Back in Henley-in-Arden, England
Blessings to you from the Harmons.
After a whirlwind trip to Virginia, California, Arizona and back to Virginia, we headed back to the UK. I am still tired from the trips, but here we are, none the same.
Let me catch you up to speed on the trip home. We left on Saturday, July 16, and after a 2 hour delay in New Jersey, we arrived home safely (with only 1 suitcase missing). I was invited to preach at Grace Baptist Church in Woodbridge, VA on the 17th. Grace Baptist has 3 morning services, the first one starting at 8:15. Remember the missing bag? It was mine and it was my main one with my shaving stuff and other vitals. We got up about 6a.m. on Sunday morning and my bag was on the front porch, thankfully. I left at about 7:30 for Woodbridge. I came out of our development onto Mountain View, heading for Joshua road. All the while, I was thinking that things looked strange, although I could not figure out what was wrong with this picture. When I got to Joshua and started to make a left turn, it hit me. I had been driving on the left side of the road!! (New habits are hard to break!) Fortunately, there was no traffic out that early. The Catholics were already gone to Mass, the Seventh Day Adventists were preparing to go to work, and the Baptists were still in bed. God protected me and I am so grateful that HE was up and about.
After about a week we headed for San Diego to spend a few days with our kids. Every year for quite some time, our daughter and our son (and families) meet for a few days at a wonderful resort in Rancho Bernardo and we joined them this year. It was a great time to relax, play some golf, eat out, relax some more and do some sightseeing. But most of all, to get to spend time with our kids and grandkids.
From San Diego we flew to Phoenix (65 degrees to 100 plus in 45 minutes). We headed north to a very small town in the middle of the desert near Prescott to spend time with Nadine’s family. Her father was in the middle of radiation treatments for his lung cancer. We drove him for his treatments (35 minutes into town, 4 minutes treatments, 35 minutes back home) and then we would do some errands for him. That Sunday I preached at his church (First Southern Baptist - Cordes Lakes, AZ). The weather was strange enough with monsoon type storms and then warm days, then windy days and nights. After about 2-1/2 weeks we returned to Virginia to prepare for our trip back to England. Virginia weather was no picnic as it was in the upper 90’s, no rain but plenty of humidity.
While we were gone from Henley, they had the worst storm in 60 years, with major flooding. There was about 3 feet of water running down High Street. Cars were abandoned, homes and businesses were flooded (some businesses are still not opened). I told some friends in Virginia, “we lived in Texas, we left, and it flooded. We lived in Henley, we left and it flooded. We’re getting ready to go back to Henley, you’d better get your Wellies out.”
Last Sunday was a great day as God’s house was full and folks were excited that we were back. We had guests for the weekend. The President of American Interim Pastors Ministries, Chuck McComb and his wife Pat, were beginning their tour of the Uk to see how many more churches they can interest in this ministry. We met with a Regional Minister and an elder of a church nearby to discuss the possibilities on expanding AIPM. We are due to return to Virginia in mid December. Keep us in your prayers. Some more prayer needs… Last week after a Ladies meeting, I was called into the church and there sat a couple. They had tried to get in through the front door but it was locked. Dr. David and Swapna Sen-Gupta had been let into the church by one of our dear older ladies. I introduced myself and asked if I could be of help to them. After visiting for a few moments I learned the purpose of their visit. Swapna (her name means ‘Dream’) was very stressed because she was to begin her chemo treatments for cancer the next day. They wanted to just pray. We talked about God’s love and goodness and care. She seemed to calm down quite a bit and felt better about things. I prayed with her and her husband and encouraged them to attend services whenever she felt up to it. On Saturday, we received a lovely card from her thanking us for praying with her and for taking time to speak with her. In her card was an offering for the church. I called her yesterday to see how things were going and to thank her for the card. She was very excited that I had called her. We do not know what is going to transpire with her cancer, but I know that God will stand with her and her family through this trial. She will not have to go through it alone. Please join our church in praying for this family. Other prayer needs: Joyce Dunscombe (cancer treatments), John Dalman (leg), John Hammond, Stan and Joyce Adams (salvation).
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NADINE’S CORNER:
Hi everyone, it’s good to be back in our routine, writing our blog and thinking about all of you.
As Dick was telling you, we had quite an exciting time back in the states. We enjoyed every minute. But ooooooo, was it hard on these old bods!! I sure hate this gettin’ old! Of course, I can see how the “alternative” would be a little tough, yes?? So - we’re back in the saddle, as they say in Texas!
Speaking of Texas - our house DID finally sell and that is all behind us thankfully! Whew! And it wasn’t an easy, smooth ordeal, but God got us through it as always. I’m so thankful that He’s so willing to rescue us, aren’t you?
Just to elaborate for you on the flights coming home, etc…….. We were on one of the little puddle jumpers going from Dulles to New Jersey. Dick wasn’t able to get us together, he was 8 rows ahead of me. We were on the side where there was only one seat (there were only TWO on the other side!) Anyway, I was having to pray a lot about my discomfort (I’m claustrophobic), but I kept telling myself that I was okay - it was only a 45 min. flight. So the plane taxis out - excuse me, I should say the plane CRAWLED out to the tarmac. I was still praying and trying to read, or work a puzzle to get my mind off my uncomfortable state of mind. So, after we’ve been sitting there for about 15 mins, the Pilot comes on and says that Newark is not allowing us to leave on schedule because the air traffic is so bad there and it will be 1-4 hours, hopefully closer to 1. Well…..let me tell you…..I just about came unglued! All of the things I had been able to do to get my mind off the claustrophobia just went right out the window! To make a long story short - when the Stewardess saw my distress, she arranged for one lone person to trade seats with me and created a spot for both of us on the other side! Well, that saved her a BIG headache I’ll tell ya’! She didn’t have to see a woman go hysterically beserk! Ha. All was well once we changed sides and Dick was beside me! Then….after a few minutes, the Pilot let us know it would probably be closer to an hour - yayyyyyyyy!!!! So…here comes the Stewardess with a set of “wings” for me. She told me I deserved them and she was SO proud of me! Ha…. Now I know what to do to get them things!! Then when we finally got to New Jersey, that flight was delayed about 45 mins. What a way to run an airlines!
We came back to really beautiful weather here. They finally got their summer. Of course, even if it had been raining we would have thought it beautiful.
Since coming back, it’s like we never really left! Routines are great, aren’t they? As long as they leave some room for ‘foolin’ around’ in all the wonderful places we like to explore! We hope to get into Scotland this time around and maybe the coastal area.
We would ask you to be in prayer for us as we try to decide what the Lord wants us to do after December. Does He want us to return and stay in Virginia - or does He want us to come back and minister here once again…..
Our faith, our wisdom, our obedience is being challenged and we don’t want to make any mistakes. Charles Colson said the following: “….obedience is the key to real faith - the unshakable kind of faith so powerfully illustrated by Job’s life…Job confirmed his obedience with those classic words of faith: “Though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him.” (Job 13:15)
Now……for the fun stuff…..MORE VOCABULARY
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ANTICLOCKWISE Counterclockwise
AUBERGINE Eggplant
BILLION A thousand of our billions (a million million)
BISCUIT Cookie
BOBBY Policeman (“Copper” is more common)
BRILLIANT Cool
BUM Bottom or “backside”
CANDY FLOSS Cotton candy
CARAVAN Trailer
CAR BOOT SALE Temporary flea market with car trunk displays (a good place to buy back your
stolen goods)
CAT’S EYES Road reflectors
CEILIDH (KAY-lee) Informal evening of song and folk fun
CHEAP AND NASTY Cheap and bad quality
CHICORY Endive
CIDER Alcoholic apple cider
CLEARWAY Road where you can’t stop
COACH Long distance bus
COTTON BUDS Q-tips
COURGETTE Zucchini
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‘Nuff for now, More next time - LOVE TO YOU ALL……
