Day #1425

November 25, 2017 

Well, he just keeps on growing. Today (actually yesterday - I was a day off!) marks his fourth (another correction - not fifth) month with us. He’s lost all his “baby” teeth and grown to a whopping 55 pounds - hardly a puppy anymore. :-(

This I snapped quickly while he’s waiting for breakfast. Not the best time to try to capture a “willing” model. :-)

And then the day ended with seeing Santa at the Parade of Lights:

And watching the lighting of the tree:

Blessings.

Day #1424

November 24, 2017 

Another day filled with joy - a non-shopping, be at home “Black Friday” vacation day. Even more to be thankful for as we just “be.”

Blessings.

Day #1423

November 23, 2017 

What a gift to enjoy a Thanksgiving feast with others. Yes, there is much to give thanks for - the friends beside us, the food before us, and the love of God between us. Amen!

Happy Thanksgiving to all!!

Blessings.

Day #1422

November 22, 2017

While out and about on this Thanksgiving Eve, it’s hard to keep a focus on this holiday when all around it seems to be Christmas time already. After all, shouldn’t Santa at least wait to arrive at the mall until the day AFTER Thanksgiving?!?

Ok, I must admit, I got just a tad caught up in the coming holiday when I saw this:

Only in MT would the antlers be added. Right?!

Blessings.

Day #1421

November 21, 2017

Those quilts and personal care kits and school kits that we lovingly blessed a week or so ago, and that were carefully packed for shipping, all had to be loaded up and delivered to a van. So I am thankful that just a brief announcement on Sunday resulted in several folks coming to help. All those hands made light and quick work of beginning to fill that big van with warmth and supplies. And we were also able to help some others there for the same reason. 

Thank you to all who crafted, provided, and/or helped in any way. Your work is a blessing to many!

Blessings.

Day #1420

November 20, 2017

The descriptor of Jesus for today - thanks. Perhaps that is a little awkward grammatically, but Jesus is the one for whom I am thankful and also the one who deserves our thanks. As I prepare to celebrate the day set aside as Thanksgiving, perhaps it would be better to set aside time every day to give thanks to Jesus. I hope I do.

Blessings.

Day #1419

November 19, 2017

On this Sunday before Thanksgiving, the "Time with Children" included a bagful of things for which I’m grateful. Included were:

• A doll from my childhood as I give thanks for memories and family
• A “Smoky” koozie as I give thanks for all those who help care for us - firefighters, EMT folks, medical personnel, military, and more
• A picture of my husband - oh, how thankful I am for him
• A card from a friend as I give thanks for all the friends in my life
• A reminder of Our Savior’s 125th anniversary as I give thanks for all those of the congregation and for this place to serve and worship (also today I give thanks for the congregation I first served, as well, as they celebrated their 150th anniversary)
• A Bible as I give thanks for the word of God and the stories it includes of how much God loves us all
• A bottle of water as I give thanks for water, food, clothing, shelter - all necessities God provides
• And lastly, some candy, as I give thanks that I can share (each youth received some and smiled)

And there is so much more, but I couldn’t begin to fit it all in the bag. What are you thankful for as we get ready for this Thanksgiving holiday?

Blessings.

Day #1418

November 18, 2017

As the overnight came to an end, one word came to mind - thankful. Not that it was over, but thankful for good kids and awesome fellow leaders. It’s a joy to be with them all!

Blessings.

Day #1417

November 17, 2017 

At an overnight with the confirmation class, what’s the best thing to do? Make prayer pizzas, of course (thank you to one of the leaders for this great idea)! 

How to build a prayer is much like how to make a pizza: 

• Begin with the foundation - the crust/dough as the address to God
• Add the sauce as giving praise to God
• Add some cheese as the giving of thanks to God
• Next add some meat as prayers for others
• Then add the veggies as prayers for our own needs
• And lastly, end with the spices as the closing. Amen.

It’s a simple way to remember the basics, and trust that God does hear all prayers. 

Blessings.

Day #1416

November 16, 2017 

This from Simon, as he gets ready for Thanksgiving - how to cook a turkey:

Too cute! Although his momma did suggest that maybe she has cooked one too many “beer can” turkeys. :-)

Then this...the Christmas Tree for the White House is being provided from the state of MT. It made a stop in our town on its way there and hubby was able to go see it. Pretty cool. 

Blessings.

Day #1415

November 15, 2017

Following Bible Study came a really precious moment. One of the folks stopped me afterward to share with me a book of hymns. She pointed out one she said her mother used to play and sing with her - In the Garden. As she asked me if I happened to know it, we began to sing it together. Just one verse and the chorus, but oh the joy it brought to her, and to me, to share this special moment. 

Blessings.

Day #1414

November 14, 2017 

Coming again this Sunday is another difficult reading from the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 25 - a parable about talents. Jesus seems to be saying that doing nothing with talent given to us by God will result in judgment that separates us permanently from God. Is Jesus saying that not being willing to risk is our worst sin? 

At this time of the week, I'm not quite certain where this will lead by the time Sunday rolls around. However, today I give thanks for some good and deep conversation with colleagues while wrestling with the reading and even finding reason to laugh.   

Blessings.

Day #1413

November 13, 2017

The descriptor of Jesus for this day - Laughter. One of my favorite pictures of Jesus is of him laughing - a display of joy from our Lord and Savior. Perhaps I like this image of him because laughter has so many wonderful qualities - endorphins released, tension lessened, an outbreak of fun, and even hope. 

I wanted to include a picture of Jesus laughing, so I Googled it. WOW! There are so many to choose from, but this was a favorite:

What a picture of joy! Thank you to ClipartXtras.com.

Blessings.

Day #1412

November 12, 2017

What beauty filled the worship space as quilts lovingly made for Lutheran World Relief covered the pews (rats - I missed getting a photo) and care and school kits filled the area in front of the altar. The generosity of all this, along with the food and a delicious Blue Plate Lunch Special fundraiser, is overwhelming. Truly a way of being a beacon of hope in a waiting/hurting world! Thanks be to God!

Blessings.

Day #1411

November 11, 2017 

What a busy morning of sorting and carrying and loading over 2,400 items for the Can Do food collection that will go to benefit four of the city school’s food banks. And while it was busy, there were many hands to make the work go really quickly. 

I couldn’t help but keep the recent wrapper from my Vitamin C drop (each one has some sort of an encouraging message, but this one seemed most appropriate!):

Yes, with the help of many and the pitching in of us all, we turned Can Do into Can Did!

And then a fun afternoon with several youth from a couple of congregations coming together for an event with counselors from Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp. A good start to holding a monthly youth learning and growing event. 

All in all, a day to be thankful for and enjoy! 

Blessings.