The best part of our first Sunday away was hearing Alistair Begg in person, in a very large church. What I really should say was that we heard the word of God faithfully preached by Alistair Begg, for we were not there, as he himself said, "to hear the mental meanderings of a mere man."

Disappointment: no evening service. It was cancelled due to it being a holiday weekend. Three morning services in a very large sanctuary (which was filled at the one we went to) and a cancelled evening service? Normally there is a 6 p.m. worship service, of this we have photographic proof. We went back to see the church building later in the day after switching gears to taking part in two other Sunday traditions of a much less spiritual nature -- the Sunday afternoon nap and the Sunday drive.

Now a  Mom note: join me in praying for the safety of Sam and Dorinda on an island that suddenly looks very teeny tiny in the direct line of an enormous typhoon.

And WOW how is this for very amazing! We just -- since writing that previous paragraph -- were able to face time with Sam! It eased my heart to talk to him and feel some reassurance that he is prepared. Plus I got in some Mom pointers, like Know Where Your Flashlight Is. Charge Your Phone Completely. Yes, and Draw Water. Yes, I really said that. I need to update that phrase. Should a Marine lieutenant giggle at his mother?

This is the view from their house, taken by me on my camera in Ohio of Rev.'s ipad during our conversation with Sam in Okinawa of the storm clouds starting to arrive. Phew. That is a lot of technology all at once for me. I need to go churn some butter while I listen to my records. In black and white.