Sew, Sew, Sewing...

Well, it's been my plan all day - to sew. Went in and started getting things together when I realized I needed to rinse out my fabrics and dry them. Hm. Show stopper. I am waiting for that to happen and then I will cut 3 bags out. One is to donate to a silent auction. One is to go to the lady to developed my logo. The last one goes...well, I'm not sure. Maybe I'll just use it myself. We'll see. I post pictures when I get done...

Keith hits the big 5-0

Keith had a birthday this week. He turned 50 on Tuesday. He's been saying he's fifty for almost a year now, so he doesn't seem to be affected by it much. A couple of weeks ago, he got his birthday gift - a new recliner. The old recliner was broken - wouldn't go down and stay down while you were in the chair. We got it early so that my parents wouldn't get stuck in the old chair.

So for his birthday day, he also got a couple of shirts, dinner out, and a movie. It was a nice day, and he seemed pleased with the outcome.

That has been my week. How is yours going?

The beginning of a new week

I am ready for the new week. I finished the laundry today (well, I am going to finish the laundry - I have to put it away yet.) I have a couple of things to do to have the kitchen in shape. Keith and I finished some paperwork for my job yesterday. All of that makes me feel like I accomplished something.

Keith and I went to dinner with friends from my old job. We are a motley crew, but they are good people. I enjoyed it immensely. We get together about once a month, and are all committed to keeping it up.

Next month we are heading home for a visit. We have synod meetings in Dayton, OH after which we will start our trip - Columbus, OH overnight with family; Frostburg, MD with Keith's family; Sumerduck, VA with my family. I am hoping we can get to see my brother and his wife (David and Rachel) and sweet little Jasmine. I cannot wait to see everyone.

Have a great week, everyone!

Just Poppin' in...

Just popping in to report that I was not perfect in hitting my goal today. I am disappointed, but I did keep the rule in mind and DID keep several comments to myself. So, improvement - but not accomplishment. I am guessing this will be a life-long struggle.

My other reason for popping in is to see how long it takes dad to notice I'm up and running this week. Dad? Are you out there? Hope your having fun in Indiana, and make it home safely!

In other news - please pray for my three year old neice - it appears that they will have to remove the cyst in her left lung. Parents don't have word on when just yet, but please keep Jasmine and her family in your prayers.

Many Thanks!

Are you a Joiner?

I was taking this in a whole different direction, but decided it was just stupid. So, I'm starting over.

I don't have much to say, so let me share this:

I often find myself in conversations that I had no intention of having (and some I absolutely intend on having), saying things I had no intention of saying, and going down a road that God is probably not always pleased with. You see, I'm a joiner. I just can't pass it up. I justify it in all kinds of ways, but there it is...sin. Big, bad, ugly, SIN.

Well, I was listening to Dave Ramsey the other day for about a minute and a half. He was talking about his company and employees. He said that he has a (well, maybe a couple, but he was talking about this one) rule that his employees must follow unless they no longer wish to be employees. That rule is that they must not talk about another employee unless that person is in the room.

Sit me on my butt. What a great rule. I have decided to try to implement this rule in my own life. It will not be easy, nor will I be perfect - especially at first. But I'm gonna try. Join me?

This one's for you, Dad.

So, my parents came to visit me in Memphis this past weekend. I haven't seen them in over a year, so it was good to spend some time with them. But in one of those quite moments when dad and I were taking, he asked me why I had not updated my blog in almost a year. So...this ones for you, Dad.

Much has happened in the last year. We moved last September - just up the street from where we were, about 2 blocks from the Hancock's fabrics which burned down. The good news is that the place is bigger and the Hancock's reopened - along with an Ace Hardware. The bad news: no pool. ah, well. All for the best, I guess. We really like the location of the new house - and I have yet to spend a whole pay check in the Hancock's (at one time) yet. Time is on my side, though.

Our holidays were spent right here in Memphis, with good friends around. In January I left working at the hospital to go back to work at the Navy Base. It was an opportunity I could not pass up. I was hired as a Technical Writer, but have been working as a data analyst. I love what I do. This position requires a security clearance, and we hit a bump in the road with that. Long story short: My interim clearance was pulled and I let go. On my second day of unemployment, I was called and told that there was an administrative SNAFU with the investigative body; my interim was fine - not pulled. Did I want my job back? You betcha! And so I am back. Still waiting for the final to come in, but none the worse for it.

In June I finished up my MBA. I am glad that is over. There are absolutely no plans, thoughts, or dreams of going back school again. I've said it over and over - I will not learn another thing ever again. Amen. Really. I mean it. Done. But it feels good to have accomplished it!

There have been a good many changes at the church, but mostly to the actual structure. We just had the altar blessed, and it is beautiful. We also got a new organ, which means my piano got to come home - today, in fact.

Things are good here in Memphis. Hope all is well where you are!

Love,
MelBoe

Obsessions...

I love my Chihuahua. She is my baby, and I'm not sure what I ever did without her. She is not warm and fuzzy with strangers - she really doesn't take to much of anyone but Keith and me. We have seen her warm to a VERY few couple of friends, but cautiously, and only on her terms. But with Keith and me, she is very attached (I'm the runner up, to tell the truth). If we have been out of house for awhile, she was us to sit down and hold her until she feels better. She must sleep between us - touching one of us or, preferably, both of us. She has to move from room to room if we are moving around the house, and just about can't stand it if we close a door to keep her out.

UNLESS, that is, El Toro of Love or Christ-moose is in town. These are stuff animals that have been picked up along life's way, and found their way into this Chihuahua heart. She loves them very much; her little ears perk up that the mention of their names. Oh, how she loves them. If they happen to be lying around, she becomes completely obsessed. She will not leave them to go outside, to eat, to sit with us - nothing! She lays beside them with her head resting on them, she does unspeakable things with them (until her mother informs her that we don't do those things in this house), and she chews on them. (This would be why El Toro and Christ-moose don't get to hang around the house much.) She will not leave them - the obsession is real and it's deep.

So this week, we noticed that Busy-bel was hanging out in my sewing room a lot. She was snappish with Beau (more snappish than usual), and she was sitting on a box with my quilt. At one point she was guarding the door to the sewing room to keep Beau from going in. I wasn't paying close attention to it, but we wondered about her behavior. What was up with her? Then yesterday I walked past the box and happened to glance in it, and realized that she had found Christ-moose, who was packed in that box. It cracked me up! That explained it all - I guess she assumed Beau would be just as taken with Christ-moose as she is.

Christ-moose and El Toro of Love have gone out of town, and may never see the light of day again.

Stuff and Things

Good morning, everyone!

I am sitting in Panara this morning, mostly because we are out of power from storms that rolled through Memphis yesterday. It was one place that I knew I could use the wifi, and they would have plugs - both the computer and the phone needed juice. It's a great world when you can plug up, get a good bagel and have a glass of tea (all that and AC, too!). Interestingly enough, I have seen 3 parishners since I've been here!

We have a new addition to the family. Keith has been talking about getting a basset hound for some time. I found one "free to good home" on Craig's list. I thought I would garner some points for showing it to Keith. I just knew that 700 people would be responding to the add, and we had no chance of getting him. (never, ever assume! Why don't I listen to my father??) Well, long story short, I sent my response, and the owner emailed me RIGHT BACK and said that we were the family he was praying for. Lucky me. :) We picked him up on Thursday morning. He is one honkin' big dog. Beautiful, sweet, good and vocal dog - but BIG. He only has 5" legs, but when he stand on his hind legs, he stands as tall as me!

The girls are adjusting (Isabel is S L O W L Y coming a long). He love them, but they are a little scared of him. It has been fun watching them together. He seems to be ajusting well to life at the Boettners. Here is a pix of him:

In other news, I have not found work yet. I and found a lot of other things to do, but now work. I have been busy helping friends, visiting, and school. I could get used to his housework stuff.

I have to run. Time to meet Keith, and go see if we have any power.

Peace!

Random Photos...

Here are a couple of pictures of my (somewhat messy) sewing room. The quilt on the wall was made by my mother, designed by my sisters, and financed by my dad (it actually says that on the back of the quilt!) Each of the color blocks are actually envelope pockets. It was my graduation gift, and I love having it up on my wall. The wall color came with the house, but it seems to be working for me.

This is on the opposite wall. I took peg board, painted it, added spacers on the back, and the trim on front. I love it. It is now full of sissors, cutters, rulers, and other odds and ends. The table is a solid-core door that weighs about a billion pounds. I put the handles on both ends to help with haulin it around. The saw horses can be raised, but since I am short, I haven't felt the need. Since these pictures were taken, I have added some shelves in the closet for my stash, a small book shelf just inside the door for my books, and a stand for my TV. I love spending time in here, and have been known to just sit at my table and watch TV because I had nothing else to do. :) (or because I was avoiding homework, but that is the horse of a different color!)

This is the BEAUTIFUL stand of Irises in the backyard. Some of you may know that these were my Grandma Hartleroad's favorite flowers, so it was a wonderful surprise to see them coming up. If you look, there is one yellow one among all the light purple ones. Since taking this picutre, we have several dark purple ones pop out. I love them.

Here is a close-up of one.
Finally, here are some things I have been doing with my new machine: I made them for Z., who seemed to love them. I especially love the pink dress. It came out very cute. I am supposed to be getting some picks of the doll in the cloths, but haven't seen them yet (hint, hint).

I was laid off from work about 8 weeks ago, but have been keeping busy with things around the house, and hanging out with friends at the BumbleTees shop. I'm trying to find another job, but am enjoying the time off for now. It's amazing how many things there are to do when you don't have to bother with getting up and going to work.

Finally, I'll leave you with pics of the girls...

Isabel (she-who-must-be-obeyed)

and Corkey (she-who-obeys...well, most of the time) before the summer cut.

2009

I just thought I would spend some time and catch you all up since my last post. (This one is for you, Chuck!)

I helped a couple of girl friends with the Christmas Pageant. It was great fun (albeit a little stressful), and we had a great time - we spent all day Saturday before the show working on costumes, and had some great results. I don't have pictures, as I was herding sheep, wise men and trying to keep baby Jesus quiet (yep, we had a live one - Jon David). We are wondering who is going to have the baby for next year...

Christmas Eve service was beautiful. I really enjoy that particular service, watching a child place Jesus in the manger, and thinking about what St. Mary must have been thinking on that night so long ago. Christmas Day was a nice quiet day for Keith and I. I actually came down with a nasty cold on Christmas Eve, so it was nice that we had planned to stay home and enjoy the day by ourselves. Frankly, the month had been so busy with our open house*, the pageant, Christmas, etc. that we were not able to get the trees decorated, or the house cleaned. So, we got up, decorated the trees (yes, we had 3 of them!), cleaned the house, got cleaned up, made our Christmas meal, and had "Christmas" about 4 p.m. It was perfect. I had the day after off, and was able to really just rest and try to get over the cold. (Believe me, I know it doesn't sound nice, but it was for us!)

New Years Eve, we opened the house to anyone who didn't have something else to do that evening. We thought it would end up being 5 or 6 folks. We had 25 people come over and had a great time! We did the countdown at about 10p.m., so those with kids could get them home if they wanted. We played games, drank "Marcia-ritas", and ate lots of good food. (we did this pot-luck, bring a food and beverage and come!) What a great time. It was the first entertaining we have done, and we are planning more. Its nice to have room to have folks over! We spent the rest of the weekend quietly - not doing too much.

Sadly, Marcia moved to California. She is a good friend - someone I could hang out with when there was nothing going on. She was always up for company and/or a shopping trip. We are still in touch, and she has promised to come visit us often. I am sorry that she left, but am happy that she is doing something she loves. (and she gets to leave Memphis, too!) Love you, Marcia!

Since then I have started and almost finished my Managerial Accounting class. It is going well, but the final is making me a little nervous. I also got a new sewing machine, which I love and am working on getting my sewing room organized. I bought a solid core door (do you know how heavy those are????) and painted it a nice soft green to go in the room on saw horses. I have a pegboard that I am going to paint and frame to use to hold tools such on. I have big plans for that room, but it is getting smaller by the minute - so some of them may not work. We'll see. I am hoping that Elise (hint hint) will be coming over soon to help me arrange it, as well as some of the other rooms in the house.

Keith is busy with church stuff. It's amazing how much work there is when you double the size of the congregation! But he enjoys every minute (well, most minutes) of it. He is doing well, and has maintained his weight loss. lucky boy. We are so happy to be here at St. James at this time. We see so much growth - spiritual and size - it is exciting to watch and see where God takes us.

Well, that just about does it. I don't have much more to report. I am taking a trip to Jonesboro, AR on Saturday (it's about 1 1/2 hours away), to visit friends from seminary. Di just had a new baby, and I need to get over there to see him! That and get out of Memphis for a little while. I am looking forward to the trip. Other than that - on to lent, and then the most wonderful season of the Church Calender - Easter! Our Easter Vigil is my most favorite service of all. But we must get through Lent first...can't get to Easter without going through Good Friday.

I hope you are all doing well. I will try to do better keeping this thing updated.

PS: Congrats to my brother David and his wife Rachel who just bought their first home! I'm so happy for you all, and proud of you, too! Kiss that baby for me!

*(FYI: our open house is a breakfast we put together for the church. Because we have gotten so large, we actually had the "open house" in the church hall so we would have room - even the new house is not big enough!)

We've moved...

Well, we got moved. And by "moved" I mean that most of our furniture and a good bit of our stuff is here in the new house. We are moving the rest of the odd-n-ends over the next couple of weeks. Once we get things in and figure out where we are putting everything, I'll be posting more pictures.

Here are some things we love about the new house:

1. Central Heat - can't underestimate the importance of central heat.
2. S P A C E! It is so nice to spread out - although we loose each other sometimes :)
3. Second Bathroom. I can't say enough about the joy of knowing we now have two.
4. Fenced in back yard - the girls can run freeeeee now. Very nice.
5. Not having to turn off the non-central heat in order to blow dry my hair without blowing all the circuits. You can't imagine the freedom.

Thanksgiving: We went to the Gilfeys for Thanksgiving dinner. Their cousins from Sweden were here to experience their first-ever American Thanksgiving. A good time was had by all. They served Lingenberries - I had some on Cheesecake - YUM! I made the Green bean Casserole. And brought the cheese. Very stressful, ya know? Hey - I also had to pick out the crackers, too. Do you know the stress of finding the just-right cracker for cheese? It is very important to get the right ones - I don't care what Ritz says, people make fun of you when you bring Ritz crackers for Bree.

My class is coming to the end, and I am gearing up for the busy Christmas Season...now, can anyone tell me where my Christmas Cookie Cutters are?

On the Road Again...well, kinda

Well, I am sure this will shock most of the people who have known and loved us for awhile ;-}, but we are moving again. Not far - less then 10 minutes from where we live now. It has come time to find something with more room to move around in, and to try to get a tax break, if we could.

It is a nice 'little' house (I use the term loosely, it is little by most standards but is about 2x the living space of the house we're in now). It has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and a nice family room. All of that plus a nice little surprise out back...take a look:

The house from the front:

The Living (or Front) Room (And no, the Yorkie is not included - believe me, we asked!):

The Dining Room:

The Kitchen / Breakfast Nook:

The Family Room:

The Master Bedroom:

And the little surprise out back? well....here it is:

We're moving in the weekend after Thanksgiving, Lord willing. We are trying right now to get things together - working hard, and none of it includes packing as yet. The Lord knows how much I LOVE to pack. Anyway, we are very excited about having space to move around, to entertain, and to SWIM!

PS: Still going to put on photos from Victoria - just need to find the time!

Beautiful Victoria, BC

Well, it's hard to believe that we are more than half way through our trip to Canada. It has been beautiful here in Victoria - the weather is in the fifties, and the sun has been shinning the whole time we have been here. It is glorious here.

We flew into Seattle on Monday, and went to dinner with a friends brother-in-law who lives there. It was a wonderful seafood dinner overlooking Tacoma - breath-taking views, delicious food and good company - can anyone ask for anything more? Well, we did, and we got it. We took the Victoria Clipper to Victoria on Tuesday, where we were able to see more beautiful mountains,and even some whales swimming in the distance. We experienced some turbulence in the boat, but nothing too terrible.

We are staying in downtown Victoria, just a couple of blocks off the harbor. We are situated about a block from the church, and anything else we could need. We have found several great restaurants. We are eating too much, and enjoying every bit of it.

We have spent a good amount of time catching up with old friends, and making new ones. It has been better than I could have imagined. One thing we have noticed since stepping foot here, is that service, and in general, the Canadians seem to be a very nice, gentle, and rule-abiding group of people. Even the "Goth" kids don't cross the street until the sign tells them they are allowed to go. The pan-handlers politely say "thank you" when you tell them you have no cash - because you don't. And for those who know me, I will be bringing back a Canadian accent - I'm already hearing it now.

I am spending some time in the room this afternoon - while others are in meetings. It just seemed like a good time to catch up with myself. We will be here for 2 more days - leaving on a ferry Saturday evening. There is so much we want to do, we are having difficulty deciding what we will do with our time here Friday afternoon and Saturday. No matter what, we will be sad to go, I think.

I am taking pictures, and will be posting them once I am home. I hope that everyone is doing well - or are doing better, for those I know to be not feeling well. See you all soon!

As Time Goes By...

I am sorry to be gone so long. I owe you all a post on my parents party, but that will come later. For those who haven't heard, I've been sick for the last several weeks, and am just now beginning to feel better.

While we were in VA, I had a fast-running cold. As usual with me, it turned into a terrible cough. But I was doing better by the time we got home, and I thought I was out of the woods. Then the following weekend and into the next week, I really went back and fourth not feeling well, being sick to my stomach (and other places). I eventually went to the doctor and got something for the stomach cramps and got to feeling better. Yep, I was definatly out of the woods...or so I thought.

Last Saturday I started having terrible pain just under my ribcage that went around my back. If any of you have had a gallbladder attack - it was EXACTLY like that. Only my gallbaldder was removed 4 years ago. I went to the doctor (the appointment will be the subject of a later post) on Tuesday to find out that the muscle that is just under the rib cage was irritated (by the virus, being sick with the virus, coughing, picking something up or moving funny - pick one, there is no way to say which it was) and pressing on a bundle of nerves that goes around to the back. I am currently on drugs to reduce the swelling, and stop the pain. When I am on the drugs, I am feeling GREAT. When they wear off, I am still hurting. Apparently it will take a while to heal.

So I have spent the last 3-4 weeks feeling not-so-good. I am on the mend, but taking it easy. So that is why I've been quiet, not really doing much of anything. I am hoping to get into the sewing room, finish some other projects I've been working on.

Have a great week!

Song Sung Blue...

So, we're back. We had a wonderful time, and my parent's anniversary party was a great big success. I will write more about it in the next couple of days...(and I have lots to tell - meeting Jasmine for the first time, seeing a long-lost cousin for the first time in at least 10 years, visiting with family and friends - it was a great vacation!)

She-who-must-be-obeyed was VERY glad to get her parents home. I still have some time off, so I will spend that loving on her and her sissy and getting the laundry done - among other things.

My post-VA depression as officially kicked in. I told some friends it was good that we left the girls in Memphis, otherwise I am not sure Keith could have gotten me back here. I really miss it all - the family, friends, places, memories - and the pace of life (but not the traffic - definitely not the traffic). Sumerduck is QUIET - you forget, living in the city, just how quiet it can really be.

That said, I will be happy to be back at St. James on Sunday. I missed it terribly on Sunday - we went to St. John the Divine in Warrenton, VA. It was a beautiful church and a nice service, but it was no St. James! And I will get back to my life here in Memphis, which I enjoy - I head back to work on Tuesday and school on Wednesday, and I will enjoy friends who are like family and who make living 16 hours from home a little easier.

Good Night!

Tuesday, once again...

It's Tuesday. I do not have much to report. We are getting ready for our trip to see the family. It's all very exciting. Lots to do this week in preperation.

Last weekend Bishop Morse came to St. James for his episcopal visit. We had him over for a light lunch, then the vestry all met at The BBQ Shop on Madison for dinner with the Bishop. Finally, we had a wonderful service Sunday Morning. We had (at last count) 132 people in attendance - a record for our chruch. There were 2 baptisms, and 6 confirmations. All of that, and we got to receive communion, too! After the service, we had a nice luncheon. The only problem encountered all weekend was locking myself out of the house. Keith had gone on a hosptial visit, and I didn't realize that he was gone, or remember to have him leave the house unlocked. So, I hung out in the church watching Andy Griffith (E left her cd's there, TBTG!). It was a nice way to pass the time until Keith got back.

So this week will be busy, and exciting all at the same time. Need to get the hair done and maybe my nails. We are leaving the girls home. I will miss the little one terrible - mostly at night when I bug her while she sleeps. But it is best for them and for us, so...

No other news to report! I'll be back soon, and I hope to have lots of pixs from VA.

As Time Goes By

Well, how the heck did we get to August 2nd? Gosh, I hadn't realized how long it has been since I was last here. Sorry about that! July was busy, but I can't tell you with what...maybe work, and VBS (helping to set up for it - not working it), and school.

My class is going pretty well, and I have - for the first time ever, I think - started my project early. I am hoping to have to basically done tomorrow, be we ALL know how that goes.

And speaking of school - I have, from the beginning, had difficulty with Keller. There have been customer service issues (not all together a surprise here in the Bluff City), problems with financial aid, and we can't forget the whole "we can't find your file, you'll have to reapply" discussion. While things have been worked out most of the time, it doesn't seem to be getting any better. SO, I started looking around, and the University of Memphis has a program that is in the neighborhood of 1/3 the cost of Keller. It is much closer to home (within walking distance when it is not 99 flippin degrees at midnight!), and has a pretty good Business School / MBA program. I have decided to apply there this fall, continuing my classes with Keller in the immediate. If I am accepted, I will try to move over to UM in January. That's the thinking right now - but I have to get past the GRE first (this may be the thing that dictates exactly what I will be doing.)

We are looking forward to our trip to VA. I am actually beginning to make lists and put things aside to take. It promises to be great fun, and I can't wait to get there. Look out Fauquier - here we come! Axia and Carlos - we are looking forward to visiting with you! You too, Ann!

In the mean time, we have our annual Bishop's visit. We are looking forward to seeing Bishop Morse. This year we have 2 Baptisms and several confirmations. It is a very exciting time in the life of St. James. Last week we had the VBS presentation, as well as a vote on if we should purchase the church property we have been renting for 4 years (including the house we live in.) The result was almost unanimous to purchase it! All of that and we had 101 people in church!!

Today we went to the Gylfe's home for a cookout, and swimming (for the kids). We had a great turn out, and a good time was had by all.

I had a hole in my tire, but it was quickly repaired to the tune of $16 - much better than the cost of our tire issues from a year ago! Keith was weed-eating the church lawn a couple of weeks ago and it picked up a rock and flung it across the parking lot into his rear window, breaking it into a bazillion pieces. So now he is driving a whooptie which has plastic covering the window until we can replace it (don't ask - it has to do with the aforementioned issues with Keller.) And I won't go into the fight Keith got into with the basketball hoop pole (using my car, of course!). Really - there was not much damage - just enough for me to keep giving him a hard time!

Well, that's the long and the short of it. What's up with you?

PS. Jasmine turned one - can you believe it? I hope to get pictures up soon.

...and we're back!

Good Evening everyone! I hope this finds you well.

I am sorry I have been gone so long. School kept me busier than I had imagined - but I did well in all my classes. I have been out of class for over a week, but was just too tired to spend *one more* evening writing something. I am taking an accounting class, which will not require a big paper at the end - which I am happy about.

So here is what I've been up to:

* School, of course
* The BIG ole bible study (which has not gotten the attention it deserves - I may be held back!)
* Planning for - dreaming of - my trip to Virginia in August!!!
* Hanging out with friends - and having a great time doing it!
* Quick trip to Jonesboro to see the Honey-hams, and Fr. Foos who was with his school choir visiting from CA.
* Quick trip to Jonesboro for what was, hands down, the most eventful funeral I have ever attended.
* Co-Teaching (or more or less) Sunday School
* buying all manner of used books at used books stores and used book sales.
* finding a really cool bag pattern which I am hoping to begin working on soon.

Doesn't seem to be quite as long as I imagined or it felt...

I found a book at that book sale that I thought I would put in the church library. You never know - someone might like it. Well, I picked it up the other day and started reading. The book is called: My Beloved: The Story of a Carmelite Nun by Mother Catherine Thomas. It is about a young woman who is called to the vocation of a Carmelite Nun in the late 1920's.

I am completely taken with this book. Now, don't think for a minute that I want to be a Carmelite nun, or a nun of any flavor for that matter. I am just finding the story, and her insight, captivating. I believe the word is convicted...

I am not done, and I am sure I will need to read it at least one more time to really appreciate it - but I've already started marking in it!

This poem is included in the book:

My Beloved is my Bridegroom

And my Lord - O what a joy!

I will henceforth all the powers

Of my soul for Him employ;

And the flock that once I tended,

Now I tend not as before

For my only occupation

Is to love Him more and more.

I have gone away forever

From the haunts of idle men

And a sharer in their follies

I will never be again.

They will say, and say it loudly,

I am lost; but I am not;

I was found by my Beloved,

O how blessed is my lot!

St. John of the Cross

Beautiful, no? I believe that St. John of the Cross was a monk, or brother. I also believe that he wrote this about going into the contemplative life. But even so, I find it speaks to me. I am just using this to contemplate my own relationship with Christ - which is what, I believe, Mother Catherine Thomas wanted when she wrote this in 1955.

Cheers everyone - I'll try to be around more!

Stay Tuned...

Sorry that I have been absent so long - life has gotten busy since starting school. I'll be back very soon!

Hello...is it me your looking for?

I know, I know - it's been a very long time. I can't believe that it has been over a month. Lots have gone on since my last post - the walk down memory lane.

I have started school - and two classes it a lot harder than I thought they would be. I go to school on Monday and Thursdays. It makes the weeks speed by, though. I am enjoying work. It is busy, and crazy, and frustrating, and fun - and I love going everyday. One of my co-workers is going through the process of being put on the heart transplant list. Our friend Perry was able to go talk to her and share with her his story. Please pray for Pat. She has been through so much in the last year or so.

This is the beginning of Holy Week. It will be a long week, but it is such a beautiful and meaningful progression from Maundy-Thursday to Easter Sunday. It is deeply moving to me. The church is doing well, and we have had over 80 people for the last several Sundays. We had over 100 this Sunday. There is a group from a different church who may be joining us. It is sad to think of other church having difficulties and splitting, but it is nice to have a growth spurt. It is an exciting time for us at St. James.

I have finally finished that sweater for Jasmine - and found a button (well, really a couple of buttons) for it:
This button was "custom made" - I found them at Wal-mart in the obviously-being-closed-down sewing /crafting section. The big white button has a flower pattern on the front, but it looked too old fashioned for a baby's sweater. The small pink flower was too small for this sweater, so I turned the white button over, and added the pink one on top. Yea! it worked and looks cute!
Now let's just hope that she is not packing things to go off to college - I just know this will be too small for her, now that I got the button dilemma worked out!

And speaking of Jasmine, here are some pic's that I promised - ones her daddy sent to me - taken in January, I think:

I can see a lot of her daddy in her, but I see glimpses of mom, too. Either way, isn't she sweet?