A very sad parting

Monday found me at the first park meeting I have attended this year.  We used to attend one every Monday morning but have stopped altogether.  I am not sure why I went but am pretty sure I know why we stopped.  A heated discussion developed between one of the residents and the park manager.  I got the mail after the meeting ended, and went home to meet with Armand.  He never came.  We had to leave for Mexico so I could get my replacement partial lateral.  It was a short procedure and I left with a new tooth.  We picked up some medicine for Sue and returned home.  I had not received any orders for liquor from our northern friends but had 2 when I got home.  We will likely return and get some before we leave.  Armand finally came, and we called Austin.  We learned that no deed for our unit will be needed until we sell it.  We watched a movie and took a walk in the beautiful evening.

Tuesday is Bible study day.  I had to take some items to recycle before going to get Marilyn, Sue’s cousin.  I took her to the Bible study at 10 and then took her and Roger to the golf course.  The day was overcast but quite temperate.  Marilyn had a pretty good day on the course and beat me by 1 stroke.  I returned Roger to our park and then took Marilyn back to Sue’s where she stayed.  I came home around 2, and we waited to eat until 5.  We left for our 2nd Bible study at 6:30.  It uses the same man as the morning one but is a different series.  They are both good.  I am surprised at how many attend and how faithful they have been in attending.  I am disappointed but not surprised that we can’t get very deep into the questions because they are too personal. 

Wednesday morning Evelyn went to exercise and I went with Armand to return his phone modem before he leaves for Canada.  We had a good visit, and I tried to witness to him about how much Christ loves both him and Rose.  He is so low key and gentle that it is hard to discern how much good the conversation did.  We were back in time for the noon Ash Wednesday service in Mercedes.  I thought the sermon was very good, but I may have been in the minority.  I am glad to have the ashes applied to my forehead, reminding me of my need for a Savior.  We went to lunch with Joe and Bonny.  We enjoy the lonches offered at a small restaurant near our homes.  They are leaders of the evening Bible study but will be gone after next Tuesday.  They want us to lead while they are gone, but Evelyn doesn’t think we have an adequate place to meet.  We have been meeting at Joe’s office, but he will be gone.  We had our farewell drink with Armand and Rose in late afternoon.  It was a somewhat emotional meeting.  We will miss them greatly because they have been wonderful to us.  The only regret is that they are not Christians.  This and their leaving causes me to be heartbroken.  They will leave tomorrow morning.  I don’t think I can face them again.  I gave Armand a package I prepared containing a Bible, some tracts and a few CDs by Steve Brown.  I pray the Holy Spirit will use the materials to open their hearts.