daily life as life goes on . . .

That’s what happened at our morning breakfast for our Family Bible School yesterday.  We knew this kick-off would be without some of our teachers.  In fact, 1/2 of them would be unable to attend.

This we knew.  What we didn’t know was that more new participants would want to take in the meal.  And the games.  And the social time.  And the food.  And the friends.  And the introductions.

Considering we had a regular attendance of around 35 last year, when more than 50 showed up, we were surprised.  Of course, the food people were prepared.

A little aside here!  I’ve decided when you are put in charge of providing food, you overdo the quantity.  Next week we have a Men in Kitchen potluck.  Already I’m hearing that some men are planning to bring a main dish, a salad and a dessert – just in case, “the other men don’t bring anything!”

So, in the end the morning was beyond our expectations – we hadn’t even set enough tables and had to pull out more! 

Next week?  I get my first chance to teach my prized Grades 5-7 class – with up to 15 possibly showing up.  Won’t that be fun 🙂

Yesterday I spent almost six hours with teens – and their fearless leader, Wayne Gibson.  We were painting a “theatre” area in the local museum. 

I had almost forgotten that I had painted “professionally” when I was in college.  So, I ended up teaching teens how to paint, and doing a little painting myself.  When you don’t have to paint too often, the fun can still be there.

Here’s a link to let you see what we were about:  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.466490096716791.113317.213916455307491&type=1

Yesterday my daughter phoned.  Just to chat.

I had been planning on calling her.  My son had called the day before.  And a good friend had also called. 

When a trinity of calls arrives unexpectedly – and none of the calls were written in my agenda book, or scheduled as “hangouts” on Google – you sense maybe God is in it!

I’m sure that was the case. 

And so, I’ve learned more about what each one is doing.  I know where prayers are best targeted.  I know future plans of each one.  And perhaps, in the future, a face-to-face opportunity will arise with each one. 

But for now, thanks to A.G. Bell – I’ve moved a little closer, at least in the heart!

This morning I was reading in Exodus – that great second book of the Bible that describes the Israelites leaving the slavery of Egypt.  Got into chapter 12.

There the Jews are told to change the beginning date of their year.  Where that date began previously, I’m not sure.  Probably based on the culture of the Egyptians.

But now, the new year would begin on the Passover.  The day of salvation.  A constant reminder as to what was cherished in their culture.

I wonder how we have set our new years?

We begin January 1st, which would appear to be related to our surroundings.  That’s when the days get longer and the hope of sunny days is ahead.

We begin in September, which would appear to be related to our selves and the betterment we get when we start a new academic year.

Some people set the new year based on the loss of a loved one.  Some on the achievement of greatness.  Some on a church year based in the Easter story.  Some of us are conflicted because we have many new years!

New years signal new beginnings.  If we have no celebration(s), perhaps we have lost hope?