August 16 &17

Tuesday we returned to our walk pattern. We had decided along with being a burden to the others, we got better exercise walking than at tennis. While walking, we got a call from Shirley saying she would pick E up at 10 for the planned trip to Ashville. E wanted to get blanket material for the Beeli girls who had outgrown the one’s she had made them as babies. They left and I worked on trying to set up the new computer. I had more delicious ribs for lunch, saving the take home from last night for E because she had liked the meal so much. She got home after 3:00 and rested for a while. We were to act as hosts for the potluck and we stopped to buy ice, oned of the responsibilities. The taco pie was so good that I didn’t even get any of it. The pastor was late so I offered the prayer and we saved the last piece for him. We continued our study of the LCMS and focused on the lay organizations, The Walther League, The Lutheran Laymen’s League, and the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. Our church body has really done a good job of reaching out to the world in more ways than just the Lutheran Hour Ministries. I thank God for drawing us into this denomination.
We did not return to the tennis court today. We walked again and Evelyn went to town to return a light fixture while I worked on the computer at the motel. They have wireless internet there and it is nice to get things on my own computer. I finished before she returned and sat outside while waiting. The Salvation Army was having a convention and I talked to one if the men for a while. The “officers” are transferred around the country and this man had had two tours of duty in this area. They are a dedicated group, but I don’t know anything about their theology. They have as a motto, “Heart to God; Hand to Man.” They do a marvelous amount of good work, but I wonder if they are relying on Jesus’ death or their good works to win favor with God. She brought me home for lunch, and then we cleaned the house some. We went to choir practice at 7 and practiced “O Lord, My God: You Are My Refuge”, a song by Bach that drags and drags. The words are powerful but I am tired of rehearsing it and will be happy after we sing Sunday and put it away. We stopped at Wal-Mart on the way home to get some pads for our counter stools and other miscellaneous items. We also found blanket binding there 2.50 cheaper than those she had bought earlier at Hancock Fabric. We came home and started the video, “Texas” based on the book by James A. Michner. It is in two parts so we watched only one tonight. We went to bed at 11. At precisely 11:09 I heard a loud rumble that sounded like thunder. Evelyn heard it but also felt the house shake. The news report on television later confirmed that we had experienced an earthquake centered about 25 miles directly north of here. We will have great memories of this event.