Ketchup

I don't like ketchup - only on meatloaf; it is really good on meatloaf.

And I don't like playing catch up - the stress!

But here I am in January, looking at December.

I had a birthday, so maybe it's age. ;-). I have a new camera - an upgrade from my TZ3 to a FZ28. Wow! I'm really enjoying it and I still like my little one with so much capability. It fits in my pocket or purse - so I'm never without a camera. But the new one is light years more intriguing. I take some solitary walks to get some shots as well - a combo of physical, spiritual and artistic exercise. I'm enjoying this new avenue of pursuit. I take shots where ever I see them.The first day of my vacation it snowed over night. I captured this shot doing morning errands.

The husband and I go on shoots. He also goes with our yenta who also is into photography. New Year's, he came over with his lady and shared a morning with us - more photos LOL. We're plannning a getaway shoot - should be fun; I'm looking forward to it. The youngest has accompanied us on a nature shoot.

I also received Vanessa William's Christmas CD and a great workbook 'Sacred Romance'; going to get the book today so I can begin the journey.

Spent Christmas with kids in and out. We were blessed to see the Giant's wife over the holidays who came bearing the gift of kewl watch. Too we were blessed as the next oldest came down from northern California. We had 5 for dinner, and it was a very nice to have the help cleaning up. We missed the one studying in France, and the Texans, but were also blessed by all of the rest.

I usually use this time to do some cleaning and re-arranging some furniture. I made the effort this year to change our living/dining room in to what I call the conservatoire (a reading/music room of sorts) - same stuff, just slightly different look to contrast with our 'theatre' room we already have. I have much, much, much more cleaning to do.

Other than groceries, I didn't really do any shopping, even though I have a few gift cards to spend. Eventually! Eventually! Went to the office parties of my and the husband's job. New Year's we've developed of having of finger foods and sparkling beverage with whomever graces our home as we wait in the New Year. That was nice. We were watching, as we had been throughout the holidays, episodes of the last dvd season of Smallville. We paused for the midnight celebration!

So now as I look back I see I've had a difficult time in getting back into school; but I haven't given up. I'm trying to manage the workload and make way for that opportunity, as well as continue in ministry and of course having a meaningful family life. Jer 29:11 reminds me God has a plan. I'll be trying to be on His page.

Meanwhile I look to the hubbi's upcoming birthday - a weekend which we will celebrate the gift of him, Martin Luther King Jr., and 44. Hoping to make the most of what will be a 5-day weekend for me.

Ketchup/Catch Up is what you make it - done well it can as enjoyable as this has been.

May God's (not the World's) prosperity bless you all this New Year.

"to be prudent, be circumspect, wisely understand, prosper (Qal) to be prudent, be circumspect (Hiphil) to look at or upon, have insight to give attention to, consider, ponder, be prudent to have insight, have comprehension 1b insight, comprehension (subst) to cause to consider, give insight, teach 1b the teachers, the wise to act circumspectly, act prudently, act wisely to prosper, have success to cause to prosper"

Meandering at the close of the month ...

Coming off of a nice time away at our church leadership retreat, I'm feeling peaceful, hopeful, blessed. This was our second retreat, the first occurring Spring of this year. We looked over the past 6 months and by the grace of God, it was good. It was a 2-nighter where we had a couple of brainstorming sessions and we also relaxed and broke bread together, and enjoyed the tropical air and environment of Palm Springs, returning for Sunday morning service.

Another answer to prayer has been God's response to my job situation. I actually have a hard two weeks to look forward to, but the prayers of the saints in my behalf have been answered and God has heard my cry. Those weeks won't be any different than I originally anticipated; but I will. I moved from the majority report of the weeks to come to the Caleb report. My Lord will sustain me. Not that I doubted it, but I had wearied and I so needed that sense of Him. It will be the cornerstone of my holiday thoughts tomorrow - the verse below.

I have been blessed in the surge to have lost about 6 pounds. The challenge will have been these last few days and of course tomorrow. But I've increased my walking steps and managed well my nutrition over the past several weeks. I am encouraged. I already survived the test of a birthday party for a dear friend's husband where there was so much delicious food. And today, which I'll touch upon further was our church's monthly fellowship. I'm keeping myself accountable. I will forge ahead!

The husband and I just celebrated 9 years of marriage. I was recalling today, one of our initial encounters where he had really blessed me, and in doing so touched my heart. He was the speaker today at church. We had just returned straight from the retreat. It was a good sermon. And it was fellowship sunday, so it was nice kickin' it with everyone over food and faith. Another one of his train gang visited the church today; the other came a few weeks back. I really enjoy seeing new faces coming to the church, especially those who make it home. It was especially nice today because our Japanese sojourner, the husband's namesake is back home - he had been many months in the country he had long dreamed of. He has plans for his future and is trying to set everything in place. He came with two sisters with him today to enjoy hearing their dad speak.

I've gotten caught up in mob wars on facebook. What an addiction. And just when I thought I had it all in hand, some criminal tries to wipe me out and I scramble for hours to maintain my existence. What have I gotten into. Thank goodness for loyal mob members - I nearly died! I play a bit of wordscraper too - trying to keep the brain sharp. The husband thinks I've fallen for my lab top.

We actually celebrate our anniversary for 3 weeks. We went to the county courthouse and followed the occasion with a subsequent wedding and reception.

Summer is falling into Autumn as the last holiday of its time takes place. We'll (he'll) barbeque of course and hopefully we'll be blessed by the presence of loved ones. I have some housecleaning that day and then its back to life as usual.

Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. _{Matthew 11:28-29}

Have a Blessed Labor Day Holiday

poem - commitment or contentment

I did it my way ...Lord help me not to say...

(The poem on commitment read in last Sunday's sermon)

COMMITMENT OR CONTENTMENT?

I'll go where you want me to go, Dear Lord.
Real service is what I desire.
I'll say what you want me to say, Dear Lord.
But don't ask me to sing in the choir!

I'll say what you want me to say, Dear Lord.
I'd like to see things come to pass.
But don't ask me to teach girls and boys, Dear Lord.
I'd rather just stay in my class.

I'll do what you want me to do, Dear Lord.
I yearn for your kingdom to thrive.
I'll give you my left-over change, Dear Lord.
But please don't ask me to tithe.

I’ll be what you want me to be, Dear Lord.
I long to see the church alive.
But don’t ask me to come out at night, Dear Lord.
I’m always too worn out and tired.

I'll go where you want me to go, Dear Lord.
I'll say what you want me to say.
I'm busy just now with myself, Dear Lord.
But I'll help you some other day.

_{author unknown to me}

ouch!

'Choosing the Good' Friday

Caught up in the preparations for Resurrection Sunday Service, I lost sight of Who I was serving. So today, I am doing what is needful; I am at the feet of Jesus, putting away Martha and putting on Mary. I'm opening my Alabaster box. I want to hear you Lord; I'm sorry for what I made it.

_{Luke 10:38-42, Php 4:4-10}

Did You Miss it?

That was the title of the sermon today - there were some guys on the road who missed the essence of what had just taken place. Jesus comes up beside them and breaks it down - Moses to then present-day-prophets - the Bible as it were, then.

The point of the sermon was, being on the other side of the events, Christmas - did you miss it? There are those out there who completely missed it, wrapped up in the hoopla of the times. We can reveal to them the true essence of what it was about. Kewl, huh? The husband delivered a good word today. Help those out there to understand by the Christ in you. Blessings to you.

rainy days and decembers ...

It's my favorite time of year - celebrating the advent of Christ. I'm moved by movies, and sentiments, and watching people. And there are birthdays in this month - 2 daughters, 1 brother in law, 1 son in law, and many dear friends, and I became 50.

Two years ago my mom died - it was my birthday. I was going to wake her for church - the husband was giving the message. I found later, after the firemen came and the paramedics lined the front of the house and the stairway, after I encouraged my husband to do what he does so I would have the comfort of knowing all was well with that part of the world, after holding her and wondering what diabetic crisis I had caused in my ineptitude, talking her back to this world with no avail, after alerting the brother and sister we had a situation with mom, later after following over to the hospital - she was having cerebral hemorrhage. She left us two days later.

The season has been this way for me for some time though, before the husband who has done wonderful things to make this season for me, I used to spend the holidays with the sisters family and still struggled. She has her season of difficulty, but Christmas is mine. This year the job is ambivalent, the church has a interim pastor and its in its own state, all the college kids are gone and our house is having quieter days, the giant graduates from boot camp at the end of the month in Chicago and I can't get there between weather and fares. But, life is not just some piece of cake. It's not just going to go my way.

Regardless, I love the season. I love my family. I love my friends. I love this time of year. Christ came and He is coming again! I don't know about rainy days and decembers, but the reason for the season IS!

Update on Worthy ... with tears, God just plain IS!

update emailed to me:

Subject: update on Esteban

Greetings & God's blessings to all of you. God's people are so awesome...Amen!
It is with a heavy heart that I write this evening. Today my son had surgery because the time came (sooner than was expected), to amputate his right leg. Infection had set in. Esteban continues to be strong, yet I am reminded by the doctors that it is technology which has kept him alive thus far. And I say that reluctantly because science is science, but God's will is truth. He continues to breath with assistance, and some respiratory complications have surfaced. Dialysis is needed daily. Yesterday we were told by the doctors that they don't believe Esteban will be leaving the hospital. He will never walk again, but as his big brother Billy said, "Who needs legs when he'll have wings in heaven?" So my prayer tonight is for God's mercy. Since the accident on October 9Th, we have witnessed God's immense love, His undeniable grace, and now I ask that you pray for God's tender mercies on Esteban. I shared with my sisters this evening how at times it just seems as though there is no more strength remaining at the end of the day, then I get a call, or an e-mail, or am reminded of someones bible study group or church who has been diligent in prayer, and once again, I (we) are renewed for the next day. Your prayers are as fuel. They keep us going!
Please keep in mind I John 4:19 "We love because He first loved us"
In Jesus Name,

husband's ETP progress

On another note - so proud of the husband; he's nearly completed the 3 year evangelism training program. About that long ago, not long after ordination and subsequent assistant pastorship in our former church, having come to our present denomination, he committed himself to completing this program. He has done well according to the 6-month review he had yesterday. The light is not only at the end of the tunnel but glowing inside. It was just about a year or so ago he got 2 inquiries (one out of state and one not far from us) about assistant pastorships within our denomination because he was in this program. Now he has almost completed it. There is a realm of possibilities out there, and we are seeking God's leading - so goes the adventure of ministry. His dedication has been admirable and I think the program has taught and confirmed much. Praising God for the blessing of it all.