Halpert Hodgepodge

A quickie hodgepodge of stuff that is happening at our house.

Rob is out at a Grade 10 class get together this evening, so the younger boys are getting Dad to themselves. For the past hour Bob has been sitting answering their questions. They have run the gammit from Civil War slavery, to the government use of toll roads amd if private citizens could put up toll roads through their property; how there is no such thing as and Afghanistan army; why the Japanese fighter planes were not as good as American planes; how large the Biblical Holy Land really is; the terrorists and their money; how Russia has suffered from terrorists and how in the long run maybe Russia will begin to trust the US. And on and on.

The converstion just concluded with Bob explaining that, despite all the things happening in our world, the boys are not to fear. That God is in control of the affairs of men and He will care for His people and work out His will and purposes. James is good with that.

I am here at the computer because I just have to report this delightful bonding of two intelligent minds. I am sure Peter's intellect would be in there too, but his head slowly sank back to the couch and he began softly snoring some time ago.

Peter has good questions too. Before he fell asleep, it was he who asked the one about the toll roads, but his strong point is inventing things. This evening he called me into the darkened stairwell to see how he had put together a projector. A light shone through a toy telescope onto the wall from a battery powered source through a plastic sheet with a picture of stick figures, while a tiny toy cell phone played a short message recorded from a cassette tape story of a Hardy Boys mystery!

Our precious Maggie called a couple days ago. She has given much consideration and prayer to her desire to stay on in Africa. She has decided to come back to work at her childcare job at the local synagogue. She will continue seeking for God's will regarding if/when/where she will go next. Thank you all for your prayers for this dear young woman.

She will return this Saturday as the boys and I fly north to the Salvation Army Camp on Ontario's Lake Simcoe for a cousins' reunion. There should be about 20 kids there for our three to swim and play with all week. These will include three Romanian adopted siblings who will hook up with our Ukrainians. It promises to be very relaxing few days as the kids will be free and the adults can sleep, read, knit, play cards, or talk. I hear the kids do show up for meals and at night!

Yesterday afternoon we had a call from Chris, the son of our dear friends from the Chicago area. Our families have spent Bible conference week together each summer for many years. Chris arrived with all his earthly belongings in his car, for a wonderful evening and slept over. This morning we sent him off with a blow up matteress and best wishes as he movies into his new apartment in Jackson. He will be teaching French in the public schools - felt the call to dive into an area which recently has been declared a state of emergency. Poor Jackson! God help us and send healing and salvation, the only hope for our citizens.