Where to take sweet babe

Yesterday I told Ruth I would take her to the place of her choice for
our 40th wedding anniversary in 2011. She cried for joy. Yes, I am the
husband of the year--no, the decade.

I decided to poll my cyberspace friends for suggested places to go.
I've had about 60 responses. Hawaii wins the vote (interesting--I
think that's Ruth's choice anyway).

Hawaii is no surprise, but the other leading choices were unexpected.
Italy was the choice of several. New Zealand was a popular selection.

Humor accompanied the poll. One said wherever they film 24. Another
noted none of the choices mentioned McDonalds. Someone said we should
go to their city, Dayton OH. My Pastor friend in Joplin, John Swadley,
voted for Joplin.

And the winner is....wherever Ruth wants to go, as long as we go there
together.

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Pocket Knife Barbs

Once I posted on Facebook and Twitter about my having donated a 13th
pocket knife to airport security, the responses came flying in. Enjoy.

Ruth's was the best. Lay down your weapon, Honey. Stand down!

Others were witty too. I heard you were in the giving spirit again.
Maybe you could remember not to take a knife to the airport. Someone
was in need of a pocket knife; you made their day.

Maybe the govt can sell those knives to help pay down the deficit. You
are officially on the terrorist watch list; shame on you. Hurts to
lose a good knife; like losing a good friend. You might be a redneck
if....

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Travel Woes

As always, my time spent at the Large Church Roundtable was wonderful.
It is always one of my favorite events of the year.

LCR is a group of about 25 Pastors of Southern Baptist churches that
run 1000 to 3000 in attendance. We laugh, learn, and love. I'm
grateful for the guys. They always bless me.

The only downer is travel woes. It has gotten to where it is almost a
given there will be a flight delayed or cancelled. This makes for a
feeling of insecurity each time I travel.

I miss the precision and exact timing the airlines were once noted
for. My dad and grandpa witnessed firsthand the demise of the
railroads. Fortunately we were able to replace the RRs with cars,
trucks, boats, and planes. I fear we don't have anything to replace
planes with. Our commercial livelihood depends heavily on them. I hope
we can find ways to make the airline industry stout again.

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February

February is a special month to me. My daughter was born on Feb 6. I
recall it with wondrous amazement.

Ruth was born on Feb 12. God smiled on me that day.

I started preaching in February, 43 years ago. I regret I don't know
the exact date. I just remember it was close to Valentine's Day. I
know that because I lost a girlfriend right then due to my decision to
become a preacher. Thank You, God, for protecting me.

This February has been tough. I've been sick for a month. But as of
today I think I have turned a corner. I think February is once again
going to bless me. I'm already praying for a good March.

Humor helps. Saw a great cartoon. Two men are being rescued from a
deserted island. One says to the other, "It's been two years. I can't
wait to see my portfolio."

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Long Good Day

Ruth and I spent about nine hours at the outpatient center today. I
experienced several surprises.

I was not expecting a six-hour wait for the procedure. A patient
before me had an unexpected complication, and required extensive
emergency surgery. He was eventually taken to the hospital by ambulance.

I was not expecting to have extensive blood work, or to have an I-V
inserted. I was surprised to have an EKG. I was not expecting to have
a drain inserted which will be removed on Friday

I was taken aback by the overwhelming kindness of every person we came
into contact with. Their gentleness and friendliness made a long day
much more pleasant.

My prognosis is excellent. Thank you, Dr North, Dr Henderson, and the
army of servants who ministered to me. Thank you, Ruthie, for staying
at my side all day. Thank you, dear people, for praying for me,

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My Health

I'm doing much better these last four or five days. I will have a
procedure under anesthesia on Tuesday which should take care of my
condition.

The worst thing about this flare-up was not the twelve days of misery,
though that was not a piece of cake, but having to cancel my trip to
India.

A few months ago, my cardiologist released me to travel at will. The
India trip was going to be my coming out party, my way of proving I
was back in the saddle again. Fortunately, our tickets are still good
for a year.

Humor helps. Comments on patient charts. She is numb from her toes
down. In ER she was examined and X-rated. The skin was moist and dry.
Occasional, constant, infrequent headaches.

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Family Blessings

Yesterday was a perfect day off for Ruth and me. We had lots of good
family time.

Four-year-old Ian and two-year-old Lilly Ruth came to the house to
watch the children's movie "The Sword in the Stone." When I called it
the Stone and the Sword, Ian said, "Grandpa, your brain isn't working
right." my consolation is, it took him four years to figure it out.

After school Ruth and I took Caleb to his cello lesson. If a young man
ever loved his instrument, it's Caleb. Sam rode with us. He enjoys
watching the world go by as he plays his gameboy and eats a Granny
Smith apple.

John and Amanda are doing well. He oversees computers at his work. She
is a nanny (a very good one, by the way) for a set of twins.

Nathan is a pro at web layout, Internet work, and TV advertising.
Rebekah is a crafting, scrapbooking, blogging whiz.

Ruth and are, of all couples, most blessed. Thank you, Jesus.

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Why Still Sick?

Yes, I am still sick, essentially homebound and bedfast. I have an
appointment with a proctologist Monday morning.

I plan to take my daughter out to lunch for her birthday tomorrow, and
intend to be in church Sunday morning. Till Monday I am otherwise
staying home with Sweet Babe.

I don't question God's Sovereignty. This is giving me opportunity to
live by example what I preached about last Sunday morning. The why is
not as important as the what. Is there a lesson I am to learn, a
higher plane of patience to reach?

These mind games present an extra level of challenge to me because I
do not handle sickness well. Poor Ruthie. Mother Teresa has nothing on
Ruth. My wife is Mother Saint Angel Babe Ruth.

Thanks for your prayers. I have finished editing four upcoming
sermons. That's good. At least I don't feel totally useless.

My daughter Rebekah Williams will be on the KY-3 weekend early show at
7am in the morning. She is the craftiest, scrappiest person I know.
She's also a great daughter.

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Quasqui Book

After much ado and fanfare about the quasquicentennial book, it
arrived today. It took an army of people to make this book happens.

I literally burned out on it many weeks ago. A team of editors and
professional assistants refused to let it die. There's something
indescribable about holding in your hand a book your hand helped write.

I tried to thank everyone in the credits at the end of the book, but
there's no way I could thank everyone involved.

Since I'm home sick in bed, my assistant Angie delivered a copy to our
door. Ruth and I oohed and ahhed over it.

Then Ruth, who does all things well, took the book and began reading
it. She is right now next to me providing commentary and
encouragement. That's so Ruthie-like!!!

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