Things I hope I will never take for granted again: walking to the mailbox and visiting with a neighbor, my laundry room, clean water from the faucet, my church family, the morning paper.

Stephen and Rebecca spent 6 hours shopping for their wedding gift registry in Birmingham on Saturday. Yes, he survived!! I can't believe it's actually happening. So exciting!

We are going with the Newcomers to a Pastor's conference on St. Thomas this weekend and are really looking forward to meeting with several of them to nail down some ministry plans. Calvary Baptist on St. John should hopefully begin building their new sanctuary soon. Will keep you posted on that.

Dickie and Will have gone to the British Virgin Islands today to bring the sailboat over. It's a dirty job, but somebody has to do it!

I'm sure it will be something else Dickie can add to his repertoire.

Really enjoying spending time with Claire and Stuart. We pooled our food together last night and then played a game. Great family time for the "Rheacomers," as Claire calls us now.

We picked up a young lady who was hitching a ride the other night - a darling twenty-something-year-old who told us she has lived all over. We dropped her off in the dark night in the woods where she asked us to, and I wondered "Whose daughter is that on this island hitching rides in the night?" I worry about her. I pray that each person we come in contact with will prayerfully remain in our minds and hearts.
We gave a ride to a man on Sunday morning who moved down here with his mother from Mass. After her husband of 60 years passed, she couldn't get over the depression, so they came here to their house on the water. We will pray for them to find the real Source of peace.
We are attending a Pastor's Conference on St. Thomas the last weekend of this month. It will be a time for us to meet with them and nail down some ways t0 help their churches. We will let you know what groups/individuals can do down here to help soon. Conference planning has consumed much of the pastor's time, and we look forward to it with much anticipation. Pray that the Lord will lay out plans for us.
School is out, but 2 second-grade boys are still hanging out in my room playing with a tennis ball. Feels like old times!!

THE NEWCOMERS ARE HERE!!! We are so happy to have familiar faces around us!!! Met them Saturday at the airport, helped them unload luggage at new home (very nice), and then went to J.J.'s in town to get Stuart a cheeseburger. He's a growing, hungry boy! Sunday morning we took them to Three Sails (beach church) so they could meet some of their neighbors. After the service we enjoyed the water for a little while. Then we attended Cruz Bay Baptist where Dickie brought the message about church members finding their place of service, whether it be out front or behind the scenes.
Will and Teresa are taking care of business today (computer, phone, bank, etc.) Please pray that they will find a vehicle that is safe and affordable.
Chris Maynard arrives on Thursday. We are really looking forward to her visit. She will prayer walk with us, share with some ladies at Teresa's home on Saturday, help out at the school, and sweat off 20 pounds! It's incredibly hot down here!!!
I've told you about the hog that visits our yard occasionally. Dickie looked out the window the other day and said, "Well, the whole family's here!" It was mom and dad hog, and 8 little piglets. I'm telling you, it's wild kingdom!
Keep us in your prayers as we seek God's will for our ministry here with the Newcomers.

We now have cable TV! Can keep up with what's going on in the world, but especially with SEC football.
Dickie will be leading Wednesday evening services at Cruz Bay Baptist during the month of October. The pastor asked him to lead a study on the end times. He has also been working on some physical improvements at the "Ranch." He is greatly missed on the days he isn't here at the school, because people have learned to depend on him for so many things.
We are excited that the Newcomers will arrive this Saturday to work alongside us! We have already scheduled a ladies' lunch at Teresa's house for Saturday, Oct. 10. I'm not sure much fellowship like this takes place, so it will be a lot of fun to get some folks together.
My boys are doing well. Joseph is enjoying Seminary. Stephen is finishing up his senior year and has his future father-in-law for a tough computer class. Daniel is happy at State and has become a houseboy for DeeGees. He gets to eat lunch and dinner there.
My future daughter-in-law, Rebecca, e-mailed me a picture of her wedding dress and the bridesmaids dresses! It makes me feel included in the plans although we are far away. So thankful for her!