Weekend in Review

 Wow - a weekend without homework! I actually feel a little lost. Seriously.

On Friday I had lunch with three of my besties. We tried to figure out how many years we've been meeting on the first Friday of the month for lunch -- we can't remember! We raised our kids together and now our nests are all empty.

The exciting news is we ate at ZoZo's - on opening day. Zoe's Restaurant was a long-time favorite started locally by the Cassimus family. There was ONE original restaurant. The restaurant expanded and expanded until there were 300 locations (I think that is right) all over. Cava entered the picture and bought the restaurant chain from the Cassimus family. There were stipulations about Zoe's not reopening, but their original location became available a few years ago and they obtained approval to open ONE Zoe's. Cava recently closed and ZoZo's was born. It was almost the exact same menu, which I love. It is fast casual. You go in and order at a counter and they bring it to your table. Since we were there on opening day, the Cassimus family was there and we were able to thank them for reopening. Our food was good and the conversation even better.

Mark and I didn't do anything on Friday night - watched some TV?

On Saturday morning, I went to my Weight Watchers meeting. I am so close to my goal (set by my doctor). I am going to stop at that goal and do maintenance for six weeks and then I may try to lose six more pounds which would put me in the correct range for my height.

While I was at WW, Mark and our son, Glenn, were taking care of some family car stuff and then Pops (Mark) went to Home Depot with them. Our son and granddaughter have been doing this monthly event for years! Our son-in-law takes our middle granddaughter sometimes, too (in their town).

Mark and I ate an early lunch and I headed back to Homewood (15-20 minutes away) where we go to church, where I work, where Mark grew up. Our church hosts Art in the Lot two times a year and I wanted to check out the booths.

This picture is actually from a previous Art in the Lot.
I forgot to take any photos this year.

I bought one piece of art. I need to take a photo of the art and show you. A friend is an amazing artist - she even makes the paper she paints on. If I take the photo before I publish this, I will show y'all. Here you go . . . let me tell you that I took the first photograph and then saw that the floor was dusty and the kitty cat toilet paper holder was dusty and I didn't have that cute basket on the back of the potty. One photograph caused me to clean the bathroom and buy a new basket hahaha! You can check out her work on Instagram at @marylizingramart or her website marylizingramart.com

I stashed the painting in my car and walked three blocks to the Homewood Park where "We Love Homewood" day was happening. I had signed up for a shift in our booth. I work with the best people -- let me introduce you to Timmy and Laura!

The high school band was playing. There were so many people (and dogs) in attendance.

The Chick Fil A cows came to visit.

And then the best surprise -- our oldest granddaughter and her momma showed up! She (granddaughter below) was dancing to the music (DJ at this point).

After my shift, I walked around the park with the two of them to see all of the "things to see." I don't have any photos of the rides, but there was one section that had small-ish fair type rides.

We saw the antique fire truck which was polished to a fine sheen!

We then walked back over to the playground. Our girl is 10 and she is poised between childhood and midde school-ish. We took the obligatory big chair photos.

She climbed up to the very top.

This playground is for ALL children. They have the big swings, shaped sort of like a recliner, which will accomodate children of all abilities. A mom could sit in the swing and hold a small child or a larger child could be buckled in.

Our daughter-in-law snapped this selfie.

When I got home, Mark wanted to show me his container garden of peppers and one flower.

On Saturday night, I placed an order at Taco Mama and we picked up and watched TV. All around these activities I did things like strip the bed and wash our sheets and blankets. We did other laundry. I made a double batch of cheese straws. I don't do well just sitting still. I have two speeds - full tilt and full stop haha!

Sunday morning found me back in Homewood working the welcome desk. I didn't put any foundation on and oh goodness - I was standing in bright light and ALL of my age spots show. Oh well - it is what it is.

It is now Sunday afternoon and we took a 24 minute nap! Mark has loaded the car and he is headed to his mother's house. They have a contract on the house (hallelujah!) and hope to close in 10 days. They have a little more furniture to remove. Mark, one nephew, one brother-in-law are loading two pick up trucks and then they are headed to the farm. They have a canoe, along with furniture!

So . . .what did you do this weekend? Any fun activities?

Give me Jesus

In the morning, when I rise
In the morning, when I rise
In the morning, when I rise

Give me Jesus.
Give me Jesus,
Give me Jesus.
You can have all this world,
Just give me Jesus.

When I am alone,
When I am alone,
When I am alone,
Give me Jesus.

Give me Jesus.
Give me Jesus,
Give me Jesus.
You can have all this world,
Just give me Jesus.

When I come to die,
When I come to die,
When I come to die,
Give me Jesus.

Give me Jesus.
Give me Jesus,
Give me Jesus.
You can have all this world,
Just give me Jesus.

Give me Jesus.
Give me Jesus,
Give me Jesus.
You can have all this world,
You can have all this world,
You can have all this world,
Just give me Jesus.

listen to Jeremy Camp

this one is good, too - live so you can hear people talking, etc.

I told our Sunday School class a couple of weeks ago that I was dry as a bone spiritually.  I was looking forward to working Alabama Emmaus Walk 425 this weekend with lots of friends.  Because I teach and facilitate, I tend to push myself . . .giving all I have . . .until I am depleted.  At that point, I usually need a big dose of God . . .I get some along . . .try to spend time with him every day . . .I try to pray continually . ..and live close to HIM but sometimes . . . sometimes I think I step away.  I think it is when I am tired. 

Anyway, back to the story at hand.  I planned to be immersed in the Holy Spirit for 72 straight hours this weekend - away from phones and TV's and computers.  I planned to be there for all 41 pilgrims (those attending the weekend) but I also know from past experiences that God ALWAYS meets me where I am on an Emmaus Walk.

So this week, my plans were not HIS plans.  Nancy died on Tuesday and her visitation was scheduled for Friday night and her service was scheduled for Saturday.  I had to make a very hard phone call to Teresa, the Lay Director for the walk.  I knew without a shadow of doubt that I HAD TO BE HOME for the services.  Not only was Nancy my friend . . .but she was family . . . close family.  As Mark said -- he and Nance (that is what he called her) were more like siblings than first cousins. 

The visitation was on Friday night.  It was to begin at six p.m. and we got there about a quarter til six . . .there was already a line.  We went around the line to the parlor and found our place where Nathan (Nancy's husband) wanted us to stand.  We smiled and hugged people and more people came and more people came.  We were so worried about Nancy's girls.  Yes, they are now grown young women . . .and they are so poised . . .and they smiled . . . and cried . . .Almost all of the family was able to attend.  Our nephews were not able to come from Delaware and two of Nancy's nephews from out of state were unable to attend.  One other cousin's young adult children were unable to attend . . .but everyone else was there . . .and there are a lot of us.  Yes, I say "US" even though biologically "they" would be Mark's family.  After 30 years, they are my family, too. 

For most of Friday and Friday night, I felt numb.  Plain and simple.

The strangest thing happened on Saturday, though.  We are blessed (and I mean that) to attend a church where most things are done with excellence and more importantly, for the glory of God.  We processed in - all six or seven long pews of us (there really are a lot of us).  The orchestra played - I'm sure it was beautiful.  I couldn't make eye contact with anyone for fear of losing it.  I did glance up . . .and even the balcony was full.  Our children's minister talked about Nancy and her years of service . . .one of the Nursing School people talked about Nancy's career and THEN TWO OF HER daughters spoke.  OH MY GOODNESS.  They did an awesome job.  Nancy cared about everyone.  She always wanted to know about us. . .even that visit right at the end where Mark and I were able to go - she wanted to hear all about the family.  The point is  . . . all of that part of the service was good - beautiful and fitting.

BUT THEN IT HAPPENED.  The sanctuary choir sang (both Nancy and Nathan were in the sanctuary choir . . .as a matter of fact, Nancy sang in two performances of the Messiah on December 1.  How could that be???).  Anyway, God has spoken often to me through music.  Our choir director, Scott, always wants the music to be for the glory of God.  Remember back at the first of this long and rambling post . . .I was dry as a bone spiritually . . .I was looking forward to working an Emmaus walk so that I could refuel?  God did something amazing - as he often does.  The choir started to sing "Give Me Jesus."  I could feel the whisper - here I AM, Lisa.  I AM here.  Drink it in.  I wept.  Mark wept.  My brother-in-law, Bob, wept.  I doubt there were many dry eyes in that sanctuary.  The voices of those choir members swirled through the sanctuary on the breath of the Holy Spirit.  Our senior minister, Andy spoke then . . .and he spoke words of life and hope and love and grief and he spoke words of GOD!

But God wasn't finished.  No, he wasn't finished.  I AM was still in the building.  We have this incredible new prayer garden/columbarium that I have shared with you before (because I helped!!).  I knew the way through the building to come into the back of the garden and so we were designated to get Aunt Mary (Nancy's momma) into her wheelchair (she is 90 and beautiful) and down the elevator and through the building and out into the prayer garden/columbarium.  We hustled . . .I think George did a few wheelies (nancy would have laughed!!).  The rest of the family was already there waiting on us.  We stopped at the edge of the family . . .and I took a deep breath and looked up . . . and around (I'm starting to cry again as I type this) . . .and oh my goodness . . .there were people in the breezeway and along the fence and in the windows of the church - WE WERE SURROUNDED BY A GREAT CLOUD OF WITNESSES.  Hebrews 12:1 -- Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

At THAT VERY MOMENT, a soft breeze blew through the columbarium . . .and I said to God (not out loud), "Thank you, God, you sent your Holy Spirit."

Now I am full . . .I am sad . . .I am heartbroken . . .but I am full because give me Jesus - any day - any way . . .Give me Jesus.  Oh Nancy - I am going to miss you sooooo much.  I just can't even fathom how much . . .but you are with Jesus.  You ran your race with perseverance.  Give me Jesus.  Give me Jesus.  Give me Jesus.  You can have all this world.  Just give me Jesus.

Doesn't your family play Croquet on Christmas Day?

Hot dog!  My title even rhymes!!!  Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas.  We began gathering at my mother-in-law's house in the afternoon on Christmas Eve.  All of our "kids" are grown (or almost grown) and I loved that they played games together.  They were playing some card game at this point.

We all enjoyed our annual "eating of pizza on Christmas Eve" and then followed the pizza eating by attending Christmas Eve service at our church.  I love this service.  It begins at 7:00 p.m. and as you can see . . .the sanctuary is filled with people.  The youth choir (Cross and Flame Youth choir) sings at this service and we also had two soloists . . .one by a girl in the ninth grade . . .Colby . . .and she did an amazing job.  My all time favorite EVERY SINGLE year is O Holy Night sung by Scott Brooks.  Let me just tell you . . . .when he is singing, it feels like the Holy Spirit is "whushing" (I know that isn't a word but it describes what I want to say!!) through the sanctuary.  He is not a professionally trained singer . . .he is a church member whom God has gifted with an amazing voice.  He doesn't even read music. . . .but oh my goodness, can he ever sing!!!  Holy Communion (Lord's supper) is served.  Many years, I have been gifted with the awesome task of helping to serve but this year, I had a large boo boo on my foot.  (another post for another day)  As I knelt at the altar rail, our senior pastor, Andy, whispered "hop along" to me!!  I love attending a church where our senior pastor knows me and knows about my silly foot (yes, I am on staff BUT I think he would know it even if I wasn't).

At the very end of the service, we sing Silent Night.  When we reach the last verse, the organ and orchestra ceases . . . and everyone sings softly and we raise our candles to the New born King!  It is so incredibly powerful.  Just typing these words give me goosebumps!!!



photo courtesy of Scott Schablow, Trinity UMC member

 



Laura stayed with us on Christmas Eve. . . .and Santa came!! More on Christmas later . . .and I'll tell you about Croquet on Christmas Day!!!!

AWAKE!!

Back in August, Lauren, Laura and I - along with our friends Caroline and Carol and Will and many others - participated in the Senior High Discovery Weekend.  It was so special to be working on a retreat with my girls.  On Friday afternoon, I drove through Chick-Fil-A while ordering from text messages and picked up dinner for the four of us (Laura, Lauren, Carol and me).  I met the girls at the church and loaded our stuff into my Escape.  Just let me tell you that we had a ton of stuff.  Laura brought a big box fan and I had a giant prayer poster and we all had an overnight bag PLUS either a sleeping bag or sheets and pillows.  I so wish I had taken a picture of all the stuff crammed into my car!!!  After loading, we headed off to Camp Springville - about 30 or 40 minutes from church.

 

On Friday night, it was just the leaders - we gathered together and went over the plan for the weekend and we  had a time of prayer and prayed over each one.  I was the prayer "person" for the weekend which was wonderful - spent lots of time with God AND got to experience all that was going on and soak up some of that young energy.  On Friday night, the leaders also had communion together.  It was funny because when we went to bed, there were only the four of us in our big old log cabin. 

 

I'm sticking this right in the middle!!  (before you get tired of reading) If you would like to watch a video recap of the weekend - check out this link! 

It is amazing to me to be a part of such an incredible church and an incredible group of leaders.

 

 

On Saturday morning, about half of the group had to get up early and drive back to Birmingham to gather up the senior high students.  Laura was one of the van drivers so she had to go but Lauren, Carol and I stayed at camp.  Those of us "left behind" ate breakfast and helped get everything set up for the 160 students.

 



I'm just talking all about the weekend in between these fun pictures.  The camp had some amazing water games and slides and a zip line (not in these pictures).  So . . .back to the weekend.  The students arrived late morning - it was a huge caravan - Steve Lloyd was driving the Scout Bus, there were folks like Laura driving the church vans and there were some "mama/daddy" vehicles, too.  It takes a lot of vehicles to transport that many students!!!

 

The students gathered in the big auditorium and we "whooped and hollered" and welcomed them to Discovery.   The main scripture for the weekend was the scripture about the talents - you remember the story?  The master gave five talents to one servant, two talents to another servant and one talent to the third servant.  Several different young adults gave talks on different aspects of this story and then in between talks there was worship music and lots of fun games.  Let me just say that we packed a tremendous amount into 24 hours.  We worshipped, we listened, we prayed and prayed some more, we laughed, we ate camp food (see picture below of mystery meat), we ate junk food, we woke up the students for a giant planned pillow fight (the them was AWAKE remember?), we played in the water, we worshipped some more, we heard some more amazing talks - the forgiveness talk was really amazing (and so were many of the others!)  We oooohed and aaaaahed over fireworks.  We deepened friendships - among students and students and leaders and student and leaders and leaders.  It was a great weekend.  I hope they ask me again next year :-)

 



This was my view for a large portion of the weekend.  I took the picture while on my knees in front of our "altar" area.  Before each talk, the speaker would come into the prayer chapel and kneel (on a sofa cushion!!) and Caroline and I would pray over them.  After the speaker left the room, I would kneel and pray again for the speaker and would pray for each of the students and adults who were with us at camp.  Then I would slip across the hall and listen to the talks. . . then slip back into the prayer chapel and pray some more.

 



This is a horrible picture - it was pretty dark in the room - and I took it with my phone with no flash on - but this is Drew.  I love working with Drew and he and Laura also have a fun relationship from working retreats together.  I am honored to work every day with Drew's wife, Haley, and I think they are such a special family!!

 



Our youth minister also happens to have an art degree . . .and he was drawing a picture.  He always draws upside down or sideways so you can't tell what he is drawing and then he flips the picture at the end.

 

 

 The students were singing and worshipping while David drew the picture.

 

 

The camp is a beautiful facility.

Once again, it was wonderful to be a teeny tiny part of such an incredible weekend.  I love watching God show up and show out and he certainly did that during this weekend.

 

one last thing - the original discovery weekend is for junior high students "run" by senior high students.  Our church does that in the springtime - the jr. hi students stay at the church and the "leaders" stay in homes.  Our church came up with the senior high weekend and it is always right at the beginning of the school year - gives them a boost of God's love before they are thrown into all that peer pressure.

Fresh breath and clean bodies - something we take for granted!!

Back in the month of May, I wrote a post about 109 PB&J's. Many of the pictures look similar to these. But this is a totally different night and a totally different project. Our Tuesday night group is continuing to try new things. We haven't branched out to an "onsite" mission project but we want to do things to help others. I don't know about you, but I take the ability to have a shower every day (or more if I want or need it) and the ability to brush my teeth and put on deodorant for granted. I have a deodorant that I like (no scent!!) and I can never find it in the store, so I go online and order multiples from Amazon.com. I buy multi-packs of toothpaste and keep extra toothbrushes in a bin in the bathroom just in case someone is spending the night and needs a toothbrush. And.I.take.it.all.for.granted.

On this Tuesday night, we assembled hygiene kits for the Church of the Reconciler here in town.  The folks at the Church of the Reconciler are the same folks who ate our PB&J's.  The congregation at Church of the Reconciler is made up of many who don't have homes. . . nor do they have toothpaste and soap and deodorant.  .   .  and I take it for granted.

Some people say that they never use their dining room or their dining room table.  We use ours all the time!!  When we bought our house, one of my non-negotiables was a large dining room.  Who knew that 20 years later, we would be hosting this group every week?

I knew that our group might not be able to provide enough supplies to assemble a lot of kits so I enlisted the help of the John Wesley Sunday School class.  Oh my goodness.  They were so very generous.  We ended up with enough supplies for 51 whole packages and a box of extras.  Everything was just dumped into a giant garbage bag and after dinner, the young adults dumped it all in the middle of the dining room table.  They first sorted into piles.  Each kit was to contain a trial size bottle of shampoo, a trial size deodorant, a trial size toothpaste, a trial size bar of soap and a regular toothbrush.  Those five items were placed in a zip lock baggie.  You can get each of those items for one dollar or less -- except the toothbrush.  If you buy the toothbrushes in a regular store, they are more expensive but the Dollar Tree has a pack of several for ONE DOLLAR.  (of course, everything in the Dollar Tree costs one dollar!!)  And once again, I take it all for granted.  This week I was told by a friend who works with a food bank that toilet paper is a luxury for many.  Toilet paper is another thing that I take for granted - I buy it by the twelve pack.

I was trying to get a picture of "helping hands."

Here is a picture of the group at the end of the evening with their boxes full of supplies.  Our group is continually growing in many ways.  This last week for our study of 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22, we had 25 folks (counting Mark and me!).  For dinner, I can seat 14 at the dining room table and 8 at the kitchen table so we had some folks eating in the family room this week (which is great!!)  We can cram everyone into the family room for the study.

At the end of the study this last week, I challenged the group to think on the things for which they are thankful - not to dwell on the things they don't have. I am very thankful for this group of young adults and for the joy of working with them each week!!

Flowers to the Glory of God

Why do we forget and take things for granted? Perfect example . . . years ago, we had a tiny arrangement of flowers on our altar each Sunday because of cost, etc. My sweet mother-in-law was the first chairperson of the flower committee at Trinity. She has recently given up that position because she doesn't need to be climbing up on that altar to arrange flowers!! Anyway, we have a wonderful committee of committed persons who purchase the flowers each week - some from the wholesale florist, some cut from their own yards or the yards of friends. These persons - two at a time, I believe, then spend their entire Saturday mornings making an arrangement that brings Glory to God. The committee had a workshop several weeks ago and this arrangement was the one from their workshop. It was amazing and I love how the top of the arrangement points your eyes to the cross - indeed flowers to the glory of God.

Prayer

The photos in this post are not good . . .but this post is about much more than photos. This post is about prayer. I am so thankful that I believe in the power of prayer. I am so thankful that I believe in God who answers prayers. I do know that sometimes the answer is yes, sometimes the answer is no and sometimes the answer is wait a while. I also know that sometimes when I pray, God weeps with me. That is so comforting. I've mentioned before that I love my job. I have a love/hate relationship with part of my job . . .the prayer ministry for our church. I love it because God hears and answers prayer. I hate it (only sometimes) because I hear about all the sick people and little kids who have cancer and people who are getting a divorce and all of those things that make up our messy lives. . . .yet I also love that I have the awesome privilege to pray for these needs.  See, it really is a love/hate relationship.


On this day back at the end of October, I was able to see prayer in action. October is our stewardship month and early in the morning on the day before our big "Celebration Sunday" about forty of us gathered in our sanctuary. Rev. Suzanne talked to us for a minute and shared some ways that we could pray and then she opened our time with prayer. We then spread out over the sanctuary and through the building to Wesley Hall (where our contemporary service is held). We "laid hands" on each pew and we prayed for those who would be sitting there on Sunday morning. Then we wrote something like, "I prayed for you" on a sticky note and stuck it to the pew. We prayed that those sitting there on Sunday would experience God's blessings. We prayed for their families and their spouses. We prayed for our church and that we would indeed be about God's business. There were enough of us that people were able to pray up in the choir loft and people prayed over the "preacher's chair." Oh my goodness . . .when you have 40 or 50 people praying in a room . . .God's spirit is present. As I moved through the balcony, I prayed for my mother-in-law and for Mark's Uncle John who sit in the same pew each week. I prayed for others by name as I pictured them in my mind. You know that most of us are such creatures of habit that we sit in the same general area of the sanctuary each week.


God is at work at Trinity UMC. Yes, HE is. Our pledge campaign is successful . . . commitment cards are still trickling in (if you are reading this and haven't turned in your card, please do so!! haha! I couldn't resist that "commercial") We are in ministry here at Trinity - along with many of you in your home churches - we are doing God's work.


Here is a picture of our senior minister and his wife kneeling at the altar praying for the congregation. I think that is important for folks to know - in a church of over 3,000 members, the senior minister takes the time from his busy schedule to get on his knees. (I apologize for the picture - I was trying to be discreet - no flash, etc.)  (and yes, Dawn has on orange and blue - War Eagle)

Here is a picture of the sanctuary as folks are praying.

On days like that Saturday . . .I am so thankful to be a part of the prayer ministry at Trinity. I am so thankful to be a part of a church family who believes in the power of prayer. I am so thankful to be a part of Trinity UMC!!