MISSION CROSS PLAINS. The youth group at our church is coordinating with other churches in Cross Plains to get people involved in local missions and to help those around us who are in need. They are calling the project Mission CP.
While this isn't exactly local, last week Vicki and Jenna went with a group of folks to serve in a ministry in Nashville. Nashville has its share of homeless people and families. The Bridge Ministry (http://www.bridgeministry.org/), which has been going for eight years now, has started up that meets on Tuesday nights under the Jefferson Street Bridge on the north side of downtown. Volunteers feed all the people who come (usually 200-250) a warm meal, give away free clothes and food, and hold a worship service.
Both of them came back talking about how much we have compared to many people and how special the experience was. Jenna went on to say the experience reminded her a lot of what she saw in New Orleans. You know, it is very important that we get out of our regular community and rub shoulders with others frequently as it is so easy to be comfortable with where we are. I had a schedule conflict preventing me from going that evening, but I hope I can get there soon.
DO YOU KNOW HOW TO MAKE PANCAKES? I used to make pancakes every Saturday morning. As the kids got older that tradition fell by the wayside, but not before passing the spatula off to Ben. He's quite the pancake chef now.
The other night we were having breakfast for supper and Ben was at the griddle. As he and Vicki talked he asked, "Do you know how to make pancakes, Mom?"
Vicki looked at him and said, "Who do you think taught your dad?"
You could just see the wheels turning in his head as he made the connections. Then a smile spread across his face as understanding dawned.
When he asked me about it I said, "Well, it certainly wasn't from G'Anne." (Sorry Mom, but let's face it, you are about as comfortable in a kitchen as I am.)
MY HERO, MY MOM. Fifth Grade, in Robertson County at least, does a lot of creative writing. Ben came home with an assignment to write an essay about his hero. The essay had to meet several criteria in content and length.
What made this noteworthy was that Ben chose Vicki as his hero for the paper. He came up with several very nice things to say about her which made it a pleasure for me to help him with the assignment.
NESTING BIRD. I've mentioned our spider a couple of times before. She's gone now. Only her two web sacks remain. We're keeping an eye on them for signs of life.
Now we have a bird nesting in the pear tree outside our kitchen window. She's about 12-15 feet up in the air so we can't see in the nest, but we have a great view of her as she sits there. Hopefully we'll see her chicks after the hatch.
POETRY BY AUNT MAR. Here are a couple more poems from Aunt Mar.
"Be not afraid."This next one was dated "February 9th, 1986.”
But I fear.
"Be of good cheer."
Sometimes I cry.
My talents, God gave me, I must have hidden.
So little I have accomplished,
Much to me forbidden.
I care,
I pray.
God hears in his own way.
The earth is all covered in a blanket of white,Joe
Sprinkled with diamonds illuminating the night.
Cold outside, quiet, still.
Dogs in their houses all warm, until
A noise is made and out they come.
Barking and charging, ready to run.
The oaks are standing looking bare and cold.
Wonder if they are a story untold...
