Our daughters learned to be good travelers when they were young. Illinois and North Carolina were our most frequent destinations. Always safely secured in car seats or seat belts, there were no videos or hand held devices for us merely books, toys, songs, laughter, talking, and crying with the occasional hurling from reading and riding. Many of our friends traveled at night so that the young ens would sleep; that didn't work for us so I'd put them to bed in their clothes and we would hit the road in the predawn hours. With four little girls, it was eons before I could go to the bathroom by myself. Such jollity. On one of our journeys (not so long ago) apparently the CD player, which knew Cliff's classic rock collection quite well, was making a high pitched screech that only the auditory systems of those under 20 were able to hear. The daughters claim it was tantamount to torture.

Most of us know Dorothy's words, "There's no place like home," and certainly as we pulled onto our bumpy stone lane that sense of sanctuary and comfort rested on our heads and in our hearts. But for us there was an added benefit. After being gone for a week, what would there be to eat?  (Know this about my family, on our refrigerator is a definintion: "hangry--han gree adj. a state of anger caused by lack of food; hunger causing a negative change in emotional state." A hungry Wenger is an, ummmm..... unpleasant Wenger!) Well, early on as our family  roamed, we consistently discovered the most wonderful surprise upon our return. We had been visited by elves; Grandma Anna's chicken corn soup, a loaf of bread, a gallon of milk, and chocolate chip cookies awaited us. Have I told you I have the best in-laws? :) After a looooooong day in the vehicle, there was nothing so comforting and satisfying!

Yep, it is easy to tell food stories.

Potluck with SWAP 

The title of Brother Mick's message this week is "Banquet or Barbeque," and he'll be drawing from Luke 15 the story of the father and two sons, and Joshua 5:9-12. After all that manna, the Israelites finally eat the "produce of the land."  In his presermon notes Mick states, "I want us to ponder the ease with which we can engage others about the beloved foods we have eaten throughout our lives but find it so difficult to share about the life giving sustenance of grace and love offered to us by God through Christ."

http://swap.mcc.org/locations/eolia

We are privileged to have musician/conductor Paul Dueck of Windsor Mennonite Fellowship in Leamington, Ontario lead our music this Sunday. http://www.pauldueck.ca/ 

Elective options continue with 

-Network: The Right People, In the Right Places, For the Right Reasons, At the Right Time

-The Naked Anabaptist:  The Bare Essentials of a Radical Faith

-Beyond the Present Time (The regular Adult Bible Study)

We will not be meeting in the Upper Room but will choose from these options. 

A prayer for today:  God will cover you with  feathers, and under God's wings you will find refuge. Psalm 91:4

Despite our brokenness; despite our forgetfulness; despite our unloving ways and impure motives you continue to  grant us grace and mercy—a love that endures forever! You are our hope and our salvation. Grant the readers of these words a renewed sense of your presence; a greater understanding of your love; healing and hope in their relationships and lives. 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