THEY'RE BACK!!!

Finally, when I had all but given up hope, the honey bees are back.
I wondered where they were and if they would be back as the pin cushions are in
full bloom with nary a honey bee in sight.
This afternoon they came by in force all over the teeny weeny inkberry flowers
and I am joyed to see them.
I am glad that my little beds of perenial flowers find favor with the honey bees;
that they find food for sustenance and to make honey and that they pollinate my
flowers.
It's a small thing really. But I am truly grateful and joyed that they are back.

RGBP'S FRIDAY FIVE: INSPIRATIONS

Very quickly; this week

1. What has encouraged you?
I almost hate to say it, but a church I once served that really crushed me
has let it's next pastor go. I just discovered that this week.
He lasted two years. I lasted five. Although, I feel for him and pray that
he finds a new position (as I pray for myself),
I am encouraged that what is happening at the church was not all my fault
or even lack of trying. That has encouraged me immensely and I feel rather
vindicated.

2. What has inspired you?
When I see folks wanting to move forward into their future, uncertain though
it may be, having the courage, desiring to do something, and being open to
what God longs to bring them and calls them to.

3. What has challenged you?
Perhaps, the above as well. Finding a position more than extremely part-
time and dealing with a health issue.

4. What has made you smile?
LH. He has a good sense of humor. When mentioning a rather good-looking
larger Amish buggy that drove past the church he serves, he said it was
like "pimp my buggy" compared to other buggys!!! (Take off of "pimp my
ride" and tweaked cars!!!) We were on the floor laughing!!

5. What has brought a lump to your throat or a tear to you eye in a good way?
When I look with love and gratitude on my life which which I have been
blessed. When I behold the beauty of God's creation. When I am safe in
bed with LH. When I hold my family in my heart, prayers and thoughts.
When I rub and hug my greys. When I ponder the awesome love of the mystery
of God, the grace of my Lord and Savior, and the wonderful power and
work of the Holy Spirit.

RGBP'S FRIDAY FIVE - RANDOM EXTREME EDITION

Happy Friday to all of you. Today's Friday Five has no theme, other than randomness.
That's o.k., right?
So, just to get to know each other a little bit (even more) here is the meme:

1. What is the first thing that comes to your mind (right now) that you want to share about yourself.
I'll be out in the garden taking advantage of the beautiful day here. I think the dogs will
want a walk as well.

2. What is your favorite piece of jewelry or accessory? Why?
My Sheila Fleet sterling silver wave bracelet that LH got me for Christmas. I wear it. Alot.

3. If you could have a starring role in a T.V. show/movie/series, which one would it be, and what would your character be like?
I'm not really sure. I'm more of a behind-the-scenes person. But I could be an older eccentric neighbor on the Big Bang
Theory.

4. What is one thing you will eat this weekend?
Spinach salad that will complement the grilled lamb chops this evening.

5. How do you waste time? (If you do, that is...)
Watching reruns of the Big Bang Theory and playing a version of Solitaire on the computer.

I SHOULD -
be working on a newsletter article, but I'm not ready to work on it.
be looking for a little graduation advice piece I once wrote and continue to give to graduates
be washing windows, but it's going to rain today
be weeding the herb garden, but it's going to rain today
be thinking about this week's sermon
but I am not there either.
So, instead, I'm contemplating the buds of the Siberian Iris that may bloom this week, the tight buds
of my huge poppy plant, and the begonia that over-wintered in my upside-down pot. That one amazes me.
I didn't even try to over-winter that begonia. My intention was that it would die and I would plant
an impatien in it instead. I went to the pot in the unheated garage this spring and lo and behold,
there was a white stalk with a leaf on it. I took the pot outside and the leaf has sprouted two
more leaves, the stalk is now reddish and looks to have grown a bit. All without even trying!!!
What a surprise.
I have the hope that other things would spring forward in my life, but I am still waiting
on the Great Silence.
Maybe today is just a day to sit with that and God. Perhaps, that is what I should be doing
and not all the other things on my list and radar. So, today, I will spend as a day of
contemplation and prayer and the oil change appointment this afternoon. I will get to the
other stuff, but for today, contemplation and prayer. And it is enough.

RGBP'S FRIDAY FIVE - BIRTHDAY EDITION

1) What is the first birthday you remember?
I remember my 7th Birthday as the year I had no birthday party, which in those early
years were a big deal. You invited friends over, played games, had prizes, received gifts,
and had a birthday cake. We moved to a new house on my 7th Birthday and so there was no
party and I don't remember if we even had cake. I was pretty upset about not having a
birthday party. However, in the new house, I had my own bedroom and that was pretty cool.

2) Do you recall a favorite gift?
Actually, not really. My folks were pragmatic so it was an outfit, a Dr. Suess book,
etc.
3) Has anyone ever tried to surprise you for your birthday? Did it work? Was it fun?
In HS we decorated our friends' lockers with streamers, balloons, cards, etc. on the
sly with someone getting the lock combo number. When they went to open their locker
on their birthday morning it was stuffed full of birthday greetings.
My sister surprised me on my 50th birthday with a 3 day cruise to the Bahamas with
my niece. Every week, my sister sent me an email with what to pack for a "Girls
Weekend". She made sure I asked for the weekend off in advance. Finally,she had
to email me my flight e-ticket to Miami and I had a hunch. We met at the airport
and my niece was there too. Extra surprise! We had a most wonderful time together!
The best birthday celebration I ever had!

4) Do you have a favorite birthday dessert?
Usually a piece of chocolate cake or chocolate cheesecake.

5) Describe what would be your 'perfect birthday'.
The day off. Being with my family - LH, my sister and BIL, my niece and my
nephew and his wife. But, I don't think that will happen as we all live in
different states. Maybe for a milestone birthday it might happen. Course a
birthday in the middle of winter is always dicey with travel plans.
In the meanwhile, I'm happy to have the day off to read, shop, spend time with
the greys and have a nice dinner out.

ON THE LIGHTER SIDE -
I don't know what's going on with bath and body manufacturers, but
I'm getting rather tired of not being able to find body wash and lotion
that doesn't smell like a fruit. Do I want to shower first thing in the morning
and walk around smelling like a pomegranate, a fig,a pear, a peach, a cucumber or a
melon? Not really. If I want to smell fruit, I'll go to the produce section
of the grocery store and sniff away.
Personally, I like clean, fresh scents like linen, fresh cotton, rain,
maybe a hint of lavendar, but not a rose bush.
They used to make such scents as serenity, energizing, calm, etc.
Most of the scents that are out there are really awful and turn me off.
So, I do use some basic, pedestrian products that at least don't make
me sick from the smell and leave me smelling clean and fresh.
I also stopped using a shampoo brand that I've used for years once
they stopped that variety and marketed a whole new one whose smell I
could not abide.
A note to you, manufacturers of shampoos, body washes and lotions,
make more pleasant scents that aren't over poweringly fruity and run
some marketing tests to see whether the smell of your product is not
a turn off rather than somehing pleasingly pleasant.
I's a small thing really but something I use daily and I want it to
be a pleasant and enjoyable experience and not something that starts
my day off on the wrong note.

RGBP'S FRIDAY FIVE - INTERNET CONNECTIONS Isn't it interesting that on this day, Blogger has gone to a new look and I've had navigate the new look and where to find everything and Friday Five is about internet?!!! 1. Do you use social connections, like Facebook, Twitter, Linked-in or whatever else there is? Describe how you use it/these. I use Facebook for family and friends, to touch base. I don't use Twitter at all. 2. Do you text on your cell phone? Work, friends, family? I am on a basic plan with no texting or internet connection. I have a landline and a computer. Until they make a cell phone that you can use for overseas calls without charging an arm and a leg, I won't be using the cell for my actual phone. Even the calls to Canada are outrageous compared to our landline plan. I am looking to the day when American cell phones can work overseas so if you are travelling on business or pleasure you can use your phone. All this technology and they can't come up with a workable solution that isn't so expensive? 3. Do you play any games? Which ones? Nope. I play a version of Solitaire on the computer. 4. How do you predominantly use the various electronic devices you possess? The cell phone for calls when I'm out and about. When I lived away from home while serving a church my cell phone was my phone. Too bad it was an LG which never could hold a charge for very long. I was constantly recharging that one. My Samsung is much, much better. 5. How do you feel about blogging? Are you as involved in blogging as when you first started? What facilitates your blogging? I still like to keep up with it. Although, not as often as I used to. I usually write about my present experiences and how they tie in spiritually, but not always. Bonus: Anything you want to add. You might like to discuss what helps you most in your vocation with internet connections. I'm pretty much a cheap Luddite when it comes to technology. I believe cell phones could be cheaper to use. I am sure that one day, cell phones will replace most computers, it's just that they are harder to type on than an actual keyboard. I have trouble with getting my pictures onto the computer and so don't post any. Some day, when I have time, I'll have to try and figure it out. My challenge at the moment is getting familiar with the new blogger interface. Sigh. Always something new.

JOY SUNDAY -
This past Sunday was the first time in years that I did not lead a Joy Sunday on the Sunday after Easter. It felt a bit odd. But as I sat with the congregation's position, their frustrations, hurt, confusion, anxiety, fears, and fragile finances, they were simply not in a place yet, to celebrate Joy Sunday. Make no mistake, I believe they need to celebrate Joy Sunday. They need to reconnect with the joy of their faith, with the joy that the Resurrection of our Lord brings to us and to the world. But, they are simply not there yet. I retain hope that they will come to that place.
It was especially apparent after the last council meeting even as I played with the idea of a modified Joy Sunday and my sermon.
I chose instead to focus on Thomas and the risen Christ in their midst, who tells them twice in this passage: "Peace be with you." God's Spirit drew me to those words of Christ's peace of forgiveness, peace of love, peace of the joy of his risen presence, peace of grace, peace of hope that I knew they needed to hear and be with.
It all went well. The paschal candle was lit without incident, communion went well with everything decent and in order and even all the hymns that were joyful and mentioned joy, all worked together very well. It was a good worship experience.
I look forward to celebrating Joy Sunday again, sometime, wherever I may be serving. And in the meanwhile, I will look to the joy of my faith and scatter joy wherever I serve in subtle and not so subtle ways. I will save the bottles of bubbles and kazoos and know there will be a time to come when
they will be used and needed.

STILL
I am still mulling over Still by Lauren F. Winner. I enjoyed her book immensely, resonating the dark night of my soul with her experience of God's hiddenness. The Great Silence I have been living through is echoed through her book. Her retelling of the Eucharist with an elderly couple, the husband who could not eat and whose wife ate the wafer for him was touching and perceptive.
I especially liked her location lectio divina and hope to incorporate that type of lectio in my own faith life.
It was a wonderful read and I could not wait to get her next thoughts.
Surely our faith journeys are unique and there are those times when God is hidden or silent but never absent. It is helpful, encouraging and inspiring to read of other's experiences and how God continues to be present to us, connect to us and draw us into God, even in times of hiddenness, dark nights, and silence.
Truly I appreciated not only receiving this book, but Lauren's offering and honesty in living through this time of her faith journey. May it encourage all who go through times of doubt, silence, and distance from God.
I am better for having read it and will continue to refer to Still. From Still, I can take heart, and continue to listen for and speak to the Great Silence who I know is still with me.

INSANELY OUT-OF-CONTROL
is what the American Presidential campaign is today. It shames me and makes me angry. It should shame and anger us all.
The May Reader's Digest noted that one campaign can cost a total of 707 million dollars, nearly a billion dollars!
61 million in travel
65 million in staff
435 million in advertising
54 million in operations
30 million in fund raising
28 million in polling
34 million in events
For a grand total of 707 million dollars that could go to reduce the deficit, fund health care for children, seniors, and the indigent, and other programs.
What are we doing, folks? Other countries have time limits on campaigns and spending limits on campaigns, like Ireland.
Campaigning should be limited to three months and a cap set on spending.
Candidates would still have time to debate, hold their convention and we would be spared wasting countless millions of dollars, more negative and untruthful ads on TV and radio, and an end to countless automated phone calls from politcal people, and polling companies who interrupt our dinners, our family time, etc.
In what manner is this good stewardship of money or time or people?
So much more can be done with the money wasted on campaigns and the time spent on campaigning to address the problems in our country and to build up our nation.
We should be ashamed as a country and put an end to such wastefulness. The campaign should not be run or won by who has the most money, but who is most competent leader for each party.
It all has gotten insanely out of control and I grieve over our wastefulness. I think God grieves as well.

What Happens When a Presbyterian Serves a Lutheran Church at Easter -
It all started off well with an Easter breakfast where there was an overabundance of food. I ran upstairs put my sermon in the pulpit, robed up and took my place in the Narthex, after setting up an Easter basket filled with stones, one stone for every parishioner.
There we were, torchbearers, crucifer, assisting minister and myself and in we processed at the right time to the middle of the sanctuary where the baptismal font and paschal are. The altar candles and candlabras were all lit, except for the paschal candle. The head usher had forgotten to light it!
I motioned to one torchbearer to light it from his candle. Only the paschal candle is so tall it didn't work. All the while everyone is facing the font and singing "Jesus Christ is Risen Today." The torchbearer give his candle to the other torchbearer, runs to the Sacristy, gets the lighter and tries to light the paschal candle but can't. He climbs over the back of a pew, stands on the pew and lights the candle. We are on the fourth verse of the hymn and we can finally process to the chancel and communion table. I was mortified.
The service proceeds along and with everything else going well. Ahh, I breathe more easy.
We come to communion, I serve the assisting minister, who in turn serves me. I forget to say the "invitation" which is the cue for everyone to sit down. They sit down anyway. I count the cups on the little tray and we are one short. The organist, torchbearers, and crucifer are standing by the organ waiting to recieve communion, the ushers are at the bottom of the steps. The organist says he'll run into the sacristy for a cup, only he doesn't return as I hear cabinet doors opening and shutting, I begin to serve the torchbearers and crucifer. Just when I am about to serve the ushers, out comes the organist with a cup. I serve him and then the ushers.
The rest of communion goes well and the service finishes on a high note.
I am thinking I may not be there much longer. How many times can I flub commuion and live down the paschal candle not being lit and everyone having a floor show on Easter Sunday morning!!!?!! Easter Sunday of all Sundays!!!!
Everyone communed, the gospel was preached, the hymns were wonderfully triumphant, the lilies looked beautiful, God was worshipped and our risen Lord glorified. So, in the end, everything happened, but not before dying a death of embarrassment and rising up in hope that next week when all the Easter people are not here - Sunday will go exactly as it should!!!!
Thank you, God, for the grace in which we live, I live, each and every day and despite all our human foibles and mistakes, the worship of our hearts is ever offered. For this and for so much more, our Lord is risen!!! Alleluia!

RGBP'S FRIDAY FIVE - HOLY WEEK FAVORITES

Holy Week is upon us.

Realizing that most of our readers are clergy, and that clergy don't necessarily have the opportunity to fully worship when they are responsible for leading (creating, writing, facilitating) worship:

I invite you to share five favorite Holy Week things, five things that are truly worshipful for you. It may be that it's the way they are done in your congregation (or were done in a previous one). It may be your personal preparation for certain services or observances.

Breathe. Be still. Look to the week ahead, and Holy Weeks past, and imagine the worship.

Bonus: a piece of music that "is" Holy Week for you.

1. This year, I will be gluing and grouting pieces of broken pottery into
a cross. On the first Sunday in Lent, each parishioner choose a pottery
shard and used it as a prayer piece during Lent, focusing on where the
they were broken, their lives fragmented, where are their rough edges,
what needs smoothing out, etc. They are to return them this weekend.
So, it is a process of transformation - of all that is broken and
fragmented within us that is transformed by Christ's death and
resurrection. Hoping it will turn well. The mosaic cross will be
displayed on Easter.

2. I will be washing rocks for Easter. Everyone will get a stone symbolizing
the stones in their life that Easter rolls away. So, that too, will be
holy task for me this holy week.

3. Maundy Thursday worship and communion with the stripping of the altar
prepares me for the bleakness and grief of Good Friday.

4. Silence. I am especially tuned into silence on Good Friday and Holy
Saturday. They are quiet days for me as I reflect on the events of both
days and live into the void and unsettledness of Holy Saturday.

5. Baking bread. I bake a traditional Swiss bread for Easter on Holy
Saturday. The dough is punched and beaten (like our Lord was) and
then rests under a warm damp towel in some darkness. After time, it
rises to double its size when I braid it, brush it with egg yolk, let
it rest in coolness and then bake into a beautiful and delicious
bread. So the dough transforms itself into something new and beautiful
and has given of itself for our life. It is holy and quiet act and has
been a tradition in my family for my whole life. It is only in recent
years, that I have reflected on the theological aspect of baking this
braided bread.

BONUS: The hymn - "Ah, Holy Jesus" - is the one that humbles me and touches
me each year during Holy Week.

BLOOMIN'

So much is blooming, nearly three weeks early. I have a tulip blooming, hyacinths have been blooming, and now the bradford pear trees on the tree lawns are blooming white which contrasts so beautifully with the very green lawns. It is so amazing to see things awakening from winter's slumber. It's been so warm, in the 80's, that I have had to pull out summer things and put on sandals without hose in March!! Everything is coming to life!
After being shell-shocked in a church council meeting that the church is up for funding and has a candidate in mind for redevelopment of the congregation, I was taken aback. This should have been shared with me before the meeting. I took it somewhat in stride.
Then a meeting with a denominational office representative, who shared a process for transformation, which the church can begin now. And the bombshell, that what looked like a done deal may not be quite so done - the funding is less than expected and the church does not have the money to make
up the rest to call the redevelopment person. They were shell-shocked and extremely disappointed.
I was nonplussed. I had begun again my anxiety of being unemployed once more and was counting up the things for which I would no longer be responsible and made the way to trusting once again that God would provide something new for me.
Then on the ride home from that second meeting, I was filled with an idea for how to welcome a sister spanish-speaking congregation who will be
sharing space in the church and thinking of all that I will yet need to do.
I could almost hear God saying, "You weren't happy about ending your short interim (more like supply pastor) early and now you're going on about all that might yet challenge you while you are here a bit longer. Is there any pleasing you?!!!?"
I don't know what all will transpire. I have come to place where it is God's will not mine as to how long I will be at this church. I do what I can one day a week, but it isn't easy. It's hard to pick up the pulse and truly know what is being said and thought when I am just there one day a week and Sat/Sun for services. However, I will stay as long as God needs me to stay and leave when God says it is time. I have learned to enter and leave as graciously as possible.
In the meanwhile, the denominational office seems please at my idea to offer welcome to this sister congregation and I am learning to be content with things whichever way they work out.
Even as I see new life bursting out all around me, I pray for the new life of this congregation and yes, my own. My the gift of new and vibrant life come to you in all its glory and grace.

RGBP'S FRIDAY FIVE - LATE EDITION
Jan at RGBP's notes:
All day I have looked repeatedly at RevGals to see where today's Friday Five is. . . . AND only right now, at 2 pm in Texas, do I realize I am the one in charge! I am sorry I am so late and forgetful.

That brings forth all the times I've been late or forgot something. How about you?

When have you been late or a no-show? When have you forgotten something or someone?

1. at church
I've been late to church council meetings from Oct.-Dec. last year, due
to accidents each month on council night on the interstate. When we
switched council night in Jan. there have been no accidents and I've
arrived early!

2. at home
A few times, when my visits lasted longer, or I had details to attend
to that lasted longer than I had anticipated.

3. at work
Not that I can think of, I have been on time to church on the day I
am in the office and for worship.

4. with friends
Normally, I'm on-time if not a wee bit early.

5. ? where else?
Perhaps, the one time I forgot my sermon on a Sunday morning while in
the midst of an unplanned departure from that church and very stressed
out about it. I left the sermon on the kitchen table and once I
arrived at the church, had an elder do the breakfast prayer on Palm
Sunday, while I drove like a crazy person home and back to the church
in time for worship. Thank goodness, traffic was light and there were
no police on that county highway. I did it in record time!!!!

RGBP'S FRIDAY FIVE - WOMEN'S EDITION

Revkarla invites us to talk about women in your life!

1. Name a woman author you very much love to read.
Mary Oliver's poetry and Anne Lamott.

2. Name a woman from the Bible with whom you would like to enjoy a nice long coffee talk.
Perhaps, Deborah - a wise woman, strong, faithful.

3. Name a famous woman from history with whom you would like to have lunch.
I'm thinking, Abigail Adams. She does fascinate me. Also, a strong
woman, tending family and farm, supporting her absent husband, John, in
the momentous time of declaring our independence. She was capable and
brave and very much in love with John.
Another would be my grandma on my Dad's side. She's not famous, but I
would like to know her as an adult and spend some time with her.

4. Name a living famous or infamous woman with whom you would like to go out to dinner.
Leyma Gbowee, the Nobel Peace Prize winner. I find her inspiring,
encouraging, and a woman of faith, character who accomplished much in
working for peace in Liberia.

5. If you could be SuperWoman (o.k., I know you already ARE) what three special powers would you like to have?
Not an easy question. I would like to have power to bring peace, to
heal the wounded, and to shower creation with joy!

BLOWN AWAY -
During the children's sermon time in worship yesterday, I talked about the season of Lent. Forty days of waiting for...Easter. When one first grader piped up, "Easter changes everything!" Indeed, my child it does. And once again, I was blown away by the wisdom of a child.

Friday Five: Essentials Edition

KathrynZ notes that she lacked the boots she needed to head to an area of snow and how could she be without an essential for her area. List 5 essential things needed in the area you live. Bonus: what you were wearing that made people look twice because it was out of place.

1. Snowthrower/shovel - for those big snows most winters. This year we only
fired up the snowthrower twice.

2. Central airconditioning - for those hot, humid spring, summer and fall
days.

3. Winter coat - preferrably a warm one and hats, scarves and mittens

4. Boots - although I only had to wear my boots once this winter.

5. Yaktraks - to put on your shoes and boots to walk on ice - actually
didn't use them this winter. Did last year! Made it from
my van through the church parking lot to the church entrance.

6. Duvet - wonderful warmth in the winter. Wouldn't live without one!!

BONUS: For our Saturday night worship near Halloween, I wore black slacks,
sweater and mismatched socks - green polka dots on the left and
green stripes on the right. I thought we were going to stay for
the potluck and party when worshippers decided to go out to eat
instead. I was going to be a fool-for-Christ and had my jester's
hat, a wild tie dye T-shirt to change into. I'm sure folks wondered
about my mismatched socks - I had another pair just like them at
home in my sock drawer!!!

This morning, I heard a sound that I haven't heard for many months, about six months infact. It was the trill of a red-winged blackbird in the meadow behind our house. What a delight to hear once again! I saw a red-winged blackbird out of our kitchen window on the shepherds hook in my herb garden.
The red-winged blackbird is the true harbringer of spring and the first sign of spring - aside from tulip, daffodil, hyacinth and crocus leaves that are sprouting up all over and have been the past few weeks. It is still February and the blackbirds are here!
I thrill to hear the call of the blackbird and to watch them glide to a
landing in the meadow.
I look forward to hearing the song of the meadowlark who, perhaps, will not be too far behind.
There is an awakening from the sleeply doldrums of winter and I feel it within me as well.
Welcome, Spring!

RGBP'S FRIDAY FIVE - EMPTINESS

Over at RGBP's, our host noted,I have been pondering this Friday Five over and over in my mind, but I am coming up with nothing, so I am wondering; what do you do when you feel empty of all creativity and unable to make/do anything? This is a completely open question, the only rule is name 5 things that fill/ inspire you:

1. Going to the Art Museum - eye candy and always inspires

2. Going to a book store - somehow I'm like a kid in a candy store, and
one can browse to one's heart content

3. Going to JoAnn's, Hobby Lobby, Michael's, Pat Catan's - so much of
so many things, materials, candles, fake flowers, clay, wood,
paints, etc. Good place for jogging creativity. Looking at all
the different patterns, textures and colors of material at JoAnn's
seems to strike in me. Perhaps, because my Mom was a seamstress.

4. Playing with something - clay, markers, craft items, the dogs

5. Praying - sometimes the Holy Spirit doesn't work on my time and
inspiration comes in bits and spurts and at times closer to
a deadline than I would like!!!

BONUS - Gardening - working in the dirt, tending, planting, can all help.
On a whim, I soaked an avocado pit last summer. It's now planted
and has six leaves and delights me every day. It was a long, slow
process though.

Just Sittin' - sometimes just being quiet helps.

Reading Poetry - always touches me and inspires me

Change of scenery - a beach, Lake Michigan, a retreat house,
mountains, forests - creation is a huge
inspiration

A nap - just to let go and sleep on it

For my Birthday
I received Facebook wishes, cards from family and friends, a card and candleholder from my niece which is no small thing from she-who-never-sends-cards, phone calls from family, my sister, my brother-in-law and his wife, my niece and my nephew and two cousins from Switzerland. Plus, a beautiful bouquet of flowers, a lovely taupe purse filled with sundry items from my sister, and LH actually bought me a chocolate cupcake, decorated with curling ribbon, a candle, a star pick and festive, sparkling colorful sprinkles!!! I enjoyed a quiet day and had a worship service at church with the usual dinner out after worship with several parishioners. All in all, a good celebration!
So, here I begin a new week and a new year in my life. Praying God's blessings as I live into both.