Fifty is Nifty!

Well, today Bus 5 had our goal of 50! It is amazing that they all came since we had snow flurries all day and I had a couple of calls to make sure we were running the bus. Sure enough, there were no slick roads and most everyone who promised me on Saturday they were coming came. There were a few exceptions so I have to get busy and work on them next week.

We had three first time riders and I believe two of them will continue to ride. Those two were neighbors of Shawna. She had told me a couple of times that they wanted to ride but she would tell me on Sunday morning when they didn't have time to get ready so on Saturday this week, after knocking on her door and not getting an answer, I decided to try the neighbors door. Sure enough I was met by a very gracious grandmother who told me that the 5 year old had wanted to ride the last two weekends and had cried and begged her mother to get to come. The grandmother had promised herself that she would try to call the church when I knocked on her door and caught her before she got the chance. She was very happy to let the children ride and I do believe they will continue. The little girl is 5 and her brother is 8. I can't wait to see what the Lord does in that situation.

The other visitor was a 12 year old friend of Christina. She didn't seem to be impressed too much. She lives on another bus route so I promised I would give her information to the other bus captain just in case she decides to ride again.

Another exciting thing that happened was that Chris, one of the new riders from several weeks ago got saved today. He is a sixth grader and seems to be very thoughtful. Praise the Lord that another soul has been rescued. I just pray that we can be instrumental in training him to be ALL that God wants him to be.

I had many opportunities to be a mom today!!Haley hadn't been on the bus very long until she said "Mrs. Cothart(she is only 5) my tummy hoowts." I thought....."OH NO....I sure wish I had gathered all those barf bags off the plane before we got off!!!" I just hugged her and asked if she thought she could make it just a few more minutes and she assured me she could. We were close to church so as soon as she got off she got a drink and seemed to recover nicely.

Caleb was on again and he and his sister allowed me to give them hugs and were very cooperative. They even both won prizes in junior church for being good!!!! Now that was very hard work for them.

One of the older girls slipped as she was coming out of the building to go to the bus after church and really skinned up her palms and a knee, which tore her jeans. She was pretty upset about it but we got to use the "Handy Dandy First Aid Kit". She didn't act too happy with me when I told her I had had worst scratches on my eyeball(An old saying that my dad used to tell us when we got a scratch).

I got to sit down and converse with a couple of the "Katrina" victims. Little Mikeal told me in his "N'arlens" lingo that someday he's moving back. He is only 7 so I guess he has a while to wait. He told me about having to go up in his attic when the storm was rising and bringing his puppy up there in his cage. If I understood him, he had to leave his dog there. How traumatic for a 7 year old. His cousin said they had to leave everything there.

The big girls were having their problems today. It was very hard to get their attention but I am very glad they were all on. We sang soooooooooooooo many songs! Though it was snowing outside, it was steamy in the bus with all the talking that was going on.

We are still getting prepared for the Bible Conference on Feb 20-24. The ensemble is learning and relearning several songs. Lord, please help Mike and I remember our words!!!!!

Bro. Himes preached a great sermon on the love of God this morning. I see that his young couples class is growing these days. Praise the Lord!!!

All in all, today was a GREAT Sunday. My cup is full!!!