It is very
rare to see a boat on the lake in November. So, you can imagine my
surprise when I saw a boat skimming across the lake late Sunday
afternoon. Jill and I had just finished making the final check
before leaving our old house for the last time. The house was
completely empty, so I went into the living room, leaned back
in my chair, and watched the glassy lake begin to fade in the
sunset. Jill came through, saw what I was doing, and plopped
down into my lap. The house was empty when we bought it; and we
were leaving it in the exact same condition. We became extremely
nostalgic. I reminded Jill that I had said, "This is the
house we will raise our children in." That was three
years ago, and I still remember how Jill jumped into my arms and held me
tight that day. I certainly meant it when I said it, but the
accident has changed all that.
The water
temperature was pretty cold. Too cold to be skiing. So we
were even more surprised when the boat stopped, and a person slid into
the water. The boat took off and a wakeboarder emerged from
the water. He skied back and forth in front of our house almost as
if for our amusement. I felt myself skiing with him.
When he turned, I would turn. When he would attempt to jump the
wake, I was right there with him. Most interesting was the way
that he seemed to only fall directly in front of our house. Each
time Jill would comment on how his falls were no harder or softer than
mine. I remember very clearly what it feels like to fall while wakeboarding. So,
when he would fall, I would hold my breath for a moment just like I used
to.
Each time he fell,
I heard myself saying "Please, don't get hurt." And
he wouldn't. The boat would circle around and pull him for
another run. He seemed to be having a great time. After some
time, he skied off to the south and out of sight. It was time
for us to leave as well. I get the distinct feeling that skiing
with that wakeboarder in my mind's eye would be the last time I would
wakeboard on Taylor Lake. That chapter of my life was closing.
I gave Jill a big kiss, we packed up the van, and promised each other
not to look back.
We moved
into our new house over in Pearland. It is a beautiful home.
We don't have the lake in our backyard anymore, but we do have a
jalapeno plant! And a lot of other plants. As I laid in my bed the
first night in our new home, I decided to try and move my toes. I
go through this exercise every once in awhile just to see if I can move
anything new. I have always felt like I can send impulses
to move my body. Unfortunately, nothing ever moves. To
my surprise, I was able to just barely twitch most of my toes! Jill
and I were shocked.
The next
day I searched the Internet to find one of the bicycle's like
Christopher Reeves exercises on. I've found one in Miami, and
we're going to travel there in December. I will let you know how
it goes in the next month or so .
The
pregnancy is going great. I have never seen a more beautiful woman
than Jill is right now. Please pray for continued good health for
Jill and the baby. In case you have forgotten, her due date is
February 2nd. Have a great holiday season. Please, please be
sure to buy a little something from www.DesignItYourselfGiftBaskets.com
for a great gift and donation to S.O.U.L.
Ministries!
[We have
added a couple of new pictures from Chip and Danelle's wedding.]
Jeremiah 29:11 - "For I know
the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for welfare and not for
evil, to give you a future and a hope."