Warm and Cozy

Bob has been back to work this week and says he "feels normal, feels great." And thanks to so many of you dear friends and family who have been praying for him and us. We believe that he is strengthened by God's Spirit and will be better than ever. God has really been good to us.

Today a friend said she called regarding natural gas for the house of a friend down in Gulfport, which was so badly devastated by Hurricane Katrina. While she was on the line an elderly gentleman was asking the gas company attendant when he could get his gas back. She asked, "Why? You don't even have a house." "Well, he replied, "I have my tent beside the lamp in my front yard, and I want to light it, to be able to see at night."

So many folks are still in tents, and it is cold. Families are asking, please do not send Christmas toys. There's nowhere to put toys. We could use blankets though.

There is a city of tents and a city of FEMA trailers. Our friend, Tom, finally got a trailer for his family, but with four growing daughters there is scarcely enough room to turn around in it, so Mom and Dad are sleeping in the house, which is still unrepaired. They are very grateful, but hope soon FEMA can find them another larger trailer.

They were so grateful for a truckload of furniture which came down from Michigan last month, plus the fellowship with the brothers who drove it. Now, in order to keep Dad who is a builder from having a breakdown, they are all heading this weekend to Florida to Disney World and a vist to Grandma's.

Other folks are just glad for a roof, and living in the mold like families did after Hurricane Camille years ago, when no one worried about such things. The eighty year old father of a friend has been itching to return "home," but his house is gone. So they bought him a darling little new house. He has a table and chairs, and only wants a cot. Just can't wait to be back near his W.W. II buddies.

Meanwhile it is also winter in Ukraine. Peter's old friend, Dima, a little orphan boy, continues to chose running away over being sent to a special orphanage for the handicapped. Our friend writes: "Please, pray continually, for God can do miracles and save that boy.

"Thank you for your love and prayers for him. Nobody knows what's happening to this poor boy, but he always runs away. He acknowleges it's not good, and he asks for forgivnes but then, 2 days after he rans?????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Nobody abuse him or rebukes or anything like that.

At our house in Mississippi, nobody is inclined to be out in the cold. We are cozy and warm with no complaints, and it is Christmas time.

Best of all, we have Jesus, and though we miss our dear family in the North, we have this half of our children here, and Maggie's just come home for the holidays.