A Busy Day

This morning, I attended a new Bible Study at a church that is approximately 8.9 miles from where I live. The Bible study was very interesting, and the people are very nice. I won't be able to attend next Monday, because I have an appointment; however, I'll be able to attend future Mondays. I've been attending a Bible study on Tuesdays for quite some time. I like that group also.

After the Bible Study, I went back home, and practiced the 'ukulele for a while. After that, I went to my 'ukulele lesson, then to a medical appointment, then back home again. I picked up some paperwork, then went to my tax appointment, then my hula class. Now, I'm home, hanging out with my husband, and watching tv.

I've been blogging rather sporadically; however, I write when I remember to.

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.

an afternoon of hula and an evening of jazz

Today, my hula halau performed at May Day at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton. Two of my friends came from Oakland and San Francisco to watch me and the others dance. Our halau performed three kahiko dances, one Tahitian aparima, sever 'auana dances and one ori Tahiti dance. I danced in one kahiko dance and one 'auana dance.

After the performance, the three of us wandered around the vendor area for a bit, then we went out to dinner. After we said our goodbyes, I drove home.

After resting for a bit, I went to church to see a jazz concert at my church. I'm not very familiar with jazz; however, I certainly enjoyed the concert. The young musicians are very talented.

Metanoia: Repentance: Turning Around

When I was a child I was optimistic, idealistic and hopeful.

As I grew older, I gradually became more cynical, materialistic and bitter.

Over the last few months, I returned to the optimism, idealism and hopeful aspirations of my younger days.

My cynicism, materialism and bitterness have crumbled away. I still have a few crumbs I need to brush off.

Perhaps I still need a touch of skepticism and reservation in order to remain realistic.

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.