To my pleasant surprise last night, we had about 25 people for supper and service. Most were from in town, a notable exception being an elderly couple who can barely walk, who never miss anything no matter what. Service went pretty well, though I wish I had done more editing on the sermon I used from esermons. The theme was good, but the author gets so long-winded, and says in 50 words what could be said more elegantly and clearly in 10. I had cut down a lot already, but as I read it, I realized that is was still too wordy. But I think people heard the theme and understood the point.
In these Lenten services I've been having them chant a short opening dialogue. They haven't done chanting for decades, so I'm trying to re-introduce it in a non-threatening way. I've explained that it is about creating an meditative, worshipful atmosphere and putting us in a reflective frame of mind. The initial nervousness seems to be over, and now they smile and go along for the ride. I keep trying to introduce new things in small ways, to expand their worship flexibility and openness.
I went to bed feeling pretty satisfied about the day (I got the dishwasher emptied, and a load of laundry put away right before I went to bed, so I was feeling pretty right-eous.) But then at 3:45 am I was awakened out of a very sound sleep by a really painful abdominal cramp. I had about 6 of them, which hurt enough that I had to use my breathing to deal with the pain. In the end, it turned out to be an intestinal thing (I suspect a bug that Sophia has shown symptoms of), but it was terrifying for a while. Having had a miscarriage before, intense painful abdominal cramps immediately send your mind there. I have never been so grateful to have to run to the bathroom, since it showed that it wasn't about the baby!
So today I'm going to be careful with what I eat, and focus on preparing for this weekend at my brother and sis-in-law's. I don't want to miss it!
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