Matrimonial Musings

Ministry Update

One of the unsavory parts of evangelism is the reality of a cancellation. There is always a sinking in my heart whenever a man has to cancel a meeting. This week's meeting was canceled on short notice, just six days before. Like all cancellations, it was disappointing, but the Lord knew what He was doing. The Lord did open the door for me to teach/preach an adult Sunday school class today. That was a blessing. The pastor made it known to me that he was checking me out with the possibility of having me back, should the Lord lead.

We have been able to get to know the people of the church, having participated in a Valentine's banquet on Friday night. I even got to meet a vagrant who talked to the pastor about sleeping on the church property. ("Hey pastor. I am on my way to Oregon. Would you mind if I spread my sleeping bag on the church property?") He and his dog were offered a place in the bus instead of the ground. I wonder what this guy will do when he gets to Idaho later on this month. Will he still sleep on the ground? Anyway, when in Florida...

Family Update

Ahhh... back on the road again! We left Kings Mountain last week and headed for warmer climates - namely, Alabama and Florida. Our first meeting was in Tuscaloosa, AL, where we had some refreshing fellowship with the pastor and his family. Josiah seemed quite impressed with the pastor's six-year-old daughter. When we came back to the trailer after all the kids had been playing all afternoon, Josiah told me that he wanted to marry C-----. I told him that he would need to talk to her dad about that first. He thought about that for a minute, then asked if he had to talk to his own dad, too. I said it would probably be a good idea. Then he asked me what I thought. I told him she was kind of young, and that he should probably wait a decade or so. "Besides," I reminded him, "I thought you said you wanted to marry M----- (another pastor's daughter)." He sighed gustily and said, "There are just so many girls that I think I like! I wish I were in the Old Testament so I could marry them all!"

Abigail has made some new friends this trip as well. She told me this morning that now she has sixteen friends! She doesn't know their names, but they are her friends nonetheless.

Esther is enjoying her baby brother immensely. Sometimes I think her love for him stems from the fact that he is the only person in our trailer who can't tell her what to do. She loves to get in his face and laugh and talk very loudly and excitedly. Usually, it is something like, "AWWWWW! DANIEL IS SO CUTE!" Daniel, in the meantime, has nowhere to go, and must endure the blaring voice ten millimeters from his startled eyeballs. If he actually smiles, it is cause for more loud and excited talking, "MAMA! DANIEL SMILED AT ME! AWWWW! DANIEL IS SO CUTE! HAHAHAHA!" I usually rescue him when his lower lip starts to protrude - right before the big "Waaah!"

Daniel is growing like a weed. Tomorrow he will be three months old. He can hold his head up quite well, and is starting to try to roll over. He definitely makes his preferences known. He likes to be held sitting upright facing out or looking over your shoulder. None of this sissy lying down stuff for him! He also has a definite preference for his mother. He can be smiling and cooing, and the minute I shut the door behind me to run to the store all semblance of happiness disappears, or at least, that is what I have been led to believe. Frequently, I have received phone calls from the baby's father, who, when I answer the phone, holds the receiver next to the mouth of the howling infant. This is my cue to grab the rest of my purchases and head home post-haste. What would we do without the conveniences of modern technology?

I have been having fun the last several months with a new hobby of sorts - coupons! The Lord has enabled me to learn from some of the best, and I actually enjoy the activity! It really has made a big difference in our grocery bill, and I get a big thrill when I bring home several bags of "stuff" and a receipt for just a few cents. I still have much to learn, but I am confident that one day I will become one of those "gurus" that actually do so well that the store pays them to take home groceries! I have managed to save 40-60% of our grocery bill each month by this method, and with the sagging economy, it has been a big blessing, since we didn't get bailed out - yet!

We are currently in Pensacola, FL, and have had the opportunity to spend time with old friends as well as meet some new ones. Please pray that the Lord will continue to bring us into the path of good men and that we will know how to effectively minister to them as the Lord opens the doors.