Monthly Archives: April 2007

Our current journey in life is one of faith and family.

We are in the "sandwich generation" of life.  While our children are out of our house, we still care very much for them.  And our parents are now at an age where we are increasingly called to care for them.

Both groups would prefer non-interference.  Until a situation arises that pushes them to the limit.  Familiar feelings I have experienced and still experience.

Today I talked to a senior couple who will move soon to be with their children.  63 years on the same farmstead.  And yet they know the time has come.  With that has come a certain release.

I trust that as I hit times where the impossible confronts me, I will turn to God and to my friends (in that order).  Then I can truly say — "All things work together for the good for those who love God and are called by him according to the purpose he has for their lives."

Well, we (being the church) have picked up a  new printer/copier, a Canon MF 6550.  I took the time to insall it and make sure it works on our office computer.

Nice print — lots of extra features we did not have.  Double sided copying, booklet printing, faxing, scanning and who knows what else.  As per the reviews — the greatest problem is the print trays do not automatically pick up changes in paper size.  With that in mind, I worked some of that through today and we should be good to go.  Jeanette, our secretary, comes in tomorrow and gets a chance to try this out. 

Should be fun!  Last words of an optimist!!

Our Easter Sunday meal was at the Near’s.  They raise cattle.  And calves.

The last while has been calving time.  At 5:00 I saw a calf being born.  Within 1/2 hour the calf was trying to suck for milk.

Amazing sight.  Into the world.  Priorities are settled.  First nourishment, then off to explore the world!

To illustrate Holy Saturday — the day in the Christian calendar before Resurrection Sunday — I asked our congregation to hold their breath.  If they held their breath for a specified time, there was a reward.

Jesus told the disciples to hold their breath — for three days.  Judas Iscariot didn’t even get to ventilate before holding his breath.  Peter had a bit of a stutter breath while denying Jesus.  Others, like those on the road to Emmaus, held their breath but needed someone to confirm that what they believed could really be true.

Oh yes, I only asked the congregation to hold their breath for 24 seconds.  That was way to easy.  As a matter of fact, two seniors were still holding their breath well into my sermon — although I think one was turning a bit red!!