I get far behind

We had a drizzle all day.  We went to exercise and then came home.  It was too windy to play golf so most of what we did was go to Advent worship service.  We had planned choir practice afterward, but many members were sick so it was cancelled.  We went to Joe and Bonny’s for ice cream and a visit.  Thursday I went to recycle materials and renew our car license plate.  I have misplaced my driver license and could not renew the plate.  I had to take Evelyn with me because she has hers.  We left from there and went to visit Shirley Pierce, the teaching colleague who was instrumental in our visiting the Valley years ago.  We used our Papa Johns coupon and took pizza back to her house.  We spent about 3 hours visiting with her and went to Hobby Lobby afterward.  We bought some yarn for Evelyn to add as a fringe to a shawl a friend from Trail’s End had made for her.  We spent the evening at home.  Friday we worked at the hospital.  Evelyn also went to see Dr. Sander, the orthopod that she wants to give her a shot in the knee.  He refused, saying that her knee wasn’t bad enough yet.  She will keep monitoring it.  I worked at the information desk until 4 when we worked at the hospital Christmas party for the children of the staff members.  It was fun doing crafts with the kids until it closed at 7.  I then went to the Elks lodge for their Friday night catfish dinner that we shared for our dinner.  We really like their fish dinners.  I imagine we will get into the habit of doing that after our work.  I began to work on becoming familiar with the materials for Sunday’s sermon.  Saturday was the HEB Feast of Sharing, a free lunch for the entire population that wants to attend.  There are likely 30 of them on different days throughout Texas and northern Mexico.  We like to serve in some way each year.  We try to remind the people we serve that Jesus provides the meal through HEB.  I had recorded the Purdue/Butler basketball game and watched it when we returned home.  Purdue lost in the final seconds but played a good game.  We then went to Joe and Bonny’s for supper.  We had expected a large salad but were surprised with a chicken dish.  We also chose some restaurants to attend prior to attending the concert series in McAllen.  I have some coupons that we can use.  We have a good time with them.  I worked on the message for Sunday when we returned home.  Sunday was worship with Holy Communion.  We had 27 again today, the same as last week.  I was disappointed but more concerned that we might run short of money for expenses.  If I think the worst, I will suggest having my salary reduced.  I must remain alert to the situation.  We spent the afternoon preparing for next week’s sermon and the choir caroling.  Around 3:30, we took some soup to Sue Hamel who missed church because she was ill.  We continued to Pastor Edge’s open house and then on to caroling at 4.  We rode with Joe and Bonny to more than 10 different homes to carol shut ins.  That made us get to the after caroling party around 8:30.  We don’t think we will do that next year.  It is too frustrating to see how things are organized.  There were people on the list to visit that were not really shut-ins, making the evening too long.  We had a nice party at Ken and Debbie’s and got home after 10.  It was an extremely long, frustrating day.  We didn’t get to talk with our daughters very long but will try again during the week.