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May 30, 2010
We just finished having our Young Adult Group cookout. It was just in time, too. The rain just started coming down. However, it was a lot of fun to have everyone over.
Next weekend, I will not be here as I'll be at the Regional Assembly for our church in Lynchburg. It is always nice to see the other ministers I work with. It reminds me of how diverse our denomination is and how our democratic ideals shine through in our polity. However, I do not look forward to being in Lynchburg. After 10 years, I still can't find my way around that place. The city isn't not a bad place, I just can't get find anything ... even with a GPS.
Well, I hope that everyone has a good week and is safe. Enjoy your Memorial Day weekend and remember the folks and their families who have died in war over the years. For the last two days, I've been watching this special on the History Channel called America: The History of Us. It is a vivid reminder that for better or worse, a LOT of people have died in pursuit of higher ideals. Let us always pray for peace.
May 21, 2010
After a very bad garden experience last year, I've decided to take a different approach to acquiring vegetables. Last year, I had no tiller and critters ate all of my vegetables. So, this year, I'm getting vegetables delivered by the milk man. $5 dollars and every Friday I've got vegetables setting on my front porch (assuming no one steals them before I get home from church).
I've also been fighting with my basement more. I finally built a concrete pit for my submersible pump. My next job in the basement is to get the low spots filled in where dirt washed out from under the foundation. After that, I have about 60 other things that need to be done down there. I try not to think about it!
Macey has been enjoying the nice weather. She likes to hang around outside with me while I water the plants. She especially enjoys chasing the water flying out of the water hose, which is funny to watch. One day, I was feeling mischievous. So, I sprayed her while she chased the hose. However, she just seemed to enjoy it and giggled a deep giggle of deep joy. So, we played that game for about 10 minutes until the water blew her diaper up like a balloon.
Every day, my job and family remind me of how much I have to be thankful for. I hope that you feel the same way and have a good weekend!
May 7, 2010
I held up my end of the bargain with the youth group. They came to church .... I had blue hair for one week. Actually, the blue hair wasn't so bad. The embarrassing part came at the end of the week when I had to go to a beauty shop to get my hair fixed for Reg's funeral. I had to set under one of those dumb hair driers with a bag on my head to get my semi-blond/brown hair back. All in all it was fun for me and the kids.
On Wednesday, Lisa and I kept our tradition of celebrating Cinco de Mayo. We went to El Rodeo and listened to our friend, Jose, play in the band. We had a good time and Macey clapped and danced.
I hope you have a good weekend!
April 24, 2010
This week I was at the coffee shop in Salem working on a sermon. As I sat there, I realized that this was the week that the students at Roanoke College were taking final exams for the semester. I can remember doing the same thing. I have always disliked school. High school was miserable. College was bearable. And seminary was even likeable at times. However, I remember being unbelievably relieved to have finished all three. Believe it or not, I'd rather be working any day of the week.
A couple of people have asked about my garden this summer. And I reply, "What garden?!" There will be no garden this year. I learned my lesson. I may have grown up in the country, but I never picked up any farming skills. So, veggies this year are coming in a plastic bag. Thank God for the grocery store!
April 13, 2010
I'm having a hard time getting focused today. My mind seems to be all over the place. I find myself thinking about some of the good folks in and around the church who are suffering with the loss of a loved one and illness. I find myself thinking about my kid a lot. It is awful hard to drop her off at day care when she is crying. I find myself thinking about my newest house project: putting up a tile back splash in the kitchen. I find myself being amazed at how many people still sit and read the newspaper.
I can't help but wonder why our minds wander so much sometimes. At CYF last night we spent some time doing the same thing with theology. We spent time wondering how did we all end up here, where is heaven, what is heaven like, and just about anything else you can imagine. I suppose these wanderings are not bad and unproductive, rather they are how we explore and do spirituality. I just hope I get some answers to these questions one day.
April 2, 2010
It's Holy Week. It's been busy. I'm worn out.
When you start to speak and write in three-word-sentences, it is probably time for a vacation. So, the family and I will be on vacation next week.
However, this Lent has turned out well. I accidentally started a habit of going to Famous Anthony's in the morning for breakfast during my last week of sabbatical (which also happened to be one of the first weeks of Lent). I got used to eating a cheap breakfast and having a little company around me in the morning. So, I kept on going through the rest of Lent.
Each morning I read scripture and prayed before my food came. I read through most of the New Testament. All I can say is that it was truly a good time for me. I deepened my faith and trust in God and I even tidied up some messy corners of my life. I hope Lent has been good for you. Now I just have to get out of the habit of going to breakfast every morning!