I GO TO CHURCH BECAUSE I WANT TO GO, NOT BECAUSE I FEEL I HAVE TOO

I have a nephew that is on a mission in Minnesota. Each week, the family gets an email from him talking about what he has been up to. He writes about some of the people at church and some who he is teaching, and always bears his testimony.


A few weeks ago he said something in his email that really struck me. He spoke of a member who explained to him about how he wants to be. The man said that he does not want to be just anyone who goes to church to check it off the to do list. This type of a person goes to church because they know they are suppose and that they don't want others to think bad of them. They just show up and then that's it. 


He explained how he wants to be that person who is excited to go to church. He is there because he wants to be there. That he is happy to smell cigarettes and alcohol; he looks for people who are truly sick (spiritually) and are in need of a "physician" and want to feel the love of God. He goes to church to be uplifted and seek guidance in his own life so that he can be of help to others.

One thing that has always bothered me is when people judge others. Now I'll have to say, I am no saint when it comes to anything. We all judge. But I try to think twice before I go judging others. I ask myself what I might do if I was in the same situation. I also think about whether or not I know the whole story. Many times when I have judged others, and then learn the rest of the story, I find that maybe what they did was not all that bad.  For example--years ago I was sitting in church just before services started and in came a family dressed in grubbies. They were not in their Sunday best; not even close. I remember thinking, "Wow..." Then I found out that they had just flown in late the night before. They had had flight problems, and their luggage had been lost. Boy, did I feel bad. Would I have even tried to go to church? Probably not. This family did not let that stop them. See there, I had jumped to conclusion before I knew the whole story. All of us do this, and all of us need to think twice before we go judging others. 

ALRIGHT!!!!! EVERYONE, GET UP!!!!!

Living in a motel get's old REALLY fast! It is just after nine in the morning...a Saturday morning...and everyone is asleep. No one wants to do anything but sleep. I understand that our middle son wants to sleep, as he will be working the 7pm to 7am shift tonight. But the rest of us, no excuses.


So, the question is, "What do we do?" I really don't have an answer. We could go to Evansville, but the gas it would take to go there would be pricey; and once we got there, then what? Benjamin needs new soccer cleats, shorts and guards, but I do believe we could get them here in Madisonville.  


I've been wanting to make some jewelry, but it is all in storage...in OHIO! Probably won't see my jewelry making stuff for several weeks now. I knew I should have pulled it aside to take. Oh well. 


If we were to go to Evansville, I could go to Hobby Lobby or one of the million other craft places they have and get some jewelry making stuff. I wonder if Madisonville's Walmart has any. Probably not. Seems like all the Walmarts have been taken craft stuff out of their stores. Wasn't Walmart originally for the small town folk who couldn't get stuff like that unless they traveled to the bigger city? Why, then are they taking that kind of stuff out of ALL their stores?


So, here I sit...in the dark. 


Too bad there isn't a class up at the Y this morning...I believe Saturday mornings will be full of a buch of guys lifting weights, don't think I'd fit in, so I guess I'll just play on the computer for awhile and listen to everyone snore........................zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Foto Friday

I love beautiful flowers.

I love beautiful colors.

I love different shapes and sizes

and textures.

You Bet She Can Tap Dance!

As I have mentioned before, my daughter has been dancing pretty much her whole life. She now has a degree in dance and a certification in Yoga, and is teaching a various studios around the Baton Rouge area. 


One of the studios she teaches at is primarily a tap studio. They do other things, but are known for their great tapping. At this studio she only teaches contemporary, and, therefore, the kids have not seen her tap. A few days ago, I posted the rehearsal for contemporary dance she choreographed and performed for their recital.


Just the other day, one of her students at this studio asked if she could tap too. Well, Ashley went out and bought a small piece of plywood, did some improving, and posted it. In a few weeks, she will be hauling this plywood up to Indiana for a family reunion (for the talent show).


I would now like to share the little bit of tap on her new toy...

Hope you enjoy!

It's Senior Picture Time!

 Our youngest is a senior in high school; unbelievable!

Anyway...I found out that the high school my son will be attending, they do their senior pictures different than I have ever seen. Usually, your child goes into a photography studio and has a session with cap and gown, and formal wear. The boys wear a tux and the girls have a drape. At this high school, all the seniors have their pictures outside, or with a prop. I was so excited about that, so I took Benjamin out by the bayous in Monroe and did a photo shoot.

Isn't this area nice? The picture was taken at the bayou that surrounds our old neighborhood. Now I just need to get my subject to look at the camera and smile.

Let's try a different scenery...

He's looking at the camera, but no smile. What is it with teenage boys? They just won't smile for the camera!

Bayou Bartholomew

Hmmmm, I think maybe we will go get a haircut and come back another day.

Black Bayou Lake

This time, we went out to Black Bayou

Black Bayou Lake

Is that a smile?

the bayou around our neighborhood

Oh wow! Is that a smile I detect on that handsome face? I do believe it is! My subject looks good and the background looks good. Believe this may be the photo for the yearbook!

Gardenias

Have you ever experienced the sweet smell of a Gardenia?

Their petals are pure white

Gardenias are very Southern

and very beautiful

I sure enjoy my mother in laws

Gardenias. 

They smell sooooo good!!!!

Foto Friday; Where Am I?

This week's Foto Friday theme is.....

Where Am I?

YMCA in the background

We are no longer residents of the great state of Louisiana. Actually, we aren't residents of anywhere. We are half way between my in laws in Tennessee and our future home in Kentucky. We can't move in 'til the end of the month. 

In the meantime, all of us are back and forth from one place to another. This past week, I went up to Kentucky to take care of some business. 

We stayed in one of the local motels just outside the main part of town. Kentucky is known for its coal production, and this area has a lot of people who work in the mines. I looked out the window and noticed a train passing by full of coal.

I am now back in Tennessee for the weekend. 

I'll be headed back to Kentucky in a few days.

Sure will be glad when we are finally settled!