Church, it's not just for prudes anymore.

    Hi there!

     We're approaching Autumn quickly now, and I can happily report that my plans to get a book into print by the end of Fall are coming along just swimmingly.  Fall of which year, I will disclose in a future entry.  Just kidding.  I hope to have you all buying it up as a Christmas gift for someone who might actually enjoy my so-so grammar and corny jokes.... Ok, think of who you could give it to.... Oh, come now, there must be someone...

    And other matters...

   My brain is all frizzly wizzly today.... I could write about the neighbors enthusiastically chanting my name this morning, as I did a fifty meter dash in stilettos. (I thought my two-year-old was right behind me as  I opened the car door to buckle him in.  I was sadly mistaken.  Stealthy little guy.)

   Or, the incredibly cheesy joke my pastor opened with. "Guy is checking out at the grocery store.  Bagger asks, "Paper or Plastic, Sir?"  Guy replies, "Either one,  I'm bisacksual."  -  I know, we didn't laugh either.

     But, I've got this gnawing feeling that I should be telling you all something very insightful, something that will lift your spirits, challenge you,  and set you on the right path... the one leading you into greatness.

      So, I will tell you what did that for me today.   Today, I went to a great church.  The people were friendly and the Pastor taught from the Bible.  There was nothing religious or ceremonious about it.  Everyone there was dressed rather comfortably, except pour moi.  (Note: - You may think you look stylish in high heels and chandelier earings...but chasing a toddler through the mud, and having your piercings widened by a millimeter by chubby tugging fingers, in public, really just makes you look silly.)  The scriptures in the bible were explained in a loving manner by someone who genuinely wanted to help folks.  The music was good, and the words were on a screen so I could sing along.  The kids were having a blast in their classes, while they learned valuable life lessons as well.  We were given a sheet of notes that we could review and learn even more when left church.... I had a great time...

     Do I go to church every Sunday?... Pretty much, yeah.  Sometimes, I'm the one behind the pulpit (the thing the preacher stands behind and reads his/her notes.  Except for my pastor can't stay still, so it's just there for looks.)

   "Christina, what are you trying to say?"

If you don't have a church, you should consider finding one.  Reading the Bible is awesome.  Praying is fantastic.  But, the Bible says we should also meet together with other Christians.   I highly, highly, HIGHLY RECOMMEND going to a church that is lively, FUN, and does things to help others. You can use this one as a model.  (Ok, I'm bias because you might find a picture of me on the site.)

                                                              FAITHCITY.TV


 Hebrews 10:25

       Not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together [as believers], as is the habit of some people, but admonishing (warning, urging, and encouraging) one another...
  


I sure hope this helps somebody today....    I really care.  Love you's


    The Incredible Edible - Wait.  I mean,  The Exraordinary Ordinary Me. 
           

My Groovy Granny

     I placed the dreaded call - AGAIN.  "Hi is Grandma there?" "Hang on, I'll find her."  Once located, "Hello there, Christina, what are you up to today?" (still chipper because I haven't dropped the bomb yet)  I gulped involuntarily. "Hello my wonderful grandmother." said I in my sweetest voice.  Not sure why, but she never reciprocates my tone when I talk to her like that. "Oh GOD. Now what do you want?"  (Well excuse me lady, if you didn't want me bugging you to sew stuff, then you shouldn't have learned how to do it in the first place, you know, like thirty years before I was born.) 

     
   This time it was a pretty simple request, and as always, last-minute.  I asked her (via Facebook - She's deep into digital agriculture.) to do it at 8am this morning.  She was at my house cutting material at 8:45.  Today, at church, the 6-12 year old class hosted a 60's/70's themed Sunday.  Lucy's outfit was groovy enough, but I felt her pant bottoms could use a little more oomph in the bells.  Granny came over, cut, sewed, rebuked me for my lack of foresight, and watched the munchkins while I enjoyed a shower before church, AND (bonus) she did my dishes. We were out the door at 9:25.  Yay!

     Thanks, Grandma (Gloria), for all the outfits, even the SIMPLE:) (total sarcasm there) ones that made you pop pills and see spots for days. (Note: Apparently, some patterns on material, can cause severe trauma if you stare closely at them for several hours. See my psychedelic dandy below.) 
    The photos with Michael and I are from a Groovy Sunday and some sort of space-themed Sunday ten years ago.  The one with the girls and me is a snapshot of my "Divine Divas", the beauties in my bunk at summer camp.  Grandma made my costumes for all of these.  I never imagined back then, she'd be creating them for my kids just years later.  Grandma, I  found a bible verse that describes you well.

Psalm 37:26 (Amplified Bible)

"All day long they (Gloria) are merciful and deal graciously; they lend, and their offspring (ME :p) are blessed."

Thanks much!




All other photos were taken this morning, a decade later, in the same place, directed by the same never-ceasing, faithful children's pastors, Mr Chuck and Miss (really Mrs. but she likes the young feeling of Miss) Becky Siglow, who were there back in the day, training up Michael in the way he should go.  You guys blow me away.

PS.  This is NOT a photo of Mr. Chuck and Mrs. Becky.  These cool cats are teachers, Desiree Jinks (one of the Divas above, if you can believe it), and Emily Siglow.



 If you're looking for a church to attend, I HIGHLY suggest this one,  Faith City Church. If you are not fortunate enough to live close enough to physically attend, you can still see all the action online.  I thoroughly enjoy the videos, podcasts, and blogs connected to the website.  


Have I told you I love you?


Christina