Hello Everyone!
After the late finish to the prior week (Monday afternoonÉ), I was determined not to let this week spill into the next. It is going to be close, but I think I will (finally) be completely ready for Sunday.
Remodeling
One of the unexpected twists to not only being finished but actually ahead is the forced remodel of the nursery. You may remember that we had a water leak that grew into mold. Peeling the layers of years of remodeling, we realized that the old tile ceilings were also in need of replacing. Today, there is a crew of men working very hard to prepare for the drywall ceilings. While I have only minimally helped this week, I ingested enough of the 50 year old dust to put me on the edge of illness, mostly irritation of the eyes, ears, nose, and throat. But, I’m (taking a long time to shake this off) determined.
Video Project
Coinciding with the unexpected was the planned. I knew I had a month to finish the presentation for Talbot’s chapel about our trip to Israel. Last week, a reminder email was sent and the news couldn’t have been more devastating—”only two weeks.” Now, another week has come and gone, I am down to one week and two days. But, I’m (probably very foolish to think this is doable) determined.
Big Bang
I don’t remember the last time I heard such a loud clap of thunder as I did Friday. The rain had just started, and you know how storms are here in Southern California, it is rare to see lightning or hear thunder. The peel lasted close to ten seconds. The windows rattled like it was a small earthquake. It was startling. At the end, the power went out. Another unexpected turn, especially since I was just getting ready to do all of the bulletin work. The power stayed out for fifty-five minutes. However, I will admit, I enjoyed the quiet, and read. The power came on for about an hour, then went out again. Later we learned that the “thunder” was actually the sound a huge underground transformer makes when it blows up (in front of the Fire Department, less than a quarter mile from the church house). If the noise was thunder, it was remarkably coincidental to the creation of a huge hole in the middle of Garfield Avenue! Friday night, at 8 PM, the Civic Center corridor (yes, the whole block) was still without electricity. On Saturday afternoon, the SCE crew continued to work hard. What? You didn’t know Bell Gardens had a Civic Center? Yes! But, I’m (concerned not having electricity was not good, I have way too much to do) determined.
Bulletin
As you can imagine, these lapses in electricity only delayed finishing. After folding the missionary letters, I realized I goofed the layout. No one starts with a blank page (those of you not receiving the paper edition unfortunately can’t enjoy seeing how hilarious this really looks, sorry). I should have quit then, but I was (tired and should have gone home) determined. I printed the bulletin. Usually I inspect the first copy to make sure I positioned the originals correctly. You are way ahead of my story if you are thinking that this time I didn’t check. When the machine finished I discovered I had printed upside down and backwards. Now you know why you recognize the photo on the cover from just a week or two ago. But, I’m (finally convinced to quit for the night) determined.
Going Up to Jerusalem
Why am I so determined? Well, Pastor Rigsby taught Wednesday night how the Jews used the fifteen “Psalms of Ascent or Degrees” (Psalms 120-134) as a way to prepare themselves to worship God at the Temple. Some think they would ascend each of fifteen steps only after quoting the psalm. Others say they quoted a psalm at certain milestones on their way to Jerusalem. Whether it was “either or neither” Pastor Rigsby’s point was clear. We too often enter into corporate worship casually or haphazardly, with little soul preparation. I’m (completing all that I can now so that with the others I am free to focus more singly on worshipping Jesus Christ tomorrow) determined.
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