Ever see things you wish you didn't? Kinda like surfing the channels on TV and getting a glimpse of some bloody murder scene, an operation in progress, an emaciated animal, etc. Being home you see things around the neighborhood you normally wouldn't. Like there are about 4 of us neighbors who are not gainfully employed at the moment, at least around the cul-de-sac.
Since, we haven't gotten to know our neighbors real well, I often come up with nicknames that identify who is who. Funny, I can usually remember their dog's name while forgetting theirs!!!
There is a Yuppie couple (now with 2 boys and a new chocolate lab puppy) who live a few houses down. Yes, they've had Beamers and Range Rover's and a set of parents who drive a Jaguar and/or Mercedes Benz. I've notice of late, that he is home more, like the couple across the street who are rarely outside - they have 1 one year old and a Basenji.
While I was vacuuming out the van in preparation for our road trip, LH was in the driveway ready to go to the grocery store. He comes in and says, "The repo man is here." Sure enough, the nice looking Beamer is on the flatbed truck and and no longer in the garage of the Yuppies.
Felt pretty bad for them. I would be mortified. With both of us not serving and working, we are in a tenuous position ourselves. But we paid for our vehicles and neither are imports, just your average vehicles.
Perhaps, there is a lesson in all this about not projecting more than we are and have, not living beyond our means, saving, spending wisely. I don't know that they have any or much of a faith life, but somehow, with faith, priorities and values surrounding money are different. Part of what created the economic mess we're in, is not only predatory lending or greed, but also, folks who lived beyond their means. It is sad really. I pray that this family is able to get back on their feet soon, that he will find a new job, and that they will have learned to live within their means.
Sometimes, you see things you wish you hadn't, but you can't shut out reality and take in what you see with the eyes of faith, love and compassion.

Road Trip -
This year, we have unintentionally fostered two greyhounds. We are hoping that the third one's a keeper. Ty, although, he has settled down some, still has some male aggression and bit LH on his head, who wasn't provoking Ty in the least. Wearing blue jeans seems to bring it out more. Ty would make a great companion for a single female who needs protection. Most greys aren't "watch dogs" at all, preferring to welcome everyone who comes to the door with a sniff and wagging tails. Ty, is protective and barks. It's a shame because he did stairs right off the bat, when he had an accident, it was always on the tile floor and not the carpeting, and he responds to "NO".
So, this week we, LH and I, Ty and Jett will head to the Greyhound Rescue Organization's headquarters and together pick out a new grey. If only this wasn't a state away!!!! 10 hours on the road. It will be a long and tiring day.
We've enjoyed three wonderful greyhounds who all had some adjustment to make - but they all responded to "NO" and although two were wary of males none showed any aggression. We want so to welcome a new grey into our hearts and lives and homes and give them a second chance at life and a new life in a loving home with all the creature comforts they have never known and to which they readily adapt.
Jett now yearns for chest rubs once a day.
When I begin a new interim at the beginning of Nov. I will only be home two-three nights a week and he will have to cope with only two rubs per week. Yes, I am thankful for this new opportunity to minister and serve. I will miss coming home at night and sleeping in my own bed. I will miss LH and his support.
We lived apart the first year of our marriage, 400 miles apart, and didn't move in together until two weeks before our first anniversary. I really had hoped we wouldn't have to be separated again, but we must do what we have to do to meet our mortgage and pay the bills. (Sigh)
Sometimes, it feels like I've been "paying my dues" all my life with intermittent periods of relief. Perhaps, the "paying the dues" is a falsehood, and really doesn't apply to ministry where our values differ from the world's.
In the meanwhile, I pray that LH will be called to a position before too long, especially if we have to put our house on the market, knowing how long it takes to sell these days. I don't know how I'll pack up the house while living away from home, but, it will all be revealed in God's good time and I continue to trust the slow work of God.
For now, we will trust that there is a greyhound awaiting us who will fit in well, whose life we will fill with love and care and who longs to offer us his love.

NURTURING OUR SPIRITS:

Yesterday was beautiful sunny day and LH suggested that we go to the city on the North Coast and go to the Art Museum which recently opened a new addition. It was wonderful to feast our eyes and spirits on the beauty before us. How good it was to see the familiar and to see others that I don't ever remember seeing before. A great afternoon. We stopped at TJ's on the way home to pick up some lamb chops and a couple other items we enjoy and can't find around here for that price.
It's amazing what viewing art can do for my soul and spirit. Although some of the modern comtemporary stuff is not to my liking really - alot of it is angst ridden, dark, bleak, despairing, etc. I know that that may reflect life, but I want to see the hope, the beauty that is still and ever present around us. Perhaps, I have been in the angst ridden and dark places in my life enough, that I need to keep the hope of faith alive and focus on what faith in God brings and offers to me, to the world and to all who despair. God is about life, new, abundant, eternal, so much so, that God brings life out of death and desparately wants us to live, every day and always and forever. So, I seek out and savor the beauty of art and allow myself to be challenged by the modern contemporary although I can't say that I really Enjoy it!!!

THIS MONTH

This month I volunteered and helped a Lutheran clergywoman during a time of transition in a parish of three city Lutheran churches. From gluing glass pebbles onto to card stock, to home-bound and nursing home visitation with and without communion, proof-reading (and still missing errors!!!), leading devotions and being present at the weekly food and clothing distribution center and other odds and ends, it was a good to be of some help and to reconnect with some folks who I haven't seen in five years. I served the one church as an second interim for 6 months.
It was also helpful not be home 24/7 with LH, who is slowly starting to chafe at being without a call. The last church wasn't even interested in interviewing him - special redevelopment situation. So, the waiting continues, the wondering what God is longing to bring us and how to prepare for what yet awaits us.
I have accepted a 3/4 time interim position that will begin in 2 months and will necessitate my renting an efficiency apartment hopefully, for not too much. I am not looking forward to living away from home and only being home 2 nights a week. I will miss the greys terribly while I sit in my apartment pining away for them and for my own bed. It will intail bringing laundry home and cleaning house and an apartment.
However, some income is better than no income and the mortgage and utilities still need to be paid, as well as taxes, auto insurance and we do need health insurance.
It is hard to hold onto hope, to remain trusting and faithful as this unintentional sabbatical continues for us both. I will use the time now to prepare my spirit and self for the periods of being away from home- adjustint my attitude and planning what all I will need to take with - clothing, toiletries and books, etc.
Hard to imagine that life could change so drastically at age 50 and one feels like a graduate student all over again broke and unknowing.
Time to do some mending and shortening of pants and a skirt. Things I've put off and need to be done.
I'm sure there must be a ripe tomato or two to pick off the vine. I anticipate the days ahead will be quiet ones as I take care of the house, read, and tend to things long neglected. I pray that something will open for LH before too long and will need to be gentle with him as well as myself.

ON TUESDAY

I witnessed a miracle today.
Gathered in a room with the least and the lost, the poor and the hungry patiently seated on metal folding chairs clutching their numbers waiting for the food distribution we began devotions amid the boxes of produce, cellophane bags of bakery and brown paper shopping bags filled with food that surrounded us.
Later that afternoon, the volunteer came into the church with a crisp new $100.00 bill - a donation received not from another volunteer, a church member or from a local business, but rather from one of those who came and received help.
An older black woman whose number was called, rose up, received her groceries and pressed the $100.00 bill into the volunteer's hand. "You are the church that's cared. I haven't always done right by Jesus. But I've paid my bills and I want you all to have this."
A miracle that will buy more food to help the ones most hurting. A miracle of generosity in the midst of great want and need. A miracle of biblical proportions that astounded us all. A miracle of the presence of Christ and his transforming love, grace, compassion and care.
From the least of us - an example of faith, forgiveness and generosity.
Her gift meant more than winning the lottery and hallowed all the Tuesdays of hard work and time. We thought we gave, but this one woman gave so much more and revealed to us all the miracle of serving and loving Christ our Lord.
Let us not dismiss what we do in love so lightly or look upon it as mere duty or service - but rather as an act of love and gratitude so great it becomes and is a miracle.

After the Rain

In the evening
after the rainstorm
that ponded the basin
after the sunset
when the sky darkened
and the stars came out
to play
a chorus of frogs
sang a cantata
of pure joy and delight
in the meadow
behind our house.
After a refreshing rain,
do you sing of your
joy and delight
and bring pleasure
to your Creator?

Naked House -
Our house was naked for a time yesterday, as it shed its vinyl outerwear. Today, the workers are attaching new siding. Shortly after we moved in, the siding on the north side of the house began to bow. So, the company came, fixed it and put a patch of new siding on it. Well, over the past 5 years the siding has faded except for the new patch. (Note, our house is only 6 years old) Because it looked really bad, especially if we want to put our house on the market, we contacted the company and were able to get the work done on warranty!
Since it is somewhat drizzly this morning with a big dark green blob on the radar screen heading our way, the men won't get much done today and the house will only be semi-clothed. There will be more noise and banging and hammering, etc. tomorrow.
The one fellow brought his 2 sons with him yesterday. They worked really hard toting siding, separating out sizes, and cleaning up the litter. I baked a batch of my delicious chocolate chip cookies and they all had some - fresh baked!!!
I'll be glad when the job is done and all the noise is over.
Felt pretty exposed to the neighborhood with our naked house. Just the way one feels when confessing one's sins to God - exposed and vulnerable, contrite, humbled, and naked before the One who knows us, forgives us and still loves us. Then we put on our new clothes in Christ - all fresh and clean and it feels delightful and wonderful, like putting on a clean shirt straight from the clothes line all crisp and fresh smelling of sun and wind. It is good to shed the old, the stained, the worn and faded to put on the new, fresh, clean and spotless. How thankful I am for the grace, forgiveness and love of my Lord Jesus Christ.

Mundane

This week so far, I've been reading, Christianity for the Rest of Us, by Diana Butler Bass, cleaned house, did some laundry, did poop patrol in the backyard, dusted some of my plants with Sevin due to the Japanese Beetle outbreak, took down one bag of dead Japanese Beetles and put up a fresh one, made several dinners and did dishes, shortened and hemmed a pair of slacks, mended a hole in a dress, had an interview for an interim position (which would entail my renting an efficiency apartment and living away from home) and weighing the cost of that, and did some weeding - more remains to be done.
It finally rained some last night and this morning - a fine and misty rain that measured about 1/2 inch in the rain gauge, but we'll take it. The Gingko, Birch and Newport Plum have been stressed due to lack of rain. Hope we get some more.
Am contemplating a temp position to help a colleague who is serving 4 churches in a consortium for the next month. Mostly, hospital calls, home communion, one community meal and devotion once a week, and other odd assortment of tasks. Cannot afford to lose my medical benefits at this time though.
LH has just resigned his position and is actively seeking a new call. We have never both been without a position at the same time and am seeking desperately not to allow anxiety to get the better of me.
All prayers are truly appreciated and welcomed.
LH's blood pressure has dropped to acceptable levels and its not all due to medication.
The dogs seem content to have me home most of the time and I am grateful for their comforting furry presence.
Everything has so unraveled and I try not to let fear take hold, but to cling to the hope of the new thing God is working in our lives. It is not easy.
So, I try to content myself with the mundane and keep praying to the Lord, who must hear the prayers of the desperate.

AN OBSERVATION:

Our governor is proposing a budget that includes gambling revenues from slot machines. Most of our churches oppose this but it probably will go through this time even though every time it has been on the ballot, the people have vetoed it.
The governor and state are grasping for revenue will little regard for morality.
It has come apparent to me that we live in an entertainment age. The American people want entertainment and want to be entertained whether with celebrity-ism, techie gadgets and social networking sites, sports, gambling, and, dare I say it, even church. Yes, the church experience should be entertaining in a big venue with sound bites and video clips. There is a make us feel good, don't talk about sin, and let us live our lives, attitude out there.
When the church talks of sacrifice, obedience, and the mystery of God, the culture doesn't want to hear of it. They want to be entertained and to feel good.
When I look to Christ and read the Scripture, I fail to see this aspect to our faith. Yes, we do feel good when our sin is forgiven, when we have the joy of our faith, and when we are in touch with the tremendous and gracious love of our Lord. Our faith isn't about entertainment but living in way that becomes more and more Christ-like and offers a transformation of life.
Moreover, worship is not about entertainment, but how we come before God to offer our honor and praise, coming into God's presence and together honoring the God of our lives, the God of all life. Sometimes it bubbles over in joy, at other times, it is more somber(as in Lent) but always humbling.
I confess that for me, worship is more about meeting God, encountering Jesus and his love, grace, forgiveness, hope and peace, than it is about being entertained.
I leave worship renewed, challenged, more hopeful, desiring more of what God desires for us and for the world, and willing to love in ways more Christ-like. Although I fall short, time and time again, I know that God forgives me and God's Spirit is work within me empowering me to do that which I cannot do on my own.
I pray that, we, as Christians, and as a nation, will move away from mere entertainment and this need to be entertained and make more valuable contributions to the world and to the betterment of the lives of people. May our downfall not be our need to be entertained but rather that we have spent ourselves on behalf of the good of another. I fear for our nation that we have succombed to this drug of choice - entertainment and it is more harmful than good.

SIGNS OF GRACE

While at the Lake, caught a beautiful rainbow over Lake Michigan. What were the chances that we'd see one again and be there just at that moment and time?
As ever the rainbow was a reminder of God's presence, power, hope, and that God keeps God's promises. I needed that assurance.
This week, helping with LH's VBS "Crocodile Dock" - the theme song, which after 3 evenings is still reverberating in my head is, "I Will Not Be Afraid". It seems that God is wanting me to take heart, not be discouraged and to trust ever and always in Him. I'm working on it.
Just a couple signs of grace that God has brought to me in the past week. May you look for signs of grace God is placing before you.

BACK AGAIN!

Back from vacation to spend time with sister and BIL. Windy City still windy.
Cedar Beach was thin as the Lake level was higher with all the rain that it received and a lot of beachy grass and scrubby growth. Since I saw a snake slither into the growth last summer while strolling the beach, I was disinclined to tromp through all that growth not knowing what I'd walk into.
Caught a gorgeous rainbow over the lake and it took to photos to get it all in!!!
I lost at mini golf.
I lost at Jenga.
I lost twice at croquet.
Fortunately, I am for the most part a good loser.
Got in lots of reading - The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series. Been plowing through them
Still have a couple things left to tackle on my dossier.
Cleaned house - although there is still much to put away.
Ran the dishwasher and will be putting the sheets and eventually towels in the wash.
Today will be night three of LH's VBS.
Am deadheading my profusely blooming red geraniums, doing battle with Japanese
beetles, and having to water every other day the flower bed and herb garden.
Finding delight in seeing little green tomatoes on the vine!
Saw a beautiful leopard butterfly (at least that's my name for it- orange with spots and not a monarch) munching on my echinacea or purple cone flowers.
Just feels really weird not being in a church office or preparing for Sunday or making visits.
Working with the new greyhound. Exchanged Gozar-the-Destructor-Toby, who needed a family and someone around most of the time and lots more activity than we were able to give him for Ty - a shy black 5 year old, with a white chest, nipped ear, and chewed up tongue. He growls at LH whenever LH walks into the room where Ty is.
Ty is the most vocal grey we've had, barks at everything and nothing. He is slowly getting better. He's also eating more now and seems to enjoy the chicken broth made with chicken liver, hearts, gizzards, butt and extra fat that came with the chicken we grilled over the weekend. It takes a lot of patience with a grey that is this shy.
The late Ben, also took some time to settle in, and get used to LH. He still always jumped whenever the pot lids clanged together, or something got dropped on the floor and he was the sweetest grey we ever had.
Ty has a mischievious side as he as stolen a rag from the laundry room and chewed up a pamphlet in the study. Hope that will go away in time.
So, that's where I am at the moment. Being a Hausfrau and Doggie Mom and escorting the 3rd-6th graders at VBS. Not bad, but just not being as useful as I long to be.
Why is it, when we are serving and running full tilt and yearning for a few days of just being with God, and then, when transition comes and we have days to just be with God, we are yearning to be back in the pulpit? (Sigh)Are we never content?

LOW SATURDAY -
Feeling kinda low as I won't be preaching tomorrow although, I do have a prayer and benediction to work for a supply preaching Sunday when we return from vacation the beginning of July.
I have no clue where this time of transition will lead. My self-confidence is in the gutter and I am clinging to hope.
I pray to the Silence and try to trust the One who is Life. It is most difficult not to get discouraged or give in to despair. I cannot ignore or mitigate the anguish of my soul. I have been in such an abyss before but each time has different nuances and I know God is longing to bring something to me, only I don't know what and struggle with the time that it takes and for the healing to come.
I am restless and nothing seems to bring me much peace or comfort. So, I do things for short periods and little by little there are pieces of accomplishment. That helps a bit. It gets me through another day. But the angst over our future has gripped my heart and squeezes until I can't catch my breath. I take deep breaths. I pray. But it always comes back, during the day, after dinner, in the wee hours of the morning while I am still abed but can no longer sleep. And I keep praying to the Silence that is God for now.

ODDLY STRANGE
to be home on a Tuesday
to not be at peace
to struggle to breathe
to not succomb to despair
to keep working on my dossier

Trying desperately to keep everything in perspective. I wish I had approached some things differently, yet, they may not have made any great difference at all. Only God knows that.
I gave my last sermon Sunday and the COM rep felt it was good and loving. Can one live the love of Christ in the midst of pain and rejection. Yup. Only it takes all and everything you have and the very strength of Christ. And afterwards, you are so empty. I am glad it's over. It has been a difficult 5 months.
LH is dealing with some of the same. We will soon be in a pickle if something doesn't up soon for him or me.
What is going on in our churches? Full of fear and anxiety over their survival, yet not always willing to try something or even supporting the something members try.
I am much stronger in the short term than long term and will hopefully focus on interim, supply or designated pastor positions.
Toby, our newest greyhound, is simply not adjusting after 6 months. He destroyed several CD's while at a VBS fundraiser Sunday evening. The very last straw.
We will have to return him and our contact is willing to make a trade for a more laid back greyhound.
Perhaps, in some ways, I was not the best match for this church. They needed someone to live in town and commuting in and not always being in town every evening was a dynamic that simply didn't work there. There will be new life for them and for me, for LH. INFJ's have a harder go of it.
So, there will be a trip to IN and hard as it is to give up a dog, he needs a home where he will get more attention and stimulation. A road trip might good to put some distance between me and the church and to take one day at a time, trusting ever and always in our God of Life. Feeling in the storm tossed boat with the disciples and trusting that Jesus is in the stern even when I see him not.

JOHN BELL RETREAT

The Synod of the Covenant has had to cancel the John Bell Retreat up in Michigan.
John was seriously ill with internal bleeding and undergoing tests. He has been diagnosed with a bleeding ulcer and will be taking it easy for the next month or two as he heals and recovers. May our prayers be with John for continued healing, a good recovery and time to replenish his spirit.

STUFF

Packing up my office at the church, it's simply amazing how much stuff I accumulated in 5 years. Two bulging wastebasketfuls!! And there are yet 2 stacks on the bookshelf. Finding room in our already full of boxes basement, I know it must be time to chuck things big time. But, I'm of the sort, who thinks, "you never know when you'll need it." And about the time, I get rid of something, shortly afterwards, it is revealed that it was just the thing I needed!
The empty office echoes the emptiness I feel within me. I am tired, worn out and nearly completely drained. It's as though everything has been sucked out from me. The question remains, what does God want with me? To what and to whom is God calling me?
I try not to get too discouraged. Some relationships work out better than others and mistakes are made by all parties. My intellect tells me this but the heart takes more convincing and needs time to heal. Did I mention, that I feel like I could sleep for a week? I'll settle for 8 good hours when this Sunday is behind me.
It has taken every drop of energy, resolve, grace, love and the power of God to keep going. How dismissed does one feel when a parishioner swishes a cord during the sermon? There is nothing more I can say to her. She has blocked me and no longer hears.
I have stood firm in my faith, acted lovingly and graciously throughout. They cannot fault that nor my integrity.
There is new life that yet awaits them and me.
Until then, there are still a couple more boxes that need to be packed and removed, and goodbyes that need to be said.
It has been a sad and difficult week, but there is the grace of Christ's presence that sustains me and is there in the prayers and goodbyes. I have felt it.

QUITE A MONTH:

It has been a month since my last post and it has been a roller coaster.
I am leaving small rural church and Sunday, June 14th will be my last day.
I survived 5 years here and nurtured relationships and failed at others. I pray they will learn to communicate in healthy, honest ways.
And although, membership and finances were fairly stable, these past months, finances have been less so.
I have been a lightening rod, so to speak, for a rapidly aging congregation and younger ones. They have challenges to face and reality to face into.
I have made a couple mistakes as have they. Unfortunately, they were not willing to work through them and to grasp the reconcilation of our Lord Jesus Christ.
It has been a month of anguish, failure, repentance, forgiveness, and grace.
I have noticed a draining of my energy in the past year and a lessening of joy. Not that I am afraid of challenge.
But I am drained and empty at this point and ready to move on, after some breathing space. I feel as though I could sleep for a week!
There is a different dynamic in a rural community when the pastor lives away from town. I was upfront with that in the interview.
I have stood firm in my faith and in my love for them. But it is time, for me and for them to move on, trusting ever in God.
One never wants to wish time away, but I wish that this Sunday was already over.
And the burden of these past weeks can be lifted from my shoulders, heart and spirit.
I would have liked to leave under better conditions but it is as it is and God and I are making the best of it.
COM has been helpful and fair.
LH and I are will be going on vacation the last week of June and I know it will be a time of refreshment and renewal - being with my family and on Lake Michigan, walking the beach. Water heals my soul, reminding me of the waters of my baptism which cleanse and claim me as God's own.
So, forgive me for not writing. I have been in much prayer throughout this past month and will be in the coming weeks.
I have kept up with many you, just haven't commented.
Perhaps, after this week, I will have more time write and reflect. Trust God through the changes and transitions in your life. There are always endings but in each ending there is also a new beginning. I am open to where God will lead me next and use even me, flawed, imperfect, and who has taken on a role never imagined - lightening rod! There is ever much learning and growing in faith, and a humbling.
I have been preparing the congregation in the past weeks for this change and ending, with much integrity and faithful to my Lord. It still will be difficult but I trust our God of resurrection and new life as I hope you do, too. Hold fast to the sure and certain hope that is ours ever in Jesus Christ. New life is possible!

SPRING UPDATE:

The Geraniums arrived and I bought 6 red ones, along with 2 Silver Falls vines and on Friday planted them in my flower boxes and attached them to the porch railing. Then I mixed up some nectar and put the hummingbird feeder out. It's a wee feeder that hangs from a standing hook in my flower box.
I also did more weeding. The lupine has come up, the poppy plant is wildly growing, my forget-me-nots came back and are blooming, the Pin Cushions have taken over and have buds, the Dr. Suess flowers (Bee Balm) are abundant, but the Butterfly bush seems to have not remembered to come back and neither has the Larkspur. Two on the list to replace.
I still have to get some marjoram from the Herb Fair this weekend. But the other herbs are in except for the Basil. Ahh, the wisdom of a 50 year old that has lost a Basil every year for the past 5 years. I'm outsmarting nature this year and am waiting til the last frost date. Good thing, since they are predicting a light frost or near frost tonight.
If only I could keep the weeds and grasses at bay. 'Tis an ongoing job to weed. Little by little it all gets done and some I learn to live with knowing I can never eradicate them all. (Probably could, if I used Preen. However, Preen inhibits the growth of seeds of plants that reseed themselves (sometimes my snapdragons do) and perenials that drop seeds and spread themselves (which I wanted my perenials to do).
So, there, I live with weeds and among weeds. And some weeds are kinda nice and flowery you just have to watch that they don't take over and choke out the good flowers.
Sometimes, I have to let the weeds grow because I don't want to damage pulling out something good, like my anemones and crocuses, or young bee balm. When the flowers are done blooming and the weeds rise up, I can tell by the leaves which are which and pull the weeds unmercifully. Sometimes, I can't tell til the weed is bigger, that it's a weed and not something I planted!!!!!
One weed I've tried to grow is Milkweed. I started the seeds indoors last March thinking that by June, I could plant them outside!!! They are the slowest growing seeds that turned into thess fragile spindly stems with leaves. I nurtured them all spring, summer, fall and winter, even repotting them, always watering them. Now, a year later, I decided it was time and planted them at the side of the house by the backyard fence. They get sunlight, but shade from the fence. I'll just have to remember to water them since they are under the overhang and it doesn't get as wet.
They are on their own and have to stand for themselves!!!! Now, they are a weed and should propagate well, one would think. I have cared for them over a year and it was time for them to grow deeper roots and find their place in the world. I hope they make it. Will check on them this evening. Still the nurturer who can't entirely let go!!!
There grows my garden...

JOHN BELL RETREAT:

If anyone is interested in spending time with John Bell of the Iona Community, our Synod is hosting a retreat June 21-23, 2009 at Colombiere Retreat Center, Clarkston, MI (just outside Detroit). It begins Sunday evening 7 pm (registration 6 ish pm) and runs through noon on Tuesday. Cost is only $160.00 and is payable to the Synod of the Covenant, 1911 Indianwood Circle -B, Maumee, OH 43537-4063. Unfortunately, our Synod is not geared for receiving money on-line, but a check can be sent to the Synod.
John will be engaging our imaginations and will invite us to discover the ten things we never knew about Jesus.
This is open to all denominations, not just Presbyterians and is open to clergy and lay alike.
Just wanted to put the information out there, incase some MI and Northern OH folks or even further away, would want to spend some quality retreat time with John Bell.
If you want more info - comment please with your e-mail and I'll get back with you.

UNDER SCRUTINY
Things have been a bit tumultuous around here. Some dissatisfaction, some ineffective communication, etc.
One Mission/Outreach member at a recent meeting brought up surveying our 200 members as to why they aren't coming to church. Our membership has been fairly steady (confirmands equaling out those who've died).
Two hundred members? There were about 150 (actually somewhat less) when I arrived here and we are at about 130 (not counting non-confirmed children). Of those, several are in retirement homes or home bound. Some of those were coming to church when I arrived but age and health problems have taken their toll.
We have a few friends of the congregation that we see as members who haven't formally joined, but worship with us regularly.
I sense an underlying anxiety about their future and though I am willing to help them deal with it, I believe that I will bear their fear. Perhaps, it is time for me to move on and time for another to take them into the future. That is still being discerned. This is the year of my 25th Ordination anniversary. It will be a rough year ahead.
25 years of ministry! Where has the time gone? I have accomplished nothing, only served as I hope and pray, God has desired for me to do. I haven't as some Christians would say, brought anyone to Christ. I hope that in some small, loving, caring ways, I have brought Christ nearer to some, young and old alike.
I cannot point to great numbers joining the church. I cannot point to a new church building, education wing or worship center. I cannot point to a bursting endowment fund. You will not find my picture lining the wall of a church hall. You will not see my name on any plaque. Although, if you look hard, you might find a baptism record, ordination of elders and deacons record, wedding or funeral record where my name is written down as the officiating minister. And if you were enjoyed a challenge, you would find my name in the records of old Session, and Church Council minutes. My name graces no authored book. I will not be found having served any long pastorate.
I can only point to Christ my Lord and the ones with whom I have journeyed in faith serving where I was called as prison chaplain, interim minister within 3 denominations, spiritual director and installed pastor. I can point to a silly skit, a humorous newsletter blurb, a funny announcment from the pulpit, a prayer with a dying member, tears shed with those in pain over some loss or medical prognosis, money given and forgotten but used for countless mission projects and the church, sitting in court with another, kissing the forehead or cheek of that sickly, elderly bed bound one, raising my voice in song and praise to the Lord my God, sharing a funny joke with a lonely homebound one, bringing a casserole to a very sick one, peeling more potatoes than I ever have in my whole life at the homeless shelter, moderating countless meetings, holding someone else's baby, splashing the waters of baptism on infant and adult alike, placing my hand on the head of those ordained, breaking bread and sharing the cup reminding those partaking of God's complete love of them, seeking to offer words hope and comfort for a funeral and afterwards, when everyone has left and a week or two has past and grief is still raw, seeking to offer words of hope and blessing to two who join their lives as one and knowing that there will be much before that will challenge their bonds of love that they can not even begin to imagine, (but I can). This is all I have to show for my 25 years as a minister - not much, just a handful, a small offering to God on my journey of faith and life. But, I trust it is enough, humble and flawed though it all was and is, yet, somehow overflowing with grace. And I know it is enough. Thank you, Lord, for this priviledge to serve you in this time and this place. I look to you and for what is yet before me and us. Use me, just as you have and just as you will.

ANOTHER GREYHOUND TRICK!
The newer grey, Toby, has found yet another way to get our attention and destroy something! On Monday, he took the brand new roll of toilet paper off the holder and sank his teeth all around it and in it like a chew toy. Not one sheet came off the roll. However, each sheet was pock marked with holes!!!! No longer useable.

Why I haven't been posting as much:
-having to watch Toby and Jett as they go out in the backyard to prevent
more injuries requiring stitches
-pulling dandelions in the front flower beds
-planting herbs (thyme, rosemary, Greek oregano, parsley). The Basil will have to
wait until the last frost date. This year I'm determined not to lose a Basil plant.
-pulling weeds out of the herb garden - more yet to do
-running to the dry cleaners to pick up 2 pairs of pants with new zippers.
They were supposed to be ready on Friday, then Saturday after 2 pm. Will they
be ready today?!!? If not, we will start a Dry Cleaner pool.
-sweeping all the dog hair bunnies off the floor (mainly Toby) Mental note:
no more white greyhounds!
-laundry
-cleaning up all the bits and pieces of items that Toby destroys:
1 pottery snail (in a planter, on top of a small side table, in the dining room
where both entrances have an unfolded cardboard box spanning
the entrance held in place by a dining room chair. Toby is
a Houdini!)
Several hardback books
Catalogs on the coffee table
1 wooden parrot - in the planter in the entryway
Uprooted the date palm in the kitchen area
Chewed through the basket handle of our magazine basket
You get the picture!
-making visits
-writing sermons
-working on the church newsletter
-cooking dinner and cleaning up
- feeding dogs and bluebirds
-checking the slug trap
-dreaming of taking vacation
-reading
-cleaning the house (the deal was, if I was no longer full-time, I'd take over
cleaning house again.)
Yup, that's pretty much it. Keeps me busy and the gardening keeps my hamstrings sore!

RGBP'S FRIDAY FIVE: BUCKET LIST

This Friday Five is about what 5 things you would like to before you "kick the bucket":

1. Visit Alaska
2. Learn and practice Tai Chai
3. Write that book
4. Live in a cottage by a lake
5. Go with LH to Greece

There's several more items given more time. And I've already done a couple on my "bucket list", like plant a Gingko tree and take in retired greyhounds (although Toby is such a handful - I'm beginning to wonder how many more we welcome into our hearts and homes.).

POST-EASTER POST!

By the grace of God, LH and I survived Holy Week and Easter Sunday!
I was up at 4:45 am Easter and it was a beautiful sunrise for our early service at 7 am.
The traditional service was at 10:30 am. Everything went smoothly until the children's sermon time. They must have gotten into their Easter baskets early!!!
Of course it didn't help that I had a wind-up chick that kept falling on its nose.
But the kids were wired and although they almost got away from me, I reeled 'em back in!
Since I preached on Mark's version of Easter I titled my sermon, "The Rest of the Story" in a tribute to Paul Harvey who passed away this past February and whose feature I used to listen to growing up in Chicago.
After worship, I drove home and enjoyed an egg salad sandwich. Then, stretched out for a long nap.
Got up and cloved the ham, put the ham in the oven and prepared the glaze.
After supper, LH carved the rest of the spiral slices and put them into freezer bags.
The greys, of course, were mightily interested in what LH was doing. So, LH suggested letting them out. Which I did. And shortly thereafter, did they begin to race and Toby, who has never once learned any lesson, goads Jett ( who just wanted to be left alone) into running and although, I didn't see it happen, Jett lit into Toby, and I hear Toby yip and cry and into the house they both come with Toby in obvious pain and two puncture wounds on his thigh and lower waist. They are kinda deep, very raw, bloody but not bleeding.
I left for the emergency vet clinic at 6:50 pm and returned home about 10:00 pm.
Even with 3 vets there that evening, it took over 45 minutes of waiting in the exam room. The vet put Toby out (lightly) and stitched him. I took home the bill, the Rimadyl and anitbiotics and the Elizabethian collar guaranteed to perturb any dog.
Let's see, Toby just had stitches last Feb. And Jett had a scrape on his thigh 3 weeks ago.
It is getting expensive, to say the least, and heartbreaking to see a dog in pain and banged up.
LH has ordered racing muzzles for our greys and they will have to don them when they go out, no ifs, ands, or buts! This was never a problem with Ben, who was such a sweetheart and would back down in an instant. However, our ADD Toby, has no fear and doesn't take NO seriously. Sigh...I hope the muzzles will work. I've not had to return a grey yet, but Toby is on the edge of being returned to the rescue group for a tamer, gentler grey. Toby is so loveable - he just needs to learn, and I suppose he is ever so very sloowwwlllly.
So, that's how I spent my Easter evening at the emergency vet clinic.
I hope that my humor will return this week as I prepare for our Joy Sunday or Holy Humor Sunday!!!
Any good jokes going around? Send them in!!!!

HOLY WEEK -

God bless and sustain us as we walk with Jesus to the cross, the dark tomb, and meet the risen Lord on Easter morning. May all we offer help others to know the saving sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love, grace, hope and new life he is and gives! Bless us this week, in all we do and say, that lives will be changed and touched as your story gets told and enacted, as the bread and wine is shared, as the music is sung and your Word is heard. Amen.

PALM SUNDAY REVIEW:

Yesterday we celebrated Palm Sunday with our children's Easter program during worship. Grandparents came and helped fill in the pews! A retired Presbyterian pastor from the Sunshine State joined us as he is gathering genealogical information in these parts.
The Prelude was a piano, clarinet, flute piece featuring 3 Sr. Hi'ers. All arranged by the pianist. It was a great piece and nicely done. (Which brings to mind, the prelude 2 weeks ago that this same Sr. Hi'er arranged from 2 hymns in our hymnal, one of which was, "I Want Jesus to Walk With Me". He had copies of the 2 hymns (2 pieces of paper) on the piano and what he played from memory and spirit, had little to do with anything on those 2 printed pages. There were arpeggios and glissandos that were no where in sight except in the heart and fingers of this most gifted young man.)
The kids shared readings, and the younger ones, each added a fresh spring flower to the vase in front of the cross. Every child had a part or something to do. Then, the Tone Chimes played and did very well. The Children's Choir sang 5 short songs and actually sang them! I mean, there was some volume to them!!!
Worship was followed by a coffee hour and a marvelous time for socializing. It was a most blessed and enjoyable Palm Sunday.
A wee bit of calm before the storm of Holy Week.

REVGALBLOGPAL'S FRIDAY FIVE - 5 SIGNS OF HOPE
Share with us 5 signs of Hope that you can see today or have experienced in the past.

1. Crocuses are blooming and a beautiful purple!
2. The red-winged blackbirds have returned to the meadow. The trill of their
song is a joy to hear.
3. The garlic is growing.
4. It's lighter longer in the evenings.
5. The bluebirds have been flying in and out of the bluebird house. The sparrows
have stayed away for now.

Good to be reminded to look for signs of hope, amidst some unrest at the church. It has been busy, unsettling, and unnerving. Prayer is unceasing and I have to keep centered in Christ Jesus my Lord. No matter what may come or happen.

50th Birthday Celebration Continues...

So, on my real birthday, we had a simple dinner, since LH had confirmation classes that night. I had a frozen chocolate mousse granache cake from TJ's which I defrosted and there was a 5 and 0 candles on it. LH sang Happy B'Day and I blew out the candles and we ate cake.
When LH returned around 9 pm, we broke out some bubbly (fine champagne)and had a toast. I unwrapped my present - a Nikon camera with an extra lens!!! Wow!! I'll have to start snapping away and working on the art of photography.
My BIL & SIL sent a box with fun things - a tiara, a sash that read Princess, shoe vamp clips to dress up my boiled wool slippers, Beautiful by Estee Lauder which I spritzed on, a lovely journal, shower gel, 50 Something Word magnet set, an inuksuk cross rubber stamp, and Clodhoppers!!! (How I wish you could get them here and not have to import them from North of the Border!!!) I put on some 50's and Luau music and danced around with my tiara and all much to the consternation of the greys!!!!!!
The next night, LH treated me to a nice dinner out. Thus ended the celebrations, or so I thought.
I came home last evening and LH said a box came for me. I couldn't remember ordering anything and LH said it's from Apple. Apple? With great curiosity, I opened the box and found a hardcover book entitled "Cruising the Carribean" - A 50th Birthday Celebration! My niece S, put together her Mom's and her pictures and with her computer and program put this wonderful book together along with some text on the flaps of the cover and on the first page. What fun!!! I knew they took many more pictures than I did and it was neat to relive those three days together.
I do think this is finally it! The Celebration lasted nearly the whole month.
I have the best sister in the world and I love her dearly as I do my niece. I am so very blessed and graced with the family I've known and loved all my life. It is so very humbling to have had such a fuss made over me. I could do with so much less and still be just as blessed and graced. I am so thankful for my sister and family, for LH and yes, even his family who still have something to learn about caring for one another.
As we approach Lent, I will savor being loved, being loved by LH, by my sister and family, being loved by God, being loved by Christ. There is nothing greater in all the world. Our retirement portfolio may have taken a huge hit, our furniture old and mismatched, LH drives an old car, but I am rich and wealthy beyond compare, for I am loved with the greatest love that ever was, is and shall be. And that is the best birthday gift ever.

WINTER THAW -
It is so good not to be in the single digits!!! Even if it rains, I'll take the 60+ degrees today. I know we'll be paying for this next week, but a break from the deep freeze of January.
Our Christmas tree has been revealed on the tree lawn of our house. I hope the city will pick it up before it snows again!!! It's been snow and ice covered since the Monday after New Year's Day! And had the city picked it up that week, it would have been gone and not snow and ice covered for over a month!!!
I can't imagine what the neighbors think!!

MY BIRTHDAY SURPRISE - REVEALED

First off - my RGBP's page is somehow corrupted and I can't access any blogs through the RGBP's page. If anyone has any ideas on how I can deal with this, please let me know! I miss everyone, terribly.
Now, to the Birthday Surprise. My dear sister planned a get-away this past weekend. Through the past 4 weeks she would email me weekly with little hints:
weather between 60-80 degrees, what to pack - sandals, swimsuit, dressy dress, casual wear, and finally last week - my itinerary to a point: Miami.
So, last Friday I boarded a plane which flew me to Atlanta and then on to Miami.
I arrived in Miami around noon and waited in the baggage claim area for my sister.
My cell phone rings and by 12:30 pm, my sister and my niece are with me in the baggage claim area. I'm the only person on the flight from Atlanta to Miami without a clue where I'm going from there.
At long last, I know! We were going on a cruise to the Bahamas!!
The three of us took a cab to the ship and checked in with is quite a process. We found our room and stashed our bags. The whole thing seemed so unreal and I was just thrilled to be with my sister and my niece - an entire weekend together!!! Just us girls!!! Whoo Hoo!!
It was rather cool in Miami, too cool, in fact. We never were able to get off the ship on Saturday at the private island where we planned to snorkel and lay on the beach sipping fruity drinks. The water was so rough that they weren't allowing the tenders to make the trip from the boat to the island. We landed in Nassau later that evening.
The three of us sat in deck chairs reading and talking and sipping fruity adult beverages wrapped up in sweaters and our beach towels. We lasted until 2:30 pm when it simply was just too cold.
We enjoyed the shows and the great Latin music in the one lounge. We spent a beautiful day in Nassau walking to the Fort and Water Tower, then past St. Andrew's Presbyterian Kirk - it was afterall, Sunday! From there we walked to the public beach and put our legs in even though it was very cool. The water was beautiful green and blue and beckoned me, but simply too cold to really go in. We sat on the beach a bit anyway. Then it was further up the beach to where there were local Bahamian snack huts where we lunched and sat and soaked up some sunshine. After lunch, we walked back a stopped in a couple stores. The Straw Market was somewhat disappointing unless you were in the market for fake Prada, Coach, D & G, B & R, purses.
We had a most wonderful time together. What I had longed for most, some time with my sister and my niece was the best gift. It was the most precious, extraordinary, most treasured birthday present ever. And somehow, turning fifty, doesn't seem quite so traumatic. A little celebration seems to help make more acceptable.
Too bad that I could not have a gentle week ahead just to savor.
Our oldest member passed away Monday as I returned home. So, on top of writing a sermon and all for Sunday, I have a funeral service to work on and I am simply exhausted from not enough sleep. I will lose my day off on Friday and will have to work Saturday, have a 12 hour day today and I'm supposed to be at 3/4 time. Sigh. Maybe, I'll be able to take my birthday afternoon off next week!
In the meanwhile, I'm still getting my land legs back!

POST 285!

With a wing and a prayer, I have lined up 4 Lenten Breakfast speakers beginning Ash Wednesday. Thank you, God! The Methodists grabbed the School Superintendent before I got a hold of him and another retired minister is out of town as is another layperson. I feel relieved!!
On my commute home, I brought home some of this country county's finest aromas: cow manure. Some farmer had a leak in his tanker or just dumped some on the state route and it went up under the carriage and/or in the wheels. Ohhh,how the garage smelled and even this morning. I'm hoping the cold air outside will freshen up the van today!!!
The things we bring home with us at the end of the day - some just stink, some are very sad, some are uplifting and encouraging, some are exciting, some are issues that linger with us far longer than we would want or because they cannot go away in just an hour's time. I have often made my commute to and fro the church a time of prayer lifting up people and situations, and the church into God's care and keeping. So much is so beyond my control, my gifts, my wisdom, my inept attempts.
God's shoulders are so much bigger than mine and God's hands are far more capable than my puny hands. But, still we let them linger on our hearts and in our spirits, and some linger longer than others. Yet, that lingering is a continual reminder to pray through it and to keep offering it up to God.

REV GAL BLOG PALS FRIDAY FIVE: CABIN FEVER

List 5 things that help you deal with Cabin Fever.
(Mostly pplies those of us in the cold & snowy North)

1. Catch up on my mending, hemming, resewing buttons, and ironing etc. Opps, have
yet to do the ironing and it's already the end of January.

2. Snooze on the couch along with the greys. Although, Toby hasn't figured out
how to get up on the couch. Every greyhound we've had figured it out by
the second day with us.

3. Cook lasagne. Yup, just this Saturday made my yearly panful. LH makes lovely
individual freezer packs that will make for an easy dinner later on. The boys
got some leftover meat sauce and a couple noodles.

4. Fight the cold - fill the feeder event. The quick dash to the Finch feeder, bring
it in, refill the seed and dash back out again. Not really a dash, because I look
like Randy in A Christmas Story!! Puffy heavy coat with hood, scarf and gloves,
plus with the snowy/icy patio, you step carefully.

5. Fun with computer solitaire and reading.

BONUS: Since I am now serving at 3/4 time, I hope to have more time for photography
and being creative, like say, working up a skit for Joy Sunday following
Easter Sunday.

JUST FOR FUN!

Your Sleeping Position Says You Need Peace

You are calm and rational person with a good deal of balance in your life. Friends consider you to be kind, caring, and truly loyal. You are easy going and trusting. However, you are too sensible to fall for mind games. Open to the world, you are not afraid to be yourself. If you don't get enough sleep, you are: Able to cope It's hard to sleep next to you because: You're a bed hog

What Does Your Sleeping Position Say About You?

WINTER'S REVEALING:
In winter, up north, you cannot hide. The trees stripped bare of their leaves exposing their frame and the snowy white ground that shows every track and mark. That is winter's revealing.
This winter's revealing is displaying our inability to meet our budget and no persons to fill our Deacon positions. I anticipate that our Deacons will disband, our Women's Association may meet for one more year, that I will be asked to serve 3/4 time. We spent all our mission money this year which is a blessed thing, when needs are great and overwhelming. Our budget is pretty bare bones.
There are times I feel overwhelmed and old. I know how to "do" church, lead mostly traditional worship, Taize worship, etc. and know how to "be" church, relationships and small groups. But there are those moments when I feel like this all is so over my head and beyond me. Which I realize ministry usually is!
If they are not willing or able to change or seriously address this, then I suppose I will walk with them to the closing of their doors. Unless, LH, is called somewhere else and we have to move.
They are old, worn-out and tired and the younger ones are trying to hold on to their day jobs. I don't have any answers. I keep praying. I keep serving. I continue to ask for wisdom and guidance and insight. It's all I can do. It really all is in God's hands and I am but God's servant.
That is winter's revealing this year.

ARCTIC CHILL

Brrrrrrrrr...It's colder than cold here. A taste of pure arctic air!
I never made it into the office today. The state highway was totally snowcovered and icy. Not even tracks down to the pavement. This state route (2 lane) is hilly and curvy. There was no way, I was going to be able to negotiate the road. For all of three hours in the office today, it wasn't worth the risk.
I feel so bad about the Old Folks Home worship service last night. It started to snow in the afternoon while I was making a visit to a homebound parishioner. As I left, the main road in the village was not in good shape. I was on my way to next bigger town to make a visit in the nursing home there. I was on the Famous President Highway (4 lanes) and it was awful. Just at the stoplight with another state route where I make a turn, the traffic was all backed up. There was a multi-vehicle accident due to the slippery conditions. I finally got through that with the snowing falling fast and at a good clip when I decided that if I was going to make it home, I had best begin the journey. It took me over an hour to get home and this state route was better than the one I usually take. My tires were on pavement most of the way home. It continued to snow through the evening and I was thankful that I made it home in one piece.
Although, those who know me well, know that I often drive 5 mph over the limit, usually on the interstate. I always obey school zones and when the weather is bad, I will not speed. There have been days when I've driven 35-45 mph in the winter when the road is snow covered depending on how slick it is. I was passed twice yesterday while driving a respectable 40 mph which I felt was safe given the conditions and maintaining assured clear distance.
I have my sermon and prayers finished. I will work on the annual meeting prayers and Lenten breakfast devotion I'll be leading during Lent. Plus, if I am ambitious enough, working on "Are You Smarter than a Session Member?" for our Joy or Holy Humor Sunday, the Sunday after Easter.
So, although, I wasn't in the office it was a productive day. The greys were thrilled that I was home with them and the den floor was littered with 2 sleeping greys!!!! These are the warm comforts in the dead bitter cold of winter!

Don't Cha -

Don't cha just hate it when meetings go on far too long?
Like last night, an hour meeting that lasted two hours. I just know there are lonely people out there who need to extend meetings for the social aspect.
Me? I have enough meetings as it is being a pastor. Why do I want to attend more?
What is it with the Scouts that their people just don't know when enough is enough?
We've given one woman her Native American Name: S-Talks-A-Lot.
What a waste of time when I could have been home an hour earlier and spent time with my greys and LH! (Especially, since it was so squally and cold and not knowing how clean and good the interstate would be.)
Have to go again next month. Yuck. I discern that since it is draining my energy and my interest level is at zero, this is not where God wants me to spend my time and energy. Maybe, I'll stick it out for a time or two and then bid farewell.
Two back to back 12 hour days with no going home in between is enough!

THIEVING RASCAL:

What a better thing to do on a very snowy Saturday, when your sermon's written and all is together for Sunday morning, but the roads are a disaster than to roast a chicken for supper?
The divine aroma filled the kitchen as it cooked. I steamed some frozen asparagus and cooked up some roasted chicken flavor rice and veges or noodles & veges combo. When it was time for supper - the chicken, which had been roasted with 1/2 can beer in the well of the dish, was a beautiful and enticing amber and golden color. I placed it carefully on the cutting board on the counter. LH cut white meat for me and a leg and thigh for him. It was savory and moist and the dinner was fine.
After dinner, LH goes to the sink to wash his hands while I am scraping meat off his chicken bones as tidbits for the boys. The boys were in the kitchen area attraced by the delicious aroma and the sound of plates being scraped.
Flash! Toby (the new greyhound) runs past LH's chair and into the living room with something amber and golden colored hanging from his mouth. The thievin' rascal absconded with the half chicken sitting on the cutting board on the counter. LH ran after him and wrestled the chicken from Toby who hadn't even had a chance to take a bite!!!! Ohh...to have gotten so far with such a enormous, scrumptious morsel in the mouth and not even one bite!
My jaw just dropped in disbelief as I numbly said, "Toby's got the chicken!" It was almost like the scene from 'A Christmas Story' when the Bumpeses bloodhound dogs ravaged the roasted turkey.
We now have two thievin' rascals living with us, and in the home of two preachers yet!!!
(We made sure that Toby didn't break any chicken bones or swallow any - he simply didn't have the chance! And oh, how wonderful that Toby is so good natured that he didn't even growl when LH rescued the roasted chicken and took it from him!)

RGBP'S FRIDAY FIVE - LIGHT AND FLUFFY - PANCAKES

Share with us your preferences for Pancakes!

1. Scratch or mix? Buttermilk or plain?
I usually use a Buttermilk mix.

2. Pure and simple or with additions cooked in?
I like 'em pure and simple although I have added Maine caviar: blueberries.

3. For breakfast or for dinner?
Definitely for breakfast! I am not a fan of pancakes for dinner and I take
no delight in Shrove Tuesday pancake suppers. I'd rather have some meat
and veges for dinner (or chicken or fish).

4. Preferred syrup or other topping? How about the best sidedish?
Pure maple syrup - can't abide the fake stuff. Best sidedish - that would
be sausage links!

5. Favorite pancake restaurant?
Since we never go out to eat for breakfast, can't say as I have one.
Have been to the Waffle House while on vacation and it's pretty good.

Bonus: Any tasty recipes out there for pancakes or other special breakfast
dishes? Bring 'em on!

ANNUAL REPORT TIME -

Ughhh...writing the annual report is always a work keeping everything in perspective.
What can I say this year? Our membership is rapidly aging and declining, our attendance is down (due to rapidly aging membership and kids/families involved in sports that have meets & tournaments on weekends and Sundays!) and we have less money to keep doing all we do and support many missions. I will not be meeting Presbytery minimum this year.
In the end, I have mentioned the above, with the exception of my not meeting minimum, but lifted up all the wonderful things and the sharing of gifts that has blessed our life together. And indeed, God has blessed us with only 2 deaths, 3 confirmed into membership and a family who is worshipping with us fairly regularly.
We gave away all our mission money!!! Helped countless school children with back packs and school supplies and items for Christmas, local families with clothing and food, medical mission in Honduras, Bridge of Hope school in Liberia and tuition for 1 1/2 students, and all the Presbytery missions, plus Christmas Joy, One Great Hour of Sharing, and Peacemaking Offerings. We served over 65 kids at Vacation Bible School.
I will be thankful if we come through this year as we did last year - few deaths and making the budget by the skin of our teeth - which hopefully, they will approve my dental insurance.
All in all, I feel very blessed to be here, even though I am frustrated at times. I pray that I continue to serve well, ably, with a loving heart and wisdom. I pray that this church will come to life some more.
So, what started as a chore, writing the annual report, became a blessing for which I give thanks to God and an encouragement to us all, to keep on keeping on for the sake of Christ our Lord and for the good of the realm of God.

JUST FOR FUN TO START THE NEW YEAR!!!
Give it a try!

bgcolor="#EEEEEE" align=center> You Are Copper

You are provocative and challenging. You help people realize who they really are. You live a very balanced life. You always take time for love and art. You are both a powerful and generous person. You always have time to give back. People find you to be incredibly ethical and loyal.

What Metal Are You?

NEW YEAR - NEW DOG

It's been a bit crazy by us this past week, what with the new greyhound. What a high energy grey this one is. We named him Toby, as we don't like calling our dogs by initials. He's 5 years old, white with fawn patches. Actually, Toby and Jett look pretty good together. Toby has had a couple accidents. He is very curious and pulls clothing out of the laundry room that may be laying on the floor ready to be washed.
He eats like there'll be no tomorrow, wolfs it down fast and goes straight to Jett's dish. That will be a challenge - especially since Jett doesn't always eat his breakfast at 7:30 am and may stroll over at 10 am. Now we have to put his dish up and away. If he doesn't eat breakfast early it will become his lunch.
Toby's run laps in the backyard and has learned to lift his back legs coming in from the patio. Two major ouches hitting his back foot knuckles on the ledge of the sliding glass door. No blood thankfully! He is a counter surfer and sticks his inquistive nose everywhere. This one seems to have no fear just a alot of curiousity.
He has taken to the round dog bed which Jett took over after Ben crossed Rainbow Bridge. Toby is good natured though and very likeable.
We are trying to give Jett the attention he is due, but he is sulking. Not happy with the new intruder. I think Jett still misses Ben.
When Toby and Jett are both at the door wanting to come in, it's pandemonium as both want to be the first through the door. Not good, since they could hurt themselves. Hope this will work itself out.
We are still getting to know each other and getting used to one another. It takes some time. With some greys it takes time for them to come out of their shells. I don't think Toby has a shell to come out of, he's more wysiwyg!!!
Toby is sporting a new collar and has a new leash - royal blue with rainbow interwining celtic chain design. Since he came with a teal harness, I had to find something to kinda match. There is teal in the rainbow chain design.
This is Toby's first day with both of us at work all day. I'm hoping he can handle it. When I came home from church yesterday, he couldn't hardly contain himself with joy and energy, as though I and LH had been gone for weeks. It'll be interesting to see how he is this evening after I've been gone all day.
That's been what's been keeping us busy from the 30th til now into the New Year.
Course, I did spend New Year's Eve making and cooking Island Meatballs and most of New Year's Day in the kitchen baking a ham, cloving it and making the glaze, making scalloped potatoes from scratch, and an apple crisp for dessert. My FIL came for the afternoon and evening and we enjoyed dinner together.
Now, it's back to the pulpit and preparing for Sunday and making visits.

CHRISTMAS AND BEYOND...

We celebrated Christmas Eve with my one service then driving to LH's church for his late 10 pm service. We got home and broke out the bubbly and the brie and crackers. Scrumptious.
Christmas Day was a quiet, restful day. The Zopf I made was great for breakfast. We opened gifts from family and friends. Called my sister. Called his Dad and sisters. Took a nap. Grazed on some goodies. Made Turkey and mushroom pastetli for dinner with green peas.
Friday was grocery shopping morning and a trip to the shopping area to pick up some deals on wrapping paper, etc. I even went to Macy's and found a cashmire sweater on sale.
Found a dog toy for the new grey we'll be picking up tomorrow.
Saturday we drove to resort town on the Lake for Christmas with FIL and SILS. Had an enjoyable visit and dinner at Damon's. Great ribs in the middle of winter.
Sunday we slept in!! I cut down the last of the Siberian Iris leaves and the Russian Sage. It got cold and snowy before I could cut them down. I stripped the thyme, oregano and marjoram and put the leaves in their containers. Laundry was completed, a button resewn on my winter jacket, a sock darned and the hem let down on a pair of pants.
Today we drove up to the City on the North Coast and visited Crate and Barrel where I found a couple things on sale for 2009 Christmas gifts!!! I start early and am done by Oct. Had lunch at an Irish pub and made a stop at Trader Joe's for tasty treats. I finally bought the chocolate granache cake for my upcoming 1/2 century mark birthday in Feb. Got the van washed and ready for tomorrow's road trip to Ft.Wayne, IN to pick up our new Greyhound. We are so excited. We pray that Jett will welcome a new bud and that his spirit will pick up. He gets lonesome all by himself.
Treats are packed, the water bottles - for us and the dogs are in the fridge, chillin'. We are ready to go and anxious to meet this new fellow who will share our couch, hearth and hearts.
Pray that we will have a safe journey and return and that Jett will take to a new buddy and friend.

You Are Gold Lights

Your holidays are a time of abundance and riches. Even if you don't have a lot during the rest of the year, this is the time that you splurge a little. Your holidays traditions tend to be a bit old fashioned and dignified. You like old holiday movies, properly wrapped presents, and family recipes passed down over the years.

What Color Christmas Lights Are You?

A CHRISTMAS BLESSING

Let us go in faith
to ponder in our hearts
the mystery of this moment.
And may life be born within you,
Christ Jesus be seen among you
and joy surround you like the angels' song.

Merry Christmas to you all and the peace of the Christ-child be with you and all the world.

Just in case you're wondering, I put the tinsel on the Christmas last night and it was completely done by 8:30 pm on Dec. 23rd. The latest our tree has ever been finished!!! There are a lot less ornaments and tinsel on it this year. Just ran out of time. But it sure looks lovely even in its simple garb.

QUITE AN ADVENT:
So far during Advent:
*I had a cracked wheel replaced with a new wheel
* LH had a ball joint shear off and had that replaced.
*We had to put Ben, our beloved sweet greyhound down.
*LH was taken to the ER by our EMS for uncontrolled nosebleed.
*LH was taken to the ER by me several hours later that same day for another
uncontrolled nosebleed.
*LH went to the ENT Doc for a cauterization - it seems to be working!!!!
*Our neighbor helped me bring the tree in from the garage and set it in the
tree stand. What a help that was.
*LH was not considered further for a new position.
*We received news that USADOG has a new greyhound for us!!! We pray for good
weather on Dec. 30th when we drive to Ft. Wayne, IN to pick him up. A new grey
to start a New Year!!!
* Attended an Advent event at LH's church
* Attended the Women's Assoc. luncheon
* Hospital and nursing home calls
* Children's Christmas program
* Made M & M, chocolate pretzels for above program
* Bought and bagged gifts for 13 staff people at two churches ( most gifts already
bought earlier in the year - just a couple little things to purchase.)
* Vacuumed the floor, mopped the floor, cleaned toilets, did the laundry.
* Made and baked Amish Friendship Bread - passed along the starter.
I am so ready for Christmas Eve and the week vacation to follow!!! It has been a busy, interesting, worrisome, grieving, rejoicing, tiring, prayerful, grace-filled Advent.

RGBP'S FRIDAY FIVE - COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS:

Very simply, tell us 5 things you need to accomplish before Christmas Eve.

1. Finish decorating the tree with ornaments and tinsel.
2. Find Jett's Christmas present - leather toy from LL Bean buried in the basement.
3. Unearth my tried and true Christmas Eve Benediction.
4. Stop at the grocery store and get Brie (for Christmas Eve midnight champagne
toast)and mushrooms for turkey paestetli (turkey and mushrooms in white cream
sauce poured into pastry shells for Christmas Day dinner, plus bread to break for
Christmas Eve Communion.
5. Put fresh sheets on the bed.

BONUS: Bake a Zopf - traditional Swiss braided bread.
I did put together a brief Reflection for Christmas Eve on Saturday. So that
one is done!!!

RGBP'S FRIDAY FIVE: WINDOWS OF THE SOUL:

1. What color are your beautiful eyes? Did you inherit them or pass them on to
anyone in your family?
Deep, dark brown that melts into the iris. I inherited my Grandma H's eyes.
Sometimes when I look in the mirror, I can see her looking at me. I'm
very glad to have her eyes - they twinkled and were warm with love.

2. What color eyes would you choose if you could change them?
When I was younger, I wanted green eyes.

3. Do you wear glasses or contacts? What kind? Like 'em or hate 'em?
Glasses - tri-focals for the middle-aged fogey!!!!
I updated them this year with a rectangular frame. Love the
frames. Hate the non-glare lenses that seem much fussier than
regular lenses.

4. Ever had or contemplated laser surgery? Happy with the results?
Nope. Waiting 'til it absolutely has to be done. When I'm an old fogey,
should I be blessed to live that long!!!!

5. Do you like to look people in the eye or are you more eye-shy?
I tend to be more eye-shy, but know that in my profession, I attempt to make
eye contact and work on it. Actually, when administering communion, especially
by intinction when folks come up to receive, I look each one in the eye with
a love that is beyond me - with Christ's love. They are the ones who usually
look away as though they can't bear such grace.

BONUS: Share a poem, song or prayer that relates to eyes or seeing.
"Open my eyes that I may see, glimpses of truth Thou hast for me;
Place in my hands the wonderful key, that shall unclasp and set me
free. Silently now I wait for thee. Ready, my God, thy will to see;
Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine! (Clara Scott)

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS TREE POOL UPDATE:

We have a tree sitting in a bucket in the garage.
But when will it be in the house? Decorated with lights, ornaments and tinsel?
Pick your date and we'll see who wins a blessing!

EIGHT YEARS AGO TODAY -

a shy, gentle, sweet creature came into our lives. He had funny forward ears, an Elvis sneer ( a mouth tick), and a weepy eye that just needed drying at times. He was a black brindle male with a white chest just 2 1/2 years old with nary a racing record. He was even related to our first greyhound. Ben was the sweetest greyhound ever. He wouldn't hurt a fly, never had a bad thought and didn't ever growl. He only barked at the neighbor man when he yelled at his kids. Ben didn't like yelling especially at young children. Ben like children alot. Ben never asked for much, except to be loved and not yelled at. He never demanded anything, not even your affection. He gentled me - a daily reminder to be more gentle.
Whoever had him, must've yelled at Ben a lot and used swear words - Ben knew every swear word and would make himself scarce whenever he heard them. I think it was because he didn't run or train as they wanted. Perhaps his lip tick came from a hard smack or nerve damage - the same with his weepy eye. I don't know. He glommed onto me and it took him a few years to warm up to LH.
It was only after we had his dew claws removed (after he tore one while running in the backyard)that he discover the pure and utter delight of running for the sheer delight and fun of it. Ben loved to run as play!!!! Oh, how he loved to run just because he could!!!!
On Saturday, December 13th, we walked Ben to Rainbow Bridge and in mercy had him put down. The arthritis in his hips had done him in. His sight, hearing and spirit were still strong, but his arthritic hips betrayed him. Ben had a good soul, you could see it in his eyes and heart.
We grieve a great grief, LH and I. I miss him so much.
So does Jett who is grieving too and all too quiet for the rascal he is.
Our Benny and Jett duo has ended. Only Jett remains physically with us, but Ben, Ben will be in our hearts and memories forever. Dear sweet, gentle Ben...

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS TREE POOL

You can now place dates on when you think LH and I will
actually have our tree up and decorated. We don't even have the tree yet!!!
And it is done by Christmas Eve Day.
Winner gets receives a blessing!!!!!
So pick your date and we'll see who wins!

TWO CHOICES:

Friday is our 21st anniversary. Friday is LH's church's chili supper.
I don't like chili. Friday is both our days off.
Celebrate our anniversary with a nice dinner or go to church for chili supper.
No brainer for me. Out for a nice dinner it is.
Hope it doesn't anger the church folks. But, that's just as it is. LH has given
more of himself and time and still they aren't satisfied. This is a church known
to be hard on their pastors. LH has begun to feel it and is looking around.
Out to dinner it is!!!!

POST-THANKSGIVING SIGH

What a week it was! On Monday evening, whilst my LH was getting an adult beverage out of the garage dorm style fridge, he yells that I should take a look at my tire.
Yikes! The wheel was cracked and an edge sticking out.
6 days earlier, I had slid into the curb on my way down our street. I also slid into the curb the very next morning as the street dept. didn't treat the road. I slid into the curb harder the 2nd time as I was going about 20 mph not thinking that they hadn't treated the street by now. I stopped at the stop sign at the bottom of the slope and made my left turn and parked the van. I got out and looked at the passenger front end and tire and didn't see a thing wrong. While I was looking, another person slid into the curb at the point I did. Seeing nothing wrong, I drove 17 miles to the church office. I drove all over the county making visits. I drove 1/2 hour to Football Hall of Fame city to make a visit and back. I drove to the Presbyterian College Town city 20 minutes in the opposite direction. For 5 days, I had been driving on that cracked wheel - highway at 65+ mph and in town, commuting 34 miles each day. I think all the driving on a cracked wheel caused it fissure more and push that piece outward. I am still giving thanks to God, that it didn't collapse while I was driving and cause anyone harm, including me.
So, that meant on Tuesday morning, a quick 2 minute drive to the dealership with service shop. They don't have wheels in stock. They will have to go pick one up somewhere and can't go til after 11 am. They drive me home while it is snowing, snowing, snowing.
I call our stated clerk and let her know I won't be in the office. Work on my sermon and service and get it all done! Yeehaw! My car is finally done very late afternoon. While I work on sermon, the turkey stock is cooking. I picked up the turkey Monday after work, since the weather report for Tuesday didn't sound good at all. That was a good call to make.
I cooked the rice.
Wednesday was a vacation day for me. I slept in til 8 am, what a luxury! Had my breakfast and coffee. Then received a call, that a parishioner had been in an auto accident the night before and was in ICU. I took care of a few things, changed into
more professional duds, and headed out the door. The roads were now clean as could be even with snow on the lawns. The street dept. had salted and plowed!
Drove down to Football Hall of Fame city and made my visit. Since, I was on vacation and in the region's shopping mecca, thought I'd look for a black sweater. Three stores later, not one in my size! Ok, so what's all this about the bad economy? Not one black sweater (to go with a skirt) in my size.
Got home and began the stuffing, the cheeseball and after dinner the Pumpkin Mousse dessert. Fortune smiled on us, as it was cold enough to keep the stuffing
in the garage. Actually, it's been too cold. We've had Dec/Jan weather for most of the month of November. What happened to some 45 degree days?
Thanksgiving Day found me up before 8, fed and let the dogs out, had breakfast and coffee. Washed the turkey, seasoned the turkey, stuffed the turkey. LH then sewed up Turkey Leaky. (Named because it leaked all over the fridge and I had major cleaning and sanitizing work the day before.)
LH basted Turkey Leaky and checked on it all day. I set the table, cleaned bathrooms, put the plate decorations out, rolled the cheeseball in pecans, put out all the serving plates and silverware. Scrubbed potatoes. Cooked and mashed potatoes, microwaved the sweet potatoes, stuck the rolls in the oven all while the turkey rested. After serving, I cleaned up the table, put stuff away, served coffee and dessert. FIL and 2 SILS left while I was decarcassing the turkey, separating human leftovers from dog leftovers. Washed and dried all the crystal, china, silverware, pots, pans,etc. I finally finished at 9 pm too exhausted and sore to put the china away.
Spent Black Friday, doing the usual Fri. grocery shopping. Then worked on my Christmas letter. Then I spent 2 hours working on the German version of the Christmas letter. (yup, I actually write 2 Christmas letters; 1 english and 1 german) The German takes longer as I cannot remember all the vocabulary and have to look up words. The grammar always needs to be checked about a day later when my mind is clear. Even then, the grammatical errors still slip through, but I believe that most of my relatives grasp what I am trying to say.
Sunday was our First Sunday of Advent service which all went very well. LH's church had an Advent Event from 3 pm- 5 pm which we attended. I wrapped several skinny teddy bears - the service project and frost & sprinkled several left-over cookies also destined for the shut-ins. I made a cranberry/popcorn string for the birds as well as a peanut butter slathered pine cone rolled in birdseed. Since it was raining all night long, those items will go out when it is drier.
Worked up my liturgies for the rest of Advent.
I think it's been quite a week with more ahead. Now, if it would just quit snowing and being so darn cold!!!

RGBP'S FRIDAY FIVE: MIX AND STIR

1. Do you have a food processor? Can you recommend it? Do you
actually use it?
Yes, it was a wedding present from the church where my husband, LH
first served as an associate pastor. We'll be married 21 years this
year, so that's how old it is. And it is an all in one: Oster Kitchen
Center - blender, food processor and standing mixer. Love it.
Don't use the food processor much except to ground nuts for Christmas
cookies which I haven't had time to bake in years.

2. And, if so, do you use the fancy things on it? Mine came with a
mini-blender (used a lot and long ago broken) and these scary
disks to julienne things. (used once)
Got the disks too. Usually, I just chop stuff by hand with a knife.

3. Do you use a standing mixer? Or one of the hand held varieties?
The Oster Kitchen Center has a stand mixer that came complete with
dough hooks!!! I use the standing mixer for bread dough and other
larger quantity of dough (like Christmas cookies). I use my Krups
hand mixer for cake dough and to mash potatoes. It also was a wedding
gift and now, gasp! 21 years old!

4. How about a blender? Do you have one? Use it much?
Nope, not very often. I will run my turkey stock through it around
this time every year. Once in a great while, LH might make a daquiri.

5. Finally, what old fashioned non-electric ktichen tool do you
enjoy using the most?
Ohh, I've got lots of gadgets! The whisk is great, my half-moon dough
cutter, wooden spoon, silicone spatula, can drainer lid, my spaetzli
maker (Betty Bossi - plastic container where you put in the ingredients
plunge the plunger up and down and around (not all that easy) and then
pull plunger to top, take cap off the other end, hold over pot of boiling
salted water and push plunger against dough.) Nice neat little spaetzli.
My silpat mat to roll out dough that doesn't stick to it. Oh, what a wonder
that mat is and worth every penny!

BONUs: Is there a kitchen appliance or utensil you only use at
Thanksgiving or some other holiday? If so, what is it?
Two utensils: Metal long fingered short handled forks for
lifting the turkey out of the pan. The metal
baster which LH uses throughout the day to
baste the turkey as it cooks.

IS IT WINTER ALREADY?

It appears as though winter has come early to these parts. For two weeks it has been cold and snowy. It will be a warm 38 degrees today!!! We had a record low of 14 degrees one night last week. I know I pray for cool weather the night before and Thanksgiving Day, so I can put the stuffing in the garage overnight, but this is a bit much!!! What happened to late fall and 40 degree weather?
I slid down the slope of our subdivision road twice last week, right into the curb kinda sideways. Thankfully, it was the tire that hit and not the van itself. The first day I was going about 15 mph, the second day I was about 20 mph when I realized it was still icy. After I stopped at the stop sign and turned, another vehicle slid into the curb.
I called the Street Department and complained. I know communities are trying to save on salt since the cost went up, but...when you keep sliding into the curb or even slide through a stop sign North/South and the other direction E/W doesn't have a stop sign, it's an accident just waiting to happen.
The forecast is rain then sleet then snow. I'll be getting my turkey tonight before the snow falls and hampers my getting around.
That way I can cook up the stock tomorrow night, cozy and snug at home.
The annual Thanksgiving fest is about to commence! Marathon cooking for two days and a day spent mostly in the kitchen. Ahh...but I can catch the scent of the turkey even now!!!!
Ben and Jett are already smacking their lips at the turkey skin and parts that will be coming their way.
This will probably be the last Thanksgiving in this house, at least I hope that is so, since LH is on the move to pursue a new call. I pray that it won't take forever to sell the house and that we can find something comparable wherever we land.
But for now, it is enough to deal with Thanksgiving and Advent and all that they bring.

IN THE FACE OF ADVENT -

I am staring into the face of Advent and I am not prepared, am not ready. for this.
It. is. as. always. too. soon.
I breathe deeply making space for Christ to enter in and exhale my anxiety of all there is yet to do. I tire even thinking of it all.
Every year. It is the same. A whirlwind of services and activities. So much happens at the last minute, even when I have prepared earlier. Others are the variable factor. Somehow by the grace of God, it all gets done and falls rightly into place. Trust. My watchword for Advent. Allow the Spirit space to work. Trust.
I know what is to come in these few short weeks. Trust. Just trust.

A GRAND-OPENING

I celebrated the grand-opening of a new shop in this little village by checking it out, praying a blessing, and congratulating the parishioner who took on such a challenge in some very trying economic times. I pray she will serve the community well and that the community will support her.
It is a flower, card and gift shop. Now the church can order Sunday morning flowers again from the flowershop in town. If you need a get well card or birthday card for someone you just remembered is having a birthday you can get it in town. Say you need some helium balloons, miscalculated the number attending a family party and you need a few more paper plates, coordinating plastic flatware, etc, you can get it in town. Then there's the dips and mixes and soups. And all kinds of holiday bowls and plates. The Christmas tree is full of ornaments - Remember when you stop believing in Santa Claus, then you start getting underwear! How about: Our family is full of flakes!
There's stuff for kids, babies, and school colors and mascot stuff. I found a Christmas book to use for a children's sermon!
And it's pretty tasteful for the most part.
A breath of fresh air and new life into our little town. May it be around for a long time to come. May blessings abound all around.

A SAD MONDAY

I just read the obituary of a man who died in a car accident with a parishioner of mine. It happened last Wednesday, on her way to choir practice. A school music teacher, great with kids, wouldn't hurt a fly, simply a nice person. She stopped at the stop sign, looked both ways twice, pulled away and BAM, they hit. (He did not have a stop sign)
He was 29, married, expecting his first child in May '09.
This will shatter her even more, if that is possible. She is inconsolable and it is tragic to both parties and families. No one ever thinks that this could happen to them and that another person would die because of us. We could not imagine the dark place in which she is living at the moment. But Christ is there as He always is, in our darkest hours, in the devastation of our lives. I know. I once was shattered as well. It is a long journey. It takes much prayer. It takes outside help.
I have been praying for them both. A lot.
I pray she doesn't read the obituary. But I am sure she will and has.
There will be new life for them both and new life for this young widow and her unborn child. But for now, we grieve, and we pray.

POST ELECTION BLUES

We will now be paying an extra $1,200.00 + in property taxes for the next 28 years!
How insane is this? I just know the schools will be coming with another levy in a couple years for salaries, etc.
Neither LH nor I are making an extra $1,000.00 a year. Mostly we're just thankful we still have churches to serve that can still afford a full-time pastor at the minimum.
Oh well...we won't here for the next 28 years. We'll have moved on by then either to other calls or to the Final Call to God's eternal glory.
Makes me wonder how much more taxes we'll be paying in the next 4 years. I don't know about you all, but I am feeling taxed out.
Don't get me wrong, I have and do support paying taxes, I have and do support our schools, but when it gets to 27% + that is just too much. That's more than a quarter of all we earn and gaining on becoming a third. Even the church is fortunate to get 10%, what makes government think they need more than a quarter? Those of us who pay our taxes quarterly know what a chunk of change our taxes are. If the rest of wage earners had to pay quarterly, there would have been another Boston Tea Party by now!!!!
I pray for our country, for our new leader, for the wisdom, resolve, and vision to lead. I pray for the safety of our nation, for freedom and peace.

ELECTION DAY

Got to our polling place this morning about 8:25 am and the line for our precinct was moderate. I was hoping it wouldn't take more than 45 minutes. I took my place in line, behind a Methodist minister serving a UCC church in town who lives in our subdivision. Since I keep such a low profile, he doesn't know who I am. Since he had a sign on his front lawn proclaiming the candidate of his choice I knew which candidate he was voting for. I voted the other. I think it will be this way all day.
We had two issues on the ballot that hadn't really been in the papers much and caught me a bit by surprise.
The three really big issues: Curtailing interest rates on payday lending, opening up casino gambling, and combining school, rec center, and library levy guaranteed to raise our property tax $120.00 per month or $1200.00 per year. I voted yes, no, no.
Normally, I support our school levies which we did just two years ago that added a sales tax in our county for schools. Every year there seems to be yet another school levy. The burden is beginning grow heavy from all these levi's. They were asking much too much this time.
I was out within a half hour!!!!!!
Hope you are out voting!

Post-Halloween

We enjoyed a fairly mild Halloween evening. I could sit on the porch, in my rocker, wearing a sweatshirt and was warm enough. We gave out 7 1/2 bags of Butterfingers, 3 Musketeers, Milky Ways and Snickers bars (fun size and 1 per child) and 1 Milk Bone Dog Biscuit (who enjoyed his treat greatly at the bottom of our driveway). 2 other dogs were out but they didn't stop by, they lost out!!! I think we're the only house that gives out milk bones to our four-footed trick or treaters!!
My greys got their Milk Bone treats as well.
I managed to fertilize the yards (front and back), take down the flower boxes off the porch railings and pull out the geraniums.
I tackled cleaning the windows and LH popped the screens out so that I could clean the tops of the windows on the outside and not merely the bottoms. The one great room window has a broken set screw which means the top half of the window slides down when you undo the latch. Will need to get that fixed.
But I am thrilled to see out the windows!! The dogs have already snotted up the sliding glass door.
Jett pulled a post Halloween stunt yesterday evening. I had let him out and we had the screen slider in place with the door open to let in some cooler air and keep the bugs out. I stood in front of the screen slider with about 6 inches between me and the frame. Jett comes barreling past me at 20 miles an hour and boom, right through the screen, ripping the screen, scraping a hind leg. He was past me and through the screen before I could blink!! No wonder we call him Jett!!
His leg bled a little but nothing too bad, thank the Lord. Now we have a sliding screen door to get rescreened.
If it's not one thing, it's another. We will no longer use the screen slider, ever. Not if there's a dog in the backyard wanting to come in!!!
My right shoulder is sore from all the window cleaning. I hope by tomorrow it won't ache as much.
This Halloween has had some nasty tricks with our windows and screens.
Hope the treats of this month will be greater - newly upholstered dining room chairs, being done even as I write this, new screen slider and great room windows that stay up, a blessed Thanksgiving Day, a clean Election.
Looking forward to the end of the elections. I am so tired of the ads and the false accusations from both sides.
This will be a most busy week but I know that God will guide me through with some sanity. Pastoral care issues: a parishioner's surgery, a parishioner who's moved from assisted living to nursing home, a parishioner who's moved from home into nursing home. Difficult transitions to make full of grief, anger, and depression.
That ends it for now as I go to the Women's Association meeting, give the lunch prayer and lead the Bible Study.