Getting Around

My mom has Lupus. Until recently, she's dealt with it pretty well. Then, about a month ago, her hands lost most of their feeling, and now she can't drive. My brother lives in the next county from her and I live a couple of hours away. Neither of us can be there to take her everywhere she needs to go. She has some really great neighbors, but even they can't do everything. I started checking into the options.

Rankin County Human Resources Department has a bus that will pick you up and take you where you need to go and then come back and get you when you're done. The price varies, depending on how far you go, but $6 will get you a trip into Jackson. Not bad. Mom's day is Tuesday. Call on Friday and let them know and they'll come get you Tuesday. She tried it out this week going to get her hair cut and fixed.

She called me early Tuesday morning, wanting to know if I thought they'd really come pick her up. I didn't hear from her so I knew they must have come. She made it to the appointment and didn't mind waiting about 30 minutes after she was done. On the way back, someone on the bus noticed it was lunchtime, so they all stopped and went into a chicken place to have lunch. The driver was so nice: she wouldn't let Mom struggle with a tray, she carried it for her. Mom told me about a man and his wife fussing about his car keys and why they were in the wife's purse in the first place. Then someone remembered they needed to stop by the store for something, so they all went in and got something. (Mom's cats are thankful. They were out of cat food.) Mom said she finally got home about 3 that afternoon. She was tired, but it sounded like she had a good time.

I know she was scared to do something like this for the first time. But she did it, and I'm so proud of her. It looks like she's made some new friends (or at least has found some entertainment!)

It's scary to think that something we take for granted, like the ability to drive anywhere, anytime we want, might not always be an option for us. I'm so thankful for people like that driver who took such good care of my mom.

Under the Rainbow

I looked out early this morning, hoping to see part of the lunar eclipse, but it was overcast. Not even any stars were in sight. A bit later I heard the rain on the roof and hoped Mr. H's flight wasn't delayed out of Mobile.

The rain had stopped at our house by the time we left for school. Our drive to school and work takes us west on Hwy 612 every morning. This morning I noticed the beginnings of a rainbow up ahead of us and showed it to the girls.

Rainbows always seem so far away. Usually. . . but not this time. We came to a field and I happened to look out the passenger side of the windshield. The end of the rainbow was touching the ground in the field we were about to pass! Just before we came even with it, the rainbow disappeared and we were in the rain. I never knew it was possible to see the end of a rainbow. If Oz is over the rainbow, Agricola is under it.

Is Faith a Feeling?

I've been hearing today about the Time Magazine article discussing Mother Teresa's "dark night." For decades, she didn't feel God's presence. And yet she continued with the job He had given her. It wasn't a fun job, either. What would make someone stay and be a light to "the least of these, my brothers"? I believe she was closer to her Lord than she knew. People put so much emphasis on feelings. That's probably why those same feelings get hurt so often.

Mother Teresa is model for all of us. Trust God to be Who He says He is, Who He has always been. Feelings can't be trusted: God's Word can.

Good News or Bad News?

I heard on the radio today that Harrison County reported record gaming revenues for the month of July. My understanding of the news story is that they have never taken in that much money from gambling in a single month since gaming became legal.

I have a question: Doesn't that mean that people (Mississippians and others) have never lost that much money in Harrison County before? I guess for some the glass is full, but only because someone else's glass is not.

No Empty Nest Here

We have delivered our eldest to Mississippi State. It wasn't nearly as traumatic as everyone lead me to believe. I suspect that's because she isn't the emotional type. If she had been in tears, I would have been right there with her.

I got an e-mail from her this weekend, telling me how she and 5 of her friends stayed up til 2 am playing Scattergories. Then she told me where they went to church on Sunday morning. I think she'll be fine! (except for the roommate, who has taken over the room and decorated every inch with her stuff, leaving no room for my kid's stuff. I think this relationship is doomed!)

She also informed me that she had tickets for all the on-campus games! This, from a girl who only went to her high school games because she was in the band. Her dad will be so proud!

What's the Price of Disobedience?

I'm scared right now. I believe that my church has just said, "NO" to God. That scares me. I hope we get a chance to come back to Him. I've seen the consequences of disobedience before. I don't want to see it again. I hate this feeling. I'm mad and it makes me physically sick. I'm mad at some specific people and I hate that, too. But mostly, I'm scared. When the Children of Israel said that the giants in the Promised Land were just too big, it wasn't just those who voted "NO" that had to wander in the wilderness for 40 years.

What is it about faith that 26% of my brothers and sisters don't understand? How many of God's promises don't they believe?

"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 4:19)

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." (Eph. 3:20-21)

I think the worst part was having to explain to my 5th grader why 26% of our church doesn't want our children to have space to fit comfortably and grow. (not to mention why 26% beats 74%!)

My prayer is that, despite those of little faith, my church family will continue to increase. Those children will continue to invite their friends from school to be part of God's family. Those children will bring their parents to discover what they've found. If we have to go to 5 Sunday Schools, we'll do what it takes to REACH PEOPLE WHO NEED THE LORD!

Visitors from the West

Mr. H's sister and her family have been visiting from Arizona for the last several weeks. They weren't staying at our house, but I wouldn't have minded. They stayed at Mr. H's mom and dad's, Mr. & Mrs. H, Sr. I have always loved my sister-in-law, but never more than Sunday afternoon. She wanted to sing with the family. We got Mrs. H, Sr. into the living roomto play the piano while Mr. H, his sister and I sang.

I must say, I wish old hymnals came in LARGE PRINT. It is very difficult to read microscopic print through bifocals over someone's shoulder. Three of the kids sat on the couch and listened (or made fun behind our backs) and the other 2 vacated the premises. Mr. H's dad would usually have joined us in our joyful noise, but he is just not quite up to it. He made requests and we did our best to find them. We're hoping he'll regain his strength, but sometimes we all fear not. We just don't talk about it.

The cousins from AZ are experiencing climate shock. I know it gets over 100 degrees regularly out there, but they don't have ANY humidity and hardly any bugs. The lone male cousin kept referring to it as mist. When we objected, he just pointed out that it's water in the air, isn't it.

I'm so glad that my children enjoy being with their cousins. I don't have any first cousins on either side of my family. I look forward to the day in the distant future when my children and their spouses and their children come to our house for Christmas. Mr. H's dad loves being a grandfather. I bet it runs in the family.