I'm enjoying my new volunteer job.  I'm learning a little more about what I'm doing and am able to keep myself pretty busy.  I definitely learned that sheets are heavy last week!  I had 4 rooms to make up beds in and was going to try to carry the sheets for all 4 (each room has either 2 or 3 beds).  I couldn't even fit them all in my arms, much less carry them.  I guess that is why they told me when I was training that I could use a cart...good thinking!  One of my duties is to take care of the drink tabs that come in.  There must have been 9-10 gallons that had been brought in Friday.  Most were collected in milk jugs or other plastic drink bottles.  Those are great for fitting those small tabs in, but NOT great for getting them out.  So I ended up bruising up my knuckles, cutting open plastic jugs and bottles.   But it is all for a really good cause.  I really appreciate the good that this organization does for families with seriously ill children.

Jessica went to Arkansas for the weekend, so Sheila ended up coming over for supper both Friday and Saturday nights.  Then Sunday was another all afternoon study for the guys, so she and I went out to eat with Linda M. and Karen R.  Then we spent the afternoon visiting at Linda's house.  Such a pleasant day!  I love sitting and looking out the back windows at Linda's house.  Her backyard is so pretty and peaceful!  We watched a squirrel digging around in her flowers and several hummingbirds fighting over her 2 feeders.  After evening services, a group of us went to Rosa's for supper and had a very nice time visiting.  That along with two good lessons (one from Dennis on how our later days should be our best, and one from Israel on the book of Philemon) made for another wonderful Lord's Day!

Dennis is actually off today!  Hallelujah!!!  He hasn't been getting his days off this summer and it is really wearing on him.  It has been a nice, relaxing day.  He's been doing a little work around the house...working on fixing our old bed in the guest room (the box springs finally gave way), and has now gone to see the eye doctor.  He thinks he may have an infection in his left eye.  It has been red and tearing a lot lately.  He also went to talk to the superintendent at the Millsap schools to see if we could use their cafetorium at their new elementary school for our meeting.  It is looking very good right now!  We'd probably have both the services and the meals there if it works out, which will greatly simplify things for everyone.

Mandy and Stephen are coming Wednesday evening.  Mandy, Sheila and I are taking a little mini-vacation to Granbury while Stephen sets up camp at the state park here in MW.  The girls are taking me on this little trip for my belated birthday present.  We have reservations at a B & B that is located over a bookstore on the square.  We plan to play tourists for a couple of days and do some "bonding".  I'm looking forward to our time together!

Ps 90:12 ¶ So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

Another Labor Day Weekend come and gone...

Josh came in Friday night.  I was hoping that he and Ricky would decide to go to Valliant, so I could bum a ride.  They talked about it, decided to go, and then changed their minds.  Dennis was forced to work on Saturday, so I drove to Valliant by myself Saturday morning.  It was a long drive, but other than getting turned around in Greenville, it was an uneventful trip.  I arrived at the Terry Building between 1:30 and 2:00.  The auction was fun, as usual, and it looked like a nice sum of money was raised.  Kyle does such a good job as auctioneer...he really cracks me up!  I was honored to be a judge in the Italian food cookoff this year.  The winner happened to be my dad...but I didn't vote for him (and yes, I knew which dish he made!).  He sure was tickled to be selected.  I can't wait to see him wearing the commemorative apron, when he gets it!

We left Valliant fairly early Saturday night, since Stephen and Mandy were both feeling poorly.  Stephen was still on antibiotics for bronchitis, and had lost his pill for that day.  Thankfully, he found it when we got back to their house...in the cat dish!  (It was in a plastic and foil dispenser pack, so it was still good.)  Dennis made it to Valliant just in time for the morning assembly.  We enjoyed a good lesson from Kyle on training up children in the way they should go.  After a short afternoon of good food, fellowship and fun, Dennis spoke on our relationship with God.  Then we all headed over to Kit and Ray's for sandwiches and homemade ice cream.  We really enjoyed our time with so many dear loved ones and greatly appreciate all the hospitality and hard work by the McLemore family!

We all slept in Monday morning at Stephen and Mandy's house and then Dennis and I started for home...in our separate vehicles.  I really hope we don't have to do that again...it makes for such a long drive.  We made it home about 3:30.  I made pizza for supper and the girls came over to share it with us and the boys.  Afterwards, we played some "Apples to Apples" and watched an old animated kid's movie until we all got tired and ready for bed.  All in all it was a nice little holiday!

What does the LORD require of us?

Mic 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

I've loved this verse from the first time I read it...so simple and direct - one of those anchor verses to keep always before our eyes.

Do justly:  give to all what is due them.  Give God the obedience and love that is due Him. Give our fellow man the kindness, love and service that is due him. Give our governmental leaders the obedience and respect due them. Give ourselves what is good and right...not being overindulgent.

1Pe 2:17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

Love mercy:  if we love mercy, we can't help but extend it to others...not as a duty, but willingly.    We know that without God's mercy, none of us is suitable for the kingdom.  As Jesus taught on so many occasions, we cannot receive God's mercy if we refuse to extend it to others.

Eph 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Walk humbly with thy God:  humble ourselves before God in all that we do...always looking to His will rather than our own.  We can also extrapolate that we should walk humbly with our fellow man...following Jesus' example of serving others rather than trying to lord over them. 

1Pe 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.  6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time

I pray that I can live out this verse in my life.