The Blacks' Mission Report

Most Bible scholars agree that the birth of Jesus was not quite what the world at large believes.  We know that Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem to satisfy the census required by Caesar Augustus.  The bible describes it as being "taxed".  However, Bible historians understand this to be "counted" as in a census.  The people had to go to the city of their birth because that was where the records were kept and thus the census could be better managed. This census was usually taken during the time of the Passover because most folks went to their home city to take the Passover with family.  Joseph and Mary went to Joseph's birth town, Bethlehem.  It was a difficult journey because of Mary's pregnancy and the nearness of the time of her baby's birth.  It is likely that they planned to stay with Joseph's family, instead of a public inn.  The home where they planned to stay and partake the Passover  had many family members already there and the...

I enjoy watching and listening to Christian comedian Chonda Pierce on YouTube.  Some time back she did a piece about interesting things that happen to her.  I, too, have interesting things happen to me.   We were sitting in the parking lot of our local Kroger store waiting for our prescriptions to be ready for us.  Well, I guess I better start off with this: I've been sick with the flu for the past week.  I'm starting to get over it, but I'm not well by any means.  At any rate, we were sitting in the car waiting for our prescriptions to be ready.  They had told us it would be about 10 more minutes.  I've been drinking water like it is the best flavor drink on the market hoping to wash this mess out of my system.  So we were sitting in the car and I decided to take a little drink from my bottle of water.  Just as the water entered my mouth I began to cough.  But I had a mouthful of water and I was sitting in the car.  I ...

In my own perhaps-not-so-humble opinion THE most exciting phrase is:  I KNOW. Remember when you were in elementary school?  Remember when the teacher would ask a question about your homework?  Remember that child that always had the right answer.  What did she do?  She would always raise her hand and yell, "I know, I know".    I have that same energy when I say, "I know".  Except I can't jump up and down like a child.  So many people have doubts today.  Many people don't see the evidences that I see.  I feel it important to quote from a well known hymn of the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints. This hymn exemplifies my feelings exactly. I Know That My Redeemer Lives I know that my Redeemer lives.  What comfort this sweet sentence gives! He lives, he lives, who once was dead. He lives my ever-living Head. He lives to bless me with his love. He lives to plead for me above. He lives my hungry soul to feed. ...

We have had a whirlwind few weeks.  On  November 12 Sister Black's mother passed away.  We expected it to happen, but still when it did we were affected more than we thought we would be.  We immediately prepared to drive to Southern California for the Funeral scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 15  We drove 1540 miles over two days, stayed 4 days (we didn't want to travel on Sunday) and then took 3 days to travel back to Houston. I was asked to prepare and then present the eulogy celebrating the life of Donna Maxine Gardner, which I did.  I enjoy doing such things.  I gathered stories from those of her children that I could contact before the funeral and then blended those stories into a 20 minute eulogy.  I already had several stories of my own and knew I could glean more from Sister Black's siblings.  It was a lovely service. However, the cemetery would not bury her remains until November 25.  They said they were too busy!  I never h...