here with Bob and I. Saturday evening, the girls, Domenick, the little ones, Bob, and I went to PF Chang's for dinner. I love their food! We had a great time. Afterwards, we went to Chrystal's for cake. Oh, my... so, so good!
Sunday Jamie headed out to pick up the boys, so she could head back to Keller. Bob, Claudette, and I headed to Sunday School and church. Lunch afterwards was fun. I enjoy spending time with the Griffins, Karen, and the Smiths. Laughter is like a medicine, and that we did.
Monday, one of my dearest friends from the valley came. Paula and I always manage to have fun. Her reason for coming was to teach me to make tamales. Some of you may be laughing, but I never learned. Needless to say, we had a great time. More laughing and joking ensued for the next three days.
I have been praying for the Lord to give me eyes to see what He sees. He has been answering that prayer. The pain of our fellow men does not go unnoticed by our heavenly Father. He knows the pain: the deaths of loved ones, the illnesses striking both young and old, job losses, individuals needing to make moves that were unexpected, the need for more believers to become His hands and feet on this earth, and our reluctance to do so. He sees it all. I have asked for a double portion of the energy and stamina of our former executive pastor, Pastor Derrick Norris. I am hopeful the Lord will begin to answer that prayer, too. I want to be used by God. I want to be his hands and feet.
I wonder what tomorrow will bring.
