April 20
While watching the sunrise through our front window, I decided it would be a good day to drive the 2 miles to the farm. So I grabbed all my morning books, my mug of coffee and watched and read from the side of the road. So often I have to purposely remind myself that God is God, and I am not. My life goes better when I think far more about Jesus than I think about myself. I have to (again) declare that I am loved and accepted and forgiven by him. When I see what he has created and I see his grandeur, a peace and a confidence begin to settle over my soul.
I got to the grocery store minutes before it opened and joined the line outside. Still dressed from my workout, I turned my hoodie backwards, making it double as a mask. I actually got two compliments on it. :)
Shaun took the kids for a little soccer practice after work.
Facetiming little cousins.
I hung out with a few of my neighbors via Zoom. They are lovely to hang out with, yet we are different in many ways. For example, one of them lamented, Do you think we'll ever get to the point where we don't feel like we need to wipe down the cereal boxes that get delivered? I didn't mention that that very morning I'd walked myself into Aldi with my hoodie on backwards because I didn't bring a mask because it wasn't yet law and I'd not wiped down a single cardboard item.
April 21
This was the first day the state was requiring that everyone wear masks in places of business, at least when interacting with customers.
The birthday game keeps going, about a round a day.
April 22
Aiden has been the first riser. This morning he sat with me and I read aloud what I was reading in the Bible. That brought about a really meaningful, informative talk. His Bible knowledge and appreciation of scripture is quite remarkable. And then, as we were right in the middle of this conversation, he looked past my head and said, Mom, I figured out what Pickles & Penguins have in common, referring to the game sitting on the shelf behind me. And that is how the male species does conversation, at least the males I live with. :)
Post Family Run and now we've incorporated a trip to Chik-fil-A afterwards, winner gets to order a milkshake. :) Aiden again!
April 23
Soccer with friends. I played goalie for a while, but they kick the ball too hard so I took to the safety of the sidelines. :)
April 24
So. Many. Games.
April 25
We worked in the morning but the afternoon was spent outside doing yard work. SUCH a pretty day!
Church in our living room. :)
Campfires are a great way to hang out with people at a distance.
April 26
Six months ago my dad let his congregation know that he would be retiring at the end of April, giving them time to find someone new and to see them through Christmas and Easter. When the COVID thing became a reality, he offered to stay on but they had found an interim person and he was released. Obviously the big retirement party couldn't happen as planned but we couldn't bear the thought of him completing his last Sunday morning sermon without some fanfare. So we made signs and gathered noisemakers and were waiting in his yard as he came down the driveway.
He's been pastoring nearly as long as I've been alive, its what he was created to do and he's done it with humility and faithfulness. He has given and loved, most especially to "the least of these". Often he worked a second job so he could support his family but still it felt like he was always available to us. He was the same guy, whether at home with his family or on stage behind a pulpit. He's been quietly changing his little corner of the world and now he gets to be on a new adventure!
Amy did a tremendous job compiling a slideshow with videos from people he's pastored in past years. It was neat to hear a little sampling of how people have been directly impacted by my dad's life and ministry and friendship. Only when he gets to heaven will the whole story be told.
