I'm just about potlucked out!!!!!
The whole month has been one potluck after another. Let's see - there was a UMW pot luck lunch to which staff was invited the first Thurs. of December and a circle meeting the second Thurs of December - to which I brought a cheeseball and crackers since it was 9:30 am in the morning and to provide something that wasn't sweet.
There have been the weekly Wed. Advent potlucks and program at the L church - I made a green bean, ham and spaetzli casserole, Cheddar Broc Soup w/whole grain bread, and a brown & wild rice salad with broc, carrots, feta cheese, almonds with lite champagne dressing.
There was the second Tues of the month staff potluck lunch at the M church - again I made broc cheddar soup and whole grain bread from Panera's. And it was a ginormous loaf of bread that they were able to freeze and pull out again that Thursday morning for their Advent Soup Supper and worship - they just have one during Advent.
This Saturday will be the M church staff pot luck Christmas party! This time I will bring a Spinach Au Gratin and tonight I am making truffles to take with as well - Oreo truffles. They are easy but messy.
I think at this point there has been too many potlucks and preparations to make something the night before to bring in beside all the other stuff I have to do at home. There are still some presents to wrap and many that need ribbons and bows. I still have to write the staff's Christmas cards and put their gift bags together - an handcrafted wood ornament, Lindor truffles and Panera gift cards.
For the senior pastor at M church there is a handcrafted wood ornament and a desk calendar with pictures of space from the Hubble telescope and inspirational quotes. I have one for myself every year.
Tomorrow is housecleaning. I still have the sermon for the Sunday after Christmas to work on & getting all the little tea candles together for Christmas Eve and my Christmas stole to pull out. Then there is still some grocery shopping for Christmas Day to do. Sigh.
It has been near non-stop since Thanksgiving. I am so ready. For a vacation.
I am taking New Year's Eve Day as a vacation day!!!! And will have 3 days off over Christmas.
I will savor them. Immensely.
Until then, I have miles to go before I sleep...
Thursday, December 18, 2014
Saturday, December 13, 2014
RGBP'S FRIDAY FIVE - TINSEL TOE EDITION
Time to take a break, put your tinsel toes on, and play a round of Friday Five for a breath or two.
1. What song are you grooving to these days?
"Lilliburlero" on Christmas Day in the Morning CD.
Mannheim Steamroller's Christmas music
2. If YOU were a room in your home, what would it be, and why?
My bedroom. I think I'm just so busy and so tired, that I just want to sleep!
3. What ever happened to LipSmackers? Does anyone remember that lip balm from the 70’s? Do you have a recommendation for a really awesome lip balm?
Nivea with lip shimmer - kinda shimmery. Also, Lip Dew or is it Dew Kiss by Avon - that's my
go to lip balm.
4. Tell us about a tiny (or HUGE) grace moment from this week.
That the day care center is still wanting to relocate to L church. It makes me think that when
God isn't finished with something or isn't satisfied, God keeps bringing the call back. (Think
Jonah, or even Moses with his excuses!!!) So, hope is still a small ember in my heart and I
keep praying that God will open minds and soften hearts.
5. If you could just have any treat/snack in the world right now, what it would be and with whom would you share it? (assuming you are in a sharing kind of mood.
That would be some Swiss chocolate, of which we are in a dearth. Hmmm...must be time to
think about a trip to fill our suitcases!!!! And of course, sharing some with LH. Perhaps, a
cup of real hot cocoa with mini marshmallows in front of the fireplace with LH would be
a most wonderful treat!
1. What song are you grooving to these days?
"Lilliburlero" on Christmas Day in the Morning CD.
Mannheim Steamroller's Christmas music
2. If YOU were a room in your home, what would it be, and why?
My bedroom. I think I'm just so busy and so tired, that I just want to sleep!
3. What ever happened to LipSmackers? Does anyone remember that lip balm from the 70’s? Do you have a recommendation for a really awesome lip balm?
Nivea with lip shimmer - kinda shimmery. Also, Lip Dew or is it Dew Kiss by Avon - that's my
go to lip balm.
4. Tell us about a tiny (or HUGE) grace moment from this week.
That the day care center is still wanting to relocate to L church. It makes me think that when
God isn't finished with something or isn't satisfied, God keeps bringing the call back. (Think
Jonah, or even Moses with his excuses!!!) So, hope is still a small ember in my heart and I
keep praying that God will open minds and soften hearts.
5. If you could just have any treat/snack in the world right now, what it would be and with whom would you share it? (assuming you are in a sharing kind of mood.
That would be some Swiss chocolate, of which we are in a dearth. Hmmm...must be time to
think about a trip to fill our suitcases!!!! And of course, sharing some with LH. Perhaps, a
cup of real hot cocoa with mini marshmallows in front of the fireplace with LH would be
a most wonderful treat!
Monday, December 01, 2014
DISAPPOINTMENT
I am still reeling somewhat that L church voted not to enter into relationship with the day care center.
There was much to be done in a very short time frame - before the end of the year. But I believe, deep in my heart, that God placed before them an opportunity from which they backed away.
I feel really bad for the day care center that is still scrambling to find space, and may have to close down and let employees go right after Christmas.
This congregation had another opportunity to give space to an NA group which got squashed almost immediately.
Every time, I point out that having a presence in the community is important, and that growing churches have buildings that are in near constant use. And who knows, what creative possibilities God is presenting them with. All on deaf ears. There is a resistance and perhaps even fear for their
future. They will not survive long term into the future. One neighboring church will closing the end of December.
We do resist God. We make excuses. We rationalize. We put extra roadblocks in the way. We are proud. We are set in our ways.
I have had very few positions, situations come along my way, that I haven't viewed as an opportunity God is presenting and I best give it all my prayerful consideration and attention, even when I feel unqualified for it, or ill-equipped.(which is most of the time.)
I do believe that a more motivated congregation would have flown with it.
Maybe the embers have grown old and cold. I still keep fanning the flames whenever God presents an opportunity. Perhaps, they want to die. But don't seem quite there yet.
I keep thinking of that joke, where in a great flood, a person was on there roof praying desparately to God as the water rose. A rowboat comes by and tells the person to get in. The person replies, "God will save me!"
Then a motorboat comes by and tells the person to hop in. The person replies, "God will save me!"
Along comes a helicopter, and a rope ladder is thrown down. The person waves them on, saying "God will save me."
The person drowns and is at the Pearly Gates. He sees St. Peter and asks, "What happened? God was supposed to save me!"
St. Peter looks at him and goes, "Well, God sent two boats and helicopter!"
So there we are, two boats.
Wonder when the helicopter will come by!!!!!!
There was much to be done in a very short time frame - before the end of the year. But I believe, deep in my heart, that God placed before them an opportunity from which they backed away.
I feel really bad for the day care center that is still scrambling to find space, and may have to close down and let employees go right after Christmas.
This congregation had another opportunity to give space to an NA group which got squashed almost immediately.
Every time, I point out that having a presence in the community is important, and that growing churches have buildings that are in near constant use. And who knows, what creative possibilities God is presenting them with. All on deaf ears. There is a resistance and perhaps even fear for their
future. They will not survive long term into the future. One neighboring church will closing the end of December.
We do resist God. We make excuses. We rationalize. We put extra roadblocks in the way. We are proud. We are set in our ways.
I have had very few positions, situations come along my way, that I haven't viewed as an opportunity God is presenting and I best give it all my prayerful consideration and attention, even when I feel unqualified for it, or ill-equipped.(which is most of the time.)
I do believe that a more motivated congregation would have flown with it.
Maybe the embers have grown old and cold. I still keep fanning the flames whenever God presents an opportunity. Perhaps, they want to die. But don't seem quite there yet.
I keep thinking of that joke, where in a great flood, a person was on there roof praying desparately to God as the water rose. A rowboat comes by and tells the person to get in. The person replies, "God will save me!"
Then a motorboat comes by and tells the person to hop in. The person replies, "God will save me!"
Along comes a helicopter, and a rope ladder is thrown down. The person waves them on, saying "God will save me."
The person drowns and is at the Pearly Gates. He sees St. Peter and asks, "What happened? God was supposed to save me!"
St. Peter looks at him and goes, "Well, God sent two boats and helicopter!"
So there we are, two boats.
Wonder when the helicopter will come by!!!!!!
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