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!?

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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!