Church today, and then an information session about the upcoming missions trip to South Africa to be led by Pastor Tim and Angela Mills.  I attended.  I’ve been on several mission trips and trying to decide about God’s will in this one for me.  I’m still not sure.  One concern is money, of course, but isn’t it with most everyone.  God calls us to sacrifice, and if there were no sacrifice, would it really accomplish all that it should?  I would love it if Jim and I could both go, and I think I could take a personal leave without pay.  Oh, wow.  Just thought about the implications of that!  I didn’t offer to anyone to day that Jimmy lost his job this week.  I thought about it during prayer requests, and thought about characterizing it as a praise–because he will now be home.  However, we do still have some concerns, and aside from those, I really and truly do want this to be all good.  1 Thess. 5:18–in all things give thanks for this is the will for God for you.

Lunch with Mom and Dad.  We go to a local meat and three, Jay’s on Dickerson Road.  Mom and Dad go every Sunday, my brother Dennis every Sunday that he isn’t working, and me only occasionally.  However, they still know that I’m Judy, their daughter.  They scurry to find  a table (I got there first), ask me what I want to drink and then bring all the others as well.  Big glass of ice water for Dad, a small glass of ice water for Mom, and a big glass of sweet tea for Dennis.  They hug and smile, and hug and smile.  Mom couldn’t remember what she usually gets, so Cathy told her and Mom said yes that would be fine.  I imagine that happens every week.  Then as we left, Mom said she compares Jay’s to Cheers, because everyone is so friendly, and yes, they know your name!  Mom is so gracious and so cute in her helplessness.