Jo was watching one of her favorite movies this past weekend, Independence Day, and Randy Quaid’s character gives his life in order to beat the aliens.  His last words are “Hello boys!   I’m b-a-a-a-a-a-c-k!”  After not posting a live blog for a week I feel those words are mine: “I’m b-a-a-a-a-c-k!”  I hope you missed me but if not… please don’t say so.  I don’t think my fragile (spoken fra-gee-lay) ego couldn’t handle it.  The post yesterday in honor of my 36th anniversary with the love of my life was written last week so here I am…live and kicking.  In all seriousness I do want to thank any of you who did pray for our safety and Tami’s surgery.  I am back now from my “blogcation” and I want to update you with some overdo updates. Due to some really shaky internet connections, I hesitated posting anything at all.  Several times I was trying to reply to an email or to compose one and the net connection just disappeared.  I was on vacation and was de-stressing and to get partway or almost done and to lose what I had written would have added what I trying to get rid of…stress.

Update on Tami: her surgery went really well and the follow up on Saturday was great.  The doctor was really pleased with his work and and how she was handling it.  Tami slept a lot (does that say something about the company she kept?) and wasn’t all that hungry, but she posted on her FB today that she is on the mend.  Thanks to God for his steady hands and protection.

Back on May 24th I posted this blog.  Unfortunately, I still don’t have a succinct answer yet to give you.  I am a firm believer in the power of prayer but I also believe that while a person/group waits for God’s answer,  He does expect them to put some “shoe leather” to their prayer.  I am not convinced that one prays and then puts his/her shoes up on the desk and waits.  We have looked at several different options available to us in this small town (total of eight) and are still waiting for the answer.  Several were definite doors slammed in our faces (can we take that as a “No?”) while several are still lingering.  One is on the backburner (our place of choice) that may/may not ever become available.  I am meeting today with one possibility and we have continued negotiating with the Sports complex.  We are getting close to some answer.  I would appreciate your continued prayers for us in this matter.

Please continue to pray for our youngest daughter, Janna, and her husband, Jason as they have been without jobs for several months now. We heard Monday that Jason does have a job lined up but not sure when it begins or what all it entails.  He was to have gone to Ft. Bragg several weeks ago on a construction job but red tape and 9/11 have played havoc with that timetable.  (Long story).

Several of the links have expressed needs/praises for life events.  Check out this one for a mixed bag that I believe every pastor or person who has moved has experienced.    Prayers said for you Jim.   The more I read and know of this person the more I know I want her praying for me!   Please take the time to read both of her posts.  Keep looking here for some exciting updates coming soon!  Desert Jim has a great story to tell and you will be as excited as I was when he emailed a couple to me.   If you like to read a “travelog” then you will want to check out Jason’s travels this past week on his bike.  I used to enjoy those types of week long events and so I did wish I could have experienced it alongside him.  You will want to check out this post and say a prayer for this effort.   There are some others that are heartbreaking but I choose not to mention them because I do not have permission to do so and do not want to bring bad thoughts on anyone.

Well, that is long enough.  It is back in the saddle again for me.  Again, I want to thank any of you who prayed for our safety and Tami’s surgery.   As Camey is fond of saying, “Dangerous prayers have been said for you.”   Please tell me if there is any way I can pray for you.  I will enter it into my Moleskine and include it in my daily Quiet Time.  I would be honored to do so.