We went to Paris today

Lamar County is an old cotton county and many of the old plantation houses are in need of much TLC.  It’s a shame.  This house could be so beautiful, but instead, it is just deteriorating.

We did find a few houses that have been ‘rescued.’

Another house in need of restoration. 

What?  You didn’t believe we went to Paris today?

Ron and Georgeann Jarman came to visit us today from Antlers.  The friends that we were trying to visit had we been able to exit at the toll booth yesterday.

If you are curious, as I was, about why there is a red cowboy hat on top of the Paris, Texas Eiffel Tower, check it out here >>http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/6995<<

Granite and concrete base.

Looking up.  Didn’t really need an explanation, did it?

Next, Ron show us a labor of love made by a welder friend.  His creation of Christ laboring under the weight of the Cross.

Prayer rocks with names written on them are left at the Prayer Garden after the names are prayed for.

The Prayer Garden is not a large monument, but can be seen from the highway if you’re looking for it.

Back at the Q, Ron had a good laugh at my expense as he leans where the tailgate once was.

 

 

 

 

 

Ron’s lovely bride, Georgeann.

Just as Ron and Georgeann were leaving, Shonda and the twins arrived!  I can hardly believe how big Mason and Harmon are.  They’re in the fourth grade!

Mason and Shonda.  Who is Shonda, you ask?  She’s my forever friend’s daughter and grew up with my girls.  Shonda and Leslie graduated high school together and she’s just one of my girls.  It was so good to see them.

Harmon, like his mama, doesn’t like the camera, but Mason is a camera’s best friend, so I took advantage.  You’re shocked, right?  Well, look at that handsome face… I couldn’t resist.

Reflecting on our day with good friends, I searched for a Bible verse regarding friends and found this:

⁹ So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went and did as the LORD commanded them; for the LORD had accepted Job. ¹⁰ And the LORD restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before. ¹¹ Then all his brothers, all his sisters, and all those who had been his acquaintances before, came to him and ate food with him in his house; and they consoled him and comforted him for all the adversity that the LORD had brought upon him. Each one gave him a piece of silver and each a ring of gold. - Job 42:9-11 (New King James Version)

Job’s friends had ridiculed him and judged him but Job forgave them and prayed for them and then the Lord restored double all that he had lost.  There is a connection between forgiveness and blessings.  There is a connection between praying for friends and being blessed. 

Thank you, Lord, for this nugget of wisdom tonight.