That's the way the cookie crumbles...

I never made it to the cookie exchange.  I was lost for over a hour.  I had Map Quest directions.  I made two phone calls. What did I do? Return home!   Then I decided to  package and deliver  cookies to neighbors.   It was treat to visit with  neighbors.  All too often, we are simply exchange waves and hurry to our next activity. I have to be intentional about building relationships. 

Cookie delivery was an opportunity to begin to build relationships with neighbors.  Great way to end the day.

Bittersweet Celebration

I think bittersweet is an accurate description of today’s college graduation at Wright State University.  As we drive to the Nutter Stadium on campus, we see our American flag at half-mast as a mark of respect for the victims of the school shooting in Connecticut.  Then, we see smiles of students and families as they enter the center. It will be a day of contrasts.

Inside the Nutter center, students are filling in the rows dressed in robes of hunter green and gold. This is a familiar site for faculty and students. It is not for me. Talking on my cell phone, I listen to directions so I can locate my family.

After the graduation ceremony, we gather at a local restaurant. At lunch, our conversations weave between today’s celebration and yesterday’s tragedy in Connecticut.  We celebrate ‘j’s graduation. We pray for the families in Connecticut. 

Today a degree was awarded posthumously to a student who died this summer.
This student lived a short and remarkable life.
She was the author of two children's books.
Legally blind, she attended every class with her guide dog.
This is the dog.
Today, Dr. David R. Hopkins shared a bit about her life.
Dr. Hopkins also pays tribute the young students who died yesterday.
In the midst of the celebration, he honors their memory.

At today's Wright State University graduation.

In the center, "J" the college graduate with her dad, niece, and friend.

"Good food, good friends, and good fun are a perfect combination for the holiday season." 

Lexington Newcomers Quarterly Luncheon 12 - 12 - 12

 The Lexington Country Club was beautifully decorated.

Good Friends 

Good Fun

The Flat Out Fun Dancers from the Beaumont Y  

 The Flat Our Fun Dancers Entertained guests with music from several eras.

Music was from the 40's 50's, to the present. 

Holiday Lunch

I have a wonderful boss.  Her official title is Testing Coordinator for Bluegrass Community and Technical College @ Operation Read.  She offers a warm and supportive  environment. When we have a need she is ready to respond with additional resources.  If we have a concern, she is always ready to listen. What does she do when we ask for an increase in our salaries?  She has been an advocate for generous increases.  Since we volunteer, she often states, " I will double your salary!"

Today was our "Holiday Lunch".  She tricked us, it was staff development. Wilma guided us through the new materials that she has added to the office.

Volunteer Lunch
"Volunteers are paid in six figures ...S - M - I - L - E - S."
Gayle LeMaire

Cast Iron Skillet

 What images do you have of cooking with a cast iron skillet?  Do you think of southern cooking? Maybe you have memories of fried chicken.  I immediately think of my mother and the skillet she used in preparing family meals.  

Tonight was the first time I have seen a cast iron skillet in years.  If you are interested in trying a recipe using a cast iron skillet, I suggest you try one from the Southern Living Recipe. 

Our BSF group had fellowship tonight.   We love it when our friends try new recipes. Yum.! 

Southern Living has a recipe that is very good.
Utterly Deadly Southern Pecan Pie.
Google the recipe.
I had a small taste of one tonight. Yum. 

Advent Reflection

Advent... 

The following  is a lengthy reflection  from one of my favorite blog sites, Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration.   Any words or thoughts I have concerning this season of Advent would be trite in comparison to words of Prioress General Sister Pat. The scriptures that she sites are powerful. 

As a Protestant how did I  come across this site?  Four years ago,  my husband and I celebrated a special anniversary.  We hosted  a simple gathering for friends and family. We shared food, music, and a short video. Each of our guests received a small  bar of fragrant soap that was beautifully wrapped and tagged with a scripture from the Bible.  I purchased the soap from the Sisters. They create soap and other items. Since then, I am on their email list and mailing list.  

 To read the entire  post, I invite you to visit  site. Sacred Stones, Sacred Stories. 

"A word from our Prioress General Sister Pat on Advent:  O Come, Emmanuel

Advent is the season that allows us to give unabashed and full vent to our longings.  To long for something is to recognize that a gap exists between what is and what could be; that a piece is missing from the whole.  The human heart longs for justice and truth, mercy and forgiveness, peace and understanding, compassion and love.  The Advent scripture readings from the prophets, St. Paul and the evangelists fuel our longing for these human hungers as they hold out hope that God will bring us to safety and security and glorious redemption.

Our greatest longing, of course, is for God.  That most basic, primal longing is a mirror image of and response to God’s longing for us:

“God called to the man, ‘Where are you?’” (Gen 3: 9)

“I will seduce her and lead her into the desert and speak to her heart.” (Hos 2: 14)

“I myself took them in my arms; I drew them with bands of love.” (Hos 11: 4)

“How many times I yearned to gather your children, as a hen gathers her young.” (Mt 23: 37)

And our longing for God:

“God, you are my God, for you I long.” (Ps 63: 2)

“O Lord, our hearts are restless until they rest in you.” (St. Augustine)"
What do you think?  This is not the end of the post. You may visit the site to read the entire post. 

In closing, I rest in the fact I trust in a God who is a faithful, loving, and merciful . I also long for the day when Jesus will return. 

Fellowship ...Koinonia

“A conversation here. A conversation there. A meal. 

A trip. A visit. A problem faced. A struggle overcome.

A success shared. Little by little, our friendship has grown.”

This is how Dianna Booher describes the growth of a friendship.

I think she has it almost perfect.  She missed one detail…praying with a friend.

 I  am astonished at the depth of my friendships in Bible Study Fellowship. At our weekly meetings, we bow and pray.  We train, We pray .  We celebrate our victories.  We laugh. We comfort each other in our grief. We grow in our relationships with each other and with God. We share a passion that others will come to have a vibrant personal relationship with God. 

Today’s fellowship… sweet…