I Feel Spring!

First of all, Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I know that everyone is Irish today.

I for one, know that I have Irish roots.

Actually, I've always known that but now it is documented.

According to my saliva test as analyzed by 23andMe, 

I am 34.2% Irish.

So there you have it.

Moving on...

Spring is trying to squeak into Wyoming, between the snowstorms that is.

It wasn't very sunny yesterday.

It was windy.

But it felt Spring-ish.

Cordelia really wanted to go for a walk,

So we did.

I love seeing Eric as a father.

He's good at it.

Everyone felt playful. 

Eric tossed Cordelia up in the air so Elise wanted me to do the same with her.

No, I didn't really throw her, but she was delighted anyway.

Grandpa found a pine cone just the right size for little fingers.

I hope those little girls always appreciate the sweet relationships

they share with their Daddy.

I know that this girl appreciates the sweet relationship she shares with her Daddy.

Don't ask about my weird outfit.

Is Mike laughing at me behind my back?

Who's he to talk?

He's wearing his slippers.

Cordelia was looking at the world a bit differently. 

A little mother-daughter run... not sure if they were cold or just

feeling competitive and wanting to be the first ones home.

Thank you, Maria and Eric, for helping take photos.

First Song

The first song I remember learning (about age 3 or 4) goes like this...

For God so loved the world

He gave his only son

To die on Calvary's tree

From sin to set us free.

Someday he's coming back

What glory that will be,

Wonderful his love for me.

The Gift and Text Photos

One thing I really enjoy is when I receive little photos from Maria via text. Here's an example...

Isn't that precious?

Yesterday I received some fun photo texts from her.

First, let me give some pre-explanation...

Last Sunday I overheard Maria saying that if anyone could find Top Ramen Oriental Flavor (vegan) in our town to let her know. I'm not much of a shopper, at least not in person, but I know how to search online. Within minutes after Maria & Eric and girls left our home, I found the Top Ramen Oriental Flavor in a 24 pack on Amazon. With just a couple of clicks, it was on its way to them. I didn't tell them anything about it.

Yesterday, I received this photo from Maria...

Don't be scared.

In case you can't tell, that is her freaking out over the gift.

That was a fun text to receive!

Then, I was rewarded with this sweet photo of Elise.

Soon, this beautiful little face showed up on my phone.

And last, I received this photo.

Those are packages of Top Ramen and the photo

was originally sent to Eric, taunting him at work to

hurry him home for a Top Ramen treat.

I'm no always good at finding gifts for people

but apparently I nailed it this time!

Independence is an Illusion

I was thinking about independence today on my way to work. I know, it isn't the 4th of July or anything. That's ok, because I wasn't really thinking about that kind of independence. I WAS thinking about our country, though.

I think America (Americans) put a high value on independence. That isn't a bad thing. Our desire to be independent type individuals likely keeps a lot of people from laying around waiting for others to take care of them. It maybe keeps us motivated to move forward, to strive for better things for ourselves. That isn't bad, is it?

Here's the deal, though. Most of us are fooling ourselves to think we are all that independent. Unless you are living off the land, far from civilization, you likely aren't all that independent. You may want to argue with me but here's a little test to see if you are really independent:

• Did you build the car you drive?
• Did you build the road on which you drive that car?
• Do you ever go to a store and buy things made by others?
• Do you provide your own fuel for your heating and cooling system?
• For that matter, did you make your own heating and cooling system?
• Did you grow your own cotton, harvest it, do whatever all the steps are to turn it into fabric, then sew that fabric on a machine you made yourself in order to make your own underwear? 
• Did you invent and manufacture the computer/cell phone/tablet on which you are reading this?
• Do you ever feel the need to talk to another person?
• Do you ever seek medical care?

I think you can see that this list could go on and on forever. I think independence is an illusion.  I don't even think we were ever meant to be independent. I think God planned for us to need each other. We are a gift to each other.

Hebrews 10:24-25

English Standard Version (ESV)

24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Community is important. There are many layers of community. For example, I am part of a family that is like a community. I am part of a congregation, also a community. I am a part of a neighborhood. I am part of a work place, a different kind of community. I am part of a city, state and country. Finally, I am part of the world. These are all levels of community. They are all important. Sure, there are a lot of problems within community of any type, but there is also a lot of support and encouragement available.

I really do like feeling a bit independent at times, but I do realize it is just a prideful illusion. I need others. And others need me.

There. Those were my thoughts on my way to work today.

Now, as your reward for reading all the way through this, I will give you a sweet photograph that has absolutely nothing to do with this post.

Simon the Pharisee

Last night was a Lenten Service at our church. This year Mike asked for volunteers to do little one-person dramas. Last night was our first one and I am proud to say that one of the high school boys from the Sunday School Class I co-teach was the brave volunteer. I am always proud of the kids in our class.

This is Bailey, also known as Simon the Pharisee, before church began. I was snapping photos right along side of his mother, Nicole. Weird, maybe, but I have need of good material for my blog posts so I was willing to be a bit more quirky than normal. Thanks for putting up with me, Bailey and Nicole!

Here is Bailey in action. He did such a fine job! It was fun to watch him get into his part. The message he brought was excellent.

Simon the Pharisee was portrayed as one of the uppity-ups from Jesus' time, someone who followed all the rules and tried to make sure everyone knew him to be a righteous person. He spoke of watching Jesus and how he was impressed with him at first. He liked that Jesus was not afraid to "call a sin a sin". He liked that Jesus confronted sinners and told them to change their ways.

As he spoke on, though, Simon acknowledge how disappointed in he was Jesus. He said he'd invited Jesus and other important people of the community to dinner. He spoke of the woman of ill repute coming in and kissed Jesus' feet.  Simon was disgusted by her. He then became disappointed in Jesus for allowing her to touch him.

Although this woman may have been dirty and may sinned in ways that 

Simon went on, speaking negatively of Jesus' character. Of course, it led us all to the proper conclusion that we all need to recognize ourselves as sinners. We need to yearn to be forgiven and to change our ways because we WANT to please Jesus.

This lesson is not outdated. We are all sinners, yet forgiveness is available to us. We are loved more than we know.

I love that Jesus often used those society scorned in order to make his points. He showed such compassion for those who sought him out, no matter their station in life. 

Thanks, Bailey, for working to remind us of that love and compassion freely offered to each of us.

Luke 7:36-50

New Century Version (NCV)

A Woman Washes Jesus’ Feet

36 One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him, so Jesus went into the Pharisee’s house and sat at the table. 37 A sinful woman in the town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house. So she brought an alabaster jar of perfume 38 and stood behind Jesus at his feet, crying. She began to wash his feet with her tears, and she dried them with her hair, kissing them many times and rubbing them with the perfume. 39 When the Pharisee who asked Jesus to come to his house saw this, he thought to himself, “If Jesus were a prophet, he would know that the woman touching him is a sinner!”
40 Jesus said to the Pharisee, “Simon, I have something to say to you.”
Simon said, “Teacher, tell me.”
41 Jesus said, “Two people owed money to the same banker. One owed five hundred coins[a] and the other owed fifty. 42 They had no money to pay what they owed, but the banker told both of them they did not have to pay him. Which person will love the banker more?”
43 Simon, the Pharisee, answered, “I think it would be the one who owed him the most money.”
Jesus said to Simon, “You are right.” 44 Then Jesus turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? When I came into your house, you gave me no water for my feet, but she washed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. 45 You gave me no kiss of greeting, but she has been kissing my feet since I came in. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she poured perfume on my feet. 47 I tell you that her many sins are forgiven, so she showed great love. But the person who is forgiven only a little will love only a little.”
48 Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
49 The people sitting at the table began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”
50 Jesus said to the woman, “Because you believed, you are saved from your sins. Go in peace.”

 

Empty Nest Ramblings

Sometimes I just don't feel like organizing my thoughts into a meaningful post. That's why I am just going to type my thoughts as I think them today.

So, having an empty nest is a little weirder than I thought it would be. Sam's schedule had been so much off from our's, we saw very little of him awake. I didn't think it would feel all that much different.

I was wrong.

Mike & I noticed that we keep having that thought in the back of our minds that we are waiting for someone to come home. It is strange. After all, for nearly 33 years we had offspring living at home. We were often waiting for someone to come home.

And then there is the food thing.

We don't need to buy as much.

I bought some Hot Fries the other day. That is one of the things that I enjoyed buying for Sam, something neither me nor Mike can eat. He was always so grateful when I brought them home for him. When Sam came by Sunday I think it made him happy to see that I had some Hot Fries waiting for him. It's the little things, you know.

Our house seems quieter... and bigger, much bigger.

I never really planned ahead much for an empty nest. Before I was married, I thought about being married. I always expected to be married. Before we had children, I thought about being a mother. I always expected to be a mother. This new phase, though, I didn't really think about it too much.

I do enjoy having  uninterrupted conversations with Mike.

Vultures - Another Point of View

What one word comes to your mind when you hear the word "vulture"? I think for many, that word would be death.

I go years and years without thinking of vultures at all but last week, when we went on vacation, they were a source of conversation on a couple of occasions. The first time was when we were driving in NE Wyoming on our way to the airport. There was a big vulture cleaning up some road kill as we drove by. I forgot just how big they are! Here is a close-up photo taken from Wikipedia.

 They seem kind of ugly at first.

In flight, though, they are quite beautiful.


 They hop-walk when on the ground and look pretty awkward. Their take-off involves and lot of hopping and flapping as well. What I didn't know, though, was that when they soar, they are really quite lovely. They often tip from side to side, catching the light with their lighter feathers. They can soar for hours, yes hours, without flapping their wings!

While I've always known that we needed to appreciate their work as garbage collectors, cleaning up after nature, I didn't realize that other cultures have really honored them. When we were on the cruise on Saguaro Lake in Arizona the captain told us that in a Native American culture (sorry, can't remember which) they were thought to be messengers from God. They were respected!

Some places in the world continue to show respect for these interesting birds. There is even an International Vulture Awareness Day every September. Who knew?

When we were in Arizona, I got a photo of this beauty overhead.

I never did see him flap his wings.

Confession of Sin

Confession of Sin

Most holy and merciful God,
we confess to you and to one another, and before the whole company of heaven, that we have sinned by our fault, by our own fault, by our own most grievous fault, in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone.




We have not love you with our whole heart, and mind, and strength. We  have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We have not forgiven others, as we have been forgiven.
Have mercy on us, O God.

We have shut our ears to your call to serve as Christ served us. We have not been true to the mind of Christ. We have grieved your Holy Spirit.
Have mercy on us, O God.

Our past unfaithfulness, the pride, envy, hypocrisy, and apathy that have infected our lives, we confess to you.
Have mercy on us, O God.

Our self-indulgent appetites and ways, and our exploitation of other people, we confess to you.
Have mercy on us, O God.

Our neglect of human need and suffering, and our indifference to injustice and cruelty, we confess to you.
Have mercy on us, O God.

Our false judgments, our uncharitable thoughts toward our neighbors, and our prejudice and contempt toward those who differ from us, we confess to you.
Have mercy on us, O God.

Our waste and pollution of your creation, and our lack of concern for those who come after us, we confess to you.
Have mercy on us, O God.

Restore us, O God, and let your anger depart from us.
Hear us, O God, for your mercy is great.

(confession from our church bulletin)

The Three Amigos!

Lori (my cousin-in-law)

Sue (my sister-in-law)

 Joe (my brother-in-law)

Don't you wish you had a hat like that?

Do We Make You Sick?

Last year when we went to Arizona, Mike's Mom got so sick of us she ended up in the hospital. Ok, that might not be quite what happened but now I am wondering. This time we took my sister with us. Guess what!? She started feeling a bit under the weather our last day there and after getting back to Wyoming, she also ended up in the hospital. She is improving but good grief! Is it us? Anyone want to vacation with us?

Arizona Photos, Continued

There is something so very beautiful about a rose.

 Sam was so happy to spend time with his girlfriend, Alaysha.

It was our first time to meet her so we enjoyed getting to know her a bit as well.

 These birds were perched next door to Carol's house.

I loved them!

Ash Wednesday & Lent in Two Minutes

Saguaro Lake

One of our days in Arizona we enjoyed a cruise... on water!  It's true! There are lakes in the middle of the Arizona desert and it turns out there are some not far from where we were staying in Mesa. Who knew?! Well, actually, Joe (brother-in-law) knew and at his suggestion we decided to go on a 90 minute cruise.

Now, if you've never traveled with someone in a wheelchair, you maybe haven't realized all the complications that can entail. We made sure ahead of time that this cruise was handicap accessible. There were many steps on the way down to the boat but there was a special route involving a hill, a long bumpy dock and a bit of faith to get Tina on the boat. Picture a boat tied to a dock. There is that gap between dock and boat that is kind of scary to walk across and I felt a bit nervous to push Tina's wheelchair over that opening. She, however, didn't show any fear at all. Being handicapped requires a good deal of courage I've learned.

Although everything is harder from a wheelchair, sometimes there are perks. That day it was nice that the captain let Tina and me board early. We got to sit right up front to enjoy the view!

The rest of the family had to wait in line.

Can you see them up there?

They eventually joined us and we all got good seats close together.

Sue and Joe (Mike's sister and her husband) were nearby.

For those readers who know them, 

don't you wonder why they don't age?

It's weird, really.

Sam was looking handsome.

As it turned out, this was a lovely way to spend a February afternoon.

The weather was perfect and the

views were stunning.

Our captain was quite informative.

He pointed out this rare saguaro cactus that had crested.

That is to say its arms had turned inward and were grown together. 

I was intrigued by this one that seemed to be growing straight out of the rock.

I never really thought of cactus as a lakeside kind of plant.

There were so many different colors and shapes in the rock formations.

Doesn't that look peaceful?

What a lovely afternoon...

Relaxing in the Sunshine

Not long ago Mike and I cooked up a plan to take my sister, Tina, away from winter for awhile. We picked her up from her home, just a few hours away from our own. We then drove to Rapid City, South Dakota and spent a pleasant evening in a hotel and relaxed a bit. The next morning we took to the skies and flew to Arizona in our search for the sun.

Tina gets around in a wheelchair. She does very well but I'm here to tell you that I think it must take a great deal of courage for her to go on such a trip. She has to submit herself to being strapped into a funny, skinny aisle wheelchair just to get to her seat on an airplane. It looked a bit scary to me! She handled it all with good grace, though.

We were visiting Mike's Mom (Carol) and one of his sisters (Sue) and her husband (Joe). They were so welcoming and gracious, they made Tina feel right at home. 

Early in the week Sue and I took Tina on a long walk around the neighborhood. When you are from Wyoming, it is such a treat to see all the things that grow in warm places! I think this was one of Tina's favorite types of cactus.

We all enjoyed this bottle brush flower.

There are a lot of these pretty little quails (I really don't know if that is what they are, but maybe?) around.

 I felt Tina needed to have her photograph taken by one of the pretty pool areas.

We didn't go swimming but maybe we should have.

There is even a ramp for a wheelchair to go easily down into the pool.

Maybe next time.

 Sue showed us this cool cactus.

Do you see it as a waving bunny?

When we walked back, we found Mike and Joe out enjoying the warm day as well.

While it was sub-zero in Wyoming...

...and while the Wyoming wind was howling...

We felt pretty fortunate to be relaxing in the sunshine.

Holy is the Lord by Chris Tomlin Lyrics

Blessings With Names

Recently Mike & I spent an evening with the little girls at their house while their parents were out. We didn't do anything out of the ordinary. We read books and played a bit. Elise requested an episode of Thomas the Train. As it started she said over and over "Thomas the Train" then "I will watch it!" Yep. She is into sentences big time now. She is so tiny, it seems odd to hear her be so verbal. She has a LOT of thoughts, though.

We went through the bedtime rituals, kind of an extended version I think. Let's just say Cordelia is a pretty effective negotiator. She sat so sweetly as I brushed out her curls and braided her hair for bed. I think that was when we were supposed to help her settle down for sleep.  We might not have done that so well. I blame Mike. He's the fun one.

We made time for silliness. We enjoyed lots of hugs and snuggles. I took photos of those little faces I love.

I looked over at Mike with the girls and I felt so truly content. It still seems strange to me to think of my high school boyfriend as a grandpa and me as a grandma, but I'm so glad we get to share this experience as well. 

Blessings... one named Cordelia and one named Elise.