Janie's Birthday

Janie's Birthday is today. She got these flowers from our oldest daughter, Stacie.  I have been sick today with temperature of 100.  I try to sleep but the coughing will not allow it.  My fever broke a few minutes ago so for the first time today I am not feeling chilled.  I thank everyone who have prayed for me. Maybe I will be able to sleep tonight (He says between coughs).  If I feel better tomorrow I will take her shopping to buy a dress for her birthday.  I missed church tonight because I just felt miserable and was running fever.  Janie went to the early service but stayed in to take care of me during the late service.  Maybe tomorrow will be a better day.

The Song of Songs

The cover to my book on the Song of Solomon

I have published my book on Amazon.com you can find it there by simply searching for its name "Climbing The Palm Tree."  When I was a child I enjoyed reading the book "Treasure Island."  Edgar Allen Poe's short story "The Gold Bug" is also one I enjoyed.  The search for the meaning of the Song of Songs was like a treasure hunt for me.  I was obsessed with finding the truth about this the most puzzling book of the Bible.  When I finished this treasure hunt I was not at all disappointed.  I am so glad to have my questions answered.  I remember helping Dr. Harold Davis, my mentor, one day at his house.  While we moved a pile of firewood I asked him one question after another about the Song of Songs and to each of these questions he answered "I don't know."  He died before my work on the Song of Songs was completed.  I rest assured and am comforted knowing that he knows more about the Song now than I will ever know this side of Heaven.  

2016 Thus Far

2016 found us first in Arkansas binding minute books.  It then found us in France by way of Madrid Spain.  It next found us burying my mother's cremains in Beckville, Texas.  What it has in store for us next the LORD only knows.

The book binding machine in Hamburg, Arkansas

Playing chess with the grandsons in Limoux, France. Yes, I won both games.

A Castle near Limoux, France. Kids in school, we enjoyed sight seeing with
Jason and Angie.

Enjoyed playing in the snow with the kids on a mountain near Limoux, France

Arianna and I gathered the eggs in Limoux, France.

Church services in Limoux, France.  I preached, Jason translated

Jason gave us a tour of Toulouse, France.

On the river walk in Toulouse, France.  Enjoyed lunch with Jason which
included real French Fries.  

Laid my mother's cremains to rest next to dad's
at Langley Cemetery Beckville, Texas

My parents Christmas 1972

My parents were 48 years old in this picture.  It would be their last Christmas in Massachusetts.  The next Christmas after this one would find them in Texas getting ready to attend my wedding near Timpson, Texas.   I had no Idea that I would be getting married one year and 2 days after I took this picture.
Janie and I are packing for our trip to France.  We are really looking forward to our 2 weeks there.  We are not looking forward to the long flight.  Our youngest daughter and her husband are going to take us to the airport. 

My mother's father 1973 Gary, Texas

This second picture is of my grandfather.  I am not sure who took the picture but I want you to notice the chair on the porch right behind my grandfather.  He use to turn that chair upside down and lay back against it to take a nap.  I think about that every time I take a nap.  I had some wonderful times at this old home place.  I do miss it.  Well, speaking of naps, its time for me to head for bed.  Early to bed early to rise.......  God bless you.

MBA of Texas

The Gluing Machine

We went over to Hamburg, Arkansas to help Bill Johnson assemble the annual year book of the Missionary Baptist Association of Texas.  I am one of the clerks and it is my responsibility to publish the book and get them in the mail to the churches of the association.  We started on Monday evening and finished at noon on Wednesday.  Tuesday I worked from 7:30 in the morning until 11:10 that night.  I stopped to eat of course but not for long.  The books are all in the mail now and I am glad to have this project behind me.  The machine pictured above is the slowest and hardest part of the process.  It glues the cover on the book.  It takes 45 seconds per book and we did 1,300 books in 1 1/2 days.
We are off to France next.  We plan to leave the house about 1:30 pm on Tuesday and will arrive in France on Wednesday around 1:00pm.  The journey is long but the destination is worth it!

2016 Day 2 "Phone Calls"

That's a lot of water

2016 Day 2 started early with a phone call at 4:30 AM.  I hit the road from Henderson to a hospital 190 miles away to check on a church member who had been rushed there with difficulty breathing.  Upon returning home in Hillsboro I was awakened from a nap by a phone call from the nursing home saying my mother had fallen and was sent to the hospital for stitches and an x-ray.  I am 160 miles from that hospital so I texted my brothers and the youngest responded immediately and is going to check on her.  I am waiting to hear back how she is doing.
Water therapy is working very well for me.  I have not had a migraine headache since May 29, 2015.  On that day I started drinking a quart and a half of water first thing each morning and then wait an hour before eating breakfast.  I then wait at least 2 1/2 hours before eating or drinking anything else.  Where I use to have migraines every month and sometimes more often I now have none.  I am so thankful to God for taking care of me.  He provides for all my needs and gives to me health and strength to serve him.  I am not worthy of the least of His blessings.  Thank you, LORD!  

Me and my mother a few months back.

Happy New Year!  It is 2016 and I have plans to blog this year.  We went to see my mother this week and she was doing well.  Her sister, Maxine, was there when we arrived.  She had brought mother some cookies and was helping her to fold clothes when we walked in.  My aunt, Maxine, has always been such a sweet and caring person.  I want to emulate her kindness.  Janie and I celebrated new years with her mother.  We like to watch "chick flicks" with my mother-in-law and so that is how we occupied our time waiting for the arrival of 2016.  My mother-in-law retired early but we stayed up until midnight and with a kiss started the new year.  It is going to be a good year.... We are off to Hamburg, Arkansas to bind minute books for the MBA of Texas then its off to France for 2 weeks on January 12th.  In June I will be preaching a week long revival service at a church in Shelby county before traveling to Tulsa, Oklahoma for the ABA meeting.  If the LORD be willing 2016 will see me complete my 14th year as the pastor at WSBC and 43 years of marriage to the best wife ever.   
  

Janie with our daughters and granddaughters -2