- All day Saturday pre-marital class. First time we've done that. We prefer 1:1 over the course of a couple months for pre-marital. But Holy Moly a ton of couples are getting married this summer and there is no way in the world to fit them all in save meeting with a couple every night of the week. Pass on that. So...an all day class it was. We did it together with the Rhodes (Don and Lisbeth) which was a fantastic idea. Something about having a couple married 13 years and then another married for 30 years that makes things feel...well rounded. It was good. Couples seemed to be encouraged and learned a lot about the purpose of marriage (evaluations they turned in were good and some we talked to after). We'll do it again end of this month. Glad to finally get all our teachings consolidated and to hear it all together...was pretty powerful. God loves marriage and it's so fun to share the details of that with couples.
- Off to Prineville, Oregon Sunday afternoon to see our good friends the Hallman's installation service in the church that he has been asked to be the transitional pastor for. Missing them terribly already but so so good to be there with them. Will be fun to see what God does in that church and in them through this. First time for us in Prineville - it's way out there! I felt like I was driving into Radiator Springs (you know, from the movie Cars). Spent the night with some good friends Brad and Kindra in Bend that night and Kindra made us apple pancakes in the morning and I got to play with her baby a bit.
- Back home Monday night to fire pit and more premarital counseling (this couple couldn't make the class). Nice to be home. Love our little backyard with the tiki torches. Fun to hear the hearts of an engaged couple and offer our lives to them.
- Braden started swimming classes this week and that's been the funnest thing ever. I LOVE watching little tykes learn to swim. So cute and fascinating. He has goggles. I'm not out with the big camera like I was last year, but I totally take iphone pics of him still and I notice I have a perma grin the whole class watching him. The teacher has picked up on the fact that I am "that" parent.
- I started a Mary Kay business! Yep, I'm selling make-up. I've used the stuff for 5+ years and love it, I figure it's time I start getting my make-up for free since my whole family buys it anyway. Looking to continue to cut our expenses during this fun economic crunch time so this will help. But it's fun to have friends get their make-up from me too - i think everyone should have a healthy cute face don't you? www.marykay.com/karenelaine
- This Sunday is the launch of our Summer Electives for elementary kids. Aside from the 3 teachers (people from our congregation coming to teach a one time fun class) that never checked their email in the last 2 weeks to see that they are scheduled, and now backing out - I'm excited. Little note of wisdom: When you sign up to serve somewhere and give them your e-mail - CHECK your e-mail to see when they might like you to do that serving. ;) Otherwise, don't give them your e-mail! Ok, so the reason I'm excited is this: This is the most fun time of year for the kids as they do more creative learning and see all kinds of people's lives shaped by God. Hoping/praying the congregation continues to respond by offering one Sunday of something they are passionate about to the kids. Up this week: Music/Worship class, vegetable painting (tied into caring for our bodies), and a bus ride field trip to learn about how life with God is an adventure! Yeah, it's cool.
- Today visited my friend Neisha in the hospital. She is my assistant at Imago Dei Community and is 7 months pregnant. Her first pregnancy. Had a large cyst that doubled in size on her ovary during her pregnancy so they had to take it out. It was a pretty invasive surgery but baby is just fine. She has been in a ton of pain so we cried a bit together this morning and I got to hold her hand, stroke her hair, kiss her and tell her she's doing a great job. What is it about being at the bedside of your friend that is so emotional? Just one look in their eyes and you know they are in pain, possibly embarrassed that they are in a gown and have bad hair, and are a bit scared. It melts me. And I think the fact that she is pregnant with her first sweet baby is just the kicker. NOT the way one wants to go through a pregnancy. So...praying for her tonight as she had to stay over again. Her pain is subsiding some now..maybe home tomorrow.
- And lastly, tonight I participated (and am still participating) in Braden's first ever sleepover. His buddy Willem (the one's that just moved to Prineville) is in town and he is staying the night here. They were adorable and reading to 2 kids at night is harder, but possibly more fun. Braden prayed for Willem and when they shared about their "high's" for the day they both shared their high was seeing each other tonight. Sigh of bittersweetness. They talked and whispered and played for too long so after threatening to separate them and that failing (they voted to come to my bed) I finally laid down with them. They were out within 10 minutes. 11:30pm mind you! We'll see how late they sleep in and if they wake up in the middle of the night. They are both passed out in Braden's room now and it's quite wonderful.
Peace out everyone. May God be dwelling in you as you enjoy this holiday weekend.
0 comments:
Post a Comment