Sunday, April 28, 2019

#placewalkers

Over the years one of the most common things I hear a person say is that they need to exercise more. I'm guilty of the same thing. In my 20s I would go to the gym after work. Later with a family, I would have felt guilty for breaking away to exercise. Now I realize that I should have been doing it all along, both for my physical and mental health.

Last week I decided to try something new, which I'm naming #placewalkers. I went to my church on Tuesday after work and began to walk the parking lot. I was alone, but not. I started at the 80 ft cross and began walking and thinking. I prayed for what I was doing and if it was something I should do. I observed things around the church campus that I had never before noticed. After 30 minutes, I arrived back at the cross to complete the lap. 

I invited a few people to join me, but walked alone again on Thursday. I listened to the new "Repurposing Podcast" from Christ Place Church. [It was very insightful, having men tell their stories of faith.] Last night and today I invited people from my church small group to join me on my walks. I'm going to give it a little more time to see if this is really something that I should be doing to help build groups and bridge gaps between church and our community. 

I began these walks the Tuesday after Easter. It reminds me of the two followers of Jesus who were walking on the road to Emmaus after the crucifixion (Luke 24:13-35), because it's possible that walking and sharing with others could be just what some people need so that Jesus is made known to them.

Luke 24:13,35 Now behold, two of them were traveling the same day to a village called Emmaus, which was seven mile from Jerusalem...And they told about the things that had happened on the road, and how He was known to them in the breaking of bread. 

Sunday, April 21, 2019

Easter Weekend

I awoke on Friday to rain, high winds and a tornado siren. The torrential downpours made driving difficult and the rough weather produced many warnings for flooding. It was a day that made me very aware of my surroundings.

Saturday was the first ever 5K at my church. (It was also my fist ever 5K!) It was a cold 43, windy and overcast. I dressed in double layers with gloves and earmuffs. I really didn't look like a runner and I wasn't. I walked the race with my Bible class. I crossed the finish line at number 305! :D Regardless, I enjoyed the walk with my friends and just had a fun time in the bitter cold. 

Sunday began sunny and cool. I was grateful that the temps rose quickly and we were able to wear our chosen outfits to church. My son and daughter sat with me through the service and made me feel much love. We had a quick lunch after and just sat and talked for a little while. JOY! 

Someone on Facebook noted the interesting pattern of the weather this weekend. It was a picture of the Easter weekend:

Friday brought storms, tornadoes and flooding similar to that Friday long ago that saw the death of Jesus with darkness, earthquakes, and the tearing of the temple veil. Saturday arrived with bitter cold and drizzle, as if the skies were mourning the death of Jesus as he lay in the tomb. Sunday came along with brilliant sunshine and temperatures warm enough to bask in the glow, as we celebrated the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 

Matthew 28:6a  He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. 

I Peter 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you.

Sunday, April 14, 2019

Picnic

For as long as I can remember, the school where I work has had a spring picnic for all faculty and staff members. We would bring a side dish or dessert, while a local company donated enough chicken to feed everyone. The guys who work in Plant Operations eventually took on the job of grilling the chicken by getting starting it at 5 am on the day of the event. 

It's always been a time to gather, relax and visit with old friends. When our school consolidated with another, we weren't sure that the venture would continue, but fortunately it has. We gathered on Tuesday this week to take part in our spring picnic. The forecast called for rain, but it was a warm and mostly sunny day. The food was great, as always, and the time to visit with others was wonderful. 

It makes such a big difference in your work environment when you are able to break away for an hour or two and just spend time talking to friends that you don't see on a daily basis. I hope I never forget to do that, even when I'm no longer working at the school.

Ecclesiastes 8:15 So I commended enjoyment, because a man has nothing better under the sun that to eat, drink, and be merry; for this will remain with him in his labor all the days of his life which God gives him under the sun. 

Sunday, April 7, 2019

Spring Break

As is customary, I took off last week for my daughter's spring break. We didn't plan a trip, but tried to enjoy our free time just the same. On Sunday, I went to church, had a quick lunch and picked up my BFF at the airport. When I got back home, I was inspired to actually cook. In fact, I pledged to not buy a meal out for me until the next Sunday. [You see, my life is so hectic that I eat out as many as 10 meals a week.] However, I ate out on Monday for my Dad's birthday just because. I also ate out Thursday, but didn't pay for it. That shouldn't count, right? :D

This week I wanted to do as Jesus had instructed His disciples.

Mark 6:31 And He said to them, "Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while." For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat."

During the week I cooked burgers, a turkey dinner, meatloaf and salsa chicken. I even cooked real mashed potatoes! My child ate some of it with me, but I often found her with a Hawaiian Sweet Roll or a Pop Tart. Unfortunately, we eat out too often for her to appreciate real food. :/

I read a lot, talked to the child a lot, watched a couple of Hallmark movies and did random things like cleaning out the laundry room and cutting back some forsythia bushes. I tried to go get my passport application done, but the one hour wait was longer than I was willing to spend. We did go biking on Thursday, which I thoroughly enjoyed, along with the Kauai coffee on Saturday morning. Yum!

The week was mostly uneventful, but restful, peaceful and oh so needed.