Sunday, October 1
After a busy weekend on the road, we were happy to be back at home to attend the morning service at Yantis First Baptist Church. Our children's sermon this morning was about being a stepping stone, rather than a stumbling block, and came from 1st Corinthians 8:9.
Be a
Stepping Stone and not a Stumbling Block
JIM: Brother Craig will be preaching from 1st Corinthians 8:9 this morning. In this verse, Paul told the Christians that many people would be watching them to see how they acted, and that they shouldn’t do anything that would confuse the new Christians and cause them to stumble in the new path they were taking.
Our lesson for you this
morning is that when you turn your life over to Jesus Christ and accept Him as
your Lord and Savior, others will be watching you to see if your words
attitudes, and actions will be different now that you are following Him. If they can’t see a change in you, you could
cause them to stumble, or trip or fall, and not follow Christ as they
should. We want you to be stepping
stones, part of the path that gives others a safe way to follow you, instead of
being something that causes them pain when they fall or lose their way.
For Christians of all ages
from the youngest to the oldest, it is important to remember that just because
something may be okay for you to do, your actions or words may not be okay for
new Christians or those who are learning about Christ. Remember this…Just because you can do
something doesn’t always mean you should do it, especially if it causes someone
to turn away from Christ.
BARBARA: This
morning we’re going to do something different; so I’m going to need you to be
really good listeners, okay?
If I give you an example of
someone being a stumbling block, I want you to hold up your stumbling block.
Let’s try it...In front of your friend, Mom tells you to clean your room. You
say, “No, I’m busy.” Are you showing your friend how God wants us to act (being
a stepping stone) or are you being a stumbling block? Right...a stumbling
block.
Okay, let’s play!
Your tone of voice when you
talk to a friend is hateful?
You apologize for not being
kinder.
Your little brother is sick.
You sit with him and read to him.
At school, your friends are
laughing at a new girl. You ask her to sit by you.
Your friends are making fun of
someone and you join them by laughing.
That’s good... Here is a
little bowl for you. Some of the candy
represents the gravel on your path, and there are other candies and gums that
are the stumbling blocks and stepping stones in the path. We hope that you choose to be a stepping
stone, and not a stumbling block, in the path of life.
Mr. Little, do you want to lead us in prayer?
Jim: Dear
Lord, please help us to always lend a hand and be a stepping stone for others
through our attitudes, words, and actions. We want to never stop people from
coming to know you by being a stumbling block. We love you! It’s in the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.
This evening we enjoyed a Facetime visit with Mike, Ava, Jack, and Benjamin from their backyard in Virginia...it's alway a great day when we can visit with the kids and grand kids!
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Monday, October 2
We were supposed to have the new storm door installed in the sun room today, so we hustled around and got things out of the way for the workers. Unfortunately, John Spanko's team was held up on another project, but he promised that we would have our new door tomorrow.
Tonight was a rare Monday night rehearsal for the Lake Country Symphonic Band as we prepared for our Fall concert, scheduled for next Sunday and Tuesday.
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Tuesday, October 3
I drove out to Yantis this morning for our weekly prayer meeting at YFBC. When I was finished there, I drove to Holiday Villages of Lake Fork and Our Little Lot, to check on Big V and pick up a few tools I would need at the house this week.
Later in the morning, John's team showed up at the house and got the new storm door installed in the sun room, giving the room a whole new look, and giving us a whole new view of our back yard.
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Wednesday, October 4
Today we drove to Tyler to be with friends Jerry and Diane Nickerson as Diane was being prepped for knee replacement surgery. We had a nice lunch at the Magnolia Cafe it Tyler Bone and Joint Hospital with Jerry and a couple of his friends from Lake Fork Baptist Church, and then waited until the doctor sent word that the operation was successfully completed and Diane was doing fine. Since it was going to be a while before Diane could have visitors, we left and returned home to rest, and for me to prepare for praise band rehearsal at the church tonight.
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Thursday, October 5
Since we had a busy weekend coming up, we spent most of the day preparing our children's sermon for Sunday and putting the finishing touches on the handouts and treats for the kids.
Tonight I was at the historic Select Theater in downtown Mineola for our final dress rehearsal of the Lake Country Symphonic Band.
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Friday, October 6
This morning found us on the road to Tyler again...this time for a follow-up visit at Dermatology Associates to see how the surgery on my left ear was healing. The verdict was that it wasn't 100 per cent healed, but was well on schedule.
While Barbara took care of paying the bills, I took advantage of the beautiful fall weather and drove out to Our Little Lot this afternoon to do some mowing and trimming.
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Saturday, October 7
A nice fall morning seemed like a good time to get in the kitchen and prepare a batch of homemade applesauce. My job was to peel, slice, and core the apples (with the help of our handy-dandy apple peeler/slicer/and corer), while Barbara put all the ingredients together in the cooker.
We received word a few days ago through the Patriot Guard Riders that a 2016 Tyler high school graduate, Specialist Alexander Missildine, had been killed in action in Afghanistan while serving in the United States Army. A community-wide memorial service was planned for this evening, so we drove to Tyler to be part of the observance. We got a lesson about timing being everything, as we arrived at the park at the same time as a local television reporter, and I was interviewed for a segment in tonight's news.
As soon as the memorial service was over, we rushed home to wait for Ryan, Leah, and Kaiden to arrive for a short visit.
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Sunday, October 8
It was a very special Sunday morning as Ryan, Leah, and Kaiden joined us for Sunday school and the morning service at YFBC. The kids got to see me play trumpet in the praise band, and Barbara and I had the pleasure of having Kaiden down front with us for the children's sermon.
1st
Corinthians 9:25 – Running the Race
JIM: This morning we will
be talking about how Paul was teaching the believers at Corinth about the
seriousness of his job, which was to teach and preach the good news about Jesus
Christ. Paul felt that this was his calling
from God, and that nothing could keep him from doing it, wherever he was.
In Verse 25, Paul talks about how Christians
should look at their lives as running a race.
Races were a big event in those times, and all the runners wanted to win
the great prize for beating everyone else.
But Paul said that we should all run the race of life in a way that we
can get the greatest prize of all, an eternal life in Heaven.
Very few people are natural racers. Everyone who wants to win a race must
practice for it and train their minds and bodies for whatever they might find
along the course of their lives.
Mrs. Little, since these children are just
beginning the race of life, what do you think might be some ways for them to
train and prepare for the future so they can win the race Paul was talking about?
BARBARA: Well,
Mr. Little, they are already training and preparing for the race this
morning. They are here in church to
learn about Jesus and what He can mean in their lives when they are old enough
to accept Him as their Lord and Savior.
They have lots of opportunities to prepare right here in our own church
every week…on Sunday’s there are Sunday school classes and church. Children and
youth Bible studies are held on Wednesday evenings, and Vacation Bible School
during the summer. These activities give them and their parents a chance to
learn more about Jesus and the life He has to offer them.
JIM: I see…along with
learning about Jesus, they and their friends can also learn how Jesus wants
them to act, whether they are alone or with others. It’s like we talked about before, we all need
lessons to try to understand how much God loves us, and how the first
commandment is to love God with all our hearts, minds, and bodies, and how we
are to love others as we love ourselves.
And since this is so much to understand and use in our own lives, we
need all the training we can get from our parents, grandparents, and our
trusted teachers and ministers.
BARBARA:
That’s right, Mr. Little. Our training
and preparation for life should happen every day, because we will be running
the race every day of our lives. You
know, this lesson reminded me of a little boy I taught back in Lubbock. David
was the fastest runner in our school; but one day he got so cocky that he
didn’t give it his all. In fact, he won; but not by much. When he boasted to
me, I reminded him that he’d better not quit like that again or he just might
lose!
Jim: And...we Christians
must do the same. We can’t give just half our effort because everything is
going smoothly. We have to continue in our faith so that no matter what the
path, we can win that prize of eternal life. So, Mrs. Little what did we come
up with this week to help the children remember to run the race of life.
Barbara: We have a donut stick runner holding a candy
bracelet prize to remind them to run for the prize that will last forever. But, before we hand them out, Mr. Little,
would you please lead our prayer.
JIM: Dear Father, our lives are like a race to win the great prize that you
have for us. We ask this morning that
you give us the wisdom, strength, and courage to run the course in such a way
as to inspire others to be led by you, and we ask this in the name of Jesus,
Amen.
We left church as soon as it was over and boogied back to Mineola so I could change into my formal concert wear and then drove downtown for the band concert. Although Leah and Kaiden had attended a rehearsal once upon a time, this was the first time for them and Ryan to join us for a concert. Kaiden has started playing the euphonium in his school band, and since we were going to have a euphonium soloist with the band today, it was a good selling point for having the kids come see us this weekend.
When the concert was over, we rushed to Jalapeno Tree for a family dinner before the kids had to return home to Fort Worth.
And then the two of us enjoyed an evening treat...
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Monday, October 9
Today was another trip to Tyler to see a doctor, but this time it was for TJ to see her Neurologist. Angela rode with us and we joined Donnie, Lynette, and TJ for lunch in Lindale before going on to Tyler.
After we had all returned to Mineola and rested up, Donnie, Lynette, Ladd, and Angela came to our house for a hamburger supper and to review what the doctor had to say about TJ and her need for a permanent placement at Autumn Wind Assisted Living Center.
About the time we finished our visit with the family, we got a call from our friends Heidi and Curt, wanting to know if we were going to the marching band contest in Mineola tonight. We hadn't planned to go, but since their son Jared was marching with the Lindale HS Band, we decided to change gears and join them at the stadium. This was our first marching contest since 2010, and I found that much had changed in terms of marching styles, music, and presentation, and not all of it for the better. However, the Lindale band absolutely blew us away with a good old-fashioned military band marching show.
And the Mineola band, while I wasn't impressed with their show concept, fielded an outstanding band of well-trained student musicians. Mineola was clearly the best band on the field tonight, but since they were only marching in exhibition, they didn't received any awards.
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Tuesday, October 10 - Thursday, October 12
These three days were a blur of activity with doctor appointments, a band concert Tuesday night, praise band at church on Wednesday night, more doctor appointments, and a band rehearsal on Thursday...way too busy for photographs!
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Friday, October 13
Today was the day for U.S. Army Specialist Alexander Missildine to return home after being killed in action in Afghanistan. We rode Taz to Tyler Pounds Airport to join a multitude of PGR Riders, law enforcement officers, and firefighters to honor a hometown boy and show our rrespect to his widow and family.
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Saturday, October 14
Since we had been out of the house so much this week, today was a day of catching up on all the things we had let go for a few days, including finishing our children's sermon for tomorrow.
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Sunday, October 15
Another Sunday, and another great day at Yantis First Baptist Church. We got to the church early for praise band rehearsal and an opportunity to practice our children's sermon before going to Sunday school.
Our children's sermon always takes place immediately following the announcements and the morning "meet and greet" session. Today's sermon was based on 1st Corinthians 10:11-14.
Learning From Our Past
as We Move Toward Our Future
JIM:
This morning we will be talking about learning from our history, our past, so
we don’t make the same mistakes in the future; and we’ll also go back a little
to remind you of last week’s lesson about running your race for the great prize
of eternal life. There is an old saying
that goes, “Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it.” That’s exactly what Paul was talking about to
the church at Corinth in Chapter 10 of 1st Corinthians.
When
Moses was leading the Children of Israel, God protected them as long as they
obeyed His laws and did what He told them.
But, through their 40-year journey, they sometimes ignored God’s laws
and warnings, and many suffered and died because of it and were never able to
enter the Promised Land.
Paul
told the church at Corinth to remember what had happened…it was even written
down in the books of history as warnings to them. They weren’t supposed to spend so much time
regretting their mistakes and bad decisions, but they should learn from them so
well that they would not repeat them.
Paul also told them that they would be tempted, just like everyone else,
but if they turned to God and followed His word, He would provide a way for
them to stand up to the temptations and not fall into them.
You
are all very young and don’t have a lot of history, but if you learn your
lessons from mistakes or unacceptable behavior, those lessons will allow you to
move forward on the path of your life without spending your time and energy
worrying about what happened in the past.
BARBARA: Last Sunday we talked
about how life is like running a race. Well, when you run a race, what can slow
you down and cause you to lose? You could stumble and fall, couldn’t you. But,
if you did that, you could probably jump up and continue to run fast.
But...what if while you were running, you continued to look back to look at
what was behind you? If you do that, you continue to use your energy and time
looking at where you have been! And, you lose focus on what’s ahead...on where
you want to go. If you continue to look back or if you lose your focus, you are
wasting time and energy!
Paul
says in Philippians 3:13 that in running the race one thing he does is forgetting
those things that are in the past and reaches for the future. In other words,
he doesn’t look back!
Therefore,
our message for all of you today is, “Stop looking back at all the things you
have done wrong! And, if it stops you from getting closer to God then it needs
to go!”
JIM: Father, we all continue to fail you at times
in our path toward the prize of eternal life with you. Please give us the wisdom to learn from our
mistakes in such a way that we don’t repeat them or dwell on them, but instead
are able to move forward in the way you would have us go. We ask this in the name of Jesus, Amen.
This evening we rode Taz to Tyler for the visitation service for Specialist Missildine at Jackson/Banks Funeral Home. Once again, members of East Texas Patriot Guard Riders provided honors for the family.
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Monday, October 16
Today we joined fellow East Texas Patriot Guard Riders to pay our final respects to Specialist Missildine in Tyler. The funeral service was held at Green Acres Baptist Church, and a large contingent of PGR assisted with protecting the family and providing honors.
Following the ride to the cemetery and being present for the graveside service, we climbed back on Taz for the ride back to Mineola. Since it was so late in the afternoon and we didn't feel like cooking anything, we tried out a new restaurant in Lindale, Love and War In Texas.
The service was great and the food was wonderful...this is definitely a place we would return to!!!
With all the attention of the week focused on a young man who died way before his time, our thoughts were also on our own experience with the death of Jimmy Clint, so Barbara posted the following on his Facebook page...
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Tuesday, October 17
Today was more doctor"stuff" for me...my annual visit to see Dr. Bankhead and get approval for continuation of my cholesterol meds. Her first question was whether any of my family medical history had changed. When I told her about Ernie passing away from colon cancer, she immediately said that my next appointment would be for the infamous "scope-on-a-rope" procedure aka. a colonoscopy. I already knew that was coming so I just agreed. Then, she did all the other tests that go with an annual physical and declared me fit for another year.
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Wednesday, October 18
We seem to be having a competition to see which of us will log the most miles and visits to a doctor during the year. Today was Barbara's turn as we drove to Tyler and ETMC to have a follow-up visit with Dr. Olvera for her pain management. Luckily, everything was good and she was cleared for another three months.
As soon as we returned home, we quickly straightened the dining area in anticipation of a visit from Tumbleweed Smith, a Texas radio legend who travels around the state interviewing folks for his syndicated radio show. Tumbleweed had heard that I would be sounding Taps and other bugle calls at an upcoming charity event to raise money for Folds of Honor, an organization that provides college scholarships for young people who have lost an active-duty military parent.
Barbara and I got in a 1-2 punch as in addition to my tales of Taps, we also got to talk about Patriot Guard Riders and the Snowball Express vest project.
John and Carol don't often send us photos of themselves, but we got one this evening to add to our collection of Family Fotos.
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Thursday, October 19
As if we hadn't seen enough doctors this week, this morning we had to be at Dermatology Associates in Tyler for a minor surgical procedure for me. When I was in the air force, many, many years ago, one of the doctors discovered a couple of cysts in my back. He removed one and said I could have the other one done later. As it turned out, I never got back, and have dealt with it as just a minor inconvenience all these years. That is, until a week or so ago when the cyst expanded to a knot almost as big as my fist, and began weeping. Today was the day to be done with it once and for all.
Ugly?...Yes, but still a part of our story...
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Friday, October 20
After such a hectic week, we decided that we'd take a spontaneous Taz trip to Shreveport to get out of town, blow out the cobwebs, and do some shopping at the Riverwalk Outlet Mall. We spent the morning polishing our children's sermon for Sunday, and then packed and got away from Mineola early in the afternoon, thoroughly enjoying our ride.
After looking around a bit, we headed to our hotel and checked in...
And then went to a nearby Texas Roadhouse for a delightful meal (complete with all the peanuts we could eat or drop on the floor).
Tonight was all about kicking back and relaxing!
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Saturday, October 21
I've always said that the best laid plans are sometimes just well laid plans. Such was the case for us today.
Our plans were to have a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, load Taz, and then ride down to the Riverwalk to do some shopping and shop-looking.
Up to the point of loading Taz, everything went beautifully. It was when we got on and turned on the ignition that the plans fell apart. When I hit the starter switch, every light on the dash started blinking like crazy...and then went dark. I didn't know if it was a battery problem or an ignition problem, but whatever it was, it was a MAJOR PROBLEM.
The kind girl at the hotel desk allowed us to go back into our room to make phone calls to locate a Can Am service center and find a tow service. We eventually found a service that would come get Taz (thank goodness for Good Sam Roadside Assistance!) and take her to the local Can-Am shop (which would be open until noon). I explained that whoever came would need a floor lift, since the Spyders are locked down solid when they are turned off, but the word didn't get to the driver (who didn't arrive for nearly two hours). After studying the situation, the driver left to go find a floor lift and returned to load Taz on the truck. He then broke all the rules (bless his heart) and let us ride with him to the shop to drop off Taz, and then drove us to the airport so we could rent a car (which, we discovered, is almost impossible in the Shreveport area on a Saturday).
We eventually found a little Kia at National that we rented for the next couple of days, and headed back to Mineola...
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Sunday, October 22
Our children's sermon at Yantis First Baptist Church this morning was taken from 1st Corinthians 10:21...
EXERCISE
YOUR FREEDOMS CAREFULLY
JIM: In today’s lesson, we are going to
go back a little bit to talk about a lesson we did a few weeks ago when we
talked about how to use our new freedoms as Christians. When we turn our lives over to Jesus Christ,
he gives us a whole new area of freedom, but we need to have the wisdom to use
that freedom so it doesn’t cause weaker Christians, or even non-Christians to
stumble and fall in their search for a better life.
From verse 23-33 Paul lays down a number of ideas which govern
Christian liberty:
We must not judge our actions simply by whether they are lawful,
but whether they cause a brother to stumble. We can never glorify God by
causing another Christian to stumble.
So, if what we do doesn’t help us glorify Christ, then we need to stay
away from it.
Whatever
we do, whether it is by ourselves or with others, we need to ask ourselves if
it will help people to come to a saving knowledge of Christ. If it is helpful, then do it. If it is not helpful at that time or place,
don’t do it. We must not live for our
own benefit, but also the benefit of others, that they might be saved.
Freedom
comes from knowledge. John 8:32 says, “And ye shall know the truth, and the
truth shall make you free.” However,
with freedom comes responsibility, just like with driving a car.
BARBARA: Now, how do we take what Paul said in 1
Corinthians 23 and help you understand what he meant, and that was our dilemma
this week. Then we decided to break it down...basically, he is saying that just
because you are free to do something doesn’t mean that you ought to do it. In
even more simple words, he means, “Don’t “dew” it because you can, “dew” it
because it’s right! So...let’s play
another “little” game...if I say something that you should “dew” because it’s
right...hold up your “dew”...if it is something you shouldn’t “dew”...put it
behind your back.
This
first one is a practice one...let’s do it together...
1.
Your friend it at your
home and you say a prayer before the meal.
Do we put the “dew” bottle up or hide it? That’s
right...hold it up because that’s being a good example.
2.
You’re mad and you say
some bad words. Up or hide
3.
You boss your friends
around instead of asking nicely. Up or hide
4.
Invite a friend to go
to Sunday School with you.
5.
When you learn to read
you start reading a children’s Bible.
JIM: “Lord Jesus, thou who art the way, the
truth, and the life; hear us as we pray for the truth that shall make all free.
Teach us that liberty is not only to be loved but also to be lived. Liberty is
too precious a thing to be buried in books. It costs too much to be hoarded.
Help us see that our liberty is not the right to do as we please, but the
opportunity to please to do what is right.” (By Peter Marshall).
Immediately following church, I hopped into the rental car, Barbara got into our car, and we made a flying trip back to Shreveport to return the rental car. We could have taken it to Tyler, but it would have cost about $300 more, so we figured our time was well spent.
As soon as we got back to Mineola, we drove back to Yantis to join our church family at the annual Fall Fish Fry dinner. Along the way, Barbara got this great shot...
As soon as we got back to Mineola, we drove back to Yantis to join our church family at the annual Fall Fish Fry dinner. Along the way, Barbara got this great shot...
And that marked the end of a VERY interesting week!!!
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Monday, October 23
Today was moving day for TJ. Ladd, Angela, Logan, Barbara, and I all went over to the house and loaded up the furniture, clothing, and other items that she wanted for her new apartment at Autumn Wind assisted living center. We all knew that she had picked out too much furniture, but we moved it anyway, just so she would be able to see how it did, or didn't fit. We started the job about 8:30 am and were finished shortly after noon, after which we all went to Quitman for lunch at Red Dome, TJ's payment to us for services rendered.
By the time lunch was over, we were all completely wrung out, so we took TJ back to her new apartment and then went to our respective homes for some rest.
This evening we received yet another photo from John and Carol...looks like they were having a good time, wherever they were...
Tonight I began the preparation procedure for my colonoscopy tomorrow. For those who have had the experience, you know what I'm talking about. For those who haven't had the experience, there are no words...at least not for a family publication.
Tuesday, October 24
We were up and at 'em early this morning, as we had to leave the house at 6:00 am in order to check in on time at Christus Mother Frances for the scope-on-a-rope procedure (aka colonoscopy). There was a long wait prior to the procedure, but they at least had the decency to pump me full of some good drugs, so I got a nice nap while they were checking out the interior of my posterior.
The doctor did clip a couple of polyps, but felt they were nothing to worry about, so after I was completely sobered up, I got dressed and we headed across the street for a Whataburger breakfast before starting a shopping spree to see if Barbara could find some new clothes for a shindig that we will be participating in this weekend.
After a deal like that, there wasn't much to do but go home and get some rest...which is exactly what we did!
Wednesday, October 25
Haircuts, some light houscleaning, and practicing bugle calls were the highlights of today's activities, although I did drive out to Yantis for our weekly praise band rehearsal tonight while Barbara stayed home to coordinate outfits for our Friday and Saturday night shindigs.
Thursday, October 26
We got word on Monday that Taz was ready to go (just needed a new battery), but our plates were so full that today was the first opportunity to go back to Shreveport to pick her up. We got away around mid-morning, drove to Shreveport, and then Barbara drove the car back home while I rode Taz.
This evening was a chance for Barbara to get some Taz time as we rode over to Tyler to join fellow East Texas Patriot Guard Riders for our monthly Meet, Greet, and Eat get-together...this time at Jalapeno Tree.
Friday, October 27
Several weeks ago, we were approached by Chuck Roy, the editor and publisher of one of our area newspapers, Community Chronicle, wanting to know if i would be interested in sounding Taps at the conclusion of two nights of sportsman competition that would be a benefactor of Folds of Honor, an organization that raises and distributes scholarship money to children who have a parent who was killed on active military duty.
Well, we always jump at the chance to be involved when someone needs Taps to be played, so we agreed to participate. Over the weeks, the event opened itself up to even more participation for a bugler.
Today was the first of two days of Bunkers, Lunkers, and Clays competition, in which teams of four split up so that two played golf, two fished, and two shot skeet. Each day would conclude with a dinner, presentation of awards, and speeches from prominent representatives of Folds of Honor, the military, and the sponsoring organization. And, as Chuck envisioned, I was the company bugler who would sound a variety of bugle calls at appropriate times during the evening.
We were honored to be a part of the festivities, We enjoyed the evening's events very much, and made some great new friends.
Several weeks ago we decided that we needed to dress Taz up a little, so we ordered a rack for the rear trunk and a cup holder for the driver (me)...Barbara has had a cup holder beside her seat for a long time.
This evening we received yet another photo from John and Carol...looks like they were having a good time, wherever they were...
Tonight I began the preparation procedure for my colonoscopy tomorrow. For those who have had the experience, you know what I'm talking about. For those who haven't had the experience, there are no words...at least not for a family publication.
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Tuesday, October 24
We were up and at 'em early this morning, as we had to leave the house at 6:00 am in order to check in on time at Christus Mother Frances for the scope-on-a-rope procedure (aka colonoscopy). There was a long wait prior to the procedure, but they at least had the decency to pump me full of some good drugs, so I got a nice nap while they were checking out the interior of my posterior.
The doctor did clip a couple of polyps, but felt they were nothing to worry about, so after I was completely sobered up, I got dressed and we headed across the street for a Whataburger breakfast before starting a shopping spree to see if Barbara could find some new clothes for a shindig that we will be participating in this weekend.
After a deal like that, there wasn't much to do but go home and get some rest...which is exactly what we did!
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Wednesday, October 25
Haircuts, some light houscleaning, and practicing bugle calls were the highlights of today's activities, although I did drive out to Yantis for our weekly praise band rehearsal tonight while Barbara stayed home to coordinate outfits for our Friday and Saturday night shindigs.
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Thursday, October 26
We got word on Monday that Taz was ready to go (just needed a new battery), but our plates were so full that today was the first opportunity to go back to Shreveport to pick her up. We got away around mid-morning, drove to Shreveport, and then Barbara drove the car back home while I rode Taz.
This evening was a chance for Barbara to get some Taz time as we rode over to Tyler to join fellow East Texas Patriot Guard Riders for our monthly Meet, Greet, and Eat get-together...this time at Jalapeno Tree.
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Friday, October 27
Several weeks ago, we were approached by Chuck Roy, the editor and publisher of one of our area newspapers, Community Chronicle, wanting to know if i would be interested in sounding Taps at the conclusion of two nights of sportsman competition that would be a benefactor of Folds of Honor, an organization that raises and distributes scholarship money to children who have a parent who was killed on active military duty.
Well, we always jump at the chance to be involved when someone needs Taps to be played, so we agreed to participate. Over the weeks, the event opened itself up to even more participation for a bugler.
Today was the first of two days of Bunkers, Lunkers, and Clays competition, in which teams of four split up so that two played golf, two fished, and two shot skeet. Each day would conclude with a dinner, presentation of awards, and speeches from prominent representatives of Folds of Honor, the military, and the sponsoring organization. And, as Chuck envisioned, I was the company bugler who would sound a variety of bugle calls at appropriate times during the evening.
We were honored to be a part of the festivities, We enjoyed the evening's events very much, and made some great new friends.
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Saturday, October 28
We slept in this morning after our late night out at Lands End at Lake Fork last night. Once we got to ginning around, we drove over to Autumn Wind to pick up TJ and take her to Lindale for some shopping and to have lunch at one of the Chinese restaurants.
We rested up this afternoon and then drove back out to Lands End on Lake Fork for the concluding festivities of the Sportsman's Challenge.
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Sunday, October 29
We didn't have a children's sermon this morning, but I played in the praise band and we just enjoyed a great sermon from Pastor Craig at Yantis FBC.
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Monday, October 30
We decided it was time for another short getaway trip and set our sights on Hot Springs, Arkansas, a place we had never been. But first, we had to spend today figuring out what we needed for a short trip.
Several weeks ago we decided that we needed to dress Taz up a little, so we ordered a rack for the rear trunk and a cup holder for the driver (me)...Barbara has had a cup holder beside her seat for a long time.
Tonight I broke out the trusty drill/driver and went through all the installation procedures, managing to turn a 30-minute project into a 2-hour ordeal. But, it all looked good when I finished, and everything worked the way it was advertised.
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Tuesday, October 31
Happy Halloween, Everyone!!!!!
Today was a travel day of sorts. First, we drove down to Lindale to have my dermatologist remove the stitches from my back. Then, we returned to the house to get everything that we thought we might need for the next few days and load the car.
Finally, we were off (in more ways than one) on a new adventure...a drive to Hot Springs, Arkansas.
After we got there, we got settled in at our hotel and then went out on the town to see what we could see. We had forgotten about it being Halloween, but were reminded of it tonight when the entire population of the city showed up downtown for a municipal Halloween celebration.
When we got back to our room and turned on our computers, we found that Mike had sent us photos of Ava, Jack, and Benjamin doing their Halloween thing.
What a great way to end a great day and month!!!
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Finishing out October in Hot Springs, Arkansas,
Jim/Dad/Gramps and Barbara/Mom/Grams/Gramsie
