Kestrel on its (obviously) favorite perch--2009

 Here we go again, driving up I-81, this time heading north and home.  The red subaru knows the route by heart. We had only gone a few miles when Cliff pointed, "There's one."  With all our frequent travels along this stretch of the road, we had begun a practice of spying and counting hawks.  Sitting in the tops of trees, on sign posts, on the ground, on strong stalks in the median strips, in flight-- during this leafless time of year the birds could be spotted fairly easily if you looked and looked carefully.  Crows, vultures, and even clumps of leaves could fool you if you weren't intentional about what you were seeing. There were a few times I thought  I saw a hawk, but I wasn't definite, so it didn't count. With three of us alert and watching, we set a new record yesterday.  Counting the one that was in the tree along our lane, we totaled 31. Yep, that's right! Thirty-one hawks between Harrisonburg, VA and Harrisburg, PA, a new record for us.   What varieties, the birders among you ask? Well, I'm not really sure, but they were definitely mighty raptors!

I'm just curious.  How many of you have noticed all the hawks on your journeys?   Just because we don't see them doesn't mean they're not there, does it? What Kingdom calls are we missing along the way because our eyes aren't open and our ears aren't listening?  Cliff is great at spotting hawks and deer as he has trained his eyes/brain to see them. Are we tuning in to the voice and plans of the Divine?  Are we ready to respond?

This week Brother Mick is sharing a message he has titled, "Call and Response" from I Samuel 3:1-10, that wonderful story about Samuel hearing the voice of God in the night and responding.
 http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=193415589  As we open our ears to hear the voice of God, I hope we can learn to put aside our own agenda and enter into the plan of the Creator.

Taylor has arrived safely in Guatemala with her EMU group where she will be studying language and culture for the semester.   http://www.emu.edu/

Stephen is gearing up for a missions trip to, let's see, Jamaica, I think, right Steve?!

The Upstairs Room will be open at 9am for chat and prayer. The worship service begins at 10:15am.

My prayer for you today: Creator God, you are present and active in our lives.  Open our eyes to see you.  Open our ears to hear you.  Our fears prevent us from entering your Kingdom work; grant us courage, Lord. Our own timetables prevent us from responding to the Kingdom calls; help us to realize that your agenda has so much more value.  Whether we're in the grocery story, at work, traveling, or at school, you place "hawks" along the way. Thank you for being ever present with us and offering love, grace, and care.  Come Kingdom of God. Be done will of God, here on earth as it is in heaven.  In Jesus name. AMEN.

Without question or doubt, you are loved by God, and I love you too!
Love and Light,
Carol

Always remember who you are, whose you are, where you are going, and what you believe because it does make a difference! Oh, and don't forget to attend a church of your choice this weekend!" JD