Spittle foamed at the corner of his mouth while his eyes blinked like hummingbird wings. Laughing at nothing and everything, he joined our small group of mostly teens walking through the park. This man didn't need a kite to fly; he was already in the sky. O Lord, what did I get us into this time?

This was the last night of our challenging week Vive el Llamado!-Live the Call! at the 2007 Mennonite Convention in San Jose, CA where Pat, Arnie, and I along with a small group of high schoolers had been stretched and challenged to take seriously the call to follow Jesus. We had gotten pizza and had an entire pie leftover.  "Should we give this to the men who sleep in the park?" I asked.
So we crossed the street to the small area where every night a men's dormitory appeared. Some of the occupants took slices, while others weren't hungry.  We inadvertently awakened the tall, gangly man who was now tagging our group, bellowing uproariously, and naming Arnie "Coach."  I was suddenly overwhelmed with the foolishness of going to the park and risking the safety of these teens in my care.  "Kiteman" didn't say or do anything threatening, but his behavior unnerved me.  Much more than feeling good because we gave some homeless people pizza, the realization that truly following Christ  means stepping into unknown and even unsafe territory. Are we really ready to "live the call" if it means going into the park at night? Are we truly ready to sign up for this?

Brother Mick's message this week is called, "Foolishness" based on the text in I Corinthians 1: 18-25. The servant leadership and counter-cultural way of Jesus so upset the religion, culture, and politics around him that he allowed himself to be led to the cross.  http://bible.oremus.org/

Please join us for this third Sunday in Lent.

Electives continue during the 9-10am education hour.  In the 1990 hall Brother Mick will be sharing a study called, "The Heart of Mennonite Worship."  The International lesson will be taught by someone.... and I'll be facilitating discussion on Barbara Taylor Brown's book An Altar in the World, chapters 4 and 5 in the King's Daughters classroom.

Wednesday, March 14 is the final "Family Night Activities" with dinner beginning at 6:15p.  The youngsters will have their carnival; remember those days? The adults will be discussing "Caring as Community in Times of Loss" led by Brothers Mick and Nelson. 
http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/
If you are one of those people who enjoy scrapbooking or looking through photos, on Wednesday, March 21 at 6:30pm, people will be gathering to work on albums for the 50th anniversary celebration (which is on June 10.)

Last evening five of us visited Albert and Frances at Manor Care. Frances was having a really good evening, was alert and talkative.  Sharing her famous Italian gravy recipe, we listened, Heidi recorded, and Albert prompted, as Frances talked nonstop for at least 20 minutes describing the ingredients and process while her small hands formed the meatballs in the air.  Heidi is hoping to put the recipe into a format that will work for  Ridgeview's 50th Anniversary Cookbook.  From authentic Italian cooking (we also heard from Frances the shortcomings of Rachel Ray!) to traditional PA Dutch cooking, this collection is sure to be the best!  Send me your recipes asap so that we can get them into the cookbook. Yes, these cookbooks will be available for anyone to purchase! :)

My prayer for today:  The heavens declare your glory, O God, and the skies proclaim the work of your hands.  You are our Rock and our Redeemer.  In your life, Jesus, you showed us a way to live that is counter to the world's way of selfishness, exploitation, violence, and power.  Grant us courage and strength to respond to the world in sharing, loving, peaceful, life giving ways. Some of us or our loved ones are hurting physically, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually today-- cover us with your light and love; fill us with your healing and hope. As we struggle with joblessness, illness, pain, and loneliness, remind us that you never leave us nor forsake us.  Thank you, Compassionate God.  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