Notes from the Road #2

We're in our fourth day at Mark's folk's house in Brazil Indiana--about 60 miles west of Indianapolis and 15 miles east of Terre Haute where we did our most recent deputation. Mark's dad is a wonderful steward of the two city lots the Lord has given them on the north side of town. He plants half a lot in garden and about half a lot in fruit trees, with generous sprinklings of flowers and other landscaping all over the property. We are loading up on fresh corn, tomatoes, onions, peaches, strawberries and other good things from the garden and fruit trees. It's wonderful to be eating healthy again after the "imposed grease/starch/sugar" diet of the road trip.

Thanks to ALL of you who have asked how Mark's mom Charlotte is doing. The answer is, she's doing remarkably well--her energy level is up and her pain level is down. She is still struggling, as always, to keep her diabetes "count" stable, but she has been cheerful and engaged and active! Some of you who are this age (82) or have parents this age may recognize the "Sundowner effect" which brings sadness or loneliness as the evening unfolds. When that happens, Mom's multiple decades as a church pianist are an amazing resource of hope and joy and reassurance as she plays "My hope is built on nothing less..." and "Nothing thrills my soul like Jesus..." and "There is power, power, wonder-working power in the blood..." Thanks for your prayers. They're working wonders.

We are trying to get ahead of the reading assignments for the classes we'll be taking later this fall. Nancy is reading Philip Jenkins "The Next Christendom", which Mark reviewed in the blog a couple of weeks ago. Mark is reading "The Gods of Management" which explains four different styles of leadership to prepare us further for those roles on the mission field.

We are making plans to visit Indianapolis Colts spring training which is being held at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, an engineering and sciences school, 12 miles away. We're also making plans to visit our old stomping grounds, French Lick, Indiana--early home of ISU and Boston Celtic standout Larry Bird, and also home to a circa 1920's hot spring and spa which has recently undergone a stunning multi-million dollar renovation.

We'll be in Indiana through August 22 and then drive back to Kansas City on the 23rd to be ready for classes the following Monday. Thanks for your love and your prayers as we venture out!