Song & Sword

Last night I attended a Christmas party at my pastor's house.  It was lovely.  The above picture is of navity scenes my pastor has collected throughout the world.  Isn't it beautiful?  I need to take a moment and blog about my church, Song & Sword.  I attended a big church for years.  I loved it.  Mike was baptized in that church.  I think that one day when my boys reflect on their own faith walk, they will have fond memories of our big church from their youth groups and trips to witnessing their dad coming out of that baptistry with his arms up in worship on that cold February morning in 2016.  In 2020 our pastor started doing what is called daily "Mike Talks."  He continues this today and it's something I look forward to watching every morning.  Listening to Mike (my pastor - not my husband, just saying) and being in the word of God starts my day off in the right direction.  My pastor started his own church, Song & Sword, in September of this year.  But this summer I attended church in his quiet home which happens to be a synagogue with my dear friend, Shannon.  God has certainly used Shannon in my life throughout the years as a vessel, leading me where I need to be (see my blog posts back from 2016 when Mike and I were trying to do following his job loss - Shannon was instrumental).  From the beginning it felt good to be there, among this small group of believers.  One Sunday while we were closing up our small service in the synagogue the holy spirit came alive in me.  It was all I could do to hold back tears because I was so happy to be a part of this new church and there was no doubt that God wanted me there.  Mike (switch back to my husband now) attends with me when he can and recently  after church one Sunday he told me he noticed how happy I seemed to be when I was at church, serving.  It's true.  I simply could not love this little church more and I am thrilled to be a very small part of how God is working through this ministry.  

Another huge bonus to my new church is I get to see Mary and Shannon every Sunday.  Being around a community of believers is such a blessing.  I've made new friends too (see below).  I love the connections and new friends.  And Oh yes, I wore my fancy boots last night!  

 

Our Aneroxic Tree

 Over the weekend Mike spent WAY too many hours trying to get our former tree lit but to no avail.  Finally after what seemed like days Mike gave up.  While lights not working on a Christmas tree is certainly a first world problem, it was still a problem nonetheless  And it's like I always say, if Mike can't fix a problem then it can't be fixed.  Therefore we went out yesterday and bought this Charlie Brown tree.  It is true that I picked it out (as Mike was reminding me of last night as I was complaining how sad it looked) but I didn't want to spend a bunch of money and I hate decorating for Christmas.  Love my Lord and Savior Jesus but decorating for the season is not my forte.  I'm a very good enough kind of gal when it comes to this kind of thing.  I put my favorite ornaments on it and decided that once Jay moves out he can have the tree and I'll divide the ornaments up between Jay and Nick.  

Both boys had a comment about the tree when they got home from work last night.  Jay walked in and asked, "What's up with the aneroxic tree?"  Nick's comment reflected nearly the same, "That tree just looks pitiful."  I figure if nothing else it will provide a lot of laughs this year.  

Thanksgiving 2023

These pictures are in no particular order.  The day before Thanksgiving, Mike, Nick and I headed out to Lake Eypgt to spend Thanksgiving day fishing.  Sadly Jay had to work so he wasn't able to join us.  Mike and Nick fished thanksgiving morning and I joined them once it warmed up.  They loved it and it was nice to change things up a bit this year.  We came home on Friday and prepared for our celebration with Kim and family and mom for Saturday (pictured above).  

Our celebration with with Kim and mom - all 9 of us.  It was such a nice day and mom truly enjoyed herself.  

This is Mike and I on Thanskgiving morning, proving that I did actually get out on the boat with Mike and Nick.  We really did enjoy ourselves and again it was nice to do something different this year.  I am so aware that things change and the older my boys get the more I adapt to the changes.  

Mom and her grands! This picture never gets old. Love our time we have as a family.  

                       Mike deep fried the turkey again this year and it did not disappoint.  

Our view from our VRBO at Lake Egypt.  It was truly beautiful.  A wee bit cold but beautiful just the same.  It felt good to do and plan something out of the box this year.    

 As usual Nick caught fish during our trip!  Mike didn't catch  many fish but had a good time spending time with Nick.  

Sunday Funday

Yesterday Kim, Lauren and I made a quick trip to visit our aunt and cousins.  Kelly was visiting from Florida so we wanted to see her and her baby.  I am so thankful for extended family.  It's such a blessing to be so connected with my cousins.  

 

The "Home"

 Mom provides Kim and I with lots of laughs from the "home."  I've done a poor job of documenting these antics.  For years my boys provided me with hilarious stories and now my mom and her activities at the home is providing us with our entertainment.  

Last week there was a break out of bed bugs (gross).  Thankfully mom didn't have them.  She has no carpet in her apartment which according to mom helps prevent bug beds.  Regardless mom told me she had learned from her friend, Doris, that using baking soda over her threshold would deter bed bugs.  Who knew?  Mom bossed  sent me out to buy a box of baking soda.  When she sends me on these errands that make no sense to me I obey but I'm rolling my eyes the entire time and usually calling Kim to tell her what crazy request our mother has bestowed on me.  When I arrived at mom's apartment with the box of baking soda she first started pointing her finger all around and trying to tell me what to do with the baking soda.  Finally it became clear to me she wanted me to sprinkle her baking soda on the carpet right outside her front door.  Again I did as I was told even though it made absolutely zero sense to me.  The next day Kim visited mom and called me and said mom's front entrance looked like a cocaine deal gone bad.  It turns out mom had misunderstood the directions and sprinkling mounds of baking soda on the floor doesn't prevent bed bugs.  The next time I visited mom she promptly directed me to take the box of baking soda home, she no longer had any use for it.  Imagine that.  

Every Friday the home hosts a happy hour.  Mom loves attending but she loves it even more when Kim or I come.  I have to give this to my sister.  Kim goes more often than I do, probably because I'm too busy running to the store to pick up baking soda.  This past Friday Kim took her kids with her to mom's happy hour.  Afterwards Luke called and said he thought Nana's friend winked at him so he had winked back at her.  He told Kim about this winking incident and Kim had to tell him that Nana's friend likely had a twich and wasn't winking at him.  These are just a few of the stories that keep Kim and I laughing these days!  

Cousins

 I got together with my sister and cousins this weekend.  We are intentional in our planning and try to get together 3-4 times per year.  Cora has moved back to Illinois so it makes it easier for the four of us to be together.  What a blessing it is to be close to extended family.  We always share a lot of laughs, memories and conversations.