September 11th

The nation of Great Britain was both shocked and horrified by the terrorist attacks that took place in the United States.  The British people have shown their sympathy and their solidarity with the United States in countless ways.  Everywhere you turn there are American flags flying, there are books of remembrance throughout the country in order to allow people to write messages of sympathy and consolation to America.  Periods of silence were held across the country.  Everything in the whole country ground to a halt as people on the highways and in the cities observed the time of silence, schools stopped, buses and even trains.  The Queen even ordered the playing of the American anthem at the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace.

In Washington we held a special service to pray for America and especially for those who had lost loved ones.  Representatives from every denomination of church in Washington were represented at that service.  Michele and I personally have received many personal calls of concern and sympathy in the aftermath of the attacks.

The British government has expressed the strongest support of America possible.  They have pledged to see those responsible for the attacks punished and to assist in whatever way is necessary to fight terrorism around the world.  America could have no stronger friend and ally than Great Britain.  The hearts and minds of Britain are with America in the time of sorrow and they will stand with them in seeking justice.

At the end of August Michele, the kids and I returned to the UK after furlough. As always there was lots to catch up on after being away. Our mail was 2 foot high on the table waiting for us to get through it. After a couple of weeks we finally waded through the last of it. I found that I had one of my articles published in the Restoration Quarterly (that was a nice surprise). The kids all started back to school a few days after we arrived back home and Jonathan started back as a waiter after school and on weekends at a local Italian restaurant.

The temperature is much cooler and we have had lots of rain. I really hope that Lubbock has now had some rain. The church has done well while we were away and we even had new people to meet.  They began attending while we were away. It is really nice to see things continuing while we were away. I also was greeted with many freshly painted rooms upon my return. There were 2 large rooms painted, then new toilets and a large hallway, while we were away and one room is still being painted.