Grandpa's Helper

Almost Home!

Thanks to everyone for your prayers these past, LONG, three months in the dust-bowl! After today's re-inspection, we have been given the green light to move into our new apartment. Providentially, we got a call that our new furniture will arrive at the local Ashley store tomorrow and will be delivered to us on Saturday! Now when you all come to visit we can offer you a seat! Since we now have a guest room, we can offer you travelers a bed, too!

A second inspection for the storage units themselves should happen tomorrow...Lord willing, our dsl line will be installed too....then we can do business...It's an exciting time in the NM Lopez family, but not without a bit of stress. With everything happening at once, we appreciate your continued prayers that the moving/grand-opening will go smoothly, 'decently' and 'in order'.

Visit From an Old Friend

Not much progress and we are not moved in or open for business...we do have a cool new ride though. Robert VanTol even came all the way from California to check us out. He spent the night with the Heerema fam. We all enjoyed a nice meal at a local restaurant and then the grand tour of Discount Storage. The next pic shows what he got for his trouble - a gaping head wound sustained when he failed to clear the jagged, pointy edge of the cart's shade roof. I anticipate a lawsuit! He was a good sport, but that's real blood folks!

Lookin' For a Home

The apartment where we will live - some day - soon - we hope. Hooray that we passed today's Fire Safety inspection. The owner called for the 'final' inspection for tomorrow...Lord willing we could possibly move in this weekend!

The 'Already' and the 'Not Yet': Final Approach

Since March when we were hired, the move-in date has continued to extended to the future. Now, when asked, my standard answer is: TWO MORE WEEKS. We might actually make it this time. The office/residence building is looking good and the sign lettering on the 'fake' front wall is completed. The owner brought in 'literally' TONS of gravel to make the front 'dirt' look more presentable and less like a used car lot. It's all about 'curb appeal'! The landscaping is mostly finished and although we lost some of the shrubs in June's HOT spell, you can see we have flowers! Hopefully, phones/internet will be installed tomorrow.

Next time: Apartment Update!

Wildest Dream - Worst Nightmare

Yesterday I was having our car serviced in preparation for our upcoming 4000-mile road trip. I took it to a dealership, and was ushered into a very nice waiting room. There was a lovely coffee bar, but there was NO coffee in any of the 6 gleaming carafes. I'd just met Rick at his work for a coffee break, so I didn't feel in dire need - but many of you know of my passion for FRESHLY BREWED coffee...I especially love 'Kenya', but off the supermarket shelf - give me good old Folger's...

I went outside to enjoy the beautiful, mild Las Cruces morning. I read for awhile, and came back inside to observe a man MAKING COFFEE. I watched him brew carafe after carafe of FRESH, HOT, TANTALIZING F-O-L-G-E-R-S....A 'dream' come true...gallons of 'Joe' - all for MY enjoyment...

The wonderful aroma was wafting in my direction, as I anticipated the glorious opportunity for indulgence....but then I realized I must be in HELL or at the very least, in the midst of my worst nightmare...my stomach churned and I suddenly felt nauseous. I had to turn away or risk chucking on the waiting room carpet...I realized - to my horror - I would be incapable of partaking of the caffeine 'feast' set before me. At that moment, I couldn't think of anything more disagreeable than drinking coffee...I sat there for another hour, and eventually began to feel better - must have been something I consumed for breakfast - but not before the coffee 'rotted' in the container (many of you know it's widely held that the properties of the coffee break down after 20 minutes and it begins to 'turn' in taste quality, even in a thermos).

So, what did I learn? What application do I bring away? None at all, really, just a random irony...but I have to go back to the car place today...they make the coffee at 10 a.m. I'd better get a move on...

Welcome to Epiphany!

Epiphany is the Greek term for 'appearance' or 'revelation'. Dictionary.com defines 'epiphany' as...'A comprehension or perception of reality by means of a sudden intuitive realization', or 'a sudden revelation or realization of an essential truth or reality.

As I mature (read 'decline'), I have fewer and fewer moments of clarity. So, I decided to start this blog in order to have a 'record' of some of the things I learn in these latter days of my earthly existence... so I'll 'remember' them if I want or need to...Also, for anyone reading this (like kids - or eventually grandkids) who cares to remember me when I had more brain cells!

Be assured, I'm not giving up on learning or growing...I want to be fully submitted to the Holy Spirit's process of sanctification.

I recently read Jonathan Edward's 'Resolutions' for 1722-23. One especially speaks to this 'aging' issue..."I frequently hear persons in old age say how they would live, if they were to live their lives over again: Resolved, that I will live just so as I can think I shall wish I had done, supposing I live to old age."

Onward!