Good evening my dear “PEPpers,” family and far flung friends,
Well, the party’s almost over – we head out for Fort Mill early in the morning (got to get back \ busy day tomorrow). But it’s been a good three days. Day 3 has been a little lazy. Sonja and I slept in (8:00 a.m.ish); I finally managed to learn how to ignore the rooster’s crowing this morning!
Our morning was spent sitting at the breakfast table enjoying devotions together and then I made a quick run over to Durham’s convenience store to pick up a couple grilled chicken sandwiches and to “haul off the trash.” Then I left Sonja and her mother to their chicken sandwiches and headed over to Walhalla for lunch with my parents. What a drive…
- clear skies,
- open fields,
- little churches about every five miles (we call them “split churches” \ a church has a “fight” and splits and half the members moves down the road five miles and starts another church – great evangelism technique!)
- and neat homes (many with USA flags in the yard) and little communities: Six Mile, Gap Hill, Keowee, High Falls, Coneross, West Union (a little sleepy town…did I say little)
- and finally Buxton Drive…driving by Beth’s old home (a little sad twinge but quick remembrance of heaven)
- and then a warm welcome by the world’s greatest parents \ Harry & Carolyn Kemp.
We enjoyed lunch together – Bantam Chef hamburgers (life is good). We sat in their “sun room” and enjoyed the beautiful view of a yard of flowers, scrubs and trees wrestled from the wilderness by the sweat and labor of my parents (a little bit of paradise). We talked about the Church of God (solved all their problems if they’d just listen), the Bible (What’s the difference between a sin that “leads to death” and one that does not lead to death? – I John 5:16-17. We’re stumped, will have to ask John what he was thinking when we see him in heaven someday.)
Then it was a slow walk through mom and dad’s yard \ Spring has sprung and all is glorious. They share the stories behind the different scrubs, plants and trees (this one is a gift from Beth, dad’s “birthday tree”, the roses I gave mom for mother’s day…and so the stories go). Another “wheel within a wheel” – a pace of life so easy to speed by; I’m so glad I didn’t.
Too quick it’s time to head back to Gin Shoals Road – good byes are said and a warm welcome back at “Ruby’s” – by my wife \ in the kitchen cooking dinner (life is good). Like a worthless husband, I take a nap while she cooks and then she wakes me for dinner – her secret “pork-an-bean “ casserole, beans, corn, and homemade fruit salad – Sonja you knocked it out of the park (seconds for me).
I have tried to redeem myself a little this evening by reading, catching up on a little paper work and staying out of the way. It’s been a good day \ I am blessed.
Shout outs…
- Thanks mom and dad for lunch
- Thanks Sonja for not nagging me about my worthless ways today and for a classic dinner (I’m sending in your recipes to Southern Living)
- Jonathan (Pastor J, my “other grandson”) – thanks for plugging my blog \ hits increased about 200%; you’re dangerous! I’m glad you’re on my side
- Thanks Larry Jackson and Aubrey Tickle – I got your “prayer messages” – you fellows don’t know how much you minister to me
- Thanks Pastor Larry for checking up on me \ still wish you had driven up and showed me how to milk cows, that would have given me something to really write about
- Glenn \ you and the Sabbach team and our youth are in my prayers tonight – I pray that this year’s conference is the B-E-S-T! (I’m proud of you)
- Hey Lee, Jennifer, Briana…and my lad (DLK3) – looking forward to see you soon
Well, blessings, kindest regards, best wishes, tons of love and affection and prayers for peace, joy and fulfillment to you all…and also, for a good night’s sleep,
david l. kemp
P.S. This is a picture of my dear, sweet, and beautiful mother \ early Spring, 2010 (April 9)
The ONE THING 