GroshLink

The anticipations mentioned in Burgh or Herb were only partly met.  Theresa and her mom made a great "Pittsburgh run" including IKEA, various old haunts (including Panera on the Blvd of the Allies), and the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.

But rain and high winds prevented me from making the Landis Valley Farm Museum's Herb & Garden Faire with my parents and the girls.  Instead our family hung out with my parents in the morning/early afternoon and then with Theresa's Dad (Carl) in the evening.  At Eden's urging, evening dinner was at Wendy's. The Frosty's were very much appreciated.  Thank-you Carl!

On Sunday morning Carl swung by to attend to the younger ones as I helped the twins with their salt-and-flour maps for their state projects (i.e., Ellen's Vermont, Hayley's Montana).  We began at 6:37 am and somehow made it to the 8:30 am service.  After coming back from lunch with my parents and sister (where we played Ellen's "Sorry: Vermont Edition"), it was back to the maps until Theresa and her mom came home.  Then we all gathered together, with the addition of Carl's parents, for a Mother's Day Chinese Take Out Meal at Theresa's parents. The maps were finished off in the evening under Theresa's guidance as I tucked the younger two into bed.

During our adult elective, Jim asked us to consider "what controls we rely upon to get tasks done, to live life" (Tom's rephrasing).  Quite simply, I could not do what I do in ministry except by the gift of living in close proximity to family who care for us and are present with us each step of the way.  This weekend is a great example.  

But one could live in close proximity to caring family and not relate in a mutually beneficial/encouraging manner.  Our perception of our relationship to our family and the part which we play in the Story/Mission of God is vital.  Each day when I awake I am reminded that I have "One more day."  It is God's intention to shape me more and more into the image of His Son Christ Jesus as an individual (i.e., make me a new creation as I was originally intended to be) and a member of the Body of Christ (Kingdom of God/Church) and to bless others (neighbor/creation) through this on-going transformation in such a manner that it will advance His plans/purposes to the praise of His Glory!