Bright materials, gun wielding marionettes, sun-face pottery, and beautiful jewelry; everywhere one looked the eye saw colors, shapes, and enticing items. Scents were so overwhelming, I couldn't distinguish one from another.                                                               
"Pretty lady! Pretty lady! Look, Look!"  Calls in English and Spanish had my head spinning as the friendly Latin vendors tried to grab my attention with promises of the best wares.  I was overwhelmed as we navigated through Nogales, Mexico experiencing so much, but not really seeing anything as sensory overload created mumbojumbo in my brain.  My friend June and I were counting on my sister Jo to guide us and speak for us. 

"Look at this beautiful lapis bracelet to match your blue eyes," the determined flattermonger grabbed my attention. We turned and looked at the jewelry laid out before us.  To purchase or not to purchase?  I turned to my sister for help.

"Jo? Mary Jo?" 

Where was she?!  In a near panic June and I scanned the crowded area as we felt like foreigners in a busy, unknown marketplace-- wait, that's what we were.

Finally we spotted her. She was back in a shadowed corner beside a toothless, wrinkled, ancient woman, who was sitting pretzel style on the ground. How had Jo seen her? There were so many people present, pushing, calling, demanding attention, and this "grandmother" was sitting silently in the shadows.  We watched as Mary Jo squatted down beside her, touched her shoulder, and looked deeply into her eyes. These two women, one young and one old, smiled at one another as Jo purchased chicklets from the little box that was next to her.

When I look to your heavens, the work of your fingers, the sun and the moon that you have established; what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them? Yet you have made them a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honor.Psalm 8:3-5

Whenever I think about this experience, I'm touched and blessed by my sister's ability to truly see this poor, old woman. Old, young, rich, poor, fat, thin, smart, dumb, light, dark, strong, weak, hairy, bald, tall, short--all are precious in God's sight.  

Brother Mick's text for Sunday is Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:5-12 with a title called, "Like Gods and Angels?" In his presermon notes he states, "We are called to live lives that reflect such aspects of divinity that are to be found in angels and gods. It's a daunting challenge and one that we more often than not shy away from out of our sense of unworthiness or perhaps because we would rather not do the work of living such a way." 

We'll be sharing communion on Sunday along with people around the globe on this World Communion Sunday.  The sermon texts are appropriate for such a day! A communion of a different sort will follow the service as we share a community meal together--Bob's famous pig roast. :)
From 9-9:15am you are invited to join for a time of intergenerational singing in the Rec Room before Sunday school begins. I'm leading this, so I really hope you'll bring your vocal chords and join us. :)
http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/

Thursday, Oct. 11 from 6-9pm in the 1990 Hall there will be a time of visitation and memorial for Craig Stoltzfus.

Family Night activities begin on Oct. 10 with supper at 6:15pm.  There are classes for all ages. On this first Wednesday, the moderator of MCUSA, our own Dick Thomas, will be sharing with the adults.

Oh, Jan arrived safely from England.  The fun begins! :)

Prayer for today:  O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!  Grant us an awareness of your Spirit in and around us. Grant us your peace, Jesus, in all circumstances. Let us live with eyes that see your creation, your humanity, as precious. Grant us strength for today and hope for tomorrow as we live in your grace and joy.  Come Kingdom of God. Be done will of God, 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