daily life as life goes on . . .

Tonight I hosted my second meal!  The fixings were not that hard (or elaborate), and my downstairs boarder brought up the salad.  The food actually was rather good and we ended with ice cream and fresh picked raspberries.

And then – we decided to host another meal for young adults – next Thursday.  Ashley and I picked out around eight names that could surround the table.   We decided to work on a potluck basis (I’ll provide the meat, another person is providing the dessert, etc. . . ). 

At first, I wasn’t sure if I leaned on my wife’s ability to cook and present a meal well.  I think, in the end, that I really do like the idea of being a host and being hospitable. 

I do have much I have learned by osmosis!  The table setting, the preparation, the ability to have food ready when the guests arrive.  Those I’ve seen and appreciate, and I will try to emulate from Jill.

But now, I get to put into practice the soul of both of our hearts – to provide a meal as a way to open up conversation and to help others to enjoy this life!  A reprieve from the world of hurry around a table of plenty (of both food and friends) is not a bad thing!

When I started the day, I was in the midst of figuring out what my day would include.  I had a meal planned in the evening and a haircut mid-afternoon. 

A staff meeting soon stretched into an encouraging time – my associate pastor is off for a week or two of holidays.  He’ll be resting – and visiting.  His family will see him for an extended period of time.  That’s good.

At lunch, a young lady came by seeking a place to eat lunch.  I invited her to join me.  We sat and discussed (OK, I asked lots of questions and she was kind enough to answer.

Prior to that, I had been by the lawyer’s to check out Jill’s estate and the transfer of the house into my name.  There, I also extended my time to talk of registering a publishing company.  More on that in coming blogs.

At the hair cut time, I talked to the hair dresser (of course, I haven’t got much hair to dress, but it’s a great idea that someone would be willing to dress what is there).  We spoke of a broad range of issues.  FUN!!

Home in time to see my boarder and invite her to supper on Thursday.

Then, a friend arrived for supper and we enjoyed my first full meal that I had prepared for a guest.  Actually worked well!  I am thankful for the time I spent with my wife – by osmosis I pick up a lot of tips on hosting and having a meal that would be enjoyable.

Now?  Reading, writing and enjoying podcasts.  A rather enjoyable life.  May God continue to put people and events into my life that remind me of the great hope that there is in Jesus, and the great enjoyment there is in his creation – particularly the humans who live around me!

This morning was a highlight.

Both my grandchildren were taking swimming lessons.  They are such opposites!

Christopher doesn’t like to venture into the water.  He likes to talk.  He finds it hard to listen to the instructor.  I’m not sure I would want to be the instructor!

Hannah is the proverbial fish in water.  She doesn’t really care how deep the water is.  She likes to try out the exercises the instructor asks the children to try.  She jumps in wholeheartedly (sometimes a little too much so in the deeper end of the pool).

Mom and Dad survived, sometimes wondering if they will drown and more often laughing at their antics!

So, here they are just outside the swimming pool. 

I have so enjoyed being with my daughter’s family.  The grandkids were out for a walk with me this morning.  We saw 20 lawnmowers in one yard (looked like only one worked).  My granddaughter kept hearing all sorts of things.  I had to slow down and listen, and then I heard the wind chime or the bird sing or the silence after noise.

But tomorrow I attend the grand kids swimming lessons and then head home.   Awaiting me is the need to stock the fridge.  I’m actually home now for a few months (at least I think so!).  And then the office beckons on Tuesday.  I’m looking forward to the challenges of the summer, as we complete plans for the fall and beyond.

But for now, the evening is about to complete and I sense yawns forming in the front of my brain, causing brain drain and incoherence and . . .

Good night all!!