This morning our people will start to head to the airport, the first two around 5:30, then others later in the morning and in the afternoon, and the last four from New Orleans tomorrow (many thanks to Dave and Stacey for the airport taxi work). Scott, Gretchen and Connor left by road yesterday, and Isaac, Sara, Scott and I will drive from here this morning after breakfast, taking a little extra time today to drive to Vicksburg and then through the Delta on our way to Oklahoma.

Yesterday evening the fellowship hall here was full of workers, and as we leave I know that Bethel has workers booked to come through October. Lots of transition going on and coming on. Yesterday was partly about saying goodbye once again to Sam and Evelyn, to John and Virginia, and to Bill. I am so privileged to know them and to be able to be here to visit. John and Virginia are anxious to let everyone at Cross and Crown know that they thankful for the connection and for knowing that they are remembered up there. I will be thinking of them this month and August especially, as people here say that August is the toughest month in terms of the heat. That air conditioner will help a little, I hope. Bill may well move before too long, possibly into a Habitat home. If that happens, there is a possibility that we may be able to 'donate' Habitat work done in Washington toward his 'sweat equity account.' I suggested that we could probably figure it out. Sam and Evelyn aren't going anywhere. Sara and I enjoyed spending a little time with them yesterday and leaving a quilt for their son Doug, who may soon be out on the road driving a semi again. I believe that David and Patricia's sons will get quilts tomorrow, and I gave three more to Donna, Judy B.'s right-hand person here who has two uncles whose home is being worked on now. Donna started chemo yesterday, so we gave one more to her.

The rest of the quilts, I believe, will stay here. When a home worked on by Bethel workers gets finished, they like to give the owners two quilts, if they have them, along with some other things.

I anticipate that once again there will be a lot of 'unpacking' to do in the next days and weeks. There is so much that we see and hear, and it seems to get stored away without my realizing it and it only moves through head and heart at its own pace. Our drive is one way to handle that, I think. I will be thinking of everyone at Cross and Crown tomorrow, including Karyn as she leads worship. When asked 'for whom else to pray,' there are all of the names above in this entry and all of the names below in the blog. Dave B. stood up last evening in the big group and reminded everyone that, while workers get thanked for the work, he and we are thankful for everythint that we receive here. Good words. Time to go. - Pastor Glen