LUDKE-ville 10/17/09

Happy Sabbath!

I've been playing with this blog (probably more than I should be). I don't really UNDERSTAND blogs, so it's been fun to fiddle and ... well, not sure if I know more or am more confused. But it doesn't matter. It's interesting!

We've had a nice Sabbath so far. Started off with us needing to pick up Jerry, a man who is in a nursing home - due to his disability caused by a high school football accident, to take to church. I decided to call ahead and see if they could ask him to meet us at the front door. I was rewarded by a sweet Phillipino accent... "Bellie's station #2".

It was my SIL Bellie who had to work today. She walked him out to the front and showed me her slick new phone! I love my Blackberry, but hers and Rhiannon's and Ryan's all make mine look sorrowful. I mean they have touch screens and ... EVERYTHING. Bellie is able to say "text Vonda" and it opens up text messaging. Then she can say the message - and it types it out. She doesn't even have to TYPE it. How cool is that?

It was fun to see her so early in the a.m. She's such a great addition to our family! Almost three years now isn't it?

We got to SS late (mutual fault, I would say -- I feel like I race around so much during the week to get UP, get to my computer to get Vonda's Vine done and sent, be sufficiently beautified to leave the house, and be in my chair at work at 7:30 a.m. -- that I have convinced myself that I need to lolli-gag around a little on Sabbath morning!).

Lolli-gagging has its benefits! I had totally forgotten about my beauty tip ... HEMEROID (sp?) CREAM ... I was rewarded this a.m when I went digging in a drawer for something else with a full tube of PREP H. I slathered that stuff all over my face - and I have to say that I looked at least 23 1/2 minutes younger INSTANTLY.

It seemed like EVERYONE did a really nice job with their portions of the service.

Chuck Lee does such a nice job with teaching the SS lesson. I should have gotten there earlier. Sometimes I get a little 'peeved' at discussion because there is so much "I think" or "my opinion", etc. and not enough "THE BIBLE SAYS ..."

Moving into the service - the gentleman who spoke presented a really nice message. He has a special talent in public speaking and made his topic very informative, spiritual/Biblical, and easy to listen to.

Children's story was nice - it was about a town in Romania that during one of the World Wars had hippos in their zoo. Everyone was concerned about them being hungry (and sad). So they gathered over 9000 articles made of straw (which was a popular material to create slippers, shoes, hats, bags, etc.) and they fed the hippos slippers, shoes, hats, bags, etc. during that cold hard winter.

Special music, the lady who had agreed to provide special music had unfortunately forgotten and was gone. So we asked Karin W. to do it. Her special was well done, especially considering she had only a day of preparation time.

Even the call for offering went well. The person who was set up to do it called about 20 minutes before and wasn't going to make it. So Randy asked Abby Paul to do it. She did, and in my opinion did a great job. I loved her prayer when offering had been gathered and brought back. Her words were clear, youthful, and heartfelt. I was blessed and I know God WILL use the offering to His glory!

Anyway - my custom (to take a short story and make it L-O-N-G) has been upheld. The bottom line is that it was a very spiritually rewarding service.

This afternoon we're just hanging out. Randy and I took Jerry and his mom back to the nursing home after church. I'm going to take a little nap in a bit. Then it will be time to make popcorn. We have small group here at 5 p.m. We always serve popcorn and ice water. (We're such good hosts/hostesses aren't we?) When we first started small group I tried having bars or cookies or ... but that got to be more than I wanted to do. Popcorn seems to be well received by everyone and it's become a staple. Once in awhile we'll add something small (candy corn, caramels, etc.) but usually not.

Following that we're having a little gathering here. It was supposed to be the young people. Savannah, the little gal who did an evangelistic series here last year, came back to visit Lynn Tavener. (She stayed with Lynn for all three weeks of the series.) Lynn wanted something for her to do tonight with young people. I emailed a couple of the girls at church to let them know about it. Haven't heard back from them. The other girl I thought might come is involved in Homecoming Festivities tonight - so I can't blame her for not coming. Homecoming is a big event - complete with pretty dresses and tuxedos!! So our gathering is going to end up being GEEZER WII, I think! Should be interesting!

Hope your Sabbath day is full of peaceful blessings. I can't tell you how much I love Sabbath. I don't think I would be sane without it.

We want to hear from everyone! I think of you all often and even though Ludke-ville doesn't seem all that 'personal', it is. I have each of you in my mind and heart as I write.

V

rludke@machlink.com