Month of Thankfulness - Day 18

Sunday: A Blessed Day

Hubby and I joined our son and daughter-in-law at their church this morning for worship. I love their church. The music is always fantastic. Today's instruments were a piano and a cello. (The sound of a cello just gives me the chills.) I am so thankful that they are able to worship at a church that truly preaches the gospel. I always get so much practical stuff from the sermons. Every sermon wraps up with the gospel message. The service usually ends with me in tears, I am so moved. What really got me today was being served communion by my son and daughter-in-law. Words cannot describe the emotions. What kind of a loving God do we have that would allow me (& hubby) to experience that moment?

After that simply marvelous morning we enjoyed a yummy BBQ lunch and some fun shopping with the son and daughter-in-law.

Then I spent three and a half hours at Panera (which in and of itself would be great) with an old friend. We first met in choir when Hubby and I were first married and lived in Wichita, Kansas. My friend and I have moved around a lot over the years and even lost touch for several years. We got back in touch and text each other often, but don't often get the opportunity to actually see each other. This trip it happened to work out that we were both able to spend some time together. SO MUCH FUN! I don't think we really spent three and a half hours just sitting there talking, but that is what the clock indicated, so I guess I have to believe it.

This evening we enjoyed a late supper with our daughter and son-in-law. They encouraged us to try something brand new to Hubby and I.

Sushi! At one point in my life I thought I would never want to eat sushi. Megan and Zach have told us about this place and we said we'd like to go with them sometime if they would order for us. And can I say? We really did like it! I'd go again (with someone who knew what they were ordering).

I am thankful for...
...God's truth being preached
...singing with the body of Christ
...partaking in communion
...an afternoon spent with a friend I first met 28 years ago
...that friendship
...my daughter
...the enjoyment of food

The Happenings

Outside my window... there is only a tiny bit of snow! I am beyond happy that we have not had very much snow this winter. It snowed a bit yesterday, but was in the 40s today so it mostly melted! Yay!

I am thinking... that I need to live somewhere warmer. It's only January and we've had a pretty mild winter, but I am already tired of winter and would love to just wear flip-flops and capris.

I am thankful for... my husband's immense patience with me. Today he patiently took me shopping. He stayed in the car and read while I wandered through several stores and ended up not buying a single thing. I told him I had a severe case of DMD (Decision Making Disorder). Oh well. I guess I save money that way.

I am wearing... a red sweater that my daughter helped me pick out when she was in high school and new jeans (that turn my hands blue) I bought when we were in Houston.

I am going... to finish a cover for my sewing machine. I have the top done (for over a year...) and need to layer it and quilt it, then make it fitted to go over my sewing machine. Planning on working on that this week.

I am currently reading... a biography about Eric Liddell. He was the inspiration for the movie Chariots of Fire (1981). He also was a missionary in China. I bought the book for my hubby last year because hubby is a runner and Eric won a Gold Medal in the 1924 Olympics for the 400 metre run.

I am hoping... we can find a church where we come away encouraged. We have been attending a church in the country about 13 miles from here. We really enjoyed it when we first started going there about 10 months ago even though they had an interim pastor. Last fall they hired a new guy and we have been less than impressed with his sermons, but kept going hoping for something better. Today's sermon? Well, let's just say it was marginally Biblical. We're going to see what we can find for churches in a town about 50 miles away. I tell you, this is truly frustrating to us. Truly.

Noticing that... I rarely win a SCRABBLE game on Facebook. But I keep playing. Guess I'm in it for the fun and not the win.

Pondering these words... Let the king be enthralled by your beauty; honor Him, for He is your lord. (Psalm 45:11) 
 
From the kitchen... some extremely gooood Raspberry Sorbet I made last night.

One of my favorite things... Spending time with my husband. (I'm pretty sure I've mentioned that here before a time or two.)

From my picture journal...
Here's a shot of the Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream I made for my mom's birthday celebration.

 [I don't know if it's a good thing or not that I learned how to use our ice cream maker.]

Daily Photo Journal -- May 1

I know it's pushing two weeks since I wrote a blog post. Our vacation was just wonderful. When we got home we had company right away and then there was the whole laundry thing. And some other stuff, but I won't bore you with the details. You're welcome.

To jump start myself, I decided to take the month of May and post a picture everyday. Hopefully it will be relevant to something that happened that day. But if not much went on, be ready for pictures of the plants growing outside. Just trying to prepare my readers. :)

After living here for getting close to a year, I think we have finally found a church that we can feel a part of.  It's a little country church. I took a picture of it as we were leaving this morning.

It's the Principle of the Thing

Today is The Day After The First Day of Spring! Finally. Yippee!

The good news is the snow melting! I may have mentioned that before, but seeing the bare ground brings me such great relief that Spring Is Coming!

The other good news is that I have put my winter coat away for the season! (on the-edge-of-your-seat news, I know...) There is just something in me that cannot wear a winter coat after the first day of spring. yes, I know the highs are only in the mid-thirties this week. It's the principle, people, the principle. (...and yes, I know, Joyce, mid-thirties isn't really warm.) It's the principle of the thing, that, and I am sick and tired of wearing my winter coat.

We had a good weekend together, the hubby and I. Saturday we drove to a northern Iowa lake resort area for lunch and to check out a store that recycles building materials. Not that we are renovating anything, we were just curious. We did see some pretty cool looking really old sinks and doors. But mostly, it was a fun date.

Sunday we went to church where we previously lived. I think we had tried to go three other times over the last several months and every time there was bad weather. We did have to drive back in fog, but it wasn't too terrible.

We enjoyed worshiping with our old church family who we miss so much. We got caught up with a bunch of people. That all was very refreshing for me.

We took our favorite elderly friend out for lunch. She is 84 and we were in a Bible study with her for the better part of 9 years. She's never been married and so cheerful and full of life. Oh, and such a sense of humor! Bible studies were so fun with her jokes and the songs she would sing for us sometimes in Swedish and sometimes in Latin. That she loves Jesus is no secret. Her papa was a pastor and she has some great stories of being a preacher's kid.

Besides today being The Day After The First Day Of Spring, today is my parent's wedding anniversary. They have been married for 58 years! Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!

Here's a picture of them dancing at our daughter's wedding last June. My mom was terribly sick just 7-8 months before this, so is was extra special to see this that day:

Happy Day After The First Day Of Spring!

October Photo Journal -- Day 10

We're kind of having a bit of a hard time finding a church to plug in to here. Yesterday we had the idea to make a bit of a drive (only 240 miles round trip) and visit the church of an old family friend. It did not disappoint. It was great fun to surprise our friends, the church people were friendly, and the sermon was very thought provoking. Basically, the summary is: As Christians, are we being influenced by the culture or are we influencing the culture around us? I've really been thinking about this recently, so I especially enjoyed the sermon.

During the prayer, I sneaked a picture of our friend:(Shhh...don't tell!)

 He's even written some Bible studies over the years. Our small group went through this one a few years ago.

 It was a good Sunday morning and well worth the trip.

Daily Photo Journal - January 31

I wasn't sure I would actually post a picture for every day this month, but I did and I am glad I did. Now I am going to decide if I want to continue doing that. If I do I think I will save the week's photos and post them all on either Saturday or Sunday. I have obviously neglected writing any of my amazingly, **cough** humorous, **cough** and thoughtful posts. 

On Sundays we go out for lunch after church and our almost-son-in-law comes along with us. It's a great time to connect with him and buy him a meal. Today our church wasn't able to meet at the community center we usually meet at because of a previously scheduled event, and it's too stinking cold to have Church In The Park, so the leaders decided to have the church split up into our small groups and have House Church. (We have about 85-90% of the people in our congregation involved in a small group.) We had 12 people here this morning and had brunch together before a well-planned worship service.

Because of the brunch, we delayed our eating out with the almost-son-in-law until an early supper. I took a couple of pictures of Zach enjoying his fajitas. Both are Classic Zach. So I think I have to post both.

Your welcome.

 

Gotta Love Him. :)

 

Daily Photo Journal - January 3

Megan played the piano for worship this morning. I really miss hearing her play. She has a gift. Pete and I were singing on the worship team. How did I get this picture? (I took it during communion.... sshhh!)

It Came Upon the Midnight Clear

We sang this Christmas carol tonight at the Christmas Eve service at church. These are some of the words that struck me:

It came upon the midnight clear,
That glorious song of old,
From angels bending near the earth,
To touch their harps of gold;
“Peace on the earth, good will to men,
From Heaven’s all gracious King.”
The world in solemn stillness lay,
To hear the angels sing.

And ye, beneath life’s crushing load,
Whose forms are bending low,
Who toil along the climbing way
With painful steps and slow,
Look now! for glad and golden hours
Come swiftly on the wing.
O rest beside the weary road,
And hear the angels sing!For lo! the days are hastening on,

By prophet-bards foretold,
When with the ever circling years
Comes round the age of gold;
When peace shall over all the earth
Its ancient splendors fling,
And the whole world send back the song
Which now the angels sing.

Merry Christmas!

I Love My Church. But Really?

I really love my church. I love the worship. I love the people even more. I love that pastors aren't afraid to preach it. To preach the truth. To challenge. To answer questions the people in the congregation have even in the middle of a sermon. (Yep, it's happened a few times.)

Our church is fairly young. We started attending when it was just over a year old. That was eight years ago. This has been a great experience for us all. Our kids are tuned in to getting involved and serving in their own churches. Pete and I have seen the benefits of that as well. I have sung on the worship team for most of those eight years. Crazy that I do that, but love serving God that way. Pete has played the piano as well. He also has been a part of the leadership as a deacon and an elder.

Our church worships in the middle school in town. I love the casualness of that. There is only one conflict a year with that location. It's the Sunday that the high school graduation takes place. The high school uses the middle school for the all night party for the graduates. Because of the set up for that, we have found another location to worship on that Sunday. Once a year we worship in the Library Square Park downtown. In all the years we have met at the middle school have never had to cancel because of the weather. Then there is 2009. The weather forecast was for 45 degrees at 10a.m. June 7th people! Being the hardy Minnesotans that we are, we forged ahead for worship in the park.

Here is a picture of the poor worship team including my sweetie on the piano. His poor freezing hands. (Sorry the picture is dark. It is a dreary day.)



Here is my lap while we were singing. Don't you love my blanket? :)
I think it is just wrong that my glasses were steaming up as I sang. In June. Outside. Only in Minnesota.

I'm still thawing out. ::sigh::