A Decade

2 benches for Stacie, painted by Janie

It was the last Sunday of October a decade ago when I first came to Walnut Street Baptist Church.  It was the first Sunday in November a decade ago that Walnut Street voted to ask me to be their pastor.  A decade has gone by so fast.  We had only 3 grandchildren back then and we now have 13.  I was working on my bachelor's degree a decade ago and I now have my doctorate.  This decade has seen the death of my father, father-in-law, and my mentor in the ministry Bro. Harold Davis.  I wore contact lenses a decade ago and now wear bi-focal glasses.  Windows 98, a decade ago, was my OS of choice and now it is Mac OS X.  The Song of Solomon had me completely baffled a decade ago but it is almost crystal clear now.  A decade is not a long time to me anymore.  I wonder if the Lord will return before the next decade comes to a close. 

We stopped by Canton on our way to see mother

Janie painted two benches today.  Our oldest daughter asked me to make her a bench for her kitchen table.  It seems her family of 8 are a bit crowed around the table.  I had enough material to make 2 so I did.  They may not look like much but they are sturdy.  I started making another picnic table today and hope to have it finished by next week.  Our next wood project is going to be another 3 tier bunk bed for our Maness granddaughters.  I will paint it pink per Ruth's request and I told Hannah that when Ruth moves out she can paint it orange and black and then when she moves out Elisabeth can paint it her favorite color. 

Our Wed. 5:00 class studying the book of Revelation

The cottage addition is not finished as yet.  Plumbing problems had to be fixed today at the cottage.  I had to replace the flush valve in the water closet and fix a toilet seat.  It was a good reminder of why I quit the plumbing trade. 
The sermon I will preach in the morning is from Psalm 128 on the subject of "The Fear of The LORD."  I love to preach the Word of God!  The clocks have been turned back and I am using the extra hour to blog. 
I visited my mother on Thursday and she was doing very well.  She was a bit disturbed about the nursing home people fussing at her about going for a walk down the road.  They told her she was not to leave the nursing home property by herself.  Mother does not like to be fussed at or even be told what to do.  I suppose, to some extent, that is true of us all. 

Mother having supper at Ralph's trailer house

My mother-in-law walked almost the full length of her house on Friday.  The therapy she is taking is really doing her good.  I was very impressed.
Our church has 2 adult classes on Wednesday nights now.  We started a new class at 5:00 for those who do not like to get out after dark.  Both classes have been very well attended and studying through the book of Revelation is always exciting.  

God bless you.