Cloudy Day

Evening sky in Lexington

Morning Sky after the storm

This room smells like chocolate cake!

This afternoon, our church fellowship hall smelled like a chocolate cake.   As soon as you walk in the room, you can smell the sweet aroma of  cake.  Looking around the room, it seems like a birthday party.  A purple tablecloth, colorful napkins, and two large silver punch bowls decorate the refreshment table.  The reception  is part of our church's celebration of individuals who have accepted Jesus as their Savior and been baptized.  It is a birthday party. Family, friends, and co-workers  have been invited to be a part of this special day. We are celebrating their new life in Christ.

Summer Joys, Vacation Bible School, & Tree Houses

Neighborhood Tree House

Memories from childhood...Vacation Bible School... reading... lighting bugs... riding bikes... walking in cornfields... ..how did my dad build a tree house between two Sugar Maple trees?

I have such fond reflections of Vacation Bible School @ Eden United Methodist Church.  Bible stories,  songs in the sanctuary, and making crafts....The seeds planted many years ago are still bearing fruit in the lives of those who attended.


This evening, Vacation Bible School will end at our church.  Wow! What a week!  Acting out Bible stories, memorizing scriptures, laughter, tears, crafts, songs, Kool Aid, hot dogs, chip, cookies, fun...loving God...Loving people... telling others.

A flower from my garden

Living free of fear

Living free of fear allows you to trust God more fully, deepen your faith, and live in faith rather than fear.   Traveling to Kenya eight times, Nancy models her faith in God.  

Great conversation and wonderful dinner with Tom & Nancy

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"Help, Lord" Psalm 12:1

Mammy Salt Shaker

This morning, I prayed for God's help.  Too often, I  work in my own strength. When efforts fail, I look back and trace the trail of pride.  This morning, I remembered, to ask for help.

I was preparing for  a full day.  In the morning, I was responsible to lead the discussion of The Help by Kathryn Stockett.   Later today, our  church would launch our first day of Vacation Bible School from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.

I was a little anxious about leading today's discussion.   On the table, I placed two salt and pepper shakers. Why?  Because these shakers represent  how African Americans were often portrayed early in the last century.   As we discussed the book, the group grappled with emotions and memories evoked by the characters. It was a rich discussion.

The evening ended with me teaching pre school children about love of God.  We looked at the scriptures in Matthew chapter 8 and how Jesus healed the centurion's helper.  We asked, how does Jesus help you?   These little ones... listed how they pray for help.  To me it was a perfect way to end the day.

Earlier in the day after our book discussion our group shared a meal at a local restaurant.

Book Club members @ lunch

Praying

"I pray because I can't help myself.  I pray because I'm helpless. I pray because the need flows out of me all the time - waking and sleeping.  It doesn't change  God, it changes me." 

C.S. Lewis

Women of a certain age

Tell the truth, should women of a certain age wear shoes like these?  

Enriching Women's Lives

Over twenty years ago, I attended my first Mary Kay Skin Care Class. I was introduced to the products offered by Mary Kay while sitting at my sister's kitchen table, I was able to try and experience each of the products. That evening, I made my first Mary Kay purchase.  Did I become a loyal customer?  No.  Why?  I moved. Then, we moved out of state.  Then, we moved again.  I did not have another MK Sales Consultant.  I found my way back to the cosmetic aisle of the department stores.  

Empowering Women

Now, I am using MK products again.  Mary Kay does offer women an opportunity to earn income whether full or part time.  

Joyful Celebrations

On Saturday, my cousin Anthony and Joyce renewed their wedding vows as they celebrated 35 years of marriage.  The church was filled with family and friends as they marked this special milestone.

Later the same evening, Je’Neane celebrated her 50^th birthday with her friend Karen.   Elementary school pictures, videos, and music from the era were a part of a lovely evening to mark a milestone birthday.  The husbands of 'Je'Neane  and Karen were supportive of this special celebration.  The planning and coordinating of this event, as you can imagine ... it took months.

All afternoon and evening, we celebrated with  songs, prayers, and laughter. As the evening drew to a close, we savor this one day where we went from one celebration  to the next celebration.

Mrs. Joyce Harris and her father

The Birthday Cake

Road Trip Food

Decisions, decisions,  Where we will eat lunch?  Traveling for 12 hours, we had to decide at least once a day, where to eat.  One thought was Wendy's.  Wendy's has a new salad that looks healthy.    We decided to try a local restaurant...

Hill of Beans

BISTRO

Treat Yourself

If you are traveling in Iowa along Interstate I - 80  we highly recommend Hill of Beans BISTRO: A coffee bistro featuring a full line of coffee drinks.

Fried Egg Sandwich

  Whether I am at home or traveling I try to support small independent stores.

Learn more about supporting local businesses by visiting 3/50 project http://www.the350project.net/home.html

Dinner with Friends

After a long day of traveling, I was looking forward to dinner with friends last Thursday.   Dinner also prepared us for a long night of travel to Omaha.  Lisa makes entertaining look easy.    Thank you Tim, Lisa, Katie, and Betsy. 

Celebration in Omaha

Lisa and Brent are loved.  When friends and family travel thousands of miles to celebrate your wedding, you know you are loved.    At last Saturday's wedding, guests traveled from Canada, Holland, and Germany. Praise to the Lord, the Almighty was sung in German and English.  Of course, I sang in English.  

Here are a portion of the verses in English

"Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of Creation!

O my soul praise Him, for He is thy help and salvation!

All ye who hear, 

Now to His temple draw near; Praise Him in glad adoration."

Guests from Toronto

What a beautiful baby!

Jara and her Aunt Beth ( my sister)

Wonderful Wedding in Omaha

Brent & Lisa's Wedding

June 4, 2011

Omaha, Nebraska

Dietz United Methodist Church

Father and lovely bride

Introduction & Statement on Marriage

Prayers for the journey

Yesterday morning at 6:30 a.m., I began my trip home from Omaha.   This morning I arrived at  home at 1:00 a.m.   Looking at my odometer this morning, I discovered that I have traveled over 1,800 miles.   My sister was my road partner for the majority of the trip.  Prayers:  We prayed before, during, and after the trip. Our prayers were not all self centered... we did pray for others.

This morning, I discovered people from my church had been praying for me.   Discovery others who had taken time to pray for me, I am so thankful!

Beyond our families, churches and missionaries, will you consider praying for the persecuted church?  Visit this site for more information:  www.persecution.com/

Road Trip with my sister

Today, I am resting.  After traveling nearly 1,000 miles, I am tired.  For the past two days, we have arrived at our hotels after midnight.   Each night, we finally slip into our beds after 2:00 a.m. Sleep easily overtakes me each night.

Where's the love... right here.

Praying on the journey, stopping for gas, shopping a bit, laughing, and for a minute traveling in the "Twilight Zone"