Well, school has already started for some, and for the rest it begins tomorrow. Christopher had his first classes at OTC beginning this past Thursday evening, and I must say he is already feeling the 'time crunch' of when to get homework done! He is still working, which means he'll have to use his 'free time' wisely!!

MSU begins tomorrow, which means all sort of fun activities at the BSU! Here is the rundown:

** Monday night at 7:30 we will be having a night of video games, board games, snacks, and if you need to go to Wal-Mart we will help you get there to go shopping for last minute school/dorm supplies, as well as helping inform them where other key places around Springfield are.
** Tuesday night at 7:00 will be a time for students to find out what Bible studies will be taking place this semester. We will also be watching National Treasure 2, so come hang out and have a good time!!
** Wednesday FREE FOOD, FREE FOOD, FREE FOOD... 11:15 - 1:00 COME AND JOIN US!
** Thursday night at 6 PM we will be having a cookout where churches from all over Springfield will be joining us to share a little bit about their church and what they're all about. Then, at 7:30 we invite all to join us for time of worship. Come join us in a time of fellowship and find out more about our ministry here to MSU.

The BSU had a really nice charcoal grill/smoker that was made by a student for them years ago. About a month ago, that grill was stolen in the middle of the night, never to be seen again. (Billy said he could follow a trail of ashes all the way to a nearby street, but then lost it.) So until it can be replaced, we will be using our grill from home, which is quite smaller, but will have to do. Then last night, for what I think is the first time, someone vandalized the front door of the building. They spray-painted a cross, but then put on of those "circle with slash symbol" over it. One of the girls living in the BSU apartment was closing up around 9:30 last night and noticed it. Billy went over to take pictures, file a police report, then clean up the damage. Guess every year there are more and more people who seem to think that's an 'ok' thing to do.


This is also the last week our daughter, son-in-law and granddaughters will be living here in Missouri. This time next Sunday we should be in Memphis helping them get their furniture and belongings in a storage unit until they can find a place to live. We are still not sure how we will get their things there for rental moving trucks are not cheap!! For now they will be staying with Danny's mom and husband.

On top of all that, a couple of months ago our air conditioner/heating unit here at our house began to act up. It's been slowly going out over the past few years, but this time it's finally puttering out. So we will also be facing the task of getting a new unit put in the house in the next few weeks. They're not cheap either! There ARE days that I miss living in an apartment!

So that's what our week looks like so far. Busy, busy, busy......did I mention busy?? I've also had to deal with some personnel issues at work this past week, which is a part of my job I am NOT fond of. I do not like conflict and that is just what I've had to face recently. So please pray for me that I say the right things at the right time! This situation could turn out to be a very positive one if we approach it the right way. OR....it could blow up in our faces. I'm hoping for option #1.

Have a blessed week!!!

Cardinals and the Zoo

Sorry it's been a while since I've posted anything. Sometimes I'm just not in the mood to write anything!!

Last Friday evening Billy & I went to a Springfield Cardinals game with my mom. It was Second Baptist night and their choir got to sing the National Anthem. The weather was fantastic; a small rainshower came through right before the game started, but it quickly ended and the rest of the night was dry and cool. And the won! This is the first summer we had the opportunity to see the St Louis Cardinals, Kansas City Royals and the Springfield Cardinals play.

On Saturday I was able to go to the zoo with Ashley, Danny, Danny's dad and the girls. I had not been there in a couple of years, and it had changed quite a bit!! I have pictures, but for some reason I cannot post them. But you can see them from my Facebook links:

http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2000895&l=f21f8&id=1304340063

http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2000894&l=28ab3&id=1304340063

And since I've wrote on here last, our daughter and son-in-law have decided to move at the end of August to Memphis with hopes of better job opportunities. I don't think it has really sunk in yet, but I'm sure once we leave them in Memphis, it will really hit home. I know this is something they have prayed about, and feel this is the right move to make at this time.

But hey, they will only be 5 hours away.

Well, the fair is over, the ribbons and prize money have been distributed (I got $12.50 total!) .....sigh......

Now it's just a plain ole' HOT SUMMER!!! I think the high today was 98, but I'm sure it was warmer than that in other parts of town. (the temp gauge in our car was reading 102 at 5:00)

Tomorrow is Election Day and there are lots of 'hot' races going on in our area. I won't go into detail, but I am concerned about one race in particular since it involves the office I work in. But by this time on Wednesday, we will know who will make it on the November ballot. Then we get to do it all over again, and wait.....once again.