Author: Norma

Church and Brain function

Tomorrow I will be preaching at church. My sermon title is “Instrument of Peace.” I haven’t finalized everything that I will be saying yet but it’s formulating in my head.

Sometimes it feels like I work better under pressure.

In addition, I’ll be having the special music for the day singing a song called Adore. Adoring Jesus …

So much to do at home that sometimes I don’t do anything or minimal because my brain doesn’t seem to function well when it thinks it has too much to do. The weird thing is that I make my own plans for the day so the “things to do” are all things that I can do but don’t necessarily have to do.

Life … as it is.

Friendships

Illinois Blue Sky

We spent last evening with some friends. One of them is a paraplegic. He was shot in the back when he was about 26 years old. He’s had a really hard life but manages to have a smile on his face when we visit him and his wife.

Today we were invited for brunch at another friends home. Such wonderful food from these wonderful Lebanese friends.  They looked tired today and the wife told me “we are getting old.”  They are 73 years old now.

I used to think that our friends were mainly “older” but as I ponder it more, they are not much older than us ~ about 10 years.

Looks like I’ll be preaching the sermon this week at church but I haven’t yet picked a topic although the word “instruments” keeps popping up in my heard.  Hmm …

Today I’ve been feeling dizzy but not enough to keep me down.  Just enough for me to “feel it.”

And then I heard from a friend in Michigan today.  It was so nice of him to call.  He’s going to school to become a Pastor which will be a great investment of his time ~ and a great sacrifice.  I hope I can make it to his wedding when he sets the date.  I’m so thankful he has found a lifetime friend.

God is good.

Enchiladas & Temperance

Enchiladas for dinner tonight with fresh pineapple.

I wonder if the pineapple in heaven will taste the same as the one here. I enjoy fresh pineapple. Yummmmm …

I’m teaching the young adults tomorrow in Sabbath School. The topic is temperance. Good topic for all of us to study.
I have a young adult in my home who shall remain nameless who is enthralled with his new iPad. I’m trialing it to see how it works.

Current events

Spent the morning doing “normal” things. Laundry, painting, putting things away.

Will be picking Sam up at the airport today. He’ll be here one week and then he’ll be off again for an indeterminate amount of time. It’s nice to be able to travel to places where you often thought of. Meeting “different” people.
The news is talking about the oil in the Gulf Coast and what would happen if there were a hurricane. Pretty scary stuff.
Doesn’t get better either with North & South Korea at each other’s throats.
Closer to the end of this world as we know it — Jesus is coming back soon to take us home.
Yet, I don’t feel anxious about things happening in the world. I tend to get anxious about everyday things like if I have enough food for people who I invite over for dinner.

Funeral

Bouquet of Flowers

Our old are dying.  Our young are dying.

Today I will be attending the funeral of a friend’s son.  He was 35 years old and died of hardening of the arteries.  How does that happen?

Seems like everyone I talk to tells me of someone young who has died of heart problems.  This is definitely not a good trend.

Do you know of anyone who has died early in life?

I didn’t know this young man ~ had met him a couple of times.  But his father is a remarkable man who is generous with his time and his money.

Such sadness.  

Of Matchmaking and Time

Fuschia

Time flies quickly so it seems.

We celebrated the birthday of a friend’s son named Michael who turned 17 today.  I can remember when he was born.  Quite a rambunctious kid he was yet today he is a skilled pianist and has a unique sense of humor.

Funny story ~ I played matchmaker to his parents.  She was my penpal from Japan and he was a fellow church member.  It’s hard to believe their relationship has blossomed so well.

I guess I am a good matchmaker.  Are there still people who do that for a living?  Hmmm … I wonder.   

I picked up some annual plants today but the day is much too gloomy and cold so I’ll have to wait til the sun comes out ~ hopefully tomorrow.

Death – A Mist

Illinois Pond

Last night I was reading an article, The Last Enemy,  by Clifford Goldstein in the Adventist Review magazine.

This article was on aging and Clifford stated that he felt he was “evaporating” and likened it to the Scripture in James 4:14 where it says we are like a mist.

“The only thing I’m adding is negative space, wrinkles … ”  And then the clincher in the article “If left to ourselves our situation would be as dire and hopeless as it seems.  That’s why apart from the cross …”

Well, I’ll let you read the rest of the article (click here).

Truly we have much to be grateful for in the person of Jesus Christ.

 
 

Darkness

Darkness is descending. I was once told that “nothing good happens after dark.”

Growing up, that was a true statement for me. Growing up in the Chicago area with gangs, one did not venture too far, especially at night.
But, as a teenager, I didn’t think much about heading out. Until … one night, I was held up at gunpoint.
More to follow on that story. But God spared my life.

Day’s End

Waiting for the sun to go down as Sabbath approaches.

Looking back, it was a busy day.  I received 2 free compost bags from the city of Seattle. Unfortunately the kitchen compost containers were out of stock.

I watched Wheel of Fortune.  One wouldn’t think that was a special event except that it reminds me of my mother who watches it faithfully every day.  I just occasionally view it.

The flowers I received for Mother’s Day are still alive ~ well, except for the roses.  Seems like those are the flowers that die first.

The Small Things In Life

So my husband asked if he could get me anything from Starbucks and I thought I’d be cute and said “a tall non-fat decaf latte with lots of foam and” — then he rolled his eyes.

Off he went to the store and he did stop at Starbucks.  My youngest son went with him.  He’s 25 and a world traveler.

When they return, I get exactly what I ordered.  Isn’t it nice to have guys who like to please?

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