Chag haSukkot hazeh, ziman simchatenu!

(This is the Feast of Tabernacles, 

the time of our rejoicing!)

There is just too much to focus on right now… I have touched these keys about six times since six this evening and now it is after 10P.M.  My initial focus is on Sukkot and the excitement I am having in the preparation stage.  If you remember, it was this time last year in prepping for Sukkot that I injured myself.  And a year soon passed by and I contributed little to nothing in all other Father centered activities.  But I am fast catching up.  Our Beloved King of kings saw to it to repair my legs and feet and the last surgery was the best yet.  I can run! And I can dance! Maybe it doesn’t look like dancing but it sure feels smooth and graceful as YHVH teaches my foot to pivot and turn where there is no pivot and turn to be had!

This Sukkot is going to be super!  The entire congregation is coming together, as usual, to make sure that we are well prepared to receive everyone the Father sends our way.  People have risen to the call for help not only from nearby, but from West Florida and South Georgia too.  That, my friends, is just how it is in this Congregation.  People helping people.  During the scheduled work day, they came in all ages!  We had believers from age 3 (yes three) to 73 taking part in the preparation.  Yocheved grinned and grinned. She was truly delighted with the turn out and was able to get a jump on so many items on the list.  Meanwhile, outside, the weed eater was buzzing and the pressure washer scouring.  Not to mention the new doors to those “ugly” showers being installed -- custom made and fitted for the temporary structure that has been temporary for about six years now and still holding.  Word has it that after the Rivers Conference we are going to revamp the inside walls.

All-in-all, as for Sukkot prep, we are right on track.  Even after all the flooding and raining and grass/weeds growing to two and a half to three feet tall; it all got cut and cleaned up.   The contracted workmen doing the parking aprons and new septic system managed to dig between storms and got enough drainage to get all plumbing requirements buried before another flood.  I felt for the electricians; they came three times to do the hook ups and had the power company basically on stand-by to throw the switch.  I found out that they all knew each other over the years and the guys at power company were only too happy to see this all come together.

Through it all, I managed to get in a little ‘church’ with the workers.  They had questions about us and the Father answered them.  He provided just the right words. Little by little each one disclosed about their belief and the more they disclosed, it seems the more detailed their work became.  We talked about the difficulty others are having securing jobs; they are all independents.  They knew that I have met many of their friends.  Avoiding lashan harah, we agreed that all workers today have need for prayer.  Of course, I was happy to oblige and we all just seemed to be at peace and relaxed as the work progressed.

With all this goodness occurring in front of me, I become grieved when I see so much strife and discontent around me.  Not in the congregation, but in my treks into town to pick up parts or mail parcels, etc.  Many people are very angry and lash out for no reason;  full of questions but not willing to pause long enough to receive an answer.  Too often I am asked “How can you be so happy after having gone through so much in a full year?  Do you really think God loves you to do this to you?”  My response: loudly – YES!  In fact He has healed my legs for such a time as this.  Shehekianu!  He loves me so much that He ensures that I know it.  He has given me a sign so that I never forget His Power nor His Love.  If I ever have doubt, all I need do is take off my socks and look.  You see, YHVH did not injure me, that was my doing by not listening to the still soft voice that said; “get someone to help you” before I wrestled with trencher.  It is hard for me not to think about Jacob and the wrestling match.  In a nut shell, Jacob wrestled with Yahweh, lost the match, but won Yah’s blessing.  I failed to listen when the Spirit spoke, I lost the match and Yahweh has blessed me immensely.  Yes, I am delighted!  I truly have grown closer to my Savior.

There is so much to say but I am not going to spend another year talking about me.  I want to spend the rest of my life talking about my Heavenly Father Who has granted me life!  One day I will give more detail about the two minutes spent waiting for the next breath. But not now.

If you aren’t doing anything this Sukkot, come spend some time with us.  Just go on-line and let Yocheved know you want to pitch a tent.  All it takes is a quick sign-up on the website.   This year is a bit different than times gone by.  Maybe that is why I am so excited.  Or maybe it is just because I am here, preparing the way.  Most people find difficulty being at Shul and not being happy and excited! It takes work to be miserable when we are focused on YHVH Elohim.

Thank You Blessed One, the One Who makes things happen!  Thank You for teaching me that only You make things happen while we can only do things that You direct. My joy comes from getting to know You.  This Tabernacles’ season, I pray that You will find pleasure and shalom within our Sukkah.  We want to please You.  Nothing else matters.  Father, again, thank You and Bless You for all You do for all of us.  

Your servant through the love of Yeshua…

B’shem Yeshua Mishichenu

Pinchas a/k/a Frankly Speaking all the time!

P.S.  The last water samples for the annual testing to detect e-coli go to Health Dept tomorrow; the last inspection for the county is supposed to occur tomorrow; the inspection for the drain field passed today; the analysis for the water submitted Monday and Tuesday had satisfactory results; the upgraded wiring for outdoor lighting is completed; the food cooking has begun and smells great!  I am having a hard time staying calm! The submission for testing for lead will be done ‘early’ in the morning … sheesh!  Where is Moshe????? I don’t think he had to have so much approval just to have a bite of food and talk to our Father!  This is going to be a great Sukkot!  I feel it in my bones!!!! Thank You Abba!