The best medicine is...

family!   I was lucky enough to spend this past weekend with my parents and mother in law.   Just what the doctor ordered!

I guess you never out grow needing your parents!

We visited with my parents  a lot, and just enjoyed everything!   We got to visit with my mother in law both days too!   My folks took us out to a favorite little Mexican restaurant (Liras) on Saturday night  and my sister joined us.   It was quite yummy!   I had one of their super good (and large) margaritas too!   My mom baked a very delicious cake and we enjoyed that in the evening!   Then, my sister invited me over to visit on the deck with her neighbors and a friend, so I walked over and joined them a while.  It was all in all a very relaxing wonderful Saturday!   Then Sunday, I got to attend my home town church with my mom and sister...a small gathering, but  a very good service.   The visiting minister was someone I attended school with (he graduated a year ahead of me, and I was friends with his sister).  I always enjoy attending the church I grew up in.   I just feel at home there.  (Not that I don't love my church and church family here!)   After church I joined my husband at my mother inlaws and had one of her wonderful homemade mexican food breakfasts, and visited with more family there as well.   After visiting, we loaded up and headed home.   It was just the weekend I needed !!   The dogs love going to see "grandma and grandpa" too! (and they are starting to be nice to their cousin dog, Kya, finally!)

I am so blessed to have such wonderful parents, mother in law and family! 

Lent

Last night marked the beginning of Lent with Ash Wednesday services. I want to make this year's Easter season mean something to me, not just give up chocolate or diet pepsi, or, God forbid, wine. So, I am trying to do something internal, something meaningful to make myself a better person. After listening to Father last night I think this is what I should do. I'll keep you posted.

My Hometown Church

I have been wanting to write a post about my home town church, as i mentioned in a recent post. Whenever we get to our home town, I try to attend. It is the church I've known almost my whole life. It is the church I joined as a young teen. I even used to sing in the choir.

When I attend church there, I feel "at home". I so enjoy seeing so many of the familiar faces from my childhood. I miss the ones that are no longer there, and remember them with great fondness.

There is something about it that makes me feel welcome and embraced. I always feel loved, like I belong.

Don't get me wrong, I belong to a church where I live--have for about 30 some years now, and do love my church. It is beautiful, the people are good, and I feel like I belong. I tried to share some of the beauty of this church as well with you in photos I posted on this blog.

I remember many churches growing up. One of my favorite memories that repeats in my mind is of driving in a car with my grandparents to their little church. I remember sitting in the BIG back seat of their car with Grandma on the way to church. She carried a black purse that snapped shut. And there was always a package of gum in it...I specifically remember Beamans gum. Then, we'd get to their little EUB church and worship. And, sign the old favorite hymns. Later, they attended a church in their little town, instead of traveling to that one. I attended there with them at times as well, including attending bible school there a couple summers, if I remember right.

But, that was still not my "home town church". It is hard to explain. But, the church is not a building, it is a community. It is the memories within you and that community. It is the love that you share for God and each other. And, I cherish that community and I always will. I thank them so much for letting me continue to be a part of them every opportunity that I can take.

You can link to my home town church, but some of the links within their site are not working right now, as they recently updated there site...I am sure they will be working soon.

Churches...

You may wonder what's up with all those pictures of churches in my recent post. Well, let me explain..

My husbands uncle is selling this house in Hartville:Included in the sale of the property:

(Yep, a church...) So, anyone interested?


And, then in Guernsey, there was another church about a block from my folks' place that had been for sale, and recently sold...
We wonder if it will be a church in the future, or it will be used in another manner now.


And this is the Catholic Church in Guernsey (St. Anthony's), in which we were married (over 30 years ago now...)


And finally...my "home" church:
I will be writing a post about my little home church soon...

Lent

Well, yesterday was Ash Wednesday..wow, the time has gone by fast! I can't believe it is already lent. I especially liked what Father Jim had to say last night...how really participating in Lent should reflect you..the things you do are not to be "recognized" but good deeds that you don't need acknowledgement for. He really hits the nail on the head...we should do for others without expecting accolades. Do small things every day to improve someone's day. We can all do that. I'm sure going to try.

In addition, and just because, I have decided to give up soda pop for six weeks. Yikes...but a great exercise in self control, right? I hope I have some!

And, by the way, I am STILL working on the forms that I am creating...day #3...but should finish up today!