THE FAM'S EXPANDING

tuesday morning and Micah calls.  he was going to go fishing for a time off the CA coast, but his plans changed - the boat wasn't ready;  now he's awaiting the Alaska trip late May/early June.  was telling him about the hobby horse - how colorful and cool it was turning out, and he says, "Dad, I was wondering how I could tell you this, but, since you brought it up, could you put a new seat on the horse?"  I'm thinking to myself, but what's wrong with the deerskin seat that is already on it?  I really don't want to change it if I don't have to - it was a skin that Gpa Howard had tanned and it was kind of special ... to which Micah continues, "well, what I mean is could you add another seat???"  To which I respond, "ALLRIGHT!!!" (or some such thing).  So Oma and Poppa get to double up their duties before the year ends! How great is that?!?!

what a great way to start off the week!  

sometimes this preacher thinks he's losin' it.  we only have Lenten services every Wednesday; two weeks ago friend Bill preached for me - what a treat ... but I somehow spaced out the the next one (last week).  It was Tuesday night and K and I are getting ready for bed and I suddenly realize I've got to preach tomorrow!  it's Wednesday!  I think it came off fine - (Karina said so) but talk about feeling like a fool!  It must be age?!?!  maybe I should consult with my family to confirm that.  what do you think?

had a great week with homebound this last week.  am in the process of training/mentoring a young man in the congregation (Wes) to be a lay minister/deacon - so he currently joins me on calls in the mornings.  We came upon a 90 year old man who he had never met (in a shut-in situation) before.  As we walked into the ReHab unit I learned that the man had been moved since last I was there - and his vision of the future is looking towards heaven - and what a marvelous statement of faith he had for both of us.  I tell you, I am ministered to far more than anything I can offer when these calls happen.  The next day we went to another 90+ year-old and after we celebrated the Lord's Supper he was kind of puzzling to himself afterwards, so I said to him, "Clyde, what are you thinking about?"  to which he said, "I am so lucky ... if it weren't for God's grace and forgiveness, what a world this would be.  I don't know what I'd do."  Both Wes and I had a tear in our eyes.  And speaking of tears, I touched on that topic with the sermon today - "Jesus wept".  If you get a chance to listen, it should be posted tomorrow - (no later than Tuesday).  enjoy.

also today was a "Milestone Ministry" day - a celebration for our 7th graders.  It was FaithChest presentation -  it goes like this:  like the Ark of the Covenant in the Old Testament kept the special treasures of God for the people of Israel, these young people are presented a special "chest" to keep their spiritual memorabilia - such as baptismal cross; Bible from 3rd grade; 1st communion memento; you get it ... we've done it 4 years, now.   the first year Wes (the same one in the above paragraph) made and finished them; for two years Wes made them and the families of the kids finished them;  this year Wes thought it would be great if the kids wanted to help in the process - so they (kids and families) met with him and they made the whole thing - from raw wood to finished product - and what a marvelous display of artwork when they were done!  two were beautifully finished with glossy stains; two actually took up carving and carved special symbols and thoughts into their FaithChests! pics should be self-explanatory.... 

 pretty cool, huh?  though I didn't take pics of the insides of most of them there were VBS art projects; school art projects; special books and stories;  gifts from dear friends, etc.  really a neat day!

that's about it for this week -  getting MORE excited about upcoming trip east!

till next time.

love ya, 

K and D