The conclusion of this month approaches us quickly and I am glad.
Our family (my side that is) has 5 five birthdays this month (that also includes our God-Daughter's). Buying cards and gifts, as well as Mother's Day stuff along with graduations, can be a budget buster unless you plan well. We go through stamps and wrapping paper like it's Christmas! So sorry, family, if you got your gift wrapped in used aluminum foil. It's all I had left.
This entire month my husband lived, slept, ate, and we went to visit him occasionally at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway track. Except for those rare Monday and Tuesdays off when he moved 11 cubic yards of mulch around our yard. He thanked me so much for this experience because it made him WANT to go back to his paid work gig!
One last item helps me bid a fond farewell to May's madness- my allergies! They go nuts this month. Now that the weather has shifted, things have bloomed and grown into another part of their plant cycle... I can breathe, swallow, and not sneeze a billion times daily. Ahh.
So good bye May- I am always glad to see you because it means summer and sunshine are coming, but I am even more grateful to watch you go.
Hello June- sun burns, humid hot days, VBS, and weddings- I cannot wait! Bring it!!
Friday, May 29, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Summer is Here!
Summer is here! That was our chant last Friday before the long Memorial Day/Race weekend. School's out for our little one and I begin my summer schedule (with a lovely vacation this week at home).
Summer has a new destination this year. The land of hammock. Finally, after hiding in our attic for three years we have replaced our hammock stand. We can enjoy the wonders of relaxation swinging in the breeze. Ah- already I feel the gray hairs retreating into my scalp and the deep breaths of stillness returning. 20 hammock minutes a day keeps the stress away!
You should see the silliness of three Knight's in the hammock with the dog attempting to jump on in mid swing. Tickles have a new location in the hammock with the dare of falling off into the grass. We've already found all sorts of animals in the clouds and are enjoying the new flight patterns for the Indianapolis International Airport.
Peas and carrots have sprouted and are growing like mad in the garden. Planted the sweet corn and remaining sunflower seeds yesterday evening. Summer is here! Woo hoo!
Time to buy more sunscreen because I have my first inaugural burn of the season! Summer has arrived.
Summer has a new destination this year. The land of hammock. Finally, after hiding in our attic for three years we have replaced our hammock stand. We can enjoy the wonders of relaxation swinging in the breeze. Ah- already I feel the gray hairs retreating into my scalp and the deep breaths of stillness returning. 20 hammock minutes a day keeps the stress away!
You should see the silliness of three Knight's in the hammock with the dog attempting to jump on in mid swing. Tickles have a new location in the hammock with the dare of falling off into the grass. We've already found all sorts of animals in the clouds and are enjoying the new flight patterns for the Indianapolis International Airport.
Peas and carrots have sprouted and are growing like mad in the garden. Planted the sweet corn and remaining sunflower seeds yesterday evening. Summer is here! Woo hoo!
Time to buy more sunscreen because I have my first inaugural burn of the season! Summer has arrived.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Victory in the Garden
Whoopee! Our little family explored our garden area last night. My husband decided the garden needed mulch. I was worried the mulch would inhibit our little plants from shooting up. So there we were, with our tail ends in the air, digging through mulch. And oh- the delight- the glee the sheer happiness when we discovered little bits of green attempting to burst through the mulch!
Our daughter jumped up and down with her fists and arms in the air (she looked like a runner who just finished the New York marathon in record time) chanting over and over again, " Food, Mama! We've got food!"
She shouted it with such enthusiasm, zest and volume that I am sure Child Protection Services will be called because our neighbors now think we are not feeding our daughter- but making her grow her own vegetables! It was a very exciting moment! The dog wagged his entire back end with excitement. I caught a glimpse of a little grin on my husband's face.
To witness something small that you planted in a dark deep place finally break through to light! Wow- a very cool moment that I shall not forget because I laughed so hard (at my daughter's joy) I cried with happiness. "Food, Mama, we're going to have food."
She then proceeded to tell us all about how the plants will grow and what we will eat and how good they will taste. (She never mentioned our contining jobs of weeding and watering and worrying.) Our preschooler did give better play-by-play action about our garden's growth and production than most sportscasters do with an athletic event. I'd love to hear her rendition of God's creation account...now that would be a great garden story-telling.
"and the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known."
C. Austin Miles, 1913 from In the Garden
Our daughter jumped up and down with her fists and arms in the air (she looked like a runner who just finished the New York marathon in record time) chanting over and over again, " Food, Mama! We've got food!"
She shouted it with such enthusiasm, zest and volume that I am sure Child Protection Services will be called because our neighbors now think we are not feeding our daughter- but making her grow her own vegetables! It was a very exciting moment! The dog wagged his entire back end with excitement. I caught a glimpse of a little grin on my husband's face.
To witness something small that you planted in a dark deep place finally break through to light! Wow- a very cool moment that I shall not forget because I laughed so hard (at my daughter's joy) I cried with happiness. "Food, Mama, we're going to have food."
She then proceeded to tell us all about how the plants will grow and what we will eat and how good they will taste. (She never mentioned our contining jobs of weeding and watering and worrying.) Our preschooler did give better play-by-play action about our garden's growth and production than most sportscasters do with an athletic event. I'd love to hear her rendition of God's creation account...now that would be a great garden story-telling.
"and the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known."
C. Austin Miles, 1913 from In the Garden
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Graduates
Congratulations to all those graduates out there from kindergarten, high school, college, graduate school, and so on and so forth. It is the season for caps and gowns, cake and more cake, and lots of pats on the back and "well done's"!
Moments ago I participated in our morning Calvary Learning Academy's kindergarten's graduation ceremony. Adorable graduates in their blue little caps and gowns! Some seem eager for the future, joyfully anticipating the first grade. Others seem a bit hesitant about things. The rest of the class just wanted to get to the cake and summer vacation!
For all those graduating- congrats and well done. For those still finishing what they are doing- your day will come soon. And for the rest of us still paying for college tutition, student loans etc. - my how school seems to follow you!?
Moments ago I participated in our morning Calvary Learning Academy's kindergarten's graduation ceremony. Adorable graduates in their blue little caps and gowns! Some seem eager for the future, joyfully anticipating the first grade. Others seem a bit hesitant about things. The rest of the class just wanted to get to the cake and summer vacation!
For all those graduating- congrats and well done. For those still finishing what they are doing- your day will come soon. And for the rest of us still paying for college tutition, student loans etc. - my how school seems to follow you!?
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Writing Adventure Begins
Tomorrow my new writing adventure begins- my summer class on writing books/stories for children starts. Whee! My daughter will be benefiting from this contining education experience, for sure!
And who knows?! Maybe all those children's sermons I do every week will improve in the process as well. If all goes really well, I may have to bag the 'infamous brown bag' children's sermons. Hmmm...
When we drove by the library this morning I did note that their summer reading program is kicking off soon. Remember all those books we read last summer (Todd- watch out Diana and I are ready to beat our record)?! And if we do- that will be simply another part of my writing research...
If I am brave enough I shall blog a story or two this summer. That is, if you promise to be gentle with your constructive criticism! I shall not be doing any illustrations as creative drawing/art is just not my thing.
And who knows?! Maybe all those children's sermons I do every week will improve in the process as well. If all goes really well, I may have to bag the 'infamous brown bag' children's sermons. Hmmm...
When we drove by the library this morning I did note that their summer reading program is kicking off soon. Remember all those books we read last summer (Todd- watch out Diana and I are ready to beat our record)?! And if we do- that will be simply another part of my writing research...
If I am brave enough I shall blog a story or two this summer. That is, if you promise to be gentle with your constructive criticism! I shall not be doing any illustrations as creative drawing/art is just not my thing.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Generous Generosity
Since I have been in full time ministry, rarely have I been gifted with the opportunity to preach on Stewardship Sunday. Usually that has been reserved for the lead leader (i.e. the senior pastor). It's kinda like Easter and Christmas Eve are left to the heavy/designated hitters.
What a great little quirk this year that because of a wedding- I have the opportunity tomorrow to preach to a third or so of our congregation about what I think and believe about generosity. The rest of the congregation will hear our sock-less District Superintendent's ideas on Sunday morning. He will do a fine job, no doubt.
I am actually quite glad that it has taken this long for this opportunity to arise in my vocational experience because earlier in my career I don't think I would have had much to say nor said it with the conviction I have today. Isn't God's timing- well- perfect?!
I don't feel squeamish talking about money with my church folks anymore. Thank Dave Ramsey for that. And thank my life partner, my husband, for the conviction we have about living life generously.
I am looking forward to tomorrow's worship. If you miss my thoughts- don't worry - one of these days you'll hear them. Until then, just remember to be generous... because money like manure is only any good when it's spread around to allow things to grow!
ha ha!
What a great little quirk this year that because of a wedding- I have the opportunity tomorrow to preach to a third or so of our congregation about what I think and believe about generosity. The rest of the congregation will hear our sock-less District Superintendent's ideas on Sunday morning. He will do a fine job, no doubt.
I am actually quite glad that it has taken this long for this opportunity to arise in my vocational experience because earlier in my career I don't think I would have had much to say nor said it with the conviction I have today. Isn't God's timing- well- perfect?!
I don't feel squeamish talking about money with my church folks anymore. Thank Dave Ramsey for that. And thank my life partner, my husband, for the conviction we have about living life generously.
I am looking forward to tomorrow's worship. If you miss my thoughts- don't worry - one of these days you'll hear them. Until then, just remember to be generous... because money like manure is only any good when it's spread around to allow things to grow!
ha ha!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Gardenin'
Eight tons of mulch landed in our driveway yesterday morning. There is about 3 tons left to lay around the landscaping and deck in the backyard. (If I make typo mistakes it is because my fingers are sore and worn out!) Whew.
Once that is accomplished today- then the garden can be tilled and we shall be in the seed planting business. (By the way, in case you were wondering, did I tell you the tomatos have made a come back? Yep, calling them Lazarus tomatos now.)
Our little one is very excited about finally planting her seeds. I just hope she lets them stay buried in the dirt and doesn't try to uncover them to see what is happening.
Come on over- you can help lay down mulch! At least my husband is thankful that I haven't asked lately for a mulch made labyrinth laid in our yard! He'd lose his smile for sure.
Once that is accomplished today- then the garden can be tilled and we shall be in the seed planting business. (By the way, in case you were wondering, did I tell you the tomatos have made a come back? Yep, calling them Lazarus tomatos now.)
Our little one is very excited about finally planting her seeds. I just hope she lets them stay buried in the dirt and doesn't try to uncover them to see what is happening.
Come on over- you can help lay down mulch! At least my husband is thankful that I haven't asked lately for a mulch made labyrinth laid in our yard! He'd lose his smile for sure.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Cookin'
Every heard of too many cooks in the kitchen spoils the somethin'? Well, I now know what that saying is about. We had about a dozen cooks in our church kitchen last night; stirring, measuring, washing, mixing, chatting, and laughing. It was noisy, hot, and busy. Bumping into each other and making such a mess.
Everyone had ideas and most of all everyone loved being helpful. It was a hoot! I've never seen 10 casseroles whipped together so fast in my life! Wow! The cooks ranged in age and cooking experience from 4 to 84.
If you or your family receive one of our Casserole Club's casseroles, please don't mind the crooked chicken casserole club sticker on the lid. The youngest cook insisted on sticking them on her way. That is crooked. Hey- every cook has her/his gimmick.
Everyone had ideas and most of all everyone loved being helpful. It was a hoot! I've never seen 10 casseroles whipped together so fast in my life! Wow! The cooks ranged in age and cooking experience from 4 to 84.
If you or your family receive one of our Casserole Club's casseroles, please don't mind the crooked chicken casserole club sticker on the lid. The youngest cook insisted on sticking them on her way. That is crooked. Hey- every cook has her/his gimmick.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Birthday is coming...
Well, I have another birthday coming soon (it will be here in a week). Happily I share the day with several of my favorite folks here at Calvary. All of us find the number 13 very lucky and blessed.
And I am mindful that with two years left, I haven't yet accomplished some of my before-40 goals. This past Saturday I was the closest yet to achieving my hot air balloon ride goal. Our little family got up before the sun to witness the launch of 33 hot air balloons in a race to celebrate IMS' 100 years. Cold brisk morning, but awesome experience. And it got better.
Later that evening we went back to the track to see the balloon Night Glow and fireworks. (Both were big hits with our preschooler). And I got to talk with balloon pilots, look in their flight baskets, and learn all sorts of ballooning trivia. The coolest thing ever!!!!!!!!
Now about my before-40 goal of trying out for the Pace-Mate cheerleaders... that goal has a l-o-n-g way to go. I need to get myself in shape for that. sigh. May have to wait on that one for my 50th birthday! Ha!
And I am mindful that with two years left, I haven't yet accomplished some of my before-40 goals. This past Saturday I was the closest yet to achieving my hot air balloon ride goal. Our little family got up before the sun to witness the launch of 33 hot air balloons in a race to celebrate IMS' 100 years. Cold brisk morning, but awesome experience. And it got better.
Later that evening we went back to the track to see the balloon Night Glow and fireworks. (Both were big hits with our preschooler). And I got to talk with balloon pilots, look in their flight baskets, and learn all sorts of ballooning trivia. The coolest thing ever!!!!!!!!
Now about my before-40 goal of trying out for the Pace-Mate cheerleaders... that goal has a l-o-n-g way to go. I need to get myself in shape for that. sigh. May have to wait on that one for my 50th birthday! Ha!
Spring's sprung
Ready, set, let's plant! I am itchin' to start planting my flower beds and flower pots this spring... so you can guess what will get accomplished this weekend (even though it's Mother's Day).
Nothing like the feel and smell of good ol' mud! Maybe I'll get the future garden tilled. By the way our prayers have been heard because tiny new leaves are sprouting on our tomato plants! Woo hoo!
You cannot help but experience the renewing powers of God when you mess in the dirt. Blessings to you this spring!
Nothing like the feel and smell of good ol' mud! Maybe I'll get the future garden tilled. By the way our prayers have been heard because tiny new leaves are sprouting on our tomato plants! Woo hoo!
You cannot help but experience the renewing powers of God when you mess in the dirt. Blessings to you this spring!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)