October 20, 2011

I wanted to start writing a little every day.  Laura's posts helps us to imagine what all is going on in Africa.  Perhaps, I can write to help them "see" what is going on in Texas. 

My parents were able to drive to Missouri to visit with Lori and Eli, John and Magan, and some of their friends.  Buster said that I could drive up to Lori's house to visit with them for the weekend.  We had a ball.  I asked Jeanie, my sister-in-law, to drive with me.  Sleep overtakes me at time while I am driving.  Jeanie wanted to visit her son and family in Missouri too.  We made a pretty good driving team.  I can drive for awhile during the day, but I drive better after dark.  She can't sleep while she is riding, so she likes to drive. 

The weather was great.  The fall leaves were starting to change.  It was a very nice drive.  My parents are doing exceptionally well.  Mom's cancer has returned, but she has a very good attitude about it.  They have decided to enjoy themselves and take what trips they want to take while she does feel well. 

While we were visiting I signed Daddy up for facebook so that he can see pictures and news from all the family quickly.  (Gil-Barb Davis)  We will try to keep them posted as to what all goes on.

Eli took us around through the local Amish Community.  We saw the working life of these unique people.  Eli was Amish until he was 18 years old.  That is about the same time Lori started praying for her future husband to follow Christ.  Eli was saved not long after they left the Amish.  We went to several of their home shops on our tour through the area.  The first stop was a bakery.  We loaded up on goodies for the rest of the weekend.  We stopped at a Quilt shop and another bakery.  We even stopped at a bulk store where the Amish ladies do their grocery shopping.  It was a wonderful trip that we wouldn't have been able to do without the guidance of Eli. 

Eli explained the difference between living an English Christian life and the Amish life.  The Amish work for their salvation.  Praise the Lord, our salvation is by grace.  According to the scriptures working for salvation is useless.  Ephesians 2:8-9 explains the fact clearly.  "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast."
These people are in bondage.  The gospel of Christ gives us freedom from working to please God. Of course, when we are saved He helps us to live a life according to the scriptures; but we are saved throughout all eternity.  John 3:16 tells us "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."  What a gift we have been given.

Lori and Eli's church was a blessing to me.  They are not part of the modern rock band type church.  They sing the ole time hymns and songs.  They dress in modest dress.  Ladies and girls had Sunday dresses, while the men were in suits and ties.  The preacher preached out of the King James Version.  I enjoyed fellowshipping with them.  Some of Lori's decorating talents were already at work on bulletin boards and walls throughout the church. 

I left there at 8:00 am to go pick Jeanie up.  It took me until 12:45 pm to get there and then we headed on home.  Jeanie drove while I took a short nap.  We enjoyed the fellowship and listened to a book on disk.  We enjoyed the fall colors on the way home.  Jeanie and I were very tired by the time we got home at 8:45 pm.

Mom and Dad left the next day to go to their other granddaughter's home in Missouri.  Magan is expecting a baby in February. 

Lori and Eli left the next day for a short trip to celebrate their anniversary. 

We have visited with Mandy and her family in Alberta, Canada; Lori and Eli in Missouri; now we are planning to visit with Joe and Laura in Africa.