LET'S ROLL!!
Just dropping in for a little Guennie catch-up :)
For starters.....I was in the kitchen this afternoon...(it's at the front of the house, and I had the windows open)...but I wouldn't have needed the windows open.....Harrier jets -(at least that's what I think they were)--started zooming over the house again & again & again.....Man, they're loud!!!!
So I went outside, and it was so cool to see them in action....
..so I began wondering why they were flying all over this part of the sky, and remembered the shuttle.......I really didn't think it would 'go' today...........the wind has been whipping around, really really strong winds!
Hi all.......I've just been busy with LIFE :)
Spent the weekend, hubby & I, at a seminar called 'Witnessing your faith'......
...I thought it was going to be about talking to folks about their 'faith' or lack of faith...........
...but instead, it was a totally different perspective. A really unique paradigm!
The premise .... to practice being 'servants'......to show God's Grace in practical ways.
We learned all weekend how to impact our neighborhood in caring, creative expressions of love & kindness.
At the end of the seminar, we all signed up for different venues that would help us practice what we just learned.
Some folks went to the beach, and took cases of bottled water, and soft drinks to GIVE AWAY to the beach folks.
Some went to downtown & asked shop owners if they could wash their windows .....for free.
Some went to nursing homes, and took huge cakes to celebrate anyones birthday over 85...(LOL, the folks who did that reported back that the dear folks in the nursing home almost did 'wheelies' when they saw the cake------they lined up for the free treat)
I signed up to take fruit baskets to the fire & police depts.
We were well received, and even given tours.
This whole adventure was NOT to bring 'numbers' into the church......but to show the world (of our little town) that we loved them, and cared for them.
Then, Sunday, we attended the little mission church down the street, (instead of driving the 25 miles, one way, to our church of 14 years)
This little mission church goes to a local nursing home on a monthly basis to preach the gospel to them.
I had never been, and decided this would be a prime example of what I had just learned during the weekend. :)
So, I happened to be at the Hallmark Shop that afternoon, before I went, and they had ALL their Easter candy (which was still fresh) marked down to 10 cents per chocolate covered marshmallow egg, and so I bought a bunch of them & put them in a basket, and took them with me to the nursing home.
Well, I got permission to give them out, and before the Pastor preached, I handed out the eggs, and those folks just gobbled them up. :)
Except one little lady who didn't have any teeth.
During the sermon, I noticed she still didn't touch her egg-----it was laying in her lap unwrapped......and I wondered if I should help her.
Suddenly, it was like she discovered it!...and she grabbed it and practically inhaled it, no teeth & all. She just kinda mauled it around and around until it was gone.
Well, later, during the middle of the sermon, I looked over again.......and uh oh.......
...there was marshmallow on her mouth.....marshmallow all over her hands, and she was starting to get marshmallow in her hair.....
...oh I felt so bad....and suddenly, she started talking during the sermon.....saying 'Oh, I don't like this......I don't like this' and she was looking at her hands.
So, I quickly got up & asked the supervisor if I could get some paper towels & clean her up.
The supervisor was really sweet, and told me not to worry....this is just how the lady eats anything......and she brought in some wet towels & cleaned the lady up, and sat there with her arm around the lady until the sermon was over.
Meanwhile, I'm thiinking, 'next time I bring ....cookies!'.....:)
But it was the sweetest time spent there.......everyone wanted a chocolate egg......and I sat next to this spiffy little lady & she shared her songsheet with me, and we sang the old hymns together :)
One older gent, with a twinkle in his eye......but couldn't talk because of a stroke....motioned me over, and I thought he was going to say 'goodbye' or something...........but no, LOL, ....
...he just wanted another Easter egg :)
The supervisor was really sweet about letting me pass out the candy, but when I told her next time I would bring cookies, she asked me to make them 'sugar free'....:)
As far as my own parents.......We're at an impasse.......they don't want to move out of their manufactured home, and I have reconciled this in my heart & mind.
Dad is improving somewhat, and Mom is at a manageable level........
...for now, I will hold off trying to maneuver them to another place........ ....and just love them, and try to keep them comfortable.
Life goes on.......heard from Texas son last night, and he seems quite happy with life & himself!
I've started getting myself moving more in the AM.........
..I get hubby off to work, then I take a couple turns around our circle.....and later, off to aerobics class.
I know the 'news' in the outside world is tense & terrible..........I understand how ken5050 feels....
...I too keep thinking 'something big' will happen soon.
I've read Revelation...........and the mideast is just a simmering caldron.
God only knows.......but I find contentment in the daily complexities of life..........and peace within my soul.
Love to you all!!!!!!--guennie
388 posted on 4/8/02 9:15 PM Eastern by Guenevere.....
End of post...
Guenevere - You are amazing! Thank YOU for sharing this testimony and account of your faith in action...
This kind of response is what our pastor has been steering us toward, and why I've taken up more Care-Giving responsibilities....
You've given us such an inspiration of strength in action! In spite of your own family concerns, you've reached out even further to others in your community, drawing them into your faith and example of love and caring!
Bit Hugs to You!!!