God’s great Good News

Despite Evelyn’s being ill with an air borne disease, causing extreme coughing, we had to keep an appointment with a dermatologist Tuesday at noon.  We arrived just a bit early, thinking we would be waiting about half an hour.  The first blessing was that we were ushered in directly to the room where the biopsy was to be done.  The doctor came into the room where the nurse had prepared the anesthetic syringe to deaden the spot on her right shoulder.  The doctor looked at the spot and said, “If you would rather heal this yourself, it is all right with me.”  What a pleasant surprise blessing!  We rushed off praising God for His mercy.  We went to the grocery to get a turkey breast for me to smoke for our Christmas dinner.  We had gone out for lunch but brought the groceries home just before the woman from the golf car repair garage came to deliver our car.  We had to buy 4 new batteries for around $800.  I had to wait to test it out.   We have been staying at home much of the time this winter.  We have only about 2 close friends and can’t be with them all the time.  Besides Evelyn has not felt very strong.  She has been working on the cupcakes for the LWML Christmas party this coming Thursday but rests quite a bit.   In the meantime, we noticed a different sound in the car.   I took the Cadillac to have the transmission checked.   After all, the warranty would run out in 2,000 more miles.  On the way to the dealership, I went to get some marked down pork so I could smoke it with the turkey breast.  I came home with a loaner car and prepared the Brinkman smoker for my Christmas project.  It turned our quite well.  Evelyn went to the church with Bonny to prepare for tomorrow’s party for the children at the school.  We still praise God for all He does for us.

Double duty

I had been called earlier in the week by Llano Grande asking me to substitute for a pastor who had other obligations he couldn’t get out of.  He had been scheduled to preach there, so I agreed to replace him.  I normally go there 2 times each year and I substitute whenever they need me.  I just conduct my regular worship and then drive the 5 miles to that park.  My message was a bit longer than usual and we celebrated Holy Communion, making me late for the service.  In former years I just went to the stage via a side door, but today they waited for me to arrive.   I was 6 minutes late, making them sweat bullets.  They have been good to me and I appreciate them and feel obligated to help them.  Ironically, I am scheduled there again December 28.  We went to the local Popeye’s for lunch and then returned home for the rest of the day.  Evelyn is feeling a bit better, but I am still concerned.  She still shakes when holding anything and gets dizzy right after using the nebulizer.  I was really lazy all day.  I usually begin work on next week’s message but didn’t today. 

A siege of illness

Evelyn has been ill for a while.  First, she has been concerned about a red spot on her right shoulder.  It is about the size of a dime but doesn’t seen to be getting smaller.  We went to an appointment with a dermatologist who said he should take a biopsy.   We have the appointment for Tuesday December 9 in Weslaco.  It will be some time before the result will be returned from the lab.  She is at risk because of her having beast cancer some years ago.   After learning that, we went to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner with our friends, Don and Janice Waters at their home in Rio Hondo.  Their son, wife and 4 grandchildren were there too.   The oldest grandson plays on the local football team which was in a state tournament, and we agreed to go see him play on Saturday.   We met them and drove 80 miles to Kingsville for the game.  It was warm but breezy.  The game was not vey good and our team lost.  The big disappointment, however, was that Evelyn  must have picked some virus blowing in the air.  By Sunday evening she began to get sick.  Monday morning, she was too sick to get out of bed.  The same thing Tuesday.  She took some acetomedephen but didn’t have much relief.  I have never seen her so helpless and weak.  I took care of the meals and everything for 2 days.  Finally, I convinced her to go to the doctor.  She has to use a nebulizer and takes some prednisone.  She became dizzy after the treatments and shakes when she holds things.  I think she will have to  return to see about these side effects.  I also got a call from Llano Grande park asking me to substitute for a pastor that had to cancel.  I like to preach there after my regular service and have been able to meet several of the people who worship there.  I just finished preparations and am not satisfied.

Back to preaching

We have been here for nearly 3 weeks now and just got our unit washed today.  It was to have been done last week, but the man who does it, Bhudda, doesn’t work when it is cold.  It was in the 60s all last week.  It is good to have it done because 2 for sale advertisements come out this week.  We have been dancing only once since we arrived.  We did have to go to Mission to have some recall work done on our car.  We have been worshipping in McAllen, but my worship service began this past Sunday.  I like the pastor at Church of the King McAllen and have learned a great deal about the suffering that lies ahead of all Christians.  It is just beginning in the Middle East.  The pastor, Ron Smith, has a great talent in blending politics and Scripture.  We have been doing things with John and Sue Hamel when we aren’t working in the house or on my messages.  I have to print the Scripture readings, the order of service for us to follow, copy the Introit and prayers for the day.  I have to get these done ahead of time because John, our accompanist, needs to practice the hymns, so he has to have them a week ahead of time.  Evelyn caught a cold Saturday at a high school football game.  We had spent Thanksgiving with Don and Janice Waters and their son and grandchildren,  The oldest grandson plays guard on the local high school team that was still in the playoffs.  We agreed to go with them to the game Saturday.  It was a breezy day, and a germ must have blown into Evelyn.  She has been in bed all day, December 1. 

This is Evelyn watching TV as I write this.  She has been like this all day  and has coughed much of the time she is awake.  I don’t know why the picture is blurry.  My message this past Sunday was well received.  Even Evelyn was blessed by it.  It has been very pleasant for us here despite the locals being cold.   It is supposed to rain tonight but will probably be light as is usual.  It is also supposed to be in the 50s tomorrow.   I sent several e-cards to friends on Thanksgiving but have not heard from any of them.  I wonder if my emails are getting to anyone.  I have also sent some birthday and anniversary e-cards without response adding to my suspicions.