What I Learned About Fishing

So we lost power most of the night and still did not have it as we left for church. So the morning was a bit different. I couldn't use the Internet to look up stuff like I usually do. And it was pretty cold but at least not frigid. 

While at Sunday School (mom taught again) we were talking over Luke and the calling of the Apostles. 

4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.

5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.

6 And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.

7 And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.

8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.

9 For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:

10 And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.

Luke 5:4-10

As others were making comments I was caught away thinking about this in a way I never have before. This applies so much to missionary work. When we share the good we have with those we know, love or just met. As they were "toiling all night" on their own, in their own way, they got little accomplished. Even thought they were "professionals" and knew much, they were relying on themselves. 

But, when they listened to the Lord, when they trusted Him, obeyed His commandments, and sought and followed His way, they had so much they could not handle it all. 

So it is with us, if we will trust Him, seek His input as to what we do, and follow His way, we will be overloaded with good and accomplish so much more than we could on our own. 

Saturday was a special day it's the day I got ready for Sunday. (Did you sing in your mind??!!)

We had a plan to help Joyce Ponder do most of here kitchen repair/countertop replacement but on Friday night we went to buy the cabinets she wanted and they did not have in stock the ones they indicated online. So since we have to wait 2-3 weeks for them we did not go over. So I had time to do things here. I started with repairing the Uncle Larry dash were I could not see the needles in the dark. The backlight would work but I could not see how fast I was going etc when it was dark. I had to go buy some new special bulbs after doing all sorts of testing, troubleshooting etc. I had torn apart the dash cluster to the bare bones. But while doing that I also was able to fix one other light that was not indicating right so it was a bonus. Then as I thought I had it all fixed I noticed now the tripometer and odometer were now. It working!  Aughhhhhh. I was so frustrated. But simple things can sometimes be the fix. After playing with the trip reset button a few times it's working again!  So all is good. 

Then I worked to cut down the bar table so it fit the bar stools we have. I carved away free hand with the chain saw and it actually worked pretty good. I got it bolted to be secure and leveled and it looks great. You would be proud of the size of the mess I made with wood chips. Mom was dismayed!  But alas, I knew it wasn't that bad. 

I then turned my attention to finishing the shelves in the old grill area so we could have all the AV easily stored. I even made the bottom shelf a roll out shelf!  I used all the leftovers from Joyce's kitchen tops and pieced together a few places. But had just barely enough for the main parts. Mom likes it and so do I. In the picture if you look close you can also see the new "home" for the FHE chart. 

After that mess I figured I better clean up so I went to work. I invited mom to help me sweep but before she made it out I decided to blow off all the shelves and other areas that were so coated in saw dust firm the last few projects. So when she came out she couldn't stay. So I finished up and decided to go the extra mile. Look at the picture!  Proof that we can fit two cars in the garage again for the first time in forever. 

I was so exhausted but was driven to clean. So I washed the Mountaineer and Uncle Larry and got all the road salt, grime and general winter gross off them. I just used buckets of water. It was around mid 40's so not bad. And they look so much healthier. 

It was a productive day. 

I hope you have had a productive week also. Joy comes from engaging in work that benefits others. 

Love you forever,

Dad

3 John 1:4