Operation Home Improvements

For the last three weeks I have been busy taking care of some things around the house. It all began with painting the front door...re-screening and painting the front screen door...painting the wrought iron on the front porch and then stripping and painting the front porch floor. I must say it is much nicer to sit on the porch now!

Next I painted the laundry room and the door and screen door outside my home office. Then came the fun work...power washing! I am happy to say that I am almost finished with my physical work so I can rest a bit before returning to Holy Cross.

While I am enjoying every moment of my sabbatical, I do miss the people and the worship experience of our church. We are so very blessed. And if you ever start to doubt that just take some time and visit other churches and you will know how blessed we are!!!

Thank you Holy Cross for this most wonderful time of rest and renewal. Thank you Leadership Team for handling things while I have been away. Know that I love and appreciate each and every one of you!

A Beautiful Sunrise

The best part of getting up before the "crack of dawn" to put Ryan on a 6:20 flight is to see the glory of God in today's sunrise.

Now I have entered into rest from being a mom for a little while. Ryan is so excited about his trip. All is well on this sunny day!

At Last Some Pictures!

Here are some of the visionaries from Montgomery...the church that is blessed to get our drummer dude Aaron! I was so surprised to see him there when I arrived.

Ryan was on his way to Space Camp and he wanted to make some money to buy a flight suit so he served as my audio/video tech for the Visioning workshop in Montgomery. They have a new video projector and we put it to good use. One of the things I have learned while on sabbatical is to use the new version of Windows Bea installed on my laptop. Now I know how to make better slides and what's really neat (to me anyway) is now I know how to add music files to my slides.

It was a great week for all.

On The Road Again

After a stop-over at New Hope MCC in Montgomery, Ryan and I are now in Huntsville. Thanks to Jack, I am enjoying some down time in style! Ryan is at Space Camp and he was so excited when I left him yesterday. He said, "Mom I'm having a good time and we haven't even started yet." So, all is well as I continue to relax and rest. I did do a visioning workshop for New Hope on Saturday but it was a joy to do it. They were able to create guiding documents with purpose, mission and vision statements! I took pictures but I did not bring my patch cord so those will follow when I get back to Pensacola. Debbie is holding down the fort and making sure dad has what he needs. We will journey back tomorrow and I'm sure Ryan will have so much to share that it will be a quick trip. Blessings to all.

This Week

What a great week this has been for me. I had opportunities to rest, I had time alone, and I even got to work on my tan. While I was at the beach I read a book I have had on my bookshelf for a long time. I looked in the front to see from whence it came and much to my surprise, it was given to me about a year before I moved here over seven years ago. It's about time I got around to reading it! Sabbaticals are good for many things, one of which is reading.

This is an interesting time with all three of us...four if you count dad...home for an extended period of time. There is a sense of joy among us as we take some much needed time to play and just be together. I am sure this summer will be one we remember for the rest of our lives.

It's interesting how the body and mind slow down after racing non-stop. It's a gradual process that leads to a space of peace and clam. That is what I am enjoying today. That is what I am looking forward to tomorrow. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in doing and going that we forget just to be. So what am I doing? Nothing and everything. And I am enjoying every moment of it.

Thank you Holy Cross for the gift of this time off. I know you will be blessed in worship tomorrow so be sure to get up and go to church!

Modern Technology

Wow, two dozen of us just watched the LEGAL MARRIAGE CEREMONY of Booth and Denise via the internet. Unfortunately the sound did not work but there will be a video showing of this historical event in the near future. What a blessing to be a part of the wedding!!!

Congratulations Booth and Denise! We love you!!

It Was a Glorious Day!

Yesterday was a wonderful day! The church seemed full...it was at 80% seating capacity so to new folks it was full...and spirits were high. The Choir did a lovely version of "You Light Up My Life" and the Praise Team sang "Friends". I guess at times I do enjoy surprises. There was an incredible sense of peace in the sanctuary. I drove off knowing that Holy Cross will be fine while I rest and seek God's direction for the next chapter in this exciting journey.



It is my intention to post to my blog at least once a week...but we know about good intentions!



Thanks to those who gave gifts and funds to make this time more enjoyable for me. Know that you are loved and appreciated.



Sandy