Justin, Camdyn & Charlie Leave; Mike, Shirley & Ryan Visit

Camdyn & Charlie Ride Rose

These pictures were taken by Karisa.

Between Christmas and New Years

"The Force is with me."

Visit With Thelma

I drove to Greenville today to assist with the funeral of one of our church members, Rev. Faye Whitten.  It was a lovely funeral.  Doug LeRoy, General Director of World Missions for the Church of God, shared briefly words of appreciation for Faye's ministry as a missionary.  I spoke briefly about my honor in being her pastor.  Pastor Robert Shepherd (retired), a close friend of Faye, brought the message.  It was a wonderful tribute. Several members of the congregation spoke of Faye's impact on their lives.  I also gave the closing remarks at the internment. 

The cemetary was just ten or twelve miles from the nursing home where Cheryl's mother resides so that I was able to drive over and spend a few minutes with her.  One of the nurses took our picture for me. 



December 27

Christmas in Cleveland

I have had difficulty adding my Christmas pictures to this blog.

Baby Lexus

I'll post better pictures tomorrow.

Great Day

This one belongs on my other blog about being thankful, but here it is.  Cheryl and I took the day to try out her new car.  We drove over to Ellijay, Georgia and explored the antique shops.  We had some of the best barbeque I have eve had.  It was a great day.  We came home and bought groceries for our coming guests.  I stopped off at the hospital and sold a kidney to cover the check.

Back at Ellijay, I had a keen insight.  Visiting antique shops can mark the stages of life.  In my imagination I overheard a conversation. 

A young child asked his parents "what is that?"

They replied, "I'm not sure, but I think I saw one in my grandparents house."

The grandparent chimes in, "That's right; they used it for..."

Then there is me, thinking, "I could tell them what it is.  I bought one, still have it, and use it." 

That's my stage of life.

Failed Journey, Terminal Friend

We were scheduled to drive to Virginia on Sunday but I was ill.  We left Monday morning and less than an hour into the trip one of our dearest friends was stricken with a terminal illness.  Cammie, had been one of those true friends, reliable to a fault.  Fair weather and foul, she carried us when we needed a lift.  Although, we sometimes abused her and often neglected her, she never complained. 

It all happened so quickly.  As I topped a hill I felt her shutter.  Within a minute we could hear a wheeze, intermitten for a few seconds and then constant and growing louder.  In an instant she lost all drive an drifted off to the magins of the highway of life.  We brought her home where she is lying in state.  Visitation will be for a few more days.  Sacreficial at all times, she was listed as an organ doner.

In our grief we drove to Chattanooga today and purchased a replacement friend.  Lexie, as we call her, is a hybrid.  We felt it our duty to combat the growing prejudices against bi-powered drivetrains.  She has already proven a great comfort to Cheryl and I am sure she will grow on me.  However, for a compact little beauty, said to go a long way on little, I suspect she has a big apetite for dough.

Pictures to follow.

Visit with Thelma

We made a trip to Greenville to see Cheryl's mother yesterday.  See "Jackie Speaks" for details.