Snake on the Lane

"Mom, Dad, there's a big snake on the lane!" Back in the late spring of 2004 our eldest was walking the dog when she came across a serpent  in the middle of our stone lane. It was about 36 inches long, alive but barely moving. The evening was cool but not cold, and I was surprised at the reptile's sluggishness, but I confess to knowing little to nothing about the habits of these creatures. I also wasn't sure of the variety, but we had seen a number of the same patterned snakes before and were fairly sure it was a milksnake.

Having grown up on a farm, my dad had instilled in me a respect and care for these creatures that can cause fear and trembling in some, teaching that they helped rid the farm of rodents. As long as it wasn't inside of my house, or snakes on a plane,and it wasn't poisonous, which I didn't think it was, I would be a protector rather than a "grab the shovel and chop it up person" which I would have had to ask Cliff to do, because I wouldn't have been able to bring myself to kill it. Fretting that it might be run over if it stayed where it was, much to the chagrin of my family, I donned a glove and moved it to the edge of the woods along the lane.  For the next three days it remained in this pile of dead leaves, barely moving, but it began laying eggs!  If you look closely at these photos, you may be able to see the 4-5" sections which look really dull and grayish next to the normal bright,shiny segments.  I assume this was a visual of the contractions.   (If there are any herpetologists out there, amateur or professional, that can verify and clarify my surmising, I would appreciate it.) She laid only 3 eggs which were about 1 1/2" long, rectangular with rounded edges, and leathery rather than hard-shelled. The eggs were later consumed by insects; the snake disappeared.

"Something About Snakes" is the title Brother Mick is giving his message on Sunday at 10:15am at Ridgeview as he recounts the story of the children of Israel in Numbers 21:4-9 http://bible.oremus.org/who because of their complaints and grumbling were bitten by venomous snakes.  God heard their cries, and instructed Moses to make a bronze snake and put it on a pole saying that if anyone bitten would gaze at the snake on a pole, he would live. This is one of those Old Testament stories that has me saying, "God did WHAT?!" John makes reference to this event in John 3:14-15:  "And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him will have eternal life."  Are we grumblers about our lives or do we offer thanks and praise in all circumstances?

Our electives continue with the International lesson, The Heart of Mennonite Worship taught by Brother Mick, and chapters 7 The practice of living with purpose/ 8 The practice of saying no from An Altar in the World facilitated by me.  Please join us at 9am!  Attending the previous sessions of any of these classes is not necessary to be a participant this week.

I talked to Craig Stoltzfus who is back home in Minnesota last night.  Craig spent some months with his Lancaster county grandparents last fall, and he enlivened our Upper Room conversations with thoughtfulness and insights. Check out his blog and read some of them! http://cas-ementions.blogspot.com/ Craig will be seeing an oncologist today as a  mass was discovered in his abdomen.  As a toddler, Craig was treated for cancer, so there is concern of a recurrence.   Please pray for Craig as this testing is done.  I will keep you posted.  As always, I was truly blessed by my conversation with this young man.

For details of all the happenings, check out the bulletin on the website at: http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/

My prayer for today:  Creator God, you bring refreshment, re-creation, and reconciliation to all the earth. Thank you.  Some of us have really tough stuff going on in our lives; open our eyes to see that you are in it with us; open our ears to hear your voice of direction to us; open our hearts to feel your care for us.  Use us, Lord, to be your loving hands and feet as we journey with others.  Grant Craig the assurance and peace of your healing presence.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

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

I don't remember the time of year, but I recall being in the kitchen with my dad and my younger sister in our Illinois country home when the first small bang occurred.  What was going on?  We ran to the window and heard another bottle rocket pop in the night sky near our house.  Now, you must understand, we lived on a gravel road with only 3 other houses.  This was an intentional "call out."  My dad began to grin. "You know, I have a whole drawer full of that stuff. Should we answer that?" 

Dad went to his stash and pulled out bottle rockets and other things that go boom, and the three of us headed outside.  For the next fifteen minutes we exchanged sky sprinkles and pops with some of our fun-loving neighbors thus a page in the infamous feud between the "Getzlemans and the Yahyeemans" was created.
Memories awakened of my Illinois neighbors today as I learned that Mom Phyllis is in the hospital. These now rarely seen friends are a meaningful part of my life story and are tucked in a special pocket of my heart.  Love and prayers for you, dear friends!

The focus statement in this week's bulletin reads, "We give up everything to follow Jesus and in turn gain everything--as Abraham and Sarah did when they accepted God's generous covenant and committed themselves to a walk of faith. How can we, too, sign on to the journey, following the footsteps of our ancestors in faith and responding to God's initiating call to let go of our lives for the sake of the gospel?"  Following, walking, journeying, this week Sister Joanne Dietzel will share a message she is calling "Is Anything Too Difficult for God?"  Our sister will draw our attention to the story of Sarah and her journey in signing on with God. 
There are lots of events happening at Ridgeview, so here is a peek at this week's bulletin for all the news.  http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/bulletins/current.pdf

I certainly want to highlight the Amish Turkey Dinner. (Tynea, did you see this??) :) The senior high youth with the help of Theresa, chef extraordinaire, will be preparing the annual Amish Wedding Feast, which is our best fundraiser.  I hope you can join us immediately after the service.

Anthony is home recovering from his surgery.  Let's keep praying for him and his family in this challenging journey.

I hope that for those of you who have spring break this week, you find refreshment and renewal and experience God's presence in new ways.

Mim has surgery next week-- praying, praying!

As we prepare to celebrate Ridgeview's 50th anniversary, we are putting together a cookbook of  our favorite recipes.  Would you like to submit one?  The deadline is March 25.

My prayer today:  Compassionate God, you invite us to join you on life's journey so that we don't have to travel alone.  Never do you leave us nor forsake us.Heb. 13:5  Help us to understand how wide, how long, how high, and deep is your love for us.Eph 3:18   As your love grows in us, our fears diminish-- our fears of circumstances, strangers, death, failure... Grant us courage, Lord, to trust you today.  Wrap us in your light and love that we are filled with the healing and hope that comes from you. 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




Fritzie the Fierce

 

She was beautiful, strong, fierce, playful, smart, friendly, and canine. It's time for another pet story!  A black and tan German shepherd, Fritzie was everything you'd want in a dog. When Cliff joined the scene, he loved playing hide and seek with this hunk of a dog by throwing a stick and running as fast as he could to a concealed spot. Fritzie would run for the stick and then put her nose to the ground and find Cliff, tackling him with kisses and scoldings. I remember my Grandma Lila standing at the window and watching with laughter and head shaking, commenting, "I wouldn't want that big, scary dog chasing after me!" 



Fritzie the fierce had, as we knew it, one terror. Boom! Crash! Flash!  Like many of her species, thunder and lightning would dismay her and bring her quaking and crying into the garage.  Boy, was my dad annoyed when he discovered someone must have left open a car door and found her cowering on the seat.

Hmmm...strangely, it happened again. And again.   Fritzie would be in the garage during a storm, and the next day she would be found in the Dodge.  That smartie dog was opening the car doors!  The evidence also revealed that if a door was locked she would attempt opening other doors... Do you think the seemingly inherent fear of storms in canines could stem from the Great Flood? Ok, probably not, but that statement is my transition to our "Noah" scripture for Sunday. :)

PS  I'd love to hear your pet stories!

http://bible.oremus.org/   Genesis 9:8-17
Lent has begun, and we embark on our yearly journey to the cross, acknowledging that the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us for a time; teaching, healing, caring, guiding, and sacrificing  in revealing God's incredible love for us.


The theme for this trek is about "signing on with God and embracing the covenant God has established with us through Jesus."  Brother Mick will be sharing the message, "Of Rainbows and Dotted Lines."  Together we will share communion, a meaningful symbol of covenant between us and our Creator. There will be a gluten-free bread available so that all can participate.  Please join us!

We also begin six weeks of electives during the Sunday school hour. There will be three options available each week.  This first week:

          -Ray Ranck will be sharing the story of local Mennonites as told in the book, "I Hear the Reaper's Song." The next 4 weeks Brother Mick will be sharing "The Heart of Mennonite Worship." The final week in this block will include faith stories from our church family.

          -The international lesson will be taught.

 -I'll be teaching "An Altar in the World," a book by Barbara Brown Taylor along with Etta Esh. "In a world where faith is often construed as a way of thinking, bodily practices remind the willing that faith is a way of life." P. xviii  Each chapter expounds on a daily practice in which we usually participate without much thought.  Taylor prompts us to recognize the Divine in our everyday by living more intentionally. I'll be teaching this Sunday drawing from chapters 1 and 2: The Practice of Waking Up to God, and The Practice of Paying Attention.  Even if you are unable to attend the sessions, I recommend you read the book!

For family night activities on Wednesday, Feb. 29, dinner will be at the usual 6:15pm time, and the adults will be guided by Bob in painting, cleaning, repairing, and polishing the church building.

Anthony E. is recovering from extensive surgery on Wednesday as part of his battle with cancer.  His recovery is off to a good start!

Check out the new and improved church website. http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/

My prayer for today:  To you, O Lord, we give thanks and praise for this new day. Show us your ways; guide us in your truth; teach us, for you are God, our Savior.  Remember us, O Lord, in your great mercy and love and bring healing and hope to us in our brokenness. As our "cracks" are filled, pour into us your Spirit Fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control that we can share in Kingdom building. We bring our brother Anthony to you and ask for your compassion and presence to cover him and his family with healing and hope. Come Kingdom of God; be done will of God, here on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus name. Amen



Obie, the Not-So-Fierce



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

My Daily Wren

Just a few miles from our home is the nest of a spectacular pair of eagles.  The nest is the size of a mini cooper, and folks with cameras and binoculars are frequently "oohing and ahhing" over the strength and beauty of these birds. Even people who are unable to define "ornithology" stop for a gander at these feathered creatures! Those of you who are my facebook friends know that I have a fascination with birds.  Yep, I'm one of those people you'll find turning her head when a flash of color or movement catches my eye, and the sound of "drink your teeeeeeeeeeeeeaaa" gets me out of my chair and looking for that Eastern Towhee in my backyard.  One of my favorites is a small brown bird called a Carolina wren. She's cute and perky, and I see and hear her almost daily.   http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/carolina_wren/id/ac  Though she's not flashy, large, or dazzling, I delight in her presence at my home, and I continue to attempt to capture her photo.

"More Molehills than Mountains" is the title Brother Mick is giving the message for Sunday morning.  Our scripture text is from Mark 9:2-9 http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=120428023%20. Peter, James, and John are with Jesus on the mountaintop when Jesus is transformed and joined by Elijah and Moses.  Wow! Can you imagine? Read the title again.  Our lives consist of more molehills than mountaintops, more wrens than eagles. How are we to remain faithful in the ordinary stuff of our lives?  You are invited to join us as we learn and share together!

Wednesday, February 22 is Ash Wednesday and the sanctuary will be set up for a self-guided with written directives, meditative service opening at 8am. Corporate times will be at 12 noon and 7pm.
(Does anyone want to meet for fasnachts or pancakes on Tuesday?)  :)

Etta will be joining you in the Upper Room at 9am on Sunday.

Check out Ridgeview's new and improved website. http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/  Thank you, Webmaster Morgan!

Taylor remains in Guatemala with her EMU group.  Check out the blog she is keeping with 2 of her friends. http://laurarachtay.blogspot.com/   Please continue to pray for her and the group.  They have faced some difficult challenges, and this mama is thankful and grateful for God's presence with them during these stretching times.

Anthony will be having surgery on the 22nd as the next step in his treatment for cancer. Keep praying!

My prayer for today: The Mighty One, God the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting--  in oranges, yellows, reds, pinks, purples, blues, greens; so many hues, tints, and shades. Creator God, your house stretches across the universe and is not contained by walls or borders. Your people come in all shapes, sizes, colors, political views, ages, and from all corners of the earth.  Grant us a vision of your goodness. Fill us with songs of joy and beauty even when there are dissonant chords around us, for nothing can separate us from Your peace and love. Lord, bless each reader with an awareness of Your beauty.  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

Healer of Our Every Ill

It's been a while since I've told a hospital story, so here goes.  My patient was a 16 year old boy I'll call David who had lost 30 pounds in 2 months time.  David described how initially he had sharp pain and flu-like symptoms for a couple of weeks but seemed to improve slightly. Pounds began to fall from him like leaves on a November tree. He was an athlete and no longer had the energy to participate in the many activities he loved or an appetite to eat his mom's good PA Dutch cooking.  The diagnostic tests revealed some sort of mass in his abdomen which the surgeon attempted to aspirate and got nothing--not a good sign.  Could it be that this teenager had a cancerous tumor?  Feeling overwhelmed with the possibilities, the medical staff at the small provincial  hospital at which I was working decided to transfer David to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) for surgery. I rode along in the ambulance to monitor David and keep him company.  We all anxiously awaited news of David's surgery and prognosis. The surgeon himself called with the news; David's appendix had been perforated several months before but had encapsulated preventing a full blown infection.  Why wasn't there pus on the initial aspiration?  No one knows, but the CHOP surgeon said that the surgery was very complicated, and that it was a blessing David was at the Philadelphia hospital with their additional resources.  David returned to us post operatively, and we all rejoiced with God's healing touch.

God provides healing in various ways; the body's own system, medicine, and yes, miraculous healing.  The scripture for Sunday is Mark 1:40-45, a passage in which Jesus heals and cleanses a man with leprosy. http://bible.oremus.org/  Perhaps even more significant for us than the physical healing, is the example Jesus provides us of touching and loving one who was broken and an outcast.  Brother Mick's message is called "Only Skin Deep," and I hope you will be able to join us.

The Upper Room will be open, and I look forward to conversing with you.

On Wednesday night at 6:15 we are having a family Valentine Dinner with Forest Hills Mennonite Church providing entertainment.  Bring a friend or your honey and join us!

My prayer for you today: As the deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God. Creator, fill us with your living waters. Today is a new day of possibilities. Your mercy and your grace cover us as You keep watch and care for us.  We commit our plans, our relationships, and our work to You, and seek Your wisdom and guidance in each minute.  Let us be light to those walking in darkness; let us be hope to those in despair; let us be peace to those in conflict; let us be You, Jesus, to each other. Come Kingdom of God. Be done will of God, on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus name, AMEN.

Breakfast anyone?
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

A Squirrel Tail, I mean, Tale

Acrobatic little squirrels are our closest neighbors.  Our dog is blind to them, and these "tree rats" as we sometimes call them seem to think they own the place. An arsenal of small stones is frequently found on our deck railing so my hubby can pepper the little stinkers when they're after the bird seed.  "Talking" with their tails, playing tag, and leaping from branch to branch, I love watching them. A number of years ago Cliff gave me a clear globe bird feeder that was advertised as "squirrel proof." Ha!  Is there such a thing?  One Saturday morning Cliff saw a little chatterer sitting inside the feeder snarfing seed, its busy bushy tail sticking out toward him. Having hit the mother lode, the critter was oblivious to man's presence, so Cliff decided to see just how close he could get to our thief.  Well, he got close enough! How many of you have tweaked a squirrel's tail?  Oh, to have had the video camera rolling!

Brother Mick will be inviting us to reflect on the wonder and power of our amazing Creator this week as he shares a message he is calling, "Think About It" based on Isaiah 40:21-31, a beautiful and powerful passage.   http://bible.oremus.org/?passage=Isaiah 40   Does our arrogance prevent us from of worshipping our mysterious and creative God more fully? Do we trust enough to embrace the Mystery?

This week Etta will join you in the Upper Room. :)

Wednesday night activities will involve storytelling and photos from Palestine and Israel with Curtis Book, Peace and Justice Coordinator from MCC East Coast.  Supper at 6:15- Program at 7pm.

My prayer for you today:  Creator God, you've numbered the stars and counted the hairs on our heads.  That you care about each of us is mind boggling, yet you do!  Thank you!  Thank you for Jesus who demonstrated what love really is.  Some of us are struggling with health. Some of us are struggling with finances. Some of us are struggling with relationships. Some of us are living in fear. Yet, when our hope is in you, our strength is renewed. When your love is made known, our perspective is changed. When we trust in you, we become whole. Make us vessels of your Holy Spirit that your healing and hope will pour out of us to the broken and anxious ones around us.  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