Seventh Sunday in Easter

I enjoyed today's church service a lot. Rev. Dr. William Lytle, the Moderator of the 190th General Assembly of the UPCUSA, one of PCUSA's predecessors, was our guest preacher. His sermon was great! After church, our parish had a meeting, then I had to go to work. This is the first Sunday I had to work in a very long time. After work, my husband and I went out to dinner. Tomorrow will be a busy day.

Sixth Sunday in Easter and Mother's Day

I enjoyed today's church service very much. After church, I helped clean up a bit, then went home to take a nap. After a three hour nap, my husband and I went to Fry's Electronics. (Sometimes it seems as if we never shop anywhere else together.) We treated the following people to dinner at Kazoo: my Mom, my Grandma, my sister, her husband, and their two adorable children. Their kids are quite cute: a feisty yet sweet toddler boy and an adorable and peaceful newborn girl.

I am thankful for the many mothers in my life: my Mom, my Step-Mom, my two Grandmothers, my four Great-Grandmothers, and my little sister, who is also a Mom. I am also thankful for all the story-time Moms and Dads who bring their children to the library to listen to me read stories, sing songs, and even play my 'ukulele. I am also thankful for all the Moms at my church.

I'm also thankful for people such as Donaldina Cameron, a missionary who rescued hundreds of Chinese girls and young women from domestic slavery and prostitution slavery. Although she was not a biological mother, she was called “Lo Mo” or “Old Mother” by the girls and young women she rescued.

All of these women are excellent role models for me.

Fourth Sunday in Easter

Today, my dad, my step-mom, and a family friend went to Hayward in order to attend the 14th Annual 'Ukulele Festival of Northern California. My step-mom played the ukulele with her class. I enjoyed that performance and all of the other performances. After the festival was over, we picked up my husband and went to Grand Indian Buffet for some delicious Indian food.

I missed church this morning. My husband and I arrived home at 9:00. I was going to attend a 10:00 p.m. church service at a nearby university; however, I checked their website, and I found out that their 10:00 p.m. service was changed to 9:00 p.m. By the time I would have arrived there, I would have missed half the service. I don't know of any other churches in my area that have services this late. Perhaps I'll go to two church services next Sunday in order to make up for me missing church today. My dear agnostic husband thinks I'm nuts, but that's okay with me.

Third Sunday in Easter

I meant to post this yesterday; however I forgot.

Today's Bible study and church service were both very nice. One of the church members, who is also the Stated Clerk for our Presbytery as well as the husband of the Clerk of Session for our church, gave today's thought-provoking sermon. Our church received two new members today, a very nice young couple. I'm very happy that they joined our church.

After church, I visited on of my former co-workers who is now retired. We relaxed in their backyard for a while. I'm now inspired to fix up my own chaotic backyard. After our visit, I went to Costco to purchase some storage boxes and some energy efficient light bulbs. I might have been the only person in the entire store with only seven items in her basket. Going to Costco on Sundays can sometimes be a nutty experience. I drove around the parking lot for 20 minutes in order to find parking. Once I was in the store, I found what I needed rather quickly, and the cash register line seemed to move at a reasonable pace. I usually prefer going to Costco on Mondays; however, today's experience was alright.

I came home, rested for a while, then my husband and I visited my sister, brother-in-law and nephew. We had a fun time visiting. After a while, my husband and I went home. I wrote for a while, then went to bed. Overall, a nice day.

Easter Evening: a second Easter service

I've heard of contemporary worship; however, I've never attended a contemporary worship service before. I decided to attend an evening service in a church located approximately 13 miles from my house.

There were many upbeat praise songs accompanied by singers and musicians, a biblical reading, an interesting sermon, prayers, and two amusing skits. I've never been to a church service with skits before.

The pastor and many of the church members were very welcoming. I adore my home church; however, it is fun to visit other churches.

Easter 2007

My Grandma and I went to church this beautiful spring morning. The service was wonderful, especially the sermon. One of the hymns we sang today (and yesterday at a different service) was Hymn #104 – Christ is Risen! Shout Hosanna!, an English translation of Ode to Joy. This is probably my favorite hymn in the Presbyterian Hymnal. We also sang two praise songs, two more hymns, the “Glory be” song and the Doxology.

After the service, my Grandma and I went to the Social Hall, where we enjoyed snacks and beverages. I'm often introverted; however, today, I introduced myself and my Grandma to several people that I have never met before, including newcomers, and members who haven't been at church for a while. Although I'm shy, I do enjoy meeting new people.

I brought Grandma back to her house, and I visited her, my uncle and my cousin for a little while. I then went to Safeway to buy some groceries. As I was walking to my car, a homeless man asked me for some money. I smiled at him, and I gave him a $1.00 gift certificate and a six-pack of boxed raisins. He seemed content with what I offered him. We then said goodbye. I see homeless people in my neighborhood all the time; however, this is the first time I remember seeing a homeless person my my Grandma's neighborhood. I realize that I can't help every single person in the world; however, I'm thankful that God gives me the opportunity and ability to help some people. For more on this topic, please visit http://huladawn.blogspot.com/2007/02/stepping-on-my-soapbox-for-bit.html.