Being Blessed

I attended the 8:15 service where I blessed the Holy Communion and helped
serve it. I then went to the 9:30 service where I served as a greeter before
the service. Afterwards, our family went to Pepper's for lunch. Now it is time
to go to Barnes & Noble and continue reading a book that I don't wish to buy,
but read. Then who knows, maybe a sunday afternoon nap. Life is good.
We have high hopes and great expectations that the master bathroom will
be completed this week at last. It's been well worth the wait from what we've
seen thus far. I might build bookcases and put a lazy boy in next so I can read
after my shower. Or, I might put another seat in the shower stall so we both
can read the morning newspaper at the same time. It might clean up the bad
news and make us feel better.
I need to get back to visitation for the church since I'm behind on getting it
done due to the Thanksgiving get togethers. Some things can't be put off and
this is one of them.
The services blessed my soul today and sent me away to serve the Lord with
gladness. One of the things I want to do this week is to start reading the Advent
booklet from Broadway. I even have a devotion near the end of the booklet. It
is something that will bless those who read it.

A SLOW SATURDAY

This has been a very quite day compared to yesterday when we had company. Nine of us
went out to eat mid-afternoon and enjoyed the food and fellowship very much. It was a
smart idea to go out to eat. No dishes to be done. No mess to clean up. All in all, it was a
wonderfull Thanksgiving gathering.
I was up at 5:00 to take the two dogs out and then went to Barnes & Noble to read and to
relax. I love the atmosphere as well as reading from a new mystery. Drinking coffee in a
cup in the Starbucks area was entertaining. I love watching people talking, reading, on
their laptops, etc.. It was a wondefull way to be alone in the midst of a crowd.
After arriving back home, I raked leaves in the back yard and then took a nap. Something
about Saturday is special when you can move in slow motion, and I'm not talking about the
traffic.

Thanks for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Day has been different for our family this year. We all stayed home.
We had intended to serve food at Bowling Green Towers but didn't make it. We
have been in slow motion most of the day. We did have some great food and have
left-overs for Friday!
I too two naps and watched football on tv. It has been nice just being home for
once. Some of our family will be in Bowling Green Friday to go out to eat as a
family again. We always enjoy having family come see us during Thanksgiving.
I just hope they leave the pumpkin pie for me.
Thanks for Thanksgiving because it reminds us to remember and be thankfull.
Happy Thanksgiving.

GIVE THANKS

Thanksgiving Day is this Thursday. Families and friends will be getting together to
celebrate. Too often the focus of the day is the food and Friday's shopping. What we
really need to do is focus upon our faith and our faithfull Creator God. Don't leave
God out of Thanksgiving. Let God be the center piece of the day. We wish you a
Happy Thanksgiving.
Our family will celebrate Thursday and Friday as different people come at different
times. We look forward to being together at our house again this year. Some of us
will go help serve others a meal Thanksgiving Day and some will help around our
house. It is our way of giving thanks.

Where's Waldo?

I went with my wife to the SSS Office this afternoon where we met with a man,
whom I'll call Waldo, concerning an issue. He was poilte and took time to work
with us. After meeting with the man (Waldo) , we went to Kroger where I saw
the man (Waldo) coming into the store. When we were pulling out of the parking
space, I almost hit the man (Waldo) with our car. Where's Waldo? Everywhere,
like God! If I see Waldo this weekend, I'm going to think we're being followed
because the SSS Office will get it's man (and woman). I would mail Waldo a
letter in the morning but I'm afraid he might be driving the mail truck. Help!
I went to Barnes & Noble and read more from Open by Adrea Aggassi. It is
a book that tells about his father's grip on his whole life. As I read it, I wonder
where it's going and what happens between the two of them, although I have
an idea that I already know the answer to the question. I can't wait to pick it
up again and read the rest of the story.
I didn't relax all day, I did talk with someone from our church to see how a
family member is doing after being in the hospital. Maybe I should of asked
Waldo, I bet he knows!

The Last Leaf

I wish Icould say I've raked my last leaf but I know better. The front yard
is all done as of about an hour ago. Since I was up early, I went outside and
raked what was yet to be picked up. I got them to the side of the street for
pick up by the city. The back yard is a different story since there are still
some yet to fall. They can be raked or mowed over next week.
Yesterday the tilers finished their work in the bathroom. Next week should
go faster since the work and wait work is done. We're starting to get a glimpse
of how things will look when it's all done. We hope it it done by Thanksgiving
Day.
I took my wife out to eat yesterday and to Barnes & Noble. We were in need
of time together to relax over hot coffee and tea and a snack. Then last night
we brought home hambugers from Jetter's that were worth the wait to get
them since they are freshly made. Yum-yum!
I lost a glove somewhere in the pile of leaves so I better go out front and
look for a glove in a leave stack. If I can't find it, it will go to the dump, to
the dump, dump, dump.
From a bulletin board I saw at a church yesterday: "Autumn leaves but Jesus
stays"

DAY'S OF OUR LIVES

I love the stillness of the early morning when there is less traffic driving down
Grider Pond Road. When Derby and I walk out to the mailbox to fetch the
newspaper, seldom do we see or hear anything. Not so this morning at 5:30.
The sound of sirens near by caught our full attention. I lifted up a prayer for
safety for everyone as we walked back to the porch. The sounds soon faded
and silence and stillness was still in the air. One lone jogger jogged by as we
came back in the house.
Before long the sun will be shinning and the traffic will be back. Workers
will be at the back door to work in the master bathroom. Our daughter will
be up preparing to go to work in Nashville. For now, all is quite as I start
my daily routines of drinking coffee, reading the newspaper and taking care
of two dogs.
Have a great day and keep the SON in your eyes.

Sights of the Season

I had a delighfull time this morning at the retirement village. I shared some
thoughts about autumn and the lessons we learn from leaves. I reminded
them that it is so easy to miss the sights of the season because we've seen
it all before. Ho-Hum might be our response most of the time. But I say we
should stand in awe and applaud the Almighty for the sensational seasons.
Next month I'm sharing some thoughts about the silence of the snow and
how it speaks to us if we will listen.
I was up early so I raked leaves around back before leaving to go speak
at the retirement village. I enjoy raking and piling the leaves up in the
corner of the back yard. I just wish it would stop snowing leaves before
much longer. It's work.
Take time to see the sights of the season because it will be gone before
you know it.

My Father's Business

Cokesbury's good books magazine came in the mail today. Now I have to see
what I want to read, now and soon afterwards. I see where some of my favorite
writers have new books in their way soon. I'll have to decide which or worth
reading and/or owning.
I went to the church and two hospitals this morning and plan to make a couple
of visits this afternoon if I can. Wednesday morning I'll be busy going to a
couple of retirement homes to see/speak to people there. It is an honor to
be with these people who have so much to share when I take time to be with
them.
After I ate pizza, I'm ready to take a nap but I must be about the Father's
business.

Books, Coffee & Work

After working at home this morning, I went to see my friends, Barnes & Noble in
the afternoon. I cam across a new book by Phillip Yancey, Grace Notes, where
he has taken something from previous books and articles and complied them into
this 400 plus page book. I'm amamzed at how many of his books I have and how
many of the articles I have read. That being so, I only read what I hadn't read
before.
Yancey has a way of touching my soul even thought I don't agree with him on
everything he writes. He has always challenged my faith and made me stronger
in what I believe and why I believe it. For that I am thankfull. I would like to
thank him in person one of these days.
I like to read mysteries at Barnes & Noble as well. I don't have a favorite writer
when it comes to mysteries, so I read several writers. Today I picked up a new
book by J. A. Jance to read chapter by chapter when I'm drinking coffee and
taking it easy in a comfortabke chair or the cafe.
Tuesday must be a day of visitation for me since I'm behind on that. Wednesday
is the day I speak at the retirement village as part of my monthly routine. It is
always a pleasure to be with those dear people. The piano player is 99 years old
and plays like a young lady who loves playing music, music, music.
The master bath is starting to look more like one after all the work today. They
are at the place where they should be able to move faster without waiting for
someone else to get a job done. The master misses the master bathroom!

SUN DAY

My wife and I went to the 8:15 service at Broadway this morning before leaving
to go worship at 10:00 at Rockfield UMC. When I was serving Communion we
ran out of cups of juice and three people where only given a blessing with their\
bread. There was a larger attendance than we have most of the time.
We heard Bro. Graves preach and had a brief visit with him and his wife before
we went out to eat. When we got home I washed our daughter's SUV and our
car. They were dirty, dirty, dirty! Then I put windsheld wash in both cars and
washed the car windows to get rid of smears. Needless to say, I was ready for
my afternoon nap.
The weather outside is delightfull. Nice day for a drive or just being outside.
I hope we have a full week of day's like today. Have a great week and keep
the SON in your eye's!

Saturday Stuff

I took my wife with me to Barnes & Noble this morning so she could chill. She up
and slipped out on me to shop but came back and read a couple of magazines. I
finished reading Ford County and a new book by Joel Osteen while we were there.
We then went to Panera Bread for lunch and on to Hobby Lobby before getting
back home.
Tonight I listened on the radio to Western University get beaten 40-20. So sad
for the team who has tried to win. I wish them well in the future. We wanted to
go to Nashville to a birthday party but felt it was too much of a trip. Sunday we
plan to go to the 8:15 service at our church and then to the 10:00 service where
a friend is pastor, Gary Graves. Maybe I can take a long nap Sunday afternoon
if I don't sleep while he preaches.

WHO IN THE WORLD IS THAT?

I had a great time having breakfast with a friend this morning. We both said we could
do it more often but I know I don't need the food as much as the fellowship. When I
was walking towards my car afterwards, a man jumped out of a big white truck and
came over and hugged me. Since the sun was in my eye's I couldn't see who it was.
When he called my name I knew who he was. He was a member of Broadway when
I was pastor several years ago. We talked for about an hour and then left. It was
great seeing him and catching up with one another.
Since the workers where at our house, I went to Barnes & Noble and read a couple
more stories from the new book by John Grisham. I read a couple of chapters in
another new book by Joel Osteen as well. I felt guilty doing that while my wife was
home. But, she understood and got more done than had I been home. To make up
for my not being home, I'm taking her out to eat tonight. I'll even let her tell me
where to go.
The tile work is coming along pretty well. They hope that they can do a great deal
Monday so that they can soon get on their ways and others can come in and do
what's next. They got away before I could ask if they had raked leaves into our
backyard because I had raked late yesterday afternoon and there were so many
more again when I came home this afternoon. I guess I'll rake again or wait for
James to mow over them next week.

LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL

I just had supper with my wife, daughter and youngest brother. It was wonderfull having
Wayne with us and having a great meal. We've had to put up with the tile people today as
they worked in the bathroom. They got more done than I thought they would. Maybe the
light will show at end of the tunnel yet!
I had lunch with a friend today who asked if attendance was back up at Sugar Grove since
I'm through preaching and their pastor is back in the pulpit. We had a good laugh over it
and I even bought his lunch. Next time, he buys and I'll get more than I did today. I will
get even.
I have breakfast in the morning with a pastor friend at our favorite breakfast place. We
meet about every three weeks but both think we could every Friday if we could. I can.
He still pastors so he can't. The two of us talk a couple of hours and then get up and leave.
I will go buy Barnes & Noble and read another chapter or two from Ford County by John
Grisham. I snuck in today and read one chapter on my way to a meeting.
Well, that's enough stuff for today. Hope you had a good one and an even better one Friday.

WORKING THE WORKERS

Five men showed up to work with our bathroom early this morning. While one was
working, the others had to wait for him to finish before placing tile down. Being one
very creative guy, I handed each of the four a rake and told them to rake up all our
leaves.They left! Just kidding. They got a good laugh out of it before going to work
inside. I'm still laughing except when I still see all those thousands of leaves that
won't leave.
Maybe we can begin to see things coming together faster now that the workers are
at this stage of things. Derby barks at everyone of them and everytime they make
any noise. I'm going to buy a muzzle while I'm out today. Hope it fits my big mouth!
I am going to meet a friend for lunch after going a couple of other places. After all,
I don't want to hear all the noise at our house. Besides, it is a lovely day to be out
and about.
My car needs to be washed even if it does rain again soon. I may run it through
a car wash so I can see what color it is. Or, I might go to a car lot and look for a
new car. Then my wife can drive her dirty one and save me money. Not!!
Gotta get going before she tells me where to go! I hate WalMart!!!!