Our Gospel Meeting

This has been an interesting few days for me.  Sunday night in the business meeting, I was asked to contact the speaker for our Gospel Meeting (which is June 21-26) to make sure everything was on schedule.  He has been scheduled for five years. When I made the call Monday morning, I found out that he was going to be out of the country at that time.  His words were, “I messed up” to which I agreed. I have tried to get several speakers over the past three days.  Bro. Gary Hampton, director of the East Tennessee School of Preaching told me today that he will come.  You do not know how relieved I am.  He is a wonderful speaker, and I think will be an excellent choice for our meeting.  I sure am glad to have that problem solved.

Last Friday evening we made the trip to London KY to help sister-in-law with chores in and around her house.  I believe it was a productive trip.  We made some progress, even if it did rain on us just about the entire time.  Enjoyed getting to see family members that I have not seen in a while.

I attended a Gospel Meeting last night at Pippin Church of Christ in Putnam County.  Ben Flatt was the speaker and did a very good job.  Zac was going and wanted me to go with him, so I made the trip.  Enjoyed visiting with Randy and his family (local preacher), Charlie West, Ben Flatt and others I met at the congregation.  Another busy week-end coming up, so I better get back to work.

Gospel Meetings

The past two nights, Ted Russell and I have attended gospel meetings.  Last night we went to Corinth church of Christ near Portland, TN for a gospel meeting.  The preacher was Jeff Archey.  He had an outstanding lesson on the “valley of decision.”  Ted and Jeff worked together some years ago, so I decided we would try to go.  The lady who sat next to me was the sister of a family we knew when we were in Oneida.  She told me her dad preached at Bagdad some years ago. Her dad was Ralph Kidd.  Small world.

Tonight, Ted and I went to Zion church of Christ where Don Chaffin and John Anderson preach.  The speaker was Jimmy Cook who also did an excellent job.  He spoke about the perseverance of Jacob and the fact that we need to re-dig some wells that have been stopped up by others.  (Bible study, morals, etc..). We were able to visit with some folks that we had not seen in a year.  It has been a good week.

Wonderful Day

The weather today was absolutely wonderful.  Yesterday it was cold and possibility of snow flurries.  Today was in the upper 60’s or low 70’s.  I worked in the office for a while this morning, then went inside to help the workers who are putting new flooring down.  I helped put the hardwood floor down.  They use a pneumatic nailer to nail the wood, and I was given that thing to operate.  As far as I know, we did OK.  Since it is powered by a compressor, you do not have to hit the piston hard to make it drive the nail.  I enjoyed doing it.  When we got the floor finished, I decided it was time for me to mow the yard.  I worked on that for several hours with weed-eater, push mower and riding mower.  I went for a walk about 5:30 PM and really enjoyed that.  The park (where I walk) will probably be full of campers this week-end. It is close to full now. When I got home, Vic was here with supper.  We still have no access to a stove.  We had barbecue, white beans, and potatoes for supper.  Now it is time to work some more on my material for Sunday and rest some in this chair.  I may fall asleep, so I best get on with what I need to get done tonight.  Have a good week-end.

House Progress

The workers are making good progress on the house.  Most of the painting has been done with at least one coat of paint.  The tile in the kitchen was laid today.  They will work on the bathroom tomorrow and do more painting. Next week the hardwood floors will be put down.  So far, we have been able to sleep upstairs.  We go out to my office, which is attached to the house, for showers and bathroom. We go down in the basement for meals.  It has not been that bad of an inconvenience.  I think about others who would love to have those “inconveniences.” Maybe by next weekend we will be back in the house.  If not, we can deal with it.

Tonite we are suppose to have storms.  Some in our area have already had some damage as a result.  Hopefully it will not get too bad.  I went for my walk and made it only a short distance before it start raining.  The caretaker for the campground came and got me and took me back to my vehicle.  I had already decided I could not make the entire loop, but I also knew I was going to get wet.  Thanks George for helping me out.

Friday Night Singing

I wanted to touch briefly on our Friday Night Singing.  We have 148 people present and the singing was wonderful.  The ladies (and some of the men) fixed enough food to feed twice the number we had, so we enjoyed a wonderful meal before the singing.  We sang for an hour and a half and thoroughly enjoyed this period of praising God and teaching and admonishing one another.  Thanks to all who came and all who had a part in making it such a wonderful evening.

Today we have worked on our house, trying to get it ready for new tile and hardwood floors.  That means everything has to be moved out of the living room and kitchen.  We also had to strip wallpaper off the walls in the kitchen.  They are going to paint as well.  The best we can figure, some years ago, they painted the walls, then put wallpaper on them, then painted later and after that put wallpaper again on the walls.  It was a mess, but we finally got it all off.  Thanks to Zac, Kristin and Kerri coming to help Vic and myself.  We are exhausted from all the work today.  It will be ready for the workers to start at 7:00 AM Monday morning.  We think it will really look nice when they get finished.  Must go for now. Storms on the way.

Funeral visitations and car salesman

Vickie and I just got home from going to a visitation/memorial for a family that we knew in Nashville. I mentioned the Reel family in my blog yesterday.  We were able to visit with Clifford and Jean, Lisa and Tom, Lori and Bill, and their children while we were there.  We met some of George Reel Jr.’s family.  There were also several people there from Oneida that we knew. Continue to remember the Reel family in your prayers.

Earlier in the day I had gone to a visitation for a man in Gainesboro.  We knew his daughter and son-in-law well.  After that visit I went on to Cookeville to have Vic’s car serviced.  She plans on a trip to go visit her family tomorrow, so it needed the 15,000 mile service.  While I was there, the salesman at the Toyota dealership tried to sell me another car.  He was trying really hard because he offered to take my old car for a trade-in and offered we what I told him I wanted for it. I am not interested, but our daughter is, so I am looking for her.  Anyway, it has been a busy day, so hopefully tomorrow i will be able to get more done in my office.

Last Days of Winter

This is an absolutely beautiful day.  I just went for my walk at Defeated Creek Campground and it is open.  I did not realize that it was time for that to take place.  Temperature is in the 70’s and it is a good time to get out and enjoy God’s creation.  The trees are budding, Bradford pear trees are in bloom so there is white everywhere.   Vic has flowers blooming in the front yard.  They always seem to bloom first under the pine tree.  Seems rather strange, but I do not know if it is the acid from the pine needles or the shade it provides, but the flowers are pretty.

I thought I might have jury duty again this week, but the telephone call that we have to make each time revealed that I do not have to check in again until the 27th of March.  Glad to get that message.

Today is my sister’s birthday.  There are four boys and one girl in my family.  Three boys, then sister, then youngest brother who was born on my 18th birthday.  One of the few things I remember from my childhood was the fact that when my mom came home from the hospital with my new sister, there was a big snow on the ground and we invited the kids from our school to come by and see the new addition.  We lived in a community called Linary near Crossville TN.  We walked to school (it was not uphill both ways).  That still stands out in my mind.  The kids that were walking with us came by to see Cynthia Faye.  Happy 49th. birthday to my sister!  Speaking of my mother, she  is slowly making progress from her surgery last month.  She is to return to the doctor in Nashville on the 25th. of this month.

On a sad note, I am going to try to go to a memorial service tomorrow evening for George Reel Jr.  He was the only son of Clifford and Jean Reel.  Clifford was the director of the East Tennessee School of Preaching and Missions when I attended there.  He was also the preacher that I worked with in my former work in Oneida, TN.  This is the second child that they have had to bury.  Their youngest daughter, Sara died in her teens from leukemia.  Remember the Reel family in your prayers.

Jury Duty

Some time back I was called to report to the courthouse for possible jury duty.  I was chosen for one of the groups.  I believe there are nine groups in all.  The time for us to report started last week, but I was out of town and got permission to be absent.  This week we have three days that we are to call to see if we need to report in.  Yesterday I called and no one had to go.  This evening I called and my group is to report in the morning. We will see what tomorrow holds.  Might be an interesting day.

I checked on my mom today and she was doing OK.  She still has shortness of breath and does not have any energy.  Someone is having to stay with her all the time.  I believe we are to go back to the heart doctor and the pacemaker doctor on the 25th. of this month.  Continue to remember her in your prayers.

Update on Mom

My mother is now at home.  They released her from Rehab today, so she is at home now in Crossville.  Thanks for all the the prayers and cards that have been sent.  I know she appreciates them.  We still have to find out about the other blockage and the aneurism that she has.  Hopefully, they will be able to deal with it without surgery, but we will cross that bridge when we get there.  Continue to remember her in prayer.

I have been in Knoxville since Sunday evening attending the East Tennessee School of Preaching and Missions Lectures.  I really enjoyed them this year.  The theme was “Life’s Greatest Questions.”  There were a lot of good lessons presented.  The singing each night before the lessons was wonderful.  I always enjoy the fellowship.  One of the preachers I always look forward to see is Eddie Payne from Louisiana.  He is doing a wonderful work in his part of the country, and I am always thankful to get to see him.  A great amount of good has been done for the kingdom by the East Tennessee School of Preaching and Missions.  I hope that will continue for many years.

I am tired, so I think I will call it a night.  I get to sleep in my own bed tonight, which will be great.  I very much enjoyed the hospitality shown to me, Olivia and Jessica by the Kirks while in Knoxville, but it is good to be home.  Christian family is a wonderful thing.  Good night.

Update on 19A

I talked to my mom this evening and she was already in bed at 7:00 PM.  She had another long day of activity.  I was a little surprised that they gave her therapy on Saturday.  It is good for her, but she is not so sure.  She seemed to be doing well.  I will try to stop by tomorrow to see her as I head to Knoxville for the lectureship.

Kristin will be coming home (Cookeville) tomorrow. I know Zac will be glad to see her.  She has been in Birmingham for several days with her grandmother, Mrs. Zorn.  It sounds as though she is making improvement each day.  They have moved her out of ICU, which is a good sign. I believe Zac told me the wife of the man  he met while he was at the hospital in Birmingham is scheduled for surgery this week.

Vickie’s mother is not doing well either.  She continues to have a lot of health issues going on which they have not really been able to diagnose.  Vickie and her sister Gail have both written more information on Gladys Bowling.  Please remember all of these ladies in your prayers.  [Jimmie Faye Cole, Gladys Bowling, Mrs. Zorn, Mrs. Bass].

We are suppose to get a few snow flurries tonight.  March is coming in with force.  Hopefully it will be a small amount and travel will not be difficult tomorrow.  It will be a few days before I am back on because I generally do not carry my laptop to lectures with me.  Hope you have a good Lord’s Day tomorrow and a good week.