iona's blog 12/11 - 12/17/2005

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Sunday, December 11, 2005

Something About a Sunday...
We left for church early, 7:20, to be exact. We needed to pick up cakes at the bakery, set up a serving table and display our farewell sign and books. Two families were moving away. It was hard to say goodbye... so we didn't. "See ya later," seemed better," and it's true... one way or the other.

I manned the table through part of both services but left it for Sunday School. It was almost one when we got home, so we ate a quick lunch and headed over to the Chabolla Center where many from our church were to perform in a community choir and musical variety show. Our own Pastor Dan had put together an astounding program using only local talent. They may have been local but could have rivaled any pro. It was more than impressive.

We helped with refreshments and barely made it back to the church for a Church Council meeting, then it was on to the evening church service... Another musical treat as Pastor Rob joined in with Jim and Ruth who I always love to hear. One piece they did, Christmas Every Day was just delightful.

The day was non-stop and wonderful. I am tired, but pleasantly so. There's just something about a Sunday...

Johnny Cash sang these words in an old song written by Chris Chirstopherson. Called Sunday Morning Coming Down, it went something like this: "There's just something about a Sunday makes a body feel alone."

For me, it couldn't be farther from the truth. My Sundays are full of love and fellowship and activity with the Body of Christ. But I know that without the Lord, none of that would be true. I am continually grateful for the full life He has given me... a life of purpose and meaning, of belonging and loving and being loved... a life filled with joy and fun. It's a full life and a rich one.

Yes, there's just something about a Sunday...

Monday, December 12, 2005

Monday, Monday
A while back I got a card in the mail form Kaiser. I thought it would have my test results; instead it told me I had an appointment. They had made an appointment for me without checking to see if I would be free that day. Apparently Kaiser and a lot of other people think that anyone who isn't formally employed has nothing to no and no place to go so can be available any day at any time. Lucky for them, I was free this afternoon.

My appointment turned out to be a meeting, or I should say, a class. Everyone there had high fasting blood sugar levels on at least two tests. There were eleven of us... mostly overweight, but not all. Not one of us exercised regularly and all of us said we didn't want to diet. We were all pre-diabetics... with bad health habits an attitude. We liked our sweets and our fatty foods... and it showed.

By the time our instructor was finished with us, I was ready to reform. Sweets were not banned and I believe I can trim the suggested 300 calories a day and do the 30 minutes of exercise they recommend most days. I think I'll do "Sweatin' to the Oldies" with Richard Simmons. I have that tape. The only time I used it, I danced back and fell over the coffee table... couldn't move for three days!

At least I'll start by making these changes and praying for God's enabling.

Of course, a life of dieting and exercise is very unlike me. I love my butter and cream and lots of sugary things... and I'm not much for physical activity. There's no denying however that I am to be a good steward of my body, and now I have the word that my body needs better care.

So, instead of chicken pot pie with a lattice puff pastry top, I am sitting here eating a fat free yogurt. These individual pot pies I make each have a full cup of heavy cream, not to mention the butter, chicken, peas, carrots and potatoes... they are delightfully rich and smooth. I am taking two of them to Stanford tomorrow for Donna who needs to gain some weight, doctor's orders.

Oh yes, I even parked as far as possible from Raley's tonight when I went to pick up supplies for my Stanford trip tomorrow. A little less food, a bit more exercise, a whole lot of prayer and we'll see where I am in 90 days.

After I got home, I put away my groceries and left the Stanford snacks out... Sun Chips sitting on the stove (the counters were full of sacks I was emptying). Somehow I forgot about the chips and when I was making dinner I got mixed up and turned on the wrong burner... the one under the chips. When you heat those bags, they explode!

So much for Monday.

Tuesday, December 13, 2005

Dateline: Palo Alto
I was supposed to pick up Donna in Oakdale at 9:00 to make our biweekly trek to Stanford. I didn't make it on time. First, the garage door wouldn't close, then I had to go back to the house to get things I had forgotten to load... but being late may have saved me from a bad accident in the fog.

East bound traffic on 120 was at a standstill. I waited for almost 20 minutes. An ambulance came by heading west, lights and siren engaged. Then another. Must have been bad... The fog was thick. Had I not been delayed I might have been in that accident. I can't know, but I do believe the Lord has used many such everyday events we consider as problems to change the time and place we are and take us out of harm's way.

We had a safe and pleasant drive to Stanford and found a parking place right next to the walkway to the Apheresis lab. We headed in with our bag of snacks. Her treatment is long, so we take something to eat. Then I realized all I had was the bag, no purse! We went back to the car. I remembered having my purse as we were getting the snacks from the trunk, but I thought I had set it on the pavement. It was not there. We looked in the locked car, no purse in sight.

We prayed and went on in for Donna's treatment. The nurses there always fix a recliner chair for me, too, just like they do for the patients. They bring pillows and warmed blankets and treat me like gold. I notice that isn't the case with other caretakers. Indeed, I never see anyone treated like that. I feel especially blessed. I'm sure other folks just think I am another patient.

When her Apheresis was done, Donna called AAA and by the time we got to the parking garage, they were driving up. Perfect timing, God style. The tow truck driver had my car open in a flash, and sure enough, my purse was in the trunk. God is good!

Now, here in our snug motel room, we have been talking about God's faithfulness. We have had a luscious chicken pot pie from a Paula Dean recipe and are ready for a good night's sleep.

I feel very blessed.

Wednesday, December 14, 2005

30 Years of Blessings
I arrived home from Palo Alto late and tired. My mind was occupied with trying to remember all the things I need to do in the next few days. I was checking my e-mail when Richard came in from work. Concentrating on getting that done, I didn't even get up to greet him.

He asked if I wanted to go out to eat or warm up his left over pizza from last night. "Pizza is fine," I said absently.

He said, "You really don't know, do you?"

"No, I really don't... I'm too tired to care or think," I mumbled not looking up from the computer.

He came over and rubbed my shoulder, saying, "Well, I thought you might want to go out for a nice dinner tonight."

Then it dawned on me. Today is our thirtieth wedding anniversary. We had renewed our vows in June because this is our thirtieth anniversary year and that is when most of the family would be together at the family reunion... but December 14, 1975 was the day we wed.

I felt awful to have forgotten. I remember last year when I was so hurt because he took me to dinner but had no card or gift. At least he had remembered this special day. Now, he led me to the dining room where her gave me a lovely tennis bracelet and a truly perfect card. It said exactly what I knew was in his heart... and it melted mine.

This man who married me, a woman with nine children, is the man God intended for me all along. All these years, he has been my best friend, my lover, my partner, my supporter, my cheerleader, my soul mate... He is my advocate. I can trust his judgment... most of the time. When I believe he is making a wrong turn, I voice that honestly and nonconfrontationally. He listens but may still go with his idea... That's OK. We serve and awesome God who can lead us to easier roads when His timing is right.

We made a pact long ago, that we would never go to bed angry with one another... We also made rules for disagreeing. We do not yell, nor do we ever demean the other person in any way! Bringing up "old stuff" is off limits. Sarcasm and cruel words are out as well. In fact, it's hard to tell we're having a disagreement. And last but not least, we never run our mate down min private or public.

I've heard other couples be absolutely cruel to one another... that is NOT how we want to behave. Thanks be to God who has been caring for us so well and so long.

Thursday, December 15, 2005

Small Groups, Big Blessings
This morning I was renewed and refreshed as I met with the Women of Grace ladies Bible study group. Several of our regulars were missing for various reasons... we missed them especially as we held our Christmas party today.

Again, I am reminded how important small groups are... in the church, in the workplace, in government... in almost any relational setting, even in the family. Normally not a fan of committees because of their tendency to get bogged down, I realize that many committees are basically small groups and without them nothing would get done. Jesus chose to form a small group... twelve men of varied personality, skills and background... and He used that little band (with Paul and a few others added in) to change the world!

I am in several small groups at church: A Wednesday night Bible study, the Women of Grace (on Thursday mornings), what I call the Breakfast Club (a Friday morning Bible study), and Tom Lane's Sunday School class. A special closeness develops in these settings that is impossible during the Sunday morning worship alone.

Which brings me to the subject of James and Eva from our Sunday School class. They are moving to Michigan... and I believe are actually in route as I type this. I love that little family in a special way, but I never would have known them enough to love them personally had it not been for the time we've spent together in the small group.

Speaking of that, James wrote a beautiful note to the church e-mail list. I did not reply since I had no idea what their new e-mail address would be. Let me just say this to James: I am honored and humbled by your sweet words, James. I have learned a great deal from you as well and am always inspired by your love for God and your hunger to know more of Him.

Friday, December 16, 2005

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner
Tomorrow, we are expecting 45 people to show up at or near 6:00 p.m. so I spent much of the day rearranging the house and deodorizing the carpets. We live with two dogs and two cats, so even at its cleanest, our house smells like animals.

I am pleased and excited about this event... the SCT Christmas party. Last year, there were much fewer in attendance, so I was surprised to learn so many were coming. I have never hosted a group this size IN the house. In each school district Richard served as superintendent we would kick off the new school year with an outdoor luncheon for all the district staff... we never had a house big enough to entertain 45 guests... we still don't.

Luckily, we live in more house than we need so we can spread people out over several rooms. FBC has agreed to lend us some folding chairs and we already have tables. The food will all be brought in and, of course will be served buffet style. I think it will work.

As I was working today, I kept thinking of the crowds that followed Jesus everywhere and how the throng was so thick at one point some men, desperate to have Jesus heal their friend, dug a hole in the roof and lowered the man, bed mat and all, down through the roof directly in front of the Savior! Then there was the time when a group was gathered to hear Paul preach more about the Gospel... on through the night, the preaching went. The house was full, and one young man (Eutychus) was sitting on the window sill... he grew drowsy and finally fell out of this third story window and was killed. Paul raised him from the dead! Acts 20

I thought, too, of Mary and Martha, sisters of Lazarus. Jesus often stayed at their home in Bethany. I suspect many if not all the disciples stayed there, too... and perhaps crowds milled around nearby, for where ever He went, there were people... longing to be healed, wanting to hear Him speak, hoping to be noticed by "somebody famous," or as in some cases, trying to catch Him in a sin or mistake, anything to accuse Him of.

Mary loved to sit and soak up Jesus' every word. I can just picture her rapt expression as she studied His eyes and followed the gestures of His hands. Martha was more practical. They had people to feed and care for; there was a whole LOT to do! She came to Jesus complaining that her sister wasn't helping, but Jesus answered, "Martha, Martha, you are worried about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken from her." Luke 10:38-41

I tend to be like Martha... I need to be more like Mary. So, this evening, what Richard and I prayed for is that all who enter this house wherein two spirit-filled people live, this house which has been anointed and dedicated to the Lord... as they enter this house, they will feel or somehow sense the Holy Spirit's presence here. We prayed that our home and our lives would be a witness and that our guests may become hungry and thirsty for the Lord.

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