A Place All His Own

After spending 6 weeks "camping out" in our living room with books, Bibles, and a laptop for his office, Jason now has a place to call his own. The church people have worked tirelessly to get an office ready for him, and so many others have donated books, Bibles, commentaries, a CD player, coffee pot, a desk, money to purchase a laptop and lots more books, etc... THANK YOU to everyone who has been a part of rebuilding Jason's library! For you, I have taken a picture of his new shelves so you can see the beautiful books he has collected already.
Wednesday night after the business meeting, the decorating team of ladies presented him with a rug, which he had laughingly asked for to keep his "little toes warm." ha! ha! Here is the poem that was read as they presented the rug:
"An Ode for the Preacher" (by Karen Langford)
There once was a pastor in our little town
Who stood in his PJ's as his church burned down.
When the smoke and the water invaded his place
He knew that his books he'd need to replace.

Friends and family stepped up to the task with great speed
And they worked together to meet the pastor's need.
Books arrived by truck, by mail and by car
Supplies and more books came from near and from far.

Soon there were books on the mantle, on the couch, by the door.
There were books in big stacks and in boxes on the floor.
The pastor would study in the living room chair
It was crowded with six other people living there.

Some of his flock said, "This will not do!
We must find a new space for you!"
A building arrived and folks went to work
To get the pastor some space before his family went berserk.

As to color and furnishings they asked, "What do you think?"
Pastor replied, "I don't care. It can be purple and pink."
One request he did have and asked that we meet
For a warm, fuzzy rug where he could put his sock feet.

His shoes he removes as he prepares sermons for the fold
And he just can't think straight when is toes get cold.
So preacher remember this--while at your desk you sit.
Be careful what you ask for because that might be what you get.

The problem now with the office is that it is so nice and comfortable that I am beginning to wonder if he might never want to come home!! He has a great sofa, his own coffee pot, a full candy jar, his music, and the quiet when he wants it--what more could a pastor need?? Thank you, Church family! You are so good to us and we know we are blessed.

Spell "Perfectionism"

"P-e-r-f-e-c-t-i-o-n-i-s-m," spelled Lindy on February 5, 2013 to win the District Spelling Bee! Her daddy and I are very proud of her. Pictured with her are the 2nd and 3rd place winners (from Fulton City). In order to compete in the district bee, Lindy had to place in the top 3 in the Fulton County Middle School Spelling Bee. She did that, no problem. Actually, she placed 1st in the middle school bee. (Coming in 2nd for the middle school was another 7th grader and friend of Lindy's, Samantha McClure. Then 3rd place was taken by Connor Jackson, an 8th grader and friend of Taylor's.) Not only that, but she also placed first in her grade (7th) to even compete in the school bee. Wow! And if that is not amazing enough, she also won the Spelling Bee last school year for the whole middle school while she was only in 6th grade. When she then went to compete at the district level, she placed 2nd. She was disappointed, so this year she made sure to place first. Now what? Well, tomorrow she will compete in Memphis at the Mid-South Spelling Bee sponsored by the Commerical Appeal. She is a gifted speller, but I don't think she is too consumed with tomorrow's bee. We have heard that the people coming have spent hours and hours of practicing. . .a level she has no desire to get to. :) But today we will drive to Southaven, stay with friends, and tomorrow morning at 9:00 am let Lindy participate in an amazing opportunity for a middle schooler. I am proud of you, Lindy!