Time to Stop

Push, push, push.

That was today.

Funeral this morning.

Working with a guest organist to record hymns on our organ early afternoon.

Keeping Lil' Princess amused mid afternoon, while prepping for confirmation.

Leading confirmation and then cleaning up afterward through late afternoon, early evening.

Get Lil' P fed, cleaned up, in bed, stories read, and off to dream land.

And now...trying not to think about all that is left to be done!

No, I'm going to sit on this couch, watch Top Chef, and not feel guilty.

Right?!?!

Transition Time for us All

First day of no school for Lil' Princess.

Dad has gratefully fled to his office, and won't be back until late tonight.

I have a throbbing headache.

Lil' P is hiding under a blanket and is singing and refusing to cooperate with anything I ask or tell her to do.

It is time to go for a l-o-n-g walk and run off some of her energy while I try to conserve some of mine!

Ascension Worship

Ascension Dialog:
P: Alleluia! Christ is risen!
C: He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

P: God has gone up with a shout:
C: The Lord with the sound of a trumpet.

P: Sing praises to God, sing praises!
C: Sing praises to our King, sing praises!

P: Christ reigns over the nations:
C: He sits at God's right hand in the heavenly places.

It's time to get working on next Sunday's Ascension worship. I found this Dialog on Richard Fairchild's website, and plan to use it to set the tone for the service. Ascension is something we don't give much attention to, it begs the question of what meaning it has for the modern day Christian. Why should we take time to remember this particular event?

Some commentators see its primary function as a stepping stone, a preparation, for Pentecost. A point "B" as it were, to get us from point "A" to point "C." But does it have some importance, in and of itself?

Just some initial thoughts as the week begins. Besides a sermon and service planning, I need to come up with a blessing and thanks to Sunday School teachers, and a children's sermon that is actually done by the children as a closing to the Sunday School year. With all that and a funeral, and Lil' P's birthday party to plan, the week should be full!

Birthday Blessings

Happy birthday to me,

happy birthday to me,

happy birthday dear me-ee,

happy birthday to me!

I was feeling a little sorry for myself about my birthday, since we aren't going to do much for celebrating. (what with upcoming funeral, prepping for Sunday services, still sick child) But then I thought, is upper 30's anything to get that hyped up about anyway? And Lil' Princess and RevHubby both were so sweet about me enjoying my presents. Lil' P was so excited, she couldn't wait until today, she had to give me her present yesterday. It's a stuffed toy, a horse, which we named Flower. Very cute!

Next weekend we'll be having Lil' P's birthday party, so I'll get my cake and party fix then.

I'm grateful for another year of life, and looking forward to see what this next year will bring. Here's to the adventure!

Just What Season Is It?

Much to our surprise, we woke up to almost an inch of snow today. It all melted quickly, but it was a reminder of how, shall we say, variable and tempermental spring can be.

This small pause in the progress of spring seems fitting, though, as we make preparations for the funeral of a 75 year old man from one of my congregations. Life has been on hold this past year for his family as they've watched him weaken. He's lived a year longer than anyone expected. They're very grateful for the extra time, but at the same time express a sense of having being caught in a limbo time, always wondering when death would come. And now it has.

So it is time to declare spring. Time to point to new life. In the midst of tears, the pain, the goodbyes, we declare that Christ has triumphed over death. There is hope, there is joy, there is life even as we come to terms with the death of someone we care about.

I really enjoyed visiting with this gentleman. He liked to tell stories of the people and the town when he was a child and a young man, and told funny stories about living out in the Dakotas. He was tenderhearted and caring, and not ashamed to show it.

When someone we loves dies, the pain in our hearts may tell us that spiritually we are in the cold and dead time of winter, but Christ promises that he will bring us to the warmth and new life of spring. We lean on his arms, and his promises.

Blessed Sounds

Thunder! Wind! Rain!

What gorgeous sounds coming from outside...we've been so dry, that it is almost startling to hear rain against the window. Ranchers and farmers around here will be going to sleep with a smile on their face for at least tonight. We prayed for this at the Rogation service. People prayed with all their hearts, worried about more drought, worried about their families, worried about the future. We still don't know what the summer will bring, but at least for one night, they all can smile. And have some peace as they rest.

I have never equated wind and rain lashing against the window pane with a moment of peace before, but now I do.

Nurturing Mother of us all, thank you for the rains which soak the earth, and for your loving care of creation. Bless and keep farmers and ranchers as they go about their daily tasks in this busy time. Reveal the new life we may have in you through Christ even as you reveal the new life that shows forth in spring. Help us to be good stewards of all you have given us, and people of love and forgiveness. Give us peaceful rest for this night, and wake us to a new day made glorious by your presence. In the name of the Trinity, Amen.

Love is a Many Splendoured Thing

I spend ALL morning working on confirmation, and get NOwhere. I'm at wits end.

My husband looks at it for 5 minutes, and solves the problem.

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways!!!!