We are running a bit behind getting our Christmas decorations up this year. We finally finished decorating this weekend!
I have always been fascinated by Christmas ornaments. Most years, I try to find one special ornament to add to our collection, but instead of buying one, I buy three so that some day, when Ben and Will grow up and leave home, they will have a collection of ornaments to start with.
We put on some Christmas music to set a festive mood, and decorated the tree.
It's amazing how many memories are tied up in ornaments! I smiled as I saw the special 'baby's first ornament' from Ben's first Christmas. Will noticed it, and asked what ornament marked his first year. I quickly searched the box of ornaments we hadn't gotten to yet and found the special rocking horse ornament dated 1995, which marked his first Christmas. I noticed ornaments I remember receiving from special friends over the years. We remembered the time, when Ben was a baby, and our Christmas tree fell over and landed right beside him! He was laying on a pallet on the floor (about six months old!) and was totally unfazed! I gasped at how close it had come to him! In addition, all of our ornaments were intact!
Then, there was the year when Ben was two years old, when we had a real tree that was very heavy (and beautiful). Turns out, the tree stand wasn't strong enough and the tree came crashing down a few days after we had set it up and decorated it! This time, we weren't so fortunate. Many of our ornaments broke into hundreds of tiny pieces! Ben and I hugged each other and cried! (Will wasn't born yet and Tim was rescuing what was left of the tree!) When my family found out, my brother and sisters surprised us by shipping a box filled with new, special ornaments to help build up our collection again!
We have ornaments made by little hands years ago.
The boys looked through the boxes, trying to find that special ornament they remembered from years past, so they could hang it on the tree. There are angels, manger scenes, stars, birds, Santas, glass balls, carolers, Barney the dinosaur (with a santa hat), there are sparkly ones, shiny ones--an eclectic array!
There is a beautiful teal glass ball ornament and one that used to match it that is now silver. I remember handing that ornament to Ben when he was a toddler sitting in a high chair. He wanted to look at the pretty ornament. He accidentally dropped it into his bowl of cereal with milk. I snatched it up, but the acid in the milk had immediately eaten the teal paint off of it!! Wow--that surprised me! So, each year I remember that day as I hang the teal ball and the once-matching silver ball.
This is such a wonderful time of year! I enjoy all of the special events, parties, etc., that go along with this season. I love seeing houses lit up with Christmas lights. I enjoy seeing manger scenes.
It reminds us in a special way of the great gift God gave us when He sent His Son, so many years ago. That was, and always will be, the greatest gift of all!
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Grilled Cheese Sandwiches and a Song
I have been amazed this week by the simple things in life that can unexpectedly touch my heart! I have had that happen twice this week!
One day at lunch, I was preparing grilled cheese sandwiches for my family. As I was spreading butter on the bread, preparing to grill the sandwiches, my thoughts went back a few years to our days in Maryland. Tim was the associate pastor at a church in a suburb of Washington DC, on the Maryland side. It was a very interesting place to live. With most countries having embassies in Washington DC, plus other folks who have emigrated for various reasons, we met people from all over the world during our time there. Ben and Will were going through baby and toddler days at that time.
I became friends with two women originally from China. I invited one of those friends, Yong Ching, over for lunch one day. I served soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. We spent time chatting and our kids enjoyed playing together. It was fun.
A few weeks later, my other friend originally from China named Ashley, invited me over to her house for lunch. It was a similar time, with our kids playing together and she, too, served grilled cheese sandwiches and soup.
She asked me: "Do you know who taught me how to make grilled cheese sandwiches?"
I answered: "No, I don't know who taught you. Who?"
She said, with a smile: "You did!"
I was puzzled. "What?" I had no recollection of teaching her this.
She laughed. Ashley explained that, when Yong Ching was at my house for lunch, she observed very closely as I prepared the grilled cheese sandwiches. She later told Ashley how to make them, based on her observations. Ashley told me her daughters were so happy when she learned to make them! They had tried them at school lunch and really liked them. Ashley had tried every way she could think of to make them and they turned out bad! She tried the oven, the toaster and the microwave, all with negative results.
Grilled cheese seems simple to me, but only because it is familiar. Ashley and Yong Ching make the most delicious egg rolls I have ever tasted, and that is common place to them. I would have just as hard a time figuring out how to make an egg roll as they had trying to make grilled cheese!
My sandwich making this week reminded me of that time and those two wonderful friends.
Another day, I was running a couple of errands with my son, Ben. He played me a song in my car that he especially wanted me to hear. The band's drummer had the wonderful experience with his wife of having a baby, also named Benjamin, but the day turned bittersweet when the drummer's father died that very day. They wrote a song about it.
The lyrics of the song took me back, reminding me of various memories, thoughts and feelings. I found myself connecting emotionally as I listened to the beautiful words and music. I thought of my dad, who died in 2003, and realized I see his eyes in Ben's. I hadn't noticed how much Ben's eyes look like my dad's until that song said something similar. I had a flood of memories from the births of both Ben and Will, and of their brother, Ryan, stillborn several years ago.
We both had tears in our eyes by the time the song was over. I made an innocuous comment about a truck with a snow plow in the next lane, wondering if we were expecting snow. I realized I was trying to distract myself from the deep emotions that song had stirred up.
As we made our way through Walmart, our last stop, I suddenly realized something from long ago that I had never understood. The day I found out, by ultrasound, that our first baby had died and I would have to go through labor and delivery knowing that painful truth, my Dad had driven me to my appointment. Once we heard the shocking news, we contacted Tim, who was at work, and arranged to meet him at home to pack to go to the hospital.
On the drive to my house, my Dad talked about baseball and all sorts of other things. I was puzzled how he could think about those things with the news we had just received. As I walked through Walmart, I realized, just as I had done with the snowplow, my Dad was passing the time, probably trying to ease the horrible ache and dread in both of our hearts. I knew he cared deeply, but I had misinterpreted his chatter to mean that he didn't. This was a real 'ah ha, now I get it' kind of moment!
After making our purchases, we headed home. On the way back, I asked Ben if he would play the song again, and he did. We were both impacted deeply again as our minds and hearts connected with the lyrics.
Wow, songs and grilled cheese sandwiches. Who would think that could touch the heart! Moments like this often come about in the most unexpected ways.
One day at lunch, I was preparing grilled cheese sandwiches for my family. As I was spreading butter on the bread, preparing to grill the sandwiches, my thoughts went back a few years to our days in Maryland. Tim was the associate pastor at a church in a suburb of Washington DC, on the Maryland side. It was a very interesting place to live. With most countries having embassies in Washington DC, plus other folks who have emigrated for various reasons, we met people from all over the world during our time there. Ben and Will were going through baby and toddler days at that time.
I became friends with two women originally from China. I invited one of those friends, Yong Ching, over for lunch one day. I served soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. We spent time chatting and our kids enjoyed playing together. It was fun.
A few weeks later, my other friend originally from China named Ashley, invited me over to her house for lunch. It was a similar time, with our kids playing together and she, too, served grilled cheese sandwiches and soup.
She asked me: "Do you know who taught me how to make grilled cheese sandwiches?"
I answered: "No, I don't know who taught you. Who?"
She said, with a smile: "You did!"
I was puzzled. "What?" I had no recollection of teaching her this.
She laughed. Ashley explained that, when Yong Ching was at my house for lunch, she observed very closely as I prepared the grilled cheese sandwiches. She later told Ashley how to make them, based on her observations. Ashley told me her daughters were so happy when she learned to make them! They had tried them at school lunch and really liked them. Ashley had tried every way she could think of to make them and they turned out bad! She tried the oven, the toaster and the microwave, all with negative results.
Grilled cheese seems simple to me, but only because it is familiar. Ashley and Yong Ching make the most delicious egg rolls I have ever tasted, and that is common place to them. I would have just as hard a time figuring out how to make an egg roll as they had trying to make grilled cheese!
My sandwich making this week reminded me of that time and those two wonderful friends.
Another day, I was running a couple of errands with my son, Ben. He played me a song in my car that he especially wanted me to hear. The band's drummer had the wonderful experience with his wife of having a baby, also named Benjamin, but the day turned bittersweet when the drummer's father died that very day. They wrote a song about it.
The lyrics of the song took me back, reminding me of various memories, thoughts and feelings. I found myself connecting emotionally as I listened to the beautiful words and music. I thought of my dad, who died in 2003, and realized I see his eyes in Ben's. I hadn't noticed how much Ben's eyes look like my dad's until that song said something similar. I had a flood of memories from the births of both Ben and Will, and of their brother, Ryan, stillborn several years ago.
We both had tears in our eyes by the time the song was over. I made an innocuous comment about a truck with a snow plow in the next lane, wondering if we were expecting snow. I realized I was trying to distract myself from the deep emotions that song had stirred up.
As we made our way through Walmart, our last stop, I suddenly realized something from long ago that I had never understood. The day I found out, by ultrasound, that our first baby had died and I would have to go through labor and delivery knowing that painful truth, my Dad had driven me to my appointment. Once we heard the shocking news, we contacted Tim, who was at work, and arranged to meet him at home to pack to go to the hospital.
On the drive to my house, my Dad talked about baseball and all sorts of other things. I was puzzled how he could think about those things with the news we had just received. As I walked through Walmart, I realized, just as I had done with the snowplow, my Dad was passing the time, probably trying to ease the horrible ache and dread in both of our hearts. I knew he cared deeply, but I had misinterpreted his chatter to mean that he didn't. This was a real 'ah ha, now I get it' kind of moment!
After making our purchases, we headed home. On the way back, I asked Ben if he would play the song again, and he did. We were both impacted deeply again as our minds and hearts connected with the lyrics.
Wow, songs and grilled cheese sandwiches. Who would think that could touch the heart! Moments like this often come about in the most unexpected ways.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Who Are You Supposed To Be?
Saturday night, I enjoyed my first full performance with the women's chorus I'm part of called Sounds of Pittsburgh. Back in September, we performed three songs at a conference in Ohio, but this was my first full concert with them. It was so much fun!
The first couple of songs I was a bit nervous but it wasn't long before I just started having fun!
We were very well received by the audience, including Tim, Ben and Will. This was the first time my family has heard us sing so that was exciting too!
I thoroughly enjoy singing with Sounds of Pittsburgh for many reasons. Everyone involved is very friendly. I like the variety of music we do. Some of it takes me back to my teenage years. I also like the emphasis on learning and improving our musical abilities.
One fun part of being in the chorus is the costumes we wear when we perform. Saturday night, we wore the chorus dresses that are made of a purple material that has glitter (or something like glitter) throughout the fabric. The dress is accented with green, pink and blue strips of sequins, plus there are sequins around the neck. We wore rhinestone earrings that dangle and shimmer. It looks very pretty on stage.
We all wear the same exact make up, nail polish, earrings and shoes.
I was thinking, normally, most women don't like it if another woman shows up in the same outfit she has on. With this group, 70 women purposely try to look the same, down to the last detail! It is fun.
I had to be there early for rehearsals, so I drove separately from my family. On the way home, Ben was riding with me. We stopped to pay our toll at the New Stanton toll plaza. I rolled down my window and handed the attendant my ticket. I had been in my concert attire for so long, I thought nothing of it. The toll booth guy looked at me and asked, "Who are you supposed to be?" I explained that I am part of a chorus that just performed a concert in Pittsburgh.
As I drove away, I realized the toll booth guy thought I was dressed up for a costume party! Ben and I got a good laugh out of that the rest of the way home.
I'm sure those toll booth attendants see all sorts of outfits and costumes, especially the weekends approaching Halloween.
It reminds me of how easy it is to draw our own conclusions with superficial information and often be way off the mark. Things are not always what they seem! This silly example reminds us of the importance of adhering to Jesus' teaching in Matthew 7:1&2: Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
The first couple of songs I was a bit nervous but it wasn't long before I just started having fun!
We were very well received by the audience, including Tim, Ben and Will. This was the first time my family has heard us sing so that was exciting too!
I thoroughly enjoy singing with Sounds of Pittsburgh for many reasons. Everyone involved is very friendly. I like the variety of music we do. Some of it takes me back to my teenage years. I also like the emphasis on learning and improving our musical abilities.
One fun part of being in the chorus is the costumes we wear when we perform. Saturday night, we wore the chorus dresses that are made of a purple material that has glitter (or something like glitter) throughout the fabric. The dress is accented with green, pink and blue strips of sequins, plus there are sequins around the neck. We wore rhinestone earrings that dangle and shimmer. It looks very pretty on stage.
We all wear the same exact make up, nail polish, earrings and shoes.
I was thinking, normally, most women don't like it if another woman shows up in the same outfit she has on. With this group, 70 women purposely try to look the same, down to the last detail! It is fun.
I had to be there early for rehearsals, so I drove separately from my family. On the way home, Ben was riding with me. We stopped to pay our toll at the New Stanton toll plaza. I rolled down my window and handed the attendant my ticket. I had been in my concert attire for so long, I thought nothing of it. The toll booth guy looked at me and asked, "Who are you supposed to be?" I explained that I am part of a chorus that just performed a concert in Pittsburgh.
As I drove away, I realized the toll booth guy thought I was dressed up for a costume party! Ben and I got a good laugh out of that the rest of the way home.
I'm sure those toll booth attendants see all sorts of outfits and costumes, especially the weekends approaching Halloween.
It reminds me of how easy it is to draw our own conclusions with superficial information and often be way off the mark. Things are not always what they seem! This silly example reminds us of the importance of adhering to Jesus' teaching in Matthew 7:1&2: Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
Friday, October 5, 2007
Taste of Home
I grew up in Kansas City, MO. That will always be my hometown. Last week, we had the chance to return for a visit. The main purpose of our trip was to attend the wedding of my niece, Mandy. It was very special to be part of this wonderful occasion. I saw old friends and family. During the week, I was able to help my grandmother celebrate her 95th birthday!
While we were there, we stopped by the World War I museum that opened a few months ago. It is very well done, interesting and informative. One thing that impressed me was a glass walkway over a field of poppy flowers inside the building. There were 9,000 flowers, each representing 1,000 lives lost in WWI. It was an amazing sight; it was interesting to walk on the glass and see several feet below.
Kansas City is rich in history. They are known for many things, including barbecue and jazz. My sister and brother-in-law were anxious to share a barbeque place they have discovered. It's called Oklahoma Joe's. The restaurant is located at a gas station! So, you don't go there for the atmosphere!! But the food was great!
This place had their own special barbeque sauce, as many places do. And, fitting to the area, they serve Kansas City style bbq sauce, which typically has a molasses and tomato base, along with great seasoning, resulting in a tangy, slightly sweet sauce.
I grew up around that style of bbq sauce so it is definitely what I am used to. I have been amazed, though, over the last few years, by the huge differences in bbq sauces around the country. Some places have a vinegar based bbq sauce, some have mustard based sauce and some sauces I've sampled are hard to identify and seem very strange! I'm not sure what barbeque sauce is typically like in PA.
The people who live where the sauce is mustard based think that is the way to go! Folks used to the vinegar based sauces think that's the way it should be!!
It's all a matter of it being a taste of home, whatever it is you are used to. That is what seems normal and best. Sometimes it isn't about one being right and one being wrong, but it is about being different.
While we were there, we stopped by the World War I museum that opened a few months ago. It is very well done, interesting and informative. One thing that impressed me was a glass walkway over a field of poppy flowers inside the building. There were 9,000 flowers, each representing 1,000 lives lost in WWI. It was an amazing sight; it was interesting to walk on the glass and see several feet below.
Kansas City is rich in history. They are known for many things, including barbecue and jazz. My sister and brother-in-law were anxious to share a barbeque place they have discovered. It's called Oklahoma Joe's. The restaurant is located at a gas station! So, you don't go there for the atmosphere!! But the food was great!
This place had their own special barbeque sauce, as many places do. And, fitting to the area, they serve Kansas City style bbq sauce, which typically has a molasses and tomato base, along with great seasoning, resulting in a tangy, slightly sweet sauce.
I grew up around that style of bbq sauce so it is definitely what I am used to. I have been amazed, though, over the last few years, by the huge differences in bbq sauces around the country. Some places have a vinegar based bbq sauce, some have mustard based sauce and some sauces I've sampled are hard to identify and seem very strange! I'm not sure what barbeque sauce is typically like in PA.
The people who live where the sauce is mustard based think that is the way to go! Folks used to the vinegar based sauces think that's the way it should be!!
It's all a matter of it being a taste of home, whatever it is you are used to. That is what seems normal and best. Sometimes it isn't about one being right and one being wrong, but it is about being different.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Rebuilding the Real You
The last Sunday of August we will conclude our summer quarter in Sunday School. I have really enjoyed the book my class has studied this summer--Rebuilding the Real You by Jack Hayford.
This study looks closely at the way the Holy Spirit works in our lives. Hayford uses the example of the story of Nehemiah and the work he spearheaded to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem as a comparison to the way God works in our lives to rebuild us from the pieces left broken by disappointments, failures, challenges, addictions, problems, etc.
I don't remember how many times I have read all or part of this book, but each time I do I always get a lot out of it.
Two weeks ago was my son Will's 12th birthday (on a Sunday during this quarter). Naturally, I thought back to the time of his birth and his early months. Will had a rough start in life as he was born seven weeks early. I had a rough time as well. The first 18 hours after Will was born, I was placed flat on my back in a dark room because I was very close to going into seizures. They told me not to think about my new baby (so hard not to!); I couldn't eat or drink; I couldn't watch TV, read or listen to music because that kind of thing could stimulate seizure activity. I couldn't have visitors, except they did allow Tim to come in occasionally to see how I was doing with strick orders not to talk much at all.
Finally, the crisis passed and I was out of danger.
I remember how tiny Will was! He only weighed 3 lbs. 14 oz.! I remember thinking that is quite a bit less than a sack of sugar!
I was in the hospital for over a week. The hardest thing was leaving Will behind in the neonatal intensive care unit once I was discharged. He couldn't come home until he weighed about 4 1/2 pounds.
As he grew, he got to where he could sit up as I bathed him. I remember one day when I was drying him off after a bath. As my hand supported him, it looked so gigantic compared to Will's back! The thought hit me, that must be how God's hand would look touching my back--so huge! I liked the thought of that! It reminded me how well God has things in hand. As much as I love and adore Will, God's perfect love for His creation is even bigger than the greatest love I can imagine! That reminds me how much He cares for us.
It was great timing because the chapter we covered on Will's birthday was titled: Knowing How God Feels About You. What a wonderful reminder of how much God loves us!
This study emphasized that the first step must be accepting Christ as our Savior. Then, God works in our lives, bringing us to wholeness, as we allow Him to rebuild us. Some people are more broken than others, depending on what they've faced in life. The study helps us all to understand more fully how the Holy Spirit works to restore believers from brokenness.
This has been an important topic to me for a number of years. First, several years ago God showed me the brokenness in my life and invited me to walk a path of healing and restoration. Then, over time, God has given me opportunities to reach out to others who needed this kind of healing in their own lives.
Over the years, as I have walked this path toward wholeness (I'm still a work in progress), I have seen God do many mighty and powerful things both in my life and in the lives of others. I have been utterly amazed at what God can do to rebuild and restore lives to the abundance He has available for each of us!
This study looks closely at the way the Holy Spirit works in our lives. Hayford uses the example of the story of Nehemiah and the work he spearheaded to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem as a comparison to the way God works in our lives to rebuild us from the pieces left broken by disappointments, failures, challenges, addictions, problems, etc.
I don't remember how many times I have read all or part of this book, but each time I do I always get a lot out of it.
Two weeks ago was my son Will's 12th birthday (on a Sunday during this quarter). Naturally, I thought back to the time of his birth and his early months. Will had a rough start in life as he was born seven weeks early. I had a rough time as well. The first 18 hours after Will was born, I was placed flat on my back in a dark room because I was very close to going into seizures. They told me not to think about my new baby (so hard not to!); I couldn't eat or drink; I couldn't watch TV, read or listen to music because that kind of thing could stimulate seizure activity. I couldn't have visitors, except they did allow Tim to come in occasionally to see how I was doing with strick orders not to talk much at all.
Finally, the crisis passed and I was out of danger.
I remember how tiny Will was! He only weighed 3 lbs. 14 oz.! I remember thinking that is quite a bit less than a sack of sugar!
I was in the hospital for over a week. The hardest thing was leaving Will behind in the neonatal intensive care unit once I was discharged. He couldn't come home until he weighed about 4 1/2 pounds.
As he grew, he got to where he could sit up as I bathed him. I remember one day when I was drying him off after a bath. As my hand supported him, it looked so gigantic compared to Will's back! The thought hit me, that must be how God's hand would look touching my back--so huge! I liked the thought of that! It reminded me how well God has things in hand. As much as I love and adore Will, God's perfect love for His creation is even bigger than the greatest love I can imagine! That reminds me how much He cares for us.
It was great timing because the chapter we covered on Will's birthday was titled: Knowing How God Feels About You. What a wonderful reminder of how much God loves us!
This study emphasized that the first step must be accepting Christ as our Savior. Then, God works in our lives, bringing us to wholeness, as we allow Him to rebuild us. Some people are more broken than others, depending on what they've faced in life. The study helps us all to understand more fully how the Holy Spirit works to restore believers from brokenness.
This has been an important topic to me for a number of years. First, several years ago God showed me the brokenness in my life and invited me to walk a path of healing and restoration. Then, over time, God has given me opportunities to reach out to others who needed this kind of healing in their own lives.
Over the years, as I have walked this path toward wholeness (I'm still a work in progress), I have seen God do many mighty and powerful things both in my life and in the lives of others. I have been utterly amazed at what God can do to rebuild and restore lives to the abundance He has available for each of us!
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Birthday
Last night was one of those nights that left me feeling very content and happy.
The food was as great as the reputation had made it sound; we had fun trying out chop sticks, etc.
Once we returned to Station Square, we stopped for dessert at Hard Rock Cafe. That was my treat for the day instead of a birthday cake. Sometimes it is fun doing something a bit different.
Yesterday (Tuesday) was my birthday. On occasions like this, I often think about several aspects of what the day means. One thing I thought about is the fact that my mom did all the work of the pregnancy, labor and delivery, and I get to have all the fun--just because I was born! On the other hand, that is enough reason to celebrate! Life is such a precious gift from God. That was how my day started--deep thinking.
Throughout the day, I heard from my brother, mom and sister (and I will probably hear from my other sister tomorrow). We have a tradition to call each other on our birthdays since we can't see each other in person (due to the distance I live away). It was fun getting caught up with each other.
This evening, my family took me out to celebrate. We had such a great time!
I had read about a Chinese place that is supposed to have some of the best Asian food in town. The only drawback is they only have carry out. So, we decided to have a Chinese picnic supper!
After getting the food, we headed downtown toward a park I had scouted out online. We wanted to go to Washington's Landing, which is an island with a park (and picnic area) that overlooks the city. It sounds very nice. However, traffic was very heavy. We were scheduled to go on the final 'Just Duck Tours' ride of the day this evening, so we looked at the map to try and find a park closer to the Station Square area, which is where the tour begins. There were several parks nearby, notated on the map.
I have never lived some place that has so many roads up above other roads, what I would call a viaduct (I'm not sure if that is the correct term or not). The map I had didn't distinguish which roads were high up and which were below, so we had a crazy time trying to find a park for our Chinese picnic! We finally gave up and decided to have a picnic in the parking garage at Station Square out of the back of my PT Cruiser! Now that is living! It was the most unique birthday meal I can remember. We got a few strange looks. We were too hungry to care! I guess tailgating in the parking garage hasn't caught on yet.
The food was as great as the reputation had made it sound; we had fun trying out chop sticks, etc.
The duck tour was amazing! You start out in a vehicle that drives through the streets of downtown Pittsburgh. Our tour guides were great. We learned so much history! It was probably the best tour we have ever been on anywhere. Then, they head straight for the river, and all the passengers wonder if the guides have lost their minds, but somehow this vehicle suddenly becomes a boat! It was incredible!
Both Ben and Will got turns as captain of the ship once we were in the water. They both had fun with that. Other kids on board took a turn as well. It was terrific, seeing the city from the water.
Ben takes us for a spin
Will is in the driver's seat
Once we returned to Station Square, we stopped for dessert at Hard Rock Cafe. That was my treat for the day instead of a birthday cake. Sometimes it is fun doing something a bit different.Then, we headed back home.
It sounds simple as I try to describe it, but it was such a special, fun evening! It is hard to describe the laughter, the fun conversations, our boys trying foods that are new to them, the fun of the tour and all the things that made this evening great.
This was one of those experiences that reminds me of several things: 1) what a blessing family is 2) how fun it is to explore and try new things 3) the wonderful gift life is and 4) to go with the flow. Sometimes, things don't go quite as planned, but we adapt, go to plan B, and still have a great time!
I guess this is one way to get to know the area, to get out there and explore!
By the way, the Chinese place is called Zaw's; it's in Squirrel Hill in case you are in the mood for some great takeout!
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Western PA Family Camp Meeting
We are enjoying a great week at our beautiful Western PA campground! This week is called Whitehall Family Camp Meeting. We are so fortunately as a church that our state ministries office has a beautiful facility like this. We are surrounded by rolling hills and lush forests.
As a mom, my experiences are very much influenced by the experiences of my children! Will is old enough this year to go to the youth activities. That is exciting for him! Ben was old enough when we moved to PA to jump right into youth activities. He's having a great time, too.
The youth have two services per day, one in the morning and one at night, in the barn. The adults (and kids) have a service each night in the tabernacle plus conferences throughout the day. Kids have activities planned for them each day as well. Friday night there will be an intergenerational service where all the youth will join the adults and kids in the tabernacle to enjoy a worship service together.
Ben and Will have both enjoyed the youth services. Will gave me permission to share a conversation we had tonight about this week. After church, Will told us that he feels he has become a better Christian this week. He also shared that tonight in youth church, he raised his hands in worship for the first time in his life! That gave us a great opportunity to discuss ways to be expressive and to connect with God through worship. Wow! That was really exciting for Tim and me.
State and national Church of God events are wonderful to be part of. They are planned by people who have a heart for God. They carefully (and prayerfully!) plan every event to be very much worth the time you invest by attending. I wanted to share what Will experienced as an example of the way this week impacts people's lives. I love the way the organizers plan things for everyone in the family.
Worship has been great this week! The worship leader is Dr. Steven Darr. We have known Steve for a number of years. Tim's mom attends the church in Lake Wales, FL, where Steve is the worship leader in addition to his duties as head of the music department at Warner Southern College. Everything Dr. Steve Darr does, he does with excellence! That is a great example to remind us all to give God our very best efforts.
There is something extra special about celebrating, praising and worshiping God with the large number of people in the tabernacle.
The speaker this week, Rev. Jeanette Flynn, has been awesome. We are always inspired, challenged, encouraged and blessed any time we hear her share. The services are a great time to seek God, learn and grow.
I was invited early this year to be on the campmeeting music committee. We have met about once a month to make plans for special music, worship teams, orchestra, choir, arrange for sound equipment rental, etc. I have thoroughly enjoyed being part of this team. I have a heart for the importance of state ministries so this has been a great experience for me. I've enjoyed watching all of our plans come to fruition. I was hoping everyone would be here when and where they were supposed to be, and so far it has worked out well!
Another extra special thing for me was singing Tuesday night with my quartet that recently formed through my involvement with the Sounds of Pittsburgh chorus. This was our first time to sing in public together! We have been practicing for several weeks. We appreciated the warm reception we received from all the folks here.
In addition to the scheduled activities and events, there are plenty of great experiences with friends. We especially enjoy times around the campfire at night, sharing stories, laughs and mountain pies. We've had a lot of rain this week, so that has interferred with campfires a bit.
We love running into old and new friends around the grounds, stopping to catch up, encourage, share, etc. Those encounters are priceless!
Another very special part of this week has been spending some time with Ben's girlfriend, Stacy. She lives about 45 minutes from Whitehall so we have gotten to see her a couple of times this week, which is great. Stacy has a wonderful family; we've enjoying getting to know her parents Steve and Marcy plus her lively, fun sister Courtney over the past few months.
I would encourage folks to take the time to make Whitehall Family Camp Meeting part of you plans for next summer. You'll be glad you did! This is one trip that can be life changing for your whole family! Wow.
The dates will be August 2 through 10, 2008. Even if you can't come for the whole time, you'll enjoy whatever time you can invest.
As a mom, my experiences are very much influenced by the experiences of my children! Will is old enough this year to go to the youth activities. That is exciting for him! Ben was old enough when we moved to PA to jump right into youth activities. He's having a great time, too.
The youth have two services per day, one in the morning and one at night, in the barn. The adults (and kids) have a service each night in the tabernacle plus conferences throughout the day. Kids have activities planned for them each day as well. Friday night there will be an intergenerational service where all the youth will join the adults and kids in the tabernacle to enjoy a worship service together.
Ben and Will have both enjoyed the youth services. Will gave me permission to share a conversation we had tonight about this week. After church, Will told us that he feels he has become a better Christian this week. He also shared that tonight in youth church, he raised his hands in worship for the first time in his life! That gave us a great opportunity to discuss ways to be expressive and to connect with God through worship. Wow! That was really exciting for Tim and me.
State and national Church of God events are wonderful to be part of. They are planned by people who have a heart for God. They carefully (and prayerfully!) plan every event to be very much worth the time you invest by attending. I wanted to share what Will experienced as an example of the way this week impacts people's lives. I love the way the organizers plan things for everyone in the family.
Worship has been great this week! The worship leader is Dr. Steven Darr. We have known Steve for a number of years. Tim's mom attends the church in Lake Wales, FL, where Steve is the worship leader in addition to his duties as head of the music department at Warner Southern College. Everything Dr. Steve Darr does, he does with excellence! That is a great example to remind us all to give God our very best efforts.
There is something extra special about celebrating, praising and worshiping God with the large number of people in the tabernacle.
The speaker this week, Rev. Jeanette Flynn, has been awesome. We are always inspired, challenged, encouraged and blessed any time we hear her share. The services are a great time to seek God, learn and grow.
I was invited early this year to be on the campmeeting music committee. We have met about once a month to make plans for special music, worship teams, orchestra, choir, arrange for sound equipment rental, etc. I have thoroughly enjoyed being part of this team. I have a heart for the importance of state ministries so this has been a great experience for me. I've enjoyed watching all of our plans come to fruition. I was hoping everyone would be here when and where they were supposed to be, and so far it has worked out well!
Another extra special thing for me was singing Tuesday night with my quartet that recently formed through my involvement with the Sounds of Pittsburgh chorus. This was our first time to sing in public together! We have been practicing for several weeks. We appreciated the warm reception we received from all the folks here.
In addition to the scheduled activities and events, there are plenty of great experiences with friends. We especially enjoy times around the campfire at night, sharing stories, laughs and mountain pies. We've had a lot of rain this week, so that has interferred with campfires a bit.
We love running into old and new friends around the grounds, stopping to catch up, encourage, share, etc. Those encounters are priceless!
Another very special part of this week has been spending some time with Ben's girlfriend, Stacy. She lives about 45 minutes from Whitehall so we have gotten to see her a couple of times this week, which is great. Stacy has a wonderful family; we've enjoying getting to know her parents Steve and Marcy plus her lively, fun sister Courtney over the past few months.
I would encourage folks to take the time to make Whitehall Family Camp Meeting part of you plans for next summer. You'll be glad you did! This is one trip that can be life changing for your whole family! Wow.
The dates will be August 2 through 10, 2008. Even if you can't come for the whole time, you'll enjoy whatever time you can invest.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Blogging
My husband, Tim, read a book this Spring about what a great communication tool blogs are for pastors. He started a blog right away. The response from our church family has been very positive. Several pastor's wives write blogs as well, so I thought I'd get in on the act!
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