Airing Dirty Laundry

This is my attempt at the Welcome sign as we entered Louisiana - I missed.  So, here is a photo of the very first rest area instead. 

We are parked at Abita Springs, Louisiana, another campground, this one is not involved in any construction, the pool is open and the laundromat is outdoors!  I love it.  Abita Springs, is about an hour north of New Orleans, but that is a blog for another day. Meanwhile, I am airing my dirty laundry. 

PVC PROJECT

We spent two weeks at Lake Conroe, just north of Houston.  The area was lovely, but...

the noise nearly did us in!  They are working diligently EVERY DAY from 7:20 AM - 5:00 PM Beep,beep, beep The pool and the hot tub were closed for renovation. *sigh*  The water and electric were turned off frequently during the work day. Still, it was a fine stay and the staff were EXTRA friendly.  

During our stay, Dave was able to complete his newest PVC project.  Some people spend actual money on a sewer hose holder, but my clever hubby built his own model using supplies we ALWAYS have - PVC pipe :) - and a couple of gutter pieces we already had.

So, on the bright side of construction, the flow of our sewage is much more uniformly downhill. The last thing you want is a pool of sewage sitting in the hose, and that's enough said about that. As Martha Stewart would say, "It's a good thing."

Joy in Houston

Thank you, new friends, for the gift of time together!

Summerwood Elementary School in Houston, Texas, takes on a whole new look each Sunday when it houses Joy Lutheran Church.  Members of Joy take to the school cafeteria/gym and set up chairs, the sound equipment, the altar, the refreshment goodies, and are ready to greet any and all.  It is a mission church - vibrant and growing! 

We couldn't help noticing that one of the school's cafeteria posters - our guess was that it was made by a student as a helpful learning exercise - was particularly appropriate for a worship service: "No tooting or belching at others seated at your table." 

Pastor John and his wife, Linda, took us out for lunch so we could all eat yummy nearly authentic Mexican comfort food (I think cheese is their nod to the American palate). 
During our lunch conversation we, of course, discovered a number of people we have in common. 

The Coming Common

 St. Andrew Lutheran Church located in Houston, Texas, has an interesting life.

During the week they offer Early Childhood Care, we have noticed a lot of churches moving to this model of serving the community. 

On Saturday evening there is a Hispanic Church that worships here.
On Sunday morning at 9:30 AM St. Andrew worships and at 11:30 Hilltop Lutheran Church, a Korean congregation worships.

All of these different people groups use the space, and call it "our" church.  They all come together on occasion for potlucks and other events throughout the year. This is a really big idea it makes me reconsider what God's House looks like from the inside out. We laughingly talk about  "my pew" but what if we shared our pew with someone new?

Dave is pictured with our gracious hostess, Carolyn Koch.