“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.”   Isaiah 5:20

     If you are reading this that means this grandma can learn new tricks.  Praise the Lord! 

     August. Augusto. Aout.  No matter how you say it the month of August was a hot one.  With God’s grace we got through the hot days and humid nights.  The month actually ended with a “cold spell” and we are most thankful for that sweet gift from God.  We had four pages of names this past month, that is a total of 87 people who came through our doors.  Some stayed and some did not.

     We had no shortage of cooks.  Dick McKay came the first Sunday lunch with pizza.  That evening our faithful cooks from Lakeview Baptist Church came.  Carpenter’s Way Baptist Church was here the second Sunday for dinner.  And Central Church of Christ returned for the fourth Sunday with a delicious meal.  Our Methodist brothers and sisters came on their nights, the Third Thursday cooks and the last Tuesday night cooks.  All showed up with meals that were hard for us not to fall into gluttony.

     Have you seen dominos fall?  It is mesmerizing.  Or a rock skipping over the water?  It is spellbinding.  You already know that the Central Church of Christ has come for several months on the fourth Sunday.  One day the youth minster called and asked if there was a project he and his youth group could do for the next three Thursdays before school started.  So to start the domino run we said yes.  The first week the group came we took a tour, talked about GODTEL and had questions.  At 5:30 pm they washed their hands and served the meal.  The second week they worked in the warehouse, sorting and putting cans on shelves.  Weeds were pulled from the monkey grass and yard grass was mowed.  The third week the group was smaller, but plenty of work was accomplished.  Finishing what was started the week before, the warehouse was put into working order once again. 

     Joseph, Elton, Bob and James are still on board.  Bob’s surgery has been put on hold indefinetly.  Dolores is hanging in there with us.  Resident Josef moved out to the dorm at Angelina College just in time for the new semester to start.  Raymond is working and saving money.  Charlie came, got a job with the city and then reconciled with his wife and moved out.  Praise the Lord!  The Latimer brothers checked in and shortly got a job.  Their work hours did not coincide with our evening Bible Study.  They moved out, but were really excited to be employed.  They have come a time or two to eat with us.  I pray they will do their best and hang in there.  You know God can do anything.

     Many of our August population were returnees.  For one of the men it is his 8th time to be here.  Two men are working on their 5th time.  A few others only have two stays listed on their cards.  Our desire is to listen to the leading of the Holy Spirit and so that is why some folks are here and others are not.  It breaks our hearts to see these former residents become current residents.  I know God gives us many chances because of grace, but He does say “NO” and “not now” if that is what we need.  And we try to follow His leading through prayer.

     Joseph spent a few days with his folks in San Augustine.  We were glad to give him those days off, but we were really glad to have him home.  We got to “slip away” for a night and a day.  Mid month on a Friday afternoon we drove down to Nederland for the annual Baker Birthday Bash.  It is a Supreme Combo Celebration of birthdays for July, August, and September, (and the rest of the year).  Mom, Jim and Phyllis drove down Saturdayfor the festivities.  The pool was inhabited all day long, starting as early as 10:00 am.  Of course, there was food and soft drinks involved.  The best part was the surprise arrival of our daughter who came in from Midland.  God is good…Amanda was actually in Baton Rouge, Louisiana a day early for business.  She rented a car and drove to Nederland.  She stayed the night and drove back to Baton Rouge on Sunday.  Grandchildren?!  They are regular ducks in the water.  I am surprised that they aren’t shriveled up.  Kristen’s room is perfect!  Pink and red do go together.  Kara has put it all together in a most pleasing way.  Butterflies accent the room with the “stage” (also known as a bay window) as a focal point.  Kristen is quite thrilled with her room.  Blaine has the Star Wars theme in his room.  He has Star Wars posters and matching Star Wars sheets.  He is in kindergarten this year.  In the First Day of School pictures taken by his parents he seems quite bored with the whole thing.  It looks like he is thinking “let’s go to school, already”. 

     Mom and Jim are well.  In fact, Jim is in Minnesota visiting his son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren.  He hasn’t seem them in three years, since his “flight” to Texas.  His report is that the grandchildren have grown and changed a lot.  All children seem to do that no matter what we grand-folks try to do.  Jim will return after Labor Day.  And we will be glad to see him.  Mom stayed home to keep the rest of us in line.  I think she did an okay job.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Kara…September 12th

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Nancy…September 19th

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Blaine…September 24th

     A big thank you from all of us at GODTEL for your support.  Your money goes to pay utility bills, groceries, (mainly non-food items) salaries, parts and supplies for auto, plumbing, electrical, and building repairs.  The clothing goes into the clothing room to be given to the residents for free.  Sheets and towels and blankets go into our linen closet to be used.  Any extras will be given to those in need.  The personal hygiene items are given to the residents and when they run out more is given to them. 

     Until next time…

                                         In Christ’s Service,

                                          Martin and Mary