Totally Full Thursday

Before we got to Thursday, we had Monday -- work, Tuesday -- Joyce left me, and Wednesday -- Joyce came back. What happened was this. We have a friend, Beth (and her family) from back in Newberg days who lives in Redmond. Joann H. and Joyce decided to go visit her. She was trying to get ready for a yard sale but she had recently had surgery so it was slow going. Well, say "yard sale" to Joyce and Joann and it's like saying "telephone" to a teenager. I took Joyce to Joann's house in Stayton early Tuesday morning and off they went. I think it was a little bit of deja vu all over again -- the three of them talked, laughed, went out to eat, watched a DVD movie at the motel, and pretended they were young again. But they had a lot of fun and Joyce needed that.

Thursday -- yes, then there was Thursday! First off was a MEG meeting at the Conference office in Salem at 9:00. The superintendent and I had to tell a pastor that he was suspended from his appointment to a church -- not easy and not fun. Next, Joyce and I met with a banker to discuss the possibility of a home loan (IF we should happen to buy a house in Salem). Then it was off to Beaverton for a lunch meeting with Joe at 12:15. He is the coach for the pastoral coaches. I needed him to pour some education into me. Then we headed to Newberg for a 3:00 memorial service. This was for Mackey, a man who was our Director of Senior Adult Ministries when we were in Newberg. He was retired at that time but just so willing to serve the Lord in any way he could. I was asked to give a short tribute. When that ended, we schmoozed for a few minutes, then headed back to Lebanon for a dinner meeting with church friends at 6:15. When we left their house about 9:00 we decided to drive to Grants Pass. Whew! We fell into bed about 12:30. I think I'm too old for very many of those kinds of days.

Our garden is in decline, except for the tomatoes which are really ripening now. We picked a bunch -- not sure what we will do with all of them. Maybe sauce them up and freeze them for stews later on. Saturday, I conducted the memorial service for Lloyd, a former member of Allen Creek. When that was over we left for Lebanon, getting back here about 7:00.

Today, Shanette preached and used her life experiences as the basis for her sermon. She did a great job. Next Sunday, it is me.

Notice the preference poll to the right. Are you anxious for summer to be over? Add your vote. I'm not, but here it is, the first Sunday in autumn. We have been having some pretty nice days but the nights are getting cold and they say it will rain this week. Winter is coming, ready or not. And so it goes. Take care and have a great week.