Last year on Veteran’s Day I wrote this post about remembering the veterans in my life. Today was a strange reminder on how much has changed in my life in a year. Last year, I was waking up each day to sit beside and stand with our men and women veterans in various settings throughout the hospital system called the VA. It was work I had never pictured myself doing but that is the way blessings often come our way. They surprise us. The love I had in working with our veterans did that for me. It surprised me.
There are so many things I can say about my time at the VA and the various things I learned. I miss the men and women from various experiences, family backgrounds, etc. and for many different reasons served our country in the armed forces. I miss the discussions we had of life, love, war, God, humanity, just to name a few. I wonder where they are tonight. Are some of them still living at Little Orchard (homeless shelter)? Is she nestled in the hospital bed (again) for another test? Has he graduated from his program?
Veterans, wherever you are, may God’s presence bring comfort to you tonight. I want you to know that I still remember and thank you for your service.
It’s a beautiful fall morning here in CA. Today is game day in the Johns household. We’re cheering on Stanford today as they play Oregon. It’s a really important game because Oregon is ranked in the top 10. It would be a HUGE upset for Stanford to beat them. Later today, FSU plays Clemson. Who knows what team will show up to play today for the Noles. I’m watching because I’m a faithful fan.
I woke up this morning craving an egg sandwich. Do you just have those days where you want something particular to eat? Today was one of those days. Barry had gone for a run so I decided I’d scramble up a couple of eggs. As I was standing over the stove it hit me. This is one of my favorite memories of my grandmother. Gran loved egg sandwiches and very often, it was the meal we’d eat together in the evening time.
It was the best egg sandwich I’ve eaten in a long time. I wish I had been enjoying it with her. I miss her so much. There was just something about our relationship that worked. I know she was not an easy person to get along with and many in my family did not have fun memories of her. I loved every minute of time I had with her.
I miss smelling her perfume, White Shoulders which she wore religiously. I think sometimes that I got my love of church from her. She loved church and the friends she always made through her church. I miss her nagging. I think about how she would be so aggravated that I moved to California, even though she loved this coast so much.
I am so very thankful for my wonderful grandparents- all of them! I love my Gran, Pawpaw, Pa and I’m so grateful I still have time with Ma. But today, on a beautiful Saturday morning over an egg sandwich, I miss my Gran in particular.
Over at RevGalBlogPals, the Friday Five challenge is to share things we love especially when they are new…
1. Trying out a new recipe- I’ve been a little more adventurous lately in trying out new recipes. I love the excitement of whether it’s going to turn out or not. I don’t cook fancy recipes but love finding something that really tastes good. One of the websites I love lately is Eat Better America. They take common recipes and give healthy alternatives. Of course, you can never go wrong at www.foodnetwork.com
2. Flavored Coffee Creamer- Right now it’s Pumpkin Spice but I can’t wait to buy the Peppermint kind. Seriously, popping the top and smelling the yummy flavor. What a great way to start the morning!
3. Candles- Love the excitement of lighting a scented candle for the first time. I don’t know if this have ever happened to you, but I have thought candles smell so great in the store only to get them home and not like the scent. I love lighting a candle and finding that it’s lovely aroma is a great addition to my home.
4. Music- Who doesn’t love finding a new song? or music group? One of my new favorites is Grace Potter and the Nocturnals. Love them. Go look them up on itunes now!
5. New Running Shoes- I can’t say this about all shoes because some require that you “break them in” and manage to hurt your feet in the process. However, new running shoes= awesome!! I love that feeling. I’m currently running with Saucony shoes. Love Them.
Happy Friday to all! I’m working on my sermon and lighting a candle for the men and women at Ft. Hood today. What a terrible loss and tragedy.
In case one of my five blog readers would like to keep up with some of my writings, church news, etc. I thought I’d pass along my new blog for the church. We are hoping to integrate it into our website so folks visiting the website can get a better idea of the weekly stuff going on. I hope to also use it as a spring board to thoughts, ideas, ramblings on sermons.
*Just so no one thinks I take myself too seriously. I don’t typically use this title. However, it is rather amusing that many of our friends from different faith traditions refer to me by this title. I thought it was simple catching.
I’d like to introduce you to Kitt and Garet. I mentioned that their mom had to go into labor a week ago due to some health problems. I’m glad to say the girls and mom are doing well. I’m so thankful that they are here and there are no unexpected complications. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
I knew that I wouldn’t be able to be there when they were born and was already really sad about it. However, I had no idea that I would have to wait this long before meeting them. That’s okay. Aunt LeAnn has found ways to deal with her sadness. I went shopping to buy the girls a PINK outfit! (Their parents weren’t finding out the gender of the twins before birth)
Welcome to the world baby girls! I can’t wait to meet you in December.
PS. I’m working towards winning this award but can someone please make a cooler tshirt?
Wow! Does anyone else feel like the month just flew by? We started out the month visiting with friends in Atlanta. I co-hosted a baby shower for my friend who I mentioned in the last post. Since that post, due to pregnancy complications, she gave birth to two beautiful girls. They are doing well and growing stronger each day. I’m thankful for their safe arrival.
I had a chance to celebrate JVC’s birthday although it was a month late. We enjoyed a day of hanging out, Sprinkles cupcakes, & sushi at our favorite neighborhood place. Happy Birthday JVC! We love you!!
Barry got an awesome discount on Stanford football season tickets this year because of his relationship to the University. We decided this would be splurge for us and get them. We’ve loved cheering on the Stanford Cardinal (no “s” as I have learned and it’s a tree not a bird, apparently). It’s been fun and there are three big games left to see at home: Oregon, CAL, and Notre Dame. We’re seeing teams we’ve never seen play before!
This week, we decided to carve our pumpkin (cutting it close!). Our almost two year old neighbor came over to help! He’s such a cutie and I’m going to take him door-to-door tonight. It’s his first American Halloween!!
And, a shout out to my wonderful sister Morgan! Today is her birthday and I hope she has a fabulous day. This year has already proven to be great and I wish her lots more like it. Happy birthday sister!!
Two weeks ago a friend of mine had her first baby boy delivered by C-section. The baby had been growing healthy and she had no problems throughout her pregnancy. However, when the doctor lifted her young baby out, the umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck three times. Thankfully, it was loose enough that he slipped his hand under the cord and slipped it off the baby’s head. Mom and baby are doing great.
Tonight, my best friend is in a hospital far, far away from me. Her blood pressure is too high. Her health and the health of her babies is in jeopardy. She’s at the hospital where she is minutes away from help if she needs it. We are hopeful that she will be going home tomorrow, unfortunately on bed rest but this will allow the babies more time to grow!
The point of this post is that women give birth each and every day around the world. My friends are here in the heart of America with wonderful health care options. There are still complications which speaks to the very miracle of child birth and maternal health.
One of the UN Millennium Development Goals is focused on maternal health. I’m thankful for this because there are women around the world (and in our own country) whose lives and the lives of their babies are in jeopardy because of a lack of access to proper healthcare. I’m thankful for the work of Suzanah Raffield because MATERNAL HEALTH MATTERS!!
Tomorrow at New Community of Faith we’ll begin our series called, “Telling Our Stories”. I’ve invited church members to give testimonies (yes, the old Baptist tradition) in the service of their own story and involvement in the church. In addition to remembering what the church has been for them, they are also invited to talk about their vision for the church in the future. I’m excited about hearing from those who will share.
The sermon for tomorrow is from John 15:1-8 where Jesus shares his final “I AM” statement. This is where he talks about being vine and his followers as branches. We’re in serious need of being reminded that we are to “abide in Christ” as we seek God’s direction for our lives this year. It’s also a rather humorous illustration to the conversation that’s been happening with our neighbors about the ivy on the back of our property.
Wish you all could be there!
“Lessons From Some Pesky Vines & Branches”
I am so excited about this movie coming out. It’s based on one of my favorite children’s books. This morning while browsing Itunes, I saw that the soundtrack is out today. It sounds phenomenal which makes me even more excited about the release of the movie. You have seen the trailer, haven’t you?
The name of the movie quite adequately describes life right now. I feel like I’m living in the middle of the Wild Things and finding my own inner “wild thing”. After all, in all of us there is a little hope, fear, adventure, and wild thing.
It’s raining here today. The first rain of the season as they call it. The wind has really picked up too. It’s been a good morning for snuggling with Jovi, drinking coffee, and sermon planning for this Sunday.
Go see the movie when it comes to a theater near you!
The title of this blog is the title of the sermon that Rev. Wesley Shipp and I are co-preaching on tomorrow. Co-preaching? Yes, that’s right. We have planned the service and both of us are delivering a homily about love. I’m so excited I could pop.
There’s wonderful music planned, great passages from the words of Jesus, thoughts on these passages, and a covered dish luncheon. Praying for the Spirit’s movement among the community of faith gathering on Rainbow Dr. tomorrow!!
I’ll share more later!
(and did I tell you we are having a covered dish luncheon?)
Tomorrow at 