So much happening...Had a nice relaxing Friday night with Claire and Stuart. After Will and Teresa left us at dinner to head to Calvary, we took the kids for ice cream, rented movies, then went to their house to watch movies and last episode of Monk. They are dear children! I slept most of the day Saturday...not feeling 100%. Still have health issues but am having some testing done this month. I'm sure it's minor. Thoroughly enjoyed the AL and FL match but didn't expect FL to perform so poorly. TX game was good also. Sun. morning Dickie spoke at Three Sails. We met at a nice home out on the deck by the pool. Dickie kicked off his flip-flops and taught the lesson barefoot. Next Sunday he will be back in long-sleeved shirt and tie. Ya gotta go with the flow! Like I've said before, flexibility is the key. Sunday evening we attended Cruz Bay then went out to eat with Will and Teresa. It was a good time for us to regroup, compare notes, and discuss some things we need to commit to prayer. Dickie and I will attend a pastor's meeting on St. Thomas Tues. night to make 2010 plans with them. We hope to have some ideas and dates for Calvary Tupelo people who are interested in coming down between January and May. Can't wait to come home in 2 weeks!!!!

We had a beautiful sail to the British Virgin Islands over the Thanksgiving Holidays with the Newcomers. They are so generous to share their boat with us and it was a neat experience. We attended the "Singspiration" last Sunday afternoon at Calvary Baptist Church. Mark this down - the Newcomers and Rheas (Rheacomers) were asked to get up and sing a song, and we did! Life is an adventure. Had a good first Advent Bible Study with Three Sails group on Tuesday night. Teresa led and did a great job. We will meet on Tuesdays during December. I'm trying to get into the Christmas spirit, but it's hard when the temperature is in the 80's, and we can go swimming any afternoon. Must get my Christmas list out and get started soon.
It's interesting to be this close to Christmas and not feel the stress of it. Our decorations consist of a red bow and a string of lights. There is no Christmas baking to do because my oven doesn't work. Maybe it's better to focus on the real meaning than on all the "extras" we pile on ourselves during the holidays.
Counting the days till we go home on the 21st. I can't wait to see my boys!!!
Spent some time in the clinic last night and this morning. Been having chest pain but we've ruled out heart and lungs. Probably just gas! Will wait and see what develops.
Please pray for patience with my second-graders at this time. They are all worked up about the holidays and discipline problems seem to escalate.
Thanks for reading!!

Still very hot here - supposed to be high 80s - 90 this week. We are excited about going on a Thanksgiving sail with the Newcomers. They didn't want me moping around missing the boys, so they are taking us to the British Virgin Islands nearby. Looking forward to seeing the sights - just hope I don't get seasick!
Dickie is speaking at Three Sails Church this Sunday. They're the church I told you about before that met on the beach, but now Park and Rec has asked them to leave that area. They have met in 4 locations in 4 years! Now they are meeting in the home next door to Will and Teresa. How awesome is that!! God definitely has a plan. The Newcomers will begin an advent Bible Study in their home on Tuesday nights beginning next week. We have met so many people and it's nice to have someplace to invite them to worship and study. Can't wait to see where God takes this.
I have a quote I use down here at times: "Where am I?" I use it when things happen like driving down the road in the dark and almost hitting a huge cow by the side of the road; when I see a large iguana at school; when I see a head of cauliflower that costs $8.50; when I try to understand people who speak at least 3 different Caribbean dialects!

We had a great weekend on St. Thomas at the Paradise Pastor's Conference. I attended a session on Intentional Community Evangelism led by a member of the North American Mission Board. It was really convicting, and gave us and some of the church members on St. John some good ideas for future ministry.
Dickie was asked to go look over a mission building to see what condition it is in. It's located on the East side of the island and is co-owned by Calvary and Cruz Bay churches. The women at Calvary have been praying about re-opening the mission and about how God wants it used in their community. Teresa and I are working with that women's group to help them get some things going. We will go out to the mission building this afternoon after school, and we are very excited about the possibilities for ministry there!!
Dickie was also asked by Three Sails Church (anglo and meets on beach) if he would consider speaking for them sometime. This church is struggling because their pastor has left due to personal problems. Please pray for Dickie - that God will lay on his on heart what to share with this congregation and how to encourage them during this difficult time.

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.