Reviewing notes

I am a note taker. I have at least a dozen notebooks full of sermon notes! I feel pretty confident that if someone were to ask me to give a sermon, I could give someone else's without too much problem. (that is after I got over the petrifying fear of being in front of someone to speak!) But this summer while we were in Minnesota I heard the best idea ever for use of sermon notes! (and no, it's not as wrapping paper or wallpaper either) This sermon was called "Laying the Foundation for lasting change" and it was taken from Lk. 8:4-12, and Mt 7:24-27. (see, I told you I have really good notes) Without going over the whole thing, his basic idea was this: We need to be Doers not Hearers only. The difference between the man who built his house on a rock and the the one who built on the sand was not the foundation they built on, but that the wise man in particular took action on what he knew to be true. He offered this suggestion: We need to apply what we know. We need more than exposure to the word, more than just accumulation of more knowledge. Here's how to "DO" a sermon-

1. On Monday and Tuesday, with your spouse, friend, brother, review, discuss, lay open the text of the scripture used in the sermon and the basic points of the message.

2. On Wednesday and Thursday discuss how this sermon and thus the scripture can be applied to daily life. What practical steps can I take to actually implement what i heard on Sunday? How has this, or will it bring about change im my life?

3. On Friday and Saturday- Act. Then share with said friend, spouse, brother about that action and how it was applied. (or the lack of it)

There should be on going discussions and actions about all that's being heard in order to keep it out of the realm of religious duty. I must respond to God's word and that involves action.

Do I really believe that obeying God is my best choice? If I don't value God's word above all else, trust His wisdom and goodness, I won't obey. So. That's what I've been up to lately. It has been powerfully challenging! Today I was challenged to act in courage despite my fear and i actually had a successful opportunity to do just that. I was amazed at how God worked! Let the wind of the Spirit continue to blow...

Going Home

If I needed any evidence that the summer flew by, I got it today when I took my mom back to the airport for her to fly home. She got here just before memorial Day and spent the 3 summer months. I can't believe she's headed home already. But we did a lot. She said that often. Even though we were gone several times and she just stayed here and babysat Buster. I felt like there could have been more ... But here's a list-

1 "camping" trip

Lunch at her place on Wednesdays

Shopping

Thursday evening meals uptown at Woudstra's Brat stand

A trip to the Omaha Zoo with the whole gang

Sunday dinners together

watching movies at home

Having her visit me at the library

A trip to Mason City and a bed and breakfast

Malts and dogs from Bob's

I know plenty of people who don't really enjoy the company of their mother. I'm so glad I have mine, and have had such a time as this to get to know her!

Energy

We got to visit the grandkids last night. Of course I took the camera. In a few years they will hate to see me coming with that thing, but for now they submit willingly to the lens! They are so full of energy and enthusiasm. They delight in such simple things. Isaiah with peaches and cool whip, Phin with his brother! What a pair. So today I will just share the latest grandkid pictures!

Time has wings.

S'up with everyone for Labor Day? It's hard to believe we are at the end of the summer... again. Someone once told me that the older I got the faster time would fly by. That has proven to be true. Winters seem longer. Summers seem shorter. Those 20+ years I had with my kids are already gone. How is that possible? Time spent with family and friends flies by. How do I stop that from happening? My mother will be heading back home before Labor day even gets here. Hardly seems like we got her here and she's headed back home again. So let's sit a spell and chat. I miss all you old friends out there and the time we've had together.

Playing until I'm 87

I've always loved to play! One of my biggest regrets is that I was never able to be involved in sports when I was a girl. In 'those days' in Illinois, girls were consigned to being cheerleaders. There were no school sports for girls. No baseball, softball, track, basketball, volleyball. Nothing. I always thought I missed out on a lot. I doubt that I would have been too good at anything if I'd been able to play. I did get to play a year on a girls' softball league in a summer rec program. I got to play at halftime of a polio benefit basketball game when I was in junior High. So when we moved to Iowa and found that they actually had sports programs for adults I was thrilled. We played church softball and volleyball and were terrible. But it was such fun! I always swore I was going to play until I was at least 87. Well, I haven't quite made it to that age yet and we played yet again this weekend. Kickball no less. I can't even tell you how sore I am. My arms hurt, my legs hurt...and more parts that I didn't know I had hurt too. Still, it was lots of fun. I'm thinking I should re-think the 87 part. At least I didn't end up with a single black and blue mark. I even scored a run!!

Fruits of our labor

So our trip to Michigan was very 'fruitful!' We stopped at several places along the way and brought back some tastes of the country. In Michigan we got peaches, blueberries, and blackberries. The peaches are lucious and I can't get enough of them. I thought I might have some for freezing but I think I'll be eating them all! As we travelled through Illinois we stopped at Oberweiss Dairy and had some of their ice cream. Wow is that ever heavenly. Then in Wisconsin we bought ... what else, cheese! We went through Monfort, the home of blue cheese so we got some of that, curds, and smoked cheddar. We got sweet corn for $3 a dozen. And it's great stuff too. I will freeze some of that! Any way, if you see me, you might notice I'm waddling down the street.

Moving In

4 states. 3 capitols. A book and a half. 2 days of driving on very busy interstate highways. There was the Olive Garden, Old Chicago, local mexican,Perkins and just too much food in general. Lots of exercise, though. What could be more....well, intense, is the word, I guess! My legs are starting to recover from the zillion walks I had up to the third floor (23 steps to be exact) My arms are still sore from the hauling. But we jammed it all in and even had time to sort some. Wow! I'm exhausted just thinking about it.

Can't wait to go again. Next time she'll be able to navigate better and we won't get lost so much I'm betting, and maybe we can behave like tourists!!