Chocolate Pudding Love



 My Grandma Moser with Alana

 
 As a little girl I frequently had tonsillitis resulting in treatments of penicillin as well as long cottonswabs dunked in betadine shoved down my throat to coat my tonsils. When Mom had to work, my Grandma Moser was my caregiver,  and she was someone who brought a sense of safety and love to my life.

One time when I was sprawled feverish, lethargic, anorexic, and grumpy in the room with the shelves of books still able to hear the various singing and chirping clocks throughout the house, Grandma entered and said, "I made some homemade chocolate pudding just for you. It will slide right down your throat, and you'll feel better with a little food in your stomach."
"No, I don't want it," I whispered.
 Grandma coaxed me, "Why don't you give it a little try."

I still refused. 

Sigh. If you were to ask me what I regret in my life, I would answer, "Refusing Grandma's homemade pudding that time I was sick."  I really wonder if I was in part just playing the "feel sorry for me, I'm sick" card since I remember so clearly my refusal and the desire for that pudding as Grandma took it away.  (I suspect my sisters might concur!)



Grandma Moser with Great Grandchildren Jenna, Alana, and Nic



Perhaps this story is a bit of a stretch as related to the Sunday morning message, but as I considered how disagreeable and needy I was, I also thought about my grandma's patience, care, and overflowing love in spite of grumpy little me.  My illness was certainly not a case of disagreement, yet, I can't help but wonder what conflicts would be like if both sides of an argument were prepared to offer patience, gentleness, and kindness, while sharing a bowl full of homemade chocolate pudding.  

Brother Mick's message is "That Your Love May Overflow," and his sermon text is Philippians 1:3-11. http://bible.oremus.org/ A question he asks in his presermon notes is, "How do we keep love for the other at the forefront when we disagree?"  Boy, this is apropos as we are in the midst of an election year.  You know, Sisters and Brothers, I have fine Christian friends on both sides of the political spectrum.  Perhaps more would be accomplished and certainly kindness more prevalent if we would let our love overflow and offer each other chocolate pudding as we discuss and hear our differences, agreeing and disagreeing in love which is the MCUSA theme for this Sunday's Peace Sunday.
How good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!  Psalm 133:1

I am looking forward to joining you in the Upper Room this Sunday. :) 

Please keep Craig in your thoughts and prayers. These days are difficult.  http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/craigstoltzfus  His grandparents are back in Lancaster.

The geese are flying, and I've not seen the hummers for a few days.  The cooler nights and crisper days are delightful!

I'm aware that some of you have some serious challenges going on in your lives. Know that I'm praying for you and am here if you would like to get together to chat.  No judgment.

Wednesday evening family nights will begin on Oct. 10 with supper at 6:15 and children/adult programs at 7pm. 

(There must be a scary sound outside because our yellow dog Obie, who is yellow in every way,  is suddenly very anxious!)

Prayer for today:  You alone are the Lord. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens and all their starry hosts, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything , and the multitude of heaven worship you. Neh. 9:6  Lord, the cacophony of our lives swirls and confuses. Let us stop and listen to your voice as you sing to us a song of joy, unity, and love; chords of beauty, goodness, and peace. Grant us courage to join your choir.  Let the healing and hope that comes from you flow through us to our neighbors and enemies today. 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

 



Tromping through the timber was a favorite activity of my sisters and I. We especially loved it when Grandma Moser would don Grandpa's bib overalls and head out to the blackberry patch. (Oh, I wish I had a photo!) One hot summer Illinois day when Grandma was costumed and had her bucket in hand, a whole procession of us decided to join her. Diana, Karen, Mary Jo, myself, Lassie, and of course the felines, Rascal, Tiger Lily, Fluffy, Angel, and PJ led the parade on the cow path through the woods. Many days the creek was dry, but this time there was a nice gurgling stream of water. My sister Karen was concerned the kitties couldn't cross the stream, so she put one of them (I don't remember which one) on her shoulder and took a giant leap over the brook.  I'm sure someone understanding Newton's laws could offer a scientific explanation for what happened, but what I know is that Karen's body crossed the creek, but since the cat didn't leap with her, the claws came out and desperately tried to hold on to a moving girl and slid all the way down her back. OOOOUCH! (Happy Birthday, Karen! Thanks for the idea, Korinne!)

OK, how does this tie into the message.... ummmmmmm... doesn't really although Mick will be talking about idols, and the Egyptians had many graven images of cats. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bastet

This week Brother Mick is back in the pulpit with a message he has titled, "Accustomed to Idols" with sermon text from I Corinthians 8:1-13. http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=194453063 In his preparatory notes our brother states, "We are surrounded by idols in our society, and we have, for the most part, become immune, habituated, uncaring, and just plain accustomed to it all."  You are invited to join us for what is sure to be an insightful look at ourselves and an opportunity to transform.

Stephen and his friend Lizzie will be leaving on a mission trip with Lizzie's church next week.  If you've ever been with Steve on a work project, you know that much will be accomplished! Blessings!

The Upper Room will be open as usual on Sunday morning.
It was great to see Eric Y. on Wednesday night!

My prayer for you today:  Creator God, whether our hearts are glad or sad today, you alone are our fortress and hope.  We lay our hopes and fears, our joys and sadnesses, our anger and resentments, our agonies and expectations at your feet. You don't stomp on them with disdain or annoyance. No. As a gentle parent you take what we give, and you offer forgiveness of our sinfulness, healing and wholeness in our brokeness, and laugh with us in our joy. By your Spirit and your ultimate love on the cross, we become your children, ambassadors of your kingdom way. 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

Summer's Entrance

I value how those ordinary moments in life emerge as extraordinary memories. I recall being at my Grandma Moser's when she still lived in the brown brick house on Madison Street. A walnuty scent, the musicality of many clocks, and the sight of Grandpa sitting in the kitchen shooing the parakeet off of his bald pate are brain smiles for me. 


My Two Grandmas in 2008



 At the start of one summer when I was a preteen, my younger sister and I were at the grandparents with 2 of my younger cousins, and we gained permission to walk up to the little ice cream shop next to the Post Office, a real treat for us country girls. :)  We got our vanilla cones and began walking back to Grandma's when suddenly the town boys swooped in on their snazy banana seat bikes and began spitting what I thought were wood chips at us.. (now I'm wondering if it was a nice wad of chew!)  The littlest cousin dropped her cone and began to cry.  I gave her mine, picked up her yechy treat and prepared for battle.  (This was before I embraced the Anabaptist way of peace!) :) On their next attack run, I hefted the damaged goods at one of the boys, and missed... BUT he lost his balance and went tumbling over the handlebars.  We scurried back to Madison Street as quickly as we could, fearing greater retaliation.  Grandma's response surprised me as apparently the Mama Grizzly syndrome took hold, "Oh, I wish you would have hit him in the back of the head with that ice cream!"

What does this have to do with Sunday's message?  Absolutely nothing.  This hot and steamy weather simply awakens the thought of ordinary vanilla ice cream which brings to my mind one extraordinary summer ice cream adventure.

Brother Mick will be continuing to look at the early church. In Acts 17  Paul's word to the people of Athens diplomatically acknowledges their religiosity and search for meaning beyond themselves. He directs them to  the Creator God, the "unknown god" for whom the Greeks have an altar. Many gods were worshipped by the people of this time period.  Aren't we glad we don't have all those idols?  Or do we?  As we search for hope, meaning, and sustenance in our lives, to whom or to what do we turn?

The last I heard Smith and Rhonda Noel will be sharing from 9-10a in the Upstairs Room on Sunday.  I've heard pieces of their story, and I think you will be inspired. 

If you are interested in helping out the senior high youth with the Heritage Days trash pick up project on Saturday, June 18 all day or Sunday, June 19 from 7-9am, please let me know! 

My prayer for you today:

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God.  Nations are in an uproar, kingdoms fall; you lift your voice and the earth melts.  Lord Almighty, you are with us; you are our fortress.  Let us be still.  Let us wait.  Let us watch.  Let us listen.  Let us be still.  You are God.  

You are patient with us, O God, in spite of our sin.  Often we choose greed, selfishness, fear, and hatred rather than letting your Spirit fill us with your fruit of self-control, sharing, hope, and love.  The world is so in need of your love and hope.  Grant us courage to be a part of the solution rather than part of the problem.  Grant us courage to share your healing and hope with a hurting and conflicted world, here at home and around the world.  Come Kingdom of God. Be done will of God, on earth as it is in heaven. In the name of Jesus- AMEN

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

http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/

"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