A light at the end of the tunnel and other happenings

So, I'm finally seeing a light at the end of the tunnel in the work on Jim's library.

Jim had developed a numbering system for his library, and each book received a 5-digit number, with the first 2 digits representing a broad subject heading. Over 4,000 books are fully cataloged and in Jim's database; another 3,000 or so have been assigned the first 2 digits. Since last summer I've been working to sort another approximately 1,200 books into those broad categories. That's no easy task.

But now I'm down to the last 25 or so books, including some of Elsa's that she wanted to be sorted. *And there was great rejoicing.* :) Most of Elsa's books are psychology/counseling-related, so they won't be as hard to categorize as many of Jim's theology books. Hopefully I can finish on Monday.

Then comes the next step...or should I say "project." Elsa wants me to create an Excel spreadsheet of all the books with only 2 numbers so she can have a list from which to work in deciding which books to keep. The spreadsheet will then go to people in the congregation here and to other missionaries for them to select books they'd like to have. I'm not sure how long it might take to enter 4,000-some-odd titles/authors/publication dates, so it's a good thing I'm staying another year!

Anyways, it's nice to feel like I'm making headway.

Beyond that, life's been quiet, which is a nice change from the beginning of the summer. Schools here don't let out for the summer until mid-July, so right now is prime vacation season for families before school starts again in August. It seemed like half the people were missing at church last Sunday, but we still heard an excellent sermon, were encouraged by the fellowship, and enjoyed our monthly potluck.

Tomorrow is a big work day at Elsa's house. She's been trying to finish several large remodeling projects and finally decided to ask people for some help. I believe she's expecting 9 of us to come, and she's got a list of things for us to do. When I was at her house today she was like a kid waiting for Christmas she was so excited about tomorrow. Most of the furniture in her living room is already moved and she's started tearing wood paneling off the wall. I think getting some of these projects completed will help her in the process of figuring out what it means to be Elsa living in a house by herself and to make better use of the space she has.

As far as English work is concerned, the group is still meeting on Monday evenings, and this week Sebastian joined us for the first time. We should finish our studies from Ecclesiastes next week and the week after will begin in the gospel of John. We're also planning to have an English Movie Night once a month, and the next one will be on August 8th. Hopefully making it a regular event will help us better keep in touch with some of the people.

On the agenda for next week is library work and English group on Monday and then on Tuesday heading out of town for a few days. Uwe and Gertrud from the congregation in Braunschweig invited me to come visit them, and I'm taking them up on the offer. I plan to be back in Bremen on Friday evening. During our monthly visits to Braunschweig none of us seems to get much of a chance to just spend time talking and getting to know one another, so this trip should allow for more of that.

Thank you for your continued prayers for me and for the Bremen congregation. They are coveted and appreciated. I hope you are doing well, and may God bless you wherever you are!