Austin to Dallas, TX

Long breakfast with Larry and Dolly. They went off to work and left us to pull the door shut behind us only I pulled it shut with my thermal mug (freshly filled with Earl Grey) still inside. Fortunately, I still have my thermos and a new electric mug that Katie's friend Gen gave me for Christmas so I will survive to get home.

We met my sister Jill's son Jamie at the house he shares with his sister Robin near the university. We have heard so much about the remodling of the house to give them each living spaces (all done by the family) that it was fun to see the result. Cute house. Cute neighborhood.

Back deck added by Kent and Jamie

Then we drove north together to Georgetown where Robin is working so we could meet her for lunch. (Doctoral research students have more flexibility than social workers.) Fun time. They have both grown into personable, articulate/enthusiastic young adults.

It was only a few hours on to Dallas. We got here ahead of the rush hour, which was nice, but went to the wrong house. Steve still had where they used to live in his contacts. Got that straightened out and it wasn't far. Scott Horrell teaches at Dallas Theological Seminary but his wife Ruth was home. She recieved us warmly. They were missionaries in Brazil for years at the Baptist seminary in São Paulo. They are only a short distance from where the tornadoes touched down the day after Christmas. They lost electricity and their kids and grandkids decided to go home when the danger was past. They live 15 minutes away, but it took them two hours to get there because of closed off roads and debris. Several people were killed in cars between here and there. Sad. We missed it all. Too busy driving those days to pay attention to the news.