In the past few months several Houston friends from long ago passed away. Although through the years we lost touch it was merely a case of being busy people who knew if we ran into one another we would just pick up where we last stopped. All three friends were joy bringers and that joy came in different ways. The first friend was so generous with time and resources. Oops, I just dropped into 1960's Baptist speak. She helped many in the academic world, in completing degrees at the university and college level. It certainly helped that it was also her line of work and passion. Funny as all get out. Just last week my church friend passed away from ALS. She too, funny as all get out. When Roy and I first joined HFBC, she and Buster invited us over for dinner. Had a blast, until her son brought out his pet hamster and wanted me to hold it. All things mice or rodent cousin related is not a good fit for me. In fact I had a fit of trying to get away. Years later we were in the same Bunko group and that whole group of friends were some of the funniest and funnest times ever. On Friday, Peggy called to let me know my third friend, Gerald Ray, had passed away. He had fallen, broken his hip and as many have in their 90's, can't have surgery. He held on for much longer than expected and friends came to see him and sing with him. You see, Gerald was the minister of music at Houston's First Baptist Church for twenty eight years. One of the most creative and talented people I have ever met. What a gift God gave him and he shared it with the world. His hymn sings were wonderful. Ever busy for the Kingdom even after retiring.
We know we shall see them again and we rejoice in that, but we are saddened that we no longer have access to their brilliant minds, academically, comedy, and worship-wise. For their lives, we give thanks.
We will begin the Psalms this Sunday but I did an intro last week. Kind of set the foundation with knowing in the Psalms God is always the center of all 150 of them. Roy's reading plan has had him in Proverbs lately and he said, the Proverbs are wisdom based, the Psalms, God based. We start with Psalm 1and it lays out that use of comparison brilliantly. I have always loved tree verses so I am extremely happy this week while I study. Words that are pointedly drawing me in, delight, not so, and of course the trees. Planted and fruitful, not withering in time of drought.
With the rain we've had these past few weeks, all the veggies and flower beds are doing well. Some of those tomato plants are so very tall. I have most everything else planted and last week dead headed roses on several front yard and most of the backyard roses. Have more to do, that's for sure.
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Second day of hurricane season and all is well. This is the first time since moving here that the thought of being hurricane prepared has entered my mind. Got to check the expiration date of the Pop Tarts. This past week, the last week in May, had cooler temps than normal and for this we give thanks. Now, the pattern looks to be normal warm temps in the daytime. I'd say we broke even in getting spring chores done. Still many remain but not as many as last spring.
Yesterday was homecoming Sunday and not one of us wore a mum. Well, only Texas people know when there is a homecoming football game or as it is referred to now, HOCO, that girls get larger than life, several flowery pounds of flowers on a ribbon and sash. It didn't seem any different from any other Sunday but we had lunch afterwards. Back in the day it would be called dinner on the grounds. I am really glad that fellowship lunches and fifth Sunday evening fellowships are back. That kind of died under our previous pastor's watch, until it was revived again by church members. Other ministry that was cut back is slowly but surely coming back. And for this we give thanks.
The wheel moves slowly here and maybe always has, but for medical appointments and such, that has been my experience. Once you are in the system it speeds up a bit but not much. Had my cardiologist appointment. EKG looked good but in the late afternoon to early evenings I experience more heart thumps than beats. Supposed to get a monitor and be scheduled for stress test and echo. Got the call for the tests, but treadmill test had been ordered not the other kind. With head shoulder knees and toes and hips...haha, I know that it would not be a long test. So, back in touch with doctor office and also check on a monitor. In theory all was resolved except the actual possession of a monitor and the scheduling call. For this we give thanks.
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Made a quick trip to Burnsville today. It has been over a year since I have been there. Went to the new location of The Find Vintage Warehouse. Very cute things. We had lunch at Pig and Grits and it was soooo good! Then we made our way home. Then I had the most fun conversation with a friend in Houston and that conversation gave me some pep cause of all the laughing. After supper I joined Roy out in the yard and we planted some flowers and picked some peaches. For this we give thanks.
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