STARING AT SEPTEMBER

Well, August went fast!
 Hard to believe that this is the last week of August. It went by fairly quickly.
And it is dry here. No real measurable rain in a month and more. Every time the forecast calls for
rain, it fizzles out before reaching us or goes to the North or to the South of us. I'm beginning to think that God has forgotten about our little corner of the county. I am having to water the garden and flowerbeds regularly. The grass is dry and crunchy.
  I have been thankful for the summer lull. I really was nearly depleted before vacation and this slow time has extended and made it feel like summer.
   Now it's figuring out what to teach for adult SS and how far in advance do I plan for - dare I even start thinking of Advent?
   We are now in search of an organist (who resigned the beginning of August - apparently he moves
from church to church every few years) and a Treasurer (who wants to give up it for a second time!) and deserves to be relieved.
    Changes that happen in the life of the church.
   The L Church has begun monthly chicken dinners and selling pepperoni rolls. They have been
doing quite well but it takes most of our active members to pull it off each month. We're hoping with the start of school that the number of dinners increases as people drive by - teachers and parents bringing their kids home after school and practice. It's so convenient - you just pull up and tell them how many dinners and they deliver right to your car! For older folks this is a blessing. They have sold out nearly every month since April. And last month had over 200 orders for pepperoni rolls. I pray it continues to be a good outreach for the church.
   I should have been reading more this summer. I'll get back into it. Since I did most of the driving on vacation, I didn't have as much time to read as I desired. So, it's nose into the books!
   Our mantis egg sacks produced at least 2 mantises that we see from time to time. The browner one is the most elusive and this weekend they were only 12-18" apart from one another. Maybe it's a blessing their eyesight isn't all that good or so I've heard. I did saw the greener one actually yawn.
Maybe I'm spending too much time on the front porch!!!! But it is ever so fascinating. Rather than watch it on TV we have Animal Planet or Discovery Channel right in front of us! One can see life
and death, prey and predator from our own front porch!
    Well, the day calls, lunch is over and I have visits to make.
   Savor this last week of August and these dwindling days of summer.

RGBP'S FRIDAY FIVE: TAKING STOCK

We’re midway through summer (for us northern gals and pals), a good time to pause for a moment to take a breath before the force of autumn’s gravity takes hold too fiercely, and pulls us into its grasp of programming and schedules and commitments. This might be the last chance we have to pause and check in with our inner divine compass, the soul, and reflect on our inner life.  Here are a few questions to consider as we do so.

What is one thing bringing you joy today?
   The beautiful summer day we had - blue sky, warm temps, popcorn clouds and a quick trip into
   the country through rolling farmland.

What is a disappointment you are experiencing today?
    Driving past a church I served and how that all ended.

When you think about the past six months, when did your soul feel most awake?
    Probably Easter Sunday and even Pentecost Sunday services.

When did you experience a sorrow or regret?
    Having to leave the Lake and family when we returned home. So wish I lived closer to my
    sister.

For what is your soul most longing?
    A position I could stay in for the next 5 years that doesn't entail driving an hour one way!

Bonus: is there a word or image that succinctly summarizes how you find your soul today? Please share it with us.
    At peace - lakeside with a calm lake, lazy waves lapping at the shore, sun and blue skies.