FRIDAY FIVE: TRASH, TREASURE OR TEA

With church rummage sales happening all around, here are some thoughts:

1. TREASURE: What is the best thing you’ve ever found at a rummage sale? Was it a bargain or just something you’ve longed for but couldn’t afford?
    Probably a couple books when I was a child. They were just 10-25 cents a book. I was in seventh
    heaven!!!!
    Found an old blue ball jar but still haven't been able to pry the top off the disintegrated rubber ring.
    Any ideas anyone?

2. TRASH: What is an item you couldn’t WAIT to donate to a sale like this, and then were surprised that someone not only bought it, they were so excited to have?
    Hate to admit it but a couple horrendous rusty angel face ornaments that a church member had
    given either LH or I for Christmas. Finally, a couple churches later and in a town an hour away
    I was able to give it for the rummage sale. Also, a very oversize clear glass vase that I had
    absolutely no use for also got donated. It felt wonderful to get rid of these things.

3. BUDGET: How disciplined are you at these kinds of events? Can you stick to a budget, or do you empty your wallet?
     Since we have enough stuff already and the church I'm currently serving has a very trashy
     rummage sale, I have only found an item or two and pay a bit more than the asking price, like
     a dollar for something that is 25 or 50 cents. I did find a Hoffbrauhaus Munich beer mug stamped
     Western Germany that I picked up for a Christmas present.

4. TAKE IT AWAY: What’s something you’d gladly donate right this minute if I would just come pick it up?
     Probably our Queen Anne style coffee table still down in the unfinished basement. Not really
     my style, but LH's.

5. TEA: Do you have a favorite tea? Or a special teapot? Tell us more!
      Rooibos - a red African tea. Although it is much harder to find at the grocery store anymore.
      I do have a blue teapot, but usually it's just easier to heat the water in the microwave and
      brew a cuppa in a mug.
      I also liked a Celestial Seasonings tea which they no longer make - red hibiscus with a touch
      of cinnamon, I believe. Too bad, it was light and really nice.

ANOTHER MARATHON

  Today begins the denominational marathon! This evening, Synod Assembly begins with the most notable charge of electing a new bishop. Last year, the current bishop was overwhelming elected and when she went to the national gathering, was promptly elected presiding bishop of the ELCA. She was beloved here for the most part and we were saddened to lose her but knew she was being called to serve the larger church.
   So, this weekend will be spent at the Synod Assembly - Thursday evening, Friday and Friday evening, and Saturday morning.
   That leaves me with Saturday afternoon to prepare for Sunday (my sermon is already done!) and to make something to bring to the church's last potluck brunch following worship this Sunday.
   After my Sunday afternoon nap, I will be packing for a quick jaunt (ok, 3 hour drive) to Michigan for a Presbytery meeting/retreat. I leave early Monday morning and will return suppertime on Wednesday.
   Since I cannot be in the church office on Monday and Wednesday, I will go in on Thursday.
   It is unfortunate the two gatherings are back to back as it were. Sigh. And I still have to work on the sermon for May 25th.
   I trust that God is in the mix and on the side of the Lutherans and Presbyterians who are gathering to do the worshipful work of the church. I trust that God will grant me good rest and will help in this whirlwind of activity.
   So, let the marathon begin and God grant me the grace of endurance!

BACK IN TOWN

Actually, I got back in last Monday night around 9:50 pm and got home from the airport at 11:10 pm.
It was a busy week, unpacking, doing laundry, going in to church on Wednesday, writing the sermon on Thursday, grocery shopping on Friday and mending, going over my Sunday School lesson on Sat and getting everything together for Joy Sunday.
  Met my sister and niece in Denver at the airport that last Thursday in April. They were to arrive before me but were nearly an hour late. Good to see my niece who has spent the past several months in Ethiopia. Good to see my sister, too. I do miss her and wish we didn't live so far apart.
  It was 9:10 pm by the time we got to the restaurant outside of Denver for a very late dinner. It was good though. Then it was a nearly 2 hour drive west to get to my nephew's. We were exhausted after a quick hello, and dropping off my niece. My sister and I stayed at the local B & B - yah, they left the front door open and the room key on the kitchen counter!!!
  Friday was a simply gorgeous day - blue skies, sunshine and about 70 degrees. We went for a long walk drinking in the mountains, valley, river that runs through it, hearing marmots. It was so nice we could even eat lunch outside!!!
  Things got considerably cooler with each passing day and by Saturday evening there was a winter storm warning and it snowed! Enough to brush off the car windows!
   The baby shower for my nephew's wife was a lovely affair with many of her friends present. There was curried cashew chicken salad on croissants, a tossed green salad, fresh fruit, and apple salad. For dessert, there was chocolate chip cheesecake from Eli's in Chicago, and a lemon thyme dessert made by my npehew's wife - layered lemon wafer cookies with whipping cream, lemon zest or juice and thyme. Instead of a game, the hostess had lots of white onesies, burp cloths and socks and we tie dyed them. Pretty cool.
   On Sunday afternoon, we walked around the ghost town of Vail! With ski season closed and summer hiking/fishing season not yet arrived, most of the stores and restaurants were closed. And we were nearly the only people walking around in the cold and flurries!!!!
   On Monday morning we, my sister, niece and I, left with the intent to stop along the way to Denver at a small town to look around. After a filling breakfast at the small town greasy spoon, we headed out towards Denver and got stuck for nearly an hour on Vail Pass Summit due an accident. Probably driving too fast in snowy conditions.
   We did finally get to Frisco - but many shops were closed there too. We did find a few that were open. We picked up wraps to take on the plane since we weren't yet hungry for lunch.
   I came home with assorted souvenirs - a glow in the dark miniature Jesus, an Easter egg wreath, a piece of Raclette cheese, a corded neck shirt with aspen leaves on it and a couple books from the book store, plus a couple Christmas gifts for family.
     The morning that we left - I had on a heavy long sleeved t-shirt, topped with a cashmere sweater, smartwool socks, a leather jacket, and wool scarf. By the time we got to Denver, I ditched the jacket. On the plane, which was warm, I ditched the sweater. When I landed in Cleveland, it was 60 plus
degrees. Felt like a heat wave!!!
   Now it's back to getting ready for Pentecost and what lies beyond.
  Just this past Friday, when I went to the local grocery store, they had geraniums already. It's been so cool this April, I didn't think they'd have them til next week. So, I got my six red geraniums to put in the porch railing flower containers. I figured I'd plant them Thursday afternoon when I had time.
   On Sat, afternoon when I was out on the porch, Hummer, the male hummingbird stopped by. Well, I went inside, made up a batch of nectar, planted those geraniums and stuck the little feeder in my planter box so the poor wee thing would have some nourishment since little is blooming at the moment. Just hope I won't have to take the geraniums inside if it gets cold at night!!!
   Next up, planting my herbs which are on the kitchen counter and have been outside and brought in.
I already planted my oregano in a ceramic pot I found. No more oregano taking over the whole garden. I learned my lesson.
   So, it will be a busy month with I hope some warmer weather. I'm still thawing out from our winter and now the trip to CO.
   Hope all of you are recovering from Holy Week and Easter.

I SUVIVED

another Lent, Holy Week and Easter! Yay!!!
   We had a good turn out for our Maundy Thursday Upper Room and stripping of the altar. Good Friday could have been better if the person working on dimming the lights had put them all out at the end instead of leaving the chancel lights on. I was ticked about that even after explaining that at the end all the lights should be off.
   I spent Holy Saturday making bread dough, coloring eggs, making pico de gallo for the week, mixing ground beef and making burgers for LH to put on the grill, gathering all the items needed for Easter Sunday - stole, foamie butterfly stickers, tulle butterflies to put on the pulpit and lectern which didn't really stick and then someone made off with one of them, since I was one short after the service. (Heck, they could've gone to the Dollar Tree and purchased their own!!). Then, I had a sinkful of dirty dishes to wash - all the mixing bowls (oh, and I made chocolate mousse for Easter dessert) and stuff that doesn't go in the dishwasher. It was a very busy Holy Saturday as they usually are.
  Easter Sunday it was 70 degrees and sunny - a beautiful day and morning! The service went very well and of course, folks we haven't seen in ages or at least, since Christmas Eve!!! There was a short coffee hour after worship although most everyone left except for a few folks. I hung around to lock up and then drove the hour home for a well deserved nap.
  An individual showed up looking for a handout. I explained that I would be with him shortly and although we don't give out money, that I could gather some food for him (after
gathering my worship things and shaking hands.). He said he needed food. Well, we don't have a pantry and don't give out cash. However, we did collect food for a local food pantry and I was going to raid it and put together items for him. When I got downstairs, he had left. Which, of course, means, that had he really been hungry, he would have stayed and accepted a bag of food. He really was just looking for a cash handout. Apparently, a parishioner gave him a couple bucks and off he went.
What kills me, is these people seem to know just when the most inopportune time is to panhandle from the church - a wedding, Christmas Eve, Easter Sunday - when pastors are likely to just hand over a few bucks because they are so busy and pressed for time.
   At any rate, aside from that, it was a beautiful day, a beautiful Easter day - one of the nicest I can remember.
   And here it is Easter Monday, a holiday in other parts of the world and a work day for me, as I get things together for the pulpit supply pastor next Sunday, load up the van with the donated food and deliver it, load up the van with several Easter flowers and deliver them to a homebound member and make a visit.
  Then, I can go home. Then I can start my vacation. Which will mean doing lots of laundry tomorrow and packing on Wednesday for my trip long weekend in Colorado. Most everyone goes some place warm and I will be packing sweaters!!!! I am excited to see my niece who spent so many months in Ethiopia and my sister who I haven't seen since Thanksgiving, and my nephew and his wife who is expecting their first child in June, and who I haven't seen since last June. I'm hoping the Baby Shower will be fun with all the cute little baby items.
   I am praying that it won't be snowing!!!!
   I hope you all have enjoyed a most wonderful, glorious Easter celebration and that you will savor some much deserved rest in this coming week.
   He lives! Alleluia! And that makes everything worthwhile!

HOLY WEEK

 Here we are at the start of Holy Week which began yesterday with the Blessing of the Palms while gathered outside on a sunny 70 degree morning. It was beautiful. We processed inside to the singing of "All Glory, Laud and Honor" and the worship was meaningful. Some folks who haven't been in church for a bit found their way back and it was good to have a few more folks in church. My sermon, which was shorter than usual, fit in and the whole service flowed without going over time!
So, perhaps, it wasn't all too short.
   I survived my mid-week Lenten service last week preaching on the topic we all had to preach on:
Why We Stand at the Foot of the Cross. I ended up preaching on Luke 4:16-21, focusing on Jesus' mission and the grace of which we are all in need. It preached. The service was Marty Haugen's Holden Evening Prayer which is really moving with much singing. My only problem was that I nearly lost my voice preaching with this upper respiratory ailment. It is slowly getting better.
     LH is still coughing too and has a low bass voice!!! It must be Lent - we both got sick!!!!
   This is that hard week of keeping focus and not merely skipping over to Easter, but making that long hard walk through Jerusalem, to the Upper Room, to the cross at Calvary and to the stone cold dark tomb. One day at a time, one step at a time and I will get there and I pray that I will be in good company of the faithful who take this journey with me each year. Always humbled and overwhelmed at Christ's great sacrifice of love for me, for us all. Then there is the grief and anguish of Good Friday that washes over me every year. And how unsettled I always feel on Holy Saturday, uncomfortable and disturbed and I busy myself with coloring eggs and going over everything for Easter Sunday worship. It is just the way it needs to be.
   May your  Holy Week be graced and blessed and may it bring your heart and spirit to its knees, overwhelmed and humbled by such an enormity of love and grace and sacrifice. May the slow, hard walk through this week bring you to the glorious joy of the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and shine so wonderfully bright upon and in you and bring you back to life!

   I am grateful to be here today. Grateful. Profoundly grateful.
  On my way home from church yesterday around noonish, the state route exits on the left and the ramp dumps me onto the Interstate which takes me home. Where the ramp meets the interstate there are four lanes of traffic. Normally, I wait a bit before merging into the next lane right of me. Eventually, the left lane ends and there are only three lanes and after crossing a reservoir the far right lane exits onto the tollway and then there are only two lanes.
  As I was on the exit ramp which curves upward and straightens downward, I usually keep my speed to around 40 mph, it is after all a curve. I will pick up speed after the curve and as I moved downward onto the Interstate. Well, yesterday I had a silver pickup truck behind who was pushing me and I
decided to merge onto lane to my right as soon as it was safe to do so, and it was and so, I did. In the meanwhile, there was a semi truck to the right back of me and to the left of me where the pickup was gathering up speed, was a beige minivan with a handicapped plaque hanging from the rear view mirror and an older gent driving it in the farthest left lane - the one I had just left and the pickup truck was still in - the wrong way!! I slowed down but I couldn't go right with the semi right on my tail. The pickup truck pulled onto the left berm and stopped. The beige minivan going the wrong way kept on going.
   Had I not merged to the right when I did, I would most likely have been hit head on. I didn't see him soon enough as I was checking my right side mirror and rearview mirror to merge to the lane on my right, by the time I completed that maneuver there was that minivan. I prayed and prayed that no one would be hit. The pick up truck got back on the road and passed me on the bridge of the reservoir. I was too shaken to drive as fast as I normally do.
   That was the second time in my lifetime that while driving on an Interstate that I was met with a wrong way driver. Thankfully, both times were Sundays and in daylight where you can see them coming. Night would be a whole other scenario.
   So I am grateful to be here, grateful for a busy week with meetings the next two evenings and the mid-week Lenten service on Wednesday where I will be preaching and then the launch of Palm Sunday into Holy Week and Easter.
   Now if I could get rid of this sinus cold and cough.

BACK ON-LINE SORT OF...

Well, we're kinda back on line. The phone guy punched in some numbers in some places and got us on the internet and my laptop. But, it's still not quite right, because the smartphone doesn't pick it up nor my Kindle, even after entering the password for the wi-fi/modem. I am completely flummoxed and totally aggravated! Enough already! I was told by tech support to call the phone manufacturer and after being on the phone with them for awhile and trying a couple things, I was to be transferred to advanced tech support only to get cut off. By then it was late afternoon and I had had enough. I never called them back.
  When I wanted to download a book on my Kindle, lo and behold, after entering the password, it didn't work either.
   I was fuming.
  We are going to change our provider. I am NOT going through this again.
   And I'm too untechie to know what to do.
  So, I guess this being back on line will come in drips and dribbles. By Easter, it should flow to overflowing!!!! At least, I hope.

RGBP'S FRIDAY FIVE - TRIPS!

For today’s Friday Five, tell about five different trips you have made in your life due to different reasons, modes of travel, or whatever category you choose!

Since I couldn't play Friday - being off-line and all, I'll take a shot at it today!
There have been so many trips, it's a bit hard to narrow them down.

1.  1965 our first trip to Switzerland as a family to visit all our relatives - grandmas, aunts, uncles,
     cousins. We were there about 4 weeks and I remember all the visits to relatives, which when you
     are young are not all that interesting. We traveled around some, hiked and had fun just living with
    my Grandma and step-grandpa. They hung a swing - wood board with heavy rope in the doorway
    of their shed for us. The attic was wonderfully huge and empty. I never did make it to the origin
    of the canton's river source as I was too scared of the falling, rushing, frothing water and the
    wooden walkway that lined the rocky dark canyoned walls. My step-grandfather stayed back
    with me. Guess that's where my fear of high bridges over water comes from!!!

2. Summer camping trips all over the US to national parks and historic sites. Yellowstone was
    one of my favorite places - chock full of a variety of natural wonders. Yosemite and Sequoia
    were also great as were the Smoky Mountains. We would go to the evening ranger programs
    and also Sunday morning worships services in the great outdoors. We would hike, and see
    the beauty of creation and its wonders all around us and of course, all kinds of flora and fauna.
    It was a great way to spend time together as a family and to see so much of America.

3. When I asked LH what he wanted for his 50th birthday and he answered Scotland! So, we
    went and had a marvelous time walking all over Edinburgh, the drive to Oban, our time
    on Iona and the week in Ayr seeing Culean Castle, Robbie Burns' cottage, Hadrian's Wall.
    And of course, Lock Lomond, and Lock Ness with its elusive Nessie! What a wonderful
    time we had together, even when the hotel in Oban never received our reservations and
    we ended up at another older hotel that was actually in walking distance of the downtown.
    It all worked out well.

4. The fast plane trip to Florida when on a fateful Friday night my Dad called in tears saying
    my Mom was dying. I booked a flight for the next morning, I called the Stated Clerk of the
    church I had just begun serving as an interim and made countless phone calls through the
    pulpit supply list til I reached the very last one who was able to cover for me that Sunday.
    I got to Florida at 10 am Saturday morning and my sister got in from Chicago just an
    hour later. Mom was lucid and still mobile and thrilled to see us both. She died on Friday
   and we had the week with her and Dad, taking turns with care giving. It was a hallowed
   time of much grace amid the great sadness and sorrow. I was thankful that I could be there,
   that we all were there with Mom when she died.

5. Our very long trip to South Africa to visit a long time friend, whose Dad and my Dad
    worked together in Africa - Ghana back in the 1940's. She grew up in Africa and I
   grew up in the States. Over the many years, both families exchanged Christmas cards.
   When I was in high school, she wrote a letter in the summer. I wrote her back and
   we have written each other ever since and she made the occasional phone call from her
   job. We have since gone to email and Facebook. We had never met and I longed to
   meet her. She's such a stitch! And, we survived the 23 hour flight to Jo'burg! And
   had the most wonderful adventure to meet her and her husband, to stay with them, to
   tour Jo'burg, Pretoria, Cape Town and go on Safari. It was more meaningful because
  I knew my Dad had been in Africa - ok - a totally different country, but nevertheless,
   we touched the same continent and it was the most amazing experience, especially
   worshipping with an indigenous Presbyterian church for two hours and sharing
  holy communion with sisters and brothers in the faith who live such a very different
life on a continent a half a world away.

I have been greatly blessed and fortunate to have travelled all over the world and the US for a whole variety of reasons and each place and time has left its imprint on my life.

STILL FASTING

I am still fasting from being on-line. On Thursday, the phone person will return and look at the phone jack. One would think when he was out 2 weeks ago, he'd have had the presence of mind that when he got a signal outside but not inside, one would check the wires?
It will be going on three weeks this week and this is the third weekend.
  Ok, I'll be honest and admit I do miss checking Facebook, and playing my solitaire game, but I wasn't wasting that much time on it - or at least I think I wasn't.
  The most frustrating thing about this imposed Lenten fast, is feeling hamstrung in taking care of some work at home and not being to send and receive emails - especially when serving a church part time. That is simply the absolute worst. No email. During Lent. With extra services. And needing to get a hold of people. Or submit worship service information. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaghhhhhhhhhhhhh!
  Enough. Enough already. I repent. I confess my wasting time on Facebook and Solitaire. Restore the signal within and without our house! Create a new and clean fresh start. Cast us no more away from the signal we need to be connected and on-line. Have mercy on us!!!
  Will know more on Thursday, which is the soonest the phone repair person will be out. And of course, it will cost us. Sigh. Simply frustrating.
   Will be in touch when I can and when I'm done fuming.

LENTEN FAST

This is not the fast I choose! This fast from being on-line. The new modem arrived and appears to work all right. We just don't get a signal from the internet provider. Even the guy from the telephone company on his own laptop couldn't receive but a very faint signal or none at all. Everything else is in good working order - computer, telephone line, etc.
  I hope to hear something on Tuesday.
  In the meanwhile, it is severely hampering responding to email and sending email. My newsletter article was a day late in being submitted. I took the laptop to the church on Sunday and sent it in and checked my email.
  I am starting to get cranky about all this! I can be patient but it is wearing extremely thin these days.
Perhaps, I have to pray about getting back on -line. I'm sure God has bigger and more important things to deal with, but it certainly couldn't hurt and maybe, I'll be given more patience.

MYSTERY SOLVED

After a whole long week, the mystery has been solved. Our modem isn't working properly. Thankfully a new one is on its way and with good grace it 'll be here by Friday. If not, it will be 5 days. That would mean nearly two weeks off-line. What a ---. I can't say the colorful words I would like to.
  I just hope the new modem comes soon and is in good working order.
In the midst of  yet another snowstorm with a midweek Lenten service this evening. I figure I might not get home til 11 pm. Well, as long as I get home safe and sound that's really all that matters.
If I get to the church where the service is and they have cancelled, I'll be madder than a hornet!!!
Being Lutheran, I'm sure they will stoically have the service regardless of the weather!!!

IN EXILE

I have been in exile for days now as we have a problem with our internet at home.
6 days of no internet. at all. Everything we tried and with tech support up to this point has not worked. I think it may be the modem. All else appears to be working. And all of it is way beyond my simple understanding.
  I have to catch up on my email at the church.
  It appears my voice this Lent is being silenced in this, hopefully, very temporary exile. It certainly is exasperating and frustrating. Perhaps, I am being pointed to working on things that don't depend on the internet. But has impacted some of my leisure activity.
  So, if I remain silent for a time - it is about getting on-line. I pray it will be fixed before too long.

READY FOR LENT

More or less.
   With the brutal winter we have had, my trusty old van sits in the garage caked and encrusted with salt. It is so frigidly cold that it cannot be washed. My vehicle is not the only one out on the road looking like this - whitewashed non-descript color.
   Which has me thinking, that as ready as my van is for a wash, so am I ready for Lent. Over and through the year, we get caked in our sin, encrusted by the hurt or wounds we've endured, lost the luster of our first love - the Lord our God, or been slowly eaten by our anger, frustrations, and disappointments. We've covered ourselves up with rationalizations for doing what we do, for what we have said, for the good we've neglected to do.
   And into this season, steps in Lent.
  We come before God, we bring ourselves to God, and we rend out hearts, our spirits - cracking the caked on mess of the past year, splintering the crustiness that encases us, and in genuine honesty confess all. With contrite heart and spirit we come, weeping, lamenting, mourning, fasting, and lay it all before the Lord our God, knowing God can be trusted, for God is slow to anger, abounds in steadfast, ever-enduring love, God is gracious and merciful, full of compassion, and refrains from dispensing deserving punishment. We need this time. We need to come wholly before God. We need to repent from all that has kept us far from God. We need to bring our caked, encrusted selves to God and find the healing, the forgiveness, the new life, that comes from none other.
   And when we do, we are washed in the cleansing grace that is the Lord. And we are whole and complete. Forgiven, graced, renewed, and looking more like God has envisioned us, as we were created to be.
   I am so ready. Ready for Lent. To begin. And to be much more than my wintery self and soul.

RGBP'S FRIDAY FIVE - FAVORITE THINGS

The invitation comes to us from RGBP:

Just getting back from four days of silence, I am suddenly thrust back into the world. Wrestling with choices and seeing elderly decline in others, I am flummoxed about a Friday Five–so think of a favorite off the top of your head for:

 

1. food

      Does chocolate count as a food? If so, then it's chocolate. Otherwise, I don't know where to

      begin! I love spinach and all kinds of food. Hard to have absolute favorites.

 

2. drink

      Believe it or not, plain, ice cold H2O!!! That is my favorite drink of all. If this is regarding

      adult beverages - probably wine, or a gin & tonic.

 

3. animal

     Dogs! But I do enjoy and marvel at all manner of animals - moose, giraffes, koala bears, etc.

 

4. color

      That would be sage green. Just love it and it calms me.

 

5. time of day

      Evening when I'm home with LH and my greyt boys!!!!

 

Bonus: Any favorite you haven’t mentioned above that you want to bring up!

            Favorite TV Show - The Big Bang Theory

            Thank goodness it's on so often so I can almost see it every day!!! Never fails to amuse me.

A SNOWY BIRTHDAY

Yes, it was a very snowy birthday this year! More than was forecast.
I had hoped to spend the day out and about. But, when I woke up, all was covered in over 5 inches of snow on top of what we've already had. I was going nowhere.
  So, I did what I said I was not going to do on my birthday. I cleaned house. One of my least favorite things to do on my birthday. Oh well, at least by late afternoon, I could enjoy the benefits of my labor.
   The day got better after a call from my cousin across the pond. Although, she had some not so good news to report. But called to wish me happy birthday. That was sweet of her.
   After I finished cleaning and was preparing to finally get to the bank and post office - for by now LH had blown out the driveway, sidewalks, shoveled the apron after the snowplows came through - the phone rang again! This time my niece calling all the way from Ethiopia!!! Just made my entire day. I haven't talked to her since Thanksgiving although I email her ordinary news from here every week. I can't wait to see her again - hopefully April, after Easter.
   I did manage to go to the Post Office, the bank, the gas station. And shortly afterwards, LH took me to dinner.
   When we returned there was a slice of triple chocolate cake for each of us. And it was creamy, moist and oh, so delectable!!! There were even candles on the cake.
   Hard to believe that I am so middle-aged. Most days I don't feel that old. Other days, I feel 80!
   It came awfully quick. I remember my parents at this age. I remember my aunts and uncles at this age. I don't feel as old as they. Perhaps, because I never had children. There is still a youngish child in me. Children age you. In more ways than one. But I don't have that yardstick to measure my age by - how old your children are and are getting. I can only measure by my niece and nephew and somehow it isn't quite the same.
   There is still much I'd like to accomplish and yet I know I won't get to it all. I will content myself with doing what I can in this time of life - where it takes me longer to get things done and the energy doesn't always last as long.
   In the meanwhile, I'm off to spend my day out and about - delayed from Tuesday. I have a couple coupons for my birthday and will see if I find something to redeem them on. If not, it's just good to out and look around. Eye candy, if you will. And pick up a couple of things for others.
   Thanks be to God, I am still here. Thanks be to God, I have had another birthday to celebrate, if only quietly. Thanks be to God, for the adventure of the year before me!

RGBP'S FRIDAY FIVE: SPRING IS READY TO BE SPRUNG!

With Spring just 5 weeks away,

1) What do you anticipate with the coming of spring?
     Oh, I hate to say it - a very busy Lent/Holy Week/Easter season.
     On the fun side - gardening, putting in the herbs and tomatoes, planting red geraniums
     on the front porch flower boxes. The crocuses that will bloom and how, one by one,
     everything comes to bloom!

2) Is there anything you will miss about winter?
      At this juncture with the frigid cold and snow, nothing really!

3) Is there an occasion on the horizon to which you’re looking forward?
      A baby shower for my nephew and wife - I'll be a great Auntie!!!

4) Do you have a favorite spring memory?
      Swinging from the swing set as high as I could with the cherry tree in full bloom and fresh
      clean laundry hanging from the clothesline outsides. Don't know why this image pops up.
      Perhaps, the blossoming cherry tree, perhaps warm enough to be outside, perhaps, the
     freedom and carefreeness of swinging and only 5 or 6 years old, perhaps, the fun of
     seeing the clothes flapping in the breeze with the sun shining. It was a beautiful day.

5) Do you have a favorite spring flower/bloom, and if so, what makes it special to you?
        I really like several. Purple crocuses - because they are the first to bloom here adding
                                                                     a rich purple and orange color.
                                         Daffodils - for the sunshiny yellow.
                                         Hyacinths - for their pink and purple color
                                         Grape hyacinth - for their daintiness and purple hue
                                         Peonies - their thick, gorgeous colorful blooms

The Advent of Lent

Already it is a new month, and just about 6 weeks of winter left - although, we are to get a good snow event tomorrow night and Wednesday morning. Not looking forward to a challenging commute.
  Lent is getting close and I still have to plan out a Taize service which the church I am serving is hosting, and come up with a preaching scripture for a different Wednesday evening in Lent when I have to preach at a different church - the topic:
Why We Stand at the Cross.
   Yes, very general for 4 different preachers to deal with - the lucky one is the preacher who is to "preach" at the Taize service, in which there is no preaching, just silence.
  I haven't a clue really what scripture to ponder and where in the world I will go with this.
I'm thinking it's going to be a really short sermon!!!!!
I need more time to mull, to ponder this and I know I have to submit my scripture as a check that we are not all choosing the same scripture. However, no one can vouchsafe that we may not hit on the same reasons or themes. Ughh, I hate when things are this general and not more specific. Must be the J in me. Maybe its the Presbyterian I am in the midst of Lutherans!
  So, this week I'll be mulling and pondering, discerning and contemplating and most of all, praying for insight and direction. May God's Spirit be at work in me, outside of me, and all around this week.

Brrrrrrrr

It. is. just. too. cold. Frigidly cold.
On this cold, frost bitten Ohio winter day,
I stayed inside.
Although the sun shone today it was deceptive.
I missed its warmth though I adored its light.
Never in my memory has it been this polar cold.
I am thankful for the sun that spread its light
though not its warmth.
Perhaps, soon, as the days continue to lengthen
and in the few weeks to follow,
the sun will bring its warmth
and thaw us,
melt us,
awaken us to new life.

MAKING PROGRESS

The retreat is basically done. I worked all day yesterday on the presentation aspect of it. The handouts are completed, and the worship liturgies just need some clip art.
  I will pull out my Judy Wink oil lamp which I haven't used in a few years. The wick has dropped down and I will have to hook it up. I have some extra oil. So it is all coming together.
  It's like a weight has been lifted off of me and I can work on a couple of baby projects.
  My nephew's wife is pregnant and due in June, meaning I will be a great aunt. That sounds really old!!! Even older than grand parent! There will be a baby shower after Easter and so I do need to tackle these projects. Finally, something non-work related to have fun with!!!
  It was just 2 degrees this morning when I left and 4 degrees when I arrived at church. I think we were down to -6 degrees last night. It is bitterly, frigidly cold. On the plus side, we don't have much snow at all, about 3/4 inch. Maybe Lake Erie will really freeze over and we won't be getting any lake effect snow.
   My van moaned and groaned a bit yesterday evening on our way out to dinner. I know, we picked a cold night to have dinner out! But after it warmed up, Mystic, was fine again. She didn't groan this morning at all. I can't say as I blame her, at her age with her mileage. I groan a bit too, leaving my warm bed these recent mornings.
  I have pulled out my turtlenecks and warm sweaters and cardigans. Sure am getting use out of my two new pairs of wool blend pants and my corduroys!!!
  I even have a faux fur hat that I probably will wear to walk from the hospital garage, across the street and up the slope to the hospital today. I don't think the patient/parishioner will care about my hat hair. It looks better than a knit hat, especially for graveside services when it is really cold.
   I suppose it will now be time to focus on Lent as it appears that I will still be here. From season to season life flows, but for now a bit of breathing space.

CHECK IN

 Yay! The Sabbath Sachets are done! Some of the handouts for the retreat are done. The retreat itself is still in bits and pieces. I have this weekend and next Tuesday to get it all done.
  It's funny about time, as I continue to ponder it, that today, when I had planned to make two visits - one I had scheduled, the other I was just going to go to the nursing home - I still made two visits, but not the same nursing home. Ahh, God had other plans for me to visit today!
  The scheduled home visit went longer than planned and I didn't have the time to give to the first nursing home. So, on my way to the first nursing home, I honored time and went to the other nursing home here in town. I had promised the parishioner last week that I would stop in sometime and bring the star gift words so she could choose one. And so, that is where I ended up. And she was feeling a bit discouraged with her progress and on Friday will have s "simple" procedure done, which I had forgotten about. Thankfully, God has a way working things out and I had prayer with her about the procedure on Friday and we had a good talk.
  I will get to the other nursing home on Wednesday! That is, if God isn't against it!!!!