Leavin’On a Jet Plane

2/4/2019

Well I’m leavin’ on a jet plane, but I hope I know where I’m going. I’m going  home. I get into Atlanta about noon, drive to Fort Payne, and take a nap before teaching online bible class tonight. At least I hope I get a nap. Talking with Barb earlier this morning I find out she has completed her painting project while I was just foolin’ around in Houston, Lake Charles and Austin/Round Rock. She’s somethin’ else! She painted my home office! It has been the only room in our house not painted since we’ve been there and it had its problem spots, but I never would have payed any attention to it. Barb notices all these needs and has always been in charge of how things look in our home, so she just takes charge (she’s the “keeper of the home,” according to the bible) and she’s made living very comfortable for these 58 years. Thank you, Barb!

The trip has been very eventful but not overwhelming. The most important part was the fellowship with the Baker family and friends at MaryEllen Baker’s memorial service and the luncheon which followed. Almost 4 hours from greeting to leaving the restaurant(more on that place later), all of it pleasant, friendly, loving people. We did this on Saturday. Sorry I didn’t get to see all of the family; some were sick, some caught in the Northern deep freeze, but I certainly enjoyed my time with the others and am thankful for the privilege.

Later on Saturday, I met and interviewed a young couple interested in putting a Blue Jug store in a section of Houston which needs a good place to buy the “Water the way it’s meant to be” with alkalinity we offer. They were delightful. We met without knowing one another as I walked into a Starbucks from one side and they from the other. Quickly I sized up their appearance this way: a beautiful young (probably 23,24 years old) lady, and the man, maybe 34,35 years old and slim and trim. As we talked, he told me he had been in a certain business since 1992. I immediately knew I was wrong about his age, so I asked. He said he was “almost 50!” Good grief, I was way off. I said to him, “wow, you really robbed the cradle, didn’t you?” and looked at the young lady. She smiled and said, “We have 8 year old twins.” I think my mouth was dropped open. She said, “I’m 44.” 

I promise you, I’m not that bad guessing peoples ages, they were a remarkable young-looking couple. The rest of the 2 1/2 hour talk was more serious, but I’m still in awe of how young they appeared. We hope for a good future together in the business. I’m sometimes too optimistic, but this could I am very hopeful of. they’ll be a good addition to the stores.

My trips to the two existing stores was fruitful, I think. But, I have mentioned them a couple of days ago. The more days to think about them, the more days to come up with more suggestions, so I’ll be back in touch with them soon as time allows.

Sunday was a day I had nothing to do, had to take the extra day because the “cheap seats” were all taken for coming home Sunday, so I stayed till this morning. This gave me yesterday to drive over to Round Rock and visit Bro. Steve Gotberg’s assembly and fellowship with them. He asked me to speak so I spoke about two subjects that have recently come up which I feel rather strongly about. If you disagree with me about them, I shall not die, neither be angry with you. But, I will scratch my head in wonder. I’ll write about that when I’m not sitting in an airport—maybe tomorrow.

Back to the restaurant which hosted the fellowship on Saturday. It is connected and part of a place called Brookwood,  

A God-centered educational, residential, and entrepreneurial community for adults with disabilities.

What a place! Look up brokkwoodcommunity.org and read about it.

Thanks for reading, the Elder