Banking, grilling, packing, sudden changes

Through the day today I will get all the banking done that would have occurred over the next two weeks. In our absence, there is no discount or forgiveness on the bank’s part for a late payment just because it is inconvenient for me to make that payment while I am out of the country. They never have a problem when the payments are made in advance, but they are instant in charging a late fee if the payment is even a few hours past the due date. I cannot blame them. I agreed to those terms when I signed on with the credit cards or the bank loans. But as much as is possible, I will try to get those payments in early for February.  Whereas I was struggling just a few weeks ago with how we would finance this trip, more than enough money has become available without taking it from moneys set aside for the houses in Lawton. Reimbursements from work for payments in food in travel and mileage for travel have made a big difference. Plus, Norman is buying our gooseneck trailer and is paying us half the agreed price tomorrow. Even if that does not happen, we will still have enough money freed up to make the trip. Praise the Lord!

Yesterday evening, I grilled steaks and burgers. Mama has had the meat ready since Tuesday, but we could not get the timing right until last night. I am thoroughly impressed with the pellet grill on loan to us. We have used it more over the winter than Bro. Zach used it during the last summer. He has offered to sell it to us, but we are holding out for a specific brand of the pellet grills when we do buy one. I want the money we spend to be well spent and after doing the research, I know the brand we need to buy for the service Mama and Victoria are going to expect. This type of grill is one that Mama, if she wants, can easily use if I am not available to do the grilling. I did six steaks and seven hamburgers on the small grill we are borrowing. When we get the pellet grill we really want, it will have more than double the cooking space. How fun will that be!

The luggage Mama and I settled in our back and forth through Amazon Prime came yesterday. It is perfect for what we need. It is a three-piece set. We will use the large and the small suitcases out of the three. Mama feels we need two large suitcases for this trip. I agree. So, one of our larger pieces of luggage will be packed along with the two new ones. Even with that I believe it will be a challenge to get everything packed under the weight limit. Tonight and tomorrow we will find out how close we will be to meeting the required limit while still getting everything we have set aside to be taken with us in the allotted space of the two checked bags and the two carry-ons.  It is always a challenge to pack for th
is trip. A fun challenge.

Cori has made reservations at a resort hotel in Tela for a two-night excursion to the beach. We will leave Sunday afternoon and be back late Tuesday evening. They have no evening services at the church in El Progresso so we opted to leave in the afternoon so we could get Nate back in time to resume his assigned duties Wednesday. I am not sure what is required of him, but the timing will be better for him if we are back the night before. Mama is really looking forward to a time at the beach. Any time at a beach. Especially the uncrowded, beautiful beaches of Honduras. The penthouse is reserved for us at the hotel. The views are supposed to be spectacular. From the pictures on the internet, it looks amazing.

Last night after talking with Cori and the kids for over an hour Cori texted us to let us know that Grant had fallen out of the back of a slow-moving truck and Blake had bitten through his lower lip. I am not sure the series of events that led to the injuries, but they looked significant. A testament to how quickly circumstances change in this very frail life. None of the injuries required medical attention, but both boys will be sore for a good while. Especially Blake.  Since it is still a week out, we are hopeful both boys will still be able to enjoy our beach time.

Scratches and scrapes do not generally do well in saltwater.