daily life as life goes on . . .

So, in the midst of my excitement of being able to host meals and bring people together . . .

Yesterday I came home to make some chicken noodle soup.  I pulled some broth from the freezer and set it on the stove to warm up. 

Then I realized I was tired.  Just a quick nap! 

Which was quickly awakened – after almost an hour’s time.  I thought I could smell the beautiful broth of soup.  I followed the scent, except the scent changed the closer I got to the kitchen.  Soon a bit of a cloud came into view and I looked in the pot!  Black! 

I extracted the pot from the stove and placed it outside.  Opened the windows.  Looked around for a good deodorizer.

And decided the best thing to do was make another pot of soup.  Change the flavor of the air by putting into the atmosphere exactly what had been planned originally.  So I did!! 

For a first try at making soup (OK, a second try – the first one was a little black!), I think it turned out alright.  My plan is to try out the soup for lunch today.  If I’m sick tomorrow, you’ll know why!

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.