Track of Light

What a wonderful weekend!

Life is Moving Fast

I cannot believe how much has happened in the last few months! My first Sunday at my new church was July 5th. I am extremely grateful to be here. I am keenly aware of God's blessings while living amongst the great Oak trees, finding tree frogs just about everywhere, viewing the beautiful gardens, and the lovely houses in the historic district where I live. I have visited 20 homes in 2 1/2 months and I look forward to visiting more church families, soon. 

The church is a country church with a rich history. There is a beautiful pipe organ in this tiny church with beautiful stained glass windows and a stunning baby grand piano. In the first service, we are delighted to have a guitar player in the service as well.

We have contemporary music at the start of the service and then traditional, favorite, hymns during the worship service. We also have Powerpoint. I have been putting all the words to the hymns and all the parts of the service up on the screen including special screens for my sermon.

I dream of being able to do more artistic things with the Powerpoint presentations during worship...actually, I want to be able to create flash movies. If anyone knows of a software option that will work for me that is less expensive than Media Shout, would you please let me know?

In the midst of all of these church changes, we have changed houses, my daughter started High School and is in dance and the Japan Pop Culture Club; my husband is participating in the Masons; and I am getting ready to join the Garden Club.

As I said, life is moving fast.  I know these are precious days and I long to savor every moment.  I just wish I could slow down the pace...just a bit.

My Grandmother

 

My grandmother is my father's mother.  We write to each other every day and have done so for about 14 years.  She also sends me a devotion every day.  She has spent her adult life writing to prisoners trying to help them grow close to God. 

Her favorite saying is, "Praise the Lord." 

Her best attribute is her faithfulness in writing.  Before she had email she wrote all of us letters very faithfully even though none of us responded in kind.  The best thing about email is that I get to write her right back.

Her biggest weakness is her TV Shows.  Her life revolves around her Christian Programming, Ice Skating and Hallmark type movies.

My favorite thing to do with her is to take her out to brunch.  That is where we were when I took these photos.

I am blessed to have her!

What a beautiful setting!

What a beautiful setting!
Originally uploaded by tropicalart77

This is almost paradise! So much fun! I sure do want to be able to get my new house in order so that I can scrap again. I have lots of beautiful memories to scrap!

Hank enjoying his stick

Hank enjoying his stick
Originally uploaded by tropicalart77

We are having so much fun with Hank in the water!

Flickr

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

I just finished reading Riven by Jerry B. Jenkins

This is a powerful book about trying to live a life in Christ, redemption and the price that Christ paid on the cross.  Here is a wonderful interview with the author that I would love for you to check out. 

From My Daughter

Today, my daughter came home and showed me an assignment she got an "A" on.  I had no idea she had written it and I have no memory of this old photo of me.  I think it is a pretty awesome Mother's Day gift!

 

Mom

In this photo you see a young woman

From her smile you can see she's happy and cheerful

Friendly and inviting is her glow

Posing for a shot in front of a building

But what you can't see is much more interesting

 

She is a young mother, my mother in fact

With a child as crazy as they come

But she loves none the less

For she was told she could never have me, but she made sure she did

Even if it took seven years of failing

She did succeed

 

She has taught me much

To care and understand

To love to read

To think things through, and to observe

Enjoy nature and see the beauty in everything and one

To read one's face, and discover their personalities and their intentions by their actions

Be a friend to all, no matter what age, race or social status

 

She's a pastor

A preacher of the gospel

Spreading the good word to all who lend an ear

Though being a preacher isn't a walk in the park

Not all churches like everything in the Good Book

They want to bend it to fit their intentions

But you must stop their twisting and turning and say it as it is

 

She's an artist

She makes jewelry of all sorts

Scrapbook pages, book, and cards

She has an eye for photography

Drawing, painting, creating, she has the skill of it all

For she is my mother