August Birthday celebration

Today was the celebration of oldest niece's birthday. She wasn't as concerned about it not actually being her birthday as her youngest sister was. Uncle John decorated the spaceship cake. I insisted on a chocolate cake so the white icing didn't go on as smooth...the chocolate cake could be seen through the icing. But she loved the cake. Youngest niece was concerned about the red 40 in the decorations but didn't have to have any.

The luncheon included grilled hamburgers & trimmings, potato salad, baked beans, fruit salad, potato chips, birthday cake & 4 different varieties of ice cream - vanilla, chocolate, cookies & cream, and black raspberry truffle. It was delicious. Youngest niece ate a cheese & lettuce sandwich b/c she doesn't care for hamburgers. She put quite a few of her mother's homemade pickles on her sandwich. Also had to have 2 tomatoes on there. The one tomato ended before her sandwich did.

We sat in our usual places. Both sets of grandparents, honorary grandparents, one set of great-grandparents, parents, 1 sister, 3 aunts, 3 uncles, 1 cousin & then 1 little brother joined us at the end of the celebration. He was very interested in what was going on. Of course everyone wanted to hold him. And most everyone was able to. He started crying at the end. I don't know if he were tired of being passed around, realized someone almost dropped him or a little of both.

While we were eating, birthday girl leaned over & whispered to me, "Aunt K, I love having birthday celebrations. Both sides of our family are able to get together & visit. That is very nice." I agreed with her that it was - albeit loud but nice. She also said, "I wish you had children." I said, "you would have some cousins to play with wouldn't you?" "Yes, " she replied, "but I would be able to come over to your house more & play on the playground." The playground to which she refers is the swing/slide set here at camp.

She told me that Grampa Larry & Gramma Jan would give her a music card - they always do. Younger sister said Grampa Larry & Gramma Jan always give something soft & cuddly. She liked every present opened. Uncle John helped her open the space Barbie which her sister gave her. Ana copied a book which Ana's mother had received as a prize for being the best speller during the school term '17-'18. Birthday girl was very appreciative of all the presents received.

This being race weekend, we were concerned that Mimi, Papaw & the rest of the gang would need more time to get to the house, but they were able to get there earlier than expected.

After we came home, John got on the lawn mower & was able to get some of the yard mowed. I tried to work on my Sunday School lesson for tomorrow - finishing touches - but fell asleep. I think I will sleep good tonight. Hopefully I won't hear the bus when it pulls in tonight. We have 3 different groups staying here while they work the races. One of the groups has a bus. It's rather noisy. Last night it pulled in around 3 - actually I guess you would say this morning. It woke me up.

Going to get to bed. Am very tired. Hopefully I will be able to stay awake in church tomorrow.

Well done

This morning I attended a friend's burial. He was a Pearl Harbor survivor - making him a veteran of World War 2. The burial was a quiet family and friends event. No big fanfare - no 21 gun salute - just a quiet tribute to this American hero.

But I know he didn't care. Monday evening he received the only fanfare he longed for when he heard the words, "Well done My good and faithful servant".

The Beginning of Fall

Our fall Bible study starts this evening. We are excited to get back into studying the Word of God with our Bible study group. This fall we will be studying 1 John. John & I have been reading one chapter of this book every night since July 1. Those of you familiar with 1 John might say, "well it only has 5 chapters." Well my reply to you is we've read it & then re-read it. If I've done my math correctly, we've read 1 John through 8 times since July 1. We are eager to get deeper into this book. If you're in the Kingsport area & would like to come to this study, it begins tonight at 6.30 at Indian Springs Baptist Church. Look for the cars between the "old" sanctuary & the metal building we refer to as the CLC. This evening we have both a men's study & women's study which combine for the video lecture time. The study will be offered again tomorrow morning - maybe 9.30. This is a co-ed group.

I have spent 2 partial days in the office. I'm getting back to full-time slowly. I got the checks deposited before it started raining. John came up to the office & got me then. I was glad he did because the lights above my desk had given out. He pulled the 2 bulbs out of the other fixture - which had been working. But as soon as he put them in the fixture above my desk, they did not work. We hope to get to Lowe's soon & check if a fixture or ballast is cheaper.

John cleaned out the cooler today. He then took all the food to the garbage and washed all the dishes that had been holding the food items. Next week he plans on making one more trip to Sam's to purchase cookie dough. Then will make cookies for the races for the weekend. He will also make a cake for niece who will turn 7 the following week. We will celebrate her birthday the day of the race. She & younger sister are all excited. Younger sister has already told me to make a space cake. Uncle John thought a rocket cake would be good. We'll see what kind of a cake we end up with.

Another Summer Is Over

The summer has come and gone. Well the calendar says it is still summer but summer vacation is over for most children in our area. City schools started back last Monday (8/3). County schools start back Monday (8/10). The Christian schools start back the end of August.

You might wonder what we have done since camp is over? Well, we took a week of vacation. We didn't go anywhere - just stayed at home. But it was so needed. We wandered around in kind of a fog until Thursday.

Monday we purchased a new air conditioner for our home. One (which had been in the garage/basement when we arrived) had finally given up. I'm not sure if it worked at 100% but it did keep the office/computer room fairly comfortable. While we were looking for the a/c, my cousin called. He & his family were in the area & would like to see us. After calling sisters & checking schedules, we invited them to come on Tuesday.

So Tuesday we ordered pizza from Little Caesar's and looked forward to cousins' arrival. We had a lovely meal...probably not the most nutritious...my one sister did bring fresh veggies...but the company far outweighed the meal's non-nutritional value. After eating we showed everyone around & then my nieces & my cousin's sons went swimming. The one "exciting" part of the afternoon swimming was that my youngest niece lost her footing in the pool. She did have her life jacket on but in her fear, she couldn't get her footing. She started turning somersaults in the pool. Fortunately it was the kiddie pool so I walked to her and picked her up. She was a little scared at first but then it became a big adventure. She told her experience to all who would listen.

Wednesday evening we went to church...preaching for about 30 minutes and then choir & orchestra practice. Thursday we stayed home all day. Friday my nieces & their dad (my brother-in-law) came to swim. They stayed for a while & had a great time.

Today we took John's mom to Sam's. John purchased some cookies to bake for the races later this month. Our church is involved with Raceway Ministries. We (the church) are responsible for one campground. People will go door to door to visit. They deliver a pre-packed baggie of 2-3 cookies per camper/family. Some families are very excited to talk with church people. Others are not so excited.

Tomorrow we will attend church. I look forward to meeting my new Sunday School students. Last Sunday was the first Sunday with the new class but there were still many out of town on vacation. One little boy's birthday is Monday. He's bringing cupcakes so we can celebrate.

Monday I will go back to the office. I am ready. This week of vacation has helped. It will seem very strange though to not hear voices on campus. Especially voices screaming because they are having such a good time. I pray they have a good first week of school